NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Raeshawn Smith, CB, William & Mary

• Name: Raeshawn Smith

• Height: 5’10”

• Weight: 181 

• Position: Cornerback 

• College: William & Mary 

• Twitter: @raesmith28

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• I’m from Alexandria VA. I really love how diverse it is. You have people from many different backgrounds and ethnicities and everyone gets along.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• Practice, film study, strength and conditioning. Practice is so important because it gives you a feel for what you’re going to see and do in the game. Film gives you a chance to see and study the other team from a different perspective, and you can see subtle tendencies that’ll help you in the game. Strength and conditioning allows you to be athletic enough to compete at a high level. All 3 are important though, you could order it any way.

What do you worry about, and why?

• My family, all the time. I always want them to be good in every way, but that’s not always the case. So I’m always thinking about them. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• Going into my senior year of high school I went to a bunch of camps and no FBS school offered me, mostly because of my size. I used that as extra motivation and had a breakout senior season, earning all-state and all-met honors. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My leadership. I was voted a team captain by them my senior year so I think that was their way of saying I’m a good leader.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Probably Ray Bolden from Stony Brook. He was smaller but real shifty and was good at creating separation. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

• Probably some sort of financial consultant. I studied Econ in college so that stuff’s right up my alley. 

Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?

• Room. I hate having a dirty room. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• That’s a tough one, but probably be my family member. It really depends on who the family member is though, like if we’re close, how old they are, etc.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• John Wick. He’s one of the best hitmen I’ve ever seen in movies.  

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• I went to foster care when I was 7 up until I was 10. I got through it by having my brother Gerald by my side, we were both strong throughout the whole process. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• I’d say getting a one-handed TD pass caught on me by a receiver from Towson. It was really good defense but just better offense. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• Getting my first interception on just the 3rd play of my first game ever in college. I knew then that I could be a pretty good player. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Won’t Stop by Meek Mill

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• Belief. Before you succeed with anything in life you must first believe that you can actually do it. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• My childhood friend Sam. He was one of my best friends growing up, but he died a couple years ago. I still think about him to this day. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• Rae’s Paradise 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Frank Gore. He’s 4th all-time in rushing yards and has never been talked about as one of the league’s best.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected. It’s a lot harder to earn than popularity, and much more valuable. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• Josh Gordon. He has the talent to be one of the greatest receivers ever, but off-field issues keep him from being on the field consistently. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• Hate to lose 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• I’d say my dad. He was a single parent raising 4 kids when I was growing up, and it was hard, but he never made excuses and he showed me what being a man is all about.