NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Isaia Rosten, LB, Adams State University

•  Name: Isaia Jacob Faalafua Rosten
        •       Height: 6’0
        •       Weight: 225
        •       Position: MLB/OLB
        •       College: Long Beach City College/ Adams State University
        •       Twitter: @Isaiaaa35

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

Long Beach California is known for producing athletes in every sport. The level of competition is very high in every sport where I grew up, it shows how many people from Long Beach have made it playing Professional Football.       

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

Film Study, Practice, and then Strength and Conditioning. I say this because Film will give up tendencies on the opponents you are playing and if you study hard enough and find out these tendencies you will naturally be a step ahead of the opposing team. The reason I put Practice over Strength and Conditioning because taking reps against scout and knowing what your job is, is very important. Plus in the majority of the Programs, I have been a part of we get most of our conditioning during practice by having high tempo practices. The weight room is very important as well, to help prevent injuries during the season and to have you in the best shape possible for games. I just do not see it over Film and Practice because I know a lot of natural athletes that are not as strong in the weight room but still work hard on the field and are ballers.

What do you worry about, and why?

My only worries are not becoming successful in life. I have a son and I grew up with my father in and out of my life which made it very hard for me growing up. I do not want my son to have to go through the obstacles I faced growing up. In order to make his life easier, I have to be successful.     

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

During my game against New Mexico Highlands, I was making a tackle in the backfield and I was hit off of him by my own teammate and the Runningback broke my tackle and ended up getting a 10 yard gain. I was upset at myself for not securing the tackle stronger and in the next two plays I bounced back and ended up stripping the Runningback and took off with the football.         

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Leading by example.        

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

One of my own friends; Zimari Manning

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

Firefighter 

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

Room  

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

I would have to say one family member, I am a family man and very close to my family. I know the background of my family members, and the strangers have the possibility of having a bad background or be a criminal.  

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

The Flash, he has always been my favorite Super Hero growing up. He has the ability to be very fast and instead of using the speed of light for bad, he uses it for good and to help the Earth. Plus I am a pretty fast Linebacker and try to use my speed on the field to either make a play or help spill the play for my teammates to make the play.         

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

Having to grow up without both parents. Staying focused on Football and School so I can go get a College Education and hoping for a chance to make it to the next level after College.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

During one of my games, I had got food poisoning and I ended up throwing up three times on the field during the game.        

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

We were backed up on the goal line against West Texas down 17-14 in the last 4 minutes in the game. I seen the Power Run develop, I spilled the Tightend and the Runningback ran straight into me and I stripped the ball, the ball flew in the air and I snatched it as I was falling. I gave my offense the chance to go and win the game for us.       

What song best describes your work ethic?

Grinding All My Life by Nipsey Hussle        

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

Speed, if I am able to be fast and play sideline to sideline at the next level that is good attributes for a Linebacker at the next level. Speed brings natural momentum while making a tackle which makes it easier to make tackles        

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

My grandpa Isaia, he died when I was very young but my family has always told me even as a baby he said I would be great and loved me the most out of my family.             

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

Hustlas         

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?

John Timu        

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

Respect, being respected either on the field or off the field shows you have high character and do what you are supposed to be doing.          

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

Aaron Hernandez, what happened to him was tragic. Growing up in Long Beach you either play sports or join a gang, and a lot of my childhood friends are either in the NFL or in a gang. Seeing what happened to me showed I needed to stay away from anything that would sabotage my life from being successful.         

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I hate losing, I am a natural competitor and always want to be on top. There have been games I had a hell of a game but my team did not come out on top and cannot enjoy my performance.

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

My Grandma, she has always been there for me at my lowest and my highest. She has always been my #1 Fan in everything I do, I know if I needed for anything I can count on her. Ever since she learned how to text she sends me a text every day at 5:30 A.M. saying she loves me and hopes I have a good day.