2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Enrique McFarlane, LB, Merrimack College

• Name: Enrique McFarlane
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 230
• Position: LB
• College: Merrimack College
• Twitter: @bboc_rico

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

I come from West Hempstead, Long Island – a place where people look out for you and want to see you succeed. Overall, what I love most about my hometown is the people. I was able to become close to families I would not have thought I could have, and even though I’m not there anymore, I still have mothers and fathers reaching out and checking on me, and I believe everyone needs a support system like this.

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

I believe that strength and conditioning is the most important because it will be there for you when you need it most on the field and just in general, and being stronger and faster will help you in the long run. Second, I’m going to go with film study because without this you can’t be prepared on the field. Lastly is practice because you will only get better if you’re pushing yourself time and time again on the things you need to work on. In order to be successful on the field, you first have to prepare yourself both physically and mentally.

What do you worry about, and why?

Something that I worry about is failing, or being a waste of talent. I believe that I have the talent and drive to play with the best and not meeting that standard is something that worries me.

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

Coming out of high school, I had many interests in Division 1 schools, but because of my grades I couldn’t receive an offer. This lead me to attending a post-grad year, where I worked my tail off in the classroom and by the time I was Division 1 eligible, schools had already found their guy. I overcame this by going to Merrimack College, where I have worked hard to make the most out of my opportunities. I was able to become an All Conference player there and am trying to become an All American.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

My teammates would say my best quality is the ability to make something positive come from nothing. I say this because in games, they look to me to make a play when we need it, which I take great pride in and use this as a motivator and chip on my shoulder because I hate to let people down.

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

The best player I’ve played against was probably Deonte Harris; I respect the way he plays.

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

If I couldn’t play football, I would try to become a police officer, since my major at Merrimack College is Criminology and Criminal Justice, and would work my way up to eventually applying for the FBI, because I see myself only competing with the best in everything I do.

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

My room would be the first thing I would clean because that’s the foundation to an organized life; you sleep, relax, and hangout in there. Plus, as a kid, my mother would not allow me to leave my room until it was spotless, so that just stuck with me.

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

I would choose my family member over and over because blood is thicker then water and I couldn’t live with myself knowing I was the reason something happened to a family member, or that I could have prevented something disastrous happening to them.

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

I would probably be Vince Howard from FridayNightLights because he overcame so much, all because he wanted something bigger then himself.

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

My biggest adversity in life probably came last year when I suffered a season-ending concussion, causing me to redshirt my senior year. By taking the proper precautions and working diligently with my trainers, I was able to overcome something I thought I would never come back from.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment in life was probably having my mom come into my class in about 8^th grade and yell at me in front of the entire class.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

The most memorable play I have had in college was my freshman year, at which point I got to play a little but not many reps, so I would always try and make a play on special teams. This specific play, I blocked a punt that set my team up to win the game, which is a moment that I’ll never forget.

What song best describes your work ethic?

The song that best describes my work ethic is Push Itby Rick Ross because between the lines, I only know one speed and it is full go.

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

I feel that in order to be successful at the next level, it’s less physical because everyone is strong and fast at that level. At that point, it’s about how you can think and react on the fly, so mental stability is the most important trait you can have to succeed at the next level.

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

I wish I could bring my grandma back because I feel like she is missing so much that she used to talk about;  just seeing all of her grandkids grow up and better themselves and I wish she could experience that, even just for a day.

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

BBOC Nightclub

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

I would say that the most underrated player in the NFL is Lamar Jackson because everyone wanted him to switch to Wideout and he wanted no part of being that. He wants to be better and wants people to respect his arm, not just his feet, which is why I think he is going to shock a lot of the naysayers.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

I would rather be respected because when someone respects you, that means they think you are important. In my opinion, self respect is the most important because you can be liked and respected in every way, but someone will always still have something to say, and as long as you don’t lose your true character and always show respect, none of that even matters.

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

Chad Johnson I think is a top 5 wideout but will never be in the talks because of a dumb decision he made off the field. I could never excuse him for doing what he did, but I feel bad because after that happened, his entire career went down the drain.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I hate to lose, but I know when a loss comes that it just means you have something you can take from it and improve on for next time. Reflection is key in improvement.

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

The biggest influence on my life is my father. I am his namesake and he is truly a man who I look up to and wish to be like one day. He has been there for me and supported me throughout my entire life and I couldn’t ask for anything better. This man has made sacrifices for me time and time again, just so I could pursue what I wanted and I know he would do it over and over again if asked. I strive to be the half the man he is because nothing is ever about him and I try and take that and use it with everything in my life.