NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Terence Stephens Jr., RB, Robert Morris University

Terence Stephens Jr. the amazing RB of Robert Morris University recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds owner Damond Talbot
  • Name: Terence Stephens Jr
  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 205
  • Position: Running Back 
  • College: Robert Morris University 
  • Twitter: @TerenceSt25

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

  • I’m from Bolton, North Carolina. It is a small town close to Wilmington North Carolina with a population of 691 people. What I love most about it is it’s a small town and it keeps my family members close. On holidays, everybody comes to my Great Grandmother Elastine’s house and we have a great time. Bolton and Family is my WHY. I want to give back to all the people that helped me get to where I am today, and be an inspiration and role model for others who strive to accomplish their dreams. 

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

•                All three ties together but film study is the most important to me. Film Study prepares you mentally. It also helps you see yourself which helps you to make mental notes on things you did well and things you need to improve on.  It also eliminates indecisiveness while playing in games and practice.   Secondly is Strength and Conditioning. Strength and Condition challenges athletes mentally and physically.  It prepares athletes for the grind they will endure during games and practices. Lastly, is practice. Practice helps me measure my strength and conditioning and let’s me work on the things I learned in film study.  Practice gives athletes tools to use in the game, and helps the team bond and become more efficient.  

What do you worry about, and why?

•                I usually do not worry about too much. However, when I do worry, I find myself worrying about what my future holds. The reason being is because my dream is to play in the NFL. I am one step closer to accomplishing that dream and I find myself getting anxious and try to speed up the process in my head. Lately, I’ve been living in the moment. Taking it one DAY at a time, one Game at a time, and one PLAY at a time. 

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

•                I would have to say the loss at Eastern Kentucky University last year.  We were looking for our first Division 1 win and the whole team really played their hearts out that game.  I had about 130 yards rushing and two touchdowns that game.  I really wanted to help win that game for my teammates and for our coaching staff.  Unfortunately we lost in overtime by 1 point.  I cried on my dad’s shoulder after the game. I thought about it for the first couple of days after, and then I had to move on.  Being resilient helped me overcome the loss of that game.  In football, you have to be resilient and mentally tough and get ready for the next game.  You don’t have much time to dwell on the past. It’s on to the next opponent and you have to get prepared physically and mentally as quick as possible.   

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

•                My Grit. 

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

•                Kareem Hunt who is now a running back for the Cleveland Browns.  

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

•                Coaching running backs in college or Sports Broadcasting.  

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?

•                Naturally, most people would say their family member.  However, to me it all depends on the situation.  If my family member was financially stable and was wealthy and the three strangers were very poor, I would lean more towards helping the three poor strangers because I would know that my family member could support himself. But if my family member was poor as well, then I would definitely save my family member.

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

•                 Luke Cage. The reason being is because he loves his city. He gives back to the community and he saves Harlem from all the negative outcomes.  

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

•                Sitting on the sidelines for two years at Bowling Green. I hardly played at Bowling Green, It humbled me as a player. It taught me who was really down for me. I was constantly talking to my father. He kept me from dwelling on the negative and only fed me positive thoughts. After my Sophomore year, I decided to transfer to Robert Morris University which was one of the best decisions I made for my football career. It gave me a new beginning and a new purpose!

What is your most embarrassing moment?

•                Acting on stage. I took acting classes during my junior spring semester. We had to perform a play in front of students. I forgot my lines, so I started making up my own lines during the play. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

•                Scoring my first rushing touchdown on the goal line against James Madison University.  

What song best describes your work ethic?

•                YBS Skola- Living  

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

•                Resilience. It’s the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, or tragedy.  When adversities come in life whether on or off the field, having the resiliency to be able to adapt and overcome is the most important trait to help me succeed at the next level

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

•                My Uncle Ritchie. It tore my family apart. I wish, I could ask him what happened that night he died.  If my family members found out what happened, we would feel a little more relieved about his death. 

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

•                P. T. S. D 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

•                Jaylen Samuels 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

•                I would rather be respected. Anyone can be liked but not everyone is respected.  When you earn the respect of an opposing player, then you know you are great at what you do. 

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

•                Steve McNair.  I feel the most for him because his life was taken from him.  Most people get a second chance in life to make things right or correct their mistakes.  Unfortunately for him, he never got that chance.  

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

•                Both. But, all I think about is winning. I love to win. Losing teaches lessons but winning puts me in a positive spirit. 

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

•                The biggest influence on my life is my father. He makes numerous sacrifices when it comes to my life and football career. I’m very blessed to have him as a positive influence in my life.  He spreads his wisdom throughout my life every single day. He is a giver and he is always looking to spread happiness to me and the rest of the family.  Most importantly, he is a Christian man and he helps to instill Godly principles in me which help shape my thoughts and decisions in life.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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