2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ian McBorrough, LB, Morgan State University

• Name: Ian McBorrough
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 225
• Position: Linebacker 
• College: Morgan State University 
• Twitter: @longlive6_

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

• I grew up in Essex, MD, a small town in Baltimore County.  Not that much goes in Essex honestly but the thing I love the most about my home town, aside from my family being there,  is the experience I had playing football for Eastern Tech High School. Friday night lights wearing the orange and black will always have a special place in my heart. 

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

• First would be film study because when you get to higher levels of football, you realize that everyone is around the same size and speed. Therefore, you can’t really rely on being the biggest, fastest, or strongest person on the field like you did in high school to find success.  Understanding your opponent, concepts, and different keys allows you to play faster than your opponent. I believe film is the best way to become a better football player. 

Next would be , Strength and Conditioning because you have a be in great shape in order to preform at the highest level. 

• Lastly but definitely not least is practice because this is a key portion of your preparation. In practice you improve your fundamentals skill and techniques so you can preform at a high level on game day.  Practice is also the place where you implement your learned keys to your playing in order to get ready for your next opponent.

What do yo worry about, why?

• I would say I worry about not being successful in life . I work hard in everything  I do in order to give myself and my future family a good life. Of course you fail sometimes and have to bounce back from it, but overall I always strive to be successful.  

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

• My sophomore year in college was my first time playing inside linebacker  and I really wasn’t good at it. I made big plays off of my athleticism but I didn’t really understand how to play the position. I didn’t have a terrible year but I didn’t play to the standard that I hold myself to. This was a failure to me. To overcome this , during the off-season , I really studied the position and watched a lot of film. I put on the necessary weight in order to be more durable. I also would work on all my weaknesses on the field in order to come back the next season better than I’ve ever been mentally and physically. The following season, I achieved First-Team All Conference Honors.Overall,  I would say I overcame this failure with hard work. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality? 

• My teammates would say my best quality is my vocal leadership on the field. Also my understanding of the game of football when it comes to Football IQ. 

Room desk car— which do you clean first

• I would say my 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 save my family member because they are a part of me and who I am. 

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

• I would say John Wick just because of how much of a savage he is. Everyone knows you can’t cross John Wick and live to tell the story.

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

• The biggest adversity in my life occurred when I was a high school senior coming into college. I almost wasn’t able to play the game of football ever again due to medical reasons. I missed a couple weeks of camp due to those reasons. During those two weeks I was very depressed and unsure of myself. I couldn’t picture my life without football. I overcame this adversity with a lot of prayer and faith in God. I was cleared to play and the rest is history. This became one of the main reasons that I work as hard as I do. 

  What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career? 

• The most memorable play of my college career would have to be a sack that I had against SC State my junior year. They had a very good QB who was very elusive and shifty when he decided to run. It was 3rd down and I was in coverage, the QB had nowhere to go with the ball so I knew he was about to run. I didn’t have any receiver in my zone so I just took off towards him. I ended up getting a sack on the play during a homecoming game. The crowed wen crazy.   

What song best describes your work ethic? 

• Any song by Meek Mill. He always raps about how he turned he dreams to a reality through hard work.  

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

• The most important trait you can have for the next level would be a understanding of the mental aspects of football. There are a lot of crazy talented athletes at the next level so I believe that understanding game plans, concepts, reading keys, and the most efficient way to get your job done will make you successful. 

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

• My grandfather, I only knew him when I was very young. It would be cool to have a day with him now just so I can spend time with him.  

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

• Truth lol 

 Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?  

• Right now the think the most underrated person in the NFL is Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey. He doesn’t get the respect he deserves when it comes to being one of the best corners in the league.

•  Would you rather be liked or respected, and why? 

• Respected. You shouldn’t really change who you are as a person just for people to like you. I rather stay true to myself and my values and be respected than worry about people liking me. 

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

• I would say Josh Gordon. I chose him because not everyone takes the time to know his story. Josh Gordon’s problem with addiction started all the way back in middle school due to him living in an unstable household. He actually has a problem that he been trying to fight for years. Most people just see him as an addict who doesn’t care about football enough to stop when that’s not the full story. 

  Do you love to win, or hate to lose? 

• I would say that I lie somewhere in the middle of this. I have a high drive to be successful which causing me to hate losing. 

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

• The biggest influence on my life would have to be my mother. She always told me and my siblings that we have to work hard for everything we want in life and I believe me and my sibling inherited her strong work ethic.