2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Paul Terry, HB, Eastern New Mexico University

• Name: Paul Terry
• Height: 5’9
• Weight: 195
• Position: FB/RB
• College: Eastern New Mexico University
• Twitter: @paulterry55

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

• I am born and raised from Amarillo, Tx which is located in the middle of the panhandle of Texas. What I love most about Amarillo, is how the community supports sports to the fullest. From what I remember, every game no matter the team or sport the stadiums were always filled. For me that is something I will never forget.

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

•  Strength and conditioning, film, and practice. I put them in this order because, first, I’ve always heard about the phrase “reliability is availability.” To me, the work put in and outside the weight room ultimately effects how well your body is able to perform at its peak. Next I said film study, I say this because learning is part of the game. Film study is important to be able to take what you learned from film and be able to translate it to the field effectively. Lastly, Practice is final out of the three, in my opinion you need the first two factors before you can be able to practice with the intentions of getting better every day.

What do you worry about, and why?

• I don’t want to say I worry about anything, because ultimately Gods plan is greater than mine. And without him nothing is possible. So, I walk my steps in faith knowing that he is leading me in the right direction.

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

•  One example where I failed would be the 2018 football season. I had goals and accolades I wanted to achieve and over the summer I thought I worked hard enough to achieve these goals. Sadly, I didn’t reach one goal that I had set for the season. My first thought was to blame others, but I couldn’t blame anyone but myself. I could’ve rolled over and said football wasn’t for me, but instead I worked harder than I ever have before training 2-3 times a day. I came back stronger and better than ever before and it has showed through the Spring and throughout this football season. I’ve already crushed the goals I had set last season and am now looking to reach higher.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• I think my teammates would say my best quality is the passion I bring to the field. Everybody sees me going, and it gets them going.

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

• Chris Hoad, LB at UTPB

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

• I would be an investor for Real Estate opportunities

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 save one family member. I say this because I grew up with 3 older brothers, and my parents always taught us the importance of family, and how we should always be there for each other.  

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

• I would say Spider-Man. Spider-man was always just the normal kid in school until he got his superpowers. Even though everyone finds out who he is, he doesn’t let the fame change him.

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

• One of the biggest adversities I faced in my life is the fact that I did not go D1. I always grew up thinking I was destined to make it big and was always going to play on national TV for my college career. But unfortunately, that did not happen, so I had to make the best out of what I had, and it has yet to let me down. I’ve had a great career at ENMU.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• My most embarrassing moment would have to be my Sophomore year. After I scored my first touchdown of the season, I attempted to touch the goal post with my hand just to do something, and I totally missed it. At first, I didn’t think it was a big deal, but everybody saw it, and they even put it on the teams highlight.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• My freshman year of college, we were playing against UTPB, and I got the pitch outside and made a couple hard moves ultimately making the defender lose his balance and fall right on his butt.

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Money in the Grave (Drake and Rick ross)

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 that would help me succeed at the next level would be the ability to prepare. I feel like my skill level can match up with anyone at the next level at what I do, just being able to prepare to the highest extent would separate me from the rest.

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

• It would be Sean Taylor. Even though I wasn’t necessarily a defensive player, the way he approached the game and the energy he brought can’t be explained. I didn’t watch him play live, but the way everybody carries on his legacy is inspiring. He was truly a dawg on the field, and I would love to have known how he approached every game.

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

• Terry’s Penthouse

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Aaron Jones, RB for Green Bay  

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected. I say this because at the end of the day I don’t need people to like me. I want them to see the little things done right through my character, which shows who I am off the field as well.

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

• Josh Gordon, I know he is still getting opportunities in the league, but at one point he was the best WR in the league in I think just his second year. I feel for him because everybody is going through different things in their life, and humans cope with them in different ways. Unfortunately for Josh, he couldn’t keep his unnecessary actions from reaching the media. Once the media gets a hold of a superstar struggling it could end up de-railing their career like Josh Gordon has dealt with.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I hate to lose. Winning is the goal, and in my perspective, I expect to win everything I put my effort into.

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

• Definitely my parents have been the biggest influence on my life. My parents have always tried their best to put me in the best position to reach my dreams, even it was out of the way or there necessarily wasn’t enough money available. Both of them support me to the fullest, and I couldn’t have made it this far without them by my side. It definitely hasn’t always been easy, but their support keeps me motivated to reach for the stars.