NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Odean Gilzene, DL, Stony Brook University

Odean Gilzene the powerful pass rusher from Stony Brook University recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds owner Damond Talbot.

• Name: Odean Gilzene
• Height: 6020
• Weight: 280
• Position: Defensive Line
• College: Stony Brook University
• Twitter: @O_MECCA

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

• If couldn’t play football I’m not sure what my career would be to be honest. But i would like it to be something involving giving back to black communities, helping the young youths in those communities see the bright futures ahead of them. 

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

• I clean my room first, it’s my space for relaxation and I feel most comfortable when my room is clean. I spend a lot of time in my room and my room isn’t as comfortable when it’s messy so I have to clean it up.

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

• My first instinct would be to save everyone, every life is worth saving, family or stranger. But if I had to choose I would probably choose my family member because of the strong emotional connection I have with them and the impact they had on my life. 

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

•I would be Will Smith from Men in Black. Like the character i would consider myself smart and observant of everything around. I’m also funny every now and then, and care for those that help me and care for me.

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

• The biggest adversity I’ve faced was the disappointment of college football career not going they way I wanted as soon as I wanted. I had to continually remind myself that I have to be patient and continue to invest. Nothing worth having will come easy or quick it take patience and hard work.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• After a tackle in the Fordham game I was excited and didn’t know what to do so I just jumped. I felt embarrassed after I did it because it felt like it was a awkward jump. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• Sack versus James Madison my senior year  in the first quarter. It was early in the game and it was the first big defensive play of the game so it really set the tone for the game. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Found A Way by Dave East would be the song that best describe my work ethic. I might struggle at times but i will find a way to succeed and accomplish my goals regardless of my circumstances. 

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 I can have is to be coachable. I have to be able to listen to the advice my coaches give and use it to make the necessary adjustments in my game to improve my performance. 

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

• I would bring back my grandmother. she helped raise me and my siblings so we are products of her of her labor and I want her to see the fruits of her labor 

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

• “Vibes”, for good vibes only. I’m all about positive vibes and the name would state that. 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?

• Akiem Hicks from the Bears. He’s very powerful and experienced vet that not enough people seem to know about or give enough credit to. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• I rather be respected because it means people accept me for all that I am rather than just liking me for specific qualities or traits. 

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

• I felt for Michael Vick the most because of how great of an athlete he was and how unfortunate his situation . Dog fighting is wrong and I understand that being a dog owner myself but he didn’t at the time because it was a cultural thing for him growing up in Virginia. It cost him millions and it stopped him from showing the world how good he really could have been. I would have loved to watch him develop more in the NFL and see how much of an impact he would have had on the game over time. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I love to win. In college practice for a week to prepare for one game and in that week we grind. As a player you expect nothing short of a win after that much preparation, it kinda validates your hard work. But just because you lose doesn’t mean you didn’t work hard, there are lessons to be learned from your loses. 

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

• My father has been the biggest influence on my life. He always reminded me to do the right thing regardless of how difficult that may seem. He taught me how to be a man that people can respect and my siblings can look up to, he’s my role model. 

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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