2021 Draft Prospect Interview: Jermaine Wynn, WR, Slippery Rock University

• Name: Jermaine Wynn
• Height: 5’9”
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Position: WR
• College: Slippery Rock University
• Twitter: @_JustWynn

Tell us about your university/college. What was your major/minor? How is campus life?

Slippery Rock University is a D2 school In Pennsylvania with about 10,000 students. It’s in a small town of people who love to support Rock Football. I major in marketing there with a minor in Business administration. Students at Slippery Rock feed off the success of the football team. If we’re winning and doing well then the overall morale and spirit of the school is up. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

I think my teammates would say my ability to lead by example and also be a vocal leader. I was named captain last spring going into my junior year and I think I can attribute that to my leadership. When we’re in a bad situation as a team I’m always there to tell guys that we’re going to be good or when the practice is hard I always make sure to go 100% because I know being a team captain that I’m who my teammates are watching. If I show slack then they’ll think it’s okay to take reps off. If I’m out there giving all I got even when I’m tired then my teammates will feed off that. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skillset?

I see myself as a tough slot WR that can run any route in the route tree and make tough catches. I can also play on the outside as during my freshman season I played the X receiver before moving to the slot as a sophomore. I think I can fit into any scheme. My speed allows me to take the top off of defenses, my route running and quickness helps me get open underneath for short conversions and for the intermediate passing game. I also take pride in blocking, so for run-heavy teams, I won’t be a liability blocking on the perimeter.

I blocked for the #1 running back in the country, Miles Sanders, in high school and also another NFL running back, Wes Hills, in college. I have a ton of reps under my belt blocking out on the edge. Lastly, I create big plays in the return game. I have two career Punt Return touchdowns which would be 4 if two didn’t get called back for penalties. I average 15.4 yards per punt return for my career. I also plan to play punt gunner, and kickoff this upcoming season

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

Offense: Marvelle Ross(Notre Dame College)

Defense: Lamont Mcphatter(Cal U)

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

I might be biased because I’m a receiver myself. But Henry Litwin, he’s a beast. He catches everything that gets thrown at him. I’ve seen him make some of the toughest catches in games. It’s like watching Madden but I’m actually out there with him.  

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

Growing up a lot of odds were stacked against me. When I was 14 my older brother died in a car accident and my mom had to turn herself into jail for 2 years one month after his death. My older sister at only 20 years old took my younger brother and me in. During those two years, I had to grow and mature faster than the average teenager.

I didn’t want my older sister to carry such a burden, so I found my first job and worked every hour that was legal for a 14-year-old to work. I helped my sister with bills and food for those years. Even though those times were hard and I struggled I feel like those trials and tribulations made me the man I am today. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

Basketball. I have a 39 inch vertical even though I am only 5’9. So I think I could put that use in the game of hoops.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement is being the first person in my immediate family to go to college. I promised my mom when I was just a kid that I would go to college and it makes me feel good that I’ve kept that promise to her and nearing my degree.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

My sophomore year in my first playoff game against LIU Post. We went up to New York to play against the 2nd seed when we were the 7th seed. The first play of the game I caught a bubble screen and made about 4 tacklers miss and raced for a 75-yard touchdown. That pretty much set the tone for the game and we ended up upsetting LIU Post to move on to the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

My favorite athlete of all time is Lebron James. I try to model my game after Antonio Brown. I focus on precise route running to create separation and also watched a lot of film on AB making sideline catches to get better at that. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?

My favorite music artist is my brother Slick Guruzee. He’s an underground rapper from Pittsburgh but makes music that can be mainstream if he gets the opportunity. Any of his songs that he mentions my name or gives me a shout out pumps me up before a game. 

What is your favorite comfort food?

Any type of breakfast sandwich or chicken tenders.

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?

Favorite movie is Friday Night Lights, and my favorite actor is Mike Epps.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?

I love to edit and make highlight videos of athletes. I make all my own highlight tapes and a couple of my teammates. I play Madden, 2k, and call of duty on my Xbox. 

Who or what motivates you the most?

My brother motivates me the most. He’s not here physically to motivate me but I always feel his spirit is with me. Before he died he would always tell me he couldn’t wait to see me play in the NFL. Even though he’s passed, I still want him to see that I made it there. I write his name on all of my cleats so whenever I put my head down I know who I’m playing for and he would never let me hang my head.