2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jajuan Blankenship, DT, Southern Illinois University
- Name: Jajuan Samuel Blankenship
- Height: 6’0
- Weight: 288lbs
- Position: DT
- College: Southern Illinois University
- Twitter: @jajuanblank12
What is the best restaurant in your hometown city?
• JC’s, they have pretty good Birddogs
When breaking down your film what will stick out?
• The first thing will be relentless effort and playing through the whistle every single play. Next would be quickness and hand usage against OL. Lastly, I would say the strength and use of leverage.
If you won the lotto, what is the first thing you would do with the money?
• Invest in different stocks and buy some real estate
What has been your biggest failure?
• I end up leaving high school with 0 full scholarship offers
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
• Hardworking and encouraging
Who is the hardest working teammate on your team?
• I would say the whole team, everyone works hard and works out with a chip on their shoulders
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
•Yes, I have had a few, Juan, Juju, and JB
Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings
What is your degree in, if you do not make it as a football player, what is your dream job?
• I have an Associates of General Studies and a Bachelor’s of Science in Media Studies, with a minor in coaching. I would say my dream job is being a college or NFL coach of some sort, whether that is as a position coach or strength coach.
What is your coolest life moment?
• Taking part in the Netflix show “Last Chance U” was a pretty cool experience, and I end up being on the cover for the show which was cool for family and friends to see
What song would you sing at Karaoke night?
• Can You stand the Rain- New Edition
If you could pick any actor to play you in a movie, who are you picking?
• Denzel Washington
Who is your favorite football team?
• Carolina Panthers
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
• “Proceed at your own risk, animals ahead“
What is your biggest fear?
• Going through life, and not being able to have an impact on someone else
Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?
• Cam Newton
Take us through game day, How do you prepare?
• I start with a shower before we leave the hotel to start loosening up, and then watch more film in the hotel, as well as listen to music. Once we get to the stadium I change and go to the field to warm up. Once I get back in the locker room I put on all my equipment and sit in my locker with headphones on and a towel over my face with my eyes closed. I do this until it’s time to hit the field, after that, I take a knee, say a prayer, and then I am ready to go.
Do you have any hobbies?
• I would say working out, playing NBA 2K , and playing with my dog
If you had to compare yourself to someone in the NFL, who would that be?
• Grady Jarrett
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
• My father, he’s always tried to point me in the right direction and instilled many traits in me that will stick with me forever.
What motivates you to work hard?
• I’ve been overlooked and counted out a lot over the years, I just want to take my story and let it inspire and motivate the kids growing up after me, to see that if you work hard & believe you can accomplish anything you want. There is no such thing as “too small”, and by me making it I can be an example of that for them.
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