2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Cory Batie, CB, Harding University

• Name: Cory Batie
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 202 lbs
• Position: CB
• College: Harding University
• Twitter: @batie1k
• Instagram: @batie1k

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
My major is Sports Management. I’m set to graduate this spring. Most schools like us, we are not having a season. So I plan on staying and getting my masters while also having another year of football. Being a student athlete at Harding is pretty nice. You get to learn about God and play football at the same time which is pretty nice while also being one of the Top D2 schools in America.

To answer your second question, Yes. We have this even called “Bison Buddies” where a bunch of football players choose to go to elementary schools around here and just go play with the little kids. Some may not have father figures and that’s where we step in. We usually just sit in class and talk or go outside and play with the kids for an hour a day, usually two days out the week. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
One of my best qualities they could say about me being a versatile player, hard worker, and having speed.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
My role on the team I can probably be seen as is a “Go Getter”. A player who is going to lead by example and never getting caught up in the crowd or other players talking, but also having fun and making plays with my teammates. One of my favorite schemes I love playing is “Man to Man” defense. I want to cover the best receiver on the opposite team. I also have some experience playing in the slot which where mostly the quick and fast receivers are. So Man to Man is one of my best traits.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
One of the best players I have played against would have to be “L’liott Curry” from Henderson State. The guy has tremendous speed for his size, and can run almost any route in the route tree.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
Shederick Robinson. He and I came in at the same time. At first he was playing safety, but they moved him to the Mike linebacker position. He is another guy who has good speed for his size. He loves filling gaps and also has a nose for the ball.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
I would say the death of my mother. She passed away June 1, 2020. She was a BIG impact on my life and one of the main reasons I am the man I am now. She was any mother a son could ask for. She used to always try to make it to at least 2 or three games a season. Which was fine with me because we stay in Alabama. She helped me realize life wasn’t going to be easy, and to always treat everyone with respect, whether it’s “Yes ma’am, no ma’am, or yes sir, no sir” I could go on about her. But I can definitely say she is my motivation for sure and not a day go by that I don’t think of her.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
I would most likely be running track for sure. I had about 2 or 3 schools coming out of high school that were interested in me. But football was where my heart was at.

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
It would have to be my little niece. I treat her as if she is my daughter. But watching her grow up, and become a young woman is the best thing I could ask for. She already had her mind made up that she wants to join the Army. Also some brothers that I have. Just growing up around them and watching them take different paths in life. Some are in the Army, have good paying jobs, or playing football.

My biggest achievement would be getting my degree next semester. I have worked tremendously hard for this, and watching it come to the time I get if is a good achievement.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
One of the most memorable plays would have to be when I caught two interceptions against University of Arkansas at Monticello. I can remember vividly it was doubles to my side and my safety had given me a call to play man. I knew they like running rub routes or “pick routes” to the field. As the ball was snapped the receiver gave a little wiggle off the line and our coach stressed to us to always stay square to the receiver until he makes his first move and that’s what I did. As the play was going on the slot receiver tried to pick me but being a savvy DB I went over the top of him and pressed the near shoulder of the receiver and ran right through him to the ball, everything after that was history.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
Really don’t have a favorite NFL team, but if I had to choose it would be the Vikings. After the draft this year there shouldn’t be a reason why they wouldn’t be one of the top contenders in the NFL. I don’t like comparing myself to other players, but if I had to choose, hands down it would be Jalen Ramsey. He has that dog mentality that If you are going to line up in front of me, it’s going to be a long night and you’re not going to like it. Also lining up against the best receiver.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
My favorite would have to be “Lil Baby”. He speaks some real life stuff but also gets you pumped up. He doesn’t do no cap in his songs.

What is your favorite comfort food?
Being from down south, it would have to be barbecue. Really anything on a grill with charcoal. Can’t beat it.

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?
Favorite movie would have to be “Fast Furious 7”

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
In my spare time I really like watching film from the past games and looking at my mistakes or seeing what I can work on. But I also love fishing and shooting my guns back home. Being from the country you can make as much noise as you want, and nobody can complain about it. But another one is chilling or making my teammates laugh. I’m one of the funniest people on the team.

Who or what motivates you the most?
My family, brothers, and teammates.