NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Shemar Jean-Charles, CB, Appalachian State

Shemar Jean-Charles Appalachian State
Shemar Jean-Charles was a fantastic corner and All-American for Appalachian State in 2020. He recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds writer Jimmy Williams.
  • Name: Shemar Jean-Charles
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 189 lbs.
  • Position: CB
  • College: Appalachian State University
  • Twitter: @sherm_ftc
  • Instagram: sherm_8

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?
I graduated this past December with two degrees: Business Marketing and Business Management. I’ve also participated in the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. I was also the Treasurer of the charter group of the Black Student Athletic Association that was established Fall of 2020. I also built good relationships while participating with our Boosters Club (Yosef Club).

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My teammates would say by work ethic. I’m a very detail-oriented person with my training and my diet. I pride myself in my preparation and how well I’m organized. I’m also hard working and usually the last person to leave.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I was a team captain for App State and can be the leader. Yet, I will gladly accept whatever role the team needs me. I’ve been the backup, 3rd CB, nickel, dime, outside corner or safety. I take pride in my knowledge of the game. I watch a lot of film and could fit in any role whether I’m in space or on an island with an opponent. I can play press coverage which shows up on film. I’m also a willing tackler that can take on blocks. I’m not putting limits on myself. I’ve shown that I can be flexible and teachable. While at the Tropical Bowl, I played inside corner and even took reps at safety.

As far as scheme, we mixed it up a lot at App State and used all kinds of formations. I have a good understanding of personnel groups, I’m very precise in how I move on the field and I show real aggression at the point of the ball.

Our coaching staff is pretty old fashioned when it came to special teams, and we had our best players on the field in all phases of the game. I played multiple positions on special teams including, gunner, the CB blocking the gunner, front line on kick returns, FG blocks and I was also able to make several plays on kickoffs.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
I’ve faced a lot of great players over the years including Bryan Edwards from South Carolina (Raiders) and Austin Watkins of UAB. Yet, the best opposition that I had was against Jonathan Adams of Arkansas State. Adams had a great year in 2020. He’s real physical and a very big athlete who has strong hands.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
So many great teammates that I can mention here. Zac Thomas is a great QB with a very strong arm. Corey Sutton is a receiver that went toe-to-toe with every day in practice since he transferred in. We went after it every day. Thomas Hennigan will be coming back for the 2021 season. His contested catch is one of the best. He has some of the strongest hands of a receiver.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
I’ve persevered through several struggles over the years. Coming out of high school, I was a 2 star recruit out of South Florida. I only had 2 offers. I always put forth 100%, but I believe that because I was small that teams didn’t take me seriously. Having a right shoulder injury probably didn’t help much either.

My time at App State has been great. Although, it’s been somewhat challenging to go through 6 different coaching staffs in the last 7 years of my football career going back to high school. Having to deal with that as well as learning how to be a student athlete and being expected to play was a lot. Yet, I kept myself on the right track. I didn’t want to mess up my future opportunities.

App State was also a huge culture shock coming in. Being from South Florida, there was a lot of diversity and a lot going on in the city. Then, coming to a rural town with little diversity, it can be uncomfortable. I’m happy to say that I’ve built many great relationships from my time here, and I’m humbled and glad to have had the opportunity to play for the Mountaineers.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
I would definitely run track. I didn’t run as much as I would have liked in high school, but I had some success with it. I was a sprinter in the 400m and 400m relays. I went to districts and placed 3rd in relays at State.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I’m very proud that I was able to get a scholarship and obtain 2 degrees. I was also the first in my family to graduate from college. Accolades don’t mean too much to me, although I had my fair share for the 2020 season. I was named All-Sun Belt First Team and was a Semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe Awards. I was even named All-American which was a huge honor.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
A couple games come to mind. In 2019, we faced South Carolina. I was able to get 7 total tackles, a couple PBUs while coming away with an upset win.

I had a great moment this past season against Charlotte where I forced a fumble. I remember watching clips of Marlon Humphrey before that game and seeing him use a particular technique in getting a fumble. I told myself I was going to do that in my game, and I ended up getting a strip fumble using what I had learned.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
My favorite professional team is Miami Heat. My favorite athlete of all-time is Ed Reed. I have watched his passion play out on the field and seen a clip of him going off in the locker room. The Ravens had been dominating a game and had allowed a score making the team fall short of the expectation. I love his kind of competitive spirit. I try to take nuggets from many players in the league and add it to my game. So, I watch guys like Patrick Paterson, Budda Baker and Tre’Davious White.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
As a Miami guy, I gotta go with Kodak Black. He’s a very versatile artist. Any of his songs get me going before games.

What is your favorite comfort food?
I love Soul Food like mac & cheese, yellow rice, fried chicken, collard greens and potato salad. Yet, my go-to snack has to be Almond Butter Nature Valley Biscuits.

Do you have a favorite movie, TV show or actor?
My favorite movie is Friday. I gotta watch First Take on ESPN every day. Some of my favorite actors include Mike Epps, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, and Ice Cube.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
I’m a big movie guy. I also like to try different foods with my girlfriend. I’ll occasionally play Madden when I can.

Who or what motivates you the most?
My family motivates me to keep going. My family had to overcome a lot themselves. My dad came from Haiti and was able to make it on his own. My parents’ hard work set the example for me to do the same.

I’m self-motivated, and I’ve always prioritized what I wanted to do in life. I have good self-confidence and don’t care what other people say. Ever since I was little, I knew I had the ability to play this game, and I’m willing to put in the effort to achieve my goals.

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