2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ty’Reke James, DB, University of Texas-El Paso

• Name: Ty’Reke James
• Position: DB
• College: University of Texas-El Paso
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 200 lbs
• Twitter: @tyrekejames_3
• Instagram: @rekee__3

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

So growing up, I use to play outside a lot. From basketball to kickball, the most sport that I was super consistent at was football. I was short and fast and I had just had this natural ability to make people miss, so that’s when I decided I wanted to play football because I felt that I could be super good at it.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

As a football player going forward, my goals are to be the best player I can be, take care of my family, inspire the youth, by letting them know if I can do it then they can do it, regardless of where we/you come from and be remembered in a positive light of the game.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I would choose Tyrann Mathieu because I grew up watching him in college and I feel like he is one of the best DBs to ever play the game and I try to model my game after him.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments from my football life would have to be when I first tackled someone in Pop Warner, my first year ever playing football because it was a big hit. Another moment would be playing in my first bowl game and just experiencing everything leading up to it and lastly, when I got my first collegiate interception this past season. All of these moments, I will cherish deeply.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My mom inspires me the most because she works so hard to make sure that my siblings and I are taken care of and growing up, she just taught me a lot of lessons about life and I am just forever grateful to have her as my mom.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

My favorite defensive scheme would probably be 4-2-5 defense with heavy Cover 4/Cover 2. You can play a bunch of different coverages out of this formation and disguise a lot of coverage out of this formation as well.

What should we know about Ty’Reke James the person?

That I am a very hard worker. I love to be happy. I like to smile, laugh, be around family and friends, and I am not afraid of a challenge. Lastly, I am very passionate about football and I always will be, whether I am playing or not.

What stands out about your film the most?

What stands out about my film is my ability to read and react, tackle, athleticism, IQ, and just a display of how I play at the game at a high-level.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I handle challenges both on and off the field by just thinking about the positives and just going after whatever the challenge may be. Whether it is guarding a team’s best WR or anything that may happen in my life. I have this attack mindset with all challenges in life.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Any team that gives me an opportunity would get a hard working, selfless, eager to learn, leader, tenacious, smart football player. Who is truly confident in his craft.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

What I love most about football is the bond you develop with your teammates, you meet guys from all type of backgrounds and y’all click and become brothers and it feels like you’ve known these guys forever when realistically it’s only been a couple of months or even a year. Those are the bonds I will cherish forever.

How are you planning to prepare for the draft?

I will be training back home in California, just working on all the major tests at this facility that I’ve been going too for a long time now.