NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Carlos Balkcom Jr., CB, Lock Haven University

What is your name?

Carlos Balkcom Jr.

What is your Height/Weight?

6’0 and 185 pounds

What is your position?

Cornerback

Where do you play college football?

Lock Haven University

Where are you from?

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Who is your role model, and why?

My mom is my role model because of her strength and sacrifices she made for my siblings and I. She always handles things and push through hard times regardless of the circumstances and that’s how I want to be in this life.

Who was your favorite teacher?

Mr. Callaway, he was my 4^th grade teacher and he told me things that still stick with me 12 years later. He believed in me at young age when I didn’t yet understand to believe in myself and for that he was my favorite teacher because of the personal relationship we built.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes, I played Basketball and Track and Field,

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Toughest player I have ever faced was a receiver from Saint Francis University. His name is Kameron Lewis and he was big, fast, and had great hands. He was a challenging to cover but we battled back and forth.

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Fernando Flores he is an upcoming junior linebacker and he was very important to our team but was very under the radar. Be on the lookout for this kid he will be showing up on the feeds very soon.

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life?

It is a song by a gospel artist named Mali Music called Yahweh and explains the praise and glory we give to god and gets my mind in the right place.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Jalen Ramsey, he’s very physical in coverage and plays with so much confidence. He’s also a longer defensive back like I am so I think my game is very similar to his.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Tearing my ACL my sophomore year of college was my biggest obstacle I had to overcome because that was my first year starting and I felt like tearing my ACL was a setback in my progression. I overcame it by a lot of support from my family and friends and also had great physical therapists. My mindset also helped me overcome it because I decided that I would not allow that injury to hinder me and hold me back.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Yes, I listen gospel music and pray soon as I get to the sideline.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

I was on field goal block and one of my teammates blocked the kick on the five yard line and it landed in my hands and took it 95 yards to the touchdown for two points. It such a crazy play and I was unaware that you get points for returning an extra point so it was an amazing moment for me.

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

On Monday with a couple of my friends from Harrisburg we went out in the cold and gave the homeless sleeping bags, socks, shoes, and coats and then we followed up on Christmas Eve and dropped toys off to a shelter (YWCA) for kids that may not have got Christmas presents.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Philadelphia Eagles

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would, you choose?

Drake, Kobe Bryant and Aaliyah