NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Samuel Gray, DL, University of Albany

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner.

What is your name?

Samuel Gray

What is your Height/Weight?

6’4 310

What is your position?

D-Line

Where do you play college football?

University at Albany

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

I purchased a PS4 for one of my good friends on the team that has it harder than most. He also didn’t have somewhere to go for Christmas, so I picked him up and he had a Gray Family christmas which actually was his first ever because he is Muslim.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Statistics of Sociology 

Where are you from?

Poughkeepsie New York

Who is your role model, and why?

Demarcus Ware because he is an older player but he has always been consistent. He is also a great guy off the field and gives back to the community.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Basketball, Baseball, Track

Did you play any other positions in football?

I Played flag QB, I Was a linebacker and running back before the weight started to come.

At your position, what separates you from others?

My hustle to the ball, my hand combat, and physicality. 

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for? 

I look at the O-Line and see if they play physical and if they have good feet. Then I look and see if they give away any pre-snap keys. like if they are leaning, if they look where they are going, etc.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

#58 on Richmond is a great player. It was a fun game going against him.

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

Geno Atkins. He is a force on the Defensive line. He may not make every play but he aways effects the play. Wether its commanding a double team, taking out a puller, or just being disruptive.

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

Myself. I doubted myself and my abilities for a long time after hearing coaches, and family members over the years say I wasn’t good enough to play college ball. I overcame that by working harder and using them as fuel and listening to Coach Cowsette( My D-line Coach) daily.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Listening to music. I go out on the field and do some “get offs” and a little hand work. I also practice pass rush moves and I picture myself playing the game in my head over and over. Then after I warm up I always get on a knee and thank god, and ask him to protect me.

What is your biggest strength?

My physicality 

What is your biggest weakness?

I can have bad eyes at times. I get caught up trying to make the plays that aren’t meant for me.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I work hard, I play for my teammates and will do whatever I can in order to better my team. 

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Demarcus Ware, Cowboys.

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

Obama, J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar.

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

I’d buy my mother a 7 series BMW

Rapid Answers:

• Tupac or Biggie?
• NFL Network or ESPN?
• Coke or Pepsi?
• Pizza or Burgers?
• Dogs or Cats?