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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Nick Jones, TE, Buffalo State

Nick Jones from Buff State is a big target and is a Hero as well. Thank you for your service, and GO BILLS!!!
Nick Jones from Buff State is a big target and is a Hero as well. Thank you for your service, and GO BILLS!!!

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 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 to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Nick Jones

What is your Height/Weight?

6’6 265

What is your position?

Tight End

Where do you play college football?

Buffalo State

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

I have volunteered at local food shelters during holidays also volunteered in local football summer camps.

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

Spanish

Where are you from?

Buffalo, NY

Who is your role model, and why?

My Mother, she taught me everything. Very strong dominant woman who had to be a father as well.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Basketball and Lacrosse are what I stuck with in high school. I did not play high school football.

Did you play any other positions in football?

Wide Receiver

At your position, what separates you from others?

I believe my work ethic but also my passion and that everything I do is with a purpose. I live to challenge myself.

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

I start off with the DE and see how he plays against run, what is his first step and if he slants in or outside. I read how LB’s also read the run, if they’re patient on outside runs then I have to be sure he will not beat me over the top or if he is aggressive then I have to be sure he doesn’t beat me underneath. I also read how LB’S play the play action and what their base coverage is.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Freshman year at my Junior College I went against a DE who was 6’5 670, while I was 230.

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

This is difficult because I do not think I am anything close to this man but I would have to say Tony Gonzalez.  Strong hands and utilizes his size to box defenders out and also has a feel for open areas.

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

During my five-year service in the United States Marine Corps, I served as a squad leader in Afghanistan. At the age of twenty-one I was tasked with the duty to lead 8 other men in combat and keep them alive. We had our bumps and bruises but thankfully all men came back alive to their families. This was tough for me because I had lost a couple friends that were in different units and I knew the risk. Luckily the men in my squad were tough guys. I owe it to them on how I made it back home and how I got through it.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I don’t have a ritual but my game day preparation stays consistent. Get taped while music is on and my usual tunes are just instrumentals with no lyrics. Gets me in the zone. Head outside with a QB and play catch and get loose for about 15-20 minutes. Sit at my locker and play the game in my head, each play.

nickWhat is your biggest strength?

Work ethic would have to be number one.

What is your biggest weakness?

I can be too hard on myself at times. It’s something I work on every day to get better at.

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

I am battle tested and live my life for pride and passion and I am willing to give everything I have in order to find a place I fit within your organization.

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

Favorite player is Pat Tillman. Favorite team is the Buffalo Bills!

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

Robin Williams

Myself in 40 years

David Duchovny

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

That would be nice! But new vehicles for me and my mother will do.

Rapid Answers

  • Who is Better: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? Being a Bills fan it’s hard to say this but Tom Brady.
  • Who will win the Super Bowl this year?  Again, hate to say it but the Pats with a healthy Gronk
  • Who is Better: Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith
  • Who will win MVP in NFL? Ezekiel Elliott
  • Who is Better: Deion Sanders or Richard Sherman? 

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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