12-11-2022, 12:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-11-2022, 04:47 PM by shanghai_kid. Edited 1 time in total.)
Scouting season is well underway and Jamdrian LeBayers, a cornerback out of Ohio State University, is excited to talk to teams and find his best fit. All the days, early mornings, and late nights have led up to this. You saw him playing on the Dallas Birddogs at the end of last season. But now he’s back on the DSFL draft boards and ready to make an impression. We met up with Jamdrian recently to ask him some questions.
Interviewer: You’ve already gotten some experience on the professional level as you stepped in and played with the Dallas Birddogs at the end of the previous season. How would you describe that experience?
Jamdrian: Extremely valuable is how I would tell it. Not only being able to play with and against the greatest in the league, but everything off the field as well. Familiarizing myself with the kind of attention a professional team and player receives took a while. But now thanks to that I believe I’ll be able to get up and running, making a difference much sooner. Wherever I end up. Be it Dallas or some other team.
But yeah, especially important to be on the field and even the sidelines. Being in the room with DSFL level coaches and GMs. It’s the same sport but still such a different experience compared to college football. Not trying to look down on my last couple of years, though. It’s been an amazing journey so far and this next step is my biggest one yet.
Interviewer: From the snaps you played with Dallas, does any one stand out above the rest? Why?
Jamdrian: Hmm… the first one that comes to mind is my single snap I played against the Kansas City Coyotes. I was lined up to cover Monty Cooper. That man can run, let me tell ya. Luckily for me the play took place near our end zone, so he never got the chance to simply outrun me haha! But yeah, the play itself wasn’t great for us. As they ran it into our end zone. But it stands out to me especially because of who I was facing. One of the best wide receivers in the league, with a crazy high number of yards after catching the ball. Coach gave us a breakdown of Kansas’ top players and when he rambled on about what Cooper can do, you know you cannot let him get the ball. If he does, it’s over. All of that came back to me as I lined up. Made it nice and stressful, hah.
Interviewer: Cooper has definitely impressed this season. Besides playing against the best in the league. What was your biggest learning from these first couple of games?
Jamdrian: That’s a tough question. There was so much going on and I learned things just by hanging around. Honestly, just watching from the sidelines while the other backs did their thing was educational to say the least haha. Just trying to take it all in. See what they’re doing, if it’s something I can add to my own game, you know? And honestly my main takeaway is speed. These guys are so much faster than I’m used to. Definitely made it clear I gotta get on the track and just run. Start shaving off some milliseconds of my PB.
Interviewer: You’re not wrong. Speed is one of, if not the, most important skills coaches look at when evaluating a player. But enough of the past. How excited are you to be attending the DSFL Draft?
Jamdrian: Hah, I can tell you this: The draft is several days away and I’m already having trouble sleeping. It’s gonna be amazing! Can’t wait! I’ve heard a lot of stories about the draft but honestly I’m just trying to imagine how I will react when my name is called, you know? Feel like I’m either gonna freak out, or go into shock haha!
Interviewer: Here’s a hypothetical for you: It’s the first round of the draft, and a team calls you up, and asks “Why should we select you?” What would be your answer?
Jamdrian: Hmm… gotta try and think of something other than the basic media answers… Well, can’t really think of anything else haha, so here goes. I’m the kinda guy you want on your team. I bring respect, loyalty, hard work, and energy into everything I do. Whether it’s on the field, in the locker room, in the film room. Anywhere and everywhere. I’m never satisfied with where I’m at, I’m always looking to improve my game. I know I’m good enough for a starting role and I’m gonna prove it. If you pick me in the draft, you will not be disappointed. Guaranteed!
Interviewer: That’s not a bad answer, if I was a GM I might’ve just picked you haha! You mention you’re going for a starting role right out of the gate. How do you plan on convincing your future coaches that you can handle it?
Jamdrian: I will show them I can handle it! Actions speak louder than words. During training camp, practices, and games I’ll work my ass off. It’s how I’ve gotten this far and it’s how I’m planning to keep it up. All I need is for a team to give me the chance. They won’t be disappointed.
Interviewer: Now we’re reaching the end of our interview. And it’s about time for my final question that I like to ask all players I get the chance to talk to. Do you have a personal motto or something you try to live by, if so, what is it and why?
Jamdrian: My motto since I was young has always been “Think positive”. That’s it. It’s a very simple but powerful idea. I’m not about to let a bad game, a bad play, or bad weather keep me down. Think positive, learn from mistakes. I know life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. But you can’t go around focusing on the bad when there’s so much more good. You’ll find the good if you look for it.
Interviewer: Thank you Jamdrian, that about wraps up this interview. Now it’s time to start looking towards the draft!
Interviewer: You’ve already gotten some experience on the professional level as you stepped in and played with the Dallas Birddogs at the end of the previous season. How would you describe that experience?
Jamdrian: Extremely valuable is how I would tell it. Not only being able to play with and against the greatest in the league, but everything off the field as well. Familiarizing myself with the kind of attention a professional team and player receives took a while. But now thanks to that I believe I’ll be able to get up and running, making a difference much sooner. Wherever I end up. Be it Dallas or some other team.
But yeah, especially important to be on the field and even the sidelines. Being in the room with DSFL level coaches and GMs. It’s the same sport but still such a different experience compared to college football. Not trying to look down on my last couple of years, though. It’s been an amazing journey so far and this next step is my biggest one yet.
Interviewer: From the snaps you played with Dallas, does any one stand out above the rest? Why?
Jamdrian: Hmm… the first one that comes to mind is my single snap I played against the Kansas City Coyotes. I was lined up to cover Monty Cooper. That man can run, let me tell ya. Luckily for me the play took place near our end zone, so he never got the chance to simply outrun me haha! But yeah, the play itself wasn’t great for us. As they ran it into our end zone. But it stands out to me especially because of who I was facing. One of the best wide receivers in the league, with a crazy high number of yards after catching the ball. Coach gave us a breakdown of Kansas’ top players and when he rambled on about what Cooper can do, you know you cannot let him get the ball. If he does, it’s over. All of that came back to me as I lined up. Made it nice and stressful, hah.
Interviewer: Cooper has definitely impressed this season. Besides playing against the best in the league. What was your biggest learning from these first couple of games?
Jamdrian: That’s a tough question. There was so much going on and I learned things just by hanging around. Honestly, just watching from the sidelines while the other backs did their thing was educational to say the least haha. Just trying to take it all in. See what they’re doing, if it’s something I can add to my own game, you know? And honestly my main takeaway is speed. These guys are so much faster than I’m used to. Definitely made it clear I gotta get on the track and just run. Start shaving off some milliseconds of my PB.
Interviewer: You’re not wrong. Speed is one of, if not the, most important skills coaches look at when evaluating a player. But enough of the past. How excited are you to be attending the DSFL Draft?
Jamdrian: Hah, I can tell you this: The draft is several days away and I’m already having trouble sleeping. It’s gonna be amazing! Can’t wait! I’ve heard a lot of stories about the draft but honestly I’m just trying to imagine how I will react when my name is called, you know? Feel like I’m either gonna freak out, or go into shock haha!
Interviewer: Here’s a hypothetical for you: It’s the first round of the draft, and a team calls you up, and asks “Why should we select you?” What would be your answer?
Jamdrian: Hmm… gotta try and think of something other than the basic media answers… Well, can’t really think of anything else haha, so here goes. I’m the kinda guy you want on your team. I bring respect, loyalty, hard work, and energy into everything I do. Whether it’s on the field, in the locker room, in the film room. Anywhere and everywhere. I’m never satisfied with where I’m at, I’m always looking to improve my game. I know I’m good enough for a starting role and I’m gonna prove it. If you pick me in the draft, you will not be disappointed. Guaranteed!
Interviewer: That’s not a bad answer, if I was a GM I might’ve just picked you haha! You mention you’re going for a starting role right out of the gate. How do you plan on convincing your future coaches that you can handle it?
Jamdrian: I will show them I can handle it! Actions speak louder than words. During training camp, practices, and games I’ll work my ass off. It’s how I’ve gotten this far and it’s how I’m planning to keep it up. All I need is for a team to give me the chance. They won’t be disappointed.
Interviewer: Now we’re reaching the end of our interview. And it’s about time for my final question that I like to ask all players I get the chance to talk to. Do you have a personal motto or something you try to live by, if so, what is it and why?
Jamdrian: My motto since I was young has always been “Think positive”. That’s it. It’s a very simple but powerful idea. I’m not about to let a bad game, a bad play, or bad weather keep me down. Think positive, learn from mistakes. I know life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. But you can’t go around focusing on the bad when there’s so much more good. You’ll find the good if you look for it.
Interviewer: Thank you Jamdrian, that about wraps up this interview. Now it’s time to start looking towards the draft!