Achilles Hondo is a running back out of Fort Valley State who will be entering the DSFL draft in just a few short weeks. The Georgia native was quite successful during his college career but certainly questions have arisen about the level of competition that he has faced and how his abilities will translate to a professional league. We got a chance to sit down with Hondo and learn a little bit more about this intriguing prospect.
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Achilles, thanks for taking some time to talk to us.
No problem, no problem.
So, Achilles, that's an interesting name.
Yeah maybe there's some Greek heritage in my family or something but I think my pops just thought the name was dope so that's what he chose. I like it.
I see. He’s a big Greek mythology fan then?
I guess, I don’t know man. Is this interview about football or what?
Alright, alright. So you were first team all conference in your last two years of college but a lot of people are questioning your ability to play in the pros considering the weaker competition you faced in college. Do you have anything to say with regards to that?
Well that's why they have this D league, DFSL or whatever, ain't it? If I don't make it in that then y'all can question my abilities. But I'll tell you now any team that doubts me is going to regret it later on.
A pretty bold statement, but it’s good to have that confidence. Another question that a lot of teams have about you is what position you’ll be able to play. You seem like a guy that can kind of do a lot of different things, but where do you think you would line up best?
Yeah, I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. I’ve played running back for the past 8 years of my life and now they tell me I’m going to be too slow to make it as one in the NSFL. Let me tell you something, in any sport your performance relies on three components: speed, power and technique. Maybe I’m not as fast as some of these other guys but I tell you what I definitely have more power and technique than a lot of players coming into the league. Football is about grinding out a few yards at a time, don’t tell me I can’t make it cause of my 40 time. I’ll just knock you around 5 yards at a time and that will work just fine.
Would you be willing to play fullback or tight end though if a team thought that was a better fit for you?
I really don’t care what position I play at as long as I’m getting a chance to make plays, you know what I’m saying? As for being a tight end, it’s not a position I’ve ever played before but I’ve been working on my hands a lot trying to be a more versatile player so I don’t see why not.
What would you say is your, well dare I say it, Achilles’ heel when it comes to your game?
Like I haven’t (bleep) heard that (bleep) joke before
Hey can you please watch the langu-
Alright to answer your question, probably my vision.
Vision? Like your ability to find holes and running lanes?
No, are you serious? Go watch my game tape, I can run just fine or even make holes if I need em. No, I’m talking about my eye man, my eye vision. I’ve only got 20/25 vision in my right eye.
That, that really doesn’t seem so bad…..
It’s truly miserable, you don’t even know. But you know what I don’t let my handicaps affect me. I go out and I achieve anyway.
Fort Valley State is a pretty small school and although a few well known players have come from there, it’s not exactly a football factory. How did a player of your caliber end up there?
The school was good to me, my teammates and coaches were good to me. But damn, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to go somewhere else to play college ball. I love the state of Georgia, I didn’t want to leave so I wanted to play at Georgia Tech or UGA. But my grades just weren’t enough to make it either of those schools. Not even close unfortunately. Fort Valley recruited me and I got a scholarship there, it was a pretty easy choice. I had some offers from other places out of state, but I wanted to stay close to home so that’s just where I ended up and now I’m here.
Are there any teams in the DSFL in particular that you’d be interested in playing for?
I gotta be honest, I don’t really know these teams at all. I heard there’s one in Tijuana though, that would be pretty dope. I bet it’s a real fiesta up in that joint 24/7, I’d be down for that.
You really don’t know anything about these teams?
They’re football teams, that’s all I need to know. If anything, they’re the ones that need to know more about me since one of them is going to be drafting me. In fact you know what let me save them all some trouble here’s all you gotta know: when I show up give me the ball, simple as that.
Are there any skills you think you need to focus on a lot more during your time in the DSFL to get ready for the NSFL?
Probably eating right. Drinking tequila would be less calories than beer so that’s another check for Tijuana. I’m liking the sound of this more and more.
Ok but in terms of football skills?
You know some guy made a webpage about me describing me as a “Blocking Back” archetype. So maybe I should work on my blocking I don’t know man. I think I just want to score some touchdowns, ya feel me. Can you believe that guy too? Archetype? I mean what the (bleep) does that even mean you know?
Again with the language can you stop?!
Alright, alright I can tone it down. I can tone it down.
Thank you. Alright we’re running short on time but is there anything else that you want to say right now? The floor is yours.
Yeah uh, ok I guess what I want to say is to all the teams out there is please take a chance on me. I’ve been, you know, uh, I’ve been looked down upon my whole life. Fort Valley State gave me my first real chance to do something good with my life, so I hope that I can keep moving up here in the NSFL. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I know I don’t exactly make the best impression all the time, but I’ll be dedicated to whatever team is willing to give me a chance here.
(pauses and waits, then turns to interviewer after about 5 seconds)
Ok yeah, that’s all I have to (bleep) say. Are you gonna just keep sitting there like some creep or are we gonna finish this?
Alright, we’re done here. Get him out, get him out of here!
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Well there you have it, a guy who’s as interesting off the field as he is on the field. Sometimes you want someone a little outspoken and crazy out there to light a fire under the team. We expect Hondo to go in the first couple rounds of the DSFL draft but where he or any of the other prospects land is really anyone’s guess at this point. We should see the draft picture start to come together very soon though as we get closer and closer.
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Achilles, thanks for taking some time to talk to us.
No problem, no problem.
So, Achilles, that's an interesting name.
Yeah maybe there's some Greek heritage in my family or something but I think my pops just thought the name was dope so that's what he chose. I like it.
I see. He’s a big Greek mythology fan then?
I guess, I don’t know man. Is this interview about football or what?
Alright, alright. So you were first team all conference in your last two years of college but a lot of people are questioning your ability to play in the pros considering the weaker competition you faced in college. Do you have anything to say with regards to that?
Well that's why they have this D league, DFSL or whatever, ain't it? If I don't make it in that then y'all can question my abilities. But I'll tell you now any team that doubts me is going to regret it later on.
A pretty bold statement, but it’s good to have that confidence. Another question that a lot of teams have about you is what position you’ll be able to play. You seem like a guy that can kind of do a lot of different things, but where do you think you would line up best?
Yeah, I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. I’ve played running back for the past 8 years of my life and now they tell me I’m going to be too slow to make it as one in the NSFL. Let me tell you something, in any sport your performance relies on three components: speed, power and technique. Maybe I’m not as fast as some of these other guys but I tell you what I definitely have more power and technique than a lot of players coming into the league. Football is about grinding out a few yards at a time, don’t tell me I can’t make it cause of my 40 time. I’ll just knock you around 5 yards at a time and that will work just fine.
Would you be willing to play fullback or tight end though if a team thought that was a better fit for you?
I really don’t care what position I play at as long as I’m getting a chance to make plays, you know what I’m saying? As for being a tight end, it’s not a position I’ve ever played before but I’ve been working on my hands a lot trying to be a more versatile player so I don’t see why not.
What would you say is your, well dare I say it, Achilles’ heel when it comes to your game?
Like I haven’t (bleep) heard that (bleep) joke before
Hey can you please watch the langu-
Alright to answer your question, probably my vision.
Vision? Like your ability to find holes and running lanes?
No, are you serious? Go watch my game tape, I can run just fine or even make holes if I need em. No, I’m talking about my eye man, my eye vision. I’ve only got 20/25 vision in my right eye.
That, that really doesn’t seem so bad…..
It’s truly miserable, you don’t even know. But you know what I don’t let my handicaps affect me. I go out and I achieve anyway.
Fort Valley State is a pretty small school and although a few well known players have come from there, it’s not exactly a football factory. How did a player of your caliber end up there?
The school was good to me, my teammates and coaches were good to me. But damn, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to go somewhere else to play college ball. I love the state of Georgia, I didn’t want to leave so I wanted to play at Georgia Tech or UGA. But my grades just weren’t enough to make it either of those schools. Not even close unfortunately. Fort Valley recruited me and I got a scholarship there, it was a pretty easy choice. I had some offers from other places out of state, but I wanted to stay close to home so that’s just where I ended up and now I’m here.
Are there any teams in the DSFL in particular that you’d be interested in playing for?
I gotta be honest, I don’t really know these teams at all. I heard there’s one in Tijuana though, that would be pretty dope. I bet it’s a real fiesta up in that joint 24/7, I’d be down for that.
You really don’t know anything about these teams?
They’re football teams, that’s all I need to know. If anything, they’re the ones that need to know more about me since one of them is going to be drafting me. In fact you know what let me save them all some trouble here’s all you gotta know: when I show up give me the ball, simple as that.
Are there any skills you think you need to focus on a lot more during your time in the DSFL to get ready for the NSFL?
Probably eating right. Drinking tequila would be less calories than beer so that’s another check for Tijuana. I’m liking the sound of this more and more.
Ok but in terms of football skills?
You know some guy made a webpage about me describing me as a “Blocking Back” archetype. So maybe I should work on my blocking I don’t know man. I think I just want to score some touchdowns, ya feel me. Can you believe that guy too? Archetype? I mean what the (bleep) does that even mean you know?
Again with the language can you stop?!
Alright, alright I can tone it down. I can tone it down.
Thank you. Alright we’re running short on time but is there anything else that you want to say right now? The floor is yours.
Yeah uh, ok I guess what I want to say is to all the teams out there is please take a chance on me. I’ve been, you know, uh, I’ve been looked down upon my whole life. Fort Valley State gave me my first real chance to do something good with my life, so I hope that I can keep moving up here in the NSFL. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I know I don’t exactly make the best impression all the time, but I’ll be dedicated to whatever team is willing to give me a chance here.
(pauses and waits, then turns to interviewer after about 5 seconds)
Ok yeah, that’s all I have to (bleep) say. Are you gonna just keep sitting there like some creep or are we gonna finish this?
Alright, we’re done here. Get him out, get him out of here!
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Well there you have it, a guy who’s as interesting off the field as he is on the field. Sometimes you want someone a little outspoken and crazy out there to light a fire under the team. We expect Hondo to go in the first couple rounds of the DSFL draft but where he or any of the other prospects land is really anyone’s guess at this point. We should see the draft picture start to come together very soon though as we get closer and closer.
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[OPTION]Regular Season Stats
[OPTION](S2) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S3) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S4) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S5) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S6) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S7) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S8) 14 Games Played
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[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION] 27839
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[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]Most Likely to Break the Team Bench When Sitting Down
[OPTION]Pumpkin Chuckin' Rally 2017 Semifinalist
[OPTION]Most Likely to Get Traded in S8 (T-1st)
[OPTION]Ultimus Champion S7, S8