In what surely comes as no surprise to Big 12 football fans around the nation, recent Ohio State University graduate and Buckeyes star cornerback James Hoffman has elected to enter the DSFL Draft preceding the 2038 season. Hoffman posted respectable numbers in his junior season, boasting 7 total turnovers created and 2 defensive touchdowns. Those numbers likely would have been even higher if the Buckeyes’ opponents had been foolish enough to be willing to throw anywhere in Hoffman’s general vicinity.
ESIMPN reporter Bisk Payless got the chance to sit down with the DSFL prospect ahead of draft week to get to know the hopeful pro corner a bit better.
Bisk Payless: Thanks so much for joining me. Do you mind if I call you James?
James Hoffman: Sure, sure. Thanks so much for having me.
BP: Excellent. So let’s get right down to it. The fans want to know who James Hoffman is, why do they want you on their favorite team?
JH: Well, I really feel like I bring a very unique energy into the locker room, you know? Like I’m always fired up but I also know when I, or even the guys around me, need to kinda like cool off, I guess. I’m a hard worker. I give it everything I’ve got on every single snap. And while I think most people probably consider me a cover corner, if you’ve ever watched my tape, you know I’m pretty physical.
BP: Oh, yeah! You can lay some real hits on guys!
JH: Yeah, I really pride myself on my physicality, you know, and my football IQ. I know I’m not the fastest guy in the world, but I know how to get in the position to make plays. And I like to think I’m a solid tackler. I mean, last year in Columbus, I had over thirty total tackles. I even had a strip sack when we played the Tide.
BP: Well you’re definitely not short on confidence are you? But no, I agree, you’re certainly not a one trick pony.
JH: You’ve got to have confidence in this game, man especially at this position. You know, at corner, you’re lining up across from the same two, maybe three guys all game. And a lot of that is a mental game too. You’re either in the receiver’s head or he’s in yours. And if you’re feeling yourself, you know, you’re feeling good about your game, it’s like you’re building up a wall and that guy across from me can’t get in, you feel me?
BP: Okay, sure. I hadn’t really thought about it like that before but that makes sense. Alright, so we’ve got about time for maybe one more question. A lot of these talking heads, armchair GMs, whatever you wanna call them. A lot of them are saying that maybe you don’t quite have the speed to compete at corner at the next level. How would you respond to that?
JH: I mean, what can I really say, you know? The people are gonna say what they wanna say. Coming out of high school, it was all about how I was too skinny or, you know, “that kid has behavioral issues.” And so I kept my head down and I went to work. I don’t really want to listen to what they’re all gonna say. Because they’re gonna keep saying it until I prove them wrong. So that’s it, just gotta get out there and prove ‘em wrong.
BP: Thanks so much again for joining us, James. We look forward to seeing you on draft night.
JH: Thank y’all for having me. God bless.
ESIMPN reporter Bisk Payless got the chance to sit down with the DSFL prospect ahead of draft week to get to know the hopeful pro corner a bit better.
Bisk Payless: Thanks so much for joining me. Do you mind if I call you James?
James Hoffman: Sure, sure. Thanks so much for having me.
BP: Excellent. So let’s get right down to it. The fans want to know who James Hoffman is, why do they want you on their favorite team?
JH: Well, I really feel like I bring a very unique energy into the locker room, you know? Like I’m always fired up but I also know when I, or even the guys around me, need to kinda like cool off, I guess. I’m a hard worker. I give it everything I’ve got on every single snap. And while I think most people probably consider me a cover corner, if you’ve ever watched my tape, you know I’m pretty physical.
BP: Oh, yeah! You can lay some real hits on guys!
JH: Yeah, I really pride myself on my physicality, you know, and my football IQ. I know I’m not the fastest guy in the world, but I know how to get in the position to make plays. And I like to think I’m a solid tackler. I mean, last year in Columbus, I had over thirty total tackles. I even had a strip sack when we played the Tide.
BP: Well you’re definitely not short on confidence are you? But no, I agree, you’re certainly not a one trick pony.
JH: You’ve got to have confidence in this game, man especially at this position. You know, at corner, you’re lining up across from the same two, maybe three guys all game. And a lot of that is a mental game too. You’re either in the receiver’s head or he’s in yours. And if you’re feeling yourself, you know, you’re feeling good about your game, it’s like you’re building up a wall and that guy across from me can’t get in, you feel me?
BP: Okay, sure. I hadn’t really thought about it like that before but that makes sense. Alright, so we’ve got about time for maybe one more question. A lot of these talking heads, armchair GMs, whatever you wanna call them. A lot of them are saying that maybe you don’t quite have the speed to compete at corner at the next level. How would you respond to that?
JH: I mean, what can I really say, you know? The people are gonna say what they wanna say. Coming out of high school, it was all about how I was too skinny or, you know, “that kid has behavioral issues.” And so I kept my head down and I went to work. I don’t really want to listen to what they’re all gonna say. Because they’re gonna keep saying it until I prove them wrong. So that’s it, just gotta get out there and prove ‘em wrong.
BP: Thanks so much again for joining us, James. We look forward to seeing you on draft night.
JH: Thank y’all for having me. God bless.