Alabama A&M and and NFLPA Bowl alum Joaquenssi Eugene is set to embark on a new journey in hopes to seize an opportunity to play in the National Football League.
The 6-3, 325-pound interior lineman was named to the preseason All-SWAC First Team and helped lead one of the most prolific offenses in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Joaquenssi is viewed as a leader and a talented player who could potentially contribute to a pro football club.
Pro Player Insiders had an opportunity to speak with 2013 NFL Draft prospect Joaquenssi Eugene in a phone interview. In the conversation, we discussed everything from X’s and O’s to his experience at the NFLPA Bowl and his journey thus far in life:
Can you tell us about your experience in the NFLPA all-star game?
J.E - It was a great experience, going up against premier competition — coming from a black college, you normally don’t go against athletes that are up to their standards or par. So basically, being able to get there and show my face and show my skill level up against them was a great experience.
Best thing you experienced out in Carson, California?
J.E - The best thing I took from there was — coming from different schools, all of us were able to come together and basically play as one — as a team. Knowing that you’re from different colleges — you basically don’t know a person as well as you know your old teammates. But coming from different colleges and being able to come together and play hard — play up to the standards we’ve always been playing to was a great thing.
Checkout Mr.Eugene’s hilarious interview by JJ Swain from Northern Iowa at NFLPA Collegiate Bowl One Team Habitat for Humanity LA Event:
Can you tell us the importance of an interior linemen, such as yourself, being able to diagnose a defensive formations and making proper reads?
J.E - I didn’t play center coming into college. I played guard and defensive tackle. But when I was moved to center I was given a great responsibility to take care of take care of the offensive line and the whole offensive system. I had to learn the Quarterback playbook — my playbook — their checks and their calls. I had to learn the receiver calls — and when it came down to it late in the game and I felt like our offense wasn’t in the best position, I was able to diagnose the defense. Whether they were in a college 4-3, or cover 2 — cover 3, I was able to diagnose them and put our team in the best position to win. So I would make the calls and the checks either in the huddle or on the line. So it’s a great importance for us interior linemen, as well as centers, to know the whole system. Because we’re basically the second quarterback in the system. When our quarterback has a fumble in his mind, we have to be precise in helping him out and diagnose everything.
What would you say are your strengths and what are some of the things you need to or are currently working on improving?
J.E - I think my strength is my ability to learn the plays rather quickly. Able to go against competition and diagnose them, and be able to put myself in position to win. Above all, it’s about being able to take on anything and handle it very well. My weaknesses would be going up against speed — sometimes a quicker lineman usually well get at least one time. But I’ve been practicing everyday — working out and training everyday to be able to control that.
What do you want to show scouts at your school’s pro day?
J.E - I want to show them my athletic ability, my speed, quickness — my power, and the great footwork that I have – that most linemen from different colleges have. To show them that athletes from HBCUs can contend with any athlete from different conferences. I want to show them that I’m able to learn quick and do anything possible to basically put myself and my team in a position to win.
What blocking scheme are you most comfortable in? Are you more of a zone blocking guy or power gap?
J.E - I feel comfortable in any offensive scheme. In the system we played, we had zone, power blocking — pass blocking. So basically we would rotate every game depending on our opponent. I’m comfortable in all three.
Can you talk about your experience as a thrower in track and field?
J.E - In high school, I was one of the star shot-put and discus throwers. So when I came to college after spring season I wanted to continue working out. I went to the track coach and she was getting my footwork down and my speed work down. But I also wanted to throw, so I got into throwing with the track team. The shot-put is just one big ball (16 pounds) that we just launch across a certain number of meters to try and win a state championship.
Can you talk a little about your journey — where you grew up — how you started playing football?
J.E - I grew up in a two parent home in Miami, Florida. My father and mother weren’t married — my father had thirty kids prior to coming to my mom, so I know all my family members. My mom, currently, is 47 — my dad just turned 72 this past December. He’s been in my life since I’ve been young — since the day I’ve been born. I wasn’t playing football when I was young — I was playing soccer. When I got to high school I played soccer up until 11th grade which is when I started playing football. So I’ve only had two years of high school experience of football.
Favorite food?
J.E - Italian Cuisine
Hobby?
J.E - Building UAVs or anything dealing with engineering.
You were an engineering major?
J.E - Yes
Favorite style of music?
J.E - I don’t have a favorite style. I tend to listen to all genres of music. Because I want to get a feel of every music.
Favorite musician?
J.E - I like classical music, so both of my favorites are Mozart and Beethoven.
Are you a musician?
J.E - I played the tuba, flute and the saxophone. I want to learn the violin.
Follow Emmanual Benton on Twitter: @Manny_PPI @PlayerInsiders
