The NFL Draft is a dream come true for the 25 prospects invited to take the stage tonight in Chicago. If you ask any of them about where they hope to land, it doesn’t take them long to say that it doesn’t matter as long as they get a chance to play in the NFL. For months leading up to the Draft, prospects spend a majority of their time talking to the media about football and their pro aspirations. After all, that’s what they’re here for.
Pro Player Insiders had a chance to catch up with some of the top prospects to find out a little more about who they are off-the-field. It’s more than a game. They have likes, dislikes, and hobbies just like the average person. In this feature, get to know Jalen Ramsey, Reggie Ragland, A’Shawn Robinson, and Jarren Reed beyond football.
Jalen Ramsey
One thing everyone can agree on is that Ramsey doesn’t lack confidence at all. He believes in his abilities and has called himself “the best player in the 2016 NFL Draft.” A defensive back for Florida State University, Ramsey is a versatile player and expected to go quickly in the Draft as a safety or corner. Pay attention to that last statement, he has potential to play both positions and depending on a team’s need, he could be drafted for either. His undeniable athleticism makes him a special prospect.
Interesting fact: Ramsey is a sprinter and long jumper for the Florida State track team. Along with football dreams, he also dreams of participating in the Rio Olympics.
On Faith: “I pray every single day. I read the bible every single day. I know who put me in this situation. He’s given me all my talents and abilities. He surrounded me with the right people. All my faith is in God at all times.”
What he wants people to know about him: “If you ever see me walking around, I’m different than I am playing football. Most people think I’m that competitor and I’m mean. I’m not, I’m really a nice guy so you can speak to me.”
Reggie Ragland
Ragland enters the Draft with one thing on his mind and that is to “play football.” Ragland played four seasons as linebacker at Alabama and finished his career with a career-best 102 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss as a senior, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year award and unanimous First-Team All-American Honors. Besides the statistics, Ragland has a great personality and even lightheartedly video bombed a Pro Player Insiders interview with A’Shawn Robinson at NFL Play60. But it was all in good fun.
Interesting fact: He earned his degree in consumer affairs and was an active member of the community, volunteering at hospitals, schools and churches.
What he wants people to know about him: “I love watching movies. Me and my mom could sit down and watch movies for weeks if we had the chance. I just love movies.”
Favorite movies: Life, Friday, Next Friday, and Friday After Next
A’Shawn Robinson
A defensive tackle for Alabama, Robinson garnered consensus All-American honors and was named a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s best interior lineman in 2015. He is projected to go in the top half of the Draft or higher. Robinson is soft spoken in person and sometimes referred to as a big Teddy Bear. He also likes listening to a certain musical artist that you might not expect when looking at him.
Interesting fact: His mother nicknamed him “man child” growing up because he was always big for his age. As a matter of fact, she used to bring his birth certificate to games because opposing coaches always thought he was older than the other kids.
What people may not know about him: “I like listening to Katy Perry’s Fireworks.”
Did you see that coming?!?!
Jarran Reed
Originally from North Carolina, Reed was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff six times in 2015. From an early age, his mother knew he was special when she gave birth to a 10-pound, seven-ounce son. He was apparently the second biggest baby born in Craven County, North Carolina that year. Unlike his fellow Draft prospects, Reed did not immediately get the attention of Division I schools. He started his road to the NFL at East Mississippi Community College. It didn’t take long for the scholarship offers to roll in from Ole Miss, Florida, and eventually Alabama where he ended up settling.
Interesting fact: Reed just welcomed a daughter, Jacey K. Reed, to the world on April 8th.
What he wants people to know about him: “I’m a good dude. I like to have fun. I’m real outgoing. I’m just a person with good character.”
He also made sure he didn’t let Pro Player Insiders part ways without proudly boasting that he is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity for all the Ques out there!
