Syracuse offensive tackle Justin Pugh was rewarded for his work in the classroom and on the field by becoming the Senior Bowl’s first ever non-senior to play in the game. Pugh’s excellence on the field and in the classroom stretches to his love for community service, which he plans to continue in the National Football League.
At 6ft 4, 307 lbs, Justin Pugh moves very well for his size. He has quick, sharp footwork and has great lateral movement. With his athleticism, he would make a perfect fit for a zone blocking scheme. But versatility is something Pugh has attempted to pitch at teams interested in him. Pugh believes he can play all 5 offensive line spots. The main knock that scouts give Pugh is his arms are on the shorter side and his overall strength needs to be developed. However, for a zone blocking scheme, strength and long arms are not necessarily a key attribute teams look for in a player.
Pugh is projected to get drafted between the late first and second round. Whichever team drafts him will get a versatile, smart and hard working player.
Pro Player Insiders had an opportunity to speak with the big, athletic lineman – Justin Pugh:
What are some of the things you’re doing while awaiting draft weekend?
“I’ve been visiting teams; going out – seeing their facilities, the owners and coaches. Also doing some private workouts.”
Can you tell us about your senior bowl and combine experience?
“It was an awesome experience at the senior bowl. Being the first non-senior to play in the game was definitely an honor. I’m glad the NFL is starting to reward guys who did a good job in the classroom and on the football field. I know if it would’ve happened last year, RG3 and guys like him would have been able to play in that game. It’s definitely a good thing to start. So going there, it was definitely good to see the competition. Going to the combine, it actually helped me from the senior bowl and doing all the interviews that I went through while I was there. So once I got to the combine, I was able to breathe a little bit. It wasn’t as hectic as a lot of guys experiences were. I knew what I was getting myself into and the type of questions I was going to get asked. So I definitely felt like the senior bowl helped me prepare for the combine, which was definitely a positive.”
Did you get any crazy questions at the combine?
“I didn’t get anything that was real crazy or that I thought was out of the ordinary. I know some guys got some questions on their sexual orientation. I had 17 formal meetings with head coaches, general managers at the combine, and I didn’t one time get a question about anything of that nature. The weirdest question I got was – ‘if your house was on fire, what item would you bring out with you if you could only bring one thing?”
What are some of the things you’ve been working on the past 3 or 4 months?
“I was down in Atlanta at “Competitive Edge Sport” with Chip Smith. I was down there for six weeks, working on transforming my body and getting it ready for the combine and working on those drills. At the same time, I was working with Jon Stinchcomb, who’s a former player (played for the New Orleans Saints), working on my technique. So a lot of it was getting ready to become a professional athlete and all the things that entails. I’m coming back up to Syracuse now trying to get back into football shape. I don’t have to run a forty. I don’t have to do a three-cone drill again; so now it’s more about performing sprints and getting my conditioning back, so when I get to OTAs and rookie minicamps – I’m in shape and I’m making a good first impression.”
After speaking with teams, do you have a feel on how most might want to use you — in regards to Tackle or Guard?
“Some teams aren’t concerned about where I’m going to play. They say I can play tackle or guard. I’m trying to sell to teams my versatility, telling them I can play all five offensive line positions. I think that’s something that will add value to me when it comes draft day where I think I can play tackle in the NFL. I think I can play guard and center. So, I think it can only help me and that’s something that teams have told me. Some teams, I fit in their scheme at guard — others at tackle. So it really depends on which team I end up going to.”
I read that you were involved in Special Olympics — can you tell us a little bit about that?
“When I was in high school I worked with this organization called ‘Athletes Helping Athletes.’ We did this thing in high school where the kids would come in and do kick, punt and pass. With me being on the football team, I was able to come in and help with that. So it’s definitely something I’m going to be getting involved in once I’m in the NFL. I’ll probably try to do some type of camp or something in my hometown where I can get everyone involved. It’s something I definitely enjoyed when I was in high school.”
Do you feel like you’re more of a zone blocking scheme guy or power gap?
“I think my fit will definitely be in a zone blocking scheme — that’s what we ran in college. It definitely was a good fit and I was able to feel comfortable making all those blocks. And that was at tackle, I was playing in the zone blocking scheme. I think I could make a great guard in a power gap scheme, pulling around and getting to that second level. So that’s why I think some of the gap schemes like me at guard. Some of the zone blocking schemes like me at tackle. It really depends on which team picks me. I think I could play in both schemes.”
Who are some of the players you model your game after?
“Currently in the NFL, a lot of people have compared me to Andy Levitre with the Titans – he just signed with them. He was a tackle in college and moved to guard. I’ve never seen him play personally. But he’s a guy I’ve definitely tried to look up to and see how he plays. And then the guy I worked out with in Atlanta – Jon Stinchcomb. He’s basically the same size as me. Plays the game the same way I play. He’s someone I watched when I was in Syracuse because my head coach, head coached Jon Stinchcomb when he was with the Saints. So those two guys are probably the two players I’m going to look up to and model my game after.”
Can you tell us a little about your childhood and family? Why is community service important to you?
“I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, just north of the city. My mom was a fifth grade teacher. So something I got to do was go and talk to her kids about setting goals, something I learned while I was at Syracuse. It was about setting goals — setting short term goals, and really about how to go about achieving those goals. It’s definitely good to talk to the younger kids and show and tell them stuff that you didn’t think was a big deal when you were in their shoes. Showing them like, ‘hey look, if you can do some of these things, you can really set yourself up for the future.’ And not just in athletics, but some of the kids wanted to be professional writers, actors or singers. So it’s cool to go in there and let those kids know that no matter what anyone says, your dreams can come true if you work towards it. When I was in Syracuse we did some things, like I went to a justice center, speaking to kids who were young men, actually, like 16-18, about trying to right their paths. They were all in there for different things. But to let them know things like athletics and school is the way to go. And you can still go back and to get a GED. So that was something I did at Syracuse and it’s something I want to continue doing that once I’m in the NFL.”
What’s your favorite food?
“Italian hoagie from the spot in my hometown.”
Favorite music genre?
“Rap and R&B”
Favorite music artist?
“Eminem”
Did you play any other sports growing up?
“I played Ice Hockey growing up and a little bit of basketball. I was on the basketball varsity team for about half a year. I ended up not playing any regular games.”
Do you have any hobbies?
“I like to fish and I’m a big video game guy. I have seven friends that I hang out with when I’m home. Good group of guys. Go to the beach — I’m a big beach bum.”
Interview by @Manny_PPI | @JustinPugh67 | @PlayerInsiders
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