Name: Lamont McGriff
School: Utica University
Position: RB
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 210
What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
Before this season started, I wanted to be the best player I could be for my teammates and always be available to help the team in any way shape, or form. I wanted to be someone that my teammates and coaches could depend on in any given situation come game time and be a leader on the field through my play. Lastly, I wanted to prove that I have a skill set that is well suited for the next level as well.
Q: How do you think you took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to increase your chances of going pro?
With more opportunities due to the extra year of eligibility, I feel that I was able to really slow the game down and let things come to me, and control what I can control. With this extra year, I was able to grow as both a player and a person and learned how to handle adversity due to certain obstacles and setbacks. This year also allowed me to showcase some of my talents that may have gone unnoticed in the past while attending Utica University.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
My peers would describe me as a good teammate who is extremely passionate about helping the team in any way possible. My teammates would also say that I am a player who lays it all out there for my teammates on every snap and have their back through any situation both on and off the field. I would say that my offensive coordinator and positional coaches would describe me as a player who has very high expectations for himself at all times and is willing to put in the work to be given an opportunity to perform and help the team win games.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
When I am studying film, I instantly look for my flaws and immediately think of ways in which I can improve on them throughout the practice week to avoid making those same mistakes come the next week. Along with finding my flaws and improving them I also look for the things I did well and continue to work on those aspects just as much as I work on my flaws to make sure I have an evenly balanced playstyle.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
What I think separates me from other prospects at my position is my sneaky get-away speed and ability to get downhill in hurry at my size and being able to make second-level defenders miss or go through them. Another factor of my game that I pride myself on is the ability to help my team in the passing game whether that be pass blocking or being able to catch the ball out of the backfield and just offer my quarterback another option out of the backfield.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
In the offseason, I will be combine training with Overdriveelite located in New Canaan, Connecticut to make sure that I work on maintaining proper technique when going through the necessary drills all the while fine-tuning what I do well and making sure that I improve every day so that I am ready when the opportunity presents itself to play at the next level.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
When it comes to off-the-field strengths, I would say that any team that takes a chance on me is going to get a well-spoken young man who prides himself on loyalty and trust. I am someone who is passionate about building bonds with his teammates off the field because I feel that ultimately helps the team reach new levels when it comes to playing football and performing well as a team.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
My hope from this entire experience is to prove that I am a player who is hungry for opportunity and is an extremely hard worker who is ready to help any pro team at any given moment whether that be NFL, CFL, IFL, or any other professional football leagues. This has always been a dream of mine and any team that takes this chance on me won’t regret it in the long run.
