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Tyler Jones: Quad City Steamwheelers Interview

Name: Tyler Jones
School: University of Central Missouri
Graduation Year: 2017
Age: 23
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’2
Weight: 205

Q: What has motivated you to continue playing football at the professional level?

Honestly there are a lot of different things that keep me motivated to play, but the most important is just the love of the game. This game has changed my life in so many different ways that I’m really looking forward to playing as long as I can, until I physically can’t anymore.

Q: As far as training goes, what have you done in order to stay in shape, most importantly football shape, since you graduated?

After I graduated, I signed to play for an arena team called the Quad City Steamwheelers, coached by former Baltimore Ravens RB Cory Ross. With that being said, I was doing a ton of different research on arena football; never playing before and noticed that this game is a lot quicker than the typical outdoor game of football. So when training, I focused on a lot of running and different footwork/route running drills coming from the high motion to mentally prepare myself for the transition. As far as workouts go, I focused more on explosiveness then anything since thats the most important I believe as a Receiver in the game.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities would you bring to a team?

I like to take pride in being very coachable and always giving 110% in everything I do. You’ll never see me give up after a mistake and I always take someone telling me I can’t do something as a challenge. As a rookie, mistakes are going to happen as it’s a part of the game. It’s how you bounce back from them and learn, that makes you a great asset to any team. Opportunities aren’t always given, but whenever I get one, I make sure to give my all no matter what.

Q: What makes you unique and seperates you from other players at your position?

From my experience at all levels, most Receivers don’t like contact. Personally, I love it. You’ll very rarely see me run out of bounds after a catch in any of my film. I also enjoy blocking, which most Receivers won’t agree too. One good crack block can change the entire game around from an offensive aspect and I want to be the one doing it. Blocking is huge in this game, so when the opportunity comes to make a game changing block, I’m there.

Q: Why should a team sign you as a Free Agent instead of another player right out of college?

My thing is I’ve done my research and I know how things work. Most college players that are getting recruited to the NFL have big ego’s, which leads to a bad attitude when making it in the NFL, leading to other off the field issues. The difference between me and others is that I’m a very humble individual and knows the position I’m in. I’m not guaranteed anything and if signed as a free agent, I will have the bust my butt to prove that I can keep my spot on the roster. Everything has to be earned one way or another and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get that opportunity.

Q: What is your final pitch or sell to professional scouts and teams?

I may not be the biggest or the fastest on the roster, but I will be putting in the most work to prove that I can play at the next level if given the opportunity.

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