Name: Arnold Mbembe
School: Lincoln University
Position: DE/OLB
Height: 6-6
Weight: 238

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season? 

For my final collegiate season, I had planned on playing all 11 games, which I did. I had also planned to continue learning the American football playbook and to implement these learnings into my work on the field. I intended to be the most versatile player in the defensive line room. Since I’ve already acquired how to play the 3 Technique position on 3^rd down and how to move around efficiently throughout the entire defensive line when it comes to passing situations, I feel like I successfully accomplished what I intended on becoming, a 3-down lineman.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

What would mostly be said about me is that I tend to approach the game with a flexibility in terms of my playmaking skillset. Hence, when it’s a 3-4 scheme, I play as a jack backer and, when it’s a 4-3 scheme, I play as a defensive end. I’m perceived as a player with great sense of leadership in what I do which translated into being chosen as a team captain the first game of the season in Florida, as player who is motivated and as a player who strives on getting the win at all cost. I’m also known to have always had contagious energy to motivate the younger players so that we can all get in the same mindset of competing and winning while having fun. It has also been pointed out to me that my passion is felt on as well as off the field especially in my eagerness and hunger for learning as I am always trying to learn more about the game, more specifically all the different facades of techniques and football IQ. Lastly, my old high school coaches would highlight how much I love taking every opportunity that I can get to give back to their football community through my knowledge and past experience.

Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?

When I’m studying film, my main focuses are the tendencies of the offensive lineman depending on the down play. An example of this would be what I do depending on the way the offensive linemen leans towards on 1^st down and 2^nd down to show if it’s a run-play or how to position myself according to the pass set on 3^rd down. I’m planning on devoting a part of my studying of film on the observation and the analysis of offensive formations from the other teams’ schemes in order to develop my football IQ and in order to have the most favorable reactions against offensive plays during the future games.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position? 

The versatility that I bring as a player on the field could be deemed as valuable like when playing the defensive end position such as the Edge Rusher or when playing a 3 Technique position in order to run different types of stunts from various schemes that the defensive line group is more used to.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

For now, I plan to train for the CFL combine on March 3^rd with the program of the Athletic Academy organization that was founded and is run by the ex-professional Canadian CFL player Adrian Davis.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

On the field, I have a lot a range as it is possible to deduce by looking at my height and my length. Consequently, I use this range as one of my biggest strengths since it helps me easily disrupt the opponent quarterbacks’ throws. For instance, I was able to block seven footballs this season. Additionally, I can play the defensive end position skillfully all while I can also play the outside linebacker position by covering Tight End and by showing color in coverage, which is why I consider my approach to the game as a jack of all trade. Off the field, as mentioned in a previous answer, I always give back to the community and, when I do so, it comes from the heart since I grew up in an environment with two older brothers and a younger one who taught me the individual and societal value of giving back regarding knowledge, practice and mindset.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?

I will be competing on March 3^rd for the CFL regional combine in Waterloo Ontario. As for the NFL, I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had of competing at the College Gridiron Showcase and to perform on both the Marshall as well as the main event in front of the League’s best. Meeting scouts from different professional leagues has always been really a dream of mine which is why I’m very appreciative of this Showcase since it led me to seeing over 145 scouts. As a player who’s been committed to the game for 17 years, I would be honoured to get the call from a professional team. With that being said, I’m dedicated to the game, to perfecting my craft, to compete in order to win while having fun and, most importantly, to becoming the best player as well as the best team player that I can be. The number of hours that I put into my craft makes me confident going into games, therefore I’ve always bet on myself and I’m grateful for that because it shaped the player that I am today.