Name: Cecil Cherry
School: UT-Martin
Position: MLB
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 235
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
My goal was to come help Tennessee Martin complete a great season. We finished as an elite team in the Ohio valley conference. We did better then they did the year before. I also played in the Hula Bowl and made All-American all throughout my career from high school to Juco and college.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
My coaches and teammates would let you know I’m learn without saying much. They would also let you know special teams drills I would go a thousand times no matter what. I could easily just focus on linebacker but to be a leader you got to also know trying to make it to the next level got to become a special team player first and earn your way on the field.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?
I study film a lot special teams and the offense team that week and I also I take in learning the scheme our coaches teach us. I also look at who I’m take on kickoff return and also learn which number that I’m have beat with speed to make the tackle on kickoff. When it comes to defense I usually just look at the offense line and see how they position their self before the play start to get use to their stands.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
What separates me is never giving up and my journey is one for the books. I never made excuses and I also love special teams and will also value the core value as being a professional football player. I’m also a player will do whatever to help the team win. It’s always team first me second and to help a reach their goal and be apart of a great team.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
My offseason training mean to work on my weakness and better my coordinations and also help my body be in top shape to handle business. I look at it whatever I have to improve to help the coaches realize I’m ready I got to do.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
My strength and abilities are being a teammate that’s going to go hard on special teams. I love to work in the community with kids and also have the youth involved letting them know they can do the same thing just have faith and God first. Anything you do in life you have to put your mind to it and have a plan. Then handle the mission with God first.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL or any other pro leagues?
My final pitch is to have a opportunity in the NFL and get on special teams help the team culture. One thing I learn nothing in life is giving too you but the opportunity it’s all about what you going to do with it. Only thing you can control is what will you do with the opportunity. I don’t down talk the other league it all come down to whoever gives me the right opportunity the chance to showcase my talent.
STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 4)…OVC Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3)…TSWA Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 5)…Played in all 12 games while earning three starts for the Skyhawks at linebacker…Compiled 83 total tackles, including 35 solos and 48 assists…Notched 9.0 tackles for loss totaling 39 yards…Tallied 4.0 sacks…Recorded a forced fumble against Austin Peay (Nov. 9)…Notched nine quarterback hurries – including a season-high five against Jacksonville State (Nov. 2)…Tallied six pass breakups – including a season-high three against Northwestern State (Aug. 29)…Blocked a kick against Northwestern State…Eclipsed double figures in tackles against Tennessee Tech (Oct. 12), Jacksonville State (Nov. 2) and Austin Peay (Nov. 9)…Tallied five tackles for more in nine of 12 games…Tallied 3.5 tackles for loss – including 1.5 sacks – against Southeast Missouri (Oct. 26)…Notched tackles for loss against Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 5), Tennessee Tech (Oct. 12), Southeast Missouri (Oct. 26), Jacksonville State (Nov. 2), Austin Peay (Nov. 9) and Tennessee State (Nov. 16).