Name: Devond Blair Jr
School: Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Position: WR/PR
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190
What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
Goals I set to accomplish for my senior year was to help my team win a championship. Be a leader on and off the field. Leading by example in the classroom, practice, and game day. Leaving it all on the field. Another goal I set to accomplish was leaving no doubt, knowing I did my part trying to help my team win to the best of my ability. Also to finish the season healthy.
Q: How do you think you took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to increase your chances of going pro?
I took advantage of the extra year working more so on my mental than physical ability. Doing things like Yoga, swimming, and sitting in a steam room. Physically I focused on becoming faster, being more of a technician with my routes and being in the weight room becoming stronger.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
My coaches and teammates would say that I’m very passionate about this game, I want to win. I am a very hungry player wanting to make the play whether it’s a big block to free the ball carrier or a catch to move the chains and give my team momentum. I make people around me better and the moment isn’t to big for me. I play with a lot of confidence and swagger, with a chip on my shoulder.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
When I watch practice film I look for technical things like the depth of my routes, how many steps did I take to get to where I’m going and is there a better way for me to get where I need to be while being on time. I watch for my tempo in routes and speed getting out of my breaks. Coverages is what I also look for. How the defense aligns and cover. I watch my other wide receivers on the field and see what they did that I can use or something they didn’t do that I can do to help me be more efficient and effective. When I watch game film it’s the same except I look for tendencies. What coverages are being ran depending on down and distance, do the corners travel or stay to one side, and checking out how the D line is, how fast do they bring pressure because I feel that is who I’m racing to get the ball.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
What separates me from others at my position is that I’m always wanting to get better. There’s always something that I can get better at whether that’s in the weight room, on field or breaking down film. I love running I can run routes all day and perfect my craft. I have great body control and can go up to make the contested catches. My work ethic is well built because the more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war I’m all about work. I’m a peoples person I respect my peer, coaches, and organization. But my competition is dog food.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
Honestly I do not have the finances to train with top trainers at their facilities. I train using the weight room and field at Red Oak High in Red Oak Texas where I just moved to. I complete sessions sent to me by my old strength and conditioning coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University Coach Duke is helping me prepare for professional opportunities. My trainer/Instructor is my little brother. He creates my meal plans while also instructing me through my drills and weight room sessions. My brother does a great job pushing and taking care of me.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Strengths that I could bring to an organization is definitely my competitive spirit on the field and knowing the playbook. I believe iron sharpens iron and I bring out the best in my competitors so it’s going to be a dog fight in practice everyday because I am hungry to make the play. I’m mature, I can influence others to make good decisions off the field. Some abilities that I can bring is being a playmaker and accountable. My team will be able to count on me to make the big play. I do not make excuses the goal is to get the job done and by any means I try to do that. I’m versatile I Return Punts, can throw the ball in trick plays and will run down on special teams.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
My final pitch to the NFL and other pro leagues is I am someone that can bring value to your organization. I love the game of football. A wise man once told me “The man that’s been through the worst is the most prepared” I’m ready for any opportunity that presents itself. As a father it would be a enormous blessing and accomplishment after all these years of grinding and hitting hit hard. I’ve gotten a second chance thanks to GOD and I’ve made the most with it. I’m all about football. I want to win a championship!