Name: Jacob Judd
School: Western Illinois University
Position: Center/Guard
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 303

Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?

Win a national championship. Win a conference championship. Be a great team captain. Lead an exceptional Offensive Line. Play at a high level consistently.

Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?

Athletic, Intelligent, Finisher.

Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?

I’ve been training in Indianapolis with Infocus for my pro day at Northwestern on March 13th. I’ve been working on all of the pro day events at Infocus as well as developing Offensive Line technique with Trai Essex. I’ve also been long snapping with Matt Overton.

Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?

When I’m studying film, I usually start out by watching 3-4 full games of the other team playing teams that have formations and plays that closely mimic our own, just to get a feel for what a team’s defense is like. During this, I’ll start to take notes on their personnel. For this I like to describe their body type and athleticism, then I compare them to someone I’ve gone against before, so I have some sort of baseline of what they play like, then I write down and memorize what their main pass rush moves are, as well as what type of technique they use when taking on different run blocks. The last thing I’ll look at for personnel is demeanor pre snap and how it correlates to blitzes/movement. I also really like to study the breakdowns/percentages of what teams do in certain situations. For this, I’ll watch cut ups of all the teams they have faced, but only in certain situations. For example, I could study what a defense usually does in 3rd and long situations, what kind of fronts do they use, what kind of blitzes they run, and the percentages of those blitzes and fronts. I like to memorize those statistics that way when I get in a situation like 3rd and long, I’ll know what’s probably going to happen. During this, one of the most crucial things to study is the alignment of the defense, it can tell you so much about what is going to happen pre-snap, even something as trivial as a high Safety alignment or a wide Linebacker can tell you so much. If I can get to the point when I’m watching film where I can guess what’s going to happen before the play starts just by looking at the alignment of the defense, and the demeanor of the personnel and be right, I’ve watched enough film.

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

Preparation. I take preparing for games very seriously. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who watches more film then I do, maybe my O-line coach from WIU, but that’s his job. I would also say my athleticism at a heavy weight sets me apart, being an athletic Center helps me to consistently get better leverage, be quick enough to beat other opponents, and able to win even if put on an island which most teams don’t like to do to Centers. I’m also able to play Guard.

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

I have a high motor. I’m consistent. I’m going to give you my all on every play. You can see that from my film. I’m always the first one to pick up the ball carrier when he’s tackled. I finish blocks. I win the one on one battles. I’m quicker then most lineman. I’m efficient when pulling. I play with low pads, and I’ve helped conduct a pro style offense before. If you bring me on your team I will be a leader for the offensive line as well as the rest of the team. As far as off the field, I’m willing and able to contribute to whatever team’s community I end up in. I was a team captain for WIU, but I was also a leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at WIU. I plan to make a difference in whatever team’s community I end up in.

Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?

I’m a smart, explosive, athletic Center who fits all of the measurables for a Center in the NFL. I can also play Guard and I can long/short snap too. I’ve played in a pro style offense and have been dominant in a conference that has NFL talent coming out of it every year. I’m a leader, and I will work harder than everyone else. I’ll beat everyone to every drill and I’ll never take a rep off. Even if you just need someone for practice squad, I can give a look anywhere on the line of scrimmage.