Name: Zion Farmer
School: Tiffin University
Position: DL
Height: 5-10
Weight: 280

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

The goals I set were to go out with a conference championship, make a D2 playoff berth, and lastly become All-American. I Came up short on them, but it’s room for improvement everywhere. I accomplished being named second-team All-Conference. The team success was something I valued mostly, being a good teammate on and off field was the main goal set.

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

They would say that I am dedicated, trustworthy, and a perfectionist. Watching film to the point that I would know the offensive plays based off lineman alignment and set. Also resilient, inspirational, and exciting.

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

When watching film, there’s a lot of things I am looking at. I’m focusing on our play call and assignments, o-lineman depth, backfield alignment and depth. Through the film I try to notice the tendencies they have whether it’s a pass or run heavy team. The signals they’re getting from sideline is something I look at also because everyone plays fast nowadays. I think I study film in a little different way from others just because I am so detailed.

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

When you look at the guys that typically play my position, they are larger than me. But I view this as a huge plus in my game. My specific size and speed allows me to move and make plays that larger guys simply can’t. I’ve learned how to make my smaller frame more powerful and make it a benefit instead of a hindrance. When you get to this point in the game, everyone has the physical part of the game, but I focus on the mental part of the game just as much as the physical. I believe mastering the mental aspects of the game separates the good from the great. I think my hunger/grit to prove to myself and not only others that I can be the best. Because I’m undersized, I always take care of the mental aspects of the game. I have become a serious student of the game. Which means watching film, taking care of my body, studying o-lineman tendencies, and more have become a staple in my preparation.

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

I plan on training in the Dallas area, getting to exercise some resources that cannot be found everywhere. Going back home to my personal weight lifting trainer and getting back to my roots is not only going to infuse my game, but my body and mind also. A priority of my off-season training is to focus on getting and staying healthy, pass rush specific training, and working on being gap sound in the run game. Having the time in the off-season to get back in the weight room heavily to put on some good muscle weight will be a plus as well.

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

I’m bringing energy, explosiveness, competitive nature, and determination to a team. I’m always trying to get the ball back to the offense as much as possible. My strengths are drawing lineman’s attention by playing fast and that helps the other d-lineman around me get good opportunities as well. I mean everybody is working hard, but whose really working the same way in all aspects. Like off the field, I bring encouragement, good socialization, and ultimately as a player/person, I would definitely not hurt the team in no form or fashion. A team is a family and it should not be treated any lesser than that.

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

My final pitch is take a chance on someone that’s going to come in and outwork everybody on your roster to show his true abilities and intangibles. I love this game and I can only get better, a True Dark Horse I am.