2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Ja’Lon Freeman, DB, Southeastern Oklahoma State University

• Name: Ja’Lon Freeman
• Position: DB (Nickel, S, CB)
• College: Southeastern Oklahoma State University 
• Height: 5’9
• Weight: 190
• Twitter: @thatman_freeman
• Instagram: @thats_jfree

What makes you a top prospect at your position  in the 2023 NFL Draft? 

I have the killer mentality, which equips me to overcome any adversity. I possess elite quickness. I’m comfortable in any man coverage situation. I am constantly working to get the ball back to our offense by any means. I’m also a dominant & violent finisher in all aspects of the game. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I became interested around 14 years old. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I’m the ultimate competitor. I refuse to lose any competition (any/everything is a competition). I’m also a great team player. There are a lot of plays that I make by forcing the opponent away from where he wants to go. I don’t like to be outworked. I’m an annoying presence for offenses. I play with a tremendous amount of passion. I pride myself on being coachable and not being able to be blocked in space. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

I would like to contribute to high schools and Colleges, so kids don’t have to pay to play. Paying fees to play can prove stressful for the kids and their parents, which often forces them down the wrong path. I want to offer everyone a chance to grow into functioning adults. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

“Be comfortable with being uncomfortable”

Who was your childhood hero? 

My martial arts instructor and older brothers. Now it’s my Mom. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

Keelan Chilton. Micah Rogers

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

I can’t stand a liar. People lie when they have something to fear. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

I went to Cedar Hill High School, which is a powerhouse for football under Coach Joey McGuire.  I was a late bloomer, so I didn’t play my first varsity game until my senior year. Our offense had at least 1 power 5 recruits at each position. Among the 4star recruits was a strong RB. I feel like our coaches would set me up to fill the hole against him every day of spring practice. He used to truck me & everyone would laugh every day. I was 163lbs and he was 200+. One day I got tired of seeing myself on my back in film and decided I wasn’t gonna look like that ever again. The opportunity lined up as it always did and I went in without fear this time. I stood him up and everyone was a little silent. The next time I put him down and my coaches cheered. Ever since then I’ve been operating on the power of self-belief and confidence. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

We have the best WRs and DBs because we push each other to the limit at practice and our coaches allow us to be ourselves. Also, it’s really reassuring that I was recruited at my dinner table by a coach now in the NFL. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Air Head Extremes or almost any type of candy. I’m a sugar junkie. 

What is the best part of football? 

Getting to physically and mentally dominate opponents is what I live for and that is what this sport is all about. I’m a warrior. I love to fight. Every play is a fight for respect. I also love making new connections. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

I am a hard-working, passionate, & fearless supercompetitor who doesn’t get blocked in space, and makes the game more exciting to play. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

Micah Hyde with more hit power. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Denzel Washington, and Ed Reed. All of these people have unintentionally spoken life into me, so I know I will leave the dinner mentally richer than when I came in. Ed Reed will have tips o for me. Plus, it would be pretty funny, and I know they have enough money to cover my bill.