Adrian Rodriguez: Football is a lifestyle. Being passionate about the sport means everything to me; from picking apart film and offensive tendencies, weight room, fieldwork, eating right, to living a healthy and safe life. Everything has to be accounted for and taken care of in order to be able to play the game. If anything is out of order than Football is not something I’m passionate about. It cannot be just a hobby.
Joe Gaiter: Tell me about your season this year?
Adrian Rodriguez: This season went very well, I battled with some injuries in the beginning of the season but took care of my body to perform as best to my abilities. This season was not what I had planned but our team won another Conference Championship for the 3rd time in a row, so contributing to that is a big success in my book.
Joe Gaiter: How hungry are you to make the NFL?
Adrian Rodriguez: I believe it is every young man’s dream as a football player to be given the opportunity to play at the next level. I am soo hungry. I will be lying in bed visualizing making plays.
Adrian Rodriguez: : What will you miss most about playing college ball?
Joe Gaiter: There is nothing compared to it. It is such a blessing to have received the opportunity to play college ball. I will miss the in play adrenaline, making tackles, calling out formations and the big 3rd down stops to get off the field. Thinking about it now, there is nothing that will fill that void.
Joe Gaiter: What would you tell yourself if you could go back to your freshman year?
Adrian Rodriguez: If I was able to go back and tell my freshman self anything it would be, “That no matter what happens in life, everything is temporary, enjoy the game while you still can. Remain the course and trust in your football IQ as well as your ability to perform and to fly around”.
Joe Gaiter: What is your motivation on the field?
Adrian Rodriguez: My motivation on the field is to make sure that the other team knows that no matter what they do, I will always be there to shut them down. I motivate myself in relentless hours of film breakdown and having the ability to know what the offensive is going to do, so putting the defense in the best position possible in order for us to get off the field and allow our offense to go to work.
Joe Gaiter: Have you reached your athletic peak?
Adrian Rodriguez: I am far from my athletic peak. There is so much more for me to gain in speed, quickness and strength, I am excited to see how much more my body will develop.
Joe Gaiter: What are the keys in playing your position?
Adrian Rodriguez: I play a Hybrid Position, SS/LB/NICKEL. Depending on the down and distance along with the formation determines where I line up and what position I play for that down. Some keys for my position would be awareness, recognition and reaction. Being at Tabor College, the coaches gave me the responsibility of calling audibles if I recognized a tendency the offense was showing based on down and distance along with formation or personal. Being aware of who was in for the offense, what defensive personal we had in along with the formation of the offense, there was little room for error.
Joe Gaiter: Do you have a backup if you don’t get drafted?
Adrian Rodriguez: We all have a backup plan whether we want to admit it or not. With my life experience and working towards getting my degree I will apply all that I have learned towards whatever profession I decide to do.
Joe Gaiter: Who is your agent and why did you chose them?
Adrian Rodriguez: I do not currently have an Agent, just trying to blast myself out and use the connections I have made throughout my years of playing.
Joe Gaiter: When is your proday?
Adrian Rodriguez: TBD
Joe Gaiter: Where and how often are you training?
Adrian Rodriguez: I train 6 days a week. On the field and in a fitness facility.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Adrian Rodriguez: I want to be able to show everyone that no matter what life throws at you, if you are willing to work hard, put in the time and endure the pain, anything is possible.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Adrian Rodriguez: I don’t want teams to pass me up because of the school I attended. I am hard working, coachable and put in countless hours of film and training to be the best I can be. I can be a huge asset to any team that is willing to believe in me.
Twitter: @GiftedArod31
Tabor’s Adrian Rodriguez NFL Draft Interview with Joe Gaiter was last modified: March 13th, 2018 by Joseph Gaiter
