Alex Khvatov: Tell
me about your overall experience at the East/West Shrine Game.
Jerome Felton: It was good. I helped myself
a lot. I showed my athleticism. I feel that I really showed my
versatility that week. I had a couple of big blocks in
practice, and Dick Vermeil came up and told me that if I block
like that, I will play in the league for a long time. Coach
Sexton, who is a running backs coach for the Dolphins now, said
that I am a talented fullback. I heard positive things from the
coaches all week. You have to realize that NFL is a business.
It is very important how you carry yourself on and
off-the-field. It was a great experience and I helped myself.
Alex Khvatov: What
kind of an impression do you think you left on the coaches and
the scouts?
Jerome Felton:
I definitely had a good week. Since I ran the ball more at
Furman, they wanted to see if I can catch the ball and block.
They wanted to see if I could play fullback. I showed them that
I can be a dominant blocker. I helped myself and I left a good
impression.
Alex Khvatov: Who
is the best player that you saw during that week?
Jerome Felton:
One guy was running back Thomas Brown. I was impressed with how
hard he played. He is a small back, but he is a very physical
guy. He is a muscular guy. He had a really good week and
surprised people. On the defensive side, Jonathan Hefney stood
out who is a safety from Tennessee. I knew him coming into the
week because my hometown is about 40 minutes from Knoxville,
Tennessee.
Alex Khvatov: Did
you get a chance to form a bond with any of the players during
that week?
Jerome Felton:
Yeah, we bonded. I didn't know Thomas Brown, but he was a
really good guy. He is competitive and he works hard. Jameel
McClain was my roommate for a couple of weeks when I was working
out until we got our own apartments. Jonathan Hefney was a cool
guy and I was glad to spend time with him.
Alex Khvatov: Were
you disappointed that you weren't invited to the Senior Bowl?
Jerome Felton:
I was, but I was actually a late invite when Owen Schmitt went
down with an injury. I got the call on Friday. I was in LA at
that time. It was a little too late. I was behind in all of
the preparation. If I would have received the call on
Wednesday, I would have been there. Personally, I believe that
I am the best fullback in the draft.
Alex Khvatov:
Tell me about your overall experience at the Scouting Combine.
Jerome Felton:
It wasn't too stressful. The medical part was grueling.
Basically, you get probed in different rooms. I got to meet
with the coaches. I talked to about seven or eight teams. I
let them know what I am all about. I showed them my character
and my passion for football. That whole process helped me a
lot. It was an opportunity to impress these guys.
Alex Khvatov: What
was the most unique question that you had to answer during the
interview process?
Jerome Felton:
Probably for a guy that has never been in trouble before, the
question that stuck out was when I talked about my family. They
wanted to know where I got my athleticism from. They wanted to
know how you feel about football. Teams wanted to know why they
should draft you.
Alex Khvatov: Were
you satisfied with the way you performed at your Pro Day?
Jerome Felton:
Oh yeah. My Pro Day went well. They put me through a workout.
My long jump went up by six inches and my vertical jump went up
by four inches. I caught every pass. I did well in the running
back drills.
Alex Khvatov: What
have you learned about yourself during this entire draft
process?
Jerome Felton:
Just the passion that I have to play this game. I met some guys
that have somewhat questioned this process. I realize that this
is a serious business. The NFL is a billion dollar business.
You realize that you have to be professional. You have to carry
yourself in a certain way. You have to grow up. You are on
your own. You are not in college anymore. I just realize that
I have the passion for the game. I have been successful so far
and I am excited to get started.
Alex Khvatov:
Jerome, what makes you a unique individual?
Jerome Felton:
That I put everything I have into everything I do. I don't
slack off. I have the work ethic in my academic life and in
football. That trait will help me in life. It transcends my
life.
Alex Khvatov: What
do you enjoy most about playing football?
Jerome Felton:
The biggest thing is competition. I have that competitive
nature. I compete at everything. That's what draws me to
football. Every play you go to battle. My goal is to be the
best at what I do. The competition drives me. The NFL is the
best place for that.
Alex Khvatov:
Where do you think that you will be drafted?
Jerome Felton:
I have heard anywhere from the third to the fifth round.
Probably round four, but it could be as late as six. I had a
workout with the Eagles a couple of weeks ago after my Pro Day.
Their running backs coach told me that out of all of the
fullbacks that he has evaluated this year, I am the best
fullback in the draft.
Alex Khvatov:
Finish the sentence, Jerome Felton is:..
Jerome Felton:
The most athletic and versatile fullback in the draft. He will
be the first fullback drafted.
