NFL Draft 2012: Exclusive Interview With Miami DE/OLB Olivier Vernon

[Editor’s Note: Here at NFL Spin Zone, we have put together a series of 2012 NFL Draft prospect interviews to give our viewers a more in-depth look at a handful of the players who could end up with their team next season. The latest draft prospect interview features Miami Hurricanes defensive end Olivier Vernon. 

Vernon is viewed by many in the scouting community as one of the quickest risers among the Miami prospects and he could hear his name called as early as the late second-round. To see all of our previous interviews, CLICK HERE. Here is what Olivier had to say.]

Josh Sanchez: How has the entire draft process been treating you?

Olivier Vernon: It’s been treating me well, man. This experience and the whole thing, I just don’t even know how to explain. I mean, it’s a good feeling. You know, your life is getting changed come draft day, but at the same time you still gotta make the best of this opportunity and try to solidify a spot. Nothing is guaranteed, even though you may get drafted.

It’s nothing I expected. I didn’t know what was gonna come my way. It’s been really fun being able to travel to these teams and being able to talk to the coaches you see on TV. It’s crazy, man.

Sanchez: What teams have you had visits with?

Vernon: I had meetings with the Cowboys, Buffalo, Steelers, San Fran, San Diego, Atlanta Falcons and a few other teams that can’t come to my head right now.

Sanchez: What was it like walking into those facilities for the first time?

Vernon: It’s nice, man. Just being able to say, like, I could end up being here and actually working for this organization. I don’t think it’s hit me yet. I don’t think it’ll hit me ’til I actually get there, so I’m just taking it in right now but it’s cool. It is crazy, but it’s a great feeling.

Sanchez: Mike Mayock from the NFL Network has said that you are “the fastest rising prospect” from the University of Miami. Do you pay much attention to what the draft analysts have to say?

Vernon: No, I really don’t. I mean, not knocking anybody, any analysts or anything, but nobody knows what is gonna happen during the draft. My stock could be rising or not — it really doesn’t matter to me. All I’m worried about is getting the opportunity to play for a team. That’s all I can do. That’s all that really matters to me.

Sanchez: If you were to give a scouting report on yourself, what would you say are your strengths and the areas you can improve on the most?

Vernon: My biggest strength, I say, being really explosive. Explosive with a high motor. I can probably sure up my technique and that would be it.

Sanchez: What was it like playing for a program as big as Miami?

Vernon: It was great. I was playing for the hometown and there is nothing better than that. I was able to have my family come to the games — every home game, even some of the away games. Fighting for the guys that set standards from back in the days of Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis and into the 2000’s with Sean Taylor, Willis McGahee, Clinton Portis. You look up to those guys and you try to be where they were at. Actually, better than what they were.

I feel like a lot of the guys had that in mind when we were working out and practicing. Things didn’t end up how we wanted it to our years at Miami, but I still feel like the guys can bring it back to where it used to be — especially with Coach Golden and his coaching staff.

The University of Miami is a special place, man. Not too many people get to experience it and I’m happy I was one of the lucky few and I am grateful that I went to Miami.

Sanchez: You just touched on how things didn’t go how you may have wanted. The team always has so much talent on the roster. Why do you think it was that the talent didn’t necessarily translate to on-the-field success?

Vernon: I just think it probably wasn’t our time. Some of the guys, some of us really gelled together and I guess it just wasn’t our time. Some times there are other schools that need their time to shine and Miami, we just weren’t ready for it.

Sanchez: Was it a hard decision to leave school early and declare for the draft?

Vernon: No, it really wasn’t a hard decision for me because that was just a goal of mine that I had set coming out of high school. It didn’t matter what college I went to, I just had it in my mind that I wanted to go three-and-out. Not for any selfish reason or anything like that, it’s just that I knew in my three years I was gonna get a lot of goals, a lot of accomplishments. I was gonna get stronger in the weight room, get faster. I knew by the time my junior year came around that I’d be successful.

I got derailed with the suspensions and everything, but I feel like everything happens for a reason and when it came down to making that decision, I had to go with my heart and I felt like that was the right thing to do.

My parents were behind me with any decision that I made and I just felt it was something I had to do. I wanted to go to the next level. I feel like my abilities and my progress, I feel I’ll be ready to showcase my talents at the next level.

Sanchez: With the suspension, how do you feel that effected your mindset after being out for those six games?

Vernon: I feel that it helped me with adversity. You know, everybody in life goes through adversity. I learned a lot about myself and how I can react through adversity and how I can turn all that negative energy into a positive. I learned a lot from that. If I can face that, I feel there are a lot of other things that may pop up in my life that I can face, too. Just being strong, staying positive, it has put me in the position I am now.

It did actually make me hungry, because you never know when it can be your last time playing.

Sanchez: Were there any NFL players that you looked up to growing up?

Vernon: I looked up to Sean Taylor and Ray Lewis. How physical Ray is and how passionate he is about football and the love he has for the game. I admire that. And then the physicality of Sean Taylor and how he used to just wreak havoc out there on the field. I just loved that growing up.

Sanchez: Did you have any favorite teams?

Vernon: My favorite team was the Ravens.

Sanchez: Why should a NFL GM pick you in the draft? What would you tell him you can bring to the team?

Vernon: A team that would get me will be happy with their choice, cause I wanna come in and be the piece that will help them win. I feel like it’s all about winning, in the end. All those stats and things, they come when you win. The type of person I am, I have a winning mentality. I work hard. I’m a high motor guy and I have all the tools to help everyone around me win. Whoever gets me, I’m gonna help win. That’s my main goal.

Sanchez: Do you have any special plans for draft day?

Vernon: Not really. I’m just going to be home with my parents. I might not even watch the draft. I might just play some cards and wait for the phone call.

Sanchez: Do you have any goals for your rookie season?

Vernon: Right now, I’d just say to try to learn because the rookie season you’re supposed to be a sponge and soak everything in, from what I’ve heard from the coaches. I don’t know what team I’ll go to. It could be a 4-3 team or a 3-4 team and if I go to a 3-4 team I’ll have to learn how to play outside ‘backer. That’d be the first thing on my mind. I’d just wanna learn that position and try to perfect it.

Sanchez: What will it mean to you to get that phone call during the draft and finally reach your goal of being a NFL player?

Vernon: [laughs] I don’t know that I can put it into words right now. You’ll have to call me up after I get drafted, man.

Sanchez: Any words for the fans of whatever team drafts you? What should they expect from Olivier Vernon when he suits up for them?

Vernon: I’m not gonna let them down. They’ve got expectations and I’m not only gonna fulfill the expectations for myself, but I’m gonna work to fulfill their expectations, too. If I can fulfill my expectations, it’s gonna make them happy with what I can do.

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