Name: Drew Crooks
School: McKendree
Position: DB
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
I’m a very Goal driven person. I always wanted to do better than last year. Team goals that I wanted to accomplish were to make the post season, and that’s something we were able to do. I also wanted to make the First-Team ALL GLVC. I was able to get Second-Team, but still have a lot of room to improve.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
I think my coaches would describe me as a Leader, Hard-working, and dedicated. I am someone is always pushing to be better. I am someone who is going to push the group because my energy is contagious. I’ve always felt like the underdog, and because of that I’m always working to get better.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
When watching film on myself I’ll look at the mistakes I made during practice and take note of them. I try to find a few things that I can tweak and apply them to the future practice.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
Something that separates me from other prospect is my hunger. I like to be an uncomfortable positions in order to grow. I am someone who can push the group, I am someone who makes the team better off my presence. I am someone who always keeps the main thing the main thing and that’s winning games, not anything external. Not only am I just hungry, I can produce at any position in the back half. My versatility helps me play in different coverages, and different spots on the field. My feet and quick enough and fast enough to play on the edge, but I am also physical enough to cover TEs and fit the run of the edge, and blitz.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
I plan on getting bigger, stronger, more explosive and flexible. Speed is my most valuable asset to my game and I look to improve in my overall athleticism. Along with being the fastest and quickest I look to improve my overall IQ. I wanted to also work on my ball skills as much as possible as turnovers are most important in my position.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
My strengths are my speed, versatility, and awareness. I was a former All-State runner in HS, and can be seen on film how fast I close gaps and set edges. I am highly touted in my coverage as I am always displaying very tight coverage, allowing very little. I can play off and press man, and I am able to read passing concepts while I’m zone. I have the awareness to take shots at the ball when I have the opportunity to do so. I can understand the different situations between 2-min/ 4-min drill. I understand where on the field we are more prone to get a shot play from the offense. I understand how the offense changes it’s thought process from starting on there 25, to when they get the ball in the red zone. I am very active in run support as a corner which I feel is rare, as many DBs don’t look to tackle I am able to play any position in the backend S/CB/Nickel, and able to cover multiple positions.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
I feel like I’ll open many people eyes when it comes to the physical testing. I truly believe after these pro days I will finish out on many peoples radars. I am excited just to take this step can wait for the opportunities that a wait. I understand this won’t be easy but I don’t plan on giving up that’s not an option. I am the type of guy you want on your squad. I am always the under dog that’s ends up of the front line of any program I am apart of.
