Name: Gianni D’Arienzo
School: William Jewell College
Position: DB
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195
What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
The goals I set for myself were to be a better leader in the sense of talking to my team and being more vocal, I’ve been more of a lead by example type of person in the past and being voted captain during the spring season I expected to be voted captain again and I needed to work on that skill more. Another goal I set was to break my school pass-breakups record for a career. I had 17 going into this fall season and needed 8 to tie the record 9 to break it. I believe this year I was a better leader vocally I feel that players listen to the words I spoke and even some players came up to me and told me after a speech that was a good one or I need those type of things to help me get hyped. I fell short of achieving the career record. I had 4 this season through 4 games and the 5 game of the year I broke my thumb in the first quarter of our first conference game. Causing me to miss the rest of the season.
Q: How do you think you took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to increase your chances of going pro?
I work a lot on my tech and eyes in the off-season. I stuck around all summer to work with our new strength coach and felt like I was honestly faster than I ever was and stronger than I have ever been going into the fall season. I moved from corner to safety, wanting to show off my versatility, I worked on a lot more off man technique and worked getting off the block this summer in hopes to be a great safety for my team.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
My coaches would say I am a player who doesn’t make the same mistake twice. I am always where I am suppose to be and I tend to be one of the first players on the field to decipher the play and react. My teammates would say I am a smart player who is like a coach on the field, who helps others with deficiencies I see in their techniques and give insight to what I have seen playing previously or through my film study of the other team.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
When I watch film I like to watch techniques the receiver like to use and what techniques I have that work well against theirs. I also watch the plays they run because if I only see one concept of routes I understand that if I see this receiver running one route I know what the other receivers are runner. I also watch to see which lineman shoot off the line on runs because then I know they can give me a faster read on run or pass plays vs other lineman.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
I am a student of the game. I learn more about the sport every time I touch the field, watch film, or even watch games on tv. I understand concepts of all three facets of the game, defense, offense, and special teams. I understand technic is key and I am constantly working to get better at my tech and my fundamentals. I don’t just work on the big thing but pay attention to detail in all things I do on and off the field.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
Currently my plan is to do technical work such as breaks and my pedal 2x’s a week, I had an old classmate who is NASM certified write a speed training program I and working that 2-3x’s a week and working out at the gym 4-5x’s a week. I am still looking for an agent to sign with to help me earn opportunities and purposes get me into program that could benefit me as well.
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 I can play any defensive back position, corner, nickel, free, or strong safety. I can guard short fast slots, tall wideouts, or strong tightends. I have great ball skills and I have only received one pass interference call in my whole career and it was during a scrimmage this past spring. I can play coverage and both press and off man, I also play special teams which means I can help the team many different ways and makes it easy for coach’s to put me on the travel roster.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
I work hard, I’m honest, I do the right thing even when it’s the harder thing to do. I have a high football IQ and I know how to listen and follow directions. I know if you look at this past season it may look like a flop, but i went down you could see the decline in the play from the defense as a whole. I went to community college after receiving no offers out of high school took a bet on myself and ending up being voted a captain of a division II football team where all other captains were in a single fraternity. My teammates have even asked me to come back and coach them because they believe in my ability to teach this sport I have loved since I was 6 years old. I am a person you can trust all hours of the day so even when I’m off the field you can trust I won’t get into anything that will embarrass my team or teammates as well as you can have faith that once I step on the field I will be where I need to be and not only make the plays I a suppose to but make the plays I am not expected to make. I just want to be great, thank you for hearing me out.
