Name: Gabe Sherrod
College: Michigan State
Position: Defensive End / Outside Linebacker
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 250
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
Gabe: Elusive, Disruptive, Aggressive.
Q: How are you going to train/prepare this offseason in preparation for the draft or other pro opportunities?
Gabe: TGX Performance Systems in Baltimore, MD for my Pro Day and Get Fit Speed Training for my conditioning.
Q: If you could compare yourself to one current or former NFL player who would it be and why?
Gabe: Aldon Smith, coming out of college he was labeled too small and not strong enough to take on an offensive lineman consistently. All he did was come in and put the NFL on notice with his elusiveness. He’s not the fastest guy and neither am I, but the way he attacks the angles of the game and covers ground is something I have studied so hard this offseason and believe I have modeled quite well. The same way he did, my flaws became my strengths and my strengths have been taken to new heights.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
Gabe: I look at formations, the down and distance, and favorite plays. Those three things help out a great deal with tendencies and what a team will do next. Lineman, I look at their hips and hands, does he look heavy on his hand for run or is he heavy on his heels for a pull or pass set. I also look to see if they have a preferred run side, usually teams put their best guard and tackle on the same side or they flip flop to get in a more favorable position. Finally, if you stop what a team likes to do initially, I look on film for their counter, what do they do next and who will they try to attack next on defense.
Q: What separates you from other players at your position?
Gabe: My ceiling separates me. Going into the Pro level will only be my 4th year playing Defensive End. The other guys at my position were high school standouts at defensive end while I was a 210 pound Quarterback throwing for 2,500 yards. I picked up the position very fast in my redshirt sophomore year of college. I can be molded into a freakish product at the next level. Coach Dantonio said that I was man made and any NF defensive coach will be able to mold me into the image he sees fit, so that I can bring pressure to opposing offenses.
Q: What kind of abilities would you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Gabe: Character, I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs in my life that have built a solid foundation for the man I can be in society and as a teammate. Coach Kenneth Carter at Delaware State challenged me to bring my teammates along with me in everything I do. I believe in being a teammate, not just looking to help myself be better for the team, but help my teammates be better for the team. When you are invested in your team and community you can build something extremely successful.
Q: What is your final pitch/sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
Gabe: Hard work is engraved into my being. Adversity has propelled me. The heat and pressure built a diamond in the rough. The team that gets ahold of this diamond will be rich. Rich because they found a player who is a man on and off the field and a great person to have in their organization. I will be forever grateful for any opportunity and will pour every ounce of energy I have to be invested in my team and organization.
