Chicago Bears: Exclusive interview with NFL Draft prospect Devin Singletary

Q&A with Devin Singletary

DaWindyCity (DWC): Thanks for sitting down with us today, as I know you’re swamped getting ready for the NFL Combine.  If you would, walk me through what you’re doing to get ready for the NFL Draft.

Devin Singletary (DS): Basically, we have two workouts per day, Monday through Saturday. Some days it’s positional work, and then we’ll have like yoga or a pool workout to recover. Other days we’ll work on the 40 and lift in the afternoon. Basically doing everything we can to be as prepared as possible for the draft.

DWC: Let’s talk about your final season at Flordia Atlantic University. What were some of your goals heading into last season?

DS: I wanted to reach the 2,000-yard mark in rushing, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out. But I still wanted to lead the nation in rushing touchdowns, and I think I was second in that. So those were some of my big goals. I also wanted to get back to the conference championship but unfortunately, we fell a little short of that.

DWC: You have all the skills to be a great receiver out of the backfield, but didn’t necessarily get the touches. Was that more about scheme and playcalling?

DS: Yeah that came with the playcalling and scheme. We didn’t have many routes coming out of the backfield in our offense, so that’s why my receptions were limited. My first year, we were in a different offense and that’s when I had my most receptions. But after that, it was kind of limited by the scheme and playcalling.

DWC: So how comfortable are you coming out of the backfield as a receiver or maybe even split-out wide?

DS: I’m really comfortable coming out of the backfield running routes. Split out wide, that was limited but that’s something I’m working at now trying to get better at but I know that’s something I can do.

DWC: Last year, you led the nation in most missed tackles. What makes you so elusive?

DS: A lot of it has to be instincts. I was always told growing up you can’t play running back if you can’t make people miss, so that’s always been my motto. You can’t let one person take you down and have to make people miss. But a lot of it was God-given ability.

DWC: You’re also tough to bring down even after initial contact. What makes you tough to bring down as well?

DS: A lot of it is effort, and little tricks I’m not willing to give away to prevent the big hit. But a lot of it is studying and knowing your opponent. When I’m watching tape, I’m not just watching the defense, but watching a certain player to see his weaknesses and his tendencies when he comes up to make a tackle on a running back, so that plays a big part in it as well.

DWC: Are there particular running concepts or schemes that fit your game?

DS: No, I like them all. From high school to college, I’ve gone through six different offensive schemes. I ran a lot of power and “I-formation” in high school, and I’ve run a lot of zone. I like it all. I can do the sweeps; off the tackle with lead blocking — it’s all fun to me, as long as I’m getting the ball in my hands. A zone scheme would definitely fit my game as well.

DWC: I’ve seen your game compared to LeSean McCoy‘s. Is there a running back in the NFL you like to model your game after?

DS: Really, there are a lot of people. I looked up to a lot of people growing up. Just to name a few, Frank Gore, LeSean McCoy, Duke Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Le’Veon Bell, guys like that. I always try to take something they did well and put it in my game to make my game better.

DWC: What’s your favorite part about playing the running back position?

DS: Just trying to have everybody come after you. Growing up we played a game called ‘bust ’em up.’ It’s you versus everybody and everyone else is trying to tag you. As a running back, that’s what it’s like. Everyone is coming after you and you get to make them miss. It’s exciting to do that. And even when I don’t have the ball it’s fun because they’re always trying to get me, so when I get to run or pass block, I’m trying to go knock their heads off. I just love the game.

DWC: What’s the relationship like between a running back and his offensive line?

DS: Oh that’s big. I love my big guys. They take care of me and I take care of them. That was our motto, we were going to make each other look good. And I told them, the blocks don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes, all you have to do is get in somebody’s way, and that was all I needed — just give me a little crease. I’ve always tried to take care of my guys. I’d bring them water during breaks in practice. It’s important to communicate because those are the guys that are taking care of you at the end of the day and without them you have nothing.

DWC: What are you looking to accomplish at the NFL Combine?

DS: Definitely want to test well and interview well with the teams and media and have fun while I’m doing it. For some, it might be overwhelming, but for me, I’m embracing it because there are plenty of people in the world that would kill to be in my shoes so I want to embrace the opportunity and experience and enjoy it.

DWC: What are some of your strengths as a running back?

DS: Definitely making people miss. I feel like I can do it all. You can run me inside and outside. You can throw me the ball. I can run through you, past you and around you. I can run and pass block. I’ll never take a play off. In our room at FAU, we always preached ‘run to the ball’ even if you’re not getting the ball because you never know what could happen — there could be a fumble. So those are definitely some of my strengths.

DWC: Is there an aspect of your game that you think might be underrated that perhaps people are sleeping on a little bit?

DS: I’d say catching the ball out of the backfield because I didn’t do it as much and my pass pro because going into the league I’m going to be giving up some size. But I’m going to have to find ways to outsmart them when it comes to pass pro.

DWC: Did you get a chance to watch any Chicago Bears games last year?

DS: I got to watch a few. I like to watch Eddie Jackson because he’s from the same area I’m from. And I like to watch Tarik Cohen go crazy.

DWC: What are your thoughts about possibly playing in Chicago?

DS: That would be fun. If I was blessed with that opportunity I would take full advantage. It would be so fun to play with someone as electric as Cohen.

DWC: If you had a chance to talk to all 32 NFL general managers before the draft, what would you tell them?

DS: I’m definitely a game-changer. You’d be getting a hard worker. And besides the football, I love to be involved in the community, and they’d be getting a leader both on and off the field.

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