Chicago Bears: Kevin Thurmon Jr. offers tremendous upside in NFL Draft

Q&A with Kevin Thurmon – Part II

DWC: You had a ton of quarterback pressures the last couple of years. So what kind of moves do you have in your repertoire? Are you more of a finesse guy, or a bull rush type of player?

KT: Yeah, I mean in early in my college career I was more of a swim guy. Then I started learning more about using different techniques in different situations so I started using the spin move, and that worked really well for me. I used to train in Indianapolis with Robert Mathis and he used to teach me certain moves, so I picked up a lot of moves from him. The spin was definitely a big move for me in the last couple of years.

DWC: Robert Mathis is a pretty good instructor to have! How did you end up working with him?

KT: I had a best friend that was on the Colts, so that’s how we got in touch. Then I talked to him about working out with him, and he told me to come down to Indianapolis to work with him. So I went down there over the summer and stayed with him for about two weeks, learning different moves from him.

DWC: What are some of the things you want to work on as you head into the draft?

KT: The main thing I would say is more power, and getting better at splitting double-teams. Some people might make an excuse that they’re getting double-teamed, but I feel like even if I’m getting double-teamed I should still make the play. So finding ways to split the double-team faster and getting to the quarterback faster.

DWC: Do you think there’s an aspect of your game that might be underrated?

KT: In my opinion, it would be my run defense. I feel like my run defense is really good and if they watch my film they’d see that.

DWC: Tell me what it would be like to play for the Bears having grown up in Chicago.

KT: Oh man it would be amazing! That’s my city! I would love to play for Chicago! On top of that, I feel like the organization is headed in a great direction. They’re championship contenders and I’d love to be a part of it.

DWC: Tell me something about you that our readers might be surprised to know about you.

KT: I used to love to roller skate. Anytime I’m in Chicago, I have a group that I’ll go skating with.

DWC: What do you want the various NFL general managers to know about you before the draft?

KT: I mean at the end of the day, I’m bringing everything I have to the table to get us a win. No matter what I have to do on that field, I’ll do it. I’m going to come in and do everything I can to get the team to a Super Bowl.

DWC: How do you think playing along the Bears’ defensive line would help your game?

KT: It would help my game a lot. Even just being around players like that would help a lot. If I had the opportunity to be around them and learn from them and learn about things they’re great at, it would boost my game to a completely different level.

DWC: What are your plans for draft night?

KT: I’m going to be with my family. I’m a really family-oriented person. My grandma had nine sons and one daughter, and every Sunday we have a family dinner, so I’m used to always being around my family. So I expect to be around them on draft night.

DWC: What would it be like if you were back home in Chicago with your family and got the call that you were a Chicago Bear?

KT: Oh that would be amazing! Absolutely amazing!

DWC: Kevin, thanks again for taking some time to talk with us tonight. We wish you the best of luck in the draft!

KT: Thank you for having me, man. I appreciate it.