Packers 2017 Draft: Interview with Eastern Washington OLB Samson Ebukam
Q: You came here from Nigeria when you were nine years old. When did you first discover your athletic ability? Was it while playing football or basketball or another sport?
A: I grew up playing soccer, so I grew up always feeling like I had an athletic ability. I just didn’t know it was football until the 8th grade. So, I tried it out just because I was bigger and the rest is history and now I’m here.
Q: You were also competitive in the javelin. Did you ever consider competing in the Olympics?
A: Yeah, I was. I did consider it. My mother was kind of egging me on to that path because it’s a lot less physical on the body. But I just love football. There’s just something about football I really love.
Q: So, you were an all-around athlete in high school and played three different positions in football (tight end, fullback and defensive end). How heavily recruited were you when it was time to pick a college?
A: I was like a half-a-star honestly. I only got two offers (Portland State and Eastern Washington), which was fine with me because when I was visiting Eastern Washington, I began to feel like it was the place to be. I loved the family atmosphere they were showing us here and, of course, they have the red field to go along with it too.
Q: You made an instant impact as a freshman by playing in all 15 games. What allowed you to get off to such a fast start?
A: Honestly, it was just the hunger. I wasn’t even thinking about not being recruited heavily; I just wanted to play and I also wanted to play for my family too. They asked me if I wanted to redshirt, but I just said, I can’t stay a year away from the game I love. So, I just played with a passion and that was it.
Q: Talk about how it was like playing on the red turf of Roos Field. What will be your favorite memory about your days at Eastern Washington?
A: I will remember my teammates the most. I never left the locker room without a smile. What I’m going to take away from that is just the brotherhood that I formed over there and that will last forever. The game is just a game, but my brotherhood will last forever.
Q: Your defensive line coach Eti Ena was quoted as saying that you have a “tireless” work ethic. How would you go about preparing for a game on a weekly basis?
A: I just took class and took things one day at a time. I watched film, went to rehab and did whatever I needed to do while not stressing about the game because the game will handle itself. I just watched film, learned what I could from the coaches, soaked it all up like a sponge and went to work on Saturdays, which I’m hoping will now be Sundays.
Q: What was going on during film study? Were you poring over footage with teammates or coaches or both?
A: I was doing it with other players more than I was doing it with coaches. I mean, yes, we had meetings and stuff, but I would find a way to bring the rest of the players in with me to watch film because every advantage we could get matters. And the more work you put in, the more prepared you are and the more likely you’re going to be successful.
Q: What type of defense did you play in? There were times when I saw you playing with your hand in the dirt and there were other times where you lined up off the ball? What was your general role?
A: It was a 4-2-5 (scheme) and I didn’t have a specific role in the defense. We were kind of selfless on that side of the ball. We just ran the play that was called and we trusted the coaches with the play call. Whatever they called was exactly what we were going to run. But we would just execute our technique at that specific moment and the rest of it would handle itself.
Q: You trainer at Ford Sports, Tracy Ford, had some great things to say about your offseason work to improve in pass coverage. How are your coverage drops coming along?
A: I already played a little bit of linebacker because, as you said, on some of the plays, I would be standing up. I would play some off-the-line linebacker, but I wasn’t able to drop as well as I am right now. Tracy is the one who helped me with that. He got me dropping like a db and I would be doing db drills with him. I looked like a fool out there the first two weeks, but I was able to get a good concept of and get a good handle on it.
I thanked him for that and right now all I’m doing is just making sure that I can get off the breaks really fast. I’m also watching film of linebackers that are already in the league just to see how they handle specific drops. All in all, I think it’s a pretty interesting process and I think I’m very excited for it because me being out there with my hands up…now I’m able to run as fast as I can on every play. So, now it’s not just about meeting [the receiver] with physical contact; now I can also run…which is what I like to do.
Q: One thing I noticed from your footage is the way you are still able to beat blockers even when they get their hands on you. What do you attribute that to…your hand skills, your long arms or change-of-direction ability?
A: I’ll take that one and just give it to the coach. That’s all about the drills he’s been doing with me. Coach Ena, he’s the one that’s been working us through those drills like getting hands off. I think it’s just basically about having good hands and good hips and being able to get lower than a lot of the o-linemen.
Q: I’ve also seen you use your inside arm to swipe the tackle’s outside arm. What is your favorite pass-rush move among those that you use most frequently?
A: My favorite move is definitely just a speed rush because I can get off the ball quick and I can beat the o-lineman and be a step behind him before he even knows it.
Q: So, that’s just one of those situations where your blocker doesn’t even have a chance to completely get out of his stance, let alone put a hand on you.
A: Basically. I mean, I did run track, so that kind of comes in [handy]. It just helps me get off the ball once it’s snapped.
Q: Your agility on stints is also another one of your qualities, but where would you say you need to improve from a technical standpoint?
A: Being able to play fast while trying to recognize what’s going on in front of me. Sometimes I’m so focused on the o-lineman that’s in front of me that I really don’t notice what’s happening around me. So, it’s just being more aware. But being a linebacker, that would definitely help me out and just open my eyes a little bit more because over here, we’re just taught to play versus the man in front of you.
Q: You had a chance to play at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. How would you grade your performance and how was the event overall?
A: The bowl game was fantastic in all areas. The food was great…the people were great. The teammates I had there were fantastic. That whole experience…I wouldn’t change that at all. I think I did okay at the NFLPA. I mean, the practice is what matters, though, and I didn’t lose a one-on-one in practice.
Q: You worked with some professional coaches or at least some people that used to work in the NFL. Did they say or do anything that really stuck with you?
A: Yeah, my coach was an o-lineman in the NFL (Don Willis), so he knew exactly everything that needed to be done. I soaked up everything he had to say and in the game it worked out. I got 1 sack and a bunch of pass hurries and all that. So, just having him right there was fantastic for me because I was able to learn from somebody that had already been in the league.
Q: Who impressed you among your peers? Was there anyone you had some tough battles with?
A: A player from Texas A&M…another Nigerian guy (Jermaine Eluemunor). He had patient hands and was able to use that to his advantage.
Q: Can you talk about your involvement on special teams back at Eastern Washington?
A: I wasn’t the leader on special teams, but I know that teams were trying to target me a little bit because I was bigger than most people on special teams. They were trying to target me, but it never really worked out.
Q: What units did you play on?
A: I played everything except for kickoff returns. Then my last year, I only played on punts and punt returns because kickoffs were basically for the younger guys. I just did a lot because I knew all the positions.
Q: You posted incredible numbers at your pro day. I bet all the coaches, scouts and GMs all wanted a piece of you that day. What were some of the things they wanted to know about you?
A: They would ask me how it was growing up in Africa and it was just a bunch of regular questions…regular talk like me and you are doing today. Football-wise, they wanted to know my knowledge about dropping into coverages and blitzing.
Q: What is your arm length?
A: 32 3/8 inches and a 78-inch wingspan.
Q: You’ve visited with the Packers and I take it that was more or less a job interview. Did they ask you to break down film?
A: They didn’t ask me to break down film; they asked me about my family…what they are doing…each one of them and if I wanted to play for them. They asked me what I thought about the facility. The linebacker coach (Winston Moss) did want to see how I would react [to things] on the field. He just gave me some random scenarios. He wanted to know what I would do for each specific play if I was a linebacker, but that was it.
Q: Talk about Samson Ebukam the teammate. I know you were a team captain, but what kind of leader are you?
A: I do consider myself a leader. I’m more of a positive-vibe kind of leader. I can be a little quiet at times because I want to get to know my surroundings before I say anything. I just like to observe and learn. This is going to be my first year there (in the NFL), so I’m just hoping I’m able to just be there and learn from guys that have been there for a couple of years and just soak it up.
As a teammate, I won’t say anything negative and I won’t say anything positive…I’ll just say what needs to be said. So, it could be one or the other, but I’m strongly willed about telling the truth. So, if somebody is doing the right thing, I’ll just tell them straight up. If they make a tremendous play or something, they’re going to get the praise they deserve. But I just like telling the truth and that’s the type of leader I am.
Q: If you could have any NFL player’s career, who would that be?
A: Dwight Freeney
Q: How fun was it to be able to practice against and play alongside Cooper Kupp?
A: Man, he’s something else. I can’t put it into words. It was basically like playing a video game—he was always in All-Star mode. That’s how it was watching him. Every game he did something crazy, but it got to the point where I stopped being surprised because people would be so amazed to see him fake or beat somebody out.
But, in my mind, I’m like, He worked for it. So, this was not a surprise. He’s just getting what he deserves at the moment, so I can’t say anything bad about him. When he broke those records (FCS records for receptions, yards, touchdowns, average yards per game and average touchdowns per game), people were like, Oh my God. I didn’t understand why they were so surprised because he knew it was going to happen anyway. He’s definitely the best player I’ve played with.
Q: And listening to him speak, he just sounds very professional. Someone who’s all business.
A: He wasn’t one of the guys who talked a lot on the team. But when he did, everybody was listening.
Q: Samson, we’ve reached the part of the interview where I’ll ask you some fun non-football questions. What is your favorite meal?
A: Nigerian food called Jollof rice.
Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?
A: Lord of the Rings or 300.
Q: Who’s been the most influential person in your life?
A: My mom.
Q: What is your dream vacation spot?
A: It would probably be somewhere where you could go for a nice walk or hike and experience something new that God made on Earth.
Q: Who is your favorite non-football athlete?
A: Kobe Bryant
Q: What is your favorite activity away from the field and film room?
A: Playing video games with my friends.
Q: What would you say are three or four words that best describe you as an individual, a player and as teammate?
A: Faith, family, trust and loyalty.
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