Packers 2017 Draft: Interview with Northern Illinois RB Joel Bouagnon

Q: Coming out of high school, you were not only an outstanding running back, but you were your team’s defensive MVP with 119 tackles in your senior year. What led you to choose playing running back over linebacker as you embarked on your college career?

A: The reason I played running back is because this is what I preferred more. That’s what I wanted to play in college. Most of the teams that were looking at me at running back were also taking a look at me as a linebacker. Schools offered me a spot to be a running back with plans to put me at linebacker. I kind of got that vibe when they said, Oh, you can do a lot.

A lot of big-time interest I got from Minnesota and Northwestern…they were talking to me more like a linebacker. But Northern Illinois strictly wanted me as a running back. I trusted them. I liked the way they used their runners and they’ve produced some successful ones in the NFL. I would also have a chance to play early there. It worked out well.

Q: So, did you ever get a scholarship offer from Northwestern?

A: No, it wasn’t an offer. I was just talking to them. I never got any offers from Big Ten schools.

Q: How did your past as a linebacker at the high-school level help you develop as a running back?

A: I think it helps me a lot in contact experiences especially in pass pro and stuff like that. I don’t shy away from a lot of hits with guys running full-speed at me. I’m just kind of standing still in a pass-rush situation. I like shocking and shedding in pass pro. I like to hit up front and don’t like to cut [block] very much. I think a lot of that comes from my linebacker days. I mean, it definitely just made me a little more rugged since I’ve been hitting all my life on both sides of the ball.

Q: Your former head coach Rod Carey is a very creative mind whose offenses generated lots of production. Can you describe the type of system you played in?

A: It was pretty creative. I would say fast-paced for sure. They liked to run a lot of jet sweeps, a lot bubble screens and then get you with a downhill run. It would all be in reads and options, so you wouldn’t know which plan of attack they would hit you with. It was a lot of fun especially going fast tempo. You would see defenses trying to adjust and you’re ready to go…we were trained for that. My junior year was a big one. There were a lot of gap schemes we ran where you would just line up with hit’em-in-the-mouth type of stuff.

Q: You had some huge games over the past couple of seasons where you gained 149 and 156 yards on the ground. But you were just as impressive, if not more so, in fighting your way for 78 yards against the big, bad Ohio State Buckeyes. What do you think you proved in that matchup?

A: I think it showed it doesn’t matter. I mean, in front of all those fans, I feel like I showed I can play with those boys. You know, you had all these highly-rated guys that were getting drafted and stuff. So, for me, it was like I’m going to come and play and give them everything I’ve got. I was coming at them like I belong right there…right with them.

So, that was kind of my mentality every week. I never looked back. I just wanted to hit them in the mouth every chance I get and I just played the best that I could play. I know I made some plays in that game and definitely didn’t shy away from any hits against a big school like that in a big stadium. I didn’t care.

Q: I recently spoke to your ex-teammate Kenny Golladay about that game and he told pretty much the same thing. He went into that contest as if he were just going up against any one of your MAC opponents.

A: Yes, that’s how it was.

Q: There are a dwindling number of those classic workhorse backs in the NFL. But you’ve had 11 games where you ran the ball 20 times or more. Is it safe to say you’re one of those guys that just gets better the more you get fed?

A: Yeah, absolutely. I’d like to be a workhorse back. I don’t know if many people desire getting 25-plus carries a game, but I like it. I like taking a beating and taking on the entire workload. Whatever NFL team I get to, I know I’ll get my start on special teams and work my way up. But that’s my goal: to be a workhorse back for an NFL team.

It’s like I’ve been built for that. That’s how my game has been my whole life. My offensive line liked it a lot; they liked having me on the field and they could run me wherever they wanted and I didn’t have to worry about my durability. I could take on any amount of hits, so I would definitely like to keep that going.

Q: What does a workhorse back do to recover from a game where he’s bouncing off guys 25-30 times a game, not to mention all the blocking that all takes place?

A: It’s the same recovery as anyone else. The only difference I would say is that it (the pain) lasts longer though. Some people might recover from a game, you know, and might be ready to go in that next Tuesday practice. They’ll still be a little sore, but pretty much recovered. A lot of times, I’ll be very sore still going into the next game, but I’ll apply ice, stretch and rehab every single day. It doesn’t stop.

I’m sure if I didn’t do that, I’d be incredibly sore from the game. You kind of just feel it all the time, but it’s manageable. But you definitely have to do your rehab and your stretching. There isn’t one way where you say, Ok, I’m recovered right now. You go to keep at it and get back as close as possible at being completely recovered.

Q: What was your best college memory and your biggest regret?

A: My best memory had to be my first game as a freshman when I scored my first touchdown. It wasn’t on my very first play, but it was in the first few plays I had. It was basically on a wheel route. I remember Jordan Lynch tossing it to me. Being an incoming freshman, you envision yourself scoring a touchdown. But when it actually came true, you see it all paid off…all the hard work and stuff.

I know it’s kind of cheesy to say everything was a good memory, but honestly you look back and not a lot of people have had a successful career like that. But in football there are always a lot of bumps in the road, so I was pretty lucky to be pretty much injury-free my whole career and to be able to play all four years. And also, that junior year being one of the leading rushers in the country.

I think I was 14th in the nation in rushing and first in touchdowns for most of the season. That was a fun experience because it was just a ride. At the end of the season, you look at your stats, and you never really pay attention, but then you’re hearing that noise like, Hey dude, you’re leading the nation in touchdowns. Just like the Ohio State game, you know, it was just a great experience to be up there and to be known nationally with all those other big-name college guys. That was a very fun time.

Q: In your senior season, they cut back your touches. I know you missed a couple of games, but was that reduced workload a result of injuries or was it rather all by design?

A: Yeah, I think so. It was just a little different offensive mindset going in. We ended up getting a new offensive coordinator (Mike Uremovich), so it just kind of rolled differently. We kind of spread it out a little more. I think that had a lot to do with the amount of touches I had. I feel like we were a little more pass-heavy.

Q: During the offseason, you attended the College Gridiron Showcase down in Bedford, TX. I’m not quite familiar with it. What was that all about?

A: It was an all-star showcase just kind of like the name says. It was two days of practice. We had all the scouts there. There were about 130 scouts from all 32 teams there. It was set up kind of like all the other all-star games. On that third day, we had a scrimmage. It wasn’t really like a televised game; it was streamed online.

We also had a lot of speakers that would talk to us about how to manage our money and what to look out for. They were just trying to get us ready for everything and give us the best rules to be successful if we get that call. So, it was definitely a good experience. I learned a lot. But it was the same 32 teams out there…it doesn’t matter which all-star game you’re at.

Q: So, what type of financial insight were they doling out?

A: They tried to paint a picture of what it’s really like. Not everybody is making multi-million dollar contracts. You’re dealing with a lot of times under a million. They were showing us charts of like how much we’re taking home after taxes and then you have to pay taxes to every single city you play in. I feel a lot of the stuff was basic.

They tried to make it very realistic by explaining that your money doesn’t last forever…you really need to plan it out. You have to be careful of who you’re dishing [your money] out or lending it to. And the same thing with investments since there are a lot of people coming to you with ideas. You’ve got to really plan it out and just put your money into something [safe]. There are so many guys essentially going broke because of mismanaged money. They tried to inform us of it before anything happens.

Q: I know your pro day was another big event with 18 teams in attendance. Were you satisfied with your numbers?

A: I was really pleased with my numbers. I mean, I weighed in at 230 pounds. I know my official [40-time] is a 4.6, but the lowest run I had was a 4.52. I thought it was going to be a 4.5, but the official came up with a 4.6. I know a lot of teams had me clocked at a 4.5 and that would have been the perfect day. I was kind of bummed about the 4.6, but I think the pro day definitely helped me out a lot. I’ve been getting lots of calls and visits and things like that, so obviously they liked the numbers as well. It was a good day. I worked hard for that day.

Q: Well, talk about all that work you put in. What part of your game needed the most work going into the offseason?

A: My straight-line breakaway speed needed the most work. I went to this training facility in Louisville, KY. called Corey Taylor Sports Performance. That got me right…that’s the best way to put it. It kind of changed my game. I couldn’t believe the results I got. I became the heaviest I’ve ever been and the fastest I’ve ever been.

So, now I’m sitting at 230 and I’m running in the 4.5s. You would never think about being heavier and faster. But as you get into it, it’s a great feeling. It was the hardest work I ever did in my whole life, I’ll tell you that. Corey Taylor took my game to the next level. I haven’t played a season yet, but I feel different. I just can’t wait to get on that field.

Q: What was your regular playing weight?

A: 225

Q: I know you’ve had some contact with the Packers. In meeting with the team, what type of impression did they give you when you traveled to their facility?

A: It seems like they’re very down-to-earth. One of the players said, We have no superstars. I mean, obviously, they have superstars. They have Aaron, they have Jordy, but, you know, I saw all these guys and they were very humble. They shook my hand, they talked to me. You don’t get a feeling of anyone being too good for anything.

It seems like it’s a real team experience. Everyone is really in it just to have the outcome of winning no matter what. It was really good to see actually. I was expecting to see some cockiness from some guys that were really good or something like that, but that wasn’t the case at all. Everyone was on the same level…on the same page. I’m hoping I can be part of that someday.

Q: Did you watch any Packers games growing up?

A: I catch NFL games here and there, but I don’t have a favorite NFL team so to speak. But I’ve heard that the Packers have a great organization. They’re really like, If you can play, you can play. It doesn’t matter about your status. I’ve never been highly recruited. I had to earn my way up and, I mean, on paper the Packers say, You can earn your way up. I’ve definitely seen it yesterday. If you bust your ass and work hard, you can play and find a spot on the team.

Q: Yeah, that’s something the Packers are known for. A lot of their 7th-round picks and undrafted free agents often make the team and sometimes even become starters.

A: That’s very appealing to me because I’m in the same boat in the late rounds. I was one of their 30 visits. So, they obviously saw enough in me to give me one of those visits. It meant a lot to me.

Q: Who are the players you like to watch? I hear you’re a big fan of Arian Foster, correct?

A: Honestly, I watch videos of him any time I have some down time. It’s just everything about him from his character to his style of play. I feel like he’s a really good role model. He wasn’t drafted and his combine numbers weren’t crazy, but then he just lit it up and became a superstar. Even his style of play resembles mine a lot. He’s very smooth and fluid. I think just naturally my style is similar to his. Just the way he reads the opposition is unbelievable along with his change of direction.

Q: Foster was the ultimate zone-scheme runner. How much zone did your team run at NIU?

A: It was a pretty even split between zone and power. I don’t think we favored one over the other. I can really relate to him. We had plenty of zone games. I remember my freshman year, the biggest thing I learned was that you got to stay square to the line of scrimmage otherwise you can’t make a cutback. Definitely watching him, he’s always in the right position to make whatever cut he wants and that all starts with being square.

Q: Would you say that pass blocking is one of your top two or three traits?

A: One of them would be pass blocking. Honestly, I get the same excitement from a pass block with a blitzing defender coming at me than I do from getting a handoff. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what created this attraction to pass blocking. When I see somebody creeping down, I just love getting that hit. I like stoning that guy at the line of scrimmage.

As a running back, if you miss a block, it’s going to be a hit on your quarterback. Honestly, it first started when I got to college. They told me, You won’t even touch the ball if you can’t pass block. They said anyone could run the ball, but you had to get to know the offensive scheme. You got to know how to protect the quarterback otherwise you don’t have an offense.

Q: What are some other traits that make you an NFL-level running back?

A: I think I’m very patient as a runner. I’ll also trust where the holes will be. So, pre-snap, I know where it’s supposed to go and then it’s just a combination of vision and patience because a lot of runs I watch on film, I’ll see that I didn’t even know what I was running to. It’s just an instinct thing where you know the hole is going to develop—you’ve just got to be patient.

In some situations, there’s a defender flying right by me, but you just have to be patient, stay calm and know the hole is going to be there at the last second. You just have to press the hole. I mean, that’s why football is a team thing. You trust that your teammates are going to do their job to get you where you need to be…and that comes with patience for sure. You have to be really comfortable in the backfield and obviously read your keys.

Q: What can you add about your potential as a pass catcher? Were you primarily a screen and check-down option?

A: We ran a lot of dump-offs and check-downs especially if there was no blitzing. And then, we ran a lot of wheel routes especially my senior year. I caught a few of those my senior year. I caught a few of those for big gains. I know I’m bigger, but I can catch balls out of the backfield. You’ve got to blend in with the o-line and pretend you’re pass blocking. It’s art…a skill…to know how to position your body to make it look like it’s not a pass and slip out at the last second. I was a big screen guy as well. I made a lot of big plays on screens.

Q: What kind of locker-room presence were you in DeKalb? How were you as a teammate?

A: Honestly, I’m more of a quiet person. In terms of being that rah-rah cheerleader type, that’s not me. I’m very much about going to practice and going to work. I mean, we could have fun with it, but we’re here to work and I’m very much a lead-by-example guy. I feel like other teammates see me do the right thing, they see success come out of it and everything that follows.

It’s easy to be super energetic and be like a cheerleader, but that was never attractive to me. I feel like I didn’t even have the right to say something unless I’ve done it before. Until you actually do it, you can’t tell someone else to do it. I just put my head down, go to work and do the right thing.

Q: Joel, here is the part of the interview where I ask you some non-football questions. Number one, what is your favorite meal?

A: Sushi.

Q: I often here about people asking players what their pre-game rituals are. I’m turning the tables by asking you what were your post-game rituals at NIU after a win? Did you celebrate with a pizza or play cards or anything like that?

A: It’s nothing huge, honestly. After a good game, I like going back into the dorm to see all my buddies. I like to hang out with teammates you were just in war with and just hang out and chill. It sounds simple, but that’s really the best feeling.

Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?

A: Wedding Crashers. I’m a big comedy guy.

Q: What is your favorite TV series or reality show?

A: Entourage. My favorite reality show is Hard Knocks: Training Camp. I just love to see everything that’s happening especially now that I’m going to get ready to do all that stuff.

Q: What is your ideal vacation destination? It can be a place you know or one you’ve never been to before.

A: I would love to go to Japan one day. There’s nothing like the countryside of Japan. As for my favorite spot that I’ve been to, people that know me know my favorite place is Northern California. I’m happy there no matter what’s going on. It’s beautiful up there. You have the Redwoods, the coastline…I love to go out and walk around and be around nature.

Q: What words come to mind, if you had to describe yourself as an individual, a player and as a teammate?

A: Hardworking, humble, serious, dedicated and commited.

Ralph: Thanks for giving me a great interview, Joel. You’re only a week away. I wish you the best of luck and if you end of with the Packers, I’ll be a happy Cheesehead.

Joel: Man, that would be an honor. That would be great.

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