Jared Southers
Offensive Lineman / Georgia Tech
Ed Hunt: What are your measurements? (Height, Weight and 40 time)
Jared Southers: I’m 6’5, 307lbs, and I don’t have a time on my latest 40. I am hoping to run somewhere around a 5.2.
Ed Hunt: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Jared Southers: Michael Johnson performance down in McKinney, Texas.
Ed Hunt: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Jared Southers: Vanderbilt, Rutgers, all the Ivy’s and many FBS schools.
Ed Hunt: Why did you choose Vanderbilt?
Jared Southers: I chose them because I thought it was the right fit for me and to play in the SEC.
Ed Hunt: What made you want to transfer to Georgia Tech?
Jared Southers: I just wanted a change of scenery for my fifth year and get ready for the NFL.
Ed Hunt: What position on the offensive line is your best fit at the next level?
Jared Southers: Versatility is the name of the game. I’ve played all five positions.
Ed Hunt: What is your biggest sport outside of football?
Jared Southers: I wrestled from third grade until my freshman year of high school. It taught me to control my body and grow into my body as a bigger kid.
Ed Hunt: What is your biggest accomplishment in that sport?
Jared Southers: In seventh grade, I placed 6th in the state.
Ed Hunt: What are your strengths?
Jared Southers: Versatility. I’m athletic enough to play across the O-Line. My football IQ, and I know the details you need to be successful.
Ed Hunt: What are your weaknesses?
Jared Southers: My weakness is that I only have 15 starts under my belt. I’m a student of the game and I need to continue to grow after every game.
Ed Hunt: What was the highlight of your career?
Jared Southers: Some of these fun team wins. Beating Miami in their place was the one I will remember.
Ed Hunt: What is your biggest accomplishment in college?
Jared Southers: I just say to be in this position and to continue to play the game. Graduate in 3.5 years and get my master’s at Vanderbilt.
Ed Hunt: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Jared Southers: Being coached by Brent Key was the best. Being able to sit in his office every day and all the details he taught. Understand the why behind the scheme and why certain plays work in certain schemes.
Ed Hunt: What is your favorite NFL team?
Jared Southers: Dallas Cowboys. My dad is a Cowboys fan. He passed that on to me when I was a kid.
Ed Hunt: Who is an NFL player you model your career off of?
Jared Southers: I’d say from a measurables standpoint, I would say La’el Collins. There are so many great players to learn from.
Ed Hunt: What is the most important trait for an offensive lineman?
Jared Southers: I would say football IQ and the mental aspect of it. Have to be big, tough, strong and smart. Football IQ will help you go far in this game.
Ed Hunt: Before the ball is snapped, what tendencies are you looking for in the defense?
Jared Southers: Looking at their alignments and their stance of the d-lineman and the linebackers. The keys that give you the answers to the test.
Ed Hunt: What players from your team should we keep an eye on?
Jared Southers: Tyler Davis (TE), Nick Cottrell, Christian Campbell (S) were the only draft eligible. We were a very young team this year. Just got a transfer from Vanderbilt Devon Cochran and (RB) JP Mason was a good underclassman. On defense, its David Curry. He will be a senior this year.
Ed Hunt: Who is the best player you have faced on an opposing team?
Jared Southers: Playing in the ACC and SEC Terry Beckner, Josh Allen, Larrell Murchison, Jason Strowbridge, and Tyler Clark from Georgia. Strowbridge looks better now that he can play the 3-5 tech.
Ed Hunt: What do you enjoy most about football?
Jared Southers: I enjoy the preparation and process. It’s the only sport where you work a lot for only a handful of opportunities. You put so much work in for only 16 games in the NFL.
Ed Hunt: What makes you unique?
Jared Southers: I would say my demeanor and the way I carry myself. I’m always all business. I know what’s required to be successful in this game.
Ed Hunt: What are your hobbies?
Jared Southers: I like to cook. I like to read a lot of sports psychology books. David Goggin’s book, a former Navy seal. I also read Mike Tyson’s autobiography.
Ed Hunt: What do you want to do with your life after your football career?
Jared Southers: I want to go into sports marketing. As a recruit, I had to learn to market myself. I know how to bridge the gap between the athletes and the executives.
Ed Hunt: What five words best describe you?
Jared Southers: Genuine, dedicated, intelligent, accountable and driven.
Ed Hunt: Who will win the Super Bowl?
Jared Southers: I think the 49ers are so balanced between their offense and their defense. The Chiefs have a good offense though. Should be a good game.
