Hakeem Adeniji

Offensive Lineman / Kansas

Ed Hunt:  How did you feel out there during the Senior Bowl practice?

Hakeem Adeniji:  I was good.  I had a couple days of interviews.  It was fun to finally get out on the field and do what we do.

Ed Hunt:  Did you talk to a lot of scouts already?

Hakeem Adeniji:  A good amount.

Ed Hunt:  Have they told you what kind of round or anything like that?

Hakeem Adeniji:  Kind of, but it depends on what I can show out here and do at the combine.  I’m looking to go out there and get it up as much as I can.

Ed Hunt:  What are you trying to show scouts this week?

Hakeem Adeniji:  Amplify what they are seeing on tape and then showing them my versatility.  They got me playing guard today.  I haven’t had any guard snaps in my college tape, so that’s one big thing I want to show them.

Ed Hunt:  Would you say you are a tackle and a guard?

Hakeem Adeniji:  I’m an offensive lineman and a football player.

Ed Hunt:  You seem like you have more of a tackle build to you, would you say that’s fair?

Hakeem Adeniji:  That’s fair.  I’ve played tackle for my entire football career. 

Ed Hunt: Who did you match up against?  Who is the hardest guy you matched up against?

Hakeem Adeniji:  It’s hard to say.  There’s a lot of really good guys out there. 

Ed Hunt:  Do you remember a defensive lineman from the Big 12 that stood out to you, a defensive lineman?

Hakeem Adeniji: There’s been some good ones.  This year the guy from K-State #56.  Last year playing LJ Collier.  Going back to my freshman year, guys like Jordan Willis.  We played a lot of good players in the Big 12.

Ed Hunt:  Did you have a favorite team growing up?

Hakeem Adeniji:  I did.  I was a Dallas Cowboys fan growing up.

Ed Hunt:  Are you a Texas guy?

Hakeem Adeniji:  Yes,sir!

Ed Hunt:  What made you want to go to Kansas?

Hakeem Adeniji:  I was originally committed to the Air Force Academy, but I had a cashew allergy and my medical waiver got declined.  It was late in the process in late-June, and my high school coach was getting the job at Kansas and I found out a week later.  I was up there in Kansas.  

Ed Hunt:  Do you come from a military family?

Hakeem Adeniji:  I wouldn’t say that.  My brother went to the Air Force Academy, but outside of my immediate family that’s really it.

Ed Hunt:  What has head coach Les Miles brought to the program this past year?

Hakeem Adeniji:  It was a big change.  We had another head coach for three years and then we switched.  Coach Miles has done a lot of great things with our program.  I have a lot of love for him.  He got us headed in the right direction.  I am excited to see how that program will turn out under his guidance. 

Ed Hunt:  How was it different under Les Miles?

Hakeem Adeniji:  Philosophy and culture.  Everything from top to bottom.  How we operated. 

Ed Hunt:  What are your strengths?

Hakeem Adeniji:  Physicality.  I am a smart football player.  I am athletic.  I will play really hard and at a high level through all four quarters. 

Ed Hunt:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Hakeem Adeniji:  I need to control some of my body movements.  Show them my versatility. 

Ed Hunt:  What was the highlight for you at Kansas?

Hakeem Adeniji:  Our Boston College win this year.  It was one of those wins that could jump start the program.  We finally won on the road against a power 5 program.   

Ed Hunt:  What one word best describes you?

Hakeem Adeniji:  Resilient.