WR Sam Mays (Illinois) Interview

Sam Mays
Wide Receiver
Illinois

Ed Hunt: What are your measurements at your Pro Day? (Height, Weight and 40 time)

Sam Mays: 6’3, 205 and 4.7 40.

Ed Hunt: Do you fit better as an inside or outside receiver?

Sam Mays: I believe I can play both. I primarily played outside in college.

Ed Hunt: Who is the best player you have faced on an opposing team?

Sam Mays: Nick Bosa because he was definitely getting back there.

Ed Hunt: Coming out of high school, which schools showed interest in you?

Sam Mays: Michigan, Houston, Fresno State, Memphis, North Texas, and Illinois.

Ed Hunt: What made you ultimately choose Illinois?

Sam Mays: It was the atmosphere and the relationships I had with the players coming in.

Ed Hunt: What are your strengths?

Sam Mays: My catch radius, my route running and my hands.

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

Sam Mays: Just continue to work on my yards after the catch.

Ed Hunt: Describe your overall career.

Sam Mays: I played as a true freshman. I think that was a great experience. Getting the nerves out and being able to settle down. Sophomore year, I wanted to build on that. I got hurt before my junior year, so I only played a few games. Senior year was my best season. I finished on a strong note.

Ed Hunt: What is the highlight of your career at this point?

Sam Mays: I had a game-winning touchdown against Michigan State in 2016.

Ed Hunt: I noticed you are 6’3. How does this help you making difficult catches?

Sam Mays: I’m a basketball player also. My height helps me. I box guys out. My size is a big part of my game.

Ed Hunt: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

Sam Mays: I learned a lot about adapting to change. I had three different head coaches. I think that will help me in the NFL when I experience adversity.

Ed Hunt: Is there a role you have played on special teams thus far in your career?

Sam Mays: My freshman year, I played a lot on special teams. I played on punt return. In practice, I’ve done a lot of gunner work.

Ed Hunt: What is your favorite NFL team?

Sam Mays: I really don’t have a favorite NFL team. Everybody assumes that since I’m from Houston, it should be your home team. But I really don’t have a favorite team.

Ed Hunt: Who is your favorite NFL player?

Sam Mays: One of the guys I like watching is Davante Adams. And he plays with my former teammate Geronimo Allison. I learned a lot from Geronimo Allison. DeAndre Hopkins too.

Ed Hunt: What’s the most important trait for a WR?

Sam Mays: That’s a very broad question. I would say you have to win at the line and catch the ball even if you don’t run the best routes. Nobody wants a guy who is going to drop balls all the time.

Ed Hunt: Before the ball is snapped, what tendencies are you looking for in that defense?

Sam Mays: Pre-snap, I am looking at the coverage. I am looking at the corner, the safety and the backer. I am trying to peak to see what the defense is doing. I’m looking at the corner to see what they are doing proximity wise.

Ed Hunt: What players at Illinois should we keep an eye on for next season?

Sam Mays: On offense, Reggie Corbin and Ricky Smalling. On defense, Jamal Milan and Stanley Green Jr.

Ed Hunt: What do you enjoy most about football?

Sam Mays: I love the competition.

Ed Hunt: Who is your biggest role model and why?

Sam Mays: It would be my dad. He raised me right. He showed me how to be a man. He came to all of my games.

Ed Hunt: What is your definition of a leader?

Sam Mays: To me, a leader is somebody who takes charge, not afraid of making mistakes, picks people up and brings people with him.

Ed Hunt: What do you want to do with your life after football?

Sam Mays: Get a masters hopefully in marketing.

Ed Hunt: What five words best describe you?

Sam Mays: Intelligent, comical, caring, competitive and reliable.