Jamal Ware
Linebacker/Safety – Maryville College

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Jamal Ware:  My height is 6’0 and 210.  I ran a 4.49 on my first attempt and 4.48 forty on the second one at the Regional Scouting Combine.  They were both laser time.  

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall experience at the Regional Scouting Combine in Indy?

Jamal Ware:  It was a great experience.  I surprised myself with my results.  The weekend was second to none.  The staff and the players were cool.  It was a fun and enjoyable time.  My three-cone was a 7.27, 4.46 shuttle, 34.5 vert, 116 inches on the broad jump and 16 reps on the bench.  I did both LB and DB drills.  I went first in every drill.  A couple of scouts asked me to do the DB drills out there.  They were fairly impressed.  I spoke with CFL scouts from five different teams.     

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

Jamal Ware:  I was at D1 Training in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Now I train by myself with Mike McCoy at Warehouse Performance in Alabama.      

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Jamal Ware:  Out of high school, Maryville offered me a scholarship.  It was a community service scholarship.  D-III schools don’t give out any athletic scholarship.  I got a full ride for education.    

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Maryville College?

Jamal Ware:  It was the best and only option that I had.  My goal was to leave the state of Alabama.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Jamal Ware:  Instincts, intangibles and diagnosing plays.  I am a film guru.  I am an energetic and enthusiastic player.  I inspire teammates.  I also bring physicality.  I have lots of experience, and the game slowed down for me.        

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Jamal Ware:  Definitely making sure that my feet stay under me.  Being quicker and understanding the game more.   

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.

Jamal Ware:  Freshman year, I played about 40% of the snaps on defense including special teams.  I caught an INT my first game.  We tied with Huntingdon college for the conference.  Sophomore year, I started after the third game.  My reps started to increase.  I had about 34 tackles, but we didn’t win the conference.  Next year, I had about 40 tackles, a couple of INT’s and seven or eight TFL’s.  I was second team all-conference that year.  We went to the playoffs my junior year and lost in the first round.  I had 63 tackles, one INT, one forced fumble and nine TFL’s my senior year.  I made second team all-conference.  We went 3-7 this year.  We had the number one defense in the conference.      

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Jamal Ware:  Making it this far.  Coming out of high school, no one expected me to be here.  I took a different approach.  No one at my college has been at this position.  I am just seeing how far God will take me.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Jamal Ware:  QB Lamar Jackson.  The narrative that was created of him, not being an NFL QB.  He showed that he can compete with the best QB’s.  It is very similar to my story.  No one believed in me.  Now people are giving me a pad on the back.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

Jamal Ware:  Next year, watch out for receiver Shemar Collier.       

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Jamal Ware:  Mason Kinsey from Berry College and Otis Porter from Huntingdon College.  They were both receivers.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a LB?

Jamal Ware:  Diagnose the plays and read the OL.  You also need to read your keys in the backfield.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Jamal Ware:  The physicality of the game.  Being able to hit someone.  I enjoyed the relationships with my teammates.  Those memories, plane trips, bus trips and off the field stuff.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Jamal Ware:  I like to write in my journal and hang out with friends.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Jamal Ware:  I was a physical education major.  My minor was in writing communication and marketing.  I want to be an athletics director.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Jamal Ware:  Fun, charismatic, energetic, smart and instinctive.