Marvin Terry
Linebacker / Delta State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Marvin Terry: I am 6’2 and 245.
Alex Khvatov: How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Marvin Terry: I have been doing lots of running and home workouts. Pushups, curls and squats.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Marvin Terry: I didn’t play any sports besides football. The coaches wanted me to focus on football. I already had offers from schools my sophomore year.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Marvin Terry: I played DE and RB during my freshman year. Then I played DE and a little bit of MLB.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Marvin Terry: I was a highly recruited player out of high school. I was getting offers. I started to realize what I had. Oklahoma was my dream school. TCU was also in the picture. During my junior year, I called recruiting coordinator at OU, they told me that they were not recruiting me anymore. I was shocked. The coach called me back and said that they were still interested. It just didn’t feel right. I wasn’t truly wanted by them.
Alex Khvatov: You were supposed to go to Missouri. What happened with that situation?
Marvin Terry: I wanted to go and play in the SEC. I loved the coaches at Mizzou. It felt like home. I had a good time on my visit, but I got into trouble.
Alex Khvatov: How have you grown from that experience? Have you matured?
Marvin Terry: I needed better guidance. Everything happens for a reason. I have learned, grown, and matured.
Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at Trinity Valley community college?
Marvin Terry: I played there for two years and had a couple of offers my sophomore year. But I had to get my grades up. I was supposed to go to Tarleton State, but it didn’t work out.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you transfer to Delta State?
Marvin Terry: Coach Cooley called me a lot. He was interested in me. There was genuine interest.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your junior season with the Statesmen.
Marvin Terry: It was challenging. I had to learn the new position of LB. I am not a true LB. I had to actually learn how to cover, learn checks and do more than I would do as a DE. You have to be patient and check your guys. As a DE, you are just rushing off the edge. I was just attacking. Everything started to come more natural towards the middle to the end of the season. I was still learning. I am ranked as the No.4 OLB in the nation at the D-II level coming into this season. It was my first year playing OLB. When I redshirted at Delta State, I was on a scout team my first year and most of the time, I played DE.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from Delta State this upcoming season?
Marvin Terry: We need to do what we have been doing. Trust one another. Basic team things. We have a great defense. We know the players on offense can change the game.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Marvin Terry: Pass rush. My pass rush moves are just natural. I am a good tackler. I get off blocks easily. Blitzing came naturally for me.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Marvin Terry: I can improve on everything. I am still growing as a LB. My footwork and my eyes. I can get better in those area. Seeing different route combinations. Being more of a student of the game. I am learning a new position. I played DE all of my life.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Marvin Terry: My highlight is when I scored the late game-TD. It was a scoop and score. It was a 15-yard return. I did a spin move when I picked up the ball. It was my first TD of my career against West Georgia.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Marvin Terry: The Cowboys.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Marvin Terry: Von Miller and Khalil Mack. I try to be a little bit of both. I am strong and fast. I should run in the low 4.5’s with training. I am a good athlete. I will try to hit 30 reps at my pro day.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Marvin Terry: Zane Samuel, Junior Faulk, Vada King, Dayreke Snow, Stanley Talley, and Dante Williams on defense. On offense, QB Patrick Shegog, RB Rico Owens, and RB Deion Dampier.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Marvin Terry: The best offensive team was West Florida. They threw the ball well, and their QB got the ball out very quickly. Valdosta State is the most complete team. They run the ball and throw the ball well. Once we settled down against them, we did better on defense. We just couldn’t score.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a LB?
Marvin Terry: Having great eyes. Your eyes have to be on the right spot. Eyes and your feet are two things as a LB. I am not a natural LB. I played DE before.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Marvin Terry: I enjoy everything. The smiles on fans’ faces. They chant your name. Football is all I have ever had.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Marvin Terry: I play video games. I am pretty good at it. I spend time with my kids. During spring break, I was learning how to ride horses. My cousins ride horses.
Alex Khvatov: How has fatherhood changed you?
Marvin Terry: It taught me how to be patient. I have a little girl and two boys. You can’t treat every kid the same. I have a four-year old boy, a three-year old girl and a two-year old boy.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Marvin Terry: I love animals. My dad drove a truck. I want to start a trucking business. I want to give back to my high school and give back to the community.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Marvin Terry: Determined, focused, passionate, driven, and hard worker.
