Jonathan Edouard
Cornerback / Carleton University

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

Jonathan Edouard:  I am 6’0, 180 pounds and I ran a 4.37 hand timed.  It was a 4.47 laser time.  I trained with Ryan Clark, former Steelers safety and ESPN analyst.  I was training with five guys that were going into the draft.  The facility is called Traction.  They had big name guys there.  It is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  My short shuttle is 3.93 and my L-drill is 6.72.  I know that I can get those times down.  My broad jump is 11 feet, my vert was 40 inches and I did 15 reps on the 225 bench.  We did the pro day at the facility.  Then the coronavirus came.   

Alex Khvatov:  How were you preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Jonathan Edouard:  I bought a home gym.  I bought cones and some other equipment.  Ryan Clark gives me the workouts. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Jonathan Edouard:  I ran track, played baseball, and I was big on weightlifting in high school.  I won state competition in weightlifting at 154 pounds my junior year.  I got upset by a freshman my senior year.  I was good in the hurdles.  I also did the long jump and the high jump.  I was a jumper.  I was offered a few track scholarships and a few baseball scholarships.  But I wanted to play football.     

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Jonathan Edouard:  I played cornerback my whole life.  I always wanted to play wide receiver.  I have always been the best CB my entire life.  Coach told me that we need you at cornerback.  I went to a private school at first.  I played QB, RB, CB, and punt returner there.  I was 5’4 and then had a growth spurt to 5’11 my junior year.  I was 154 pounds my junior season.  I transferred to Maynard Evans high school.  It was the second biggest school in Florida.  We had 22 players that went D-I.  I was skinny.  My coach was trying to protect me.  He put me on JV my junior year.  Then I became the star of the team my senior year.  I was offered preferred walk-on spots during my senior year.  I didn’t get any stars.  I didn’t get the exposure. 

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

Jonathan Edouard:  UCF, FIU, FAU were the three schools.  I wanted to sign with Idaho State.  Wyoming showed interest.  North Dakota State and South Dakota State offered me partial scholarships.  My family asked me what my goals were.  I chose a school that offered me the most scholarship money.  Henderson State was also the number one nursing school in the South.  My mom is a nurse.  I wanted to become a nurse as well. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Henderson State? 

Jonathan Edouard:  I got a full ride to Henderson.  I came there in 2014.  They were a good football program.  The first year, I played in four games.  But I got my redshirt year back.  I had 25 tackles.  I played a lot on special teams.  I was supposed to start the next year, but they brought in a Texas A&M transfer Tavares Garner.  He was a four-star recruit.  I still played and rotated in.  The following season, I did well.  It was my redshirt sophomore year.  I was labeled the best D-II CB.  I was the first player to successfully transfer from Henderson State.  I felt like this wasn’t the place for me anymore.  The school didn’t let me transfer to some other top colleges in our conference.  I started sending out the film.  I started getting looks from D-I programs like UCF, FAU and FIU.  I met a Canadian friend in 2015.  He was my teammate.  His name is Dondre Wright.  He got drafted by Montreal in the third round in 2017.  He started to tell me about the CFL and how that could be my best bet.  I thought I had only one year of eligibility left.  He convinced me that I should go to a Canadian college.  

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to Carleton University in Ontario, Canada?

Jonathan Edouard:  Ottawa is the capital of Canada.  It is a very academic school.  Carleton is a fairly new football program.  They had six guys from this past year who are going into the CFL.  I wanted to pursue my degree.  I changed sports management to film study.  I started to contact schools in Canada.  Carleton and other schools offered me.  Carleton talked to me about getting the degree and life after football.  It was a home environment.  I committed on Canada’s Day.  I was the first American to play for the program. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career at Carleton University?      

Jonathan Edouard:  I found out that I had two years of eligibility left.  I had to redshirt my first year.  I had struggles with school.  They have stood behind me athletically and academically.  They taught me how to play boundary corner.  Canada has a wider field.  In 2018, I made first team all-conference.  I had five INT’s.  Teams were staying away from me.  I only played in three games this past season because my visa had expired.  I had to go back to the states.  I went back to Florida.  I took online classes in the winter at the school.  I got my grades up.  I am 24 years old now.  XFL offered me to go to their league.  I wanted to go back to school and finish my last year. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

Jonathan Edouard:  Even without me, they should be in the championship game.  We have a good team.  We are loaded at Carleton.  We have the best coaching staff.  Our head coach took the duties of an OC.  Our season in Canada has been postponed to next spring because of the coronavirus.  Canada has very few cases right now, but the decision has been made.  I will be doing online classes at my school, so I can get my degree.  I plan to go to Louisiana and train at a facility with Ryan Clark in the fall.      

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Jonathan Edouard:  My main strength is leadership.  I am a team captain.  My athleticism, and my speed is freaky.  People always tell me that I am an athletic freak.  Man coverage is my specialty. 

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

Jonathan Edouard:  At this point, going back to the basics.  Gaining more weight and getting stronger.  I was 183 pounds when I was training and eating right. 

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

Jonathan Edouard:  It was against Western in 2018.  Everyone found out who I was.  They were the reigning champions, and I kept us in the game.  I made a big hit and I picked them off twice in the first half.  They avoided me in the second half.  We still lost the game.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Jonathan Edouard:  Growing up, I was a big Mike Alstott fan.  I liked Derrick Brooks.  It was the Bucs when I was younger.  I don’t have a favorite team right now.  Whoever gives me a chance.  I was a true Miami Hurricanes fan as well. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Jonathan Edouard:  CB Tre’Davious White.  I have seen it with my own two eyes.  His footwork is amazing.  He studies the game.  He never tripped during drills.  This guy never slips.  I look up to him and Donte Jackson.  They train with Ryan Clark.   

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

Jonathan Edouard:  Marvin Marshall-Wickens is very fast.  He is from Orlando, FL.  He took the JUCO route.  He ran a 10.01 in the 100m.  He has one more year left.  He is a slot receiver.  LB Trevor Hoyte wants to be a doctor.  DE Shaiheem Charles-Brown is built for it.  They are both Canadian. 

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

Jonathan Edouard:  WR David Moore who plays for Seattle now.  I locked him up.  He caught zero balls against me my sophomore year.  Also WR Jalen Tolliver from Arkansas-Monticello.  I had a pick and a forced fumble against them.  I always want to follow the number one WR all over the field.  I have very good feet.        

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

Jonathan Edouard:  The mindset of not letting this guy catch the ball.  You run the route for the guy.  You come up with an INT and take it to the house.  You have to be a playmaker. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Jonathan Edouard:  I have been through a lot.  I use football to take out my pain.  It is anger management for me.  I also want to win and make the play.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Jonathan Edouard:  I like to go hiking and visit museums.  I like to travel.  I haven’t seen my girlfriend in a while.  She lives in Canada.  Hopefully, they will open up the border soon, and I will be able to see her.   

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

Jonathan Edouard:  I want to be a DB coach.  If I go pro, I will become an athletics director. 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Jonathan Edouard:  Both of my parents are from Haiti, and I am a first generation college student.  I am from the hood.  I am from a place where 76% of black men don’t make it.  Also my vision and drive.  I see things differently.  My journey as a whole.  I have a great personality.  I have goals. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Jonathan Edouard:  Adversity, hardworking, determined, ambitious, and Haitian.