Every year in the NFL draft, teams are trying to find late-round prospects who can still make an immediate and sustained impact at the next level. Arkansas State defensive lineman Kevin Thurmon, Jr. is one such prospect in this year’s class.
Thurmon recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about transferring from Ball State, which teams he’s met with throughout the predraft process, and why a team should take a chance on him in the 2020 NFL Draft.
JM: You transferred from Ball State to Arkansas State. What can you tell me about the thought process behind that move, and how you look back on it today?
KTJR: I came to a point in my life where I felt like I needed to grow up and make a change. I had to find ways to be better. I had to put myself in an environment that would lead to a positive change. I felt like I needed to move away from Ball State.
Arkansas State has a great defensive line coach in coach [Brian] Early. I admire him as an excellent D-line coach. As I continue to work towards my main goal, I realized that I need to work with a D-line coach of his caliber. I needed to grow up and improve my craft. I needed to work with a coach that could help me improve my technique. Coach Early helped me achieve all of these things. That’s what lead to my decision.
JM: What can you tell me about your pass rush arsenal?
KTJR: I’m a versatile rusher. First of all, I love to hit the spin move. I have a lot of power in my hands. My game is certainly surrounded by my power. I hit everything else in my arsenal off of my powerful bull rush. I like playing chess with an offensive linemen. They tend to prepare for power when it comes to me. When I hit them with a different move, I catch them off guard a little bit.
That’s how I can get an offensive linemen off balance. They expect me to keep the doing same thing. That’s not me though. I’m a versatile big man. I might get him to over-set me and what not. I’m gonna catch you making a mistake. I’m gonna take advantage of that. That’s really what I do best.
JM: You recently held your own pro day. How did that go?
KTJR: I ran a 4.82 in the 40-yard dash. I honestly believe I could have ran a little faster. I expected to run somewhere in the 4.7’s. We held the Pro Day outside. We did our best with the circumstances surrounding us right now. I would have liked to perform inside but it is what it is. That threw off some of the timing and results. I ran a 4.82. It’s a solid time, but I honestly think I’m capable of running in the 4.7’s. That was my main goal.
Outside of that, I was aiming for a 4.0 flat in my short shuttle. I ended up running a 4.20. It was still a great result. I feel like I moved very well during the on-field portion. I ran the defensive line drills and I looked pretty smooth while doing it. I hit 27 reps on the bench press. My goal was 35, I would have settled for about 32 or 33. There’s nothing wrong with 27 reps on the bench press though. I think if I were do it again, I’d put up a bigger number.
I think all in all, my Pro Day went solid. I definitely wish we were able to hold an actual Pro Day, or least one in a building surrounded by scouts. It is what it is. We’re living in rare and unique times right now.
JM: Have you met with many NFL teams throughout this process?
KTJR: I didn’t get a chance to make any in-person visits. Of course the spread of COVID-19 has severely limited our capabilities. I’ve spoken to a few teams virtually. We’ve been hopping on the telephone. I’ve had a few FaceTime sessions as well.
JM: If there was one NFL quarterback you could sack, who would it be and why?
KTJR: I would have to go with Tom Brady. That’s the GOAT right there. Who doesn’t wanna sack Tom Brady? That’s a story to tell your grand-kids one day. That would definitely be my choice.
JM: Why should an NFL team use one of their draft picks on Kevin Thurmon, Jr.?
KTJR: A team should use one of their draft picks on me because I’m a hard worker. I’m gonna come into the building what my head down and get to work. I’m gonna try to do everything I can to make the team better. My work ethic never fails me. I’m gonna get to the quarterback and make big plays at the next level.
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