If your favorite NFL team is looking for a defensive line prospect who can do it all, wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks and blowing up running backs in the backfield, Pitt’s Jaylen Twyman is their man in the 2021 NFL Draft.
One of the most versatile and disruptive defensive line prospects in next year’s draft class, Twyman recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season, which NFL players he likes to model his game after, and what’s next as he looks ahead to the draft.
JM: What can you tell me about your decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft?
JT: My decision came down to financials. My family needs me. My mom, my dad and my brother, they need me. I had some family matters that I can’t get into. I had to put my family first. That was the reason why I opted out.
JM: What’s the biggest challenge you expect to encounter with having so much time to prepare for the draft? Under normal circumstances, you’d still be playing competitive football right now.
JT: I honestly feel like I have a big advantage. I’m going to take this time to rest my body. I’m saving my body from extra punishment. I’m constantly in the gym working on my body. I’m getting stronger right now. I’m taking advantage of these months.
I’m working with my trainer and mentor, Sean Washington. He’s training me right now. I’m getting better every day. I’m literally at his gym right now. I’m taking advantage of this extra time to rest my body and improve my game. I’m not just sitting around. I’m down here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, putting some work in. I’m getting better mentally as well.
Yeah, I’m missing the opportunity to play live football right now. I’m not out there chasing quarterbacks down, but I am working with coach Chuck Smith on my pass rushing ability. He’s another mentor of mine. Coach Rodney Williams is working with me, as well. I have so many good people in my corner right now. These are experienced coaches with proven track records. They’re keeping me right and making sure I get in the best shape of my life.
Whenever I put the pads on again, I’ll be ready to go.
JM: What were some areas of your game that you were hoping to showcase on the field this season?
JT: Getting after the quarterback. I just wanted to show how complete my game is. I was speaking to a D-line coach the other day, and they asked me what I thought my best game was. They thought I was gonna talk about this one game where I had 3 sacks.
Instead, I talked about a game where I forced a fumble and made a couple of big plays in the run game. I just wanna show people that I’m a complete football player. That’s one of the things I’m focusing on. It’s not always about the sacks or the stats. That’s most of it, but I’m focused on being a good technical player.
JM: Speaking of stats, 2019 was your best season yet. You started 13 games, recording 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Did you expect to put up those eye-popping numbers?
JT: A lot of people ask me that. I don’t set goals. That’s not something I do. I just put in the work. I don’t set goals like that.
If you’re a bank robber, you don’t go into the bank trying to get a certain amount of money. You want all of the money. Isn’t that funny? I just work and whatever comes of it, that’s what it’s gonna be.
JM: What do you think led to such drastic improvement?
JT: Investing in my trainer, Sean Washington, definitely played a big role. He pushes me to my maximum. He’s the reason I’ve gotten way stronger as of late. My pass rush coach, Chuck Smith, definitely played a huge role as well. Coach Smith has helped become a pass rusher. He worked on my hips and what not. He saw my ability to flip my hips and took that part of my game to another level.
I went home and did a lot of foot activation and balance stuff with my football coach, Rodney Williams. They all taught me so much. I have a whole team behind me. They started pushing me harder.
JM: What’s your favorite part of playing defensive tackle?
JT: I enjoy the one-on-one opportunities with the offensive guard. When the center slides away from me and I have the guard on an island, I could see him lowering his pads and I know it’s a passing play, I love getting that one-on-one.
JM: How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?
JT: I’m gonna stay humble. I just like to let my actions speak louder than my words. I’m getting better right now. I’m constantly working.
JM: Do you feel like you have a go-to move, or are you still working on that?
JT: I walk around with a toolbox. I can reach into my bag and pull out a move. I have a flathead in there, a screwdriver, a wrench. Call me Bob the Builder (laughs).
JM: Do you feel like you’re more developed in the run game or as a pass rusher right now?
JT: I’m definitely a better pass rusher right now. I’d be lying to you if I said that I’m a better run stopper. I’m a pass rusher first and foremost. I’m gonna get after that quarterback. I’m coming on third down. I treat every play like it’s third down.
That’s another thing. I told you earlier that I’m trying to become a complete football player. Aaron Donald can stop the run, as well. Everybody knows he gets after the quarterback, but he can stop the run, too. That’s what I’m trying to be like. I want to do both, but I’ll always be known as a pass rusher first.
JM: What was the biggest lesson you learned throughout your time at Pitt?
JT: My time there taught me to stay humble. I was red-shirted as soon as I arrived. I had to earn everything. Nothing was given to me. I have to thank the coaching staff. They installed that mindset in me. I already had that mindset, but I continue to work my butt off.
That’s how I was preparing for this coming season. It was the same way. I was treating it like I was a true freshmen that just got here.
JM: What’s the culture like in that locker room?
JT: We’re the best. That’s how we feel. We walk around with our heads held high. Our attitude remains the same win or lose. We’re the best. We think we’re going to win every game. That starts with players like Jimmy Morrissey and Damar Hamlin.
JM: If you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one of those teammates with you, who would you bring and why?
JT: I’m bringing two with me (laughs). I gotta bring two with me, I can’t just bring one. I’ll give you two names. Cam Bright and Paris Ford. Ford is a loose screw, but he has a smart mind (laughs). Bright is so strong and fast.
JM: How close is that Pittsburgh program to becoming a legit top 5-10 program in the nation?
JT: We’ll see how this season goes. They had a great start so far. They have some big games coming up. I’m confident. A couple of guys opted out, but they’re not missing a beat. That’s the type of atmosphere we installed there. We believe in each other. It doesn’t matter who’s down or up.
Last season, we lost Keyshon Camp and Rashad Weaver. We didn’t miss a beat. A couple of guys stepped up. We got better every day. That tells you a lot about how great the coaching staff is over there. It starts with them.
JM: Are there any pass rushers that you particularly enjoy watching tape on?
JT: You know I have to go with Aaron Donald. I love to watch him. I like to watch Joey and Nick Bosa, as well. They have so many moves in their toolbox. I love to use some of their moves. I watch them a lot. I’ve started watching some Kenny Clark recently. I like all D-linemen. Donald, Clark, Grady Jarrett and the Bosa brothers are the ones I spend the most time watching, though.
JM: Who would you say is the best player you’ve ever played against?
JT: Sam Howell. He’s the quarterback for North Carolina. He’s definitely the best player I’ve ever played against. He’s such a great player.
JM: The next big event in your football career will be the NFL Scouting Combine. Are there any drills that you’re looking forward to the most?
JT: I’m training for everything right now. I’m not just worried about the bench press or the 40-yard dash for example. I’m getting ready for all of the drills. I’m doing a lot of strength training as of right now. I’m getting stronger and working on my hamstrings. I’m getting more explosive.
I’ll start moving to the on-field work shortly. I’ll be getting with Chuck Smith and working on that. I’ll be going through the on-field combine drills shortly. I’m just focusing on my strength and explosiveness right now.
JM: What’s up next for you?
JT: We shall see. I’m just getting ready for the combine. That’s up next for me as of now, the combine. That’s my main focus right now. I’m spending time with my family. It’s all about family and the combine.
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