Every year, the NFL draft features a few small-school prospects who dominated in college, and have the skills to do the same thing at the game’s highest level.
Jeremy Chinn made big plays all over the field for Southern Illinois, no matter where he lined up, and he’s got the talent to make the same kind of impact in the pro ranks.
One of the top defensive prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class, Chinn recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his impressive college career, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: 13 interceptions, 31 pass break-ups and six forced fumbles. You spend a lot of time around the football. What is it about your game that lead to that ball production?
JC: I’m always looking for the quickest route to the ball. I take a lot of pride in that production. I’m a high effort player. I believe there’s only one way to play the game, and that’s fast and physical. The game evolves around the ball, so I might as well get my hands on it by any means possible.
JM: How do you look back on your time at Southern Illinois?
JC: I progressed a lot throughout my time there. I was able to get into the starting lineup as a true freshman. My production seemed to take a step forward every year. I got smarter and better on a consistent basis. I made less and less mistakes as the years went by. It’s really all about instincts for me at this point.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
JC: It was cool. I’m a local, I’m actually from Indianapolis. To actually get a chance to go to the combine, it was the coolest experience in the world for me. I enjoyed getting around all of the different coaching staffs, scouts and general managers. All of the big decision makers were definitely in attendance. I finally hit the field on the Sunday and I was ready to go.
JM: First of all, the measurements are off the charts. You stand in at 6-3 and 221 pounds. Your arms measured in at over 32 inches. When it came to the testing, you hit a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash and a 138-inch broad jump. Did you expect to test as well as you did?
JC: Yeah, I actually expected to run a little faster in the 40. Throughout training, my 10-yard and 20-yard splits were a bit faster than what I actually tested at. I planned on running faster. I planned on jumping a little higher as well. I was pretty happy with my broad jump though.
JM: What were the splits looking like in training?
JC: My 10-yard split was about a 1.50 flat and I ended up getting a 1.55 at the combine. It may seem like a small difference, but it can be the difference between the 4.45 I hit in the 40 and the 4.40 I was running in training.
JM: Taking every aspect of the combine into account, what do you think is the overall impression you left out there?
JC: I think everybody out there realized that I love to compete. I love the game of football. That’s the impression I was hoping to leave out there. I’m a competitive guy. Like I said earlier, I believe there’s only one way to play the game. That’s how I approach the game every single time I hit the field. I’m gonna come in and make the team better. I’m gonna live around the ball. It doesn’t matter how they choose to use me, I’m gonna positively impact the game for us. I’m coming in ready to work. I’m ready to win.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the safety position?
JC: I had a really great defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois. When you watch the film on me, you see me moving all over the place. I played in the slot, I played single-high, I played in the box. During my junior year, I actually played a lot of cornerback on the outside. I love being able to play so many different spots. That’s my favorite aspect of playing the safety position. I’m rangy enough to play up high and make those interceptions, or I can come down in the box and blitz or impact the run game. There’s so many beautiful aspects to playing the safety position. I get to do so much on the field.
JM: Do you have a preference when it comes to impacting the run game or passing game?
JC: I can’t say that I have a preference. I’m a competitor. Whenever I’m on the field, it doesn’t matter which spot I’m playing, I feel like it’s my time to shine and make a play. I’m always looking to make an impact.
JM: You mentioned playing a little cornerback on the outside. Do you approach a smaller, shiftier receiver any differently than you do a bigger, more physical one?
JC: Yeah, I definitely approach those guys a little differently. Thankfully for me, I have the athletic ability. When they first see me, I’m a 6-3, 220 pound guy, they don’t think I can run fast but I’m just as quick and fast as anybody out there. I don’t have a problem matching their speed. I really try to get my hands on those smaller guys. You have to disrupt them a little bit. Most of them don’t like it when you’re physical with them, especially since I’m a big guy. I understand how to use my arm length and reach to my advantage.
JM: We’ve touched quite a bit on your defensive coordinator, and how he was creative in the way that you were utilized in the defense. What can you tell me about the overall scheme?
JC: We primarily ran a quarters defense. We had two high safeties most of the time. We played a lot of Cover 3 as well. I played all over the field and often roamed the middle. I really played everything.
JM: Were you able to get any private visits or workouts in before COVID-19 shut everything down?
JC: Everything started to shut down immediately after my pro day. I wasn’t able to get any of those private meetings in unfortunately. I’ve been able to stay in contact with teams through FaceTime and Zoom.
JM: Which teams have you met with via FaceTime and Zoom?
JC: Out of respect for the teams, I’m choosing to keep that information private at this time. I will say that from the Senior Bowl to now, I’ve met with all 32 teams in some capacity.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
JC: I didn’t get asked anything too strange. Somebody asked me if I was more like a cat or a dog. I just said I was more like a dog. I’m always in attack mode. I can be a bully or a protector.
JM: Throughout all of your team meetings, has anyone brought up the small-school competition? If so, how did you answer that?
JC: No team has really brought that up. I think when you turn on the film, you can see the type of player that I am. When we played against the big schools, schools like Ole Miss and Memphis, those were two of my best games throughout my career and I played against those guys during my junior and sophomore years. I don’t think anybody will really question me because of the level of competition. The film speaks for itself.
JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?
JC: I don’t know that I can pick just one way (laughs). I’m always prepared for my opponent. I’ll say that. It’s important to study the film before going up against that team. I’m always ready to outwork my opponent. I’m more physical than you are. It’s a physical game. I’m not gonna let my opponent win the physical battle.
JM: When a team uses a draft pick on Jeremy Chinn, what kind of guy are they getting?
JC: They’re gonna get a leader. They’re getting a high impact player. I love the game of football and I love learning new things. I’m always working to get better. I love the work that comes with it. That’s really what I’m most excited about as I continue to prepare for the next level. I can’t wait to get better.
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