The NFL’s best pass rushers know how to prepare for their opponent throughout the week, and use that knowledge to execute a successful plan on game day.
Florida’s Jonathan Greenard is among the nation’s best at making that happen on a weekly basis.
One of the top edge defender prospects in the 2020 NFL draft, Greenard recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to transfer from Louisville for his final season, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: You put together 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss during your lone season at Florida. Can you reflect on the decision to transfer from Louisville and how you think it turned out for you?
JG: It worked out for me. I had a great time at Louisville, and I’m very thankful to everyone there. They taught me so much. It was a great move for me. The transition was smooth. I knew [Florida defensive coordinator] coach [Todd] Grantham down in Louisville, he actually helped recruit me alongside coach Bobby Petrino to Louisville originally. I knew that I had the ball in my court because I was scheduled to graduate early. Once coach Grantham headed to Florida, it was a no brainer for me in my last season.
The staff that brought me into Louisville had just been fired and I wanted to make sure that I was maximizing the potential of my final season. It was an easy decision for me. The transition was smooth. My teammates at Florida welcomed me with open arms. I had actually played with a few of those guys before. We had some mutual connections. I came in and worked my butt off. They accepted me right away. I didn’t go in there with any ego, I didn’t go there feeling like I deserved anything. I just went to work and the rest is history.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
JG: It was a great experience. It was everything I imagined it would be. It can definitely be a little mentally tough when you arrive on day one but don’t hit the field until day five. It gives you a lot of time to think about things. That part made me a little anxious but other than that, I got to hang around some of the best prospects in college football. Everybody was so cool, we had a great time together. I met some great coaches and general managers down there. I met a lot of head coaches. It was great. It was eye-opening for me. I’ve dreamed about this moment since I was a little kid. To finally reach this point is a huge blessing.
JM: What do you think is the overall impression you left out there?
JG: I proved that I’m a versatile guy. I feel like there are some things that I can still work on but I thought I had a solid day overall. I did really well in my opinion during the defensive line drills and I did really well during some of the linebacker drills as well. I just wanted to go there and show that I’m an athlete. I can play a lot more than just one position. I feel like I accomplished that. Now we’re just playing the waiting game until my Pro Day.
JM: Did you have many formal or informal interviews out there?
JG: I had a few formals back at the Senior Bowl. I only had two formals at the combine. They were with the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions. I met with their staffs. Those are both great organizations. Knowing them and their history, their coaching staffs and their history, it was everything I expected. It was great. It’s one of those situations where you’re surrounded by every member of their staff but it was great to me. I was just being myself. Everything will work itself out.
JM: Do you have any upcoming private visits or workouts, or is everything scheduled for after the pro day?
JG: They’ll happen after the pro day. I have one meeting the morning of my pro day to talk football with the Tennessee Titans. That’s gonna happen right before we hit the field. My agent has the full list of the teams I’m scheduled to meet with. I can’t remember every single one of them, but I know that I’m meeting with the Houston Texans. I believe I have the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, as well. My agent will get me the full list shortly.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
JG: I didn’t get asked anything strange, to be honest. They just wanted to talk about football. We discussed my upbringing and what not. I never got asked anything strange. I know a lot of guys were asked some crazy questions, but I wasn’t one of them (laughs).
JM: How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?
JG: I’m very versatile. I’m more of a speed-to-power guy. I like to get a tackle off-balance. I switch it up. Some people see me as a long, lanky guy who wants to be a speed guy. I can do a little bit of everything though. I try to keep them on their toes. I like to hit them with power and switch it up throughout the course of a game. I’m gonna get off the ball and take whatever he’s giving me.
It really just depends. I pay close to attention to what the tackle is doing. Obviously you have to watch the film and learn from it. You take away some things from that and incorporate it into your rush plan. Does he keep his hands high or low? It all ties in together. Is he an athletic guy? Maybe power is the way to go this week. Maybe he’s a powerful guy and I’ll have better luck hitting him with speed. I can use my hands to get his feet moving a little bit. It depends on the player. I’ve been doing that my entire career. It’s worked out pretty well for me.
JM: Who were some of the best offensive tackles you’ve gone up against?
JG: I would say that Andrew Thomas is one of the better ones I’ve ever gone up against. His overall knowledge of the game is terrific. He understands where his quarterback is at all times. He never gets ran over or fooled. I’ve noticed as I’m trying to beat a tackle, a lot of them are so focused on beating me that they end up missing or not understanding what their quarterback likes to do. I always have a good feel for what the quarterback likes to do. That leads to a lot of easy sacks for me. Andrew doesn’t get fooled. He was a lot better and smarter than a lot of guys I’ve gone up against.
JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?
JG: I like to get in their head. Maybe I’m physically dominating him or mauling him all game long. I’m talking trash to get in their heads. I like to work. I take this very seriously. If you’re not ready to work, I’m gonna be in your head all day long.
JM: If you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one teammate with you, who would you bring and why?
JG: Ah man, that’s tough. I would have to bring my guy Jabari Zuniga with me. We have that connection. We both came in as boys from Georgia. He was there with me at the beginning of the season. It was unfortunate that he got hurt and was forced to cut his season a little short. When he’s at his best, him and I were a wrecking crew. I know that he has my back and he knows that I have his. We feed off each other.
JM: When a team uses a draft pick on Jonathan Greenard, what kind of guy are they getting?
JG: They’re getting a hard worker, first and foremost. If you think you can beat me outta my position, you’re gonna have to show me. I’m coming in to work. That’s the most accurate description I can give myself. I love to work.
[vertical-gallery id=614705]