The Syracuse football team had their Pro Day for prospective prospects to strut their stuff. We got a chance to talk with Amba Etta-tawo ahead of the draft.
I got a chance to attend the Syracuse football team’s Pro Day on Monday afternoon. 14 prospects worked out in front of multiple NFL teams including:
- New England Patriots
- Buffalo Bills
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Houston Texans
- New York Jets
- Denver Broncos
- Indianapolis Colts
- San Francisco 49ers
- Detroit Lions
I saw several scouts from the teams listed above and they sat-down individually with Amba Etta-tawo and Brisly Estime in-particular. We’ll dedicate this column to Etta-Tawo’s Pro Day and follow-up interview.
Etta-Tawo did some really impressive things including shattering his NFL Combine 40 time with a blazing 4.35 officially. I sat down with Amba to ask him about his Pro Day efforts, NFL future, and what was the weirdest question he was asked at the Combine.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: How do you think you did through your Pro Day today?
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: I feel like I’ve shown more of what I’m able to do. At the NFL Combine you know a 4.49 is a pretty decent time, but I was well aware I was a lot faster than that.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: I love the confidence that you had in your 40 time. From the scouts that I talked to he said that the 40 time was critical for you. To be honest after that 4.49 time I didn’t think that you’d be running the 40 again today, but obviously it really panned out for you.
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: It just goes back to the start. Once I mastered the start, it felt better because I’m a natural strider. That’s what I’ve been working on a lot. As soon as I took that first step I knew it was going to be a good time.
https://twitter.com/CuseFootball/status/843883987584110597
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: What drill in-particular were you trying to improve on today? Obviously the 40 was pretty important, was there anything else you honed in on?
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: Showing the consistency in my hands was huge. From this offseason I haven’t done a good job of that. I wanted to show today that my hands are solid and secure and that I can make plays with them.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: At the NFL Combine, there’s this form of speed dating where you’re going through NFL teams in 15 minute intervals. Were you asked any crazy questions, anything that stood out during the process?
Next: Syracuse Football Recruiting Sitdown: Brandon Berry
Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: Yeah there were a lot of crazy questions, but there was one that stood out. The guy asked me how many kidneys I had. I took a wild guess and said two and I thought that was right. I had to Google the question afterwards to confirm though. But it was just a really weird question for that kind of event.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: Transitioning from the silly questions to the more pressing. A lot of people have labeled you as a “one-year wonder” coming in. Although it should be noted, the one year you had here was the greatest single-season in Syracuse football history. A storied program that has seen the likes of Pro Football Hall of Famers in Art Monk and Marvin Harrison. How have you answered that question? How often have you been asked that question?
Next: Syracuse Football Recruiting Sitdown: Kingsley Jonathan
Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: I haven’t been asked that question too much. So I really don’t feel any type of way about the label. All I need is one team to believe. I just need one team to like me and once I get that call, wherever it is, I feel confident that I’ll be able to show them that I’m much more than just a one-hit wonder.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: It does only take one team, speaking of teams, have any teams stood out in the process that have shown a lot of interest? Are you getting any good vibes from teams?
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: I’ve met with a lot of teams. It’s hard to pinpoint one team that’s shown the most interest. I can’t pick any one team.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: Of course you just want to be drafted, but is there a particular team you’d like to play for?
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: Again, not a team in-particular. But I’d love to be paired with a great quarterback. Guys like: Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, guys of that kind of caliber would be awesome to play with.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: Speaking of the NFL Draft has your agent or anyone given you any indication on your draft stock? I’ve personally heard late round two through round seven. Have you gotten any inclination on when and where you may end up?
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: It’s hard to say, I’m just trying to put my best foot forward and show these scouts and teams that I can ball. At the end of the day it’s up to them, the ball is in their court, I’ve done everything I can and now we wait.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: Do you try to ignore the noise that you hear regarding your stock or labels or anything? Or do you embrace that part of the game?
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: I think that’s definitely something you have to embrace. Moving into this field of work, it’s something that is going to happen over and over. You’ve got to have thick skin and take criticism and handle it.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25)
Q: How do you plan on watching the NFL Draft? Privately with close friends and family? Have you made any of those kinds of decisions?
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Amba Etta-Tawo (@AEttaTawo)
A: I’ve had a singular focus on today. My full focus was on dropping that 4.3 and I did that. Now’s the next step with the draft. As of right now, plan on doing something low-key with friends and family.