2019 National Scouting Combine prospect, James Young II, DB from McKendree University

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First off I’d like to give praise glory and honor to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with this interview

James Young II | McKendree University | Defensive Back
Twitter: CampaignJYoung
Instagram: districtyoung

Q: Tell us about your college career and what the recruiting process was like. Why did you choose McKendree University?

A: Well I had a scholarship to go to Indiana State University out of high school but I ended up going juco at Iowa Central Community College. Had multiple D1-D2 offers after juco and I chose Iowa State. I was there for about a month and due to some personal issues I had to leave and come back home and at the last minute I was blessed to attend McKendree University a division 2 school located in Lebanon IL.

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: Seeing myself grow, the player I am now is a completely different player I was my freshman year. I noticed how much better I got, how stronger and bigger I got, how my confidence went up, and how much faster I got. Just witnessing how much better I got every year is a great accomplishment. I haven’t even hit my prime yet.

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing at McKendree University.

A: Well one of the greatest coaches to coach me was my defensive back coach, Coach Harrison, and he really taught me a lot about being a great DB and a lot of life lessons I will remember for the rest of my life. He always use to tell us “if you go inside you better win” and that saying meant a lot to us.

Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football didn’t work out?

A: I majored in sociology with a minor in psychology and if football didn’t work out I want to go to Law School and become an attorney.

Q: What would your teammates say about you and your qualities?

A: Probably the level of confidence I have and how I keep the energy of the team up. I know for a fact the person lining up across from me isn’t better than me so I’m going dominate whoever it is whether it’s a WR or RB. I always use to tell the defense “turn that juice up”, or I’m running around yelling in practice to keep everybody hyped. So that made the energy not only  of the defense high but the whole team high and made us play at high level.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?

A: My biggest challenge was the amount of people that doubted me. When I started playing football I was never the biggest person on the field so a lot people doubted me telling me “I’m too small” or “I’m not fast enough” and I never let that get me down it just added fuel to the flam. I had to prove people wrong all my life. A lot people, even coaches, doubted me and told me I couldn’t do this or I couldn’t do that and all that does is make me go harder. I have something to prove, I go so hard in everything I do because people doubt it, I love proving people wrong.

Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?

A: My speed, my level of confidence and work ethic. Not being a top prospect in the draft convinces me that I have to work twice as hard as those who are. I have to do way more because the odds are already against me. I have to get more reps, I have run more sprints because I’m already not in the position as most guys. I know my speed can play a key factor on any professional team, I’m a 4.4 – 4.3 type of guy. I believe I’m the best corner in D2 football, not trying to be cocky I’m just confident.

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A: Both of my parents, I was blessed to have both of my parents in my life and they always made me a better person. From improving my relationship with God to staying out of trouble, they really showed me how to work hard and how to work for everything in life, nothing will be given.

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back”/”pay it forward” in your community?

A: Every first Friday of every month, my church takes a bus to downtown Chicago and we feed the homeless. I was apart of that until I had to go back to school.

Q: How are you preparing for the 2019 National Scouting Combine and what were your expectations?

A: I train with the best trainer in the south suburbs of Chicago (Coach Lacey) Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, working non stop on quickness, agility and speed. I also lift weights Thursday- Sunday, which benefits my strength and conditioning.

Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?

A: My ultimate achievement would be making a professional team roster, whether it be NFL, CFL, or AFL. I just want to show people that it doesn’t matter your size or what people say about it, if you put God first in your life he will guide your steps in whatever you want to do. I have a story to tell and I want to share it with the world.

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2024 National Scouting Combine

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National Scouting Combine Posts

“I would like to start this message by thanking you and everyone involved who made this opportunity possible. I am truly grateful for the experience and atmosphere you’ve cultivated through the National Scouting Combine. My journey has not been an easy one by any means. Losing my mother in 2017 to cancer, losing the house my brothers and I called home before attending this very event in 2018, and completely bombing the event left me completely shot mentally. This event that just took place gave me the motivation and hope for better days. That is exactly what has been provided to me. Opportunities I never considered have presented themselves to me with each passing day. WWE contract offers, Rugby offers, and NFL scout inquiries about what kind of man Jarrod Cann is, are just the first of many opportunities that were made real through my participation in your event! Thank you for allowing me to tell my story on such a platform and allowing me to save lives with my story.”
Jarrod Cann
Jarrod CannRB, Central Connecticut State
“The National Scouting Combine was a great opportunity for me to get official test numbers and get my information out to teams and scouts to gain necessary exposure. It is always a big challenge for athletes to get official verified numbers but the National Scouting Combine gave me this opportunity. The entire staff works with the players to put them into the best position to succeed. They give players opportunities to promote themselves on and off the field. They have a setup to do all combine tests and to perform official position drills. The event also allows for players to gain useful contacts with teams and National Scouting Combine staff members to further promote themselves. The National Scouting Combine provided me with a chance to showcase my abilities as a free agent and put myself in a good position to have success in my pursuit to play professional football. I want thank the National Scouting Combine staff for giving players this unique chance to demonstrate their skills.”
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“I had a great experience at the combine. The whole staff was extremely positive and really wanted the best for all of the players that attended. Being that I was a free agent and a season removed from NFL camps it was crucial for me to get new numbers to show I was still working hard. My only opportunity so far came from a scout who attended the combine. As players that’s why we attend these events, to be seen by the pro levels. I’m very greatful for the opportunity that was came from the combine. I’ll be recommending it to every player possible in the future who’s looking to go pro.”
Dillon Salva
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My experience at the National Scouting Combine was an extremely positive one. Coming from a small school (Bryant University – Division I AA), opportunities to showcase my athleticism and measurables to pro scouts were scarce. However, Jimmy and his team gave me that opportunity when they put together a first-class event, in an outstanding venue and invited hundreds of players that had been overlooked or just wanted the opportunity to showcase their abilities. The connections, advice and coaching I received at the 2018 National Scouting Combine were priceless, as many pro scouts and coaches began to get in contact with me during and immediately after the combine. Jimmy and his team did an outstanding job of incorporating new, cutting edge technologies into the combine, while inviting well-respected coaches, scouts and former professional players to run the drills and provide coaching. Jimmy provided me with a platform to chase my dream of playing professional football that I would not otherwise have had, and in turn is part of the reason why many CFL teams took interest in me, why I was invited to Rookie Minicamps with the Jets and Texans and why I have now signed with the Orlando Apollo’s of the new Alliance of American Football League. The invitation to the 2018 National Scouting Combine was a blessing to me and my career and I would recommend any and all small school or overlooked college football player to attend and take advantage of this combine that, with Jimmy leading it, will continue to get better every single year.
Matt Sewell
Matt SewellWR, Bryant University
“My testimonial would be because of COVID-19, it has hindered my ability to showcase my talents at pro days, workouts, and tryouts. But, because of the NSC I can still send official numbers and video to each team, while also gaining the opportunity to meet scouts in face and build a relationship with them. Lastly, the NSC is second only to the NFL combine which helps me have something else to hang my hat on as one of the top performers!”
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“Thank you for the support and helping with promoting me for the next level. I am most definitely interested and my experience at the national scouting combine was incredible. It was my first official opportunity and it was a professional combine. All verified, legitimate laser times and numbers are vital to have especially in the times we are facing today. All of the coaches and personnel involved were professional in every aspect. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to be apart of the national scouting combine and I can’t be more grateful to have verified numbers.”
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Pursuing a career in professional football from a small school is a lonely path. A prospect may have the support of his peers, family, and teammates, but the process can be overwhelming and very confusing. Often times small school prospects don’t have access to the resources provided to prospects at football powerhouses. “How can I get myself in front of scouts? How can I prove to them that I can play at the next level?” These are only a few of the many questions that race through a potential prospects mind on a daily basis. The Beyond Sports Network National Combine helped simplify this process for many of the players that attended, including myself. Despite the combine being held for a few days, the information and services provided by the combine, as well as the sense of community between the staff members and prospects stood out to me. Every test that would be performed at the NFL combine was covered, every coach and staff member supported each prospect to an unbelievable extent, and the amount of scouts and agents in attendance and how interactive they were was impressive. The Beyond Sports Network National Scouting Combine was a critical step in attempting to take my talents to the next level. If you are a small school prospect with no clear path to the next level, the National Scouting Combine will certainly clear up the path for you.
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