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This is Charlie Campbell and Andrew Scavelli’s interview with Iowa running back Akrum Wadley. They are reporting live from Mobile, Ala., and will be posting interviews throughout the week. If you want to see other 2018 Senior Bowl Reports, click the link. Follow me @walterfootball for updates, and stay tuned all week for tons of 2018 Senior Bowl coverage. |
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2018 Senior Bowl: Akrum Wadley Interview
by Charlie Campbell and Walter Football Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Over the past two years, Iowa’s Akrum Wadley was one of the most consistent running backs in the Big Ten. Late in the 2016 season, team sources told WalterFootball.com that Wadley was really impressing them. The junior averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2016 for 1,081 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver with 36 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior, Wadley averaged 4.4 yards per carry in 2017 for 1,109 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also totaled 28 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns.
Walter Football’s Senior Draft Analyst Charlie Campbell and Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli spoke with Wadley on Tuesday.
How has your Senior Bowl experience been so far?
“It’s early in the process but all is well. This process is different, but I’m just going through it and taking it one day at a time and one interview at a time. Everything [with my interviews] went smooth. I’ve got nothing to hide and was very upfront. Anything that a team wanted to know, I’m open to talking about. I’ve been asked about everything from certain defenses to my personal life, and I’m upfront about everything.”
Which teams have shown the most interest in you early on?
“The Rams showed some interest, the Buccaneers, the Patriots; I’ve met with the Giants, the Jets, the Seahawks and the Chargers, so it’s been a lot of teams.”
Was your senior year what you hoped it would be when you decided to come back for it?
“It was a perfect ending. We had a bumpy road, and the season wasn’t as perfect, but winning a bowl game was what one of our goals was, and that’s what we did. I’m really proud of the way we competed, and I’m really proud of my team for sticking together and keeping us together.”
How is your center James Daniels as a teammate and a player to run behind?
“In some of my best runs, you can look at James Daniels. He was out there putting it in and doing a really good job. Our line was a really good line, and we all know James Daniels is a dog on the field; we know he’s going to open the holes. Off the field, he’s a really funny guy and a great person, and he tells jokes a lot. He’s a really good person to be around.”
What kind of teammate is cornerback Josh Jackson?
“I know he was a nightmare for the receivers, but I didn’t go against him. I was more going against guys like [linebacker] Josey Jewell, but Josh Jackson is a dog and we all know he’s a dog. He’s the best corner in the [2018 NFL Draft].”
How was going up against Josey Jewell in practice?
“It’s funny that you asked me that, because different people have come up to me and asked me who was the toughest guy I’ve faced all year and I say Josey because of the fact that he’s the best linebacker. Going against him every day in practice can be tough sometimes. It made us both a lot better.”
Have you talked with teams about contributing in a variety of ways like returner and receiver?
“I just want them to know that I can do it all and I’ve been doing it all since I was eight years old. I can catch the ball out of the backfield, run in between the tackles, run outside and do kick returns.”
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2018 Senior Bowl Interview - Akrum Wadley
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2018 Senior Bowl Tuesday's Practice Report - South Team
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2018 Senior Bowl: Tuesday's Rumor Mill
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