Interview with Nicholls State strong safety Ladarius Webb.

What is your current height, weight and workout numbers?
Webb: I am 5’11, 173, I ran 4.43 last spring and I did not run for the scouts. My bench is 295 and I squatted 350.

Did you play any other sports in high school besides football?
Webb: I played basketball, ran track, and baseball for a year. I won two state championships in long jump and triple jump.

Where did you go to high school?
Webb: I went to Beauregard High School.

What is your major and GPA?
Webb: My GPA is a 2.45. I am a general studies major and I want to be a teacher.

When do you expect to graduate?
Webb: In May this summer.

Why did you transfer from Southern Miss?
Webb: When I arrived to Southern Miss I got with the wrong group. I didn’t miss class or practice but just got on the outside and in some trouble. I had to go to church and turn my life around to the man and now he is just giving me a chance to prove to the world that I am a great guy. Now I can let all fall into his hands and play the game like I always played it. Coach Bower tried to get me back after he released me because he knew that wasn’t me. I am talkative and a guy everybody likes. For some reason I would not be able to tell you why I didn’t go back but I didn’t feel it and then I had to play behind Sumrall. The coach at Southern knew Coach Ellis and he was the one who gave me the better chance of playing and I just felt he was telling me the truth about a lot of things. He promised me snaps and said I could play what I want to play as long as I am not tired. I wanted to return kicks and punts. I did well at it and he let me get the job because I was consistent. Our first game against Rice I exploded and ever since then I was the returner. Ever since the first game everything has been happening.

You have been very versatile. What positions do you feel you can play?
Webb: I played quarterback for one game, wide receiver, kick return punt return, safety, and corner. I am a good corner but he put me at safety because of my ball skills and I love to hit. My natural position is safety but I can play nickel because I can cover in man. I am a good punt blocker. I can play a gunner on the punt team. I can catch. I like the ball in my hands.

What is your learning style? (board only, board & walk thru or visual-have to see it.)
Webb: I like the board but I also want to go out and do it. I love practice. I practice like it is a game.

What is the biggest adversity you have had to overcome in your college career or life?
Webb: My mom was on drugs and my dad was an alcoholic. They were always there but getting past that part of life. My mom was on it but she got past that and she is clean now. Over 10 years she has been clean. I just figured that is the biggest adversity we have gotten through together. Just being in the area and being around that was tough. My dad would drink but anytime when I needed him he was always there. I didn’t have to worry about struggling or eating but they just had their problems.

Talk about your family background such as parents, siblings, and employment.
Webb: I grew up in Opelika. There were drugs and gang bangers but I didn’t follow that because I had an older brother who got locked up when I was in the 12th grade and I always wanted to be like him because he played sports. He fell in to the streets so I tried to mold my life around him but not follow the same path around him. I wanted to be different in that aspect. My mom and dad have been together for 25 years but did not get married until after 18 years. I have a little sister named Shakeela Webb and a brother, who is in jail, named Donte Webb. My mom’s name is Mary Thomas and my dad’s name is Larry Thomas.

Are you married or single?
Webb: Not married. I am single.

Do you have any kids?
Webb: I have one child. He is a junior as in Ladarius Webb Jr. He is five years old.

Do you have any major current or past injuries?
Webb: No injuries. When I was in the eighth grade but that was the eighth grade.

Do you have any relatives who played in the NFL?
Webb: No sir. I had a cousin in basketball named Mitch Richmond.

What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses?
Webb: I am an athlete, I have ball skills, and I am a ball hawk. I love the ball in my hands. I am a playmaker. When I have the ball in my hands I am going to make something happen.

What is the highlight of your career?
Webb: The three interceptions in the Rice game. I took one to the house and I had two big kick returns.

Who is the best player you have faced in your career?
Webb: Donnie Avery from Houston. He was so fast. I had a career high in PBUs from that game.

Who is the best player on your team?
Webb: Patrick Gordon is a 6’5 receiver and transferred from Alabama and if he was at a school that throws the ball a lot he would be highly rated. He is a nice guy and he can catch. He is going to be a senior this year.

Is there anyone else on your team who has NFL potential?
Webb: Patrick Gordon.

What are your goals for this year?
Webb: My goal is to get Southland Conference Player of the Year. I appreciate my awards because I earn them. I work hard and I want to be the best in this conference. Kareem Moore won defensive player of the year so my goal is to get player of the year.

What are your future goals?
Webb: I’m from a country town so after the NFL I want to bring a sports complex to my town so they can have sports to play after school and keep them out of trouble. I would like this complex to consist of major sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. I would even like to have soccer and put a boxing ring in there to give kids more to work on. I would like to hire good people to train the kids and show them the best way to do things. It is better when you are coming out of high school and you learn these skills it helps you. I want to bring it around my town and make it for anyone around the area. I just want to give back to my town since I made it and give back. As soon as I get in the league I might try to work on this and do something for my town.