Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Catching up with NFL prospect Madre Harper
04/06/2020 | 2:00:00 | Football
What have you been up to since the conclusion of last year's football season?
The first thing I did was get healthy. You typically feel a little banged up after the season is over. I focused on getting back to 100 percent through rest, eating healthy, and staying in shape. I trained at APEC, which is an athletic performance facility in Fort Worth, Texas. A lot of great people helped me and it's where guys like Patrick Mahomes and Dez Bryant train in the offseason. I did a 8-to-12-week program there and then participated at the Northwestern Pro Day on March 10. That's pretty much how I've spent my time since the end of last season.Â
How did training at APEC impact your overall performance?
It helped me see things that I normally wouldn't on a daily basis. Training to test is a little different than training for football. APEC put my body in certain situations it hasn't been in and kept me healthy. The program made my joints more flexible to bend for those combine positions. It also helped with my explosiveness and strength. I thought I was going to lift heavy and run a lot going in, but it was nothing like that. Instead, it consisted of new training methods that helped my body. To add, it was great having daily beneficiaries such as food, protein, massages, and stretches. It prepared me to perform at the highest level.Â
Were you expecting to put up impressive numbers at the Northwestern Pro Day?
I most definitely did. I've always been confident about my ability. It was no surprise to myself, my family, and the people who really know me. I'm an elite-level athlete and have just had a few bumps in the road. It was a blessing to show my talent and what I can do on the field.Â
Was there a bump in interest from NFL teams after the Pro Day?
There was. I showed that I'm a pro-caliber cornerback through my performance and size. I'm a top-10 corner in this draft class based on combine numbers, stats and size. I can compete with the best, no matter what the rankings say.Â
What can you bring to an NFL team?
I am a man-press corner, but can also play zone. I'm going to work hard in every aspect. I want to play special teams and help out any way possible. I can promise I'm not going to cause any issues on and off the field. I'm just going to be a great teammate. I feel like I can contribute to any team and am ready to compete when given the chance.Â
How has COVID-19 changed the draft process?
It hasn't changed too much. The goal is still the same. I get up every morning, eat right and work out. I just have to modify my workouts based on the quarantine. I can no longer go to the gym and am limited with workouts on a field. I'm still doing everything possible to improve through running, lifting, and going to the park to do sprints. I even use a weight-vest to do workouts like push-ups and sit-ups around the house. This virus will show who the elite-level athletes are. If you can't workout, keep yourself in shape, and get better on your own, then you aren't that type of athlete.Â
Do you have a dream NFL team to play for?
I'm willing to play for any of the 32 teams. I just want a team to take a chance and accept me. My dream has always been to play in the NFL. I'm excited to be part of this process and God has blessed me to get to this point.
How did your two years at SIU help you get to this point in your life?
It was great to experience football with a different group of guys. Football was also different because I had to tackle more and play in different techniques and defenses that I never encountered at OSU. In the NFL, you never know who you're going to play with or what system you'll be in. Going to SIU, I had to learn and adjust to a new defense in two weeks. SIU also allowed me to be in a different part of the world because I'd never been to Illinois. Experiencing a different area helped me grow. From the snow to the culture and environment, I had never dealt with a lot of it since I'm from Texas.Â
The first thing I did was get healthy. You typically feel a little banged up after the season is over. I focused on getting back to 100 percent through rest, eating healthy, and staying in shape. I trained at APEC, which is an athletic performance facility in Fort Worth, Texas. A lot of great people helped me and it's where guys like Patrick Mahomes and Dez Bryant train in the offseason. I did a 8-to-12-week program there and then participated at the Northwestern Pro Day on March 10. That's pretty much how I've spent my time since the end of last season.Â
How did training at APEC impact your overall performance?
It helped me see things that I normally wouldn't on a daily basis. Training to test is a little different than training for football. APEC put my body in certain situations it hasn't been in and kept me healthy. The program made my joints more flexible to bend for those combine positions. It also helped with my explosiveness and strength. I thought I was going to lift heavy and run a lot going in, but it was nothing like that. Instead, it consisted of new training methods that helped my body. To add, it was great having daily beneficiaries such as food, protein, massages, and stretches. It prepared me to perform at the highest level.Â
Were you expecting to put up impressive numbers at the Northwestern Pro Day?
I most definitely did. I've always been confident about my ability. It was no surprise to myself, my family, and the people who really know me. I'm an elite-level athlete and have just had a few bumps in the road. It was a blessing to show my talent and what I can do on the field.Â
Was there a bump in interest from NFL teams after the Pro Day?
There was. I showed that I'm a pro-caliber cornerback through my performance and size. I'm a top-10 corner in this draft class based on combine numbers, stats and size. I can compete with the best, no matter what the rankings say.Â
What can you bring to an NFL team?
I am a man-press corner, but can also play zone. I'm going to work hard in every aspect. I want to play special teams and help out any way possible. I can promise I'm not going to cause any issues on and off the field. I'm just going to be a great teammate. I feel like I can contribute to any team and am ready to compete when given the chance.Â
How has COVID-19 changed the draft process?
It hasn't changed too much. The goal is still the same. I get up every morning, eat right and work out. I just have to modify my workouts based on the quarantine. I can no longer go to the gym and am limited with workouts on a field. I'm still doing everything possible to improve through running, lifting, and going to the park to do sprints. I even use a weight-vest to do workouts like push-ups and sit-ups around the house. This virus will show who the elite-level athletes are. If you can't workout, keep yourself in shape, and get better on your own, then you aren't that type of athlete.Â
Do you have a dream NFL team to play for?
I'm willing to play for any of the 32 teams. I just want a team to take a chance and accept me. My dream has always been to play in the NFL. I'm excited to be part of this process and God has blessed me to get to this point.
How did your two years at SIU help you get to this point in your life?
It was great to experience football with a different group of guys. Football was also different because I had to tackle more and play in different techniques and defenses that I never encountered at OSU. In the NFL, you never know who you're going to play with or what system you'll be in. Going to SIU, I had to learn and adjust to a new defense in two weeks. SIU also allowed me to be in a different part of the world because I'd never been to Illinois. Experiencing a different area helped me grow. From the snow to the culture and environment, I had never dealt with a lot of it since I'm from Texas.Â
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