NFL
By: William Carroll
If you have watched #72 at Pace University, then you’ve had the pleasure of watching
Lawrence Omolayo. He is a powerful player with just enough of a mean streak. I think Ben Grubbs when I watch him, he’s intelligent and a more polished player than I’d expected. He had some of his best games against better players and I think he may continue to rise to the occasion. He was elected to the Northeast-10 All-Conference Second Team and started all 10 games on the offensive line. He helped the Setters to the fourth-highest rushing total in the NE10, while allowing just 15 sacks and was named a team captain. I present to you our first 2019 Blue Light Special: Lawrence Omolayo.
Willaim Carroll: I have had the pleasure of watching your career from your time at Pace University. What would you say are the 5 biggest and best lessons you’ve learned on your journey?
Lawrence Omolayo: To never give up, hard work will pay off in the end, that there will be those that hate on your grind and try to bring them down but you can’t let them, persistence is key to success, and what defines someone is the work he puts in when no one is looking.
WC: The next question, you played for Gary Marangi at Patchogue-Medford High School, what was that program like and what kind of coach was he?
My schools’ program has always done well throughout the years, my time there was no exception. We won two straight playoff runs my two years on the varsity. Being coached by Marangi was a great experience. He used to play for the Bills as a backup quarterback, back in the OJ days, so there was a lot of knowledge and experience he brought to our practices.
WC: Who were your major rivals in High School and College?
LO: High school rivals: Lindenhurst High school
College: Saint Anslem college
WC: Your home area is loaded with talent Sean Christie and Jeremy Ruckert to name a few who are some of the best players you played with or against while you were in college, high school or growing up?
LO: The best players that I have played against were in college. Their players on my team like DT Jah’seem Martian or DE Prince Unaegbu that helped push my game in practice on a daily. And those I played against like Kevin Petit-Frere from Liu Post, that helped me push past my game every play.
WC: What was your recruitment process like, who was interested and how did you choose your school?
LO: My recruiting process wasn’t as exciting as others. I didn’t really start getting the film to interested schools until my senior[year]. So, no schools knew of me. I [was] taking an unofficial visit to University at Buffalo, and two official visits to Stonehill College and Pace University. There other schools that wanted me but the second I took my visit to Pace I knew this was the place I wanted to call home.
WC: What was the best game and the biggest play you made as a high school player?
LO: My best game would be the first round in playoffs my senior year. I was lined up against a kid that was all-state and I ended up dominating him on both sides of the ball.
WC: What was your big “Welcome to College Football” Moment?
LO: It would be my first broad drill freshman year; my teammates had no mercy on me and ended up flat-backing me.
WC: What is your current height/weight and what are your testing numbers?
LO: 6’2 315, 40: 5.3, Broad 8.5 feet, Vertical: 28”, 20-Yard shuttle: 4.9
WC: How have the systems and staffs at your school impacted your development?
LO: There’s a lot that I have learned, from nutrition, work effort, accountability and the importance of practice and film.
WC: Which coaches have had the greatest impact on you and why?
LO: I would have to say it would be my current Offensive Coordinator. He was my position coach for two seasons before being promoted. He taught me a lot both on and off the field.
WC: How hard was to adjust to the verbiage, system, and play-book and when did you feel 100% comfortable?
LO: For offensive Lineman, things are pretty much the same in terms of blocking schemes and aiming points. I am fast learner so it just took me a couple of days to comfortable with the verbiage.
WC: Who have been your favorite teammates, and why?
LO: There’s not just one teammate that I consider to be my favorite due to the fact that I consider everyone on the team as a family. They always look out for me and support and helped push me to be the player and person I am now.
WC: Who have been your favorite opponents and why?
LO: I do not really have a favorite opponent, for me it’s whether the opponents I am up against are dogs that I enjoy playing or those that easier opponents that didn’t really challenge me.
WC: If you could put together a list of your favorite players to watch or emulate, who is on that list and why?
LO: Zach Martin. His dominance in this game as an elite guard, who is I use as a blueprint into how I can improve on my game
WC: What NFL teams are your favorites and why?
LO: The Giants. I am from NY so I [have] always been a fan.
WC: When football is over what would you like to do with your education?
LO: I am still planning on getting my masters in Human resources and when I’m done playing, I am planning on coaching.
WC: Finally if you could go back in time to talk to 17-year-old you, what would you tell him?
LO: That [I should] take every day as a chance to get better. That you’ve got to win the day and consistently to put in the work to get to where you want to go
WC: And what would you do differently if you could do it all over again?
LO: I would love to take my freshman and Sophomore year more serious[ly]. During those years I felt like I was just going through the motions.
WC: What [if any] is/are your nickname[s] and how did you get it/them
LO: My only nickname is Larry, I thought Lawrence was too formal so most people besides my family calls me Larry.
