The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Oklahoma center Andrew Raym plans on taking full advantage. Raym recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Raym also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, the intricacies of playing center, using length and athleticism to his advantage, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Raym better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Andrew Raym: I was upstairs working out at our facility in Santa Ana, California. I gave my agent Joe Panos the biggest high-five ever (laughs). I had been waiting on that invite. I’m so, so excited for this opportunity.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Andrew Raym: I’m aware of how important the Senior Bowl is to the pre-draft process. It gives me an opportunity to showcase my abilities against some of the best senior players in the country.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Andrew Raym: I want to display the confidence I carry as a player first and foremost. Of course, I want my on-field abilities to shine through like I know they’re capable of doing so. I want my understanding of football, my knowledge, and football IQ to be very evident to everybody in attendance. I want all 32 teams to walk away saying Andrew Raym would be a great addition to our football team.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Andrew Raym: I’m a smart football player. I’m very knowledgeable. I’m quick to learn and pick up every scheme thrown my way. I’m very quick on my feet as well. I’m fast at the point of attack. I’m a great teammate. I love being around the boys. I love being a leader of men. I hope I get drafted to a place where I can eventually be a leader in the room.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL center, who would you choose and why?
Andrew Raym: I’d choose Tyler Biadasz from the Dallas Cowboys or Jason Kelce [formerly] of the Philadelphia Eagles. They’re both extremely smart players. They play with a level of intensity. They’re also both technicians. I see myself as a technician. I pride myself on how technical I am, and both of those guys play the game the same way.
JM: Your length and athleticism pop when watching your tape. Do you hang your hat on those two traits?
Andrew Raym: Definitely. I’ve been greatly blessed by the man upstairs. I have great athletic ability for the position. I’m quick on my feet. I move well. For being a center, I have great length. I have long arms and long legs. It helps me. It allows me to get my hands on people and bring them into my body so they can’t get away from me.
JM: It pops on tape. What’s your favorite aspect of playing the center position?
Andrew Raym: I love having the opportunity to read opposing defenses. I have to make sure the offensive line in general is on the same page. We have to execute as one. It’s not about the individuals on the offensive line, It’s about the collective.
JM: What’s on Andrew Raym’s pre-game playlist?
Andrew Raym: That’s a good question. I typically mix up my music. Pregame, my go-to is definitely some hype-me-up stuff. Some Travis Scott, some Kodak Black. Maybe some BigXthaPlug. That’s the pregame playlist. When I’m sitting at home, I’ll throw on some Luke Bryan and other country music.
JM: At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Andrew Raym?
Andrew Raym: It means I went out to Mobile and aced the interview process. I’m going to be confident and precise throughout the interview process. I want the general managers to know that I’m a great guy that will understand the program. I’m always going to put my best foot forward for the good of the team.
On the field, I want to go dominate. I want to prove that I’m capable of dominating some of the best defensive linemen in the country.
