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Antonio Pipkin played his college football at Division II Tiffin, saying he “slipped through the cracks” of Division I programs. Pipkin is at the Senior Bowl this week hoping to impress NFL scouts.
Antonio Pipkin
(6-2, 225) Tiffin, Projected round: 5
Q: What did you learn from your first day at the Senior Bowl?
Pipkin: That I am able to run the huddle, to control the huddle and get guy’s attention.
Q: How did you end up at Tiffin?
Pipkin: I kinda slipped through the cracks. I came from a high school that was brand new and didn’t get the attention of college scouts like I had hoped. But I don’t dwell on things and try to find the blessing that the Lord has dealt me.
Q: Is being a small school guy beneficial to you?
Pipkin: There are quite a few small school guys who have been successful at the next level. Last year, there was one taken second player overall (Carson Wentz) and he had a good year for a rookie. I think a small school guy has to take a different path, work harder to prove himself which I think speaks volumes for my work ethic. We are not on TV every Saturday.
Q: What are your playing advantages?
Pipkin: I am a good decision-maker. I think I play from the head up and am a leader and have the core values of a quarterback.
Q: How will this week at the Senior Bowl help you?
Pipkin: This is the opportunity of a lifetime and not every guy gets. They only invite six quarterbacks and I am one of those six. There are a number of schools out there and every one has a quarterback. This week will help me get a jump start on the process and develop me more for the draft.
Q: Being a small school player, is there more pressure on you?
Pipkin: I am very calm. I am down-to- earth, anyway. So far it’s not a big deal with the pressure to perform, just relax and not any more pressure than what is out here. Every day is a job interview. Just be on your P’s and Q’s and I just be myself.
Q: Do you consider yourself a scrambling QB that can throw, or are you a pocket passer that can scramble and gain yardage?
Pipkin: Definitely a true quarterback who has the ability to get out of trouble. At one time as a young buck I did more running around, but I kinda grew into a pocket quarterback but not afraid to tuck the ball and try to gain something out of nothing.
Barry Shuck is at the Senior Bowl this week gathering interviews and providing live coverage for Giants fans.