Getting to Know 2012: Jabari Ruffin

USC incoming freshman linebacker Jabari Ruffin took a few minutes to give me an update on life since signing day and shares a few of his all time favorites...

Since signing his letter of intent in February life has changed for Downey (Calif.) Downey linebacker Jabari Ruffin.

For starters, he tends to now go by the nickname Bowflex and he’s had somewhat of a self-epiphany.

His friends gave him the name after realizing much of Ruffin’s time is now spent hitting the weights, “A bowflex is a workout machine and that’s my new lifestyle,” he said. “I’m basically a workout machine.”

The self-epiphany?

It came at the realization that any goal is accomplishable through dedication.

“I’m a lot hungrier,” said Ruffin. “My mindset, (well) I’ve grown up a lot and realized that anything is possible, so I’m really working at being the best friend I can be and being the best football player I can be.”

Ruffin will actually be moving to the USC campus before his high school graduation at Downey to prepare for the beginning of summer school.

“It’s kind of bitter sweet,” he said. “I’m just enjoying high school now. I’m going to miss everybody here at Downey, but of course I’m excited to go and start school and college.”

Ruffin will return once again to Downey for the commencement ceremony on June 21st.

Since signing day, the linebacker has put on five pounds of what he’s calling good weight, moving the scale from 230 to 235.

“I just want to be the best,” Ruffin explained. “I want to improve the most every season I play. I want to have a better freshman year at college than I had senior year in high school and so on and so on.”

Quick Facts:

Nickname: JRuff & Bowflex

Favorite athlete: Patrick Willis

Favorite pro-sports team: Miami Dolphis

Favorite book/magazine: Hamlet

Favorite movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite tv show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Favorite pre-game meal: Salad

Website you check everyday: Twitter

Twitter or Facebook: Twitter

Superstitions: Must have a conversation with myself to calm before game

Player you model your game after: Look up to Brandon Marshall and the humor of Ochocinco

If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be? President Obama

Dream job: Secret Service

Best football related memory: Inside jokes with the guys in San Antonio for the All-American Bowl.