In the Huddle: Jeffrey M'Ba

A conversation with defensive lineman Jeffrey M’Ba, an imposing figure at 6-foot-6, 320 pounds who hopes to become a fashion designer.

You were born in Africa, lived in France, attended junior college in the U.S., played at Auburn, and now you’re in West Lafayette. How do you sum up your journey so far?

I’ve been to a lot of places, but as a person, I always think about the present and the future and about where I want to be. Every year, I’m in a new place. Every year, it’s a new challenge. For what seems like the first time, I’m at the same school. It was easier to learn and understand football. When you change every year, you have a new coach, a new staff and you have to adjust. Now, I feel like I’m in the right place.

How many different cities have you lived in?

Wow. I can’t even count them. Maybe 10. It’s always funny anytime I go to a new place, I have to think hard to remember my address because I have so many addresses in my mind. From Connecticut, Kansas, I’ve been to Baltimore, too. I’ve been in Charlotte. I’ve been to Winston-Salem. It’s hard for me to explain my journey because I’ve been everywhere all the time.

What’s your favorite place?

I feel like here. Purdue, West Lafayette, in general, and Lafayette, I feel like it’s cool. Chicago is nearby if you want to go to the city. I can focus on football and other than that, I can play my video games and stay home.

Other than West Lafayette, what city sticks out?

I’m a city guy. Maybe Chicago and New York. You have crazy people in the city you don’t want to deal with, but being in the city is cool. You can eat everything you want, go out where you want. New York and Chicago are two cities I love.

Before you started playing football, what was your sport?

I did some bike. I did some judo. I did some track and field. I did some soccer. Soccer was the main one because I played for five, six years. Swimming and rugby. I did every possible sport just trying to find my way.

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How were you introduced to football?

I got a friend who was playing, but football was kind of small in France. But my friend told me to try football, and ‘you might finish on Team France.’ That was the end goal. I was like, ‘Yeah, why not?’ I tried it and loved it. It went by so fast. One year I was over there playing, and the next year I was in Baltimore playing for Saint Francis Academy. It’s been a good journey.

Your first football memory?

It’s actually funny. I did one or two practices, and I was in France and I was able to learn the rules on the field. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was being told, ‘this time you have to tackle someone. This time, you have to protect someone.’ I was just playing, not knowing what I was doing.

What positions did you start out playing?

The basics – O-line and D-line. I wanted to be a running back and run the ball, but they told me to get my ass on the line and block someone or make a play.

Have you carried the football at any of your stops?

Sadly, no. It might change this year.

If you were not playing football at this stage, what sport would you be playing or would you be playing a sport?

That’s a really good question. I ask myself this question all the time. To be honest, I don’t know. I feel like I have so many paths behind me I could’ve been anything. It’s hard for me to figure it out. To be honest, I don’t want to because I don’t want to have a Plan B.

What’s one thing your teammates don’t know about you?

We talk and stuff, but I don’t think they know my full story. It’s hard for me to explain to them because I’ve been everywhere, and I feel like it’s been that way my whole life. Most of the people don’t know my full story. I’m OK with it. It’s hard to tell the real story of my life because it’s going to take two hours. I feel like they know me without knowing me.

I was told I’ve only got 10 minutes.

Ten minutes is way short.

In 20 years, you’ll be doing what?

I plan on playing in the NFL for 10-12 years. In 20 years, I’ll be somewhere on an island chillin’ with my family. On the one hand, I’ll have a cocktail with coco, water and some passion fruit. I got my wife, and my kids will be grown and out of the house.

Where will this be taking place?

That’s a hard question for me. Asking me where I want to live is hard because I’ve been to so many places, but I want to see the world more. I want to see Japan or maybe stay in the States. I don’t know. Maybe go back to Africa. All my life is focused on football right now, and when football is over, I’ll figure it out.

(Offensive lineman) Marcus Mbow is taking French classes. You’re French. When you guys line up against each other, do you speak French?

I feel like we should start doing that. It would be cool to curse in French during the game. I’ll have to practice that.

Game day routine?

I follow the script that we’re doing, and I come in and stretch for an hour.

Favorite meal?

It was burgers before I came to the U.S. In France, burgers aren’t really the thing, but now I don’t know what I like anymore. I overdue everything – pizza, burgers, chicken nuggets, wings, and all of that.

What are your interests outside of football?

I’m studying French and a lot of geopolitics. I love that stuff. To be honest, I don’t think my path is going to take me there. I’m a big fashion lover and social media and stuff. I’m already working on having a marketing company, and why not be a fashion designer. I already know the sponsor I would choose, and they let me do what I want, create the shoes that I want and the clothes that I want. I want to create a significant brand like Michael Jordon did with Nike. I want to build a brand and build myself at the same time.

What’s your perfect outfit?

Give me an occasion.

Going to dinner?

With whom?

Your lady friend.

I think I would go for something like, … I’m tall, and people are going to see me regardless of what I do. I would go for something dark and some stylish shoes. I go for all black and maybe a chain. I’m big on jewelry, but maybe a chain and watch.  I’ll be ready with a big smile.

What if you are a Heisman finalist?

I would wear something that people will remember for the next 20 years. It would be the best outfit you’ve ever seen. In fact, you have to keep that. For draft day, I’ll spoil you. Be ready. I’ll come up with something.