After four seasons at Wake Forest University, Boogie Basham concluded his collegiate career and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. During his time at Wake Forest, Basham tallied 20.5 sacks (fourth-most in program history), 25.5 tackles for loss. 7 forced fumbles, and 1 touchdown in a total of 45 games. He also finished the 2019 season with 11 sacks, which was the second-most in the ACC.

It’s now time for the Virginia native to enter the next step of his career and I got the opportunity to speak with him as he reflects on how he got to where he is today. Basham stated his first priority to be his family.

“ I chose to attend Wake Forest not only because of athletics and academics, but because my mom wanted me to be close…. What motivated me the most is seeing my mom and dad in the stands being proud of me, as well as the support I have from my city [Roanoke, Virginia].” This support was a major factor in his success. Not many people where I am from have the chance to go to college or to play professionally.”

To Basham, attending college and going pro is also about beating the odds and making his city proud.

"A great person and a great leader…"

Hear from @WakeFB's Carlos Basham Jr. on why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires him. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/HYbHmM3G3P

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) January 18, 2021

Heading into the 2020 season, Basham was on the Chuck Bednarik, Lott Impact Trophy, and Bronko Nagurski Watch lists. He also won first-team All-ACC honors and had the longest active streak in the country of 23 consecutive games with a tackle for loss. He is now a top prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft. However, his journey has not always been the easiest. Throughout his collegiate career, he has had to deal with the deaths of close friends that “made things challenging.” However, Basham used this as a way to motivate him even more. What he believes makes him a great athlete is how self-driven he is.

“I do not depend on anyone else to get me to do things.”

His love for football and his support system is all he needs to keep him going, similar to his role model, Jason Pierre Paul.

“I look up to him because his backstory is similar to mine and the way he plays the game is similar. He is physical and always on the go and I like how he plays the game of football. But also when I think of a role model, I think of him, and eventually, I want others to see me as a role model as well.”

Along with his family and football, Basham’s brand is an important priority in his life as well. He wants to be a person that people look up to, similar to the way he looks up to Jason Pierre Paul. Basham knows that this means that people are watching him. People that want to be like him. Thus, it is important to him that he displays a positive image. He wants to parallel an image that not only stays clean but is used to advocate for things that would make the world a better place.

Basham’s route to the pros and his final season has looked a lot different because of Covid. However, he has “made the most of a difficult situation.” He is confident in the work that he has put in throughout his collegiate career as well as his senior bowl performance and is looking forward to hearing his name called in this year’s draft.

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