NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Daunte Fisher, OL, Jackson State University

• Name: Daunte Fisher

• Height: 6040

• Weight: 312

• Position: OL

• College: Jackson State University

• Twitter: @negus_omari 

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?   

I grew up in Houston, Texas more so between Third Ward and South Park.  I love the amount of legends from my hometown. Whether it be musical artists, former athletes or just urban legends you here from old heads. I like how it’s always something or somewhere to be. 

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?  

1. Film Study 2. Practice 3. Strength and Conditioning.  
I listed film study first because as far as my preparation for games went I spent a good part of my days leading up to the game studying my opponents. What fronts and blitzes they liked sending. Different stances and rushes. Looking for tendencies on different downs and distances to be one step ahead of my opponent. I listed practice a second because it where I tried new techniques and blocking moves I also picked my position coaches ahead about different things we could do as an O-line to have the biggest advantage against our opponents. As well as players to key on, players we could take advantage of and techniques that would put us in the best position for success. 3. I don’t see strength and conditioning as any less important than the top two. Because a very important part of my game was to make sure I could play at my highest level throughout the game into the 4th quarter. It’s why we based our strength and conditioning program around finishing, fighting through pain to finish in the fourth quarter and overtime. 

What do you worry about, and why?

I often worry about not being successful not being able to care for my family, not being financially secure, and achieving the goals I set out to fulfill. I want so bad to be successful and I often worry about not making it. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

A prime example would be how we finished as a team with our record of 3-8. My initial goal at the beginning of the season was to achieve and winning record for the first time as a player since my redshirt freshman year. Even though we won our last regular season game. I was still hurt I felt like I failed and let my guys down. Being a team captain I had to learn how to deal with adversities from the front line view. Getting every bit of it. I overcame it by being a more vocal leader going into the following offseason. I had a chance to graduate early and leave for a good paying job but I didn’t want to leave with that regret of not achieving what I sat out to do. So the following offseason in the spring we bought it as a team. We got closer, like family. We expressed our dissatisfactions and suggestions we worked harder than we ever worked in the spring and summer. We buckled down and achieve multiple goals throughout the season and finished with a winning record. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

They say my best quality is leadership by example. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Ebenezer Ogundeko from Tennessee State  2017.  

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?  

If I couldn’t play football I would be pursuing my own business. More so in owning a clothing and sneaker boutique. 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

Car because it’s my everyday office/ locker. Just like I kept my locker I want my car to be really clean and organized. It’s a big pet peeve of mine. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?  

I would try to save three strangers. Because of the fact that more lives are at stake. The type of person that I am I would still try to save my family member regardless even if it meant a slim chance of survival. 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

I would play Chris Gardener, played by Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happiness. Every time I watch the movie I get goosebumps. It’s basically the ultimate come-up story. From having nothing to grinding and finding and making a way. Willing your way through walls that at first seem impenetrable to get through. To finally achieve your dream to be stable to find a sense of stability and success. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

The biggest adversity of my life came with two events. Spring 18 during our spring workouts on a Monday I received a call that my grandmother had passed away. I was broken I was distraught. I wanted to not even play ball anymore at that moment. I had the opportunity to go home the next morning and stay the week up to the funeral. But I willed my way someway to stay and workout with my brothers though the pain and depression to finish my reps and sets. It took a lot out of me but I know I needed to be the support for my team. Three months later while working my summer job during summer workouts I received a call from home that my mother had a severe stroke. I immediately got on the road back to Texas that next morning. I couldn’t sleep or stop from crying the whole night just thinking about what she was going through. I felt helpless and lost. I scraped together fifty dollars to make the six hour trip from Jackson, Ms to Houston,Tx. On the way home my phone blanked with just about a hour from my home. So I couldn’t use my gps to find out my exists. On top of that  I fell asleep at the wheel and got into a minor car wreck from the lack of sleep the night before. I ended up making it to her where she was in a coma for the two days I was home and she finally opened her eyes before I left to go back. I had to come back and not miss a beat with workouts and working a part time job. It’s tested my will in the months since but I’m still going strong. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Forgetting my dress shoes for a job interview, so I had to wear my workout shoes that were in my car. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

Leading a touchdown play in my hometown infront of my family. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

Nas – The World is Yours / Le$ – Composure

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

By far my ability to learn quickly and on the fly 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

I would bring back my grandmother, just to have one more conversation about life, a story about her upbringing in Robstown, Texas. A home cooked meal and a hug. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

Funky Worms 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

He’s not as underrated anymore but I would say Terron Armstead from the Saints. He plays with great technique and speed for his size. He’s very agile. I think he was slept at first because he came from a small school. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

I would rather be respected! Being liked is not always a good thing. Being only liked could lead to people trying to walk over you. I’d rather know that people understand me as a person on my principles and morals and not like me but could shake my hand because I’m firm on what I believe in and stand for. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

Definitely Vince Young. I was a big fan of his when he was at UT he also played at a rival highscool of mine. I saw him as inspiration because he came from where I came from and was destined to be the next big quarterback. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I hate to lose. I realized that after noticing after a win I was content for a good thirty minutes until my mind was off of it. After a loss, my mood would be so locked in on not having to experience that feeling again. It feels like a stand in the heart when I lose. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

My stepdad. He’s been taking care of me since I was about seven years old. He’s always shown how to get up at 5:30 am everyday for the last sixteen years and make something happen. Even at his older age he takes care of my mom who is still recovering from her stroke. He puts us before him every time and never complains about it he just keeps putting his head down and working.