NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Tyson Graham, LB/S, University of South Dakota

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Tyson Graham

What is your Height/Weight?

6’2 212

What is your position?

Hybrid Linebacker/Safety

Where do you play college football?

University of South Dakota

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

Going to the elementary school and reading to the elementary kids. Whether we know it or not they look up to us, and by us taking time out of our day to go and spend time with them means a lot.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Budgeting & Finance

Where are you from?

Pompano Beach, FL

Who is your role model, and why?

My Dad. He’s sacrificed so much, and works extremely hard to provide for his family and give us opportunities he didn’t have growing up. I hope to be half the man he was one day.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Baseball and Ran Track

Did you play any other positions in football?

Wide Receiver, Quarterback and Running Back

At your position, what separates you from others?

Physicality, being able to diagnose plays quickly, Tackling, and Versatility.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

Tendencies from QB(whether he’s tugging on his jersey, etc.),  Making sure I understand formations and what they’re trying to do out of those formations.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Marcus Mariota

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Deonne Buchannon. His physicality and versatility and just being able to be plugged in different positions all over the field and still have an impact on the game.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Watch Sean Taylor Highlights and just, listen to my music and relax my mind.

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?

Of course the biggest thing most people look at is the level of competition. But coming from the Missouri Valley which is arguably one of the best leagues I feel, your going up against some of the best each and every Saturday. I feel as though if you can play, they’ll find you.

What is your biggest strength?

Knowledge of the game, Tackling, Physicality and Versatility.

What is your biggest weakness?

Being a bit over aggressive at times.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I’m the kind of the guy who comes in ready to work and get better day in and day out. You won’t have to worry about me off the field as well, as I know not only will my actions reflect myself but the team as well.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Sean Taylor and Washington Redskins

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Grandma, Tupac, Sean Taylor

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

I plan on splitting half towards my younger sisters college fund.

Rapid Answers:

• Who will win the Super Bowl? Washington Redskins
• Whose better Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?
• Better Running Back Adrian Peterson or Barry Sanders?
• Better safety Eric Weddle or Ed Reed?
• Better linebacker Ray Lewis or Luke Kuechly?