NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Torrey Dale, DL Mississippi State University

NFL Draft Diamonds website has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible 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 our next prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Torrey Emanuel Dale 

What is your Height/Weight?

I am 6’6 273 lbs 

What is your position?

I played majority of my career at defensive end, but I have also played a season a defensive tackle. 

Where do you play college football?

I played my college ball at Mississippi State University. 

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

During the summer going into my senior year I mentored three boys from the Starkville area. This was the coolest thing by far because I got to be a positive male role model to three boys and know them personally. The most rewarding part was being able to help them when they trusted in me with advice about things they were going through. 

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

The hardest college class I have ever taken is anatomical kinesiology 

Where are you from?

I am from Kenner, Louisiana. 

Who is your role model, and why?

My mother is my role model. She is my role model because she raised my two sisters and me on her own all while getting three master degrees. I watched my mom stay up for days at a time studying, working, and doing whatever she needed to do to provide for us. This showed me how strong of a woman she is, and that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to if I have the heart and the drive to do it.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played baseball when I was 10 years old. I also played basketball from the 8th-11th grade. 

Did you play any other position in football?

I played all across the defensive line in college. I also played a very little amount of linebacker in high school. 

At your position, what separates you from others?

My length and strength seperate me from others. I can pass rush as well as be a really good run defender. 

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

When breaking down film I look for keys to run and pass. I look to see if he is light or heavy in his stance, if he leans back when pulling, or if he looks to where he is blocking. I also look for what tendency they have in the pass game and what type of protections they go too. I see if the running back positioning in the back field tells where the play maybe most likely going. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

My sophomore year I went against La’el Collins. He was the first player I felt like was like “yea this is SEC play”. 

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

Cam Jordan because I think he also is a good pass rusher and a good run defender with a motor. 

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was letting go of anger that was bottled up for years. Wondering why my father did not want to see me or my siblings and why he stopped coming to pick us up when we were about 7 years old. I overcame this obstacle in college when I decided to go to counseling and talk to someone about it and learning how to cope with anger. I also reached out to my father and we talked about it and now are on good terms, not the tightest but starting to build a relationship. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I shower after pre-game meal and listen to gospel music to calm me down while I get my final preparation in. Once we get on the bus to go to the stadium I put on my rap music to change my mindset to attack mode. 

What is your biggest strength?

Playing hard and strong and being reliable to be in the right place. 

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is getting straight legged when I don’t get my inside hands and looking for the ball. 

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

This is my dream that I have been training for my whole life. I’m willing to do whatever is needed at whatever position offense, defense, and special teams to help the team be successful. I’ll be the same guy everyday which is giving my all. 

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

My favorite player growing up was Dwight Freeney because he was so explosive and always making big plays in games. I could learn things to try to add to my game by watching him like the spin move. 

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

I would choose Einstein, Bill Gates, and Tupac Shakur. I would choose these three people because they were all successful in different things and you can learn from them. 

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

I will buy my own place or my mom something nice for all the years of support and keeping me on track throughout life.