NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Michael Pierce, DT, Samford

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers.  We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too.  This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character.  We hope to bring you more than 300 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.

What is your name? 

Michael Pierce

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’0 335

What is your position? 

Defensive Tackle 

Where do you play college football? 

Samford University

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

I had the chance to work with Habitat for Humanity, while I was at Tulane University and it really changed my perspective on things seeing the impact our work had on a family in need of assistance. 

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

I’m currently in International Law as a part of my Public Administration major. It forces you to think differently it’s very challenging.

Where are you from? 

I’m from Daphne, Alabama 

Who is your role model, and why? 

My father is my role model, he’s done amazing job providing for our family and is very strong in his Faith walk which something I’m actively striving to achieve. 

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I’ve played almost every major sport at some point in my life, I was apart of the basketball and track team as well as football  in high school.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

I was an All-State Linebacker in High School, I also currently play Fullback in goal line and short yardage situations at Samford.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

I think my Strength and Quickness at the position is what sets me apart. When my 725lb pound squat video went Viral I think a lot more people payed attention  

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

I look for tendencies like lineman stances and try to get an indication on run/ pass before the play starts.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Chad Slade from Auburn was probably the best lineman I’ve played against he’s currently with the Texans 

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

I’d say BJ Raji or Brandon Mebane they both are awesome run stoppers and push the pocket in passing situations.

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

My biggest obstacle I’ve encountered was after I became academically ineligible at Tulane my freshmen year, I not only had to prove to my family that I could rebound and do well in college but also proving to the Samford staff that I could not only produce on the field but also in the class room .

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

I normally listen to jazz music the morning before the games to prevent myself from getting too hyped up, that’s about it as far as a pregame routine. 

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

Coming from a FCS school I feel like I have to prove that I’m still capable of being dominate no matter the level of competition. So when we play bigger schools like Auburn or Louisville nothing should change about my game. 

What is your biggest strength? 

My biggest strength is ability to two gap in the run game and be disruptive, I think that plays a big role for our defense.

What is your biggest weakness? 

I’ve taken a lot of time during the off season working on my pass rush moves and finishing when I get back at QB level. Penetration and Disruption are good to have on film but sacks are better. 

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

I would tell you that my love of the game would be my single selling point, I think that sticks out on my game film I really enjoy playing the game. If the NFL didn’t pay athletes I’d still be playing in some capacity. 

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

My favorite player has always been Ray Lewis, I’ve always played LB up until my first year of college so he’s a guy I tried to emulate. With that being said I always cheered for the Ravens.

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

I would have dinner with Martin Luther King, Ray Lewis, Warren Buffett. Those three guys all have something different to offer as far as knowledge goes I would come away from that dinner with a lot of notes. 

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

With my first paycheck I would put down a payment on an nice apartment near the facility. I’m not very materialistic 

Rapid Answers:

• Spongebob or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
• Ninja Turtles Classic
• Backstreet Boys or One Direction?
• Backstreet Boys
• Lifetime Channel or HGTV?
• HGTV I watch it with my Mom
• Waffles or Pancakes?
• Pancakes my all time favorite
• Snakes or Spiders?
• Snakes
• Madden or Mario?
• Mario I’m kind of old school