NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Paul Dodson Jr., DB, Lincoln University

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?

Paul Dodson Jr.

What is your Height/Weight?

6’2 1/2 205lbs

What is your position?

OLB/ Strong Safety 

Where do you play college football?

Lincoln University in MO.

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

Some teammates and myself went to the local Wal-Mart and set up games for the kids to play while the parents shopped and all donations went to the Children’s Hospital.

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

I’m in Journalism 418 right now it’s more irritating than hard.

Where are you from?

I was born in PG.County Maryland and raised in Staunton, Virginia. I moved to Phoenix,AZ with my parents and finished school there. So I guess I’m from all 3. 

Who is your role model, and why?

LeBron James. He’s a champion. A father. A business man. Gives back to his community. Everything I want to do and be.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played AAU basketball. Traveled a lot. Played in Hawaii. 

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played RB and CB all through high school. All-State Arizona Republic honorable mention ATH my Jr. and Sr year. 

At your position, what separates you from others?

The combination of my size,speed and skills. 

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

Tendencies. How WR’s take off during pass plays vs run plays. If the QB stares his target down or does he look you off. When I’m at LB I look at OL stances. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

In JUCO this guy who played for Arizona Western back in 2010 named Reggie Bullock.  He was nice. 

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

Kam Chancellor. He makes plays happen off of his effort and so do I. 

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

When my mother passed away my freshman season. I’m living out a promise I made for her and that gets me through the pain because I know she would be proud of me. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Right before the game I listen to a voice memo on my phone telling myself “I am a All-American” and other positive affirmations. 

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

Getting exposure. Getting over looked 

What is your biggest strength?

Agility, I’m quick at my size with good strength. I’m always around the ball with a nearly never ending motor. Good football IQ,, and a leader 

What is your biggest weakness?

I think I over analyze things more than I should. 

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

My name is Paul Dodson. I would love to play for your organization. Hard working student of the game. I want to be a close to perfection as humanly possible. And I won’t cost much at first. 

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

Sean Taylor. Rest in peace. We would have been won a super bowl if he was still alive. 

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

My mom, Mike Epps, and Bob Proctor. 

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

A wedding ring.