NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Derrick Lawrence, DE, Tabor College
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?
Derrick Lawrence Jr.
What is your Height/Weight?
6’2/255
What is your position?
DE
Where do you play college football?
Tabor College
Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?
We have a lot of elderly people in Hillsboro, Kansas and they love Tabor College football. So I went & visited with some patients at the nursery home and and spoke to some of the people there that don’t get visitors much.. I also helped shovel snow to make it an easier path way for the employees as well.
What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?
Environmental Science
Where are you from?
Houston, Tx
Who is your role model, and why?
Both parents because they taught me what it’s like to fight through adversity while never giving up.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Basketball & baseball.
Did you play any other positions in football?
OLB
At your position, what separates you from others?
At my position I am able to be very mobile & what makes me stand out is my ball get off and how quick I can get in the backfield making very quick efficient decisions.
When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?
I look for down and distance situations, jersey numbers, and player tendencies.
Who was the toughest player you ever faced?
2015 QB From Morning-side college.
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?
It would be Aldon Smith because he is also a lean stand up defensive end that is very physical with offensive linemen and the moves he does on the field are similar to the way I’ve gotten a lot of my sacks. The excitement he brings to the game is the same thing I did for my team.
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle in my life that I had to overcome would be when I’ve been dismissed from school because I couldn’t pay my bill for the spring semester and I had to work 2 full time jobs to help my parents pay the bill that we owed while staying in shape so I can be ready for my senior season. Hard work paid off and I was able to get back into school and had a terrific season that help lead my team to a conference championship.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I listen to my beats, close my eyes, and visualize everything that I want to accomplish in the game to help my team win.
As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?
I knew from the very beginning since I played NAIA football that I had to stand out like no other. The obstacle that I have to overcome would be standing out when I’m showing my skills in front of the pro coaches & scouts. I cannot look just like every Other athlete. I want coaches & scouts to remember who I am.
What is your biggest strength?
Working well with others while making all of us better at the same time no matter what it is.
What is your biggest weakness?
Public speaking.
If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?
I would say that I am extremely hungry to have an opportunity to showcase my talents on the highest level of football. When I set my mind to do something extravagant I seem to always get it done and now my goal is to play profession football and prove to you that you will have no regrets giving me a chance to show you what I am capable of.
Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?
My favorite NFL Team was the NY Giants.
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?
Lebron James, Kevin Hart, Ray Lewis.
What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?
A really nice apartment.
Rapid Answers:
- Tupac or Biggie?
- NFL Network or ESPN?
- Coke or Pepsi?
- Pizza or Burgers?
- Dogs or Cats?
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com