NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Santavious Bryant, DB, Shorter 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?

Santavious Bryant

What is your Height/Weight?

5’10/205lbs

What is your position?

Safety

Where do you play college football?

Shorter University

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

The coolest thing I have done was helping out at the local Salvation Army. The best project was helping an elderly woman remove things out of her home that had piled up over past years.

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

Business Statistics

Where are you from?

Atlanta, Ga

Who is your role model, and why?

My parents are my role model because growing up daily I saw them working hard to provide for our family, making sure they set the best possible examples for us to follow, and they instilled principles in me that made me the person I am today.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes, I played basketball, baseball, and track and field.

Did you play any other positions in football?

Yes, I played Quarterback.

At your position, what separates you from others?

The biggest skill that separates me from others is my in-depth mental understanding of the game. I am a versatile safety; many safeties are not able to play both free and strong safety. Playing as a Safety my footwork and hip control allows me to bring a lot more to the game. I have the ability to play deep and roam the field while covering both man and zone. Also I’m that Safety to walk down in the box or blitz to help defend the run.

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

During my review of film, I’m focusing on team tendencies given the down and distance along with the formation. To include the strength, weakness, and tendencies of individuals. I look at my keys in comparison to see what they will likely do to trigger me on different plays. Overall I’m looking for any advantage so when it’s game time I know what to expect or what I need to do to play fast and execute plays. I closely look at ways that may require me to make adjustments or heighten my playing style. Overall, focusing on ways that I can pass information onto my team that will help us excel in the game.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

QB Kyle Caldwell was the toughest player I have ever faced.

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

I would have to compare my play to Tyrann Mathieu. I say this because like him I am fearless, aggressive, play with great passion, and have great instincts. As he does I have ability to play multiple spots on the field such as playing deep, in the box, or in the slot. I have the footwork and hips to play both man and zone as Tyrann. I am also able to come off the edge and disrupt plays whether it’s a sack, tackle for loss, or tipped pass. I am recognized as a game changer that you have to account for as long as I am on the field.

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

The biggest obstacle in life that I had to overcome was my grandmother passing away. To overcome it I turned to God and prayed for understanding and healing. I started to use it as something that fueled me to do better both on and off the field because I know she is watching over me and I want to make her smile every chance I get.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Before every game I have to go out before everyone say my prayer and do an individual workout. Also during the team warm ups I don’t wear my official game gear. I usually do not play in the gear I warm up in ( cleats, gloves, and accessories). After warm ups, I change into my official game gear.

What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is my mental understanding of the game which allows me to adapt quickly.

What is your biggest weakness?

As it relates to weakness, I feel there are always areas to improve upon because I do not allow myself to put a ceiling on my best.

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

I would say passionately I realize this is truly an opportunity sent from God in which I take very seriously. I will do everything in my power to take full advantage of such a rare opportunity. Being a professional football player is more than just a game to me or something I desire for publicity stunt, fame, or money. It’s far more reaching and is one of my greatest aspirations. In which I have been working toward this since I was 5 years old. Football is truly my passion and a lifestyle for me. I will continue to put my heart and time into football on and off the field. I awake daily working from sunrise to sunset sharpening my craft in doing field work, physical training, film study to include mental and self-discipline. I have been doing this for many years in preparation of knowing when I get my shot in the NFL I will be best prepared to perform at a higher level. The team will be getting a valuable player that is always among the hardest workers on the team. I’m committed to compete daily with the best in order to rise to the top. One that will show up first and leave last. I’m a natural born leader having qualities that it takes to help a team reach success whether it is vocal or leading by example on and off the field. You will be getting a player that will come in and have a positive impact on the team and professionally represent your organization.

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

My favorite NFL player is Deion Sanders and the team is Atlanta Falcons.

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

I would choose to have dinner with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Barak Obama, and Deion Sanders.

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

My first investment would be a house.

Rapid Answers

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