NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Diondre Wallace, LB, Towson University

Name: Diondre Wallace

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 235lbs

Position: Middle Linebacker

College: Towson University

Twitter: D_wallace10

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

I am from Baltimore City. What I love most about it is that due to it being a tough area, it teaches you to be a tough minded, strong person. It also prepares you to get through adversity and to persevere. 

List these three in order of important and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning, and Practice?

1.     Film Study– it is allowing for ample preparation for your opponent. You cannot go into a game blindsided, therefore it is important to know every aspect of your opponent and study formation.

2.     Practice– it allows you to practice for upcoming games. Preparing for games is more effective when you practice with other people, instead of by yourself. It allows you to improve and develop a game plan every week.

3.     Strength and Conditioning– You don’t have to be the biggest, fastest, or the strongest, the other two aspects can aid in overall performance. However, strength and conditioning is important on an individual basis. 

What do you worry about, and why?

I worry about the measurables of football, where people are doubting my abilities to play and perform based on speed and/or height. I worry about this because it is important how others perceive you to get to where you want to go. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

A play that I failed happened when I did not keep my gap responsibility in a run fit; the running back ended up running for about 50 yards. I was upset with myself, but I had understood I made a mistake. I overcame the failure by watching film and meeting with my defensive coordinator to better understand where I needed to be on the field. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Trustworthy 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Rodney Adams from University of South Florida

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?

FBI agent 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

Room

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

I would choose to save one family member because I believe heavily in family first. I was raised in a household where strong family ties and that value was important. 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

I would be Leonidas from the movie 300 because he was a warrior who displayed traits such as selflessness. He also believed in his country and the people he was fighting with- leading to the overall victory. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

One of the biggest adversities in my life was when I lost both my brother and sister to cancer. I dealt with this loss by going to church and finding God in my life. I overcame this loss by maintaining faith and using my strength from God. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

I was the host for the Golden Paws banquet and there was a mix up with the scripts and my group did not have all of the speaking parts for the show. Our group became lost on the stage and started mixing speaking parts up. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

I had a huge hit against the University of South Florida, during my Sophomore year, that resulted in a forced fumble.

What song best describes your work ethic?

Last Breath- Future

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

One important trait that can help you succeed at the next level is giving back, caring for others, and wanting to make a difference in the community. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

The one person I would bring back from the dead for one day would be my brother because I of course miss him a lot. But, I have quite a bit that I would want to tell him about and show him in my life that have happened since he passed.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?

5Sixxx

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL?

Josh Norman

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

I would rather be respected because respect goes further and can take you further in life and in your career. Something that always holds true is that they don’t have to like you, but they have to respect you. I have had teammates in the past that may not have liked me, but they respected me due to my work ethic and intensity during the game.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

Aldon Smith because he made wrong decisions that led him into trouble ultimately affecting his playing on the field and the end of his NFL career. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

Hate to lose

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

My mother is the biggest influence on my life because she has sacrificed everything to ensure I could have a better life and to have the opportunities I have today. Without her strength, I would not be the man I am today and be in the position in life I am today.