NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Del’Shawn Phillips, LB, University of Illinois

•       Name: Del’Shawn Phillips

        •       Height: 6’2”

        •       Weight: 230

        •       Position: Linebacker

        •       College: University of Illinois

        •       Twitter: @DelShawnP3

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

        •        I’m from a small city inside of Detroit called Highland Park in Michigan, and what I love most about it is that it is very family oriented, everyone knows each other and everyone sticks together. 

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

        •        Practice, Film Study, then Strength & Conditioning. For me, there is nothing like live reps. Film study definitely comes next because I think it’s pivotal to study up on opponents to be able to know what they are going to do before they even do it. Then, strength & conditioning because without the proper strength, conditioning and nutrition your body cannot perform at optimal levels.

What do you worry about, and why?

        •        I worry about not being able to provide for my family and put the people I love in better predicaments. 

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

        •        I failed to qualify for Division I out of high school. I reacted by grinding, working hard, and being determined to make it back to the Division I level.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

        •        My leadership skills and my ability to lead by example.

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

        •        Quinton Flowers

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

        •        I would like to be a football coach.

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

        •        Room, car, then desk.

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

        •        I would save one family member because my loyalty to the ones I love is unmatched. 

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

        •        I would be Batman because he uses his talents to make the world a better place. 

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

        •    My biggest adversity was probably not qualifying to play football at the Division I level out of high school. I used this as motivation to do better and be better and always stayed optimistic about my hard work paying off. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

        •    My most embarrassing moment was failing to become a Division I qualifier.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

        •        The most memorable play of my collegiate career was actually the play that never happened. I had a huge fumble recover for a touchdown against Minnesota my senior year that ended up being called back.

What song best describes your work ethic?

        •        One Man Can Change The World – Big Sean

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

        •        I think the most important trait to have to succeed at the next level is to be a furious competitor in anything and everything you do – I have to win. 

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

        •        I would bring back whoever has the power to bring people back from the dead so that I could bring my loved ones back.

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

        •        GVO ~ Good Vibes Only

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

        •        Brandon Graham

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

        •        Respected because likeness fades. There will always be a new shiny player, but if you are respected then you will be well-liked for a long time to come.

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

        •        Colin Kaepernick because he is only standing up for what he believes in.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

        •        I HATE to lose.

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

        •       My parents have definitely been the biggest influence on my life; just to see how hard they work and the sacrifices they made to put me in the position I am and how they helped shape and develop me into the man I am today.