NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Bryce Douglas, DT, University of Northern Iowa

•           Name: Bryce Douglas

           •           Height: 6”1

           •           Weight: 310

           •           Position: Defensivetackle/ Nose guard

           •           College: University of Northern Iowa 

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

           •     Plainfield, Illinois is a southwest suburb of Chicago. What Ilove most about Plainfield is how supportive and kind the people are there.Plainfield gave me the foundation I needed to succeed in many aspects of mylife.

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

           •   Practice- Growing up I loved to practice and it’s where you perfectyour game. It is where you are able to fail, and then correct your failure toperform at your highest level during the competition.

Film Study-having the smarts for the game is a key factor in being successful. Knowingyour opponent’s tendencies, and what their strategy is really sets you up forsuccess, and can help you be that much quicker on the field. As well as givesyou the confidence to play at a fast pace without hesitation.

Conditioning– Isimportant but when practicing correct and hard conditioning is being built into practice. Which is why it’s important to practice hard to get into shape,and be ready and prepared for the fourth quarter so you can get stronger as thegame goes on, and not let other teams wear you down. 

Strength– One ofmy greatest weapons is my strength. But, I have learned to utilize film studyand football IQ to leverage my strength.  If you can beat your opponent to the spot orknow what path they are taking you can impact the game.

What do you worry about, and why?

           •      I don’t really worry about too much. I just take thingsday by day and let God take care of the rest. I just stay faithful and work ashard as I can, and let God lead me in the right direction.

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

           •   When I transferred from the University of Illinois to the Universityof Northern Iowa. I failed to get in shape and crack the 2 deep rotation. Thatspring I took a long look in the mirror at myself and was honest with myselfand realized I was not where I needed to be.  I reacted by making a change to my attitudeand diet. Through hard work and staying determined to get in shape and becominga starter I overcame that failure. I ended up becoming a 3 year starter and AllConference player for Northern Iowa.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

           •           Leadership. When times get hard myteammates know they can look to me for guidance and I’ll do whatever I can toencourage and support them in overcoming life’s challenges.

Who is the best player you have ever played against incollege?

           •  I would say David Montgomery from Iowa state. Tough physical back washard to bring down.

What would your career be if you couldn’t playfootball? 

           •   I would want to be in coaching impacting and encouraging young people.         

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

           •  Room- that is where I sleep and spend a good amount of time. I lLovekeeping my area clean where I lay my head, and spend a good amount of my time.

I don’t own a desk, and nobody is allowed to eat/drink in mycar, so it stays really clean.

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

           •  Three strangers. My family are the type of people who wouldn’t believethat their life is worth three people’s lives. And I would tell my family ifthey had to choose save the three strangers over saving me.

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

           •    I would want to be the Black Panther. Not only is he the bestsuperhero in the Marvel Universe and saves the world, his public life alsoinvolves him saving his people and the world. His focus became using Wakandan technologyto make other’s lives better, and that’s very inspiring to me.     

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

           •     Transferring to a new school. I was so unsure of what to expect or even if that meant I’d play more. But I prayed to God for peace. Created new relationships with teammates and coaches, which made life around campus and football so much more enjoyable. Also the relationship I created with Coach Paup my position coach and position group. Really helped me overcome the adversity and made my team and UNI special and unforgettable.    

What is your most embarrassing moment?

           •   I don’t get embarrassed, so I can say I do not have one to be quitefrank. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

           •     The force fumble vs South Dakota. Really changed the game forus and helped secured the comeback victory.    

What song best describes your work ethic?

           •  Work hard, Play hard By Wiz.

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

           •   Persistent. No matter what the task is at hand I will never give up. Iwon’t rest or sleep until I succeed at the task at hand. That attitude I feelwill help me be successful at the next level. 

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

           •  My Grandmother Dolores. Just for her to see me play college football Iknow she would be so proud. Would love for her to be here one more day to seeall the things I have accomplished and seeing how proud she would be.  

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

           •  When Doves Cry. I’m a big Prince fan.   

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

           •  I would have to say Danny Shelton for the Patriots. I feel like he’s aforce and a bulldozer but not really talked about much anymore.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

           •  Respected-  But from my play andhow hard I work and how serious I take my craft and how hard I work to perfectmy craft. It will leave others no choice but to respect me. 

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

           •   Josh Gordon, a great talent, but substance abuse is a real issue, andI pray he can overcome his addictions, and be the force we know he can be.

   Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

           •   I love to win! Winning feels like the biggest reward when all you havedone is work as hard as you can. And go out and show how your hard work haspaid off. No greater feeling in this world then winning in my opinion.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explainwhy?

My parents. They have been the biggest support system wordscan’t describe how blessed I am to call them my parents. Everything they havedone and sacrificed for me. Even being at every game when I wasn’t playingmuch. Words can’t describe how blessed I am to call them mom and dad, and howmuch their love, support, and sacrifices mean to me I could never repay themfor all they gave me. They have been the best leaders, and advice givers anyone could ever ask for.