NFL DraftProspect Interviews

NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Sidney Malauulu, DT, University of Wyoming

Sidney Malauulu of Wyoming is one of my favorite sleeper prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a massive man with a mean streak. He reminds me of Domata Peko, this kid is fun to watch.

• Name: Sidney Malauulu

• Height: 6020

• Weight: 300

• Position: DT

• College: University of Wyoming

• Twitter: @LowkeySid_

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

• Because I grew up in a military family, no geographical location can really be considered my hometown or somewhere I grew up. However, my roots are in Fagaitua, American Samoa and what I love most about there is that is where my family is. 

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

• I don’t believe that there is one area of the game that is more important than the other. They each are an equally important facet to winning ball games. Film study is vital to understanding your opponent and without it, it’s very tough to win. Strength and conditioning is the heart and soul of the game. Without it, you virtually cannot do much on the field because the game is ever evolving physically. Practice goes hand-in-hand with film. Being able to run through the game plan the coaches have devised in film is just as important as knowing the game plan. Running through the game plan and making practice harder than the game makes the game come easier. 

What do you worry about, and why?

• I don’t worry about a lot of things because I keep my faith that God will take care of the things as long as I work for it. 

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

• In high school, I failed at getting scholarship offers – largely because I lived an ocean away from the United States. My father relocated us to the United States for my senior year.  Still, no matter how hard I worked I never received emails, letters or any recruiting opportunity. So I worked harder. All I needed was an opportunity and the University of Wyoming and their staff presented one. They have helped me understand and better myself in the game of football and life. Now, I have a shot at making it to the NFL. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My teammates would say that my greatest quality is staying calm under pressure. My cage does not get rattled easily and when the tough gets going, I keep on going. 

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

• The best player I have ever played against during my collegiate career is Chase Roullier. Not only was he a physical specimen but more often than not, the smartest player on the field and not just speaking on football terms. In the beginning of my career, I was given the opportunity to sharpen my blade by going against him daily. 

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

• If it weren’t for football, I would serve my country in the military. I would follow in my father’s footsteps. There’s great honor in being in the military. 

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

• I would clean my room first. After a long day’s work, coming home to a clean room is a great feeling. 

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

• I would most likely save my family member because it’s my family. However, if the strangers were children or women bearing children then my answer would change. 

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

• If I could be any movie or television character, I would be Agent Gibbs from the television show NCIS because he’s always on top of things and always has a solution for any problem. He is a highly respected man in the series and is always right. 

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

• My biggest adversity in life has always been and will continue to be making my family proud. Just to hear my parents tell me that they’re proud of me has always been the best compliment that I could ever receive. I’ve struggled through countless hours of school just to make them proud by receiving a degree and doing something productive with my life. To hear my siblings brag that we’re siblings is such an underrated compliment.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• My most embarrassing moment was during my high school graduation ceremony. As I walked across the stage, I took my phone out to take a picture with our principal. He was a very cool principal and we always played pranks on each other. As a final prank, my principal took my phone after he took a selfie and announced that he would be confiscating my phone for the remainder of the ceremony. My parents thought he was being serious and were not happy with me afterwards. They gave me a lecture in front of everyone as we were taking pictures until my principal found me afterwards and started laughing at me. It was embarrassing but funny. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• The most memorable play of my collegiate career was my first play. I was standing on the sideline eager to go in and when my number was called, I was sweating so much because I was nervous and didn’t want to mess up. I couldn’t hear anything. As soon as the ball was snapped, I pushed the center back and caused a pile for no gain. We ended up losing the game but there is nothing like your first time playing in college football. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• The song that best describes my work ethic would have to be And Then What by Young Jeezy because the song talks about always being on your grind. There’s always something else you can do to better yourself and your game. 

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

• The most important trait I have that can help me succeed in the next level is that I am smart. I pick up defensive schemes and playbooks fast and it helps me to play faster. It helps me pick up on a lot of tendencies and keys early on in games and they help me better position myself or my teammates to make plays. 

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

• If I could bring one person back from the dead for one day, it would Julius Caesar. At one point in time, the man literally was on top of the world and was killed by his political rivals. He was a self-made man that was a politician, military mastermind and conqueror all at the same time. He basically started the Roman Empire that would be a stronghold in the world for a couple of centuries. It would be interesting to be able to pick at his brain. 

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

• If I were to open a dance club, I would name it La Playa Seis because everything sound cooler in Spanish. 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• The current most underrated player in NFL right now would have to be Josh Sitton. He has started in 138 games of the 148 games he’s played entering his 12th season, won a Super Bowl, and is a 4x pro bowl selection. Yet, almost no one knows him. You can’t say “underrated” and not mention an offensive lineman. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• I would rather be respected. Being liked is nice but being respected will make sure that people are doing right by you. I firmly believe in treating others how you would like to be treated. Treat people with respect and it will find its way back to you. 

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

• The player I feel for the most whose career was cut short by off-the-field issues is Sean Taylor. He was on the rise to becoming one of the best safeties to play the game and his opportunity was taken from him and it wasn’t his fault. He never had off-the-field issues himself but it’s an off-the-field issue that ended his career.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I hate to lose. Putting in countless hours of mental and physical work is hard but giving your all and losing is harder. 

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

• My father is the biggest influencer in my life. He taught me how to be a man and how to grind for the things I want in life. He has always portrayed the definition of hard work. No matter how much pain he was in or how tired he was, he never complained. He struggled so his children wouldn’t have to. He just worked and worked harder to provide for his family and serve his country. He has never failed to put food in my mouth, clothes on my back and a roof over my head. He has never asked me for anything in return and I can never repay him. 

Damond Talbot

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

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