2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Daivon Ellison, DB, Duquesne University

• Name: Daivon Ellison
• Height: 5’8
• Weight:184
• Position: Safety
• College: Duquesne (Syracuse Transfer)
• Twitter: @DaiUno1__

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

I’m from Linden, which is a small city in New Jersey. It’s very competitive with tons of great athletes. There are a lot of negative things that go on so that’s what forces most kids to sports. There’s not a lot of opportunities for kids to go and make it out so I think that’s another reason why kids from Linden have that dog mentality. It’s nothing but love from everybody back at home

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

Strength & Conditioning would come first to me because, in order for you to even step on the field, your body needs to be prepared and ready for these situations.

Film Study comes next, before stepping out to the practice field, I like getting a idea who I’m lining up against, what plays are being called in cartoon packages, etc.

Finally, the practice would come in. Not that it’s the least important, but out of these choices it would be 3rd. All you gotta do now is go out, execute and have fun! 

-What do you worry about, and why?

I try not to worry about anything and instead control what I’m able to control. I’m a big believer in everything happening for a reason and having faith in God. 

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

I had a goal in my freshman year to at least start in 1 game. All season long I was failing to meet my goal, but after weeks of extra hours studying film, staying after practice working on techniques, and consistently playing at 100%, I was able to start my first game at Louisville before my freshman season ended.

-What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Most of them would probably say that I got that dog mentality, I’ll never give up

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

One of the best players I’ve ever played against was Dalvin Cook

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

Archaeologist, but football has my complete focus now

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

My room because that’s where I start and end my day

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

Family is everything to me so I would definitely choose them

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

Denzel Washington in the Equalizer 

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

My father was in prison for most of my life and not having him around forced me to man up, learn things on my own, and to be an example for the younger kids. 

-What is your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment was when Clemson beat us 54-0 my sophomore year

-What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

I was playing against Virginia Tech, on their last drive, they were trying to score to win and on 3rd down, they threw a screen to a 6’7 receiver. I came down the field and hit him real hard, all you heard was “Ouuuuuuu”. I never felt so excited after a play, looking at the sideline up to the crowd and everybody’s going nuts.

-What song best describes your work ethic?

Future – Last Breathe

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

A emphasis on turnovers

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

One of my best friends, Jose Pacheco! He’s one of the reasons why I take football so serious and why I will continue putting my all into it 

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

D’vibes

-Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

Jabrill Peppers

-Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

Respected, I don’t care if somebody likes me or not but you will respect me on and off the field

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

Josh Gordon, he’s got a serious probability that shouldn’t be overlooked and who needs great care and support

-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 mother, seeing her raising me as a single parent gave me all the fuel I need to be great in life. The way she got us out of struggles helped ingrain in me that there is never a reason to give up nor should I want to