2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Devonte Williams, RB, Southeastern Louisiana University

• Name: Devonte Williams           
• Height: 5’10
• Weight: 188
• Position: Running back, WR, Kick Returner, and Punt Returner
• College: Southeastern Louisiana University
• Twitter: @Thematrix1_

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

•             I was born in Silver Spring Maryland but I grew up in Columbia Maryland. There was nothing special about growing up in Columbia Maryland. My parents wanted to make sure that we grew up in a better environment than they grew up in so they felt Columbia was a perfect place.

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

•             In my opinion, I believe that Strength and conditioning should be first. I believe this because people have to take it upon themselves to be in the best shape possible to perform at a high level. Next would be film study, if you pay attention to all of the greatest players to play the game, they will all discuss the importance of film study. You can never know or understand your opponent enough. Lastly, Practice would be last on the list since you need the other two components to have an extremely productive practice. We need the strength and conditioning to be in phenomenal shape. Then we need a film study to be able to master everything from the classroom and apply it to the field.

What do you worry about, and why?

•             I have no worries at all in regards to anything on the football field or anything outside of football. I know that I am able to play any skill position on the football field. I have played defensive back in the Big 10 at Indiana University before switching back to running back. And off the field, I have never been in any kind of trouble.

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

•             When I was in elementary school, I had a lot of trouble reading and it got to the point that I wanted to completely give up. Then I realized that I needed to be able to read and have success in the classroom in order to play football. After that moment, I began to practice reading more and more until I finally got the hang of it.  Which allowed me to graduate from one of the top private high schools in Maryland, and I will be graduating from Indiana University.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

•             My leadership skills would be my best quality. Not my leadership skills when everything is going well but my leadership skills when times get tough. For instance, when we are running sprints in 100 plus degree heat, I have the ability to encourage and get my teammates to finish the workout. I am also the type of leader to make sure that all of my teammates drink water before I have any myself.

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

•             The best offensive player I have ever played against was Saquon Barkley (Penn State)

The best defensive player I have ever played against was Nick Bosa (Ohio State)              

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

•             I would be an Entrepreneur

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

•             First, my room had to be clean. Without my room is clean, I believe everything would be out of the sink. Next, my car has to be clean. My car has to be clean because if I’m not in my room than I am in my car. Lastly, my desk because I rarely use a desk for anything so that would be the least important to me.

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 my family member without any hesitation. I say this because people come in and out of my life every day. My family means everything to me and have been with me through all trials and tribulations. I do not know what I would do without them.    

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

•             I would be the Bumblebee in Transformers because he was always seen as being too small especially compared to other transformers.  Even with his lack of size, he was always a game changer. Bumble bee was always the first to fight for what he believed was right and even if the odds were stacked against him, he would still enter the situation seeking victory and overcoming every obstacle.

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

•             My biggest adversity in life would have to be when I was at Indiana University and I was not getting the touches that I felt like I deserved. With that being said, I had to find a different way to have an impact on the game. Later that year, I was freshman all big 10 as a return specialist. I fought that same battle again this past year at Southeastern Louisiana and I was the first team all-conference again but as a punt returner this time.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

•             When I was in middle school and the teacher made us get in front of the entire school to sing. I know for a fact that I can not sing but I got on stage and did it anyway.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

•             My first career touchdown was my most memorable play because at the time I had overcome so many obstacles and just had the mindset that as soon as I touch this ball I’m going to score. That was my first play on offense in this game and I caught a swing pass and scored on a 46-yard run.

What song best describes your work ethic?

•  One more mile to go by Jadakiss

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

•             My hands are the best physical trait that will help me at the next level. It is essential for coaches to open up their playbook for a running back that can catch the ball because it creates mismatches.

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

•             I would bring my grandfather back from the dead. I have heard so many stories about how he was and how he lived his life, I just wish that I could’ve had one conversation with his as an adult.

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

•   I would name the dance club the matrix, that has been my nickname ever since high school and I feel like it would stick pretty well as a dance club name.    

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

•             Phillip Lindsay is the most underrated player in the NFL, there is nothing that he does not do well in his game. Even Though he is seen as a smaller back, he is way more productive than most of the other running backs in the league.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

•             I would rather be respected than liked. Anyone can like you but when people respect you it holds more power.

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

•  I know the question was off-field but I have to go with Ryan Shazier, he and I trained together throughout my high school career and I saw the amount of work ethic he has. For his career to come to a halt, I know it been difficult but he will overcome it.         

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

•             I’ve always been the ultimate competitor I hate to lose. I can’t stand losing in anything that I do.

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

•             My father is my most influential person in life because he is the one who has guided me to this point in my career. He also played at a high level of football and was able to direct me throughout my entire process.