2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Danial Shelton, DB, Susquehanna University

• Name: Danial Shelton
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 190
• Position: CB, DB
• College: Susquehanna University
• Twitter:@_DanGlo

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

•  My hometown is PG County, MD. I like the people, the places, and the food especially. One thing I love about it is the camaraderie. Even if I go to a different state, and see someone from PG County, we can immediately click. 

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

•  I think these three are equally important when you’re talking about your success and facilitating winning. If I had to rank them, I would say Practice first, then S&C, then Film Study. I truly believe that if you practice something enough times, you learn to execute it almost perfectly.  S&C is what will separate you physically from your peers and without it, you wont be able to perform to the best of your abilitities. Last but not least, Film Study is crucial for the mental aspect of your game. A lot of people see it as a extra step to take but if you set it is a norm, you will see an instinctual difference in your game.

What do you worry about, and why?

•  I always worry about my family even when everything is going great. They are my support system. They are what keeps me going everyday. Without them, I don’t know where I would be. And of course I worry about where my life’s going to go. But I’ve learned to control what I can control and trust God will take care of the rest.

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

•  When I was in 11th grade, I fail short of my expectation to start on the Varisty football team. This infuriated me but motivated me. As soon as the season was over, I got back in the lab. I worked on my craft harder than I ever have and I tried to destroy any weaknesses I had because I knew senior year was it. It was my only chance to continue my passion at the next level. I dedicated myself to the game and sacrificed time away from my friends and family to pursue my ambition. Hard work payed off and I was able to get the starting spot the following year in a competitive position battle. I’m proud to say I was a integral part of our state championship team that year.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

•  My work ethic definitely.

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

•  Nick Costello from Lycoming

HM: Stuart Walters, Sam Ragland, Mitch Carsley, Mikah Christian

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

•  I’m not sure, but I would want to be doing something I love to do.

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

•  My room. Its where I do most of my work, where I meditate, and where I sleep. Its important to me to kee it clean. I’ve always seen it as the place to clean first before I start anything else.

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

•  I love my family to death and would do anything for them even if it means sacrificing my own life. 

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

•  The Dark Knight, he stays lowkey in the shadows and does the dirty work for the people! It reminds me of playing corner in the boundary.

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

•  Although I have had many adversities in my life that have shaped me, my biggest was just trying to get into the right school and play the game I love at the next level. My high school was one of the most talented in the state and I had no offers going into my senior year. During my senior year, I didn’t get a chance to start at the position I wanted to play in college (CB) but I was able to start at SS. I didn’t whine or cry about it, I just kept balling. After my senior year I still had no offers. I knew the pressure was on so I applied pressure myself and got right to work after the season before the camps started. Although it was hard for me to put together film that proved I was a corner, playing SS made me extremely versatile as I went to the recruiting camps as a corner. Coaches seen that I was playing corner at camps but had film that said I was more of a box safety and they loved it. Some even took a chance on me and offered me the oppurtunity to play at there school. The rest is history… 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

•  In 12th grade I had a head to head collision with a running back and when I stood up, I was struggling to walk straight. I had gotten a concussion and was not able to finish the game in front of a huge crowd and my friends and family. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

•  Junior year I had 75 yd return on a blocked field goal. This was my first touchdown in college. I was proud of myself because I knew what I put myself through to make plays like that.

What song best describes your work ethic?

•  The Notorious B.I.G.— Sky’s the Limit

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

•  I personally say work ethic. If your willing to outwork anyone physically (practice, strength and conditioning) and mentally (preparation, film study), you can succeed. To me this includes sacrifice. Whether it be sacrificing sleep or time, you have to sacrifice to stay ahead.

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

•  My Grandad so I could get a chance to learn more wisdom from him. He breeded many Shelton men including my greatest mentor, my father.

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

•  Boog’s

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

•  Julian Edelman

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

•  Respected. Personally, I don’t care whether you like me or not, but I will give you no choice but to respect me. I was always told most leaders in life aren‘t liked because they always have to make tough decisions that won’t please everyone but they are respected because their leadership has allowed them to make those decisions in the first place. 

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

•  Michael Vick, one of my favorite players. His talent was the likes of Randy Moss and Deion Sanders in my opinion. I feel for him because he was so gifted and had a chance to win many Super Bowls.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

•  Hate to lose. Losing is the worst feeling on earth no matter what it is. I still love winning just as much though. I’ve been competitive since a baby and plan on being like that until death.

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

• My mom. She taught me what sacrifice looks like. She sacrificed so much of her time to make sure me, my brother, and my sister were successful. She really showed us what a great mother and wife looks like. Her heart is one of a true soldier. Always putting others well being before herself. I can’t wait to give her the world for all that she has done.