2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Devin Phelps, WR, Shepherd University

• Name: Devin Antonio Phelps
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 190 lbs.
• Position: Wide Receiver
• College: Shepherd University
• Twitter: @devxcvi

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

I’m from Baltimore, MD. What I love most about Baltimore is the strength and resilience of the city and its residents. You have to have grit to survive in Baltimore, and I feel that being from Baltimore and gaining those qualities have helped make me stronger and made some things in life easier because, being from Baltimore, I’m built for it.

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

Film Study, Practice, Strength and Conditioning. Film study enables you to get a grasp of any concepts, formations, errors, and helps you to critique yourself. I believe that mental reps are the most important reps. Practice is next because that then gives you the opportunity to get better at a specific area of your game each day. I also believe that if you practice at a high level, you’ll play at a high level on game day. Strength and conditioning is another important part of the preparation process which gets your body ready for four quarters of football, and training hard enough is essential to injury prevention.

What do you worry about, and why?

I worry about my future and if I’ll be good enough on a daily basis. My high school coach told me that if you’re not nervous about something then you don’t really care about it, so to me, being nervous or worried shows that I truly care. My future means a lot to me because I have people depending on me to be successful and I have a responsibility to take care of my little sister.

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

I faced obstacles my entire college career which resulted in me missing two years of football. Many people thought that I wouldn’t play again and viewed it as a failure. While I was away I always stayed prepared and patient until God presented me with an opportunity that I took full advantage of, and that brought me to where I am today.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

 Selflessness. I’m always willing to sacrifice for the person next to me.

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

Rock Ya-Sin. He for sure hit the hardest.

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

I would be a Real Estate Agent.

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

I clean my room first.

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 a family member because family means everything to me, although I hope that if I ever was in that situation I would be able to save everyone.

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

Superman! Superman is a beacon of hope to people and literally has the weight of the world on his shoulders and he never disappoints.

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

My biggest adversity in life was losing my mom. My mom was a very spiritual woman, which made me become closer to God and find my understanding in why things happen. It helped me to fully comprehend that God makes everything happen for a specific reason. I know that my mom is always with me and I want to make her proud in everything I do in life. Her death has become motivation and pushes me to be successful because everything I do is for her.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Dropping a wide open touchdown pass this season.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

The most memorable play of my collegiate career was catching the game winning touchdown pass with 11 seconds left in the first round of the playoffs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

What song best describes your work ethic?

Rise and Shine by J.Cole.

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

Punctuality. Being on time is late, and being early is on time. Being punctual helps keep you prepared and also shows respect for those around you and their time.

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

I would bring back my mom. I would just want to show her the person that I’ve become and see her smile.

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

I would call it Club Truth.

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

James White, running back for the New England Patriots. His game is very versatile, especially if you look at what he does for New England receiving-wise and he is a running back. I think he’s very valuable because of his running and receiving ability and I don’t think it gets enough attention.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

I would rather be respected because respect is something that you have to earn and I feel it doesn’t come as easy as just being liked.

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

Vince Young is someone that I feel for. He is a college football legend and seemed to have a promising NFL career ahead of him, but there were obviously off-field issues that became public knowledge including mental health issues which led to the downfall of his career. It’s hard for guys to be thrust into the spotlight and to have so much pressure on them at such a young age and nowadays with more emphasis being put on the importance of mental health, I can’t help but think of guys like him and how that would’ve helped them.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I hate to lose because a loss is something that is self-inflicted.

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

My mom has been the biggest influence on my life. Besides everything she did for me while she was still here, my mom’s passing completely changed me and the course of my life. Losing my mom changed my perspective and taught me to not take anything for granted and to make the most of every day I have on this earth. Without that change in perspective, I’m not sure if I would be in the same position that I am now.