2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Brayden Thomas, DE, Minnesota State University

• Name: Brayden Thomas
• Height: 6040
• Weight: 260
• Position: Defensive End
• College: Minnesota State University
• Twitter: @BraydenThomas21

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

• Born and raised in Bismarck, ND. I enjoy the town and the community just great people and a great place to live. 

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

• I feel like film study, strength and conditioning, and practice are all equal in there level of importance. They become very important in different aspects of the process. Film is behind the scenes with extra hours of study and work. The work in the weight room is done all year long and practice is always important because it correlates right to the field on GAMEDAY. 

What do you worry about, and why?

• When it comes to football I focus on worrying about my job, and my ability to do what’s best for my team at my position.

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

• When it comes to failure I would relate it to adversity in my sophomore year when I broke my elbow and missed the majority of the season. It lead me to challenge myself and push me through things that were tough at times. Thanks to our program and team for all the support they gave me through the process. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• I would say teammates would say I’m hard working and know I’ll give a 100% in all things I do. Responsible and accountable in all situations. 

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

• The best football player I’ve ever played against in college would be my own teammate at practice everyday. Evan Heim we competed multiple times and he challenged me every play and every rep.

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

• I would say room would be the first thing I would clean out of the three. 

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

• Family and God are first in my life and it will be like that forever. Wouldn’t even blink an eye when it would come to saving a family member if they were ever in danger or in a tough situation. 

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

• Liam Neeson would be the actor I would be, always been one of favorites. Just his attitude and how he goes about everything. 

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

• When it comes to football my biggest adversity would be transferring and redshirting a year and then the next year breaking my elbow and having to miss a majority of the following season. It was a life check and made me better as a person. Made me push myself as a football player which I think has been very beneficial. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• Most memorable play of my college career would probably be this last year in the regional championship ship game chasing the QB out of the pocket and all the way to the sideline on 3rd down for a TFL. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• A song that relates to my football career and that I like to listen to before games is Not Afraid by Eminem. 

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 will have to bring to the next level is accountability. My teammates will know that I will bring %100 all the time and be responsible for everything and get my job done.

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• The most underrated player in the NFL was T.J Watt till he made his statement this year. He was always overlooked by some of the other really good pash rushers in the league but this year he’s planted his name as one of the best on the edge. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• I would want to be respected. You respect all and fear none is something our head coach uses. That’s how I look at it and being respected is much more powerful then just being liked. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I love to win and hate to lose. So I would have to say both but in the end I’m a winner and always will be. Very competitive in a lot of things I do. 

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

• The biggest influence in my life would be my Dad. He’s taught me so many things about being a man and being one the right way. In aspects of football but also in all different aspects of life.