2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Grady Daniels, S, Lindenwood University

• Name: Grady Daniels
• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 205 lbs
• Position: Safety
• College: Lindenwood University
• Twitter: @gradydaniels1

Tell us about your university/college. What was your major/minor? How is campus life?

Lindenwood University is a private school and is one that I have been very blessed to attend. My major is business with an emphasis in finance and I have started my masters program in my junior year. When talking about campus life Lindenwood is a major athletic school with the largest number of D2 sports in the nation. Therefore attending other sporting events is what we end up doing in our free time. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

I would say my teammates think my best quality is my leadership and being able to be a coach while on the field. When other players have questions about scheme or defensive concepts I am usually the one they come to with these questions. I think they would say my play making ability on the field is also one of my best qualities. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

My role on the team currently is being able to be a coach on the field and I am the one who is there to help correct mistakes on the field when they are made in game situations. The schemes that fit me best are zone coverages. I play free safety and thrive in zone coverage, this is where I am free enough to roam the field and make impact plays. 

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

The best player I have ever played against was Corey Ballentine. In college, he was a receiver and cornerback for Washburn University. Ballentine was drafted in the 6th round of the 2019 NFL draft and now plays for the Giants. 

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

My teammate that impresses me the most is Drew Seers. On the field he is a tenacious player and leads our team in tackles. That however is not what impresses me the most about him. What impresses me the most is his work ethic and commitment to the team.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

On the way to one of my highschool basketball games I received a call and found out that my grandpa had recently passed away. My grandparents lived six hours away and my mom left immediately to go be with her family. I however went on to play the game and had an outstanding game while still dealing with this recent news. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

If I did not play football in college, I would probably be playing basketball. I had several schools looking at me for basketball in college, but by this time I had already committed to play football. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

One of the things I am most proud of accomplishing is one of the goals I had set for myself before this season. By my junior year I wanted to be named 1st team all conference, and after this season I received that recognition. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

My most memorable play came my true sophomore year. The first ball I picked off in my college career I took back for six, and will remember that one forever. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

I would say the player I model my game after would be Steve Atwater. He is one of my favorite safeties of all time and I try to model my style of play after him. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?

I can’t say I have one favorite artist. I listen to a lot of music from different genres such as rap, country, and rock. Before a game I can’t say music gets me pumped just knowing I get to play does that. I listen to more motivational speeches or slower music to calm my nerves more than anything before games. 

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What is your favorite comfort food?

My favorite comfort food is a burger without a doubt. When I’m going out to eat anywhere there’s about a 90% chance I am getting a burger, there are not many things that can beat that in my opinion. My go to spot for a burger when I am at school is Smashburger.

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?

I can’t say that I have a favorite movie because there are so many good ones out there. Will Smith is probably my favorite actor though. He is so versatile in movies and I honestly can say I have never been disappointed by any movie he is in. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?

I sort of grew up on a farm so with this comes a lot of hobbies. I do a lot of hunting and fishing when I am not at school. And living on a farm always comes with work in the summers such as bailing hay, working with horses, and other outside activities.

Who or what motivates you the most?

My family motivates me more than anything in football and in life. They are at every single game, and I could not tell you the last time they missed one. They have also been my biggest support on and off the field.