NFL DraftProspect Interviews

Draft Buzz Interview: Catching up with University of Louisiana-Monroe, WR Dariyan Wiley

Dariyan Wiley Louisiana Monroe Draft Buzz Interview
Louisiana Monroe’s newest wide receiver Dariyan Wiley recently sat down with Jon-Michael Salter of NFL Draft Diamonds.

Former UMass wide receiver Dariyan Wiley stands at 6’3 and weighs 200 pounds. He has the size, speed, and tools to be a legit threat at the highest level. He recently transferred to the University of Louisiana-Monroe, and while the draft buzz may not be exploding right now, we could see it happening in the near future. Wiley has all the tools to be a star. He is blessed with good speed, strong route running, and field awareness. Along with a willingness to play in traffic, Wiley has the look of a really good prospect. I had the chance to sit down with the underrated talent and pick his brain. Before we get into the interview I asked a scouting source his take on the Georgia native?

“He has quite a bit of potential. While you don’t have a lot to go on right now, you like what you see. He has great size which is something you cannot teach. He has some sure hands. I enjoyed the film I watched of him at practice, and remember him in high school. He has a big frame and has good speed with strong hands. I think when he is comfortable in this offense he will be a heck of a player. You like what he brings to the team. He is not a loudmouth or a trouble maker. He has a swagger to him, but not arrogant. His coaches say he is a good locker room guy. I think at ULM, he is going to be a good player because they like to throw the ball. He can be a star, with the development he should be a name we are hearing about shortly.”

Wiley was recently added to the ULM roster, so I asked him how he can be a leader in a new locker room, and also what his teammates can expect from him?

“You know you have to go in there with an open mind. You can’t just be some arrogant guy and think you are the guy right away. I want to be a great teammate. I want to prove to my team and the coaches that I belong and I can be a guy they can trust and lean on. I know this offense is already pretty good, so I am just trying to add to what they already have. I want to just grind and do the right thing. As far as the type of player I am? I am a guy that will do the right thing. They are getting a guy that will bust his butt for his team. I am a guy that I think my teammates can come to for help or to just talk. I love the locker room, I love the family aspect, so I want to add to that. I want to make sure I continue to add value as a player and a teammate. I keep saying that but I believe in the team first method. You win as a team, and you lose as a team. So you have to the kind of guy you can lean on. That is who I am. So far my career has not went the way I hope, but I know I have time to fix that. To be great. It all starts with the team. Our success and all that.” 

Although Wiley doesn’t have the stats, it is easy to see the potential he brings when watching the film. I asked how he takes the next step in his career and becomes the player he wants to be?

“Honestly, I think I need to keep doing what I am doing right now, and at a higher level. I’m not going to be outworked by anyone. I need to keep that mentality and keep grinding. The only way I can get better and to where I want to be is by working. Keep working and keep getting better. I need to get faster, stronger, study more. I need to be in the film room and I need to show up big time on game days. It is pretty simple really. As far as what needs to be done. ” 

Like I always say, just put on the film and decide for yourself. While his stats are not there right now, you can see the potential. The talent that Dariyan Wiley brings to the table is hard to teach. Strong hands, great route runner, aided by great size, is a great mix, and even better start for any prospect. So, while the draft buzz on Wiley is yet to unfold, look for him to become a name we all hear more of moving forward.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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