Draft Buzz Interview: Catching up with Mississippi State DB Fred Peters

The draft buzz on Mississippi State defensive back Fred Peters has been pretty clear cut. While he doesn’t have the stats that will blow you away, he is a tone-setter. He is strong in the run game, has good speed, and great range. He has great ball skills and disciplined eyes. In all, Peters has the tools and skillset to be a difference-maker, at the highest level.

“When you lose a guy like Pete, you feel it. He is a guy you can lean on and trust. He is a dog. Got a lot of skill and is a guy that can help in the game. From the run game or the passing game, on special teams, it doesn’t matter. He can be a guy that leaves his mark. So playing without him, I will need to step up, and play my game even though losing him will hurt. You need to keep your mind focused on doing what is in front of you. Hard to replace him though.”  (Shawn Preston, DB, MSU teammate). 

I had the opportunity to sit down with the underrated prospect and pick his brain. We spoke about what it’s like playing in the SEC, as well as, what he brings to the game? Before I sat down with Peters, I reached out to a scouting source to ask him his thoughts on the Mississippi State product?

“Fred Peters is a guy that can set the tone and lay a boom on somebody. He has the tools you covet in your backend players. He has good speed and is strong against the run. I want to see him develop more in the passing game. But all in all, I think he is a guy that can truly help a football team. He has some fun tape. You watch him from this year, and he was firing all over the field. He is a guy that you see all over the place and making his presence known. He reminds me a bit of Landon Collins, in Washington. Maybe not as fast, but can quickly diagnose plays. You want that in your players because it shows a high football IQ. I know he was a little bit dinged up this year it happens with guys who play a physical brand of football. I think he comes back and is a name we hear a ton of in the SEC.”

Moving forward Peters, spoke about his style of play, and what it’s like playing in the SEC?

“As far as my football style, I would say I’m aggressive. I play fast and am capable of making big plays. There are still areas in my game I would like to improve, but I know I can be a guy that can make a play, and help my team. I am a guy my teammates can lean on and trust to do the right thing. I’m trying to get better as a player, so that is what I am always focused on. I am a player that will do his best to be the best. As far as playing in the SEC, you have to have a dog mentality. You have to be ready because it is the best of the best. Tons of talent in college, but in the SEC, it’s like everybody is a star or on their way to being a star. Every week you have to be prepared to get the best shot from your opponent. You are facing guys that are complete stars man. You have to be ready here.”

While the film on Peters has shown a player that can be a difference-maker, a legit tone-setter, and a guy who can help lead a defense, I wanted to know who Fred Peters is away from the football field?

“It is a simple man. I’m a family man first of all man. I love my family, and all that they bring to me. I lean on them in tough times and they know they can lean on me. My family and friends mean a lot to me. I would do anything for them, and I know they would do anything for me. Other than that my focus is football, so even away from football, I am never far away from it. I am always trying to get better. I am always learning and getting better. That is my focus, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. So yeah I guess you could say I am a simple man right now. My focus is on family, friends, and football.”

It is true that Peters stats will not blow you away, but the draft buzz on Mississippi State defensive back Fred Peters is pretty consistent. He is a guy that will be a game-changer, on Sundays. He can play across the board on the back end. Including dropping down in the box, and helping at linebacker. Watch the film on the 5’10 prospect, and you will see what I see. A player that can set the tone.