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2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Dicaprio Bootle, DB, Nebraska

Dicaprio Bootle, DB, Nebraska
Dicaprio Bootle the phenomenal defensive back prospect from Nebraska recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of NFL Draft Diamonds.
  • Name: Dicaprio Bootle
  • Position: DB
  • College: Nebraska 
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight:185 lbs
  • Twitter: @DicaprioBootle

1. What is your favorite workout?

I love to work my craft. Any chance that I can get to improve on my skills I take it. With that being said, my favorite workouts are the ones where I can take drills that apply to my game and improve on both my strengths and my weaknesses. I do a great job in making every workout this way so that I can always get better. Even if I’m in the kitchen and I do a footwork movement I am doing it with the intent to create a muscle memory so that it becomes second nature to myself.

2. What role do you hope to have if you make it into the NFL? 

When I make it to the NFL I just want to contribute early. I want to do the dirty work. I want to do the jobs that people dread. I want to be a core special teams player and also want to contribute wherever the team feels necessary for me to contribute. I want to be available at all times and compete at all times. Ultimately I want to be in a role to help my team win and get better.

3. What is your mindset when you are on the football field? 

When I am on the field I have the mentality of a beast. I’m a ferocious competitor and I back down from no challenge. I know that God is with me at all times and I can do any job. I am always looking for the keys to victory. When I am on the field I have an undeniable will to win. I always play bigger than I am.

4. What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Growing up football was a love of mine. I watched my older brother play and I wanted to play as well. I got into football early and grew a huge love for it. I’d play football in recess, little league, and even sometimes in the street at home. Football has always been near to my heart. It’s the love of the game.

Dicaprio Bootle, DB, Nebraska

5.If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I would probably hang out with recently inducted NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson. He’s definitely one of my favorite DB’s and players of all time. I would love to learn the tricks of the trade from him and pick his brain to ultimately make myself better in the game. I have so much admiration for the way he played and also carried himself on and off the field respectively. That would mean a lot to me.

6. What sets you apart from other DB’s?

I’m the ultimate competitor. I have never backed down from a challenge. I love to have the hard jobs. I’ve never been the favorite in anything I’ve always been an underdog and that drives me when I wake up every day. I just love to prove doubters and naysayers wrong. I play bigger than my size and I dominate games at a time. I’m a firm believer in my abilities. Along with that comes the maturity of understanding the game and being a professional. I have the ability to make everything look the same. I make sure I make rep 1 look like rep 70. I’m explosive, I’m fast, I play fast, and I am accountable. I do my job at all times. Above all else… I have faith in my abilities. With God with me, I can never lose.

7. What are your favorite moments from your football life? 

My favorite moments are all my memories with the boys in the locker room. When a group of guys can have fun and relate together it’s just so healthy for a team. It creates electric moments and helps with trust on and off the field. I just love what a healthy locker room can do for a team.

8. What do you think the keys to success on the football field are?

To be successful on the field you have to be successful off of the field. Once you are on the field there are so many factors that you can and can’t control. However, when you are off the field in the film room taking the mental reps you can get so much better. Film is your friend. If you can put the time in to watch it diligently then you can set yourself up big for a game or a practice even. I think film is often that forgotten piece that people don’t think about when they see somebody being successful and dominating on the field.

9. What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I’m extremely supportive of my teammates on the field. I’m supportive in both good and bad plays for the defense. I’m great at keeping constant energy between my guys and letting them know that we are who we say we are. Individually, I’m always locked into doing my job so that I can be accountable for the guys and eventually we can party on the sideline and even better party in the end zone. My teammates know I’m present with them at all times and only have the best interest of the defense at heart.

Dicaprio Bootle, DB, Nebraska

10. What would a team get in a player like you?

Whichever team grabs me will get the ultimate competitor. They will get somebody who will put forth their best effort in everything that they do with the intent to be the best at the task at hand. They will also be getting somebody that is willing to do anything for the team. I will do the dirty jobs. I want to get my hands dirty and be a core special teamer. I want to contribute on defense in whatever role helps the team. I will always be available. I have never missed a practice or a game. I’m always ready and available.

11. Rank focus, footwork, and skill-based on what is most important to you as a football player and explain why?

I think if I rank these three I would definitely rank focus first. Everything starts with your focus. If you have ability to lock in and pay attention to detail then everything else from then will fall into place. I see footwork as part of your focus because if you are locked in and focused then your footwork should be on point. Skill is also dependent on how focused you can be. I’m a firm believer that you can be the most skillful player but not play like it because you aren’t locked in and focus on the task at hand.

12. What do you hope to accomplish if you make it into the NFL?

I want to have a lengthy career in the NFL and play for as long as I can. I want to be a key contributor every year and be a player that my organization trusts to do my job. Football is a true love of mine. In my time in the league I want to also let football become a platform for me. I want to be able to use the game to spread the word of God and be a vessel for his message as well. God is so present in the game of football and I want to help people recognize that as well.

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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