NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2022 NFL Prospect Interview: Devon Taylor, OG, Fort Lewis College

Devon Taylor is a massive force on the Fort Lewis offesive line. He recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds writer Jimmy Williams.
  • Name: Devon Taylor
  • Height: 6’4”
  • Weight: 340 lbs
  • Position: OG
  • College: Fort Lewis College
  • Twitter: thatman54
  • Instagram: __teddy54

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
My major is in Business Administration. I also have a job on campus working in the gym. We host several activities such as basketball. As part of the football team we help out new incoming students, greeting them as they come to campus and helping them move in.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
They would say that I lead by example and don’t complain. I work hard and do things the right way. I set the bar and people look up to me in the way that I do things.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I’ve been a starter since my redshirt freshman year at Humboldt State. Coming over to Fort Lewis, I was voted as one of the team captains and I have been a team leader ever since. We often run in a zone scheme and most of the plays tend to come my way. I’m the starter at RG although I have practiced at other positions such as LG.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
One of the best players that I have competed against is Tariq Wright who plays at Dixie State. We were teammates at Humboldt State and always worked to get the best out of one another. Tariq is a strong, physical and hardworking player.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
As a team, we have great competition while pushing each other to succeed. I believe we have one of the best defensive lines in our conference. They make me better each day in practice.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
The recruiting process for me was a struggle. Coming out of the Bay Area in California, I was very underrated and nobody really took a chance on me except Humboldt State. Unfortunately, their football program shut down my redshirt sophomore year. That was very devastating. We had a good group of guys that really wanted to play. It was nerve racking because I had to go through the recruiting process all over again.

In order to give us a chance to continue playing, we had a showcase where we performed in front of several coaches. The Fort Lewis staff saw my tape and really liked what they saw. So, they gave me the opportunity to come and play. After coming to Colorado, I still had to prove myself. I earned the respect of my coaches and peers and was named a team captain. I’m proud to be a leader of this program and hope to turn the program around.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
I would be a thrower in track & field. I threw the shot put and discus back in high school and really enjoyed it.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement will be being a first generation college graduate. One of the things that I’m proud of is bringing my family out of the state so that they can see a different side of life.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
One of my most memorable plays happened against Chadron State in 2019. We were tied up in the 4th quarter and ended up driving the football down the field 75 yards. At the goal line, we ran a QB power to the right side, and our QB, Jake Lowry, got us the touchdown. The atmosphere on our field changed after that. Everyone was so excited.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
Being from the Bay Area, I grew up a Niner fan. One of the players that I’ve enjoyed watching is Alex Cappa, who I played with at Humboldt and just won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. He was someone that I looked up to that taught me a lot early on. He gives guys like me hope that small school players can make it to the NFL.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
My favorite artists are Lil Baby and J Cole. I like to listen to Lil Baby’s “Emotionally Scarred” and J Cole’s “Hunger on Hillside” before games.

What is your favorite comfort food?
My Mom’s home cooked meals are definitely my comfort football. She makes good southern soul food like fried catfish, collard greens and mac n’ cheese.

Do you have a favorite movie, TV show or actor?
One of my favorite movies is The Gridiron Gang. Some of my favorite actors include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Mike Epps and Ice Cube.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
Whenever I have spare time, I enjoy spending it with my friends and family just hanging out, playing games and watching TV.

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?
I play football because it’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I’ve always been known as the football guy that had a football in his hands. I’m getting close to having my opportunity to play in the NFL, and I’m working as hard as I can to get there.

I play for my family. I grew up in a single parent household where my mom wasn’t able to come to a lot of my games because she had to go to work. I want her to be able to watch me on live TV, and I hope to provide a better living for her and the rest of my family.

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