2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Joshua Wleh, DT, Bemidji State University

• Name: Joshua Wleh
• College: Bemidji State University
• Position: Defensive Tackle
• Height: 5’10
• Weight: 290 lbs.
• Twitter: @Wantuewleh
• Instagram: @Joshuawlehhh75

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2022 NFL Draft?

• My wealth of experience combined with my explosiveness and the great leverage I play with, combined with a high motor. My love and dedication for the game is unmatched

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

• I was about 12 when I first started playing football, it was a great way for me to make new friends and a great outlet for a energized kid

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

• They should know that there getting a guy that’s relentless and selfless. Someone who will always bring 100% and will always take coaching and try to improve from day to day to help out ANYWAY I can to the teams success

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

• The best advise I have received is to control what you can control and don’t stress over the things you have no control over. I’ve taken this advise in every aspect of life.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

• I didn’t really have a hero growing up, but I did look up to my father. He is a very hard worker and a selfless guy who goes above and beyond to help people out and is always trying to make a difference.

Who was your childhood hero?

• I would have to say the most underrated person on my team is Jake West. He’s a guy that really balances our defense and we rely on his leadership and voice a lot, he leads our DB’s and brings a vet presence to a young group of guys

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

• I would have to say the most underrated person on my team is Jake West. He’s a guy that really balances our defense and we rely on his leadership and voice a lot, he leads our DB’s and brings a vet presence to a young group of guys.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

• My biggest pet peeve is when people bully others or think it is a joke to disrespect someone, especially someone older. I was raised on respecting people no matter who they are.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

• One of the hardest moments in my life I had to overcome was during the prime of COVID, I was sick for a while and had to be sidelined for almost 4 months, that period of time was hard for me because there was so many other things going on. I had to lean on my faith and family a lot and I really got the chance to learn about my self as a man.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

• Bemidji State has a tradition of jumping in the lake after a homecoming victory. Bemidji is special to me because it’s a close community and everyone supports one another. The people are what make the place special for me, from my teammates to my teachers, it’s nothing but love all around.

What is your favorite snack food?

• My favorite snack would have to be crackers with peanut butter.

What is the best part of football?

• The best part of football is the relationship you build with you’re teammates, it’s the feeling of being apart if something bigger than yourself that I really enjoy, along with making plays.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

• I would say, My leverage, motor and quickness combined with my smart play making abilities make me special.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

• I would compare myself to Poona Ford on the Seahawks, he’s a guy that plays with great leverage and explosiveness. Able to stop the run while still being able to be affective in the pass rush game.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

• I would choose to have dinner with Sean Taylor, Kobe Bryant and My Grandpa. I picked the first two because I would want to pick there brains about what it takes to be as great as them, I would want to know about there approach to certain situations. I picked my grandpa because I didn’t really get to know him before he passed, so I would just pick his ear about my family history.