2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Donte Davenport, LB, West Liberty University

• Name: Donte Davenport 
• Position: LB/Safety
• College: West Liberty University
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 215 LBS.
• Twitter: @Donte_Davenport
• Instagram: @6.dont

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

There are multiple things that make me a top prospect at my position in the 2022 NFL Draft. My high football IQ is one of my top attributes, my knowledge of the game allows me to analyze and break down my opponents. I’m more aggressive and physical than most players I played against. I’m a hard worker that comes to work every day and is constantly looking for ways to improve my game. I’m also an athlete I played multiple positions throughout my collegiate career; in junior college, I started HB but also player runningback; tight end; linebacker; and safety; at Slippery Rock I played LB and DE, and try grad years at West Liberty I played multiple roles on our defense. 

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

I’ve been watching football all my life, but I’ve been playing since the age of 8 and I’ve loved it ever since.

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

One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I’m an extremely hard worker, and if given a opportunity to showcase my talents I will be an valuable asset to their organization.

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

If I could donate to one cause in the world it would be programs that would help end gun violence in our inner-city neighborhoods.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I have ever received is to be a leader and not a follower; my grandma said that to me and my cousins every time we left out of the house, and that is one of the reasons I was able to make it out of Philly.

Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero is my Mom she’s superwoman, and no matter what she was going through she always got the job done.

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

My most underrated teammate at my school would be David Gilcreast. He’s a talented hardworking D-End that I believe deserves more credit.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve is when people only complain about a situation, rather than actually doing something to better the situation.

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

The hardest moment of my life was when I tore my ACL in my last game of my JUCO career. I tore my ACL at the worst possible moment I lost all interest from the FBS schools that were recruiting me and didn’t know my next step; all Praises due to THE highest I was able to play at Slippery Rock after my injury which lead to me playing my grad transfer years at West Liberty.

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

Something special about West Liberty is the family environment between everyone on campus it’s definitely different; It’s also amazing the scenes you get at the small university that is tucked away in the mountains of West Virginia.

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack food is cheese-itz.

What is the best part of football? 

The best part of football is the building of brotherhood between you and your teammates; and being able to go out into battle with your brothers each and every week to achieve a common goal.

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

I understand that everything in America is a business even football, and I’m an ambitious hardworking leader that will be a great asset to your organization.

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

I would compare myself to Denzel Perryman; we are similar in size and stature and if you watch my tape you’ll see that we have a similar playing style.

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

If I could have dinner with three people dead or alive, first it would be my grandfather because he passed away when I was a baby and I didn’t get to know him; my Aunt Rae who passed away because I miss her and miss spending time with her; and my friend who was a brother to me Shaveiz Stewart who also passed away.