2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Nyles Pinckney, DT, Minnesota

• Name: Nyles Pinckney
• Position: Defensive Tackle
• College: Clemson/ Minnesota
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 295
• Twitter: @NylesPinckney
• Instagram: @NylesjPinckney

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

• My IQ, ability to adapt, competitiveness, willingness to learn, and calm under pressure.

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

• First became interested in football at 11 years old.

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

• I’m a relentless competitor.

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

• To end homelessness.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

• Just be you and if they don’t like you, forget them.

Who was your childhood hero?

• James Harrison

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

• Deangelo Carter.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

• Laziness or lack of motivation

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

• Overcoming ankle surgery and being ready to compete in 5 months for trying camp. I had to develop muscle back in my calf and leg again. As well as learn to walk and run after not being able to put weight on it for 7 weeks.

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

• The culture challenges you as an athlete, student, father, and any other aspect of life you wish to excel in.

What is your favorite snack food?

• Pistachios

What is the best part of football?

• Competing with your teammates and building lifelong relationships.

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

• I thrive on challenges and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward.

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

• Grady Jarrett

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

• My first pick would be Lebron James, to pick his mind and learn about how he’s handled the pressure, pushes himself every year to be the best, insight on the process to give back to your community, and his mindset of competitiveness. Kobe Bryant, I want to know what would get him into his “mamba mentality “, what helped him through his injuries, and his ability to get into the opponent’s heads. Finally, Denzel Washington because I want to know how he fought through adversity in his profession early on and what gets him into his “zone”.