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NFL Draft Diamonds Free Agent Interview: Lionell Wiggins, Edge Rusher

Lionell Wiggins the standout free agent Edge Rushe recently sat down with Draft Diamonds writer Justin Berendzen.

Hello I am @jrberendzen on Twitter and this is one of my free agent interviews where I ask very deserving free agents questions about the players themselves and about what a team would get in these players. All of these players should get picked up by NFL, CFL, USFL, and XFL teams and get a shot at being a career football player. So I hope you all read this interview with Lionell Wiggins and follow his journey on Twitter.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments from my football life will be the locker room and the dorms. Those were the moments where you built those strong relationships with each other so when you’re on the field together you know you got each other back.

If there was a billboard with 5 of your traits on it which 5 traits would be up there?

Self confident, willing, hard working, faithful and humble.

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

I’m quiet when I’m on the field but just know I’m always ready to work when I step out there on that field. I’m a person who is all about my effort and hustle so my energy mainly comes from me leading by example.

What sets you apart from other edge rushers?

I believe it will be my ambition and willingness to always succeed. I’m a very coachable player who always has the desire to improve everyday as I am always willing to learn and gain knowledge to better and set myself up for success.

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

My brother (Larnell Ransom) was the main reason I started playing. Basketball was my first sport and I would just play street football in my neighborhood for fun until I would see my brother play in high school and so on and a few of my friends would ask me to join the pop warner team with them.

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

Besides the studying part, other keys to being successful is being mentally strong and being willing to adjust on the fly because things will never go as planned or how you want it to go in the game so you got to have that dawg in you and don’t shy away when adversity hit. Also out working the man in front of you and always giving effort and hustling to the ball every snap.

What should we know about Lionell Wiggins the person?

First and foremost I am a man of God. I know I wouldn’t I have gotten as far as I have if it wasn’t from here. I’m from Compton, CA so I came from nothing and a place where we are doubted and people think we won’t make it out. I am a person who is self driven to be the best he can be everyday. I’ve been doubted my whole life and been the underdog and that drives me to push myself all the time and outwork everyone. Everything I do, I make sure I represent God, my city, my family, the ones who were overlooked and most importantly I represent myself to a high standard.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I get through them. God put his toughest soldiers in the toughest battles so whenever I hit those challenges or what I like to call adversity, I find ways to not get around them but go right through it. I’ve been through a lot in my life and a lot with football issues but I’ve manage to always to stay positive, not let it get the best of me and to just handle any situation that comes my way.

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

Ray Lewis would be that guy. He is one of my favorite football players of all time. I just loved his passion and what he brought to the game of football. I would want to hangout with him to gain knowledge from him since I know I can learn a lot from him from a life standpoint and football also.

What would a team get in a player like you?

They are going to get a player with good character and someone who is going to leave it all out there on the field. I’m all about effort and hard work so they gone get that along with me being a good football player tagged with a great person off the field.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I’m looking to become the best football player I can be. Number one is the team first so I want to win as many championships as possible. After that comes me hopefully breaking records and setting myself up to be in the HOF. Most importantly, I want to also use football as a platform to help create opportunities back in my community and kids around the world who are growing up in low income communities.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I enjoy playing in 4-3 defense. As a defensive end, you bring so much versatility as becoming a pass rusher by bringing speed to get to the quarterback and power to collapse the pocket and your interior can make a play. Also I just enjoy all the havoc you can cause just crashing down when you get a down block and just spill or box that can ruin the play majority of the time or even just beating the pullers that are coming. Also the blitzes you can run out of it as well can cause problems as well for the offense.

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