2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Somon Anderson, DB, Minnesota State University – Mankato

• Name: Somon Anderson
• Position: DB
• College: Minnesota State University Mankato
• Height: 5’11
• Weight: 200 lbs
• Twitter: @somon
• Instagram: somonanderson

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?

I have a tremendous football IQ that will allow me to grasp any concept that is needed. I’m versatile, I can play in the box; as well as anything in the secondary. Lastly, I have natural abilities and instincts needed to be a vital asset to any team or organization.

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

I didn’t fall in love with football until at a later age, I started playing at the age of 12. My true love was basketball. I thought I was going to the NBA.

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

My work ethic is out of this world, and I’ll push day in and day out to become the best me that I can. Which involves me striving to get the best out of my teammates, so that they could push me as well.

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

To the foster care system, and I plan to have a foster care foundation of my own, later on in life. I was adopted myself, so I truly understand the pain and the struggle of those within foster care.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

My best friend Tre Swilling used to always tell me “someone had the same situation as you and won with it”. Which means no matter how hard things get, or how tough things may get in the moment, it could always get better and I should never give up; keep focusing on the task at hand.

Who was your childhood hero?

Pat Swilling, he’s a former NFL player; and New Orleans Saints hall of famer. He was the first male figure that I had a personal relationship with that was very successful in life and became someone that I looked up to.

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

Jalen Sample. He is a top receiver that I would match up with that could play on a D1 level. From seeing last season, and coming from Mississippi State I definitely would argue that he could have played on that level.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When someone is not willing to put in the work that they signed up for. I find it frustrating when guys that want to play football don’t want to put the work in.

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

The hardest moment in my life was losing my grandma, I say this because my biological mother passed away when I was young, and all I really had left of her in a sense was my grandmother, and losing my grandmother recently made me feel as if I lost my mother all over again.

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

Minnesota State university Mankato is a very unique and caring place. There’s something about the Minnesota nice saying that makes everyone seem so kind hearted, and genuine. Deciding to come here from a whole different region and to Minnesota made it easier to have a home away from home.

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food would have to be gushers

What is the best part of football?

The journey and the process. Knowing that everyday you’re trying to get a percent better, and when the lights come on it’s your time to showcase all the work you’ve put in.

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

I am hard working, dedicated, attentive to details and an intellectual with the spirit of a warrior.

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

Jonathan Abram, because coming into college as a freshman he was one the older guys that I looked up to. Therefore I often shaped a lot of my games from his. We grew closer throughout the times that he was there at Mississippi State.

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

Barack Obama because of the huge impact that he had on American peoples life, especially on the black community knowing it is possible for a black person to be at a high position as such. I am also curious to know all the struggles, and death threats he had to deal with while being in office. The next person I would have dinner with is my Elon Musk because he is the richest man on earth as of now, and I would like to nitpick his brain to see how he processes things ultimately because one day I would like to be a creator such as himself. Lastly I would go to dinner with my biological mother because my mom is the most important person in my life and I would like to be able to sit with her one last time and tell her all of my accomplishments thus far