2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jay Nyamwaya, DL, Merrimack College

• Name: Jay Nyamwaya
• Position: Defensive Line
• College: Merrimack College 
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 305
• Twitter: @JayNyamwaya
• Instagram: @jay10nyamwaya

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

What makes me a Top NFL prospect at my position in the 2023 draft is my size, athletic ability, and work ethic.  I am 6’4, 305 which will allow me to compete with the bigger offensive linemen in the NFL. I am also very fast for my size. I believe my 40 yard dash will be a strong point at my pro day. I am also a very hard worker. I feel like every year I have played football I have worked harder than the year before and improved. I will look to continue this trend as I transition to playing professional football. 

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

My interest in football began around the time I entered middle school. I was born in Kenya and didn’t move to the U.S until I was 9 years old. I really didn’t know much about football until middle school when my friends started playing for the town team and would try to get me to play because of my size.  My first year of actually playing the sport was freshman year of high school. 

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

One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I’m a fast learner. Although I started playing the game my freshman year of high school I quickly improved and  was able to play D3 football where I was one of the best players at my position and then transferring to play D1 and being top 5 in sacks in the NEC.

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

If I could donate to one cause it would probably have to be something back home in Kenya. I’ve always wanted to go home and build gyms in rural areas where kids can be introduced to and taught sports and give them opportunities that they otherwise might not get. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I’ve ever gotten is to trust the process. The journey to where you want to be in life may be a long one. It’s important to know all the failures, successes and everything along the way takes you where you need to go.

 Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero would probably be my Dad. My Dad worked and still works extremely hard to provide for our family. He got a Job in the U.S which allowed me to be here chasing my dreams. He inspires me everyday.

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

The most underrated player in my locker room at Merrimack would have to be Damien Williams . He is a talented LB and because of the depth we have at that position he may get overlooked but I think he is a great player and a great teammate. He is there everyday and always works hard. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve is probably people who cough without covering their mouths. This probably started with covid but something about it just bugs me now I can’t stand it.

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

One of the hardest moments in my life was probably not playing football or basketball my senior year of high school. During that time the future was not clear and things didn’t look so good for me. It would have been easy for me to hang it up and quit playing but I kept believing. I ended up doing a PG year at Bridgton Academy which allowed me to continue playing college football.

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

Merrimack is special to me because it just feels like I was meant to be here. Being counted out all my life and proving people wrong is something I’m used to and it also seems to be a part of Merrimack’s identity. This week we will be competing for the NEC championship and no one thought we would make it this far, just like a lot of people didn’t believe that I would be in the position I am in today.

What is your favorite snack food? 

I don’t really eat too many snack foods because I’m trying to eat clean these days. So this is kind of weird but my favorite “snack” is scrambled eggs right now.

What is the best part of football? 

Best part of football would have to be winning. There is no better feeling than winning and knowing you positively contributed to the win.

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

Someone that you would be glad is on your team and not the other. 

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

I would compare myself to Dexter Lawrence of the New York giants. He had a good career at Clemson and is a big part of the Giants defense today. I believe we share the ability to get sacks from interior DLine as well.

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 it would be Kobe Bryant, Aaron Donald, and Tom Brady. These guys are winners and elite at their positions. I feel like I would learn a lot about competing and about life at a dinner with them.