2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Malik Lofton, DB, South Dakota State University

• Name: Malik Lofton
• Position: DB
• College: South Dakota State University
• Height: 5’10
• Weight: 182
• Twitter: @maliklofton_1
• Instagram: @maliklofton_

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

In thinking about what makes me a top prospect in the 2023 NFL, I would have to say the passion that I play with and my love for the sport as well as my ability to make plays, finding the ball, and my competitive edge.

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

I became interested in the sport of football when I was 8 years old.

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

Something that NFL teams should know about me is that I continue to show up and work hard. I am someone who embraces the grind that comes with playing the sport and carry out my passion while playing.

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

If I could donate to one cause in the world, I would donate to further research in curing unsolved illnesses.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

My grandmother gave me the best advice I’ve ever received, she told me “Nobody cares about what you have done, continue to work harder”.

Who was your childhood hero?

My mother and my grandmother were my childhood heroes. This was because of the hard work they did and have continued to do to make me the man I am today.

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

Dyshawn Gales is the most underrated teammate in the locker room at SDSU because he doesn’t get enough credit for the instincts he has for the game and the passion he has to tackle in the run game.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is lying.

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

It’s hard to choose one exact moment that has been hard for me to overcome in my life. I have never had anything handed to me in life and have continuously worked hard to get what I want and to get to where I want to be in life. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I continue to push through and keep working even on the days I don’t feel like it.

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

South Dakota State University is family oriented which is special to me because I feel that it is so important to be around people whom you trust and that believe in what you can do on and off the field.

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food is Tropical Starbursts.

What is the best part of football?

To me, the best part about football is competing against other talented players and having to continue to push myself to the best of my ability.

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

I am a savvy play maker and a player that has a knack for the ball.