NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Brandon Mayes, DB, Western Illinois University

What is your name?

Brandon Mayes

What is your Height/Weight?

5’11 196 lbs

What is your position?

Safety/Nickel

Where do you play college football?

Northern Illinois University/ Western Illinois University

Where are you from?

Aurora, IL

Who is your role model, and why?

My Father is my role model. He has always been a man of integrity and has shown me by action how to be a man. Has taught me a lot of life lessons from just watching him and learning from him

Who was your favorite teacher?

Favorite teacher was Arthur Sampson taught me a lot of lessons past the books and studies.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played basketball, baseball, football, and ran track

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Corey Davis

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Quinten Moon

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life?

Set it off Boosie

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

I try to model my play after my favorite safety Earl Thomas. He has great instincts and a sense to always be around the ball. I feel that I am able to be around the ball a lot and make plays. Earl is a playmaker and I have shown playmaking ability and will continue to work and I Inspire to become an elite playmaker like Earl Thomas

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Having to deal with the passing of my uncle. We were very close and he was always my coach and was my best friend and when he passed a lot changed. Though with the grace of God my family and the promise that I told him I wouldn’t stop until I made it to the NFL kept me going and ground along with knowing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

My pre-game ritual is to run a lap around the field. Then I go and run routes with the wideouts and catch at least 50 balls before the game.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

The most memorable play in my career is running the alley and making my first collegiate tackle at Arkansas

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

The coolest thing I did off the field for someone was being invited to come speak about what my high school football program did for me to young kids about to enter middle-school. It was a joy for me to inspire young kids and let them know through hard work you can accomplish your dreams. Seeing the light in their eyes and taking pictures with them afterward, that was a really cool experience for me

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Chicago Bears

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Sean Taylor, Jesus, and Barack Obama