NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Troy Gatling III, DB, Florida Institute of Technology

What is your name?

Troy Gatling III

What is your Height/Weight?

6’1/194

What is your position?

Free Safety, Nickel

Where do you play college football?

Florida Institute of Technology

Where are you from?

Sarasota, Florida

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model would be my trainer, Vernon Kearney; he’s walking proof that with God and hard work you can accomplish anything.

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher would be Marshall Jones; he is a college professor of mine that understands life and the struggles that can accompany it.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Track and Basketball

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Michael Blakely, he was very elusive with great field vision.

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Devontae Weekly, he’s a physical DB with good breaks and speed.

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

Drake- Free Smoke

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

If I could compare myself to any player in the NFL it would be Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, he’s lengthy and very athletic just like me and possess speed to run deep with the fluidness to cover the short intermediate routes in the slot.

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

The biggest obstacle I had to overcome in my life was the death of my mother. The way I overcame it was through prayer and falling in love with the process of becoming great.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Yeah I do, I pray on the 32 yard line, I have been doing it since high school.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

The most memorable moment I had during my collegiate career was my freshmen year, I ran a kick return back 97 yards to win the game.

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

The coolest thing I have done off the field for someone else was helping out the nearby elementary school with a kid festivals before summer break.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Dad liked the Redskins, Mother was a Buccaneer, so I was in-between the two.

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

My Mother, Malcom X, and Ed Reed