2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Dimitri Penick, WR, Heidelberg University

• Name:  Dimitri Penick
• Position: WR
• College: Heidelberg University
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 190
• Twitter:  Dimitri_Penick
• Instagram: Himothy4_

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

What makes me special is I’m not a 1 dimensional receiver, I can do everything you want a receiver to do, I can play inside/outside, get into the trenches and play some tight end if need be, run every route in the route tree, get in and out of breaks, and get behind the defense with the deep ball. and then I’m also a physical guy, i’m going to block and create big runs for the run game taking care of the perimeter as well.

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

I became interested around 4th grade, because of Reggie Bush, but I was always a hooper, I didn’t actually start playing until my sophomore year in High School.

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

Wherever I go I’m always the hardest worker in the room, no ones willing to push their body to the limits that I push mine to , and also that I have a extremely high ceiling, I haven’t been playing for long really, so every year its leaps and bounds for me, the proof is in the stats, every year I make huge strides and Im going to continue to do that.

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

That is a tough one because theres a lot of things that I’m passionate about and a lot of areas that I want to make a change in this world, but I think if it had to be one, it would be something to do with making health care affordable for everyone.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“It’s not what you do in high school, it’s what you do after that is what matters”, Coach Stanley told me that one day when we was running hills, and till this day that rings true.

Who was your childhood hero?

My mom easy.

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

There are a lot of guys I believe are extremely underrated that I don’t think enough people know about, but If I had to choose one I think I would say Joseph Norris, Cornerback for us, how he hasn’t won any accolades yet is beyond me, he’s legit.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Hearing and seeing people saying everything they want, and how they want to be this and that, but their actions don’t line up with their aspirations.  

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

I think my best friend passing in 6th grade is definitely up there, but it’s always going to be something every year, a new challenge that’s going to test you, It’s never going to stop, you just have to keep responding and keep going, I think that’s what makes the greats great, they never stay down, All the adversity i’ve faced it made me built for this.

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

As simple as this sounds, Heidelberg is just a family environment, I got some type of relationship with every sports program on our campus, from not just players but the coaches to, and our athletic office, everyone, its very close knit, but the bond I have with my coaches is something you dont get anywhere as well, I can talk to them about so many other things than just football and thats the special part about it.

What is your favorite snack food?

Pop tarts I think, I always got all the flavors

What is the best part of football?

The process leading up to the season. Getting the accolades is cool, scoring touchdowns is cool, but when you really look back at what all you put into it, to be doing everything you doing, If you doing it right, you can’t beat that feeling.

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

I’ll never be outworked,  I’m coachable, and a team first guy

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

I take pieces from a lot of guys game, But if I had to choose one , I’d say Anquan Boldin being that he’s a bigger receiver like myself.

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

Cooper Kupp , Keenan Allen, and Beastmode. Those 3 because Kupp and Allen are just very technical great route runners, and great football minds, so I’d love to pick their brains, and then Marshawn cause he just seem like a cool dude and down to earth, and like to clown a lot like me, so Im already knowing you put me and Beast mode in the same spot together its going to be a good time haha.