2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Nicholas Cotton, DB, Texas Southern University

• Name: Nicholas Cotton
• Position: Defensive Back ( S/CB)
• College: Texas Southern University
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 205 (Goal 210-215)
• Twitter: Officia1Uno
• Instagram: iamnicholascotton

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

I am who I am. I can play on both sides of the ball and on special teams. On the defensive side, I have the ability to tackle in open space, impact a game, read the story in front of me, and most importantly I play in the middle of the field like no other.

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

Since 3 years old there was a football in my hands. I have been interested in football since I have been able to think! My mom actually didn’t want me to play at first, but I remember one day I snuck to a football practice after basketball practice and showed up home later that evening with the paperwork for my mom to sign me up. Can’t remember what she said to me in that moment, but I know that she let me do it and has been by my side since. First team I ever played for was the Detroit Titans in the PAL football league where everything started for me.

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

One thing I would want them to know is that I give my all everyday. Not only to football but in everything I am involved in.

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

Detroit Impact… They are in Detroit, Mi, and focus on teaching, motivating, and encouraging the community and giving children in Detroit a different learning experience.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I have ever received was to “embrace it all”. Embrace the good and bad that happen in my life. Knowing that I can only control myself, this advice gave me the ability to focus on how I react to things in my life. Once I learned this I started to reflect more on my reaction when things didn’t go my way, I learned about myself and eventually learned how to love myself more.

Who was your childhood hero?

My mom, superwoman in my eyes. She is everything to me and our family, she has been there every step of the way with me and is still with me today. My mother gave me guidance as a young buck and supported me through everything. My mother taught me the importance of family and how much it means to have a family. She showed me what it means to give your all for yourself and the people you love, when she would go above and beyond to make sure we had more than enough. My mother comforted me during challenging times in my life, especially when things weren’t going my way on the field. She always told me to pray about it and continue to work hard and do what was best for me. Without my mother, my hero, I would not be where I am today.

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

Since being at TXSU I haven’t got the opportunity to figure out who that is, but at Notre Dame College (Ohio), I would say the most underrated teammate I have had is Ron Salters. He was a guy who didn’t get the most recognition, but it didn’t stop him from keeping his faith. He wasn’t the biggest or strongest, but he is extremely fast! Ron always gave his all and always wanted to get better. Ron also was a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Ron plays football with good technique, he can tackle, and defend the pass. Even with the adversity, he faced he is still playing football today.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When someone doesn’t commit to their word or doesn’t communicate.

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

The hardest moment in my life to overcome had to be being evicted from a house. This moment was inevitable and I knew it would eventually happen due to the situation that I was in, however, nothing prepared me for it. There were so many memories made in that house and more importantly it felt like home. The hardest part to overcome this situation would be letting go. This moment sparked a fire in me to work even smarter, but more importantly it humbled me. This made me think about all of the people who didn’t even have a place to get evicted from. The people who didn’t have access to food daily, the people who couldn’t take a shower at home. Why? Because I didn’t have those things while living in that house. Today, I can tell you that the house doesn’t matter anymore and the people who lived there made it home not the place itself. Also can tell you all that no matter what your situation is learn to embrace it, and when you get to where you want to go, never! Forget where you came from.

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

Texas Southern University is my new home. This place is so special because of the history here at this school. Also, the coaches on the football staff are another reason I came here, those guys have done everything I want to do and more. They have been in my shoes and they know what it takes to be successful in college and also what it takes to make it to the next level. Since being here the chemistry on the team is great. I believe the people who are here make this place so special and I’m looking forward to adding to the greatness already here.

What is your favorite snack food?

Peanut butter & Jelly

What is the best part of football?

The grind… Putting in work day and night is my favorite part. It allows me to be sharp. If it wasn’t for the agility ladders, cones, hills, 1v1s/ 7v7s, then I wouldn’t have built relationships with some of my brothers and coaches, and I wouldn’t be the player that I am today. These are the moments that shape us into good young men. Everybody can win or lose, But how many of us can keep grinding when it gets hard?

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

Young, Brilliant, Billionaire, in the making.

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

I wouldn’t compare myself to any of those guys only because I am myself. However, I respect a lot of the guys in the NFL because they’re doing something that I’ve always dreamed of. Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Steve Atwater, and Calvin Johnson are some of my favorite players. They all have showcased the ability to make plays and be great teammates on & off the field.

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

Mother, Father, and Grandma! Why? Mom and Dad are everything to me and the reason why I work so hard, they were some of the best examples for me. And my grandma who is the head of our family is everything to me and the rest of my family… She also makes the best food and sweets, so there’s no way I can’t have her at dinner.