2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Deldric Shields, DB, Henderson State

• Name: Deldric Shields
• Position: Defensive Back
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 200 lbs
• School: Henderson State University
• Level: Division II – Great American Conference (GAC)
• Twitter: redshields_
• Instagram: nineotrey

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

Major: Sports Management (Bachelor’s)

Minor: Recreational Sports 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

I bring a lot of energy to the team and I am very enthusiastic about the game. If someone has a bad day I try to lift them up and get them back to 100%.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

I’m one of the best leaders – someone guys can look up to based off experience. I can play close in the box – I’m a pretty good tackler. I can also play from free safety to strong safety. Those are my strongest points on the field. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Danny Gray, WR, SMU

Zimari Manning, WR, Tarleton 

Keke Chism, WR, Missouri (previously Angelo State)

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Fredrick O’Donald – running back (ground and pound type). I didn’t expect him to move the way he moves because of his size – I thought he would be more of a fullback and pass-blocker. 

What makes you different from others at your position? 

A lot of my game is based on energy – a lot of guys don’t have the same drive and work ethic. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

My parents are separated and I don’t have a lot of help when it comes to school – especially college. I also never had that much money so it can also be difficult from a financial perspective. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

Basketball – it was my first love before football. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

I would say how far I’ve come – all the adversity I dealt with off the field. The biggest achievement to me will be graduating from Henderson in December. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

My first season at Henderson – I got defensive player of the week twice. The first time, I had 14 solo tackles, INT, and two pass breakups. The second time, I had 5 solo tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a strip-fumble. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

My favorite player currently is Budda Baker

My favorite team is currently the Baltimore Ravens and I am a die hard fan. 

What gets you “pumped up” before a game?

If I get a chance to talk to my brothers before the game – it motivates me because they’ve been through the same struggles as I have. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?

I love to ride horses in my free time – I do a lot of “trail-riding.” I had relatives from a young age that did similar things. I like to be outside.

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?

The reason I play football is a pure passion away from all of the benefits and “additional” upside. I believe I have a high IQ of the sport and I want to be as involved as possible.

My grandma motivates me the most even though she’s not around anymore – she just told me to keep working hard and not give up on my dream. 

What do you want NFL teams to know about you? 

I want teams to know that I’m a hard-worker and I will go “all-out” every chance I get. Learning the playbook is also something I’m excited about in order to “play comfortable” and help the team win. 

Other notes:

In high school I was always known for my versatility on the field – there was quite literally no position I couldn’t play on either side of the ball. Because of that I got a lot of exposure and popularity. However I just kept my head down and worked hard through it all. When I got to JUCO I had to work even harder – it was just a different game with even better competition than I was used to. When I moved to NCAA football I had developed the true mindset of a college football player already, but I knew I kept having to work harder since I was moving up to another level. By sophomore and junior year I was more well known, and I started to adopt a leadership role through various changes. However, as the old saying goes, there’s no “I” in team.