NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Donald Payne, S, Stetson University

 

 

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Donald Payne Jr.

What is your Height/Weight?

6’0 218lbs

What is your position?

Strong Safety

Where do you play college football?

Stetson University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

I was able to help out with my high school’s youth football camp during the summer. It was great experience, especially the opportunity to teach young kids the sport I love.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Corporate Finance

Where are you from?

Atlanta, GA

Who is your role model, and why?

My Father because he gave me an incredible legacy to stand and live by! No excuses, no matter where I came from, no matter what obstacles I may face. He was a man that made it happen, and always cared for others in everything he did.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played Football, Basketball, Baseball and Karate growing up.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played QB, RB, and CB.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I believe my instincts and my play recognition helps me tremendously at Strong Safety. Being able to diagnose a play and relentless effort to make the play.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I look for any tendencies in my opponent, especially the individual I will be lined up against for the majority of the game. Any small tendencies in their game could give me the slight edge I need to take over a game.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Reggie Bell, who plays for the Saints.

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

Deone Bucannon because he can play in the both with the big boys, while also being able to cover out in space.

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

My Father passing away when I was in 8th grade was definitely the hardest time in my life but he left me with a legacy to live by and always reminded me to stay with the Lord and everything will work its way through. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I have a creative handshake with one of my teammates that we have be doing since freshman year. We never forget it.

What is your biggest strength?

Instincts

What is your biggest weakness?

Over aggressive, which puts me out of place at times

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I am relentless individual, who will do whatever the team needs me to do in order to win.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Michael Vick and the Falcons were my favorite player and team growing up, and they still are to this day.

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

My Father, Michael Vick, and MLK.

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

Some rims for my car…just playing. Anything my Mother wants.

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