NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Dillon Salva, TE, Merrimack College

What is your name? 

Dillon Salva

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’6 260

What is your position? 

Tight End

Where do you play college football? 

Merrimack College

Where are you from? 

New Jersey

Who is your role model, and why? 

My Dad. He coached me in every sport growing up. He’s at every single one of my games no matter where it is

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher was Mr. Wickie. He taught me in English in high school. Great guy who wanted to see his students actually learning and succeed

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

Growing up I played football, basketball, soccer, baseball. I currently still play football and basketball at Merrimack

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

The toughest player I’ve faced was Anthony Sarraro who played outside linebacker at USC and then had a tryout with the Lions and currently plays in the CFL

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Most underrated player – not sure

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

Song that fires me up is any Future song. He gets me pumped up

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

The player I would compare myself to is probably Martellus Bennett. He’s a big athletic body that moves well.

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

The biggest obstacle in my life was probably not projecting for D1 coming out of high school until very late by getting a very high ACT score so all my big offers were gone. I made the best with what I was given and didn’t let that change my work ethic

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

Pre game I just like to stay calm and relaxed and listen to music

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

My most memorable play of my college career was our opening of our new stadium. The whole school was there and we ran a power to my side and I threw the D-End which sprung my running back for a 60 yard td I believe it was

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

The coolest thing I’ve done off the field is a program called “Buddy Ball” where i would help disabled kids play the sports they loved. I loved it, definitely the most fulfilling thing I’ve done so far in life.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up? 

Miami Dolphins

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

If I could have dinner with 3 people it’d easily be Shaquille O’Neal, my grandfather, and my girlfriend because I’d really like her to meet my grandfather as well as laughing at Shaq’s jokes all night