NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Landon Compton, LB, Missouri S&T

• Landon Compton
• Missouri University of Science and Technology
• LB
• 6’4”
• 240 lbs.
• Lamar, MO
• Twitter: @LandonCompton

2018 Accolades & Statistics

• 2018 GLVC All-Conference First Team.
• GP: 12
• Total Tackles: 102
• TFL: 11.0
• Sacks: 1.5
• Forced Fumbles: 1
• PD: 2

What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?

This year it was “On My Soul” by Key Glock before we would take the field.

How would your teammates describe you as both a player and person?

They would say that I’m a very hardworking, smart, competitive. A trustworthy person that they can look up to for guidance and look to as a leader.

How do you and your teammates make practice and film study fun?

At practice, we are always challenging each other to make plays and we have little competitions with each other. In the film room, we would try and guess the play based on formation, down and distance, and we also call out our pre-snap calls before we would play the clip.

When you are studying film, what is your main focus to gain a competitive advantage?

I like looking at critical down plays like 3rd or 4th down; short or goal line plays and studying the formations and the personnel. I also study the players to look for any tells that they might be giving the play away. That way when those situations arise in a critical game, I can make a big-time play. Another big thing that I look at, is the strengths and weaknesses of each player. For example if a back likes to cut in pass protection or this lineman is bad against swim moves in pass rush.

For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

My savior Jesus Christ for sacrificing his life for me. Without him none of this would be possible.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?

I would have to say wisdom. Being able to make a wise choice in big decisions and knowing that it is the right choice would be life changing. It is the one thing that to be wise in certain situations you sometimes have to make the wrong decisions and then learn and grow from them. So I would be able to have wisdom in certain areas that I haven’t had any experience with.

What do you value most from your Collegiate experience?

I value all the lifelong friends and memories that I have made from getting the opportunity to play football, all while pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering which has interested me my whole life.

Who is your personal hero?

My dad. Being a farmer he showed me firsthand what it was like to work hard without complaining and to do whatever it takes to provide for your family even when the work is not enjoying all of the time. There would be countless nights where he wouldn’t get in from the fields until 10 pm and then have to wake up at 2 am to go check the irrigators and then get back to work by 7 am. He also taught me what it was like to be a man of your word and keep the promises you make to others. He made sure that when I started something I could not simply quit when it got tough. My dad shaped me into the man that I am today and gave me many of the qualities that make me a good football player.

Tell me something about yourself nobody would know.

I have my private pilot’s license.

How do you work on yourself?

I dedicate time to the things I’m passionate about and spend time with people that encourage me and lift me up as well as praying and asking God for help and guidance. I also try and learn one new thing each month.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, whom would it be and why?

My wife. A lot of times we are both so busy, me with football and her with being a nurse, we never really get to go out and just have a nice meal together.

If you could have any superpower, what power would it be and why?

The ability to fly. I have always loved flying and I also hate traffic. So being able to go anywhere in the world I wanted to or not have to get stuck in traffic would be awesome.

What would constitute a perfect day for you?

Having a big breakfast in bed. Then I would go out to my hanger in my back yard and take my jet for a nice scenic flight. Once I got back I would have some friends/family over and we would have a nice steak dinner and then relax in the pool or play some games just enjoying each other’s company.

Who inspired you as a young athlete?

Kobe Bryant. His drive to become the best and his incomparable work ethic inspired me and gave me someone to strive to be like. He showed me how much work and sacrifice it would take to become a champion and to be successful.

What are the positive attributes that you bring to a professional football team?

I bring leadership skills, smarts, great work ethic, willingness to do whatever it takes to make the team better, my competitive drive, my communication skills, and my ability to take coaching and adapt quickly to new situations.

Tell me about a time where you overcame a challenge.

During my summer internship with Boeing I was tasked with designing this cart that would allow an F-18 to fit into an undersized elevator on an aircraft carrier. After presenting the initial design with my manager, he received some different specifications from the client that our current design didn’t meet. My manager was leaving in 2 days to go and present our design to the clients. I had to redesign several of the key components and stayed late and got in early to ensure that the work would get done and we would meet our deadline. The clients really liked our design and the hard work paid off.

What one skill would you like to improve on? What’s your plan for doing so?

I would like to improve in every facet of my life. No matter how much I may excel at a particular skill or task, I believe I can always get better. To get better at certain things I would put myself in those uncomfortable situations forcing me to work on that particular skill and thus improving it with practice.

Who would be your dream pair of NFL LBs to play with?

For current players, I would have to say Luke Kuechly and Clay Matthews.

Give me your pitch to an NFL GM on why you should be a part of their organization, in 15 words or less.

Hardworking, intelligent, mentally and physically tough and dependable player with a will to win.