2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: De’Shawn Waller, RB, Alcorn State University
Student-Athlete Profile:
- De’Shawn Waller
- Alcorn State University
- RB
- 5’11”
- 210lbs.
- Hometown: Atlanta, GA
- Twitter: @_Deshawn2
2018 Accolades & Statistics:
- 2018 All-SWAC Football First Team.
- GP: 10
- Rushing ATT: 186
- Rushing Yards: 1,206
- YPR: 6.48
- TDs: 12
- Receptions: 12
- Receiving Yards: 47
- YP/REC: 3.92
- TDs: 1
As an athlete, what is your motivation?
My biggest motivations are my family and neighborhood from where I come from.
What defines success for you?
Success to me means that you stay determined and committed to everything that you do, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to succeed as long as you get to where you want to be in life.
What would your teammates say about the type of teammate you are?
My teammates would say I’m a leader and laid back also that I’m very humble.
What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?
First, to always be grateful and humble, I always appreciate the things that are afforded to me because they can be easily taken away and also to never put myself above anyone else or think I’m better than anyone else. Second, to always remember and know how important family is because they are your support. Third, to always be honest and keep it real, always tell the truth.
Who is the toughest player you’ve competed against during your collegiate career?
I’ve played against so many players, I can’t necessarily pinpoint who was the toughest players, but I would say I’ve competed with some great players.
Who is the best player in the NFL?
Le’Veon Bell.
What is your team of choice on Madden, why?
When I play Madden the team I choose is of course, my hometown team the Atlanta Falcons because Atlanta is where I’m from and I support my hometown team.
Failure is inevitable in life. How do you handle situations that don’t go in your favor?
Failure is apart of life, we fail to succeed. We fail, and we fail but we keep trying until we succeed. I handle failures as a way for me to keep perfecting a craft. Instead of dwelling on a failure I take the positive steps to move forward and begin to focus my energy on preparing for the next challenge.
Is there a current/former NFL player that you model your game after?
I would say that I model my game style after Alvin Karama and Le’Veon Bell.
Knowing what you do now, what would you go back and tell yourself as a High-School Freshman?
I would tell myself, to always make the off-season count because that’s your time to grow and get better as a player. I would also tell myself to watch film because film allows you to reflect on your performance so that you can make changes and work on mistakes.
What is your go-to restaurant near campus?
Patton’s, is my go-to meal and I always order the same thing, chicken tender combo.
If your life was a book, what would its title be?
“De’Shawn vs Adversity.”
What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
When I first Old Town Road by Lil Nas I didn’t really like the song, but now I like the song but rarely admit to liking the song.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
My grandad Mercer Waller, he passed years ago and just having him around that kept a smile on my face.
Forty-years from now, what do you want to be remembered for?
When it comes to football, I want to be one of the greatest football players that ever touched the field.
In 15 words or less, why should an NFL team invest in you?
When I’m on field every adversity or hardship I have faced in my life I put into my performance. I turn my weaknesses into strengths to allow me to grow into a better person and player on and off the field. I’m steady trying to improve my playing performance, because there is always room for improvement an growth. Football is a game for some or even just a hobby, football is my life without football I don’t know where I would be today. I give more than 100% towards football, I’m always determined, motivated, humble, and always open to allowing others to help me become a better player. My dreams and aspirations for football go above and beyond playing collegiate, NFL is where I want to be surrounded by great players an coaches.
