2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Marcus Haskins, DB, Abilene Christian University

• Name: Marcus Haskins
• Position: DB
• College: Abilene Christian University 
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 190
• Twitter: @mhaskins260
• Instagram: @marcus7haskins

What makes you a top prospect at your position  in the 2023 NFL Draft? 

Above all, my versatility. I have been fortunate enough to have played corner, and free safety at the highest level. This gives me the ability to play not only in the post but in the slot and outside. I play with good instincts and route recognition which has allowed me to come up with 17 career interceptions.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I always loved watching football growing up, and had interest but did not begin playing it until my sophomore year of high school. Friend and former high school teammate Ty Okada who is Montana State DB convinced me. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I didn’t come this far, just to come this far. I’m eager to learn and continue to maximize my fullest potential every day. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

“For Others” once known as Angel Armies, is an organization that I was made familiar with at Liberty University. Their mission is to prevent vulnerable children from being placed in the foster care system and to fight to end the child welfare crisis. Being in foster care at a young age gave me a perspective where I can relate to a lot of kids dealing with that today and I want to help continue the fight to keep families together and less children in foster care. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

I’ve heard a lot of good speakers and have had many great mentors and coaches but as of late it would be  “ You have to replace the word ‘expectation’ with ‘appreciation’ “ I heard this from NFL DB  Doug Middleton at a church service and it changed a lot of my everyday thoughts and continues to remind me of how blessed I am when things get tough. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My mom, she adopted me and my brother at 23 and gave us the best life and did it while being so young. She has always been supportive of everything I’ve thrown at her throughout life.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

There’s a lot of talent here that is unknown yet. Just come check out any ACU game this fall and see for yourself. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Repeating myself… “time is the most valuable commodity in the world”

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

I’ve lost my biological father, best friend, mentor, numerous coaches, and teammates, bounced around foster homes, lived all over the country, had 1 division 2 offer out of high school, had my daughter at 20, been to 5 different schools, but found a way to have success on the field and obtain 2 college degrees while doing it. I’m blessed and can’t say there’s a harder moment than the next. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

It’s special to me because they chose me. They are the last stop on this collegiate journey, and they are going to get everything I have. We have a team and coaching staff that’s going to turn a lot of heads this season.

What is your favorite snack food? 

Chocolate Chip Cookies 

What is the best part of football?

The bonds that football creates. Being at multiple schools I have met some of my best friends for life and people from all over the country. Football also teaches you the importance of having a team behind you and being a part of something cohesive. A lot of the characteristics translate to real life.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

I am a proven versatile defensive back, whose persistence is infectious. 

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

I don’t think there is a specific player I would say I play like. However, I like to learn from and watch film on other versatile players like Kenny Moore, Tyrann Mathieu, Troy Hill, Malcolm Jenkins, and Taron Johnson to name a few. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

1. Eric Thomas, 2. Inky Johnson. Two of the top motivational speakers in the world and I have been blessed to hear them in person speak. It made me want to pick their brains and know even more of their stories of overcoming adversity. 3. My father who passed away