2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Quentin Peeples, DL, University of West Florida

• Name: Quentin Peeples
• Position: Defensive End/Defensive Tackle
• College: University of West Florida
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 280
• Twitter: @howsleen
• Instagram: @onefive.__ & @howsleen

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

My willingness to work and learn. Along with that, I have a great understanding of the game, can pick up on offensive schemes quickly, and my ability to lead without having to say much. 

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

I started playing when I was 4 years old so I’d say that’s when I was first interested. 

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

I am a first one in last one to leave type of player. Anyone who has played with or coached me from High-school on will let you know that I am one of the hardest workers they’ve seen or been around.

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

I would donate to the Big Oak Ranch which is a Christian non-profit organization that provides a better life for kids who have been abused, neglected, and abused. 

What is the best advice you have ever received?

To embrace the journey, not the destination. 

Who was your childhood hero?

My father.

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

There are a couple, Jacob Bruce and Oake Stipe (Offensive Line) & Jarell Culbreth and Michael Police (Defensive Line). There are definitely more but that’s just a start.

What is your biggest pet peeve?  

Having my time wasted.

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

After years of losing several family members and friends, losing my Dad is/was the hardest moment that I’ve ever encountered. 

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

The program is simply based on becoming great men in all aspects of life whether it’s being a better Father, Son, Employee, Employer, etc. This program builds great men. They recruited me out of high-school but I chose to attend Houston Baptist, even after that they still took me in when I transferred and it’s felt like home ever since. 

What is your favorite snack food?

Gummy lifesavers are my go-to. 

What is the best part of football?

To me, it is a form of unconscious therapy. I get to express myself with passion in a manner where I can fly around and be violent every single down, over and over. It doesn’t get any better than that.

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

If perseverance and hard work had a kid, I’d be the son.

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

Aaron Donald, similar body types, explosive, and twitchy. Of course he’s arguably one of the greatest to do it but I believe you can find some of his game inside of mine. 

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

1. My father, although he taught me a lot while he was here, to sit down with him and remind him that I love him one more time would mean the world to me. He kept a fire in me that is now only going to continue to grow. That is my why.
2. Lebron James, as a guy who does things the right way the majority of the time, I would have a conversation with him as to how he keeps going even when it seems people constantly pray for his downfall & does he see that as adversity. 
3. Aaron Donald, to simply ask how he does the things he does. This conversation would be different from the other two, I feel that this would simply be a brain-picking session for me.