- Name: Carlito Gonzalez
- Position: Defensive Back FS/SS
- College: University Of Memphis/Morehouse
- Height: 6’2
- Weight: 195
- Twitter: tigerpawchosen
- Instagram: Gamebreakerlito
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?
I was a top 50 safety prospect in Georgia in 2017 coming out of high school. Recruited by Nick Saban and Gus Malzhan I’m a slept on SEC type safety that competed at the highest level playing Penn State in the Cotton Bowl. I know what it takes playing professional football and I’m a veteran safety where as some other guys have yet to be battle tested.
At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?
I first started playing football at the age of 4 my dad got me into it and I earned full scholarships off my talent and hard work.
What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?
I am a man of a contrite heart. I know my journey has had lots of detours but I want to redeem myself in this game I love.
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
World Peace, I feel if we have all the money for wars, research, space exploration we can do something about universal healthcare, justice, making the world safer for everyone.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is, you can look everywhere else for external validation but it isn’t until you look within yourself for you to find who you truly are .
Who was your childhood hero?
My dad was my childhood hero. He always made a way to provide for me and works extremely hard is a stand up man and has gave me wisdom more than I can ask for .
Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?
My time at Memphis I would have to give it to a guy named Gabe Rogers. He runs a 4.2 and is extremely athletic. Being at Morehouse playing with underdogs Morehouse Darien Pittman a savvy technician at cornerback has great instincts and reads QBs like a book.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
In this world the truth hurts so not being told the entire truth somewhat gets me as I’m trying to be honest .
Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?
I was committed to Auburn and was told I couldn’t come and redshirt at the school. I got picked up by Memphis right before fall camp and had to come in and make a name for myself my freshman year. I ended up getting a waiver to play and ended up getting my first interception my true freshman year . Just keeping my faith and practicing hard while going through that definitely made me stronger and taught me to stay the course.
Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?
University of Memphis will always have a place in my heart. It sits right on the horizon of Memphis they took me in and I will remember the Tiger Walks, practice and just becoming a part of the culture in that city .
What is your favorite snack food?
Biscoff cookies
What is the best part of football?
The best part of football is the memories made with teammates and lessons from coaches. The long bus rides and travels home, stillness when you are on the field during a big drive in front of 65,000 screaming favs and the noise going out then returning after a big play .
If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?
“The last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16)
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?
Harrison Smith as far as running the show and being a playmaker .
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Martin Luther King Jr. A great man and activist I would ask how to lead such peaceful movements and how to have such sharp diction. Shaquille O’Neal because of how many businesses he runs I would like to know how he does that as well. Aristotle Varner Jr. A multimillionaire day trader because he could teach me finances .
