2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Clayton Thrasher, LB, Peru State College

• Name: Clayton Thrasher
• Position: LB
• College: Peru State College
• Height: 5’11 1/2″
• Weight: 220 lbs
• Twitter: @claythrasher15
• Instagram: @clayton_thrasher

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I started playing football when I was 5 years old and fell in love with the grind involved and the complexity of the game. I also want to influence everybody involved with my program or team to do better and entertain the fans.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I love the feeling of lining up every game with my brothers at my side ready to go to war, in short I love the feeling of the bullets flying.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My mom just because she has always supported me and guided me in a selfless manor the same she does for everybody, and her work ethic is unmatched. No matter what she is always herself and doesn’t let stuff get her out of who she is.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I try to bring a smash mouth football energy with my brothers to dominate who ever is lined up across from us. Very positive with my team but things do need to be done very urgently. You only get so many plays in a game.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Dick Butkus because he played with insane effort, and he has a good sense of humor.

What is a moment that improved you as a football player?

In my first game my true freshman year at Lyon College, we were playing Missouri Baptist and I started at mike linebacker not knowing our defense in depth yet, and was over stepping my gap. We won and I was proud but the next day in film my coach Casey Creehan was really getting after me, that impacted me because I realized that winning isn’t enough. It’s the small details. It’s a game of inches and steps.

What should we know about Clayton Thrasher the person?

I’m very family oriented and do everything to the best of my ability. I also love a challenge and to compete, even if it’s a card game.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I like a lot of match cover 3’s because the offense never really knows what they are looking at and always keeps an 8 man box, I also prefer 4 down linemen because I feel like it’s easier to condense running lanes.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

Just like a running back, run right through it’s face!

What would a team get in a player like you?

They would get somebody ready to learn and compete. The level of competition I would bring would push the people around me as well. My team would get a teammate that would support everybody and push them to be the best they could be.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I want to walk with the greats and change peoples lives. I want people to turn on the tv to watch me and bring those people joy over a beer. We are really entertainers as football players and I want to entertain!

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

A lot of players I’ve played with are underrated but who comes to the top of my mind is my teammate Carlos Thomas. He is lock down in man coverage and has the football IQ to fit the run and play zone. We have been playing together our entire college career and I’ve seen offenses scheming away from Carlos and I since we were sophomore’s because we have always played on the same side.