2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Simote Samate, DE, West Texas A&M

• Name: Simote Samate
• Position: DE
• College: West Texas A&M University 
• Height: 6’03ft
• Weight: 260 lbs
• Twitter: @Simote3
• Instagram: @Moneyy.Mo44

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

• What makes me a top prospect at my position in the 2023 NFL Draft is my relentless effort on every snap, being very coachable, my passion, being able to breakdown film and understand how any offensive linemen block from run to pass and transfer that to the field. I’m a good pass rusher not only on the edge but inside as well, being able to get the quarterback, and I’m good at getting off of blocks and stopping the run. 

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

• I was interested in the sport of football at the age of 4. I grew with a family that were always involved in sports, football was the biggest sport and I had some that played in the NFL. So watching all my older relatives really made me want play and after that I fell I love with game and everything about it.

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

• My relentless effort. I was raised to give everything I got and before I left the field or the weight room was to make sure that I emptied the tank. And I’ve been that way ever since. So for to the NFL teams, I will always give a hundred percent in every faze from the film, to practice, and to the game.

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

• If I could donate to one cause in the world it would be mental health.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

• The best advice I’ve ever received is from my uncle and till this day it has changed me as man. He told me one night “Why go to parties? I want you to think about it this way. Have you won anything? Have you accomplished you’re goals and dreams? Have you made it to the highest mountain you could reach? No? So what is there to celebrate? The journey hasn’t started it’ just started. So always fight for dream and your goals and once you made it to the top of the mountain. Then we can party and celebrate.” 

Who was your childhood hero? 

• My childhood hero was Wolverine. He always was fearsome and dangerous.

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

• DT Antonio Iwuagwu 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

• My biggest pet peeve is any kind scraping sound. Especially when scraping the snow off of the windshield.

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

• The hardest moment I had to overcome was transferring. Mentally I had to tell myself that what I was doing was right. That I had to trust in the process and never give up on what I had envisioned for my future. That was the challenging part. But with the support of my family and my loved ones, I was able to overcome adversity and trust in myself. Now here I am pursuing my dream. 

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

• West Texas A&M University has opened so many doors for me. I was able to meet new friends and adapt to the environment. I came during Covid and I received nothing but love from the players, the coaches, the university, and all of Canyon as well. It’s a very special school that has been very good for me and has led me to where I am now and I am truly blessed and thankful to have come to this school.

What is your favorite snack food?

• My favorite snack food are Doritos.

What is the best part of football?

• The best part about of football is the preparation. Working hard every single to be better version of yourself than the day before. Not only that but being able to grind with your teammate to one common goal is something special because not only does it create a team but a family.

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

• With no question or hesitation, if you need a player who will give you a hundred percent every day, then I’m the player you’re looking for.

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

• One player in the NFL who I would campare myself to is defensive end AJ Epenesa for the Buffalo Bills. The way he pass rushes, his physicality and speed is what I try to mimic on the field.

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

• Three people I would have dinner with is My great grandpa. I never got to meet him but I know that he was a very big and tall man who was half Native American. The second person would be my great grandma. She was a very sweet lady and even though she passed away, I would love to have a dinner with her. Third person and final person I would love to have dinner with is my mom and she has to be the one cooking. I love her cooking is top notch. Shes always been my number one and I would do anything to make her proud and this dinner would the biggest one of them all.