2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Stanleigh Bentley, DB, Arkansas Tech University

• Name: Stanleigh Bentley 
• Position: Defensive Back
• College: Arkansas Tech University 
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 185
• Twitter: __Bentley25
• Instagram: __Bentley25

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

-I’m a top prospect in the 2023 Draft Class, because I’m a instinctive playmaker. 

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

-I first got interested in football at 12 years old. I’d always play in the yard with my uncles 

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

-I’m a disciplined, hard-working, athlete 

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

-I’d donate to youth foundations to help the next generation 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

-Keep faith, and control what you can control

Who was your childhood hero? 

-My child hood hero was Batman 

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

-Brian Harris

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

-My biggest pet peeve is making excuses 

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

-The hardest moments I’ve had to endure would be the 2020 spring season & the 2021  season at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. My dad passed away the fall camp of the 2020-2021 spring season, and my great grandmother passed away that following August of the 2021-2022 football season. I suffered a high-ankle sprain that caused me to miss 4 games of the season; The mental challenges that I had to over come back to back taught me that one must endure! Keep going & keep believing even when things seem PITCH BLACK with no hope. Just keep going!

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

-Arkansas Tech is special to me, because the coaching staff not only believed in me but gave me the proper care needed to recover from a high-ankle sprain I suffered during my final season at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

-My favorite snack food is peanut butter crackers 

What is the best part of football? 

-The best part of football is having fun! Seeing my teammates make plays put a big smile on my face. It creates competition that sharpens our skills. 

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

-To whatever organization I’m blessed to go to; If you were to sign me, You’ll get a loyal, disciplined, hardworking, uplifting young man. I’d do whatever it takes to help the team win! 

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

-I’d like to think I have a similar skill set to Chris Harris Jr. Or Aqib Talib 

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

-My dad, Xavien Howard, and Chadwick Boseman