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2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Dillon Thomas, S, Northern Illinois

  • Name: Dillon Thomas
  • Position: Safety
  • College: Missouri / NIU
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 195
  • Twitter: dt_xiv
  • Instagram: dillonth0mas 

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

I believe what makes me a top db prospect in this draft is my proven versatility. I’ve started 9 games at corner, 10 at nickel, and 11 at safety. I’m a plug in guy who you can rely on to get the job done at every spot in the backend 

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

I remember playing football as young as 3 and 4 years old. My interest has been almost as long as I’ve lived. My mom has pictures and stories of her putting a tiny football in my Hands as a baby and me playing with it. 

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

Something every NFL team should know about me is that I’m a natural leader and a player that buys in to a culture and organization. 

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

I would donate to Child hunger and homelessness, those two areas really hit home for me for different personal reasons. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Don’t let bridges that you cross turn into bridges that you burn. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My first childhood hero was probably Tony Gonzalez. Being from Kansas City during his prime was almost like watching a superhero play my favorite sport. 

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

Isaiah Isaac, my old roommate and a WR at Missouri state. That guy can catch practically anything 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve is watching someone continuously do the exact same thing and expecting different results. It drives me crazy in real life, video games anywhere 

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

The hardest moments in my life that I had to overcome was probably after my ACL tear. A lot of people consider that to be a kiss of death for sports. Coming back from that I was in a dark space mentally and being able to bounce back even better than before the tear was major to me

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

NIU had the underdog tradition and history of shocking bigger P5 teams which I loved and the underdog mindset is one I embrace. Missouri State was basically home for me, they helped sharpen up certain tools I wasn’t as focused on while at NIU. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Probably Oreos with milk 

What is the best part of football? 

The best part of football is being able to dominate another person across the ball physically and mentally. Working as a team to accomplish that common goal of winning and beating your opponent is unmatched. 

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

I’m Swiss Army knife on the field, and you just need to figure out which tools to pull out 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? Tyrann Mathieu or La’Jarius Sneed. The ability to play everywhere as well as blitz the QB

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

Kobe Bryant so I can pick his brain in terms of mentality and his mindset. Kanye West to understand his visionary process and his drive. And finally Tyrann Mathieu, that’s someone who I’ve tried to model my play after and just love what he’s about as a player and more importantly as a person.

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