2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: LaTraviaus Kingsland, DB, Midland University

• Name: LaTraviaus (Tray) Kingsland 
• Position: Defensive Back 
• College: Midland University 
• Height: 5’11
• Weight: 190
• Twitter: tray_kingsland
• Instagram: tray.kingsland 

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

What makes me a top prospect in my position is my work ethic, my versatility, and my love for the game. I pride myself on being the hardest worker in any setting no matter who is around. That’s just how I’m wired. It’s how I live my life. Doesn’t matter if it’s football, school, etc. I am not going to let anybody outwork me. I believe I have the ability to play any position in the secondary which is why I said my versatility. In my college career, I have been placed at safety, nickel, and my main position cornerback and I believe being able to do all of these things separates me and makes me a top prospect. Lastly, I just love the game of football. I am always watching football. Always working out. Always looking for ways to better my game. I’m a football junkie. 

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

I was first interested in football at the age of probably 8 or 9. All of my friends played football at that age and were all at the same time. I always felt like I was missing out. My mom did not let me play football until I was in the 6th grade and after that, I fell in love with it. 

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

I believe one thing NFL teams should know about me is how passionate I am about the game of football. It’s how I play the game. My love for the game and my brothers whom I go to war with every Saturday take my passion to another level. I have faced some adversity throughout my college career, been to several different universities, and suffered some injuries and all of it has just made me fall in love with the game even more.  I want to be the best player that I can be, the best player in the nation. When you strive for things like that it creates a competitive environment. I hate losing more than I love winning. Because of this, I am constantly striving for perfection in everything I do whether it’s on the field, in the classroom, etc. 

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

If I could donate to a cause it would be something that provides social, educational, and economic support for children with sickle cell disease and their families. Growing up my cousin was in the hospital a lot because of sickle cell. I’ve always told myself when I make it I will donate to organizations that can help these families. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I have ever received is that what God has for you no one can stop! 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero was definitely my mom. My mom sacrificed a lot to get me to where I am today. She worked two jobs to always make sure I had what I wanted and needed. Never once did I ever see my mom wake up in the morning tired or complain about what she had to do as a single mother to provide for her son. She’s more than my hero. She’s my “why”. 

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

The most underrated teammate in the locker room at my school is Tayver Thornbrugh. He plays the Rover ( Strong Safety) position for us. Led our team in interceptions last year. In my opinion, should have been an All-Conference selection. Every Saturday he’s going to make a play that’s going to change the trajectory of the game. One of the best safeties in the nation at this level if you ask me.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve would have to be when people smack their food. 

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

The hardest moment in my life I had to overcome would have to be growing up without my father in my life. I always had father figures growing up but being raised by my mom and not having my dad around I always felt like something was missing. I envied my friends who had their fathers in their life because I never got to experience that. 

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

My school is special to me because it has helped me become the person I am today. It’s a smaller school in a small town with absolutely nothing to do. However, that place and the people in it have given me stability, support, and another chance to play the game I love while getting two degrees. When life would get rough early in my college career I would always want to go home. Coach Jamrog told me two years ago if I gave him two years or at least one I would never regret it. He wasn’t wrong. I love Midland. I’ll never forget the university because it changed my life. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack food is watermelon sour patch kids. 

What is the best part of football? 

The best part of football is that it gives you the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself and gain a family away from your immediate one. You combine people from different states, backgrounds, upbringings, morals, values, etc. and you put those things aside sometimes to form a bond to reach a common goal. It’s like nothing else in the world. Meeting someone on the first day of fall camp and forming a bond that goes way beyond your playing days. 

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

I am a complete corner who is a physical run-stopper and can lock down a team’s best WR 

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

I would compare myself to one player in the NFL it would be either Kenny Moore or Marshon Lattimore. I believe my game resembles both of these players in that they can play any position in the defensive backfield because of their versatility plus their ability to be physical in run support. 

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

If I could have lunch with three people dead or alive it would be Darrelle Revis, Jalen Ramsey, and Kobe Bryant. All of these people have been and one of them still is dominant in the game they play. I would love to pick Kobe’s brain about his mindset and his ability to shut out the world and just focus on what matters to him. Darrelle Revis and Jalen Ramsey are two of the most technically sound corners I have seen. I would love to just ask them questions about the game, how they see it, how they train, etc.