2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Aarion Lacy, DB, Winona State University

- Name: Aarion Lacy
- Position: DB
- College: Winona State University
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 187 lbs
- Twitter: @aarionlacy34
What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
What made me decide to be a football player was seeing my oldest brother play youth football I would go to his practices at 3 years old and see him playing and try to join in by doing the same drills as him and even go as far as tackling an older kid who is fully padded to the ground.
What are your favorite moments from your football life?
One of favorite moments from my football life is in my youth football days and having to choose between going to a bears game or playing in my playoff game and I chose to go the playoff game because I didn’t want to let my team down and I went on to win that game and score the only touchdown. My next favorite moment is being able to play on the Chicago Bears stadium for the first game of my senior high school season and ended up getting my first interception that year on the Chicago Bears field.
Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?
My parents inspire me the most. My whole life I’ve seen them battle through adversity after adversity and manage to raise four excellent children despite the hardships we faced on a daily basis. My parents took care of my siblings and even when they couldn’t and barely had anything. So they inspire me to overcome any obstacle or adversity that I face.
What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?
I’m looking forward to just enjoying the process of my final college season and the memories that are going to be made with my teammates and family. I am also looking to playing our rival (Minnesota St. Mankato) on my birthday this upcoming season. Also looking forward to having a big season this year and having a chance competing for a conference and national championships.
If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?
I would want to hang with Tyrann Mathieu, Champ Bailey, Deion Sanders, and Charles Woodson. They have been on my Mount Rushmore since I was young and I would love to hang with them to pick their brains about football and life.
What are your favorite things about playing football for Winona State?
My favorite things about playing football for Winona State is the brotherhood that is shared between me and my teammates, the road game bus rides especially to Minot State, and the coaches on the staff that love each player like family and the support from the fans.
What should we know about Aarion Lacy the person?
I think you guys should know that I am a person who has a big heart and is willing to do anything for the people I love such as my family and teammates. I am a person who finishes what he starts and I don’t give up when adversity hits.
What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?
I don’t have a favorite, I’m comfortable and I can adapt to whatever scheme I’m put into. If I was to pick I would pick our nickel package at Winona State because they put me at nickel and it gives me opportunities to make plays and impact the game.
How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?
When it comes to challenges on the football field I tend use breathing techniques that calm me down so I can think clearly. Also as a defensive back I’m taught to have short memory when I have a bad play and move on to the next play and I try to use these same techniques in life when I’m going through tough situations. Also, when dealing with life challenges I lean on family and my team to help me when I am in need.
What would a team get in a player like you?
A team would get someone who a hard worker and a leader who sets the standard and elevates his teammates around him. Also, they would get someone who is very dynamic and impactful at any position in the defensive backfield as well as the return game and special teams.
What stands out about your film the most?
What stands out most about my film is my technique in man coverage and zone. My coverage in either press or off man, my ball tracking skills, my explosiveness in the return game and my IQ/awareness on the field.
Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?
I would say Tristan Root. He is one of the best kickers in the conference but he’s also our starting safety who had a great impact on our defense last season and I’m excited to see him ball out this year.
Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen