2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Cejai Parrish, DB, Southwest Baptist University

- Name: Cejai Parrish
- Position: SS / FS / Nickel
- College: Southwest Baptist University
- Height: 5’10
- Weight: 205
- Twitter: Iamcejaiparrish
- Instagram: Paarrrish
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft?
- What makes me a top prospect at my position is my relentless effort to get to the ball. When I come , I bring everything , I treat every play like it’s my last play. I have a good nose for the ball. I’m physical outside the box and in the box. I can come down and play press on slot WR.
At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?
- I was interested in football from Day 1. I had a football in my hand the day I was born. I started learning about the game of football when I was 3.
What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?
- One thing the NFL should know about me is my relentless effort to make the team better. I’m a great team player , who always puts the team before himself. I’m reliable, durable, and I come with many initiatives for the team. I bring great ideas to the table for the team to succeed. I’m a vocal leader or lead by example , who stands out from the rest. I will never be a chameleon ! Will do whatever is needed to help the team!
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
- If I could donate to one cause it would be to help “ felons” get back on their feet. This will help with our incarceration rates in America. It will help these people understand that they still have support and they still have someone who loves them. I would Donate to businesses to open doors for them to get jobs, food,housing so they don’t have to end up back in Prison.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
- “Just because you know the answer doesn’t mean you have to tell someone that you know the answer”
- It’s okay to just listen to what somebody says, you never know what you could learn!
Who was your childhood hero?
- My childhood Hero was my Father, taught me the game of football and he and my mother have made so many sacrifices for me.
Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?
- The most underrated team mate is Brenden Smith. He is a dawg at corner, who can play nickel, FS, and if you needed him to he can play in the Box
What is your biggest pet peeve?
- My biggest pet peeve is when someone or a teammate coaches someone up on things they do wrong themselves. I feel like you should get it right yourself first, then try to coach someone up.
Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?
- The hardest moment in my life to overcome was just the fact of being overlooked. I’m known for being a hard hitter , having a nose for the ball, Good IQ. But then there is always “ But he is not that tall” You can measure my height but you can’t measure my heart. I give everything I have in every play! Dealing with this help me define my character and helped build my integrity!
Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?
- My School is so special because they show outstanding players to coaches’ relationships outside of football. I’m able to go to my coach house and just watch Tv with his kids if I want. I’m big on building a great bond with my coaches and having good team chemistry.
What is your favorite snack food?
- Açaí bowl
What is the best part of football?
- Best part about football is the life long friendships you build. Football has brought me some of the best people in my life. I’ve traveled the world because of football and met so many people across the country who I can call anytime and any day and I know they will answer.
If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?
- I’m not just an athlete, I’m an asset because I’m efficient, reliable with plenty of initiative that adds value to the overall purpose.
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?
- I would compare my play to Budda Baker, Both the same height and both are very physical at the point of attack. Team leaders and hold ourselves to a higher level. We don’t let our height define our play. We are students of the game !
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?
- Kobe Bryant – I would love to pick his ear and ask him questions about how he was able to overcome his biggest battles when dealing with adversity.
- Michael Jackson – Mike was big on doing things for his community and always giving back to kids who didn’t have things growing up as a kid. So I would love to get knowledge from him on how to inspire the world to keep chasing their dreams.
- Nelson Mandela- This one is big for me , with me being African American , Nelson Mandela led the fight for human rights around the world. He was big on making a change for everyone , and trying to make everything one.

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com