2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Devin Coney, LB, New Mexico Highlands University

• Name: Devin Coney
• Position: Linebacker 
• College: New Mexico Highlands University 
• Height: 6”0
• Weight: 232
• Twitter: @tolbDC
• Instagram: @Tolb_DC

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

What makes me the top prospect at my position in 2024 draft, is my instincts and IQ as my film shows I can disrupt any formation before the play starts.

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

I became interested in the sport of football at the age of 8, that’s when I started little league football as well.

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

One thing about me that will always show is hard work and dominance. I come from poverty, so I’m ambitious to succeed. Any team that takes a chance on me will get that same ambitious player day in and day out.

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

Mental health would be a cause I would donate to. I’ve seen many people close to me struggle with not only depression but life in general 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I’ve ever received would be that putting yourself first isn’t a selfish thing to do. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

Ray Lewis, I didn’t have many hero’s to look up to coming from where I’m from but that guy is someone I wanted to be.

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

I can honestly say there’s no one in that locker room that’s more underrated than me. I have a point to prove, our team has a point to prove. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Quitting is a huge pet peeve of mine

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

I’m still trying to overcome adversity, as poverty defines me all year round. Each day I fight for a better life for myself and my family. 

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

New Mexico Highlands University is special to me because of its location in the mountains. When it snows it’s a beautiful sight to see. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack right now would be bananas, as I go through my off-season workouts I tend to stay away from junk food.

What is the best part of football? 

The best part of football will always be the brotherhood with my teammates. Win or lose that bond will always last forever.

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

I’m the linebacker you’ll want on your team the intensity and high level of dominance can’t be matched. 

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

Demario Davis, a versatile downhill thumper who could run sideline to sideline is my style of play.

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

My three would be Ray Lewis, Kobe Bryant, and The Rock. Three guys with similar sports background overcame a lot of adversity in their life. I would love to hear the advice they’re willing to offer