2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Zaylin Wood, DL, Middle Tennessee State University

- Name: Zaylin Wood
- Position: DL
- College: Middle Tennessee State University
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 275 lbs
- Twitter: @zaylin_96
- Instagram: @zay.wood7
What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
Really when I was a little kid I fell in love with the game and I was more into basketball but then after middle school and high school I decided I wanted to be a football player and knew I could get a scholarship and and be away from home and possibly be in the NFL.
What are your favorite moments from your football life?
My 12th grade year winning a high school state championship in 2019 and that was something I always dreamed about as a kid was winning state.
Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?
My mom, she does everything she can do to make things happen and give me my athletic ability she’s the one who has made me the man I am today.
What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?
Really doing the best I can mentally and physically and making the least amount of mistakes and doing the best I can and get 12 sacks and have a high draft grade and winning is the main goal.
If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?
Warren Sapp, I feel we have a similar playing style and we have a similar height and I feel I would learn a lot from him because he was one of the best defensive tackles to play the game and even though I’m a defensive end I might be better suited to play defensive tackle in the NFL.
What are your favorite things about playing football for Middle Tennessee?
Winning with my teammates and being able to create a bond with teammates old and new and the culture.
What should we know about Zaylin Wood the person?
Is a hard worker, very passionate about the things I do, genuine person, I love the country my hometown is very country and I love riding four wheelers and fishing.
What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?
4-3, I always like having at least 4 defensive linemen in the game because it gives us as a defensive line a better matchup and our defensive coordinator likes to blitz so it’s more effective than a 3 down front.
How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?
Praying to God and talking to my peers and family members and on the football field I really just think about the moment and what is happening on the field and just think about that.
What would a team get in a player like you?
Hard worker, leader, disciplined, passionate about the game and coachable.
What stands out about your film the most?
Fast, powerful, I have a really good attention to detail, relentless and a quick twitch.
Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?
Jordan Ferguson, he definitely was very underrated. He taught me so much on and off the football field. He was the best defensive lineman in our conference for 2 seasons at least and he should be in the NFL right now.
Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen