2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Damon Burton Jr., LB, University of New Haven

• Name: Damon Burton Jr 
• Position: Linebacker / Athlete 
• College: University of New Haven 
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 205lbs
• Twitter: @damonburtonjr1
• Instagram: @d__burt5

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

• Led the NE-10 for interceptions 
• ranked 8th overall nationally for interceptions 
• 1st team all-conference LB
• adaptability to multiple positions” and list other ones you’ve excelled in
• Ability to track the ball and cover ground 
• Man-to-man coverage ability 

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

 8 years old, playing football around my neighborhood fell in love with the Game. Where I’m from it’s not many outlets for kids to make it out and football allowed me to be the first in my family to go to college and get a master’s degree. Football saved and changed my life.

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

• I am willing To play any position on the field 
• I will give them 110% of my effort 
• I won’t back down from any challenges
• I will outwork, out learn anyone to be able to get on the field 
• I love the game, I’m pissed off to win.  

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 youth centers in inner city areas ! Need more safe havens for the youth . Such as the “Boys and Girls club “

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Hear the words, not the tone, and “put your head down and go to work “ 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My mother – I seen her struggle my whole life and she always find a way to keep going 

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

Joe Vitale – went from being a teammate to a brother. Over all a genuine good person 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Wet socks, and dropped interceptions 

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

Transferring schools and having to start all over and learning a new playbook and learning a new position. 

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

Only team to give me a opportunity in the transfer portal. They brought me in and treated me like family since day and haven’t back tracked on any promises they’ve made 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Sour gummy bears 

What is the best part of football? 

The marathon, the grind, and the endless opportunity to grow learn from other players positions and the connections it has allowed me to create 

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

Show me something once and I’ll make sure I’ll master it by the end of the day 

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

Budda Baker, we similar in size, speed, game play, and we both are undersized but play big 

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

1. Barack Obama
2. Jay Z 
3. Tyrann Matthieu