2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Damel Hickman, CB, Georgia Southern University

• Name: Damel Hickman 
• Position: Cornerback 
• College: Georgia Southern University 
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Twitter: dhickyy23
• Instagram: d_hickyy

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

I am a very long and physical Defensive back who has great speed, I can play all positions in the secondary. I am a team player, I take care of my responsibilities on and off the field. I work hard in everything I do. 

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

 I was 5 years old when I first started playing football. 

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

I can play any position in the secondary, and I will give my all in everything I do. I will take care of my business on the field and off the field. 

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

I would donate to breast cancer, because a lot of women experience this type of cancer, and my mom beat this so I know how hard that can be for some women to go through. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

A coach that I had once told me, no matter what, just keep going. “ If you learn to become comfortable with the discomfort of rejection, uncertainty, and obscurity, you will forever persevere to claim the moments of joy. It won’t always look how you imagined because life is rarely predictable, but it will feel familiar, it will feel right, and it will feel like home.

Who was your childhood hero?

My father was my childhood idol, he taught me the values of manhood at an early age. I was never one to act younger than my years. I felt older than I was because I was mature at an early age, which helped me a lot the older I got.

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

Shemar Bartholomew, Shamari Wingard

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Leaving the bathroom without washing your hands, 

Or eating without washing your hands. 

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

 In my second year of college I thought about quitting football, I felt like the love of the game of football was taken from me. My mother had just got breast cancer, I had a coaching staff change and things just weren’t going as I had planned them to go into my 2nd and 3rd year of college. But  I fought hard and worked even harder to get to where I am now. 

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

Georgia Southern University is special to me because I transferred there with 1 year left, and they took a chance on me and brought me in with open arms I can’t thank that coaching staff any more for allowing me to come compete and play there for my last year. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be? 

Bojangles, insomnia cookie 

What is your favorite snack food?

Chips, cookies, and Fruit snacks.

What is your degree in? 

Health & fitness specialist 

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

I’m a motivated, hardworking person who doesn’t back down from a task. I have a strong work ethic and know-how to complete the task at hand. I consider myself to be an honest and straightforward individual who strives for fairness in whatever I do. 

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

Jaire Alexander.

What is your favorite game to play at the carnival/theme park? 

Basketball shooting games.

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

Kobe Bryant, is the world’s greatest athlete in my opinion, period. I thought Kobe had a nice demeanor. He was committed to always improving his skills. I always aspired to have the same work ethic as him because he was in the gym all the time. I want to be the best at everything, not just football, because I want my actions to have the power to transform people’s lives.