2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Malachi Ruffin, DB, West Virginia University

- Name: Malachi Ruffin
- Position: Defensive Back
- College: West Virginia University
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 194 Lbs
- Twitter: _mruffin2
- Instagram: _mruffin
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft?
My IQ of knowing the game and my versatility of playing multiple positions. I do what I can to make myself and the people around me better.
At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?
Middle school going into my 7th grade year.
What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?
I follow the 3 d’s: Determination, Dedication, and Drive.
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
Coming from a small town without recognition I would like to help younger kids get the exposure they need to chase their dreams of making the next level.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Don’t take criticism from people you won’t take advice from
Who was your childhood hero?
My Mom
Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?
Wide receiver Traylon Ray
What is your biggest pet peeve?
High ego people that don’t take responsibility
Who is your favorite teacher ever?
Amy Selner, my high school journalism teacher
Overcoming adversity defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?
Being told I couldn’t play Division 1 football by someone that’s supposed to be a role model
Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?
Our fan base makes West Virginia special. The 1.8 million fan base supports us no matter the record and the end result.
If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?
IHOP
What is your favorite snack food?
Sour Cream and Cheddar Lays
What is your degree in?
Advertising and Public Relationship
If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?
I will always be true to myself.
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?
3pt shootout
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?
- Michael Jordan: because I want to pick his brain on his mentality for going into his games and what his ways were to make people better around him in practice.
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: he is successful in different fields of his life. I want to see how he managed to get comfortable in finding different ways of success.
- Great Grandmother: She passed away before she could get a chance to see me play and see the success that I have earned from working hard

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