2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ashton Miller-Melancon, DB, Queen’s University

• Name: Ashton Miller-Melancon
• Position: Defensive Back 
• College: Queen’s University
• Height: 6’03”
• Weight: 200lbs
• Twitter: @MelanconMiller
• Instagram: ashton_mm24

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2025 NFL Draft?

The things that make me a top Defensive Back prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft are my football IQ, my playmaking, and my versatility. Regarding my Football IQ, I’ve spent countless hours studying the game of football, ensuring that I understand the responsibilities of not only my position group but the entire defense, as well as having a great awareness of what the offense could be running depending on the situation. My extensive film study and note review puts me ahead of other players in comprehending the game of football. One of my best abilities is my playmaking. I believe that any ball that is thrown in my direction is my ball, I consistently go up and challenge receivers when the ball is in the air, and I win the majority of the time. I have led Usports in Interceptions since I arrived at Queen’s three years ago, and this has allowed my team and I to have great success defensively. Lastly, I am a very versatile player. I have experience and have had success playing all Defensive Back positions. I’m a player who excels in man coverage as well as when I drop back in zone. I can also play in the box and be disruptive in the front 7. I’m a capable blitzer, gap filler, low zone, high zone, and man coverage player who can help a team out in any facet.

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

NFL teams should know that I am the hardest worker in any room and on any field. I believe that how you do one thing is how you do everything, so I try to emulate that by outworking and out-efforting everyone in every aspect of my life. Whether it be in the classroom, weight room, meeting room, or on the field, I will be the hardest worker present. In the meeting room, I take extensive notes on everything that the coaches say, so that I can ensure that I understand and remember every facet of the defense and game plan. On the practice field, I lead the drills and set the example for other players on the team. I always give my maximum effort every chance I get, and this often helps to push and motivate players. After practice, I stay to do extra work and I put in extra work before practice as well. I do anything in my power to give myself an advantage over everyone else. In the classroom, I take every lecture very seriously and never miss class. This has helped me achieve a 4.20 GPA throughout my University career.

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

I would choose to donate to The Canadian Cancer Society. I have had people close to me be affected by this disease, and I would love to do anything that I could in order to help progress research and create a long-lasting cure.

Who was your role model?

My role model growing up was my dad. He was an athlete growing up and helped push me to start and excel at football. He showed me the sacrifice it takes to achieve success in any subject and he always put his family first over his own individual wants and needs, which was extremely admirable. I also really looked up to my stepfather, Kevin. He taught me many lessons about what it took to be a successful person, and how to make positive impacts in life. He was also integral in my football journey and in my ability to continue playing football at my current level.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

My favorite NFL team is the San Francisco 49ers.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

The most underrated teammate of mine has to be Jared Siewe. He is our boundary corner, and is a phenomenal player. He’s one of the most athletic guys that I have ever met, is extremely technical when he plays, and always knows what to do in every situation that is thrown at him. There is no one on the team that I trust more. I think he is going to have a great 2024 season.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is when people complain about their results or their situation, but are not actively trying to do things to better themselves and their situation. I dislike when people expect to be given things, rather than having to work and earn their results and positions.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher is my grade 7 to 9 math teacher, Mrs. Holloway. She really took her time to get to know her students and to develop great relationships with them. It was always fun going to her class.

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

The hardest moment in my life to overcome was when I did not get recruited to play football after high school. I was on a bad team in high school and Cegep scouts were not actively recruiting players from my team. As the recruiting cycle went on, I received no interest from any school and had no opportunity to make a team. It was a very difficult time, as I saw many people that I had grown up playing with being recruited, and I felt that I was being overlooked and underestimated. At this point, I decided to play a final season of city football and make the most of the opportunity that I was given to show that I was a great player who could make it to the next level. I worked harder than I ever had that Summer, and had an excellent season, which allowed me to get recruited to play in Cegep and to continue my football career. 

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

The franchise restaurant that I would pick is Chick-fil-A.

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food is Beef Jerky. 

What is your degree in?

My degree is an Honours degree in Health Studies, and I am also minoring in Employment Relations.

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

If I had this opportunity, I would choose my Grandfather, Ed Reed, and Chadwick Boseman. I would choose my grandfather because he passed away just 2 weeks before I was born, so I was never able to meet him and develop a relationship with someone that my family members all speak so highly of. It would be amazing if I could get this opportunity. 

I would choose Ed Reed because he is one of the best Safeties that the NFL has ever seen, and I would just love the chance to pick his brain and develop an even better understanding of the game from such a legend. 

I would choose Chadwick Boseman because he was one of my favorite actors growing up. 42 and Black Panther were some of my favorite movies and I would enjoy the opportunity to ask him about his life experiences, and to just have a conversation with such a legendary figure.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness would be that I overthink at times. While I am doing a task, I try to think of every possible angle and every possible perspective that one can have, and this causes me to debate and overthink what angle I should take and focus on. I am also a bit of a perfectionist, so I overthink certain things that I do because I am worried that they are not perfect and are thus not correct. However, throughout my years I have learned to just trust my instincts, to trust myself,  and to trust the situation that I am in so that I can overthink less.