2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: DeAndre Clifton, DE, Valdosta State University

• Name: DeAndre Clifton 
• Position: DE/OLB
• College: Valdosta State University 
• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 250
• Twitter: Deandreclifton8
• Instagram: _realshowtime

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

My ability to make plays in the back field and getting to the quarterback. Not afraid of taking shots.

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

I would want NFL teams to know that I am a player who will come in and work everyday and get better. I want to reach greatness, and I know that takes lots of work. I am a student of the game and this is my passion I love this game! I also play with a high motor I’m always going to find a way to be around the football.

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

I would donate to a childrens hospital 

Who was your role model? 

James Harrison 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Steelers

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Larry Elder

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet Peeve would be a liar and someone who can’t keep their word. I feel like trust is a huge thing in order to build relationships on and off of the field, if that is with your teammate or even your coaching staff.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Christian Harley, Dr. Wise Henry A Wise high school

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

The hardest moment in my life would be when I transferred to Tarleton State from Monmouth University. When I first got there, 2 weeks in me being there 4 coaches who recruited me left and went to different schools. Unfortunately, I came to Tarleton with a Torn labrum, so I had to get surgery a month later, missing the whole spring ball. I did everything I could to get back on the field 4 months later to prove to my new coaches that I’m someone who could play and they could use me even though they didn’t recruit me. I ended up redshirting that year and haven’t just not played football in a while. It was more of a mental game for me to keep going.

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

I love tacos so I would create a Mexican restaurant/ lounge area where you could take your family out, I would provide games there too. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Sour patches

What is your degree in? 

Organizational Leadership 

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

• Martin Luther King- He did a lot for the world, and he is very knowledgeable, I feel like he could help me with decision making.
• My Grandad- I started to connect with him at a later age I was about 17. Before he passed away he started coming around more and I was getting to learn my Grandad more.
• Kobe Bryant – Kobe Bryant is my all-time favorite athlete. I was born in California, so I grew up watching him and the mentality was like no other. He’s the hardest worker in the room and those results paid off. That is the mindset that I carry myself with everyday making sure that no one is out working me and having a killer instinct to make big things happen at any moment of the game.

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness I think is overthinking sometimes. I feel like I can put a lot of pressure on myself and thinking that I can do something better when I’m not really doing nothing bad at all as far as technique things on the field. But that’s really just the competitor mindset that I have with myself, I’m always push myself and try to hold myself to a higher standard every day to be better than yesterday.