2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Deon Houston, DB, Merrimack College

• Name: Deon Houston
• Position: DB
• College: Merrimack College
• Height: 5’9
• Weight: 185
• Twitter: DeonHouston23
• Instagram: deonhouston23x

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

In my career I’ve consistently played every position a DB can play (CB, N, Safety) and dominated each one. I have great man to man technique in press and off man. I am a lockdown DB with great feet and hands off the line of scrimmage. I eliminate teams’ top receivers from the game when matched up.

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

I’ll do anything to put my team in position to win. I have a high motor, relentless effort and will go above and beyond to make plays that will change the game.

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

I would help kids in poverty with no family.

Who was your role model? 

My role model is my mom, her work ethic and strive to be successful is unmatched. She had me at a young age, I watched her go to college get her degree while trying to balance 100 other things. After college she got into the world and dominated whatever field she stepped into and that work ethic has been instilled in me and i admire her for it.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

I grew up in Baltimore, MD so I am having to say the Baltimore ravens they’ve been my favorite team since i was born.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

The most underrated player on my team is Seth Sweitzer (WR), he had a decent year for us but I feel his year had the potential to be way better.  We are a run heavy team so that hurt his season in the slot. I watched him come in as a freshman last year and stand out in a few games then going into this year he got stronger, faster and his route running improved. I feel like our scheme this year really hurt his production but under a better scheme i think he will thrive. He’s constantly improving and i think he will show great promise if he’s given the opportunity.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

When someone doubts me, people been doing it my whole life and it has honestly pushed me to be dominant in anything I do. Doubt isn’t nothing new to me, shattering doubt is big reason I made it to where I am today.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher would have to be Ms. Hornberger my middle school English teacher. She transferred to my high school and was also my teacher in high school for a year. I just loved her positivity and kindness.

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

In 9th grade I had a position coach who always spoke down on me, he kept telling me I would never be a good player, and he basically thought I was trash the whole season. It hurt me but it drove me to be a dominant player, and I had one of the best-off seasons of my life. I ended up winning team MVP my 10th grade year. That was a big turning point in my life, it set me up for the success I’ve had on the field over the last 8 years because it really put a battery in my back and showed me what I was capable of.

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

Chick fil A and I think that’s self-explanatory.

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack is chips, I like all types of chips so I can’t pinpoint one.

What is your degree in? 

Corporate Finance and investment 

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

First person I would have to say is Kenny Moore (Nickel CB) he is my favorite defensive back in the league because his size and play style is the most similar to mine. I would have 100 questions for him about his journey and what he’s done to have so much success at the next level coming from a small school.

Second person I would say is Shaq because he’s good with his money. He created multiple streams of income for himself. I would have a bunch of questions about what to do with my money to establish lifelong wealth.

Third person i would say is Steve Harvey because I think he would have some valuable life wisdom that would help me in many aspects of my life.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is how hard i am on myself about the little things. I’m never satisfied with my play, I’m competitive and constantly changing things about my game to try and better myself. That takes a toll on me mentally and becomes a constant obsession causing me to lack in other areas of my life.