2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Brandon Davies-Lyons, DL, York University

• Name: Brandon Davies-Lyons
• Position: DL
• College: York University
• Height: 6’6″
• Weight: 310 lbs
• X (Twitter): @davies_lyons
• Instagram: @brandondavieslyons

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I was always bigger than the average kid growing up. And when I was watching football, I loved watching the way Rob Gronkowski played and his physicality and then I started out playing rugby and at 15 a family friend recommended that you can make good money playing football so I got into it.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

In high school, my friend Hunter we were best friends, and we were doing a drill where we ended up making a play where he reversed it to me, and I trucked 2 players. At York we were winless most of the time and this past year we beat our rivals Toronto as our first win this past season and in the past three years. And we had a new coach this past season and everyone came together, and the entire moment was special to everyone involved.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Earn my way to be a professional football player where I can live out my dream and impact the community and take care of my family and help the team that drafts me win games.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

Rob Gronkowski, because he got me into the game, and I’d like to know how he became so dominant and pick his brain to find out how he became that guy and also because of the way he is personality wise hang out with him and have a lot of fun. And Aaron Donald, I’m a defensive tackle and I’d like to pick his brain because he was at the top and as humble as he is and ask how at his size he became so dominant and the way his pass rush was on the interior.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My grandparents inspired me because they gave their retirement to raise me and made sure I had food and clothes and raised 2 kids before me, and they worked really hard and they instilled hard work, toughness and accountability in my life, they’ve been my supporters since I was a kid and made sure I was on the right path, and I owe everything to them in every moment.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

4-3, due to my unique versatility and speed and size combination to play the 3 tech and get a good pass rush and the one tech to block guys to free up a man that can pass rush.

What should we know about Brandon Davies-Lyons the person?

I’m always going to strive to be the best person I can on and off the field, get 1 percent better every day, and work as hard as I can regardless of what happens to me, I’m going to keep pushing and I’m always going to give back to the community because it’s bigger than football.

What stands out about your film the most?

Just my power and play strength in run and pass is very high and noticeable to toss offensive linemen around and ability to shed blocks and my quickness is at a high level which is why I’m a 3 down defensive lineman and I can also rush the passer. I’m a big team guy as well and always help guys up and that’s the character aspect of my film.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I fall back on my training and every challenge I’ve faced I just trust the work I’ve put in and whatever the challenge is you just have to get up and push through and I had to get past becoming a man and every time I fall down, I get right back up and I always ask for advice from my family or teammates for help and whatever the challenge is I’ll become a better person on the other side.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Whichever team brings me in will get an immediate competitor in every aspect from practice to film to weight room to gameday. I’ll do whatever they need if that means I start on practice squad and work my way up the depth chart, and I’ll give 100 percent effort to work my way up the team. I’ll bring leadership, charisma, energy and do whatever it takes.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

Football is more than a game to me and is my life and has given me life lesson from discipline to work ethic and it has made me a better person and player and it give inspiration to many who are young. The adversities and challenges I’ve faced has allowed me to grow as a man on and off the field.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Theo Brown, he’s a defensive lineman, he wasn’t really a starter until this past season, but his attitude was what was best for the team, and he gave the offensive line everything in practice and learned offensive line and his work ethic and dedication is something that was unmatched. He’s a guy that any team is better with regardless of if he’s playing or not.