2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: DeShawn Le Jour, WR, University of Manitoba

• Name: DeShawn Le Jour
• Position: WR
• College: University of Manitoba
• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 218
• Twitter: deshawnlejour
• Instagram: deshawnlejour

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

I possess a special combination of physical gifts and character. I have a pro frame with elite ball skills and athleticism. I pride myself on my jump ball ability in one on one or double coverage situations, but also on being a security blanket for the quarterback underneath and then just my ability to make something happen with the ball after the catch, being a bigger receiver I pride myself on not going down on first contact, I want to make a 5 yard hook just as explosive of a play as a go route.  Additionally, I feel like I am able to bring a rare energy that teams want to have in their locker room. 

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

I am a competitor, and I hate losing. Being a good loser is something I have never been good at, which I am okay with whether it’s a card game, a video game, ping pong, or anything else. I want to be the best and will find any way I can to achieve that goal. I don’t just want to be a participant; I want to be a winner. If given the chance to play professional football, for whatever team that drafts me I would give it my all to ensure that I am the best version of myself both physically and mentally so that I could put not only myself but my team in the best position to win.

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

Kids Sport. Kids’ Sport was the reason I was able to play football growing up. My parents did a lot to make sure I didn’t go without growing up but by the time bills and groceries were paid for, there was not a lot of excess money to go around for things like football and that is where Kids Sport kicked in. I believe every kid deserves the opportunity to play whatever sport they want and their parents financial situation should not be something that holds them back. I have been able to travel across the country and into the United States because of the game of football, and this would not have been possible without sponsorships like Kids Sport. So, being able to give back to this organization and help provide kids with the same great opportunities I have had would be a full-circle moment for me. 

Who was your role model?

My father, without a doubt. I would not be where I am without him and his teachings. If I can live to be half the man my dad was, then I will have lived a successful life.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

New England Patriots. Also known as the greatest franchise of all time. 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

Carver Trapp. A wide receiver on our team who has not gotten a real opportunity to show his full potential yet, but I truly believe this is the year he is going to be able to. In the gym, he is pound for pound one of the strongest people on our team, which is impressive considering he is not a big guy. Carver can play on the outside or the inside, and he is such a great athlete. He is very fast, so his ability to take the top off the defence with his speed will be an asset for us, then along with that, he has such reliable hands. I am so excited to see what he can do this year. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who order a pop at a restaurant but also order a glass of water with their meal just so they can appear to be healthy, only to not drink any of the water. I work casually as a server in the off-season, and this drives me nuts. 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Mr. Janssen was my PE teacher and high school football coach. The one thing that he had always told me my entire time in high school was  “De Shawn you have all the tools in the world to do whatever you want in football, I just hope you find the toolbox to put them in before it’s too late” The older I get, the more I understand and appreciate that. He always went above and beyond for me, and that is something I will be forever grateful to him for. Then also my high school English teacher, Mrs. Britton, was probably the first person in school who I thought saw me as De Shawn the student, not just De Shawn the athlete. She believed in my potential as a writer and gave me the confidence to think I could succeed not only in the field but also in the classroom. I owe a lot of my decision to major in English to her, whether it was the after class conversations or the extra help she gave me in becoming a better writer,  those moments shaped me. These two are some of the biggest reasons why I want to be a teacher.

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

For me, it was when I was cut from Regina Thunder, and then within a year, my father passed away. Being told essentially that you’re not wanted by a football team and then losing your biggest supporter felt like my world came crashing down; that was my rock bottom. But in those dark times, I learned a lot about myself, and in that moment, I was faced with the option to quit and feel sorry for myself or dig deep and keep going. Because I am my father’s son, I knew quitting was not an option. Going through these tough times made me a more resilient person, and it is that resilience that I bring to my football game.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your home, which one would it be?

I am a huge breakfast fan, and I think this is the best breakfast spot in the world, so without a question, I would love to have a Denny’s in my house. 

What is your favorite snack food?

I’m a big snack guy with a slight sweet tooth, so it’s tough to pick a favorite, but for the sake of the question, I’ll go with chocolate-covered raisins.

What is your degree in?

I’m doing a BA in English with a minor in Indigenous Studies. Then I will pursue a career in education, aiming to become a high school teacher.

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

1. Malcolm X
2. John Cena 
3. My dad. 

Pretty wide range of people, but I can explain,

 Malcolm X

•  He was introduced to me by my father at a time when I was going through a bit of an identity crisis as a Black male growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan . So being able to sit down and pick his brain on how, through struggle, he was able to grow stronger in his belief in the fight for justice and Black empowerment. As a young Black man, I think that would be a life-changing dinner. 

John Cena 

• I moved around a lot as a kid, but John Cena and the WWE as a whole were one of the few consistent things in my life. Regardless of what was happening in my life, good or bad, I knew every Monday or Friday night, I could rely on John Cena being there on TV. Having dinner with him and overwhelming him with questions about WWE, and ultimately thanking him for the positive impact he had on my life, would be cool.

My Dad

• Pretty easy answer. I lost my dad in 2020, and there hasn’t been a meal, event, or day that has gone by that I haven’t thought of him and wished he were there. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to be able to get that one last dinner together.

What is your biggest weakness?

One of my biggest weaknesses is that at times, I have trouble asking for help. I always want to prove I can handle everything on my own, whether in school or on the field. But the older I get, the more I can see it’s an ego thing. I thought it was weak to ask for help, but over time, I realized that reaching out and learning from others is a strength and not a weakness. I’ve been working on being more open to feedback and seeking support when I need it, and it’s made a big difference.