2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Will Middleton, LB, Austin Peay State University

• Name: Will Middleton
• Position: LB
• College: Austin Peay State University
• Height: 5′ 10″
• Weight: 219 lbs
• X: @willmidd25
• Instagram: @midd4prez

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

Really when I was growing up, I just saw my uncle, he used to coach a football team, so I used to go out there watching my cousins and I just watched the game when I was growing up, and I loved it. My uncle gave me my first pads and that was it from there.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I got a pick six versus West Georgia this year. And when I was in high school, we played Auburn high school I had a pretty big interception to seal the game for a win and that was definitely my top moment for sure.

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

I just want to be the best version of myself. I just keep getting better and want to see how far I can take it and just keep proving everybody wrong.

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

Marshawn Lynch, he’s the coolest player ever in my eyes, like his aura and he’s always comfortably and smiling and stuff and still playing hard. I feel like I would love a day with him.

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

I’ll say my uncle because he was there the most throughout my whole football career. He got me my first pass and my first hit in Oklahoma drills I got ran over and he just said get back up and go again

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I’ve played in almost all of them. I would say the 3-4 because the linemen don’t really have to get off the blocks, they kind of stay in the double team but you also got three other brothers you’re working with in the box. I feel like it’s a little bit more complex but also, it’s more fun because you can slide over from the a to c gaps it’s pretty cool. And it’s pretty cool to watch on tape at linebacker.

What should we know about Will Middleton the person?

Every room I walk into I light it up with my personality. Great guy, I feel I create chemistry with any type of person in this world. I’m also focused and passionate in whatever I do.

What stands out about your film the most?

My explosion coming from a smaller guy you wouldn’t be expecting to hit bigger guys like that. My in-game speed and the way I diagnose plays, I know what I’m doing.

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

Honestly one thing my mom will always tell me keep moving on. There’s nothing that’s going to be perfect everybody has challenges but as long as you keep moving forward with what you’re doing you can take whatever on the chin and learn how to move past it and keep moving on.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Everything, I can be a leader if they need that. I can be a communication guy, hard worker, special teams guy. I can literally do anything on the football field, there is nothing I can’t do, and I know the ins and outs and I’m a smart guy.

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

I love the complexity of the game planning during the season and adjusting game plans to different offensives and stopping different players in different schemes is pretty interesting to me.

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

Josh McCray, he’s a running back at Georgia, was at Illinois. He played at Enterprise high school. And he’s been near unstoppable the whole time, when he does get the ball and he’s like 3rd or 4th in the rotation at Georgia, when he gets the ball not one person is going to tackle him.