2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jason Compoh, DE, Merrimack College

• Name: Jason Compoh
• Position: Edge Defender
• College: Merrimack College
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 240
• Twitter: JasonCompoh
• Instagram: Jasonmobason

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

There are three things that make me a top prospect: my high motor, my mental toughness, and my ability to rush the passer and defend the run. I play with a strong motivation to find my way to the ball, even on plays where it doesn’t appear to be coming my way.  During the run, I display elite aggression attack ing offensive linemen and shedding blocks to make a play. On passing downs, when I’m able to widen my stance, I use my strength and speed to keep tackles second-guessing what move I plan to make. Despite how the game is going or what happened the previous play, my drive always stays the same.

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

At the end of the day, my number one goal is to become the best football player that I could possibly be. Whatever a team wants me to improve on, I can promise that it will be done.

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

World hunger. Being able to sustain ourselves is literally the most basic need in the world, and yet a lot of people dream for the day where they don’t starve, or struggle to feed their children.

Who was your role model? 

Even though these players are not the same position as me, I used to look up to Marshawn Lynch and Ray Lewis growing up. The way they attacked every play, putting their bodies on the line like it was a privilege to do so, gave me great insight to how this game should be played.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

New England Patriots. New England born and raised.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Logan Wylie, an offensive center that just recently transferred here. He is one of the most consistent players on our team, both in character and in play. He was a big centerpiece to our offensive line and quickly took over as leader.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

When people automatically exclude themselves as possibly being part of a problem, because that is the first place you should look.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Jesus Christ. The kindness to wash his own disciples feet and wish the best on his own killers, and the authority to openly rebuke and even whip people when they were in the wrong.

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

My 2025 injury. After 4 years at Merrimack College, this was the first season I was an actual starter. I was finally looking forward to putting my ability on display for a full season, but this injury made me doubt if I was ever meant to succeed in college football. As a player from a smaller school who never had a breakout season, it seemed like all my aspirations of playing at the next level were dead. I considered the fact that my 5-year college career could very well be summarized by injury, and untapped potential and that all the work I put in waiting for my turn would never truly come to fruition. I started coming to terms with how I would probably have to experience the final half of my very last season watching from the sidelines. At one point I was just trying to take it in as much as I could before it was over. I would stand in the warmup lines like usual even though I physically couldn’t even go through the warmup. The doctors told me that my chances of being able to come back before my college career was over weren’t good, and that even if I could, I wouldn’t be 100%. In fact, he said that if it wasn’t for it being my last season, he would’ve already declared me out. I spent weeks rehabbing my ankle just for the hope of being able to step on the field with my pads on one last time. My teammates and coaches encouraged me as they would watch me limp around the field before practice trying my best to even jog, until I was eventually able to jog, run, and then sprint over the course of a month and a half. After my last check-in with the doctor, he told me that I was recovering very fast considering my diagnosis and he gave me the clear to come back. In my last play of the season, I got the game-winning strip-sack to finish my college career.

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

Five Guys.

What is your favorite snack food? 

Mango.

What is your degree in? 

Exercise Science.

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

My dad, my mom, and my little brother. People are just people at the end of the day, and no person can really beat my family.

What is your biggest weakness?

Mastering full-field defensive schemes. I’ve always made it my intention to keep the game as simple as possible for myself to not overthink when it comes time to play, so while I am super comfortable with my position, I need to learn more about every other moving part to truly understand the game as a whole.