2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Isaiah Perez, DT, Eastern Washington University

• Name: Isaiah Perez
• Position: DT
• College: Eastern Washington University
• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 300 lbs
• Twitter: @isaiah44p
• Instagram: @isaiah44p

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2027 NFL Draft? 

I believe my work ethic is what separates me. I’m not afraid of hard work and I love to compete. On top of that I believe that I am very athletic and can move well for my size and my strength in the weight room also translates to the field. 

Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how you responded?

When I first began my college football career I was at BYU in Provo Utah. My now wife was still home in Othello Wa and she was pregnant with my daughter. My daughter was born that fall and I faced a lot of adversity trying to figure out how to balance being a father and a collegiate athlete from so far away. I was redshirting this year so I did not travel to the away games. I would get out of practice on Friday and get straight into the car to drive 10 hours home to see my wife and daughter. I would be able to stay home Saturday and drive all the way back to Provo on Sunday. This was extremely hard on me both mentally and physically, however as a father I knew that I needed to do whatever it took to be able to balance both the football and family life. This is eventually why I transferred to Eastern Washington to be closer to home. 

What are your hobbies outside of football? 

Outside of football I love wrestling. I was good wrestler in high school, I won 3 state titles and I fell in love with the sport. I feel that it is extremely fun to give back the knowledge that I gained in the sport so I have been coaching at my hometown high school for the past 3 seasons. I also love to be outside and play with my kids. No matter what we are doing that is my favorite hobby. 

What role do you see yourself playing at the next level? 

I see myself as an elite 3 tech defender. I believe that I can be elite both in the run and pass game. Not only just on defense but I believe I could translate my special teams successes to the next level. I also believe that I could be a great leader and teammate wherever I am needed. 

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

I would donate to a Down syndrome Foundation. In high school I was in leadership roles in the school. I always felt that it was very important that we make sure to include the special education classes in everything that we do. These kids are amazing and deserve to feel included too. We were able to include them in many assemblies and activities and they bring a pure joy to the world. 

How do you handle coaching, especially criticism or being corrected repeatedly?

I handle coaching as I believe I should. I love a coach who will take the time to criticize my game because I know I have a lot to work on and the criticism allows me to know my weaknesses. I love to be criticized and come back a better all around player from it. 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Samarai Anderson is the most underrated. He is a great linebacker and has proven so on tape. He has been selected to be a captain this year and is a great leader. I am excited to see him gain some recognition this fall. 

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

First of all I would choose Jesus Christ. I would choose him because there is nobody who has done more for me in my life than him and it would be a very humbling experience. Next, I would choose my dad. My dad passes away in 2021 while I was serving my LDS mission. He is my hero and I owe a lot to him. Now as a man and a father there is so much I want to ask him, so many times I want his help and he isn’t here anymore so I would love to just be able to sit down with him for one more dinner. Lastly, I would choose my wife. Through everything we have been through together in the short amount of time she is my best friend and I would absolutely choose her. 

If you were benched tomorrow, what would be the most likely reason? 

If I were benched tomorrow the most likely reason would have to be injury. I believe that I have worked hard for the spot that I have today and I wouldn’t throw it away for anything minor. 

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine?

My pregame routine normally begins after our pregame meal. After the meal I go lay down in the dark with my music on in my headphones. Usually a more calming genre at this time. I do this while I wait for our clap sessions. Then after the clap sessions our D line will go meet out on the 50 and establish ourselves on the field. We will do our EDD’s and when I get back in the locker room I take my headphones off and begin getting dressed with my teammates. Once I am dressed I go get my wrists and ankles taped and come back to the locker room. I always write my dad’s high school football number on one wrist which is 42 and on the other wrist I write “MAZ” which is my daughter’s initials. I have a necklace with my dad’s ashes which at this moment I always take it off, kiss it, and hang it in my locker. I then put my music back on a more intense playlist and visualize what I am going to do this game as I wait for us to walk to the field.

What is your favorite snack food? 

I would have to say a pizza pocket with a strawberry milk from the gas station back home. This has always been my favorite. 

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in? 

I feel like I fit well in a 4-2-5 defense. I feel like I am best fit to be playing a 3 technique. However, I feel like I have also had success in a 3 down front either playing a nose or a 4i. 

What is your degree in? 

I have a degree in Interdisciplinary studies with a minor in Spanish. I am also almost done with my post bacc degreee in mechanical engineering. 

What would be the first thing you buy with your first NFL check? 

With my first NFL check I would like to say I wouldn’t make any major purchases. I would like to save as much as I could. So I would say I would take my daughters to buy some squishies from the store because that is their obsession right now. 

Describe a time in a game where you feel you made a mistake, and explain how you bounced back?

Last season in the Montana game I missed a wide open sack where I ran past the QB. This was a major mistake in a huge game for us but in the second half I was able to make a few big plays including a big QB hit on an important drive in the game.

Name three songs, we can expect on your playlist?

1. Angel – Grupo Frontera and Romeo Santos
2. Amor – Emmanuel Cortes
3. Segun Quien – Maluma and Carin Leon