2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Danny Joiner, TE, Tarleton State University

• Name: Danny Joiner
• Position: TE
• College: Tarleton State University
• Height: 6′ 3″
• Weight: 250 lbs
• X: @DanielJoinerJr1
• Instagram: @joiner023

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

I decided I wanted to be a football player since birth, my dad was a successful football player at the University of Central Missouri and a head high school football coach in Missouri, so I’ve always been around football and always been fascinated by the game.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments from my football life were the 2025 season at Tarleton State and the 2022 season I had at SEMO, both seasons were very successful, and the teams were full of completely bought in individuals that wanted to win daily.

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

The family member that inspires me the most is my brother Derek, he’s currently on the team at Tarleton and we have pushed each other every day for the last 20 years to be the best we can be.

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

I love the competition of the game of football the most, it’s a constant comparison between yourself and the best you can be and I strive to reach the peak even though I know there’s always ways to improve.

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

I have two players that I would hang out with past and present, the past player would be Mike Alstott, the intensity and physicality he brought to the game I try to model in my own, the present player would be Kyle Juszczyk I think our games are very similar and I would love to learn more from him.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Tarleton State?

My favorite things about playing football at Tarleton State are the buy in from everyone in the community and the school not just the football program, also I just love playing football with the guys on the team, we all are similar and want to succeed so that makes me a better person and player.

What should we know about Danny Joiner the person?

As a person I try to be as genuine as possible, I always try to make my yes mean yes and my no mean no. Also, I am a Christian first and aspire to live my life as God intended.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

My favorite offensive scheme is Duo RPOs, it is a staple at Tarleton, and I feel like it is unstoppable either the defense commits to stopping the run and we bomb it over the top or they are too light in the box, and we run the ball down their throat.

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

Challenges on and off the field I put all trust in God first I know that he has a plan for me and whoever else may be affected, I also try my best to keep a positive outlook and be the same person day in and day out regardless of what is happening.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a hardworking physical player willing to do whatever it takes for the team to succeed, whether that be catching the ball 10 times a game, blocking every play, or even long snapping, I will do whatever it takes to help the team win.

What stands out about your film the most?

I think what stands out from my past film would be my physicality and blocking, I think that really stands out with how the tight end position has changed over the years not many people are willing to get down and dirty blocking, also I believe my film this year will show me stretching the field more and showing what I can do with the ball in my hand.

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

The most underrated players I have played with are Paxton DeLaurent at SEMO and Tylan Hines at Tarleton State, Paxton was a great quarterback and definitely controlled the game and gave us the best chances to win, Tylan is a complete game changer, with the ball in his hands insane things happen and also he is one of the hardest workers off the field I have ever met.