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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Tyson Fernandez, DL, Appalachian State

Tyson Fernandez is a big boy who his very versatile

NFL Diamonds has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet our next prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Tyson Fernandez

What is your Height/Weight?

6’2/330

What is your position?

DT/OG

Where do you play college football?

Appalachian State

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

One of the coolest things I’ve done off the field is providing help in my hometown (i.e. Fuquay Varina, NC) with a faith based football camp. We showed kids how to play football and spoke about Jesus

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

The Hardest class I took was my research methods class. It involved statistics and analyzing crime.

Where are you from?

Born in Manhattan NY then moved Fuquay Varina NC

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model would have to be my mother. She is the definition of the “American Dream”. She emigrated from the Dominican Republic at the age of 20 had me at 22 and sold clothes on the street just to feed me. She learned English and worked her way up until she started her own business. She is currently the CEO of her own travel agency sending tour groups for churches to Israel.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played baseball and basketball in high school. My first passion was baseball. 

Did you play any other positions in football?

I play Defensive Tackle and Offensive Guard.

At your position, what separates you from others?

My ability to play through the whistle. I will not stop chasing the ball.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

My opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. I always look for their first step.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

My redshirt sophomore year I played against a center from Georgia southern who gave everything he had. Boy, it was a great match up.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Vince Wilfolk. I love how he plays, he takes two people allowing his linebackers to make plays but he can make plays as well.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Biggest obstacle was having to be a leader in my family when my grandmother passed in 2006. She was my families glue and when she passed it was a dagger to us. I had to rise to the occasion and remind my family she is in heaven and time will pass.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I love to be lose and laugh before games. Football is fun to me and I love to be relaxed before I play.

What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is my ability and “want to” learn more about football. I only started playing football my sophomore year in high school. I want to learn all I can about the sport.

What is your biggest weakness?

At times, I can be immature. I want to be able to handle situations better on the field and learn things and apply them faster.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I’m a hardworking individual who will play any position for the team. I want to be the guy you can count “on and off the field”. I’ll do whatever it takes for the team to win.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Growing up and currently I am a New York Jets fan. I went to a training camp when I was younger with the boys and girls club of America and Chad Pennington spoke to each kid that day. He showed me that he cared about us so why not make them my favorite team.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

My Grandmother Rosa and Grandfather Melido, I would love to share all the accomplishments such as being the first person in our family to graduate college and also what I have been able to do on the field. Lastly would like to have dinner with Lou Gehrig, I want to know how hard it was to give up a game you love so early and how he was able to have a positive outlook.

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

First big item will be to pay off my parents’ debt. I would love for them to be worry free of any major financial obligations and to be able travel around the world. They’ve sacrificed so much for my brothers and I. That’s the least I can do for them.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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