Damon Lloyd

Linebacker / IUP

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your measurements? (Height, Weight and 40 time)

Damon Lloyd:  5’11 ¾, but I like to say I am 6 foot.  I am 232 pounds.  I want to maintain the weight at 235.  Right now, I run in the mid 4.7s.  With some work, I can maybe run in the 4.6s or mid 4.5 range. My ten-yard split is 1.05.

 

Ed Hunt:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

Damon Lloyd:  Tess Football Academy in New Jersey.

 

Ed Hunt:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Damon Lloyd:  Coming out of high school, I wasn’t focused on the division I dream.  I had financial issues.  I had to do what was best for my family and me.  

 

Ed Hunt:  Why did you choose IUP?

Damon Lloyd:  They had the major I wanted to pursue in exercise science.  IUP gave me a full scholarship.  I knew I could succeed anywhere.  The division I dream wasn’t mine.  I had to do the best thing financially for me and my family.

 

Ed Hunt:  Tell me about winning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Athlete of the year. 

Damon Lloyd:  That was a dream, I’ve had since I was a freshman.  It allowed me to excel.  My peers knew how hard I worked for it and I knew how hard I worked for it.  

 

Ed Hunt:  What position is your best fit at the next level?

Damon Lloyd:  From experience, I can be more of a will and mike linebacker.  Anything that’s labeled linebacker, I can do it.  From my size, I am a Sam linebacker.  In my training, I am also doing DB work.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your biggest sport outside of football?

Damon Lloyd:  Coming out of high school, I did track & field and lacrosse.  I don’t watch much sports because I watch so much film.  I do like hockey here in PA.  

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your biggest accomplishment in that sport?

Damon Lloyd:  My senior year of high school, we came in third place in our conference in the 4X100 relay.  As a 235-pound dude, it was tough.  My heart was with football.  

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your strengths?

Damon Lloyd:  I feel I’m always in the film room.  I am always trying to visualize what I am going to do.  I’m a football guy.  I’m not a lot of drama.  I am a leader.  At the college level, there weren’t a lot of places I didn’t succeed.  I can cover a tight end and out in the slot.  I can track running backs and you can see that in my film.  My coaches say I have great instincts tracking the ball.  I do my job and I take pride in it.  I feel as if I can play sideline to sideline.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your weaknesses?

Damon Lloyd:  Minor technique issues and maybe some open field opportunities.  I might have missed in college.  There are always those small weaknesses that as a linebacker I can work on.

 

Ed Hunt:  What was the highlight of your career?

Damon Lloyd:  Achieving my goals.  I wanted to be an all-American player.  I was a Cliff Harris division II finalist.  Being around the culture of guys was the highlight for me.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your biggest accomplishment in college?

Damon Lloyd:  I would say being trusted as a two-time captain.  The university believes I am the right guy to represent my school.  To lead by example was an accomplishment for me.  I was able to be that motivation and inspiration for them.

 

Ed Hunt:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

Damon Lloyd:  Play the next play.  My coach Jim Smith.  All of them.  They emphasize playing the next play.  They’ve always told me to not worry about the past.  There are days in here and you have bad day. You have to look for the next day and the next rep.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Damon Lloyd:  I don’t really have one.  I started off as a Colts fan.  Then, I realized the Colts didn’t have a good defense.  I have a buddy on the Bears, Josh Woods, who plays for the defense.  He started off as an undrafted free agent and got a tryout and made the 53.  

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is an NFL player you model your career off of?

Damon Lloyd:  It’s kind of hard to really say.  Guys like Bobby Wagner.  I liked Patrick Willis and Ray Lewis.  I always looked up to the greats.  My game is a little bit of all of those.  I try to model my game after them.  They are good at in their game.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is the most important trait for a linebacker?

Damon Lloyd:  I would say instincts and being a student of the game.  You have to be the quarterback of the defense.  After that, comes speed and tracking the ball.

 

Ed Hunt:  Before the ball is snapped, what tendencies are you looking for from the offense?

Damon Lloyd:  I look at the tendencies of the offensive guards.  I look if they have the weight on their fingers.  If the tailback is set.  If the running back is wider.  While I watch film, I look at those tendencies. Their faking can go out the window because I know their tendencies.

 

Ed Hunt:  What players from your team should we keep an eye on?

Damon Lloyd:  Duane Brown is a great athlete and can play anywhere on the offense.  He is a wide receiver.  Malik Anderson and Justice Evans are underclassmen.  My quarterback Quinton Maxwell and JoJo Gause as well.  All three of us are training here.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is the best player you have faced on an opposing team?

Damon Lloyd:  Roland Rivers, the quarterback from Slippery Rock.  I played against a lot of talented running backs, but quarterbacks are harder to follow.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Damon Lloyd:  I enjoy family.  I enjoy the culture.  I enjoy learning about other players.  I love hitting people and I love to outsmart offensive linemen.

 

Ed Hunt:  What makes you unique?

Damon Lloyd:  My ability to inspire and be a guy that people don’t have to question whether I will do my job or not.  Just being me is how I’m unique.  Being built differently than my opponent.  I pride myself on being one the hardest-working people out there.   

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your hobbies?

Damon Lloyd:  I just started getting into reading.  I’m just usually a video game dude.  Being a guy, guys can vent to and helping others.  I wouldn’t say I’m a gym junkie.  My hobby is to help people.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career?

Damon Lloyd:  With my degree in exercise science, I want to go into cardiac rehab.  I want to get my certification in cardiac rehab or exercise physiologist.

 

Ed Hunt:  What five words best describe you?

Damon Lloyd:  Leadership, hard-working, motivational, instinctual and smart. 

 

Ed Hunt:  Who will win the Super Bowl?

Damon Lloyd:  I really like the 49ers because I’m more of a defensive guy.  Richard Sherman and I relate because I am real confident in my abilities.