2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Desmeal Leigh, OT, Youngstown State University

• Name: Desmeal Leigh 
• Position: Offensive Tackle 
• College: Youngstown State 
• Height: 6’7 
• Weight: 320lbs 
• Twitter: DesmealLeigh 
• Instagram: Desmeal_Leigh 

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

I have a unique combination of athleticism, coordination and the ability to move well in space. I also am a quick learner and very coachable as I started playing football my senior year of high school. 

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

A time I faced adversity was this past fall camp. I had about 2 or 3 practices that were below my standards and I was struggling to find consistency. I responded by spending some extra time on the field and and in the film room. I realized that I needed to be playing every snap like it was my last because you never know what could happen. 

What are your hobbies outside of football? 

Outside of football I like spending time with my girlfriend and family. I spend time watching movies and watching other sports like basketball and soccer. 

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

I see myself as a consistent member of an O-line that can be an anchor giving confidence to everyone in an organization that I’ll get my job done. 

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

I would donate to lung cancer research. 

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

I am very coachable and respond by taking my mistakes of film 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

My most underrated teammate would be linebacker Ethan Coe. He plays mostly special teams but brings the most effort and puts in more work than a lot of people on the team. 

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

My Grandpa because he passed when I was young, Lebron James because he is an inspiration of mine, and Nick Saban because he helped develop so many guys into pros. 

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

Injury 

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine? 

I shower before our final meeting than I drink a coffee on the way to the stadium. I get ankle tape than go to the bathroom. Then I put on my braces and pants go out for warmup and do my pass and run work with a coach. Come back down eat some snacks get dressed than head out. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Uncrustable or Honeycrisp Apple 

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in? 

I feel I best fit gap scheme 

What is your degree in? 

I have a degree in Business Administration and I am getting a MBA right now 

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

Travis Scott Jordan 1 Lows 

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

In the game against NDSU I had a false start on the first drive. I had to calm myself down and focus extra hard on the snap count even if it meant watching the ball out of my peripheral 

Name three songs, we can expect on your playlist? 

1. So Appalled- Kanye West 
2. Black- Pearl Jam 
3. Way to Gone- Jeezy