NFL Draft: Interview with Douglas Middleton, CB, Appalachian St.
Appalachian State defensive back and NFL Draft hopeful (2016) Douglas Middleton is flying just under the radar right now, but the senior is ready for the spotlight and to put himself among college football’s elite defensive backs.
We took an early look at Middleton a while back in a piece that highlighted some of his strengths as a player, and he was kind enough to take some time out of his schedule to chat with us here at NFLMocks.com.
Middleton is a cornerback/safety hybrid type player who will play mostly cornerback this season, but what he really does is come out on the field and make plays on the football. As with every young prospect, there is a lot of room for growth, but as he continues to blossom as a player, there’s no telling how high his ceiling goes.
Recently named to the Thorpe award watch list as one of the nation’s best defensive backs, Middleton told me this season he’s looking forward to a couple of games in particular as we’re just about a month or so out from college football coming back.
“There’s a few games I’m looking forward to…Death Valley playing against Clemson and also Georgia Southern, which is probably the biggest game on my list just because they won the conference last year…”
The Clemson game is the second game on the docket for Appalachian State, a test that is sure to bring out the absolute best in every player on the field since Clemson is full of talent, but that game will highlight Middleton specifically because of a top flight NFL prospect he’ll be facing off against in Clemson’s Mike Williams.
Williams, as we have highlighted here at NFL Mocks, is an exciting playmaker with size, speed, hands, and looks to carry on a recent trend of elite Clemson receivers getting picked high in the NFL Draft.
“I’ve definitely seen a couple of games of his — the Chapel Hill game and the South Carolina game. His speed, his size, his hands, and his ability to run routes definitely separates him from a lot of guys. He’s definitely a top receiver in the nation. For him to run as fast as he does, we’ll have to give him some extra attention…We’ve got to give him a lot of attention this year.”
Middleton highlighted last year’s matchup against Michigan and receiver/tight end Devin Funchess as a reference point for why they need to pay such close attention to Williams at Clemson this year. Michigan obviously has talented athletes, but none presented the mismatch that Devin Funchess did to teams, and he went for 7 catches, 94 yards, and 3 touchdowns against Appalachian State.
That’s something Middleton doesn’t want a repeat of this season against Clemson.
Despite some tough contests like that one early last year, Middleton played well enough last year to earn a spot on the Thorpe award watch list in 2015. That award is annually given to the top defensive back in the country. Even to be on the pre-season watch list means you are recognized as one of college football’s best.
“That recognition is huge, man. Just to be recognized as one of the best DBs in the country, I’m just really thankful. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. They all play a role in what we do. It means people are seeing some of the things I’m doing, but it also means we have a lot to get done.”
There’s plenty for Middleton to accomplish this season, plenty for him to show NFL scouts and his coaches/teammates at Appalachian State, but he says there’s another inspiration that drives him to be the best he can be on the football field…and off.
“I would definitely say my parents, and my immediate family. My parents, and my little brother and sister. They watch everything I do, so I definitely want to set a good example for them. My parents have done everything they can to support my dream. They’ve sacrificed everything that they could have.
Just to achieve those dreams just to let them know that I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. For my brother and sister to let them know they can look up to me to set a good example. Those are the things that continue to help me work every day and motivate me.”
So what about the NFL? Middleton told me he has thought about getting drafted, but never about walking out onto an NFL practice field or gameday. I had to ask him…what’s your favorite NFL team?
“I like the Jets. That’s my favorite team even though they’ve been struggling. When I was a running back in pop warner I used to watch LT, LaDainian Tomlinson just because of the way he lived his life on the field and off the field. He was definitely a guy that I loved watching.
In high school it was Champ Bailey, that’s why I wore number 24 in high school was because of Champ Bailey. And then when I got to college I started to study film a lot more, I loved watching Antrel Rolle. I felt my game and his game had a lot of similarity. I love watching Earl Thomas because of the passion and speed he plays with every play. Of course, Sean Taylor, but that’s one that everyone wants to try and be like.”
Middleton will have plenty of people rooting for him and in his corner if this is the kind of person you can expect for your NFL football team. Driven, hard-working, a team leader on and off the field, and he has a great grasp on what this season means for his future, but it’s not distracting him from keeping a week-to-week approach.
It’s going to be exciting to see what this Thorpe award candidate has for us all this year, and what kind of NFL prospect he can become.