Name: DaVonte’ Maura
School: UT Martin
Position: DB
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

Honestly my individual goals were really team driven goals. I am very competitive and hate to lose. During my Junior season we went 2-9. So going into my senior season I wanted to do whatever it took and whatever was asked of me to achieve the overall goal which was to win. I pride myself as a shutdown corner and I didn’t mind stepping up to the any challenge the coaches asked of me, whether that meant I had to travel that week, play in the slot, play safety or be on every special teams. I do believe we made incredible strives from my junior year to my senior year, by wining 5 more games than the following season. I knew that winning as a team and doing what was asked of me to help us win that all of the individual accolades would follow; such as being all conference and letting up 0 touch downs in conference play.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

My coaches and teammates would have a lot of positive thing to say about me. My coaches would say that I have a strong love for the game and it is more than just a game to me and that I lead by example on and off the field. My coaches and players would say that I have a crazy work ethic and a student of the game.

Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?

I love watching film. I feel like the game is won in the film room way before it is won on Saturday or Sunday. When watching film on myself I look to see how I can improve my technique to put myself in better positions to make bigger plays. I also try to look for keys that I could have noticed before the snap to help me recognize the play concept faster. When watching film on an opponent I like to study the team’s formation and route concepts to get myself familiar with their offense. Then I like to see where the receiver likes to line up when running different routes. I like to see if they are in the boundary or to the field, and if they like to get room away from the sideline to allow more room for their self to get back outside or if they like to line up outside the numbers to allow more room to work inside.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

What separates me from other players is my love for the game, my work ethic and how I pride myself as not just a DB but a football player. I’m willing to play any position including special teams. The stigma behind most DB’s is that they aren’t aggressive or they don’t like to tackle. Me on the other hand I not only pride myself as a lock down corner having 11 pass break ups, 1 interception and also only letting up one touchdown pass all season vs. ranked University of Florida, I also pride myself on the ability to come up and tackle. I finished the season third on the team in tackles with 73 tackles and 3 tackles for loss.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

I am no longer a collegiate athlete and this offseason I wanted to start training like a Pro. I ‘am currently working out in Weston Florida at the House of Athletes Brandon Marshalls Gym. I feel like the head trainer Troy Jones has done a great job so far getting me ready for my pro day and for the next level. I’m training very hard and am on a strict diet. I have been getting quality reps and I am making sure I take care of my body on and off the field.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

I believe I have many strength that I can bring to an organization on and off the field. I feel as though I am characterized by leading by example on and off the field whether that’s staying after practice or spending additional time in the film room. I have noticed all the greats such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu all fell in love with their craft and enjoyed putting the time in to get better / perfect there craft. I want to put that same time and energy in to make myself better and to make those around me better.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL or any other pro leagues?

If you sign me to your organization I’m willing to do what it takes on and off the field to help us get to a championship.