Nov. 7, 2007
Q & A With Tyson DitmoreBy UNM Media Relations Assistant D.J. Renteria
Senior Tyson Ditmore is a veteran safety who has been a regular in the defensive rotation since he was a true freshman in 2004. Ditmore has also been a strong special teams performer throughout his career, which includes 39 games played with 16 career starts, and 87 tackles. A smart, active player who has gotten stronger each year, Ditmore has become more consistent in pass coverage and been one of the most physical players in the secondary.
The Las Cruces, N.M. product broke a family tradition of attending hometown New Mexico State University when he signed with the arch-rival Lobos in ’04. His dad, James, graduated from New Mexico State and works in the chile breeding program in the NMSU College of Agriculture. His mom, Lori, attended NMSU and works in the school’s Office of Distance Education and older brother, Dustin, was a tight end for the Aggies from 2001-03.
Ditmore has appeared in six games rotating in off the bench and playing special teams. He has made 10 stops and recorded a career-high 3 pass break-ups. Two of those came at UTEP, including one when he blasted the Miner quarterback as he threw to force an incompletion.
D.J. Renteria: Growing up in New Mexico did you grow up watching any former lobos in particular?
Tyson Ditmore: Of course I heard of Brian Urlacher and about all the great things he was doing, but I also had heard about coach Rocky Long’s defense and the greatness surrounding it.
DR: Who was your role model as a kid?
TD: My brother has been through a lot of things and is a couple years older then myself. He was talented enough to have competed at the Division I level in both football and baseball. He did a great job of telling me what to expect from collegiate athletics.
DR: What characteristics go into the make-up of a defensive back at New Mexico?
TD: I think toughness is a big one. You need to have an attitude of some sort to play back there also. We have a very diverse group of defensive backs here and it makes us better.
DR: What is the best thing about playing your college football so close to home?
TD: The opportunity for everyone to see what you’re doing is huge. This is it for a lot of seniors and it’s awesome for my family and friends to get to see what will be my last games as a Lobo.
DR: If you could play offense what position would you play?
TD: Wide receiver, of course! They are very free to make plays as they can.
DR: If you were stranded on a deserted island what two things must you have with you to survive?
TD: One would have to be a TV to watch “The First 48” and the other would have to be as much music as possible.
DR: If you had to choose between Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie who would you pick?
TD: I’m going to have to go with Angelina Jolie. She has been in the public eye a little more lately.