Name: Tyson Pauling
School: Portland State University 
Position: C/OG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 305

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

The goals that I set were to win the Big Sky Conference, finish 1st team all-conference at my position, not allow any sacks (personally), be 100% every play and know defenses through and through that we played. I accomplished first team all-conference at center, had one sack in my career playing center in the last two years, and with the teams that we played I knew what defenses were bringing throughout the season (fronts/blitzes/twist).

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

My coaches would say that I am a leader, I set the standard for the Offensive line, I am a guy who’s going to know his job and others around him, and that I’m a hard worker. My teammates would say that I am a brother, a reliable player, a leader, mentor, a player who knows his stuff, and a person who’s going to give 110% into everything.

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

When switching from guard to center I had to focus on different defensive fronts that were presented to me. Different blitzes that were brought from different fronts. Watched if the safety was stacking the corner and especially to the boundary, because that was a sign of a corner blitz. I watched the linebackers in film because for the most part they tell you what’s happening in a play. I also watched my feet, hand placement, and where I would need to move a guy on a certain play when going against certain defensive fronts. I watched and studied my negative plays more than ever to see where I could improve.

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

What separates me is that I played all five positions on the offensive line. I taught myself how to snap the ball and play the center position in my last two seasons in college. I know that I’m not the strongest guy that has played the offensive line position, so I had to be technical with my play. I’m the type of player who doesn’t care who he is going up against because I believe everyone can be beat in anyway. I don’t fear anyone I go up against.

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

Keep myself in great shape and to create a base for myself to build upon what I have already. Also keep my feet moving and getting in my stance to stay efficient in switching between my guard stances and my center stance. Also keep my mind sharp because playing center you have to know everything on the offensive line.

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

The kind of strengths and abilities that I will bring to a team is leadership, being a brother to the dudes around me, doing the right things wherever I’m at, having an impact on the community around me, giving 110% in everything that I do on and off the field, and playing the position that I play to the best of my ability and nothing less.

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

I wasn’t a 5 star recruit. I was a 0 star. I came from a place that nobody went and played higher than Juco football. I went D1. I was told that I would never play D1 ball when I got to college and started for 3 years. At the time I was playing guard and our 6th year center was on the way out and I didn’t trust anyone else on the Oline to play the position, so I taught myself how to snap and learn the position. In my last year playing center I got first team All-Conference. I have always had the odds against me in life and in football and have overcome what anyone has said I wouldn’t do. I never make excuses for anything that I do in football or life because for me, there is always a way to better myself in some way.