Name: Mateo Renteria
School: The College of Wooster
Position: QB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185

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

Before each season, the goal is always to win every game. However, before my final season, I set a lot of personal goals as well. I wanted to grow as a player and as a leader into someone that my teammates could lean on and trust. I wanted to mature and become a player that mentally was prepared for the next level, and prepared to win games. I believe that I did just that through overcoming adversity and getting key wins to secure another 3rd straight winning season for the scots, as well as earn 2022 Offensive Player of the Game in the All-American bowl this past December.

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

My coaches and teammates see me as someone they can count on to hold myself to the team’s standard and lead by example. For the Scots I was someone who holds everyone accountable and brings a fire to the weight room, practice, and games. As a QB, there are no off days. If you are off as a QB1, you can waste an entire practice or game, so it makes it that much more important to bring intensity and focus to every practice, lift, or film session. I believe my coaches and teammates would say I am someone they can count on to bring 100% to everything I do as a competitor.

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

When watching film, I try to focus on why I made a mistake, or why I found success on any given play. My OC at Wooster always preached knowing the ‘why’ behind the plays we ran, so when I watch film, I make sure to dive deeper into each play to better my understanding. I watch every aspect from the line, to my pocket presence, what coverage is being run, and finally critiquing my form and mechanics. Something I like to do is cross reference my bad plays with my good ones to see what exactly I did that led to the different outcomes. In addition to that, I like to compare my game with top D1 and NFL quarterbacks so that I can learn what I have to improve to make it at that level.

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

The way I watch film and study the game of football and the quarterback position is definitely the biggest gap between me and other pro prospects. A lot of Qb talent stems from natural ability and athleticism, and I believe too many guys think that is enough; mindsets like that are what allow me to outwork everyone at my position because I believe no amount of work is enough until I reach my goals. I have the absolute highest ambitions as a QB and as a person, so for years now I have tried to get 1% better everyday no matter the circumstance. I am not satisfied with the player or person I am today, and I will never stop trying to improve.

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

I am going to play professionally overseas to further my understanding of the game and mature more as a leader. The football there is not as developed as here, so I will shoulder more responsibility in teaching and branching my understanding of football to my new teammates and coaches. This will be a great opportunity for me to continue to play and grow as a leader, and motivate me to stay in shape and continue to work on my physical stature and mechanics.

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

My ability to extend plays while also protecting the football, paired with my accuracy, are what make me stand out on the field. I possess a demanding presence when I am in the game, and I bring confidence to my teammates with it. Off the field, I believe wholeheartedly that establishing a brotherhood within a team leads to more success on the field and in life. I have the ability to connect with people and form bonds that make them comfortable following me into battle every week. My ability to encourage comradery can take any team to the next level and break any unwanted standards in place.

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

Everywhere I’ve showed my talents, high-school, camps, college, or all star games, I’ve always been among if not the best Qb in the building. I’ve always been able to perform at the highest level of football I am presented with, and I won’t stop finding this success until I reach the highest form of football I am capable of. If that stops in Paris, France then that was my ceiling. However, I do not plan on finding that ceiling anytime soon. I truly believe I do not have a ceiling, and if I continue to improve everyday as both a person and a football player, I will reach my potential, and become one of the greatest Qb’s (and then coach) to ever be apart of this family that is football.