Name: Matthew Castner
School: Cumberlands
Position: OL/G/C
Height:  6’2″
Weight: 305

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

I set both personal and team goals for my senior year. The team goals included: winning a Conference Championship, Making the Playoffs, and winning a National Championship. We made it to the Conference Championship but came up short. We made it to the second round of the playoffs, but came up short in the ultimate goal of winning the National Championship. In terms of my personal goals, I wanted to be the best leader I could possibly be; be an example on and off the field; be academic All-Conference; be football All-Conference and be an All-American again. I was able to accomplish the majority of my personal goals as I was named Team Captain for the 2nd consecutive year. I was Academic and Football 1st team All-Conference and I am waiting to see the list of All-Americans that comes out later this month.

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

They would say I am the most loyal, tenacious and hardest working player they know. I am all about the team and all about winning. I lead with the team’s interest always first and foremost in my thoughts and actions. I am very intense on the field. I am very physical and I impose my will on the player I am going against. Whatever I can do for the team and to help the team win I will do, even if this means I have to change positions from Nose Guard to Right Guard to Tackle – I will do it. My coaches and teammates would say that I am their first pick if we are getting in a fight or headed to war because they know I always have their backs.

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

When I am studying my film I am looking to see if my stance is good. From there, I am looking to make sure there are no tendencies in my stance so I am not giving away a play. From stance I then look to steps. Did I take the proper step for the type of play it is? Was I balanced out of my stance and have violent hands? From here I review effort and could I have done more to make the play even more successful? When I review every play in this manner it tremendously helps me in not only the physical fundamentals but also the mental. From watching film with great attention to detail it allows for me to recognize fronts and possible blitz a lot faster.

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

My nastiness, physicality, understanding of the game and ability to play any position on the Offensive and interior defensive line. I am very physical and nasty on the field and that sounds cliché, but I can promise you no one has ever seen anything like me before. My goal is to not only win, but physically harm my opponent to the point where you can no longer play in the respective game. Every play I am trying to end his day. Lastly, would be my understanding of the game. I am a student of the game and I have played collegiately on both sides of the ball which allows me to have a better understanding of the position I am going against unlike these other prospects in my field that have a myopic view because of being on the same side of the ball there entire collegiate career.

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

I am plan to work with a personal trainer and have a focus on speed and explosiveness. I am very strong and will continue with my College workout regiment, but I will use the personal trainer to make my speed world class for an offensive lineman. I have also been studying NFL games and specifically defensive fronts so I am not blindsided by the NFL defenses.

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

I will bring a tireless effort of intensity that will push every one of my teammates towards success. I will make sure my leadership is done by example so it will carry from the film room to the field and to their personal lives. Also because of my physicality and toughness it makes the team naturally more tough and physical. My influence on a team will heard intentionally through words of leadership but also through my actions.

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

Don’t be the team that passes on a game changer. I will make any GM or Director of Player Personnel look like a genius.