Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Chad Kolumber, OL, University of Richmond

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Chad Kolumber 

What is your Height/Weight?

6′ 7″ and 328lbs 

What is your position?

Offensive Tackle 

Where do you play college football?

Started at the University of Kansas for two years then transferred to the University of Richmond for my last three years. 

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

About 10 schools 

How did you choose your school?

I really liked the coaches that were out at Kansas when they were recruiting me, when they left and I decided to transfer, I had high school teammates playing at Richmond so they helped forward my information to the coaches, as well as I really like the coaches, and remembered them from when they were recruiting me out of high school and felt like they were a great match to get me where I wanted to go with my athletic career. 

Where are you from?

Norristown Pennsylvania 

Who is your role model, and why?

My grandfather is my role model. I grew up living with him and listening to all the stories from his lifetime were incredible. He has worked harder then anyone else in my life I know and has worked to get everything he needed in life. He was a gentleman to my grandmother and took care of her, which show me how to be respectable and how to be a gentleman. He helped raise my brother and I and instilled his values of handwork and dedication in life to get what we want. Even to this day he is still teaching me how to be handy around the house, as well as reminding me to continue to work hard to get to what I’ve set as my goals for my athletic career. 

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

I have not met with any scouts at this point. 

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Growing up I mainly played basketball and baseball, I didn’t start football until middle school. 

Did you play any other positions in football?

I can play offensive guard as well. 

At your position, what separates you from others?

What separates me from others is my size, and how coachable I am. Being 6’7″ having a 33.5″ arm length and 10 inch hands gives me the size advantage at my position. As well I am very coachable and able to take what my coach shows me, or tells me what I need to change and put it into use when I practice and play the game. 

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

When watching film I look for what the defensive players are doing each play. I look for how they align their feet, or which hand is on the ground to see if it tips off which direction they are going, or if they are twisting. As well I look at their alignment to see if that gives away where they are going as well. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

One of the toughest players I faced was Eli Harold out of the University of Virginia. He was strong, had a fast motor and played with great pad level. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

I would compare my play to Jason Peters of the Philadelphia Eagles. We are similar in size, work hard to perfect our craft at our position, and have had dominant careers playing the game of football. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I don’t have any out of the ordinary pre-game ritual. I just sit in my locker with my eyes closed and music on running through our plays against different defensive fronts we could see for that game. I also talk to my best friend as well just to talk and get our minds right for our games. 

What is your biggest strength?

I would say my biggest strength is my size. I have the body of an NFL player, being tall with long arms and big hands, and I am continuing my ability in being able to use my size to my advantage against the defense. 

What is your biggest weakness?

I would say my weakness is my flexibility. I haven’t always been the most flexible guy but I have been stretching a lot and doing some yoga to help with my flexibility. 

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I am a coachable player that learns quick, and I take pride in being someone that works hard to perfect my craft and ability for my position. 

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Growing up and being from Philadelphia my favorite favorite team was the Philadelphia Eagles, and one of my favorite players was Donovan McNabb. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

The three people I would want to have dinner with would be Jesus, Ronald Reagan and Chris Farley.