Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Seth Lobato, QB, Northern Colorado

NFL Draft Diamonds Spotlight Interview: Seth Lobato, QB, Northern Colorado

Amidst the hoopla over FCS QB’s named Garoppolo and Mathews, don’t forget the rocket-armed 6’6 ex-Colorado Buffalo Seth Lobato. Seth has drawn over half of the entire NFL to Northern Colorado on scouting voyages to see him up close & personal. Here is our prospect interview with Seth.

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?
I was recruited by only 5 division 1 schools. I had quite a bit of basketball interest from some division 1 programs.

How did you come to make your college decision?
My love for football made it an easy decision and despite not a lot of Division 1 interest I knew I had the ability to compete at the highest level. At CU I was given the opportunity to grow and develop a little bit and chose to transfer to Northern Colorado where I was eager to help a struggling program right away.

Where are you training, and what are your goals for pro day/combines?
I’m training in Denver, Colorado and I’m focused on getting my body ready to perform well when I’m given the opportunity.

Have any scouts met with you, and if so what are they saying?
Yes, I have met with many scouts over the course of the season and some are more interested than others but the important thing for me as a quarterback is to continue to get better every day and handle the things that I am in control of. I’m working on all facets of my game and I’m confident that when it comes down to it there will be some organizations that believe in my abilities as I do.

At your position, what separates you from the others?
Being a 6’6 quarterback I have a great vantage point to survey the field. I am able to make every throw anywhere on the field and my anticipation and timing gets the ball out of my hands and into the hands of my playmakers. I can deliver the ball in the pocket with color in my face or on the run and extend plays with my legs.

Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?
Film study is essential to QB success. You have to be able to recognize what the defense is giving you so that you can get your team in place to execute. It’s important to understand gap responsibilities by the front 7 as well as secondary alignments and techniques. Most of my work is pre-snap recognition of the defensive shell and alignment and post snap is confirmation. Film study also gives me an advantage to see if there is a particular matchup against a corner, safety, or linebacker that we can exploit. Last, delving into film allows me to anticipate defensive tendencies based on down and distance.

Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?
I’ve played against many great players but a few that come to mind is Star Lotulelei and Jordan Tripp, LB out of Montana.

If you could compare your play to one person in the NFL who would it be?
I feel that my game is similar to Nick Foles because we are built the same and have similar attributes. I have the arm strength to push the ball down the field, the patience to deliver a strike in the pocket and the ability to extend a play with my feet when a play breaks down and throw on the run or pick up a few yards with my feet.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
All my life there have always been people who have doubted my abilities. With the support from my family and my own self-confidence, I have stayed persistence in my work ethic and preserved through any adversity.

What system fits your style of play the best?
I played in a pro-style system in college and am confident under center, shotgun/pistol or moving the pocket (bootleg, sprint-outs).

What is your biggest strength?
My arm strength and cognitive ability in defensive recognition is a strong suit of mine.

What is your biggest weakness?
As a quarterback I wouldn’t say that there is a glaring weakness. There are always things that you’re trying to improve on a daily basis to become a more complete quarterback.

If I were a GM and gave you a minute to sell yourself, what would you say?
If you gave me a chance to compete for your organization the attributes that I would bring is leadership. I have the ability to organize, motivate and people follow my lead. I’m self-driven and have a strong character on and off the field. I believe in doing the right things all the time because you’re always representing more than just yourself. You will get my maximum effort every day when I step in the facility and I will give everything I have to help the organization.

Growing up, who was your role model?
My dad and older brothers were my role models. They showed me the importance of work ethic and perseverance. They taught me everything about sports and have always been my biggest supporters, along with my mother.

Who was your favorite team and player in the NFL and why?
The Minnesota Vikings were my favorite team growing up just because my dad and brother liked them so I just inherited that from them. I don’t have one favorite player but I’m a fan of all quarterbacks. Being a student of the game, I love watching quarterbacks and trying to learn something new from each of them.

If you were to have dinner with three people dead or alive who would it be?
I would have dinner with Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees because I would love to sit down, talk football and learn from some of the greatest quarterbacks that are still playing the game at an extreme high level.

What would you buy with your first NFL paycheck?
I would take my family out to a nice restaurant and buy something nice for my parents. After that, I would put the rest into savings.