Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Tyler Varga, RB, Yale University

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?

Tyler Varga

Where do you play college football?

Yale

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

+30

How did you choose your school?

I actually stayed to play in Canada my first year and then transferred to Yale my Sophomore year of college. Yale is an amazing school with both storied football and academic traditions. The staff and players there are one of a kind and they truly accepted me into their brotherhood from the moment I set foot on campus.

Where are you from?

Kitchener, Ontario (60 miles west of Toronto)

Who is your role model, and why?

My parents. They’ve taught be how to compete, be resilient and be a good person.

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

Yes, they like that I can run, catch and block well as a running back.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Baseball, soccer, track, ski racing, judo, former gymnast, basketball…  to name a few that I stuck with growing up.

Did you play any other positions in football?

QB, WR, LB, FS, KR, PR

At your position, what separates you from others?

I’m as tough as they come. I’m very physical. I’ve got great feet and quickness. My hands are excellent out of the backfield and I can run and pass block. I can pick up any system I’m put into quickly. I have great vision.

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

How the secondary tackles, blitz tendencies for pass pro and LB flow in the Inside zone/Mid zone game.

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

Terrell Davis… I know he’s not there anymore but I can draw similarities to his style. Tough, multi-dimensional, flew under the radar for a lot of scouts and has much more burst than you think in open field.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Compartment Syndrome in my leg. I rehabbed every single day (sometimes twice per day) for over 200 days straight to get back on the field.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I listen to country music, eat the same thing on game day and go touch the goal post pre-game for good luck.

What is your biggest strength?

My toughness.

What is your biggest weakness?

My top end speed after 40 yards.

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

I love the game of football and I’ll do whatever you ask me to do to help the team. I can offer toughness, versatility in the backfield, great vision and I have the intellect to learn any system you can throw at me. I love to compete and will do whatever it takes to succeed. I’m meticulous in preparation and I can overcome any odds that you throw at me.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Terrell Davis and the Denver Broncos.

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

Arnold Schwarzeneggaer, Terrell Davis and Walter Payton.