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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Matt Shiltz, QB, Butler University

Butler QB Matt Shiltz is a big quarterback with a great arm
Butler QB Matt Shiltz is a big quarterback with a great arm

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner.

What is your name? 

Matt Shiltz

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’2” 205

What is your position? 

QB

Where do you play college football? 

Butler University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field? 

Four teammates and myself started an organization on campus called B.A.R.K., which stands for Butler Athletes Recognizing Kids. Our mission is to give back to the less fortunate and disadvantaged kids in the Indianapolis community through various fundraisers and services events.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Accounting Information Systems

Where are you from? 

St. Charles, Illinois

Who is your role model, and why? 

In life, my role models are my parents. They both have been through various struggles and their hard work and dedication have taught me valuable life lessons that will last my entire lifetime.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I played baseball and ran track.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

In college I have also played DB.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

What separates me is my ability to command a huddle and lead 10 other guys at the same time. My dedication and desire for success every Saturday drives me to practice and prepare every day as if it is game day.

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

I look for a variety of things including base coverages, situational tendencies, personnel, blitz/coverage pairings, and I also self scout. These things allow me to get an understanding of the opponent before further breaking down specifics that will match our game plan for the week. In regards to specifics, I look at how DB’s, LB’s, and the DL will play against certain formations, plays and route combinations in order to find our team’s best match-ups. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Connor Underwood, Indiana State

matt shiltz1If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why? 

I would compare myself to Aaron Rodgers. He has a great knowledge of the game and understands the scheme of his offense. At the same time, he has the ability to make big plays both within the scheme and on the run. Finally, he is one of the best at using his feet to move in the pocket and to scramble in order to make a play.

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

The biggest obstacle in my life was when my mom was in the hospital for over a week during my senior year of high school. This was during my recruiting, and a lot of things (in regards to her health) were uncertain. I would go and visit her between school and practice and studying in order to spend time with her. Luckily, she made it through the situation and was able to see her dream (and my dream) of playing Division 1 football come true.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

My pregame ritual is usual listening to music in the locker room while visualizing myself making the perfect play. This allows me to get focused and locked in for any situation that may come up.

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?

I have to overcome the doubt that I am not big enough, smart enough, athletic enough etc… to play at the next level. However, I know if I get the opportunity, I will be able to prove why I can compete with the best.

What is your biggest strength? 

My biggest strength is my desire to succeed. When I get a thought in my head about something I want to accomplish, I will do anything I can to make it happen.

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness is my size. I have to be able to find unique ways of finding windows to throw the football.

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

I have been counted out my entire life and I have always at least asked for an opportunity to prove why I belong. Every time I have been given that opportunity, I have made the most of it and it has allowed me to be in the position I am today. Let me prove to you why I can play at the professional level. With that, you’ll be getting a high character individual that will put the team above self and do everything I can to help the organization succeed.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

My favorite player was Steve Young, and my favorite team is the 49ers.

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

Jesus Christ, Houdini, My grandpa 

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

I would pay back my parents for everything they’ve provided for me and my family to get us to where we are today.

Rapid Answers:

  • Spongebob or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
  • Backstreet Boys or One Direction?
  • Lifetime Channel or HGTV?
  • Waffles or Pancakes?
  • Snakes or Spiders?
  • Madden or Mario?

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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