NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Zack Shaw, LB, Indiana University

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?

Zack Shaw

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’2”    255lb

What is your position? 

Linebacker

Where do you play college football? 

Indiana University

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

I’ve gone and spoke at multiple little league practices and got to talk with kids about work ethic and what it takes to get the privilege play college ball and to be able to make it out of the small town in which I’m from. 

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

Calculus

Where are you from? 

Coshocton, Ohio

Who is your role model, and why? 

My father is my role model. He has worked extremely hard to provide for our family and still does. He’s shown us how to be successful and what it takes to succeed in life. 

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I played baseball, ran track, and wrestled.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

In HS I played Fullback and Tight End. In college I also played Defensive End.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

I’m versatile. I have the power and physicality to stop the run, I can rush the passer when needed and I can also drop back in coverage to defend the pass.

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

I look for snap count keys, I look for what the QB and center do before snapping the ball. I also look for different stances in lineman and tight ends to see if they’re tipping run or pass and the depth of the running back and where he’s positioned on run or pass plays.

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

James Harrison, because he’s a very powerful player. He’s physical and is versatile in the run and pass game. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

No

What is your biggest strength? 

My physicality

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

I would say that I’m an extremely hard worker, I give 110% in everything I do plus more. There won’t be any on or off field issues and I would be a valuable player for the team.

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

Pittsburgh 

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

Babe Ruth, Walter Payton, Jack Lambert

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

A new car for my mother.