NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Sam Mentkowski, WR, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

What is your name? 

Sam Mentkowski

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’0″  195 lbs.

What is your position? 

Wide Receiver

Where do you play college football? 

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Where are you from? 

Greenfield, WI.

Who is your role model, and why? 

Outside of football, my role model is my dad. He has always been my go to guy when I need help figuring something out in life. He has shaped me into who I am today and I would be nowhere without him. He attacks everything he does with 110% and that has made me want to do the same. He lives his life to the fullest and knows how to respond to adversity. When it comes to football, I have recently looked up to Adam Thielen. My friend sent me the letter that Adam wrote about his journey to where he is today. I think so far my journey has been very similar. We have always been overlooked when it comes to football and we always work to overcome that. Seeing him succeed in the NFL has given me hope and helped me decide to continue to chase my dream of playing at the next level.

Who was your favorite teacher?

My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Carney.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I played football, basketball, and baseball my whole life. I ran track my senior year of high school to help get ready for college football.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

The toughest player I ever faced was Baylor Mullins from UMHB. Although we didn’t go 1 on 1 too much because he played nickel, he was everywhere on the field.

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Cole Yoder. He is finally starting to get some recognition but he has started since he was a freshman and is a very good football player. Going against him everyday in practice made me better.

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life? 

Throw It Up by Lil Jon. It was the last song we listened to before we left the locker room.

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

Adam Thielen. Although he is a little taller, I think we have a very similar style of play.

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

The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was not getting much exposure out of high school. I went the division 3 route and enjoyed every second of it. I worked very hard with my teammates and played a lot of very good football teams.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

I try to make my way around the locker room and show some sort of love (knucks, hand shake, tap on the helmet) to every single guy.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

I think I’ll never forget the 53 yard touchdown I had against UW-Whitewater to put us up 30-20. They scored 2 touchdowns in a row and had a lot of momentum and we needed someone to step up and make a play. That stopped their momentum and helped us go on to win a big game.

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

Became best friends with a special ed kid from my high school. I would drive him to and from practices and keep him involved with our athletic programs. It made his high school career something he will never forget.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up? 

Green Bay Packers

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

Odell Beckham Jr, Kobe Bryant, and Brett Favre.