2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Matthew Castner,OL, Cumberlands
- Name:: Matthew Castner
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 300
- Position: Guard and Center
- College: Cumberlands
- Twitter:@matthewjcastner
Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
• I was born in Florida but grew up in a suburb north of Atlanta. Since high school graduation, I live in Cocoa Beach Florida when I am not in school. Growing up north of Atlanta was a great experience. Truly the best part of being in the Atlanta area is the quality of youth and high school football. I was very fortunate to have a lot of incredibly great youth coaches and attended Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell GA. I owe a lot to BT and the coaches at BT. We played in the state championship my senior season and playing in the GA Dome was a great experience.
List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
• Strength and Conditioning – helps build mental and physical strength/toughness
Film – Film allows me to see myself and what is working and what I need to focus on to get better. The film allows me to see the other O-linemen and see how we are working as a unit. The film allows me to see my opponent and provides me with his tendencies and his weaknesses, etc.
What do you worry about, and why?
• I worry about a lot about failure and yet I am a very confident individual. I think that is why I try and outwork everyone on the field; in the weight room and in the classroom. I never want to be unprepared and always want to put myself and my team in the best position to win. I love to win – I hate losing. I am very competitive.
Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
• Every failure whether it be personal or a team failure motivates me to work harder – smarter – and longer.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
• My work ethic and hopefully the example I set as a leader on the team.
Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
• Teon Burroughs from Reinhardt. He is a very good DT and he gave me a challenge, but I handled him.
What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?
• I will be graduating college a semester early with a double major (business and Christian studies) and if football at the next level does not materialize I will focus on business and being an entrepreneur.
Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
• Room – I spend the majority of my time in my room so I want it to be very clean.
If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
• Family member – Family First ALWAYS!
If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
• Tony Soprano – he was an effective leader though he did use unconventional methods to lead and I like the fact that he never backed down.
Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
• My parent’s divorce in elementary school. It brought my father and me closer together as I lived with him from the latter part of middle school and high school. He was and is actively involved in my life and is a great example for me.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
• I really do not recall an embarrassing moment. I can laugh at myself so I do not really get embarrassed.
What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
• Actually, it will happen this coming season when we take a knee to end the game and win the NAIA championship – that will be the play that I will remember forever and will not have even drive a DT off the line.
What song best describes your work ethic?
• Devastated by Joey BadA$$
What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level?
• The ultra-competitiveness that fuels me to work harder than everyone else.
If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
• Ray Kroc – founder of McDonald’s. I read the book “Grinding it out” which details how he started McDonald’s and how he differentiated himself from other entrepreneurs.
If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?
• Cocoa Cabana – I like the name and I live with my father in Cocoa Beach when not at school
Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?
• Shaq Mason RG for the Patriots. He is only 6’1″ and he handles his business. I was glad to see him sign a huge contract this year.
Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
• Respected – you earn respect through your actions, words and execution.
What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
• Michael Vick – One of the greatest talents ever to play in the NFL. I do not condone what he did – but public opinion played a large part in him being sentenced for 3 years and spending 2 years in prison. I believe his fame and notoriety played a part with his excessive sentence – but I do think this failure made him a better man when he emerged from prison.
Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
• Hate to lose. Winning is awesome but it is fleeting…losing gnaws away at my soul.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
•My Father – he is my best friend and my mentor. He is very successful and he taught me about honesty, loyalty, work ethic, perseverance, and leadership.