2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Austin Dorris, TE, Bowling Green State University
Student-Athlete Profile:
- Austin Dorris
- Bowling Green State University
- TE
- 6’5”
- 247lbs.
- Hometown: Shadyside, OH
- Twitter: @AustinDorris83
This will be your first season at Bowling Green after spending your first four years of eligibility at Indiana. What has the transfer process been like? What made Bowling Green the right school for you?
The transfer process for me was fairly simple. I loved my time at IU, but I wanted the opportunity to be the starter at a school. Once I entered the portal, my former head coach Kevin Wilson called me and said that I should consider going to Bowling Green because one of his former GA’s had got hired as the TEs coach at Bowling Green. I went on a visit and quickly realized it was the place for me. I’m a small-town kid, so the town of Bowling Green was a nice fit for me. Also, once I got around the coaching staff, I instantly knew that they were my best opportunity to get a shot at the NFL. They have all been around some of the greatest players to ever do it and know what it takes to make it to the league.
As an athlete, what is your motivation?
My motivation is my family and my hometown. My family has sacrificed thousands of dollars and countless hours of their time to travel from state to state to support me in whatever sport I was doing at that time, and I just want to be able to make them proud. My hometown because, as I said, it is a very small area, and not a lot of people get the opportunity to do stuff like this, so every time I go home I make it a point to give out some of my old gear and clothes to the kids to show them that even though we go to a small school, doesn’t mean its not possible.
What defines success for you?
Success for me is simply doing my job exceptionally. Being a guy that is looked at as reliable and my teammates can look at and know that I’m going to get my job done when called upon.
What would your teammates say about the type of teammate you are?
I believe that my teammates hold me in high regards as far as being a teammate. I’m a great locker room guy, I love making dudes laugh and messing around with everyone, but I also know when it’s time to be serious and get to work. I look out for my teammates, and they can come to me with whatever and know that I will do everything that I can to help them.
What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?
Stay true to yourself, regardless of situation or circumstance.
Who is the toughest player you’ve competed against during your collegiate career?
Last year when I was at IU we played against Iowa and they had a defensive end named Anthony Nelson who went on to get drafted in the 4th round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was just a really tall, strong, lengthy guy who had a lot of athletic ability. I believe he’ll be in the NFL for a very long time because of those things.
Who is the best player in the NFL?
Tom Brady, and he’s showing why now more than ever. Of course he isn’t putting up the numbers that he was doing a few years ago, but he continues to make the right decision when it matters the most. He gets the ball to the open man and lets them do the work, that’s why he’s still playing in the NFL at the age of 41.
What is your team of choice on Madden, why?
Dallas Cowboys. I’ve always been a Cowboys fan because that’s who my dad likes. It’s also easy running the ball with Zeke Elliot.
Failure is inevitable in life. How do you handle situations that don’t go in your favor?
I’ve had my fair share of failure, especially at the collegiate level. I’ve learned that the best way to handle things that don’t go your way is to just deal with them, and then move on. I know that sounds elementary and stupid, but from what I’ve learned, if you just try to act like nothing happened, it will creep up on you and linger for much longer and make it much harder to deal with in the long run.
Is there a current/former NFL player that you model your game after?
I’ve always tried to model my game after Heath Miller, former TE for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I played QB in high school but was recruited as a TE for college, and I found out that Heath Miller played QB at a small high school and went on to be a very successful TE for the University of Virginia and then in the NFL.
Knowing what you do now, what would you go back and tell yourself as a High-School Freshman?
Spend more time in the weight room and do a lot more stretching. When I got to college I was not near strong enough and I was very stiff, and it took me a long time until I could get to the strength that I wanted to be at and be flexible enough to increase my speed.
What is your go-to restaurant near campus?
At Indiana University it was The Tap, and here at BG I’d say Chipotle.
If your life was a book, what would its title be?
“Buckle Up.”
What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
I’ve always loved Shania Twain, but I’m definitely not afraid to admit it.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
Winston Churchill. I’ve always loved history, but I’m fascinated by World War II, I think it would be incredible to hear about it from someone as involved and close to it as he was.
Forty-years from now, what do you want to be remembered for?
I just want people to have good things to say about me. If I’m not remembered for what I did on a football field, then I am perfectly fine with people remembering me as a genuinely good, funny guy.
In 15 words or less, why should an NFL team invest in you?
I’m reliable, I’m accountable.
