2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Mitchell Berghs, LS, UW-Oshkosh

• Name: Mitchell Berghs 
• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 245 lbs
• Position: Long Snapper
• College: UW-Oshkosh 
• Twitter: @MBerghs97

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• My hometown is about a half-hour west of Downtown Milwaukee. It is a wealthier suburban area, but has that small-town feel to it. Great people that get along and welcome anyone into the community with open arms 

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• I value strength and conditioning the most out of the three because you need to put yourself in the best position to be as in-shape and healthy as possible for the season. I then value film study because studying schematics and technique help shape what you look to accomplish in practice. I value practice after that because it is a situation where you put it all together. Practice shows how well you keep up with your strength and conditioning as well as how efficient you have been with your film study. 

What do you worry about, and why?

• My self-reflections at the end of each day. I ask myself if I did everything I could to make it productive.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• I had a goal to graduate college in 4 years. When I switched from my original major to a new mjor, I realized that I wasn’t going to finish in 4 years. I was sad that day because I wasn’t going to accomplish my goal. By the end of the day, I got over it and realized that I am switching to a major I will be much happier in and the extra school will be worth it in the long run. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• Selflessness. I’m never one to make it about myself. Any recognition I receive I defer the credit to other teammates. I’m always about doing what’s best for the team. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• The best college players I went up against were players I had to block on punts. The best player I had to block was Sam Herriges from St. Thomas. He was fast, physical, and relentless. No player has challenged me more than him. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?

• Football coach or in sportscasting/sports talk on TV or radio. 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

• Car first because I’m more likely to interact with people near or in my car. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• 3 strangers. I value my family greatly, but I couldn’t single out one family member. I value my mom, dad, brother, and dog evenly. They would want me to do the same. I can save 3 people and give more people a chance to live their life longer.  

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• Mike Banning from the movies “Olympus has Fallen,” “London has Fallen,” and “Angel has Fallen.” Mike Banning is a guy who has a constant physical and mental motor, refuses to ever give up no matter how physically or mentally exhausted he is, and will do whatever it takes to complete his tasks. Greatly resembles myself. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• My biggest adversity in my life has come recently this spring. The spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has impacted my process of preparing and putting myself in the best position to get an opportunity at the professional level. The facility I train at (NX Level) closed down along with my high school football field. I overcame this by getting a home gym set up in my garage and purchasing a target to snap at in my backyard. If you want to chase a dream, any adversity and obstacles you face along the way you find a way to overcome and adapt, no excuses. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• My final college football game. We blew a 24 point lead and I had my worst game of my college career. It was a bad way to end my college football career. That is why I’m more determined than ever to get an opportunity to keep playing the game I love. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• Snapping and executing a critical 48-yard field goal late in the 4th quarter against rival UW-Whitewater in a cold night game my senior year with a playoff berth on the line. It was my favorite because some would consider it a pressure kick, and we executed the process perfectly. We showed that no matter the circumstance, we will make the kicks. Myself and my holder and kicker are dependable. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• “Indestructible” by Disturbed 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• Mental toughness. No matter what the circumstance, you don’t let external factors or the previous rep or play get to your head. You move on and focus on the next rep or play. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• My grandfather on my dad’s side. I know he’s been looking down on me the last 13 years, but I want to spend one day with him and hearing from himself how he’s enjoyed watching me over the years. I can tell him what was going on in my mind in those moments 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• “Outside Reliever.” Whatever is going on in your life outside of the club, we want this club to be a place where you can forget about that for a little, relieve any stress or tension, and have a good time. 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Nick Chubb. He’s had a good first 2 seasons with the Cleveland Browns and had a phenomenal 2019 season being the lead running back for a full season. He was the 3rd leading rusher in 2019 and didn’t receive the recognition like the other top running backs in the NFL. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected. I don’t worry about being liked. I’m all about doing the right thing even if my peers may not like it. Doing the right thing earns respect.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• Shawn Oakman because his career was ruined by a charge he was found not guilty of because of a lie. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I love to win. It brings teams together. Hating to lose means you don’t try to learn from it. But winning can help ease tension in locker rooms. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

•Brad Arnett, my trainer at NX Level. He has gone great lengths to get my body right, and it has shown and paid off. He is one of the most loyal and honest human beings you will meet and has taught me the importance of flexibility and constantly doing everything you can to take care of your body.