NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Grant Breneman, QB, Colgate University

Grant Breneman Colgate
Colgate signal-caller Grant Breneman recently sat down with Draft Diamonds writer Jimmy Williams.
  • Name: Grant Breneman
  • Height: 6’0”
  • Weight: 205 lbs
  • Position: QB
  • College: Colgate University
  • Twitter: @GrantBreneman15

Tell us about your university/college. Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

Colgate has a unique combination of high academics and full-scholarship division 1 football. It’s a place that has a lot of pride in both of these aspects of the school, making it a very demanding but rewarding place to be a student athlete. Although I spend most of my time between football and school work, I’m also a member of our Colgate Christian Athletes group on campus. 

How did you end up at Colgate University?

Colgate was a place I didn’t know much about until I started to get recruited. I was familiar with the Patriot League schools in Pennsylvania but didn’t know much about the other schools in the conference. There were actually two other NY schools, Army and Cornell, that recruited me before Coach Hunt and Colgate came into the picture. One weekend I visited both Colgate and Cornell, and within an hour or 2 on campus I knew Colgate was the place I wanted to be. I think I was the second recruit our Colgate recruiting class to commit. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Honesty and toughness. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

I see myself as a leader and a playmaker for our team. Our offense gives the quarterback a lot of responsibility and autonomy at the line of scrimmage, and I think an offense that emphasises that is a system I can do well in. 

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

I’ve had the chance to play against some really good players, both from opposing teams and Colgate’s defense, plenty of which are in the NFL. But the best player I’ve played against has to be Jabril Cox, who just transferred from NDSU to LSU. 

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Jack Badovinac, our starting guard. Just the way he plays with physicality and consistency is the most impressive to me.  

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

Last year was a tough season for both our team and myself personally. Both myself and our team dealt with injury early in the season and had to fight and claw to get ourselves back to playing good football. By the end of the season, we were able to win 4 out of our last 5 games. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

I think I’m most proud of the fact that I was named to the Patriot League All-Academic team. Athletics and academics are two things I take very seriously, and it’s an honor to be recognized for both. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

My favorite one has to be a long TD run I had against JMU in the 2018 playoffs. Coming in as 7 point underdogs at home, we were down 13-6 in the 3rd quarter when I broke a 40 yd TD run to tie the game. We went on to win 23-20 on a last second field goal.

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

Baseball. I was actually seriously considering playing college baseball up until my junior year of high school.

What was your major/minor? Other than football, what would be your dream job?

Mathematical Economics. Other than football, my dream job would be to be a CEO of a company. 

What have you been working on in the off-season?

I’ve been working on getting faster and more explosive, as well as improving arm strength. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

Russel Wilson. The way he is able to escape the pocket and extend plays is something I try to emulate. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Do you have any secret talents?

I like to golf with my buddies when I have the time. I do a decent amount of fishing and some hunting as well. 

Why do you play football?

It’s in my blood. My dad played college football, my brother played college football. The love for the game of football is something I was born with. I really don’t know life without football. 

Who or what motivates you the most?

My teammates have always been my motivating factor. Football is the ultimate team sport, and being around them every day pushes me to work hard to be the best teammate I can possibly be. 

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