2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Macauley Kilbane, CB, Johns Hopkins

• Name: Macauley Kilbane
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 188 lbs
• Position: CB
• College: Johns Hopkins University
• Twitter: @mhkilbane

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

Johns Hopkins is a top-10 ranked academic school in the nation and full of athletic success as well. It’s pretty incredible to get to know student-athletes from other teams on campus and realize they’re going to change the world someday. I’m an Economics major with a double minor in Entrepreneurship and Marketing Management. I’ve been involved in a few extracurricular clubs on campus related to Finance and Marketing. Our Athletic Director also began a leadership cohort called Blue Jays LEAD which I’ve been involved with since sophomore year. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Leadership automatically comes with the role of being a captain. Although, I think what the guys see most is how much passion and love I have for them and the game. You can watch film from any game of our season and see me fist bumping and celebrating, especially when it’s one of my teammates making the big play. You can’t fake passion and it’s something guys feed off of. 

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

Being captain as a junior allowed me to grow and understand what our team responds to best. I’ve always tried to be a guy to lead through my play, but it’ll be important to step up my vocal leadership this year. I think what makes me unique is my versatility. My main position has been corner the last three seasons, but I played safety in our Okie package freshman year and will potentially be getting involved in the run/blitz game more at our Nickel position this year. 

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

There’s been a lot of great WR’s I’ve gone up against, but I’d have to say Justin Hill from Mount Union. The combination of his route running and speed made him a tough match up. 

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Harrison Wellman had a breakout season last year and will be one of the top WR’s in college football by the time he’s finished at Hopkins. What’s been most beneficial is being able to go against him 1-on-1 everyday in practice. The competition between us is always there and he makes me a better player because of it. 

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

The passing of a head coach and father-like figure in Coach Margraff last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved in the program. We think about him all the time. We were able to lean on each other and our coaching staff for support. Coach Chimera has done a tremendous job in taking over and has all those traits you look for in a head coach. 

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

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

I would’ve kept playing hockey. I played growing up and had to give it up after my sophomore season of high school to focus on football and baseball. 

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

It’s nice to be recognized for All-Conference and those types of awards, but being elected as a two-time captain is what I’ve been most proud of. It’s reassuring to all the hard work I’ve put in to be elected by my teammates after my sophomore season and to represent this program means the world to me.

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

My interception in the playoffs against Frostburg St. is something I’ll always remember. They saw us showing blitz in Cover 0 and checked to the sideline. The WR ran a stutter go, I squeezed him out, and grabbed it. I’m pretty sure we went on to score 21 straight, so it was a big turning point in the game. 

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

I watch Tryann Mathieu highlights before every game and he’s been someone who I try to emulate on the field. He plays with a tenaciousness and confidence you need to have as a DB.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?

This is tough because I listen to almost every genre of music. My favorite band is Kings of Leon, but I can go from Meek Mill to the Dropkick Murphys within a few songs on my game day playlist. The last song I listen to before I leave the locker room though is Swag Surfin’.

What is your favorite comfort food?

My mom’s buffalo chicken patties, have to give her the credit here. 

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?

Tom Hardy. If you haven’t seen Warrior, I’d recommend giving it a watch. 

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

I golf with friends and relax at the pool we have at school when I can, but most of the time is dedicated to school work and football.

Who or what motivates you the most?

I was taught at a young age to hold myself to a higher standard and that culture has continued being a part of the Hopkins program. My parents have allowed me to pursue so many things in life, and my older sister has set the example with her hard work. I do my best to proudly represent the Kilbane name. On the field, all it takes is looking around at my teammates to get motivated. With the amount of long nights and early mornings we put in at a school like Hopkins, you’ll do anything to not let your brothers down.