2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jack Short, TE, University of Central Arkansas

• Name: Jack Short
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 245
• Position: TE
• College: University of Central Arkansas
• Twitter: @jackshort25

What is the best restaurant in your hometown city? 

• There are so many amazing restaurants in Bentonville it is really hard to pick one, but I have to go with Sushi House. Their service and hospitality is incredible and the food is as good as it gets, definitely worth worth every penny.

When breaking down your film what will stick out? 

• I take pride in my run and pass blocking, especially out of the tight end position, so I expect those pieces of my film to stick out. In the pass game I strive to be as reliable as I can and get yards when we need them.

If you won the lotto, what is the first thing you would do with the money? 

• I would definitely start with investing the money, with hopes of seeing that money grow so I can help provide more opportunities for those around me and use it to set up my family for future generations, God willing.

What has been your biggest failure? 

• My biggest failure which definitely ended up being the biggest blessing of my athletic career was not making my high school freshman baseball team. In the moment I was really confused and angry with the situation, but I was able to shift all of my focus towards football and made the most of my opportunities from there. Not making that final cut for that baseball team really put me in the path that got me to where I am now.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• Probably my positive outlook on just about everything. From 6 am workouts to team meetings, I try to find the light in every situation and try to get everyone smiling and in their best moods. Life is too delicate to not enjoy every moment and have as much fun as possible.

Who is the hardest working teammate on your team?

• There are so many guys on this team that I could name, but the one that sticks out the most is defensive end J-Dub Jones. He was a redshirt freshman when I came in and I watched him over the last 3 years learn from some amazing defensive ends and develop into the monster he is now. He is constantly in the weight room, conditioning after practice and he stays after the defensive practice ends to watch the defensive scout team and motivate the offense. His work is infectious and he will be a force to be reckoned with this fall.

Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?

• Not until college, but after I caught a toe tap touchdown in the back corner of the end zone against Abilene Christian, I got the nickname “Toe Tap Jack”. I think it’s pretty cool.

What is your degree in, if you do not make it as a football player, what is your dream job? 

• I am getting my degree in innovation and entrepreneurship as I want to start my own business once my football career ends. Outside of football I love action sports and want to own my own business manufacturing and selling snowboards, wakeboards and skateboards.

Jack Short will soon be added to our 2021 NFL Draft Diamonds Small School Rankings after just one game. We want him to get the ball more!

What is your coolest life moment? 

• My family and I have traveled all over the country and have done so many cool things it is hard to even pick one. I’ve been blessed to be able to experience a lot of cool things, but the must fun and memorable moments are those when I’m traveling on a road trip to random places with my family.

What song would you sing at Karaoke night? 

• Posse On Broadway – Sir Mix-A-Lot

If you could pick any actor to play you in a movie, who are you picking? 

• Definitely Vince Vaughn

Who is your favorite football team? 

• THE Las Vegas Raiders

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

• I will laugh way too much.

What is your biggest fear? 

• Losing those around me who I love the most.

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• George Odum, he is truly the best athlete and football player I have ever been around.

Take us through game day, How do you prepare? 

• With most of our games being in the afternoon and at night, I go through morning meetings and meals with the rest of the team as usual. I hate overthinking really anything, so throughout the day I try to keep a completely level head and treat game day as I would any other day. As game time approaches and we start busing to the stadium, I’m just thinking about basic plays and executing them as perfect as possible in my head. I take my time getting ready and warming up before our team warm up to just take in the scene and just get in the right mindset. It’s really a special feeling walking on that field 2 hours before kickoff and just getting to be by yourself. As game time approaches, I just let myself relax as this is what I train everyday for and just let my training and ability take over and play some football. The key to my whole game day is just having fun and just living in the moment, because every game day is unique and you can’t get them back.

Do you have any hobbies? 

• Outside of football and school I play a lot of video games with teammates and some of my close friends. Like I mentioned earlier I love action sports, so I skate around every once in a while, but keep it limited since football is the priority. But for those who know me, they know I love to eat and I love to sleep.

If you had to compare yourself to someone in the NFL, who would that be? 

• George Kittle, it’s tough to compare myself to him because he is so dominant and such a phenomenal player. However he is such an amazing run blocker and is a great playmaker in the pass game, I learn so much from watching him play. Like me, he makes his money run blocking which in turn can open up more opportunities in the passing game.

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

•Definitely my dad, I have watched him my whole life put everything on the line to support our family and allow us to chase our biggest dreams. My dad has sacrificed so much over the years to make sure we can all live our best life and have as much fun as possible. He has taught me so much and has been the biggest role model in my life. He was an incredible baseball player in college and also played some college football, he has shared so much knowledge and experience with me and has been a huge influence in getting me to where I am today.

What motivates you to work hard?

•The opportunity to continue to allow my family to strive and be the best they can be. Really, I work hard because there isn’t anything else to do. No matter what is put in front of me or situation I am in, I work my hardest to make the best of it and come out on top. Life is way too sweet to not get the best out of it, so I work my hardest every day to make each day as great as possible.