2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Matt Gledhill, WR, Acadia University

• Name: Matt Gledhill 
• Height: 6 foot 2 inches 
• Weight: 206 lbs 
• Position: Receiver 
• College: Acadia University 
• Twitter: @MattAGledhill

What is the best restaurant in your hometown city? 

My favourite restaurant is a hidden gem near South Keys in Ottawa called Ozzy’s Food Market. By far the best place to get shawarma in Ottawa, especially because he always has lamb skewered. 

When breaking down your film what will stick out? 

Speed. My best trait is my speed and acceleration which I think stands out on a couple of plays either breaking away after the catch or getting behind the defense for a deep seam ball. I hope to showcase that speed with a top 40 time at this year’s combines. 

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

First thing I would do is talk with my Receiver’s coach Mike Squires about what to do with it! I’d want to invest a large portion of it. Next step is taking care of mom, dad, and the rest of the family. 

What has been your biggest failure? 

At this point there are no major failures that stick out to me, rather there has been small ones here and there that have shaped me into who I am today. Would I change them? No, because I wouldn’t be the person I am in the position I find myself in. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

I’d say my dedication to holding my team to a higher standard. I believe accountability is one of the biggest things in Football, because every single guy has to do their job for the play to reap its maximum potential. Whether it be on the field, weightroom, classroom, or community, I hold my teammates to the same standards that Coach Cummins helped instill in me. Working at an average level everyday will only bring you average results, and average sucks. 

Who is the hardest working teammate on your team?

There were a few that came to mind immediately such as Dale Wright, Bailey Feltmate, Glodin Mulali, but I would have to say Rory Kelly. Rory is ALWAYS in the gym, on the field, or on the court. If there’s an opportunity to get work done he is the first to say yes. 

Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?

I’ve had a couple nicknames but the only one that has really stuck or is well used is simply Gleddy.

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

I graduated with a degree in Kinesiology specializing in Exercise Science and Training as well as Sports Nutrition. My dream job would be to stay in the sports world working with high level athletes performing 1-on-1 coaching with a team of professionals performing nutrition and training advice. Ideally it would be football players, but I simply love the world of sport and want to be a part of it.  

What is your coolest life moment? 

Our two AUS championships were definitely highlights in my career and life, but I would say the moment I found out that my roommate and I had been selected for the 2020 East-West Bowl. When the team broke I was immediately swarmed by the guys as they knew that was a personal goal this past season and something I had been working extremely hard for. To have them recognize that and be as excited as I was, was a pretty special moment with my family. 

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

What song would you sing at Karaoke night? 

The question should be what songs HAVE I sang at karaoke night. The most recent would be Moves like Jagger with the head of my Practicum Dr. Jonathan Fowles at a Kinesiology event. If you find me at a karaoke night it wouldn’t be hard to twist my harm and get me up there. 

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

Who would I want to play me? Someone cool like Jason Statham or a young Matthew Mcconaughey. But more realistically Ryan Reynolds, he’s a cheerful guy with a lot of humour and sarcasm, and I’d like to say a solid amount of wit. I think he’s a better representation of me as a person. 

Who is your favorite football team? 

CFL – Ottawa Redblacks. Happy to have them back and proud to cheer for the hometown team. Was absolutely nuts to watch them go from winning 1 game to appearing in the Grey cup 3 times in the next 5 seasons. Would be a huge fan if Greg Ellingson decided to come back, miss the bud’s duo. 

NFL – Die hard New Orleans Saints fan. Been a tough couple of years being a Saints fan, a lot of postseason heartbreak. One of the best offensive systems and best QB/REC duos to watch with Brees and Thomas.  

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

Caution – will raid your fridge. First thing I do whenever I get home to see my family is hit the fridge. And by the end of my visit, both the fridge and deep freeze will likely be empty. 

What is your biggest fear? 

Crocodiles. I was extremely into reptiles as a kid and watched a lot of documentaries, shows, and youtube videos on crocodiles. Now that I’m older and really realize how dangerous they are, I want nothing to do with them. 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

As a receiver myself I would say Allen Robinson. Coming back from an injury to a run/play action dominant offence with less than average quarterback play, he has put up some impressive numbers and highlight real plays. 

Take us through game day, How do you prepare? 

I have the same game day preparation down like a ritual. It starts the night before when the QBs and Receivers get together for dinner to hangout and decompress and then the switch flips the next day. Start with an early breakfast, head in for some work with our training staff to get my body ready, roll out and hit the field for a little bit, second meal, get taped and dressed, chapel and offensive meetings, a final snack, then head out with the specialists and before you know it, it’s kickoff. 

Do you have any hobbies? 

I would say that my hobbies completely surround football and training. Football and my gym make up my life, so I am constantly trying to learn and better my training and game. Outside of that, I have picked up the guitar again and am enjoying relearning to play it! 

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

I would like to say Taysom Hill as he plays a lot of roles for his team. Like Taysom, I have a few throws under my belt, enjoy a good jet-sweep, contribute on special teams, add into the box for blocking on run plays, and of course work as a receiving option. But what I think goes under the radar about Taysom is how he helps in the box with blocking and on special teams. The best thing a player can give his team is availability and effort, and Taysom plays any position he can to the best of his ability, which is exactly what I try and do. 

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

I would currently say my two best friends Evan Holmes and Bailey Feltmate. The three of us all have similar goals, Bailey already being in the CFL with the Ticats, Evan with his love for the gym and athleteics, and myself for training and football. All of us love training and want to be the best athletes we can be and the relationship has turned into a brotherhood that fosters growth but most of all accountability. 

What motivates you to work hard?

It’s always been growth oriented, relating to the goal of making the next leap. When I was younger it was making the A-team, then it was making Varsity, then it was getting offers from my top schools, then it was earning my way to the East-West bowl, and now finally it’s showing that I belong at the CFL combine and working towards preparing myself for the longest and best CFL career I can have.