2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Maxwell Snell, OL, Quincy University

• Name: Maxwell Walker Snell
• Position: OT/ OG
• College: Quincy University
• Height: 6’ 4”
• Weight: 300
• Twitter: @therealmaxsnell
• Instagram: @therealmaxsnell

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2022 NFL Draft?

I believe I am a very well rounded prospect and I have done my best to remove any defects from my game. My ability in the run game is very solid and I can create movement both downfield and laterally. I am very comfortable in the passing game. I am very explosive off the line to shut down speed rushes and I keep a good base throughout to shut down the bull rush. However I believe my best asset to be my durability and enthusiasm for the game week in and week out. I have been a 3 year starter for the Quincy Hawks and have started 25 consecutive games. I have missed zero snaps due to injury in my years at QU and in high school.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

As long as I can remember I always loved watching football on tv with my dad, but in the fourth grade I begged my mom to sign me up for the junior football league and that’s where it all started. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

One thing the NFL teams should know about me is that I am extremely dedicated to my team and will put in the work to improve my craft and be an asset to any NFL franchise.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

I would donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. I would do this because of the great things St. Jude offers to their families and patients. Specifically families leave St. Jude with no medical bills after countless appointments, trips to the hospital and back home, treatments, and scans. This is something I would love to contribute to if I know it’s going to help those who need it most.  

What is the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I have ever received was from my high school coach. “Talent is never enough, plenty of people have talent. The best of the best however are the hardest workers.” I believe this to be the best advice I have ever received because it has shaped the way I continue to work day in and day out. 

Who was your childhood hero?

My childhood hero was Brian Urlacher. He played a brand of hard nosed, violent football that I loved to watch on Sundays. His relentless effort and all of the hard work he put in to be great gave me the drive to be the man I am today. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

I would say my most underrated teammate would be BJ Wilson. He has the build of an NFL offensive tackle and is a force to be reckoned with on the field. BJ is an incredibly hard worker and is dedicated to his craft. He has been a great friend and teammate to me and we have pushed each other to improve throughout our years together at QU.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve by far is being hypocritical. I think this bothers me most because if they possess artificial feelings it can be hard to trust them. My word means alot to me and I expect others to hold themselves to the same standard.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

One of the hardest things I’ve had to overcome is my freshman year at QU. Like most high school kids I came into college thinking I was going to kick ass. I was humbled very quickly and it made me realize that the only way to succeed was to work hard to improve my game every opportunity I got.  

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

No matter where I go in life, the thing about Quincy University that will always be special to me are the people and friends I have made during my time at school. They are special to me because of all the great memories I have made during all my years at QU.

What is your favorite snack food?

I would definitely say my mom’s homemade Chex Mix. I can’t stop myself whenever I’m around it.

What is the best part of football?

For me the best part of football is all the life lessons it has taught me. I would not be the man I am today without all of the life experiences I have learned through the years of hard practices and workouts. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

A man that is willing to do whatever is asked of him in order to help his team.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

Quenton Nelson, I deeply admire his hard hitting, bruising brand of football. I strive to be as ruthless of a run blocker as he is. He absolutely dominates people on the field and I do my best to do the same. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

The first would be Joe Thomas because he is my favorite offensive lineman of all time and I think I could learn a lot of valuable information from him. The next would be my grandfather John because he passed when I was young and I hear all these stories of how great of a man he was. The last one would be Tom Brady because he is my undisputed GOAT and his dedication to the game of football is unmatched.