2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tavin Fitzgerald, OG, St. Andrews University

Name: Tavin Fitzgerald
Position: Offensive Guard
College: St. Andrews University
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 320
Twitter: TMFitzgerald66
Instagram: tmfitzgerald66

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

There’s a few things that make me a top prospect. The main things would be my ability to be coachable. I take criticism well and use it as a learning experience to better myself for the betterment of my team. Next, my aggression alongside my mobility and football IQ allows me to create controlled chaos releasing the beast that is known for opening holes for flawless touchdowns.

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

According to my mom, I’ve had a football in my hand since I could walk at 7 months old. I officially started playing when I was 6.

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

I am very team oriented. If you don’t have a brotherhood and positive relationship with your teammates, you won’t succeed as a whole. Being disoriented leaves room for mistakes and miscommunication.

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

Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization. Not everybody has that role model or guardian in their life that they can look up to and I feel that every kid deserves that.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Never be ashamed of what you look like or be insecure. Use what God gave you to your advantage. Everybody has something that makes them unique and for me that is my size.  

Who was your childhood hero?

Michael Oher. The adversity and family issues he endured growing up and insecurity about his size reminds me a lot of myself and what I went through as a child. He took his obstacles and turned it around to get a positive outcome. I went through similar but different adversities and now I have the opportunity to make something of myself and be happy with the outcome. 

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

Myron Jones. He was very undervalued at his time on the team at SAU. He can play every position on the offensive line and deserved way more recognition than he received.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

When people complain about having to put in the work that they signed up for and then they slack off.

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

My parent’s separation. Growing up, I didn’t have my father there all the time like I needed him to be. Me and my mother also didn’t always get along because I reminded her too much of him. Now that I have a daughter, I plan to be there every step of the way and set a good example for her and my future children and set them up to have a good life. 

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

My football team. It brought a lot of diversity to the institution and a lot of different backgrounds. Those that came and left, made an impact on my life and I now have brothers that I can depend for anything

What is your favorite snack food? 

French and cinnamon toast crunch with almond milk and bananas

What is the best part of football? 

The brotherhood that you create with your teammates and the hard work you put in.

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

I came into this world a 12 pound baby; now I’m a 6’4”, 320 pound, athletic big man who was literally born to play this sport.

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

Trent Williams. I say this because of his aggressive play style and he doesn’t back down from any challenges. 

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

Kobe Bryant, Michael Oher, and my Granny. All the wisdom and insight that would be at the table would be amazing. Their knowledge would be instilled into me, and I’d be able to pass that down to my children. There would be a lot of funny jokes to make everyone’s ribs hurt because my granny was a comedian.