Matthew McCrane
Kicker – Senior
Kansas State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Matthew McCrane: My height is 5’9 and weight is 168 now. I want to get to about 170 or 175 by the pro day. I haven’t been clocked in the forty since high school.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Matthew McCrane: I am finishing up my master’s at K-State. I stayed here to train with our staff at the school. I am heading to CA to train with John Carney the week before pro day.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from you at the Pro Day?
Matthew McCrane: Our pro day is on March 13th. I have formed a relationship with scouts from the East/West Shrine game. I plan on hitting 10 field goals and five kickoffs during the pro day. I want to get depth on my kickoffs. I need to prove it. I want to be a directional guy. Throughout my career, opponents starting average field position has been the 19-yard line.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall experience at the 2018 East/West Shrine Game?
Matthew McCrane: It was quite a change in terms of weather. I had a great time. My LS went down with me. The punter from Texas A&M was down there as well. I formed a relationship with the Chargers assistant, Maurice Williams. I saw how they run their practices. I worked with talented guys.
Alex Khvatov: What type of feedback did you receive from scouts?
Matthew McCrane: Most of them were concerned with my weight. I didn’t meet the eye test and I think it is a big reason why I didn’t get invited to the Combine. They know that I am an accurate kicker. I should have a higher touchback conversion. My touchback conversion in college was 60%. The starting point for the opponents was the 19-yard line. The scouts are impressed with my consistency off the foot. They feel that my height off the kick is very good. It gives me the advantage.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Matthew McCrane: I played soccer in high school. I grew up in the Fort Worth area. I played WR in high school. Our kicker got hurt, and I hit a 52-yarder in a high school game during my junior season. I moved to kicker that year. I mostly had D-II offers. I got accepted to SMU and Texas A&M. But they wanted me to walk-on. Texas never offered me even though I always wanted to go there. My dad graduated from Texas. I got an offer to play football at Air Force. I looked at it as an option. Then Coach Sean Snyder called me and told me to come to the Big 12 Championship game against Texas.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Kansas State?
Matthew McCrane: They offered me a scholarship. But they wanted me to come a month later. They wanted me to enroll at K-State in January, a semester early. I never looked back.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Matthew McCrane: Jack Cantele was the starter ahead of me when I came in. He had a successful career. But I wanted to beat him out. I redshirted my first year. Next year, we played Auburn, and Jack struggled. I got my opportunity and took advantage of it. I started for the next four years, and Jack was behind me. Kansas State was a tough school. I went through the same summer conditioning as all other players. At many other schools, kickers and punters don’t have to do it. I formed a bond with the team. I went to five bowl games and got five bowl rings. As a redshirt freshman, I went 18/19. I tied the Lou Groza winner in FG percentage. It was my best year. I went 7/7 during my sophomore year. I got injured. I sprained my MCL. There was no tear. I came back at end of the season. During my junior year, I missed half of the year with a fracture in my hip. I didn’t need surgery. I had a really good year as a senior. I made three kicks from 50+yards.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Matthew McCrane: Accuracy on FG’s and placement on kickoffs. I am also versatile on kickoffs.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Matthew McCrane: I had six opportunities on 50+yard kicks. I went 3/6 on those kicks this year. I need more consistency on distance kicking.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Matthew McCrane: Beating Martin Gramatica’s career FG record at K-State.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Matthew McCrane: Being from Texas, I grew up a Cowboys fan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Matthew McCrane: Justin Tucker. I followed him when he was at Texas. I went to the games and even their locker room. He is one of the clutch NFL kickers. He is doing a phenomenal job. I actually signed with his agent.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Matthew McCrane: QB Skylar Thompson did a good job for us. RB Mike McCoy is a really big back. He ran the ball extremely hard, even though he played in only one game. He should be a breakout player next season.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Matthew McCrane: What sets me apart is I don’t just kick. I am watching the game and see what’s going on the field. I learned different offensive and defensive schemes. I have an interest in it. I played different positions in high school. I listened to the offensive play calls when I got hurt. I enjoy every aspect of the game.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Matthew McCrane: In Texas, I would go to the lake. I would take the dog out there with my family. I also invested in some real estate properties.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Matthew McCrane: I got my bachelor’s degree in marketing. I am getting my MBA right now. I might go the government route. I want to make an impact in the community. I want to give back
Alex Khvatov: Finish the sentence, Matthew McCrane is….
Matthew McCrane: A professional at what he does.
