Matthew Castner

Offensive Lineman

University of the Cumberlands

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your measurements? (Height, weight and 40 time)

 

Matthew Castner:  NFL scout measured me at 6’1 3/4, 299 pounds, and a 5.32 40.  Right now, I’m sitting at 301.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your goals for the Cumberland team this year?

 

Matthew Castner:  Win the Conference and win the National Championship.  We had an early exit from the playoffs.  We want to win the mid-south championship.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your individual goals for this season?

 

Matthew Castner:  Last year, I was an all-American.  I want to be all-conference player and move up to first-team All-American.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is the best player you have faced on an opposing team?

 

Matthew Castner:  Teon Burroughs and Avandre Hardy. 

 

Ed Hunt:  Coming out of high school, which schools showed interest in you?

 

Matthew Castner:  I had a scholarship to go to West Point and could have been a preferred walk-on at Western Carolina, Georgia State, Jacksonville State and Kent State said they would offer me a scholarship if I switched to defense.

 

Ed Hunt:  What made you ultimately choose University of the Cumberlands?

 

Matthew Castner:  They were one of the first schools to contact me.  I liked that they pulled the trigger first.  It’s a beautiful campus and I felt part of the family.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your strengths?

 

Matthew Castner:  I’m a very good leader.  I’m a physical player.  I lead by example.  Some people need a talking to, and some need a kick in the behind.

 

Ed Hunt:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

 

Matthew Castner:  My balance and my kick sets.  Understanding the intricacies of pass blocking.  My pulling because I play right guard.

 

Ed Hunt:  Describe your overall career.

 

Matthew Castner:  It’s definitely a different type of ride.  My first two years, I was all-conference on the defensive line.  I moved to offensive line and was an all-American.  I’m doing what I can to make the team win.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is the highlight of your career at this point?

 

Matthew Castner:  Probably when we watched the reveal show of the NEI playoffs and beating Union College 67-7.

 

Ed Hunt:  I noticed you are a powerful run blocker.  Where did you get that power?

 

Matthew Castner:  At the school, they are huge on squats.  One of our favorite drills is a board drill.  We are a triple option team.  Georgia high school football is also big on run blocking as well.

 

Ed Hunt:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

 

Matthew Castner:  How to be an effective leader.  How to effectively lead a group of men and be successful on the field.

 

Ed Hunt:  Is there a role you have played on special teams thus far in your career?

 

Matthew Castner:  My freshman year, I was on a punt team as a shielder, PATs and kick return as a fullback.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

Matthew Castner:  I grew up a Giants fan.  It’s been a rough couple of years. 

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you think of the Daniel Jones pick?

 

Matthew Castner:  I watched his film, and I think he does fit the system well.  He is a good leader.  Sometimes, guys you don’t expect to do well, perform well.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

Matthew Castner:  Michael Vick, I grew up in the greater Atlanta area.  Another one is James Harrison.

 

Ed Hunt:  What’s the most important trait for an OL?

 

Matthew Castner:  Probably patience.  If you overextend yourself, get your hands on the inside.  I always tell people.

 

Ed Hunt:  You are almost like a coach out there. 

 

Matthew Castner:  Sometimes they call me coach Castner as a joke.

 

Ed Hunt:  Before the ball is snapped, what tendencies are you looking for in that defense?

 

Matthew Castner:  In his stance, is it a tight three? Does he have his behind in the air?  Sometimes they have jittery feet.  Little tendencies.  Slight tendencies from what I see on film.

 

Ed Hunt:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

 

Matthew Castner:  Milton Shelton our running back.  Tyler Pendleton.  He was a phenomenal linebacker and got snubbed from All-American.  Brad Montgomery also.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you enjoy most about football?

 

Matthew Castner:  Just all of it.  Just the physicality of it.  I hit a guy and I get cheered instead of putting on the handcuffs.  I love the chess match of football.  Football encapsulates all the things I love.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is your biggest role model and why?

 

Matthew Castner: Probably my father.  He did a great job.  My parents got divorced, and he took me in.  He has been a role model, and I wouldn’t be here without him.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your definition of a leader?

 

Matthew Castner:  A person when they are being watched, they are doing it correctly.  They do the little things; so, the big things take care of themselves.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you want to do with your life after football?

 

Matthew Castner:  I want to start a business.  I want to start a business with my father.  We have been talking about it for a while.

 

Ed Hunt:  What five words best describe you?

 

Matthew Castner:  Hard-working, persistent, dedicated, mean on the football field, and passionate.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who will win the Super Bowl this year?

 

Matthew Castner:  I always got to put my Giants in there.  I think the Browns will be in there.  You got to always put in the Patriots.  I think the Browns are the sleeper team this year.