John Santiago
Running Back
North Dakota

 

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

 

John Santiago:  I’m 5’9, 186, and the last time I ran a 40 which was in high school and I ran a 4.48.

 

Ed Hunt:  Do you consider yourself a scat back?

 

John Santiago:  Yeah and no.  I see myself as a very versatile back.  I consider myself a pretty tough guy.  I can catch the ball out the backfield, but also stick it up the gut if need be.  I’m better in open space.

 

Ed Hunt:  Describe your overall experience at the NFLPA Bowl. 

 

John Santiago:  It was awesome.  The amount of experience and advice we got, you can’t get anywhere else.  They put a lot of effort into the game.  They taught us about the game.  I was coached by Brandon Jackson.  Our defensive coordinator was Ed Reed, the Hall of Famer.  I heard from rookies like Calvin Ridley as well.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is the biggest thing you will take away from the NFLPA Bowl?

 

John Santiago:  A huge thing I got was just a lot about the mental aspect of longevity in the league.  Things change instantly.  You have to keep yourself mentally sane.  Everyone has shown they can play the game, but do they have the mental aspect.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is the best player you have faced at the NFLPA Bowl?

 

John Santiago:  Jordan Kunaczyk, a linebacker from Cal.  He stood out to me just how he could run as a linebacker for his size.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  Portland State linebacker Patrick Onwuasor.  He’s now doing well for the Baltimore Ravens.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  I came out of a small high school in Minnesota.  I only had two offers: Concordia and University of North Dakota.

 

Ed Hunt:  What made you ultimately choose North Dakota?

 

John Santiago:  They email blasted me as they wanted kids to go to their camp.  I ran the 40 and then I was offered.  I wasn’t originally recruited by them.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your strengths?

 

John Santiago:  I’m versatile.  I do well in open space.  I’m a shifty guy.  I always did well in the one on one drills.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  I can always improve.  I have to work on getting north and south with things.  And staying in and pass protecting.  I want to improve my pass protecting technique too.

 

Ed Hunt:  Describe your overall career. 

 

John Santiago:  I was recruited as a wide receiver.  A couple of running backs got hurt.  I had to relearn the whole playbook.  It was tough for me.  I started the first game.  We got our first FCS win in school history.  I was an all-American running back and a return specialist.  Brady Oliveira and myself were the running backs and the next year we did well.  We got a new coach my junior year.  He was a really good coach.  We kind of struggled on offense.  I became a punt returner as well as being a kick returner, which I was for the previous two years.  I felt like a leader my senior year.  I had to learn as a leader and as a captain.  I did get hurt.  I did average 6.5 yards per carry.  I had to mature as a leader.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  I had a good career for a small running back and going to a small high school.  My success from where I came from.  Being someone’s role model.  The support I got and the way the community looked up to me.  There is nothing like the respect you get when people look up to you.  The praise I got from the community and my family was the highlight.  I am blessed that God gave me that.

 

Ed Hunt:  I noticed you are an elusive back.  What do you attribute this to?

 

John Santiago:  I’ve always been quiet and more reserved.  Football was a way for me to unload and be what I want to be.  Internal me is super jumpy.  My elusiveness is really me.  I’ve always wanted to stick out and be electric.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  Coach Agnew was someone who really helped me with the learning process.  The main thing we kind of instill is humbleness and trusting the process even where adversity strikes.  Keep your head down and keep working is the vibe up there.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  I’ve always been a kick returner and a punt returner.  My freshman year, I played a little gunner.  I had speed and could get down the field fast.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

John Santiago: Minnesota Vikings!  I’m born and raised in Minnesota.  Purple and white have always been my team.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

John Santiago:  I look up to a lot of NFL players right now.  My favorite of all-time is Barry Sanders.

 

Ed Hunt:  What’s the most important trait for a running back?

 

John Santiago:  Toughness.  At running back, you have to do everything.  It’s a tough position.  You’re the main guy they give the ball to when you are in trouble.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  I’m usually looking at a lot of stuff.  I’m usually looking at the linebacker tendencies.  I’ll scan everything.  Where the DBs are.  Because of film, sometimes you can tell.  Little things like the d-lineman stance.  I try to stare at the QBs number, so I don’t give it all away.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  James Johannesson from Fargo, ND.  He transferred from Minnesota.  He has improved in some many ways.  He is the big guy.  I’m the small guy.  He is fast too.  He is 245 pounds.  I feel he is going to be a great player this year.  We had a lot of good receivers too.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you enjoy most about football?

 

John Santiago:  I love everything about it.  The competitiveness.  I have always been competitive.  Always trying the be the fastest guy and the strongest guy.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  My mother.  I look up to her in so many different ways.  She grew up in a very unprivileged family in Brooklyn, NY.  The things that woman can do.  I wish I could be half the man she is.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your definition of a leader?

 

John Santiago:  A guy who is dependable and who you can count on for everything.  A guy who can change the mode of a game.  What everybody can believe in and look up to.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  I graduated with a degree in criminal justice.  I wanted to be a border patrol agent.  I will probably pursue that when I’m done.  Law enforcement or something like that.

 

Ed Hunt:  What five words best describe you?

 

John Santiago:  Tough, leader, playmaker, versatile and dependable.

 

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

 

John Santiago:  The Vikings.  If I’m out there, I’m going to make sure of it.