Ryan Guthrie
Linebacker
Syracuse
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Ryan Guthrie: 6’2, 233 right now and I ran a 4.60 last Monday.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Ryan Guthrie: I am training at U48 Fitness in Lawrenceville, GA.
Alex Khvatov: When is your Pro Day? What do want to show NFL teams on that day?
Ryan Guthrie: It will be on March 18th. I wanted to gain weight. I accomplished that during training. People don’t think that I have the speed. I want to show them my speed and that I have what it takes.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Ryan Guthrie: I didn’t have any interest. I was a starter at LB for only one-year in high school.
Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at JUCO?
Ryan Guthrie: Ellsworth community college in Iowa offered me, and I went there. I was a two-time All-American there.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to transfer to Syracuse?
Ryan Guthrie: Syracuse was the only power 5 offer on signing day. I wanted to have a good education and play football at the highest level.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Ryan Guthrie: I am a pretty instinctive guy. I pay attention to my keys. I am a productive tackler. I have good movement skills and I find the ball.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Ryan Guthrie: Mostly getting in and out of breaks quicker. I played some safety in high school. Getting out of my backpedal quicker.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Ryan Guthrie: I had a tough spring coming in as a junior. I took me a little bit to understand the defense. I realized that I wasn’t going to play LB because they had experienced guys in front of me. The team was short-handed at DE. I moved there for fall camp. Then I moved back to LB and played special teams. Some injuries occurred at DE. I went to DE again and played there the rest of the year. I had 15 tackles and two sacks. I started to learn the defense more. I got a good feel what ACC football is about. I went back to LB my senior year. I had a great senior year. I led the ACC in tackles. I was third or fourth in the ACC in TFL’s. I did really well.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Ryan Guthrie: My junior year when we played Pitt. They threw me at DE. We were up by three points. I sacked the QB and knocked his helmet off. It was a high stakes situation. Last year, I had a bunch of good games. The game against UNC in double OT. I had 12 or 15 tackles. We bounced back from two losses and got the win. We had a 10-win season my senior year.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Ryan Guthrie: Being a big part of the turnaround at Syracuse. We were 4-8 the year before and went to 10-3 this past year. I was also second team all-acc selection. I was the leading tackler in the ACC.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Ryan Guthrie: I learned how to play defense. I understood the game more. As a middle LB, you have to know what everyone else is doing.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Ryan Guthrie: I am from Atlanta. It is definitely the Falcons.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Ryan Guthrie: I like to watch Kuechly. He is the smartest guy. I look up to him. I mold my game after him. I have a great deal of respect for him.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a LB?
Ryan Guthrie: Communication and understanding the defense. You make these checks for the DL. You have to know what’s coming and know how to defend it and why.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Ryan Guthrie: I am paying attention to the OL and TE’s. I am seeing what is going with those two groups. You look at the tendencies that you saw on film. You have to know where are the backs are lined up.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Ryan Guthrie: DE’s Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman should have a huge year. LB Andrew Armstrong should be the leader of the defense next season. LB Lakiem Williams, All-American safety Andre Cisco, DB Trill Williams, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, hard-hitting safety Evan Foster and DT McKinley Williams.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Ryan Guthrie: Clemson RB Travis Etienne. He is a freak athlete. He is a hard runner. He is fast and nimble.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Ryan Guthrie: I can do whatever on the football field. I can take my anger out. There is no game like it in the world.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Ryan Guthrie: Nothing has ever been given to me. I have always worked for everything. I don’t take things for granted.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Ryan Guthrie: Watch movies.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Ryan Guthrie: I need to finish my degree. I need to be back for one more semester. It is a communication degree. I might go into law school. But I haven’t decided yet.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Ryan Guthrie: Intense, honest, hardworking, humble and underdog.
