Robi Stuart
Defensive Tackle / Central Michigan

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Robi Stuart:  I am 6’3 and 300 pounds.  

Alex Khvatov:  How were you preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Robi Stuart:  I was in my backyard for a few months.  I had no weight equipment.  I bought a membership to the gym the day before everything got shut down.  I was doing pushups, hand stands and different crazy exercises.  I feel strong and explosive.  I did my sprints and long distance running.   

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Robi Stuart:  I played ice hockey in high school.  I was 280 or 285 pounds my senior year of high school.  I played wing my first three years and then center my last year.  I have played hockey since I have been seven years old.  I did shot put in track.     

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Robi Stuart:  I played all over on the D-line.  I started playing tackle and end.  Senior year, we went to a 3-4, and I was the nose in the middle.  I played LT on offense.   

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Robi Stuart:  I went to a very small high school.  We had 250 kids at the school.  It was hard to get exposure.  I was a good student.  Ivy league schools like Cornell and Columbia showed interest.  Saginaw Valley State showed interest in me.  I always had the NFL dream, and it makes it so much harder to get to the next level from the D-II school.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Central Michigan? 

Robi Stuart:  They invited me to a junior day and they offered me.  My only offer was from Central Michigan.  I was pretty grateful. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.        

Robi Stuart:  They told me that they wanted me to grayshirt.  I came for camp, and they told me that I would redshirt.  In week two or three, the coach told me that I will play in games as a true freshman.  I played in five games my first year.  The second year, I was a backup guy.  I was playing about 20 or 30 snaps a game.  The guy in front of me got hurt, and I started the last four games of the sophomore season.  We struggled that year as a team.  We got a new coaching staff the next year.  The change was very positive.  We played in a new system.  I was mainly at the nose.  I made the All-Mac team at the end of the year.   

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

Robi Stuart:  We want to win the MAC.  We came close last year.  We didn’t end the season well.  We made it to the Championship, but lost the conference game by a few points.  Then we lost the bowl game.  We can do a lot better. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Robi Stuart:  I am a power guy.  I am a run stopper.  I can surprise people with my quickness and counter with a finesse move.  I play all three downs.  I can rush the passer too.  I am a pretty consistent player.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Robi Stuart:  For the most part, the explosiveness is the key at my position.  Hand placement.  I need to work on my technique.  I have been working on my footwork, and on power. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Robi Stuart:  For me personally, it was when we went to the MAC championship.  We didn’t get the outcome that we wanted.  Playing at Ford Field was special for me.  The other highlight was getting my first sack against Michigan State.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Robi Stuart:  I love how they trust their players.  We play the game within the system.  We have more freedom.  We have a sound defense, but they allow us to make plays.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Robi Stuart:  I am a Lions fan.  I stay loyal to my hometown team. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Robi Stuart:  When I was a kid, it was Ndamukong Suh.  He played the same position as me.  He played with the Lions.  More recently, it was Kyle Williams.  He retired from the Bills.  We are similar guys.  We are high energy players.   

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Robi Stuart:  On offense, we have Tony Poljan.  He is 6’8 and he is a sky scrapper TE.  WR Kalil Pimpleton has the quickest feet.  He made ESPN top 10 plays with a crazy catch.  On defense, LaQuan Johnson plays end.  He is a naturally gifted athlete.  DT Mohamed Diallo, next to me.  DT Jacques Bristol was a freshman last year.  S Devonni Reed.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Robi Stuart:  We played RB Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin.  He was an amazing player.  Center from Wisconsin (Tyler Biadasz) was one of the better guys.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a DL?

Robi Stuart:  Explosiveness.  You also have to know where you fit in on the defense.  How to play your style within the frame of the defense.     

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Robi Stuart:  The physicality.  Also the speed of the game. 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique? 

Robi Stuart:  I am a pre-med and neuroscience major.  I was blessed to have the brains.  I want to be a neurosurgeon.  That is the plan.  I have a 3.88 GPA.     

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Robi Stuart:  I am a little bit of a nerd.  I like reading a lot.  I am into fantasy and fiction.  I like Star Wars and superheroes.     

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Robi Stuart:  Driven, intelligent, fun, hard worker, and leader.