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2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Caden Houghtelling, DL, University of Northern Iowa

Caden Houghtelling the standout defensive lineman from the University of Northern Iowa recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds owner Damond Talbot.
Caden Houghtelling the standout defensive lineman from the University of Northern Iowa recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds owner Damond Talbot.
  • Name: Caden Houghtelling
  • Position: Defensive Line
  • College: University of Northern Iowa
  • Height: 6’4
  • Weight: 280
  • Twitter: @Hough4533
  • Instagram: cadenhoughtelling

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft

I have the size and speed to play anywhere on the Defensive Line. I am a very hard worker who puts the time in on and off the field. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

In elementary school I started to love the game of football. I was one of the student managers for the high school football team when I was in 3rd grade.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

Teams should know that I am versatile and can play any position on the defensive line. I have made plays from OLB all the way to defensive tackle.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

I would donate to the children’s hospital in Iowa City

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I ever heard was from my position coach, Bryce Paup. He said “If you focus on results change will never come, but if you focus on change the results will come”. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero was Football Coach, Les Painter. He was always willing to help me if I needed it. He would stay after and help me work on pass rush in high school.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

Alex Allen. He is a very underrated TE. His blocking is effective and he is a big red zone target.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Whenever someone over explains something very simple. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

Moving 8 hours away from my hometown. I played 8 man football in highschool so adjusting from that to division 1 football at first was very difficult. It was a humbling experience, but it made me work that much harder to get to where I am today. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

I love the hard working mentality that UNI has. We work hard on the field but we really put the time in the weight room. We have a great strength and conditioning coach who gets us prepared in the off season to be the strongest football team. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Beef Jerky

What is the best part of football? 

Being able to legally hit someone as hard as you can.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

I am one of the hardest working people you will ever meet. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

I would compare myself to Morgan Fox

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Elon Musk, Michael Jackson, Dana White

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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