NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Tyler Catalina, OT, University of Georgia

NFL Draft Diamonds website has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 500 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet our next prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Tyler Catalina

What is your Height/Weight?

6’4.5″ 330

What is your position?

OT/OG

Where do you play college football?

University Of Georgia

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

I was the Co-President of The “URIstanders” which is a group designed to raise awareness and stop domestic violence, racism, and sexual assault.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

I would have to say all my Grad classes at the University of Georgia were pretty challenging

Where are you from?

Worcester, Massachusetts

Who is your role model, and why?

My dad. He’s a hard working man, who instilled my work ethic and my core values I take with me to this day.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes, I played baseball, golf, and track and field.

Did you play any other positions in football?

Growing up I actually played Quarterback and Tight End before I transitioned to the Offensive Line.

At your position, what separates you from others?

My toughness, my intelligence, and my situational awareness, I can adjust quickly to what’s different in game compared to what they’ve shown on film.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

Safety rotation, D Line movements, and their defensive fronts.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Charles Harris from Missouri. He’s big, fast, and has a wide array of pass rushing moves.

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

Joe Thomas, I like to compare my game to him because we both pride ourselves on technique and toughness. We both go out there each and every play just looking to do our job.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

I would have to say making the transition from the D1AA level to the SEC. I overcame it with hard work, dedication, and the want to. I always carry a chip on my shoulder and look to prove myself every where I go.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I pray, I’m a man of faith, as well as just trying to stay in the moment and be as relaxed as possible.

What is your biggest strength?

My drive, my desire, the chip I carry on my shoulder. I go into every work out, every rep, and every snap looking to be the very best I can be regardless of the circumstance.

What is your biggest weakness?

I have to work on staying disciplined with my technique when I get tired. I’m always trying to perfect my technique as it is so I always feel like it can be better.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

Nobody will out work me, nobody wants it more than I do and I promise you if I were honored to be selected by your franchise it will be the greatest decision you’ve ever made.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Denver Broncos were my favorite team, but Joe Thomas is my favorite player.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Johnny Depp, Peyton Manning, and Jennifer Lawrence.

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

As boring as it sounds, I probably won’t buy anything big. I’ll probably just save it and prepare myself for the future.