2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tyler Hoosman, RB, University of North Dakota

• Name: Tyler Hoosman
• Position: Running back
• College: Current – University of North Dakota; Previous – University of Northern Iowa
• Height: 6’0’’
• Weight: 215
• Twitter: @THoo32
• Instagram: @thoo32

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?

I am a top prospect at my position because I am very versatile and very intellectual compared to other prospects. I am an every-down back who does the extra things to improve my abilities. I am never satisfied and I am determined to be the best, and nothing less. I have the abilities to go through, around, or over defenders from my explosiveness, use my vision to read defenses and make the right cuts, have excellent catching ability for a running back, and have been praised for my stout pass protection. A coach never has to tell me to do something two times as I am very coachable and represent my team well both on and off the field. Even playing at smaller Division 1 schools, I have played with top competition at our level and know I would make an impact for any team in the NFL.

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

I was first interested in football at the age of 7 and started tackle football at the same age. 

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

NFL teams should know that I am resilient and a student of the game. I have faced so much adversity in my life, but have stayed determined and never lost focus. I know I belong in the NFL and my work ethic is what sets me apart. I am very smart and quick to learn when it comes to learning new plays, schemes, or tendencies, and I think it has to do with my prioritization of education, as I graduated with a 3.71 GPA. I am very humble and let my play speak for itself. 

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

I would donate and raise awareness for breast cancer, as it has personally impacted my grandmother, close family friends, and my family as a whole.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“The only person that is in the way of your success is yourself.” I find this to be true as you are the only person you need to believe in yourself. There will always be doubters, outside noise, and adversity that you can’t let affect your game or goals. With confidence, you can do anything you set your mind to. People will only believe you once you actually accomplish something, so being hung up on what could happen or what others think is irrelevant. Once I put in my head that I am the best athlete on the field and I am different from the rest, success came with it. I would bet on myself every time.

Who was your childhood hero?

My childhood hero would be my father. He is always the person I went to for advice, help, and he has always put my family before himself. He showed me what it looks like to overcome adversity, and I wouldn’t trade the lessons and long conversations I’ve had with him for anything. I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at without him. 

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

Even though I have not been at the University of North Dakota too long, I think the most underrated teammate in our locker room is Kadon Kauppinen. I love the energy he comes to every workout with and he pushes himself and others every day to be the best version of themselves. He doesn’t take days off and I can see him being a difference-maker for our team come the fall. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is when people complain about problems or situations in their life when they have no goals, drive, or initiative to fix them. 

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

The hardest moment in my life to overcome was missing the second half of my 2019 season after needing the tightrope surgery for a high ankle sprain. I was finally making a name for myself in the league and was on pace for an All-Conference season, so it killed me to not be out there playing with my team. I had never had a serious injury in all of my years of playing football, so it built a lot of character to not give up and contribute to my team in any way I could, even if it was not me playing in the games. 

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

The University of North Dakota is a school with a lot of talent and I feel it is often overlooked. It is a special place as everyone treats one another as family and everyone is trying to make each other better. The selflessness and the feeling of being wanted at the school are what attracted me to it. UND has an accredited master’s business program and top-tier coaches who have welcomed me since day one, and I could not have asked for a better school to play my final season at. 

What is your favorite snack food?

I would have to say either Cheez-Its or fruit snacks!

What is the best part of football?

The best part of football is watching the brotherhood with your team build and seeing all the hard work you guys put in the offseason paying off in games. Not many people see the process that athletes have to go through year-round. When you win those top crucial games, it makes the feeling of victory so much better when you know you earned it from all the hard work you put in while no one was watching or during the offseason workouts.

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

There is no athlete in the world that is more passionate, determined to fulfill their lifelong dream, and wants to positively impact a team than Tyler Hoosman.

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

I would compare myself to Ezekiel Elliott. Just like Zeke, I am a force to be reckoned with on the field. We both have great vision, patience, and explosiveness through the line of scrimmage. I love contact, but also have the ability to make a move on a defender in open space if needed. I was given the nickname “Tank” as a baby, and I display that nickname from the way I play on the field as well. I bring a lot of energy to a team from my play style and just like Elliott, I can change the game on any given play.

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

1. Kobe Bryant: His Mamba Mentality and competitiveness were something I have never seen from another athlete. I feel I can gain so much knowledge from his stories of overcoming adversity, pushing teammates as a leader, and the way he went about things to be the best in his craft. 
2. Muhammad Ali: Ali stood for more than being the face of boxing, as he stood for social justice and wanting to make a change. I’d love to hear stories of him finding his purpose and how his belief in himself shaped him into being one of the best boxers of all time. 
3. LaDainian Tomlinson: LT was my favorite running back growing up and I’ve studied his highlights too many times to not have him in my top three! I would mimic his moves during his games while running around my house with a football in my hand as a kid. He also went faced a lot of adversity to become one of the best running backs of all time and I’d love to have him teach me some things to improve my own game.