NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Braden Meints, FB, Simpson College

What is your name?

Braden Meints

What is your Height/Weight?

6’1 230 lbs

What is your position?

FB/TE but have played RB and WR

Where do you play college football?

Simpson College

Where are you from?

Garner, Iowa

Who is your role model, and why?

Adam Thielen. He went through a similar recruiting situation that I have and still made it into the NFL. That’s been my dream since I was little.

Who was your favorite teacher?

Mrs. Childress, my high school PE teacher.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Track and Field

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Andrew Van Ginkel. He was all over the field and he was the heart and soul of his team. Or Cody Poock (Check spelling) he was a very good linebacker and running back.

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Jonathan Weaver. He’s a young guy but he works his tail off and it has really showed in practice against our #1 defense.

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life?

Can’t Be Touched by Roy Jones Jr. or Jekyll and Hyde by Five Finger Death Punch or Indestructible by Disturbed. These would all do the job.

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

Rob Gronkowski. Besides playing running back, when I am running a route or blocking, I always compete and think that I am better than the other guy across from me.

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

Growing up with Alopecia Areata. I lost my hair when I was 5-6 years old and was bullied and am still picked on but it’s no big deal now. In second grade at recess I was asked by a couple of the more “popular” kids to play football and really haven’t looked back since. Football has helped me overcome alopecia and it has made me who I am today.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I show up early and get everything ready either the night before or morning of. I go get my ankles taped and tape my own wrists after chapel. After I put on my pants and my undershirt I go out to the field with my guys, Jonathan Weaver or Thayne McElhinney, and throw the ball around and just get my body going. Then I go back inside and listen to my music while I walk around the locker room handing out high fives and knucks. Then I’m ready.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

Probably the 73 yard touchdown run that got called back my junior year against Buena Vista. The play was designed to go to the right but I brought it back across to the left after a couple jump cuts and a stiff arm and then I was off down the left sideline. It got called back because of a little “hold” (pancake block) by our center.

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

I have a friend who in high school, wasn’t allowed to drive because of a physical disability, so I drove him home after many events we had. Basketball games, football games, youth group and other types of events. He is still one of my very good friends and he is doing well!

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

The Minnesota Vikings! SKOL!

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

Adam Thielen (to talk about how he dealt with the whole draft process and everything else), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (for dieting tips), and Vin Diesel (to see how alike we look).