2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Evan Heim, OL, Minnesota State University – Mankato

Name: Evan Heim
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 308
Position: LT
College: Minnesota State University-Mankato 
Twitter: @bigbabyheim71

Tell us about your university/college. What was your major/minor? How is campus life?

I just graduated this December from Minnesota State University-Mankato which is a division II school. My major was finance and I finished with a minor in business management as well as a minor in financial planning. Campus life is fun, there is always something going on in athletics so normally I catch a lot of games and if there is nothing going on, I’m just hanging out with teammates 

What do your teammates say is your best quality? 

My teammates would say my best quality is work ethic. Since I came to Mankato, I’ve always prided myself in working hard and not letting others outwork me. I am super competitive and I hate losing so if it’s in the weight room I have to be doing more weight than my teammates. If it’s conditioning, I have to be the first one done in my group, or if we are doing sprints I have to win. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

In my first year, my role would be as a backup as I get used to the speed jumping from division II to the NFL and give myself time to develop and as the year goes on, working my way to the 6th or 7th offensive linemen. In year two, I fully expect to be competing for a starting job as I will have a year under my belt and as my development continues to improve.

I believe my skill set is versatile enough to play all the interior spots on the offensive line and scheme wise for both power and zone schemes since I came from a multiple style offense in college. Because of my athletic ability and being able to reach defenders and sustain blocks, I fit zone schemes a little bit better. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Austin Edwards- Ferris State 

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Shane Zylstra. He’s the top receiver in Division II, and he still never lets anyone outwork him. He’s got a passion and desire like few people I’ve ever met, and that is what sets him apart from everyone. Pair that with being a great guy who would do anything for anyone and a guy who always does the right thing, you have a very impressive teammate. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

I gave up my only sack of the year against Ferris State my junior year in the semifinals when we were down 6 points and driving the ball down the field in the 4th quarter and I gave up a strip sack. Ferris got the ball back and scored the next play to put the game away. I’ve never felt so bad after a game thinking if I had just made one more block what could have been and I felt like I had let the entire team down. But it fueled my off season training for me to become the best version of myself athletically, I came back stronger than I’ve ever been, and as a football player to not give up a sack my senior year was pretty awesome.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

I played 4 sports in high school (football, wrestling, baseball, and rugby). But if I didn’t play football, I would play rugby. I really enjoyed playing it, and it was awesome to be able to actually carry the ball since that was something I never did growing up.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

What I am most proud of is turning around our program from being 8-3 when I was a redshirt freshman to being 40-3 in the next three years, winning 3 conference championships making it to the quarterfinals, then to the semifinals, and this year, going to the national championship even though we came up short it was still an amazing experience and something I will never forget. 

My biggest achievement was being 1st team All American two years in a row. In high school, the best I ever got was 2nd team all-conference and due to great coaching and our strength coach to become a two time All American in college is pretty special to be 1 of the 5 best offensive linemen in the country.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

Growing up in DePere WI, being 10 minutes away from Lambeau Field and being born the day the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl the 1996 season you could say I am a Green Bay Packer fan. I love watching David Bakhtiari as a tackle, he is unreal in pass pro. My favorite interior OL to watch are Travis Frederick because he just mauls people and Jason Kelce is so athletic, he’s really fun to watch.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?

My favorite music artist is Kenny Chesney. I actually listen to country before games to relax make sure I’m level headed and then 45 minutes prior to me going out from the locker room for the game that’s when I crank it up flip the switch to game mode and start listening to rock and rap and really start getting pumped up. 

What is your favorite comfort food?

My mom’s lasagna is easily my favorite comfort food

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?

My favorite actor is Will Ferrell and my favorite movie is a toss-up between Old School and Step Brothers. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?

I really enjoy hunting but fishing even more, especially with my dad. We always go up 1 week a year in the summer and all we do is fish with all of my uncles and cousins, and it is always a blast. I love to spend time with family and friends as well.  

Who or what motivates you the most? 

My love for the game of football paired with wanting to make my family proud is what motivates me the most.