2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jared Kallenbach, DB, Minnesota State University-Moorhead

• Name: Jared Kallenbach
• Position: DB
• College: Minnesota State University-Moorhead
• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 205 lbs
• Twitter: @jkall15
• Instagram: @jkall15

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

My dad was a college football player at NDSU so I have always grown up in a football household. He has always been a pretty big influence on me when it comes to football.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite football moments have definitely been in college. Right now getting to play with my little brother and also my roommates that have really become brothers to me has been and will always be special to me.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My mom for sure. She has always just been in mine and my brothers corner no matter the situation and has always prioritized how the two of us are doing no matter how her day was going or how she feels. So it is inspirational for me just to continue to make her proud and happy with the work I do on and off the field.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I’m looking forward to one last season for us and myself to go out there and prove ourselves/myself. I feel like MSUM flies under the radar at times and just wanting to make a big splash this year with a good group of guys. I also am looking for just the one last chance to come out and have a big year. I have gained a lot of experience these last two years and am looking to put it all together and make a lot of noise and make a lot of plays to help us win.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Playing defense I always like to pick the offensive guys mind some so I think a day with someone like Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady would be the best. If I get to see through their eyes what they are thinking then I like to adjust how I do things based off of that. So I think there’s a lot to be learned from that point of view.

What are your favorite things about playing football for MSU Moorhead?

The people. Every person that I come in contact with at MSUM is a good person and that’s credit to who and how we recruit and the people that we have at the helm of the program.

What should we know about Jared Kallenbach the person?

One thing I think that people should know about me is that I am ok being an underdog or “slept on” of sorts. I wasn’t a highly recruited guy coming out of high school. I wasn’t a first year starter right when I got to college. But I work as hard as anyone that I know and have earned everything that I have got out of college football and plan to carry that on as far as I go.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

My favorite types of schemes are schemes that all can look the same but roll and change based on formations or hard calls. The ability to disguise and show different things can give a defense such a huge advantage so a scheme that is very fluid and can play many different coverages and fronts is my favorite.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I lean on my support system around quite a bit through any challenge whether it’s my family or friends I always like to just talk to people before I prepare to get to work on a really tough challenge such as a game or a test. I am very self motivated so I don’t struggle to get to work at a challenge but sometimes need some guidance.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a guy who is willing to do what it takes. I pride myself in being a lunch pail guy who will be as consistent as they come and do whatever is asked to be successful. I will work and work until the job is finished and am always reliable to do the little things such as knowing the playbook two times over and finishing every single rep that I am given.

What stands out about your film the most?

One thing I think that stands out is my open field tackling. I really pride myself as a safety in preventing the chunk plays from turning into big plays. I also think my film will show a guy who is always around the ball no matter the position. I like to think I have a very good nose for the ball and when you are around the ball good things happen.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

My teammate Hayden Boll. He is listed as a fullback but he does just about everything under the Sun for us and is very good at them all. He will take reps at tight end as well as be a very solid short down back. He has the ability to be a great lead blocker as well as a great downhill runner.