2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Mitchell Price, DT, McMaster University

• Name: Mitchell Price
• Position: DT 
• College: McMaster University 
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 280lb 
• Twitter: @mitchellprice85
• Instagram: @_mitchell_price_

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

I believe what makes me a top prospect is my physical style of play and iron man mindset. I play with great leverage against offensive linemen and embrace the ‘nasty’ of playing on the defensive line with my signature club move. I have not missed a single game of my college career and understand the importance of playing through pain to help my team be successful. 

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

Football became a huge part of my life at a young age. My dad signed me up for our local association the Orangeville Outlaws at 7 years old and have loved the game ever since. 

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

One thing NFL teams should know about me is I am a selfless, tough player that will give everything I have to improve a football team that takes a chance on me. 

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

Breast cancer has affected my family with several relatives unfortunately losing battles so I am a strong supporter of cancer research and pledges.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

I am very fortunate to have a supportive circle around me so I have received lots of great advice over the years. A motivational line that has stuck with me is from the movie The Pursuit of Happiness; “You got a dream. You gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you – you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it.” 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero has always been Ray Lewis. When watching Sunday football with my dad at a young age he shared stories about how great of a leader he was for his Ravens defense and I thought he was the best. I still enjoy watching his motivational speeches and throwing on some 2001 Ravens clips. 

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

One of the hardest things in my life that I have had to overcome is the relationship sacrifices I have had to make to pursue my dream of playing football. Growing up I was a shy kid and made the choice to go to two separate high schools away from friends and family to have the opportunity to play football. My original high school that all my friends and siblings went to, unfortunately, cut their football program as I was about to enroll as a freshman. This made my decision of choosing to pursue football seriously come very quickly in my life but I was fortunate to have a supportive family that made it possible to pursue my dreams. Although I was extremely happy pursuing my dream I found that I had a difficult time making new connections being away from my childhood friends and was an upsetting experience at a young age. Looking back at this time of my life, I am very grateful that I was forced out of my comfort zone because it has made me a much more personable person today contributing to my leadership skills and helping me make lifelong connections through football.

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

The most underrated teammate on the McMaster Football Team since my time with the program has to be Ryan Leder. Leder is currently playing DE on the Calgary Stampeders pre-season squad and absolutely killing it. I have learned a lot from Ryan, especially regarding my leadership skills and what it means to be a leader in the locker room. He has a similar style to me where we aren’t always the most vocal guy in the room but has an extremely high standard of work for ourselves and do our best to motivate our teammates. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

I would say my biggest pet peeve is poor work ethic, especially within my circle. I pride myself on working hard and ‘buying in’ to a culture of a team or company. 

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

McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario has been where I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to be Student-Athlete. What is special about McMaster is the standard of excellence that is embraced in both athletics and academics. As a football program, we have access to great facilities and have amazing people within the support staff, coaching staff and recruit great people that have all played a huge role in my development as a football player. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack food has to be any type of BBQ. I like to believe I’m an aspiring grill master in my free time and love cooking all sorts of food on the grill. Grilling up some food for my teammates at school is one of my favorite ways to bond with the boys. 

What is the best part of football? 

To me, the best part of football is simply the opportunity to work towards a common goal with great people around me. I love how every position group has its own drills, leaders, and jobs with the goal of winning football games. I truly fell in love with ‘the process’ at a young age and enjoy going to work with the boys every day no matter what the task is. 

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

I’m strong, tough, and physical, and give everything I have in me every single play. 

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

I watch a lot of guys with similar builds to me like Aaron Donald, Geno Atkins, and Calijah Kancey to see how they have had success being a shorter DT. I have always been a big fan of Reggie White and his hump move is something I try my best to replicate on the field. I enjoy watching ‘old school’ films and how physical the style of play was at the time from guys like Warren Sapp or John Randle. 

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

If I could have dinner with three people I would choose Louie Simmons from Westside Barbell, Nyjah Huston the skateboarding legend, and the Mamba himself Kobe Bryant. I think that these people are all masters of their respective sports and would have endless knowledge to share about their mindsets as an athlete. I’m definitely bringing a notebook to this dinner and would be writing a lot more than I would be eating.