2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Carson Oestreich, RB, Martin Luther College

- Name: Carson Oestreich
- Position: Running Back
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 210 lbs
- School: Martin Luther College
- Level: Division III – Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC)
- Twitter: carsonoestreich
- Instagram: carson_oestreich7
Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
My major is in Biblical Languages. My goal is to become a Pastor in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Currently, I am in the Pre-seminary program at Martin Luther College. I am part of SAAC, a leader of a mentoring program at our college, and I am also leading a Youth Ministry outreach called NXT GEN at a church near Minneapolis, MN, where we have worship nights for high school and college students in the Minneapolis area every other Sunday night.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My teammates would say my best quality is my discipline. I try to stay on top of everything I am a part of, balancing my time to make sure I never let anything fall behind on my priority list.
What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
My role on a team is as a vocal leader and a playmaker. When team morale is low, I feel the responsibility to do what I can to boost the morale and make a play on the field to change the morale to be more optimistic. I believe the best position that suits me is a slot receiver or a running back. I have some speed and explosiveness to bring to the table that can make a difference for the team on the field.
Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
The best player I have ever played against would be Paul Garret from Greenville.
Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
I would say there are a few that impress me a lot that I can not narrow down to one specific guy. Our QB, Max Nordlie, has a heart of a lion and a drive like someone I have never seen before. Mason Cox, one of our receivers, has a passion to win and be successful, which leads our team in the right direction. Cole Broekhuizen has leadership qualities like one I have never seen before.
What makes you different from others at your position?
What makes me different is the balance of speed, explosiveness, quickness, weight, and strength. I have been blessed with God-given attributes that I have that help me stand out in the running back position.
Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle
Over this past football season, I was faced with a season-ending injury early in the season. I had my Junior year taken from me in the blink of an eye. I had to recover and grow in resiliency as a person. I was able to bounce back and become conference champion in the 60m dash for the UMAC conference and also break the conference record in that race. By the grace of God lifting me up out of the pit and with His strength, I was able to overcome this adversity. I pray for a healthy senior year coming in a few weeks.
If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
If I didn’t play football, I would focus much more on sprinting for the track team.
What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
Something I am most proud of is my faith. The faith I have received from God to put Him above every tangible thing in this life creates in me a steadfast heart through every trial this life throws at me. Another thing is the blessing of being named Valedictorian at my high school.
Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
Most memorable play in my college career is during my freshman season. I was blessed to be able to break the school record for the longest rushing touchdown of 93 yards.
Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
My favorite athlete would be Christian McCaffery, and my favorite NFL team would be the Philadelphia Eagles. The player I model my game after is Christian McCaffery. He has a lot of physical attributes that relate to me, but also his style of running the ball has a lot in common with what I try to do when competing. What gets me pumped up before a game is watching Christian McCaffery’s highlights as I envision making runs just like his during my upcoming game.
What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
In my spare time, I love to hike on random trails in the area I am located. I also love to play my guitar and learn new worship music to play by heart. I am a person that does a lot, but a big hobby of mine is golfing and fishing when I am home in Nebraska. I also love to read books that push me and help me grow in my faith in Jesus.
Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?
I play football because I understand that God has blessed me with certain talents in this life that I can use to glorify him. I think that to those who receive much, much is required. I feel a deep urge in my heart and motivation to multiply those gifts that God has given me in this life, and one way to use those gifts is to play football.
What do you want NFL teams to know about you?
I would want NFL teams to know that I am accountable. I never settle for anything less than my best with any task I am given. I am accountable in that anyone can trust that I will give 100% because I have a deep desire within me to multiply the talents God has given me in this life.

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com