2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Daniel Shin, C, University of Alberta

• Name: Daniel Shin
• Position: Center
• College: University of Alberta Golden Bears
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 285
• Twitter: dshin78
• Instagram: d_shin__

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

• What makes me a top prospect in my position this year is my ability to make calls on the line and the nastiness I will bring day in and day out.

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

• I was introduced to football just a year before entering high school by friends who were interested in joining.

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

• NFL teams should know that I will be the first one in and the last one out on any given day in order to work on my craft

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

• I would donate to the CMHA, Canadian Mental Health Association. Throughout my life, there have been many people close to me affected by mental health complications and if I were given the opportunity, I would like to contribute to the aid and research of mental health.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

• The best advice I have received is that “the best leader is a replaceable one”. Whatever the role is, there are opportunities to lead, whether that may be vocally or leading by example. When the best leader is replaceable, I think of the road I have set for future individuals to maintain the standard at hand once I move on to the next journey.

Who was your childhood hero?

• My childhood heroes are both of my parents and my older brother who I have looked up to my whole life.

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

• Interior DL Ty Anderson. Being able to practice alongside Ty all year, we were able to make each other better players every day and I know he will continue to be successful and have a great upcoming season.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

• My biggest pet peeve would be being flashed by high beams when driving.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

• My favorite teacher was one of my University professors, Professor Stathi. His style of teaching was unlike most teaching styles and included much more of an interactive learning environment over a traditional lecture-style course. He came to class every day with a contagious energy that made class much more enjoyable.

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

• Later in my university career, I suffered a back injury that sat me out most of my offseason that year. Having to stand on the sideline every morning and watch my teammates work and compete was very difficult for me to understand and as much as I wanted to be out there working, I was unable to. I had to stick to my rehab plan to make sure I was healthy for the season opener and throughout my rehab, I was faced with adversity each day whether it was physically or mentally. I have since recovered from the injury and I can thank myself for showing up and doing whatever I can to better myself each day. Reminding me now to take every opportunity by the day and not look too far ahead.

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

• Personally, The University of Alberta holds a lot of value in my life. My father was a University of Alberta PHD graduate and I grew up going to the U of A football games as a kid, so being able to earn a degree while playing the sport I grew up watching in my hometown holds sentimental value in my life.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

• Any franchise restaurant in my house would have to be Popeyes Chicken.

What is your favorite snack food?

• My favorite snack food has always been buttered popcorn.

What is your degree in?

• Degree in Business with a Major in Finance.

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

• You will be getting an individual who will accept whatever role I am given and show up day in day out to service my team and better myself so that when I am called upon or an opportunity presents itself, I am reliable and ready.

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

• Jason Kelce, starting as an undersized player I have the technique and finish that I watched Jason Kelce play with throughout his career to make up for his size. One characteristic I see similarities with Jason Kelce is to be able to play bigger than your size through physicality and grit.

What is your favorite game to play at the carnival/theme park?

• My favorite carnival game would be milk can toss where you have to throw an object and knock over the pyramid of milk cans because that game always has the best prizes.

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

• The first would have to be Elon Musk. As an individual who is running multiple companies and constantly producing changing innovations, I would love to sit down and further talk about his time management and balance of different aspects in life to be so successful and run so many different companies that are changing our world.
• Secondly, I would love to have dinner with Joe Thomas. As the player in the NFL with the most consecutive snaps played at over 10,000+, I would gather info on how he was able to maintain his health and his body not only throughout the season but through the off-season as well.
• Lastly, I would have dinner with David Goggins. I have read a couple of books written by David Goggins and I would like to know he can stay persistent and be one of the most mentally tough people on the planet after all the life events he has been through.