2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Frankie Monte, LB, Holy Cross

• Name: Frankie Monte
• Position: Linebacker 
• College: Holy Cross
• Height: 5’11
• Weight: 233
• Twitter: @FrankieMonte5
• Instagram: @Frankie.Monte

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2025 NFL Draft?

I believe I stand out as a top prospect at linebacker in the 2025 NFL draft because of my athletic ability, football IQ, and leadership both on and off the field. My time at Holy Cross allowed me to play with and against some of the best players in the country at the FCS and FBS level, which allowed me to develop as a player and perform under pressure. With all that said, I believe my relentless work ethic and attention to detail are what truly sets me apart. I approach every aspect of my life with extreme attention to detail. When it comes to football, my film study, playbook study, practice habits, and commitment to perfecting the little things are what sets me apart.

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

One thing that NFL teams should know about me is that I am persistent in my pursuit of excellence both on and off the field, and I am incredibly versatile. I always pride myself on being the hardest worker and consistently doing the extra work to improve myself and bring my teammates along with me. When it comes to versatility, I have always embraced the challenge of adapting to different roles. I started as a strong safety initially in high school, which I always thought I would play, then transitioned to corner for an entire preseason due to injuries on the team. Another injury led to my transition to linebacker, where I found a passion for the position. In college, I have played and excelled in every special teams unit, which I also pride myself on. Special teams are a critical aspect of the game, and making a difference there starting my freshman year has always been a massive accomplishment for me. Another part of my versatility comes from my background in wrestling. I have wrestled my entire life, which has directly translated to football. It allows me to understand my leverage, other people’s leverage, how to move people in specific ways, hand fighting, and tackling. My versatility and relentless drive allow me to bring value in multiple ways to any team, whether on defense or special teams. 

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

If I could donate to one cause in the world, it would be to children’s cancer research. Every child deserves the chance to live a healthy, full life, which is why I would donate to this cause. 

Who was your role model?

My Father is my role model. He has sacrificed so much in his own life to give me the opportunities I have today. From driving me to training, practices, and tournaments for my other sports all over the country, he dedicated so much time to making me the best possible version of myself. 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Minnesota Vikings

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

Joe Pesansky

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Chewing with your mouth open.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher ever was Professor Reiser, my Understanding Jesus Professor, during my freshman year of college. I learned so much in Professor Reiser’s class, and we built a great relationship outside the classroom. We would meet for office hours all the time to talk about life. Now, in my senior year, we still meet every once in a while, and email back and forth. 

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

One of the most challenging moments in my life was the transition from high school to college. Being away from home for the first time was extremely difficult at first for me. Additionally, transitioning from high school football to college football was tough. The mental demands were completely different, and I realized that talent and skill would not be enough. I always believed in myself and knew it would take hard work and discipline to get back to where I wanted to be. In these times of being away from home for the first time and transitioning to college football, it is easy for self-doubt to seep in, but these are the times you have to truly dig deep, work harder than everyone, and have belief in yourself. Overcoming these challenges of being away from home for the first time and transitioning from high school to college taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, hard work, and family, and it shaped me into the person and player I am today. 

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

Texas Roadhouse

What is your favorite snack food?

Grapes

What is your degree in?

Political Science 

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

Jesus, Nikola Tesla, and my grandfather would be the three people I would want to have dinner with. These three choices are easy: Jesus is why we have anything today. We are nothing without him, and everything because of him, so sitting down with Jesus would be surreal. Nikola Tesla is one of the most intelligent people to ever walk on Earth. He has so many ideas and quotes that I would like to ask him about, like his idea when he said if you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6, and 9, then you would have a key to the universe. I would like to know what he meant by that. For my grandfather this is someone I never got to meet in my life, and I have heard how much he would love me and how similar I look to him, so I would love to sit down with him as well. 

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is that I can be very over-critical of myself at times. Whether in school or on the field, I hold very high expectations for myself, and sometimes, I let a mistake bother me more than it should. This was an issue I dealt with a lot during my freshman year of college, but since then, I have been able to grow as a person and realize that mistakes are not what define you but how you respond to them is. This is something that I have improved dramatically since my freshman year, but every once in a while, my competitive spirit will take over. I have used these high expectations and competitiveness to improve my confidence and ability to perform under high-pressure situations. I am pleased with my progress, and it is something I will continue to improve upon every day.