2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jonathan McGill, DB, SMU

• Name: Jonathan McGill
• Position: DB
• College: SMU
• Height: 5′ 9″
• Weight: 188 lbs
• X (Twitter): @OriginalMcGill3
• Instagram: @jonathanmcgill32

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

Since I was a kid, I loved competition, and I started playing football at 4 and my brother started at 6 and i just wanted to go and compete with him and I really fell in love with it and I love the training and competitiveness of the game.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Starting at Stanford my freshman season against Oregon in a meaningful game, 2023 season winning a conference championship at SMU and that was my first championship in a while and getting to be a top 8 team was nice and my last game at SMU against Penn State in the CFP in a fun environment and all the hard work my team went through this past season.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I want to play in the NFL and be an All-Pro type of player and play 8-10 years in the league and win a Super Bowl.

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

Tyrann Mathieu, I’ve always been a huge fan of him since college to the NFL now and seeing how he played returner, safety and cornerback and I would love to learn from him and he’s also a Louisiana guy and I’m from Texas and guys from down south usually get along well.

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

My parents, they have been together since high school and they’re my biggest motivation from their hard work, dedication, and faith they have and that’s why they inspire me the most.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

Cover 3, being able to play in the post and have a lot of action go towards you in the pass game and come help up in the run as well. But any one high system I love to come up against the quarterback and make plays.

What should we know about Jonathan McGill the person?

I’m a natural born leader and I’ve been a captain at two different universities, someone who is going to impact an organization on the field and stay out of trouble off the field.

What stands out about your film the most?

Diagnosing plays and play speed stands out the most and I’m a very cerebral football player too.

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

I lean upon my faith in God, that no matter what happens he’s got me in all the struggles, trials and tribulations.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A guy that’s a culture changer, leader, and someone going to make plays wherever they put me.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

The life lessons it teaches you and the competition and ability to evaluate yourself against other players.

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

Kobe Wilson from SMU, he’s just a natural-born football player and he’s a leader that people gravitate towards, and he might be underrated for his size but he’s just a football player.