2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tristan Mattson, K, Central Michigan

• Name: Tristan Mattson
• Position: Kicker
• College: Central Michigan 
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 182
• Twitter: MattsonTdog12
• Instagram: tristan_mattson

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

First-Team All-MAC but I also have the distance and accuracy to do my job 

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

I am consistent when I get my groove and do not break that routine until something new comes into my life. 

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

Red Cross

Who was your role model? 

My Dad 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Detroit Lions

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Mckeegen Ferguson 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Thanking you can get results for not putting work 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher ever would have to be Mr. Gilmore 

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

One of the things that I had to overcome adversity is when I transferred from Arkansas state to CMU. I had to learn a whole different culture that I wasn’t used to only for a short period of time, plus my first season playing at CMU. I did not perform the way that I wanted to, which gave my name a bad rap, so I had to show people in my senior season that I had what it takes to get the job done.

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

Chipotle

What is your favorite snack food? 

Salt and Vinegar chips 

What is your degree in? 

Community development

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

1. Abraham Lincoln because he knew the day he signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery. The country would split in half and causing a civil war, and have massive economic implications for the entire country.   All of which would be on his shoulders.  Leadership requires one to make unpopular decisions in order to do the right thing.
2. Tom Brady because you follow him, and he has defied all odds by not letting his physical limitations prevent him from being the best he can be by being prepared at all times.  He was a fourth-string quarterback who only got two reps per practice, but he made those two reps perfect, and when he earned more reps in practice, he made sure those were perfect.  This ultimately led him to a starting job because he was prepared when the time came for his opportunity to show everyone what he could do as a starter when Drew Bledsoe went down.
3. Barack Obama because despite all odds, he resiliently stayed the course to become president.  And he’s one of the very few presidents in the modern era whose presidency wasn’t plagued with questionable and dishonorable acts. He exudes Pure class and honor in all situations, and his leadership skills and the manner in which he conducted his presidency are unquestionable- even by his opponents.  

What is your biggest weakness?

I’d say my biggest weakness is that I used to take on too much at once because I didn’t want to let anyone down. I’m very driven, so I’d say yes to everything—extra work, team tasks, whatever. But I realized that spreading myself too thin doesn’t help anyone. So I’ve been learning how to prioritize, delegate when appropriate, and manage my time better. It’s still something I’m improving, but I’ve made a lot of progress by being more intentional with my commitments.