2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Mitchel Schechinger, OL, University of Guelph

• Name: Mitchel Schechinger
• Position: OG/C
• College: University of Guelph
• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 303
• Twitter: @Schechy68
• Instagram: Mitch_Schechy

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

My technique. Every play I pride myself on not just winning the rep, but winning the rep with the right technique. At Guelph, technique is everything and I believe in technique because it works. Everyday I try to make something in my technique better and it shows in my film. Second is my agility, the ability to move fast in the phone booth. The phone booth is small and having the capability to move quickly inside such a small space is one thing that sets me above a lot of defenders.

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

I’m a competitor. I get more pissed off at losing than I have joy about winning. Winning is expected, losing means we did not accomplish our goal. I still have the awareness and mindfulness to look at a loss and take the lessons from it, but I’d rather get critiqued from a win. Everyday is a new challenge. I will always do my best to prepare for what’s ahead.

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

I would donate to cancer research. My mother is a two time survivor of cancer, and I am so blessed to have her in my life. My heart goes out to anyone who has been affected personally, or is close with someone who has suffered. I could not imagine a life growing up without my mom. Cancer research is getting better everyday, and to donate to the cause would be so meaningful to me.

Who was your role model?

I found inspiration from many role models. However, I always wanted to be me. I have taken and noticed good qualities in people that I either admired or have been close to. Growing up I admired Batman. Batman showed me that intellectual ability and physical strength go hand in hand.

My grit and perseverance comes from my parents. My mom for her strength and resilience. My dad for the hard work he has done for my family to support my sister and I.

Lastly, my high school Head Coach, Mike Adams. Mr. Adams was a very admirable coach that wanted nothing but the best for his players. He was hard on us, but once I got to know him outside of football I realized that he was hard on us because he was preparing us for life. I’m happy I can now call him a friend of mine. Life isn’t going to give second chances so you must always be ready for anything. I could talk about many more people that I have taken good lessons or advice from but in the end to reference Matthew McConaughey my perfect role model is always going to be me in 5 years.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Pittsburgh Steelers. Greatest franchise ever!

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

A person that I love to have on my team, but hate practicing against, is middle linebacker Braeden MacDougall. Braeden hasn’t had a lot of recognition from the media and only played in 5 games last year due to injury. He is a tremendous teammate and always comes to the stadium with energy and his blue collar Windsor attitude. When he is on the field he is always hustling and is always around the ball. When he is on his game we are unstoppable.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Definitely has to be chewing with your mouth open, unless you’re sick then it’s understandable.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favourite teacher was my Grade 8 teacher Mr. Thompson. Mr. T is my favourite teacher for one reason. He taught us about life. He was a great teacher in all aspects. He told us what life is really like through stories he had about his own life and others that were close to him through his years. I remember in one instance he drew a timeline on the chalk board, and drew a sinusoide on top of it. He highlighted the max and min stating that in life we will have ups and downs but life will always move forward.

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

Injuries are tough and a lot of people have had them. It is difficult to be sitting on the sideline when you could possibly be contributing to a win. However, I would say the biggest thing I have had to overcome mentally and physically was almost being ineligible for my second year of university football. I am in mechanical engineering and at the time I thought I was superman. I was juggling a relationship, a starting position and a heavy course load. First year university is said to be hard for regular students. I was learning a new playbook, taking 9 classes over two semesters, and juggling a social life. I was burnt out. I ended up failing a class and come summertime I was still ineligible to play football next season. I needed a change. I decided to say no to a lot of things I kept saying yes to. With a great summer semester average I picked myself back up and survived to play football the next season.

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

Chipotle.

What is your favorite snack food?

Snyder’s Pretzel Pieces. Buffalo or Honey Mustard and Onion.

What is your degree in?

Mechanical Engineering.

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

If it is separate dinners I would want to have dinner with Chris Cornell first. Chris is one of my favourite artists and I would want to have a conversation with him about his music and the depth of meaning behind different lyrics. Secondly, I would like to sit down and have a conversation with Aaron Donald. I would like to pick his brain about all the ways he would take advantage of offensive lineman. I would want to learn about his leadership style, as he was so passionate but was so collected at the same time. To finish, I would sit down with Jesus, the most controversial man to ever exist. If anyone has the truth about life I have a feeling it would be him.

What is your biggest weakness?

Last year I was playing at a lighter weight than I would like, I was 290-295lbs. With a lighter body weight and a shorter reach than some defensive lineman a weakness in my game was the defending the bull rush. My only sack of the season came on a bull rush. This summer I have been putting on weight and have been etching away at my pass and run techniques.