2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tay Yanta, OL, North Texas

• Name: Tay Yanta
• Position: C/G
• College: North Texas
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 320
• Twitter: TayYanta
• Instagram: tay_yanta21

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

I have a ton of experience, playing in the lower level of D1 to the SEC. 50 consecutive starts.

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

I’m a small town kid that grew up raising cattle on a ranch, which is where I would say I get my work ethic from, and I have a huge faith in God.

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

I would donate to St. Jude. I love children and seeing them go through sicknesses that no child should ever have to go through kills me. 

Who was your role model? 

My dad. I did everything with my dad growing up and all I ever wanted was to be like him.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Gotta stay native, Cowboys!

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Ethan Weslowski, he’s a linebacker who wasn’t even a starter at the beginning of the year but is a super smart guy and just a play maker. Aside from just being a good guy.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Constantly showing up late or right on time to events or meetings. 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

I would have to say Ryan Pugh, he wasn’t a teacher for a class, but he taught me so much about life and football.

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

Being told I wasn’t good enough to play and that my spot on the team was being taken away at Texas Tech my freshman year. 

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

Texas Roadhouse, I love steak.

What is your favorite snack food? 

Apples with peanut butter.

What is your degree in? 

Interdisciplinary studies

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

Micheal Jordan, Jesus, and Tom Brady. Micheal Jordan because he’s the goat, Jesus because who doesn’t want to meet Jesus, and lastly, Tom because he seems like a good guy with a lot of knowledge.

What is your biggest weakness?

In life I am loyal to a fault, and in football I would say technique.