2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Collin Matteson, DB, Army West Point

• Name: Collin Matteson
• Position: DB
• College: Army West Point
• Height: 6′ 0″
• Weight: 189 lbs
• X: @MattesonCollin3
• Instagram: @collinmatteson

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

I fell in love with football at a young age. I started off pulling flags and then when I put the pads on it grew my love for the game even more. God gave me a talent and I knew it was something I wanted to work towards, as it would be a way to bring glory to Jesus.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Honestly, some of my favorite moments come from the little things that often get overlooked: the pregame dinners the night before the games, the hotel meetings, all those little things that allow me to grow with my teammates. Obviously, the wins too make all the gritty practices worth it. Beating Kansas State in Manhattan, winning an American Conference Championship, winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy my sophomore year, all moments I’ll never forget.

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

I hope to showcase my game at the highest level possible, ultimately for the purpose of bringing glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He deserves it all. Philippians 3 says “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.”

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

I would spend a day with Tim Tebow. I’ve always respected how open he is about his faith and how he handled both success and criticism throughout his career. He was not only a great player, but also a great leader and man outside of just football.

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

My brother, Mason, inspires me the most because of how hard he works. He is a pilot for American Airlines and has achieved so much for only being 25 years old. I couldn’t be more proud of him and the man he has grown into. He is not only one of my biggest supporters, but he also inspires me to continue working each day and dream big.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

My favorite defensive scheme is a zone-based system because it allows me to read the quarterback’s eyes and make breaks off that. When the whole unit is one same page, everyone can fly around and make plays. When everyone is rallying to the ball, we have more opportunities to create turnovers.

What should we know about Collin Matteson the person?

Collin Matteson is a man of faith, family, and love for his country. My relationship with Christ shapes how I try to treat people, how I approach adversity, and how I compete in football. Football has been a huge blessing in my life, but I try to keep perspective that it’s ultimately about using the gifts God gave me and representing Him the right way. Collin also loves to hunt, fish, camp, and just about anything else outdoors.

What stands out about your film the most?

My tackling ability stands out the most. I take pride in getting guys to the ground, taking good angles, and finishing plays. I want to be someone the defense can rely on to make the tackle the first time. I also show up in crunch time, whenever the defense needs to find a way to get off the field.

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

In life, I rely a lot on my faith when I face challenges. It keeps me grounded and helps me keep perspective. I don’t get too caught up on the things I cannot control, because obviously that’s out of my control. On the field, I handle challenges by learning from mistakes and competing the next play without letting things get to my head. I understand things aren’t always going to go my way, that’s life. However, what I can control is my attitude towards the challenge. I try to flip my mindset from challenges being a bad thing to challenges being an opportunity to grow.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a fully bought in player who cares about winning. I work each practice to prepare for the biggest moments in the games. Beyond just practice, I am committed to the littlest details needed to be a winner. This might be something as simple as keeping my locker clean, but I view it as a locker that must stay clean because a winner dresses in that locker. 

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

I love the competitiveness of football the most. Eleven guys on the field that do completely different jobs, come together to compete and win. The brotherhood that you form with the guys and the opportunity to compete together toward the same goal. There’s something special about the discipline, preparation, and trust it takes to play this game the right way.

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

The most underrated player I’ve played with as of recent is probably Owen Walter. He was our long snapper, so he definitely does not get the recognition, but he does all the little things that help build a team culture. He’s consistent, does his job, and you can trust him to be in the right place. As a teammate, that reliability means a lot because you know you can trust him. Guys like that are huge for a team even if they don’t always get the spotlight.