Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Khari Al-Mateen, DB, University of Maine

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Khari Al-Mateen

What is your Height/Weight?

6-1 205lb

What is your position?

Safety (FS,SS)

Where do you play college football?

University of Maine

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Only about 3

How did you choose your school?

UMaine was my only D1 scholarship offer

Where are you from?

Baltimore, MD

Who is your role model, and why?

My Mother. She’s set an example of spirituality, strength, grace all my life and she doesn’t stop growing.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

No scouts have personally met with me.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes I played Baseball, Ran Track, and a little karate as a youngster, lol.

Did you play any other positions in football?

In pop Warner I was actually a defensive and offensive lineman lol..but high school JV I played RB as a freshman and QB as a sophomore, and also played WR and Corner on varsity as well as punt returner. As far as college I played a lot on special teams, including Personal Protector on the punt team and I’ve taken some reps as a punt returner as well.

At your position, what separates you from others?

Playing safety, being a student of the game, to me is what’s most important. I work extremely hard to understand what I’m doing and what the players around me are doing and WHY. And it allows me to manage a defense as much as a can from my position and make the players around me better.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

When breaking down film, I look for personal and formation tendencies, and also the habits of individual players if any. I look at my keys on film so that I recognize them faster on the field, and I take the plays that I’m looking at within the concept of what we’re doing that week as a defense, and visualize myself making a play in that situation.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

As a safety, you have to respect a good running back, and Terrance West definitely has gained my respect he has a big body with great vision and makes explosive cuts making him difficult to take down. Towson produces some good RBs, Darius Victor is really good too.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

The most compatible NFL player to me in my opinion right now is Eric Berry. A rangy guy that can come down in the box and make tackles, as well as make athletic plays in the passing games as well.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest obstacle that I’ve had to overcome in my life (and am still overcoming) are my own fears, insecurities, and self imposed boundaries. It’s a constant learning process, but with faith in God’s plan with my life and my dedication to acting on that faith, every day has become an adventure and opportunity to convict and expose my weaknesses and improve as a man of God, a football player, and everything in between.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I stretch and I pray.

What is your biggest strength?

My ability to learn and anticipate.

What is your biggest weakness?

Sometimes I over analyze things more than they need to be rather than just going with my instincts.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I’m a leader, I understand how and when to follow, and I’ll never stop improving in anything that I care about.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Ed Reed (Definition of a play maker), Baltimore Ravens.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King, Brian Dawkins.