Name: Tyler Castaneda
School: The University of Arkansas at Monticello 
Position: OG/OC/OT
Height: 6-4
Weight: 305

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

Become Team Captain. Play Center Tackle and Guard. Perfect my craft everyday.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

My coaches and team would define me as a relentless, dedicated, disciplined leader on and off the field. My teammates have communicated with me that my vocal leadership skills are always on point uplifting motivating and always encouraging my teammates to be greater. I feel that as a team you have to have a band of brothers that creates a family a brotherhood of men that are going through the same path in life all geered towards the same goal to win a championship and some ball games. My coach also communicates with me that I always show how appreciative I am for the opportunity that The University of Arkansas Monticello has given me throughout my time at the university. The things I choose to do on and off the field such as putting in extra work to perfect my craft watching extra film volunteering in my community as well as staying away from hinderences and things that ultimately hold you back in life if the activity I’m doing is helping me or another person move forward in life. My coaches have used me as an example multiple times on what a student athlete should be doing to maintain classes, workouts and your daily schedule as a student athlete. time management is key. I always look to give advice and contantly seek advice at all times and retain knowledge or Information so you can not only use the knowledge you know but show others as well.

Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?

When studying I want to always improve on the weeknesses my coaches, fellow teammates or myself can detect. not only focusing on the things that I do wrong as a athlete but what others are doing wrong and making sure I fix those mistakes as well. Most of all taking the coaching and staying focused on the task at hand relentlessly. Asking queastions on things I don’t understand or want to learn more in depth on. Taking notes and starting a voice memo on my phone is key so I can not only retain the information better but have time on my own to reinform my mind of the things I need to improve on and how I can do what I’m doing well, greater.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

I am fully committed to getting 1% better each day implementing the mamba mentality in my daily life schedule. I refuse to let distractions hold me back I ask myself in every activity I do “is this getting me better or holding me back” and that goes with anything in life that I decide to do. Relentless Effort positive attitude the will to be consistently coachable and willing to always go above and beyond with every rep and opportunity given. Straining to finish every play is the ultimate driving force of what you’re most passionate about I’ve always looked at football bigger than just playing and coaching this game teaches you how to deal with adversity, time management leadership qualities, perseverance, passion and most of all gives you a family. Brothers and coaches you can lean on. Mentors and some of the best friends you will make come from the game of football. I feel that the passion, boyency aggression and relentless will to strive for greatness in everything I do is the mindset I bring as an athlete. I feel that mindsets such as the mamba mentality is how these mindsets spread to teams who win championships. Continueing to work my craft further my knowledge and be the best version of myself comes with Nutrition, strength training, ankle Hip and Shoukder Mobility, daily stretching, watching film on the greats, continue working my pass set tree and run drive starts are crucial to placing the knowledge in your unconscious consciousness. All these things I feel an athlete should do daily. My mentality is no matter what I do give everything I have and never quit.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

I have been training with Logan Tulley Tillman to prepare for the College Gridiron Showcase moving forward into my Pro Day I would like to continue my training with Coach Logan with LT2FBA. his workout plans consist of 4 phases before my pro day that work specific O line training as well as combine training.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

I feel that my passion and vocal presence to always uplift motivate and encourage my teammates has been my strength as well as adapting to any situation especially when faced with adversity implementing effective time management skills and prioritizing my tasks are key components to being the best version of myself and continuing to strive to be Greater. Strategic planning effective clear communication and maintaining an open conversation for all my teammates coaches and staff members to reach out. I always love to embrace every opportunity I have everyday is a blessing and a chance to be greater. I can play all five positions on the offensive line. My athleticism is definitely a strength as well as my relentless mindset on responding to adversity. If I can’t do it I have to work harder if I’m able then I must ask myself what are ways I can do this better and continue to be confident in my technique and training. I personally love to pull as a guard and run wide zone as a center getting my inside hand to the sternum of the defender driveing through the block with the correct angle of departure opening up a running lane for the running back to beat any penetration. As for inside zone everyone on the line has there Playside gap to 2nd level wanting to create playside and backside combos. I was taught the 1 hand man and 2 hand man taking a lateral attack step to the midline of the defender 2 hands on now double under strike working verticals driving through your hips. The 1 hand man takes a balance step where you pick up and put down the outside foot followed by your second step getting vertical through the defender. Hitting with the top shoulder and striking with your inside hand single under strike with eyes in my PS gap ready to come off on the linebacker once I feel my guard push me off. Pass setting has always been a strength of mine especially working different pass sets such as a Jump set, vertical to jump set, 45 degree pass set and slow drag set to be patient with any type of hesitation moves or chops. When it comes to defending the bullush my ultimate move is to double under strike and hop hop back while continuing to maintain leverage and replace my hands when the defenders try’s to bull rush.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?

As an Offensive Linemen I believe that your mindset is everything. Playing Offensive line means you’re the last to get recognized and the first to get blamed. This exemplifies the Passion, Dedication Relentess Effort , Attitude and toughness you have to bring as an Offensive Linemen. I believe that the Mamba Mentality is the best approach as an athlete to increase your athletic prowess. Getting 1% better each day to continue be the best possible version of yourself is the key to being Great. My personal approach is if I’m good at something I’ll continue to be positive about it and be confident in ways to improve but when I need to focus on areas to improve I know that I hustle simply need to put in more work. I have learned to play all 5 positions on the offensive line by studying the playbook every night learning the proper steps and technique you need to approach a certain type of block such as your ALT the Asignment alignment and technique needed to approach a block based on the formation of the defense and scheme an offense is running.