Indiana University Athletics
Nate Sudfeld: NFL Combine Media Transcript
2/25/2016 7:50:00 PM | Football
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Former Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine. Check out the transcript from his interview with media today.
When did you start playing quarterback?
First year of playing was fourth grade. Not sure how old that is. Nine? 10?
Did your dad play college football?
He did not. Maybe high school one year.
How many summer camps did you go to through middle school and high school?
Just one.
You played with Cody Latimer a couple of years at IU. How did he help you get up to speed?
Cody was awesome. He was an incredible talent. Being a younger guy, just kind of looking up to him. We sort of grew together. We really grew together. Is only a year older than me, he was sort of a big brother in a sense. He was also a great player who was fun to play with.
Do you still keep in touch with him?
Absolutely. He texted me yesterday to wish me luck here.
Has he given you any advice on what to expect with this process?
He said it's a grind, the draft process and the combine. But it's fun, so enjoy it.
After the bowl game, what did you want to focus in on and improve?
After the bowl game, my biggest thing I wanted to learn was how to translate my shotgun footwork. I've been more of a shotgun quarterback in college. My biggest thing to improve is my under-center footwork and that part of my game.
When did the potential of the NFL became something you thought about — and was it a surprise or something you figured would happen all along?
I always looked up to my older brothers. I knew that football was my favorite thing to do from my freshman year of high school. I really wanted to play college football. I really didn't think about the next level. I did a really good job, or I was taught to worry about one day at a time. Really enjoying my college experience when I was there. When the season ended, I sat there and was like, what's next? I wouldn't say I was focused on the next level and the NFL, but it was in the back of my mind and I knew I always wanted to do it.
Did you accomplish everything you wanted to at Indiana?
At Indiana I was very proud of what we accomplished. Got a lot of good things done, did well there, but there were some wins I would've liked to see go our way. Very proud of that program, the coaches we had, and what were able to accomplish.
Did you feel that you left the program in good hands?
I really do. Coach Wilson got an extension after our bowl game and led Indiana to the first bowl game in 7 or 8 years. That was a very special moment for me.
You went against Joey Bosa a few times in college. What were your impressions?
We played Joey a few times. I remember he was a true freshman and I was a true sophomore, I remember looking at their defensive roster and saying 'They've got a true freshman playing d-end, OK, I should be alright in the pocket." And he was a menace coming off the edge and I was like, "This kid's going to be really good." He's just gotten better every year.
What kind of advice has your brother Zach (tight end for Jets) given you and how much has he helped you?
He's been instrumental in a lot of parts of my life. Not many people have a brother who you're so close with who you can talk with about this process, so he's been awesome telling me what to expect and how to best prepare for meetings and interviews. His help has been invaluable.
Nate, what's the one attribute that makes you pro ready?
If I'd only say one, if I'm given a playbook and given instructions I feel like I can digest it really fast. That and I think I can throw with anyone, if not most people."
Mike Mayock suggested you were sort of rebuilding yourself fundamentally from the ground up. Is that an involved process and how are you working through that?
I've not been trying to fix my throwing motion. I thought I've been able to throw it pretty well. I'm definitely trying to work from the ground up and get my feet right. I'm a firm believer that bad feet leads to inaccuracy. Good feet will increase my accuracy. That's been the big key for me, making sure I'm balanced, on time, having my feet match the routes.
How have the interviews gone so far?
They've gone great. It's been awesome seeing all these guys on TV making these big decisions and getting to meet with them. The other players have been great as well. It's a fun experience and I'm enjoying, but I'm also trying to do the best I can and make a good impression on them. I'm really having a good time.
Have any Hoosier alums reached out to you this week, like Tevin Coleman?
Two weeks ago, he just said good luck with the combine. Bobby Richardso, who's with the Saints, hit me up and said good luck. It's cool to have guys I've played with who're there... guys have been very helpful.
What's it say about the level of the program at IU that so many guys have been invited this week?
I think it speaks volumes and how far we've helped bring it. We've still got a long ways to go, but I think we've set the standard pretty high
and It can only go up from there. I'm very proud of the foundation we've laid over there and I'm looking forward to seeing how they continue on.
In the draft process, whether it's QB experts or coaches, what is the biggest knock against you?
I've really done a good job of not reading what people are saying about me. All it takes is one team to you like you. I know that sometimes
people are right or they have good insights, and sometimes people don't have much facts behind things. What I think I need to improve other
than footwork, I just think I need to get into a pro scheme and digest a pro playbook. Just get somewhere and dive into one.
When you work out now, are you starting to see results with your footwork and accuracy?
Absolutely. I feel so much more comfortable under center and getting snaps. A big thing for me was getting my depth because in shotgun if you're
getting a five-step drop, you can't get too deep or else you're going to outrun your tackle on the end. But now, being you're under center, a
five-step drop has to be deep to get away from the line. That's been the biggest thing for me.
Who's guiding you in that process?
I'm working with Mike Sheppard, a former QB coach and offensive coordinator. He's been really helpful.
Is this week a nerve-wracking process for you or are you in a bit of a comfort zone, because this is a lot of pressure for a lot of kids?
I really don't feel that nervous this week. First of all we're in my state, so it's good to be in my state so it's good to be out here with so many
great players. I'm just looking forward to competing with the guys and interviewing with these teams and I'm very lucky to be here. But I'm very
focused on the task at hand.
What are you most looking forward to this week?
I can't wait to throw. To throw next to some of the best quarterbacks in the nation, continuing these interviews, meeting these coaches.
Are you working out in Bloomington or somewhere else?
I'm working out in San Diego right now, but I'll be back in Bloomington after about a week or two to get ready for my pro day.
Zach (your brother) is older. Did you guys ever play together or was it all pick-up games?
It was all pick-up. So he's 4.5 years older so I was in 7th or 8th grade when he was a senior so we've never had the opportunity.
It would be awesome to play with him someday.
Did you throw a lot to him in the yard?
Zach played tight end and my brother Matt played receiver at Brown, so I had some good targets to throw to growing up.
What was that like for you? You all had size.
It was great. I learned how to talk to receivers, if I was running them too much, if I was throwing it too hard on a slant. I learned
some common sense in how to work with receivers. It's funny because I always thought I was their age. I was getting beat up on because I was
four years younger. When I went to college I was like, these guys are all younger than my brothers, so I'm good. I'm older than these guys.
What will your mindset be?
I think my mindset going to be the same anywhere I go. There's going to be an opportunity to compete right away. No matter what I'm going to be
competing wherever it is. I'm just trying to worry about myself and be the best teammate I can be a good leader on the team and a good guy in
the locker room and improve every year. My goal is to be so good they can't not play me.
I'm open and excited about any opportunity. Wherever I go, whoever I'm behind, I'm really looking forward to getting in there and
competing as hard as I can with those guys.
