If your favorite team is looking for a mauling offensive lineman in the 2020 NFL draft, they might find this year’s best value in Fresno State’s Netane Muti.
Muti recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his work to bounce back from injury, the best players he’s ever faced in college, and why he’s making the early jump to the pros.
JM: You made the decision to forego your senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft. What led to that decision?
NM: A lot of things went into me making that decision. I sat down with my trusted circle and that’s the decision we reached. My injury history played a bit of a role in that. I didn’t wanna go back and get hurt again. I felt like right now is my best chance to go and compete at the next level. I’m trying to make it happen.
JM: This can be a long and taxing process. What are you most excited about?
NM: I’m just excited to start training and get ready for what’s next. I’m trying to get my body back 100%. I’m excited to show what I can do when my time comes.
JM: How are you doing health-wise right now?
NM: I feel pretty good right now. I’m still rehabbing a bit. I’m still working out and stuff. I’m probably about 70% right now.
JM: How did playing at Fresno State help prepare you for what’s next?
NM: Playing at Fresno State was a fun and exciting time for me. I fought through a lot of hardships there and it makes me feel like I can accomplish and overcome anything.
JM: What would you say is your positional fit at the next level?
NM: I would probably say guard. I expect to play at one of the guard spots at the next level. I don’t think I have the height or weight to stay at the tackle position. With that said, I’m happy to play whatever they ask me to play. That’s just my honest opinion. Guard and center probably makes more sense.
JM: Is there a scheme that you enjoy playing in more so than others?
NM: I don’t think so. Not really. At the end of the day, I just do what I’m told. I’m happy to follow the orders of my coaches and execute whatever’s expected of me. It comes down to that. I feel good about whatever the call is. I’m just trying to execute it to the best of my ability.
JM: Playing at Fresno State allowed you to compete against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some of the best defensive linemen you went up against?
NM: There was quite a few of them. Vita Vea definitely comes to mind. He was a first round draft pick. Da’Ron Payne was another first rounder. Ed Oliver is a beast of course. Those three definitely stick out to me.
JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?
NM: I love that question (laughs). I just love the ability to put your face in the dirt. I like taking their will to play the game away from them. It makes me feel good. Does that make sense? Does that make me sound crazy? (laughs)
JM: If you don’t feel that way, you’re not a true offensive linemen.
NM: Yeah, right? It makes me happy (laughs). I don’t even fully know why. It just makes me happy to see their faces down there. They’re all sad and defeated. I’m just laying on top of them and chilling (laughs).
JM: You’re gonna meet a lot of NFL teams throughout this process. Is there one quarterback or even running back that you’d love to block for?
NM: No, not really. Wherever I go, I just wanna demolish the defensive linemen basically (laughs). Which team it’s for doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never really thought of it like that. Of course I’m excited to block for my team. I’m just gonna go out there and do my job.
JM: In closing, how will you look back on your time at Fresno State?
NM: It’s gonna be crazy to look back on things one day. If I get the chance to play in the NFL and compete at the ultimate level, I look forward to coming back to Fresno State and serving as a success story for those guys and for the generations after me. I look forward to helping them with everything that’s going on over there. I’m always gonna be apart of the community over there.
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