merican Football Conference
ational Football Conference
Draft 2013 - Interview of Zach Maynard (QB, Cal)"I’m similar to Russell Wilson, just taller, same type of player"
For the third straight year, Footballamericain.com proposes a set of exclusive NFL prospect's interviews from all over the US. Here is QBQuarterback
c'est le stratège de l'équipe. Il décide des tactiques avec ses coachs. Il est chargé de transmettre la balle à ses coureurs et de distiller les passes à ses receveurs. Zach Maynard from the University of California.
Footballamericain.com: Zach, first of all, I would like to warmly thank you for taking time to answer our questions. The French football fans will be delighted to have the opportunity to better know you before the coming 2013 Draft. Where are you in terms of preparation for this event?
Zach Maynard: I’ve been training at XPE in Boca Raton, FL in preparation for the draft. Right now I’ve been just trying to get ready for football at the NFL level working on all aspects of my game.
Footballamericain.com: You have spent 2 years in Berkeley at the University of California after being transferred from Buffalo in 2008. Can you tell us more about your college journey? What are your best memories and achievements there?
Zach Maynard: I had a long college journey and it was a pretty different road to go down. One of the main things being the weather change, from playing in the cold in Buffalo to the nicer weather in California. I left Buffalo when my coach left for another opportunity and Cal also gave me the opportunity to showcase my playing ability on a bigger stage. My best memories of my college experience were getting to continue my career at Cal playing with my younger brother, other family members, and friends from back home. It was a unique experience.
Footballamericain.com: From a more personal perspective, what did you learn from yourself after these 4 years in college?
Zach Maynard: That’s a good question. I think the main thing was independence an learning to live on my own being so far away from home. I also learned a lot just from the aspect of leading a team and also looking out for my brother when we played at Cal.
Footballamericain.com: Cal is probably the best public institution in the country from the academic perspective. How do you manage these high standards as a student athlete?
Zach Maynard: Cal is the most prestige institution in the country. I held being a student athlete in high priority and took my love for competitiveness on the football field to the class room with the same standards.
Footballamericain.com: You have started 22 games the last two years as QB at Cal finishing your career with a 128.4 passing efficiency (8th in school history) and a 29 TD for 22 INT ratio. Your Coach Jeff Tedford being known as a QB developer, how did he improve your game the last couple of years?
Zach Maynard: Coach Tedford was the main reason that I went headed to Cal. He is known as a QB guru and I felt that there was a great deal that I could learn. He really helped with the mental stages of the game as well as helping me prep to continue my career at the next level.
Footballamericain.com: You have injured your left knee late in the season. Can you update us on your physical integrity right now?
Zach Maynard: I am 100% and the strongest I think that I have ever been.
Footballamericain.com: You have been sacked 39 times last year which is a pretty high figure. Does this lack of protection explain the relatively high level of interceptionsInterception
passe du QB rattrapée par un défenseur (un adversaire). you have thrown?
Zach Maynard: This year was tough because we had a young team overall. The O-line was very young and I had a first year centerCenter (C)
c'est le joueur de la ligne offensive qui transmet le ballon entre ses jambes au QB lors du snapSnap
signal de départ de l'action, quand le centre transmet la balle au QB...
Footballamericain.com: Can you say a few words about your Senior season where Cal has struggled in the PAC12, finishing with a 3-9 (2-7) record? How do you analyze these disappointing results?
Zach Maynard: We had a young team and the overall offenseOffense
escouade spécialisée dans l'attaque. that Coach Tedford runs I think were a main factor. We did not get the results we desired but the team is young and has a lot of room for improvement in the future. I look forward to see how they fair in the coming years.
Footballamericain.com: You have played all year long with your half-brother, star WR Keenan Allen, as a preferred target. How do you manage this family experience? Wasn’t that an additional pressure for you to answer to the people arguing you have thrown too many forced passes to him?
Zach Maynard: I don’t believe it was an issue. He’s the #1 wide receiverWide Receiver (WR)
ceux sont les receveurs écartés. Ils sont spécialisés dans les réceptions des passes très longues. Ils sont extrêmement rapide : 40 yards en 5 sec. in the draft and you have to do what you can to get your best player the ball. Sometimes it was tough with other teams game plans when he was double and triple covered, but you have to try to get him the ball and let him do what he does.
Footballamericain.com: You have played in the MAC and then in the highly competitive PAC 12: who is the best player you have faced during your college football career?
Zach Maynard: The Black Mamba, De’Anthony Thomas, the guy is electric. He has skills that you can’t teach.
Footballamericain.com: You are considered as a very mobile passer. How would you qualify your game? What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
Zach Maynard: I do consider myself very mobile. I’d say my strengths are my mobility, pocket awareness, speed, and arm strength and my weaknesses are sitting in the pocket and over striding.
Footballamericain.com: What NFL player do you think you compare favorably to?
Zach Maynard: I’d say I’m similar to Russell Wilson, just taller, same type of player.
Footballamericain.com: Regarding the coming draft, the experts see you becoming a free Agent. What are your personal expectations?
Zach Maynard: Well my goal is to get drafted. I’ve put in a lot of time training and perfecting my skills at the next level. I’m looking to prove that in the coming days leading up to the draft.
Footballamericain.com: You are originally from North Carolina. Any NFL team you grew-up rooting for?
Zach Maynard: I grew up a Green Bay Packers fan. I really liked the way Favre played and looked up to his arm strength as a kid.
Footballamericain.com: When you get your first professional paycheck what is the first thing you will buy?
Zach Maynard: I think I will probably put some gas in my car and get a pair of the meanest soccer cleats on the market.
Footballamericain.com: You have majored Sociology. What would be you plan after Football?
Zach Maynard: Not sure, I don’t think I will do anything in the sociology field. Probably will return to school and work on doing something with fashion.
Footballamericain.com: Tell us about your hobbies when you are off the field?
Zach Maynard: I like playing video games and reading. I also watch a lot of soccer and play soccer in my spare time.
Footballamericain.com: A question for the French public: If I told you “France”, what comes to your mind?
Zach Maynard: Karim Benzema, I like soccer. Big fan of fashion so that comes to mind also and great food. Also maybe a place that I would like to live some day.
Footballamericain.com: Football is developing progressively in France and our Elite championship is attracting more and more ex NCAA DIV I players. Were you aware of this trend? Would it be something that may interest you?
Zach Maynard: No I wasn’t aware of that might be something to look into in the future. I have tremendous respect for the European soccer players that end their careers in the MLS trying to spread the game of soccer here in the U.S. It would be very cool to do the same for the game of American Football in Europe towards the end of my career.
Footballamericain.com: Thanks a lot for your time and wish you all the best for the coming draft. Any mean to follow you through the internet?
Zach Maynard: Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to interview me. We will have to do it again. People can follow me on twitter @ZachMaynard15.