Interview with UMass offensive tackle Ben Coblyn.

What is your current height, weight and workout numbers?
Coblyn: I am 305 right now. I measured at 6’7 at the pro day and 289. My vertical is 30 inches, forty-time is a 5.0 and I haven’t done the bench but I know I could do over 20 reps.

Where did you go to high school?
Coblyn: Amherst Regional High School.

Did you play any other sports in high school besides football?
Coblyn: Basketball and track. I ran the 1x10 hurdles and threw the discus. I played power forward and center in basketball.

Why did you not play football in college coming out of high school?
Coblyn: I just couldn’t decide which sport I wanted to play and I had family issues that made me want to stay close to home. I also chose the best academic school for my mom.

What made you decide to stop playing basketball at Boston and transfer to UMASS?
Coblyn: As soon as I got into college I realized I made a mistake and wanted to play football.

What is your major and GPA?
Coblyn: History and 2.2.

When do you expect to graduate?
Coblyn: December 2008.

What is your learning style? (board only, board & walk thru or visual-have to see it.)
Coblyn: Board and walk thru.

What is the biggest adversity you have had to overcome in your college career or life?
Coblyn: My parents went through a pretty bad divorce at the end of my high school career.

Talk about your family background such as parents, siblings, and employment.
Coblyn: My dad is an art professor and my granddad was in the army. My mom is a daughter of Irish and Lithuanian immigrants and she works in the school system. My dad is black and my mom is white. I have an older brother who is 25 and a younger brother who is 15.

Are you married or single?
Coblyn: Single.

Do you have any kids?
Coblyn: Zero kids.

Do you have any relatives who played in the NFL?
Coblyn: No.

What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses?
Coblyn: I guess my most positive and negative thing is that I am aggressive. I always like to do things great and if I don’t I get down on myself. I have been playing college sports for four years and I just like to compete.

Have you ever long snapped?
Coblyn: In high school.

Have you played any other position besides OT?
Coblyn: In high school I played DE, OLB, and I was an all state TE. I have also played some guard in college.

What is the highlight of your career?
Coblyn: Basketball when we won the state championship and probably my first touchdown catch.

Who is the best player you have faced in your career?
Coblyn: Michael Hanson. He is probably the best defensive lineman I have gone against.

Who is the best player on your team?
Coblyn: Sean Smalls.

Is there anyone else on your team who has NFL potential?
Coblyn: Vladimir Ducasse, Sean Smalls, Liam Coen, and Michael Hanson.

What are your goals for this year?
Coblyn: To win a national championship.

What are your future goals?
Coblyn: I want to play in the NFL and eventually open up a Boys and Girls Club.