Matthew Kaufmann Q&A
956sports.com: Matthew, you’ve been at the U.S. Army Preparatory Academy for a semester. How was your first season?
Mattthew Kaufmann: My first season was a great one. I got to play with big time players from all over the country coming from Hawaii to Germany and everything in between. My right tackle is from Alaska! We went 7 and 1 on the season. We played Division II schools along the east coast along with Navy prep.
956sports.com: You had a last minute touchdown pass this season. Other than that throw, what other moments stick with you from the season?
Mattthew Kaufmann: Another great moment would have to be when the Quarterback I was rotating with was in. We had a crucial 3rd and 12 and my offensive coordinator had trouble of thinking which play he should call. I was Quarterback the series prior and I knew they couldn’t defend our play action option pass. So I whispered in my coach’s ear the play I was thinking of and he just signaled it in. The play ended up resulting in a 45 yard touchdown pass that was wide open.
956sports.com: You’ve played against some great athletes in Texas, but how does it compare to the athletes at West Point?
Mattthew Kaufmann: The athletes on my team are awesome. I have two receivers that are 6’5 and run 4.4’s. 3 out of the four backs in the backfield bench over 350 pounds. Our defense is stacked with a great secondary. There was only one touchdown pass thrown on us all season. If you dominate in Texas football you will fit right in the mix with the athletes here. With hard work and never quit attitude the Texas athletes can hang with whichever team gives them a chance. They just have to be given a chance.
956sports.com: You had a chance to attend the Army/Navy game last weekend, how does it compare to your biggest football game?
Mattthew Kaufmann: People say the Army Navy game is America’s game. I truly believe that it is. That football game is unlike any football game I have ever attended or played in. I believe the only game bigger than Army Navy is the Superbowl. You’re not just playing for your team and school; you’re playing for your nations military. I will represent the entire United States army next year and I hope to make them proud. We wear patches of different Army units to show them that we play for them. The game is so much bigger than us. The game is also the only game being played on that day. No other college football team plays a game on the day Army Navy plays. It’s the biggest rivalry in all of college sports also. Just go online and look for yourself.
956sports.com: Army’s quarterback Trent Steelman was a senior this year, and chance we’ll see you under center in the near future?
Mattthew Kaufmann: There is a chance you may see me under center next year. Anything’s possible! I will have to compete with 2 other quarterbacks for the starting job. Ones going to be a sophomore and the other is going to be a junior. Both quarterbacks have had playing time but we’ll just have t wait and see.
956sports.com: For athletes in the valley that want to play for a service academy or any division 1 school, what words of wisdom could you give them on the work it took you to get there?
Mattthew Kaufmann: Grades! Get good grades and everything will somewhat fall into place if you’re an athlete. Never take a day off of training and never be scared of anything. View everything you do as a challenge and compete at everything you do. Send your film out to almost every college you can think of and hope you get a bite. But just know, Division I football is not going to be like high school football. It’s a business. All they want is results and the stakes are really high. You need a strong mental framework when you get to this level and just know that God put you there for a reason. He wouldn’t put you somewhere if he didn’t think you could handle it.
956sports.com: Last question, how does your shaved head feel in that northern weather? Have you gotten use to it?
Mattthew Kaufmann: It’s really cold! Absolutely not! I don’t think I will ever get used to this weather. It was 23 degrees a couple mornings ago during morning formation.
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Readers Comments
Matthew Kaufmann Q&A
956sports.com: Matthew, you’ve been at the U.S. Army Preparatory Academy for a semester. How was your first season?
Mattthew Kaufmann: My first season was a great one. I got to play with big time players from all over the country coming from Hawaii to Germany and everything in between. My right tackle is from Alaska! We went 7 and 1 on the season. We played Division II schools along the east coast along with Navy prep.
956sports.com: You had a last minute touchdown pass this season. Other than that throw, what other moments stick with you from the season?
Mattthew Kaufmann: Another great moment would have to be when the Quarterback I was rotating with was in. We had a crucial 3rd and 12 and my offensive coordinator had trouble of thinking which play he should call. I was Quarterback the series prior and I knew they couldn’t defend our play action option pass. So I whispered in my coach’s ear the play I was thinking of and he just signaled it in. The play ended up resulting in a 45 yard touchdown pass that was wide open.
956sports.com: You’ve played against some great athletes in Texas, but how does it compare to the athletes at West Point?
Mattthew Kaufmann: The athletes on my team are awesome. I have two receivers that are 6’5 and run 4.4’s. 3 out of the four backs in the backfield bench over 350 pounds. Our defense is stacked with a great secondary. There was only one touchdown pass thrown on us all season. If you dominate in Texas football you will fit right in the mix with the athletes here. With hard work and never quit attitude the Texas athletes can hang with whichever team gives them a chance. They just have to be given a chance.
956sports.com: You had a chance to attend the Army/Navy game last weekend, how does it compare to your biggest football game?
Mattthew Kaufmann: People say the Army Navy game is America’s game. I truly believe that it is. That football game is unlike any football game I have ever attended or played in. I believe the only game bigger than Army Navy is the Superbowl. You’re not just playing for your team and school; you’re playing for your nations military. I will represent the entire United States army next year and I hope to make them proud. We wear patches of different Army units to show them that we play for them. The game is so much bigger than us. The game is also the only game being played on that day. No other college football team plays a game on the day Army Navy plays. It’s the biggest rivalry in all of college sports also. Just go online and look for yourself.
956sports.com: Army’s quarterback Trent Steelman was a senior this year, and chance we’ll see you under center in the near future?
Mattthew Kaufmann: There is a chance you may see me under center next year. Anything’s possible! I will have to compete with 2 other quarterbacks for the starting job. Ones going to be a sophomore and the other is going to be a junior. Both quarterbacks have had playing time but we’ll just have t wait and see.
956sports.com: For athletes in the valley that want to play for a service academy or any division 1 school, what words of wisdom could you give them on the work it took you to get there?
Mattthew Kaufmann: Grades! Get good grades and everything will somewhat fall into place if you’re an athlete. Never take a day off of training and never be scared of anything. View everything you do as a challenge and compete at everything you do. Send your film out to almost every college you can think of and hope you get a bite. But just know, Division I football is not going to be like high school football. It’s a business. All they want is results and the stakes are really high. You need a strong mental framework when you get to this level and just know that God put you there for a reason. He wouldn’t put you somewhere if he didn’t think you could handle it.
956sports.com: Last question, how does your shaved head feel in that northern weather? Have you gotten use to it?
Mattthew Kaufmann: It’s really cold! Absolutely not! I don’t think I will ever get used to this weather. It was 23 degrees a couple mornings ago during morning formation.
