Post by Funkytown on Apr 7, 2020 11:09:05 GMT -6
Okay, Diggs, Winfield, Moss ... all the Minnesota connections this year. What about this guy?
Player Spotlight: Shane Zylstra (2020 NFL Draft Prospect, WR, Minnesota State-Mankato)
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Player Spotlight: Shane Zylstra (2020 NFL Draft Prospect, WR, Minnesota State-Mankato)
2020 NFL Draft Prospect, WR out of Minnesota State University-Mankato, Shane Zylstra joins the show to talk about his record breaking Mavericks career as he reeled in 227 receptions for over 4300 yards and 54 touchdowns throughout the past 4 seasons, what it was like to not only have the individual success that he has had over the years but to have a great deal of team success to go with it. This past season the Mavericks finished 14-1. Their only loss came to West Florida in the National Championship game (48-40) in which Zylstra caught 11 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. Zylstra also talks about what its like to follow in the foot steps of former Mankato great WR Adam Thielen as well as his very own brother, Brandon Zylstra, who played Division 3 football at Concordia-Moorhead and after a stint in the CFL, is now a member of the Carolina Panthers. Just hours before this interview was recorded, Shane had just got word that he was accepted and will participate in the University of Minnesota pro-day.
SHANE ZYLSTRA: PATH TO THE NFL DRAFT
From a small town in Minnesota, through Minnesota State University Mankato, and on to the NFL. The journey may sound a little familiar, and with good cause. Adam Thielen is a household name now as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, but this was the path that he walked to get there. As he heads towards the 2020 NFL Draft, Shane Zylstra is being billed as the next Adam Thielen. He’s conscious of it, but also knows he brings his own identity to the footballing table.
“Obviously it’s very humbling, you know. Adam’s a Pro Bowl wide receiver and has been very successful. We have gone down very similar paths, but he’d definitely be the first one to tell you that we’re two very different types of receivers. We each have our own capabilities and qualities that are different as well as having the same background. But obviously it’s very humbling to be in that conversation.”
Growing up watching Randy Moss in Minnesota
It’s a path that began in Spicer, Minnesota. As one of four brothers, Shane Zylstra was surrounded by football from an early age and it became the arena for the boys to try and assert their physical dominance. It was from there that he found a love for the sport. It would also mold the competitive spirit and physicality that would become a hallmark of his game.
“I grew up with two older brothers and one younger brother. We started playing at an early age in our yard. Obviously I had two older brothers, so I would always have to compete with them and try to get the best of them. It got pretty physical. That’s where it all rooted down to was just growing up playing with my brothers in the yard.”
Whilst the love for the playing the game came from the back yard, there was no shortage of inspiration at his beloved Minnesota Vikings as a young Shane Zylstra looked to model his game. Eventually, his number at MSU Mankato would come to reflect that inspiration.
“It was always the Vikings. Definitely a Halloween costume that we always used to do. Whether it was Randy Moss or Cris Carter at that time. They both dominated and did so well. They’re playing for the hometown team. It was obviously kinda cool to see them be so successful. They’re superstars when you’re that age.”
From a small town in Minnesota, through Minnesota State University Mankato, and on to the NFL. The journey may sound a little familiar, and with good cause. Adam Thielen is a household name now as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, but this was the path that he walked to get there. As he heads towards the 2020 NFL Draft, Shane Zylstra is being billed as the next Adam Thielen. He’s conscious of it, but also knows he brings his own identity to the footballing table.
“Obviously it’s very humbling, you know. Adam’s a Pro Bowl wide receiver and has been very successful. We have gone down very similar paths, but he’d definitely be the first one to tell you that we’re two very different types of receivers. We each have our own capabilities and qualities that are different as well as having the same background. But obviously it’s very humbling to be in that conversation.”
Growing up watching Randy Moss in Minnesota
It’s a path that began in Spicer, Minnesota. As one of four brothers, Shane Zylstra was surrounded by football from an early age and it became the arena for the boys to try and assert their physical dominance. It was from there that he found a love for the sport. It would also mold the competitive spirit and physicality that would become a hallmark of his game.
“I grew up with two older brothers and one younger brother. We started playing at an early age in our yard. Obviously I had two older brothers, so I would always have to compete with them and try to get the best of them. It got pretty physical. That’s where it all rooted down to was just growing up playing with my brothers in the yard.”
Whilst the love for the playing the game came from the back yard, there was no shortage of inspiration at his beloved Minnesota Vikings as a young Shane Zylstra looked to model his game. Eventually, his number at MSU Mankato would come to reflect that inspiration.
“It was always the Vikings. Definitely a Halloween costume that we always used to do. Whether it was Randy Moss or Cris Carter at that time. They both dominated and did so well. They’re playing for the hometown team. It was obviously kinda cool to see them be so successful. They’re superstars when you’re that age.”
Uphill Battle to get to the next level
The focus for Shane Zylstra is very much on the future. The 2020 NFL Draft wide receiver class is one of the deepest we’ve seen for a while and as a smaller school prospect, that journey to the NFL Draft is one that’s even more difficult than for players at more recognized programs. If you put his 2019 numbers in the mix with FBS and FCS players, he would have led the FCS in receiving yards and have been second behind LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase in the FBS. He knows it’s not as simple as that, whilst recognizing that the opportunity to make it to the next level is very real.
“It’s definitely an uphill battle. Being from a smaller school you’ll always have that knock on you, whether you were productive like I was or not. They’re always going to say “oh well he never faced the competition of a Division I school”. I completely understand where they’re coming from but obviously Adam Thielen paved a way. I think scouts are starting to realize that there is talent at every level, there are players that can play in the National Football League that didn’t necessarily go to Division I. It’s definitely an uphill battle but I try not to focus on that. I’m Shane Zylstra, wide receiver. It doesn’t matter where I came from, I’m still going to compete against you.”
The focus for Shane Zylstra is very much on the future. The 2020 NFL Draft wide receiver class is one of the deepest we’ve seen for a while and as a smaller school prospect, that journey to the NFL Draft is one that’s even more difficult than for players at more recognized programs. If you put his 2019 numbers in the mix with FBS and FCS players, he would have led the FCS in receiving yards and have been second behind LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase in the FBS. He knows it’s not as simple as that, whilst recognizing that the opportunity to make it to the next level is very real.
“It’s definitely an uphill battle. Being from a smaller school you’ll always have that knock on you, whether you were productive like I was or not. They’re always going to say “oh well he never faced the competition of a Division I school”. I completely understand where they’re coming from but obviously Adam Thielen paved a way. I think scouts are starting to realize that there is talent at every level, there are players that can play in the National Football League that didn’t necessarily go to Division I. It’s definitely an uphill battle but I try not to focus on that. I’m Shane Zylstra, wide receiver. It doesn’t matter where I came from, I’m still going to compete against you.”
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Brother Brandon provides a valuable resource
For now, he is focused on training for any opportunity to showcase his talent in front of evaluators. Minnesota State Mankato don’t hold a pro day but there is the potential for an appearance at the Minnesota Gopher pro day.
Whilst training, he has some valuable resources to hand.
His older brother, Brandon, is a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, having made it to the NFL as undrafted free agent out of Division III Concordia College with the Minnesota Vikings.
“Brandon is a phenomenal resource that I’ve been able to utilize throughout the last three or four years. He’s actually living with me right now, just for a week, and we’re doing a bunch of different drills. When we’re not doing drills, or lifting and working out, we’re in my apartment going over routes and the different verbiage for the NFL. Between all aspects of being a professional on the field, being a professional off the field, and what it really takes. All aspects of what it takes to be a player in the National Football League I’ve been able to take from him. I’ve been very blessed with that.”
From one Adam Thielen to the next
Then there’s the man whose journey Shane Zylstra has drawn comparison to as he heads towards the NFL.
“I actually reached out to him [Adam Thielen] a few weeks ago and we have some time set up later in March when we’re going to get together and get some on field work. I’ve already formulated a list of questions that I have to ask him, just to be able to pick his brain whilst we’re doing all of that. There’s so many uphill battles with being that Division II guy so I just want to know what the biggest change was from Division II to the NFL.”
Shane Zylstra to the Minnesota Vikings?
Both Brandon Zylstra and Adam Thielen have been able to pull on the purple of the Minnesota Vikings in their professional career. As a lifelong Vikings fan, what would it mean to Shane Zylstra to follow their path all the way to the doors of U.S. Bank Stadium?
“I’ll take any of the 32 teams! But, playing for the hometown team, my brother was obviously able to experience it, it’s a little different feeling I think. Being from Minnesota, growing up here, and like we talked about, seeing Randy Moss, Cris Carter, those players, obviously being in their shoes so to speak would be a pretty special feeling.”
The next Adam Thielen? After exceeding Thielen’s career in college, time will tell what Shane Zylstra can achieve at the next level.
Maybe the next kid from Minnesota State Mankato will be dubbed the next Shane Zylstra.
That would be a pretty special feeling.
For now, he is focused on training for any opportunity to showcase his talent in front of evaluators. Minnesota State Mankato don’t hold a pro day but there is the potential for an appearance at the Minnesota Gopher pro day.
Whilst training, he has some valuable resources to hand.
His older brother, Brandon, is a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, having made it to the NFL as undrafted free agent out of Division III Concordia College with the Minnesota Vikings.
“Brandon is a phenomenal resource that I’ve been able to utilize throughout the last three or four years. He’s actually living with me right now, just for a week, and we’re doing a bunch of different drills. When we’re not doing drills, or lifting and working out, we’re in my apartment going over routes and the different verbiage for the NFL. Between all aspects of being a professional on the field, being a professional off the field, and what it really takes. All aspects of what it takes to be a player in the National Football League I’ve been able to take from him. I’ve been very blessed with that.”
From one Adam Thielen to the next
Then there’s the man whose journey Shane Zylstra has drawn comparison to as he heads towards the NFL.
“I actually reached out to him [Adam Thielen] a few weeks ago and we have some time set up later in March when we’re going to get together and get some on field work. I’ve already formulated a list of questions that I have to ask him, just to be able to pick his brain whilst we’re doing all of that. There’s so many uphill battles with being that Division II guy so I just want to know what the biggest change was from Division II to the NFL.”
Shane Zylstra to the Minnesota Vikings?
Both Brandon Zylstra and Adam Thielen have been able to pull on the purple of the Minnesota Vikings in their professional career. As a lifelong Vikings fan, what would it mean to Shane Zylstra to follow their path all the way to the doors of U.S. Bank Stadium?
“I’ll take any of the 32 teams! But, playing for the hometown team, my brother was obviously able to experience it, it’s a little different feeling I think. Being from Minnesota, growing up here, and like we talked about, seeing Randy Moss, Cris Carter, those players, obviously being in their shoes so to speak would be a pretty special feeling.”
The next Adam Thielen? After exceeding Thielen’s career in college, time will tell what Shane Zylstra can achieve at the next level.
Maybe the next kid from Minnesota State Mankato will be dubbed the next Shane Zylstra.
That would be a pretty special feeling.
... and neither is this Chris guy.