NFL Draft 2012: Exclusive Interview with Florida State OT Andrew Datko

[Editor’s Note: Here at NFL Spin Zone, we have put together a series of 2012 NFL Draft prospect interviews to give our viewers a more in-depth look at a handful of the players who could end up with their team next season. The latest draft prospect interview features Florida State offensive lineman Andrew Datko. 

To see all of our previous interviews, CLICK HERE. Here is what Andrew had to say.]

Chris Boyle: First, and perhaps most important, how’s your shoulder?

Andrew Datko: You know, it’s actually doing really great. I just came back from the re-check in Indy this past weekend and everything went real good over there.

Boyle: The injury cost you the majority of your senior season. How much did it take a toll on you to not be out there?

Datko: When it happened, the first thought is that you can’t achieve your goals that you had set up for your senior year. I set up all these goals for myself for my senior year, expecting everything to go right and then the injury happened. But, you have to take the best out of it. I kept my head up. I kept grinding. I was always around the team. We had young guys step up in my spot so I was always out there at practice leading and always helping them out to do their best. Even though I was injuried, I still tried to be a big part of the team.

Boyle: What things did you talk about with the young players to get them ready to fill in for you?

Datko: Well, they were freshmen, too … I started 12 games as a freshman at left tackle so I was kind of in their shoes. So, I told them how it was going to be out there; how to prepare for games if they were going to start, the things you usually don’t see in practice that you see in games and how to handle that. I also taught them the proper ways of watching film, not just watching it but how to extract things from the film; just little pointers here and there just to help them get the edge.

Boyle: Now, you’re not the only Seminole offensive lineman who will be drafted in this class. Zebrie Sanders is highly touted as well. What separates you two guys? What do you think of your game, and how would you compare yourself alongside him?

Datko: Me and him both started as freshmen when we came in so we’ve been down the road together and also we’ve been training together at the same place down in Miami. It was a fun time, me and him playing together, and now we get to train and still be together. We’re very similar. I played left; he played right. We’re very similar in the way we play. There isn’t much of a difference, I would say.

Boyle: Teams spend really big and invest premium draft picks on the left tackle position, where you played 40 games for Florida State. Have scouts given you an idea where you best fit in at the next level, and ideally would you still want to stay on the blind side?

Datko: For me, left tackle is a very comfortable position. I started there for four years. But, usually when young guys come up in the NFL, you can’t only know one position. You’ve got to learn multiple positions, and usually for young tackles coming in, they usually start on the right side. During this time off from the season, I’ve really been just getting comfortable with the right hand stance and kicksliding from the right side so I can be able to play both. I’ve really been able to do that, and I feel comfortable on both sides. I’m starting out with the mindset that they might have me at right tackle, but I’ll always be ready for left.

Boyle: I read that you were recruited as a guard coming out of high school. Do you feel the versatility of playing different positions will give you an edge in the middle stages of the draft?

Datko: Definitely … NFL teams only carry so many linemen, and the more positions you can play, the better. In high school, I played all four positions on the line. I played both guards and both tackles. It’s good to know all the positions, especially in learning the playbook. Once you know everything, it’s better for you. I think it gives any player, especially me, an edge when it comes to the draft.

Boyle: You went to St. Thomas Aquinas, a nationally recognized high school football powerhouse in the state of Florida. What makes that program so efficient in turning out premier talent every single year?

Datko: First of all, they’re great coaches … They almost run it like a college program down there. Our offseason conditioning starts in January, and we run it all the way through the season. Their mindset’s almost like a college. That’s why they’re so successful. And also, the players coming out of there for college; I know for me, it’s an easy transition to college.

Boyle: You played for Jimbo Fisher at Florida State, who has put together several consecutive strong recruiting classes and helped toward rebuilding the program as a national power? What makes him such a good recruiter?

Datko: Florida State’s always had that talent but really couldn’t ever put it together like those years when the dynasty was at Florida State. Now, the pieces are in place. He really believes that this program can be what it used to be, and high school players are seeing that. The past couple years, we’ve really risen up from the dumps where we were. We put up two solid seasons, but Jimbo expects better these upcoming years. I think that’s what’s selling these players to come there.

Boyle: So, you think it’s more of a development issue than a talent issue? Is that accurate to say?

Datko: Yeah … All these schools, even like Miami (FL), have all the talent. It’s just how it’s being used, if these players are living up to their potential, or if sometimes the recruiting process gets in their head and these players don’t pan out well. It’s just getting the right players who want to work hard and play hard and fit the system.

Boyle: You’re entering what’s sure to be a big time in your life the next couple weeks as the draft approaches. What are your plans for the draft?

Datko: Just staying home; just being with the family. I don’t plan on watching the whole draft because I know even in years before I was in the draft that it’s a long time and it gets anxious. I might plan on doing some little things here and there, but just staying with family and friends and hanging out.

Boyle: Do you have any specific ideas to avoid the anxiety in those middle to late rounds?

Datko: I don’t know, maybe just watch something different on TV or play a couple games or card games; something like that just to keep your mind busy. Once you get to those rounds, it doesn’t really matter where you go. You just need that foot in the door to prove to these coaches that you can play there.

Boyle: For card games, do you have a go-to game? Are you a poker guy, or a blackjack guy?

Datko: Oh, I’m a poker guy; Texas hold’ em. I’m always watching those tournaments on ESPN.

Boyle: Are there any specific teams that have given you an indication that they might be taking you in the draft?

Datko: There are a lot of teams that need a tackle that have been interested in me and told me they have. It’s just what round they might want to take a tackle. So it’s all just waiting and seeing, this next week, what teams pick where. I don’t know if it’s in the rules [to talk about specific teams] or if they want it to be known.

Boyle: What have you worked on to show teams that may have doubts about your injury that you’re healthy and ready to play from day one?

Datko: The first thing I wanted to tell them when I went to the combine was that a lot of people thought I had another major shoulder surgery my senior year, and all it was was I came back just a little too early and pushed the shoulder too much and it filled up with inflammation. All I needed was a scope, so it wasn’t something major. There was no major surgery needed, so I wanted to clarify that with teams first. And secondly, I did my best to impress them on my pro day. I got 20 reps, but it’s not the most ideal [number of] reps I wanted. I wasn’t at full strength, but I just wanted to show them that I’m working out and my shoulder is good.

I’m continually getting stronger. And also, during the pro day and the combine, we’re doing punching drills and stuff like that, and I felt real good doing those and showing them that I still have the explosiveness and the power in my arms to play at the NFL level.

Boyle: You were able to take a medical redshirt if you wanted to but chose to enter the draft instead. What made you decide to forgo the medical redshirt?

Datko: The second game, my shoulder was really bothering me. I played two more games and it really started killing me. So, they decided to cut me off because if I had played one more game, it would have killed my medical redshirt and coach Fisher wanted to make sure that was a possibility for me. So, he kind of cut me off from playing, and I think that was a good decision because I needed that scope for my shoulder to clean it out. But, I decided to take the path to the NFL because I had started 40 games since my freshman year and thought I had already shown teams what I can do, and I didn’t think I had to prove anything more. I thought it was a good time to leave. Also, I had graduated that semester too. So, I thought it was a good decision.

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