The Football Diner Big Interview:
Ryan McMahon
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
February 10th 2011
 
Former Florida State center Ryan McMahon has been a mainstay for the Seminoles since his freshman season in 2007. The player FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher calls “one of the toughest I’ve been around” started more games (53) in his collegiate career than any other in Seminole history. He is currently based at Competitive Edge Sports in Lawrenceville, GA preparing round the clock for April’s NFL draft.
 
Football Diner : Ryan, give us a sense of how hard a college athlete has to work to prepare for the draft…
 
Ryan McMahon : Well for me I’ve got two months before my Pro Day - and that’s the biggest job interview of my life. After the Seminoles defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl on New Year’s Eve, I took two days off to celebrate and enjoy the victory, then it was straight back to work and now I’m out here in Georgia at CES.
 
Football Diner : Can you take us through your typical day training at CES?
 
Ryan McMahon : I’m up at 6.15 am and I’ll have breakfast, a protein shake and get warmed up. I get over to CES by 7.30 and then we’ll start on speed work - drills like the short shuttle, L-Drill and the forty - for two hours. I’ll take a ten minute break and have another protein shake and then we’ll go to the weight room for two more hours. It’s a great environment in there - the offensive linemen work out together and everybody’s busting their gut. At 12 or so we have an hour for lunch and then for the next hour I’ll work with (former NFL offensive line coach) Larry Beightol on technique and maybe some film work. At 2 pm I’ll do some stretching and then work on snapping before getting ice and treatment. I’m done by around 3.30 pm.
 
Football Diner : Does it ever feel like Groundhog Day?
 
Ryan McMahon : A little bit, but Wednesday is different, it’s pool work! Don’t let that fool you, it’s not easy.
 
Football Diner : Coach Fisher calls you “one of the toughest players” he’s ever been around - your games started record seems to bear that out…
 
Ryan McMahon : I take pride in being tough. If you want to be a leader you’ve got to be out there on the field, and I’ve always had the mindset that I’m not going to miss games. You might want to sit and rest but keep working. Back in spring practice I got my arm extended in drills and tore a ligament and tendon in my left elbow, but I didn’t miss a rep, nothing. I played on for another week before an MRI scan revealed it was torn in half - the doctor said he couldn’t believe I’d kept playing. I had Tommy John surgery right after spring and now it’s stronger than ever.
 
Football Diner : So toughness is important to you?
 
Ryan McMahon : It’s a strength for me. Like our FSU offensive line coach Rick Trickett says: “When it’s too tough for everyone else, that’s when it’s just right for us.”
 
Football Diner : Do you feel a little overlooked as a prospect right now?
 
Ryan McMahon : I’m right where I want to be. I’m a little bit under the radar and some people have overlooked me because they think I’m too small, but I use that negative energy to drive myself. I’ve got something to prove and I’ve got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. The goal is to make that 53 man roster. And whatever happens in the draft, I’ll get my chance to prove myself in camp.
 
Football Diner : Do you have a dream destination through the draft or free agency? We know you grew up a Falcons fan…
 
Ryan McMahon : Atlanta would be great. I’m from Georgia myself, I’ve got a lot of family here and it would make it easier for them to come to the games. We also watched a lot of film on the Patriots’ line in school and I love what they do.
 
Football Diner : Is there a part of your technique you feel you need to work on to help make it at the next level?
 
Ryan McMahon : Definitely, you can always improve. I want to get stronger in the lower body. I’m real quick but you need to be able to handle that bull rush too.
 
Football Diner : And is there an NFL player past or present who embodies what Ryan McMahon is about?
 
Ryan McMahon : I love Jeff Saturday’s style. He wasn’t drafted and worked his way up from the practice squad. He’s not huge physically but he has great determination and he’s a great leader. I hope I can go on to be the same kind of player.