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University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Matt Garin
4/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Throughout the winter and spring, GopherSports.com has been bringing you interviews with future Gophers who signed letters of intent earlier this year. Next up is defensive end Matt Garin. GopherSports.com caught up with the Apple Valley, Minn. product to get his thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium, his appreciation for chicken fingers and how he thinks he will fit in with the Maroon and Gold over th enext few years. Garin spoke to GopherSports.com on the phone late last week. Here’s a transcript of that interview:
GopherSports.com: Has it sunk in that you are officially going to be a Gopher?
Matt Garin: I don’t think it has yet, but I think it will at the first practice.
GopherSports.com: Talk about the recruiting process and what made you want to come to Minnesota?
Matt Garin: Minnesota is my home state. I want my family to be able to watch me play. I just want to stay close to home. Everything is exciting again with the new stadium and all of the fans are excited because they are doing so well. Everything is on the rise right now.
GopherSports.com: Is there player that you look up to or pattern your game after?
Matt Garin: Julius Peppers and a little bit of Jared Allen. I like Julius Peppers because he is really athletic and really fast. I like Jared Allen because he plays the game the way it should be played. He is nasty and he is fun to watch.
GopherSports.com: What did you learn from being the captain on your football team this season?
Matt Garin: It taught be a lot of responsibility. It also taught me to be careful with your actions and your words, because everyone is looking up to you. It was kind of like all eyes are on you. It was just a good learning experience.
GopherSports.com: What are your thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium?
Matt Garin: It means a lot to me. I have toured the stadium twice now, once really early in construction and once about a month ago. Just seeing the locker room and how many lockers there are, how much of an improvement it is compared to the Metrodome and how excited the fans are going to be is just amazing.
GopherSports.com: What does it mean to you to be part of the first class to play their entire career at TCF Bank Stadium?
Matt Garin: It means a lot. I was talking to Moses Alipate about it the other day. We were just sitting and realizing that we are going to be part of the first class to play our fours years at TCF Bank Stadium. It means a lot to me.
GopherSports.com: There are a lot of recruits from the metro area. Do you guys talk a lot about playing and becoming Gophers?
Matt Garin: I hang out with Moses probably every three weeks. We hang out a lot and talk to each other about it. I haven’t talked to Ra’Shede Hageman for a while but I used to talk to him. Ed Olson, I will see from time to time and talk to him. We are all really excited and just want to get in there and start participating. We really just can’t wait for summer to start.
GopherSports.com: Talk about playing lacrosse and how that helps you with football?
Matt Garin: I started playing when I was in third grade. I have played on a lot of traveling teams. When it came down to the wire when I had to chose between football and lacrosse, I chose football. Lacrosse is really just a fun sport and it helps my footwork and helps with agility.
GopherSports.com: What are your goals for your first year?
Matt Garin: I just want to get in the swing of things right away. I just want to get used to everything my first year, so I am probably going to redshirt my first year because I am so much smaller than the rest of the guys.
GopherSports.com: What are your long-term goals as a Gopher?
Matt Garin: Win a Big Ten Championship. My first goal has to be to get a starting spot and also break some records, like in sacks.
GopherSports.com: What have you been up to since Signing Day?
Matt Garin: Workout wise, I have been following the program they have given me. I am basically doing the same thing I usually do. Right now, I am in the process of learning the new defense.
GopherSports.com: What is your favorite thing to do if you have a day to yourself?
Matt Garin: Just go fishing. I go to a lot of my friends’ cabins and I will go camping in the Boundary Waters every once in a while.
GopherSports.com: What type of music are you listening to right now?
Matt Garin: Everything basically. Everything that is on the radio. It depends what mood I am in. I am listening to a lot of hip-hop and rap and I also listen to a lot of country.
GopherSports.com: Is there a song that gets you pumped up before you get into the weight room or before a game?
Matt Garin: “Put On For My City” by Young Jeezy
GopherSports.com: Have you seen a good movie lately?
Matt Garin: I just saw Step Brothers. I laughed so hard watching that movie. I love that movie.
GopherSports.com: What type of movies do you like to watch?
Matt Garin: Comedy and action. My all-time favorite would have to be Superbad. I like the comedies.
GopherSports.com: What is your favorite type of food?
Matt Garin: Anything Italian.
GopherSports.com: If you had to choose your favorite meal, what would it be?
Matt Garin: As of right now, Raising Cane’s, because I am really happy that they got it on the U of M campus. We have one in Apple Valley and that is basically all I eat.
GopherSports.com: Is there a TV show that you can’t miss?
Matt Garin: It is kind of embarrassing, but I watch Grey’s Anatomy with my girlfriend every week.
GopherSports.com: Do you have any hidden talents that people may not know about you?
Matt Garin: I am really big into choir. My brother is majoring in choir at St. Olaf, so he and I are big into choir.
GopherSports.com: Is there anything that you want to say to Gopher fans who are going to be reading this?
Matt Garin: I am really excited to be a Gopher. I expect big things out of our class in the next few years. I can’t wait to step foot out into TCF Bank Stadium for the first time.
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