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University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Max Shortell
7/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Next up in Gophersports.com's series of interviews with incoming Golden Gophers is Max Shortell of Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Shortell played basketball and baseball for his first few years of high school, but decided to focus on football. This focus paid off, as he led Bishop Miege High School to a Kansas state title as a junior in 2009. Shortell was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 21 quarterback prospect in the nation and the No. 5 overall prospect in Kansas. He is on campus, has enrolled and will be a part of fall camp for the Gophers later this summer.
Gophersports.com: Why did you choose Minnesota?
Max Shortell: When I went up to Minnesota, I loved it. I loved Minneapolis. I loved the campus.
Gophersports.com: What other schools did you consider?
Max Shortell: Minnesota was the first school to offer me. Then Michigan came in on like the last week before I signed, but I still liked Minnesota the best.
Gophersports.com: When did you know you wanted to play Division I football?
Max Shortell: It was about my sophomore year in high school. I started as a sophomore, and ever since then, I wanted to play football at the next level.
Gophersports.com: How did you know it was going to be football over basketball and baseball?
Max Shortell: I just love football. I enjoyed playing basketball and baseball, but football-that's what I love to do.
Gophersports.com: What are your first impressions of Coach Kill and his staff?
Max Shortell: I love the staff. I really like Coach Kill. He's an honest man. All the coaches are great guys. It just seems like they could be your neighbors, if you know what I mean. They're just normal people that really enjoy what they do, and they get along wonderfully together, which is awesome.
Gophersports.com: What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Max Shortell: I hope to fight for playing at least some this year. I don't really like to sit back and watch.
Gophersports.com: What are your long-term goals for your college career?
Max Shortell: I hope I start at least a couple of years, and to take Minnesota to at least a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl Championship.
Gophersports.com: What are you most looking forward to this season?
Max Shortell: I'm just looking forward to getting getting used to everything and being around the team and all the coaches.
Gophersports.com: Who are your football role models?
Max Shortell: I like Tom Brady a lot. Peyton Manning, obviously. Just any quarterback that loves his position and does well at it, basically.
Gophersports.com: What would you say is the strongest part of your game as a quarterback?
Max Shortell: I can make any throw on the field.
Gophersports.com: What are some of your favorite memories of your team's 2009 state championship?
Max Shortell: Going into halftime with a big lead. From then, we just knew we were going to win, and it was an awesome time-awesome time to be around your friends, all the coaches, knowing you put in a lot of effort to get there.
Gophersports.com: Do you feel like you and Coach Kill have a Kansas connection?
Max Shortell: Yeah. I think about half the coaches up there on the staff are from Kansas, and it's just awesome. We kind of have the same attitude towards football and getting things done.
Gophersports.com: What is your favorite thing about TCF Bank Stadium?
Max Shortell: It's just an awesome place.
Gophersports.com: Do you have a favorite vacation or trip you have taken?
Max Shortell: Colorado. We went skiing. It was just an awesome time.
Gophersports.com: What is your favorite food?
Max Shortell: Chinese buffet, and Fogo de Chao.
Gophersports.com: Are there any sports movies you've watched recently?
Max Shortell: "The Replacements."
Gophersports.com: Is there anything else you would like to tell Gopher fans?
Max Shortell: Get ready.
-Interview by Athletic Communications Assistant Justine Buerkle
