Matt Skura was interviewed about his career as a center for Duke University and his transition to the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. At Duke, Skura was a two-time All-American and team captain who helped lead Duke to its first bowl win in 55 years. He credits his success to Duke's head coach David Cutcliffe, who emphasized academic and professional development. Now with the Ravens, Skura is working hard to prove himself and make the 53-man roster, having realized NFL players are stronger, faster, and more disciplined than in college.

1. Last month, I had the pleasure to interview Matt Skura, who is a current
member of the Baltimore Ravens. In the 2015-2016 college football season, Skura
was regarded as one of the best Centers in the country. He was a 2nd team All-
American and a 1st team All-ACC member. In addition, he was one of the team
captains during his senior season at Duke University. Skura has impressive
credentials that enhance the possibility of him having a long, prosperous career in
the National Football League (NFL). Not only is Skura a great Center, but he is also a
tremendous team leader. This is evident when the Duke football players and
coaches voted him as one of the captains. During his college football career, his most
notable game was when Duke played against Florida State in the ACC Championship
in 2013. As many of you know, after Florida State was victorious against Duke, they
went on to beat Auburn in one of the most exciting National Championship games in
recent history. During Skura’s tenure at Duke, he faced off against Timmy Jurnigan,
Vince Williams, Cornellius Cardine and Bjoern Werner and many other players who
are still in the NFL. He knows the caliber that you have to play in order to do well at
the next level.
Skura had a magnificent amount of success in college football, but he would
not be where he is today if it wasn’t for Duke University and for Duke’s head football
coach, David Cutcliffe. Skura states “‘Coach Cut’ (David Cutcliffe) is a very gracious
person who I look up to as a role model. He was a great mentor, he taught us how to
be a ‘professional college football player.’” All the players on the Duke football
player sat in the first three rows in the classroom. Our coach would make sure we
were achieving on the football field just as much as in the classroom.” Skura goes on

2. to mention how it is pleasing to see that David Cutcliffe tried his hardest to make
sure his players were successful after their college football career was over.
Unfortunately, not all universities and coaches care about the student athletes after
their college career is over. Many schools only care about the present and winning
as many games as they can. For instance, Louisville, Syracuse, Baylor, Ole Miss and
North Carolina have all violated multiple NCAA rules in the recent years where their
universities’ ethical guidelines and virtues have been in question by many fans
throughout the country.
After reflecting on his career at Duke, Skura mentioned how it was a
humbling accomplishment to start 40 games in a row. Also, he revealed how
finishing his career at Duke was very heartwarming. This is because Duke won their
first bowl game in 55 years. Skura said, ‘All the players, coaches, alumni and fans
deserved this win. This program has what it takes in order to be contenders in
college football.” Skura had many incredible memories that he will cherish, but he
also had to overcome adversity. He had to transition from Guard to Center, which
was not an easy adjustment. Part of the reason why the change was challenging for
him was because he never snapped a football before attending Duke University. In
addition, he mentions how in 2014 against University of Miami, he had three or four
bad snaps and two or three false starts. However, Skura said, “The hardships made
me grow a lot more as an athlete, I learned a lot about myself after the Miami game.”
Skura has experienced rough patches in his playing career that should help him in
the NFL.

3. Transitioning to the NFL, Skura is eager to prove himself as a professional
football player. He is willing to do whatever it takes to put his team in a position to
win the game. When Skura started Rookie Minicamp in May, he realized that the
players are stronger, bigger, faster and a lot more disciplined. Even though he just
started his professional career, he got some advice from current NFL players. One
unnamed player said to him, “You can’t outspend the first round draft pick, do the
same things you did in college and high school that got you here. Try to be level
headed with your money because you have no idea when your football career is
going to end.”
In August, Matt Skura has a realistic shot to make the 53-man roster for the
Baltimore Ravens. He is a hard-working, smart, disciplined football player who is
easy to get along with. He’s willing to do whatever is necessary to make the team
better. Coaches and General Managers tend to choose players who are a good fit in
the locker room.