He's one of those guys you meet and immediately want to invite over for Christmas lunch.
Friendly, fun, honest, humble and polite.
Last season, Sebastian Tretola became an overnight ESPN sensation when -- in his second start at left guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks -- he took a direct snap on a fake field goal, dropped back four steps and tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Alan D'Appollonio in a 45-17 victory over Alabama-Birmingham.
Then the 6-5, 360-pound (give or take a pound) Tretola did the Heisman pose to top off the trick play.
The UA even created a Heisman video for him, but it was all in fun. No one enjoyed it more than Tretola, who quietly went back to being one of the most efficient linemen in the SEC.
He played 690 snaps last season but was flagged only four times.
Sunday at media day, Tretola -- who is down to 325 pounds (give or take a pound) -- said in all of his years playing football, that was the first time he had ever thrown a pass in a game. He refused to reveal whether it was still in the playbook.
"Can't give away our secrets," he said while cracking a smile.
It seems nothing fazes the senior.
Questions about the heat, practices, new plays, new players and expectations were greeted with the same nonchalant smile.
"I just love this sport," he said. "I'm jacked up to play every day. I don't care if it's practice or games, I love the game of football."
It's also a game he improved at every week last season. He had seven knockdowns in Arkansas' 17-0 shutout of LSU, and he added five more in a 30-0 victory over Ole Miss. He graded out as the second-best member of the highly heralded offensive line at season's end.
His respect for position coach Sam Pittman, who is also an assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, is off the charts.
"Just a great teacher," Tretola said. "One of the things he teaches and preaches is to help the guys who back you up. He says there's no greater teacher than the guy in front of you."
Tretola has run the 40-yard dash in 5.19 seconds, and that combined with natural athleticism and an unbelievable work ethic is why some NFL scouting services have him rated as the 10th-best guard prospect -- out of 255 guards -- in next summer's draft. And that was before he trimmed down and got stronger.
Because he's so much more agile now, it won't be surprising to see him pull to block for screen passes this season.
Like most college players, making it to the NFL is his dream, but his motivation runs blood deep.
"My mom, I want to do some nice things for her," he said. "She's my girl. I miss her every day. She's the best mom in the world."
He said when he gets drafted -- and if he stays healthy he'll move up in the ratings -- he wants to buy his mom a house or maybe a new car. Then he laughed out loud at the thought.
"I'd like to do both, but that might take two contracts," he said.
Although the dream is there, Tretola doesn't spend much time thinking beyond the day and being prepared for this season.
"We have a chance to do something exceptional," he said. "I believe that with all my heart."
Although he has the heart of a lion, he is the consummate team player.
"Offensive linemen are supposed to be invisible," he said. "We get to hit someone every down we are on the field, and that's what we need to do best. I have no personal goals for this season. All the goals I have are team goals."
Tretola is a vocal leader on the field and admits that he's the quickest to speak out, especially if he feels he didn't do a good job.
All in all, Sebastian Tretola is a guy who is as impressive off the field as he is on it.
Sports on 08/13/2015