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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Chad Levin, K, Pittsburg State University

Pitt State kicker Chad Levin should have the nickname Money because he makes it rain for the Gorillas. He will get a look by the NFL.
Pitt State kicker Chad Levin should have the nickname Money because he makes it rain for the Gorillas. He will get a look by the NFL.

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Chad Levin

What is your Height/Weight?

Height: 5’9” Weight: 165

What is your position?

Place Kicker

Where do you play college football?

Pittsburg State University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

Every year we get to host an event for all of the younger kids in the community to come out and run through drills and have some fun with the football team. After that, we also host an autograph session for all the community to come out and meet us and get to interact with the fans. That is always a really cool experience to be apart of being able to give back and hang with the younger kids as well as people in the community.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Microeconomics

Where are you from?

Bentonville, Arkansas

Who is your role model, and why?

My mom and dad are my role models. They have been there for me every step of the way and have helped teach me so many life lessons. My mom has definitely ingrained hard work into my mind and my dad is my best friend, without these two I would not be who/ where I am today.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played soccer up until my sophomore year in high school, basketball, and ran track. Once I hit my junior year of high school I focused solely on football.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played cornerback as well, until my sophomore year of high school and then I focused on kicking.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I think that what separates me from others is my ability to block out distractions, and be able to do my job.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I look for a few things, but first I focus on my mechanics, making sure that everything is in the right place (plant foot, ball contact, follow through). I then look at the overall operation of our PAT/FG unit (snap, hold, to kick) to make sure that our timing is good and that no one was close to blocking the kick. With kickoff, I focus on the hang time and placement of the kick as well as how our coverage unit does.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Considering this is a tough question for a kicker to answer, I would have to say the toughest players I have ever faced are during the summer camps/ training sessions throughout off-season. All of the guys I get to compete and train with are from all around the country (D1, D2, etc.). It is really cool to be able to get together with other guys in your craft and compete as well as help each other.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

I think I would have to go with Dan Bailey, since he handles both field goals and kickoff duties for the Cowboys. He is a very accurate kicker from 45 yards and in, but he also has a big enough leg to hit the farther field goals when called upon.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

The only ritual I can think of is the playlist of songs I listen too. Another thing that I do is when I go to put my cleats on before games I put my right shoe on, left shoe on, tie my right shoe, then tie my left shoe.

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?

I think just being from a smaller school it is more difficult to get your name out there, as well as prove that you are able to compete and execute your assignments in front of larger crowds.

What is your biggest strength?

I am an extremely hard worker. I always want to do what I can to be the best possible version of myself.

What is your biggest weakness?

I sometimes can be over critical on myself.

chad-levinIf I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I am someone who will work extremely hard to be the best specialist I can be in order to help the team win the special teams battle week in and week out. I am a very coachable player, and always am working on my craft.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

My favorite player was Emmitt Smith; my mom actually saw him in a restaurant and got his autograph for me when I was a little kid. NFL team was also the Cowboys, my grandpa was a die-hard Cowboys fan and he rubbed off on me.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Adam Vinatieri, my childhood friend Forrest Turner, and my Grandpa

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

A gift for my parents to thank them for everything they have done

Rapid Answers:

  • Who will win the Super Bowl? Packers
  • Whose better Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?
  • Better Running Back Adrian Peterson or Barry Sanders?
  • Better safety Eric Weddle or Ed Reed?
  • Better linebacker Ray Lewis or Luke Kuechly?

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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