NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Travis Krall, OL, Bloomsburg University

 •       Name: Travis Krall
        •       Height: 6’ 4.5”
        •       Weight: 305 lbs
        •       Position: OG/OT
        •       College: Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
        •       Twitter: @Tkrall_75

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
        •        My hometown is Milton, PA. I went to school there and lived around the area my whole life growing up. It’s a very small town not far from Bloomsburg. What I love most about it is that it’s the kind of town where everyone knows each other and treats each other well. There’s not a lot to do inside the town, but it has its hidden gems just like any small town. I grew up with friends in school, our parents were friends, and there’s just an overall strong relationship in the community between everyone. The support I still receive to this day from people back home is incredible and I can’t thank them enough.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
        •       I would put Practice first. Practice is where all the workouts and film study come together in preparation for a game. I have always been a firm believer in the “practice how you play” mentality. If you aren’t giving your full effort on the practice field, getting ready for the next opponent, it will show come game day.

            Next for me would be film study. Some film study comes during mandatory meetings and film sessions, however, most of it occurs outside of the meeting room, on the player’s own time. For myself, film study allows me to critique previous performance, examining what could be done better on every play, whether good or bad, there is always room for improvement somewhere. Especially in a position like offensive line, there are so many little factors like steps, hand placement, and timing that can all make a world of difference on any play. Film also allows me to prepare for the next upcoming opponent. I often look at tendencies in hand placement, go-to moves, how the defense flows to the football, and the overall demeanor of play.

            I would put Strength and conditioning third. It is still an obviously vital part of being a successful player. The work that goes on in the weight room can improve any players’ performance if done properly. Technique also plays a large part in player performance and success, which often gets perfected during practice time or during the off-season along with weight training. Once technique and craft for playing is addressed and corrected, weight training will begin to provide further benefits for any player. Every player needs to be training both on the field and in the weight room at all times, but there should be a balance between all factors, not an outlook of placing one part over the others.

What do you worry about, and why?
        •        I am often very level-headed and do my best not to worry/stress over things on a daily basis. If I do worry about something, it tends to be making the people in my life proud of me. I know they always will be, but they are my motivation to keep working harder in everything I do.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
        •       In high school, my team had a goal of winning a district championship, which we did not attain. I came from a small high school with a football program that has struggled at times. In my time there, we did manage to make playoffs three times but failed to capture a title, losing in the championship game twice. My teammates and I looked at it as motivation to train harder than ever each year in hopes of reaching and surpassing our goal. Even today, I approach any failure and look at it as adversity instead. No matter what it may be, there is always a way to adapt, correct, or overcome any failure/adversity I face in life.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
        •        I think my teammates would say my composure. I tend to stay calm in stressful situations or if something doesn’t go my way, especially on the playing field. I have always had a “next play” mentality, and have done my best to pass that on to my teammates. If one play goes poorly, leave it behind you and focus on doing better the next play. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
        •       I’d have to say Alec Heldreth from Clarion University. Alec was a very strong interior D-Lineman who was stout at the point of attack, but could also get to the QB in pass rush situations. He was a great competitor.

 What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 
        •        Playing football at the professional level has always been a dream of mine. In school I have been studying Exercise Science and am currently pursuing a master’s degree. Outside of football I can see myself still working with athletes in a strength and conditioning setting. I would also love to coach one day as well.

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
        •        Desk, room, car. My desk if where I work and get things done, if that’s not clean then I am not doing my job to the best of my abilities. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
        •        Family member. My family is my strongest support system and have gotten me to where I am today, without them I wouldn’t be the player/person I am. 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
        •        I would want to be Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights. He is well respected in the community as a coach, and acts as a role model for his players, ensuring they are on the right path as both young men and as players. As a father, he is strong yet supportive for his family and takes care of them as best he can. I can only hope to do the same in my lifetime.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
        •        The hardest thing I’ve had to deal with was my mom being diagnosed with breast cancer. My mom is everything to me, she got me to where I am today, and has always pushed me to be a better version of myself. When she told me the news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn’t know what to think/do. I couldn’t imagine life without her, but like she always has, she stayed strong and positive through everything, and pushed me to do the same. I am incredibly thankful to say that she fought through her battle and won. Seeing my mom go through something like that while staying so strong and optimistic made me realize that there isn’t anything in my life I can’t accomplish as long as I give my best effort to make it happen.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
        •        One time, in elementary school, my pants ripped because I jumped off the swing and got caught on the chain’s hook. I quickly ran inside and had to have new clothes brought in to school for me.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
        •        During my junior year, we ran a trap near the goal line against West Chester. I was at guard and de-cleated the DT on the play. We didn’t score until a play or two later, but that was the kind of play that acted as a tone-setter for everyone. We went on to the win the game and celebrated beating one of our biggest rivals.

What song best describes your work ethic?
        •        I don’t get tired by Kevin Gates. I’ll put in as much work as I need to and then some to get to where I want to be.

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 
        •        I believe that versatility is very important. The ability to overcome and adapt to any situation, on the field or in life, is critical in the world of professional football. You may have to move and play a position that you aren’t used to, or move to a part of the country that is nothing like the area you’ve lived in your whole life. If you aren’t able to adapt to new surroundings or situations, it could be difficult to succeed in that kind of environment.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
        •      My older brother Justin. He passed away in a car accident when I was 12 years old. I would just want to see him and share all of the incredible things I’ve been able to do/accomplish in my life. I didn’t see him much growing up because we had different mothers, so most of our time together was spent in visits to our dad’s house. Regardless of all that I still looked up to him when I was young and wanted to make him proud.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 
        •        Audible

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL? 
        •        Overrated makes it seem like players haven’t earned their spot in the league. I’m not going to accuse anyone else of not working hard enough when I haven’t gotten there myself yet. There are obviously players of all levels in the league, but you wouldn’t get there if you didn’t put the work in. There’s no free rides in the NFL. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
        •        Respect, you have to earn someone’s respect.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
        •        I would say Johnny Manziel. It’s clear that in the moment, he was not mature enough to handle to money and fame associated with his entry in to the NFL. You can see now, that he is on a better track with his career in the CFL, but had he realized that sooner and addressed the error in his ways, he could still be playing in the NFL. It becomes a business at this point and a lot of players can’t handle that coming out of college, there is no room for error.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
        •        Hate to lose

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
        •       My mom hands down. She has taken care of me my entire life and gotten me through every phase of life. She’s never missed a game, always makes sure I have what I need, and is the most selfless person I know. She does everything she can to make sure that my siblings and I are happy and taken care of. My mom is the one who took me to camps, was by my side during recruitment to play college football, and remained by my side and has been my biggest supporter throughout my career and to this day. She pushes me to work harder in everything I do, both on and off the field, and being held to that standard has gotten me to where I am today, and lead me to be presented with the incredible opportunity at pursuing a professional football career.