2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Mike Buckhanna, DB, Greenville University

• Name: Mike Buckhanna 
• Height: 5’9
• Weight: 185
• Position: Defensive Back 
• College: Greenville University
• Twitter: mike_buckhanna

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

My hometown is a place called Grantville, Georgia. The population isn’t that big and there isn’t much to do there, but I feel like the community sticks together. 

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice? 

I feel that strength and condition come first because you have to be in shape because you can’t play the game out of shape. Next film study is very important so you can have an understanding of what’s going on before you get to practice or the game. Last practice because it gives you time to improve on areas you need to and your coach can continue teaching you new techniques and helping you prep for your opponent. 

What do you worry about, and why?

I worry about the kids coming up in the world because I feel most of them lack the knowledge and don’t truly understand that you can become anything you want to be in life and just not be the things you’re surrounded by. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure? 

When I didn’t make the dean’s list, I posted the GPA I needed to have on my wall, studied more, more study session, and went to a tutoring session. By that next semester I made the Dean’s List & academic all conference 

What do your teammates say is your best quality? 

My teammates say my best quality is my positive attitude because when we’re facing adversity I’m always trying to keep them motivated and let them know we can overcome anything! 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college? 

Matt Quarles, a shifty guy, with great ability to go get the ball. You have to respect him while he’s on the field. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

I’ll be a personal trainer, training younger athletes letting them know the importance of their bodies, and telling them why it’s important to get the proper recovery. Also helping them get scholarships if they don’t already have any. 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

Room, because that’s your resting place and you want to feel clean so you can be at peace. So you can get a good amount of sleep to be ready for tomorrow. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why? 

Family member, because you never leave your family, never turn your back on the people you love and that’s had your back through it all! 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

Will Smith, because the guy is a genius, great actor, and he’s won 4 out of 8 Grammys he’s been nominated for. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

My biggest adversity will have to be taking a year off college and people saying I was like everyone else that went and came back home so I went back to college. I overcame it by Prayers, hard work, and emailing a lot of colleges and them Greenville University accepted me. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Telling everyone to come to a game that I didn’t play a single snap in, that hurt me and made me grind harder! 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

Right now it’ll have to be catching an interception in the snow 5-degree weather in Minnesota. I’ll always remember that! 

What song best describes your work ethic?

Ace Hood- undefeated (clean version) 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

Just being fearless and outgoing. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

My close childhood friend(brother) Prep because he was very outgoing, loving, always had positive energy and made sure everyone around him was good. Also because I miss him, his mom does, and his daughter. 

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

Planter Fascia 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?  I feel like the most underrated player in the NFL is DJ Swearinger 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why? Respected, I was never put on this earth for people to like me but I’ll want to respect me for the things I do. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

Chad Johnson, because the guy is a great athlete with the quickest feet I ever saw. He could be breaking records. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I hate to lose, make me feel like I didn’t give it my all. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

My mom has the biggest influence on my life because she never made an excuse when I needed something. She made many sacrifices for my brothers and I. I respect her forever for that no matter if we needed something last minute she’ll find a way to get it done. That’s how I try to live my life by giving it my all in everything I do and never make an excuse about things and just get it done.