2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Kaleb Fossum, WR, University of Nevada, Reno
Student-Athlete Profile:
- Kaleb Fossum
- University of Nevada, Reno
- WR
- 5’9”
- 185lbs.
- Hometown: Lake Forest, CA
- Twitter: @kfoss_3
2018 Statistics:
- GP: 13
- Receptions: 70
- Receiving Yards: 734
- YPR: 10.49
- TDs: 1
As an athlete, what is your motivation?
My motivation comes from a lot of things. It used to be to prove people wrong. So many people have doubted me my whole life about where I would end up. I used that as fuel to my fire to play D1, win Championships and ultimately play at the next level. But my motivation has come from not proving people wrong but proving myself right. I turned my motivation into a positive attitude, showing myself that I am my greatest investment. What motivates me also is proving the people who have also invested in me right, family, friends, coaches, teammates mentors. My motivation comes from the work I put in day in and day out. My motivation also comes from my teammates, the ones I go to work with every single day, the ones who push me to my limits every day, especially in my WR group. I want to be the best I can be for them.
What defines success for you?
Success to me is knowing that I have done everything I can to help my team and myself. It’s putting in the work all offseason, spring ball, fall camp, film room, weight room, and more to play the best I can possibly play for my team on Saturdays. If you put the work in the success becomes inevitable and personal accolades will surface, but my success comes from the heart and knowing that I have done everything I can physically and mentally to prepare and play the game while bringing others with me.
What would your teammates say about the type of teammate you are?
They would say I am selfless. They would say I put the team before myself and want everyone to succeed, I want to see everyone do well and I want to win games and championships. They would say I am a leader by example, work ethic, and voice. I do all of the little things.
What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?
A quote I like to live by is “how you do something is how you do everything.” Which means I never put any less than 100% effort into everything I do. If I’m going to do something I’m going to dive in and give it my all. You can’t cheat on anything.
Who is the toughest player you’ve competed against during your collegiate career?
I could probably put the whole Fresno State defense on here. They were on that night, flew to the ball, and played great team defense. But a player that stuck out to me last year was JoeJuan Williams, CB from Vanderbilt, who was drafted 2nd round by the Patriots.
Who is the best player in the NFL?
Julian Edelman.
What is your team of choice on Madden, why?
Patriots, I’m huge Edelman Fan, I love the way that guy plays the game of football, and I like the Patriots system.
Failure is inevitable in life. How do you handle situations that don’t go in your favor?
I try to look at the positives in every situation. Learn from the failure or mistake and just try not to repeat the same mistake. You’re going to fail, drop a pass, Miss a block, but it’s how you respond to that mistake that defines you. I don’t dwell over my mistakes I have a short memory and move on and continue to achieve the task at hand.
Is there a current/former NFL player that you model your game after?
Julian Edelman. I love the way he uses his option routes and changes his routes based off of leverage, coverage and his ability to read the defense and find open holes. He’s a tough dude, I love the way he plays the game and how he works. He loves his teammates, he’s selfless and does whatever he can to help his team win and it pays off.
Knowing what you do now, what would you go back and tell yourself as a High-School Freshman?
I would tell my younger self to just stay the course. Everything happens for a reason. Don’t stress, just work hard, perfect your craft, and everything will fall into place. This game takes time, play because you love it and have fun doing it!
What is your go-to restaurant near campus?
BJ’s, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Pizookie!
If your life was a book, what would its title be?
“Relentless.” You can knock me down, but I will keep coming back. I will work and work and work to make sure that I do not fail again and I will never give up.
What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
I’m not ashamed of any music I like, I love all genres.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
One of my high school coaches Coach Beatie, he told me to not give up on my dream of D1 football, and we had a conversation that changed my life, and I’d love to thank him for that and show him where I am at now.
Forty-years from now, what do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for the person I was on and off the field, how I made people feel around me, bringing high energy and positive vibes everywhere I went. I don’t want football to define me, but what I have done outside of football.
In 15 words or less, why should an NFL team invest in you?
Smart, tough, finishes every play, great teammate, brings value, produces, and will never quit.
