2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Charles Headen III, WR, SMU

• Name: Charles Headen III
• Position: WR
• College: SMU (transfer from Shippensburg)
• Height: 5’9″
• Weight:190 lbs
• Twitter: @CharlesHeaden_2

1.What do you think are the keys to success on the football field?

The main key is preparation. Football is the only sport you play where you train 365 days a year to only play 11-15 games. That right there shows that off-season training and all the hard work you put in behind close doors is necessary to be successful. There are other important things such as confidence and execution. You have to be not only physically locked in but also mentally.

2.What should we know about Charles Headen the person?

That I am a very coachable player. I always put the team first before my individual goals or achievements. I am someone who is always putting his best foot forward. I have a genuine love for the game and I am always looking for ways to improve my game that is something I take very seriously. I’m very competitive with myself. I love winning.

3.What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

On the field, I am a very passionate player who loves to make plays and I also enjoy seeing my teammates make plays. It’s great when you see the teammate you worked with make plays. My energy is all self-driven. I’ve played in front of small crowds and been very energetic and passionate. This year I’ll obviously play in front of a lot more but that won’t change how I act on the field.

4.What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I’m just looking forward to getting back on the field and playing in a live game. It’s been since 2019 when covid first started since I last have played. I’m most definitely looking forward to testing my abilities against the FBS competition. I had three successful years at the division 2 level and I’m just ready to show scouts that I can play at a higher level.

5.What sets you apart from other wide receivers?

My ability to get open with a mixture of my speed as well. I believe that I can get open on any defender. That is something I’ve improved on and taken very seriously this offseason. Also, I’m willing to play anywhere on the field. I play in the slot but I have experience of playing outside receiver from past years and I also have experience in the backfield. I am willing to get on the field in any way possible that will help me and also my team succeeds. I am a player that will be good for any team on and off the field. I am all about business and playing football.

6.What is your favorite workout?

I have so many workouts that I could consider my favorite. But I do enjoy doing speed and agility workouts.

7.What statistic is most important to you?

Wins and losses. At the end of the day, that’s how teams and players are remembered based on how many wins and how many championships or playoff appearances your team has made. So that’s why I say wins is most important to me. Touchdowns could also be brought up into that category for me as well because in order to win you have to score touchdowns.

8.What NFL coach present or past would you want to learn from the most and why?

Matt Lafleur and because he brings so much energy to his team and has had so much success in his first two years of being a head coach. I would love to learn from him.

9.How do you prepare for games?

The night before games I go over the film for a little and then I just try relax my mind and rest. The day of games I start my mornings with a few prayers. And then from there I just listen to music until game time. I don’t really do a lot of talking before a game. I’m usually always locked in and ready to go. I also try to picture myself making plays in my head so when it’s game time it was just spoken into existence. That’s the one mental thing I do before games that has helped me come into the game confident.

10.How do you handle challenges you go through both in life and on the football field?

One thing that football has taught me is how to fight through adversity. Everything isn’t always going to go your way. The only thing you can control is how you handle everything. One thing that gets me through challenges on and off the field is knowing that pain is temporary. At some point you will get through that challenge, no matter how long it lasts at some point, it will be over. Just push through and you will be fine.

11.What is a moment in your football career that improved you as a football player?

There wasn’t one exact moment but my sophomore year in high school I was having a drop issue. And after that season I worked on it every single day. Having that catch issue really helped my game as a player because I went into the offseason hungry and with a chip on my shoulder for improvement. To this day now catching is one of my strengths now.

12.How do you think you measure up against NFL players?

I measure up very well. I trained and worked with many NFL players in the past and was able to see what I need to improve on before I get my shot. I’m very confident in my game and I know a team will see the talent and potential I have.