2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Casey Buck, LB, Wayland Baptist University

• Name: Casey Buck
• Position: Linebacker 
• College: Wayland Baptist University 
• Height: 6’1″
• Weight: 230 
• Twitter: caseybuck_15
• Instagram: caseyy.buckk

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft? 

I believe what makes me a top prospect at my position in the 2023 NFL Draft is the fact that I play with a high motor at all times along with how well I understand the game plan and my opponents. My coaches often consider me a “coach on the field” because of my understanding of what we are trying to accomplish and ability to make adjustments and using my athleticism to take advantage of the weaknesses I find in my opponent in game. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I first became interested in the sport of football when I was about 8 years old and I began playing in a Youth Football League. That interest quickly grew into a passion and I decided that my goal was to play football at the professional level.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

One thing I think NFL teams should know about me is how hard I’m willing to work to be successful. I’m a Life-Science Education major and with the fall semester being my last semester before graduation I am required to do a 14-week-long internship so in my senior year of football I was working a full-time job from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm as a teacher and then I would head to practice at about 3:15 and was able to perform at a high level in games shown by an All-American nomination. My work ethic is one of the things I am most proud of about myself. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

If I could donate to one cause in the world it would be the foster care system. My family was a foster family for about 10 years and I have 2 adopted siblings. I was able to meet so many children with dreams and goals just like myself at that time who just happened to be dealt a bad hand in life at a young age and I would love to help those children’s situations in any way possible.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I have ever received was from my high school coach Ralph Mason. He lived by the saying, “Next play,” which just meant that no matter what happens in both football and life, the only thing that matters is the next play. You are not able to control the past, focus on the next play. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero is my dad. He is not my biological dad but that has never seemed like the case. He came into my life right before I was born and has been my biggest supporter in everything that I pursue. I have watched him for years go above and beyond working many hours to put me and my siblings in the best possible situation to be successful and for that, I will forever be grateful for him. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

The most underrated player in the locker room at my school has to be Manny Arguijo. We came in together with the 2018 recruiting class and he has been a swiss army knife for us playing multiple positions and being dominant in each. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve would have to be loud chewers.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

The hardest moment in my life that I had to overcome was my grandpa passing away when I was a senior in high school right after I signed to play college football. We were very close and him not being there when I was preparing to leave for college was very difficult for me. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you? 

The thing that makes Wayland Baptist so special to me is the people. Every person here wants to see you be successful, especially the coaches, and they are determined to do anything in their power to help you. I also have met some of my best friends here at school and bonded with so many people which is why this University holds a special place in my heart. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack food is probably kettle cooked jalapeno chips. 

What is the best part of football? 

The best part of football is the bonds that are created between the players in the locker room because you are with these guys more than your own family, especially in college. These are the guys you are battling the heat while running a conditioning test or playing for a championship with. I have met some of the neatest and funniest guys playing this game and that’s my favorite part. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

I have played the game of football at an incredibly high level for a long time but have yet to become content with my level of play and will do anything necessary to be successful at what I love to do which is why I study film, lift, condition and perfect my technique for hours on end.

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

One player that played in the NFL that I would compare myself to is Luke Kuechly because of the knowledge he entered every game with. When you listen to people who played against him talk about Luke, they all talk about how he would constantly be calling out the other teams’ plays before they ran them and always seemed one step ahead. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Kobe Bryant would have to be the first person due to his “Mamba Mentality” and I would like to listen to him talk about what he did to set himself apart from the pack. Elon Musk would be my next person so I could understand how his mind works with everything he has going on in his life while being so successful and listening to the ideas he has yet to even introduce. Lastly would be Kevin Hart not only because I think he would make dinner hilarious but he is also an entrepreneur who has an incredible work ethic and is highly successful outside of comedy.