NFL DraftNFL NewsProspect Interviews

2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Blaine Hoover, DL, Tarleton State University

Blaine Hoover the standout defensive lineman from Tarleton State University recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of Draft Diamonds.
Blaine Hoover the standout defensive lineman from Tarleton State University recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of Draft Diamonds.
  • Name: Blaine Hoover
  • Position: DL
  • College: Tarleton State University
  • Height: 6’6″
  • Weight: 270 lbs
  • Twitter: @TheHoov_
  • Instagram: @thehoov_

What should we know about Blaine Hoover the person?

I’m a big family person. I am the oldest of my siblings and my cousins as well. When I’m not in season I’m spending a lot of my time with my family and mentoring my younger brothers, helping them with their game. My brothers are heavily involved in sports and I know I am a big part of that so I enjoy spending time with my loved ones. I am a very reliable and goal driven person. I set out goals for myself all the time and work as hard as possible to achieve them. I enjoy challenges and always pushing myself beyond my limits because I believe anything can be achieved if your mind is set to it.

What is your typical training routine?

Normally I wake up around 6am and eat a light snack. After that I typically go for a morning jog that last 20-30 minutes. After I get back from my run I come back and make a breakfast and do some light stretches. Around 1-2pm I do position specific drills and work my technique on the field. I work both technique for 4 and 3 down defenses so that I can be prepared to play in both or multiple defenses. After my field work I come back to eat again and prepare for my weight session in the evening. From 5-7pm I am in the weight room working out and finishing up with some light stretching for 10-15 minutes post workout. I try to mix up my days so I give my muscles a proper 48 recovery for each muscle group I’ve worked.

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

I’m a big energy guy! I’m always loud and trying to get everyone to give their best effort because I feel it only brings the best out of everyone. It also makes me hold myself to a higher standard when I’m at practice and playing the game. I love competing at all times in everything I do so this is something I always like to bring to the football field.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Probably Chandler Jones or Chase Young. I like both their styles of play. I like how Chandler utilizes his length to keep tackles and tight ends away from him and how Chase plays with relentless effort. Another player I would enjoy spending time with is Aaron Donald. To be an under-sized guy and be potentially the best player in the NFL is outstanding. I would love to pick his brain and see how much work goes into what he has done to be so successful.

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Terrell Owens was the first player I could remember watching when I was young. I remember him making incredible plays for the Cowboys and I even bought a poster of him in elementary. After that I would always go try to practice routes he ran or make catches I saw him make on TV while playing around in my yard. Ever since then I always wanted to be a football player.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

I would have to say my great-grandmother. She has inspired me to be my best and achieve as much as I can because she has enabled me to do so. I had very young parents growing up so my great-grandmother took it upon her self to raise both me and my younger brother. She sacrificed a lot of time and the money she had to make sure we always had food on the table and a home for us both. She would always drive us to and from school even though our school was 30 minutes away from our house and even staying late days in the evenings in the summer time after we would finish football practice. She showed me what it was to be a true hard worker and she never complained once the whole time. She inspires me the most because of all the hard work and sacrifices she made for a chance to give us a successful life.

What is your favorite workout?

I would say my favorite workout is our friday exercises. We do more band work and intensive lifts to get our nervous system ready for gameday. I enjoy a lot of explosive training because I feel that it translates a lot into the sport.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I would have to say my favorite moments come from junior college. Just everything we had to endure as a team made us close and we all struggled together. It really showed to me what it takes to be successful and how to make the best of what you are given. Also in junior college I made a switch in positions for the team 10 days before our season was started, I moved from tight end to defensive end and had never played that position before. At first I was skeptical but I was willingly to do anything to give our team success so I went with it and ended up having a sack the first game. After that through the season I received around 10 Division 1 offers so it was almost a blessing in disguise and I’m glad that I trusted our coaching staff and trusted the process. I endured so much in junior college that helped mold me into the player I am today and I am so thankful for that process.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I think this begins with my strong relationship with God and my faith. I’ve learned along the way in life that things are not always going to be picture perfect and go exactly the way you think they should go even when things are going good. I have learned to try to keep a balance never too high and never too low but continuing the race until it’s finished.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get someone who is a hard worker and always trying to out work everyone in the room. I strongly believe preparation is a key to being successful in all aspects. They would also get a strong leader. I have always been one to lead by example in everything I do. I feel that I always at a constant strive for perfection even knowing nothing will ever be perfect. Also teams would get someone who is versatile across the whole defensive line. At times I’ve lined up in a 2i to help stop the run and there are times you see me rushing from a 9 technique. I feel with my frame, size, and athleticism wherever a team decides to put me that I will be successful and learn to play that position to the best of my ability.

What do you love about the game of football?

The thing I love the most about football is how it brings so many people from so many different backgrounds together to complete a common goal. No matter where you come from or what you look like everyone is in the same boat trying to do the same thing as one. I love how the game of football can connect many individuals and how so many people can have a common interest. Lastly I love the violence that football has. Not many other sports allows you to legally assault someone and not be in trouble for it.

What are you looking foward to as a football player?

What I’m looking forward the most is proving that I belong and just learning the speed of the game. The NFL is played at a way faster speed than college is so getting use to that speed and how fast the game is played at that level is important. I’m excited to learn the ropes and everything that comes with being a professional I know it will not be easy but I’m ready to endure whatever is thrown my way.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button