2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Joe Dolincheck, QB, Morningside University

• Name: Joe Dolincheck
• Position: QB
• College: Morningside University
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 195
• Twitter: Joe_Dol12
• Instagram: joed1999

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

During my career 5 year career at Morningside University I have been a 4 year starter. In those 5 years as a team we have won 3 National Championships; starting in 2 of them. In that span of time playing I have thrown for 16,219 passing yards (most in NAIA history), 167 passing TDs (most in college football history), on a 68.3% cmp. I was a 3x All-American, 4x All-Conference, while also earning NAIA National Player of the Year. Nothing in my career has been given, everything that came to happen was earned. Morningside was one of my only few offers coming out of high school. They took a chance on me and I can never thank the coaching staff enough for giving me the opportunity to play at a high level. 

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

I started loving football at the age of 6; my dad somehow got me into playing tackle with the 8-year-olds when I was younger and I could never set the football down ever since. It was something I fell in love with right away. I think it was cause I wanted to be just like my old brother who was always playing football. 

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

If there was one thing that I would want an NFL team to know about me is that football has taught me how to compete at a high level. I’ve learned that if you want to be successful you have to be able to put in more work than your competitor. Nothing in life is handed to you; you have to go out and compete until you have attained the goals you are looking to achieve. 

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

My charity of choice would be Compassion International. This is a Christian-based charity that is out there to help support some of the poorest children in the world. The non-profit offer hope for children and gives them a chance to find and serve Christ. 1 Peter 4:10-11 states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” This is special because if you have the ability to help young children and bring them closer to God that is all that God is asking us to do here. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Be slow to speak and quick to listen. This is important because no matter the situation and however much we all think we know; there is always an opportunity to learn from someone. Those that are quick to speak are ignorant and sometimes think they know it all. So if you are patient and take the time to listen to what others are teaching you, in the long run, it will help pay off. This will help you with communication and development as a person and player. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero is my father Frank Dolincheck. He was a father of 3 children, me being the youngest. When he was growing up he lived a rough life on the wrong side of town and wasn’t handed anything in life. He made plenty of mistakes on the way and was reluctant to share what those were with us; but in doing so he taught us lessons and showed my siblings and I what it takes to fight for all you have. When we were growing up as kids we didn’t have much, but what we saw was our father coming home beat tired from working outside all day just to provide for us and he gave us everything he had. I saw how tired he was, how beat down he had to be, but no matter what he would come home smiling and ask about our days and go outside and play catch with us. He made sure that he did all he could to help us be successful. I want to be the man my father is when I grow older. 

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

All that kids show up each day and play on the scout teams. They are the reason our team had all the success had during the season; they came to work each day and showed us a great look and got the starter prepared. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve would be not touching the line in sprints. What do you gain by shorting yourself those extra few inches. Get your tail all the way to the line and finish the drill the right way. That teaches kids how to be discipline and lets the coaches know who they can trust in pressure situations to do the right thing. 

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

When I was in high school I didn’t really fit the description of a QB. I’m 6’ 1” and I was around 220 pounds and it only got worse after. When I got to college I put on more weight my freshman year when I was the second-string QB and got up to 250 pounds. My offensive coordinator and head coach pulled me in during the offseason and told me that I could not represent the team and be the starting QB being that out of shape. So I took what they said to my to heart and over that spring and summer I lost 55 pounds and got down to 195 and earned my role as the starting QB beating out a 5^th year senior for that spot as a sophomore. All that hard work paid off that year and we made it to the National Championship and won it all. I earned All-American honors and player of the game in the national championship game, throwing for 6 TDs against the #1 defense in the nation. All that hard work was done for my teammates and coaches and I’m thankful they believed in me. 

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

Morningside was one of the only few schools that would take a shot on me and believed I had what it took to play college football. When I got here it was a family away from home, they really embrace each and every teammate and want the best for every single one of their players.

What is your favorite snack food? 

My go-to snack has to be either sunflower seeds or pistachios. They are perfect on a long car ride. 

What is the best part of football? 

It’s an escapes from everything. When I’m at football that is all have my mind on. No matter what is going on outside it is the one thing that can keep you steady and have a focused mind. It is also great getting to make the memories and friendships with your teammates that you will have the rest of your life. 

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

I’ll put everything on the line for you in order to be great, nothing is guaranteed. 

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

Tom Brady, was one guy who was doubted and no one believed he could be great besides himself. No matter the situation Tom was ready and he made the most out of his opportunity. He ground out his whole career and nothing but success was brought to him. 

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

Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, and Mahatma Gandhi. I would choose Kobe because he was the ultimate competitor, I want to know where he gets his mindset and how I can be more like him and take on that role like the black mamba. I chose Brady next because I would like to pick his brain about the game of football and be able to learn and hear from him about how to become the best at being a QB. Lastly, I chose Gandhi because I want to learn how to love as he did. He never reacted in violence; only with love and peace. That is what we need more of in today’s society, so it would be cool to learn from him.