Ricky Bailey III

Wide Receiver – Senior

Buffalo State

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?   

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I am just under 6’2 and 230.  I run between a 4.49 – 4.6.  During the season, I was 215 or 220.  I gained more weight for the National Bowl.  I was a little bit slower, but my routes were a lot better.  My best position at the next level is H-back.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I train myself.  I work out on what my coaches have given me at Buffalo State.  I go to the local gym every day. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your experience at the National Bowl?

 

Ricky Bailey III:  It was once in a lifetime type of thing.  I was thinking to myself that I wasn’t good enough to be there.  The atmosphere was great.  I realized that I could compete with these guys.  The competitive side of football is where I thrive.  I focused on beating the person across from me.  It gave me a lot of confidence that I could do more than I thought.  I had some good catches at practice. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest thing you took away from that all-star game?

 

Ricky Bailey III:  It was a learning experience.  Keep working on different areas of my game.  

 

Alex Khvatov:  What type of feedback did you receive from scouts?

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I talked to the head coach on my side and the receivers’ coach.  They talked about my size.  They noticed that I don’t drop passes.  I made an amazing one-handed catch and a TD in the two-minute drill.  I catch everything.  I am a thicker kind of guy.  I have the size to be an H-back.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from you at the Pro Day? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I have a pro day in Indy at end of the month.  The National Bowl people are doing the pro day at the end of March in Philly.  I plan to participate.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I was highly recruited my junior year of high school.  I had an unfortunate injury.  I had an ACL tear two months before my senior year.  I rehabbed and played with a brace on with the ACL injury.  I was a QB.  I ran the ball a lot.  I had to get used to protecting the knee.  I had surgery after the season.  I got a call from Rhode Island to play safety.  I redshirted the first year.  Coaches got fired.  A new coach came in, and I didn’t play a down.  I had more INT’s and tackles than starting safeties in practice.  My teammates always told me that I should be starting.  I didn’t play for two years.  My head coach told me that he would never play.  I transferred to Edinboro.  We went 0-10.  I played safety.  I was always leaning towards playing on offense.  I came to Buff State in 2016 and didn’t play a down.  WR Coach Alejandro Overton came in 2017 and made me a receiver.  I was loose and confident.  He transformed my game in six months.  During my senior year, I had a 1,000 yards receiving.  Coach Alejandro made me into a receiver that I am today.  I went from nothing to 1,000-yard season.  

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Buffalo State?

 

Ricky Bailey III:  One of my coaches from high school knew Buffalo State’s head coach.  I called him and told him about the whole situation at Rhode Island and Edinboro.  My first year was very quiet.  During my second year, I made something happen. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your senior season to us. 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I can play anywhere.  But I always leaned towards the offense.  I wanted the ball in my hands.  Throw me the ball, and I will get it.  I didn’t play on offense for four years.  A guy in front of me messed up on one play.  I scored the game winning TD when they put me in.  I scored against double coverage on my first catch.  The coaches gave me a shot.  I scored another TD the next game and the next game.  I had over 100-yards receiving in each game after those three first games the rest of the season.  I found the groove my senior year.  I am happy with what happened. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Ricky Bailey III:  The number one thing is if I am covered, I am open.  The ball will always be mine.  My QB and I thrived off of it.  I will get that key first down or TD on third down.  It doesn’t matter who is on me.  When the ball is in the air, I will get it.  I didn’t drop a single pass all year. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  Truthfully, my speed.  It’s okay, but I have to be a lot faster.  It will give me that edge. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  My first TD with three minutes left on the clock.  It was a game-winning 40-yard TD against Bridgewater State.  It was the first catch of my career.  My grandpa passed away before the season.  I did it for him. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I am a Buffalo Bills fan.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I have a few.  My all-time favorite player is LaDainian Tomlinson.  Now it is LeSean “Shady” McCoy. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  Catching the ball. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  RB Austin Neal is only a sophomore.  He is a little guy, but when he puts the weight on, he will be unstoppable.  He is shifty and quick.  CB/S Darren Thompson is about 170, but he hits like a train. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  Standing in practice and talking about the game.  You know when the ball is coming to you.  I love being in the moment on the field. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I go to the gym every day.  I watch TV and play Xbox. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over? 

 

Ricky Bailey III:  I will get my bachelor’s degree in May.  I have decided to become an officer in the US Navy.  It is a big deal to be in the Navy. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How were you able to overcome this roller coaster type of ride during your career?

 

Ricky Bailey III:  It was hard at first.  It was hard to get used to not playing.  I was a big shot in high school.  Determination kept me going.  The odds were against me.  Suffering an ACL injury kick started this whole thing.  I found a way that I am good enough to do this. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Richard Bailey III is….

 

Ricky Bailey III:  A playmaker.  I make the best of my opportunities.