Kiante Anderson
Defensive End – Senior
East Carolina
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Kiante Anderson: I haven’t run the forty yet. I will run it tomorrow during training. I am 6’3, 260.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Kiante Anderson: I am training at Premier Sports Academy in North Carolina.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to prove at your Pro Day?
Kiante Anderson: My pro day is on March 29th. I want to prove to scouts that I can gain weight. They were questioning my weight for a DE. I played at around 240 or 245 throughout the season. You have to be in the 265 – 285 range in the league. I want to show scouts that I was able to do it. I want to show that I was able to increase my speed as well. I also want to show my explosion in drills.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Kiante Anderson: North Carolina A&T and Wake Forest were looking at me. St. Augustine’s and Shaw University in North Carolina offered me a scholarship.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose St. Augustine’s?
Kiante Anderson: Raleigh is a nice city. I had family there. I liked the environment. I liked the coaching staff. It felt like family.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your career at St. Augustine’s.
Kiante Anderson: It was pretty interesting. I had some ups and downs. I could have been better. There was a big adjustment for me from high school to college.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to transfer to East Carolina?
Kiante Anderson: One of the reasons was to come back home. I also wanted to move on to a bigger and better school. After my sophomore season, I transferred to ECU. My uncle was a good friend of Coach Ruffin. I had a lot of family members at ECU. I have been around ECU my whole life. They also had a good program for physical therapy. I loved it.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your career with the Pirates.
Kiante Anderson: I was the underdog when I first transferred there. I had to show the coaching staff that I am a good player. I had to prove myself in the film room, in the weight room and in the classroom. The first year was rough. It was completely different coming from a D-II level. I adjusted well. The first year was decent. I got stronger and faster my senior year. It paid off.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Kiante Anderson: My discipline. I am very physical and explosive. I communicate well and call out the plays to the linebackers if I see something. I give it 100% effort.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Kiante Anderson: I am just focusing on my change of direction skills. I see myself as a hybrid player. I had issues with change of direction skills. I want to show teams that I can play both DE and OLB.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Kiante Anderson: When we played NC State my junior year at ECU. There was so much hype around the games. We were playing our in state rival. It was the whole vibe from the fans to the team. It was my first year playing at ECU.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Kiante Anderson: I love the game. I like to see different teams compete against each other.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Kiante Anderson: Julius Peppers. I love his mentality and effort. I looked up to him as a kid. He is one of the greatest players in the league.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DL?
Kiante Anderson: Be physical, have a high motor and give it all you have. Give great effort.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Kiante Anderson: WR Trevon Brown, DE Kendall Futrell and LB Cannon Gibbs.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?
Kiante Anderson: I didn’t play against UCF this year. It would have to be their RB (Adrian Killins Jr.). Their whole offense was dominating everyone. I got injured at Temple. I was able to finish the game. When I got home, I knew something was wrong. I had a meniscus tear. I got my surgery the following week. I came back quickly. I have the mentality to grind and to never give up.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about your teammate WR Davon Grayson.
Kiante Anderson: He is a great guy. He has the mindset and the love for the game. Every day, he is hustling and he doesn’t take plays off. He loves to compete. He is a good guy on and off the field.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Kiante Anderson: The physical nature of the game. I relieve my stress through football. It is all about the grind.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Kiante Anderson: I like to draw and travel. I love video games and listening to music.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Kiante Anderson: I want to be a physical therapist or a personal trainer.
Alex Khvatov: Finish the sentence, Kiante Anderson is….
Kiante Anderson: Determined, motivated and blessed. I have a strong work ethic and the tenacity.
