Bruce Hector

Defensive Tackle – Senior

South Florida

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  My height is 6’2 7/8, 300 pounds and a 4.94 forty.    

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  At XPE with Tony Villani. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your Pro Day performance? 

 

Bruce Hector:  It started off pretty nerve wrecking.  Once it began, it was like a game.  You get butterflies before the game.  I thought I did a good job.  I jumped 33.5 on the vert, 9 inches on the broad and 26 reps.  I felt great going through the drills.  I gained a few more pounds during my training.  I got to about 300 pounds, but I felt the same.  I moved well.  I was about 290 or 295 during the season.      

 

Alex Khvatov:  Do you have any private workouts or local Pro Days coming up?

 

Bruce Hector:  I have a local pro day coming up with the Bucs next Friday, April 13th.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your experience at the NFLPA Bowl.

 

Bruce Hector:  It was a great experience.  I was surrounded by great players and former NFL players.  The National Team was led by head coach Darrell Green.  He wanted us to shine and make the most of every opportunity.   

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  Don’t waste any opportunity.  Come out here and have fun.  This is about you and fulfilling your dreams.  Coach Darrell Green preached that to us.   

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  They liked my athleticism.  I am strong at the point of attack.  They liked my stoutness and the ability to get to the QB.  I have quick feet and quick hands. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the toughest player you faced during the NFLPA Bowl? 

 

Bruce Hector:  #64 from TCU (Mataio Pryor) played guard and tackle.  I went up against him.  He was tall and had longer arms.  I wanted to do my moves early against him.  I wanted to close the distance and move.  

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  I had offers from Bowling Green, FAU, USF, Akron and Tennessee State.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose South Florida?

 

Bruce Hector:  Coach Taggart came to my living room.  He told me that he was building a program in his backyard.  He told me that if I go to the university, I would be a part of something special.  USF wasn’t a top caliber team.  He wanted to build the program and make the program great.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career. 

 

Bruce Hector:  I was a starter for two years.  I had 18 sacks.  I tied for the team lead or led the team in sacks the last three years.  I was second in TFL’s during my senior year.  I get to the QB and display my athleticism.  As a team, we accomplished a lot.  We went 2-10 and then 4-8 the following year.  We went 8-5 my junior year.  We went 11-2 my last season.  We won two bowl games.  We accomplished what Coach Taggart talked to me about.  We have changed the mindset of the program.  Our senior class has set the standard at USF.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Bruce Hector:  My athleticism and the way I use my hands and feet.  My get off, knowledge of the game and versatility.  I can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3.  I breakdown OL on film and know their tendencies.  I know what they will do and what block I will get during the game a lot of the times.     

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  One thing is defeating the block and then trying to look for the ball.    

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  The highlight of my career was winning our first bowl game.  It was my redshirt junior year.  We played against South Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl.  We went to overtime and won by a TD.  I played a pretty good game.  I had two sacks.  We ended the season on a high note.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

 

Bruce Hector:  I never had a favorite team.  I like to watch different DL.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player? 

 

Bruce Hector:  Aaron Donald with his quickness and the ability to get to the QB.  He is very versatile.  I watched him during the season. 

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  Toughness.  You are in the trenches and you go against OL.  This is war.  You beat up the guy in front of you on every single play.   

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  #8 WR Tyre McCants and #19 CB Ronnie Hoggins.  They are the top players on the team.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?

 

Bruce Hector:  The best player was Dalvin Cook.  It was just his ability to get to the edge so quickly.  He had quick feet and he was tough to bring down.  He was so fast.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football? 

 

Bruce Hector:  The camaraderie.  My teammates and I went bowling and hung out a lot.  It created a bond.  We worked hard. When we started winning, it was an even better feeling.  We all played for each other.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

 

Bruce Hector:  Bowling and hanging out with friends. 

 

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

 

Bruce Hector:  I majored in health science.  I graduated last spring.  I haven’t decided yet.  I want to fulfill this dream of playing in the NFL.  I am working hard on that. 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

 

Bruce Hector:  Just how much film I watch.  Not many DL watch that much film.  I do a lot of breakdowns on my opponents.  I just want to learn as much as possible about the game of football.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Bruce Hector is….

 

Bruce Hector:  Dependable.