David Pindell – Quarterback – Senior – UConn

 

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

 

David Pindell:  My height is 6’0, 202 pounds and I never got my forty time.  

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where will you be training for the NFL Draft? 

 

David Pindell:  I am coming back next semester to finish school.  It will be somewhere close either in New Jersey or at campus.  

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

 

David Pindell:  I started playing football my freshman year of high school.  It was my first time ever playing QB.  It is what I wanted to do.  My senior year, we went undefeated.  We lost in the second round of the playoffs in double OT.  Buffalo and South Carolina State showed some interest. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at JUCO?

 

David Pindell:  My grades weren’t what they needed to be.  I was never offered by Buffalo.  I committed to South Carolina State, but I didn’t have the test scores.  I went to JUCO.  We had Andrew Ford my freshman year at JUCO.  He won the starting job.  I was second string.  We went undefeated my second year.  We went to a bowl game and lost in double OT.  I got offers from Louisiana Lafayette, New Mexico and some FCS programs.  Temple and UConn offered me.  I committed in February of 2017.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you decide to transfer to UConn? 

 

David Pindell:  I sat down with OC from Temple.  He told me that I should take football out of it and choose the school based on education.  I wanted to be away from everything.  I didn’t want the college to be in the city.  The QB situation at UConn wasn’t very good.  I wanted to set my own standard.  I knew that I could compete and win the job at UConn if I worked hard.  I liked the coaches.  I felt more comfortable here.  It was a boring place.  I felt calmer being here. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

David Pindell:  Learning offenses really good.  I can master it in the short amount of time.  I move pretty well.  I can run away from people.  I get the ball out quickly.  I will be training at QB and maybe at WR.   

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

 

David Pindell:  Being patient in the pocket and trusting the OL.  I got out of the pocket quickly.  I have to sit in there and trust the guys.    

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career at UConn.

 

David Pindell:  I went through camp as a junior.  I started the first game of the season.  I didn’t play well.  I didn’t know the offense that well.  I got benched, but I claimed the starting job back the last four games of the season.  We got a new offense coordinator in Coach Dunn in the spring of my senior year.  I mastered the new offense.  I won the starting job.  Offensively, we did a lot of things. 

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

 

David Pindell:  The highlight for me was coming in and winning the starting job at UConn.  Then I got benched, but I showed that I could come back and get better.  I claimed the starting job back.  Against Cincinnati (last game of my junior season), we were down a score with 57 seconds left in the game.  We scored a TD, but missed a PAT.  We lost the game.  But this game showed that the team could trust me next year.  The Rhode Island game was another highlight.  We proved that we could be a good offense.  We won the game.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned the most from the Huskies’ coaching staff?     

David Pindell:  I care a lot for Coach Dunn.  We clicked.  We had good chemistry.  He had big knowledge of the game of football.  I learned a lot of things from him.  He taught me how to read coverage, taught me a lot about the game and about different situations.  He built my knowledge of the game.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

David Pindell:  When I started watching football, it was the Falcons because of Michael Vick.  Now I follow the Packers.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

David Pindell:  Aaron Rodgers.  He went to JUCO, and I can relate to him.  I love the way he plays.  He can make plays throwing on the run.  He is very calm and puts the team in position to win. 

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

 

David Pindell:  He has to understand the game.  He has to be smart and know what everyone is doing.  You have to understand defenses and run the offense.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from a defense? 

 

David Pindell:  Coach Dunn taught me a lot this year.  The first thing is looking at the nickel and his leverage.  Then look at safety’s leverage.  You are looking whether the defense has a gap or whether it is filled up.   

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

 

David Pindell:  Running back Kevin Mensah had over 1000 yards this year.  WR Keyion Dixon will be going into his third year playing.  Freshman FS Oneil Robinson and S Tyler Coyle.  Omar Fortt had a good year for us.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team? 

 

David Pindell:  QB McKenzie Milton was the bets player that I have ever played against.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

 

David Pindell:  The relationships with my teammates.  It is a brotherhood.  You have the spotlight on you and you have to show what you can do.  When you get the chance, you have to perform.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your biggest role model and why?

 

David Pindell:  My mother has done everything on her own.  She never needed anyone.  She raised all seven kids on her own.  She is independent.  She can do everything on her own.  I also made my own decisions during recruiting.  I do everything on my own.  I have four sisters and two brothers.  I am the second youngest.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

 

David Pindell:  Go to the field and throw the ball.  I also listen to music.    

 

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

 

David Pindell:  Right now, I am majoring in urban and community studies.  I want to help people in the community through social work.  I want to make an impact on other people’s lives.  I am from Baltimore.  There are so many homeless people on the sidewalk.  

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have learned in life so far?

 

David Pindell:  Never give up and always be ready.  We had a starting QB at JUCO, he went down for a couple of plays.  I got in and ran for a TD.  I showed that I could do it.  After losing my starting job at UConn, I kept working and got a second opportunity.  I was ready that second time around.      

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you? 

 

David Pindell:  Quiet, boring, sarcastic, laid back and friendly.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who will win the National Championship in CFB this year?

 

David Pindell:  I would like to see Oklahoma win it.  I am pulling for them. Their offense is super explosive.  They have a great QB and talented receivers.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who will win Super Bowl LIII in February?

 

David Pindell:  In the AFC, it will be the Chiefs.  In the NFC, Saints or Rams.  It will most likely be the Saints.  Drew Brees is a great dude.  They will win.