Bailey Cate
Punter / Old Dominion
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Bailey Cate: At the junior pro day, I was 6’3 3/4 and 203. I am trying to get to 215 during training.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall experience at the CGS all-star game?
Bailey Cate: It was a good experience. I didn’t hear much about it. We had 10 punters and 10 kickers. Coach McCabe prepared us. We worked out throughout the week. We kicked for one day in front of scouts. It was a windy day. The wind was in our backs. It was 25 MPH. Heavy wind in the back angles the punts towards the ground. The ball gets pushed down. It never turns over. The goal was to put hangtime on it.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Bailey Cate: I am in Frisco, Texas training with a kicking coach. I kick, eat and sleep. I plan to be here until the pro day. I will also have the kicking combine in Phoenix, Arizona on February 8th and 9th.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Bailey Cate: Going to my senior year, I was a kicker. I was invited to a couple of camps. I went up to Jacksonville State’s camp. Coach McCabe ran that camp. He turned me into a punter. I won the competition at camp. He told me to come out to Pensacola and he told me that he will train me for free. Jacksonville State and Vanderbilt were looking at me. I was talking to Florida a bit. Old Dominion offered me a scholarship. It was the only offer.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Old Dominion?
Bailey Cate: I was considering walking on at Florida. Old Dominion treated me great. It is right in the city. Everything was new. It was just about a mile around the campus. Everything was compact. It wasn’t a big campus and it made it easier to get around. They had great facilities. They built a new stadium my senior year. It was my best option.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Bailey Cate: I have experience. I can place the ball anywhere near the field. I am good at directional punting. I am also very consistent.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Bailey Cate: There is always room for improvement. I need to keep my steps shorter.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.
Bailey Cate: First year, there was no one besides me there. I didn’t have to earn the spot. It is good, but it is also bad. I was all-conference my first year. I had a solid year. We went 10-3 and went to the Bahamas bowl. It was a great experience to play in a foreign country. We went 5-7 the next year. It was my best year in terms of the average distance, but I didn’t get much hangtime that year. Then went to 5-7 my junior year and 4-8 this last year. Knocking off the Virginia Tech was a highlight. It was a crazy game. This year, I had a solid year. I broke a school record for punts inside the 20.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Bailey Cate: Beating Virginia Tech. It still gives me the chills.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Bailey Cate: I was a team captain this year. I have been there for 4 years. No other specialist has ever been captain at the school.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a punter?
Bailey Cate: Keep your mentality at a certain level. The team needs you. I didn’t get caught up in the highs or the lows. You just need to execute. You don’t get many opportunities.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Bailey Cate: Jaguars.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Bailey Cate: My favorite punter is Johnny Hekker. He is a freak of nature. Also I like Andy Lee. We are similar in the way we punt.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Bailey Cate: DE Keion White DE. He is a freak of nature. DL Jeremy Meiser. Our kicker Nick Rice is solid and good. RB Lala Davis is good, but he needs to stay healthy. QB Hayden Wolff finished off his freshman year. He took a redshirt year. He has a cannon arm and a quick release.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Bailey Cate: The team camaraderie. I love the atmosphere and the brotherhood. It is tough not being in the locker room now. I miss it.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Bailey Cate: Golf. I also enjoy fishing and staying outdoors. I also like to play Fortnite.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Bailey Cate: I want to get into the sales aspect. I want to be a financial advisor. My dad owns his own business and he is in sales.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Bailey Cate: Self-motivated, leader, ambitious, loyal and hard-worker.
