Tyler Dressler

Linebacker / Richmond

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

Tyler Dressler:  I am 6’3, 240 pounds, and last time I ran a 4.7.  

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Tyler Dressler:  I have been training at a local high school with a baseball player that plays for a NAIA school.  We work down there.  From a mental aspect, we have been having Zoom meetings Monday through Friday with our positional coach.     

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Tyler Dressler:  I played baseball, basketball and ran a little track.  I also wrestled for one year. 

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Tyler Dressler:  On defense, I played mostly LB and a little bit of DE.  On offense, I was a QB my senior year and played RB my junior year.      

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

Tyler Dressler:  I had mostly D-II offers.  My brother was two years older than me and he went to Concord.  He was athletic.  D-II teams knew about me.  VMI offered me, and I was committed to them for a while.  When coach Wood went from VMI to Richmond, they offered me.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Richmond? 

Tyler Dressler:  Richmond was a better fit athletically.  They were a powerhouse and were competing for CAA championships.  They are a prestigious school academically.  I wouldn’t have a problem getting a good job with a degree from here.     

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?        

Tyler Dressler:  Freshman year, I was primarily a special teams’ player.  Sophomore year, I started in the latter half of the year.  Junior year, I was the starting middle linebacker for the entire year.  I had my best season.  I felt more comfortable in the system.  Everything just fell into place.  The older guys helped me and taught me the system.  I was able to play fast.  I owe everything to my team and the older guys.     

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

Tyler Dressler:  We will be competing for the CAA championship. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Tyler Dressler:  My passion for the game.  I care about the team.  I play the gaps well.  I am good in coverage for my size.   

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

Tyler Dressler:  Expanding my football IQ.  Understanding the entire defense and how everything flows together.   

Alex Khvatov:  What was it like to be named team captain your senior year?

Tyler Dressler:  It means a lot that my teammates would trust me with this honor.  I plan to represent the guys in the best possible way.   

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

Tyler Dressler:  The game against Maine.  I had 20 tackles against them last year.  It was my career high.  We won on the last second play.  We had a pick.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Tyler Dressler:  How to deal with adversity.  Richmond is a prestigious school athletically.  We have been struggling here recently.  You can pout about it or you can getter better every single day.  I want to get better and be a good man overall. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Tyler Dressler:  I love Luke Kuechly.  His football IQ, his speed and hustle stand out.  I try to model myself after him.  

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

Tyler Dressler:  QB Joe Mancuso had a good season last year.  He is working extremely hard to get better this year.  DL Kobie Turner is a preseason All-American.  He was a second team all-conference last year. 

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

Tyler Dressler:  UVA Perkins was a dynamic QB.  RB AJ Dillon from Boston College was a monster.  A single person wasn’t going to bring him down.  He was a test for our defense.

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

Tyler Dressler:  Leadership.  You are the QB of the defense.  You control the defense.  You can’t be the weak link in the chain.   

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Tyler Dressler:  My passion for the game and I also combine it with my Biblical studies. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Tyler Dressler:  The atmosphere.  You have 80,000 fans cheering for you.  There are not a lot of things that can mimic this.  Also the brotherhood with the teammates.  You are up in the morning and grinding with these guys.  It surpasses every other sport.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Tyler Dressler:  I play video games once a while.  I love lifting.  I have been trying to golf.  My older brother plays the sport a lot. 

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

Tyler Dressler:  I have a few avenues that I want to pursue.  NFL is a big aspiration.  After football, I want to get into pharmaceutical sales. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Tyler Dressler:  Dedicated, character, passionate, loving, and resilient.