Anthony Koclanakis

Linebacker / Murray State

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  I am 6’0 and 231.  My last forty time was a 4.77 during a junior day.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  I was back home in CA.  I was training with an old junior college coach.  He started his own program for athletes of all ages.  I reported to school yesterday.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  In high school, it was basketball.  I liked basketball more than football.  I ran track.  I did the shot put and discus.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  TE, WR, RB and LB.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  Coming out of high school, I had interest from smaller FCS schools.  I had Cal Poly and Sacramento State.  They offered me as a preferred walk-on.  I broke my foot in high school.  It was actually in the summer after my senior year.  I couldn’t walk for three months.  I took a year off from football.  I went to a junior college in Santa Ana for one-year

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Murray State? 

Anthony Koclanakis:  Actually, they found me from a junior college Twitter page.  They got my measurements and highlights.  They rank you as a player on that page.  I had some other bigger schools, but I signed with Murray State right away.  They were my first offer.       

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.        

Anthony Koclanakis:  First year, I played on a pretty bad ankle sprain.  I didn’t have a great year.  I was getting a feel for things.  At the time, we had a pretty good QB.  Next year, I was healthy.  I had a breakthrough year, but the team didn’t do well.  I finished with 124 tackles.  I was first team all-conference.  I was named preseason All-American by the College Sports Journal.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  We got a lot of returners on both sides.  We are glued in together.  We should have a better team this year.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Anthony Koclanakis:  Read offenses well and react.  I also play with good patience.    

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  I need to get better at changing directions.  I need to become more of a leader as a senior.  I am one of the team captains this year.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  Individually, it was a sack on Jake Fromm against Georgia.  Team wise, we won when WR Malik Honeycutt returned a kickoff for a TD against Southeast Missouri.  We were down 35-3 at halftime.  He returned a kickoff with eight seconds left in the game.  Our defense stonewalled them in the second half.       

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  Your will to want to make the play.  It all comes down to fundamentals.  Taking on blocks and shedding. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Anthony Koclanakis:  I am a die-hard Bears fan.  Both of my parents are from Chicago.  I root for the Cubs, Blackhawks, and Bears.  The only thing is I like the Lakers because I was a big Kobe fan.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Anthony Koclanakis:  I am a Luke Kuechly fan.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  Receivers LaMartez Brooks and Malik Honeycutt.  They were first team all-conference players.  LaMartez Brooks makes ridiculous catches in games and during practice.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  The Georgia O-line.  They were good run blockers.   

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  Grit.  I get excited in getting my head in there and making the play.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Anthony Koclanakis:  I enjoy being with the team.  You need all 11 dudes to do their job for the play to work.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Anthony Koclanakis:  I play basketball, lift weights and hang out with my family.  I like to go to the beach.  I am from CA. 

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

Anthony Koclanakis:  As of right now, I want to get into real estate.  It is a field that I can be successful in.  I am majoring in economics.   

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Anthony Koclanakis:  Tough, smart, resilient, team player, and athlete.