Antwon Kincade
Safety
Western Kentucky
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Antwon Kincade: I am 5’11 and 200 pounds.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Antwon Kincade: I quit playing basketball in 10th grade. I ran track from 10th – 12th grade. Early on, I ran 800m and 400m. Then I ran the 4x100m, 200 m, 400m and did the triple jump. 400 meters was my best event.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Antwon Kincade: I was a two-way guy during my freshman year. I played offense and defense. I was a RB, WR, CB and S. When I went to varsity during my 10th grade, I started playing safety and cornerback. During 11th and 12th grade, I played safety and LB.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Antwon Kincade: Out of high school, my first offer was from Central Michigan. I had interest from Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Duke, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Western Kentucky?
Antwon Kincade: Defensive coordinator Clayton White came here from NC State, and I had a good connection with him. We had a good talk. He told me what my role will be, and I loved it. I came here to rock out.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career with the Hilltoppers.
Antwon Kincade: Freshman year, my defensive coordinator had a role for me in special packages. I was covering speed guys. I played nickel. During my sophomore year, they used me more in different packages. I was moved to safety. Sophomore year, I got more snaps and made more plays. I made a name for myself. It was a major boost for me. Junior season, it was my first year as the starter. I played through a hamstring injury during that first game. I started off slow. Then I got hot over time coming off the injury. I had 84 tackles, five pass breakups and two INT’s during my junior year. I was an All-American by PFF and an All-Conference player. I had a better year as a senior. We all dealt with Covid this year. But I finished the season with 86 tackles, eight pass breakups, and 5.5TFL’s. I plan to come back next year.
Alex Khvatov: How would you sum up your 2020 season from an individual and team standpoint?
Antwon Kincade: Individually, I had to get my head in the game. Many things happened in 2020. It was a slow start for me against Louisville. I still had eight tackles and one pass breakup that game. I gained more confidence as the season wore on. I was able to get into the backfield more. I was more aggressive with receivers. It was a learning experience. New things were thrown at us. We had to cope with things differently. I had to overcome contact tracing and Covid. I fought through it. It was my best season individually. As a team, we got off to a rough start. We were 2-6. I was in a leadership council with 10 more guys. We rallied the troops. We won three straight games and finished the regular season with a 5-6 record. We showed a lot of character as a team. We continued to fight.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your most recent bowl game against Georgia State.
Antwon Kincade: We had two weeks to prepare for the bowl game. We fell short against Georgia State. Everyone was ready for the game. We played 11 games before our bowl game. We have been training every week. We started out hot. We had 7-0 lead. We were playing well. Then we fell off. Some people got too feisty, and we lost our composure. They took the momentum and ran with it. We were prepared. We got complacent and selfish with one another.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to come back in 2021?
Antwon Kincade: I wanted to come back because I can still fix some things. I need to be more physical in the run game. I need to put more on film of me against man coverage. I want to go against the best in the nation. I want to go against elite competition. I am ready to train more this offseason and get back out there.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Antwon Kincade: I am a space guy. I am a quick guy. I tackle very well. I play well against man coverage.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Antwon Kincade: Flexibility. I also need to get a little better in zone coverage. I can be too aggressive in zone coverage. I need to create more turnovers.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Antwon Kincade: My highlight was against Marshall my junior year. I had 15 tackles, two pass breakups and 1.5 TFL’s. We were down early. We were losing 17-0. Then we came back and had a 23-21 lead. Eventually, they kicked the FG to win the game.
Alex Khvatov: What is the one career accomplishment that you are proud of?
Antwon Kincade: I am most proud of being named PFF All-American. It shows where you are on a grading scale. It shows how consistent you are as a player over a whole season.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Antwon Kincade: Always trying to improve. The coaching staff always talks about improvement and watching film.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Antwon Kincade: The Jacksonville Jaguars.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Antwon Kincade: I wear #31 because of Kam Chancellor. He was my favorite player. Now I love watching Jamal Adams. I love his intensity.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye out for next season?
Antwon Kincade: Receiver Mitchell Tinsley, safety A.J. (Arthur) Brathwaite, and nickel back Omari Alexander.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Antwon Kincade: RB Brenden Knox from Marshall. He is a great football player. It was fun to attack him in space.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a safety?
Antwon Kincade: Tackling in space.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Antwon Kincade: Away from the field, I play Madden. I also like to go skating.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Antwon Kincade: I want to pursue coaching and help the younger guys. I graduated in sports management.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Antwon Kincade: I am a guy that is very unselfish when it comes to the situations. I will always cheer on my teammates. I will hype them up and bring them up. I am a leader by nature. Players need a leader to come in and help them out. I always find a way to help my teammates. As a safety, you always line guys up. It is a perfect job for me to play safety.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Antwon Kincade: Leader, creative, ambitious, reliable, and flexible.
