NFL Draft Blitz

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

Blake Gideon:  I am 6’0”, 208 pounds and I ran a 4.58 and a 4.56 at the Pro Day.
 

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

Blake Gideon:  All of the Big 12 schools, Vanderbilt from SEC and Rice.  The first offer was from Texas, and I committed right away.    
 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you eventually choose the University of Texas?  

Blake Gideon:  I am a Texas boy.  80% of the people that live in Texas bleed orange.  I was a huge Texas fan when I was a little boy.  It was my dream to play for the Longhorns.  It was an easy decision for me.
 

Alex Khvatov:  You started 52 consecutive games during your four-year career at Texas, how proud are you of that?   

Blake Gideon:  It is a source of pride.  It shows toughness both mentally and physically.  There is so much competition at Texas.  I was competing for my job every week.  It shapes the person that I am today.  It shows my competitive nature.  I am proud that I was able to hang in for four years.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your senior season to us. 

Blake Gideon:  Any time you don’t win 10 games or don’t go to a BCS Bowl, people start to ask questions because you play at Texas.  During my junior year, we had a losing year.  This year we bounced back.  This year was a success.  We got the program back on track.  Now Texas can get back to elite status. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  How have you been training for the NFL Draft?

Blake Gideon:  I was training at Redondo Beach in Los Angeles for two and a half months.  Since March 20^th, I have been training back on campus at Texas or at my high school.   
 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your East-West Shrine Game experience to us. 

Blake Gideon:  It was a great experience.  I had a chance to talk with NFL personnel.  I got a chance to see what life and career will be like in a few years.  I talked with several scouts and upper management from NFL teams.  I have never been through a process like this before.  I understood what is expected out of me and how I can make a long career out of it.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Were you satisfied with your performance at the Pro Day? 

Blake Gideon:  I was for the most part.  I am always going to be critical on myself.  I came in and ran what I needed to.  I wish that I had more time to prepare for the bench press coming off a broken hand in the last game of the season.  I did well in positional drills.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the coolest thing that you have done during this NFL draft process? 

Blake Gideon:  I think that the Pro Day was pretty cool.  We had a few NFL coaches there.  I talked to Lovie Smith.  He talked to me and my dad.  They both hail from East Texas.  You get to see these people on TV, and now you get to see them in person.  I am excited that I will be joining that fraternity soon. 
 

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

Blake Gideon:  I will never forget winning the Big 12 Championship Game on a last second field goal and going to the National Championship.  We beat the boys from Oklahoma.  Every game is special.  But any Big 12 game where we were victorious is a highlight.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the football field? 

Blake Gideon:  I am a physical player.  It is my main motivation to play this game.  I am able to be physical and hit people.  I excel in the physical nature of the game.  I have the instincts for the game.  I take pride for being prepared on the field.  I am prepared for all situations.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game do you still need to improve upon? 

Blake Gideon:  I am critical of myself.  I need to get better at making plays in space whether it is in the passing game or the run game.  
 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Blake Gideon:  I have been neutral the past four years.  I am a Texas boy and I was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys.  I was a big fan of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the one NFL player that you would compare your game to?

Blake Gideon:  I would like to think that I have a little bit of Ed Reed in me because of my preparation.  He has a photographic memory.  He knows what the reads are, and I take a little bit of that from his game.  I take physicality from Troy Polamalu.  But my job is to create my own name for myself.  I want to be unique. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  Which underclassmen on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Blake Gideon:  Honestly I believe that Kenny Vaccaro has special ability.  He understands the game.  He makes plays.  Kenny should be the top safety next year.  CB Carrington Byndom is going into his junior year and should be good.  
 

Alex Khvatov:  Who are the best opposing players that you have faced during your career? 

Blake Gideon:  We played Ingram and Richardson during the National Championship Game my sophomore year.  You could see why they had the numbers that they did.  Bradford can also put the ball where he wanted to.  He won the Heisman.  Dez Bryant, Justin Blackmon and Michael Crabtree had a niche separating from the DB’s.  
 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Blake Gideon:  I play to win.  Nothing else matters.  If you don’t win, it is a failure otherwise.  This game is not for everybody.  There is a lot of work that goes into it.  There is a lot of dedication, preparation and sacrifice that goes into it.  I take great pride in it.  
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

Blake Gideon:  I love to hunt and fish.  It is probably a common answer from Texas guys.  I go to a family ranch and get away from the city.  I am not a big city boy.  I like to get my hands dirty.  I like to be outside doing something.    
 

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

Blake Gideon:  I rely heavily on my faith.  I think the greatest lesson that I always carry is I am not the one who is in control of my life.  I am a follower of Christ.  He is the one calling the shots, and I am okay with it.  He will protect me and put me in the right situations, so I can be successful.
 

Alex Khvatov:  How will you spend your NFL Draft weekend? 

Blake Gideon:  I am definitely going to be doing anything, but watching the draft.  It is nerve- wrecking watching the draft.  I will let things happen and make the best out of the situation.  I might have to go outside and go to the farm.  Do some fishing or hunting.   
 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Blake Gideon is …

Blake Gideon:  I think that I take the right approach to the game.  I try to be the most prepared person on the field.  I do everything necessary on and off-the-field.