Steve Casali

Linebacker – Senior

UMass

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

Steve Casali:  I am 6’1, 242 and my forty is about a 4.6. 

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

Steve Casali:  I am training at Revolution Athletics in Bohemia, NY.  It is close to my home.      

Alex Khvatov:  What are your expectations for the Pro Day? 

Steve Casali:  It is on Monday, March 26th.  I have been training with Justin since junior year of high school.  He knows his stuff.  He prepped me for college ball.  I have been running good times in all of my drills.  I want to show off my skills. 

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

Steve Casali:  UMass and Stony Brook.  New York area is known more for lacrosse than football.  You definitely get more exposure in the South.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose UMass?

Steve Casali:  They offered me a full ride.  It was the best school for me academically and athletically.  They played D-I.  They were in the MAC at the time.  We are an independent school right now.  I got my degree in sports management.  They are the #1 school in sports management in the nation.  

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career. 

Steve Casali:  I came in actually in the 2013 season.  I played against Wisconsin and Maine.  I was expected to start at Kansas State.  I got injured and took a medical redshirt.  It worked out fine.  The injury made me physically and mentally tougher.  I became a starter my junior year.  I started every game ever since.  I made the All-Conference team both years as an independent.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Steve Casali:  I am physically and mentally tough.  My parents brought me up that way.  I bring that mentality to the football field.  I am tougher than a lot of people.      

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

Steve Casali:  Overall, I am working on everything.  I have been working with a trainer Trevor at Revolution Athletics.  He played in the NFL.  He has been putting me through DB drills.  I have worked with him on my backpedal.

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

Steve Casali:  The biggest moment of my career was when Logan Laurent kicked the game winning FG against App State.  It was crazy.  He hit the back flip and landed it.  It was a big win for us this past season.  We won in double OT. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Steve Casali:  I am a big fan of the game.  I love how the NFL defenses work.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player? 

Steve Casali:  I would have to go way back to when I was a kid.  It was Jerome Bettis.  I was a RB up until my high school days.  LB’s Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher and Bobby Wagner now.  It is fun to watch those guys.    

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

Steve Casali:  I believe that you need it all.  You have to be smart and athletically gifted.  You need to be tough to play LB.  It is a rough position.  You are dealing with 300-pound OL.  You have to tackle athletic RB’s.  You have to be tough physically and mentally.    

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

Steve Casali:  LB/DB Jarell Addo is a hybrid player.  He is one of my good friends.  It was his first year starting last season.  Jack Driscoll is a younger guy, but he is very talented.  He will play in the league one day.  WR Andy Isabella is the fastest kid on the football field.  LB Bryton Barr is another player who should be a captain next year.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?

Steve Casali:  Nick Fitzgerald from Mississippi State.  He is a very gifted QB.  It was unfortunate to see him get injured at the end of the year.  It was tough to take him down when he is running the ball.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football? 

Steve Casali:  My favorite part is all of the people I have met through this game.  I wouldn’t have met as many friends if it weren’t for football.  It gave me the opportunity to meet amazing people.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

Steve Casali:  I love to golf.  It is one of my favorite hobbies. 

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

Steve Casali:  I have been thinking about it a lot.  I might get my master’s and pursue a position as an athletics director down the line.  I might want to take the strength and conditioning route.  Coach Connolly, who is at Arizona State now, was one of my favorite coaches that I have had.  I saw what he did here at UMass.  He was a big inspiration to me.      

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe yourself? 

Steve Casali:  I am a big fan of Conor McGregor.  He said a few years back that he is not talented, just obsessed.  If you put in the work, you can achieve anything you want to.  It just sums me up.