Dillon Salva
Tight End – Senior
Merrimack College
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Dillon Salva: 6’5, 250 and my best time was a 4.66 and my slowest time was a 4.73 at the Holy Cross Pro Day.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Dillon Salva: At Exceed Sports with Sean Smith in Massachusetts. My head coach Danny Curran, who played in the NFL for 10 years, trained there with those guys. The dude is a beast. He recommended this place. My head coach knows what he is talking about.
Alex Khvatov: Were you satisfied with your overall Pro Day results?
Dillon Salva: I didn’t hit my best numbers. I hit 28 reps, which was the most at that pro day. I jumped 38.5 inches on the vert. I had a 10’2 broad jump. My three-cone was around a 6.8. We only did route running in the drills. I feel like I did very well. We will have another Pro Day at Merrimack on April 3rd. I plan to work out with the Jets on April 5th and the Giants on April 6th during their local days.
Alex Khvatov: You put up some impressive athletic numbers at the Pro Day.
Dillon Salva: I came to Merrimack from JUCO as a basketball player. I am definitely an athlete.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Dillon Salva: I had big time schools that wanted to offer me, but I was a late qualifier with the ACT. I had a lot of offers for football and a few for basketball.
Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at a JUCO?
Dillon Salva: Right out of high school, I actually went to Kean University in New Jersey. I was there for two years. I played football. I played four different positions on defense. It wasn’t working out for me. I didn’t progress as a player. I knew that I wouldn’t reach my full potential as a D-III football player. Then I went to Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. I played basketball there. We went 34-0 and won the National Championship that year. I started at power forward, and I was second in the country in total rebounds. I had a double-double the whole season. I had a few 20-20 games. Next year, we lost in the conference championship game at the buzzer by one point. I was all-conference. I had 30 offers for basketball out of Brookdale.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Merrimack College?
Dillon Salva: I love basketball, but I don’t have the passion for it. I love football. In the back of my mind, I was hoping I would play football again. I never got the true chance to play. I started sending my basketball tape to college football coaches. Merrimack TE coach caught wind of my name. They gave me a scholarship to play football. And I came there to play basketball as well.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Dillon Salva: I have been at Merrimack for two years. I came in and earned the starting TE job in camp during my first year. I had a tough season. I had to learn the playbook off the jump. I had to get used to playing TE. I played TE only one season in high school. It was a tough transition from basketball to football. My teammates made the transition easier. The coaches were great. Coach Curran played in the NFL. I also played basketball my first year at Merrimack. I got playing time in blowout wins. During my senior year, I got my technique down at TE. I blocked well this senior year. Our offense didn’t pass much to TE’s. I had a good year. This year, I had 179 receiving yards. I gained interest from the NFL, so I only spent one week with the basketball team this year.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your National Bowl experience?
Dillon Salva: It was eye opening. I wanted to play in NFL since the fifth grade. When I played during my senior season, I wasn’t aware that I was being looked at by NFL scouts. My coach told me about it. My coach got me to the National Bowl. About 30 minutes into the first practice, one of the coaches told me that the Rams would like to speak with me after practice. It hit me that this is real. This is a job interview. I realized that I could get a legit shot. At the same time, it was laid back. The coaches were awesome. It was a fun experience. It got me a ton of NFL looks.
Alex Khvatov: What type of feedback did you receive from scouts?
Dillon Salva: They wanted to get information on me. They didn’t hear about me. They told me that I should have been playing at the highest level. I got good feedback.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about the College Gridiron Showcase all-star game in Texas.
Dillon Salva: I had a chance to play against great players. National Bowl was easier for me to do very well in. I was lining up with a 6’7 North Carolina OL next to me at the College Gridiron. I was lining up with dudes from big time schools who played on TV. It was an eye opening experience. It was a good test for me. It was good that I could hold my own against these guys.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Dillon Salva: I am a good blocker, which is rare at the TE position nowadays. I am very versatile. I ran a good 40 time for my size. I am a TE who can block and catch passes. I didn’t showcase the receiving end in college. I get good separation at the top of my route.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Dillon Salva: My technique. I am still raw because I played TE for only three years. I played it my senior year of high school and the last two years of college. I am continuing to work on route running. I am decent, but you can never be too good in that aspect.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Dillon Salva: This year, we had a new stadium built. We played two games there at the end of the season. We won both games by 40 points. We never lost there. We beat New Haven by two or three TD’s. It was the last game of the season. They were first or second in our conference at one point. We have the best group of guys in general, the coaching staff and the best dudes on the team.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Dillon Salva: I am from New Jersey. I have grown up as a huge Dolphins fan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Dillon Salva: The current player that I like to watch and look up to is Travis Kelce. I try to model my game after him. He plays his heart out. He can block and is a good receiver.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a TE?
Dillon Salva: Mental toughness. You have to be a tough dude. You have to block a glorified DL just like anybody else. It is easy to do a corner route against a DB. But it is not easy to block a J.J. Watt.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Dillon Salva: True freshman #21 Rodney Samson was a second string RB for us. He had a few games with over 100 yards rushing. He is a big, tough RB. He has great size. He is built like a man. He will get plenty of looks.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?
Dillon Salva: DE from Bryant (Dillon Guthro) was a tough and hard-nosed player. He brought it on every play. He was the toughest opponent. He was a starting DE and a captain both years.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Dillon Salva: Just the feeling that you have on game day. You put your body through the grind all week. I have played every sport, but nothing compares to football. You hit every day from Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday, you have a light-hitting day. There is no feeling in the world like playing on game day.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Dillon Salva: Working out and lifting every day. I like to hang out with my girlfriend.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Dillon Salva: I want to get into human development. I want to be a special education’s teacher. I also want to coach football and basketball at a high school level. I would also love to get into acting or fitness.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe yourself as a player and a person?
Dillon Salva: My WR coach sent a text telling me that he enjoyed coaching me this year. He never had to coach someone who brought so much passion and enthusiasm to every practice. It was nice to hear that. Off the field, everything carries over to my regular life. I am positive and an upbeat dude. I am personable.
