Alec Heldreth – Defensive Tackle – Clarion

 

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

Alec Heldreth:  6’4, 278 and 4.7’s.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where will you be training for the NFL Draft?

 

Alec Heldreth:  I will be training at Grossetti Performance in New Castle, PA.

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall experience at the National Bowl all-star game in Daytona Beach, FL.

 

Alec Heldreth:  From the moment I walked in through the doors, it was 100% professional.  It really helped with getting my name out, and it also helped me showcase my skills in front of NFL and CFL scouts.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that weekend?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Hard work goes a long way in this business, and I met some great players and coaches who will help with my development.

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the best player that you have faced at the National Bowl?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Zack Morris, he was my teammate at Clarion University.  We have always had our battles, but he is just a strong hard-nosed player that loves winning.  I love it.

Alex Khvatov:  How honored are you to get an invite to the 2019 Tropical Bowl all-star game in January?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Honored and humbled are not even the words to say, but I am blessed that I get to go back down to Daytona to play with the bigger school guys from across the country.  I have dreamed of this for a long time.  I promise I am not going to take this for granted.  I am very thankful for this opportunity.

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

 

Alec Heldreth:  Youngstown State University was the school I wanted to go to the most.  Coming from a high school right outside of Youngstown, it was my dream to play in front of my hometown crowd, but my grades were not the best.  Therefore, I went the Division II route, and I have no regrets.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Lake Erie College? I honestly choose Lake Erie College? 

 

Alec Heldreth: I believed in Coach Mac and what he stood for.  I spent three years there, and then he was let go, so I looked around to transfer.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you decide to transfer to Clarion?

 

Alec Heldreth:  I chose Clarion for many reasons.  The first being, our D-line coach Bryan Steiner, and our D-coordinator James Thomas.  They made me feel right at home.  In my two years there, I was All-conference twice and a pre-season All-American.  They made me arguably into the best defensive tackle in the conference.  Coach Thomas instilled in our defense what it means to be great.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Alec Heldreth:  My size, strength and speed.

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

 

Alec Heldreth:  I am trying to develop better moves to use inside, to counter the power I use on my pass rush.

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career.

 

Alec Heldreth:  I believe I have taken advantage of the opportunity.  When that final college play was over for me, I knew that I left everything I had on the field these last five years.  My college career is allowing me to move forward with the game that I truly love.

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

 

Alec Heldreth:  I would have to say Gannon my senior year.  I had a strip sack for a touchdown, which gave Clarion the lead.  Then with 38 seconds left on 4th&6 play on their 18-yard line, I got through to get the game winning sack.  It was something I will never forget.  I still hear the fans yelling in my head.

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

 

Alec Heldreth:  In order to be great, we must sacrifice anything and everything that gets in our way in life.  It is something I live by.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Alec Heldreth:  Cleveland Browns.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Myles Garrett.

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

 

Alec Heldreth:  You need to be mentally stronger than everyone on the field.

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Foot alignment, tight end alignment, and backs alignment.  I spent a ton of time during the season studying what formations go with certain plays.  In the games, I almost knew what sort of play was coming my way most of the time.  You have to be a student of the game to be successful.

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

 

Alec Heldreth:  #55 Saif Khan.  He has killer instincts that hurt most offensive lines.  Another is #73 OL Andrew Vonada.  He has a huge frame and is one of the best tackles in the conference.  He will be a key part of the offensive line next year.

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

 

Alec Heldreth:  The toughest player I ever had to play was RB Marc Jones from Gannon University.  He is a tank, and most guys have trouble brining him down.  He was fun to play against.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

 

Alec Heldreth:  The brotherhood that comes into your life is amazing.  Most of the guys will be in my wedding someday.  Without football, I would have missed out on many things in life.  It is more than a game…It’s a way of life.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your biggest role model and why?

 

Alec Heldreth:  My biggest role model is my high school defensive line coach.  He is the reason I have so much fight in me.  His wife passed away a few years ago with brain cancer.  He did not let that stop him from much.  He kept pushing and grinding in life.  He taught me that bad things happen in life, but you cannot let them define you…let them motivate you.  He is one of the most down to earth people I have met in my lifetime.  I love that guy.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Someone who isn’t afraid of failing and someone who works hard when no one is looking.  So often people say they are leaders, but they are not.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

 

Alec Heldreth:  I love reading about politics.  I love working out and being around my family.

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

 

Alec Heldreth:  I would love to work with children who do not have the best home situations.  I would love to teach them and guide them to become better people.  I would also love to get into coaching, and take those children and introduce them to football.  Football helped straighten me out at a young age, and I believe it could help many more.  Something along those lines is something I would love to do.

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

 

Alec Heldreth: Hard working, passionate, strong, playmaker and strong-minded.

Alex Khvatov:  Who will win the National Championship in CFB this year?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Clemson will win.

Alex Khvatov:  Who will win Super Bowl LIII in February?

 

Alec Heldreth:  Saints.