Israel Helms – Offensive Tackle – Wayne State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Israel Helms: I am 6’5. I weigh 305 pounds. My 40 time last year was a 5.4.
Alex Khvatov: Where will you be training for the NFL Draft?
Israel Helms: Total Performance with Jim Kielbaso in Wixom, Michigan.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the FCS Bowl all-star game in Daytona Beach, FL.
Israel Helms: I was excited for the opportunity to play another game in front of scouts. I had never been to Florida. The weekend exceeded my expectations with more scouts than I had imagined and playing football with new teammates.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that
weekend?
Israel Helms: I enjoyed playing as a team with players from all across the country. It was a great once in a lifetime opportunity.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you have faced at the FCS Bowl?
Israel Helms: There were a lot of good D-Linemen especially Connor Christian.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?
Israel Helms: All schools in the GLIAC.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Wayne State?
Israel Helms: I chose Wayne State University because they were the only team that I visited that had a great team culture. There are no cliques, and everyone sticks together on and off the field.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Israel Helms: Footwork and playing with good hip level.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Israel Helms: I want to improve my strike and being more explosive in my strike.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career to us.
Israel Helms: I went to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s for high school with coach Porritt. Coach Porritt taught me that hard work beats talent. I was then fortunate to play collegiate football at Wayne State University. There I learned the values of having a positive mental attitude and discipline in all things you do. My coaches Winters, Wooster and Mendoza taught me about leadership and manhood on and off the field.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Israel Helms: My biggest accomplishment was receiving 1st team All-GLIAC. It was a goal of mine pre-season, and I was happy to receive it at the end of the 2018 season.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Israel Helms: Playing in my first collegiate game versus Malone, in which I had a touchdown block for our running back Deiontae Nicholas.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Israel Helms: The importance of having a strong positive mental attitude.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Israel Helms: Kansas City Chiefs for their explosive offense, and the Baltimore Ravens for their defense.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Israel Helms: Khalil Mack. He is the best DE in the league right now. You can see college players trying to copy his off the pad rushing moves.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for an OL?
Israel Helms: To have a strong mental attitude. To be a dominant fighter on a consistent level throughout the game.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that
you are looking for from the defense?
Israel Helms: Reading a defensive lineman’s stance and predicting his first steps.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next
season?
Israel Helms: Deiontae Nicholas, he is a great running back who is always improving his game and football IQ.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an
opposing team?
Israel Helms: Zach Sieler. I faced him my redshirt junior year when he was playing at Ferris. He had very fast lateral speed and is now playing for the Baltimore Ravens.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Israel Helms: I enjoy taking someone’s will to continue to play the game.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your biggest role model and why?
Israel Helms: My biggest role model is my mom. She is a single mother and in a harsh world keeps a smile on her face. She has raised me and my sister. She was the first in the family to go to college. She has a degree from the University of Michigan. She is the reason I push myself because of all the sacrifices she makes in raising me.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Israel Helms: Someone who stands out due to hard work, character, integrity and selfless actions.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Israel Helms: I love to travel, hang out with friends, comic books and go to concerts.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football
career is over?
Israel Helms: There are multiple things I would like to do after my football career is over. I would like to trade stocks, own real estate and be a DJ.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Israel Helms: Assiduous, inquisitive, honest, meticulous and diligent.
Alex Khvatov: Who will win the National Championship in CFB this year?
Israel Helms: I don’t think any team will be able to stop Alabama this year.
Alex Khvatov: Who will win Super Bowl LIII in February?
Israel Helms: I truly don’t know. I think the Chiefs, Chargers, Saints, and Rams all have a good shot.
