Vincent Espinoza – Quarterback – Lincoln University

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

Vincent Espinoza: 6’3, 210 and 4.38 40 time.

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

Vincent Espinoza: I’ll be training in Newark, Delaware as far as lifting and mostly throwing. I plan on working with QB Coach Tony Racioppi at Test Football Academy sometime soon.

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

Vincent Espinoza: My overall experience was just an unforgettable experience. I’ve won huge games throughout my college career, but being able to
perform like I did at the FCS Bowl game was truly a blessing. Going through tough times prior and being overlooked, and just coming in as an underdog (due to the fact that Lincoln University wasn’t really on the radar for having great seasons). I was able to expose a huge part of my game on one of the biggest platforms of my life. I was able to call audibles, complete passes, run for yards, execute and lead. Everybody that was a part of the FCS Bowl game was amazing, from the coaches, to the people who attended and to the players.

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

Vincent Espinoza: Just the whole experience from being around an amazing staff, teammates, maximizing my opportunity and coming out in the end with the Overall MVP.

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

Vincent Espinoza: There were a lot of talented players all around, but I would give a shout out to DE and safety Kurron Ramsey.

Alex Khvatov: You led your team to a 14-point comeback victory at the FCS
Bowl, what does it mean to you to get that MVP award?

Vincent Espinoza: The feeling was unreal, but real at the same time. When I first came to Lincoln, one of my dreams was to get invited to the FCS Bowl game. Getting the MVP award was emotional deep down inside, going through what I went through the past two years at Lincoln. Still grinding and just having the faith that it will all pay off in the end of my collegiate season, moving forward to my professional career just made it all worth it.

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

Vincent Espinoza: I’m very honored to get an invitation to the Tropical Bowl. Being able to move on up from the FCS to perform on a higher platform with the new players and staff coming in. I am extremely excited and blessed. Coming from Juco to a small university, I’ve become grateful for every opportunity to help me achieve my goal.

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

Vincent Espinoza: My high school wasn’t really a program that sent players to play college at the time, so I took two years off from school.

Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at JUCO?

Vincent Espinoza: Two years after my high school graduation, I was still training and practicing as if I was in season. For some reason, it was just how I was and my work ethic. Until I came to realization that I needed to go back to school, so I went to West Hills College in 2015. I had fully had a mindset of maximizing my opportunity and just play the sport I love.

Alex Khvatov: Why did you transfer to Lincoln University?

Vincent Espinoza: I couldn’t go to Division I because of my grades. I had to choose what D-II school I could go to. I had several options, but this decision was based what team pursued me more and what change I could bring. Lincoln’s record wasn’t great. I did great with a great team at Juco. I wanted to see if I could do great with a team that needed change.

Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?

Vincent Espinoza: I am always trying to get better every day at my craft. I am always trying to master my own abilities from watching film, dissecting my footwork, mechanics and decision making. Also watching the opponents and coverage. My 40 time was always around a 4.4, so my speed is one of my strengths. But I mainly used my speed for escaping out of the pocket or going through my passing reads. The offensive schemes that I’ve been under didn’t really focus on my speed, but rather on my decision making. Taking what the defense gives me has always been my rule. If the defense is giving me a certain thing all game, I am going to take advantage of it. I am not afraid to trust my receivers, tight ends or running backs. If I don’t like what I see, I will take the chance and get yards with my legs. I am always willing to learn mentally and physically.

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

Vincent Espinoza: I am trying to improve in everything from overall strength, technique, being comfortable in the pocket at all times and trusting my athleticism. Being able to go through the progressions before taking off. I trust in my trainers to work on flexibility and rehab and make sure that I am in the best shape.

Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.

Vincent Espinoza: Starting off at my Juco, it was great to be back in school and back in an organization. Taking a break from high school was actually a blessing for me. Maturing in the game and life, I was able to come to West Hills focused and more experienced. Winning back-to-back Conference Championships (Golden Coast Champions 2015-2016). Then winning the Northern California Bowl game as an underdog was a major impact in my life. Having an AC separation during the Championship game my freshman year was one of the biggest adversities that I had to face mentally and physically. But never losing faith and continuing to grind and pray, I was able to overcome it and bounce back to win both Championships. Being at Lincoln was a huge rollercoaster of emotions. I originally got recruited by coach Pickens. I signed in the spring of 2017, and there was a coaching change. Coach Byarse became the interim head coach for the 2017 season. Coming from my Juco with Championship records to a junior season at Lincoln where we went 0-10. It was hard, but I knew this wasn’t going to be the end. In the first year at the school, I was in the top 3 in every passing category that year. I was giving my team my all and continue to lead the team for the future. We had about 60 freshmen that year. We had another coaching change my senior season. Coach Dean came in with a new coaching staff. In the 2018 spring, my youngest son and I battled pneumonia. My son got better, but I was sick for about six weeks. I missed a lot of school and I dropped weight drastically. This was hard for me because with a new coaching change, I had to show that I am the starter as well as a leader that can be counted on. I focused on getting caught up on school, getting my weight and strength back, as well as performing better than before. I was grinding and praying. It became a successful spring when it came to the end. My goal was to be better each day, month and year than what I was before. That’s always been my vision, being able to improve. We had another offensive coordinator change to start fall camp. Midway through the senior season, we had another change at offensive coordinator with coach Tim Smith taking over the play calling duties. We finished the season winning only one game. The lone win was a homecoming game, so this win was insane. I finished with 438 total offensive yards (375 passing and 62 rushing yards), which was the second highest in program’s history behind Doug Cook who had 466 total yards. I finished my collegiate career with a bang. When I threw a final touchdown on the last play of the season felt special. I had 132 passing yards, two passing TD’s and two rushing TD’s with 93 yards on the ground. The two-point conversion completion to win the game was a feeling that I will remember forever. I hope that I can keep elevating my game and staying humble and hungry.

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

Vincent Espinoza: Winning two rings at Juco, breaking some records at Lincoln and performing at the FCS Bowl.

Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?

Vincent Espinoza: Getting my associates degree, winning the conference championship and northern California bowl championship.

Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?

Vincent Espinoza: I like every team. Any team that will give me an opportunity.

Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?

Vincent Espinoza: I have a favorite player for each team.

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

Vincent Espinoza: Intelligence and being able to be competitive. Being able to recognize the defense and take what the defense gives the QB.

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

Vincent Espinoza: This differs per team. Studying them before game day, dissecting each position, their tendencies for each down, so I can be aware of all the circumstances. If it’s a run play, I look at the gaps and run the ball either at the three tech or one tech if the option is given. If it’s a pass play, I count safeties, look at the depth of the corners, look at linebacker’s body language and to the defensive line front. While I am calling the snap, I am looking to see if there are any changes to the defense as far as safeties rolling, corners bailing or pressing and seeing if the linebackers are blitzing or not.

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

Vincent Espinoza: Lincoln University has ballers across the board. I believe the Lions should win a lot of games this upcoming season. Now that things should be settled.

Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?

Vincent Espinoza: I enjoy everything about football from the competition, training, studying, learning and testing myself to push to greater limits mentally and physically.

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

Vincent Espinoza: I had a lot of role models growing up from professional athletes that paved the way for me to people outside of sports. I like Marvel and DC comics, so I consider superheroes’ role models. The movies that show every trait a superhero has, and it rubs off on me in reality.

Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?

Vincent Espinoza: You can’t fake emotion as a leader. Being able to show true emotion through anything is a leader in my eyes. When you are lifting, doing the work, holding people accountable and making sure that people are doing the right things. During the game, you are giving it all you got and leaving everything on the field. Being a mentor to the young guys, so they have someone to follow on the right path.

Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?

Vincent Espinoza: I like to watch Marvel/DC movies, read comics and I love Call of Duty for PlayStation 4.

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

Vincent Espinoza: I want to open up a clothing store. I also want to become a QB coach and own a training facility back home.

Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?

Vincent Espinoza: Hard working, athletic, determined, lightning and passionate.