Justin Sumpter
Wide Receiver
Kennesaw State

 

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

 

Justin Sumpter:  My height was 6’1 3/4, 220, 10-inch hands, arms 33 3/8, wingspan 79 3/8 and a 4.66 forty.         

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

 

Justin Sumpter:  I was training at Boost Performance in Nashville before.  Now I need to get a receiver’s coach and continue to work on my route running some more.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Do you have some scheduled visits set up? 

 

Justin Sumpter:  I have a Falcons local pro day coming up.  I was born and raised near Atlanta.     

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall experience at the Pro Day.

 

Justin Sumpter:  It was a great experience.  I put up pretty good numbers.  I had a 39.5 vert, 10’5 broad, 7.04 in the L-drill and 4.22 in the short shuttle.   

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

Justin Sumpter:  I only had four offers.  I had Presbyterian, Ball State, Kennesaw State and Gardner-Webb.  I wanted to go to Ball State, but they had too many receivers at the time.  It was down to Gardner-Webb and Kennesaw State. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Kennesaw State?

Justin Sumpter:  I was a big body receiver.  I only had 26 catches my senior year of high school.  I thought that I was a good fit for a triple option offense.  I talked to the OC at Kennesaw State.  I just fell in love with it. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Justin Sumpter:  My blocking ability.  I played in a triple option offense.  You have to be a good blocker in that offense, and I took a lot of pride in it.  I am not a speed guy, but my tracking ability and leaping ability are really good.  I win 50-50 balls.  It is more like 90-10 balls when they throw it to me.  I have great hands.  I catch the ball well in traffic.  I am selfless, and there is no drama with me.

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

Justin Sumpter:  My routes.  I don’t have as much experience running the full route tree.  I also need to learn how to read defenses and different coverages.   

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career.

Justin Sumpter:  First year in 2014, we just practiced.  We didn’t have any games.  In 2015 as a redshirt FR, I started.  I have been starting ever since my redshirt freshman year.  We went 6-5 and 8-3 my first two years.  In 2017, we went undefeated in the conference.  We went to the third round of the playoffs and lost to Sam Houston State.  Senior year, we went undefeated in the conference again and lost to South Dakota State in the third round of the playoffs.  I led the team in receptions, receiving yards and TD’s.  I was a Big South first team all-conference receiver the last three years. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your experience at the College Gridiron Showcase?  

 

Justin Sumpter:  It was a really a great experience.  I was able to run other routes.  They opened up the whole route tree.  I did well.  I was one of the top receivers at the all-star game.  I talked to half of the teams while I was there.  They also came to my pro day.  They gave me good feedback on how I played.  They liked my physicality.  I was able to go up against bigger schools.  It motivated that I could play with them.   

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

 

Justin Sumpter:  The catch against Liberty in 2017.  It gave me the most exposure.  I caught it in the back of the end zone.  It was the first highlight on ESPN’s top 10 plays.  I got a lot of notice for it.  It was a leaping one-handed grab.    

 

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

Justin Sumpter:  This year, I still made first team all-conference.  I tore my MCL and had surgery during the season.  I missed three games.  I had surgery after we played Samford and I came back.  I stayed motivated and positive.  It was my worst season in terms of stats since my freshman year.  I was proud that they still recognized me in the conference.    

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

Justin Sumpter:  Don’t lose focus if you messed up on something.  Continue if you make a mistake.  You can make up for it on the last play. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

Justin Sumpter:  I don’t have a favorite team.  I watch different players.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Justin Sumpter:  DeAndre Hopkins.  We have similar styles.  He is physical and has great hands.  I watch a lot of him. 

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

Justin Sumpter:  You have to have a dog mentality.  You are on an island by yourself.  You want the ball and you need to get yourself open by any means.    

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

Justin Sumpter:  You find stuff like that on film.  If a corner likes to be physical or runs away from contact.  If he shies away from contact, I bring it to him every play.  I will thrive that game.  I love to use my hands and body.  I also like to see if you can get in his head a little bit.    

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

Justin Sumpter:  DE Desmond Johnson will be a linebacker in the NFL.  He was a first team all-American his redshirt freshman year.  He has been all-conference.  RB Shaq Terry and RB TJ Reed.  Daniel David was the QB when we faced Duquesne when I had 187 yards and two TD’s during the game.  CB/S Dorian Walker was a Georgia Tech transfer.  He is a sleeper guy.  He is blazing fast and physical.      

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

Justin Sumpter:  CB Siran Neal from Jacksonville State.  He is playing for the Buffalo Bills right now.  He is a big, fast and athletic corner.  I went up against him, and it gave me confidence that I could play at the next level.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Justin Sumpter:  I like the strategy and mental aspect of the game.  I want to execute everything to perfection.  I love the whole process of preparing for the game and learning new things.  I love training for football.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Justin Sumpter:  I am the type of guy who can get along with anybody.  Anyone can talk to me.  I am down to earth.  I can relate to other people and care about them.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Justin Sumpter:  I play video games.  I am big on technology.  I repair iPhone screens.  I am big on anime.    

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

Justin Sumpter:  I was a computer science major at first.  Then I switched to integrated studies.  I want to go back and get my master’s in computer science.  I love bowling and I want to open up my own bowling alley.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Justin Sumpter:  Friendly, selfless, determined, motivated and spiritual.