Santoni Graham
Linebacker
Wagner

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

Santoni Graham:  Height: 6’0, weight: 235 and no forty time at this point.

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall experience at the FCS Bowl in Daytona
Beach, FL.?

Santoni Graham:  My experience at the FCS Bowl in Daytona was great.  The weather was beautiful, and it was great to be competing with some of the best players in college football.  As a football player, I thrive in competitive environments.  It was an overall great experience.

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

Santoni Graham:  I had offers from Toledo, UNC Charlotte, and Wagner College.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Wagner?

Santoni Graham:  After a year at Fork Union Military Academy (prep school), Wagner was just the best opportunity for my family and I.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Santoni Graham:  As a Linebacker, I feel my biggest strength is in the run game.  I understand run fits, gap integrity and D-line movements all very well.  I also understand route concepts, coverages and playing with leverage very well too.  I would consider myself very versatile versus the run and pass.  I am a very instinctive football player, so as a linebacker I thrive with the position.

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

Santoni Graham:  I would say one of the things that I could improve on is being a better blitzing LB.  Also, I always feel like block destruction is something that can be improved upon at my position and for me as well.

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.

Santoni Graham:  I was blessed to have a great career at Wagner college.  I ended with 300+ tackles, two touchdowns, three INTs.  I was also a three-year captain, and elected first-team all-conference twice throughout my career.

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

Santoni Graham:  I would have to say the win over CCSU in 2016.  It was a great game, we won by four points, so it went down to the wire.  I can remember, we stormed their field after the game.  It was a great and memorable feeling.

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

Santoni Graham:  I would say being elected captain.  To have respect from your peers and teammates is an honor that I hold very high.  To be in a leadership position on a football team is a special opportunity.

Alex Khvatov:  What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff?

Santoni Graham:  Mental toughness.  Football is more than a game definitely.  Football is life, and the biggest thing I can take away from this game is the benefits of mental toughness.  Everyone has a breaking point, it’s human nature.  My mentality is just to be the last one to break.

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

Santoni Graham:  A leader.  As a LB, you are the commander of the defense.  I take the responsibility upon myself to make sure everyone is lined-up, communicating, and all on the same page from the front to the backend.  It is a difficult task at times, but preparation and study make it all so much easier.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Santoni Graham:  LA Chargers.  

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Santoni Graham:  Tyrann Mathieu.

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

Santoni Graham:  I look at formations and personnel, WR splits, RB alignment, offensive tackles often give run/pass tendencies away in their stances.  I also look at guards, they are light on their hands when pulling.  Tendencies vary week to week, but that’s why preparation is so important to me.

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

Santoni Graham:  I’m not sure exactly who the toughest is, but I love to play against tough competition week in and week out.  I want to play against the best competition there is because you have to play your best when it’s needed the most.  As a true football player, you love the tough gritty competitive games it’s just in our nature to crave those moments.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Santoni Graham:  Besides actually just playing, I love the bond and relationship you create throughout the locker room.  It’s truly a brotherhood, guys at the end of the day play and fight for one another; because you put in blood, sweat, and tears with and for one another.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Santoni Graham:  I would say the definition of a leader is someone who holds everyone and themselves accountable.  A leader is also someone who raises the level of play of others around them as well.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Santoni Graham:  I don’t have many hobbies.  In my spare time, I just like to hang out with teammates and family.

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

Santoni Graham:  I would love to be an entrepreneur someday, and/or be a coach if the situation was right. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Santoni Graham:  Accountable, gritty, detailed, grinder and coachable.