Drew Wiley
Linebacker
Villanova
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Drew Wiley: I am 6’1, 235 and I don’t have a forty time right now.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently for the NFL Draft?
Drew Wiley: I am training at the Test football academy near Bridgewater, New Jersey. Kevin Dunn runs it.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your training regimen right now.
Drew Wiley: We start every day at around 10 o’clock. During the first workout, we work on speed whether it is linear or lateral or acceleration. We have lunch and take a break. Then we lift at around 1 o’clock. When we wrap up with lifting, we do positional drills with the coaches. The plan for me is to be here until the pro day. The training will be for about 8-10 weeks.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Drew Wiley: Most schools in the CAA. My final two schools were Delaware and Villanova.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Villanova?
Drew Wiley: I chose Villanova because they had a great education. You can’t play football forever. They also played in the CAA, the best conference in the FCS.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Drew Wiley: I am one of the more versatile linebackers. I can run, cover and be a good pass rusher. When I am on the field, I will be as disruptive as possible. I am breaking up passes and catching INT’s.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Drew Wiley: I am a perfectionist. I am hard on myself. There is room for improvement in my overall game. I want to focus on gaining more strength and improving my lateral quickness.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.
Drew Wiley: As a team, unfortunately we made the playoffs only twice. We were 8-3 my sophomore year and won a playoff game. I played a rotational role as a sophomore. We had the #1 defense in the FCS. This season, we went 9-3 and made the playoffs, but we lost a tough one to SE Louisiana. I was first on the team in for tackles for a loss. second in sacks and second in tackles. I was named preseason honorable mention. I was third team All-CAA this year. Phil Steele named me to the second team All-CAA. On November 9th against Richmond, I had 5 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, a sack, a forced fumbled and an INT. I was named defensive player of the week in our conference.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from Villanova next year?
Drew Wiley: We were a young team this year. Only four key seniors departed. Dan Smith is back for another year at QB. The offense should be good next year.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Drew Wiley: Just being able to be one of the leaders and bring the team back to the playoffs during my final season at Villanova. Team wins and being good again were important to me.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff?
Drew Wiley: I had three defensive coordinators and three positional coaches. I had to adapt and survive the coaches’ ways. We had the same defense, but philosophies changed.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a LB?
Drew Wiley: You have to be physical. You need to be at full speed and rip someone’s head off.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Drew Wiley: I am a New York Giants fan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Drew Wiley: I love to watch three guys: Ray Lewis, Von Miller and Clay Matthews.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Drew Wiley: I look at the formation, the down and distance. I look at where the back is in the backfield. I could tell what the possible play might be by looking at those things.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Drew Wiley: On offense, QB Dan Smith, WR Changa Hodge, RB Justin Covington, OG Paul Grattan, DE Malik Fisher, CB Jaquan Amos and Forrest Rhyne at LB.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Drew Wiley: James Conner. It was my first game playing at Pitt my sophomore year. It was his first game back from cancer. He was pretty good.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Drew Wiley: I love what goes on behind the scenes. If you want to be a great football player, you have to enjoy the grind as a player.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Drew Wiley: A leader is someone who always does the right thing each and every day.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Drew Wiley: I play Madden, watch movies, TV and listen to music.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Drew Wiley: I majored in communication and a minor in sociology. I want to get a sales job in medical pharmaceuticals or IT.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Drew Wiley: Fast, physical, outgoing, disciplined and passionate.
