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

Derek Mountain: 6’5, 250 right now and I ran a 4.7 this week at the Dream Bowl.

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

Derek Mountain: I am training in Massachusetts at Athletic Evolution. I haven’t started there yet but have heard great things. They are very position specific specializing in OL and TEs.

Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your Dream Bowl experience?

Derek Mountain: We have had two practices so far. It’s been good. Meeting the same guys that have the same goals is awesome.

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

Derek Mountain: I always thought I’d play basketball in college and I had no scholarship offers. However, I gauged way more interest and receive scholarship offers in football so I wanted to give it a shot. It came down to Maine and Holy Cross.

Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Holy Cross?

Derek Mountain: Their academic program and athletic experience.

Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?

Derek Mountain: I have very good athleticism because I played WR. I am pretty fast. I am a receiving threat especially in the red zone and I have a good catching radius.

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

Derek Mountain: Blocking especially after my first two steps. I need to finish blocks a lot better. I have to add more upper body strength and become a better inline blocking.

Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.

Derek Mountain: I spent the first two years at WR. A week before camp of my redshirt sophomore year, the team had a lot of depth at receiver. I was 6’5, 220, but my coaches felt it would benefit that team more if I moved to TE and I just wanted to play more. I got up to 240 pounds my redshirt junior year. And last year I finally got up to 250 and haven’t looked back since.

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

Derek Mountain: Winning the Patriot league championship my senior year. We haven’t won in 10 years. Our seniors set out to build a foundation. We wanted to get the program in the right direction before we left.

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

Derek Mountain: Level of preparation was really high. We knew our opponent. We knew how to prepare for an opponent.

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

Derek Mountain: Being versatile. You are a guy that you can’t take off the field because you’re so integral in the run and pass game. The defense doesn’t know whether it is a run or a pass when you are in the game. You can line up in the slot one play then block a big DE the next.

Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?

Derek Mountain: Eagles. They were banged up this year. They did well. Carson answered the bell.

Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?

Derek Mountain: Dallas Goedert. He has a complete game. He is an FCS guy. They are always running to his side all the time. His receiving numbers speak for themselves. He is a beast.

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

Derek Mountain: I want to see whether the middle of the field is open or closed. I look at the leverage and eyes if it is a pass. I look at the leverage of the DE or LB when I am blocking and trying to figure out where my first step has to be.

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

Derek Mountain: DE Benton Whitley, LT Brian Foley and WR Tenio Ayeni.

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

Derek Mountain: Syracuse DE Alton Robinson. He is twitchy and a sick athlete.

Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?

Derek Mountain: The camaraderie with your teammates. The friendships that you form with coaches and teammates. Those bonds will last forever.

Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?

Derek Mountain: Hang out with family and friends. Play video games.

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

Derek Mountain: I want to be a sports broadcaster. I majored in Philosophy. I learned how to critically think and learned how to articulate an argument. I want to go to grad school for communication.

Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?

Derek Mountain: I grew up in a sports household. I walked on the basketball team at Holy Cross my freshman year. We won the Patriot League Championship and I got to play in March Madness, a lifelong dream of mine. My senior year, we won the Patriot league. My dad played college football and baseball at West Chester. Kyle, my brother played at Vermont and Nebraska-Omaha. He coaches hockey now. My other brother Bryan played hockey at Northeastern. He is a hockey agent.

Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?

Derek Mountain: Focused, hard-working, loyal, steady and precise.