Josiah Deguara
Tight End / Cincinnati
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Josiah Deguara: I was 6’2 3/8, 242 and my forty time was a 4.72.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Josiah Deguara: At EXOS in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been here since the beginning of January.
Alex Khvatov: When is your Pro Day?
Josiah Deguara: My pro day is on March 24th.
Alex Khvatov: What is your main goal for the Pro Day?
Josiah Deguara: I have shown a lot already at the Combine. It is another opportunity to show what I can do. I plan to run my forty again. I expect to run faster. I will do my positional drills. I want to show my versatility.
Alex Khvatov: What is your overall impression of the Scouting Combine?
Josiah Deguara: First, it was a blessing to be there. It was a dream come true. I wanted to participate in it since I have been a kid. It was surreal. It was a very busy week. There was no down time. It was awesome to participate in it. I am grateful for the opportunity. At the end of the day, I enjoyed it.
Alex Khvatov: Were you happy with your testing results in Indy?
Josiah Deguara: I am happy overall. I wish I would have run a bit faster. Besides my forty time, I was top 5 in every category for the TE group. I was happy with the interviews and the on the field testing. I exceeded my expectations.
Alex Khvatov: What type of feedback did you receive from NFL teams after meeting with them for interviews?
Josiah Deguara: I received a lot of good feedback. They love my versatility. They see me as a TE, H-Back and FB. I have to play a lot of special teams. I know I can do that.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your Senior Bowl experience?
Josiah Deguara: It was awesome. It was a dream come true. I am a super competitive guy. I was able to compete with some of the best players. I was able to go and show my skills and versatility.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest thing that you took away from the all-star game in Mobile, AL?
Josiah Deguara: From that standpoint, continue to work and perfect my overall game.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Josiah Deguara: I didn’t have a lot of offers. I had Air Force. A couple of weeks before signing day, I was committed to go to UC Davis. There was a spot that opened up at TE in Cincinnati. I had a connection with an OL coach. I took a visit out there. A week and a half before signing day, I signed with Cincinnati. It was a whirlwind of a process at the end.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Cincinnati?
Josiah Deguara: It was my biggest offer. I have never been to Ohio. I moved across country from CA. I have never seen so much snow. I met a lot of people. I succeeded on the field. I was super grateful for everything.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Josiah Deguara: My biggest strength is versatility. I do a lot of things. I block inline and I am able to get to the LB’s. I win the one on one matchups in the passing game. I have a solid all-around game.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Josiah Deguara: Trying to work on getting in and out of my breaks quicker at the top of my routes. I open up too early and give away where I am going at the top of my route.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.
Josiah Deguara: Individually, I went through a lot. I tore my shoulder my freshman year. I took a redshirt year. I broke my hand my sophomore year. I had to fight for a starting spot as a junior. I overcame a lot of adversity the first two years. I am glad that I was injury free the last two years. I am super grateful for the coaching staff. Coach Denbrock and Coach Fick have done a lot for the program. It was great being a part of the culture change.
Alex Khvatov: What was it like to turn the Cincinnati program around the last two years where your team won 11 games back-to-back?
Josiah Deguara: Super awesome. Luke Fickell came in. We had back to back 4-8 seasons. We had 11 wins back-to-back the last two seasons. Coach Fick brought everything to the program. I was a part of the senior leadership. I was a captain this year. Being able to lead this team to another 11-win season and to a conference championship. We didn’t win, but I was grateful for the whole season.
Alex Khvatov: What was the highlight of your career up to this point?
Josiah Deguara: The team voting me team captain. It was super cool. Also playing in a conference championship my senior year. Another highlight is when we beat UCF at home this year.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff?
Josiah Deguara: The number one thing is having trust. We went 4-8 again in coach Fickell’s first season. The whole team had trust in him and the coaching staff. It was blind faith, and they believed in us. The city of Cincinnati is behind us. The future is bright. They should be in a conference championship game again this upcoming season.
Alex Khvatov: What separates you from all of the other tight ends in this draft?
Josiah Deguara: My versatility. I can do different things on the field. I can do everything from FB to TE to playing all special teams. I have playmaking ability and the competitive spirit.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Josiah Deguara: I grew up in Sacramento, CA. I lived in the Bay Area. I grew up a Raiders fan. It was my favorite team growing up.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Josiah Deguara: Travis Kelce went to Cincinnati, and I talked to him a little bit. He is one of the best TE’s in the league. I model my game after him. Kyle Juszczyk from the 49ers is another player. He brings a lot of versatility.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Josiah Deguara: RB Gerrid Doaks is coming back. It is his time to shine. TE Bruno Labelle, QB Desmond Ridder, S Darrick Forrest and S James Wiggins. We have a stacked team this year. We will have a lot of seniors. Individually, we have a lot of great players.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Josiah Deguara: Ohio State DE Chase Young. He has a great combination of size, strength and speed. He doesn’t have a weakness. He was the best pass rusher in the nation. I did fairly well against him when we matched up. He is one of the best players in this draft.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Josiah Deguara: I love this game. The competitive nature of the game. It is a team sport, not an individual sport. You go to battle with your brothers and compete against the best of the best.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Josiah Deguara: The biggest thing is trust in one another. People have to trust you, and you have to trust them.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Josiah Deguara: I am a sports fan. I am a big basketball fan. I play pickup basketball. I like to golf in the summer. I am not great at it, but I like to do it.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Josiah Deguara: I got my degree in sports administration. I want to be a high school coach and an administrator in high school. I want to give back. I had great role models growing up.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Josiah Deguara: Hard worker, faith, competitive, leader and versatile.
