Paul Grattan
Offensive Lineman / Villanova

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

Paul Grattan:  I am 6’4, 295 and I haven’t run a forty since high school. 

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Paul Grattan:  I have a personal trainer.  I am working out at his facility.  We try to keep it to a few people as possible.  We do one on one work.  It is not different for me than any other year.      

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Paul Grattan:  I only played football.  I tried throwing the discus and the shot put in track.  I didn’t it for long.  I had fun doing it in middle school, but it wasn’t as fun in high school.      

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Paul Grattan:  I played guard and tackle.  I was a LT my senior year and a guard sophomore and junior year.    

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

Paul Grattan:  Coming out of high school, I got all of my interest during my senior year.  I went to a whole bunch of camps.  I had Villanova, Toledo and Old Dominion.  I did really well at Pitt camp, and the offers came in.  Everyone in the MAC and the CAA.    

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Villanova?

Paul Grattan:  Athletics and academics.    

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career? 

Paul Grattan:  During my freshman year, we had a fantastic O-line.  Three of them are in the NFL right now.  I enjoyed my redshirt year.  I got to know the offense better.  I did well the following year in spring ball.  I played guard and earned freshman All-American honorable mention.  We had a lot of injuries that year.  My sophomore year started off well.  We beat Temple.  It was one of my favorite football moments.  My sister went to Temple, and I played the game in front of my family.  I played center that year.  I had some injuries myself.  But I didn’t miss too many games.  Last year, we had Dan Smith at QB.  He is a baller.  Cov (Justin Covington) is a great RB.  We lost in the first round of the FCS playoffs on a debatable pass interference call.  I moved to guard again and was first team all-conference.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Paul Grattan:  My biggest strength is the edge that I bring.  I enjoy hitting people and making my presence felt.  I am elite in pass protection. 

Alex Khvatov:  Talk to me about the tough-minded mentality that O-linemen from Pennsylvania possess. 

Paul Grattan:  It is a different mentality.  It is just how our parents grew up.  They were die-hard fans and blue-collar workers.  It is all about grinding every day.  They instill it in their kids, and it has translated to football.  There are very few places that have that mentality.  The 412-area code in Pittsburgh definitely has it.     

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

Paul Grattan:  Be better at the second level and stick it to the LB.  I need to finish LB’s like I finish DL.  I am looking to be an elite player.   

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

Paul Grattan:  Definitely beating Temple during my redshirt sophomore year.  It was pretty surreal.  My sister played volleyball at Temple.  She was rubbing in my face the year before when we lost to them.  I got my revenge during my redshirt sophomore year.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Paul Grattan:  We have a great coaching staff.  Coach Devine always talks about leadership and being a good man outside of football too.  We have at least one or two life lessons in each of our team meetings.  This game teaches you a lot about life.      

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Paul Grattan:  Steelers fan.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Paul Grattan:  David DeCastro is great on and off the field.  He finishes his blocks.  I like listening to interviews.  He got a mechanical engineering degree from Stanford.  He is a smart guy.  I model my game after him.    

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

Paul Grattan:  Half of the time, I know what DL are doing.  I look at LB’s alignment.  They usually give away where the pressure is coming from.  I look at the weight of the DL hands and whether they are tilting.  We scout the opponents during the week and watch a lot of film.    

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

Paul Grattan:  WR Changa (Hodge), QB Dan Smith, RB Cov (Robert Covington), DB Jaquan Amos, DB Nowooola Awopetu, DL Malik Fisher, LB Forrest Rhyne, TE Todd Summers, OG MJ Dumas and C Colin Gamroth. 

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

Paul Grattan:  The best D-lineman was Bilal Nichols from Delaware during my sophomore year.  He punched my teammate in the face because he was blocking him to the whistle.  He got mad and got tossed out.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for an OL?

Paul Grattan:  Togetherness.  O-linemen have to trust each other.  Our coach always talks about trust, care, and service.  Everyone is accountable.  Playing together is a huge part of being a successful until up front.  We have all 5 O-linemen coming back.  We have the entire offense coming back except for one WR.  We have a championship caliber team.  We must bring that tough-minded mentality every single day.     

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Paul Grattan:  The best thing are the memories.  Being on the team is awesome.  The friends I made through playing football.  I have been playing football for 16 years.           

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Paul Grattan:  A leader is someone who sets the example and brings people along.  You can’t just bark orders.  You have to show people how to do it.    

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Villanova this upcoming season? 

Paul Grattan:  Much of the same.  Dan Smith led the FCS in points scored and had 45 TD’s.  He is a beast.  Cov is working this whole offseason after tearing his ACL.  He was leading the FCS in rushing yards before he got hurt.  We have OL coming back.  We led the CAA in fewest sacks allowed.  We should be a high explosive offense and have a good solid defense.  Defense got beat up from injuries last year.  The defense should be mean.  We have a good team.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Paul Grattan:  I am a big fisherman.  I feel calm when I am hanging out near the water.   

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Paul Grattan:  I bring good energy and have fun.  People are too serious.  Keep things light and enjoyable.  Waking up at 6 am stinks but have fun and it will make it a lot better. 

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

Paul Grattan:  I am getting my master’s in public administration.  I will get the certificate this year and I will be able to finish the rest online.  I received my bachelor’s in political science.  I want to do coaching.  Then I was thinking about working for the government.      

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Paul Grattan:  Fun, energetic, trustworthy, loyal, and hardworking.