Donovan Lucas
Cornerback / UW-Stevens Point

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

Donovan Lucas:  Height is 5’11, weight is 180 and a 4.50.  That was recorded in the beginning of last year.      

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Donovan Lucas:  I would go to my high school field.  I would work out on the track three times a week and do field work four times a week.  I also have a home gym.      

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

Donovan Lucas:  I was a track athlete.  I was a short sprinter.  I started running track during my junior year of high school.  We made it all the way to state in our relays.  We were second in 4x200m and second in 4x100m my senior year.  I was also a guard in basketball.  Basketball was my second sport.       

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

Donovan Lucas:  I was a receiver and a DB.  I started as a RB my freshman year.  I had a six-inch growth spurt the summer before my sophomore year.  They moved me to WR.  I was 5’4 before and then I grew to 5’10.        

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

Donovan Lucas:  Coming out of high school, Northern Illinois offered me as a walk-on.  I was there for a year.  I broke my arm before the spring game. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at UW-Stevens Point? 

Donovan Lucas:  I kept in touch with the coach at UW-Stevens Point.  I had good grades and a good SAT score.  The coach that brought me here ended up leaving.  He promised me some things.  I didn’t know anybody.  It was tough at first.  Then I met the guys on the team.  It felt like home.  It is two hours away from home.  I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.         

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?      

Donovan Lucas:  I was a second string CB my redshirt freshman year.  I played in the sixth game of the season.  I tore my labrum and was out for the rest of the season.  Sophomore year, I missed the first two games.  Individually, I led the conference with 13 pass deflections and had two picks in eight games.  In the conference, I was also in the top 25 in tackles.  Junior year, I had four interceptions.  I led the conference in INT’s and pass deflections.  I was first team all-conference as a CB and a first team return specialist.  I also made the all-west region team as a return specialist.  I returned two kicks for TD’s during my career.  I play on all special teams.           

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

Donovan Lucas:  Team wise, I expect us to be a top three team in the conference and competing for a championship.  A lot of guys realize what we need to.  Coaches have been here for a couple of years.  Individually, I hold myself to a high standard.  I want to be an All-American. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your track and field background in college.

Donovan Lucas:  I run 100m outdoor and 60m indoor.  I have been doing it during my sophomore and junior year.      

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Donovan Lucas:  Leadership is my biggest thing.  I lead my teammates to victories.  My football IQ.  I do a lot of film study.  I keep guys motivated.  We have had a lot of struggles.  I am fast and I can jump.  I have great ball skills.  I see things before they happen.  I am a great kick returner.  I like to play press man.  Use my physicality, speed and knowledge. 

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

Donovan Lucas:  I need to get better in recognizing certain situations.  At times, I will play press man on third & long situations.  I shouldn’t be doing it.  Late in games, my legs got heavy last year.  I was sloppy with my technique because I was a returner.  I need to be sharper on defense late in games.  It has to do a lot with fatigue.  I will be a return man again this year.  I need to work on my conditioning and get in better shape.       

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

Donovan Lucas:  The team win when we knocked off UW-Oshkosh at the end of the season.  We knocked them out of the playoffs.  I will never forget it.  We ended up winning by a TD.  It was our senior night.  It was a great night to send out the seniors with a win.      

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

Donovan Lucas:  To finish in everything that you do.  You have to finish in the fourth quarter and in your school work. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Donovan Lucas:  I am a Seattle Seahawks fan.  I looked up to Richard Sherman when he came out of college.      

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Donovan Lucas:  Richard Sherman.      

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

Donovan Lucas:  Safety Felix King was all-conference last year.  He will be a junior this year.  QB Max Herro was injured last year.  DL Berkley Corvino was another first team all-conference player.  He will be a junior this year.     

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

Donovan Lucas:  Cole Spieker from UW-La Crosse.  It was the last game of the season.  He led the country in receptions.  He was top three in yards and TD’s.  He didn’t score a TD against me.  He had 40 yards against us.  I moved all-around the field to cover him from outside to the slot.  I will cover the No.1 receiver all game long.  I am pretty versatile.      

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

Donovan Lucas:  Short-term memory.  You will get beat, but the most important thing is how you come back from it.      

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Donovan Lucas:  Football gives me an escape and relief from the world.  I can play football and not worry about anything else.  It clears my mind.  I play relaxed and confident. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Donovan Lucas:  I am a big gamer.  I like to play Call of Duty.  I like to work out and play basketball.  I babysit my brother and sister.      

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

Donovan Lucas:  Two things.  Coaching and opening up my own gym for weight training and football training.      

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Donovan Lucas:  My determination is unmatched.  If I want something, I will go to extreme measures to get that.  There is no limit in what I can do.  I will set my goal high.  I know that I can reach it.      

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Donovan Lucas:  Athletic, determined, intelligent, outgoing, and caring.