LJ Wesneski

Tight End / Albany

Christopher Reiss: What are your measurements? (Height and Weight)

LJ Wesneski: 6’3, 265 lbs.

Christopher Reiss: During COVID-19, what have you been doing to prepare for the upcoming season?

LJ Wesneski: When COVID-19 first hit, I was doing a lot of body weight workouts and a lot of conditioning around my neighborhood. When the gyms started opening back up I was able to go back to my training in the gym. I go to two gyms. I go to one that is strictly weight lifting and the other gym I go to is for speed and agility. 

Christopher Reiss: When breaking down your film, what should stand out?

LJ Wesneski: When breaking down my film you will see, if I am winning my rep or losing my rep, I will always finish the play. It does not matter how tired I am, I will not take a play off.

Christopher Reiss: Coming out of high school, what schools showed interest in you?

LJ Wesneski: I had offers from Villanova, Maine, Army, College of William and Mary, and Colgate University. I also had an offer from Albany and that was the school of my choice.

Christopher Reiss: In high school, what other positions did you play besides tight end?

LJ Wesneski: If I was not playing tight end on offense, I was playing wide receiver, slot, or fullback. On defense I would play defensive end and outside linebacker.

Christopher Reiss: In high school, what other sports did you play besides football?

LJ Wesneski: The other sports that I played in high school were baseball and ice hockey.

Christopher Reiss: What are the expectations for Albany for this upcoming season?

LJ Wesneski: The team’s expectations for this upcoming season would have to be getting back to the playoffs again. We lost a few big key players that were seniors last year, but we do have some young studs that are going to step up and fill that void.

Christopher Reiss: Is there anyone on your team that we should keep our eye out for this season?

LJ Wesneski: RB Karl Mofor, OL Kobe Thomas, LB Levi Metheny, LB Danny Damico, S AJ Mistler, S Hayden Specht, DL Ibn Foster, and QB Jeff Undercuffler.

Christopher Reiss: How would you describe your overall football career?

LJ Wesneski: My overall career has been pretty smooth. I played at high school and got offers to go play at the next level and of course, I chose Albany. I am grateful that I have not had any major injuries while playing. I was not one of those players that was a superstar coming out of high school, I had to wait ye turn like everyone else. It made me into a better player. We have players on the team that could make this year very special, just have to wait and see.

Christopher Reiss: What is the highlight of your college football career?

LJ Wesneski: I had a touchdown last season where I ran a 7-yard dig route and the ball was thrown to me. I went to the outside and broke 3 tackles to make the touchdown. In that moment, I felt like I was back in high school and right in that moment, the game slowed down for me.

Christopher Reiss: What are some strengths of your game?

LJ Wesneski: The scheme that we run at Albany makes it where the tight ends know as much as the quarterback does. My biggest strength would have to be my football IQ. The tight ends on the field are like second in command behind the quarterback. Some strengths of my physical game would be my route running and my soft hands when the ball is in the air.

Christopher Reiss: What are some assets of your game that you are trying to improve on?

LJ Wesneski: My footwork isn’t as consistent as I would like it to be when I am run blocking. When I watch film, I can see when I have good footwork that I am blocking my man with ease but when my footwork is off, you can tell I am only using my strength which is bad form. I also would like to take my nutrition way more seriously too.

Christopher Reiss: What do you enjoy most about football?

LJ Wesneski: I am an offensive guy, I love when myself or one of my teammates score and everyone runs to the end zone to congratulate that player on scoring for the team. I also really enjoy when the crowd starts cheering for the team after a win.

Christopher Reiss: What are you majoring in?

LJ Wesneski: I have a minor in communications and my major is in emergency preparedness, homeland security and cyber security.

Christopher Reiss: What does life after football look like for you?

LJ Wesneski: The main goal is to make it in the NFL and play as long as I can. If that does not work out, I would like to get a federal job with the government. If nothing works out on the federal side of things, I would like to become a state police officer.

Christopher Reiss: What or who motivates you?

LJ Wesneski: My family.  They have always been there for me. In high school, they are the ones taking me to the college camps and on game days cheering for me. They will always have my back and will always support me in whatever I do if it is football or not. They push me every day to get better which I cannot thank them enough for.

Christopher Reiss: Is there a player in the NFL that you look up to?

LJ Wesneski: I would have to say George Kittle, the tight end for the 49ers.  The way he plays is the way I want to play.

Christopher Reiss: What is your favorite NFL team?

LJ Wesneski: The Cincinnati Bengals. 

Christopher Reiss: Who is your favorite NFL player of all-time?

LJ Wesneski: Raghib Ismail from Norte Dame.  He was really fun to watch.

Christopher Reiss: What are some hobbies of yours?

LJ Wesneski: I do the normal boy things. I play video games like Fortnite, NHL 20, and Rocket League. If I am back home, I enjoy getting with my high school buddies and playing a big group game of Ultimate Frisbee. If I am with my teammates, we enjoy just chilling and hanging out, building that bond as a team.  I cannot forget about my parents.  I love spending some quality time with them.

Christopher Reiss: On game-day, what is your go-to artist?

LJ Wesneski: On game days, I listen to rock groups and borderline scream music to get myself pumped up. Some of the bands that I listen to is Fall Out Boy and ACDC. The song I always listen to when I am coming off the bus to walk into the stadium is Sound of Madness by Shinedown.