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Alex Khvatov:
What are your exact measurements (height, weight and forty
time)?
Keith Pough: I'm 6'3,
240lbs and my forty time is a 4.7.
Alex Khvatov: When you
were coming out of high school, what programs showed
interest in you?
Keith Pough: I wasn't
highly recruited out of high school, but I had offers from
every school in the MEAC conference. I had walk-on offers
from Clemson and LSU.
Alex Khvatov: Why did
you eventually choose Howard?
Keith Pough: Education
is very important in my household and was imbedded in my
upbringing being that both of my parents are educators. My
mother, who is very influential in my life, played a major
role in me committing to Howard. Since football wasn't and
isn't a guarantee, she stressed the importance of
academics. She stressed having a degree and having a life
besides, beyond and after football. I chose Howard because
of its rich tradition and prestige, the legacy and weight a
degree holds.
Alex Khvatov: Describe
your career as a Bison.
Keith Pough: The
aphorism "It's hard to be a Bison," has a ring of personal
truth to all of Howard's current and past
students-athletes. For those who know, no explanation is
needed. For those who don't, none can be given. My career
at Howard was fun, plain and simple.
Alex Khvatov: You were
named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, how honored were
you to receive that award?
Keith Pough: Indeed I
was, and it is a tremendous honor and a blessing to be
recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year. An accolade
I couldn't have achieved without the tutelage of my coaches
and the efforts of my teammates.
Alex Khvatov: Where are
you training for the NFL Draft?
Keith Pough: I'm
training at Bommarito's Performance Systems in Miami, FL.
Alex Khvatov: Describe
your experience at the 2013 East/West Shrine Game.
Keith Pough: I had an
awesome time at the East/West Shrine game. It's true to its
motto "More Than Just A Game." I met some great
competitors, coaches and scouts that week. Being named the
defensive captain was also a honor, but the most memorable
part about the trip was receiving the Pat Tillman Award and
the hospital visit on Sunday to start the week. You're
greeted and embraced by the smile of kids and "Can I have
your autograph? Can I take a picture with you?" I met a
12-year old young lady by the name of Leigh Dittman, who
absolutely stole my heart. She has brittle bone disease,
but judging by the smile you wouldn't know that at all. I
stay in contact with her parents just to see how she's doing
and progressing after her surgery a couple of weeks ago.
Alex Khvatov: How would
you rate your performance during the week?
Keith Pough: I believe
that I performed at a very high level. It is a level that
many didn't know that I was capable of competing at. I
believe all questions were answered by the time I left.
Alex Khvatov: What can
we expect from you at the Scouting Combine?
Keith Pough: You can
expect me to compete in all facets of the scouting combine
from the on the field drills to the interviews. It's a job
interview, perhaps the biggest interview of my life. It's
all about business, and the first law of business is
competition. I will have on my proverbial business suit
from the moment that I step foot in the airport and until
the time I bid my farewell to Indy.
Alex Khvatov: What are
your strengths?
Keith Pough: My
strengths are my sickening and obsessive work ethic,
discipline, athleticism, tackling, film study and commitment
to excellence which allows me to make plays for my team. It
allows me to compete at a level others are unwilling and/or
incapable of matching.
Alex Khvatov: What
areas of your game do you need to improve upon?
Keith Pough: Areas that
I can improve upon are route recognition, pass coverage and
utilizing the stack and shed technique.
Alex Khvatov: What is
the highlight of your career up to this point?
Keith Pough: The
highlight of my career is attaining the first winning season
at Howard since 1998 during my senior season. I
accomplished many great feats, broke records and earned
numerous accolades, but still something was missing. So
that winning season takes precedence over all the awards,
accolades and achievements.
Alex Khvatov: What is
your favorite NFL team?
Keith Pough: The
Ravens.
Alex Khvatov: Who is
your favorite NFL player?
Keith Pough: Lawrence
Taylor and Ray Lewis.
Alex Khvatov: Which
underclassman on your team should we keep an eye on in the
future?
Keith Pough: We have a
number of underclassmen to keep an eye on, but I like Damien
Gresham. He is a rising sophomore defensive end, with
incredible work ethic and a nose for the football. He
tallied 18.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman. Under the
helm of head coach Harrell and defensive coordinator Rayford
Petty, I don't see him doing anything, but getting better as
he matures and understands the game of football.
Alex Khvatov: Who is
the best player that you have faced during your career?
Keith Pough: The best
player that I've faced during my career was the LT from
Rutgers during the 2009 season.
Alex Khvatov: What do
you enjoy the most about being a linebacker?
Keith Pough: I love the
physicality that is synonymous with linebacker, but all of
football is physical. What I enjoy most about being a
linebacker is the mental preparation and responsibility that
comes along with the title. You are the quarterback of the
defense, you're responsible for making calls, checks and
knowing what every position is supposed to do and why.
Alex Khvatov: Which
current NFL player would you compare your game to?
Keith Pough: I honestly
can't compare my game to another player currently playing in
the league. I believe my game is unique because I watch and
emulate all the greats like Lawrence Taylor, Ray Lewis and
Derrick Brooks. I study their game and skill set
intensely and try to combine them all into one.
Alex Khvatov: Do you
embrace the role of being a vocal leader? Is it something
that comes naturally to you?
Keith Pough: Yes, I
embrace the role and responsibility of not just a vocal
leader, but of one who leads solely because I live my
creed. I try to not only be a man of my word, but also be a
man of my work. It's something that definitely comes
natural. One of my favorite poems is "Live Your Creed."
The first two stanzas read, "I'd rather see a sermon than to
hear one any day. I'd rather one to walk with me than just
to show the way. For the eye is a better pupil and more
willing than the ear. Advice may be misleading but examples
are always clear."
Alex Khvatov: What are
your hobbies?
Keith Pough: I enjoy
reading, writing poetry, listening to music, star gazing,
spending time with loved ones, and training.
Alex Khvatov: Do you
have a lot to prove coming from a smaller school?
Keith Pough: Yes, I do
have a lot to prove. I will always have a chip on my
shoulder. The most common stigma that comes along with being
a small school prospect is what you can't do because of the
level of competition you faced. A lot of critics fail to
realize that I don't compete against decals. I dominate the
man. I don't have any say so on who's on the schedule. I
line up against whoever it may be and dominate. My best
games are against "higher level" competition, so I will
always have an innate hunger to prove myself. They can only
deny me for so long.
Alex Khvatov: Finish
the sentence, Keith Pough is….
Keith Pough: Blessed. |