I have conducted a lot of player interviews while I have been with this website.  But I have to admit that there are some players that I have enjoyed talking to more than others.  Not many people know who Tony LeZotte is except for scouts, general managers and so-called draft experts.  He is just not a household name, but it is a name that you should familiarize yourself with. 

Tony LeZotte is a free safety from James Madison.  I got to know Tony during a phone interview that I conducted with him back in September.  I found a comfort level talking to this young man.  He is very easy to talk to.  He has that Southern charm being from Georgia.  He is very articulate and intelligent.  You can hear it in his voice that Tony has that inner drive to succeed.  He has so much passion for the game of football.

Tony was only 165 pounds when he first arrived at James Madison.  He came to the school because he wanted to play alongside his older brother Matt.  He quickly found a home on the defensive side of the ball as a safety.  He went on to have a stellar career at James Madison.  He started 50 games over his four-year career.  He was named to the All-American team four years in a row.  He was named the defensive player of the year in 2005 and 2007 in the CAA Conference. 

He might not be the biggest or the fastest safety in the draft, but he is just a really good football player.  LeZotte excels against the run.  He is a very good tackler.  He has improved in pass coverage.  Tony is a leader with a tremendous work ethic and good character.  Don’t sleep on this guy.  There is a good chance that all 32 teams will pass up on him during next week’s draft, but I am telling you now that he will be on some team’s roster when the season begins in September.  He has a chip on his shoulder and he wants to prove his doubters wrong.  Don’t bet against him. 

I hope that you enjoy the follow-up interview as much as I did. 

Alex Khvatov:  What were your official measurements (height, weight, forty time and bench press)?

Alex Khvatov:  How have you prepared for the NFL Draft?

Tony LeZotte:  I graduated in December and I was able to go home to Georgia for a couple of weeks to relax.  Then I went to work out in New Jersey for two months to prepare for my Pro Day.  Last week in New Jersey, I pulled my hamstring.  My Pro Day was March 19^th and I was unable to participate.  It took four weeks for my hamstring to fully heel.  I was really hoping to have the workout right before the draft.  But it doesn’t look like it will happen because teams are having their meetings right now before the draft.  I wasn’t lucky enough.  I wanted to showcase my skills especially my speed because everyone doubted how fast I could run. 

Alex Khvatov:  Were you disappointed that you weren’t invited to any of the All-Star games or the Scouting Combine?

Tony LeZotte:  I was definitely disappointed.  I understand about the Combine because there were four junior safeties that came out early and they were invited before me.  But I was disappointed about the all-star games.  What else do I have to do over my career to get invited to those games?  With the numbers that I put up and the career that I had, I feel that I deserved to be there.  I always have something to prove even when I was in college.  This will fuel a fire in me.  I have been doubted my whole career.  I will use it to motivate me even more.

Alex Khvatov:  What kind of feedback have you received from teams?

Tony LeZotte:  You know that there is different feedback.  Some teams might draft me as a late round guy.  Others seem me as a priority free agent.  It is up in the air.  You don’t know what is going to happen in the future. 

Alex Khvatov:  After having such a stellar career at James Madison, how does it feel to be a small fish in a large pond?

Tony LeZotte:  It doesn’t bother me.  I have always felt that way.  People doubted me from high school to college.  It motivates me even more.  It makes you work harder to be the best. 

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned about yourself during this entire draft process?

Tony LeZotte:  Anything is possible when you push yourself harder.  I was pushing myself to the limit and was seeing results.  Being able to train in New Jersey was a blessing.  It inspired me to work harder to be that much better.

Alex Khvatov:  Were you satisfied with your senior season?

Tony LeZotte:  The only thing that I would change is the Appalachian State game in the first round of the playoffs.  I broke my wrist a couple of games into the season.  It was hard to tackle with a cast on, but I played well.  I feel that the CAA is the best conference on the Division I-AA level.  I still put up the numbers even though you could say that I played with one arm.  I was really pleased with the personal numbers, but the team lost.

Alex Khvatov:  Could you tell me about that thrilling first round playoff game against Appalachian State last year?

Tony LeZotte:  It was definitely a thrilling game.  It was a boxing match.  We scored, then they scored and we went back and forth the entire game.  We had a young team, but we played well.  You have to make plays in the end.  We were down by one with 30 seconds to go on their nine-yard line.  The play was there, but our running back fumbled it.  We couldn’t attempt the field goal.  That is how football goes sometimes.  It was my last game and it was a tough way to go out.  Two really good teams played that game.  I believe that we were the toughest team that Appalachian State played all season.  I wish that we could have done more.  It came down to making that one play in the end.

Alex Khvatov:  Did you agree with your head coach when he decided to go for it on fourth down when your team had the lead late in the fourth quarter?

Tony LeZotte:  Yes, I agreed wit him.  I yelled at him to go for it on fourth down on our own 30-yard line.  It was fourth down and about a yard and a half.  Before that, we were 4/4 on fourth downs against them.  I went back to watch the film, and one guy wasn’t able to do his job.  We weren’t able to execute that play.  We ran an option with a quarterback, and their defensive lineman was able to get into the backfield.  We were getting that play the whole game.  We were dominating with our offensive line.  We thought that we could get it.  If we convert, they couldn’t stop the clock because they were out of timeouts.  I wouldn’t have changed that call.

Alex Khvatov:  What NFL safety would you compare your game to?

Tony LeZotte:  You know I shouldn’t compare myself to him.  I really enjoy watching Troy Polamalu, Rodney Harrison and Bob Sanders.  I like to drop in the box like those players and play physical against the run.  I have grown to be a better player in the pass game. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  Tony, what makes you a unique individual?

Tony LeZotte:  I think that my tackling ability.  To tell you the truth, there are very few times that I miss or whiff on a tackle.  I am a leader and a field general.  I was given the freedom to change the defense if the offense came out with a certain personnel.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the one thing in your daily life that you can’t live without?

Tony LeZotte:  The internet.  A lot of people say that, but I check up on what is going on.  Not only what is going on at James Madison or in Augusta, Georgia, but checking my email or NFL websites.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about playing football?

Tony LeZotte:  I think it is the competition.  Lining up against a guy and looking in his eyes.  It is either he wins or you win.  Competitiveness makes a good football player and a good person.  A lot of people don’t go through it.  They played in middle school or in high school.  It is a different level of competition in college.  Nothing compares to competition.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Do you think that you will be drafted?

Tony LeZotte:  I would love to get drafted.  But if it doesn’t work out, I will take another route.  It is all about how well I can play when I get into camp.  I want to show my skills and see what I have to offer.

Alex Khvatov:  What will you have to do in order to make an NFL roster next season?

Tony LeZotte:  I think it is about getting into camp and showing them what I can do.  I have heard that I am not fast enough or tall enough.  I want to let teams know how well I play and pick up this stuff.  I will be able to show them how well I can play.  I can be an asset to that team.  I have to go and make a difference on special teams.  I really want to play on special teams and create havoc.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What would you like to do with your life after football?

Tony LeZotte:  You know what I thought about getting into coaching.  I love the game.  I want to stay in the game.  The best way to do it is to teach the young guys what football is all about.  My greatest mentors have been my coaches.  I also want to pass on the knowledge that I have to some of these young guys.

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Tony LeZotte is…..

Tony LeZotte:  Is a really motivated and hard-nosed football player.  A lot of people say that this guy can run this fast or jump this high.  I am one of those guys that can play football.  A lot of people overlook that.  I am a tough player that will work hard.  I will help the team out in any way possible.