Luke Nicholson: Who is your biggest role model? Why?
Taylor Mehlhaff: Probably both of my parents...I’ve always looked up to the both of them and wanted to be successful for them.
Luke Nicholson: What is your greatest football moment to date?
Taylor Mehlhaff: When we beat Michigan at home in a night game my sophomore year. The atmosphere in our stadium was unbelievable that night and I had 3 big field goals to go along with our win.
Luke Nicholson: During your career at Wisconsin, what did your typical day during football season consist of?
Taylor Mehlhaff: Because I'm graduating in 4 years, a lot of classes in the morning. A few days a week we would have real early morning lifts. Meetings would start around 2:30pm, practice around 4:30pm, and than training table 7:30pm. You normally wouldn't get home until 8:30 every night.
Luke Nicholson: What sports did you participate in during high school and how have they helped you to become a better player on the football field?
Taylor Mehlhaff: I played football, hockey, baseball, and track in high school. I was always looked up to as a leader on the team. I'm a very competitive person and I like when the team needs to look to me or rely on me to get the job done. I think I developed a great work ethic by balancing all of those sports throughout H.S.
Luke Nicholson: What did you gain from your experience at the East-West Shrine Game and what did you learn from Dick Vermeil?
Taylor Mehlhaff: One of the things Coach Vermeil stressed was, "A career in the NFL is very fragile, treat it with great respect." I think the Shrine game was kind of an intro into what coaching at the next level is like. The coaches took it upon themselves to get you ready and to let you know what will be expected of yourself at the next level.
Luke Nicholson: How has playing with Ken DeBauche helped your development and do you see a future in the NFL for your teammate?
Taylor Mehlhaff: First off, Kenny and I are great friends outside of football as well. We're always there to help each other out and are the first to congratulate each other coming off the field. It's been great having him around. Our whole specialist unit was great. We had so much fun over those 4 years. I definitely think he has a future in the NFL.
Luke Nicholson: What one thing do you have to work on the most to excel at the NFL level?
Taylor Mehlhaff: Because of my leg strength on kickoffs and my ability to put it into the endzone, I really haven't had to do a whole lot of directional kickoffs in my career. That is something I will need to continue to work on and improve upon.
Luke Nicholson: What are you doing to prepare for the NFL Combine?
Taylor Mehlhaff: Well now that the combine's over, I was just working out and kicking, trying to get into the best shape possible to do my best at the combine. I’m finishing up my last 12 credits of my major as well. I will graduate this May.
Luke Nicholson: Are you a cat or a dog? Why?
Taylor Mehlhaff: I have no idea. They asked us this question on one of the psychological tests.
Luke Nicholson: Outside of football, what are some of your hobbies?
Taylor Mehlhaff: I’m from South Dakota, so I grew up doing a lot of pheasant hunting. I also like being out at the lake and just relaxing in the summer.
Luke Nicholson: Why should a NFL team select you over other kickers in this draft?
Taylor Mehlhaff: When you look at field goals, many of the top kickers are very similar field goal wise. What really separates the guys is your ability to kickoff. I really believe I have the top kickoff leg in this draft class. 36% of my KO's went for TB's this year. Being an all-around athlete, I also think I have the mental toughness over a lot of these guys. I really think I still have a lot of room to improve as well.
Luke Nicholson: Which NFL kickers do you think you could beat out for a job?
Taylor Mehlhaff: I've never seen anyone in the NFL kick in person, so I have no idea.
Luke Nicholson: How did you get into kicking?
Taylor Mehlhaff: I grew up playing soccer as a kid and just felt natural kicking a football.
Luke Nicholson: Finish the following sentence: Taylor Mehlhaff’s leg is stronger than…
Taylor Mehlhaff: Taylor Mehlhaff's left leg is stronger than....his right!
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