North Carolina State guard Kalani Heppe took the time to complete an interview with FFLiveWire's Luke Nicholson, answering questions about his versatility, teammates, and the adjustments he must make to excel in the NFL.Luke Nicholson: Who is your biggest role model? Why?
Kalani Heppe: My mom, Lynettee. People think I’m tough. They should see her. She’s been through breast cancer twice now and is currently struggling with it again and she goes through it with a smile. Our faith in Christ has helped not only her but my whole family through this tough time.
Luke Nicholson: What is your greatest football moment to date?
Kalani Heppe: My greatest moment to date is the first time that I took the field as a starter at NC State. Running on the field and hearing the backing of 60,000 rampant fans behind you is a rush that I couldn’t have otherwise imagined.
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?
Kalani Heppe: In high school I was a state champion discus thrower and a bronze in the shot put. Track helped me understand the importance of footwork and technique as well as helped me learn to be coachable.
Luke Nicholson: You have played both guard and center at North Carolina State. How has this versatility helped you as a player?
Kalani Heppe: Actually I have played tackle as well against ECU this year surprisingly enough. I learned to play center as an underclassman (because I came in to college at 242 lbs.) and switched to guard my redshirt sophomore year. I have lined up at either guard spot and left tackle and have taken many practice snaps in the middle. Having played all those positions I understand how they all work and what the man next to me needs especially in the zone blocking scheme that we ran at state.
Luke Nicholson: Do you prefer playing guard or center? Are scouts planning to work you out at both positions?
Kalani Heppe: Given a choice I would rather play guard but at this point it doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m given a shot. Teams have talked to me about the possibility of playing either and I’m up for the challenge.
Luke Nicholson: Who is the best player you have faced during your career?
Kalani Heppe: The best player I have ever been up against is John McCargo…and he was on my team. He had a counter move for everything and quick hands to boot. He was a ton to block.
Luke Nicholson: How has playing with DeMario Pressley helped your development and do you see a future in the NFL for your teammate?
Kalani Heppe: DeMario has been my roommate and teammate and best friend for a long time. Going up against him day in and day out in practice definitely helped me elevate my game because we told each other what we could do to make the other one better and his speed and explosion off the ball is not something you see a lot. I think that he will have a solid career wherever he lands because he is a team player and he is versatile enough to adapt to any scheme you play him in.
Luke Nicholson: If you could have any super power, what would you choose? Why?
Kalani Heppe: If I could have any super power I would want to teleport. I would love to be sitting in my apartment one minute and playing with my dog and chilling with my family in the next and be back hanging out in Raleigh the minute after.
Luke Nicholson: What one thing do you have to work on the most to excel at the NFL level?
Kalani Heppe: Learning the speed of the NFL game. The adjustment that you have to make from high school to college was crazy and it takes time to adjust to. Preparing myself for that jump again is one thing that I would like to work on.
Luke Nicholson: What current NFL player does your game most resemble?
Kalani Heppe: Kyle Turley. Bar none.
Luke Nicholson: What are you doing to prepare for your Pro Day?
Kalani Heppe: Working out every day with Chip Smith from Competitive Edge Sports. We work daily on speed, strength and technique to get us not only ready for the Pro Day but for the upcoming season.
Luke Nicholson: Which teams have expressed interest in you at this point?
Kalani Heppe: Several teams have sent me questionnaires and have had correspondence with my high school and college coaches thus far.
Luke Nicholson: Is there a specific team you hope to play for?
Kalani Heppe: Any team that is willing to take a chance on me.
Luke Nicholson: Are you a cat or a dog? Why?
Kalani Heppe: Dog. My bark is ALWAYS as bad as my bite. Haha
Luke Nicholson: Outside of football, what are some of your hobbies?
Kalani Heppe: Video games, hanging with family, girlfriend and friends, cars, the usuals...
Luke Nicholson: Why should a NFL team select you over other guards in this draft?
Kalani Heppe: Because I’m versatile enough to fill in any position on the line and I’m sort of a different breed of o-lineman all together.
Luke Nicholson: If you block for any NFL running back, who would you choose? Why?
Kalani Heppe: LaDainian Tomlinson. You give him a seam and he’s going to take it, and that means I’d also have the chance to block for ol’ Phil (Rivers) again lol.
Luke Nicholson: Finish the following sentence: Kalani Heppe is tougher than…
Kalani Heppe: Kalani Heppe is tougher than anybody that you can line up against him, as an offensive lineman that half the game.
Luke Nicholson: Thank you for your time, Kalani. The staff at FFLiveWire wishes you the best of luck in all of your NFL endeavors.
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