NFL Draft Diamonds Free Agent Interview: Nick Hultquist, Wide Receiver

Hello, I am @jrberendzen on Twitter and this is one of my free agent interviews where I ask very deserving free agents questions about the players themselves and about what a team would get in these players. All of these players should get picked up by NFL, CFL, and XFL teams and get a shot at being career football players. So I hope you all read this interview about Nick and follow his journey on social media!

1.What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I grew up in a family where both brothers played football and one in college. I tried playing soccer and baseball but they just never gave me the same feeling as playing football. 

2.What should we know about Nick Hultquist the person?

I am a huge family guy, would drop anything in a heartbeat for anyone in my family. I wouldn’t change them for the world, we have our ups & downs but the’re my everything. Life wouldn’t be the same without them.

3.What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I bring intensity and leadership to the field, I will give you 110% every play, be 100% locked in and focused. If one of my teammates makes a bad play I hold myself accountable to pick them up. I will play any position if needed to help the team win, I will also learn every position on the offense in case my coaches need me to step in.

4.What is your typical training routine?

Typical training for me is taking my dog for a 2-mile run every morning, then after work going to the gym making sure I hit my plyometrics, major lifts, and stretching. During the weekend I practice my release,catching,footwork, and speed work. Normally can get about 6 days of training with one day off.

5.If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I have a few that I could pick but honestly, Randy Moss, growing up as a kid I used to love watching him play. Had his jersey and always wanted to wear it, he just understood the game in every way possible. He was definitely an idol of mine and still to this day I will go and break down his film or watch practice film on him to try and pick up on things that he would do as a WR.

6.What is a moment that improved you as a football player?

First-year of my college career, it was an away game aginst Pima Community College and we were losing by a touchdown at the specific time. I ran a post route and that is one of my best routes and the safety bit on the corner step before hitting the post and I was wide out for about a 65 yard bomb to the house. I dropped it…. Got pulled for the rest of the game, after that moment I knew I had to be better. So I would show up 30 minutes before practice started and work every angle possible on the jug machine. Still to this day I will warm up that way to make sure I am catching before running.

7.What sets you apart from other wide receivers?

What sets me apart from other receivers, is I am not afraid to go up and compete for the ball or take a hit. If I am running a route across the middle and you throw it to me in that moment nothing else matters besides making the catch, its almost like the game slows down and I can’t hear anything. If I am double covered and its thrown to me I have the mind set that no one is getting that ball besides me I dont care what I have to do but it’s going to be a dog fight for it and I will compete for it. Also my blocking playing safety in high school helped with that, I love to hit people it and if I have the opportunity to block for one of my brothers on the field I want them to have trust in me that I will do my job just like I have in them.

8.What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

To be a kid’s idol, is so much more than the game. If I can be the player kids look up to on and off the field then I know I did my job. Also just any opportunity to showcase my talent at any level, if given the chance I will be strive to be the best WR in the conference.

9.What do you love about the game of football?

Before being a WR I played safety and the fact that I can go and hit someone and not get in trouble got me excited. All I have ever known was football and had the brothers to help me throughout the process of learning and getting better. It is an escape for me, no matter what is happening outside the football field, I know when I strap up that none of that matters. Because you can’t control the outcome or reaction of other people or things outside of football but what I can control is what happens when I step on the field.

10.What would a team get in a player like you?

Leadership, loyalty, speed, respect, effort, passion, trustworthiness, and a brother.

11.What is your favorite route and why?

Post route for sure, I have taken the time to understand the release, the steps and the top of the route break.  Always been one of my favorite because it’s fun to run and also gain alot of yards doing it. 

12.What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Honestly, I can’t just pinpoint one, I love the fact that it’s a family and brings you close to people that could be involved in your life forever. Camp in high school was always fun, yeah it sucked doing two a days but your with your friends and brothers doing it. I have so many moments that I am thankful for and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Football has made me the man I am today and i will forever be thankful for the sport and what it has brought into my life.