Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Nick Belcher, K, South Carolina State
Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Nick Belcher, K, South Carolina State
How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?
I collectively had about 14 teams recruiting me for baseball and football out of high school.
Where did you choose and why?
I originally went to go play JUCO baseball out of high school for a year at Florence Darlington Technical College. I played a year there and coached the kickers at a local high school named Wilson High School. It was there where I decided to pursue football once again. I went on an official visit at the Citadel and South Carolina State was still interested in me. I ended up choosing to go kick at SCSU.
What were your goals for your senior year?
The goals for my senior year were to make all Conference, get into an all-star game, and make a name for myself in the national rankings. The goal is to always get better with every day. The main goal is to always love what you do and do what you love all while enjoying the game.
Have any scouts met with you, and if so what are they saying?
I had several teams that came through during the season to watch me kick at practice and at games. Several teams also went to the coach’s office to watch more game film on me. At the College All Star Bowl I had several scouts have me fill out prospective player profile sheets. On pro day at South Carolina State I put on a kicking display for the scouts there. The feedback I received was that I had a strong leg and one team put my name in for a tryout with their respected organization.
http://youtu.be/RrcYlsOqYXA
At your position, what separates you from the others?
At my position what separates me from others is that I am a two-step kicker and I can also do all three, field goals, punts, and kickoffs at a high level. I also have very strong work ethic.
Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?
When breaking down film I try to make sure that I am executing each kick the same way. I look for the same leg swing in every kick. I also look at the way my hips and shoulders come through on each kick.
Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?
The toughest player that I played against seeing as I don’t exactly go against any one specific player with my job would be hard to say, but Johnny Manziel sure did his best Heisman pose against us.
If you could compare your play to one person in the NFL who would it be?
If I could compare my play to one person in the NFL I would have to go with one of the greatest of all time, in Adam Vinatieri. I thrive off pressure situations and am also about the same body size and type.
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome is coming from a smaller school.
What is your biggest strength?
My biggest strength is the way I hold myself accountable for always working hard and giving it my all. Physically, I would say field goals are my biggest strength.
What is your biggest weakness?
My biggest weakness is that I am always trying to compete with myself. I always try to outdo the last kick I just hit.
If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?
Every single day I will give it everything I’ve got to become the best and I won’t allow anyone to out work me.
Growing up, who was your role model?
Growing up, Adam Vinatieri was my role model in the football world, but my father has always been my role model, as well.
Who was your favorite team and player in the NFL and why?
Adam Vinatieri once again and my favorite team has always been the Carolina Panthers.
What was the most tragic event that ever happened in your life and how did you overcome it?
Two of the most tragic events that have happened to me are losing my grandma and grandpa.
If you were to have dinner with three people dead or alive who would it be?
My three people to have dinner with would be God, my Grandma Belcher and Grandpa Johnson.
With your first paycheck what would you buy?
With the first paycheck I receive I would take my wife and family out to a nice dinner and invest my money wisely to last for the future.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com