2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Dominic Gicinto, WR, UNLV

• Name: Dominic Gicinto
• Position: WR
• College: University of Nevada-Las Vegas
• Height: 5’9”
• Weight: 188 lbs
• X (Twitter): @dominic_gicinto
• Instagram: @d.gicinto

What made you want to become a football player?

What made me want to become a football player truly was my love for the game from a young age I loved to just play and it was just fun at first but as I grew older I noticed this could be something that takes me to the places I want to be in life and from that day I knew I wanted to make football my profession.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments in my football life have been the times I got to share with teammates. People from all around the US and outside the states even and seeing everyone come together has always been something I’ve seen as special about our game. Other than that just seeing the smile it puts on my mother’s face when she sees me play with football I have gotten to see the ones I love have joy and happiness from seeing my journey.

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

Moving into the professional side of football I want to achieve and strive for greatness and to be better than the day before the goal I have always had is to make it to the NFL and play on the fields I have watched for so long.

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

If I could choose a football player to hang out with for a day is Chad Ocho Cinco since I was a kid he has been my favorite player and favorite receiver of all time I think within that day I would learn a lot about the game but more about life in general with the mistakes he has made and his ability to be open about those mistakes would help me learn from one of the best to come before me.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My mother is my why and my biggest inspiration because, with the struggles she has overcome, she has never given up or quit anything she also was able to instill that within me the good, the bad, and the ugly. You see her still moving forward every day never does she give up or say something is not possible. There is always a way to make it happen.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

I don’t have a scheme that I like more than another I believe football is about balance and interpretation I have been in 5 completely different offenses within each of the offenses I have found many parts of the offense that I like a lot being a receiver I would be lying if I said I don’t lean more towards the passing schemes but I also like the ability to run the ball because with that it makes throwing the ball almost effortlessly. With being in so many different offenses I have gained the ability to learn fast and adapt so with whatever scheme I may be in I know I can make myself and my team successful.

What should we know about Dominic Gicinto the person?

If I was to tell you about myself I would say I’m someone who tends to stay to myself I’m not one to like to be around big crowds and a lot of people I don’t know very well. I enjoy spending time with my small group of friends and family. I enjoy the outdoors and food. I am truly a very simple and laidback human who likes to be in environments that aren’t high stress being that within football that is where most of my days consist of.

What stands out about your film the most?

If I was to say what stands out about me when you put on my tape is my play speed I play fast and I have great speed and quickness my ability to close space on a defender and get open is something that I hang my hat on as a part of my game I can lean on. I would also say the ability to see what a defense is doing and know where I need to fit. Also, my willingness to block and play without the ball is a very big part of the offense I was in most recently is how do you play without the ball and I believe I bought into that to the fullest with blocking not for me but to allow my teammates and team as a whole to flourish.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I have grown so much over time, especially in the thoughts of how I respond to adversity I come from a childhood of adversity and I always find a way to overcome it, in the past it still caused me to have anger towards the adversity itself but as I grew and become more complete as an adult I found the ability to handle and overcome adversity and I came to learn nothing worth having comes with no adversity. With every challenge that comes only makes the story even better in the end.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Any team that decides to take me will get a player that not only knows how to show up to work every single day but also is constantly striving to improve and be better day by day they also will be getting a player with great speed and agility that can make plays against the best of the best I always play my best against the best competition so competition brings out the best in me so it brings no fear to me to compete with anyone. They will also gain a player who is versatile and can play multiple positions and special teams and someone who also takes any role with the same mindset and attitude to be better than the day before and be better than whoever is in front of them.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

My love for the game of football comes from what it has been able to give me and what it has taught me, the game of football gave me a chance to earn a degree something that I would not have had the chance to do without football it has shown me parts of the country I have never been or seen before and it has placed people in my life I would not have without football, football has given me a life that I couldn’t repay in a lifetime, football has opened doors in my life that have helped mold and create me into the man I am today and the man I will be in the future.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

The most underrated player I have played with I would have to say is a good friend of mine Barrett Bannister he was a receiver from my days at Mizzou. He was one of those guys who may not been the fastest or strongest player someone who may not have passed the eye test but when you put him on the field he finds a way to win he was one the smarter guys I have played with his ability to know what was going to happen before the snap helped me in my game and allowed me to be better he may not have been blessed with all the athleticism but he makes up for it in every way with his work ethic and ability that he created by constantly trying to be better day in and day out.