2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Kadon Kauppinen, DB, University of North Dakota

• Name: Kadon Kauppinen
• Position: DB
• College: University of North Dakota
• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 210 lbs
• X (Twitter): @k12kauppinen
• Instagram: @kadonkauppinen

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

I grew up going to University of Wisconsin football games and I fell in love with the atmosphere that surrounds football games.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite football moments in my life would be beating NDSU, winning the MVFC in 2020, and probably playing in the state championship game in high school at Camp Randall.

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

Going forward I look to achieve being a part of an NFL or CFL team and playing the game for as long as I can.

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

I would hangout with Ed Reed. I would like to talk to him about the game and see how he played it so well.

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

I would have to say my dad just because whenever he is hit with adversity he just handles it like a man and has shown me how working hard is important. He is always there to help me or any of my siblings with anything we need and I want to be a lot more like him when I am a parent.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

My favorite defensive scheme would be cover 1. You can be more aggressive in man coverage because you know you have post help.

What should we know about Kadon Kauppinen the person?

Me as a person is just someone who loves to work hard and love hanging out with my friends and family.

What stands out about your film the most?

I would say the best part about my film is it shows that I can do it all. I can play man coverage, play the post and be an impact in the run game and affecting the quarterbacks on blitzes.

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

Handling adversity is something I try to pride myself on. Everyone knows life isn’t fair and there are always going to be obstacles. I would say I handle adversity by controlling what I can control and focusing on that.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a high energy, hardworking, disciplined, leader type of guy.

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

What I love most about football would be the family aspect. Hanging out with 100 of your friends everyday and getting to play the game we love is the best part.

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

The most underrated player I have ever played with would be Ted Mullin. Just a guy who gets after it everyday and leads by example. He also was one heck of a football player.