2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Landon Honeycutt, LB, Mars Hill University

• Name: Landon Honeycutt
• Position: LB
• College: Mars Hill University
• Height: 6’3″
• Weight: 240 lbs
• Twitter: @LandonH_44
• Instagram: @landon_honeycutt42

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

Football had always been a big deal in my family, and where I’m from because it’s a small town where everyone comes to the games on a Friday night no matter if it’s home or away, along with that my grandfather played at Mars Hill and is in the hall of fame here, my dad and uncle were both football players for mount pleasant. We always went to the high school football games when I was younger so really ever since I can remember football has always been around me and a part of my life.

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

I’d definitely say my grandfather inspired me the most, because we would always talk about whoever the team was we were playing that week and once the game was over I would always go up to him after the game and we would talk about the game, the goods and the bads. Once he passed away the summer before my senior year in HS I didn’t have that anymore and I always felt like I didn’t wanna let him down even if he wasn’t here anymore. I feel the same way at Mars Hill because this is where he went and was a great player here so I wanna accomplish what he did, if not more.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments would be, winning the WSOC TV Big 22 competition in Charlotte, getting my first start in college, making 1st team All-SAC and 1st team All-Region, and playing for a conference championship last year for the SAC.

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

I would say TJ Watt because I’m a Steelers fan so I would wanna know what’s it’s like to play in the NFL as well as be in the Steelers organization. Along with that I would want to ask how he trains and what he does everyday to constantly be able to get better and dominate in the NFL.

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

I definitely feel like I bring a serious and positive energy to the field. Before practice I like to joke around with some of the other players just so I can help them get their energy up, but as soon as I hear that whistle I get locked in and try to practice 100% everyday. As for game day I stay serious the whole time, and being a MLB I definitely feel like I bring that “linebacker” energy during games whether it’s giving a pre game speech or celebrating a big play.

What should we know about Landon Honeycutt the person?

What I would say is I am a quiet person who is friendly to anyone and always making new friends, no matter who they are. I love to hunt, fish, and workout. No matter what I’m doing whether it’s working a job, sitting in class, or practicing football, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. If it is a nice day and I have free time I love to go golfing with my friends at home or my roommates at school.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

3-4 would be my favorite just because there’s so much you can do out of it, my top reason being all the blitzes you can make from it whether it’s just the LB’s blitzing a gap or the DL doing a stunt as well as the LB’s blitzing and there’s so many different looks you can give the offense pre-snap.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Mars Hill?

My favorite things would be the coaches first off because they’re not just a football coach here they wanna know if you have anything in your personal life that you may need help with, they help you get the resources you need to be successful in life, the class room as well as the field. They are also going to push you in every aspect to be the best player you can be. The next thing I like about Mars Hill is I always feel like we are viewed as the underdog, everyone thinks of Wingate and Lenoir Rhyne when they think of the SAC but I feel like we are just as good as they are. Finally I like Mars Hill because it’s like my hometown, a small campus where you know most of the people you pass by going from building to building where as in a big campus you may see a person one day and never see them again.

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

The way I handle them is I know I’m blessed and lucky to be where I’m at. No matter how challenging life or football gets I know there are some kids/people who never got to the chance to play or never had the resources. In life when there is a challenge I feel the same way, I know there is someone who has a way bigger challenge staring them down in the US as well as overseas. That’s always been a big lesson in my family when something is challenging us. Next, I also know that if you take a challenge bit by bit instead of taking it all on at one time, those little bits start to add up and if you stay consistent you can get through anything.

What would a team get in a player like you?

If a team got me they would get someone who is very coachable, someone who is always going to give his all, someone who is never going to be trouble maker or talk back to coaches or other players, someone who is going to be on time to everything, someone who is going to bring intensity and a positive attitude everyday, and someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful on the field.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I think playing ETSU is definitely what I’m looking forward to because it’s a night game against a D1 school which is always exciting. But what I’m looking forward to the most is conference play, I say this because the mood for our whole team, as well as myself, is we had a decent season last year but we know we can do better and we know we left a lot on the table last year. I’m looking forward to seeing all that come together and see this team playing at the level it can play at.

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

Our QB Jimmy Urzua is the most underrated player I’ve played with just because he makes things happen on plays with both his arm and his legs, even when the play looks like it’s over he is going to make something out of it. He also is super energetic at every practice and is one the best leaders I’ve ever been around or played with.