2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Khai West, DB, Minnesota State-Mankato

• Name: Khai West
• Position: DB
• College: Minnesota State University-Mankato
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 190 lbs
• X (Twitter): @khai_west11
• Instagram: @kw4st_

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

Since I was born I had a football in my hands because my dad was really into football. He had me at 5 years old playing tackle football with 3rd graders and I’ve been playing football ever since.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Scoring all my touchdowns or the road trips with teammates and winning.

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

My son, I have a 2 year old son named Khai Jr and he’s dependent on me and I want to support him and my best friend who passed away due to gun violence and he inspires me to keep going.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

We have some unfinished business we need to take care of and proving all the doubters wrong that I can make the most of my opportunities.

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

LaDainian Tomlinson, he definitely inspired me to be a football player and why I wore his number until they decided I was a defensive player.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Minnesota State?

The culture that head coach Hoffner has built here and it’s a really family oriented culture.

What should we know about Khai West the person?

He’s a family man first, God second and a hardworking football player willing to do anything to get his job done.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

3-3-5 nickel, most of the time it means bringing another defensive back on the field to help us out and in nickel usually it’s on a pass play, so it means I can try to get my hands on the ball.

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

Always thinking about the bigger picture and there’s always something better around the corner and God gives his soldiers the toughest battles and you are always better on the other side of it.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A hard worker first, team player second, a coachable player and a player willing to do the best with any opportunity he gets day in and day out.

What stands out about your film the most?

My athletic ability and my ball hawk skills and I’m a playmaker who can put points on the board for the defense and get takeaway.

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

Grant Guyett, he’s the most underrated player because he’s a small town player and if he steps into a role he can be more confident in the sky’s the limit for him.