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Q&A: Kelton Tindal, WR, Newberry
Written by NFL Draft Bible
Thursday, 02 April 2009 13:12
Recently, Small School Insider Josh Buchanan sat down with 2008First Team All-SAC standout and possible new NFL Scouting Combine 40-yard dash record breaker Kelton Tindal for an exclusive look into his background, current status and the most important question of all—how did he end up in Division II?
What are your current height, weight, and workout numbers?
Kelton: I measured 6’2 1/8, 189 pounds, and my low 40 was a 4.22 and 4.31 for the scouts. My arm length was like 33 _ inches and my hand was like 8 _ I think. Last year I benched 285 and we have never done the vertical.
Where did you go to high school?
Kelton: Sumter High School.
Did you play any other sports in high school, besides football?
Kelton: Basketball and track.
How did your speed and talent go overlooked by Division I programs coming out of high school?
Kelton: I took the ACT late during the summer time and I guess a lot of Division I schools stopped looking. Clemson was looking at me, but never offered. When I took the ACT I made a 24, but it was during the summer time so a lot of schools didn’t give me the chance. I chose Newberry because my AAU coach’s daughter went here and he said it was a good school to go to and that my name could get out there if I did well. I just followed what he said and hope to make good things happen.
What is the biggest adversity you have had to overcome in your college career or life?
Kelton: Probably playing a game during my uncle’s funeral. It was a playoff week against North Alabama, I think.
Do you have any relatives who played in the NFL?
Kelton: Nobody in the NFL. One of my cousins played basketball in Australia and he is an assistant coach at Newberry.
What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses?
Kelton: My strengths are my quickness and my speed. I am able to separate from the defender. My weakness is my route running and I could adjust to the ball a little better, such as jumping for the ball at the highest point.
What is the highlight of your career?
Kelton: Against Tusculum I had two catches for 150 something yards and two touchdowns.
Who is the best player you have faced in your career?
Kelton: One of the defensive backs from North Alabama. They were tough.
Who is the best player on your team?
Kelton: I would say the whole team. I can’t really pick just one.
Is there anyone else on your team who has NFL potential?
Kelton: Out of the seniors, I think Andre Moyd. Out of the juniors, I think David Pressley and Ryan Parker, our middle linebacker.
What are your goals for this year?
Kelton: My goals are to help my team win the SAC, win the nationals, have at least 1,000 yards receiving, and enjoy my senior year of football. I want to go out on a positive note knowing I did good my last year of college football.
After your Pro Day you were clocked as low as 4.22 and 4.24 and have been clocked as low as 4.16-4.19. Deion Sanders' all-time NFL Combine record in the 40-yard dash is an unofficial hand-held time of 4.18. There are some who believe you could beat that and essentially be the fastest man ever at the NFL Combine. What would that mean to you, to break the record of a player of his caliber?
Kelton: That would mean a real lot to me. I would be in the record books as the fastest 40-time and knowing that one of the best players ever had the record before me. Someone would expect a Division I player to do it, but they would be shocked for a Division II player to do it. They would ask why that player would not go to a D-I school. I think many D-II players have the same qualities as some D-II players but they had something wrong with their academics, or whatever, and they need to be looked at by what they can do, not where they are coming from.
Many who have studied your 40-time have noted your blazing start out of the blocks. Is that something you have worked on, or does it come naturally?
Kelton: I ran track my senior year in high school and I have worked on getting out of the blocks because that is how my track coach said you win the race. I just try to make my first step really long and keep my head down and lift it up slowly. I use the same technique for track when I run the 40.
What are your future goals?
Kelton: If football doesn’t come through I would like to get a job in coaching or wherever my major takes me. I would like to set my own business up somewhere.
Kelton, I want to thank you for taking the time to sit down with me and answer some questions.
Kelton: Thank you for your interest in my game and Division II football.
After spending time with Kelton and talking with him and those around campus, it is easy to pull for a young man with his character and talent. Can Tindal put himself and Newberry in the history books by breaking the record? Only time will tell.
For now, we have to wait ten long months before we find out...
Written by NFL Draft Bible
Thursday, 02 April 2009 13:12
Recently, Small School Insider Josh Buchanan sat down with 2008First Team All-SAC standout and possible new NFL Scouting Combine 40-yard dash record breaker Kelton Tindal for an exclusive look into his background, current status and the most important question of all—how did he end up in Division II?
What are your current height, weight, and workout numbers?
Kelton: I measured 6’2 1/8, 189 pounds, and my low 40 was a 4.22 and 4.31 for the scouts. My arm length was like 33 _ inches and my hand was like 8 _ I think. Last year I benched 285 and we have never done the vertical.
Where did you go to high school?
Kelton: Sumter High School.
Did you play any other sports in high school, besides football?
Kelton: Basketball and track.
How did your speed and talent go overlooked by Division I programs coming out of high school?
Kelton: I took the ACT late during the summer time and I guess a lot of Division I schools stopped looking. Clemson was looking at me, but never offered. When I took the ACT I made a 24, but it was during the summer time so a lot of schools didn’t give me the chance. I chose Newberry because my AAU coach’s daughter went here and he said it was a good school to go to and that my name could get out there if I did well. I just followed what he said and hope to make good things happen.
What is the biggest adversity you have had to overcome in your college career or life?
Kelton: Probably playing a game during my uncle’s funeral. It was a playoff week against North Alabama, I think.
Do you have any relatives who played in the NFL?
Kelton: Nobody in the NFL. One of my cousins played basketball in Australia and he is an assistant coach at Newberry.
What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses?
Kelton: My strengths are my quickness and my speed. I am able to separate from the defender. My weakness is my route running and I could adjust to the ball a little better, such as jumping for the ball at the highest point.
What is the highlight of your career?
Kelton: Against Tusculum I had two catches for 150 something yards and two touchdowns.
Who is the best player you have faced in your career?
Kelton: One of the defensive backs from North Alabama. They were tough.
Who is the best player on your team?
Kelton: I would say the whole team. I can’t really pick just one.
Is there anyone else on your team who has NFL potential?
Kelton: Out of the seniors, I think Andre Moyd. Out of the juniors, I think David Pressley and Ryan Parker, our middle linebacker.
What are your goals for this year?
Kelton: My goals are to help my team win the SAC, win the nationals, have at least 1,000 yards receiving, and enjoy my senior year of football. I want to go out on a positive note knowing I did good my last year of college football.
After your Pro Day you were clocked as low as 4.22 and 4.24 and have been clocked as low as 4.16-4.19. Deion Sanders' all-time NFL Combine record in the 40-yard dash is an unofficial hand-held time of 4.18. There are some who believe you could beat that and essentially be the fastest man ever at the NFL Combine. What would that mean to you, to break the record of a player of his caliber?
Kelton: That would mean a real lot to me. I would be in the record books as the fastest 40-time and knowing that one of the best players ever had the record before me. Someone would expect a Division I player to do it, but they would be shocked for a Division II player to do it. They would ask why that player would not go to a D-I school. I think many D-II players have the same qualities as some D-II players but they had something wrong with their academics, or whatever, and they need to be looked at by what they can do, not where they are coming from.
Many who have studied your 40-time have noted your blazing start out of the blocks. Is that something you have worked on, or does it come naturally?
Kelton: I ran track my senior year in high school and I have worked on getting out of the blocks because that is how my track coach said you win the race. I just try to make my first step really long and keep my head down and lift it up slowly. I use the same technique for track when I run the 40.
What are your future goals?
Kelton: If football doesn’t come through I would like to get a job in coaching or wherever my major takes me. I would like to set my own business up somewhere.
Kelton, I want to thank you for taking the time to sit down with me and answer some questions.
Kelton: Thank you for your interest in my game and Division II football.
After spending time with Kelton and talking with him and those around campus, it is easy to pull for a young man with his character and talent. Can Tindal put himself and Newberry in the history books by breaking the record? Only time will tell.
For now, we have to wait ten long months before we find out...
