Name: Deshun S. Kitchings
School: Newberry College
Position: WR/RS
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
My main goal for my last season was to win football games and to repeat as SAC champions. On a personal level it was to produce with every chance available no matter where it came from. Having played at a small school to garner attention of pro scouts, you have to show that you can win and produce. I wanted to prove that I can produce big numbers with the limited amount of chances while also helping my team win football games and eventually a conference ring.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
My coaches and teammate would overall call me a great teammate and great individual on and off the field. They understand by work ethic and lifestyle that I really love the game and would do anything for it and for them as well on the field and off.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
When I’m studying film through the week, I look at a lot of things, I like to study the individuals that will be in front of me while also learning what coverages the teams like to run. I like to know tendencies of players. It is important to study how they move during coverages. I watch from their hips, thighs, to feet, and I also like to see their eyes because most of the time it gives away the coverage they are in. As of the team I like to know how they move as one, I like to see who has the most “busted” coverages and what coverages they run the most. Together, all of this helps with my route running and blocking angles.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
My determination, will and mindset separates me from others. As it is for many, my path has never been easy and i don’t expect to be given anything I don’t earn. Its been a long ride for me and I’m not done yet. If you ask every coach I have had, they can testify that I’m built for everything that comes with the game and lifestyle of pro football.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
Since I wasn’t invited to any All-star games, I have been training at Velocity in Charlotte, from the first week of January. I look at my training as a little of advantage since I will be a few weeks ahead of most prospects who are in bowl games. I have also signed with Turner Sports Management, one of the well respected agencies within the Pro sports world.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
As a player I want whatever the team wants and that is to win. I will work and sacrifice in anyway possible to help the team succeed on and off the field. I understand everything that comes with being a Professional athlete and have dreamt of this my entire life. Off the field, I want to exemplify the NFL organization I am representing and allow the community to feel how much the team appreciates it’s fans and supporters.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
I want to show the leagues and pro scouts that I can play at a high level just like the rest of the prospects. I believe the only difference between me and the other top prospects is the big name schools they come from. Everyday I work to be a light for the small schools and their players because we can play at an NFL level too. Some just don’t get the chance due to the lack of production, coverage and lack of winning ability which I have shown I can do and my school Newberry College has produced 9 NFL signees since 2011 and 5 more mini-camp participants. Getting to the NFL is what we do where I am from.