If you followed my Shrine Bowl coverage on Twitter (@DiabeticTyler) you know that one player absolutely floored me with his play and I immediately added him to my watch list for the 2022 NFL Draft. That player is Carson Wells. Carson and I got into contact and I asked him if he would mind if I sent him over some questions for an interview. He said it was no problem at all so I present to you: Carson Wells.
What all went into your recruitment? Why Colorado?
I wasn’t very highly recruited coming out of high school. I went to a small school in Florida and didn’t get an offer from Miami, FSU, or Florida. I knew that I could play at the power 5 level so I left the state. The only power 5 offers I had were Colorado and Oregon and CU was the right fit for me at the time.
1) Do you have any background playing other sports that help you translate on the football field?
Growing up I played basketball and baseball, then once I got to high school I started running track as well. I feel like as a kid you need to play multiple sports, you learn a lot of different basics and it helps to keep you from burning out young.
2) At what age did you start playing football?
I started playing organized football at around 8 but I’ve been playing in the backyard with my brother and dad since I could walk.
3) Do you have any hobbies outside football?
I like to be outdoors. Whether it is hunting, fishing, hiking I just like being outside. I feel like it helps me to reset.
4) Who is the toughest blocker you’ve gone up against? Toughest TE or WR to cover?
Toughest blocker is probably Ryan VanDemark at the east west game. He is a big body that is able to move laterally well. Toughest to cover is probably Brant Kuithe from Utah. They scheme him up well to get him the ball in space but even then he is fast and quick enough to make people miss.
5) Is there a player you look up to in the pros and try to model your game after?
I like to watch TJ Watt. His motor and arsenal is 2nd to none.
6) Where do you feel you bring the most value to a team? As a pass rusher? A run-stuffer? A cover guy?
I feel like my value is that I am able to bring all of these and then some. This year not as much since we had a new DC but in previous years I played a lot of different roles. I would be an off-the-ball backer or even playing man on somebody while I’m up on the line showing rush. I’ll be on probably every special team as well.
7) What do you want to identify yourself position wise? Edge? Linebacker? A blend of both?
For me it is kind of a similar thought as the last part, I will be whatever a team needs me to play. That is what I am bringing to the table, a smart, athletic, hard-nosed player that can play multiple roles.
8) What’s your favorite part of playing Edge/Linebacker?
To me it comes down to “want to”. Every play pretty much I’m getting blocked by somebody bigger than me or trying to cover somebody that is smaller than me in space. At the end of the day it comes down to how bad you want it, and nobody is going to beat me in that category.
9) Where do you think you need to improve the most going into the NFL?
One main thing that I have been focusing on throughout this process is continuing to work moves at the top of the rush. Once I hit a move, I need to see whether I need to hit it again, or go to power, or if the lineman overset and I need to counter back. Just having continuous reps and building experience at this over and over.
10) Who has been your biggest role model?
Someone I have looked up to since I was a baby was my Grandpa. He was always that voice in my head of whether I should be doing something or not.
11) Take me inside your preparation for a big opponent, what’s different in what you look for as an edge rusher vs a linebacker?
To start the week I’ll look at a tackle cutup to see how they set, how they are with their hands, top heavy things like that. Then I’ll watch a 3rd down report to see what they like on 3rd and long, medium, and short. What their pass breakpoint is on 3rd down things like that. Then as the week goes on I will start watching whole games and try to find tendencies whether through formation, backsets, or other variables. Try to get as much knowledge beforehand to be able to rep it in practice so I won’t have to think in the game.
12) Do you have a favorite NFL team?
Where I grew up is about 30 minutes from the Buccaneers so I have always liked to watch them.