Name: Layne Bieberle
School: Fort Hays State
Position: WR/PR
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
I would say that my number one goal going into my final season was to lead my team to a Conference Championship and to make a run in the playoffs. Even though we were one game away from doing both, we overcame adversity coming off of an 0-2 start and ended up 8-3 to end the season and lost in double overtime to share the conference title and make the playoffs. I also set a goal to better myself in the offseason by working on my craft such as footwork, catching, getting stronger, and punt returning. I ended up being an All Conference player for the third time in my career. I obtained 741 yards to end my season with just 40 receptions and averaged 18.5 yards a catch.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
My coaches and teammates would say that I was a great leader on and off the field. I worked hard to perfect the things I needed to for myself and for our team to succeed on the field by being a great leader in the offseason. I am a coachable player that will listen and learn from what the coaches have to say so that I can better myself our team as a whole.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?
When it comes to studying opponents, I look at how big, physical, and strong the corners are that I would be going up against. I look at their alignment so I can base my route off of that. I also look at there footwork. Are they good at turning their hips and running on a deep ball? Do they have a good press off of the line? Do I need to give a double move or can I just get out and run on them? When I am evaluating myself, I look at each route to see what I can improve. I look at the depth of the route to make sure I am not cutting short. I look at my footwork off of the line and I learn how to improve it by looking what needs to be changed. I also try and focus on how fast I am getting in and out of my breaks so I can better myself in that aspect.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
My football path is very different from most pro prospects. My path to where I want to be is harder and the odds are slimmer but I am a dedicated and hardworking player and will do everything I can to get where I want to be. I have a great work ethic and a passion for this game. I will find a way to win and help my team out however that may be. I am a fast learner and a quick reactor when it comes to playing wide receiver. If the ball is in the air, I will go get it and I will keep improving myself everyday to be a better player.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
As of now I am training at Landow Performance in Denver Colorado working on my Combine/Pro day prep to better my numbers when it comes to test time. I had the opportunity to play in the Pigskin All-Star Invitational down in Mobile, Alabama to get myself some recognition on January 19th. I will continue to train my footwork, weight lifting, and catching ability to help me perform at my best for the upcoming pro days.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
As I mentioned before, I am a very dedicated and hardworking player who is going to bring everything they have to the table to help the team. I have the ability to learn fast and on the go. I am a guy that played special teams as well in college whether it was being a bullet on punt or being a punt returner and I will go hard every single time in every aspect of the game. I am also a person that does whatever they are told by the coaches so a team would not have any problems with me when it comes to on and off the field issues. I have a passion for this game so I would not do anything that could jeopardize my field time.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL or any other pro leagues?
I am a person who had to work for everything in the game of football. I came from an 8-man school in central Kansas and I knew that if I wanted to play at the next level, I was going to have to be a fast learner to be able to adjust to 11-man. I was a redshirt freshman my first year in college and was able to play in all 12 games my redshirt freshman year and started in 3 of them while leading the team in receiving yards. From then on I knew that I could play at this level only because of hard work and time put in. You would be getting a guy that is passionate about coming to work everyday to get better and to perfect my craft in the game of football.
