Name: Luke Carrezola
School: University of Connecticut
Position: Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 260
Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?
My goal going into my final collegiate season was to help the team win as many games as possible playing any role that was needed for me to play.
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
Passionate, energetic, tough.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
I have been training at ASPI in Tampa Bay, Florida, working with Yo Murphy, Booger McFarland, Reidel Anthony, and Warren Sapp.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
When studying film, I focus on offensive tendencies meaning, what play they run out of certain personnel, backfield sets, and formations. I also focus on my individual matchups and other offensive players that could help me dissect what is coming faster.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
I believe what separates myself from other players at my position is my versatility. I have experience playing anywhere from a 3 technique to a wide 9 and dropping into coverage which I don’t believe a lot of OLB/DE have done. This helped me view the game from many positions and gave me an understanding to how a defense is run. I will be able to understand and execute my job and can be able to play in multiple defensive packages. I also believe my effort, passion for football and winning, and love of the process, differentiates from other players.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I believe that some of my strengths are, being consistently dependable, meaning that I am going to do my job every play to the best of my ability and also be where I need to be on time all of the time. I will play any position or role for the team to be successful. I believe that I have a high motor and am flexible when it comes to playing on the edge, meaning I am able to stand up or play in a three-point stance. I can set a strong edge in the run game and be disruptive in the backfield. I also believe that I am big and can run and would be able to play special teams. Off of the field, I will add value to the team by learning from my future teammates and not getting into any trouble off of the field. I would also help lead in any role on the team on and off the field. All of this can be shown through my career at Uconn.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
I grew up loving the game of football. I loved it since I was a kid in the front yard with my friends pretending to be like the pros. I watched my older brother have a very successful high school and college football career. Football was everything behind God, family, and school growing up. The love for the game has always been there and is never going to go away. If I’m blessed with the opportunity to play for a team, I am a person that is going to bring energy and my best effort to not just everyday, but to every rep that I get, no matter the position.
Couple of plays over the years… pic.twitter.com/CUGCXFx4Yu
— Luke_Zola (@Luke_Zola) December 14, 2017