Name: Chadd Dearen
College: Southwestern Assemblies of God
Position: Punter / Kicker
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 210
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
Chadd: Explosive, Confident, Playmaker.
Q: How are you going to train/prepare this offseason in preparation for the draft or other pro opportunities?
Chadd: I usually go to the gym 4/5 times a week to do my normal workouts and explosion exercises. I train locally in Dallas with my kicking/punting coach Rocky Willingham. I also have some camps lined up with Kohls Kicking and will be attending their pro combine in Arizona this February.
Q: If you could compare yourself to one current or former NFL player who would it be and why?
Chadd: Since I kick and punt, I would have to say a combination of Marquette King (punter for the Oakland Raiders) and Justin Tucker (kicker for the Baltimore Ravens).
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
Chadd: I unusually study two types of film:
1. I watch other kickers and punters and notice their tendencies and what makes them great at the NFL and College levels and try to see how that can relate to my craft.
2. When watching other opponents film, I try to break down the tendencies of the return teams or block schemes. Special teams to me is a chess match. And if I can throw my opponents off of their game it benefits my team as a whole.
Q: What separates you from other players at your position?
Chadd: My work ethic on and off the field. Kickers and punters get bad reputations for being lazy and whatnot, and my goal has always been to be the difference. I work just as hard if not harder than my teammates so that I can have complete confidence that when I step on the field I can perform at the highest level and know that my teammates believe that also.
Q: What kind of abilities would you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Chadd: My work ethic and daily drive to be the best athlete on the field and an even better man off the field.
Q: What is your final pitch/sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
Chadd: I am a special teams weapon. Not many kickers and punters can excel at both. I truly believe I have the talents to kick, punt, and kickoff at the highest level. I’ve been chasing this goal for over ten years and have worked on improving my craft everyday. Now I just need an opportunity to compete!
I remember seeing Chad kick during my first visit to a SAGU football game in 2014. I had brought my son for a recruiting visit and the coaching staff gave us tickets for the entire family. The team played very well, but Chad stood out in my mind. I could not believe how far this guy was kicking the ball on kick offs and punts. On one kick off, it looked like the ball was going to sailed through the uprights! His punts had amazing hang time and placement as well. I also was able to watch Chad this past season in 2016. I loved the versatility on 4th downs. The team ran an option play where Chad would read the defense. I was amazed at how he could tuck the ball and run for first downs or do a rugby style kick into to the corner pinning opponents near the goal line! This young man is a game changer and has the ability to compete for a professional roster spot. –Coach Springer
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