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Q&A with former Penn State TE Mike Gesicki: ‘Eveready’

3 min read

Former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki has all of the tools to become one of the NFL’s next multi-dimensional tight ends.  The former Under Armour All-American and Southern Regional High School (N.J.) basketball and volleyball standout often leapt over the competition in Happy Valley.   He is a player who has shown a knack for the clutch grabs on some of the team’s biggest stages. We caught up with the Academic All-Big Ten standout  during the week of 2018 Senior Bowl practices to discuss his confidence, athleticism and goals for the future.

Gesicki (pictured with ball) ran in the mid-4.5s (40-yard), had a 41 1/2″ vertical jump, 10’9″ broad jump and 6.76 3-cone drill at the 2018 NFL Combine.

DN: In terms of your week (Senior Bowl 2018) how have you felt it has gone? Seems like you’ve been a tough match-up for a lot of the guys covering you, both safeties and linebackers.  How have you felt about your route running?

Gesicki: I felt really good all week.  Starting on Tuesday and leading all the way up to this practice and then through it.  Felt really good.  I’m a kind of guy that’s really confident in my abilities.  So when I line up I know I’m going to win.  Whether it’s man coverage or if it’s zone I’m going to find that open spot.  So, all week in the one-on-ones that’s all of the stuff that I take pride in.  It’s you versus another man and I’m doing whatever I can to win.

DN: It seems like a lot of your numbers that you’ve had -in terms of your workout numbers- were amazing in school.  10’7″ broad, you run in the 4.5-range and 38, 39-inch vertical. Talk a little bit about some of your goals for the combine and Pro Days.

Gesicki:  Yeah, the combine…that’s kind of something that people ask me, ‘Are you nervous for the combine?’, all that kind of stuff.  No, I’m not nervous at all.  That’s kind of what I do.  I run fast, I jump high, I’m strong, all that kind of stuff.  So when I go to the combine I’ve got goals and aspirations that I want to reach.  Whatever it is I’m going to continue to train and continue to work hard.  I obviously want to run anywhere around the 4.55-range in that area (40-yard dash).  Like you said, I want to get up in the long jump and try to break the record of 11’2″ for tight ends.  I want to get somewhere around 11’3.  Just continue to show off my athletic ability.

DN: Finally, confidence has always been a big part of your game. When you get a one-on-one matchup, you’ve wanted the ball throughout your career.  Talk a little bit about what brings that out in you.

Gesicki: My entire life it’s just kind of been who I am in terms of confidence. Playing basketball growing up, if there was three seconds left I want to take the last shot.  Now (at PSU) if we are in the Red Zone, one-on-one, I want the ball.  Last play of the game, put it up to me on third down.  Whatever it is, that’s just kind of who I am.  I’m a big-time competitor.  I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. I’m very confident in my abilities. So when I get out on the field and my number is called, I know I’m going to come up and deliver.

DN:  Best of luck man. Appreciate the time.

Gesicki: Thank you very much.

—-2018 Senior Bowl practices, Day 3

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