NFL Draft 2012: Exclusive Interview With Wake Forest WR Chris Givens

As we continue to take a closer look at the 2012 NFL Draft and some of the draft prospects in the class, we bring you another interview. This time, we got the chance to talk with Wake Forest wide receiver Chris Givens who took the time out of his busy schedule.

Givens is considered one of the top deep threats in the upcoming draft and he really stood out during the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine. Here is some of what Givens had to say:

Josh Sanchez: First thing I want to ask you is: where are you currently training?

Chris Givens: In Miami, with Pete Bommarito.

Sanchez: What is some of the training at Bommarito Performance Systems like?

Givens: In the mornings, we typically have some sort of medical, whether it is a massage or some physical training, something like that. Then, we have our speed workout. After speed, we generally have some type of regeneration period and then we have our skills workout at 11, before our break for lunch for about an hour. Then we get back at it, with another type of medical. Then, you either lift or do a pool workout depending on the day before dinner at five.

Sanchez: When you were training for the combine, how much tougher were the workouts?

Givens: The training, it was fun. It was definitely intense. It was intense, long and grueling. You definitely had to approach it with the right mentality to get the most out of your workout. If you bought into the system and what Pete was telling you, then it was just a good feeling overall because you knew from his results in the past that you were gonna do well at the combine.

Sanchez: The training definitely paid off, because you had one of the more impressive combines. How did the combine meet up to your expectations?

Givens: It was definitely a great experience. I just wanted to go out there and show what I can do. I really didn’t wanna go and try to do too much. I just wanted to go and prove I can play with the best of them and do the necessary things it takes to be successful at the next level. I really wanted to go out there and have fun and let the coaches get a chance to know me and really put my best foot forward.

Sanchez: What teams did you get to talk to?

Givens: I interviewed with a lot of teams — the Texans, Chiefs, 49ers, Dolphins, the Ravens and Browns. I interviewed with a lot. It was like all night, every night.

Sanchez: Did they ask a lot of tough questions or what were the interviews like?

Givens: They were just trying to get to know me off-the-field.

Sanchez: You declared for the draft early, what was your process like deciding whether it was the right decision?

Givens: It was pretty tough. Mainly, I just prayed about it. I talked to my mom about everything and then, through prayer, I felt like it was just time for me to take the next step in my life.

Sanchez: How big of a part is your faith to your success? Do you feel that is what’s put you in the position you are at now?

Givens: Yes, it is. That is basically my foundation as a person. It’s my faith in God. He has given me these abilities and it is up to me to honor Him and showing Him how thankful I am and that I am so grateful by working hard. I need to honor Him that way.

Sanchez: Growing up, did you have any favorite teams that you watched?

Givens: I watched a lot of teams, mainly because I was a fan of everyone. But, I think I watched the Saints and the Cowboys the most.

Sanchez: Would you compare yourself to any current wide receivers?

Givens:  Um, a little bit. I like Percy Harvin , Dez Bryant, Victor Cruz, Greg Jennings. I like those guys.

Sanchez: So with those guys, it is safe to say you see yourself as a game-changing receiver that will be able to contribute on special teams at the next level?

Givens: Yes, sir. That is exactly what I see myself doing.

Sanchez: What do you think a GM can expect to get, if they decide to draft Chris Givens?

Givens: They are going to get a Chris Givens that is not going to get in any trouble off the field. A guy who is going to come in focused and dedicated to making the team better — just trying to get the organization a better name each and every day. I feel that if I embarrass myself, then I embarrass the organization as well, and I am not really the kinda guy that tries to embarrass himself often. So, they are going to get a guy who loves football, who is gonna be there each and everyday buying into the program. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.

Sanchez: A lot of fans watching the game just see the receivers running routes and catching passes, what do you think is the hardest part of being a wideout that the fans may not get to see?

Givens: How much goes into it before the snap, with knowing the formation, the coverage, the hots and the right route. Whether they are in man, press or zone. It’s just a lot in a short amount of time.

Sanchez: What do you plan on doing between now and the draft?

Givens: I am just going to continue working out. Right now, I am just working on getting ready for my Pro Day and staying on my workout schedule. Pretty much workout, take my visits and hope for the best.

Sanchez: Do you have any special plans for draft day?

Givens:  I’m not sure yet. I wanna wait and see how things play out, before I figure out what I am gonna do.

Sanchez: Who would you say are some of your mentors and the people that have helped you get to this point?

Givens: My mom, definitely. She has been my biggest inspiration and she has been there for me for my entire life. She is my image of persistence. She is responsible for the young man I am today. I can’t thank her enough for what she has done for me and my younger brothers. And Coach Grobe and Coach Galloway have had a big impact on where I am today. Coach Billings, as well.

Sanchez: What will it mean to you to finally achieve your dream of making it to the NFL?

Givens: It’ll mean so much to me. With all the hard work and everything I put into it and what it would mean to my family and younger brothers, It would mean everything to me. It’s everything I have always wanted and if I get there it is going to be the perfect opportunity to continue to make a name for myself.

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