Green Bay Packers 2017 Draft: Q&A with California wide receiver Chad Hansen
Chad Hansen in his own words
Q: Chad, a lot of fans have heard your story about being a late bloomer that was only offered one scholarship from a non-Power 5 conference school. In one report I read, you described how you often needed to “outwit” your opponent in order to make plays while you were still at Idaho State? Can you explain how you won those mental wars if you will?
A: In high school, especially when I wasn’t athletic or physically gifted on the field, I had to turn to something else and that something else was being more technically advanced than the opponent or use some type of film study or something else off the field to try to win on the field. I think that’s what’s really helped me thus far. But yeah, I guess an example of that would be watching film and seeing how the defensive back responds to maybe an inside move rather than an outside move and how to manipulate them and get them in the best situation possible to run the route and get open. So, I think that was one of the biggest differences that I had when I was in high school and in my first year at Idaho State.
Q: Your former quarterback Davis Webb once talked about that chip on your shoulder that you play with. Is it always there every week or do you have to find new ways to motivate yourself now that you’ve achieved tremendous success?
A: I honestly think it’s there all the time during the offseason and all that stuff. I think for any college athlete or any athlete at a higher level, they have something that pushes them and the journey and the struggle and all that stuff really pushes me. That chip on my shoulder really pushes me to be the best I can be. I don’t think I’ll ever get to that point where I feel like I’ve arrived and I think that’s something that helps me push even harder in the offseason and push through the fatigue and being tired. So, I think it’s a constant thing…not just something I have to find every once in a while.
Q: While you’re very much a self-made athlete, I’m sure the coaching you’ve had along the way has also been instrumental in your development. Can share the importance of that coaching component?
A: Yeah, definitely. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the coaching and without the people that I’ve come across throughout my career. But I think one thing most people don’t know is how much you learn from the receivers that are older than you or the ones that have been through seasons and games and I guess are college veterans. I think I’ve learned a lot from them and I think coupled with coaching, it was very helpful to me because I feel that I’ve learned in that way. Trying to emulate what a receiver did that worked really helped me and trying to fine tune that with the coaching was good for me as a player.
Q: It’s interesting that you bring up the receivers you played with at Cal. I seem to remember guys like Bryce Treggs and Kenny Lawler being there a couple of seasons ago. Are those the guys you’re referring to?
A: Yeah, we actually had six receivers last year go into the NFL and each one was different in their own way. I tried to get as much as I could from them while they were still at Cal. I think they were very helpful and great teachers and mentors to everybody not just me. As a player, I try to get everything I can from players like that…players that are successful and trying to emulate that. I think I was successful in doing that this year.
Q: In 2016, you were tied for fourth nationally with 23 explosive plays of 20 or more yards from the line of scrimmage. What are your top assets that allow you to be that type of big-play receiver?
A: Well, I think first and foremost, I win 50-50 balls and I think that’s something that will translate into the NFL right away. The other thing being speed. I think most don’t really know my speed and I think that’s a really big attribute that I have and [also] size. I’m naturally bigger than most corners and I’m able to use my body to protect that ball…protect the throw from the cornerback. I think that in turn helps me win those 50-50 balls in the air.
Q: You mentioned speed and I would probably add burst in that you have that second gear to separate from defenders after the catch.
A: Yeah, I think I really pride myself on that and it’s something that I work towards in the offseason.
Q: What was your primary goal in the offseason considering that you had to get ready for the combine and your pro day right after that?
A: Well, just to become a complete receiver. Just perfect things that I thought I needed to tweak. From January through now, I think I’ve made huge strides and I think that’s something a lot of coaches were able to see both at my pro day and also at the combine. But I think from now until my first minicamp, I think I will improve tremendously and that’s something I’ll be working towards every day until then.
Q: I know the conditions weren’t ideal at your pro day with all that rain that came down. But while meeting with NFL personnel there, what sort of question or questions did they keeping coming at you with in their process of learning more about you?
A: I think the No. 1 question would be if I could run the whole route tree in the NFL. You know, that’s just really because we weren’t asked to do that right here at Cal. We weren’t asked to run the full route tree and I think that did hurt me as a receiver. But I think from the end of the season until now, I think that I’ve been able to fine tune it and I think that’s become one of my strengths. That’s something that I was really focusing on during this offseason.
Q: And on that note, could you give me a quick Cliff Notes version of your Air Raid offense at Cal-Berkeley?
A: Yes. We are definitely an Air Raid offense. We run to throw the ball. We’re a spread offense and we [line up] four receivers. We like to get the ball down the field. We like to throw quick, short passes to substitute the run sometimes just to give the offense more of an unpredictable little wrinkle. All of our calls came through Davis (Webb), who has the ability to change plays. I think that was huge for us this past season having a quarterback like Davis who’s smart and knows his stuff, so that the offensive coordinator (Jake Spavital) was able to trust him enough to allow him to change plays and audible and put the offense in the best position possible to make big plays. That’s the reason why I was able to make big plays this year.
Q: So, can you talk about the relationship you had with both quarterbacks Webb and Jared Goff during your time in Berkley both on and off the field?
A: In 2015, I wasn’t able to play as much as I did in 2016, so the relationships were a little different. But I think I have a good relationship with both Jared and Davis. Obviously, Davis gave me a little more of an opportunity to become a good player and show what I can do. But being around Jared…Jared is a little more laid-back and Davis is probably a little more intense. But they’re both great leaders and that’s something that really jumps out at you immediately when you meet them. They command the attention of the room without really doing much. Everybody gravitates toward them. When things aren’t going the right way…if we’re down or something like that, everybody knows who to look to for that energy and the extra leadership to pull us through what we’re going through.
Q: You mentioned how your speed is probably your most underrated quality and a lot of people probably don’t realize that you were once the MVP of your track team in high school. But what are some other underrated, or seldom spoken of, traits from an intangibles standpoint?
A: First of all, I think I’m a great teammate. Just going through this season and becoming a leader and teaching the younger guys what to do and how to do it correctly was really big for me. It really helped me grow as a football player as well because I thought that I matured both off the field and on the field. I mean, having to take up that role…and I think anybody that you would ask would say that I was a great teammate and that I was able to help them get better throughout the season. I think another intangible would be on the field maybe and using my football smarts and being able to react to a defender in the best way possible. I think that I always put myself in position to win and I think that’s one thing I do well.
Q: What are your expectations as far as where you will get picked in the draft and how much you’ll get to do in your rookie season?
A: Honestly, I just want to go to a team that really wants me and really believes in me because I just want an opportunity. I know that once I’m able to get that opportunity, I know I’ll be able to make the most of that and I feel that’s all I need. Any team that wants to take that chance on me…I think that’s going to pay off.
Q: Your hero growing up was Reggie Bush. Was it your dream to play running back during your formative years?
A: Yeah, definitely. When I was young, I always played running back and that’s something I always loved. But, you know, when I got older and into high school, I realized that maybe that wasn’t something that I could do potentially. So, I fell in love with being a receiver and I never looked back. I think receiver is my most natural position and I think that’s something I really love to do.
Q: Yeah, and you’ve been a receiver now for a number of years. So, let’s suppose that you were talking to somebody in high school that was learning how to play wide reciver. What type of advice would you offer that person in terms of the type of mentality a receiver needs to possess to excel at the position?
A: Well, at the receiver position, you have to have confidence. I think confidence is one of the biggest things you need to have just in football in general. But as a receiver, you can’t really dwell on bad plays because I think that really hurts you in the long run. When you’re thinking of too many things, you can’t focus on doing your job. I definitely think confidence and mental focus are two of the big things a receiver must have.
Q: One of the NFL veterans you’re being compared to is Green Bay’s best receiver Jordy Nelson. Is that a fair comparison in your estimation?
A: I think that’s a great comparison. I think both of us are very fast—exceptionally fast. He also has great body control, great hands and great football awareness. I think that I have much of the same things. I think that’s a really good comparison.
Q: Ok Chad, we’re going to wrap this up with a few non-football questions. Number one…what is your favorite meal?
A: Pizza.
Q: Who is your favorite non-football athlete?
A: Lebron James hands down.
Q: What is your favorite activity when you need to step away from football?
A: Fishing. I love to fish. I think it’s very relaxing. It’s a stress-relieving activity.
Q: If you had a chance to pick a female celebrity to have a dinner-date with, who would that be?
A: Carrie Underwood. I know she’s married, but I think that would be a cool date.
Q: Excellent choice. The final question, Chad, is…can you give me three words that best describe you as an individual, a player and a teammate?
A: Competitive, caring and motivating.
Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history
Ralph: Chad, thanks for the great interview. I certainly look forward to seeing you in an NFL uniform.
Chad: Thank you. I appreciate it.