2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tyler Holte, WR, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

• Name: Tyler Holte
• Position: WR
• College: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Height: 5’10 1/2″
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Twitter: @Tylermholte
• Instagram: @1eighttt_

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Waking up on Sunday mornings watching the Chicago Bears with my dad and brothers I would always tell them that that is going to be me one day. I always played multiple sports growing up but no other sport gave me the same feeling that football did. The constant grinding, the brotherhood built with teammates, the way everyone needs to work together to achieve one common goal is something that I have always enjoyed being apart of. There’s nothing like putting on your pads and strapping up your helmet and knowing you’re about to go to war. It’s the best feeling in the world. I’ve wanted to play football from the moment I was able to speak.

What is your favorite route and why?

My favorite route would have to be a slant against press coverage. My releases are something that I believe give me an advantage against DBs because of my quickness so just beating the defender and catching the slant turning it up field and scoring is the thought in my mind every time I touch the ball. I also enjoy running fade routes from the outside or the slot against press coverage because I think with the many different releases I have I can beat anyone one on one.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I would like to hangout with the Manning brothers. I think hanging out with both of them would be a great time especially after watching the Monday Night Football show that they hosted. I also think the knowledge that those two individuals have is second to none and I would be able to learn a lot more about the game of football than I already know.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I would say I play with a chip on my shoulder at all times because of my size being only 5’ 10.5″ weighing 185 pounds I have to play with that chip on my shoulder. I bring a lot of intensity when I’m on the field. I treat every rep and every drill like it could be the last drill or rep I ever take and I think a lot of the guys I’ve played with have fed off that energy. I also like to get in the DBs heads that I’m going against and doing whatever I can to throw my opponents off their game.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My top moments from my football life would have to be my last game senior year of high school being down 28-21 with 31 seconds left in the game. Catching a 40 yard pass in double coverage on 4th down to continue the drive. Then being a decoy for my teammate to score the touchdown to put us down 28-27 and then going for 2 to win the game and the entire student section rushing the field because that game had playoff implications on the line.

The other moment would have to be winning the semi-final game in 2019 against St. John’s at home to go to the Stagg Bowl.

What teammates go up against you the hardest in practice?

This year Egon Hein our All-Region corner is someone who I know is going to make me better every single time we go against each other. He’s one of those guys that does not back down to any challenge and is one heck of an athlete.

Last year Mark McGrath an All-American safety for us would always go his absolute hardest whenever we were going against each other. We ended up being really good friends throughout our careers so it made it even more fun to compete every single day. He’s one of those guys that you knew you were going to have to compete and bring your A game when going up against him every time.

What sets you apart from other wide receivers?

I think my route running and ability to create space with the defender at top of routes and my catch radius even though I am not the biggest my mentality is if I see that ball in the air then it is mine and no one is going to take it from me. I think my hands and my quickness and ability to change speeds quickly is something that sets me apart. It allows me to read the DB and a lot of playing receiver is just reacting to what the DB does and going the opposite way, I think I do a very good job with that.

What should we know about Tyler Holte the person?

I come from a hard working family that always puts others first. I am very outgoing and always have a smile on my face no matter what the circumstances are. I try to find the positives in every situation I am in because there are always going to be positives even if it feels like the world is against you. I am also a very talkative person who loves getting to know new people and learning about them and their lives. As my mom would say, “treat others BETTER than you want to be treated and everything else will work itself out.” That is a motto I have lived by and it is nothing but the truth.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

Like I stated in the last question I like to look for the positives in every situation. I think a lot of times we as people think the challenges were facing are a lot worse than they actually are. Challenges are good for us because it builds character and it allows you to grow as a person or as a football player. When challenges on the football field arise I usually resort back to the basics and that means doing the little things right. Not trying to do too much but doing what I need to do to help the team win the game.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get someone who will come into their organization with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. My entire life I have been proving people wrong who do not believe in my abilities and I would continue to have that same mindset at the next level. I would do all the little things right and put in the extra hours because my goal is not to just make it to the next level. My goal is to play at the next level and I will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. I am a gritty player and I may be smaller but that doesn’t mean I will not use all of my force to hit a defender in the mouth. I like to think I play nasty on the football field, I play physical and fast and that shows in my game film. A team would get someone who never backs down to any challenge and someone who is coachable and willing to learn because I know I have so much to learn still.

How do you prepare for games?

I prepare for games by watching a lot of film and picking up on tendencies of the DBs and also the linebackers because I have to dig linebackers out when playing in the slot. I like to learn what linebackers tendencies are when it comes to rerouting and trying to get hands on the receivers. I also prepare myself mentally by taking time out of my day to visualize the game. I probably visualize the game about 4 times before actually playing it and I believe that helps me to have the success I have by visualizing myself making plays.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

What I’m looking forward to most this upcoming season would have to be the schedule that we have playing #8 St. John’s week 1 and then playing a rematch of last years semi-final game at home against #1 Mary Hardin Baylor week 2. I’m also looking forward to being a captain on the team this year and leading the team along with the other captains day in and day out.