Vol Profile - Dustin Colquitt - University of Tennessee Athletics

Nov. 19, 2001

Vol Profile: Dustin Colquitt

Vol Profile: Your father was also a punter for UT, did that play a large role in your decision to come to UT as well as your decision to play football?
Colquitt: "I think it did in a way, just because as I was growing up, my brother and I
always played soccer, and occasionally he would throw a football at us and make us throw it around. I think it did in the end when it got up into high school years. He had a lot to do with my decision to try football out."

Vol Profile: You didn't start playing football until your senior year of high school, was it a big adjustment from soccer?
Colquitt: "It was in a way because I was used to a really active game and then I went to being a punter and kicker and they just sit there and wait for long third downs. It was an adjustment just because in soccer everything was so fast paced and football you have a play and then you have down time, so you have to get really prepared for each kick because you aren't fully warmed up so you have to make sure you're warmed up before each kick."

Vol Profile: Is there any type of mental preparation you go through before each kick?
Colquitt: "I just think about where the ball is on the field, whether I'm in the right or left hash. Right or left hash is where I'm going to go down the field and I just go through my swing and how hard I'm going to hit it to get no return, or if I need a bigger punt because it's an open field kick."

Vol Profile: Being from Knoxville and growing up around UT football and having had your dad play here, does that give you an extra sense of pride when you put on the orange?
Colquitt: "Yes, it does. When I was growing up I always thought to be a UT football player was being like a god. You look at some of those guys and guys in the past like Al Wilson and think, what more could you want then to play for UT being an in-state player."

Vol Profile: Do you have any one you look to for motivation or a hero you try to mold yourself after?
Colquitt: "I just look at my dad because he was so successful and he was in the NFL. I try to keep ties with Damon Duval, the kicker at Auburn. We've talked a couple of times on the phone and he's helped me out with little stuff like kicking off and punting. He's helped me a lot with the mental aspect of the game and talking me through things that I've done right or wrong on certain kicks."

Vol Profile: Do you have a favorite thing about UT?
Colquitt: "Just the fan support. I don't think there is better fan support. I think these are the best fans in the nation. How can you not get up every Saturday and want to play at Neyland."

Vol Profile: What are your hobbies or interests outside of football?
Colquitt: "I like soccer. Anytime I can go out and kick around, I try to do that. I don't have a lot of time right now to do anything else."

Vol Profile: After you graduate, what would you like to be remembered for?
Colquitt: "As a reliable kicker, not necessarily the biggest leg or anything like that, but my effectiveness on the field. Very low return yards and high punts, not necessarily long ones."