2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Kendré Gant, LB, University of Houston

• Name: Kendré Gant
• Position: LB
• College: University of Houston
• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 226 lbs
• X (Twitter): ballistic_gant3
• Instagram: @kgant.6

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

At an early age, I was very aggressive and my mom wanted to find something I could channel my aggressive energy into. So I started playing contact football when I was 5 years old and I fell in love as soon as I started playing.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

1) In 2023 at The University of Louisiana Lafayette after like 4 games I was the highest-graded linebacker in the nation by PFF. 

2) In 2023 led my team in tackles for no gain/tackles for loss and I won the turnover belt.

3) 2021 at The University of Louisiana we went 13-1 and won a Sun Belt Championship ( I learned a lot from that season).

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Some things I’m looking to achieve is playing at the highest level, getting drafted or picked up by a team. I want to bring back that violent style of play at the inside/outside linebacker position like Lawrence Taylor, Ray Lewis, Derrick Brooks, Patrick Willis, Luke Kuechly.

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

A player from the past would be Luke Kuechly. He’s so smart and his knowledge for the game of football is unmatched. So I would definitely spend a day with him and pick his brain all day. A player from the present would be Von Miller. I love the way he plays the game of football reminds me of how they use to play back in the day. Spending a day with him and getting nuggets from him would be great.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My cousin Dallas Turner he plays for the Minnesota Vikings he was drafted in the first round in last year’s draft. Seeing how he grew into the player he is and how hard he works at his craft definitely inspires me.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

Definitely a 4-2-5 but instead of using a star/nickel, put a big long and rangy sam linebacker to the field that can play in space, have good zone drops, fluent hips, can rush the quarterback, and can cover tight ends and running backs.

What should we know about Kendré Gant the person?

I’m willing to do whatever to make the next person smile. I’m not a selfish person I’ll give a stranger the shirt off my back. I had to fight through a lot adversity and heartbreak growing up. One of my grandmas got killed when I was younger, I lost my great grandparents which are the main people that raised me besides my mom and stepdad, I loss a best friend who loved the game of football when we was younger, I lost a cousin that got killed trying to protect some kids and I lost one of my uncles who also helped raised me. I worked my ass off to get to where I’m at. I’ve been the underdog my whole life. I always had to take the long route and there’s no other way I would want it to be.

What stands out about your film the most?

My versatility. I play inside and outside linebacker. I’ve played multiple positions like sam, will and mike linebacker I’ve also played star in some packages. My ability to cover in space, play on the perimeter, pass rush, set the edge and take the ball away.

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

I want to stay active, work out, and be around my teammates and the people that love me.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A highly driven player who is humble, disciplined, hardworking, intelligent, adaptable, and unselfish. A player that has a strong work ethic who cares about and understands the grind it takes to succeed. A player who knows how to execute well under pressure, stay positive through tough situations and quickly learn new strategies.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love that it can change lives not just yours but the people around you. Just by you being successful in the game of football you can motivate others to be great. I also just love the grind! Grinding in the offseason to perfect your craft so when it’s time to perform under the lights it’s second nature.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Landon Burton he played center at The University of Louisiana. This past year was his senior year. He just declared for the draft. He’s a guy that started as a walk on, really put in the work and grinded to earn a scholarship. Then he kept grinding and took over the starting center position.