Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Q&A: Nathan Pickering
October 28, 2020 | Football, HailStateBEAT
Getting to know sophomore defensive tackle Nathan Pickering
STARKVILLE - Each week during the 2020 football season, HailState.com will catch up with one football student-athlete to talk about football, personal favorites and everything that makes them unique. This week, we catch up with sophomore defensive lineman Nathan Pickering.
Q: Who has helped you the most in your life?
NP: My parents, no question. They have been the backbone of everything I have been able to accomplish. I have to give God credit also, but my parents are the biggest physical reason I am able to be here today.
Q: If you could visit anywhere in the world, regardless of cost, where would it be and why?
NP: Probably somewhere out of the country. I would love to find somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, a house, and just relax in the middle of the woods.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have some free time?
NP: Honestly, I like to go hunting or fishing any time I get the chance. If I have nowhere to go, I am usually just playing my guitar or playing video games.
Q: When did you start playing guitar?
NP: I picked it up at the beginning of my senior year of high school.
Q: What makes coach Leach different from other coaches you've had during your career?
NP: His demeanor. He comes with this "you have to want it" demeanor. With him, nothing can be mediocre. His mentality is that we are going to be the best and prepare like the best prepare. He holds us to a high standard, and I feel like that is what [our program] needs. He has every aspect and characteristic to bring this program to where we all want it to be.
Q: Are there any hidden talents in you other than football?
NP: I am on the Praise Dance Team at my church. I have been doing that since I was little. My aunt got me started in it when I was younger. She was one of the ministers [at the church] and she oversaw the program when I was younger and got me started in it.
Q: What are three characteristics of a successful person?
NP: Discipline, hard work and [faith]. I think you have to be disciplined and you have to work hard, but you also have to know that with God anything is possible.
Q: What was the feeling like when you received your offer from Mississippi State?
NP: It was amazing. I got an offer from Ole Miss first, but I knew my offer from State would come soon...When I got that phone call it was like a dream come true.
Q: Are you the best dancer on the team?
NP: Nope. Not at all. That would probably be De'Monte Russell.
Q: If you could pick one thing to eat for the rest of your life what would it be?
NP: Breakfast food. I love breakfast food.
Q: Would you rather get a sack to seal a win or catch a touchdown pass?
NP: Catch a touchdown pass.
Q: Is there a touchdown catch that you remember most?
NP: The one I remember the most would be on Homecoming against our rival. It was the last play of the game and our quarterback under-threw the heck out of this pass. The [defensive back] was there and somehow he deflects the ball, it flies into my hands and I catch it and run it in for a touchdown.
Q: Who has helped you the most in your life?
NP: My parents, no question. They have been the backbone of everything I have been able to accomplish. I have to give God credit also, but my parents are the biggest physical reason I am able to be here today.
Q: If you could visit anywhere in the world, regardless of cost, where would it be and why?
NP: Probably somewhere out of the country. I would love to find somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, a house, and just relax in the middle of the woods.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have some free time?
NP: Honestly, I like to go hunting or fishing any time I get the chance. If I have nowhere to go, I am usually just playing my guitar or playing video games.
Q: When did you start playing guitar?
NP: I picked it up at the beginning of my senior year of high school.
Q: What makes coach Leach different from other coaches you've had during your career?
NP: His demeanor. He comes with this "you have to want it" demeanor. With him, nothing can be mediocre. His mentality is that we are going to be the best and prepare like the best prepare. He holds us to a high standard, and I feel like that is what [our program] needs. He has every aspect and characteristic to bring this program to where we all want it to be.
Q: Are there any hidden talents in you other than football?
NP: I am on the Praise Dance Team at my church. I have been doing that since I was little. My aunt got me started in it when I was younger. She was one of the ministers [at the church] and she oversaw the program when I was younger and got me started in it.
Q: What are three characteristics of a successful person?
NP: Discipline, hard work and [faith]. I think you have to be disciplined and you have to work hard, but you also have to know that with God anything is possible.
Q: What was the feeling like when you received your offer from Mississippi State?
NP: It was amazing. I got an offer from Ole Miss first, but I knew my offer from State would come soon...When I got that phone call it was like a dream come true.
Q: Are you the best dancer on the team?
NP: Nope. Not at all. That would probably be De'Monte Russell.
Q: If you could pick one thing to eat for the rest of your life what would it be?
NP: Breakfast food. I love breakfast food.
Q: Would you rather get a sack to seal a win or catch a touchdown pass?
NP: Catch a touchdown pass.
Q: Is there a touchdown catch that you remember most?
NP: The one I remember the most would be on Homecoming against our rival. It was the last play of the game and our quarterback under-threw the heck out of this pass. The [defensive back] was there and somehow he deflects the ball, it flies into my hands and I catch it and run it in for a touchdown.
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
LB
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