MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football wide receiver Kevin Kutchera recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he took from his time with the program last season, how he sees his role on the offense and what he wants to do after football, among other things.

Kutchera, a senior from Livermore, Calif., has been a member of the South Alabama roster since signing with the Jags out of College of San Mateo (Calif.) prior to the 2015 season.  This season, Kutchera has emerged as one of the top offensive targets for the Jaguars as he has played in all six games and ranks second on the club in yards receiving (327) and third in receptions (18).

Last season, you appeared in 11 of USA's 12 games, what did you take away from that season?
"Last year was a good opportunity to learn the offense and really get it under my belt.  I feel that the second season in an offense is when you really click and understand everything.  You understand what the coaches want and what the quarterbacks are going to do.  By having that season, I feel it set me up to be successful for this season."

So far this season, there have been a lot of big moments for the program.  Is there a moment that stands out to you personally?
"I would say that the Mississippi State game was the highlight of my football career so far."

This year, you have emerged as one of the most reliable targets.  What did you do in the offseason to help you become such a dependable receiver?
"When I first got here, I didn't have an offseason to get everything under my belt.  Having that offseason really helped me a lot with my timing with the quarterbacks and just making my routes as crisp as possible."

How have you improved from the offseason conditioning program?
"This past offseason was probably one of the toughest offseasons that I've had physically to get in shape.  I think the results of how much it helped our team shows on the field.  Coach [Justin] Schwind did a great job with us.  We ran pretty much every morning."

What do you see as your role in the offense?
"I want to be the guy they look to on third down and someone that they can count on who has great hands.  I also want to be someone that the coaches trust when they call your name on game day.  If you practice hard every day, you'll get your chance."

Did you set any goals coming into this season?
"As a team, we want to win our first bowl game and win the conference.  Personally, I would like to become a first-team all-conference receiver."

Are there any similarities in what you did offensively in junior college?
"There aren't really.  At my junior college, we were a run heavy team.   We ran the Wing-T offense.  I would block the whole game.  At times we would take shots down field and I would have to make the most of my opportunities, which I did and that got me noticed in recruiting."

How did junior college help prepare you for Division I football?
"It made me grow up a lot.  I didn't have great grades out of high school.  That kind of hindered my recruiting also and made me have to get good grades in junior college if I wanted to get to the next level.  Working on my technique and learning what college football is all about there also really helped me."

What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I want to go back home to California and take some fire classes.  I want to become a firefighter.  I will have my bachelor's degree and I think my athletic background would help me find a job there.   Becoming a firefighter is something I've been thinking about probably since I graduated high school.  I want to chase my dream of making it in the NFL first, but if that doesn't work out, becoming a firefighter will be my back up plan."

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"Definitely my parents.  They have supported me since day one and been there for me no matter what.  My dad's been coaching me since I was seven-years old and started playing football.  He flies out from California for every one of my games.  He loves it and that's why I do what I do.  I do it for him and my mom and to make my family proud.  If my NFL dream doesn't work out, I know that I'm making them proud because I'm getting my degree."

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