Westfall’s Cline signs with Ave Maria

Westfall senior Casey Cline recently signed to continue playing football at Ave Maria University, an NAIA institution located in Ave Maria, Florida. Cline, a first-team Pickaway County and Southeast District selection and honorable mention All-Ohio, made 40 receptions for 716 yards and seven touchdowns and also added 48 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, and six interceptions in the secondary.

Question: Talk to us about the recruiting process that you went through, how many schools that you looked at and what made Ave Maria the right fit for you?
Answer: The recruiting process started coming about my junior year. Basketball coaches started following my Twitter and reaching out via email. I thought basketball was going to be what I would pursue in college at the time, but senior year came around and with a new coaching staff at Westfall I came back to football with passion. Midway through football season I reached out to many different schools and a lot of schools came to me. I visited places such as Indiana Wesleyan, Marshall, Georgetown College, Wartburg, Mount Saint Joseph, and quite a bit of other schools. Choosing schools was tough, but I loved the message Ave Maria was trying to bring on a healthy lifestyle. I loved the campus, coaches, and location.

Question: What would you like to major in at Ave Maria?
Answer: I want to major in Sports Management/education and become either a teacher or athletic director. This interests me because I would still be around sports while also having a good job and because I like to help others.

Question: What has led to your success in football? What are your strengths as a player and what are a few areas you’ve had to work at the hardest to improve?
Answer: My work ethic led to me success in football. I hadn’t trained for football in a while as I parted ways with it early in my career. The one offseason I had I worked with strength and speed training as well as footwork 5-7 days a week all three months to prepare for the season. I had to improve on getting back into my groove of playing an actual game which wasn’t really that hard once I was out there.

Question: You are a standout player in Pickaway County for both football and basketball. How did you decide to pursue football at the next level?
Answer: I decided to play football based on how much fun I had on the field. I love basketball, but it gets to me too much emotionally and mentally at times. For football, I don’t think as much and just go play and compete. I love both sports but ultimately the decision was down to which school offered me the best and which school I felt most relatable to.

Question: Favorite brand of receiving gloves to wear?
Answer: My favorite gloves have to be Adidas or Under Armour. Love the way they fit.

Question: Is there a football player that you look up to and try to emulate?
Answer: I don’t have a player I look up to, but I used to love watching Braxton Miller at Ohio State back in the day.

Question: Favorite meal?
Answer: Any pasta

Question: Favorite place to eat out at?
Answer: Red Lobster or other sea food joints

Question: Favorite musical group or genre?
Answer: Country and R&B

Question: Favorite movie?
Answer: Remember the Titans

Question: Favorite pro football team?
Answer: Cleveland Browns

Question: Hobbies?
Answer: Lifting and hanging out with my friend group.

Question: Favorite holiday?
Answer: Thanksgiving. I like to hang around my family and eat good food.

Question: What is your most valuable possession?
Answer: My dog Sophie

Question: Something that no one knows about you?
Answer: I used to barrel race horses and also play baseball early in my middle school career.

Question: What is the best vacation you’ve ever been on in your life?
Answer: Dominican Republic with my brother, cousin, and good friend/my point guard Blaec Bugher

Question: Favorite memory from the Circleville Pumpkin Show?
Answer: Hanging out with a few friends from Teays Valley and messing around until late having a good time.

Question: What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now and living if life goes as you intend?
Answer: Hopefully have a career type job and still help out for Westfall athletics or another school.