East County Athlete of the Week: Viktor Monoki

This summer is a crucial time for rising senior Viktor Monoki’s future in football. Monoki, a 6-foot-2, 184-pound wide receiver, has already been to five collegiate football camps, with a handful left. He’s visited Wesleyan, Saint Anselm, Georgetown, and Bates and Davidson, with Yale, Brown, Holy Cross, Harvard and Princeton in the coming weeks.

When and why did you start playing football? 

I started playing football back in fifth grade. I saw a whole bunch of games growing up and I really wanted to play, but never really had the chance. My mom finally let me and I’ve been playing ever since.

What does this summer mean to your football career?

It definitely sets me up for success this summer and for my senior season. Putting myself on more coaches’ radars and having a great senior season will help me get even more looks and potential offers.

What was the most memorable moment of this past season?

I would say a win over Braden River. We broke our 12-year streak of losing and claimed the (rivalry) trophy. That was definitely a big moment because I know quite a few guys at Braden River, so being able to beat them definitely meant a lot.

What is your favorite all-time football memory?

The game I played against Venice my sophomore year. It was my first game I started on varsity. The overall atmosphere of it being Labor Day, helicopters flying over, the fans jumping and the music playing. It was probably the most enjoyable experience I’ve had. It was a lot of fun playing in that game even though we lost.

How have you developed as a football player to have the confidence to go to these camps?

A big credit for me is (former NFL wide receiver) Richie James, my receiver trainer. I train with him one to two times a week. That has definitely helped me out with my releases and my route running. I’ve seen significant improvement with myself. I have a Jugs machine at my house, so I catch footballs pretty much every day to get my hands better. And I do speed and agility work with my dad (Chris Monoki) to help get my times down so I’m even faster and more agile.

What has been your most humbling moment in football?

I would say my sophomore year. I started the spring game as a freshman, and going into sophomore year, I had no idea, but I got benched. I was never given a reason why. I proved my point every day in practice, but it was humbling that even though I could do everything right, give my best effort and give everything I have, sometimes it’s not enough to be better than other people. 

What’s your favorite meal?

If it’s just a regular meal, probably chicken tenders at Zaxby’s, especially with the Zaxby’s sauce. 

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

My favorite movie series is Harry Potter. I read a couple of books as a kid, and I really wanted to watch the movies, so I sat down with my mom and watched all of them in order. The fourth one is my favorite because that’s when Lord Voldemort comes back and the series really took off from there.

What’s your go-to, warm-up song?

My favorite artist is Young Thug. I mainly like rap music. I’ve always liked his music, but I’ve started listening to him more and more. I definitely listen to him a lot before games, but sometimes I may not listen to music and just walk around and talk to people to calm myself that way.

If you’re not playing football, what are you doing?

I’m either hanging out with friends, playing video games or fishing. 

Who is your favorite football player and why?

My favorite player is DJ Moore because I’m a Carolina Panthers fan and when I started to watch football, DJ Moore was the first player I took a liking to. I watched a lot of what he did and I took inspiration from that.

Finish this sentence. Viktor Monoki is…

Fast.