Q:
Favorite meal?
A: Bojangles' two-piece dinner.
Q: Favorite TV show?
A: Family Guy.
Q: Favorite class at ECU?
A: The PE class, the first one. (Exercise Science 1000)
Q: How difficult is it balancing academics with athletics?
A: It's an extremely difficult task. The biggest thing would
probably be the scheduling conflicts between the academics and
athletics. One thing might be due at five but we have practice until
6. We have to schedule and plan — you better do it the night before.
We don't have the all the extra time or the luxury that other
students get.
Q: What sold you on East Carolina?
A: It was actually a combination of things. I wanted to go to a
place that would best suit me and get everything that I was about,
everything that I loved, everything I stand for, everything I
wanted, and ECU provided the perfect opportunity. They're only an
hour away from my home and I'm an extremely big family guy — I love
my family. I go see them as often as I can. It was big for them to
be able to come see me play, I've had my family watch me my whole
life. As far as coaches (coach Ruffin McNeill, coach Donnie
Kirkpatrick) and all those great coaches, they're big family, big
team-oriented guys, no egos. As soon as I started talking to them I
could tell they were really down to earth. They're extremely
genuine. They tell you how it's going to be when you're here.
Q: You only have two regular season games left with this senior
group. What have those guys meant to you?
A: They've played a big part in this season with this team. For me,
personally, Bodie (WR Andrew Bodenheimer) is a great team leader,
great player — he's done everything that's been asked of him and I
don't think that he gets enough credit. He's done a tremendous
amount of things for this team. As far as all the other guys, they
all mean a lot to me.
Q: Why did you choose to wear #33?
A: That's my daddy's number. It's been his number since day one and
it will be mine until someone takes it from me.
Q: Any superstitions or pre-game rituals?
A: Not particularly.
Q: How do you want to be remembered by opposing players?
A: That I gave 100% effort, that I played as hard as I could.
Q: Do you like to talk a little smack on the field or do you let
your play talk for you?
A: I don't really ever say much... unless I'm talked to. I like to
talk when I'm talked to — I never initiate anything, but I'll have a
conversation with you if you say something first.
Q: What does Coach Ruffin McNeill mean to you?
A: He's almost like a second father figure to me. He's a great
coach, and a great guy. I love his personality, everything about
him. He's a genuine family man, a genuine guy. He's just a great
human being to be around — there's no fake to him.
Q: What do you enjoy doing besides football?
A: Video games. NCAA (Football), Madden, 2K (NBA) and Call of Duty —
those four right there sit on top of the Playstation.
Q: Who has impacted your life the most and why?
A: My daddy without a doubt. He's been the best dad I could ask for.
From when I was little to now, even today I could call him and he's
going to be there. I just want to emulate him and everything he's
done because I love him so much and everything that he means to me.
Q: What do you plan on doing after college?
A: Hopefully, the NFL. If that doesn't work out, I haven't really
decided. I'm a criminal justice major, so I kind of want to be in
the FBI or something along those lines. But my family owns a
business back in my hometown and if that was my best move, I could
definitely go back and run the family business.
Q: How does a game like the one you had against Houston build your
confidence?
A: I don't know if it really builds my confidence anymore. I feel
like if you step on the field and you want to be a good Division I
player, your confidence has to be through the roof. You can't go out
there and question anything — you have to go out there and know I'm
the best and believe that. If you don't believe that, you're not
really going to be worth anything out there. If you're questioning
your abilities, how are your teammates going to feel about them, you
know? As far as confidence, I don't think it really builds that, but
it does provide a comfortableness. That comfortable feeling is kind
of like the X-factor, whatever you want to call it, that little
juice you start to get when you feel your adrenaline rush, when
you're coming into yourself. You and the quarterback start to see
eye-to-eye. Throw it, catch it — routine plays.
