Q: Favorite meal?
A: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni
and cheese and homemade biscuits.
Q: Favorite video game?
A: Call of Duty. Any Call of Duty game. I like to
play online on my Playstation 3.
Q: What made you decide to wear the number 21?
A: I really wanted to wear 19. It's like a new
beginning for me (wearing 19). I wore number 9 in junior college,
I've always worn 9 and I just wanted to start something new with 19,
but when I got here they told me I was going to be number 21 because
of Bodie (Senior WR Andrew Bodenheimer). I'm going to stick with 21
next year though.
Q: Do you have any superstitions or pre-game
routines?
A: I really just try not to psych myself out before
the game. I know it's an important game, but I try to stay in my set
— I can still clown around and have fun, but I don't want to be too
loud and distract my teammates. I would say I'm one of the looser
guys in the locker room.
Q: How difficult was the change from quarterback to
running back?
A: It was pretty difficult. One thing was learning to
accept contact again because as a quarterback you don't really take
too much punishment in games or practice, and learning (blocking
against the) pass rush was another big thing. As an athlete, though,
it really wasn't too much of a transition as far as catching the
ball, rushing the ball and making cuts.
Q: Who has impacted your life the most and why?
A: My parents. I was lucky enough to have both of my
parents growing up. They taught me everything and they've been with
me through everything. My Dad has been with me through any part of
sports and my Mom made sure I took care of my grades and anything
else that needed to be taken care of, like making good decisions. I
just thank them a lot for being there and teaching me life lessons.
Q: If you had to recruit a player to East Carolina,
what would you sell them on?
A: Tradition, love of the game, great fans, a great
school, great coaches and just an overall opportunity. If you like
competing for your job, knowing you have to bust your butt everyday,
and if you feel accomplished after a hard day of work, then I think
East Carolina is the place to go.
Q: What is your intended major and favorite class so
far?
A: My intended major is Communications as of now. My
favorite class would probably be Astronomy just because of how broad
it is. I've never taken it before and it's just a new experience to
me.
Q: Do you ever challenge Trent Tignor in punting?
A: (Laughs) I know not to challenge Tignor, man.
Trent Tignor is the best punter I've seen in my life, hands down.
I've never seen anybody punt the ball better than him, but I think I
could get him on one of my good days if I could back into my rhythm.
Q: What were your thoughts coming out of the tunnel
for the first time in Dowdy-Ficklen?
A: Oh, man, it was like I made it. It was just like
that tap on my shoulder saying, 'Okay, we're here, it's time to show
up.' It's the first game, so your opportunities may be slim, but if
you get in just try to please the crowd and make your coaches and
teammates proud of you — just try to wow everybody. Make them
understand that you really belong here and you plan on staying here.
Q: How does the level of competition in junior
college compare to D-I football?
A: More than anything I think it's (football)
intelligence. It's really difficult to figure out how defenses are
trying to manipulate you. There's so many schemes and defenses that
you play against on a weekly basis. Speed is another thing — you
play against defensive linemen that are running as fast as you are.
Just adjusting to the speed was a big thing. Junior college is more
physical than you would think, though, because you have guys out
there who are just fighting for their chance.
Q: How much of a chip did you have on your shoulder
coming into East Carolina?
A: I had a pretty big chip; I still do actually. I
feel like I have a lot to prove as a player because ECU was my only
D-I scholarship offer. I'm obligated to come out here and work as
hard as I can everyday on a weekly basis throughout my East Carolina
career. The chip on my shoulder won't leave. It's what got me here,
it's my drive.
Q: What do you think about the fans yelling "Coop"
after you make a play?
A: It's been crazy. I've never had anything like that
happen before. Coming here and it being my first year, I really
wasn't expecting that. Now that it's happened, it's something that I
look forward to. I feel like I need to make a big play just so I can
hear it and get the fans and my teammates excited so we can keep
gaining momentum.
Q: If you could face any team in college football,
who would you put on the schedule and why?
A: That's a good question. I think it would probably
be the University of Georgia. UGA didn't really recruit from my area
— they do a little bit, but they really focus on the higher
classification schools. I would want to have a huge impact in that
game. I'd want to play all game long. I know it'd be tough. I
wouldn't care. I'm a Georgia native, but I'm not really a fan of the
University of Georgia.
Q: What do you like to do besides playing football?
A: I'm a movie person. I like to go to the movies. I
like to play video games. I'm big on my Playstation 3 — I had to get
it back this year. I've been without a game for too long. I had to
get back on the network and play a lot online. I like to hang out
here and there and just have fun.
