First, let me know how the opportunity to tryout occurred for you?
I received a call the day before rookie camp – just the day before! There were some guys from the Steelers at the HBCU combine. I was the last one to come in but hopefully the last one is the best one.
The GM was there – Mark Gorscak was too. They didn’t talk to me throughout the whole process though. Really, no one did. My agent talked to just one team before the draft and that was it.
What do you think caught the team’s eye at the tryouts that caused them to sign you?
I think my explosiveness and my ability to adapt to the playbook quickly. And being coachable. I also was finishing everything I was doing and that caught their attention. They were telling me that they “Liked the way I was finishing,” And to “Keep being me!”
I know there was some talk pre-draft about you playing in the slot as a receiver. Was that discussed with you?
I actually played just running back the whole camp. There wasn’t anything discussed about me playing slot receiver, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity once camp starts to be put in different positions and show my explosiveness as a running back, receiver maybe and even as a return specialist.
There could be a real need as a returner. What’s your experience on special teams?
I played on special teams including as a returner in college. The last time I returned kicks was my Junior year – I retuned 10 kicks for 371 yards. I also played a lot as a gunner and did some punt returns and had some tackles on kickoffs.
As a smaller {5’8″} back, how do you use your size to your advantage?
I just go out and play fearless – I just play my game. I go out and execute the plays. I’ve been doing this since I was five years old – size doesn’t matter to me. I play fearless with my 5’8″ frame.
It’s helped me – I learned to make decisive cuts and to keep defenders off-balance. A lot of defenders struggle to wrap me up – I have a low center of gravity and am able to bounce off of a lot of tackles. And I think I play with surprising power.
You bounced around a lot in college for different reasons – how did that impact you as a player?
I went from high school and ended up playing for three different junior colleges. Coaches were fired and programs were shut down – that was all before I ended up at Morgan State. That helped me to handle adversity and to learn different systems quickly.
For sure, it helped me in camp. Having that experience throughout college, I learned to pick up on the different terminology quickly. It’s all football, just different terminology. Being in so many different systems helped me a lot. And the coaches in camp told me they liked they way I was learning things fast and picking up on the coaching points and techniques quickly.
What does it mean to you, coming in as an HBCO player?
Coming in from an HBCU school – it’s a blessing. Those guys from those elite schools are seen more, but they are no different than us – they just got better opportunities. That has helped fuel me to compete – I think I have the same ability that they have.
Have you taken a look at the running back room at all – peaked at the roster to see where you fit in and who you may want tk learn from most?
It doesn’t matter to me who’s there. I’m just going to go in and play my game and fit into the culture. I know it’s a stacked running back room but I want to come in and bring a different energy. I’m not worried about who’s there.
I’m excited to meet all of those guys. To learn how they train and to pick their brains to see how I can last in the NFL and prepare my body the right way.
Did anyone help mentor you as a player growing up – is there anyone you model your game after?
My mom. As a single parent, I’d see how hard she worked when I came home every day. That hard work inspired me to work just as hard.
As for who I model my game after – I model it after Chris Johnson. I never met him, but I feel like I can be that same kind of home run running back who can score at any moment.
Were you aware of the team’s success with undrafted free agents over the years?
I did notice that yes – it means I have a good chance. Jaylen Warren was a Juco player too – he and I share the same path. If he can do it it means that I can too.
Lastly, what should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I’m a loving, caring guy. I like to go out and help the community. It’s not about me – it’s about others. I like to volunteer, feed the homeless and have worked at camps for youth. I’ve also interned as a teacher in college.
I want to help kids who grew up like me. To show them life can be hard but if you out for mind to it and tay focused you can do anything you want.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
