First, can you let readers know what you are ding with yourself now?

Right now – we just had a baby. We have an eight-month year old so I’m busy there. I also am working with my brother in his recruiting company. I haven’t given up completely on the NFL – I’m still working out and keeping everything in order in case things come up on the horizon.

Is it hard being out of the game – especially after you had success working your way on the roster?

It’s pretty tough, I haven’t played this year – sitting back and watching other guys play is hard, especially if you see someone and think you can do it better than they could but I’m at home… I’ve been involved in sports my whole life – it’s an adjustment – life after the NFL. But I am pretty busy with my baby and have been tied up …

As a Pennsylvania player in high school, you chose to play at Penn State. Why Penn State? And how much has the school changed even in the short time since you’ve been there?

It was a decision between two schools – Pitt and Penn State. I felt the fit was better at Penn State. I felt at home there with the players and it really came down to me wanting to be on a college campus versus being in the city.

It’s absolutely crazy how it’s changed. I haven’t gone back this year but I did go to the Spring game last year. There was just one person left from the guys I knew when I got there – my academic advisor. There are definitely different rules now than when I was there under Paterno. Those rules were outdated but you knew it and knew what you were getting in to and you got used to it.

I met Coach Franklin just briefly when he came to Pittsburgh for the coaches caravan. We talked a bit but haven’t talked in-depth. He’s done a real good job recruiting – now he just has to make it work on the field.

You came to the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Were you surprised to go undrafted? What did your agent tell you?

I was a little surprised and disappointed. I thought I had the talent to be drafted. But you have to move on quickly – its out of your control. You have to realize that and work harder to make the team.

My agent didn’t necessarily say when I would be drafted – agents usually don’t because they don’t want you to be disappointed and blame them when you don’t get drafted where you wanted.

So, you chose Miami as an undrafted free agent…

When I came out a few teams called. Miami didn’t have much then at receiver – they were thin there. I thought I could make an impact but it didn’t work out for me there, obviously. I was released when they brought in Ocho Cinco and I was signed after that by New Orleans.  They released me after training camp and I sat out for a few months before signing with the Steelers in November.

How did that signing occur?

It was pretty cool. I was working – making money to help my mother out when I decided I just couldn’t do that job anymore. Just then I got a call from my agent – he told me Detroit wanted me to come out for a workout. I thought I had a good workout but they didn’t sign me though, I was on my way back – at the Pittsburgh airport when my agent called me and said Pittsburgh was going to sign me to their practice squad.

I think Antonio Brown hurt his foot against the Giants – they needed somebody on the practice squad for depth when they moved another guy to the active roster.

You moved your way up from the practice squad to the active roster – how did you accomplish that, from your perspective?

Going from the street to the practice squad – you know you have to take advantage of every opportunity – make every catch. In the offseason afterwards I used those plays as a springboard  – it gave me a lot of confidence in the OTAs and training camp.

The coaches didn’t look at me as being undrafted or as a practice squad player. They saw how I played in the preseason games – they saw I could play. I wish I had made more plays but it didn’t work out that way…

Who helped you as a young player to adjust  to life as a Steeler, and how?

Jerricho Cotchery was a big help – he was a great person. He helped out a lot of guys – just watching his routine and the way he stayed in the league for so many years. The way he approached the game – his weekly preparation showed me how to keep my body right during the offseason and preseason.

What are some of the better memories you have from your time in Pittsburgh?

One sticks out – at the rookie dinner, how Antonio Brown had such a good time – he was telling a lot of jokes and stories – ones I can’t tell! But you could see him coming out of his shell – he was hilarious.

Also, when I caught the touchdown from Ben. That was a great experience. It was a funny story. Before the game we had practiced that play during the week. The game was the second or third game of the season – a Monday Night game versus Cincinnati. I was one of the last guys on the roster, really. As I was getting dressed to leave to the game, Ben told me to be ready for the play. Well, Emmanuel Sanders catches a long pass during the game – to about the one or two yard line. As I was running on to the field Ben told me to be ready – he was throwing the pass to me regardless so I better be ready. I knew I better catch it – if not I wouldn’t be there the next day!

How was Ben as a leader during your time there?

He pushed guys a lot. He’s been to the highest points in the game – winning Super Bowls. He knows what it takes to win. He held everyone accountable – whether you were a lineman, receiver, running back…

You were later released by the Steelers. What happened there after having risen to the active roster from the practice squad?

It was one of those tings – I didn’t perform as well as I did the year before. Justin Brown had a great camp – he ended up starting some games for Pittsburgh. A few guys had good camps and outperformed me. I made some plays but didn’t do enough. I had an opportunity to be on the practice squad a bit and be around the players still so that was a good experience.

Looking at your experience, what advice would you give young players entering the game today?

For me, coming into the league as an undrafted free agent, I’d say my best advice would be to don’t sell yourself short. Looking back at my career – as an undrafted fee agent, you don’t wan to be undrafted but you have to make the most of it. When you’re undrafted doubt can creep in but you can’t let that happen. It messes with your confidence. You’re there for a reason. It doesn’t matter once you are there – you have to go with the talent you are blessed with and work hard to make the roster.

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