First, how are you staying in shape and staying ready for the season?
Well, what I’ve been doing now- I’ve been treating it like my college Spring days. I’m working on my legs – a lot of squats – and just staying in shape. Staying at it.
Why did you decide to sign with the Steelers as an UDFA?
They have a good defense and tradition. I know a couple of guys that were there – Artie Burns and Devin Bush. Devin texted me a a short while ago just telling me what to expect. I’m excited to earn a spot on the team.
I also spoke with Xavier Rhodes how told me a lot about the NFL and what to expect as a pro too.
Any preference on playing cornerback versus safety? What do they tell you?
I just want to have a chance to earn a spot on the team. I’ll do anything they ask me to do. Cornerback, nickel or safety. I played safety in college too so I can play both positions.
I play man-to-man well. I’m not afraid to tackle – I hate running backs. I was able to create some turnovers mostly by listening to my coach and watching film. Being in the right spots.
As a bigger corner, how does that help you as a defensive back – and does it make it harder as well?
Generally, covering bigger guys is easier for me. They aren’t usually as quick. The bigger guys I can slow down and get to – I can get my body into those guys and stop them from getting vertical on me. I can press those guys,
Smaller guys – I need to really have great technique. With those guys, studying film on them and how they release and how many times they are targeted in games is important. It comes back to preparation.
Anything you need to work on most?
Consistency. Just cleaning up my technique at the line of scrimmage. That’s the big thing.
Of course, rookies make the team by excelling on special teams. What’s your experience there?
I was the gunner on kick offs and played all the spots on special teams until the coaches pulled me off special teams my senior year. They were worried about me getting too many reps as a starter.
I also returned kicks too – I could carry the rock. In fact I was back there with Kerrith Whyte. I spoke to him too recently – he told me what a great organization it is – what a great team it is.
You started OTAs – how has that gone so far?
I got to meet some of the coaching staff – Terry Cousins spoke to us and had us all laughing the other day, just telling us what to do – how to go about things. It’s like college – like an information session.
Like the welcome to school tour?
Ha – exactly.
Coming from a smaller school, how does that affect your approach going into the NFL?
I really don’t look at it like that to be honest. I could have played at bigger schools – I just chose Florida Atlantic due to the coaching staff. I don’t worry about that though – I know who I am and what I can do.
Any of the veterans you’re most excited to learn from – and what are you looking to pick up most form them?
Haden and Nelson for sure – I just want to learn all I can from them – and from any of the younger guys too. It doesn’t matter if they are younger or older – I just want to learn. With Haden and Nelson I want to see their film prep – how they watch film and dissect it – how they learn different things.
Ever been to Pittsburgh?
I’ve never been to Pittsburgh no. I’m excited to learn about the people and the city. It’ll be my first time in a big city – and getting to play in a city with such great fans.
Outside of football – what makes you tick as a person?
I like people – I’m a people person. I like to impact and help others. I know how hard it was for me growing up and doing the right thing, I know people at home look up to me and want to follow in my footsteps. So I want to show them and be an example of how to do the right thing.
Outside of football, I like to jet ski and play video games. Just Call of Duty and Fortnite – none of the Madden stuff.
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