First, how are you prepping for the draft and pro days?
Right now I’m working getting ready for the combines – trying to get into the national combine and looking at the regional ones and pro days too. I just want to get the most eyes on me as I can get.
I’m working out at the Michael Johnson Performance Center – they work with guys on combine skills like the 40 yard dash, cone drills and position skills drills. They are great and helping me to perfect my craft.
You transferred to Duquesne from Boise State last season – what brought on that decision?
I signed with Boise State in 2016 but right afterwards the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach both left. The new defensive coordinator was great and I played a lot my freshman year. But in my sophomore year they brought in a JUCO transfer who was 6’1″, 210 and ran a 4.4. 40. But he had a hard time learning the playbook and violated some team rules, so I ended up starting the first four games. I had good games but in my fourth versus Virginia I got a concussion and they didn’t let me take a defensive snap that season after that. The next season I kept talking to the coach and asking what I could do to get snaps, and each time he gave me something different to work on. I’d work on each thing and improve but then it would change each time. I realized that the defensive coordinator just wanted a different type of cornerback. I saw the next recruiting class and all of the defensive backs were bigger guys too, so I saw the writing on the wall.
After that I made a business decision to transfer just like they made a business decision to recruit other types of players.
Why did you choose Duquesne?
I was supposed to go to Baylor after I transferred out of Boise State, but that fell through. Texas was going to offer me a scholarship but I would have had to pay for my first year of tuition. Oklahoma would have signed me as a preferred walk-on. But I didn’t want my parents to have to pay for any school. They could, but I didn’t want them to have that burden when I knew I could do it without them having to.
And when I got to Duquesne, it was just so family-oriented. I fell in love with the place.
My coaches – Coaches Opfar and Richardson. They were very helpful to me from the moment they recruited me and always had good advice for me.
As a 5’10” guy, how do you use your size as an advantage as opposed to an obstacle?
I know some coaches think those bigger guys are better but I think the smaller guys are often better. Especially in terms of quickness and getting in and out of break quickly. And for me, I think my quickness and knowledge of the game makes me better. I see guys like Chris Harris Jr, Grimes, Hilton – those smaller guys succeed all the time and have long careers. I think there are a lot of smaller guys in the NFL that have had good and lengthy careers.
Any particular style of football or scheme you prefer to play in? And team?
I love playing man – that’s my favorite thing. Going one-on-one – just you versus the other guy.It’s all about the competition.
I think zones are easier to grasp scheme-wise. I like to play the nickel or outside corner – safety too. Anywhere I can get a chance to be my best and get an opportunity.
As for teams – honestly, I’d like to play anywhere, Any team that can give me a chance.. Maybe 4-3 teams that run a lot of packages – those could offer more opportunities for me. But really, just anywhere that will give me an opportunity.
And I know you have special teams experience as well?
I played everywhere on special teams – on kickoffs, kick returns, holding up on punt returns and as the gunner on punt returns – and even holding on field goals and extra points.
I’ve played every position on special teams – I think that gives me a step up over the other guys.
What did you learn at Duquesne that helped you develop as a player?
Boise State was a larger program so they had more resources – they guided you through every step of your development. There are less resources at Duquesne – it’s not a bad thing – it helps make sure you take more responsibility for how you progress. It’s closer to the real world once you’re out of college. Big programs – the coaches and staff lead you through every step. This forced me to be more self-sufficient. It’s very different that way.
What should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I’m a kind, genuine guy and care about others. I’m competitive – I just want to be the best I can be and when I reach my limits to find new heights. I just want to be my best on and off the field – from playing football to helping out in the community.
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