First off, after a successful UFL season, what’s next for you?
Well right now I’m headed back to California and continuing to train and rehab. I’m just waiting to get a call really – waiting to hear from an NFL team.
What went right for you in the UFL this season to cause you to have such a big season?
I felt like I would have a good year. It was my third year in the system and I felt great. I gained confidence over the years and improved my pass catching and route running. I started producing more because of that.
I also think I’m attacking the ball more now – getting it at it’s high point now. That’s led to me getting a lot more catches and yards after the catch. Teams were changing the way they were covering me after a while.
Stepping back – when you were in Pittsburgh were there guys there that really took you under their wing? How so?
All the guys in the wide receiver corps were great. Coach Hilliard too – he brought me in and talked to me about the game and how to be a pro. He was a great coach to have as a rookie. He just helped me to feel more comfortable – it’s a big change from college to the NFL – even going from the West Coast to the East Coast – that was especially difficult getting used to the weather.
But Darrel Young in the player personnel office helped me out – he helped with housing and anything else I needed. It’s a great organization.
How do you handle all that adjustment at once – new team, new playbook, new part of the country….how do you adapt to all of that at once?
You have to hold on to your regimens. You deal with the playbook and team first – that’s why you are getting paid. The community engages with you on its own. I like to do writing workshops – so that’s how I connect with people – by being more social and open about your situation and what’s new. Adapting to all of this is expected – it’s part of what we get paid for.
How did you end up in Pittsburgh in the first place?
I got cut from the Colts and Pittsburgh was the only team I know that called me – at least the one Joe Linta, my agent, told me about. I went home after I was cut to see my brother play at UCLA. The day after that the Steelers called and told me they wanted me there.
I was told a scout scouted one of my Colts games and saw me make a one-handed catch and that’s how they learned about me.
What are some of the big on-field moments that stand out to you of your time in Pittsburgh?
Catching the game-winning touchdown in a preseason game. It was my third catch of the day. My legs were heavy because I didn’t play all day. But in that moment I made the play. That was Kenny Pickett’s first touchdown pass.
Also, we all used to go paintballing – we’d go to this crazy back way through the mountains to this spot and play paintball. We’d also go to Zach Banner’s home for dinner sometimes and chill.
Who were the good paintball players?
Vince Williams was good – Trey Edmunds too. They were lighting it up. I was a baseball guy – I was good at running away and sliding! I was just trying to get away!
We also went to church as a team. Coach Tomlin had a community event he did and I met the team Chaplain Kent Chevalier and talked to him about getting closer to God. That was something I wanted to do more of – to feel more comfortable to grow as a person.
What did they tell you when they let you go?
Omar Khan just said it was a numbers thing – I think that’s what they tell everybody. Matt Canada had his guys there and I think he wanted those guys.
How hard is it to go from a full UFL season to the NFL?
It’s hard but it’s harder not getting calls from NFL teams. I’m fighting to get a chance to get my foot in the door.
You said you haven’t gotten calls from NFL teams yet despite a good preseason with the Steelers and a great UFL season. Why do you think that is?
I think the issue is my 40 time. At my pro day I wasn’t in good shape – not out of condition, but just beat up. I should have said no but they made us run. I didn’t feel it was so bad though that it should have dinged me this much though. My game speed is much faster than my 40 time.
What’s the big goal for you next? Love to hear from the Steelers again?
I’m not going to lie – I want to be on an NFL team and make it work. I think I offer a lot of value – I can get a game going. I can shift the momentum in a game and am ready for that moment. I’m not nervous to make a big play at a big time in the game. I expect to make that play. When I played baseball I got the most home runs when it was a 3-2 count. I love coming through under pressure and changing the momentum of a game.