First off, how are you preparing for the the upcoming camp?
I have a defensive backs dude I’ve been working with for some time now. I am also working with another coach – Travelle Gaines. He’s helping to keep me right with my mobility and agility and quick burst. I wanted to come into camp in tip-top shape.
One thing I realized right away is that the weather in Latrobe is very different than it is here in Southern California! I just want to prepare my body to be in the best shape I can be!
So, why sign with Pittsburgh?
The opportunity. Obviously, everyone in the NFL is talented. Pittsburgh has one of the better programs. I wanted to surround myself with good players and have a good front seven. And Pittsburgh definitely has that. As a defensive back, your best friend is the defensive line. We help each other out. Pittsburgh has a great front seven.
There are a lot of great dudes on the cornerback room. I feel I have the opportunity to implement myself as one of those guys. So signing with the Steelers made sense. The line, the corner back room and the atmosphere Coach Tomlin creates on that team – the culture he creates there. Those are the top three factors why.
How did OTAs and mini-camp go?
It went real well. In high school and at USC, I was thrown into the fire and started right away. So I was prepared for adversity. It was what I expected really.
What stood out to you most there?
The biggest thing was the pass rush. It was immaculate with TJ and Cam and those guys. Just seeing how they operate – it was something I noticed the first day of practice. I watched film of them and was like, “Dang! They were getting into the backfield so quickly against NFL-caliber players!” That’s one thing I noticed right away.
Did the players or coaches talk to you at all about your performance?
Me and Arthur Maulet trained together and he’s been on me – making sure I study the playbook. He said I was doing well. Coach Grady and Coach Tomlin let me know they were happy with what I was doing so far and just let me know to continue with my improvement.
Players also offered little tips and advice. JP {James Pierre} told me I was in the same position as he was and that I’d have the opportunity to make plays. He told me I just needed to make the most of those opportunities. I feel like I’m in a good spot right now.
Anyone help mentor you at all – on and off the field?
Akhello {Witherspoon} definitely. He has the same body type as I do and I love the way he prepares and plays. I love watching him and was side-by-side with him to made sure I learned from him and stayed after practice with him to work on things.
What did he show you?
He’s a long cornerback – that makes it harder for receivers. And he’s a smart dude – his pre-snap reads are great. He can read quickly which receivers to cover and what routes they are running. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the receivers he plays against. The way he prepares and takes care of his body – I try to follow that. He’s great in the weight room. He does his own stretching after he lifts – he’s off on his own doing his own thing. That’s the kind of thing I pay attention to.
In college guys often do the minimum – they lift and go home – they are done. Seeing what he and others do – what it takes to stay in the league – I’m learning from that.
What are some of the strengths and weaknesses you want to work on?
My biggest strength is my athletic ability and size. Guys don’t run past me – I can run with practically anyone. And I think I was one of the most physical cornerbacks in the draft – I want to prove that over time.
My weakness I’m improving on is that in the NFL after five yards you can’t touch a receiver. In college you can be more handsy after five yards and get away with it. I’m working with my DB trainer now on that. We use gloves for hand placement to help me learn to trust my technique and athleticism more instead of using my hands.
You are one of a few guys ever in the NFL with Mexican-American heritage – how has that influenced you and the way you approached the sport?
There may be five or six of us in the NFL yeah. It’s real big for me – to be that guy that others in your culture can look up to. I didn’t have that growing up – there weren’t guys to look up to in the NFL. My culture – it is mostly baseball and soccer. My dad didn’t know much about football. To be a leader – to have people in Mexico look up to me is something that us important to me. I know some are watching me and love what’s going on with me so far.
Especially knowing the Steelers have a big fan base in Mexico?
That was one of the first things people told me about Pittsburgh. I saw Steelers Latino pages following me on social media and seeing how many followers they had was impressive. I saw Najee down there not too long ago and they had a great turnout for him – that intrigued me. It will be great seeing my culture in the stands,
Lastly, what else should we know about you outside of football?
I’m a journalism major and my dad has a big podcast network of his own under Heart Radio. That’s my second passion – I love music and entertainment. The whole digital network world is dope to me and something I want to get into in the near future, My dad too it to a new level and I want to take it to an even higher level.
I’m also a huge fashion guy. So if there are any Steelers fans out there into fashion get a hold of me!
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
