First, how have the past couple of days been – any surprises?
Well I drove up from North Carolina and have been working out with the guys in the Steelers facility since last Sunday. There’s a ton of great energy here – lot’s of good guys – and all very welcoming.
It’s been business as usual so far – installing the base packages and meeting the guys. It’s been good to get to know my teammates. Some have been friends of friends so it’s been good to connect with them.
Why sign with Pittsburgh?
Coming out of the draft I had a really good meeting with Coach Tomlin. I thought that’s where I would end up being after the draft. He seemed to have a really good idea on how to use me – what I could do and wanted me in the building. There’s a rich history of Clemson guys here like LeVon Kirkland. I’m hoping I can make a name for myself here like he did.
What did they tell you about your role there going in?
Special teams will be my main role to start with. I’m not sure on special teams if they’ll out me at guard or out making tackles yet.
On defense I’m hoping to get a chance to play some weakside linebacker and dime – to be used more there. I practiced a lot at those positions in Seattle but never had game reps there. I think I can show my versatility by covering dudes up at linebacker.
Any early mentors when you were with the Raiders?
Alec Ingold and Foster Moreau took me under their wing – I trained with them this past offseason. Maxx Crosby – he and I were both hurt and worked out together in the offseason. He’s one of the best for a reason – his gas tank never gets low. That guy is unbelievable.
My special teams coach there was Rich Bissacia. He was one of the main reasons I was there too. He showed us how special teams can really impact a game.
You played for Coach Curry in Seattle – was he a reason you came to Pittsburgh and what should players and fans know about Coach Curry? What makes him a great get as a coach?
He came up the ranks the hard way. He never wants a player to not know what’s going on – he works with you. We had a player in Seattle who was struggling at inside linebacker to grasp some things. He was swimming in the deep end. They moved him to outside linebacker and Coach Curry took him in. The difference in that player was night and day. That gave me a lot of respect for him and showed me a lot about him as a coach.
We didn’t talk before I signed but we’ve been talking a lot now. I’m happy he’s here and I think he’s happy I’m here as well.
Any preference for positional play if you had a choice?
I really enjoy playing weakside linebacker. It’s like playing safety but more in the box. You get to deal with the guys in the trenches more. I just need to continue to improve as a linebacker and show I can do it – show I can be physical and sticky in coverage.
I’m sure it was hard with those setbacks so early in your career. Are you looking at Pittsburgh as a way to reboot after the injuries and Covid?
I really think this can be a good breakout year for me on special teams, yeah. I did the dirty work in Seattle and that meant other guys got to make the tackles and get the glory. I want to do the dirty work here in Pittsburgh but hope I can be part of the main scheme to make plays on teams as well. I want the opportunity to strike guys and make plays and cause turnovers. I want to show I can be the alpha male and that war daddy guy that needs to be double-teamed to be slowed down.
What makes you a good special teams player?’
You have to understand the game and the scheme in front of you before the play begins and you need to be able to get off your blocks.
In the return game you have to be a bad dude – you can’t let people breathe – you have to be all over them and be sticky in the blocking part of the game. You also have to mesh well and understand the strategy. Everyone has to buy in – you can’t be selfish on special teams. Everyone has to do their part – everyone will eat if you give the team good field position and win the game
A lot of turnover in that linebacker room including at coach – what does that mean for a new player coming in?
I think there’s just one or two guys that were here last year now, yeah. I think there’s plenty of opportunity. E-Rob (Elandon Roberts) has been very outspoken as a leader and that guy in the middle. He’s already helping guys out with technique – I’m following his lead. He’s been in the league eight years – I’m looking forward to letting him teach me more about the game.
I’m just ready to support this team in any way right now. This is a tough game – nothing is certain. You never know what can happen – if there’s an injury or whatever. You just need to be ready when needed. I’ll help out in whatever I can do.
Have you worked with Cole Holcomb a lot yet – I assume you’ll be backing him up mostly?
I’ve been talking to him a lot, yeah. His foot injury is the same one I had. His injury was pretty serious and listfranc injuries can be really tough to come back from. It takes a lot of rehab. You can’t work out when it happens – so your calf shrinks too when you take that time off. If you rush back you just set it back and have to start all over again. So we talked about going through that process a lot.
Lastly, what should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I’m a family-oriented guy – I train with my brother in the offseason. I also own a lot of dogs and rescued a number of them. I’m a big believer in rescuing dogs and showing them the love they give back to you. It’s a blessing to bring them into your life and give them a better life – and them making your life better. It’s fun to rescue a dog and see how their lives have changed for the better.
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