First, what is the plan for you heading into the offseason?
Well, I’m back in Utah and I’m just happy to be hanging out with my friends and family for a while. In a month or so I’ll head up to California and train – get my body in the best shape I can be in before I go back to Pittsburgh.
Why sign with the Steelers again?
I had a sour feeling in my mouth when I left last time due to the injury. I felt I was playing good football and had a good chance to stick around before I got hurt. I felt I had some unfinished business. I loved Pittsburgh and knew I wanted to go back after I was better – I was hoping to get another chance.
How frustrating was it suffering injuries in Bears and Steelers camps especially when you were hitting your stride in both camps?
It definitely teaches you a lesson on patience. I’ve spoken to a lot of players who have their ups and downs and get sidetracked due to injuries. They just told me you have to shake it off and fight for your spot and your time will come. I’ve never given up – I’ve tried to do that. Everywhere I’ve been it hasn’t been perfect and injuries have had a big role in that. I’m just hopeful I can stay health and make the team.
Were you surprised you went undrafted – why do you think that happened when you were rated a third-round prospect by many?
On draft day I thought for sure I’d be drafted. My agent called me and told me some teams had red-flagged me due to a back injury I had years ago. But I had played two years since then without a problem. I think that made some teams hesitant though to take me.
I was also older than most in the draft class. I did an LDS mission in high school so when I started college I was already 21 years old. A lot of teams don’t like taking older guys – I think I was the fourth oldest guy in the draft class and some teams just like younger guys.
What did the coaching staff tell you about your role and needs when they signed you?
We didn’t have a chance to talk much. I just think doing my best is what they expect. I had a good feeling about returning – knowing I had been there before and they brought me back knowing who I was. They saw my work ethic and play and chose to bring me back. That’s a good feeling knowing you are wanted.
A lot of changes in the tight end room with Vance and James Daniel both retiring. How did both help you – and what do those changes mean for you going into next season?
Vance was great last year- he was a huge role model and mentor. He taught me a lot every day.
J.D. – I appreciate him. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He’s a hard guy – a tough coach. But he’s a good coach – he cared so much about the team. It was impressive to have a guy like that coach me and show he cared about me and how I played.
With both having retired it means a lot of new possibilities. I don’t know much having just signed about what they are doing next. I can only control what I can control and that starts with coming into camp in good shape.
Anything specific Vance and other guys did to help you during your time there?
Vance – I watched him every day. I saw him work hard week after week, day after day. That can be hard for guys as the season goes on and guys get beat up. But he was always practicing hard and physical. I watched him and saw that I needed to do this as well. That if I worked as hard as he did I could stick around and become a three-down tight end too.
Anyone else help you there?
Zach Gentry – I knew him from the combine. It was a newer relationship but it was nice to have a good friend there to talk to. He would pick me up from the hotel and take me to camp.
He didn’t drop you off on the way and leave you there so he could get more reps?
Ha no! We had some nice conversations that didn’t have anything to do with football. Living in the hotel on your own – it’s nice to have a friend to talk to and hang out with and chat it up.
You look at what you offer to the team – what do you think you do well that helps you land a spot? And is there one thing to work on that you think, if you perfect that more, you get a spot?
I think that’s a good question – one a lot of players ask themselves. In Pittsburgh I felt I excelled as a receiving tight end. I just need to nail down my in-line blocking and hold off defensive linemen. If I can do that I can be a three-down tight end.
Any good camp stories/matchups you can share?
In Chicago, my first time in pads I remember looking up and seeing Kahlil Mack opposite me. I just thought to myself, “This isn’t Utah State any more! This was the NFL…here we go…”
And going up against Dupree and TJ Watt – they played hard every play. You have to give them your best every time.
Any other good experiences that stand out to you of your time so far in Pittsburgh?
When I watched the Steelers over the season I cheered for them. I just loved Coach Tomlin – he was one of the greatest coach I ever had. You can tell he’s there for his players – for you. He wanted you to work hard and have fun and for the players to be able to be themselves. He showed he cared as much for me as he did for Big Ben. It was fun to play for a coach who shows they care about you.
In Summer camp I remember running some good routes and making some nice catches in one-on-ones. The defensive backs and linebackers told me I was killing it. I remember how it felt leaving practices being happy that I was making a name for myself there.
What should fans know about you that’s non-football related?
I always like talking about who we are outside of football.
I love to play the piano and actually recorded some songs that I made up that I think are decent to listen to.
And I like to take pictures with my drone when I fly it in the mountains here in Utah. Taking some nice landscape shots. Living in Utah near the mountains, anytime I can get outdoors – take my truck and go up into the mountains – I enjoy doing that.
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