Deshon Elliott and Malik Jefferson both met with the national media this week at the NFL Scouting Combine. Here are transcriptions of both of their interviews:
Malik Jefferson
Have you gone through the interview process with the coaches?
“Yes.”
What are some takeaways from the interview process with the coaches?
“I got antagonized about if I drink or smoke and they thought I was lying.”
You told them you drank and smoked?
“No. I denied it, of course, but I got antagonized about it. I don’t know the craziest question. I can’t think off the top of my head, but some of the psychological tests – actually, I do have a crazy one. It was numbers. So a psychological test doing (things) like subtract four from 100, then subtract two. It was complicated. I needed a piece of paper. I couldn’t think in my head that fast…It was kind of fast. IT was very difficult.”
Talk about the success you had at Texas.
“I can’t take all the credit because I had a guy in front of me, Poona Ford. He’s not here, should be here. He took a huge chunk of – what we did as a defense – he was the sole purpose of why we had a lot of success. I saw one time vs. Texas Tech, he was taking on three people and that’s definitely not normal for any d-lineman to do that. We were soft on some parts of the d-line and we were able to make plays as linebackers. We were very fast, we shot downhill and that comes from the techniques and the fundamentals Coach (Todd) Orlando and my previous coach, Coach V.J. (Vance Bedford) have taught just, just enhancing your footwork and how to strike. We got a lot better as a defense overall. We became a team and a unit and I got a lot off the love. I showed that I appreciate my teammates because I couldn’t do it by myself.”
You’ve been compared to former Texas linebacker and current Eagles LB Jordan Hicks. Do you watch his game?
“Yeah, I talk to Jordan and Derrick Johnson all the time. Two great mentors of mine. They’ve been there and they’re doing it now in the NFL. Jordan is still battling injuries, so it’s very tough on him. But you talk about a leader and a mentor, those two guys always have taught me something. Every day they come into offseason (practice) when we’re working out, they always ask me my weight. It’s been fun being around those guys and them teaching me things and the league and how to take care of yourself and be strong in the league.”
What’s the most beneficial thing Eagles LB Jordan Hicks has shared with you about the NFL Combine?
“Just be myself. You’ve got to trust yourself when you’re doing this and show everybody the best of your abilities (and) how smart you are. Of course, that’s probably his number one thing because he battles with injuries, so he has to play a little sore, but at the same time he plays just as fast as anybody or faster. When you watch his game, you watch his play, he tears up the Cowboys every year and I’m just like, ‘Dang, he just got like some type of revenge on them.’ He’s just a great, dynamic player, plays fast and he strikes hard.”
Have you met with the Eagles since you’ve been here?
“I have not, but I am later on today.”
How do you feel like you left the Texas program?
“I think that was the last part you said, carrying the flag. I think that’s one thing that stuck with me on my decision of leaving because it was hard. I wanted to stay because I wanted to finish the program, I wanted to make sure it was going to be OK how we’re going to get it back on track. I left the foundation there, and the foundation’s been laid. The guys know what to do, there’s leadership there. There should be no excuse for them not to win 12 games, like I said, this year
because it’s there. Everything’s been established. What we’ve done, the six guys that have left this year, have done a great job of trying to make sure those guys continue the leadership and the legacy that we need to build as a university and I’ll be proud to see them win…games this year.”
Does the state of the Texas program get a bad rap because it’s really not as far off as some people think?
“Exactly, and that’s one big thing with me. I understood that the program was going to work. What we were doing was going to work. We were losing games by five (points), we were losing games by three (points). We were losing games at the last second, and that’s the problem. We start off good, halftime we do pretty well and then we have a hard time finishing. We always find some mistake to hurt us even more than anything at that moment. I think the pressure thing was one thing that we focused on a lot last year at the end of the year and Coach (Tom) Herman did that a lot with the offense. It’s just one of those things that those guys have to understand and look back when they watch film, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do this better. We can’t finish games out. We’ve got to close games out early and keep it closed.’ I think that’s one thing that those guys understand now.”
After seeing this year’s recruiting class, was there a part of you that wanted to stay with Texas this year?
“That was another hard part because I like to be the leader of those guys. I wanted to show those guys what to do, how to do it because those guys can be impact changers and they’re going to change that program. It’s their year. So I’m excited to see what they’re going to do. I’m excited to see what those young guys are going to do because when you get there (and) you’re put in the system, you cannot change. That system is installed and you can’t fight it and you have to be involved with it. If you can’t be involved with it, you have to go. Just excited to see what those guys are going to do and what they’re building.”
How did you go about getting Lil Wayne to represent you?
“Well he’s not my (agent). He doesn’t represent me.”
What is the partnership with Lil Wayne’s sports agency like?
“They just give people chances. I believe that I create a culture around a good group of people. You’ve got to give people chances. Like my decision going to the University of Texas, I could have went anywhere in the country. I went to a school that struggled. The same scenario with this agency, it struggled. I wanted to be able to build something up that’s going to be great one day.”
Have you kept up with the Texas players at the Combine?
“I saw, “The Punter,” Mike (Michael Dickson). He does have a name. I saw him the first day I was here. I saw Connor (Williams) twice, and I saw him right before he left and I told him congratulations. He did a very good job at the Combine. Of course I saw Chris (Warren) as well. We talked right before he went out to work out the other day. Deshon (Elliott) I saw yesterday. I’ve seen him multiple times this week and I saw Holton (Hill) yesterday as well, in the lobby.”
Are you ready for your workout tomorrow?
“I am ready. I feel great.”
How’s your toe?
“My toe’s awesome.”
How are talks going with teams?
“They see me as an inside ‘backer. Some guys see me versatile. I told them I can play all three positions because I played it in college. In some particular way, we had a special package where I was outside. (At the beginning of) the year last year, I was at WILL ‘backer. Mid-way (through the season), I transferred over to MIKE. I showed the my versatility and how I’m able to adapt and learn the defensive system.”
Will you attend the NFL Draft?
“I’m not exactly sure yet. I think on that, I’m going to wait until I actually know my projection from a team’s standpoint and what they think about me. I really want to be with my family and enjoy that moment with them, for sure.”
Have you met with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
“I have not met with Pittsburgh.”
Are you planning to meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
“I do.”
Who have you met with?
“I have not checked my formals, actually. I know I have the Chargers tonight and the Colts.”
Is there anybody else you’ve met with so far?
“I met with a lot of people – the Raiders today. I honestly can’t even name them to you.”
Is there anything you want to prove at the Combine and a goal of where you want to be selected?
“Just prove that I’m the best tomorrow. Go out there and show how…and how well I move tomorrow and how explosive I am. That’s my number one goal.”
Have you met with the any teams from Texas?
“I met with the Texans, yes. Not the Cowboys, but I believe I’m meeting with the Cowboys later on.”
Can you talk about expectations for next year’s Texas team and the success you had under Head Coach Tom Herman in his first year?
“I think it was exciting being around somebody different. Getting that coaching change feeling, you have to adapt and it’s just one of those things that’s going to happen in this profession. There’s going to be changes all the time. I understand the reality of this game and how it works. To be able to learn a new system, to be around a new guy like that and to create a relationship that we did so fast, it’s special. I appreciate the whole relationship we built and what we did together.”
Is this Combine overwhelming and a bit like a meat market?
“I think this is pretty cool, honestly. The meat market quote is kind of realistic, but at the same time, you got to appreciate where you’re at. Not a lot of guys get to do this – be in front of a crowd, be on national TV and watch people work out. My thing is just soaking the moment, realize the blessings I’ve received because I could have (not) been here, I could have been doing something else, a (different) style of life.”
Have you met with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
“The Steelers haven’t met with me yet, no.”
Have the Indianapolis Colts scheduled anything with you?
“Tonight we’re going to do an informal.”
What’s your schedule for tomorrow as far as your workouts?
“I think we’re the first group, I believe.”
Did you bench press?
“Bench press, we did today.”
How many bench press reps did you have?
“Twenty-seven. I got mad because I’m not used to the crowd. We workout in quiet areas. Nobody told me it was going to be a crowd. When they started cheering for me, I was still in my rhythm and it threw me off and I took a breath and I didn’t need to take a breath at that moment. I lost a lot of momentum there.”
Could you have gotten 30 bench press reps?
“Oh, I could have got 30, easily. I messed that up.
----------------
Deshon Elliott
Did Orlando and Herman try to talk you into staying?
They were very supportive. Of course, they probably wanted me to stay ... they want to be able to try to build a legacy and try to build leadership on the team for the following year, but they supported me throughout my whole process.
How do you see yourself as a defender?
I leave everything on the field, I'll play in the box, I'll play at the post. I'll play man-to-man if I have to, whatever you need me to do.
Mayock says you're not great in coverage
That's his opinion, that's your job to do. Give his opinion. So, it is what it is.
Craziest question you've been asked?
Am I getting married in the next six months.
Are you?
Probably not. (laughing)
What do you think of Todd Orlando
Coach Orlando is the best defensive coordinator in the country in my opinion. He turned our defense around for us. I believe he put me in position a lot of times throughout the whole year to make plays, he just trusts me and had confidence in me to be in the right places.
Did you think you'd be here after your junior season realistically?
No sir, it's a blessing from the man above to even be in this position. Before the season I expected a huge season, but I couldn't have expected this. I knew that I was going to get a chance to start and I was going to make an impact for my team, but I did not expect it like this -- especially to this extent.
Was the decision tough to leave early?
It was tough because I played with guys at that school for three years and we done been through a lot. Just being able to finally -- I mean, we didn't even play in a bowl game while I was there. To get to that point and be able to see them smile and finally happy meant a lot to me.
Feel like you left the program with a lot of momentum?
Of course. The talent at that school is tremendous. It's amazing. Offensively and defensively. If they continue to work hard as the coaches have preached, with the coaches they have, I expect my teammates back at school to do great things.
Hard to leave knowing the team could be much better next year?
Yes sir it was but I talked to my teammates and they said 'go fulfill your dream,' and I said 'alright - I know yall will do great things and I'll be back watching and giving support.'
Relationship with Herman vs. Strong?
They're on different levels. Of course I date Coach Strong's daughter so it's a different thing for me, but Coach Herman was a great guy for me, he brought me along from the player I was. At first I was a young guy just hoping to see the field and when they came along, they developed my mind so I became more of a quarterback of our defense.
Who steps into your shoes at safety?
It'll probably be my brother PJ Locke, it will be Brandon (Jones) and PJ Locke back there and the young guy Josh Thompson at nickel, that would be what I'd do.
What about Montrell Estell, will he factor in?
When he matures some and learns the playbook more.
Any regrets from Texas?
Losing to OU two years in a row. Only regret I got.
What are you here to show?
I'm the best safety in the draft. I believe I can show them that. I'm very athletic, so I'll show them how athletic I am. I can run, I can jump, whatever you want me to do, I can change direction, open my hips, I can do all that and you'll see that (in my workout).
6 INTs in 2017
I should have had 10. It's just film study. If you know where to be at, at times, you get blessed by God and the ball comes to you. And I had three picks off that. The QB, you have to study him every day. The routes -- everyone runs the same routes in the Big 12. That's a given. So we just say, the Quarterback, what's he going to do, where's he going to throw the ball, know whether he'll be off his back foot or his front foot when he throws.
Anyone you emulate?
I'm trying to make my own legacy for me and show that I really can be the best safety ever, which I am willing to work to do.
Talk to Holton Hill?
Hollywood, we were talking last night and before we came up here and it's a blessing. We never thought, coming into the season, that we'd be in this situation but God blessed us, knowing we got four years, being able to grow into men over that time, is tremendous, it's crazy.
How does the Big 12 prepare you for the NFL?
Just knowing this game is becomes an open-field-tackle game and just knowing it's just pass which I've excelled at. I feel like I read offenses very well and play all over the field because that's what we do -- all over the field. The Big 12 is basically 7-on-7 and I developed over time for that.
Teams like you near the line or off-ball more?
A little bit of both because I can do it all. They ask me what do you like and I say 'both of 'em.' I'll do whatever you want me to do.
Thoughts on Josh Thompson and Kobe Boyce
Josh is a really athletic player, a guy from East Texas, they're all they're heralded to be -- really athletic players and that's what he is. Smart, young, and with the leadership of PJ Locke and Brandon Jones he'll be a great nickel safety for Texas. And Boyce, he's a great player, real athletic, he just needs to gain some weight. He's real skinny.
Do scouts like SEC DBs better than Big 12?
They respect the Big 12 and they respect the SEC. We play different ball. The SEC? Their DBs don't really have to cover their D-lines are huge and so much of the time they run. For us, all we do is cover. Every down we're covering, they throw the ball 40-60 times a game.
Why do Big 12 players get knocked?
Let some SEC DBs come play in the Big 12 and they're not going to last that long.
Where do you want to improve most?
Run defense probably, a lot of times just trying to knock someone out instead of trying to gather and then tackle to the ground. I can work better on that, I had a few missed tackles last year off that. But I know that's something I'll work better at in the future.
What's your biggest strength
Being able to knock somebody's head off at any time.
Talked to Texas DB alums?
I've talked to Quandre, Kenny, seen some of the old heads -- Mike Huff, Mike Griffin, they're just saying have fun and don't be stressed out and go run, go have fun. Do what you've been doing all your life. You've been playing football for your whole life. Have fun.
Frustrating not playing for first two years at Texas?
I knew it would eventually happen, once I got the opportunity which I always said I'm going to make plays -- that's who I am. I just had to do that and prove to people that I can do that and it meant a lot to me to be able to. At first, everyone thought I was going to be a bust because for two years, I didn't see the field. I was finally able to prove that not only to myself but to everybody else.
Teams asking about Holton Hill's character?
Every now and then, but Hollywood -- he's a great person and a great player. People make mistakes in life but we were young he's come along, he's grown up as a young man and he's now a man in my opinion. We have very deep conversations over the phone while we're trying to train and even being here. So, he's developed now and we feel like he's on the right track.
Malik Jefferson
Have you gone through the interview process with the coaches?
“Yes.”
What are some takeaways from the interview process with the coaches?
“I got antagonized about if I drink or smoke and they thought I was lying.”
You told them you drank and smoked?
“No. I denied it, of course, but I got antagonized about it. I don’t know the craziest question. I can’t think off the top of my head, but some of the psychological tests – actually, I do have a crazy one. It was numbers. So a psychological test doing (things) like subtract four from 100, then subtract two. It was complicated. I needed a piece of paper. I couldn’t think in my head that fast…It was kind of fast. IT was very difficult.”
Talk about the success you had at Texas.
“I can’t take all the credit because I had a guy in front of me, Poona Ford. He’s not here, should be here. He took a huge chunk of – what we did as a defense – he was the sole purpose of why we had a lot of success. I saw one time vs. Texas Tech, he was taking on three people and that’s definitely not normal for any d-lineman to do that. We were soft on some parts of the d-line and we were able to make plays as linebackers. We were very fast, we shot downhill and that comes from the techniques and the fundamentals Coach (Todd) Orlando and my previous coach, Coach V.J. (Vance Bedford) have taught just, just enhancing your footwork and how to strike. We got a lot better as a defense overall. We became a team and a unit and I got a lot off the love. I showed that I appreciate my teammates because I couldn’t do it by myself.”
You’ve been compared to former Texas linebacker and current Eagles LB Jordan Hicks. Do you watch his game?
“Yeah, I talk to Jordan and Derrick Johnson all the time. Two great mentors of mine. They’ve been there and they’re doing it now in the NFL. Jordan is still battling injuries, so it’s very tough on him. But you talk about a leader and a mentor, those two guys always have taught me something. Every day they come into offseason (practice) when we’re working out, they always ask me my weight. It’s been fun being around those guys and them teaching me things and the league and how to take care of yourself and be strong in the league.”
What’s the most beneficial thing Eagles LB Jordan Hicks has shared with you about the NFL Combine?
“Just be myself. You’ve got to trust yourself when you’re doing this and show everybody the best of your abilities (and) how smart you are. Of course, that’s probably his number one thing because he battles with injuries, so he has to play a little sore, but at the same time he plays just as fast as anybody or faster. When you watch his game, you watch his play, he tears up the Cowboys every year and I’m just like, ‘Dang, he just got like some type of revenge on them.’ He’s just a great, dynamic player, plays fast and he strikes hard.”
Have you met with the Eagles since you’ve been here?
“I have not, but I am later on today.”
How do you feel like you left the Texas program?
“I think that was the last part you said, carrying the flag. I think that’s one thing that stuck with me on my decision of leaving because it was hard. I wanted to stay because I wanted to finish the program, I wanted to make sure it was going to be OK how we’re going to get it back on track. I left the foundation there, and the foundation’s been laid. The guys know what to do, there’s leadership there. There should be no excuse for them not to win 12 games, like I said, this year
because it’s there. Everything’s been established. What we’ve done, the six guys that have left this year, have done a great job of trying to make sure those guys continue the leadership and the legacy that we need to build as a university and I’ll be proud to see them win…games this year.”
Does the state of the Texas program get a bad rap because it’s really not as far off as some people think?
“Exactly, and that’s one big thing with me. I understood that the program was going to work. What we were doing was going to work. We were losing games by five (points), we were losing games by three (points). We were losing games at the last second, and that’s the problem. We start off good, halftime we do pretty well and then we have a hard time finishing. We always find some mistake to hurt us even more than anything at that moment. I think the pressure thing was one thing that we focused on a lot last year at the end of the year and Coach (Tom) Herman did that a lot with the offense. It’s just one of those things that those guys have to understand and look back when they watch film, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do this better. We can’t finish games out. We’ve got to close games out early and keep it closed.’ I think that’s one thing that those guys understand now.”
After seeing this year’s recruiting class, was there a part of you that wanted to stay with Texas this year?
“That was another hard part because I like to be the leader of those guys. I wanted to show those guys what to do, how to do it because those guys can be impact changers and they’re going to change that program. It’s their year. So I’m excited to see what they’re going to do. I’m excited to see what those young guys are going to do because when you get there (and) you’re put in the system, you cannot change. That system is installed and you can’t fight it and you have to be involved with it. If you can’t be involved with it, you have to go. Just excited to see what those guys are going to do and what they’re building.”
How did you go about getting Lil Wayne to represent you?
“Well he’s not my (agent). He doesn’t represent me.”
What is the partnership with Lil Wayne’s sports agency like?
“They just give people chances. I believe that I create a culture around a good group of people. You’ve got to give people chances. Like my decision going to the University of Texas, I could have went anywhere in the country. I went to a school that struggled. The same scenario with this agency, it struggled. I wanted to be able to build something up that’s going to be great one day.”
Have you kept up with the Texas players at the Combine?
“I saw, “The Punter,” Mike (Michael Dickson). He does have a name. I saw him the first day I was here. I saw Connor (Williams) twice, and I saw him right before he left and I told him congratulations. He did a very good job at the Combine. Of course I saw Chris (Warren) as well. We talked right before he went out to work out the other day. Deshon (Elliott) I saw yesterday. I’ve seen him multiple times this week and I saw Holton (Hill) yesterday as well, in the lobby.”
Are you ready for your workout tomorrow?
“I am ready. I feel great.”
How’s your toe?
“My toe’s awesome.”
How are talks going with teams?
“They see me as an inside ‘backer. Some guys see me versatile. I told them I can play all three positions because I played it in college. In some particular way, we had a special package where I was outside. (At the beginning of) the year last year, I was at WILL ‘backer. Mid-way (through the season), I transferred over to MIKE. I showed the my versatility and how I’m able to adapt and learn the defensive system.”
Will you attend the NFL Draft?
“I’m not exactly sure yet. I think on that, I’m going to wait until I actually know my projection from a team’s standpoint and what they think about me. I really want to be with my family and enjoy that moment with them, for sure.”
Have you met with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
“I have not met with Pittsburgh.”
Are you planning to meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
“I do.”
Who have you met with?
“I have not checked my formals, actually. I know I have the Chargers tonight and the Colts.”
Is there anybody else you’ve met with so far?
“I met with a lot of people – the Raiders today. I honestly can’t even name them to you.”
Is there anything you want to prove at the Combine and a goal of where you want to be selected?
“Just prove that I’m the best tomorrow. Go out there and show how…and how well I move tomorrow and how explosive I am. That’s my number one goal.”
Have you met with the any teams from Texas?
“I met with the Texans, yes. Not the Cowboys, but I believe I’m meeting with the Cowboys later on.”
Can you talk about expectations for next year’s Texas team and the success you had under Head Coach Tom Herman in his first year?
“I think it was exciting being around somebody different. Getting that coaching change feeling, you have to adapt and it’s just one of those things that’s going to happen in this profession. There’s going to be changes all the time. I understand the reality of this game and how it works. To be able to learn a new system, to be around a new guy like that and to create a relationship that we did so fast, it’s special. I appreciate the whole relationship we built and what we did together.”
Is this Combine overwhelming and a bit like a meat market?
“I think this is pretty cool, honestly. The meat market quote is kind of realistic, but at the same time, you got to appreciate where you’re at. Not a lot of guys get to do this – be in front of a crowd, be on national TV and watch people work out. My thing is just soaking the moment, realize the blessings I’ve received because I could have (not) been here, I could have been doing something else, a (different) style of life.”
Have you met with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
“The Steelers haven’t met with me yet, no.”
Have the Indianapolis Colts scheduled anything with you?
“Tonight we’re going to do an informal.”
What’s your schedule for tomorrow as far as your workouts?
“I think we’re the first group, I believe.”
Did you bench press?
“Bench press, we did today.”
How many bench press reps did you have?
“Twenty-seven. I got mad because I’m not used to the crowd. We workout in quiet areas. Nobody told me it was going to be a crowd. When they started cheering for me, I was still in my rhythm and it threw me off and I took a breath and I didn’t need to take a breath at that moment. I lost a lot of momentum there.”
Could you have gotten 30 bench press reps?
“Oh, I could have got 30, easily. I messed that up.
----------------
Deshon Elliott
Did Orlando and Herman try to talk you into staying?
They were very supportive. Of course, they probably wanted me to stay ... they want to be able to try to build a legacy and try to build leadership on the team for the following year, but they supported me throughout my whole process.
How do you see yourself as a defender?
I leave everything on the field, I'll play in the box, I'll play at the post. I'll play man-to-man if I have to, whatever you need me to do.
Mayock says you're not great in coverage
That's his opinion, that's your job to do. Give his opinion. So, it is what it is.
Craziest question you've been asked?
Am I getting married in the next six months.
Are you?
Probably not. (laughing)
What do you think of Todd Orlando
Coach Orlando is the best defensive coordinator in the country in my opinion. He turned our defense around for us. I believe he put me in position a lot of times throughout the whole year to make plays, he just trusts me and had confidence in me to be in the right places.
Did you think you'd be here after your junior season realistically?
No sir, it's a blessing from the man above to even be in this position. Before the season I expected a huge season, but I couldn't have expected this. I knew that I was going to get a chance to start and I was going to make an impact for my team, but I did not expect it like this -- especially to this extent.
Was the decision tough to leave early?
It was tough because I played with guys at that school for three years and we done been through a lot. Just being able to finally -- I mean, we didn't even play in a bowl game while I was there. To get to that point and be able to see them smile and finally happy meant a lot to me.
Feel like you left the program with a lot of momentum?
Of course. The talent at that school is tremendous. It's amazing. Offensively and defensively. If they continue to work hard as the coaches have preached, with the coaches they have, I expect my teammates back at school to do great things.
Hard to leave knowing the team could be much better next year?
Yes sir it was but I talked to my teammates and they said 'go fulfill your dream,' and I said 'alright - I know yall will do great things and I'll be back watching and giving support.'
Relationship with Herman vs. Strong?
They're on different levels. Of course I date Coach Strong's daughter so it's a different thing for me, but Coach Herman was a great guy for me, he brought me along from the player I was. At first I was a young guy just hoping to see the field and when they came along, they developed my mind so I became more of a quarterback of our defense.
Who steps into your shoes at safety?
It'll probably be my brother PJ Locke, it will be Brandon (Jones) and PJ Locke back there and the young guy Josh Thompson at nickel, that would be what I'd do.
What about Montrell Estell, will he factor in?
When he matures some and learns the playbook more.
Any regrets from Texas?
Losing to OU two years in a row. Only regret I got.
What are you here to show?
I'm the best safety in the draft. I believe I can show them that. I'm very athletic, so I'll show them how athletic I am. I can run, I can jump, whatever you want me to do, I can change direction, open my hips, I can do all that and you'll see that (in my workout).
6 INTs in 2017
I should have had 10. It's just film study. If you know where to be at, at times, you get blessed by God and the ball comes to you. And I had three picks off that. The QB, you have to study him every day. The routes -- everyone runs the same routes in the Big 12. That's a given. So we just say, the Quarterback, what's he going to do, where's he going to throw the ball, know whether he'll be off his back foot or his front foot when he throws.
Anyone you emulate?
I'm trying to make my own legacy for me and show that I really can be the best safety ever, which I am willing to work to do.
Talk to Holton Hill?
Hollywood, we were talking last night and before we came up here and it's a blessing. We never thought, coming into the season, that we'd be in this situation but God blessed us, knowing we got four years, being able to grow into men over that time, is tremendous, it's crazy.
How does the Big 12 prepare you for the NFL?
Just knowing this game is becomes an open-field-tackle game and just knowing it's just pass which I've excelled at. I feel like I read offenses very well and play all over the field because that's what we do -- all over the field. The Big 12 is basically 7-on-7 and I developed over time for that.
Teams like you near the line or off-ball more?
A little bit of both because I can do it all. They ask me what do you like and I say 'both of 'em.' I'll do whatever you want me to do.
Thoughts on Josh Thompson and Kobe Boyce
Josh is a really athletic player, a guy from East Texas, they're all they're heralded to be -- really athletic players and that's what he is. Smart, young, and with the leadership of PJ Locke and Brandon Jones he'll be a great nickel safety for Texas. And Boyce, he's a great player, real athletic, he just needs to gain some weight. He's real skinny.
Do scouts like SEC DBs better than Big 12?
They respect the Big 12 and they respect the SEC. We play different ball. The SEC? Their DBs don't really have to cover their D-lines are huge and so much of the time they run. For us, all we do is cover. Every down we're covering, they throw the ball 40-60 times a game.
Why do Big 12 players get knocked?
Let some SEC DBs come play in the Big 12 and they're not going to last that long.
Where do you want to improve most?
Run defense probably, a lot of times just trying to knock someone out instead of trying to gather and then tackle to the ground. I can work better on that, I had a few missed tackles last year off that. But I know that's something I'll work better at in the future.
What's your biggest strength
Being able to knock somebody's head off at any time.
Talked to Texas DB alums?
I've talked to Quandre, Kenny, seen some of the old heads -- Mike Huff, Mike Griffin, they're just saying have fun and don't be stressed out and go run, go have fun. Do what you've been doing all your life. You've been playing football for your whole life. Have fun.
Frustrating not playing for first two years at Texas?
I knew it would eventually happen, once I got the opportunity which I always said I'm going to make plays -- that's who I am. I just had to do that and prove to people that I can do that and it meant a lot to me to be able to. At first, everyone thought I was going to be a bust because for two years, I didn't see the field. I was finally able to prove that not only to myself but to everybody else.
Teams asking about Holton Hill's character?
Every now and then, but Hollywood -- he's a great person and a great player. People make mistakes in life but we were young he's come along, he's grown up as a young man and he's now a man in my opinion. We have very deep conversations over the phone while we're trying to train and even being here. So, he's developed now and we feel like he's on the right track.
