Q: A lot of players talk about having a moment when the “light bulb” went off in their head, and they realized they could make a career out of professional football. Have you had one of those in your career?
A: No, not really. But the fact that everyone watching me play the game says, “Oh, you’re good at it; you could go to the NFL.”
Q: You were the highest-rated rated wide receiver in the state of Texas. What does that honor by the so-called experts mean to you?
A: It’s a big honor, especially coming from California and going to Texas. To accomplish what I have accomplished feels really good.
Q: What is the next career goal you want to accomplish?
A: Besides get drafted, I’d like to stay in the NFL. I’ve heard so much about it—how mental it is and how much wear and tear it puts on your body. To be stable, so there is not too much to worry about. What else could happen? I make a name for myself and be productive when I get there, then I’ll reset my goals.
Q: What is your one major passion in life? Is it football or something else?
A: No, it’s definitely football.
Q: What is it about football that makes you tick?
A: Besides it being the best sport, to me, to be ever played. It takes a true man to play the game of football—to be out there every single day and work at it and continue to get better. With contact that goes along with it, your mental ability has to be strong. You’ve got to have a lot of fight and no quit.
Q: How does it feel to be entering the league amid the labor uncertainty right now?
A: It’s not the best feeling, but you just have to not think about it. It’s not in my hands, so I try not to really focus too much on it, but instead focus on the football part.
Q: How could the owners justify wanting to reinstitute this lockout when the sport is at all-time high levels of popularity and revenue?
A: I really don’t know. In order to get more, if that’s what they’re looking for, I guess you’ve got to expand to the stadiums. Football is football, so stop being greedy. Let us play the game; it’s not all about the money.
Q: What has been your most rewarding experience in life? Where does football rank?
A: Football comes at the top. For me to be 21, not too many people get this opportunity, so with the draft here, it really is just a wild moment.
