DeAndre “The Nuk” Hopkins main objective in Houston is to get to the Super Bowl this season. With the 27th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Texans selected Hopkins a wide receiver from the University of Clemson. This former Tiger has been compared to a current NFL superstar wide-out,Roddy White, of the Atlanta Falcons. Many draft experts have said some of the superior skills that Hopkins possess are creating separation from coverage, great body control to catch the ball anywhere thrown his way, and his effective skills in run blocking for his running backs.
Now Hopkins takes these skills to “H-Up” Nation where they are looking forward to getting back to the playoffs this year and ultimately a Super Bowl trophy.
***Please note Commander Freak (founder of Battle Red Freaks) corrected PPI that DeAndre will have to put his H Up!
Hopkins has a lot more to offer then merely on the field.
Pro Player Insider’s Theresa Villano caught up with DeAndre “Nuk” Hopkins at the NFL Rookie Premiere event and asked him what he hopes to accomplish with the Texans, about his European style, food of choice and Rookie Premiere experience. Most importantly PPI finds out the nickname the Battle Red Freaks (fan group) will be chanting when Hopkins scores a TD.
PPI: What do you look forward to the most in Houston playing with the Texans?
Hopkins: I look forward to winning a Super Bowl; they have been there two years in a row and they have been a game away. I feel like me being there is going to help them get to a Super Bowl, so that’s what I am looking forward to.
PPI: Who have you talked to at rookie minicamp?
Hopkins: Me and Andre Johnson. He has been taking me out; the first day I got there before we started practice he took me and my family out to dinner and he has just been like a role model and big brother to me. Him, Matt Schuab, Arian Foster, and all those guys are treating me like a little brother.
PPI: You have a fellow Clemson Tiger here in Andre Ellington (pictured above); what is it like for you two to be experiencing this together?
Hopkins: It’s great. Coming from South Carolina not too many great things come from there. It’s a small, small place you know so coming to a place like Hollywood and being around the different scenery and having this opportunity is a blessing. We are just capturing it.
PPI: When you were a child was there a grade in school or a moment that you realized you were going to become a football player?
Hopkins: Actually there wasn’t. I wanted to play soccer and baseball. They were my first loves and I was just kind of taller. I was playing quarterback because I could throw further than anyone and that’s how it kind of started. Just being able to throw the ball far and playing quarterback in middle school.
PPI: Have the soccer moves helped with your footwork?
Hopkins: Oh yeah! Of course. I still play soccer all the time and I am going to try and be a professional goalie one day in the offseason or something.
PPI: Can we see some of your (soccer) foot work? Or save that for later?
Hopkins: Come on now (chuckles).
PPI: we will save that for another PPI interview.
PPI: In Texas they do have good southern cooking, what is your favorite food?
Hopkins: My favorite food is probably calamari.
PPI: How would you describe your fashion and style?
Hopkins: I would say its European. Since high school I have been shopping on ASOS; it’s a European website. So I would say my fashion is European, slim fit.
Check out Nuk’s favorite store here: http://www.asos.com
PPI: What is your nickname; childhood and current?
Hopkins: My nickname is Nuk. The whole Clemson stadium and the fans say Nuke when I catch a ball so it’s kind of a childhood nickname I picked up so it has stuck with me.
PPI: Do they chant (at Clemson) “Nuk, Nuk, Nuk” or “Nuuuuuuuuuuk”?
Hopkins: “Nuuuuuuuuuuk.” Yeah, it’s a childhood nickname that got picked up.
PPI: What can the huge fan group of the Houston Texans called the Battle Red Freaks expect from you this season?
Hopkins: You can expect me to come out and give my all for the Texans to win a Super Bowl.
Get the latest from Deandre Hopkins @Nukdabomb .
Hopkins was one of 35+ players the attended the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere this year:
–Theresa Villano
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