Immediately following the spring game, Pete and I hosted a live CanesInSight/Canes Connection podcast at Titanic. We were privileged to sit down with Miami’s newest pass rusher, Marshall transfer DE Elijah Alston. Below is transcript of the interview, also available on video above:
On his first few months in Coral Gables: It was a fast-paced transition. I got here late in January, so there was a little bit too much going on trying to get adapted. But other than that, getting settled in wasn't bad. It was just getting used to the early morning schedule. At Marshall, we didn't really have an early morning schedule. We did everything in the middle of the day. So getting used to doing everything in the morning was a reset. I had to relearn it. But once you get used to it, you get used to it.
On his maturity as a transfer: It's a business trip. We're not here for palm trees. We're trying to win championships.
On what made him choose Miami: It's always going to be about the U. I always wanted to come to Florida to play ball. I reconnected with my past D-coordinator at Marshall, Lance Guidry. Having him for two years, coming back to kick it with him, run his defense again and execute at a higher level on a higher platform. It’s going to be fun this year.
On why he wanted to reconnect with Coach Guidry: His passion, the way he coached, how he is. He's always fired up. He's always on 10. He always on “go.” How he is as a person on and off the field. How he cares for his kids. It plays a part.
On his hobbies: Other than working out and being at practice, I like to lay down and sit in the house.
On his versatility: Other than pass rushing, I can play out in space. I can do a little bit of coverage. I'm here to perfect my game just a little bit more.
On the pass rushers he models his game after: Khalil Mack and Von Miller. Those are my top two right there. I like the way they play.
On Coach Cristobal: Recruitment wise, we sat down and talked one-on-one. He seems like a good man. He actually cares outside of football. He actually cares for the kids. He wants to build a relationship. He wants to hang out a little bit more and get to know me one-on-one. Everything is about trust. You’ve got to build trust. You’ve got to build relationships with people.
On the music he listens to before a game: It really depends on my mood in the moment. Sometimes I listen to rap music, upbeat stuff, or sometimes I just mellow out. I listen to gospel music. It just depends.
Getting to the field, in the locker room, I'm mellowed out. I listen to either R&B or gospel. I read scriptures and get in the Bible. Once I'm on the field, a little bit before the game, after pregame and all of that, I'll turn myself a little bit with rap music.
On Jalen Rivers: That boy different. He’s different. I ain't gonna lie. His punch, once he grabs you, if you don't get them hands before he gets you, you’re not going nowhere. That's all I'm gonna say. You’re not going nowhere.
On Jason Taylor: He’s cool. He thinks just like a player. If you sit down with JT, he thinks just like the players do. It's a different coaching aspect when the coach actually understands how the players are.
On his favorite classes: I’ve got this one history class I enjoyed a lot. It's an African-American history class. The most lackadaisical class I’ve got is a yoga class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but it's good. It comes in the clutch when it needs to come in the clutch.
On his personal goals: I want to be All-American. I want to be first team conference. I want at least 10+ sacks. Two picks. I want another pick six. I love that feeling. Get a good amount of TFLs. I want to be an all-around player. I want to be able to capitalize on every situation I'm blessed to have.
On the fastest defensive end: The fastest is Marquise Lightfoot. That boy is too fast. He’s too fast.
On the youth at the position: We’ve got Marquise Lightfoot. We’ve got Cole McConathy. I like them two kids. They’ve got real potential. They can be something.
On the message from Miami’s Hall of Famers who have spoken to the team: We’ve got business to do. They made a path for us to walk on. They started it. They want us to finish it. They want us to keep it going. They built a legacy for us.
There is a standard at the U that you have to maintain. This year, we have a lot of players. We’ve got a lot of talent. This is the year where we can elevate and do what we’ve got to do to continue to keep the stride of what they started.
On chasing Cam Ward in practice: It teaches me how to move a little bit better. It teaches me how to chase a quarterback in a very mobile way. Cam will run sideways, Cam will run forward, backwards. Cam will run the circles if he can. Cam is always going to be somewhere. If you can get Cam in the pocket and you can get him to where he can't move, then you're good. But having a slippery QB is the best way to train yourself to get to quarterbacks.
