On growing up in Mobile, Alabama: I grew up with two younger brothers. Being the oldest for me was important, you know, having my brothers, you know, knowing that they're looking up to you, obviously. I think it made me the person that I am today. I started playing football when I was nine years old. Part of me getting into football was a part of my family. My dad played it and, was always attracted to it. And just growing up out in the yard, putting on shoulder pads and helmets, hitting each other all day was always fun. Just like being outside as a kid, competing was love competing.
On his earliest football memory: Earliest football memory, honestly, I'd have to say is like growing up with the neighborhood kids, putting on shoulder pads and helmets, like I said. Just getting after it, thinking we were guys on TV. So, I'm originally from Louisiana, and my favorite memory of high school, definitely in my high school career, would be our win against our rival. And we came back from being down 24 points at halftime. And a lot of my teammates played really good that game. It felt good to win a win like that. You don't really notice that there's a crowd once you're really playing. But, I mean, as a kid sitting up in the stands, like when you first asked me what's my favorite memory in high school, I immediately went to a kid going to the high school games with my dad. And looking at the crowd and thinking, wow, I could be playing in front of that many people. So, that fades away when you're playing, I feel like. And you're not really thinking about it at all. You're focused on doing well. High school football, it's just, I mean, the game's so pure. And it's special because you grow up with those guys. And, yeah, I mean, you just grew up together and know each other very well. And y'all grew up from the same community.
On his biggest impact so far in his journey: I'd have to say my dad, just with his career and learning from his work ethic and just, yeah, I'd have to say my dad for sure. It's been very beneficial and blessed to have him on my corner. And, it's benefited me in a lot of ways, having advantages that not a lot of people have with that. Yeah, it's been a blessing. The main lesson I feel like just talking is even right now there's somebody else working getting in position right now, like in front of y'all talking. I think that's a big deal, just get back complacency.
On a challenge that he had to overcome: Definitely battling injuries. Like I've never been hurt until I got here. Just coming over injuries like popping a cap, breaking a wrist, whatnot, from a guy who's never been injured. So that, I'd say just getting over injuries and continuing to love the game, get after it, realize how fun football really is. It makes you just want to push through all of those injuries. And it makes the victories that much sweeter when you do that.
On why he chose Miami: I feel like since I was six years old, I always knew I would be in this position. I always knew that, you know, I was going to go play college football. Came here as a defensive end and, just with the room the way that was, being coached by Jason Taylor was a big deal and still is. And, just Coach Cristobal, the way that he recruits is, I mean, you couldn't find that anywhere else in the country. I think he's just very relatable to a lot of different guys. And, from what I can say, a very committed and relentless person. You know, he's back in all of us. I would say that it's important to see it because it's, okay, like this guy is really about what he's talking about to us. And it makes you more willing and more committed to doing it.
On Miami's culture: The culture here at Miami is defined by hard work, grit, a bunch of guys who, are very gritty and committed.
On his message to Canes Fans: What I want Canes fans to know about me when I step on the field, that I'm giving it my all, that giving it all is something I want more than anything.
On something he is excited about: Something that I'm most excited about for this upcoming season would have to be, there's a lot to be excited about. I've just been so excited about spring and thinking about this season, honestly. But I'm just excited for the first game.
On his earliest football memory: Earliest football memory, honestly, I'd have to say is like growing up with the neighborhood kids, putting on shoulder pads and helmets, like I said. Just getting after it, thinking we were guys on TV. So, I'm originally from Louisiana, and my favorite memory of high school, definitely in my high school career, would be our win against our rival. And we came back from being down 24 points at halftime. And a lot of my teammates played really good that game. It felt good to win a win like that. You don't really notice that there's a crowd once you're really playing. But, I mean, as a kid sitting up in the stands, like when you first asked me what's my favorite memory in high school, I immediately went to a kid going to the high school games with my dad. And looking at the crowd and thinking, wow, I could be playing in front of that many people. So, that fades away when you're playing, I feel like. And you're not really thinking about it at all. You're focused on doing well. High school football, it's just, I mean, the game's so pure. And it's special because you grow up with those guys. And, yeah, I mean, you just grew up together and know each other very well. And y'all grew up from the same community.
On his biggest impact so far in his journey: I'd have to say my dad, just with his career and learning from his work ethic and just, yeah, I'd have to say my dad for sure. It's been very beneficial and blessed to have him on my corner. And, it's benefited me in a lot of ways, having advantages that not a lot of people have with that. Yeah, it's been a blessing. The main lesson I feel like just talking is even right now there's somebody else working getting in position right now, like in front of y'all talking. I think that's a big deal, just get back complacency.
On a challenge that he had to overcome: Definitely battling injuries. Like I've never been hurt until I got here. Just coming over injuries like popping a cap, breaking a wrist, whatnot, from a guy who's never been injured. So that, I'd say just getting over injuries and continuing to love the game, get after it, realize how fun football really is. It makes you just want to push through all of those injuries. And it makes the victories that much sweeter when you do that.
On why he chose Miami: I feel like since I was six years old, I always knew I would be in this position. I always knew that, you know, I was going to go play college football. Came here as a defensive end and, just with the room the way that was, being coached by Jason Taylor was a big deal and still is. And, just Coach Cristobal, the way that he recruits is, I mean, you couldn't find that anywhere else in the country. I think he's just very relatable to a lot of different guys. And, from what I can say, a very committed and relentless person. You know, he's back in all of us. I would say that it's important to see it because it's, okay, like this guy is really about what he's talking about to us. And it makes you more willing and more committed to doing it.
On Miami's culture: The culture here at Miami is defined by hard work, grit, a bunch of guys who, are very gritty and committed.
On his message to Canes Fans: What I want Canes fans to know about me when I step on the field, that I'm giving it my all, that giving it all is something I want more than anything.
On something he is excited about: Something that I'm most excited about for this upcoming season would have to be, there's a lot to be excited about. I've just been so excited about spring and thinking about this season, honestly. But I'm just excited for the first game.
