COURTESY OF WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM'S MEDIA RELATIONS STAFF
On when he thought he was worthy of being a high draft pick: “You know, it was something I always had in my heart, something I always wanted to do. I feel like it was definitely when I finished my season that I knew. And then I thought I could be a top pick in this draft. I feel like I’m the best player in this draft. It was after I put it on film because I know at the end of the day, that’s the only thing that matters is how you play football. So you know, I was just real precise and real technical in the things I did in the game to try to be the best player that I could be.”
On if he thought the Washington Redskins would draft him: “I never really knew for sure. I know a lot of people were saying that the Redskins might draft me, every mock draft had the Redskins taking me. But you know, you never know if those are going to come true. I muted out everything and just worked and didn’t really pay attention too much to the mock drafts.”
On who from the team called him after he was drafted: “[Head] Coach [Ron] Rivera was the first one that called me, and he basically told me that he was going to make me a Redskin. He actually talked to my dad after that and he got on the phone with my father and told him again that they were going to take me at number two. It was definitely an exciting moment. After I was drafted, a couple draft picks after that [Washington Redskins Owner] Dan Snyder called me. We had talked, he congratulated me and I thanked him.”
On the first thing he’s going to do as a Redskin: “My plan now is to get in touch with my teammates and get with them. Obviously, I’m in Maryland, they’re in Maryland [area]. Just try to get the best relationship with them and get that as best as possible.”
On what he expects himself to be able to do right away: “I don’t really expect to do anything, it’s how I prepare. That’s what I feel gets me to be my best and that’s just what I’m doing now. I’m just preparing the hardest I can to make sure I have a pretty big impact that first game on the field. I’m just doing my best to stay in shape and just working to be the best football player I can be. So expectations, I’m not really thinking about that. I’m just thinking about being the best player I can be and putting in the preparation to do so.”
On communicating with former Ohio State teammate and Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins Jr.: “I talked to Dwayne a couple days ago, and he was giving me a little bit of inside scoop. At the end of the day, he told me it’s all down to the grind and basically how you have to grind. I just listened to him and am going to be a sponge, just trying to soak up everything I can. That’s my first thing, just going in and grinding.”
On the pressure of playing in his hometown: “I don’t really call it the pressure; I just call it the motivation. I feel like everything just happens in the moment. It just gives me a lot of motivation. I want to keep my best foot forward and keep moving.”
On joining a talented defensive line: “I feel like we’re definitely going to have a great group on the defensive line full of first-rounders. I know those guys are already prepared to get after it. Me just coming in, I’m going to be a sponge and definitely just work my hardest to be a guy who can make an impact out of that group.”
On what this moment means to him: “It means everything. If you think about it, I’ve been working my whole life for that moment, for that call on the phone. Just to be here right now, it’s crazy. I’m definitely very grateful for this opportunity and just ready to get to work.”
On what gives him confidence to perform at a high level in the NFL: “I’m definitely going in and going to put my best foot forward. I think with what I bring to the table and how I prepare, I feel like I’ll definitely make a pretty big impact on the field.”
On preparing to play in the NFL: “The biggest thing is just working out, man. I got to stay at work. I’ve got some things to go through at the next level and I’m just going to put my best foot forward. First, put in the work and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
On the part of his game he improved on this past season: “I feel like my technique. I feel like I got more detailed with my technique this season.”
On the first thing he said to his parents after he was selected: “Everybody was just yelling and laughing, and nobody really said anything in particular. It was still a great moment seeing my name called and just to know it was a long time coming.”
On what his greatest strengths are as a player and where he can improve: “I’m going to definitely try to go and watch some film is one thing I can let you know. Everyday I’m just working. My next step is just getting in touch with my teammates, getting in touch with my coaches just to see what I can learn right now. Just know that I’m going to be the most complete player I can be throughout this whole process.”