TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

You are originally from the Bronx. What made you decide to come to Buffalo?

When I came on my visit, even though there was like 10 feet of snow outside, I came like four days after a blizzard, but the campus, the coaches, the players and the atmosphere of UB.

You have played for two different coaching staffs while you have been a Bull. How difficult was it to adjust during the transition from the old staff to the Gill era?

Yeah, every coach has their own philosophy, so I was used to one philosophy for a couple of years and then I switched to a new one for my last few years and it’s pretty intense.

Throughout your career, you have worn five different numbers (30, 31, 55, 32, 2). Is there a reason or a story behind that?

When I was getting recruited I told them I wanted the number two because it was my number in high school, I played two all-star games in it. When I came in I wanted number two. Mark Graham had it at the time, so they said I had to wait until he graduated, so I wore 30 because I was a fullback when I first got here. So I wore 30 my first year and then I was ineligible my second year. Third year here, I wore 55 and 32. Long story short, going into my fourth year, James Evans had (No. 2), he left the team, so I jumped all over the opportunity to take it (the No. 2) over.

You have played on both sides of the ball, most notably seeing time at fullback, safety and linebacker at UB. What position do you enjoy the most?

I don’t know. Honestly, I like playing, I like the sport, I’ll play whatever. If they need me to play D-line, I’ll play. If they need me to go back to fullback, I’ll do the same thing. I just like playing. At each position, you have your moments of glory. On defense, at linebacker, you get to hit people, you get to knock them down. Safety, you go for the interceptions and at fullback, you score touchdowns. They all have their own moments.

As a linebacker, you are generally expected to break up passes and make stops on runs. How do you anticipate what the other team is going to do on offense so you can make the play on defense?

Watching film, lots and lots of film. You pick up tendencies, see what they like to do on what situations. Most of the time, we watch enough film, so if they take a step to the left or a step to the right, we pretty much know what they’re going to run and we just anticipate where they are going to be.

There are a lot of exciting plays you can make on defense, from taking a runner down in the backfield to knocking away a pass from a receiver to recovering a fumble. What is your favorite play to make?

I guess it would have to be between making an interception for a touchdown or knockout shot, getting to knock someone out so they have to bring in the smelling salt.

You recently played No. 2 Auburn and held them to 10 points at the half, (eventually losing 38-7). What was it like playing a team from the SEC and playing in front of 84,921 fans, mostly fans rooting against Buffalo?

It’s an experience. Having 85,000…89,000 screaming fans. It’s a good opportunity, playing the No. 2 team. As an individual, you get to try to test yourself and see how good you really are and doing it against a team like Auburn, No.2, No.3 in the nation is a great opportunity and it just gives you time to assess where you’re at, athletically and if you have any dreams of making it to the NFL, going against these guys is as close as you’re going to get.

Last weekend the Bulls played host to Ball State and next weekend the Bulls will host Miami (OH). What are the advantages to having two home games on two consecutive weekends?

I love the crowd. The UB crowd is great when they come out. I don’t know what the temperature is going to be like, but just the crowd, having people to cheer for you when you make an exciting play and just getting that momentum going.

This being your final season at UB, what are your plans for the future?

Right now I’m going to try and see if I have the opportunity to go to the League (NFL). If not, I’ll either go back to school and get my Masters in Education and coach at my former high school and coach inner-city school kids that didn’t make it because there are a lot of them, because of distractions.

What has been your favorite moment as a UB student-athlete?

I guess scoring my first touchdown. It was my freshman year, first college play ever, I scored a touchdown. I guess not many people can say that.

“The 10 Questions With…” feature is compiled by Jackie O’Brien.