How are things going settling into Winona? "Things are going great. I’ve been just adjusting to everything new when it comes to a new school, staff, players, and a town and state… Winona is truly beautiful … before I got here I was not an outdoors type of guy but that has changed dramatically!"
What are some of the roles you have on the Warriors staff? “Right now I’m working with Coach Ulrich, one of our defensive coordinators and defensive line coach. I work primarily with our outside linebackers but do a lot with the entire defensive line group as well. I also recruit North and South Dakota so I’m also getting use to recruiting in a different area vs Michigan schools. Additionally, I am the film coordinator so I handle all the camera work for practices and for games.”
In college, you moved from the offensive side to the defensive side of the ball. What was that transition like? “When I arrived at Olivet College in 2013, I went there as a tight end. I then moved to a role as a full-back and half-back, and enjoyed a lot of playing time as a freshman and sophomore at those positions. During my sophomore season, a lot of our inside linebackers got hurt so our coaching staff asked me to move to middle linebacker ... I decided to change mid-season and it ended up being a great move for me… it was tough learning our whole defense after more than 75% was already installed... We won the MIAA championship that year for the first time since 2007. My senior year, I was voted a team captain and help lead us to a back-to-back MIAA championship for the first time in over a 100 years.”
With your hometown being close to the Chicago-metro area, is it safe to assume you’re a Bears fan? "That is correct, 100%. I am a Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs and a Sox Fan. Yes, both Cubs and Sox - my family didn’t raise me to have to choose!"
As a student-athlete, was there an NFL player you modeled your game after or sought to emulate? “At first it was Antonio Gates because I wanted to be as great as he was. Once I moved to linebacker, it changed and I started modeling my game after players like Ray Lewis, Bobby Wagner, Luke Kuechly and Jon Beason at the time.”
Anything else you would like to share with Warrior Nation? “I’m just happy to be here and I love the sport of football. I love anything that involves being competitiveness and leadership.”
