Q: You were drafted by the Bears in 2016. What will it mean to play against them today, especially now with you being on the Vikings?
A: “I mean, it’ll be exciting. Go back where it all started. That’s the first organization that gave me a chance, so I’ll always have a special place in my heart for them. It didn’t turn out the way that either one of us expected, but it’ll mean a lot to me. They gave me the chance to live my dream, so I’m always grateful for that.”
Q: What’s it like reconnecting with defensive line coach Chris Rumph, who coached you at Florida in your final season?
A: “I think that’s a huge part of why it just turned out so good for me here. During camp, I just walked back into a room that I was familiar with. The way he coaches, his personality; I had my best season under him, so the familiarity of it just really gave me a confidence boost. He’s always been good at getting the best out of me in the right way, learned how to coach me, so when I got the call to come here, I was excited.”
Q: You were ranked as one of the best defensive ends in high school and a 5-star recruit. How much did that build your confidence going into Florida?
A: “The people grading you, whether it was high school graders or college graders, at the end of the day it made you feel good and made you work harder. Made you understand at a young age what was possible and your potential because you’re not there when you get those five stars. You go back and look at the tape now knowing what you know and you’re like, ‘Dang, I was better than the people around me.’ It’s a confidence booster; it definitely gives you that when you’re going to camp and understanding you’re going to get a shot … it’s just what you’re going to do with it. … With recruiting nowadays, they’re getting recruited in eighth grade and stuff like that. I was an 11th-grade guy, so it was a confidence booster for me.”
Q: You had your number retired by your high school [Crest High School in Shelby, North Carolina] last year. How special was that moment?
A: “Very special. That number means a lot to our family. Growing up, my favorite player, if I’m being honest, my older brother’s favorite player was Julius Peppers, and then naturally I wanted to be like [my brother], so my favorite player became Julius Peppers. My older brother wore 90 in high school, and when I came in, he left, so I took 90, so we got to wear it back-to-back. I wore it because of him. He played defensive end, so then I played defensive…
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