(Opening statement) “I want to thank everyone for being patient with me. I appreciate you all. I’m hyped to be a Jaguar and to get out there and get to work whenever that time comes.”
(On playing with Myles Jack at UCLA and if they may play on offense for the Jaguars) “I don’t see us moving to the other side of the ball. (laughter) I think there is plenty of talent over there and they will manage without us. My time with Myles [Jack] [at UCLA] was great. He was a super humble young guy who came in and contributed in a huge way playing on both sides of the ball. I loved his work ethic, his athleticism and his versatility. I love the kid, and I have been super happy to see his success since coming to the Jaguars. It was really cool because when he came in, he was kind of the reason we created that defense package on offense. He was the running back, I played tight end along with another defensive end and then we would have defensive tackles play football. For the most part, we would just pound the ball to Myles and he would go nuts. I had a couple touchdowns, that was cool. It was a ton of fun playing with Myles, and I’m looking forward to playing some games with him [in the NFL].”
(On playing in a 3-4 defense) “I’ll be playing the SAM and I’m going to work my hardest to compete and hopefully earn a starting job at the SAM position and bring my best every day. I think it is a great opportunity and it is a great defense. I am looking forward to the challenge. For me, I came into the league on a team that was super deep with defensive linemen and pass rushers and just good edge players. They had an ‘each one, teach one’ mentality where the vets really took young guys or any guy who needed help under their wing. Whatever knowledge that I have that I feel like can help guys, I am always open to sharing it and helping whoever needs help. I am looking forward to getting out there and getting to know my teammates better.”
(On the skillset that he brings to the defense) “Like I was saying earlier, just a lot of versatility. I’m skilled at a lot of different things. I have a nonstop motor, and I have an awareness for the game and I’m a ball hawk. I’m going to rush the passer. I’m going to set the edge, make plays. You’ll see me all over the field. I might be inside, I might be outside covering, I might be outside rushing. There’s a lot that I feel like I can bring to the team. I look forward to showcasing that to the guys on the team first and foremost, my teammates and my coaches and then the fans when I get a chance.”
(On what he’s seeing from K’Lavon Chaisson) “Just a smart guy. He seems real focused. He’s not saying too much. Nothing that comes out of his mouth is a waste of words. He’s only been in a couple of meetings because he just got drafted not too long ago, but from what I’ve experienced, he’s a mature, young man and I look forward to getting to know him better.”
(On how art has influenced his life and football game) “Magic has been with me for a long time. I started when I was 11 years old. It gave me a place to go and be myself. As a kid who was born into an athletic family, there wasn’t a whole lot of nerdy stuff going on. I was into Pokemon and Yugio and all the cartoons and amines and stuff like that. I didn’t have anybody to relate to me with that, but I stumbled across the game of magic and the guys that play that game – they’re not always the coolest, but they’re some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. It taught me to accept people from all types of backgrounds. What they look like doesn’t matter and all that kind of stuff. I feel like that’s humbled me throughout. Tattoos, I don’t really know what to say about the tattoos. I started the day I turned 18 because mom was not having it before then. I just love it. I had a vision for what I wanted and the artwork on my body. I love it. I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s a part of me, and it’s kind of like I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve, literally.”
