After Wednesday's practice I was able to catch up with starting Dawg safety Michael Egwuagu. Here is our Q&A.
Q: How is the first day of practice with pads different for a defense than previous practices?
A: "The biggest thing is we can be more aggressive. I can put my hands on that number two slot receiver in the slot. I can collision him more. We can play more free and not have to pull up all the way. We're still pulling up because no one needs to get injured, but it is more of an aggressive tone when those pads come on. No matter what anyone says we all love to hear those pads pop.
Q: How different is it being a junior on an inexperienced team compared to when you came in as a freshman on an experienced team?
A: The biggest thing is now that I have that two years of experience under my belt the other guys look at me for guidance and to lead the drills, even to make some calls on defense or an audible. I'll even be telling the free (safety) what we're checking into, whereas in previous years I had Nic (Johnston) right there and T-Wade (Triston Wade) telling me what to do because I was the baby. I just followed their lead, but now the leadership role is on me and that is a difference. It is one I embrace, though. You know I'm no follower.
Q: Not having Triston out there has to be weird for this defense. How have other guys stepped up and has anyone taken over that spot?
A: It is wide open. We're filling out. Wade was a big playmaker. We have guys that can go. We have playmakers.
Q: Was watching Pro Day a motivation for you?
A: Most definitely. That was probably the biggest motivation I've seen since I've been here. It is one thing to come to UTSA and know we're going to have a chance to play these big teams and all that, but once we have a Pro Day like we had on Monday it shows that we've made it and we have a chance to see that dream become a reality. You physically see these NFL scouts from all over the place watching guys we played with, that we competed with and know their skill-sets, it is crazy. It's real now. We have to go get it now. We have the platform now. There isn't anything holding this program back. We're here.
Q: How is the first day of practice with pads different for a defense than previous practices?
A: "The biggest thing is we can be more aggressive. I can put my hands on that number two slot receiver in the slot. I can collision him more. We can play more free and not have to pull up all the way. We're still pulling up because no one needs to get injured, but it is more of an aggressive tone when those pads come on. No matter what anyone says we all love to hear those pads pop.
Q: How different is it being a junior on an inexperienced team compared to when you came in as a freshman on an experienced team?
A: The biggest thing is now that I have that two years of experience under my belt the other guys look at me for guidance and to lead the drills, even to make some calls on defense or an audible. I'll even be telling the free (safety) what we're checking into, whereas in previous years I had Nic (Johnston) right there and T-Wade (Triston Wade) telling me what to do because I was the baby. I just followed their lead, but now the leadership role is on me and that is a difference. It is one I embrace, though. You know I'm no follower.
Q: Not having Triston out there has to be weird for this defense. How have other guys stepped up and has anyone taken over that spot?
A: It is wide open. We're filling out. Wade was a big playmaker. We have guys that can go. We have playmakers.
Q: Was watching Pro Day a motivation for you?
A: Most definitely. That was probably the biggest motivation I've seen since I've been here. It is one thing to come to UTSA and know we're going to have a chance to play these big teams and all that, but once we have a Pro Day like we had on Monday it shows that we've made it and we have a chance to see that dream become a reality. You physically see these NFL scouts from all over the place watching guys we played with, that we competed with and know their skill-sets, it is crazy. It's real now. We have to go get it now. We have the platform now. There isn't anything holding this program back. We're here.
