Q&A: DT Ziggy Hood, Missouri

What are your current height, weight and workout numbers?
Hood: Right now I am 298 at 6’3. As far as testing, we haven’t really tested (yet). We are still in the process, but after the Senior Bowl we will get that.

What does it mean to you to be invited to the Senior Bowl?
Hood: I the invite about one or two weeks before the Alamo Bowl. Hearing some information like that made my day. It basically made me feel good at all of the hard work I put in.

What did it mean to finish your career out on a positive note like that after an up and down season?
Hood: It is always a positive thing to finish the season with a victory and it didn’t matter if it was a BCS bowl or something else because it is always good to win the final game. For our senior class to go to four bowls and win the last one is just outstanding.

What is the highlight of your career?
Hood: Coming in with a 2005 class not knowing what we would accomplish...right now I would say going to four bowls and putting Missouri on the map.

Who is the best player you have faced in your career?
Hood: I would have to put Duke Robinson as a tough guy I went against.

Who is the best player on your team?
Hood: I would probably put Chase Coffman in there. he has been battling through some injuries but that Baylor game opened my eyes when he came through in the clutch and got us a victory when we needed one.

Where are you working out in preparation for the Senior Bowl and the combine?
Hood: CES in Atlanta, Georgia.

Who are some of the players you are training with?
Hood: Graham Harrell, Oklahoma's wide receiver (Juaquin) Iglesias and Trent Williams, and a couple other guys. I think the quarterback from Arizona (Willie Tuitama) is out here (too) just to name a few.

What are you working on most in training?
Hood: Right now I'm working on my speed staying low. In games I tend to play high when I get tired and it causes more problems when you are taller. I am trying to condition myself to play low and with better leverage.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Hood: Sleep as much as possible to rest. If not then to stay at the house and play games and just chill out for a while. Not too much. Just really laying around the house and getting rest.

What is your favorite video game and which system?
Hood: XBOX 360. I am playing Prince of Persia. I really like the Call of Duty series.

What is your favorite movie?
Hood: I like that Clint Eastwood Gran Torino but I also liked the Dark Knight.

What music is in your iPod right now?
Hood: I listen to mostly southern rap starting with Zero and Tra.

What are your future goals?
Hood: Hopefully if I am blessed to play as many years as I can in the big leagues and try to establish myself as a dominant player. If not I want to be a great backup and provide help and end with a good note. I want to try and head in the direction of coaching so I can bring a young player up in the world to get a better opportunity to play.

Photo Credit: Mizzou Media Relations