Q&A: Scott McKillop, LB, Pittsburgh

Player Spotlight interview with Scott McKillop hosted by Daniel Mogollon on All Access Football Radio.

With the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine behind you, what’s your typical day like now?

McKillop: Right now, my typical day…I was fortunate enough to be out in California, training at Velocity in Irvine. I flew back in this past Saturday so I’ve been working out with our strength and conditioning coach at Pitt. That’s basically Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We’ll train for two days, have a little restoration day in the middle, then continue. Right now it’s my job, so I’m basically doing it all day long and trying to give it my full effort, and hopefully I reap the benefits come Draft day.

When you were out there at Velocity, who were some of the other guys you were working out with there in California?

McKillop: Some of the guys I was out there working with were B.J Raji, Mark Sanchez, Clay Matthews, Donald Brown, Pat White, Ryan Purvis, Eric Wood, Will Johnson from Michigan, and Tim Jamison from Michigan.

Did you build good relationships while you were out there? Who did you hang out with?

McKillop: I definitely think I built a couple of good relationships. My roommate was Eric Wood and going into the process, training together, we had some mutual respect for each other. He’s a great player, one of the hardest players I went up against. I hung out a little with B.J. Raji and Ryan Purvis from B.C.

Eric Wood is one of those nasty-type centers, right?

McKillop: Oh yeah, he brings his lunch pail to work every day.

How about a guy like B.J. Raji, wouldn’t you love to play behind him at the next level? I know you got to play with him a little at the Senior Bowl…

McKillop: Oh definitely, the one thing about him is he requires a double team every play so that frees-up the linebacker a little bit. You need to have some big boys in front of you to be able to play back and have some more freedom.

Let’s stay with the Senior Bowl—out of this whole process is that the most fun for the players, since you actually get to play football?

McKillop: Oh yeah, it was definitely real fun. It was my first opportunity to meet some of the names that you heard about from the people you played against. You also see how well you stack-up against the top seniors in the Draft. You get to create relationships with a bunch of players, but also like you said, it’s good to be out there tackling again—that’s one thing I like to do is play football. It was a great learning experience for me.

What did you learn from Marvin Lewis and his staff?

McKillop: One thing you get to learn about as you go to the next level is that it’s a business. There’s no time to play-around, there’s no dead-time—everything is done for a reason. With a coach like Marvin Lewis, he didn’t deal with any BS, and basically how he wanted it was how it was going to get done.

Do you think it’s indicative of your game that you stand out more in games than in practice? When people aren’t worried about what your measurements are and what your speed is, you just play football…

McKillop: Exactly, I think I flourish in working in team-drills. You know, whether you have to read, you have to react...basically all the intangibles you need to become a good football player. I think come game time I showed up, and that is one of the things—sometimes when people see me, they’re not impressed at first. But I know once they see me play, I will definitely leave an impression in people’s minds.

Is that annoying, because that implies that people have some sort of impression of you without having seen you play much?

McKillop: Oh definitely…one of the things about the Draft and the Combine is how you look. People put a lot of weight on what their first impressions are. I think sometimes it works against me in a way, but I think no matter what if the teams do enough scouting they’ll see that I’m a great player and I can play at the next level.

What were your experiences like the week of the Combine?

McKillop: I remember one of the guys there saying that this will probably be the last time you ever run a 40 ever in your life. The day of the workouts, the Monday when all the linebackers and I worked out, we were on the field from about 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m. Basically what they want to do is see how well you perform. It’s like an away game, where you’re not used to anything and they just want to see how you perform at your lowest.

Did you feel you met the goal for yourself heading in?

McKillop: I think I did pretty well, you know, a lot of people—like you said earlier—weren’t expecting much out of me as far as them saying, “He’s out there. He’s isolating himself, that’s his weakness”. But I think Combine-wise and time-wise I showed people I am athletic, and contrary to what people think about me, I went up against my competition—who were supposed to be so much faster than me and so much quicker than me—and I beat them in a couple of events.

Any particular teams show some interest in you?

McKillop: I was fortunate enough to meet with all the linebacker coaches and get an opportunity to talk X’s-and-O’s. I think chalk talk is one area that I think is my great asset; my understanding of the game. Being able to scan the D-line, the linebackers, the secondary and have everybody on the same page, to make sure if something is wrong out there—I have the knowledge and the understanding of everything. But I had an opportunity…I had a meeting with the Chargers, the Jets, the Saints and the Panthers.

You have pretty good bulk. Did any teams talk to you about playing the 3-4 defense? Did that come up at all while you were talking to teams?

McKillop: Yeah, you know it was kind of funny. It depends who you talk to as far as teams. You know, some teams say they want you to lose some weight, and others say they want you to add more bulk. I have no problem doing either because throughout my entire life I was a wrestler, so losing weight has never been a problem with me. My dad is about 6’6’’ about 300 pounds, so I never had a problem gaining either.

What would you say is your max playing-weight if you had to bulk up a little bit?

McKillop: I can see myself getting to 255.

You’re a Pennsylvania kid, you went to Pitt, your favorite team is the Steelers…they play a 3-4 defense. Would that be a nice fit for you?

McKillop: You know, I just think I would love to play for the Steelers if they decided it would be in their best interest to draft me. I would go out there and prove it was the correct decision. But no matter who picks me up, I’m just going to go out there, no matter if its practice or a game, and try to erase any doubts they had about me as a player.

Have you had a chance to follow them closely the past few years playing in the same stadium? They also have a few good linebackers there…

McKillop: They’ve had a great nucleus, some great linebackers. It’s kind of hard not becoming a Steelers fan whenever you share the same facilities as the Pittsburgh Steelers, whether it’s practice or a game. You also get to watch them practice every once in a while. So it’s kind of hard not to become a Steelers fan. I’m from Pittsburgh, I went to college in Pittsburgh, and it’s kind of hard not to catch that Steeler vibe.

I’m sure you must have enjoyed this past January once your college career was over, watching the playoff run?

McKillop: Oh, yeah definitely. I was actually out in California when they won the Super Bowl. I was so happy, to the point that I couldn’t wait to get back to my family to celebrate the win with them.

Tell us a little bit about your teammate LeSean McCoy, and what’s it like trying to get a hold of Shady at practice?

McKillop: He’s a great kid. He has great character. One of my good friends. He helped me become a better linebacker this year. I thought I was pretty fortunate to go out and practice against one of the top running backs in college football. I think he helped me become a better tackler this year than I was last. He’s a great kid, I’m pulling for him.

How about the guard C.J. Davis?

McKillop: He’s thick, he hits hard, and he keeps his legs pumping. He’s a little underrated as well, in my opinion. Hopefully he gets a shot. I think he’ll catch-on with some team.

We closeout with a segment we call three-and-out. First down: Who was your favorite superhero growing up?

McKillop: Spiderman.

Second down: Who is your favorite female entertainer?

McKillop: My favorite female entertainer…I would say Jessica Biel.

Not a bad choice...Third down: First purchase you’re looking forward to making once you get that NFL contract? Maybe something you aren’t able to get now, but once you get that NFL paycheck, maybe you’ll be able to get.

McKillop: I’m pretty much set as far as myself. I would like to help my mom and dad out, because they helped me out and I just want to make them happy since they had to sacrifice for me and my two older brothers growing up. So whatever they'd like to get, I’ll help them out with it.

How about your brothers, anything for them?

McKillop: Umm…I guess if I’m fortunate enough to play I’ll sit down with them and see if I can help them out with something.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Pittsburgh)

Monday Night Lights!

On the Show:

* NFL Draft Bible Player Spotlight: Wide Receiver Ramses Barden out of Cal-Poly

* NFL Draft Bible Player Spotlight: Inside Linebacker Scott McKillop out of Pittsburgh

* NFL Draft Bible Player Spotlight: Cornerback Will Harding out of Fresno St.

* NFL hot topics with All Access Football Radio's newest host Brian Spector, hailing from 560 WQAM in Miami.

* NFL Draft Bible Insider Ralph Mancini calls in take the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos On the Clock.

* Legal Line author and New York City attorney Scott Daniels calls to break down the Donte Stallworth case and the new head of the NFLPA DeMaurice Smith.

* Justin VanFulpen checks in to discuss potential major changes in the way the NFL structures their offseason.

* Small School Insider Josh Buchanan chimes in with his Pro Day risers and sliders.

Missed it Live? No worries...click to listen as NFL Draft Bible Founder Rick Serritella takes you around the league with special guests from around the football world. 90 min.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Pittsburgh)

LB SCOTT MCKILLOP On All Access Football Radio

Scott McKillop takes time out of his Pro Day preparation to talk with College Football Insiders Founder and NFL Draft Bible President Daniel Mogollon in another NFL Draft Bible Player Spotlight. McKillop led the nation in tackles as a junior and earned Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. The former Pitt Panther talks about his experiences at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, working out at Velocity Sports and getting ready for his upcoming Pro Day. Learn about his favorite NFL team, teammates LeSean McCoy and C.J. Davis, his favorite superhero, what he plans on doing with his first NFL paycheck and more.

*** CLICK TO LISTEN ***

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Pittsburgh)

Q&A: Donald Brown, UConn - Walter Camp On Location

Connecticut All-American Donald Brown sat down with All-Access Football Radio
at the Yale University Commons in New Haven prior to the Walter Camp 42nd Annual National Awards Diner on January 17, 2009.

What does it mean to be a Walter Camp All-American?

Brown: It’s an honor to be here, with all the great athletes that are here, and also to be able to represent the University of Connecticut. So I’m honored to be here.

Did you expect to be here and to declare for the draft before the year started?

Brown: Honestly, I didn’t expect to be here right now, but I prepared hard back in January and prepared myself for any situation and this is the situation I’m in and I’m just grateful to be here.

Originally you stated that you wanted to come back and help lead UConn to a Big East title. That must mean it wasn’t an easy decision to leave...

Brown: It wasn’t an easy decision especially leaving a program that’s been having so much success. I wanted to get the distractions away from my team, we needed to focus on the bowl so I wanted to make sure there wasn’t anymore talk of me leaving early for the NFL so I had to nip that in the bud a little bit. It was a tough decision but my family and Coach (Randy) Edsall were very supportive for me so that made it a lot easier.

So are you saying you were pulling the media’s leg by saying you were coming back next year?

Brown: Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to protect your teammates.

What’s going on in New Jersey? There are a lot of talented running backs coming out of there.

Brown: Jersey produces great talent every year. We get looked past every once in awhile with the bigger states like Texas and Florida, but Jersey football is pretty good.

Did you happen to play against any of the talented running backs coming out of Jersey?

Brown: Actually Knowshon Moreno and I were teammates in Pop Warner together, and he lives close by so I’ve known Knowshon for awhile now.

Who got more carries between you two?

Brown: I think it was pretty equal, we played running back and wing back.

That must have been a heck of a team.

Brown: Yeah it was a pretty good team.

Did you guys talk about college ball or playing in the NFL back then in Pop Warner?

Brown: No we were just kids out there having fun playing Pop Warner.

What are your plans moving forward as far as preparation for the combine and draft?

Brown: Right now I’m in California training at Velocity in Irvine. It’s been great, there’s a lot of great guys out there, the trainers are awesome and my agency is also out there in Athletes First and they are a bunch of great guys so I’m happy where everything is at right now.

What do you bring to the table as far as your game is concerned?

Brown: I just want to be an all-around back. Similar to Brian Westbrook, able to catch, run, and block. I just want to be an all-around good back.

What is a part of your game that you want to improve?

Brown: I need to improve on everything to be honest with you, because when you get to the NFL it’s the little things that make a big difference. I just need to improve on everything and I think I'll be alright.

What are your other interests besides football?

Brown: I like kicking my feet up at the end of the day. You go out there and practice hard and train hard and you just want to go back to your room and kick your feet up and just hang out.

Any other interests or hobbies?

Brown: Not really, just hanging out with friends and family and focusing on football.

Do you think that the fact that you are so focused on the game is the reason why you are where you’re at today?

Brown: I think it has, and I think it’s the people I surround myself with. I surround myself with great people who are focused as well so that helps me.

Who is one of the toughest individual opponents you faced this year? Maybe the biggest hit you took this year?

Brown: To be honest with you I didn’t really take that many big hits this season. There is a lot of great talent in the Big East this year. (Tyrone) McKenzie down in South Florida is a great linebacker, (Scott) McKillop who I’m actually training with out at Velocity right now. Every week it’s great to play with the Big East.

Who was your favorite running back growing up?

Brown: I was a big Tiki Barber fan.

Are you going to follow him into commentating after your career is over as well?

Brown: People have been saying that I might have a career in something like commentating or news broadcasting or something like that. We’ll see and take it one day at a time, but obviously the NFL is my focus right now.

What team did you root for growing up?

Brown: The Giants, I’m a big Giants fan.

Disappointed that they didn’t advance in the playoffs?

Brown: It’s a little disappointing, but it just wasn’t their day.

Would that be an ideal spot for you to get drafted to?

Brown: I’m willing to go anywhere I don’t care. I just want a spot on the roster, that’s all I’m asking for.

Sun Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Oregon St.

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

December 31, 2008 * 2:00 * CBS
Sun Bowl * El Paso, Texas

The hope was this year’s Sun Bowl would feature two of the youngest and brightest running backs in the country. LeSean McCoy followed up his outstanding freshman season with an even better sophomore year by gaining more yards, scoring more touchdowns and leading Pittsburgh – at long last – to a bowl game. Unfortunately, Oregon St. freshman Jacquizz Rodgers, who became a household name after his 186-yard performance led the Beavers to an upset win over USC will not be available. A late season injury kept him out of the Civil War and might have cost his team a trip to the Rose Bowl.

When the Panthers Have the Ball

The Panther offense relies heavily on the success of their star running back McCoy. He was unanimously named first team All Big East, ranked 10th in the nation in rushing with 1,403 yards, and was the nation’s second leading scorer with 21 touchdowns. Oregon State's rush defense, ranked 46th in the country, will have trouble keeping McCoy, who has scored a touchdown in every game this season, from reaching the end zone. The problem with the Pittsburgh offense is their pass protection and the decision making of their quarterback, Bill Stull. The junior has had a solid season throwing for 2,304 yards and has improved his completion percentage. However, Stull throws far too many interceptions and takes unnecessary chances. Senior wide out Derek Kinder can be the go-to guy at times catching a team leading 35 balls, but he’s struggled against better competition. Keep an eye out for freshman Jonathan Baldwin and junior Oderick Turner, they haven't put up superb numbers but are deep threats. The big mismatch in this game is the Oregon State defensive line versus the Pittsburgh offensive line. The Panthers have had trouble protecting the quarterback all year and are ranked 81st in the nation in allowing sacks while the Beavers have put up the 10th most sacks in the nation. Their senior ends Slade Norris and Victor Butler are strong pass rushers. Norris leads the team with nine total sacks. Linebacker Keaton Kristick, who finished the season with 14.5 tackles for loss, may also play a significant role. He could be the key to containing the Pittsburgh rushing attack.

When the Beavers Have the Ball

It was obvious how important Rodgers is to the Oregon State offense when he was out in their loss to Oregon and only touched the ball four times in their near loss against Arizona. What makes the freshman so valuable is his ability to gain yards in bunches (averaging 4.8 yards per carry). The game could come down to the play of quarterback Lyle Moevao. The junior missed some action, including two games down the stretch, but looked healthy in his five-touchdown performance against Oregon. Moevao keeps his completion percentage fairly high and is always a threat to beat the defense deep. Senior receiver Sammie Stroughter – 64 catches for 952 yards – will be tough to stop. The all-conference wide out finished the season strong posting 116 yards at Arizona and 145 yards versus Oregon, turning in four games this season with 100-plus receiving yards. He is a deadly threat averaging 14.9 yards per catch. The Panthers have had trouble defending the big pass play and lost games against passing teams Cincinnati and Rutgers. The secondary wasn't able to handle the depth Rutgers had at receiver and may have trouble containing Stroughter and Shane Morales. The speedy James Rodgers, Quizz’s big brother, is also out for this contest. Freshman tailback Ryan McCants and senior wide out Chris Johnson could end up playing big roles. The key to the Pitt defense is Scott McKillop – if the linebacker can make OSU a passing team, the Panthers will have a fighting chance.

Final Analysis

With a more balanced offensive attack and a ferocious pass rush – not to mention Coach Mike Riley’s perfect 4-0 bowl record – the Beavers are the team beat in the 2008 Sun Bowl.

Oregon St. Beavers (8-4, 7-2)
Pass: Lyle Moevao – 2,341 yards, 19 TDs
Run: Jacquizz Rogers – 1,253 yards, 11 TDs
Catch: Sammie Stroughter – 952 yards, 7 TDs

Pittsburgh Panthers (9-3, 5-2)
Pass: Bill Stull – 2,304 yards, 9 TDs
Run: LeSean McCoy – 1,403 yards, 21 TDs
Catch: Derek Kinder – 410 yards, 3 TDs

The CFI Prediction: Oregon St. 23, Pittsburgh 20

Senior Spotlight: LB Scott McKillop, Pitt

McKillop was a reserve his first two seasons behind H.B. Blades before seizing the starting role as a junior. The unanimous All-Big East selection proved to be productive, finishing with 151 total tackles – the third highest single-season total in Pitt history – in just his first season as a starter as the MIKE linebacker. McKillop has continued his stellar pace amassing 106 tackles this season, including 14.5 tackles for a loss, four of which were sacks. The former high school wrestler brings toughness and intensity with him every time he steps on the gridiron.


PITTSBURGH HOSTS WEST VIRGINIA THIS FRIDAY – 12:00 PM ON ABC

PITTSBURGH'S McKILLOP IS BRONKO NAGURSKI PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - Pittsburgh linebacker Scott McKillop has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Oct. 4.

McKillop, a 6-2, 240-pound senior from Export, Pa., collected a team-high 12 tackles (all unassisted) and had two sacks and three total tackles for loss. He also stopped a run on a fake field goal attempt in Pittsburgh's 26-21 upset victory at South Florida.

Entering the game, South Florida averaged 464 yards offense, but was held to 245 by the Pitt defense that was led by McKillop. His two sacks of South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe totaled 24 yards in losses and came at critical junctures of the game.

McKillop is already on the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 7 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 17.

Each week during the 2008 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 13th season the FWAA has named a national defensive player of the year.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.