Q&A: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri (Walter Camp)

Missouri All-American wide receiver and all-around playmaker Jeremy Maclin sits down with All-Access Football Radio at the Yale University Commons in New Haven prior to the Walter Camp 42nd Annual National Awards Dinner on January 17, 2009. Maclin followed up his special freshman season with an even better sophomore campaign recording 102 receptions for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. Coupled with his ability as a return man and to run the football, there was no more dangerous player with the ball in hands than this Tiger. Maclin has declared for the NFL draft where he is expected to be a first round pick.


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

Maclin: It’s definitely a privilege. Obviously they’re recognizing you for your talents, so I’m happy to be here.

How do you think you developed this year, your second year as a starter?

Maclin: I think personally I had success; I got a lot better as far as becoming a complete receiver. Unfortunately the season didn’t go how we wanted it to, but that’s how it goes sometimes. I think I've definitely developed as a person and as a football player.

What do you think you improved on the most from your first year to your second year as a receiver?

Maclin: Recognizing the defenses as far as a receiver goes. That’s definitely a big key; you have to know how to run a route against a certain coverage and how to beat the guy in front of you.

Do you think Chase Daniel has a chance to play at the next level?

Maclin: I think he has a chance to play at the next level, maybe not right away. But I think him working with guys at the next level, quarterback coaches, they will definitely develop him. You can’t question his competitiveness, he’s definitely a competitor. The guy goes out and competes, so that’s not the question. He may have some minor things he needs to tweak in his throwing motion but I think he will definitely play on Sundays sometime.

So you think he’s definitely a quarterback in terms of intangibles and leadership?

Maclin: Oh yeah, he’s definitely the type of guy you want running your team. He has that linebacker mentality, he’s fearless, he doesn’t care about who he's playing—he’s going to go out there and compete 110 percent every snap. That’s the guy you have to have lead your team.

How about Mr. (Chase) Patton? What kind of football does he throw?

Maclin: He throws the deep ball better than anyone I have ever seen. His biggest thing was confidence. I think he was a four-star coming out of high school, maybe five star. He’s kind of slowly decreased as the years went on, but I think he’s definitely a guy who could surprise a lot of people.

So he’s a guy to keep an eye on?

Maclin: Oh yeah. He could have started for a lot of other teams in the nation, he just had another guy in front of him who was a very good ballplayer.

What do you like to do the most? Run after the catch? Deep routes? Returns?

Maclin: I like it all. I like space, deep route, punt return, kick return, I don’t care. I just like the ball in my hands. I call myself a playmaker, that’s what I like to do, I like to make plays. I like to try and score every time I touch the ball. That’s the kind of mentality I’ve had ever since I was in Pop Warner. Nothing has changed and I just thank the coaches for giving me a chance to do so and to get me to the point where I'm excelling. Hopefully I can continue that to the next level.

What kind of a decision was it to leave Missouri?

Maclin: It's something I thought about at the beginning of the season, but it was obviously a tough one for me. At my press conference I kind of broke down a little bit, it was happy tears and sad tears at the same time because I’m leaving guys I’ve spent the last three years of my life with. They probably know more about me, closer to what my mom knows about me, that’s how much time I spent with those guys. It’s definitely a job; I understand that at the next level it’s really a job, but you spend every moment with these guys. They got your back; you sweat with these guys so leaving that kind of atmosphere can take a toll on you.

Who did you lean on the most when making this decision?

Maclin: I talked to a little bit of everybody; ex-teammates, family, coaching staff. Coach Pinkel made a great point—it all comes down to how you feel and what your heart tells you. I feel like I’m ready for the next level, I feel like I can take that step and he told me if I was his son and was projected to go in the first round he would tell me to go. He knows I’m not going to disappoint, I’m going to work hard and hopefully solidify my spot in the first round.

Did you get a first round grade back from the NFL when you put your paperwork in?

Maclin: Yes, sir.

Was that kind of the difference maker in your decision making?

Maclin: It was crazy because at first I thought that if I get a first round grade then I’m going to the NFL no matter what, but after you look at it, it definitely came down to much more than that. That first round doesn’t mean everything; it came down to my gut feeling and my gut feeling told me to go to the next level.

Do you feel not being able to pick an agent right after you declare for the draft puts you at a disadvantage preparing for the combine compared to the seniors?

Maclin: You can always work out at your school, there’s great places out there like API and Michael Johnson down in Houston and all that stuff. If you think about it you’ve spent three, four years at your university already and I’m pretty sure you’ve gotten bigger, stronger, and faster at the university so obviously the strength coaches know what they’re doing. They know they’re not going to disappoint you, they’re not going to let you down, they’re in it for your best interest. To see you excel at the next level represents the program, so they’re going to do everything they can to get you ready for the combine or pro day to have the best day of your life. That’s how I kind of look at it, they haven’t let me down yet so why shy away from them?

What are your main interests besides football?

Maclin: I collect shoes; I’m a big shoe person. I actually keep my shoes in containers in my closet which is kind of weird. I’m just a big shoe guy.

What’s your favorite brand?

Maclin: I like all of them; shoes, sneakers.

How many Jordan’s do you have?

Maclin: Up in the high 20’s. I’m a big fusion person, those are the forces mixed with the Jordan’s.

How many shoes do you have in your closet?

Maclin: There were 75 in the closet at school and I gave away like 20 last Christmas break and summer. I have like 50 in the closet right now.

Click to Listen to Audio From the Walter Camp Dinner

Photo Credit: Mizzou Media Relations

DANNY WUERFFEL On All Access Football Radio

Danny Wuerffel talks with College Football Insiders Founder and NFL Draft Bible President Daniel Mogollon about his playing days in Gainesville as a Florida Gator, Steve Spurrier, Tim Tebow, the adjustments a quarterback has to make from college to the pros and life after football. Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award, Draddy Trophy and the Davey O’Brien Award (among other awards) on his way to a National Championship in 1996. He won four SEC titles and set 17 school records during his college career. Currently the former signal caller—who spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins of the NFL—gives out his own award, the Danny Wuerffel Trophy. More importantly, Wuerffel works with Desire Street Ministries to help the impoverished.

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Photo Credit: College Press Box (Davey O'Brien Award)

RADIO: Player Spotlight: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Missouri All-American wide receiver and all-around playmaker Jeremy Maclin sits 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. Maclin followed up his special freshman season with an even better sophomore campaign recording 102 receptions for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. Coupled with his ability as a return man and to run the football, there was no more dangerous player with the ball in hands than this Tiger. Maclin has declared for the NFL draft where he is expected to be a first round pick.

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NFL Draft Bible Player Profile Page

Part VI of a series from the Walter Camp 42nd Annual National Awards Diner.

Part I - Former Penn St. DE Aaron Maybin - Click To Listen
Part II – Former Missouri TE Chase Coffman - Click to Listen
Part III – Former UConn RB Donald Brown - Click to Listen
Part IV - USF DE George Selvie - Click to Listen
Part V – Ryan Stancheck – Click to Listen

Photo Credit: College Press Box, Mizzou Media Relations

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.

RADIO: Player Spotlight: OT Ryan Stancheck, West Virginia

West Virginia All-American tackle Ryan Stancheck sits 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. Ryan played his way to a second straight All-American campaign and was a pivotal piece to the Mountaineers’ vaunted rushing attack. West Virginia was a perfect 4-0 during Ryan’s four-year tenure along the offensive line.

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Part V of a series from the Walter Camp 42nd Annual National Awards Diner.

Part I - Former Penn St. DE Aaron Maybin - Click To Listen
Part II – Former Missouri TE Chase Coffman - Click to Listen
Part III – Former UConn RB Donald Brown - Click to Listen
Part IV - USF DE George Selvie - Click to Listen

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communication

RADIO: Player Spotlight: DE George Selvie, USF

South Florida All-American DE George Selvie sits 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. Selvie was not as productive as he was in 2007 when he was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year after notching a nation leading 31.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks, however he was still good enough to be the first Bull to named All-American for a second straight season. Battling a high ankle sprain and fighting off double teams but he still leads South Florida in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (11). He decided to pass up a chance at the NFL and return to USF for his senior season.

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NFL Draft Bible Player Profile Page

Part IV of a series from the Walter Camp 42nd Annual National Awards Diner.

Part I - Former Penn St. DE Aaron Maybin - Click To Listen
Part II – Former Missouri TE Chase Coffman - Click to Listen
Part III – Former UConn RB Donald Brown - Click to Listen

Photo Credit: USF Athletics Communications

RADIO: Player Spotlight: RB Donald Brown, UCONN

Connecticut All-American Donald Brown sits 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. Brown checks in at 5’10” and 210 pounds and is coming off a record-setting season, which led the junior tailback to forgo his final season as a collegian to declare for the NFL Draft. Brown rumbled for 2,083 yards to lead the entire nation in 2008, including a career-high 261 against Buffalo in the International Bowl on Jan. 3.

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NFL Draft Bible Player Profile Page

Part III of a series from the Walter Camp 42nd Annual National Awards Diner. Coming soon USF DE George Selvie, among others.

Part I - Former Penn St. DE Aaron Maybin - Click To Listen
Part II – Former Missouri TE Chase Coffman - Click to Listen

Q&A: Chase Coffman, Missouri - Walter Camp On Location

Missouri All-American Chase Coffman 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?

Coffman: It means a lot. It’s a great honor, especially from the Walter Camp foundation. I showed up here and I didn’t know if it was going to be as big of a deal, but a lot of people told me stuff and just seeing all the alumni that have been through it just really sets in how big it is.

Any of the players pop out to you? Maybe someone you rooted for as a kid?

Coffman: Not so much just one person, but everybody. Just seeing all these guys that have been there done that, won Super Bowls and gone to Pro Bowls, all that stuff that they’ve done. Just kind of hearing about them, they set the standard of what the NFL is today.

Talk about your season with Missouri, both as a team and individually.

Coffman: We were two games away from having the same season we did last year. We had a couple of games where things didn’t go our way, but overall the season was pretty successful. We came away with an Alamo Bowl victory and winning that last game definitely gives a team some momentum going into the next season.

Do you think you guys have built a nice foundation for moving forward in that program?

Coffman: Oh yeah definitely, that’s one thing you just keep trying to do, keep getting more and more wins each year so you can keep getting more exposure and better recruits in. That stuff just adds up in helping you become a better team and being named up there with the elite teams you hear about every year.

What do think of Chase Daniel’s chances in the NFL?

Coffman: Chase is a great guy and a great quarterback and it ultimately comes down to if you can play football or not. If he gets a shot than I think he will definitely prove everyone wrong.

Some people are saying your backup quarterback to Chase Daniel has pro potential, how much has he impressed you?

Coffman: He’s a great quarterback also. I think he will surprise some people. He’s good size and probably has one of the strongest arms I have ever seen. A lot of the time he puts the ball right on the money.

Have you talked to Martin Rucker during the year to get a feel of what the NFL is like as opposed to being a college player?

Coffman: Oh yeah definitely. It’s always great being able to talk to him just to see how things are going. They kind of had a rough year in Cleveland, but he got to play a lot toward the end of the season. So hopefully things will look up for him and I’m looking forward now to what’s going to happen for me.

Do you think athleticism is one of the strengths of your game?

Coffman: Definitely. We ran the spread offense so I’m not really putting my hand down on the ground which is what a lot of people think a real tight end should be doing, so I think that might hurt me a little bit. But being athletic and being able to go out and catch the ball, make a move, hurdle somebody, stiff arm or whatever it is I have to do to make a play…that’s what I’m going to do.

Are you trying to prove those wrong who think you have question marks about your game?

Coffman: Yeah definitely. That’s something that hurt Rucker last year in the draft. Just give me the shot to go down and block on the line and that’s what I’ll do. I haven’t really done it and I haven’t really learned that technique, but if you put me in there and teach me I can definitely be ready for the very first game of the season. Whatever you need to be ready for, I’m going to work as hard as I can to get there.

What are your plans in terms of getting ready for the workouts?

Coffman: I’m going to be going down to work out in Phoenix at API. I broke my foot in the bowl game so that kind of set me back a little bit. As far as that goes, I’m just going to try and get as healthy as possible and just keep doing the best I can to get my draft status up.

So I guess that means you aren’t playing in the Senior Bowl?

Coffman: No.

Are you going to be ready for the combine or are you going to have to wait until your pro day at Missouri?

Coffman: I’ll probably have to wait and end up doing it in the pro day at Missouri. We will just kind of figure things out and see how I feel.

What do you like to do besides football?

Coffman: I love watching movies, all kinds of movies except scary movies. I just don’t like them.

What kind of movies do you like and what movie is your favorite?

Coffman: I like comedy movies and action films. Gladiator is one of my favorites, along with Braveheart. All of the Will Ferrell movies are hilarious, I love comedies.

Who is your favorite actor?

Coffman: Definitely Will Ferrell. Like I said, I like comedies and he’s always good for a laugh.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Missouri)

RADIO: Player Spotlight: OLB/DE Aaron Maybin, PSU

Penn St. All-American Aaron Maybin sits 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. Maybin declared for the 2009 NFL Draft following his spectacular sophomore campaign in which he recorded 12 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles. The former Nittany Lion projects as a first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

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NFL Draft Bible Player Page

Part I of a series from the Walter Camp 42nd Annual National Awards Diner. Coming soon former Missouri TE Chase Coffman, Connecticut's RB Donald Brown and USF DE George Selvie, among others.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Penn St.)

Q&A: Aaron Maybin, Penn St. - Walter Camp On Location

Penn St. All-American Aaron Maybin sits 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.

You had a break out season, what does it mean to be a Walter Camp All-American?

Maybin: It means a whole lot. It’s been a good year and a good career. I’ve really enjoyed myself at this wonderful event. I’ve had a chance to meet a whole lot of people and make some good connections, so overall it’s been a very good experience.

How tough of a decision was it to declare for the draft?

Maybin: It was a very tough decision. I had to do a lot of praying and consulting with my family and people who were very close to the situation who gave me a pretty good description of where I would go in the draft. It was probably one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I think in the end I was able to make a very smart decision – the best decision for me and my family.

What are you hearing from the people in the league, what type of grade are you hearing from them?

Maybin: I haven’t really disclosed what that grade was. But it was something that definitely I felt was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Of course nothing is guaranteed in this league, but it was something that gave me the confidence to make sure that this was a good decision for me.

It was good enough for you to make the decision, so it was a positive one?

Maybin: Very positive.

Did you talk to your teammate Maurice Evans about declaring for the draft?

Maybin: I tried to really stay out of his process as much as possible so that he could make a very sound decision for himself, but I tried to talk to him as much as I could just to lend support and provide a support system for him if he needed any help gathering information or just talking to certain people to make sure he made the right decision for himself.

Did you speak to former Penn State corner Justin King who declared last season or any other guys in the league about coming out early?

Maybin: Yeah I basically talked to as many guys that were at Penn State that have gone on to the league as possible and really talked to them about their experiences; what the highs and lows were and what were some of the good things and bad things they encountered during their time. It really helped me out a lot as far as making my decision.

If you were sitting down with an NFL scout or GM and they wanted to know what you could bring to their team, what would you say?

Maybin: They’re going to get a tireless worker. They’re going to get somebody that will come in every day and bust my butt for their team. I’m going to bring my hard hat to work and going to work extremely hard; I’m a guy that plays with everything I have inside me and it’s something that has been in me since I started playing the game. I absolutely love the game and I am very passionate about it. That’s just something I play with; it’s something that was instilled in me when I was younger. So they are going to get somebody that is going to give 110 percent of everything that he has to that program and is going to do anything possible to make sure that he helps to bring a lot of victories and a lot of success.

Have you selected an agent yet and have you started the workout process?

Maybin: I have started the workout process; I haven’t yet declared who my agent is going to be. I’m still in the process of narrowing some things down with that. But right now, as far as my mindset, I’m training, working out several times a day at a spot in Pennsylvania. I’m really getting the most out of my workouts; everything has been going extremely well and I’m very pleased with the progress I’ve made so far. Really I’m just waking up every day trying to get better, trying to learn as much as possible, and trying to make sure by the time the draft comes around I’m prepared to bring everything the team needs to the table that looks to draft me.

What’s something that you look to work on the most? In terms of becoming a better football player and preparing for the combine.

Maybin: I’m preparing for the combine, preparing to make sure that I turn in an all around performance, something that opens up a lot of eyes and proves to everybody that I’m the type of player that a team would want to spend a high draft pick on. Overall, I’m just trying to make sure that I’m as complete a player as I can be. I want to make sure I leave no doubt and make sure that everybody that has a chance to watch me, whether that be on film or in person at my workouts, that they’re confident that I’m the type of player that can really help turn a franchise around.

Any sneak peak as to what kind of measurables you can put up, what kind of vertical, 40 time, or bench press?

Maybin: Not going to get that out of me. It’s going to be a big surprise, but I’m going to say this – I’m working really hard and I’m looking to open up a whole lot of eyes with the performance I put out.

Tell me what it's like to play for Joe Paterno.

Maybin: It’s been a wonderful experience. Joe is the type of guy where everyday you’re learning something. He’s the type of guy that has helped to shape me as a man and as a player, and he teaches you a lot and he really helps to build you up as a man and a guy in society where you can really be successful in any and every endeavor that you pursue. I’m really thankful to Joe for the lessons he’s taught me and the type of man he’s helped to make me into.

What do you like to do in your off time?

Maybin: I really enjoy relaxing and spending time with my family. I enjoy going to the movies and sitting down and working on some artwork because I do have the artistic bug in me.

What is your favorite movie?

Maybin: My favorite movie of all time would have to be Gladiator.

What type of artist are you?

Maybin: I’m into painting and drawing. Pretty much anything that catches my eye I like to pursue and just try to fine tune my skills a little.

If you do put up a stellar performance at the combine I want you to look up to the scouts and say, “Are you not entertained?”

Maybin: (Laughs)

Can you do that for us?

Maybin: I can definitely do that for you…

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Penn St.)