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Interview Lawrence Guy Pac 10 Phenom
AthletesRUs.net content writer Jeff Mumford sits down with Las Vegas’ own Lawrence Guy, Pac-10 All- American, winner of the Bill Kajikawa Sun Devil Award as the team's most outstanding freshman and All Pac-10 Honorable mention in 2008, and projected by Scout.com as a top ten DT prospect for the 2011 NFL draft as a junior. He answers some questions about college life, the Pac-10 expansion, and just getting work done
JM:When you came to ASU from Western, you immediately started making noise, racking up the second most tackles in the Pac-10 with 44. What were some of the things that helped you make the transition?
LG:Really, I just wanted to be the best when I came to college. You don’t see too many great athletes coming out of my school (Western), so I wanted to make a big name for my high school and Vegas. I felt like I had a chip on my shoulder and had a lot to live up to.
JM:You certainly lived up to the hype. Was there anything that you did outside of football that helped get you ready?
LG:I was on the track team with coach Freddy, and he got me in shape. I ran the hundred, and he knew how to coach me. He put me on to the next level of conditioning. That really helped going into college
JM:There was a lot of pressure on you going into the next level, but it didn’t seem to be a problem. What factors helped you respond so well?
LG:My attitude. My attitude and my work ethic. I strive to be the best, so I push my body to the extreme. I work out really hard. I feel like, if you have any energy left after you work out to do a lot of stuff, you didn’t do a good workout. If you don’t have any energy, and your body is drained, then you did a good workout. That’s how I push myself every day, and that’s what made me succeed to the level I’m at.
JM:What kind of changes did you see on the mental side, with the play books and film?
LG:We have mandatory meetings every day. I also meet with other players to watch film. Basically, I’m always watching film and studying other players and other teams.
JM:You’ve primarily been a DT at ASU, but you played some DE in high school. Do you ever miss playing DE?
LG:I played 3 games at end when I first got here. I was recruited at end, but I don’t really miss it. I just love putting my part in. If it’s at the end, I’ll play the end; if it’s at tackle, I’ll play tackle. Where ever I fit in at, I’m happy to play.
JM:You’re playing for a great coach in Dennis Erickson, former two-time NCAA Champion with Miami. What’s it like playing for coach Erickson?
LG:It’s a great experience. He’s a good coach. There’s always a warm smile when you see him and a great atmosphere around him. We’re a big family. We’re not all spread out. We’re all together as one, and no one is looked down upon.
JM:Last year’s record really didn’t reflect the quality of play. You guys were in a lot of close ones with some great teams. You held USC to 14 in a tough 14-9 loss, and lost to a last second field goal against Arizona despite a late rally. What adjustments are you guys trying to make for next season to get on the right side of those close games?
LG:On the defensive side, we’re trying to make more touchdowns. We want to be able to have the offense make touchdowns and the defense make touchdowns. We want to be strong on both sides of the ball.
JM:Colorado just joined the Pac-10, and there’s lots of talk of a Pac-16, which would include the Oklahoma teams, Texas, Texas Tech, and maybe A&M, Utah, or Kansas. What do you think about the expansion, and maybe even the possibility of super conferences that would promote a playoff structure for college football?
LG:I love the expansion. I wish I could stay a couple of more years to play against Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. I like the BCS bowl bids, but it’s something new. You can’t knock something if you haven’t done it yet. It might be better for college football, it might not. We have to see what happens.
JM:We are trying to work with some of the kids here locally in Vegas, especially at the high school level. You graduated from Western, so what can you tell some of the Vegas high school hopefuls about the changes they can expect at the college level, as far as playbooks, training, facilities, etc.?
LG:They can expect a whole different attitude. In high school, you can get away with things. You might talk back to a coach. When you get to college, it’s all about work. You go to work, you go to school, and you go back to work. It’s like a job. You still have fun doing it, but you have to expect more, you have to live for more, you have to play for more. There’s no saying "I’m going to take this day off because I don’t feel good." If you’re sick, you have to play. You have to give your best every day. You have to train every day. It might be fun, it might not be fun, but the more you train, the better you are.
JM:What advice do you have for high school athletes looking to compete at the next level?
LG:Go for your goals. My goal was to get to college and play football. I reached my goal, and now I’m setting new goals. If you have a goal, focus on that goal. Do everything possible to make sure you get to your goal. Don’t ever let anybody say that you can’t do something because you’re too small, or not big enough. Go for your goals.
JM:Speaking of the next level, you’re predicted to be a top-ten DT in the 2011 NFL draft as a junior if you choose to enter. Is that something you are considering?
LG:It all depends. It depends on how the season goes, and I’ll talk to my family. But my major goal right now is to graduate from college, and I’m trying to get All-Academic Pac-10. The farthest thing from my mind is declaring [eligibility]. My major goal is to get a high GPA and play good ball.
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