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Calvin Booker |
What's your accurate height and weight?
6'3 3/4, so I like to say 6'4. 240 lbs.
What was your 40 time?
I actually pulled my hamstring a couple of days before my pro day, but I'm gonna run for Atlanta. When I trained, my time was a 4.7.
How are things working out?
They're actually going pretty well for what I can expect in my situation. I'm just working out, getting ready for a couple more workouts. I worked out for the Jets and I worked out with Kansas City and those went pretty well. I've got the Falcons coming up on the 16th, I've got a workout there.
Did you go to NY/KC or did they come to you?
No, they came down and worked me out.
Tell me about your career path to Georgia Tech.
I started out at Auburn coming out of high school. I was there for two years. I red-shirted one and I backed up the next. I just came to the conclusion that Auburn wasn't the place for me to be and I need to be somewhere else. I ended up picking Georgia Tech and football wasn't the top priority when I got to Georgia Tech. When I was 18, I made the decision to go to Auburn and play football, but when I was 20, I made the decision to go to Georgia Tech, solely based on education and I'd let football play out how it may. I had to sit out that one year, but my two best games was against Georgia and I played pretty well in the bowl game against Fresno State. I just needed that one look, that one chance. Every time I got the chance, I took full advantage of it in games. I think I can throw the ball just as good or better than any quarterback in the country right now. Not to sound arrogant, but I know I'm good, I know my abilities and I know what I can do. Throwing the football is what I can do.
What's the strongest aspect of your game?
I make good decisions. I don't turn the ball over. I get first downs and there's not a throw on the field that I can't make. Unless you ask me to throw from one endzone to another...I can't do that.
Any aspects of your game that you'd like to improve upon?
If there wasn't anything I needed to improve upon then I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now. I'd say learning the ins and outs of different offenses and different schemes. I've already learned three offenses in college. So I can pick up on a lot of things pretty well. I'd also say my running ability. I can run, but that's something I'd like to do better. I'm the type of kid that when I start throwing the ball, that's when I grab your attention. I was actually working with Tom Martinez, who was also Tom Brady's fundamentals coach. He also got Jamarcus Russell Ready for his pro day when he was coming out. I worked with him a little bit to get my fundamentals and my mechanics together. He helped me tremendously improve on my accuracy and ball placement.
Any current NFL players you'd compare your playing style to?
Somewhere between McNabb and Culpepper. I like Matty Ice too. I got a little Matt Ryan in me.
On playing at Georgia Tech
We ran the triple option this year, and I'm like a fish out of water in that.
You're more of a drop back quarterback?
Yeah, I'm a drop back passer. That wasn't my initial concern. My initial concern was to win. But I learned a lot in that offense. It wasn't for me, but it was bigger than me. It was about the team and I was cool with that.
what was your major at GT?
Management with a certificate in Finance
Did you graduate?
Yeah. I graduated in December.
Any indication as to where you'll be drafted?
Late round to free agent. I don't care who I go to, I just want to play.
On adapting to the NFL
Whatever situation I go into, I'm not gonna have any pressure on me. You just go in and you let it fly...you just go play. Quarterback is such a mental position. A lot of guys when they first get into it, everything's moving so fast and they're going a hundred miles an hour, but you're learning. You still have the same ability, but it's just because you're learning. Once you learn everything and get it down, then it's just a matter of executing and doing the things you can do. I think once the game slows down for me, I'll be okay. And I think I can get there quickly.
Thanks a lot Calvin and best of luck to you on draft day!
Thanks.