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Vance Walker |
Spencer: Are you happy the whole process is winding down now?
Walker: Yeah. It's just been a long process for the most part. Very stressful.
Spencer: What's been the toughest part so far?
Walker: I would say just the mental aspect. You know you can do everything, but you have to go out and peform at the combine and Senior Bowl. So it's just been the mental aspect.
Spencer: Going back to the Senior Bowl, how do you think you performed?
Walker: I've seen most of those guys on tape. I know what I can do. I'm not knocking any one of those guys. They're all great defensive lineman. I just felt like I was capable of doing anything they can do, plus more. It was just a matter of showing it out on the field. I think that some people didn't think that I was as good as them, but I feel I'm just as good, if not better. That was my main goal...to prove that to everybody.
Spencer: Some chose not to participate in the Senior Bowl, but is that something you'd recommend to other prospects coming out?
Walker: It depends on the position. If you're a running back or not fully healthy, I wouldn't recommend it. The way I looked at it, I'll be going up against people I'll be playing in the NFL, so why not get it out of the way now? Everybody else knows what I'm about, but then I'll know, okay, this is what I have to do once I get there. It's a much different speed from playing in a college game, but I think that week really helps you out. There's still a lot of things that you'll learn that you usually wouldn't from playing with different people.
Spencer: What would you say is the strongest aspect of your game right now?
Walker: My ability to run stop and pass rush. I don't feel like I have a weakness with any one of those. I can be on the field for 1st through 3rd down. In my mind, I'll always be successful and that might be my biggest plus. I know a lot of guys that are run stoppers or pass rushers, but I feel I can do both.
Spencer: What role or position do you see yourself playing in the NFL?
Walker: I think most teams are looking at me as a 4-3 defensive tackle. One teams said they were looking at me to play the defensive end in a 3-4.
Spencer: Are there any players at Georiga Tech we should be looking out for to be future draft prospects?
Walker: Derrick Morgan, a sophomore defensive end. Hopefully he'll finish up strong and I think he'll be pretty good at the next level.
Spencer: Do you have any particular plans for draft weekend?
Walker: I'm thinking about having a family get together. Not really inviting anyone outside of my family. I think after that, I'll have a celebration party later on with friends and stuff.
Spencer: Is there one thing in particular that you'd like NFL fans, coaches or the media know about you before your name is called on draft day?
Walker: I think I'm the safest bet as far as the draft is concerned. I don't play for money, I play for myself. The biggest thing is, I want to be successful in life and I don't think anything is going to stop me. Whether it's an offensive lineman or a running back, nobody is going to stop me to do what I need to do to win. That's just my mentality about the game.
Spencer: Thanks for your time Vance and best of luck on draft day!