ArizonaWildcats.com sat down with senior defensive lineman Reggie Gilbert and got a sense of what it’s like to live a day in his shoes. Head coach Rich Rodriguez, junior cornerback DaVonte Neal, senior safety Jamar Allah, and senior safety Will Parks also spoke with the media after practice on Wednesday.
Q: What is your major/minor?
A: My major is general studies and my minor is business.
Q: Describe your typical daily routine.
A: I wake up, have a bowl of Captain Crunch and watch some Tom & Jerry. I have online classes so I really just chill until meetings and practice.
Q: How has being a student-athlete helped you manage your time in everyday life?
A: It's tough but I feel like I have definitely learned how to improve my time management skills. I will be able to use those skills in life after football.
Q: What do you plan to do after you graduate?
A: Hopefully I can play in the NFL. If not, I'd like to look into becoming an FBI agent.
Q: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned over the past four years at the U of A?
A: I would have to say to work hard and keep God first.
Q: What is your favorite class?
A: I really liked the Rap, Culture and God class that I took.
Q: What is your least favorite class?
A: I didn't like Psych Stats.
Q: What is your class schedule during the week?
A: I have all online classes so it's just a matter of me logging in and checking when things are due.
Q: What is your favorite food to have for breakfast?
A: I love Captain Crunch.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most important thing about having the title of “student-athlete”?
A: I like it because my family looks up to me and they see me doing something positive with my life.
Q: Where is the best place for you to get your school work done?
A: I actually like using Lowell Stevens Football Facility. They have little study rooms in there.
Q: What do you like to do in your time off?
A: When we do have time off I like to chill and watch movies.
Q: What is your pump up song on gameday?
A: I listen to "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. That's the first song on my playlist for game day.
Q: What is your number one goal for your senior year?
A: To win these last two games, definitely.
Q: If you could tell the fans one thing, what would it be?
A: Thank you for all of the support these last five years and Bear Down.
Q: What is your favorite memory from the day?
A: Probably watching to Luca Bruno get yelled at by Coach Kirelawich. He just says the funniest things.
Head Coach Rich Rodriguez
On the inside linebacker position…
"We have a couple guys that can fill the spot. It could be Sir Thomas Jackson, Haydon Gregory, or it could Antonio Smothers coming back in, I'll have to ask Coach Casteel. We have another day yet before decisions are made."
On away games…
"I think that there is a different level of intensity. A lot of the players like going to the visiting arena because the louder they’re boo'ed the more amped up it makes them feel. I would rather be at home. You understand you are going to hear a lot of stuff directed at the players but we just go in there and play our game."
On the rivalry between Arizona State and Arizona…
"They said on the radio show last night that they have eight seniors starting on offense and five on defense so we have seen a lot of their guys before. They are very active and very athletic. They have a couple young guys up front as well. They are very aggressive and they force you to execute. That is one thing they do a really good job of. They keep you contained. They bring a lot of pressure from the outside in to keep you contained and keep you in the pockets so there hasn't been a lot success with any quarterback running the ball on them, or running period. They simply outnumber you in the running game, you have six, they have seven, you have seven, they have eight. You've got to be able to pitch and catch and we've got to work hard no matter who our quarterback is because if you can’t throw the ball even a little bit, they will eat you up."
On bringing alumni to talk about the rivalry…
"We don’t do it during rivalry week. I think that the week is a little different and I hope they sense the sense of urgency. We have quotes and videos and statements from past players about the importance of the rivalry and we got that as soon as we got here. I think that it is good to remind them and play that during the week. If they don't sense it, they must be living in a cage. We just to make sure they understand that their legacy sometimes right or wrong is tied to this game, we try to remind them of that all week."
Junior cornerback DaVonte Neal
On the rivalry with Arizona State
"There is always a lot of tension between us and ASU. We just want to go up there and play Arizona football. It feels different this year because last year I played offense against them and this year I will be playing defense. It is a lot of fun though, I love it. We know teams love to run the ball at us and it takes 11 guys to stop them and we all have to do our part. If that means buckling down and making tackles then that's what we need to do. It's ASU and that is all we are thinking about right now."
On in-state guys staying at Arizona..
"I think they have stayed because the program is changing. The coaching staff changed and these coaches are doing things differently. We have a lot of guys in Arizona who actually want to stay and play for these coaches out here which is a good thing. I was looking for a university where I could be at four years and really build a connection with the coaches and I feel that this was a good place. I get along with all of the coaches and they like me so this is the place I chose."
On having guys rushing the passer..
"It definitely helps us by getting pressure on the quarterback. It makes him make earlier decisions that he doesn't want to make. They could turn out to be bad decisions and he could throw it to one of us for a pick. They could also get a sack which helps us out because instead of it being second down and five it could turn into second and fifteen."
Senior safety Jamar Allah
On his last season game as a senior..
"It's very important. The staff and the coaches showed me a lot and made me become a man over these last four years. It would be nice to get a win so we can go into the bowl game with confidence."
Senior safety Will Parks
On Tellas Jones being able to do things on the edge..
"Tellas is a monster. He reminds me of Demarcus Ware, he's just skinnier than Demarcus. Tellas has a lot of moves and a lot of speed. His first step is ridiculous. He is like LeBron James on the football field when he blitz's. He's very explosive."
