ArizonaWildcats.com sat down with senior linebacker Antonio Smothers Jr. and got a feel for what life would be like living a day in his shoes. Head coach Rich Rodriguez, junior wide receiver Nate Phillips and freshman offensive lineman Alex Kosinski also spoke with media today after practice.
Q: What is your major/minor?
A: My major is Sports Management.
Q: Describe your typical daily routine.
A: It depends from day-to-day because I am a "super" senior. I only have two classes throughout the week so on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's I am off so I do a lot of studying and working out.
Q: How has being a student-athlete helped you manage your time in everyday life?
A: I helped me stay organized outside of football as far as classes in terms of building your schedule and when to study. It also allows me to fit in entertainment time for myself.
Q: What do you plan to do after you graduate?
A: After I graduate I have an internship set up with the corporate side of Walmart. I am really excited for that. After I do that for six months I can head to Arkansas to work in the corporate office.
Q: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in the past four years at the U of A?
A: The most valuable lesson I have learned is to be held accountable for your actions.
Q: What is your favorite class?
A: My favorite class that I have taken is in Eller. It is a management class. It is called the Lifestyle of Student Athletes.
Q: What is your least favorite class?
A: My least favorite class was Sign Language.
Q: What is your favorite food to have for breakfast?
A: I like omelets with everything on them.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most important thing about having the title of “student-athlete”?
A: I think the most important thing is to know which one comes first. It is always the "student". You have to get good grades or you won't be able to play.
Q: Where is the best place for you to get your school work done?
A: I like getting my school work done at the library on campus.
Q: What do you like to do in your time off?
A: In my time off I definitely like to sleep. I also like to plan for the future a lot.
Q: What is your pump up song on gameday?
A: I listen to a lot of gospel music to pump me up.
Q: What is your number one goal for your senior year?
A: My number one goal for this year was to pass all of my classes this semester to set me up for next semester to have just one class and graduate.
Q: If you could tell the fans one thing, what would it be?
A: I enjoyed my team here at the University of Arizona and I will be a Wildcat for life.
Q: What is your favorite memory from the day?
A: My favorite memory from today was how intense the team periods were today at practice.
Head Coach Rich Rodriguez
On players who started as true freshman that are now seniors..
"It is cool to see it come full circle. They should be excited. We are only down there for three days and the last two are all business. I think they had a good experience last time we were down there and I think it was because we won. None the less, it is a nice reward for the seniors and they get to enjoy the holidays at home as well.
On busiest time of the year for coaches while recruiting..
"It is crazy. The only bad thing about this week and having practice is that we are missing a couple days of recruiting. Tomorrow is going to be a busy recruiting day for us, most of the staff is out. Friday and Saturday we have official visitors coming in so it is a busy weekend. The good part again is after this week it comes to a dead period anyways so we can focus on the bowl game."
On New Mexico..
"They have done a great job. I think Coach Bob Davie has done one of the best football coaching jobs in the country the way he resurrecting that program. They had a huge win at Boise State, which doesn't happen, Boise State was 96-4 at home and the Lobos went up there and beat them. They run a different scheme that is hard to prepare for. We have to do a good job."
On players doing NFL advisory..
"We have a couple guys that have filled the paperwork out. I would expect we would probably get what their evaluation is before we leave for the bowl. I get involved after they get that paper just because I will get the grade as well and talk to them about it. Obviously, it is their decision but we try to give them as many facts as possible. If they ask for our opinion or my opinion then I will give it to them honestly."
On preparing for a good performance at the bowl game..
"I think it is important. They should be excited for the game and I think they will. We have had a few weeks off for the first time all year so they should be fresh. A couple of the guys are still banged up a little bit but I think you remember the bowl games a lot. You have so much time between the next game and I try to put that in the guy's minds. The seniors will remember this forever but the rest of the guys will be thinking about this the next six months."
On redshirt guys and practice…
"They have been critical. We have a roster of 120 and we have not lost anybody. We still have a roster of 120, sometimes we have guys that fade out or quit or something so our scout team and redshirt guys have done a great job. We have a good young freshman class and newcomer class. A lot of them have to get bigger in the weight room and do all that stuff and we will start that in the month of January. I think the future is pretty bright."
Junior wide receiver Nate Phillips
On how a good performance at the bowl game could carry over to the spring…
"The bowl game is the last taste in our mouth. Last year, we didn't have a good taste after the Fiesta Bowl. So our plan is to go out there and be physical. We are trying to get back on a winning foot and stay there for a while. Coming off the bowl game with a win and sending all the seniors out with a win will end the season on a high note for us going into the spring."
Freshman offensive lineman Alex Kosinski
On being ready to play..
"They didn't really need me too much. It was more of an injury thing just in case. Coach Michalczik told me mid-way through the season that he was trying to keep my redshirt year but it was good traveling and it was fun. I had a good time and overall it was a pretty good season for me."
On staying focused throughout the week..
"The big thing for me was helping my teammates get ready. I was behind Jacob Alsadek the whole year just watching him on film and during practice letting him know what he could do better and learning from him ways that I can get better too."
