2010 NFL Prospects: A Closer Look

California DT Tyson Alualu

Rich (NYC): Tyson, my dude, Giants need DT help hope they pick you early. Do you see yourself fitting in a 4-3 defense? Would you like to play in New York with Tuck and Osi?

Tyson Alualu: If the Giants picked me up, I would be happy. Any team would be a blessing to be a part of. As far as schemes, I've been talking to a lot of teams both in the 3-4 and 4-3. A lot of them see that I fit in both. Some see my playing nose in a 3-4 and some as a DE in a 3-4. In the 4-3, some see me as a DE and on third down moving in to rush the passer. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity. Whatever it is, I will make the most of it.

Taiqee (Delaware): Why did you pick Cal instead of your native country's college Hawaii?

Tyson Alualu: I had a lot of offers coming out of school. Most of the Pac-10. The reason I chose Cal was that it was my best all around offer. A chance to play football, but also to go to a great academic school. I chose to take advantage of it on and off the field. I did consider going to Hawaii. Growing up, I watched all of their games. My uncle went there. But out of high school, I didn't think it was a fit for me. I thought Cal was my best choice. I would have liked to go to Hawaii, because my family could have watched me play, but I chose Cal because it was my best all around offer.

Tyson Alualu's full chat transcript

Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga

Matt (Pennsylvania): Why is it, do you think, that lineman get little credit of a team's success?

Bryan Bulaga: I think it's because our names aren't called on TV, we don't score touchdowns and we aren't called on to market the team. I do think that's how most offensive linemen like it tough. Being behind the scenes working hard and getting the job done.

Brad (Gadsden, Ala.): Which defensive linemen are most looking forward to go up against?

Bryan Bulaga: Really any defensive lineman would be really exciting to go up against. I do think going up against Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers would be the two that pop into my mind as the most exciting players to match up against.

Bryan Bulaga's full chat transcript

Florida WR Riley Cooper

Monique Bencivenga (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.): What was the deciding factor for you to play football instead of baseball?

Riley Cooper: Just my mentality and my makeup. I love football. I love hitting and contact. Baseball is all about failure and dealing with failure. I'm not good with dealing with that.

Mike B. (Cleveland, Ohio): Who is the most difficult CB to line up against? Is it Joe Haden in practice, Kareem Jackson from 'Bama, or Scott Beckwith of W. Florida? Best of luck this weekend!!!

Riley Cooper: I'd have to say Joe Haden. No one else really compares.

Riley Cooper's full chat transcript

Minnesota WR Eric Decker

Chris (Chicago, Ill.): Which Big Ten team talked the most trash?

Eric Decker: I'd say Wisconsin just because it was a big rival game. It was one of the most heated rivals I've been in.

Greg (Minnesota): Are you sick of people saying that you are a Wes Welker type receiver? Personally, I think it's a compliment.

Eric Decker: Yeah I think it is a compliment too. He's a guy that has caught over 100 footballs over the past couple of seasons. He plays for a great organization and has a couple of rings to his credit. He's at a place that I would love to be at some point in my career.

Eric Decker's full chat transcript

Florida DE Carlos Dunlap

Kyle: When did you know you could play in the NFL?

Carlos Dunlap: It's always been a dream to play in the NFL. Coming out of high school, I felt that if I succeeded in the SEC and did well, that it would improve my chances. That's why I wanted to go there. I felt it could improve my chances.

Kevin: What's your biggest strength? Weakness?

Carlos Dunlap: My biggest strength on the field is stretching the play. If I'm not making the play, I'm stretching it out so that someone else can make it. My biggest weakness? That I'm not on the other side of the field.

Carlos Dunlaps full chat transcript

UMass OG Vladimir Ducasse

Fred (D.C.): Have you talked to any family you might have back in Haiti? How is the situation down there?

Vladimir Ducasse: I've talked to my father on Monday and I talk to him once a week. From my side of the family, everyone's fine. They found another house. They're living their right now. There is some progress, but they're working on it.

Jeff (R.I.): How did you decide you wanted to play football?

Vladimir Ducasse: I was about 275, 6-4 and walking down the hall, not doing anything. Coach told me that I'm too big to be just standing there not playing. So I went out and tried it and loved it.

Vladimir Ducasse's full chat transcript

Oklahoma CB Dominique Franks

Matthew (Atlanta, Ga.): What is it like having America know your name?

Dominique Franks: It's amazing. It is. Going to a big school like Oklahoma, they get a lot of TV time. It allows players like me and my teammates to play on TV. People in other states know you and they know who you are. It's a big, cool experience, but very humbling at the same time. Not everyone is blessed to play major college football at the D-I level.

Frank (Coram, N.Y.): Having been to an OU game ... what did it feel like to run on that field for the first time felt like?

Dominique Franks: It's an amazing feeling. There aren't too many people that can say they can play college football. Oklahoma has so much tradition. You put on the Sooner uniform, it's one of the best feelings in the world.

Dominique Franks' full chat transcript

Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard

Ben (Dallas, Texas): What did you do to prepare for the Combine?

Mardy Gilyard: I got myself a personal trainer. We broke down all the drills that would be going on at the combine.

SprungOnSports (Long Island, N.Y.): Mardy, what sets you apart from other receivers in this draft?

Mardy Gilyard: I feel like I'm way more versatile than the other receivers. These guys are good. I'm not taking things away from those guys. They're good - Shipley, LaFell, Thomas. But the one thing that I do better than they do, I bring the return game into the aspect. I played all three parts of the receiving game. That makes me more dangerous, plus, I compiled almost 5,000 yards. I was near CJ Spiller in yards and there wasn't a receiver close.

Mardy Gilyard's full chat transcript

Florida CB Joe Haden

Niko (Orlando, Fla.): Besides the national title and SEC championship games, what game(s) were the most memorable for you?

Joe Haden: 2008 Florida-Georgia game, because I had one of the biggest plays in my career. I ran back the INT to the 1-yard line.

Chris (New Jersey): Are you excited to face former teammates like Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy and soon to be drafted Aaron Hernandez in the NFL?

Joe Haden: Oh yeah, definitely. I would love to play against them. Meet them before the games, talk to them. It would be just like practice in the old days. Competing and talking trash.

Joe Haden's full chat transcript

Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty

Spencer (Bedford, Ind.): Montario, you played for Lane Kiffin this past year, how do you think he will do at USC?

Montario Hardesty: I think they will do good. He's a players coach, an offensive minded coach. I think he'll have that program back this year.

Dave (W. Va.): What was your favorite game you played in college?

Montario Hardesty: There are too many to talk about. Going on the road in the SEC is always exciting. In 2006, the win over Cal was the loudest stadium I've very played in. All the games against Florida, Alabama, there are way too many to mention.

Montario Hardesty's full chat transcript

Alabama DB Kareem Jackson

Freddy (Atlanta, Ga.): What's been the most important part of your pre-draft preparation?

Kareem Jackson: It would probably have to be all of the training. Making sure I was doing all of the things right that would enable me to be successful at the combine. Get the proper training for the interviews. I've always been told that the first impressions are what people go off of you.

Will (Deactur, Ala.): Kareem, it was awesome seeing you play at Alabama! What was it like to where the Crimson jersey each and every Saturday and I hope you get drafted by the Cowboys haha!!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

Kareem Jackson: Oh, man, you can only describe it in so many words. It's very exciting there. The history and tradition. You have to put that jersey with pride every Saturday. It was very exciting. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Kareem Jackson's full chat transcript

TCU OLB Jerry Hughes

Jeff (Temple, Texas): What is it about Gary Patterson that allows him always to find prospects such as you that play one postion in high school and turn them into such successful college players at another position?

Jerry Hughes: One thing that coach does is he pushes everyone. He's going to get you in practice and he'll push you. He'll get you in the weight room and he'll push you. He wants you to reach his standards and expectations. When you have a coach like that pushing you to be the best, that's all you can ask for.

Bobby (New York, N.Y.): Jerry - which NFL player do you think your game resembles?

Jerry Hughes: I would have to say Dwight Freeny. He uses his feet and quickness. That's someone that I make my game after. We're also the same height.

Jerry Hughes' full chat transcript

C. Michigan QB Dan LeFevour

Ryan Williams (Geneseo, Ill.): How did it feel to break the record for most touchdowns in college?

Dan LeFevour: That happened in the MAC championship this year. In the heat of the moment, I was focused on other things, but when I was able to step back and see it on ESPN. It was cool.

Gage M (Mt. Pleasant): What did you like most about playing at CMU?

Dan LeFevour: I liked the guys that I got the opportunity to play with. That's what drew me to Central. That was by far the best thing about going there. Making some great friends and guys that I will stay in touch with the rest of my life.

Dan LeFevour's full chat transcript

Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan

Hayden (Logan, Utah): Are you excited more for the money, or the chance to compete?

Derrick Morgan: I love football as a sport. It's the game I've always played. If you get caught up in the materialistic things, you're going to get off your game. I'm really excited to do some special things at the next level. The contract is great, but you need to concentrate on football first.

Nicole: Hey...What would you say you need to improve on the most before becoming a true NFL star?

Derrick Morgan: Probably just my overall game. Being acclimated to the higher level of competition. Improving on everything. Taking advice from the older veteran guys and improving my craft overall.

Derrick Morgan's full chat transcript

Ole Miss RB Dexter McCluster

Zach Moseley (Lubbock, Texas): Hey Dexter, with your ability to play both running back and receiver, which do you like playing better? By the way, I got to see you in the 2009 Cotton Bowl against Texas Tech just amazing!

Dexter McCluster: That's hard to say. I would say I consider myself an offensive weapon. I feel comfortable at running back. And I feel equally comfortable at wide receiver. That's why I'm so different in the draft.

Caldy Cunningham (Oxford, Miss.): Who is your all-time favorite running back?

Dexter McCluster: Barry Sanders. He's my favorite of all time. Our games are similar and he can make a two-yard loss look like a touchdown.

Dexter McCluster's full chat transcript

Rutgers CB Devin McCourty

Jalen (Los Angeles, Calif.): Is it strange being treated like a piece of meat during this draft process? You're broken down to a number and measurements.

Devin McCourty: Only at the Senior Bowl and Combine when you have to weigh in and have to put on nothing but compression shorts, you walk on stage with every scout there. You get your height and weight done in just compression shorts. That's when you feel like a piece of meat.

Penny (Orlando, Fla.): What separates you from the other CBs in the draft?

Devin McCourty: I think being complete. I think I can play anywhere in the secondary as far as nickel and corner. And I can help out in special teams.

Devin McCourty's full chat transcript

South Carolina OLB Eric Norwood

Leo (Detroit, Mich.): What sets you apart from all the other linebackers in the draft?

Eric Norwood: What sets me apart from other linebackers in the draft is my versatility, my instincts and my playmaking ability.

Adam Taylor (Charleston, S.C.): What was your most memorable football experience during your time at USC and what would you say to a recruit about USC?

Eric Norwood: My most memorable experience is playing against South Carolina State and playing against my younger brother who plays for them. I would tell a recruit that USC is a great place to be. Great structure, fans, academics and thing of that nature.

Eric Norwood's full chat transcript

Clemson DE Ricky Sapp

Scott Streeter (Beaverton, Mich.): What are you going to miss the most about College and what are you looking forward to most about the pros?

Ricky Sapp: I'll miss playing on Saturday's in Death Valley. We have some of the best fans. the biggest thing I'm looking forward to is playing on Sunday's where everyone is good. Just seeing how I fit in with these guys.

Shawn (Pa.): I know this may be a long shot, but how great would it feel if you and CJ Spiller got drafted by the same team?

Ricky Sapp: Oh man, that would be such a blessing to play with a great player like him on the next level. I'm going to cross my fingers on that one.

Ricky Sapp's full chat transcript

Clemson RB CJ Spiller

Juan (Miami, Fla.): Why did you choose Clemson over all the power house programs in Florida? Good Luck and Stay Humble!!!!!

CJ Spiller: Because I thought Clemson was a good fit. They run a great offense and I felt comfortable going there. I liked what the coaches presented when they came to my house.

Justin (Clemson, S.C.): CJ, what is your biggest motivation on game days? Go Tigers!

CJ Spiller: Just trying to go out there and compete as best I can. Help the team get a win.

CJ Spiller's full chat transcript

Northwestern DE Corey Wootton

Jeremy (Cleveland, Ohio): What was the toughest college football Stadium to play in?

Corey Wootton: I would say Ohio State or Penn State because their fans were so into the game. It wasn't as tough being a defensive player because the fans were quite while we were on the field but our offensive struggled with the loudness of their fans.

Oliver (San Diego, Calif.): Being in the Big Ten, has the launching of the Big Ten Network helped Northwestern and its players become more recognized in the campus area and has it helped the Wildcats recruiting-wise?

Corey Wootton: Yes of course. Coming out of high school, I had never heard about Northwestern. The Big Ten Network is apart of a lot of cable sports packages. It give sports fans the chance to see teams that aren't usually powerhouses. It give kids who aren't being recruited by "powerhouse" schools another option.

Corey Wootton's full chat transcript

Florida S Major Wright

Matt (N.J.): Major, I heard you grew up idolizing Sean Taylor. Can you talk about him a bit being from the same area and compare your style of play?

Major Wright: Yeah, I definitely idolized Sean Taylor. Me growing up and watching him, my game is similar to his. I'm a hard hitting safety. I'm smart on the field. I'm physical. I can cover. And I play with a lot of swagger.

Kyle (Va.): What's been the hardest part of this process?

Major Wright: The hardest part, not really knowing where I'm going. Me sitting around just waiting for draft day and for that call, that's the hardest part. The whole process of me training and studying, that's been my whole life.

Major Wright's full chat transcript