(On if he expected to be selected this early in the draft)
“It was definitely a surprise. I’m still kind of speechless right now. It’s an unbelievable opportunity and I’m so excited right now.”
(On who called him from the Rams)
“I talked to Coach ‘Fish,’ (Jeff Fisher) I talked to (offensive line) Coach ‘Bou’ (Paul Boudreau) for a bit. It was awesome. I got the phone call and had to go inside and get better (cell) service.”
(On if he had a bad connection first)
“It’s just my house.”
(On where home is)
“Mt. Airy, Maryland.”
(On how much contact he had with the Rams prior to the draft)
“I’ve had a decent amount of contact. Coach Boudreau had a pro day, he was the one who ran it. I met with him for a little bit on the pro day to go over some classroom stuff, some football stuff. He was the one who worked us out.”
(On if he had a private workout with the Rams)
“Just the pro day.”
(On if the Rams’ offensive system suits his style of play)
“I think so. Like I said before, I’m so unbelievably flattered. It would be my pleasure to help in anyway possible.”
(On if he told the Rams they had the wrong number)
“No, I definitely took it pretty seriously.”
(On if he weighed 380 pounds when he joined the University of Wisconsin)
“Yes, I did.”
(On how he dropped the extra weight)
“I stopped eating terribly. Just making better choices and putting your mind to it.”
(On what his favorite food item was that he cut out)
“One of the bigger things was just soda. There’s a lot of calories in there. It was just a choice I had to make if I was going to be the football player I wanted to be.”
(On if the Rams mentioned where he will play on the offensive line)
“No, not yet. Anywhere I can get on the field just to help out the organization in any way. Just try to be the best player that I can be regardless of the spot.”
(On how he describes his game and what he brings to the table)
“I’d like to think I’m a hard working O-lineman, a tough offensive lineman. Definitely, the guys before me coming through Wisconsin carved that path. I did my best to follow in their footsteps and put my own print on it. Just coming out and being a hardworking guy and being a smart player and an overall good offensive lineman.”
(On if he had both shoulder injuries while at Wisconsin)
“One was the summer coming into college. One was during.”
(On if the injuries limit his weight training)
“No, it does not.”
(On what it was like working as a unit to produce offensive success with RB Melvin Gordon in the backfield)
“It was awesome. Anytime you can get in there and have Melvin as your tailback, it’s going to be pretty special. He’s an exceptional player and he’s an even better person. Just special to have a chance to block for the guy.”
(On if he blocked for Broncos RB Montee Ball in 2012)
“Yes, blocked for Montee for a little bit, yes.”
(On his experience blocking for Ball)
“It was awesome. They’re both great backs kind of in their respective right. They both do things really well. Montee was a heck of a player. Once again, I was definitely just luck to have a chance to go ahead and block for him.”
(On if he’s having a get together at his home in Maryland)
“Yes, most of my family came down to my house. They’re all kind of staying here and we’re just hanging out, just enjoying each other.”
(On his family’s reaction)
“It was unbelievable. They were just as excited as I was. I’ve had great family support all throughout my five years at Wisconsin. I’ve got an unbelievable family that loves me unconditionally. They’re just so proud of me and so excited for the opportunities that I have.”
(On if there was a lot of yelling and screaming)
“Oh yeah.”
