*Bubba Thumper Pre-Draft Presser

[woelkers]

A small stage is set for one in the media room at the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium. The soft rumble of a small crowd of media members can be heard; it may just be one player, but this is still the SEC. The aforementioned player enters, all 6'4" and 310 lbs of him filling the space behind the microphone. His signature goofy grin is plastered on his face as usual, but it does not match the nervous look in his eyes; Bubba Thumper is clearly not used to the spotlight.

"Howdy y'all. I'm thrilled to be here. I'm open to any questions you have. I guess let's begin."

What is your ideal defensive scheme?

"Honestly, I'm happy wherever I can contribute, so as long as a team values a big guy who likes to play in the backfield stopping the run, I'd be thrilled to play there."

Favorite Player in the NSFL?

"Jayce Tuck comes to mind. The goal is to play my game, and give my team chances to win. Tuck lived in opposing backfields, and I hope to do the same."

So you're a big guy...What did you eat to get to where you are now.

"Lots of barbecue. I'm fortunate to have lived in two great states for barbecue. Plenty of Hispanic food when I was young. Still go for that when I can find an authentic place. We ate good in Texas, and I ate almost as good here in Tennessee."

Follow up. Waffles or pancakes?

"Waffles for sure. Pancakes have nothing on chicken and waffles."

Everyone turns as Action Jackson walks into the room. Surprised to see him. Being back home in TN he thought he’d ask a couple questions. “ Having played each other several times over the seasons, I give you credit as a awesome player. Your team though not so much. You’ve seen what I can do as well. You had any feedback on where your drafted? Who goes first, you or me?”  The room goes silent....

The nervous energy seems to fade out of Thumper's eyes, and his goofy grin stretches wider as he relaxes. He's clearly relieved to be talking to a fellow player.

"Listen, J, I gotta be honest with you. One year in Tennessee, I don't expect that to be enough to impress people as much as you have in your time at Georgia. I'm not expecting to go early, I'm just hoping to contribute and compete. So, if I'm honest, I take you first, and then I try to grab me later."

The grin grows wider still, and Thumper covers the microphone as he calls for somebody backstage. A couple of people appear with another microphone and a second chair, and set them alongside Thumper's.

"Why don't you come up here and we can team up for a change? Anybody got questions for J?"

Jackson walks up to the podium and takes a seat next to Thumper.

“First off let me say thanks to B for allowing me to join him. I in no way mean any disrespect to a great player. Secondly, he’s being a humble guy because this man can straight dominate anyone. He gets as many sacks a game as pancakes he eats in a sitting.” Everyone laughs. “I’ll take questions but I’m not here to take away from his light, today anyway.”

Describe your perfect day.

BT: "If I'm playing this game, I'm happy. I love what I do, and I'm thrilled I have the opportunity to take it to this new level. Also, speaking of chicken and waffles, that never hurts."
AJ: "The perfect day will be when I’m drafted #1. After that is a close second which is when we win the Championship and I’m MVP. Won’t get no better"

What are your biggest motivators on and off the field?

BT: "Since day one of playing this game, I've been the underdog. I want to contribute to hanging banners, and being an underdog, I have to prove that I'm able to compete before I get to contribute. That's what motivates me: proving that I can be the guy to help hang banners."
AJ: "My biggest motivation on the field is being the best to play the game. I want my name to be remembered with the legends.
Off the field would be my parents. Both worked non stop growing up so that I could do what I loved. I want to be able to repay them for what they suffered through."

What type of skills are you working on to differentiate yourself from your draft class?

BT: "I've noticed most of the defensive linemen in this class don't wrap up well. I like to think of myself as a tackler. It's how I got to Tennessee, and it's how I'm going to prove I can play at the NSFL level."
AJ: "I’ve been working on my speed and my hands. Trying to learn the route trees has been a big step also."

First off. I think you're the first Vol to enter the DSFL since yours truly. Congrats on being a stud. Secondly, any teams that you're hoping will take you in the DSFL draft?

BT: "Thanks man, it's been a real privilege to play here in Tennessee, even if only for my senior season. It's been a journey to even get this far, so honestly, I'll be happy just to hear my name called at the draft. I've spoken to a couple teams, and I'm grateful that I'm drawing interest, but the goal for me is just to contribute wherever I go and compete for championships. It would be nice to to play with a guy like J here, or really anybody with SEC level love for the game, maybe even a fellow Volunteer, but step one is to get into the field."
AJ: "I’d just be happy to be drafted and get to work. The only team I’ve had contact with is KC so they are my first pick obviously. Always good to be somewhere wanted and appreciated."

Have you tried Pancakes and Chicken?

BT: "I can't say I have. That's not a thing I've heard of either. They make that in Georgia, J?"
AJ: "“ Boy don’t you know? It’s the home of Chicken & Waffles. Dupri and Luda talked about it in a song. Before some of you young bucks time. Drizzle the hot sauce over it and call it a wrap."

What do you put on your waffles if there is no chicken?

BT: "Syrup on waffles is good too. Obviously chicken and waffles is the big thing we've got, but a waffle without the chicken is still good eats."
AJ: "If I don’t have chicken on them I don’t eat them."

Who do you want to tackle the most come the regular season?

BT: "It'd be nice to get to a point where I can say I've tackled a guy like Marquise Brown. Obviously I'm still a step or two removed from that, but the goal is to get to Brown for a loss if I get the opportunity to play him. It's unfortunate none of the offensive prospects from the SEC this year are backfield guys, because it'd be cool to hit some of the backs I played against as a Vol."
AJ: "If I’m tackling someone than our qb has a problem. But I say fellow classmate A.C. Slayton. Everyone is hyping that dude up like he’s a savior. I’ve watched that dude on tape. I’ll juke that guy and leave him looking like someone stole his candy. Get outta here with that mess. Anyway, y’all haven’t seen me tackle much because if it’s in my radius I’ll catch damn near anything but in high school I played LB also so I’m not scared to knock you on your ass."

[TickleTim]

What is your ideal defensive scheme? Favorite Player in the NSFL?

[Tomasnz]

So you're a big guy...

What did you eat to get to where you are now.

Follow up.

Waffles or pancakes?

[KillaScrilla]

Everyone turns as Action Jackson walks into the room. Surprised to see him. Being back home in TN he thought he’d ask a couple questions. “ Having played each other several times over the seasons, I give you credit as a awesome player. Your team though not so much. You’ve seen what I can do as well. You had any feedback on where your drafted? Who goes first, you or me?” The room goes silent....

[PDXBaller]

Describe your perfect day.
What are your biggest motivators on and off the field?
What type of skills are you working on to differentiate yourself from your draft class?

[KillaScrilla]

A small stage is set for one in the media room at the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium. The soft rumble of a small crowd of media members can be heard; it may just be one player, but this is still the SEC. The aforementioned player enters, all 6'4" and 310 lbs of him filling the space behind the microphone. His signature goofy grin is plastered on his face as usual, but it does not match the nervous look in his eyes; Bubba Thumper is clearly not used to the spotlight.

"Howdy y'all. I'm thrilled to be here. I'm open to any questions you have. I guess let's begin."


"Honestly, I'm happy wherever I can contribute, so as long as a team values a big guy who likes to play in the backfield stopping the run, I'd be thrilled to play there."


"Jayce Tuck comes to mind. The goal is to play my game, and give my team chances to win. Tuck lived in opposing backfields, and I hope to do the same."


"Lots of barbecue. I'm fortunate to have lived in two great states for barbecue. Plenty of Hispanic food when I was young. Still go for that when I can find an authentic place. We ate good in Texas, and I ate almost as good here in Tennessee."


"Waffles for sure. Pancakes have nothing on chicken and waffles."


The nervous energy seems to fade out of Thumper's eyes, and his goofy grin stretches wider as he relaxes. He's clearly relieved to be talking to a fellow player.

"Listen, J, I gotta be honest with you. One year in Tennessee, I don't expect that to be enough to impress people as much as you have in your time at Georgia. I'm not expecting to go early, I'm just hoping to contribute and compete. So, if I'm honest, I take you first, and then I try to grab me later."

The grin grows wider still, and Thumper covers the microphone as he calls for somebody backstage. A couple of people appear with another microphone and a second chair, and set them alongside Thumper's.

"Why don't you come up here and we can team up for a change? Anybody got questions for J?"

Walks up to the podium and takes a seat next to B. “ First off let me say thanks to B for allowing me to join him. I in no way mean any disrespect to a great player. Secondly, he’s being a humble guy because this man can straight dominate anyone. He gets as many sacks a game as pancakes he eats in a sitting.” Everyone laughs.

“I’ll take questions but I’m not here to take away from his light, today anyway.”

[gucci]

First off. I think you're the first Vol to enter the DSFL since yours truly. Congrats on being a stud.

Secondly, any teams that you're hoping will take you in the DSFL draft?

[Duilio05]

"Waffles for sure. Pancakes have nothing on chicken and waffles."

Have you tried Pancakes and Chicken?

What do you put on your waffles if there is no chicken?

Who do you want to tackle the most come the regular season?