THE TROJAN TIMES
Recent graduate/former Trojan shutdown cornerback Louisiana Purchase took the field with the Pomona Mongoose last night in the first game of the "Prospect Bowl" series, a showcase for hopeful draftees in the coming DSFL draft. I had reached out to Louisiana prior to the game to wish him luck in the upcoming draft. Louisiana certainly has his limited free time with his pre-draft training, so I wasn't expecting to hear back, but not only did he text back later that night after the game, he told me he would love to give a quick interview to his old (well, not that old -- Purchase just graduated in May) student newspaper. He just needed some rest first. I told him that was understandable.
I received a call this morning at 6:15. It was Louisiana, and not only was he wide awake and ready for our interview, he sounded a little out of breath. I asked if he was alright, and of course he said he'd been up for over an hour, and actually just got done with his first workout of the day. I finished buttering my bagel and mumbled something about possibly hitting the treadmill later, and got on with the interview.
***
JT: So, it's been a few months since your last college game. How did it feel to get back out into live game action?
LP: Like home. There's just nothing like it. No place I'd rather be that out on that field.
JT: Is it strange to play along side fellow prospects, some of whom you just met for the first time?
LP: Nah, you get to know people real quick when you're practicing, training, and living together. I know it's only for a few exhibition games, but we got some great guys in this secondary. We'll see what happens in the draft, you don't know who's going to go where, but I would love if it worked out that I can be teammates with some of these guys again.
JT: Tell me about the game. Do you think you showed these DSFL General Managers what you are capable of?
LP. Yes and no. Like I said, we got a lot of great players in this secondary. That means doing whatever is needed, and helping where you can to get snaps and get on film. So if you didn't see it, I actually played most of the game at safety. I've been a corner since junior high, and that's definitely where I want to play when I make the league. So no, I didn't get to necessarily show what I can do, and what my strengths are. But also I think I showed versatility and showed that I'm willing to do what my coaches ask of me if it can help the team. I have to think GM's care about that too.
JT: What challenges does playing out of position present? Will you be staying at safety for the rest of Prospect Bowl?
LP: The coaches understand that I'm a corner first and foremost. I think the secondary will be kind of rotating game to game, giving each of us a chance to do multiple things. I'll tell you though, playing safety is different kind of challenge. I had to play more in the box that I'm used to, obviously. Covering a receiver in space is one thing, facing down a 210 pound running back with a 300 pound lineman leading the way is a bit out of my comfort zone. It's just a reminder that I need to keep working on my tackling and getting stronger. I think I handled my business in there though. I got a few good tackles on tape.
JT: Are you looking ahead to the draft at all? Have you been talking to any teams?
LP: I'm trying to stay away from all the rumors and mock drafts and stuff. Right now I'm just focusing on training and getting better. A few GM's have reached out, but that's all I'll say at this point.
JT: Well, hey, I'll just say it for you then: whoever calls your name is getting a star in the making.
LP: [laughter] Thanks, man. Alright, well, now I gotta go back to work.
Jonas Tracey
Sr. Student Reporter
Recent graduate/former Trojan shutdown cornerback Louisiana Purchase took the field with the Pomona Mongoose last night in the first game of the "Prospect Bowl" series, a showcase for hopeful draftees in the coming DSFL draft. I had reached out to Louisiana prior to the game to wish him luck in the upcoming draft. Louisiana certainly has his limited free time with his pre-draft training, so I wasn't expecting to hear back, but not only did he text back later that night after the game, he told me he would love to give a quick interview to his old (well, not that old -- Purchase just graduated in May) student newspaper. He just needed some rest first. I told him that was understandable.
I received a call this morning at 6:15. It was Louisiana, and not only was he wide awake and ready for our interview, he sounded a little out of breath. I asked if he was alright, and of course he said he'd been up for over an hour, and actually just got done with his first workout of the day. I finished buttering my bagel and mumbled something about possibly hitting the treadmill later, and got on with the interview.
***
JT: So, it's been a few months since your last college game. How did it feel to get back out into live game action?
LP: Like home. There's just nothing like it. No place I'd rather be that out on that field.
JT: Is it strange to play along side fellow prospects, some of whom you just met for the first time?
LP: Nah, you get to know people real quick when you're practicing, training, and living together. I know it's only for a few exhibition games, but we got some great guys in this secondary. We'll see what happens in the draft, you don't know who's going to go where, but I would love if it worked out that I can be teammates with some of these guys again.
JT: Tell me about the game. Do you think you showed these DSFL General Managers what you are capable of?
LP. Yes and no. Like I said, we got a lot of great players in this secondary. That means doing whatever is needed, and helping where you can to get snaps and get on film. So if you didn't see it, I actually played most of the game at safety. I've been a corner since junior high, and that's definitely where I want to play when I make the league. So no, I didn't get to necessarily show what I can do, and what my strengths are. But also I think I showed versatility and showed that I'm willing to do what my coaches ask of me if it can help the team. I have to think GM's care about that too.
JT: What challenges does playing out of position present? Will you be staying at safety for the rest of Prospect Bowl?
LP: The coaches understand that I'm a corner first and foremost. I think the secondary will be kind of rotating game to game, giving each of us a chance to do multiple things. I'll tell you though, playing safety is different kind of challenge. I had to play more in the box that I'm used to, obviously. Covering a receiver in space is one thing, facing down a 210 pound running back with a 300 pound lineman leading the way is a bit out of my comfort zone. It's just a reminder that I need to keep working on my tackling and getting stronger. I think I handled my business in there though. I got a few good tackles on tape.
JT: Are you looking ahead to the draft at all? Have you been talking to any teams?
LP: I'm trying to stay away from all the rumors and mock drafts and stuff. Right now I'm just focusing on training and getting better. A few GM's have reached out, but that's all I'll say at this point.
JT: Well, hey, I'll just say it for you then: whoever calls your name is getting a star in the making.
LP: [laughter] Thanks, man. Alright, well, now I gotta go back to work.
Jonas Tracey
Sr. Student Reporter