With the NFL season heading into Week 8 action, it’s high time we shared some choice sound bites we collected from the likes of much-touted gridiron rookies Tim Tebow (Florida), Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State). The on-camera interviews were captured a few months back during the 2010 NFL PLAYERS Rookie Premiere event held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. And now that each of the aforementioned players has scored at least one touchdown in the pros, it’s time to take a look at what they had to say prior to suiting up in their NFL unis.
For instance, did you know that Tebow’s idol growing up was former Gator quarterback Danny Wuerffel? Or that his most cherished college football memory was “after hitting the jump pass against Oklahoma” – a four-yard touchdown toss to teammate David Nelson with 3:07 to go in the 2008 FedEx BCS Championship game – “and walking over and giving coach [Urban] Meyer a hug knowing that all the hard work had paid off.”
Clausen, who got his first NFL start at quarterback for Carolina three weeks ago, has always been a student of the game. Watch as he reminisces about his playing days for the Fightin’ Irish. His second-quarter, 55-yard TD toss to running back Jonathan Stewart on October 3, 2010, against New Orleans inked in his name officially in the NFL record books.
Fellow QB Bradford, meanwhile, has already led St. Louis to more victories (three) than the team had all of last season, and is trying to cut his own mold in the NFL. Listen as the first-year signal-caller talks about growing up in Oklahoma. With 1,483 passing yards and nine TD tosses already for St. Louis, Sam the Man is certainly making a favorable first impression.
Bryant has been one of the bright spots for Dallas this season. In fact, the former Oklahoma State wideout already has tallied five touchdowns this season for Big D (three receiving and two punt returns). Check out Bryant as he reminisces about his playing days for the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. His 88-yard punt return score against New York on Monday Night Football was pretty much the only silver lining in the ‘Boys 41-35 defeat at the hands of the G-Men.
Look for autographed cards from each of these rookies making an impact in the professional ranks in Upper Deck’s 2010 NCAA Sweet Spot Football set, which is currently on store shelves. The signed helmet cards are especially cool.
