Q: As you move into the role of a fifth-year senior with a lot of playing experience, does the leadership role that goes with that come naturally to you?

A: I know the way people perceive me on my team, just by their actions. When I say something, they're going to listen. When stuff needs to be said before it needs to be said, I say it. I've made more of an effort to stand up in my position group. A lot of us are here just to make everyone better and hold people up to a standard of the way we do things around here, because the way we've been doing them hasn't been getting it done.

Q: What one thing needs to change so you can accomplish what you want to?

A: I would say the number one thing is just more awareness of the little things. It's not just what's going on on the football field.