Willie Bohannon has plenty of confidence.
He plans to use it to his advantage at Tennessee.
Bohannon, a defensive end from Blount High School in Mobile, Ala., signed a letter of intent to play football at UT in February.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Bohannon talks about his goals at UT and how he became a standout defensive end in this Q&A.
Q: What was your most memorable moment from an official visit?
A: The way I was treated whenever I went to a school, every school I went to. They treated me like I was one of the best people they ever recruited. That was the best thing about recruiting. They made you feel good. You go to school and work hard and it was like receiving an award, like you were a star almost.
Q: What was your least favorite part of recruiting?
A: The first time when I started getting recruited. My bill ran up real high on my cell phone. My mom got real made about it, too. She was just like, ‘You tell them to call the house phone or something.’ I had to make sure they’d call after 9 (p.m., for free late night hours). If they called before then I just told them I’d call them back.”
Q: Who has made the most significant impact on your football career?
A: I have a whole bunch of people. I believe my defensive coordinator, Tywanios Lockett, he had the most influence on my football career. He coached (Houston Texans linebacker) DeMeco Ryans when he was in high school. He teaches you to stay disciplined. He teaches a whole lot of discipline. He told me to stay on track and he kept me from messing up. I could have gotten into a lot of things but I didn’t because of him. He kept me on track.
Q: When did you know you would have a future in football?
A: Eighth grade. I did really good and a lot of people were trying to get me to come to their high school. Going into high school I was getting recruited from middle school. I did real good at defensive end. It really didn’t strike me. I knew I was going to have a future because of the confidence I have in myself. It didn’t strike me until the ninth grade when I competed with those big guys. In the tenth grade I had 18.5 sacks. I still don’t think it struck me how big a prospect I am. I think I still have as lot to prove.
Q: Why do you think you still have a lot to prove?
A: I would not even say it’s about proving myself in college. It’s about getting known in college. I haven’t gotten there yet. I want to go and set records and everything. It’s not about proving myself. It’s getting known.
Q: What is your favorite part about playing football?
A: The rush you get while you’re playing the game. A lot of people like to play. You do something to get the crowd to cheer for you. It’s the feeling you get. It’s like a rush. It feels like you want to do it again. It makes you want to do it more and more and more.
Q: You mentioned your confidence earlier. How much will that help you at the next level?
A: A lot. If you don’t have confidence in yourself you won’t be able to do anything. You’ll be stressed a lot. It keeps me going, having faith in myself. There will be people who have faith in you but a lot of people will be doubtful about you. You can never be doubtful about yourself.
Q: What do you want to study in college?
A: To be an athletic trainer. I want to stay in sports. I don’t want to be a football coach in the future. I want to be a trainer to help players get better in that way. I think I’d be more helpful getting them prepared for the coaches by training them. I think I’d be more helpful then. Coaching, I don’t know. I’m not the type of person to be screaming. I’m not the type of person to be coaching. I can get intense but I’m not a screaming type.
Q: What will be the biggest adjustment you will need to make to play in college?
A: Strength. I’m good in the lower body and I’m really quick, but I believe I’ll have to use more strength now than in high school. It’ll be real important. I want to be able to combine speed and strength. You have to do that at the college level. You combine things you learn. You can’t get by with just one technique or strength. That’ll be the biggest adjustment.
Q: What are your goals at UT?
A: For the short term it’s make an immediate impact on the team, like Eric Berry did. He came in and made instant impact. He was very helpful in their wins. I want to be able to do that. Long term is to graduate in three years. I want to be able to do that and take advantage of the tutors and everything.
Q: What did Eric Berry show you last year?
A: I saw a lot of freshmen last year who made instant impacts. It’s not impossible. They showed you it’s not impossible to come in as a freshman and do great things and not make the team skip a beat or anything. I have faith in myself now that I can come in and make an instant impact. It’s the extra push to do it that you need.
Q: Is there a player you model your game after?
A: I have a lot of favorite players. My favorite player, Julius Peppers, I don’t play anything like him. He’s on a whole other level. I’d say Jason Taylor because he’s not undersized, but he’s not a big defensive lineman. He uses technique and speed to get around players. That’s something I do a lot.
Q: Are you going to end up on “Dancing With the Stars” like Taylor?
A: I don’t even dance. I’ m not the dancing type. I like to see dancing. I’ll watch people dance.
UT's new $45 million football…
Images from Larry Murphy's book on…
Smokey undergoes physical therapy at UT
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 114
ThaiVolFan writes:
I like the attitude and the confidence. I hope to see it translate onto the field of play and I hope he gets to enjoy that feeling of causing Neyland Stadium to erupt time and time again. (Like after sacking Tebow on 3rd and 4th downs this year)
Go Vols!
KHVOLFAN writes:
This kid sounds great! Welcome to BIG ORANGE COUNTRY young man. GO VOLS!
gnm53108 writes:
Fantastic.Welcome aboard.Just stay hungry and take advantage of your chance to get a degree,and please,please,please stay away from wacky weed.
Did I mention....PLEASE.
gnm53108 writes:
Now that we can use the webcast will this get chief into recruiting?We know what he can do position coaching and from what recruits say about his talks he has with them,once there on campus,he's pretty good at that too.We just need to get them on campus.
gnm53108 writes:
But supposedly now he can talk withem without going anywhere.This might be the only occasion where we'll be able to thank saban.
gnm53108 writes:
Kingsport...please tell me you didnt watch Andy Griffith last night.As a matter of fact you shouldnt ever,and i mean never watch that show again.
volroadwarrior writes:
Negative Nellies are clucking again.
gnm53108 writes:
Volroadwarrior...I actually am a fan of the Cheif.I just reconize his short commings along with his strong suits.I think he's a great,and I mean great position coach,a pretty darn good cordinator,but lacks in recruiting because of his dislike of traveling.
GreerVol22 writes:
Kingsport....Judy, Judy , Judy...Goober says Hey.
T0MMYJACK writes:
What ... no YouTube link?! You're not staying the course. Fritter ... FOOLmore ... KrispyKreme ...
GreerVol22 writes:
ok imposter TJ, here you go. http://youtube.com/watch?v=owaOxKHxb9U
CoverOrange writes:
Most impressive statement by this young man: "Long term (foal) is to graduate in three years."
Second most impressive statement: "uses technique and speed to get around players. That’s something I do a lot."
Dumbest question: "Are you going to end up on 'Dancing With the Stars'”
CoverOrange writes:
"goal" not "foal" dang qwerty keyboard
CoverOrange writes:
"like Berry" just doesn't have the ring to it that "like Mike" does. Gotta come up with something.
How many more years until kids response to "be like Mike" is "who?"
GerryOP writes:
Nice interview! Sounds like a great prospect with excellent potential. It would be interesting to see the same interview next May and each May thereafer that he stays in school.
If we make it through September ...
GreerVol22 writes:
the real TJ is so sharp he can cut a popcorn fart with a butter knife....imposter TJ still gets on the short bus.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sounds good, throw another 20 lbs on him so he actually can rush. Who else was after him?
TT 6:48, good 'ern. Does he and Phil fly together?
GerryOP, 8:47 lose the realism, pour the orange powder, stir the mix, don the glasses and check the how many days, Ashley.
auttat writes:
Is recruiting allowed by High Schools in Alabama?
99gator writes:
pdhuff
listed other schools as alabama, auburn, ole miss, and ky.
not sure either alabama or auburn offered though.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
what's kind of weird is that we have no idea how this kid is going to turn out but with needing something to cover KNS does this interview...( small for a DE so will he end up at LB??) do i really care???? not sure.... sometimes the internet is just mindless nothing.......
GO VOLS!!!! fall practice is when is starts!!!!
cjraney writes:
Please gain 30lbs of muscle before fall practice starts.
99gator writes:
i'll try to end the doldrums.....
besides eric berry....who will start for tenn that has the potential to be all-sec?
who are the guys tennessee expects to carry the team in 2008?
vol88 writes:
Maybe he'll get to watch a lot of players wearing orange dancing in the end zone!
Welcome Willie!
txvolsfan writes:
De Morley is definetly all SEC, Rico McCoy should step up on defense.
Fosters on offense and Gerald Jones has the potential.
TXVOLSFAN
auttat writes:
Defensive: Ayers has the potential to be a force, Berry and Morely have to play well, along with McCoy. Bolden and Williams are obvious.
All-SEC guys in my opinion, Berry, McCoy, Ayers
Offense: Crompton has to perform, Foster should have similar numbers to last year, just need Creer to become a homerun threat like Coker was. Any WR to become a homerun threat...ANY? People can diss Cut's O all they want, but you can't throw it long if nobody is there to catch it. Cut's O suited Taylor last year, but I think his numbers will drop off this year.
All-SEC guys, Foster, Parker, McNeil...and hopefully a WR.
auttat writes:
One thing I would like to see done away with is the Game Day Captains. Designate Captains at the beginning of fall camps and have them be your leaders. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians, or just too many Indians who don't know who the chief is. Workin, we all know, it starts with "Foolmore"
TommyJack writes:
thanks guys. pity the poser.
BADGES0413 writes:
Aunt Bee makes Kerosene Cucumbers and can't handle Elixer very well.
Hopefully Bohannon lives up to some of the names he mentioned.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Tks gator on the info on who was adder him!
All SEC- hmmm, Berry then Foster 2nd or 3rd team
then ......
We'll have to see. I don't think the overall talent level in near where many seem to have it.
We're full of two stars playing as, well, two stars.
TommyJack writes:
gnm53108, 7:15 And you have no problems with this? Good grief, man.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"is" not in, my bad
bigbluevol writes:
99, if I remember correctly, I think Alabama tried to get back in late with Bohannon. I might be mistaken though. As far all-SEC, I think Berry and Morley as well as McCoy are good picks. Foster, Parker and I'm going to go with G Jones. I think a lot of the offense could go through him. We'll see though.
CoverOrange writes:
Alabama did offer a scholly to him. But we beat out Kentucky for his services in the end.
CoverOrange writes:
Just reread the article from back in January. Alabama was the first to offer him last spring but he delayed commiting until last fall when he was told they were out of scholarships. He then commited to Kentucky. Tennessee called on him late but gave him a better chance at the NFL in his mind, than Kentucky.
99gator writes:
just went to look up last year's all sec team....
georgia had three total on the 1st and 2nd team all sec squad.
knowshon moreno
fernando velasco
dannell ellerbee
that was it
BADGES0413 writes:
99 gator, GA is hard to figure out. They have no name receivers and a very young offensive line. Also they don't seem to have any playmakers on defense, yet some are picking them as No. 1 in the country. UT held Moreno to 30 yards and Stafford had an average year.
99gator writes:
badges
until proven otherwise, stafford is an average qb to me.
if you stop moreno, you win. until stafford wins a game with his play, i will consider him nothing more than a game manager with tremendous physical talent.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
VolRoadRunner...If the Chief lacks the desire to travel in order to recruit..then it is no wonder the Volunteer tackling defense in many years with the exception of maybe couple years, has been below average...recruiting is the lifeline...come to think of it, how long has it been sibnce you have seen a Vol defense score on fumbles or takeaways..The Vols for years were known and feared for their quick defense that caused fumbles..mishaps in the opponents backfield that led to quick touchdowns...You don't see that anymore. For some reason, the Vols do not, or cannot recruit top defensive linemen..I have seen Vol teams in the past destroy opponents that were superior in talent. One game I recall years a lightening quick Vol defense made shambles of the top ranked Penn. St., team laden with star-studded all-pro backfield aces, by slapping the ball out of the runner's arms...scooping the ball up and rambling for td's. You don't see that anymore. At one time it was rather common. But, one question, how do you know the Chief does not like to recruit?
Ralph_Crampton writes:
VolRoadRunner...If the Chief lacks the desire to travel in order to recruit..then it is no wonder the Volunteer tackling defense in many years with the exception of maybe couple years, has been below average...recruiting is the lifeline...come to think of it, how long has it been sibnce you have seen a Vol defense score on fumbles or takeaways..The Vols for years were known and feared for their quick defense that caused fumbles..mishaps in the opponents backfield that led to quick touchdowns...You don't see that anymore. For some reason, the Vols do not, or cannot recruit top defensive linemen..I have seen Vol teams in the past destroy opponents that were superior in talent. One game I recall years a lightening quick Vol defense made shambles of the top ranked Penn. St., team laden with star-studded all-pro backfield aces, by slapping the ball out of the runner's arms...scooping the ball up and rambling for td's. You don't see that anymore. At one time it was rather common. But, one question, how do you know the Chief does not like to recruit?
Vol13 writes:
We're just paying Bama back for getting Sean Bohannon a few years ago. You get our Sean, we'll one up you and get your Willie!!!
TommyJack writes:
bigfan: It's documented. He's stated it publically more than once.
Vol13 writes:
I predict that Morley and Berry will flip flop by mid-year and Berry will be playing FS/Morley SS. And don't ever underestimate the Slavis factor in the secondary. Berry played in instinct last year. He's now had a year to be screwed up by our schemes and coaching to negate his natural ability.
Ayers All-SEC? Are you kidding? If he had Alex Brown game-changing ability he wouldn't be earning a starting role as a 5th year SR. He had 25 tackles in 2007 and 11 of them were vs. La-La and ASU.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
My mistake "Volroadwarrior", the above article was intended for GNM-53108...sorry..( I like all names that began with VOL.) This is all good-natured back and forth between us rabid Vol fans. All of us have the same goal..to see the Big Orange return to the top again where they belong.
BADGES0413 writes:
If Ayers were allowed to jump offsides every play (and not get a penalty) like Alex Brown in the 99 FL vs UT game he could make All SEC.
bigbluevol writes:
bigfan, the last fumble recovery returned for a touchdown that instantly comes to mind is 2003 Bama game. I do believe Turk got away with jumping offside, but Haralson (I think) scooped it up and scored on the first series of the game. Vol13, as for Morley and Berry flipping, you might be right but the safety positions in our defense are continually referred to as interchangable by both the coaches and players. However, in years like 98 when Grant was obviously a better player in coverage that White, I think the safeties were a little more rigidly structured. Saying that Berry played on instinct alone and succeeded isn't really true. One youthful error he made was breaking on the ball late in the SEC Championship. That could have been a pick if he had read it right. A year of studying tape and being coached will help eliminate errors like that one.
volroadwarrior writes:
bigfan502--If Chavis does not want to travel and recruit, I agree with you. That would seem to be a big part of his job description. Unless he is exceptional as a field coach and has others take up the slack and do the traveling and recruiting, he should not be the DC. And I really question whether or not he is an exceptional field coach. I do know the defense is not where it has been in the past.
cjraney writes:
If we're talking 1st, 2d, and 3d team All-SEC:
McNeil
Parker
Berry
Morley
McCoy
Foster
G.Jones(possibly)
Wouldn't be too surprised to see Crompton on 3d team. Who else is there? Tebow and Stafford? Oh, the Ole Miss transfer also.
BADGES0413 writes:
John David Paker Cartman Booty Pennington III Wilson will probably be 3rd team all SEC.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Dawg players are getting a lot of favorable ink for one big reason.
Check Ga's finish last year.
Between # 1 and # 3, where we haven't been in a while. Don't forget they actually beat the Gators while our rating vs Fla was...present.
tigervol9802 writes:
Can he play D-tackle........well, he's a D-linemen, so I'll take it.
99gator - agree 100% on Stafford.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.