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4. You probably know that the Bears have struggled at kicker ever since you were injured last season. Do you feel some of the issues concerning the kick and punt units has been fair or unwarranted?
It’s difficult getting in there as a freshmen. Transitioning from high school to the bright lights of college football is a big jump. While these growing pains of young kickers is tough now, these kickers will continue developing physically and psychologically.
5. Talk about the book. You and your fellow teammate Cory Smits both shared this passion for taking photographs during football practice. When did it become a full-time endeavor, and how did your teammates and coaches react to the whole experience?
I decided to make this a full time endeavor after I learned my injury was a season-ender. The players and staff are supportive of me and Cory’s endeavor. Many other players beside Cory and I contributed to the book through by taking pictures and adding to the text. It’s cool because it’s a book “from the player's perspective.”
6. You talk about how getting injured gave you this rare glimpse into the Bears locker room as a kind of fan insider—someone who saw what was going on, but not quite being one of the guys. What were the biggest differences you had to adjust from being an active member of the roster to just being an observer of the process?
Sitting out the 2007 season was very difficult for me, especially with the way it played out. I considered myself one of the leaders on the team, and not being able to keep my finger on the pulse of the team was tough.
7. Do you have any funny stories to share about your experience as a Cal kicker?
During the spring we train early in the morning. During my sophomore season (2004 team), a group of the older players decided to have a little fun after morning conditioning. They had prepared 40 water balloons and let loose on all the players walking out of the stadium. They had water balloon launchers and let loose on everyone.
8. Finally, now that your college kicking career is ending, what does your future look like?
This spring I’m training to kick professionally. Kicking is exciting, challenging, and rewarding and I will continue to play as long as I enjoy it. I’m not sure what I want to do after football, but I consider myself an academic late-bloomer and would like to go back to school.
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