2013 NFL Draft: Interview with Texas A&M Linebacker Sean Porter

Sean Porter is one of many highly-touted Aggie prospects to enter this year's draft. 

The do-it-all linebacker totaled 3.5 sacks and 38 solo tackles last season. He nabbed his first interception in the team's biggest win against Alabama. 

Read on for my entire conversation with Sean Porter. 

RA: So I know it’s only a couple weeks away, but how has this whole process been for you?

SP: It’s been a challenge, but it’s been a good challenge. It’s a really exciting moment in a young man’s life entering the NFL because not a lot of people get this opportunity. I’m just trying to enjoy it.

RA: There’s a lot of great A&M prospects this year. Have you kept in touch with those guys?

SP: Yeah, I’ve kept in touch with them, working out. Guys are kind of flying in and out going to different teams, but we’re all just waiting for that day.

RA: You played with one of the best linebackers in the NFL in Von Miller. How much have you learned from him? Have you been in contact with him?

SP: One thing I’ve learned from him is that he’s really passionate and loves the intensity of the game. At Texas A&M, this is more, this is life. [You] have to be very passionate about this game because it doesn’t last very long. Last time I talked to Von was at the combine. He told me to show that I’m a good dude, I’m a good guy and to show off my personality and everything went well.

RA: You do just about everything as a linebacker. What do you do best and what’s your favorite thing to do?

SP: The best thing that I do is probably blitzing, [which is also] my favorite thing to do. I love getting in the backfield to make plays.

RA: Perhaps one of the few knocks on you as a prospect is that you’re maybe not the biggest guy in terms of your height.  Do you use some of that as a chip on your shoulder?

SP: I’ve never really thought about that. It doesn’t affect my game, it doesn’t stop me from being dominant, being physical and doing what a linebacker has to do to be successful. I’ve never let it hold me back; I’m not so much undersized that I stick out for it.

RA: Is there anyone in the NFL that you model your game after?

SP: There’s no one really that I model my game after. I watch the greatest players play and I take from their games, guys like NaVorro Bowman and, of course, Von Miller. I look at some of the young linebackers with a lot of passion.

RA:  You seem like a real passionate and emotional guy on the field. Do you have any rituals or superstitions to get you amped up?

SP: I don’t have any pregame rituals, I kind of stay to myself before the game. I kind of sit at my locker, take a deep breath and get ready to go.

RA: Your recruiting story was kind of interesting in that you had a chance to play for Houston, but you could not pass on an opportunity to play at A&M under Mike Sherman. In the end, you wound up playing for both coaches anyway. Has playing for Mike Sherman, who’s now in the NFL, helped you get ready for this whole process?

SP: Playing with coach Sherman is definitely different from coach [Kevin] Sumlin. Coach Sumlin was a real college coach. He teaches the college game, knows how to talk to the kids and motivate people the right way like a college coach coaching 18- to 23-year-olds.

Coach Sherman was an NFL coach. When he was here, it felt like an NFL team. Everything was very professional; we had to act like professionals, wear jackets and stuff. We walked in and he wanted us to be pros and act that way. Definitely, playing for him [has] prepared me for the NFL. Just the way they walk around and act all the time because they are professionals.

RA: So it’s only two weeks away now. Where are you going to be watching the draft?

SP: I’m just going to get back home and watch it with my dad and my family, hanging out watching on the couch.

RA: That’s awesome. Thanks for coming on Sean, it was great talking to you and good luck the rest of the way.

SP: Thanks.

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