Kyle Emanuel: How My Rookie Preseason Got Me Ready for the NFL

Editor's note: NFL analyst Brent Sobleski transcribed the following text from a conversation with San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel.

San Diego selected Emanuel with the 153rd overall pick in the fifth round of this year's NFL draft.

The North Dakota State product, who won four national titles and the Buck Buchanan Award during his time in college, was then asked to transition from defensive end to outside linebacker at the professional level. The move has gone better than expected, and the rookie started the Chargers' season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Right after I was drafted, I knew the Chargers had a little bit of depth at outside linebacker. But it was also an area where I could help out.

The staff didn't tell me I needed to start or do anything in particular. My expectations revolved around hopefully playing a lot on special teams and then possibly contributing on defense if they needed me. Those were my expectations from the start.

As we got into rookie minicamp and OTAs, I started with the second string from the beginning. I thought at the time, "Maybe there is a chance for me to contribute as part of the rotation." But there was obviously a long way to go at that point.

Off the field, compared to college, you're really treated more like an adult and a professional. This is your job now; they're not going to babysit you. In college, there are people everywhere to make sure you're where you're supposed to be.

For example, the first time the Chargers opened the doors to the locker room and all of the media came in was a new experience. And it's like that every day after practice. There is definitely far more media covering the NFL than what I experienced in college. There was one or two local media outlets at North Dakota State. The commitment is a lot bigger, but you also have more time. It's part of the job.

I can definitely see where this can be problematic for some rookies, but it hasn't proved to be much of a problem for me. If I have commitments or things I need to get done, those take priority. I'm at the facility during our off days. I certainly enjoy more free time to just deal with football.

OTAs went well, even as I adjusted to a new position. I dropped into coverage a little bit more, but at the same time, I was still asked to do a lot of the same things I did when I played defensive end at North Dakota State.

In our nickel package, I play defensive end. There are a lot of similarities there.

After a little break, I came back for training camp and didn't really know what to expect. I knew it would include long days. You never know exactly what's going to happen, and there are always little things you need to figure out anytime you go somewhere new.

Right away, there was a big difference in the meeting rooms. We installed six or seven plays per day. You then go out on the field, and the coaches expect you to execute against some of the best football players there are.

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

The first time I saw (Chargers left tackle) King Dunlap, I was shocked. I didn't know a human being could be made that large. The first time you line up against him, it's surreal. Then there's Philip Rivers barking out calls and pointing things out behind the line. It was one of many "Welcome to the NFL" moments.

I simply tried to get better every single day and learn my role.

Obviously, I've only experienced being on one team, and I don't know how it is around the league, but rookies never know how veterans are going to respond to you. Essentially, you come in to potentially take people's jobs. You don't know if they want to help you or how they're going to react.

Here in San Diego, the veterans were so helpful. They were very welcoming. You can tell they want what's best for the team and everyone to be successful so the team can be successful. The veterans were welcoming to all of the rookies and helped us out in any possible way.

Manti (Te'o) has been really helpful in trying to find a place for me to live and whatever may come up. He's been there every step of the way. He's always someone I can talk to. Melvin (Ingram) has been here for a few years and plays the same position, so he's someone I can talk to about anything as it pertains to X's and O's.

Everyone has been really helpful.

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press/Associated Press/Associated Press/Associated Press

After the first preseason game, and particularly the Arizona game, I got to roll in with the ones and even played against the Cardinals starters. After getting my feet wet, I realized I could compete at this level. That's when I figured I had a shot to play a little more this season.

I even lined up against Larry Fitzgerald, which was also quite surreal. Here is a guy I've watched since I was a little kid. When I was in junior high, I owned the NCAA game with him on the cover.

Two weeks later, the NFL's cut-down day became a reality and a particularly hard day, especially experiencing it for the first time. You get to know these guys pretty well. You're with the other rookies a lot. It's a different feeling. The next day they're just gone. It's not like college, where you're pretty much guaranteed to play with those same teammates for four or five years.

Now, it's back into football mode. You have to treat it like another season. You can't get caught up in those things you can't control. I'm here now and happy to be here. It's time to work and get after it.

I've had a lot of guys come up to me and tell me to keep doing what I'm doing. It's a little thing, but it makes a big difference when you're a rookie making mistakes because all of it's new. Just the little things keep me going and let me know I'm doing a decent job.