Purdue Boilermakers fans had to feel bittersweet about Ryan Kerrigan's senior year. It was obvious, based on his performance in 2010 (13 sacks), that he had a great season. But, it was his final season in West Lafeyette, and their promising start (4-2) was undone by losing all six of their remaining games, including The Bucket Game against Indiana on Nov. 27th, 2010.
Despite the disappointing season, Kerrigan apparently still has very fond and wonderful memories of his days wearing black and gold. At a pre-draft event for the 2011 NFL Draft, SB Nation Indiana caught up with the former-Purdue defensive stud and asked him about the draft itself and his career at Purdue.
One note, I tend to post interviews in their entirety. This way, the subject (in this case, Kerrigan) is given he freedom to express his thoughts without me or someone else editing his words into something 'juicier' or more 'entertaining.' Thus, you'll get words like 'uh' and 'ahhh' posted throughout the interview.
Also, when it's posted 'unfiltered,' it just seems more real to me. Having said that, here we go:
Brad Wells: Hi, I'm Brad.
Ryan Kerrigan: Hi.
BW: I'm from Indiana, by the way.
RK: Oh really? Where from?
BW: Well, I grew up in Indianapolis, but I was born in Evansville. And, I'm sorry, but most of my family went to Indiana University.
RK: Ahhh, that's OK.
BW: What's this whole NFL Draft process been like?
RK: Ah, it's been a little hectic. It all happens really fast once your season comes to an end. But, I'm really lucky to be in the position I'm in and really enjoying the experience so far.
BW: Do you think you'll be more comfortable running out of a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense in the NFL?
RK: I'm up to do whatever. If coach wants me to do it, I'm going to do it. I'll do it to help the team. Whether it's a linebacker in a 3-4 or a defensive end in a 4-3, I'll do it.
BW: But are you more comfortable, say, standing up as a rusher as opposed to having your hand on the ground and rushing from there?
RK: Well, I mean, of course I'd probably be more comfortable in a stance because I've done that for eight years, going back to high school. But, I do have a little bit of experience standing up and I feel I can make the transition with a lot of practice.
BW: Talk about your senior year at Purdue. That was an up and down year for Purdue, what with all the injuries. And then, the last game of the year, the loss to I.U.-
RK: Yeah.
BW: What was it like?
RK: Well, like you said, a lot of ups and downs. We started out really well, 2-0 in the Big Ten. 4-2 overall. But, injuries really took their toll. That's not an excuse, but, we just struggled down the stretch for whatever reason.
BW: Do you miss West Lafeyette?
RK: Oh sure! I mean, great times there. A lot of memories I'll never forget. But, I'm looking forward to embracing a new city.
BW: Have you been to New York before?
RK: This is my first time.
BW: Really?
RK: Yeah, it's pretty cool.
BW: Was there anyone in college that helped make you a better player when you went up against them in a game or in practice?
RK: I'd say our tight end Kyle Adams. Going against him everyday in practice really helped me play that six technique and taught me how to play that very well.
BW: What if the Indianapolis Colts draft you? Would you be happy?
RK: I'll be happy with whoever drafts me. Whoever drafts me, I'm going to love that team, love that city. I'm going to embrace that opportunity.
BW: Best of luck, Ryan.
RK: Thank you.
Look for more draft prospect interviews from the 2011 NFL Draft over at Mocking The Draft, SB Nation's NFL Draft site.
2011 NFL Draft: SB Nation Indiana Interviews Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan
Purdue Boilermakers fans had to feel bittersweet about Ryan Kerrigan's senior year. It was obvious, based on his performance in 2010 (13 sacks), that he had a great season. But, it was his final season in West Lafeyette, and their promising start (4-2) was undone by losing all six of their remaining games, including The Bucket Game against Indiana on Nov. 27th, 2010.
Despite the disappointing season, Kerrigan apparently still has very fond and wonderful memories of his days wearing black and gold. At a pre-draft event for the 2011 NFL Draft, SB Nation Indiana caught up with the former-Purdue defensive stud and asked him about the draft itself and his career at Purdue.
One note, I tend to post interviews in their entirety. This way, the subject (in this case, Kerrigan) is given he freedom to express his thoughts without me or someone else editing his words into something 'juicier' or more 'entertaining.' Thus, you'll get words like 'uh' and 'ahhh' posted throughout the interview.
Also, when it's posted 'unfiltered,' it just seems more real to me. Having said that, here we go:
Brad Wells: Hi, I'm Brad.
Ryan Kerrigan: Hi.
BW: I'm from Indiana, by the way.
RK: Oh really? Where from?
BW: Well, I grew up in Indianapolis, but I was born in Evansville. And, I'm sorry, but most of my family went to Indiana University.
RK: Ahhh, that's OK.
BW: What's this whole NFL Draft process been like?
RK: Ah, it's been a little hectic. It all happens really fast once your season comes to an end. But, I'm really lucky to be in the position I'm in and really enjoying the experience so far.
BW: Do you think you'll be more comfortable running out of a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense in the NFL?
RK: I'm up to do whatever. If coach wants me to do it, I'm going to do it. I'll do it to help the team. Whether it's a linebacker in a 3-4 or a defensive end in a 4-3, I'll do it.
BW: But are you more comfortable, say, standing up as a rusher as opposed to having your hand on the ground and rushing from there?
RK: Well, I mean, of course I'd probably be more comfortable in a stance because I've done that for eight years, going back to high school. But, I do have a little bit of experience standing up and I feel I can make the transition with a lot of practice.
BW: Talk about your senior year at Purdue. That was an up and down year for Purdue, what with all the injuries. And then, the last game of the year, the loss to I.U.-
RK: Yeah.
BW: What was it like?
RK: Well, like you said, a lot of ups and downs. We started out really well, 2-0 in the Big Ten. 4-2 overall. But, injuries really took their toll. That's not an excuse, but, we just struggled down the stretch for whatever reason.
BW: Do you miss West Lafeyette?
RK: Oh sure! I mean, great times there. A lot of memories I'll never forget. But, I'm looking forward to embracing a new city.
BW: Have you been to New York before?
RK: This is my first time.
BW: Really?
RK: Yeah, it's pretty cool.
BW: Was there anyone in college that helped make you a better player when you went up against them in a game or in practice?
RK: I'd say our tight end Kyle Adams. Going against him everyday in practice really helped me play that six technique and taught me how to play that very well.
BW: What if the Indianapolis Colts draft you? Would you be happy?
RK: I'll be happy with whoever drafts me. Whoever drafts me, I'm going to love that team, love that city. I'm going to embrace that opportunity.
BW: Best of luck, Ryan.
RK: Thank you.
Look for more draft prospect interviews from the 2011 NFL Draft over at Mocking The Draft, SB Nation's NFL Draft site.
Apr 27 2:52p by Brad Wells