BURG Sports Network

1.     Who was your biggest Role Model growing up? 

 

I would say both my parents.  I am one of eight kids and come from a military family. My mom homeschooled us as kids and for her to do that while my dad was at work, as I get older, I just respect and admire what they had to do to raise all 8 of us.  

 

 

2.     What was it like to play for Coach Buckwalter at Dominion & What was your Favorite High School game you played in?

 

He was my favorite coach to play for.  I would not have been able to have accomplished the things I was able to accomplish in my career if it wasn’t for him.  He was a players coach and if you had any aspirations to play college ball, he would do anything he could to help you achieve that. 

 

My favorite high school game was against Potomac Falls in 2013.  We opened that season at home against them and they beat us like 23-19 (something like that).  We felt we were the better team and that we gave that game away.  We also knew we were going to see them at the end of that season.  Come that game week, Coach Buck played a youtube video of two Potomac Falls players giving and interview.  In that video they talked about how great it was to come in to their arch-rival’s home and beat them and that they are looking forward to seeing us again and beating us for what would be a “cherry on top of our season.” That video we played every day before practice with that quote ringing in our heads.  We came out that Friday night and kicked them in the teeth all night long.  Still do this day, I remember vividly one play where I was dropping in coverage as a linebacker and picking off a pass in the middle of the field and returning for a touchdown and I turned to the sidelines and everyone was rushing towards me. I ended up tackling my Linebacker’s coach and we got a penalty but it was worth it.  We ended up beating them 28-7 and Coach Buck opened up a box on the sidelines and handed us all t-shirts saying Kings of Sterling with a crown and cherry on top as the logo.  That to this day is one of, if not the most memorable game to this day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. How did being part of The Nike’s Opening and The US Army All American Bowl game help you as a player and what was the experience like? 

 

That experience was such a blessing to be able to compete with the best of the best in the country.  It made me realize that here in Loudoun County, you are just a small fish in a small pond and that there is a massive ocean of high school athletes competing for a scholarship to play ball.  It helped prepare me for what ball was going to be like in college where everyone is a high school All America or a 4-5 star and have all this talent. It will be who stays committed to the grind that will separate everyone. 

 

4.  What was it like to play for Clemson's Head Football Coach Doable Swinney & What was your first college game like? 

 

It was a great experience.  Coach Swinney is one of the best college coaches, in my opinion, of all time.  He cares more about the player’s heart than their talent and what they can do for him on the field.  That is what earned my respect the most.  

 

First college game was surreal.  Sept 5th 2015 at home against Wofford. I redshirted that year but I will never forget the first time touching Howard’s Rock and running down that hill in the real Death Valley with a packed stadium (sold out even against Wofford). Was an incredible experience and it really is the best entrance in all of college football. 

 

My first start just made the whole entarence even more exciting cause I knew I was going to take the field.  With that game being a night game against Georgia Tech, made it the electricity in the stadium insane.  It was also great that we ended up kicking their butts 52-14 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Chad, Clemson's Football program has one of the most unique entrances in college football with Howard’s Rock and coming out in Death Valley. What is the experience like for people who have never been there? 

 

I know I kinda already touched on it, but the experience on top of that hill is so hard to put into words. Coming out of the locker-room and boarding the buses and here the stadium just rocking and waiting for the team to take the field, gets your adrenaline pumping through the roof.  Once you start to drive around the stadium you get to see all the fans cheering and getting pumped for the game which is awesome.  You hop of the bus and there are fans just squeezing to get a look at the team and high fiving us as we get towards the rock.  Once you are there, as a player you hear it the stadium just light up. Then, for me, it was almost silent after that cause your adrenaline and heart is just pounding outside your chest. Cannon goes off, and boom you are taking the field.

 

 

6. What was it like to be part of one of the most recent historical runs in college football playing against other historical program’s like Alabama, Ohio State, and Notre Dame?

 

It is still surreal to this day to realize that I was a part of college football history. Coach Swinney said one of these days they will make an ESPN 30 for 30 about that run and I am looking forward to it one day.

 

7. What was it like to win and play in a National Championship game? 

 

Words won’t do it justice to explain what it was like to win a national championship.  It is something that very very few people get the chance to say that they were a part of a national championship team. The farther I am away from that time period of my life, the more appreciation I have for what I was a part of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Chad you were redshirted then played three years on special teams then named starting linebacker your senior season, what was the process like and what was the biggest thing you learned? 

 

It was definitely a process.  It was not an easy process or transition from being the star player on your high school team to having to wait for your time to shine.  I credit my teammates and Coach Venables for believing in me and helping me improve my game and knowledge for me to be able to be ready for my time. Playing on special teams was something I took pride in.  Not enough people realize that games can be won and lost on special teams and our coaches made sure that we knew that and that when we took the field for special teams, we wanted to make an impact on the game in a positive way.  That helped me be ready for my time as a starter. Took a lot of trust and patience but I wouldn’t change it for anything. 

 

9.  What was it like being named Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP & to have the moment on senior day/night with your family? 

 

Honestly, I couldn’t believe it when they told me to get up on stage and that I was Defensive MVP. Being up there and receiving that award was special.  So blessed to have my family there to watch and be a part of it.  I would not have had that moment if I wasn’t for them and their support for me.  

 

10. Finally What advice would you give an incoming freshman who wants to play football at Dominion and Clemson?  What is it like to see Loudoun County Alum like Trace McSorley, Jonathan Allen, yourself and many others succeed at the NCAA and NFL level?

 

My advice would be that if you have dreams or aspirations to be successful at whatever level, it will take sacrifice. There are going to be long long days but the years are short.  Make sure you have your priorities in line and push yourself to find ways to better yourself. Even if that means doing things that you hate/make you uncomfortable and challenge you.  You consistently put yourself in situations, you will start to see yourself improve.

 

It is awesome to see guys like that represent Loudoun County.  I am honored to be included in that group.  I hope there are more to come.