Eric Nzeocha (left) poses with his brother after practice. Nzeocha, in a sit down interview discussed his switch to linebacker for next season.
Eric Nzeocha is entering this upcoming football season as a junior and is in the process of learning a new position. He is switching from tight end to linebacker, so this spring ball is especially important for him. He sat down to discuss what spring ball is all about and how it is going.
Describe your typical day of spring football.
Today I woke up at about 8 a.m. grabbed breakfast came back home at like maybe 9 a.m. From 9-11 a.m. I did some light review of my class, and from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. I had class. I went back home, ate lunch, came here to the rec, got taped and dressed. I then came up (to the war room) for meetings. We had meetings from, I want to say, 2:15 p.m. to about 3:30 p.m., and at 4 p.m. we went out to the field. We were walking through stuff just kind of reviewing what we just went through. After that is practice. When we’re done we get dressed and eat dinner, which they provide to us. Then just go home, study some more and go to sleep.
What is the most important part about spring ball?
Definitely the practice, the live reps are definitely very important.
What is the hardest part for a player during this time?
I don’t know. I guess it is really hard to juggle everything, so that you are good at everything. To be good at football and at school, it is hard to keep everything on track.
Is this where the players build relationships with each other?
Yeah, basically. You are definitely trying to learn a lot about opponents and each other. We do that with the live reps.
What is your favorite part about spring football?
The spring game.
What happens during the spring game?
There is live reps, which is really fun with offense verses defense. It is like the best part.
As a junior leader, are you trying to establish yourself more?
I am definitely trying to do something. I am new to this position, so I am first off trying to learn it before I can be a leader in the defense obviously. I will definitely try and get that during the spring. Get my plays down, be accountable to all my teammates.
Do coaches like to put guys anywhere in new positions and see what happens?
Not really. Obviously it is calculated risks they take here. They see potential in some players to play different positions. I guess they saw that in me, and obviously now is the time.
