Brian Price Interview

There are athletes who will tell you exactly how good they are. Then they’ll do it again. And again until you’re pretty sure that they’re the only one with such a high opinion of their talent. And then there are players that don’t have to tell you.

The kind of players who have put in the time in the weight room. The same way Brian Price has been hard at work so that he can shock us all at the NFL Combine.

The kind of players who use their God-given abilities as a springboard, not a crutch. The same way Brian Price amplified his immense physical gifts with a dedication to improving his technique under the tutelage of former NFL coaches.

The kind of players who relish the challenge of restoring team glory to a former football mecca more than they enjoy the individual spotlight. The same way Brian Price decided to attend UCLA and unselfishly repair the prestige of the Bruins.

The Brian Prices of the world won’t gush about how much better they are than the other guys. They won’t brag. They won’t rest after a big play. And they won’t feel a need to convince you of just how good they can be because words have never sacked a quarterback.

No, when Brian Price wants you to notice him, he let’s his 6-02 300 pound frame do all the talking.

There are 32 NFL teams that would be wise to listen.

DraftZoo:  Was it tough to decide to skip your senior season and go pro?
Brian Price:  Yeah. It was real tough. But I got together with my family and friends and we discussed it a lot. In the end, this [entering the draft] was the best thing to do.

DZ:  Nothing wrong with input from people you trust. How important is it to you to surround yourself with the right kind of people going forward?
BP:  It’s really important. I’ve been doing that my whole life. So I’ll keep doing it in the future. You can’t surround yourself with people who don’t have the same types of goals as you. That’s how you get into trouble.

DZ: Was there one factor in these discussions that really sealed the decision?
BP: No, not really one thing. I just gathered as much information as I could and made the decision based off of all of it.

DZ:  How meaningful was it to win the Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year Award?
BP:  It was great. Really just icing on the cake. Entering the season, with all the big names in our conference, I didn’t think I’d get it. I really didn’t think about it that much. But it was a nice surprise, and I think it shows how hard I work.

DZ:  Are you proud of the direction that UCLA is headed? Did you like being part of the rebuilding process?
BP:  Yeah, absolutely. That’s why I went there, to help put UCLA back on the map and to really build it back up. So yeah, I’m happy with it.

DZ:  You got a new coach during your tenure, Rick Neuheisel, who has NFL experience. And your D line coach, Todd Howard, played and coached in the pros. What’s one thing you learned from a staff with a lot of NFL experience?
BP:  Yeah, our D Line coach, Todd Howard, really stressed having great technique. That’s something that can take you a long way at any level. Once you get to the NFL, with all of the veterans, they know what they’re doing and you have to know what you’re doing. A lot of guys extend their careers by using good technique even after they lose a step physically. It’s important to have the right technique, or you might fall of some when you get [to the NFL].

DZ:  Who’s the best offensive lineman you’ve ever faced?
BP:  Hmmm, the best? Kai Maiava my teammate at UCLA. Everyday in practice. When you play here, the guys you face in practice are as good as you’ll see in college football.

DZ:  Alright, what about your strengths? What are you best at?
BP:  My get off. That quick burst off the line. You can learn that some, but it’s more of a natural quality, and I think I’ve done a good job with it.

DZ:  Yeah, that’s definitely a noticeable trait of yours. What about something we might not have noticed. What’s the most surprising thing you’ll do at the combine?
BP:  Haha, I’m going to keep that a secret. You’ll have to tune in.

DZ:  You played in both schemes at UCLA, but which fits you better, the 3-4 or the 4-3?
BP:  Yeah, we ran both in college. Usually ran a 3-4 on third downs. When we did that, I switched out to defensive end, 5-tech. So I can play in both. But my home is inside. I would rather play there.

DZ:  Are there any teams that have shown a lot of interest? And you’d like to play for?
BP:  No. No one really shows more interest than anyone else. It doesn’t matter where I play, I just want to play.

DZ:  You and Reggie Carter played together in high school and college. I know you’ve got him beat on when you’ll be drafted, but are there any bets going about rookie year stats?
BP:  Haha. Nah, not really. We both just want to play. Both just excited about the next level.

DZ:  Well you know that since Pete Carroll is in the NFL now, you’re both going to end up playing for a USC coach. You know it’s coming.
BP:  Haha. Yeah, probably. But I don’t mind. I’ll play for anyone.

Alright, I’ll lay off. No more team-specific questions. Reggie got invited to the East-West Shrine game, and as a junior you haven’t played since the EagleBank Bowl. Do you wish there were all-star games for underclassmen?
BP:  Yeah, definitely. They should have one for juniors or younger players going to the draft. Or, at least include juniors in some of the games they have now. I’d love to get to play in one.

DZ:  On the bright side, you’ve had no distractions as you prepare for the draft.
BP:  Yeah, that’s true. I’ve just been back here training. It’s all about the combine right now, and I want to be in the best shape possible.

DZ:  Speaking of the combine, with all the tests designed to measure both, which is more important to you as defensive lineman, power or speed?
I really think they’re about the same. One’s not really better than the other. I think it’s best to have a good combination. You can use both.

DZ:  Alright, I had a feeling you’d say that. What about this one – are you more of a run stuffer or pass rusher?
BP:  Haha, again, both. It’s important to be able to do both and I think I can rush the passer and stop the run pretty well. But I like rushing better. It’s more fun to hit the quarterback.

DZ:  Any quarterbacks from your UCLA days that were especially fun to sack?
BP:  Aw man, I don’t really remember one specific guy. I don’t know. They were all fun.

DZ:  Are there any songs that you like to listen to before a game?
BP:  Yeah. Pretty much anything by Young Jeezy or Lil Wayne. That’s who I listen to pregame.

DZ:  Okay, you already got the best of Lane Kiffin in a great defensive game down in Knoxville. Is there a little part of you that wishes you could come back and beat him one more time now that he’s at USC?
BP:  Haha, nah. I’m happy with what I’ve been through and how it happened. I wouldn’t change it. I don’t need to go beat Lane again. But we did have a great game that day. It was great to go to their house and beat [Tennessee]. No one believed in us, and no one thought we could do it. But we did. We shut em down.

DZ:  Well I wish you could beat him again.Thanks for the time, Brian.  Best of luck with the combine and the draft.

BP:  Thank you.  Take care