Ricky Sapp Interview

If you were going to build the prototypical NFL pass rusher, you might start with a six-foot-four, two hundred fifty pound frame. Then you’d probably give him the ability to run 40 yards in around 4.5 seconds. And you’d make sure his strength and quickness tested off the charts.

Then you’d give him a pass-rushing repertoire so vicious that he feels comfortable telling you that sometimes he uses three moves in one play.

You’d want him to have a resume’ full of premier production. Something like 16 sacks and over 100 tackles.

And you’d definitely want some moxie. A little pride. The kind that doesn’t mind telling you that sacking Peyton Manning is a goal. And the kind that makes you believe he will.

And, perhaps most importantly, you’d want a guy whose mettle had been tested by adversity only to reveal stalwart character. A guy who used an ACL tear as an impetus to renewed motivation. A guy who decided that sometimes the most important thing you can do when faced with a hard road is just finish.

You’d want Ricky Sapp.

DraftZoo: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Ricky. First thing, how many times did you get the better of CJ Spiller in practice?
Ricky Sapp: Well, first, he’s without a doubt the best I’ve ever played with or against. But to answer the question, alright, three times, haha.

DZ: Clemson always has great talent, but can’t seem to turn that into a BCS bid. What’s holding Clemson back?
RS: Well, I think it’s partly because we just got a new coach this year. And he’s got to get everything together and get things going his way. Maybe that means that everybody really has to get on board, really buy-in.

DZ: What was the toughest thing about having a new coach as a senior?
RS: Well, I think it was easier than it could have been because Coach Swinney was already here. I really love Coach Bowden. He’s the one that recruited me. He’s the one that came into my home. But I had a lot of respect for Coach Swinney because he was there when I was coming in. I knew we had a good guy.

DZ: Did getting a new coach that late in your career affect your role as a leader?
RS: Definitely. It was a good time to step up. We had a lot of young guys, and in back of my head I could tell that they didn’t know if we as a team were ready to go. So I followed coach and tutored the young guys. We just had to all believe in Coach Swinney.

DZ: You hurt your knee when you were a junior. Were you considering jumping early into last year’s draft before that happened?
RS: Definitely. Anytime you have that chance, it’s something you want to entertain. So I definitely thought about it. Who knows what would have happened.

DZ: Now that you’re more than a year removed from surgery, do you feel like you’ve gotten all of your speed back?
RS: Absolutely. That’s what’s been great about all the training I’ve been doing lately; I’m getting to work in a lot of rehab while I’m doing it.

DZ: Well, in some ways having to come back for your senior year has been good for your draft stock. Is there a silver lining to your injury?
RS: Oh man definitely. My injury brought a lot of good. It’s one of biggest things I’ve had happen to me. It really made me think a lot about future and a lot about what I want out of life. I was down and out when it happened. But getting hurt really helped me get motivated again. I got excited about coming back to finish with my class that I came in with. I just decided to finish.

DZ: You got to face some pretty nice competition when you decided to return, but throughout your career who’s the best offensive tackle you’ve faced?
RS: Eugene Monroe, without a doubt. He had amazing footwork and quickness. I’ve never seen someone that big with that kind of footwork. I had to give more than two pass rushing moves just about every time. I really had to play my A+ game because you knew he would.

DZ: You mentioned his size. Are you trying to gain any weight for your own move to the NFL?
RS: Well, I’ve put on about eight pounds so far this offseason. I want to go into the NFL weighing 250. At that size I can play 4-3 or 3-4 and keep my speed where I want it.

DZ: So would you say that your speed is your biggest strength?
RS: Yeah, I think it’s speed, without a doubt. A lot of times guys my size and my height don’t run as fast as I do.

DZ: Alright, let’s flip that around. What’s your biggest weakness?
RS: I think it’s that I need to play the run better. I don’t think that’s a weight issue. I just think it’s staying on the block longer sometimes, refining my overall technique, and just knowing what you’re doing.

DZ: I’m going to tell CJ you said that. Moving to the NFL, a lot of guys have you projected as a 3-4 Outside Linebacker. What’s the toughest part about making that switch?
RS: Haha. It will be a fun challenge. But you know, I can stand up or put my hand down at the next level. I don’t think either is too tough. They both feel natural to me, and I’ll be fine if that’s where I end up. I love a challenge.

DZ: Either way, you’re going to be asked to hold up against the run and find a way to pressure the quarterback. Do you consider yourself more of a run defender or pass rusher?
RS: I can do both. I can make plays when the other team runs the ball and I can get to the quarterback. But I’m also very comfortable in coverage, running with TEs and WRs. For me, that’s a competition. It’s nice when people who think they’re faster can’t run past me.

DZ: Haha, I’m sure they love that. Now the important stuff. Any particular music you like to listen to pregame?
RS: Yeah, I listen to one song. I Need You Now by Smokie Norful.

DZ: I’ll have to check it out. What about your jersey number. How’d a defensive end end up with number seven?
RS: I Just wore nine in high school, and I wanted to change it a little.

DZ: And finally, just so I can get you in trouble with an NFL QB, who’s the one guy at the next level that you’re looking forward to sacking?
RS: Haha. Peyton manning.

DZ: I like it. No reason to aim low, right? Thanks again for taking the time, Ricky, and good luck with the combine and the draft.
RS: Thank you. And thank you for taking the time.