September 17, 2002
| Redshirt freshman defensive back Jaxson Appel has an interception in each of the first two games. As this weekend's battle with Virginia Tech nears, Appel talked with AggieAthletics.com about playing with intensity, the value of a redshirt season and things he does to relax.
You seem to play with a constant intensity. Where did you pick that up or where did it begin? Is that a necessity to be successful at the Division I level? "I got it [intensity] from my mother and father. They were constantly reinforcing good work habits and stuff like that. You have to be intense to play this game, because the guy that is intense is going to run you over. So, you have to be focused on every play and you have to be willing to hit them before they hit you." Two games into the season, give the fans an idea of where the "D" stands. Is it possible to improve? "It's always possible to improve. You're never satisfied, there is always that one play that you did wrong, missed your key, so there is always room for improvement. The "D" right now is extremely sound. We are ready to go, pumped up for Virginia Tech. We feel we have their offense down pretty well. They have two good running backs that we've got to prepare for, but we are excited and we are ready to go." You lead the team in interceptions. What do you attribute the soft hands to? Were you a receiver in high school? "In high school, I was a running back and a receiver so I played both ways. [As far as] the interceptions, they were kind of like gopher balls, so I really didn't have to do anything special. I just ran underneath them and they fell right into my hands." As a redshirt last year, did any of the veterans take you under their wing? "Jay Brooks helped me out a little bit, but early on I was on the scout team so I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with him. One thing Jay told me and all of the freshmen was, "Don't wait to be great." I think that really had an impact on me. You know, that makes a lot of sense when you really sit down and think about it. I thought about it, and I took it to heart. I told myself, 'Why should I sit around and let someone else get what I want? I'm going to go ahead and take it.' " How important was the redshirt year and being able to learn the system? "Oh, it is the reason I am where I am right now. I couldn't have played last year. I wasn't mentally or physically ready to play against 23-year-olds. Last year, I was only 19 years old. I have year of experience, I have been away from home for a year, and I am more acclimated to everything. I've got the system down. I grew...I've gained 17 pounds since I've been here. So it is the reason where I am right now, the redshirt." How are you handling all this media attention? "It is a compliment, definitely, that all these people want to talk with you. I try and I go do the interviews and I do the best I can, but I try to not let that distract me from what my real purpose is, which is to go out there and play on Saturday. You know, if I don't play on Saturday, [the media] doesn't want to talk to me." What sport are you the most gifted at? What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? "I like football the best. I like watching football, but if I had to watch a sport on TV, I like watching track a lot. I enjoy watching athletes run. I was a pole vaulter in high school so every time I see that on TV I enjoy watching that the most." When you want to get away from football, what is your therapy? What do you do to take your mind away from the game? "I just go home, try to watch a little TV, maybe a little MTV, spend time with my girlfriend, and you know, just kind of hang and chill with my friends. It's not good to think about football all the time, so I get away and don't even watch it (football) on TV." Simpsons or Seinfeld? "Simpsons." Favorite character? "Homer." Not Chief Wiggum? "No, Chief Wiggum kind of bugs me. Homer would be the epitome of everything that is good in the world." |