Oklahoma State University Athletics
Catching On With Freshman Tight End Justin Waller
August 12, 2004 | Cowboy Football
How do you feel your performance has been so far?
“It has been a little overwhelming these past three days because we have had more plays thrown at us during these three days than I have had in my entire life. We have a lot to work on and a lot to learn, but we are going to get better and it is all going to fall into place in time.”
What are the expectations you have for your first season?
“Honestly, I just want to help the team the best that I can, whether they want me to stand on the sideline and cheer people on or whether they want me in there on special teams to make a few tackles or block a few people. I just want to do the best I can for my team and play my role.”
What do you think your biggest adjustment is going to be as you move from high school to college football?
“My footwork. My footwork is not as good as I thought it was. I am definitely going to have to work on that and my blocking technique as well. As you can tell, there are a lot of big Division I football players out there, so your blocking technique has to be good as well as your routes. Basically, everything has to improve.”
Has there been anything surprising about Division I football?
“No, because I got the chance to come down to quite a few of the spring practices last year and watch. I knew what was coming and knew what was going to be expected of me. That is what I wanted, coming down early to find out was going to be expected of me. So it really hasn't been that big of a surprise to me.”
How much did getting to see spring practice first hand help you?
“I didn't know it then, but with the little stuff I saw then and the stuff I am learning now, I am able to put the pieces together and put the puzzle together. I didn't know at that point and time during the spring that it was helping me, but I found out these past three days that it did.”
How does it feel getting to be a part of of the excitement surrounding Cowboy football?
“I get chills running up and down my spine just thinking about it. Not many people get an opportunity to experience what I am getting to experience. Just to get to play in a stadium like this is unbelievable. It is a great stadium now, just imagine what it is going to be like in the next three or four years when it is done.”
Can you draw a comparison between your high school program and the OSU program?
“My sophomore year, it was our coach's second year there. Like Oklahoma State, Ponca City (Okla.) got a new coach and they knew what they were doing. They definitely had the talent along with the coaching staff. With good talent and a good coaching staff, you are able to do good things. That is what happened at Ponca City and with Oklahoma State.”
What is it like getting to play so close to home?
“It is exciting. Words really can't describe it. I can remember sitting in that west end zone and saying, ‘I want to play college football.' I am here right now doing it just 30 miles south of where I grew up. I have a lot of family in Ponca City that are excited and are behind me.”
Why OSU?
“Honestly, I felt the most comfortable here. Their coaching staff made me feel welcome. They gave me a plan and told me where they thought they would see me in a couple of years in the offense. I loved the coaches and players as well as the town. I was the most comfortable here because it was like a second home.”
