Defensive tackle, Nebraska Question: Did you think before the season that a player like yourself would get Heisman Trophy consideration?
Answer: Not really. It wasn't a focus of mine. I really didn't think of it much. But when it came along, I embraced it and really just took joy to it. But it wasn't my main focus. My focus at Nebraska this past season was to help my team win, and I think I helped them a fair amount - but not enough because we weren't 14-0.
Q: What's been the most surprising part of this process?
A: The media attention and just the limelight of everybody kind of knowing who I am, especially when I go home. Obviously going home in Nebraska, it's a little easier. But being down in McKinnie, Texas, 20 minutes outside of Dallas, people recognize you. That's kind of scary.
Q: You played soccer as a kid. Were you any good?
A: I think I was fairly good. I could play every position but midfield. More or less, I didn't like to play midfield because it was a little bit too much running.
Q: Did you get any complaints from parents of opposing players?
A: Not at all. I got a lot of fouls. That's kind of the reason I moved away from soccer, because I got too many red cards.
Q: If you were asked by a team why you're worthy of the No.1 pick, what would you say?
A: I think I laid a great foundation with the way I played and the way I helped Nebraska. I wasn't the only one, and I won't take full credit for helping Nebraska get back. But I will take some credit because I think I was a big piece of that and I definitely feel that I laid it all on the line and put everything out there, and that's what I plan to do. So if that's the type of guy that you want, then why not take me?
-- Ken Gordon
kgordon@dispatch.com