Q: What is the best thing you did this summer?

A: The best thing I’ve done this summer is train in the weight room, because man, we had no time off. It was 100 percent, all summer. I think we had one week; we had finals week off and then after that the players have just been going at it hard, nonstop. We just told each other we’re not going home, we’re just going to stay and train all summer. So that’s the best thing I’ve done. I wish I did do something fun, but I didn’t.

Q: How did you start playing football?

A: A kid came up to me and told me, “Hey, Morris man, you’re pretty fast.” And I said, “You think so?” So I started running track. I went to state in eighth grade and did some damage there, and started playing football my freshman year and just flew with it. I thought in my mind, “Hey, I can play big time college football doing this.” That’s when the stuff started pouring in.

Q: How did you pick U of I?

A: I came in, brought my family. We all looked at the program and thought this was the best team for me. Coach Ron Turner and his staff worked very hard trying to keep some of the locals. I was a big-time local at the time and they wanted to keep me in. They told me, “Hey, stay a big-time player and we’ll check on the school grades.” They made me feel like I was wanted, like it was home. Some of the other programs I was looking at seemed like they were trying to get other guys. Here it was always me first. I love this university, I love going to school here. I love everything about this university. I bleed Orange and Blue. I support every sports team we’ve ever had; that’s why I wanted to come to school here because of the academics and loyalty and how people treat you. It was very special to me.

Q: Was staying close to home something you were looking for? Was it a benefit?

A: It had to be a benefit because my parents said they weren’t coming to see me if I went to school out of state (laughs). They said, “We don’t know how we’re going to get to the games,” so I told them I was going to work out a way for my parents to see me play football. I wanted them to be out there every Saturday watching me play. I love it when I know they’re in the crowd watching me.

Q: What’s the best thing about playing at U of I?

A: The best thing about playing at U of I is coming out of that tunnel. Seeing you fans out there, you’re all screaming. You’re all getting me pumped up, getting me anxious and ready to play. The support the fans give the players, the way they treat us, that’s the best thing about it. The best thing about it is just coming out for the fans, for you guys.

Q: I’ve heard the players’ lounge can host some pretty intense xBox and Playstation tournaments. Who’s the best video game player on the team?

A: Absolutely Morris Virgil. They all know, they’re gonna see this and they’re gonna say, “Look at Morris, talking about his video games.” I’m competitive though, so I can’t lose in those things. I practice more than those guys so I can’t lose. When we get to camp I go by everybody’s rooms and just 21 them. 21-0. Make sure I 21 ’em. Playing the video games it’s just like me losing a real football game. I get mad.

Q: Did you have a Starter jacket as a kid and if so what was on it?

A: I had a Chicago Bears Starter jacket. I thought I was the coolest dude in the world. I had the Starter jacket pullover, too. Man, I loved that thing, I wore it out.

Q: What do you think is the hardest part about being an athlete?

A: The hardest part about being an athlete is those long days when we’re at practice until 6:30, 7 o’clock. And then you’re so tired, you try to get motivated to do homework or something like that but you just want to go home and lay down and go to sleep. That’s the hardest thing to do, to get yourself motivated to do well on the field as well as off the field.

Q: Do you have any game day traditions?

A: I just go out there and point to the sky. My brother passed away a couple of years ago; it’s a little tradition. I give praise, praise to God, praise to my brother because I’m sure they’re looking down on me.

Q: If you could play any sport at any school, other than football at U of I, what would it be?

A: I wouldn’t play no sport at no school. I love U of I. I’m not going anywhere else. I don’t care about any other school but U of I. This is where I wanted to be, this is where I am. I wouldn’t play anywhere else. I represent I-L-L I-N-I.

Q: What’s your major and how did you pick it?

A: My major is sports management. I picked it because I’m interested in working with sports, being around professional sports, whenever I’m done playing football. It was a big no-brainer. I know a lot of people in that field now, and I figured I’m comfortable with this, I’m going to go with it and see how it goes. If I want to try something in the future I might, but sports is just one of those things that I know a lot about.

Q: What toppings do you get on your pizza?

A: My pizza has to be deep dish, and it has to be sausage. It has to be. I love sausage. That’s got to be the best.

Q: What is your breakfast of champions?

A: Protein shake. I’ve got this protein shake, it’s called hot apple mango. I mix that up with some water, I’m telling you, it tastes just like Kool-Aid.