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How excited are you to be coming to Baltimore?
"I watched Baltimore all time. It's a great franchise. They contended for the Super Bowl last year, so I can't wait to get started."
Do you feel like you know it all or do you have a lot to learn?
"I'm going to the NFL. Of course, I've never been to the NFL before, so I've got to block and learn. I'm a hard worker, I'm a tough player, I'm a great player. I'm willing to listen. I listen to the people above me, I listen to my coaching staff, and I have a passion for the game. I just can't wait to get started."
Did you envision this?
"Just to make it to the NFL and get drafted, I never saw it coming. Where I'm from, nobody makes it out. I'm definitely blessed. I appreciate what everybody has done for me. I'm a guy who doesn't take anything for granted."
What do you bring to the table as a blocker?
"I'm a physical player. I have every tool that you need to succeed on the offensive line, and I'm determined to help my team win."
Did you leave your Baltimore visit a few weeks ago thinking, 'That's a place I'd like to go to.'?
"Definitely. I enjoyed my stay there. The facility was great, and I went to Bonefish and ate some 'Bang Bang Shrimp,' and I've been looking for them ever since."
Any disappointment in going down to No. 23?
"I'm just glad that I got drafted. Sitting in the green room, it seemed like an hour, 35-40 minutes. I just wanted to get my name called and get drafted into the NFL. It's what I've been looking for forever. To be a part of a team, I'm happy."
Did you have a lot of anxiety while you waited to get drafted?
"I knew I was going to get drafted, but I didn't know where. So I was just waiting on that. Baltimore was the team that pulled the trigger on me. I'm just so happy right now, just to be in the NFL. Of course, people had me going a little earlier, but it didn't happen. So I'm not going to hang my head. I'm getting paid to do something I love, and that's all I care about."
Is weight-room strength something that you can improve upon?
"You can get better at everything you do. I'm a hard worker, and I'm pretty sure I can improve on a lot of things. I'm going to work my butt off to get better, so I can't wait."
What did Ozzie Newsome say to you when he called?
"He asked me if I wanted to be a Raven. He said, 'We're going to pick you.' To be honest with you, I don't even remember anything else, I was just so happy at the time."
Did owner Steve Bisciotti or coach John Harbaugh talk to you, too?
"Yes, I talked to all of those guys. We had great conversations, and I'm just very happy to be a Raven."
Do you have every intention of coming in and being the starter?
"I'm so competitive, I'm going to give it all I've got and compete. If it works out, I have all the tools that you need to succeed on the offensive line. So if it works out that way, it would be great. I can't wait."
When you met with teams, how much did you have to explain your background?
"I had to do it a lot. I had a great meeting with Baltimore, and you've got to continue to be around people to get to know them. A lot of people questioned my passion for the game. If you knew me, you wouldn't say anything like that. I'm glad I got to know Baltimore and their staff, and I can't wait to show them what kind of player they got."
