Lydell Sargeant: 2009 NFL Combine Interview

Cornerback Lydell Sargeant is one of several Penn State Nittany Lions who will be attending the NFL Combine beginning today and running through February 24th.

The senior not only found success on the field as one of the country's top defensive backs, but Sargeant was a key member in the political arena also. He was one of the leaders of Penn State Vote, which encouraged students to vote in the election last November.

Last spring, Sargeant wasn't preparing for the NFL Combine, he was meeting then Senator Barack Obama as his campaign stopped at the university. The NFL hopeful presented the U.S. President with a Penn State football jersey in front of a crowd of more than 20,000 on the Old Main lawn.

Lydell Sargeant recently took sometime out of his combine preparations to speak with Football Review Daily about the his collegiate career, the NFL Combine, and his meeting with the U.S. President.

-- How have you prepared for the NFL combine?

I am training with Deion Sanders. The combine training program is called 'Prime U'. Training with Deion, I have learned alot about the game and specifically my position. Deion is one of the greatest if not the greatest cornerback to ever play the game, so having him teach me has been big in the development of my game. Not to mention he might have been one of the fastest players as well. We not only do combine training here (40, bench, drills, etc.) we also have wonderlic training, interview training, and life training. I think I am as prepared as I can be for the NFL combine.

-- Is there an advantage to having some of your college teammates at the event?

I don't really think there is a big advantage, as most of us are going to arrive and test on different days. I think seeing familiar faces is definitely comforting, and can help calm down your nerves a little. At the end of the day, you have to perform and show what you can do as an individual.

-- Was the 2008 season a success?

The 2008 season was a huge success. We started the season I believe ranked 4th or 5th in the big ten, and at the end of the season we were Big Ten Champions. We had the opportunity to play in a BCS game (rose bowl) didn't have the expected come out, but it was a great experience. Finishing 11-2 and winning the Big Ten, our team will be stamped in the stadium and in the football facility forever.

Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics
-- Favorite game moment from 2008?

Favorite game moment from 2008, would be the Michigan State game. That was a big game for us, and we won and came out of the game Big Ten Champions, and I personally had a good game and that's all you can ask for on senior night, your last game playing in front of your university and fans.

-- Favorite moment from your playing career?

Favorite moment from my playing career would again be the Michigan State game. Senior night, getting an interception, winning the Big Ten Title, it was just a special day. Personally probably the interception against Ohio State at the end of the game, to clinch the game was probably one of my favorite moments.

-- Can you talk about the experience being a part of the Obama campaign this past year?

Being a part of the Obama campaign is probably the best experience of my life. I have grew up around sports and sports has always been a major part of my life, and for me to get as involved as I was in something besides sports was definitely a good feeling. To say that I played a part in helping Barack Obama become the President of the United States is special. Not only did I help out, but I had a chance to talk and build a relationship with him. Not too many people can say that they know the President of the United States, and I can and am very blessed to be able to.

-- Are politics in your future?

Politics is a harsh life. I have seen first hand how time consuming it is. You have to put a lot of hard work into it and you have to truly love what you do to be successful. Not to mention all criticism you get, its a very hard job. As I describe it, it sounds alot like sports! I'm not ruling it out, but its not in my near future, football is what I love and is what I want to do.

-- Growing up outside of Pittsburgh, you became friends with former PSU cornerback Justin King. What advice did he have for you about the pros?

Justin is my best friend, and I talk to him pretty much everyday. I talked to him last year when he was going through this process and sort of got a inside scoop of what it is like. He basically just told me, you can only control what you do. You cant control what team is going to like your style of play, you cant control what team is going to draft you, you cant do anything about those type of things. Once you have done everything you can and you've done it the best you can, all you can do is relax and just let things fall where the may. He's told me I can play at that level, he tells me all the time I have the skills and knowledge to play in the pros, and if I continue to work hard I can be successful in the league.

-- Finally, can you talk about the fans of the PSU program. What was it like playing in front of 100,000+ during your collegiate career?

Penn State Fans are the best fans in the country. The fans are what makes Penn State Football what it is. Playing in front of 100,000+ is special, and is something that ill never forget. I am blessed to be able to have a chance to play in front of those fans, the fans that are there rain or shine, win or defeat, hot or cold, they truly bleed blue and white. I probably won't be able to play ( if ever) in front of 100,000+ fans again and that is what makes playing in Beaver Stadium so exciting. As an athlete all you can do is appreciate the fans, and I personally am very appreciative and thankful for the 100,000+ Penn State fans that came to watch me play during my career there.

*Note: Obamicon Image created using Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics