Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer 2009 College Football Interview with 2010 NFL Draft Quotes

Jonathan Dwyer, junior tailback at Georgia Tech, could be competing in his final collegiate game this evening when he and his Yellow Jacket teammates take on Iowa in the Orange Bowl.

Targeted as no later than a second-round pick by the pundits, Dwyer will decide after the bowl game if he will forgo his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

Last week, Dwyer answered some quick questions via email which follow below:

FRD: My first question is about the ACC championship, what was it like to get to play for the championship and on top of that have such an impact like you did even scoring the game winning TD?

Dwyer: It was a memorable game that I will never forget. It was probably the best ACC championship in history with talented players on each side. Scoring the game winning touchdown I couldn't have done without my offensive line and Anthony Allen for a key block to spring me loose.

FRD: Coming out of high school, did you imagine you would be playing in this type of old school offense with the triple threat that you guys have? Or would you have gone to a school where you are the dominate runner?

Dwyer: No I had no idea that I would be running the triple option. I think the triple threat helps everyone out because the defense can't just key on one guy. It would be cool to be the main guy, but like I said I enjoy being a part of the best backfield in the country.

FRD: What are your thoughts going into the Orange Bowl with Iowa? Pat Angerer is a stud at LB how do you feel about this match up?

Dwyer: It's going to be a big game. Iowa is very good on defense and got a great LB and DE. I think its going to be a fun match up and game to be a part of.

FRD: How has your schedule been with such a break between games? How are you staying in game mode?

Dwyer: There is no reason not to stay in game mode. This is the biggest game of my college career. I know my teammates are ready and we better show up to play a good team like Iowa.

FRD: You've recently said you were going to submit your paperwork to see where you are in the NFL radar, have you put any more thought into entering the draft?

Dwyer: Yes there has been thought but no decision yet. I have to talk more with coach Johnson, my parents and my high school coaches Derek Cook, Irv Sigler and Richard Norman.

FRD: Has coach Johnson addressed entering the draft with you and given you his thoughts/advice?

Dwyer: Yes he has. He wants the best for us and he is giving us the most info he can get.

Nick Chesney contributed to this Q and A.

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Jonathan Dwyer

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Indiana Hoosiers LB Matt Mayberry 2009 College Football Interview with 2010 NFL Draft Quotes

For the Indiana Hoosiers, the 2009 season ended against bitter in-state rival Purdue University. The Old Oaken Bucket, the trophy prized by both schools in their rivalry match-up, remained with the Boilermakers after the Hoosiers fell 38-21.

Against Purdue, senior Matt Mayberry concluded his career with one of his most outstanding games. The Hoosier linebacker finished with nine tackles and two sacks. Still, the loss in his final game capped a season of disappointment.

"We did not execute," Mayberry said during a phone interview this month, "we were never fully satisfied."

The Hoosiers struggled to find their form this season and ended with seven losses in the final eight games. "The results were not quite what we were looking for," Mayberry said.

Mayberry finished as one of the most accomplished linebackers ever to play at Indiana. Blessed with top-level speed for the position, he ended his senior campaign with 108 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

"I have good speed for a linebacker," Mayberry said. "The coaching staff utilized my abilities to get after the quarterback."

Adding in his senior totals, the linebacker ended his IU career with 251 tackles.

Much of his success was due to his summer regimen working out with Kevin Kasper. The former NFL wide receiver/returner is known for his speed training and Mayberry looked to Kasper to maximize his potential.

"Kevin knows his training. It was a privilege to work with him. He took me under his wing." Mayberry added, "He is a NFL veteran, so when he says something, you listen."

The Hoosier completed a battery of exercises including several focused on making him more explosive, a trait that is vital for linebackers looking to make the transition to the pro game.

And the pro game is indeed where Mayberry intends to end up, like his mentor Kasper. Mayberry is beginning to analyze his choices for where he will train prior to the 2010 NFL Draft.

"Nothing is finalized, but there are a lot of great facilities across the country."

With his sideline-to-sideline speed, Mayberry should be satisfied come April where he is projected to be selected at the NFL Draft.

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Matt Mayberry

Photo Credit: Indiana Athletics

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Bob Chesney Profile: Johns Hopkins defense records historic season under defensive coordinator’s guidance

By: Sean Grybos

It is roughly seven hours before the end of the decade; the streets of Baltimore are filling with revelers eager to ring in 2010 at the city’s annual fireworks display in Inner Harbor. Outside residents of Charm City celebrate, but inside at the Johns Hopkins football offices, associate head coach/defensive coordinator Bob Chesney is going over recruiting files.

Much like the revelers, Chesney is eager to move into 2010 sans the noisemakers and fireworks, for it’s the 2010 Blue Jays season that he is focused on at this moment when I reach him via phone.

Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins Athletics
From Dickinson to Johns Hopkins

Chesney, a four-year letter winner at Pennsylvania’s Dickinson College, played safety for the Red Devils football team. At Dickinson, he began to formulate ideas about defense that would now serve him as the Blue Jays defensive coordinator. "[Playing safety] you take it all in; you are involved in both the pass and run," Chesney said, "You see the play progress."

After graduation, Chesney moved to Vermont in 2000 joining the staff at Norwich University to begin his coaching career. Stops at Delaware Valley College and Kings College followed before he ended up at Johns Hopkins where he has been for the past five seasons.

In his first two seasons, he worked with the Blue Jays defensive backs and special teams before being named defensive coordinator in his third season. This past summer Chesney was named associate head coach. With this title came added accountability to the program, its players, and coaching staff.

Chesney now was more involved in the decision making process for several facets of the program including recruiting, practice planning, and the strength and conditioning program. "Head coach Margraff and I work well together," Chesney said. "I am very thankful for the opportunity."

With new responsibilities in tow, Chesney also maintained his focus on his defensive coordinator duties. In 2009, the Blue Jays would venture into uncharted territory in the program’s greatest season ever. Hopkins made its deepest ever run in the NCAA Division III football tournament.

Along with a strong offense and special teams, the defense would play its role in Hopkins impressive season which culminated in a trip to the Division III quarterfinals after defeating two higher ranked opponents on the road.

No Centennial Conference program had ever before advanced to the third round of the tournament until the Blue Jays accomplished the feat this year. Hopkins, the Centennial Conference Champions, finished the season 10-3.


Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins Athletics
Intelligent Football

Chesney credits the student-athletes under his tutelage for the team’s 2009 defensive success. Accountability, trust, and performance on and off the field including academics are all important to the Hopkins football player.

"It’s obvious. These kids understand the bigger picture," Chesney said. "Not just on the field where they have a full understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, but off the field as well."

He added that the coaches have a saying for this combination of football prowess and academic pedigree. "We like to say that we practice smarter; we like to maximize our practice time and these players allow us to do that," Chesney said.

This "just do your job" mentality as Chesney described it allowed the defense to prosper into one of the greatest units in the history of the Hopkins program. "On the year, we averaged more than four turnovers a game," Chesney said.

"The defense finished first in the country in interceptions with 30 and placed in the top 25 of every other category. We had a very good year because our players were accountable and trusted one another," Chesney said.

The Prototype for the Next Decade

One such student-athlete was standout linebacker Colin Wixted who Chesney utilized all across the field. Wixted became the fourth Blue Jays player to be named Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

The linebacker finished third on the team with 76 tackles including 11 for loss. He also had four quarterback sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and added both a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Wixted and his defensive teammates allowed just 16.5 points per game.

Blessed with a strong combination of intelligence and athleticism, Wixted lined up at nearly every position from the defensive line to the secondary.

"Colin broke the mold," Chesney said. "He was very good. Smart, fast, tough, able to blitz and put pressure on the QB. It was exciting to get a chance to coach a player like that."

New Year, Same Ideals

Bob Chesney understands and appreciates the collegiate coaching environment. Accountability, strength of character, belief in self, perseverance, and dedication to his job are all tools that the associate head coach/defensive coordinator utilizes throughout his weekly routines and duties at the Johns Hopkins football program.

These tools will be needed for capturing the ultimate prize – a Division III National Championship. Then it will be time to grab those noisemakers, maybe even some fireworks in Inner Harbor too.

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