Emmanuel Sanders Interview
Wide Receiver – SMU

By: Alex Khvatov

 

2/1/10

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your East/West Shrine Game experience.

Emmanuel Sanders:  It was a very exciting experience.  I am happy that I went through it.  It was everything that I expected it would be.  It went good.  I was visiting with scouts.  Overall, it was great.  I talked to a couple of teams.  Scouts told me that my name is definitely buzzing.  The Carolina Panthers’ scout said that they didn’t know about me.  They were glad that I came out, and I helped myself this week.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What did you learn from all-pro Keenan McCardell who was coaching the wide receivers?

Emmanuel Sanders:  He taught me a lot.  I played in the slot during my career.  I had to move to the outside during this game, and he helped me with that transition.  He taught me how to beat the press and make yourself available to the QB.  He definitely has a lot of knowledge about the game.  He taught me everything that he could during this week. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  Did you get a chance to bond with any of the players during the week?

Emmanuel Sanders:  I am training with some of the guys out here in California that played in that game.  I also met WR David Reed and QB Max Hall.  They were good guys.  I talked to everyone.  I am excited to be with them at the Combine again.  They will ease the tension that will exist at the Combine.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What were your expectations from a team and an individual standpoint heading into your senior season?

Emmanuel Sanders:  Team wise, I am so proud that our team turned SMU around this year.  We haven’t been to a bowl game in 27 years until this season.  We achieved our goals.  We turned the program around.  We worked extremely hard.  I was a First Team All-Conference.  I achieved those goals.  I also graduated.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Do you think that June Jones has SMU headed in the right direction?    

Emmanuel Sanders:  Oh yeah.  He will accomplish more here than he did at Hawaii.  He has a bigger budget here at SMU.  The state of Texas produces the best players in the nation.  SMU just got 10-12 three star recruits for next season.  The offense is exciting.  We have a young and talented QB.  SMU is definitely on the rise.   

Alex Khvatov:  What will you miss the most about SMU?

Emmanuel Sanders:  The commodore and the friendships that I have built at this school.  I went from chilling with guys on the team to not seeing them.  I try to talk to them every other day.  I make sure that they are working and striving towards a Conference Championship.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your football career up to this point?

Emmanuel Sanders:  It was my senior season.  We were able to beat Nevada in the bowl game.  Most people believed that we were going to lose.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Emmanuel Sanders:  Weight is 5’11” ½, 182 pounds and my fastest forty is a 4.42.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school?

Emmanuel Sanders:  Wide receiver, QB, RB and safety.  I played everything.  I went to a smaller school.  My senior year, I played QB.  But I primarily played safety and receiver.

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?   

Emmanuel Sanders:  Baylor, Kansas, Houston, TCU and SMU.

Alex Khvatov:  What made you choose SMU?

Emmanuel Sanders:  In the end, I wanted to go where I would be a big time contributor.  I wanted to go to SMU.  They haven’t been to a bowl game in 20 years at that point.  It was a challenge.  I roomed with Justin Willis, and we both decided to turn the program around.  We strived towards that goal.  We achieved it this year.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the football field?

Emmanuel Sanders:  I am very shifty.  I am elusive.  I make plays and catch the ball well.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game do you still need to improve upon?

Emmanuel Sanders:  My blocking.  I also need to get more comfortable playing on the outside.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Emmanuel Sanders:  Definitely the Houston Texans.  I live about twenty minutes outside of Houston.  It would be great for the hometown boy to be drafted by the Texans.   
 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Emmanuel Sanders:  When I was younger, I was a Deion Sanders fan.  He had the same name as me.

Alex Khvatov:  Which underclassman on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Emmanuel Sanders:  WR Darius Johnson.  He should break every record that I got at the school.  He started as a freshman.  He got injured this year.  He will be a star in the future.  I believe that he will have a big season next year.  

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about playing football?  

Emmanuel Sanders:  I love it all.  I love the commodore of the teams, the bands and the crowd.  I love everything about college football.  One school is united together with a common goal to win.  

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after you are done with football?

Emmanuel Sanders:  I kind of want to get into broadcasting.  I got a degree.  I have some good friends at SMU.  I know that I can set some things up in a business world.  I want to wear a suit and tie.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

Emmanuel Sanders:  I really just chill.  I watch TV and play video games.  I want to get into golf.  It is a business sport.  Every business man has to play golf.  I need to get good at it.  I am a competitor.   
 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you a unique individual?

Emmanuel Sanders:  I am very outgoing.  I can get along with anyone.  I am really outgoing.     

Alex Khvatov:  Has the NFL always been in the back of your mind?

Emmanuel Sanders:  Yeah, ever since I have been young.  We started winning this year, and my name surfaced more in NFL circles.  When I came to college, I wanted to outwork everyone at SMU.  It wasn’t that big of a program at the time.  Then I told myself that I wanted to outwork everyone at the NCAA.  I worked hard this year.  My speed and my playing style changed.  NFL coaches taught me a lot at the East/West Shrine Game.   

Alex Khvatov:  How are you preparing for the Scouting Combine?

Emmanuel Sanders:  I am training in California.  It is a pretty good place here.  I am working on my speed in the morning.  Then I lift weights in the afternoon.  We have a dietary assistant.  I want to get my weight up to 187 pounds.      

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Emmanuel Sanders is....

Emmanuel Sanders:  A playmaker that loves to laugh and have a good time.