Renell Wren
Defensive Tackle

Arizona State

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your best position?

 

Renell Wren:  Zero technique and one technique.  As a junior, I did play some of the three (technique) and some of the five (technique).

 

Ed Hunt:  Playing the zero technique, it’s kind of an unselfish position and you didn’t complain at all even though you were a senior.

 

Renell Wren:  I didn’t complain at all.

 

Ed Hunt:  Is the three-technique the position where you are best suited?

 

Renell Wren:  I was told by scouts I would play where they could get the most out of my reps.

 

Ed Hunt:  Where are you from?

 

Renell Wren:  St. Louis, Missouri.

 

Ed Hunt:  Did you watch the Chicago Bears defense?

 

Renell Wren:  I actually did.  I watched the Chiefs as well.  I watched Fletcher Cox of the Eagles because a lot of people compare me to Fletcher Cox and Chris Jones.  I have that size and athletic ability.  Just that ability to disrupt the middle.

 

Ed Hunt:  Can you do a quick self-scout of yourself?

 

Renell Wren:  My strengths are my power, my first step explosion, and just being disruptive.  I would say I am trying to improve my pass rush and my pass rush moves.  More effort to the football.  Just engaging with them.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your impressions of the coaching staff?

 

Renell Wren:  Intense!

 

Ed Hunt:  Did you have any meaningful interactions with Coach Gruden?

 

Renell Wren:  We shook hands a couple times.  He is a great person.  I believe he is going to have a great season next season with the Raiders.  I have had more engagement with the D-Line coach and it’s been good so far.

 

Ed Hunt:  Any player you compare yourself to?

 

Renell Wren:  I would say Chris Jones because of our size and athletic ability.

 

Ed Hunt:  Can you tell me about your academic career?

 

Renell Wren:  At first, I didn’t have the grades to enter my freshman year and then I passed my ACTs and entered.  I am working on my master’s degree now.

 

Ed Hunt:  What did you study?

 

Renell Wren:  It’s called interdisciplinary studies.

 

Ed Hunt:  Do you have a preference for a three-man front or a four-man front when you get to the NFL?

 

Renell Wren:  Oh, it doesn’t matter.  It doesn’t matter at all.  4-3 or 3-4, I can play them both.

 

Ed Hunt:  What position do you see yourself in a four-man front?

 

Renell Wren:  I can be either a 1-tech or a 3-tech.  In a three-man front, I can also be a one-tech or a four high.

 

Ed Hunt:  What schools looked at you out of high school?

 

Renell Wren:  I had Arizona State obviously.  Michigan State, Purdue, Mississippi State and other Midwest schools.

 

Ed Hunt:  What made you choose ASU?

 

Renell Wren:  When I took the visit, I loved the climate there.  I love the atmosphere of the football.  I compared the 50,000 people in a stadium to the hundred in my high school stadium and I was like wow.

 

Ed Hunt:  Do you have a specific hydration pattern since you played in a high desert?

 

Renell Wren:  I try to drink one gallon a day.  I try to mix it with salt, so I don’t cramp up and try to stay on a good diet.  Not necessary a diet just eat more fruit, vegetables and everything with the weight and still be able to move around.

 

Ed Hunt:  Have teams told you that they may want you to gain weight or lose weight?

 

Renell Wren:  No.

 

Ed Hunt:  Do you have a sense of where you will go?

 

Renell Wren:  From my agent, I have a sense that I can go anywhere from being talked about in the first round to the fifth round.

 

Ed Hunt:  What does this week mean knowing that you could be anywhere in there?

 

Renell Wren:  This week means a lot.

 

Ed Hunt:  Is there an offensive lineman that we should look out for?

 

Renell Wren:  I would say Erik McCoy.

 

Ed Hunt:  What guys should we watch out for from ASU?

 

Renell Wren:  Watch out for my guy Jalen Bates and another person is George Lea number 45.

 

Ed Hunt:  Is there a player to watch out for in the PAC 12?

 

Renell Wren:  Well, I like the wide receiver N’Keal Harry.  Outstanding guy.  Outstanding wide receiver.  He is a leader.  He improved his game every year.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are you looking for pre-snap?

 

Renell Wren:  I am looking at the formation first.  It tells a lot.  Then I am looking at the offensive line hands and how they are set on the grass.  Whether they are light or heavy.

 

Ed Hunt:  How quickly into the play can you tell what the play is?

 

Renell Wren:  If their hands are heavy, that tells me it is a run.  If their hands are light, that tells me it’s a pass.  If their hands are on their hips, it’s usually a pass.  Sometimes if their hands are on their hips, then it’s a run.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is the highlight of your career?

 

Renell Wren:  My best game was against Michigan State.