Freshman Focus: WR Derrick Mays
Nobody covers Texas Tech's fall camp like RedRaiderSports.com. We will have double-barreled analysis, reactions, photos and video from every single practice leading up to the Red Raiders' season opener. To get your free trial membership started today, click here.
The beginning of fall camp also signifies the official arrival of Texas Tech's 2009 signees, one of the most heralded signing classes in the program's history. In recognition of this fact, we will focus on a new freshman every day through the end of fall camp.
Advertisement
Up next? Wide receiver Derrick Mays out of Killeen (TX) Shoemaker. With
his elite speed, the 6-foot, 166-pound standout may have the best chance of all
the true freshman receivers to play in 2009.
HOW HAVE YOUR FIRST
FEW DAYS OF PRACTICE GONE?
"It's tough, but it's real exciting though the speed and how fast it is is a big
difference."
WHERE DOES COACH SIMMONS HAVE YOU LINING UP?
"I'm at X right now behind Edward Britton."
HOW HAVE THE OLDER GUYS AT RECEIVER HELPED YOU?
"They helped me out a lot, I'm a visual person and when I watch all the
starting receivers and I just do what they do and run the routes like them."
LOOKING BACK, WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM YOUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
CAREER?
"I would say how fast I was back then, but everybody is fast here so it's not
the same."
DO YOU HAVE A PREGAME RITUAL?
"Not really, just try to stay focused."
DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?
"Right now they just call me D. Mays."
DURING THE RECRUITING PROCESS, WHAT PARTS OF THE PROGRAM WERE YOU THE
MOST IMPRESSED WITH?
"The players, they were just real quick to be friendly and when I came
up here for my visit everyone was very friendly and accepting me."
IS THERE ANY SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OR STORY BEHIND YOUR CHOICE OF JERSEY NUMBER (12)?
"No, it was just given to me, but it's just practice right now."
WHO IS THE FUNNIEST GUY IN YOUR SIGNING CLASS?
"I think it's Daniel Cobb and Pearlie Graves."
WHAT'S YOUR STRONGEST ATTRIBUTE AS A PLAYER?
"My speed."
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO WORK ON THE MOST DURING FALL CAMP?
"Route running and not getting jammed up at the line."
HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES OR CHANGES AFTER SPENDING THE SUMMER
GOING THROUGH THE OFFSEASON PROGRAM WITH BENNIE?
"Oh yeah, I got way stronger."
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF THE SUMMER FOR YOU?
"Practice at 5:30 a.m. every morning."
HOW HAS YOUR ADJUSTMENT TO LIFE IN LUBBOCK BEEN SO FAR?
"It's been real good, but I got to get used to it I'm going to be here for a
while."
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN TOWN?
"No favorite restaurants, but my favorite fast food is Cane's."
HAVE YOU DECIDED ON A MAJOR?
"I'm thinking about Hotel Management, but I still have to work that out with
the counselor."
WHAT CLASS ARE YOU LEAST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FALL?
"Any math or science classes."