Signee QA: Cameron Batson
Advertisement
Oklahoma City (Okla.) Millwood athlete Cameron Batson did a little bit
of everything for his high school team, but the 5-foot-8, 164-pound prospect
will focus exclusively on inside receiver for Texas Tech.
Batson is profiled below in the latest installment of our signee Q&A feature which we are running on all of the members of
the Red Raiders' 2014 signing
class.
Thoughts and opinions:
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME?
"Jerry Rice."
WHAT IS THE BEST FOOTBALL TEAM THAT YOU'VE EVER SEEN, IN PERSON OR ON
TELEVISION?
"The Miami Hurricane teams from the 80s."
An up-close and personal look:
YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER?
"I'd have to say making it to state this year in football."
DID YOU EVER HAVE AN EMBARASSING MOMENT PLAYING FOOTBALL?
"My sophomore year there was this receiver and he caught a touchdown pass on me
in the end zone. We ended up losing that game. He didn't catch the game-winning
touchdown on me but he caught the pass on me which was embarrassing."
DO YOU HAVE A PREGAME RITUAL?
"I listen to Tupac, Lil Boosie, and Lil Snupe. I always pray before each game.
Pray when I get on the field. I make sure I talk to my parents and my family.
That's pretty much it, just music and prayer."
WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE THAT YOU HAD THE POTENTIAL TO BE A DIVISION I
FOOTBALL PLAYER?
It's always been my goal. Once I received my first scholarship offer, I knew it
was possible and I've been working hard ever since."
Thoughts on Texas Tech:
WHAT POSITION WILL YOU BE PLAYING AT TECH?
"Slot receiver. The H position."
ARE YOU EXPECTING TO REDSHIRT YOUR FIRST SEASON ON-CAMPUS?
"I don't expect to. I definitely don't plan on redshirting. That's just my
mindset. I know there's guys who may be more talented than me but my hunger, my
drive in order to succeed and be competitive I feel like I would be able to go
into any program and get some time as a freshman."
WHAT IS A PERSONAL STRENGTH THAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE AT TECH?
"My leadership. I am a very outspoken type of guy. You know my leadership
carries me. The mental part of my game as a leader is important."
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT YOU NEED TO WORK IN ORDER TO PLAY AT THE NEXT
LEVEL?
"We could all work on our route running, being able to read different defenses
strategies. The mental aspect of it."
HOW OFTEN DO YOU WORK OUT AND WHAT IS YOUR ROUTINE?
"I workout Monday through Friday. The weekends are the rest days. I always stretch. Stretch before I work out. I've always been taught that your body is your temple and you got to treat it that way."
Personal preferences:
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
"In my spare time I definitely make sure I knock out all my homework. School
work is important. If I have enough time, I might go workout. I might just
watch some TV. Just relax."
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
"I like soul food. I like the homemade food that my grandma makes."
DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?
"When I was little and played baseball, they used to call me Speedy. Also Killer
Cam."
HAVE YOU DECIDED ON WHAT YOU WANT TO MAJOR IN AT TECH?
"In the medical field. Pre-medicine."
HAVE YOU MET ALL OF THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS TO ENROLL AT TECH?
"Yes. Yes, I have."
A look at the recruiting process:
WHAT ONE THING WAS THE DETERMINING FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION?
"You know definitely outside of football or beyond football, because you might
not get to play football again, the academics. Getting an education from Tech. I
also wanted to stay in the Oklahoma City area."
IS THERE A TECH COACH THAT YOU FEEL ESPECIALLY CLOSE TO?
"Me and Coach Morris have a real good relationship. I have a relationship with
all the coaches, but Coach Morris was my recruiter so we built that
relationship. And you know he will be my coach for the next 4-5 years."
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT DURING THE PROCESS?
"Signing Day."
WHAT WAS THE WORST PART ABOUT THE PROCESS?
"The interviews. There were just so many. Everybody wanted to interview you.
Having to always keep in contact with the coaches too."
DID YOU MAKE FRIENDS WITH ANY CURRENT PLAYERS AT TECH OR INCOMING
FRESHMEN DURING THE PROCESS?
"Yeah most of them. There is just too many to name."
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR OFFICIAL VISIT TO TECH?
"The food. They made sure we were well fed. We went to some good places."
WHAT SCHOOL WOULD YOU HAVE CHOSEN IF YOU HADN'T SIGNED WITH THE RED
RAIDERS?
"I was born in Oklahoma so probably one of the Oklahoma schools."
The future and goals:
WHAT NUMBER WOULD YOU LIKE TO WEAR AT TECH?
"I would like to wear No. 3. Make it my own number. But if I can't wear No. 3,
I'd like to wear No. 1. My dad wore the No. 3. Its just been my favorite number.
Allen Iverson wore No. 3."
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL GOAL FOR THIS SEASON?
"Make an impact as a freshman. If I can't make an impact on the field as a
freshman, then definitely just learn the game. Build relationships. Make a
difference in the program."
WHEN WILL YOU ARRIVE IN LUBBOCK FOR GOOD?
"I'm leaving May 30. We report on June 1."