Day 4 is in the books.
Here are some video interviews from after tonight’s practice.
Also, here’s an XTRA Sports 1360 radio interview with Gavin Escobar from Tuesday.
Lastly, be sure to check out the third Q&A piece on freshman wide receiver Lloyd Mills. You can find that here.
GO AZTECS
Just got settled in at home after a long day. Today was our first practice, and it went pretty well. We were just in helmets today, and it’s tough to play football without shoulder pads, but I think we handled it well.
Coach Long stressed before practice how championship-caliber teams still have great practices even without the pads, and that average teams don’t know how to do so. It’s very important that we can still practice at a high tempo and improve even when we aren’t in full pads.
Today was a big day for media. There was a press conference in the early afternoon, and some video interviews with a few players after practice. Make sure to check out all those videos! I’ll post those at the bottom of the page.
Also, be sure to check out the first of the Meet the Aztecs Q&A’s with freshman defensive end Dan Kottman. You can find that here.
That’s it for tonight. It’s getting late and I’m ready to get to bed soon. Stay tuned tomorrow for the second Q&A post, it will be on freshman defensive lineman Teddy Queen.
GO AZTECS
Photo Credit: Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations
The first in a daily series of Q&A’s with the 2012 signing class.
Dan Kottman is a defensive end from Denton, Texas, where he played at Guyer High School. At 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, some may consider Kottman to be undersized, but his relentless motor and aggressive mentality will make up for any lack of size.
Kottman comes to the Mesa after a very successful high school career. He was named first-team all-state for his efforts during his senior season, and he hopes to continue his success at the next level here at San Diego State. Kottman will continue to play defensive end in Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme. He will wear No. 92 for the Aztecs.
GoAztecs.com player profile
Rivals recruiting page
Q: Why did you choose SDSU?
A: I really liked the coaching staff and the environment when I got out here. I felt like the team had a strong bond and I really wanted to be a part of that.
Q: How were the summer workouts for you?
A: They were killer at first. They were really hard and we had to get into shape at first. I dropped about 9 pounds right off the bat. I’m starting to get a hold of it and I’m getting into good shape.
Q: Have you picked your major yet?
A: I’m going to be a business management major. I want to be able to run my dad’s company whenever I’m done with football.
Q: What are you most excited for leading up to your first semester at San Diego State?
A: The football season. I want to feel the environment at a football game and see what that’s like. I want to hear the sound of the crowd and see how it feels down on the field.
Q: What do you like to do during your spare time?
A: I like to sleep and workout. We don’t have much time to sleep at night so I try to get as much as sleep as possible.
Q: Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
A: I’d have to say the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks because I’m from that area.
Q: Is there any athlete that you look up to or try to model your game after?
A: I’d say Clay Matthews because of the way he plays. He goes out there and kills people and doesn’t worry about his body at all.
Q: If you weren’t a football player, what sport would you be playing?
A: I’d be a wrestler. I did it in middle school and I really enjoyed it but they didn’t have a wrestling team at my high school.
Q: What is your most memorable sports moment from high school?
A: When I blocked a punt with 26 seconds left to save the game. We ended up scoring after that block and winning by one point, and that sent us to the state championship.
Q: How much do you know about the 3-3-5 defense and what about it are you most excited for?
A: I don’t know too much about it. I know that Coach Long likes to stunt a lot and have his defense moving all over the place. I’m pretty excited because I’m best at pass rush moves and not really laying into the guys but getting around them so they can’t get their hands on me.
by Hunter Hewitt
GO AZTECS
Aztecs For Life | SDSU Blog 