Photo Credit: Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations

The seventh in a daily series of Q&A’s with the 2012 signing class.

Derek Largent is a 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker from Manhattan Beach, Calif. He played at Mira Costa High School, where he was an outside linebacker and a tight end. After high school, Largent played one season at El Camino Community College before coming to San Diego State. In his one season at El Camino Community College, Largent was a first-team all-Northern Conference selection.

Largent has a unique combination of size and athletic ability, and could make an impact on the field immediately. To demonstrate his athletic ability, Largent performed a standing backflip after singing the SDSU Fight Song in front of all his teammates one night during training camp. He will enter the 2012 season as a sophomore, and he will have four years of eligibility to play three seasons. He will wear No. 50 for the Aztecs.

GoAztecs.com player profile
Rivals recruiting page

Q: Why did you choose SDSU?
A: I chose SDSU because it’s close to home. They have a great program. When I took my visit, all the coaches were great and I met some players that were awesome. I’m glad that I came here. Nothing compares to this.

Q: How were the summer workouts for you?
A: The workouts were great. It’s definitely different from junior college. I’ve never thrown up during a workout before and it happened to me here two consecutive days, so that’s how they were.

Q: Have you picked your major yet?
A: I chose to be a business major with an emphasis in finance. I want to be a business owner, mainly so I could be my own boss.

Q: What are you most excited for leading up to your first semester at San Diego State?
A: I’m really looking forward to getting the pads on and getting to play at the Division 1 level. That’s pretty huge and exciting for me.

Q: What do you like to do during your spare time?
A: I like to play video games. The latest one I’ve been playing is Arma 2, it’s a military simulator for a computer.

Q: Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
A: Since I grew up in Los Angeles, I’d have to say the Lakers and Dodgers are my two favorite teams that I like to support.

Q: Is there any athlete that you look up to or try to model your game after?
A: I like watching Tom Brady play. He’s not really the biggest guy on the field but he’s a psychopath and he’s awesome.

Q: If you weren’t a football player, what sport would you be playing?
A: I’d be playing baseball. It was the first sport that I played and I had a good time with it but football just ended up working out better. I played all four years in high school.

Q: What has the transition from junior college to a Division 1 football program been like for you?
A: So far it’s been pretty huge. I expect the game to be a lot faster than junior college football. There’s a lot more discipline and rigidity in regards to the schedule. In junior college I was on my own for a lot of stuff, but now it’s very serious in terms of weights and running. 

Q: What do you like so far about the city of San Diego?
A: I like that it barely ever gets below 70 degrees during the day. The beach is close by, there’s good food and good people.

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS