Athlete of the Week: True Freshman Earns Athlete of the Week with 17 Tackles
Paul IgboueliTrue FreshmanMajor: Undeclared
Utah Statesman: You have been selected as Athlete of the Week after making 17 tackles against Louisiana Tech last week. How does it feel to get this honor?Paul Igboeli: I’m honored to get selected, but when you don’t come out with the win, it’s sobering. You just want to play as hard as you can for the win.
US: During the game, did you have any idea how well you were playing, or were you surprised to find out how well you played?Igboueli: I had no clue. I was saying, “We have to get this running back tackled.” I was just getting past the linemen and trying to tackle the running back. I got caught up in us trying to come back for the win, so I didn’t notice what I was doing, I was just trying to make as many tackles as I could to stop them.
US: What would you say is the number one highlight of your football career so far?Igboueli: The Fresno State game was pretty good. I had some big hits and we got the big win. When I was in high school, it was our last game in the year. Our coach used to do this thing called “drag-offs.” A drag-off is when you hit a guy so hard that he has to be dragged off the field. I had four drag-offs in that game, and we won 21-16 and got in the playoffs. I felt like a superstar. People in the stands were like, “You’re crazy.” I was just trying to play football, but if a dude is just going to stand there and let himself get hit, I’m going to hit him.
US: When did you start playing football?Igboueli: I starting playing football in fourth grade. A guy on the street saw me and my brothers playing and said, “You’re fast,” and he wanted us to play on his team. We missed summer practices and the day we got back was our first game and we had no clue. They put me on kick return and the ball came to me and I was like, “What do I do now?” Then, they hit me so hard I was like, “What’s going on?”
US: How many brothers and sisters do you have?Igboueli: I have one brother who is 20 right now. He’s at a junior college in Texas and I have another brother who is 17 in high school; he’s a starting free safety. I have one sister who is 10.
US: Have you always played linebacker?Igboueli: I’ve played a little running back, but mostly linebacker. Those are the only two.
US: Where are you from?Igboueli: Dallas, Texas.
US: How do you like Logan so far?Igboueli: It’s small and it’s cold. I went out side and starting running to class and snow started hitting me in the face and I was like, “This is ridiculous.” I’ve seen snow about six times.
US: Besides football, have you played any other sports?Igboueli: Basketball, but in Texas they only want you to play one sport.
US: What do you see yourself doing after college?Igboueli: Interesting question … playing football. That’s the big goal up in the sky.
US: Is there a player in the NFL that has inspired you and that you would like to play like?Igboueli: Oh yeah. See, this number here (points to his practice jersey)? Dallas Cowboys, Roy Williams, No. 31. My idol. Big hitter, and he doesn’t care who it is. I want people to say Paul Igboeli like they say Roy Williams.
US: Did you see the Dallas game on Monday?Igboueli: Oh man. Come on T. O., catch the ball.
US: Who has been your biggest fan so far?Igboueli: My brothers, easily, because I’m their biggest fan.
US: Other than football, what hobbies do you have?Igboueli: Sleep. Sleep is always good, especially nowadays. At home I used to play video games and I used to play basketball a lot. Hanging out with the boys, and definitely girls.
US: If you could play against any college team, which one would it be?Igboueli: It’s hard, because six of my high school teammates went to Division I and I would definitely want to play against some of them. I would have to say Oklahoma or Texas because they are close to my hometown.
US: What is your favorite NFL team?Igboueli: Dallas Cowboys.
US: Who is going to win the Super Bowl this year?Igboueli: I would have to say the Chicago Bears. Their defense is ridiculous.
US: What is your favorite food?Igboueli: It used to be piizza until I came up here and I eat it every day. Now it’s fried chicken and apple pie.
US: What is your favorite movie?Igboueli: “Remember the Titans” and “Friday Night Lights.”