The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Pro Day preview: Derek Lokey
03.13.2008 | Football
On his focus since the season: I started training in January at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney, Texas. It's been going great. The guy that does most of our training there is really good. He definitely got me stronger and faster. Michael Johnson actually worked with us on our 40 times, so I learned a lot from him. Working with him was great. I wasn't sure how good of a teacher he would be, but he was really good. I don't really have a sprinters body, but he was able to explain how to sprint well and run in a straight line to guys who really aren't built for it. I don't know exactly what my times are, but we watch film of ourselves every day and I can see a vast improvement.
We haven't been doing a lot of different stuff than we did at Texas, it's just that we have more time. It's the difference between working out as a professional and working out as a college student. In college, you really only have about two hours a day to get workouts done, but here, we have 10-12 hours a day to workout. My whole focus right now is breaking my body down and then building it back up. We do a lot of stretching after our workouts and things like that, which turns into increasing mobility, which then turns into increasing speed and strength.
On working out with other Longhorns: It was great. I was there with Tony Hills, Brandon Foster and Nate Jones. I got to know those guys really well. We can't wait to get to Pro Day and root for each other because we know how much work we've put in. We've been through a grind together since we've been training for 10 weeks for this one event. We're all excited, we'll be rooting for each other and I think it is really special to be able to train with a group of guys from your school.
On the tests at a Pro Day: The way the system works right now, they are going to evaluate you on your physical skills in addition to what you do on the football field. The tests are pretty standard across the board, so it's important to prepare for them while you are training. I know I'm going to be compared to every other defensive tackle in these areas, along with how we've performed on the field and what we bring to the table there.
On staying motivated: I'm very competitive and like I said, I'm being compared to every other defensive tackle in the country on the things I'll do at the Pro Day, so I want to do every thing I can to put myself at the top of those lists. I felt like I was overlooked by the people at the combine and that hurt a little bit, but I've had an extra month to train, so that whole month, I've been thinking about that and using that as motivation to come out and have a good Pro Day next week. I'm excited to go out and get a chance to show what I've been working on.
On the importance of getting his degree: I definitely want to make this football route work, but it is comforting to know that I have a degree from a great university. It's something that can never be taken away and it will definitely come in handy when I enter the workforce.
On being away from his wife, Charlie: It's been difficult but at the same time, she has handled it wonderfully. She very rarely says she wishes I were home or wishes I didn't have to be away, so that helps. She'd come up and see me sometimes on the weekends, so that was good. I've been working out from seven in the morning until eight at night, which doesn't leave much free time, so I think it has probably been harder on her than it has on me. It's been tough on both of us, but I'll be back in Austin soon, so I'm looking forward to becoming a husband again.
On the uncertainties of the NFL: Charlie and I talk about it all the time, how we could be living in one of 32 cities in a month. On top of that, if you are drafted late or have to go the free agent route, you can get to a team and you might not be there for that long. It's completely up in the air. Hopefully, I can get drafted high enough where there is a good chance that you will make that team and you can start making some plans, but if that doesn't happen, then we could be in limbo until August or September to see if I can make a team then. The NFL Draft may give us a little info but we probably won't know where we are going to live until August comes around.
On his strengths: I think the biggest things I can offer a team are strength, consistency, leadership and 100 percent effort. I'm the guy that is going to go out there and give it my all everyday in practice, and when it comes to game situations, play my heart out for the team. I'm not a selfish guy. If I'm supposed to hold up a gap, I'll do that or if I'm supposed to go make a play, I'll do that. I'm a team guy. Hopefully, I can get with a team that has that kind of bond and help them out.
On what he wanted to improve on: I really want to run a good 40. For defensive tackles, the 40 isn't as much about time as it is for other positions. Its important to run fast but I think it is also important to look good, look fluid and look athletic while you are running, so that is something I've been working on a lot. I've also been working on the quickness drills, which are very important to defensive tackles. I started out with pretty good times in those but I've really been working to get those times down. Basically, I wanted to make sure I look athletic, get my time in the 40 down and get my bench press reps up.
On playing in the East-West Shrine game: It was an exciting experience. I showed up late because I was an alternate and I think when I showed up, people didn't expect a lot out of me. I felt like I practiced well and did a good job in the both the one-on-one drills and the team portion. I thought it was a great experience, especially being there with Frank (Okam). We got to room together and play together so that was good. The biggest thing for me was I didn't get a chance to go to the hospital with the rest of the group because I came in late. That would be my only regret and hopefully, I can do that another time.
