Jeraill McCuller Interview
Offensive Tackle – NC State

By: Alex Khvatov

2/22/10

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your experience at the Texas vs the Nation All-Star Game.   

Jeraill McCuller:  The Texas vs the Nation all-star game was a great experience.  I got feedback from scouts.  I learned different techniques.  I learned from coaches.  I am a player who is willing to learn.  I was able to pick up on different things during practice sessions and carry it to the game field.  It is a blessing from God that I was able to start this game.  I had about five or six knockdowns.  I will always remember this experience.     
 

Alex Khvatov:  What did you take away from that whole experience?

Jeraill McCuller:  I realized that I can play with the best of them.  There were some good all-stars that were assembled here.  I competed.  I didn’t back down.  I have the confidence that I can play at the next level.  I was excited.  I had a strong performance in the game.    
 

Alex Khvatov:  What was the feedback that you received from coaches and scouts who were present during that week?

Jeraill McCuller:  They liked my overall body of work.  I am about 6’7” and 325 pounds.  I move pretty well for a big guy.  I went about my business.  I love the game of football.   
 

Alex Khvatov:  How are you preparing for the Scouting Combine?

Jeraill McCuller:  I am actually working out in Atlanta.  They have great trainers here including former NFL player Tony Jones.  He is helping me with my flexibility.  I am working on the bench press.  Tony Jones played in the NFL for 12 years.  He went to the Pro Bowl a couple of times.  Everything is falling into place.       
 

Alex Khvatov:  What were your team and personal goals heading into the senior season?

Jeraill McCuller:  Going into the season, I was elected team captain.  It was an honor.  As a team, we wanted to win the ACC Championship.  We fell short of that goal.  I wanted to be the best leader possible.  I knocked guys to the ground.  I achieved my goals.  I had a really good season.  I played about 800 snaps.  I allowed only 3 sacks this year.  It doesn’t get any better than that.  It was just fun.  My girlfriend, my little brothers, my mom and my son came to the games and were in the stands to watch me play. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  You were a team captain this year, what is your definition of a leader?

Jeraill McCuller:  One thing that I learned is a leader is someone who talks the talk and walks the walk.  You have to be a hard worker in the off-season.  Guys have to look at you.  You are an example to the rest of the guys on the team.  You have to be counted on in all phases.  You are setting the tone.  I did a good job of that.  We had too many missing pieces this year.  It was tough to recover.  We weren’t ready.  This season should pay off in the long run for the team.  I have the chance to move on in my career.         
 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you rate your senior campaign?

Jeraill McCuller:  Honestly, I would rate it as an A.  We faced adversity.  We stayed together.  We had great unity.  We took a couple of low blows.  The whole senior class stepped up including Willie Young.  All of the seniors were an example to the younger guys.  I am confident that going into next year, this team will show people what it can do.  In the end, I punished the guy across from me.  I would give myself an A+ for my performance.    
 

Jeraill McCuller: One of my highlights is that my family was getting to see me play.  My mom, my girlfriend and my son were watching me play football.  It is a positive in itself.  Also I was able to cap off my career by going 3-0 against UNC.  I was able to participate in an all-star game.  I got the call and I handled my business.  It was a positive outcome to say the least.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Jeraill McCuller:  Right now, I am 6’6” ½ and 325 pounds.  I will consistently give you a 5.2 in a forty yard dash.    
 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you besides NC State? 

Jeraill McCuller:  Michigan State, Maryland, West Virginia and South Carolina.        
 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose NC State? 

Jeraill McCuller:  They showed me early love.  They were the first school to make an offer.  I stuck with them.  It was a match made in heaven.       
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the football field?

Jeraill McCuller:  First and foremost, I am the toughest guy on the field.  I have so much passion.  No one loves hitting as much as I do.  I balance my physical ability with mental toughness.  I bring a well-balanced game to the table.       
 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game do you still need to improve upon?

Jeraill McCuller:  Mainly, I need to get more flexible.  It will open my game up more.  I need to work on that.       
 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?
 

Jeraill McCuller:  The team that drafts me.  They will become my favorite team.  I bounced around different schools as a youth, so I don’t have a favorite team.       
 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite player?
 

Jeraill McCuller:  My favorite players are the NC State players that I have played with who have gone on to the NFL.  DeMario Pressley just won the Super Bowl with the Saints.  RB Andre Brown is with the Giants right now.  They were great players here who were able to take their game to the next level.      
 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe to us your senior teammate DE Willie Young.

Jeraill McCuller:  He is outspoken.  He is definitely a leader.  He is an older guy.  He gives you more wisdom.  He is a mature football player.  We were roommates my sophomore year.  He is a hard worker.  He has a lot of dedication.  He is not the biggest guy on the field in terms of size, but he is fearless.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe to us your teammate QB Russell Wilson. 

Jeraill McCuller:  He is a coach’s player.  He was born to lead your team.  He keeps his nose clean.  He gets to workouts before everyone else.  He is just always there.  He is a fearsome competitor.  He is a real QB.  He has all of the intangibles.  He can have a booming career in baseball if he wanted it.  He will be fine regardless.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Which underclassmen on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Jeraill McCuller:  OL R.J. Mattes is talented.  He is rehabbing from a torn ACL right now.  Denzelle Good is flying under the radar.  He is going to play RT or OG.  He reminds me a lot of myself.  He is athletic and nasty.  He loves to pound guys.  He is a massive guy who should have a great and productive career.       
 

Alex Khvatov:  You have a young son, how has fatherhood changed you?

Jeraill McCuller:  My mom had to carry that load by herself when she was raising me.  I made a promise that I was going to break the cycle.  I want to do right by my son.  I want to be a better man.  My girlfriend has been great.  She is taking care of him.  We have made each other better in the process.  He is an inspiration to me.  He comes to my games.  I look up at him in the stands.  He doesn’t care or understand the game just yet.  But I am excited that it isn’t over yet and I can prolong my career.  He can see his daddy play some more.  He is my world.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Jeraill McCuller:  I used to play a lot of basketball, but not anymore.  I hang out with my family.  I go to the movies and the mall.  I like going to nice restaurants.  I have become more of a family man.  I like the quieter things in life.  I also play video games with my brothers.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you plan to do with your life after your football career is over?

Jeraill McCuller:  I would definitely love to get back into coaching.  I was a coach for my little brother’s basketball team.  I want to get back into coaching.  I have an infectious personality.  I would love to come back to the college level and become an OL coach.  I will cross that bridge once I get there though.  I also have a degree in program management.  Right now, my goal is to become an NFL player. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  Has the NFL always been in the back of your mind? 

Jeraill McCuller:  Honestly, I wanted to do something great.  I was dedicated to basketball, but my mom told me that you are a football player and you should go out for the team.  Ever since that day, I had this picture that I would be an NFL player.  I always knew that I was destined to play football.  I am excited for the opportunity.    
 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Jeraill McCuller is....

Jeraill McCuller:  I think that I am the quiet storm on and off-the-field.  On the field, I hit anything that is moving.  I want to hit somebody.  Off-the-field, I am a shy and humble big guy.  I love to have fun and joke around.  I have a great time together with my family and friends.  I am a quiet storm.