Q: Corey, tell us a little
bit about your family background…
A: I grew up on the Southside of
Chicago. Three older brothers who
have made me who I am today through many hours and days of torture (laughs).
Two parents who both loved to educate me and were very adamant about
school and academics.
Q: Did that carry over into
football?
A: Definitely.
It’s about striving for perfection and striving to do things the right
way and go all out and put everything into it.
Q: Give us a little background on your college career from your
perspective - how it started, how you progressed through your senior year.
A: I started off as a highly
touted linebacker coming out of Chicago out of the Morgan Park High School, to give it a little notoriety.
It’s been a long road. I’m
just trying to find a place and just go out there and be somebody and make a
name for myself.
Q: How did you end up
choosing Notre Dame?
A: Once you get into the
recruiting process everyone says the same things, so you try to look for ‘what
you can do for me after college?’ and once you visit Notre Dame, there’s
just something different about it. That’s
what everyone says, everyone who commits here.
Q: At linebacker, do you have a preference - inside/outside, weakside/strongside?
A: Really, just playing.
It doesn’t really matter to me, the inside is where all the action is,
but I can play anywhere.
Q: Why do you feel inside is
where your strength is?
A: Just more familiar with it -
more experience there.
Q: Did you play linebacker in
high school or did you play some other positions?
A: I played linebacker in high
school, but I also played running back, fullback and defensive end.
Q: Do you feel you’re
stronger against the run than the pass?
A: I feel I just work to be
equally good at both.
Q: What would you say your
strengths are on the football field?
A: Intensity and leadership.
Trying to be in the right place at the right time and do my part.
Q: What do you have the most
fun doing when you’re playing football?
A: Really
just being with my teammates. Just
being out there. Once you step on
the field and you put on your helmet everything else in the world doesn’t
matter anymore for the next three hours until the game is over.