Shawn Oakman is a monster of a man. So much so, the hashtag #Oakmanissobig became a trend during Big 12 media days.

The 6-foot-9, 280-pound Oakman has become a starter on Baylor's defense recording 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks from his defensive end spot. The Penn State transfer took some time to chat with ESPN.com about his basketball background, second chances (Oakman was kicked off the PSU team after he allegedly tried to steal a sandwich) and playing style.

You have a basketball background, how do you think that helps on the football field?

Junior DE Shawn Oakman cracked the top 10 of Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board, which ranks the best NFL prospects. Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports

Shawn Oakman: Definitely helps a lot with footwork. As a big man, to have that footwork helps fight off people chopping at my knees. Just the overall athletic ability.

Being such a big, tall guy how do you try to keep good leverage since the low man wins but you’re starting at such a higher point?

SO: You’re right. I’m as flexible and limber as the lowest man on the field, so it really doesn’t affect me too much.

Has it been natural or something you had to work on?

SO: It’s a steady process, you stay working [on it] on the sleds and trying to keep your pads down, but my height is my height, ain’t no hiding from it. I steadily work at it but it’s always going to be a process. I try to have the best leverage possible, plus, tackles aren’t that short either.

When did you decide football was the game for you or your love for the game develop?

SO: Probably in high school, when I started to foul out of basketball games.

You were just too physical?

SO: It was different. It was definitely the “Shaq Attack” effect for me in high school and I really didn’t like that too much. So if you’re going to give me the ability to compete at a competitive level and not foul out a game or get penalties and flags thrown at you, football was an easy call.

You’ve made a jump from last year to this year; what has been the key?

SO: The great coaching I get. I worked my butt off in the offseason to get where I am today but the work doesn’t stop. It’s great coaching and me being hungry along with the whole defense being hungry at the same time. We’re a family, we’re a team and we’re going to go as far as the weakest link goes.

As a defense do you start to feel like you’re getting the respect you deserve?

SO: Naw, we feel like we don’t get any respect but it’s perfectly fine. You want your defense to have that chip on their shoulder and I feel like everyone on defense comes to practice with that chip on their shoulder. It doesn’t matter if they don’t respect us, it’s more so ‘We’re going to make you respect us’ then you giving us respect. We’re going to show you and prove to you week in and week out.

If you had to describe your style of play in one word, what would it be?

SO: Dangerous.

Why dangerous?

SO: Because no matter what I’m coming off the ball and that threat of violence and physicality that I’m bringing every play of every game is a dangerous thing. We play the only sport where you’re able to put your hands on another man and violate them in a way that’s only legal between those lines.

If you didn’t play football what would you be doing?

SO: I really don’t know. This is my calling, this is what I’m here for, to play football and help my family.

Football has been a life saver for you?

SO: Most definitely. Without this game, I’d probably be another statistic, that’s for sure.

At what point did you realize football could help you?

SO: I’m not sure what year but as a kid I was always hungry, I was always a hustler, I was always trying to find a way to help my mom out, help my brothers out in any way I could. That lifestyle was never comfortable for me growing up, I never accepted having nothing. I wanted it all, and I was going to work for it.

So it feels good to see some results of that hard work?

SO: Definitely. To see some of the smiles on my family’s faces and having somebody they can actually look up to, smile for and be happy for without all the bad that goes with it.

Seems like your family is what drives you.

SO: Family is definitely a big part of it, being the youngest member of my family, I always felt I had a bigger role because I watched so many people do it the wrong way. I was determined not to go down that path. But, honestly, probably getting kicked out of Penn State had the biggest effect on me in my life.

Anything else that pushes you?

SO: Knowing this is my last chance. Everybody doesn’t get a second chance and I was truly blessed with a second chance. I’m going to make the best out of this second or last chance I’m going to get. You don’t get the opportunity to do it twice at two big levels, you know, everybody doesn’t get that chance. Most people, when they leave a big-time school, they go down a level. I was blessed to come from the Big Ten to the Big 12 and produce on such a high level.