by Max Strauss

Uche Nwaneri played college football at Purdue University. He then entered the 2007 NFL Draft and was drafted in the 5th round. He has remained with the Jaguars since 2007. He has started 61 games in his career, and taken part in 73 total games. Nwaneri is considered the best offensive guards in recent Jacksonville Jaguars’ history. Check out our interview that was conducted in the middle of the 2011 NFL season.

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Strauss : How do you connect with your fans?

Nwaneri : I like to connect with fans through the typical online venues. Facebook, Twitter, the message boards, etc.

Strauss : What was your high school football experience like?

Nwaneri : I really didn’t start playing football until high school, but it was very good. I was a defensive end, and I enjoyed hitting people. And in Texas, football is god so I knew it was for me.

Strauss : What was the transition like to Purdue?

Nwaneri : Purdue was quite the transition, because I had never been to the Midwest. It’s different there. People are different, and then, you have the snow issue lol. It took a little adjusting!

Strauss : What is your favorite memory from Purdue?

Nwaneri : My favorite memory was beating Notre Dame during my redshirt sophomore year. We crushed them 42-12 in South Bend. Doesn’t get much sweeter!

Strauss : What was something that you learned at Purdue that you think will help you in the NFL?

Nwaneri : I learned a lot at Purdue, but the thing that will probably help me most in the NFL is communication. Learning how to communicate with fans was big in college and it is an important tool for us as players in the NFL.

Strauss : What was your draft day experience like?

Nwaneri : My Draft day experience was amazing! I had family and friends at my house while we watched the draft. When my name was called, the house went crazy! My parents ran around and so did my siblings!!! One of the best moments of my life!

Strauss : What’s it been like to be a part of the Jaguars’ organization?

Nwaneri : Being a part of the Jaguars has been an amazing experience!! The people in Jacksonville have been great, and the organization has treated me very well.

Strauss : What is your favorite memory with the Jaguars?

Nwaneri : My favorite memory with the Jaguars was making it to the playoffs in ’07 and beating Pittsburgh twice that year in Pittsburgh .

Strauss : How do you describe your style of play?

Nwaneri : I am a physical player. I like to dominate my opponents and I try to do that every play im out on the field.

Strauss : Who has had the most impact on your career? How? What have you learned from them?

Nwaneri : I believe that my parents have had an important impact on my career. They have raised me to act responsibly and to be accountable for the things I do. That has translated to my attitude in football and in life.

Strauss : For someone who wants to play in the NFL, do you have any advice for them?

Nwaneri : I would tell them to work hard and focus on mastering their position, by doing those things you are putting yourself in a position to be evaluated and given a chance to play at this level.

Strauss : Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it.

Nwaneri : Thank you so much Max!

->Here are the personal questions that Uche Nwaneri answered.<-

Strauss : If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why?

Nwaneri : If I could me one person, I would love to meet Tupac Shakur. As a fan of his music, I would have loved to find out what motivated him as an artist. He had a lot of strong messages in his work about the struggles of black youth, and I really think it would be interesting to sit down and have a conversation with him.

Strauss : Who was your childhood star?

Nwaneri : My child hood star was Will Smith. He was the fresh prince!

Strauss : What is your favorite TV Show?

Nwaneri : My favorite TV Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Master Shake!

Strauss : What is your favorite movie of all time?

Nwaneri : My favorite movie is The Dark Knight! Because Batman is AWESOME!

Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie?

Nwaneri : Pecan Pie.

Strauss : Thank you so much for your time Uche.