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Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn is arguably the best pass rusher in the Big Ten. He's the
anchor of what Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez called one of the best defensive lines in the nation:
The Michigan Daily: You really jumped onto the scene in 2009,
what made the difference for you in your junior year?
Adrian Clayborn: I think just us as a d-line, we improved. Not
just myself. Just pushing each other, every play, every practice,
every drill. Things like that. That's what makes us better.
TMD: How good is this defensive line and defense as a whole going
to be in 2010
AC: I think the sky's the limit. It's up to what we do in camp.
If we put in the work that we know we can, I don't see why we
can't be the best.
TMD: Why did you decide to come back for your senior year? You
could have potentially been afirst-round pick.
AC: Just to finish what I started. I'd like to get my degree.
And just finish off the job. If I had left, I wouldn't have done
whatI needed to do in college. I just felt like there isn't enough
information for juniors to make their decisions. You see some
guys go and don't even get drafted. I don't want to throw out
names, but the quarterback from Ole Miss, Jevan Snead. To
not even get drafted, it wasn't his fault. But some guys don't
have enough information to make that decision. And I think
that's the biggest decision of your life.
TMD: People have compared you to Ndamukong Suh. Do you see
that?
AC: I feel like he's done his thing and he's made a name for him-
self. Let his name shine. We play two different positions. And
hopefully I can make a name for myself. I don't think its much
of a comparison because we play two different positions and it's
two different styles of play. At the same time, it's an honor to be
put in that category, because I watched him on film all summer.
And he's a great player.
TMD: Why did you watch him onfilm?
AC: Every summer, coach Ferentz gives us a couple of guys to
watch from last year, in their senior season. I watched Suh and
Brandon Graham. After watching Brandon Graham, he's an
incredible player. He goes hard every play. I watch for technique
and style. Just to see how they perform their senior year.and
what it took to do it.
TMD: What stood out about Graham?
AC: He just goes. He goes hard every play. He has some good
moves. But other than that he goes hard, and he gets to the
ball.
TMD: Last year seemed like the year of the defensive linemen in
the NCAA, a lot of guys were making plays. What do you think
ofthat?
AC: I think it's coming to the day in age, d-linemen used to just
hold up blocks and make linebackers make tackles, but now
we're the first line of defense, so why can't we make the tackles.
Like when we shed blocks and make the tackle. We're taught to
hit and shed. Why not make the tackle, we've done all the work
against the 350-pound offensive lineman.
TMD: Great pass rushers love hitting the quarterback. Is that
something you look forward to?
AC: That's the ultimate goal and that's the greatest prize. Work-
ing so hard to get around those big 0-linemen and when you
finally get to the quarterback you just want to deliver a real
blow. And take the trophy.
TMD: Did you see some of those big hits on film watching Suh and
Graham this summer?
AC: Yeah, definitely. Graham had a lot of them. And Suh, he's a
beast and you just have to work hard and get to the quarterback.
TMD: What's your go-to pass rush move?
AC: I like to use a combination, a little bit of speed and power
at the same time. I'm not that fast, but I feel like I'm explosive.
So maybe get them on their heels a little bit then blow past
them.
I.
4I
CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP
Senior defensive end Adrian
Clayborn is one at the toy
defensive linemen in the Big Ten
and the nation.
8B FootballSaturday, October 16, 2010