MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football defensive lineman Wade Forde recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he gained from playing last season, what he feels are some of the strengths of the Jaguar defense and what it means to him to be a Jaguar, among other things.

Forde, a senior from Ocala, Fla., has been a member of the Jaguar program since the 2013 season.  He appeared in five games as a sophomore and in after missing the season opener at Mississippi State, appeared in each of the remaining 12 outings where he posted 10 total tackles, with one behind the line of scrimmage, and a quarterback hurry.  This season, the 6-foot-3 senior appeared all six games for the Jaguars this season.

Last season, you played in all but one game.  What did you gain from your experience last season?
"I would say the biggest thing that I gained from that was learning to go out and make a difference for the entire season.  The season before, I had just played in the latter half and I didn't really get to experience what it was fully like to be in that team environment the whole time.  It really opened me up in how to prepare for the following season."

What are some goals you set for yourself this season?
"The first goal that I set was that I really wanted to step up and be a leader for this team because that's something that's always been important to me.  I've always wanted this team have a good direction so that we can get to where we've been striving to get to all of these years.  I wanted to help us create a winning environment, which I feel we are destined to be in."

What do you want to see the team do over the remainder of the schedule?
"I would like to see us finally put all of the pieces together that we've been working on; I want to see it finally come together for us in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams.  We've been united, but I want us to come together even more so efficiently so that it shows up in the results as well."

What do you like most about playing in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's scheme?
"The main thing I love about coach Wommack's system is that he gives you a lot of ways as a defensive lineman to get back there in the backfield where you can effect plays and make plays; that's the biggest thing that I love about it.  You're able to tap into your abilities and become a playmaker."

What do you like most about being a rusher out on the edge as compared to the interior part of the defensive line?
"Being an edge rusher is a spot where you are really able to show your speed and have one of our best go one-on-one with one of their best.  Every time you go out there, you pretty much know that what you do out there can affect a play in a very big way."

What are some of the strengths of the defense?
"First of all, I think we bring a lot of energy; we are always in pursuit to the ball.  That's one of the biggest things for our defense.  No matter what happens the play before, we always bounce back and we're never going to let someone blow over us.  We believe that we are the best [defensive unit] in the nation and that's how we play."

Where do you feel the defense has had the biggest progression since the start of the season?
"The biggest progression for us has probably been in our execution.  Over the last couple of games we've been able to create some big turnovers in situational downs and as they are getting close to the goal line.  We've been able to cause a lot of 'positive' turnovers."

How have you improved from the offseason conditioning program?
"I feel that I've improved a lot from the offseason conditioning program.  [Strength coach] LA [Lance Ancar] is a phenomenal person and he's changed the entire mentality of the entire team.  He's allowed me to understand that we are champions and everything we do needs to be done with a championship mindset.  We understand that our level of greatness is so much higher this year."

What type of leadership role have you assumed on the team?
"I've tried to use my role as a leader to make a lasting impact on the team, and to keep the energy and the mindset up at all times.  I want them to always know that they are the best 11 on that field that night.  When defense steps on the field, it's a mentality and an understanding that we are the best defense to step on that field."

What are some things the defense needs to do the rest of the season in order to be successful?
"The biggest thing I would say is for us to continue to execute.  With everything that happens during a season, it's easy for teams to get discouraged.  The biggest thing for our defense though is to make sure we stay on our path and keep going."

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"There was a lot that went into my decision to come to South, but one of the main things was the fact that this was a new program.  With it being a brand new program, I saw it as an opportunity for myself to be more than just a number, and that I could be remembered as a name.  I wanted to be able to help create something great here and a tradition of championships."

What are you majoring in and what are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I'm majoring in professional health science right now.  What I actually plan to on doing after I get my degree is to go to graduate school and eventually get my doctorate in business administration.  I eventually want to manage a hospital one day and then eventually own my own business."

What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"To be a Jaguar means everything to me.  This is the place where I wanted to come to and help create a foundation of greatness.  To be part of that and actually have a hand in doing that would mean everything to me.  I'm looking forward to seeing what future teams do in the years to come."

What's the best piece of advice you've received?
"The best piece of advice I've ever heard came from Bruce Lee.  It was actually from a quote of his where he talked about water and being formless like water.  Water forms to a cup and will form to anything you put it in, and what that really told me was that you have to be ready for any situation and be ready to form yourself to that situation if you truly want to be successful."

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"My mom has had the biggest influence on my life.  She's been there since day one and been my number one supporter.  Even when I wasn't playing that much, she still came to every game.  She's always had my back and I really appreciate all that she's done for me."

What other sports did you play growing up?  
"I played a little soccer, I played basketball one year and I ran track a little bit.  I've kind of been all over the place with sports, but once I got up into high level competition, I just stuck with football."

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