MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football safety Antonio London recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss his time as scout team player, getting on the field on special teams this season and what it means to him to be a Jaguar, among other things.

London, a senior from Pelham, Ala., joined the Jaguars program back in 2013.  After seeing the majority of his time here at South on scout team, London has seen action on the field on special teams in each of the last two outings against Alabama A&M and Idaho.  London arrived at South Alabama after lettering at Pelham High School where as a senior he recorded 85 stops and helped the Panthers qualify for the 6A state playoffs.  His father, Antonio, was a four-year letterwinner at linebacker for Alabama from 1989-92 where he was then selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the National Football League draft and went on to play six seasons at the professional level.

What do you see as your role on the team?
"I see it as someone just being a senior leader.  I feel people on the team look up to me because they know I've been through the ups and downs of the program.  I also like to keep everybody positive and not let anyone sink down, especially after our loss to Idaho.  I just try to keep everyone on a positive note."

During your time here at South, you have served mainly on scout team.  What has that experience been like for you?
"It has definitely been different because before I came to college, I had been a starter my whole life, but once I got here it was a completely different experience.  It's humbled me, and it's just taught me how to be humble and help and think of others other than myself."

What do you see as the role of the scout team in preparation for an opponent?
"The scout team plays a huge role in our success.  If you don't give 100 percent effort out there on the scout team, you're not going to give the offense of the defense the best look that they need to compete at their best come Saturday."

Leading up to this weekend's match up against Louisiana Tech, what have you seen on film to help the team prepare?
"Louisiana Tech has a lot of talented players.  We know that we are going to have to play with the physicality that we usually do on defense.  We have to make sure that we back up our offense because their defense is really tough."

The past couple of games you've been able to contribute on special teams.  What has that experience been like for you?
"It's provided me a huge opportunity.  I've been fighting to get onto the field and to be out there now shows that the coaches are believing in me.  It's an accomplishment for me to be able to be out there.  I love the opportunity to be able to contribute to the team."

What are some of the strengths of the defense?
"Every year that I've been part of the program, it's either been that the defensive line is really good, or just the defensive backs have been good, but this season I feel that we are solid at every single position.  We all believe in each other and we have a brotherhood out there on the field.  Our defense is more of a family than it's ever been since I've been here."

Where have you seen yourself grow the most both on and off the field since you arrived here at South?
"On the field, the competition level has helped raise my level of play.  It has raised it to a level where I know want to be the best out there no matter where I'm at.  It's brought me from just wanting to simply be good athlete to one who has learned the game.  I've had several people help teach me the game and learn more about football than just the X's and the O's.  Off the field, being humbled by having to play on the scout team my first few years here has taught me that the team comes first, not me.  That's so much bigger than people think."

Your dad played at Alabama and was also in the NFL.  What is it like to be the son of a professional football player and have different expectations?
"Growing up, certain things have always been expected of me more than other individuals.  He had his down times at Alabama and in the league where things didn't go the way he expected, but he just kept grinding and pushing until everything worked out for him."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I love to play video games.  Right now, I actually trying to get deeper into my spiritual life, so I'm going to churches and attending Bible studies, and help other people out in their spiritual life.  I also love to play basketball."

What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"It's not a cockiness really, but a swagger that I feel like every program here has.  When you're a Jaguar, you know you're the best and you know that you can compete with anyone no matter what level they are at or who it is.  When they come to play you, they are going to have to step their level of play up."

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"My dad.  He's never let me settle for anything in my life.  Whenever I've felt like I've accomplished something or I've gotten where I needed to be, he's been the one who has always pushed me to do even more and do more than I've thought I could do."

What other sports did you play in high school?  
"Basketball and baseball."

If you could play another sport other than football, what would it be?
"Baseball."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Jaguar Athletic Fund (JAF) Priority Fund, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics.  Contributions to the Priority Fund directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/sports/2013/3/13/Gridiron%20Club.aspx?id=22

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