MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football tight end Rush Hendricks recently sat down with USA Athletic Media Relations to discuss the season, as well as life off the field.

How have you improved under (tight ends) coach (John) Turner?
“What he brought to the table for our tight ends is blocking. A lot of our tight end position is running routes and being split out or detached. We’re not the true tight end in a three-point stance beside the tackle. So we sometimes have the mindset that we’re route-runners, but he has taught us fundamentals and given us what we need to be successful at that position which is an all-around, dynamic position.”

What do you like about playing tight end in this offense?
“Our tight end position now, as opposed to when I first got here, is much more versatile. We blocked a lot, power and isolation blocks between the tackles, but now it is a lot of perimeter blocking. And we are involved in a lot of different route concepts.”

How do you feel you have improved in your blocking on the outside?
“It has been a process, and I think everyone in the tight ends room went through it. We have a lot of guys who have experience doing it and have had success at it. It is something that we practice a lot, and something we all have got a lot of reps at through (preseason) camp, the summer and spring. We’re benefitting from that experience now.”

How did the offense benefit from the offseason workouts?
“The 7-on-7s definitely helped the skill-position players. It’s just knowing the concepts – knowing what to do, where to be and where to line up. That enables us to play fast, which is what we want to do. We have to have great tempo when we play. Our offense is set that we can go at a great pace, get the defense on its heels and keep pressing.”

How different is this offense compared to what you ran in high school?
“I was the running back in an I-formation, so it’s much different for me.”

Do you miss playing on the defensive side of the ball since you were a linebacker in high school?
“I do miss it, but I’m fortunate enough to be able to play special teams. You get to hit and tackle, and that’s something I have missed a lot since high school. I had to get used to tight end blocking and not having the ball every play or tackling on the other side of the ball.”

Did you set any personal goals for this season?
“It’s more for everyone at the tight end position, but I want us to not miss assignments and be the go-to guys who will get the block, make the big catch and just be dependable. That’s something that all of us as tight ends take pride in, and I just want to accept my role in that and do what I can to help the team win.”

How important is it to contribute in special teams?
“For me it goes back to my freshman year. I was third on the depth chart. We had two great guys ahead of me who were upperclassmen. My only opportunity to play was special teams, and that’s where I felt like I could contribute and I did. Now I’m on nearly every special teams unit, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in. Every time I get an opportunity to get on the field I give 100 percent.”

What has the transition to Division I been like on the field?
“It’s challenging, but as a football player you want a challenge and want to be able to step up to it. It has been great for us as a team to be able to build up to this season, and now it’s time to embrace those challenges.”

Describe what you and former Jaguar tight end Kevin Helms did for Pantene Beautiful Links.
“Over Christmas break my senior year of high school before we started baseball, I got a wild hair and thought I would let the flow go in my baseball hat. It kind of snowballed from there, and I didn’t cut it for two years. I finally got it cut for Beautiful Links – it’s a non-profit organization a lot like Locks for Love.”

Why did you decide to play football at South Alabama instead of pursuing baseball in Division I?
“South Alabama offered a great opportunity to play close to home. My family is able to see me play, even in road games. I just leaned toward football.”

What has it been like to play so close to home?
“It’s awesome. I had four friends from home come over for the season opener after they got off work. A lot of guys don’t have that opportunity for their friends to come watch them play. Just walking out of the locker room after the game and having that support meant a lot.”

What do you want to do after your football career is over?
“I’m majoring in exercise science, and I have all of my pre-requisites for physical therapy. I want to work in physical therapy.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?
“If I’m home I will go sit by the pool or just do anything relaxing. I like to listen to music, shoot pool and play golf.”

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