MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football tight end Ryan Onkka recently sat down with USA Athletic Media Relations to discuss the upcoming season, as well as life off the field. The Pensacola, Fla., native is the only returning Jaguar tight end with a touchdown reception last year. Onkka is a fifth-year senior, and played in all 12 games last season.

What excites you about this season?
"This year's schedule is exciting. Our strength of schedule has improved each year I have been here and there are some really good teams on the schedule, but we just have to take it one game at a time."

Describe the depth at tight end.
"It has definitely pushed us to get better. Each of us bring a different skill-trait to the table – some of us are better blockers and some are better receivers. We all try to pitch in and help each other out, because at the end of the day it's a competition but we are all trying to help the team win. We're a close-knit group; we joke around and have fun but it's good competition."

What do you like about playing for Coach (John) Turner?
"He has definitely helped me improve my blocking. He coached offensive line for his entire career until he took over tight ends. He brings a different aspect to the position. His run-game knowledge is tremendous, and he has made each one of us better since day one."

Who has had the biggest impact on your football career?
"When (offensive coordinator) Coach (Robert) Matthews came in, he became kind of a father-figure for me. He and Coach Turner have both been like fathers to me. And my high school coach had the same type of influence on me during my time there."

What are some things you like about playing in the Jaguar offense?
"The best thing about it is the versatility. I hate doing just one thing; it gets boring over time. But for us to be able to detach and line up in the backfield makes it tough for the defense to defend us because they don't know where we are going to line up. It's fun being able to move around a lot; I like that."

How do you see your role on special teams?
"Special teams is obviously important, and I do see myself as a leader. I've been here five years so I try to help lead some of the inexperienced guys. Special teams is extremely detailed and something we can't take lightly, which is why we spend so much time working on it."

How has the program grown in your time here?
"It has come a long way, from the type of recruits we are getting to the walk-ons that join the program, since I have been here. And to see its evolution over time and have people recognizing us that have not before is pretty cool."

What has it meant to you to help build a college football program so close to home?
"It has been huge. When I was debating where I was going to go to school, the proximity of USA to home was a re-occurring factor that made me realize this is where I am meant to be. It is great to be a part of helping start something. And to see it blossom into what it has become has been remarkable."

What have you learned from your first four years of experience?
"It's about time-management and attention to detail. Just going from class and balancing your homework as a student-athlete, you don't have much time as it is. But if you are organized and pay attention to the little things then you will have more free time to do stuff. I just try to harp on that and try to talk to (Caleb) Hayman and all the younger tight ends and give them some type of foundation to build off of."

What are some of your personal goals this season?
"I don't really like set too many personal goals; I'm more team-oriented. I would obviously like to make more catches than I did last year, but I also just want to be a huge contributor on special teams and help the team however I can."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I love going to the movies, and we play a lot of ping pong at our house. I'm not big on video games or stuff like that, but I like to hang out and watch football."

What do you want to do when you are done playing football?
"I am debating right now between going straight into coaching or starting off in sports broadcasting. I graduated in May with my degree in broadcast journalism. I would love to be a sports commentator or something like that, I just don't know if I would rather do that or go into coaching to start with."

Where are some of the places you have gone on missionary trips?
"Trey Fetner and I are on the leadership board of the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) here at South Alabama. We have been to the Bahamas twice, and went to Ireland once. But going to those places and doing missionary work is beneficial. It opens your eyes to the world that you don't see every day, and definitely makes you appreciate the little things."

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