MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football defensive end Sean Grayer recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss why it's important for student-athletes to give back to the community, being a senior leader, why he came to South Alabama and the familiarity with the Jaguars' season-opening opponent, among other things.
Grayer, a senior from Green Cove Springs, Fla., has been a member of the Jaguar since the 2015 season earning letters each of the past three seasons. Last season, Grayer started all but one of the 12 contests he saw action in posting career highs with 20 total stops, two tackles for loss, which included a sack. He was also credited with the Jaguars' lone blocked kick of the season.
Over the summer you were selected as a candidate for both the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® and to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, with both lists recognizing community service. Talk about receiving the recognition for your efforts and what it means to you as a student-athlete to be able to do service in the community.
"I take a huge amount of pride in being able to help others. One of the main reasons I'm in college is because others took time out of their day to help me. There are a lot of people that gave me rides to football camps and mentored me when I was in high school to make sure I make the right decisions to be able to get into college and get an education. For me, I feel like it's my duty to go back and help younger kids and mentor them. I want to be the person to have that positive impact in their lives."
Talk about your expectations and goals coming into the season.
"I just want to be one of the leaders on the defense and be more vocal. We all know that Bull Barge is pretty much the leader out there and the driving force, but being one of the seniors on the team I feel it's my duty to be a leader on the defensive line along with Chason Milner. I just want to be consistent out there and be a big-time pass rusher and playmaker on our defensive line that we need."
How do you feel you have developed as a person and as a player during your time here at South?
"I feel that I've matured a lot since my freshman year. Playing early on taught me how to grow up quick and helped make me a student of the game. Over time, I've learned how to handle things away from football like school and still be able to come in and be that consistent player out on the field."
What area other than leadership have you worked on improving since the end of last season?
"I've worked on my speed and quickness. Over the last couple of years, I felt that I've been in position to make a play, but I would just be about half a second or so late. This season, I've worked on getting there faster and quicker, and how to read and react better. I feel those improvements will help me out a lot this season with making big-time plays."
How do you feel that you've picked up defensive coordinator Greg Stewart's scheme and what do you like most about it?
"I feel a lot more comfortable with Coach [Greg] Stewart's scheme. I came into college as an outside linebacker which was a stand up position. [Outside linebackers / defensive ends] Coach [Larry] Hart allows us to pass rush and jet up the field, which I love, and we are in more of an attack mode. Coming into college, that was one of my biggest strengths."
What are some of the strengths of the defensive line and the defense as a whole?
"I feel that all along the defensive line that we are big-time playmakers. We can get in the offensive back field and we have so much talent. We are able to pass rush and stop the run, and just have the capability to do whatever is asked of us. We can be the physical force that we need on defense. As a defensive unit, I feel that we have the ability to make plays all over, whether it's going for a pick six, a scoop and score, or whatever; we have the ability to make big plays that can change the momentum of the game."
What initially made you decide to come to South Alabama?
"One of the really big things for me was the business school. Education was a huge factor for me coming in. I took my visit here and I just fell in love with the place and the people. This campus has really grown during that time and seeing the possibility of it becoming an even bigger school stood out to me."
Did you set any personal goals for yourself coming into this season?
"One of my personal goals is to lead the team and the conference in sacks. I want to be Top 10 nationally in sacks and tackles for loss."
The first part of the schedule is stocked up with several challenges. Is there one that you are looking forward to most?
"Not really. I prepare the same way every single game; any team can beat us and we are capable of beating every team we play, no matter who it is. I know that we will have some stiff competition early on and people are saying the first few will be tough, but I feel really confident that we have the ability to come in and win every single game."
What do you feel will be a couple keys for the defense during the first few games in order to be successful?
"Our goal on defense is to limit the big plays, especially over the top with long passes and big-time runs. We want to make our opponent drive the field and keep teams from converting third-and-long situations. If we do those things, we feel we can be successful."
What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"One of my biggest dreams is to go and play in the NFL. I know that it will be tough to do that, but we are going to see what the Lord has planned. If that doesn't work out, I want to get into the marketing department for any type of sports teams."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I like reading, reading different articles on different topics. I also love to play basketball, and I just like relaxing and enjoying my teammates' company and being around friends."
There is a little bit of familiarity with the first opponent having faced Louisiana Tech last season. What are some challenges the defense faces this week versus Louisiana Tech?
"Louisiana Tech likes to spread out its offense and they are really good with the split zone. They have a quarterback who is really mobile and can throw it, he's really dangerous outside of the pocket. If you pressure him, he has the ability to get 10 yards and a first down. Louisiana Tech always has good running backs and wide receivers that can go up and make plays. One of the big things for us is to limit their offense and keep the running game in check. If we do that, we are capable of winning this game."
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"That's really tough to answer, because there have been so many people and so many coaches. I would say the biggest two though would be Mr. Lamb and Coach Carley. Mr. Lamb was my Sunday school teacher who was always there helping me out and mentoring me because he saw my dream and understood it. Coach Carley always took me to camps so that I could get looked at [by college coaches]. He also took me to practice when there were days I couldn't make it to practice from home."
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