MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football offensive lineman Max Charite recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss growing up in a big family, the chemistry of the offensive line and what he wants to do after his playing career, among other things.

Charite, a senior from Homestead, Fla., is in his second season with the program. Last season, he appeared in all but one game along the offensive line for the Jaguars where he earned an 85 percent assignment grade and had 17 knockdown blocks. Charite also allowed just a half sack while taking part in 363 plays.

You are one of six children in your family, five of which are boys. What was it like growing up with so many brothers and did you guys feel it was your job to look after your sister?
"Our sister is the oldest in the family. She was already grown up when I was little, so it was mainly just us boys in the house. My parents would wake up at 6 o'clock each morning and cook us something to eat before they went to work. I remember that I would grab my plate before everyone woke up because I knew if I waited until after my older brothers got their plates, it would be over. You have to get that plate of food, because if you don't, your brothers are going to eat it all. You can't do anything about it because they're older. That taught me to be prepared."

You grew up in Homestead, Fla., but you played your junior college ball in California. How did you end out there being so far from home?
"Coming out of high school, I didn't have any offers at all. I was actually thinking about getting a 9-5 job. I received a call out of the blue from the College of the Sequoias and the coach there told me to come out there and play for them. I played there for two seasons and earned first-team all-conference honors both years. Luckily, I was able to come to South."

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"The deciding factor was because it was close to home. I have family members that live in Pensacola [Fla.] so there is a closeness to my family."

Looking back on your junior college career, how do you think that helped prepare you for and make the adjustment to Division I football?
"I would say it's helped me with the pace and the knowledge of the game. When I got to junior college out of high school, the language and lingo of the game puzzled me. The speed of the game was also something that was different for me. When I got here at South, the game was even faster and the lingo was harder, so having already gone through that adjustment in JUCO prepared me for this level. I was able to adjust to it in a couple of days."

Last season, you appeared in all but one game. What did you take from last season to prepare you for this season?
"Coming out of JUCO, I knew I had to get better each and every day. Out here, I have to go up against guys like Tyree [Turner], Jordon Beaton and Sean Brown. The defensive line as a whole are a good group and going up against them makes you better. Going up against them every day last season made me realize how much more technically sound and how much better I had to be with my fundamentals."

How have you improved since last year? What were some areas you wanted to focus on improving during the offseason?
"I went on a vegan diet for a couple of months. I also worked on getting stronger and faster. Watching the film after our first game against Nebraska, I could see the areas that I had improved in. I'm just excited to see how the rest of the season goes."

What do you feel is the most important skill for an offensive lineman to have in order to be successful?
"I would say pass blocking. You have to be technically sound in that area."

If you could, talk about the chemistry of the offensive line and what role that plays in the overall success of the unit.
"As an offensive lineman, our group has to function as one out on the field. The chemistry we have has to be strong. We take pride in that. Every day we work on that by going out and doing things away from the field together whether it's going to get something to eat or going to someone's apartment. I look at it as if I don't know my guy, I can't be confident in him. If I know him very well, I'm confident in him. If we have chemistry outside the field, our chemistry on the field will be so much better."

What do you feel is a key area in order for the offense to be successful as a whole this season?
"Communication is a big factor with our team. Once our communication is right, we'll be good. We are trying to make sure everyone knows what they are supposed to do."

What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I'm going to continue on trying to get my master's degree in professional studies. I want to become an academic counselor. I want to help student-athletes, as well as other students so that they can become successful."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I love to play chess. I like to listen to music. I meditate. I just love walking around nature looking at the trees and animals. When I have time away from football, that's the first thing I do."

What other sports did you play in high school?  
"I played tennis. I also threw shot put and discus. I tried hammer as well, but it was hard."

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