Behind the Facemask: Olivier Vernon
June 11, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla. –They want to tell their story. They want you – their loyal fans – to get to know them better. Over the next two months, HurricaneSports.com will continue the unique journey into the lives of each and every one of Al Golden’s Hurricanes.
Olivier Vernon | Defensive End | Junior | Miami, Fla.
Sacking the quarterback is the best feeling in the world. When you’re trying to beat the offensive tackle every play, and when you finally get the edge over him, and get to hit the quarterback as hard as you can, it’s the best feeling. You feel like everyone is watching you, you’re the man at that moment. Especially if it’s a big play, and your team needs that play.
The U is special. Not many people can experience it. It’s a brotherhood–better than any other college that has a football team. We’re the only one called the “U”, it means a lot to wear the Orange and Green, to play with each other on the field. Especially with the alumni that played before us, the big names, just putting on that jersey is more than playing football. It’s bringing honor to those guys that have built the foundation here at the U and put this program on the map. We’re contributing to what they started and trying to do more.
Competition is in any type of sport. Especially down here on the defensive line, there’s always competition, and you never know when you’re gonna start. Playing every Saturday, you don’t know what’s going to happen. Especially on the practice field, there’s always a fight for your position, and it brings out the best of your abilities.
I secretly wish that I played basketball when I was younger. If I played then, I would play more pick-up games here. I still play, but I won’t take as many shots as I probably would have if I played when I was younger.
Everybody can criticize but it’s different when you’re out there on the field. People always talk about what you could do better, but some of them never even played football or had pads on.
Playing football has given me a tougher mindset. The way it happens out there on the field, and how we train during the offseason, it pushes you to the limits. Out in the real world, nothing can really break us down mentally, because we’ve already established ourselves out on the field and in the weight room.
When I was six years old I started getting into sports. I started experimenting with soccer, baseball, and I was in Tae Kwon Do for a little bit too.
Legacy is something I’m trying to leave here at the U. I see all these people on the walls, and I want my son to see me on the wall. I would love to leave a legacy out here, as the best pass rusher, best defensive end, something.
Three-technique is something I never want to be in. That’s tough, hmmm… three-technique, I don’t know how Marcus Forston and Micanor Regis do it. It’s tight in there, and you’re going against some big guy. You’re really in the trenches when you’re in the three-technique, you gotta be a big body in there. I would rather be outside in a nine-technique, or a six at the closest, but definitely not a three.
I didn’t think football was this time-consuming. In high school it’s different; it’s just practice and then wait until Friday for a game. It’s different when you get here. I wasn’t used to all these meetings. But all the stuff they have us doing now is getting us better for the next level.
I was raised to be respectful and to be well behaved. My dad was a cop, so I never really could get into trouble. And if I did, I faced the consequences. I never disrespect anybody, and always got good grades.
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