June 26, 2025 • 33 mins
Ravens rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan joins team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to discuss what he's learning, the competition for defensive snaps, his transition from small-school UC Davis to a breakout year at Cal, and much more.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into the lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink
here with Garrett Downing and we are thrilled to sit
down with rookie linebacker Teddy Buchanan. Thanks for joining us.
And I'll say this, Teddy, you made history with this
appearance because you are the first I already got. You
(00:24):
are the first player I think that has ever texted
me like reached out ahead of time to let me know, like, hey,
I'm running a little bit late, like let's just can
we move to this time. Usually, you know, we're like
and our.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Guys are great. They're great.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I don't mean to like whatever, but we're usually tracking
them down. And Teddy was like proactive and was like, hey,
I know we set up this time like whatever, I'm
gonna be a little late. We're visiting a hospital. So
kudos to you, Teddy. I knew I liked you already
and now like even more functual.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
It's perfect appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
So, uh, you know, obviously getting embarked embarking on your
career here, and how do you feel like things are
going for you? So far?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Man? Things have been great.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
I feel like I'm a part of an amazing organization
and just having the chance to you know, integrate with
the team and meet all the guys. Man, It's it's
been really cool. And yeah, I've been just having fun. Man,
I'm living on my dream, so just trying to do
it to the best of my ability and just really
be appreciative every single day.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah, what do you think of.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
The off season program?
Speaker 5 (01:27):
You know, you get here after the draft and you
you have to learn the playbook, you have to learn
the city, you have to learn your teammates. What have
you taken away from these last couple of months since
being here and getting drafted.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Yeah, it's definitely been a process. I've I definitely feel
like I've settled in compared to when I first got here.
I kind of compared it to being a freshman in college.
You just kind of like every little thing and trying
to find out where places are and you know, what
do I eat? When when is this going to happen?
So just trying to figure all those things out. But
(01:57):
as I've done that, it's been a great adjustment. I've
feel like a mini camp and uh OTAs went really well.
I feel like I grew a ton and uh really
I saw growth with with everybody a ton, So that
was that was really cool And yeah, I feel like
it's a small accomplishment to do that, but.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I'm proud of that.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
Do you feel like when you when you come into
a new place and you're a rookie, like part of it,
you're just you have to learn where things are, Like
you've got to learn where the locker room is or
where the training room is, and like what the process is.
But then you're also trying to like make a name
for yourself and show that you're ready to play and
all that. Do you feel like there's but how do
you balance those things? Like I'm just trying to establish
(02:42):
yourself but then also trying to like learn how the
NFL works, Like there's both things are kind of a
big step when you're coming into this new place.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Yeah, it's it's definitely been one of the biggest challenges
so far as just finding that balance between figuring everything
out but also you know, pushing the envelope forward and
proving yourself as a player. But I mean, yeah, it's
kind of what you have to do as a rookie,
is you know, you want to respect everybody and what
they've done. You know, we have a lot of great
players on this team, so obviously want to show them
(03:12):
the respect that they deserve. At the same time, I
want to prove myself to them and earn their respect
as well. So yeah, it's been it's been a good
process so far, and I feel like I've definitely made
progress towards, you know, making that adjustment.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Well, talking about impressing the veterans, I think, you know,
certainly you're doing that. And the unique thing about you
is like you step right into a pretty good competition,
you know, and right next to Roquan you know. Obviously
Trenton's coming back and he was a starter at the
beginning of last year. But like, I think a lot
of people see that as like, hey, Teddy's going to
push him, you know, and that's gonna be a competition.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Like how do you kind of view that?
Speaker 1 (03:47):
I know that's a lot for a rookie to be, like,
I'm competing for some serious playing time, But how do
you handle it?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
I mean for me, it's I don't really look at
it as you know, I'm to focus on the day
to day, so I just control what I can control.
I try and show up every single day and and
do what I can do, and you know, whatever that
leads to, that's really out of my hands ultimately. So
for me, it's all about focusing on the process and
just letting the result take care of itself.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Yeah, well you looked good on the field, man, And
I won't lie. The first thing that stands out when
we're I'm looking out on the field.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Like Teddy is jacked.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
I'm like, you might have like the biggest legs of
like other than like a D lineman or O lineman, Like,
what is the your quad workout has to be insane?
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Well, yeah, I gotta give credit to my dad on
this one. He kind of he kind of got me
into lifting at a young age and it's something that
I really enjoy.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
And yeah, I've been doing it for a while, so
you don't miss a leg day, it seems.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I try not to say, but yeah, I feel like
the weight room is a huge part of football and
it definitely has helped me not only just you know,
being strong and being a good player, but also staying healthy.
I feel like that's that's super important for football especially.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Yeah, what did you start to get into weightlifting?
Speaker 4 (05:08):
So my dad always had me doing like push ups
and stuff, So I kind of I feel like i'd, like,
you know, six years old, I was probably doing push
ups and stuff. Like my dad wasn't like forced me
to do it. I just saw him doing it, so
it made me really want to do it as well.
And and then yeah, I've obviously I started lifting around
like eleven twelve, nothing crazy, but definitely introducing it young
(05:31):
really helped me. Then again, seeing my dad do it,
I feel like when your dad does something, you're gonna
kind of copy that and replicate it. So it made
it easy for me to have that example.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
Was he was he kind of your trainer growing up
or even still to this day or did he just
more get you interested in the weightlifting side of things.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Yeah, I mean he's a huge football fan, so he was.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
He coached me growing up, and I would say he
kind of trained me as well, nothing like super serious
or formal, but it was always a fun way that
made me enjoy the game. So yeah, I mean the
workout stuff it Yeah, the point is that workout stuff,
it definitely comes from my dad.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
What on the field, what's kind of been like some
of the biggest takeaways or lessons that you feel like
you've learned so far.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Yeah, it's.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I would just say, man, just continue to be myself
and and just continuing to grow and improve and and
just do the things that have gotten me to this point,
but also just try and improve on those things and
and just never being satisfied. I feel like a big
thing that I've noticed is it's just every single day
you have to bring it, and there's no day where
(06:42):
you can just relax and be like, you know whatever,
I'm tired.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Yeah, day off.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
So just coming prepared every single day and just bring
really giving your all every single day and treating every
single day as a new day.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I feel like if you're in the same room with Rokwan,
then like there's no choice but.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
To do that.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
I agree, what's what's it like kind of being in
the same room with him and I'm sure trying to
pick up as much as you can for him.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Yeah, it's a blessing for sure to have a guy
like that, you know, who's done at such a high level,
and just to be able to watch him on film,
watch what he does in the day to day. And
also I'm just thankful for him embracing me as a
rookie and kind of you know, taking me under his
wing and teaching me. So yeah, it's been an amazing
(07:32):
room to step into. And and yeah, Rose an awesome
player and and you know, just an amazing leader as well.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
You talked about this a little bit on the night
that you were drafted. But obviously there's a great history
of linebacker play in Baltimore. You have a great one
right now in Roquan Smith. And when you go into
that room, I'm sure there's pictures of ray Lewis on
the wall or CJ. Mosley or Zach Wars defensive coordinator,
like a long history, Jamil McLain, a lot of great
linebackers who have been here. How do you take that on,
(08:01):
knowing that like there's been a this is a position
maybe above any other where, like excellence is expected.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Yeah, I am super excited about that.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
It's something that you know, I love, Like I have
the chance to to to prove myself and to you know,
continue this legacy. And you know, when you have guys
like that, like you have no choice but to step
up your game and elevate you know, how you play.
So I feel like that's only going to make me
a better player. And you know at the Ravens, like
(08:33):
it means something to be a linebacker, and that's something
I've heard and something I've noticed and felt. So yeah,
I feel like that's only going to push me to
be a better player.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Have you had your Welcome to the NFL moment yet?
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Man?
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Yeah, I've I've had a few moments where you know,
it's like, Wow, these guys are good. I kind of
want to say, I'm saving that for when the pad's
got on. Yeah, there's been some moments, but I don't
think there's been an official moment.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Oh oh wow.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Is there any part so far in practice where you're like, Okay,
like I can I can do this, I can cover
this guy? You know, Like I imagine when you get
to this level, you're like, am I good enough to
hang at this level? You know, you know it, but
like until you do it, you don't really know it,
you know what I mean? Like, what part of your
game do you feel like, all right, this is translating,
(09:25):
you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:29):
For me, I feel like physically like I feel like
I can compete and run with guys.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
I feel like, you know, I have the tools to
do that.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Yeah, for me, I feel like it's the main thing
that I've been focused on, especially in OTA's mini camp
with no pads, has been the mental side of the game.
Understanding what the offense is trying to do and really
understanding you know, the defense as it's all new to me,
and you know, also practicing two positions, just balancing all that.
(09:58):
I feel like that's been my main focus.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Yeah, and you.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Know, I feel like it's definitely an adjustment, but I
feel like I've always believed in my ability, and you know,
going through this whole draft process and you know, meeting
guys throughout the league throughout that it's kind of gave
me the confidence like, Okay, you know, I feel like
I belong here, and I feel like I do belong
here and I am here, so I might as well,
(10:23):
you know, give him my all and just let it loose.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Yeah, I'll say so, I was with you at Jimmy's
Seafood for an event with the rookies, so Jamie McLean
took them all and learned how to pick crabs and
all this stuff, and just this just popped my head
when you were saying that was like another rookie came
up to Teddy and they were like talking through a
play and like assignments on that play, and we're in
the middle of like picking crabs, like everybody's just like
(10:48):
chowing down, and you're kind of like, no, no, this
is what it's called and like this is this this
is everybody's role. And I was like again, I was
like impressed, you know. And so it feels like you're
just a dude who's like got his head on straight
and like you're about your business. Where does that come
from for you? Like how do you look at that
side of the game, the mental side and the preparation
film and all that.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Yeah, well I can add to that. We're at the hospital,
which is a great thing we did today. I have
a ton of fun with the kids and we're we're
playing football with this kid and he has the ball
and we're playing. The two linebackers is me and Jay Higgins,
and we're going through actual call.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
You know.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
But but yeah, it doesn't stop.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
But yeah, I would just say.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
I guess I guess it kind of starts with I
was never like a highly recruited guy, so I feel
like I've always had to do the little things and
do the extra work to you know, make sure, make
sure I'm you know, up up to standard and stand out. Yeah, especially,
you know, I just it wasn't I didn't have the
external validation to say, oh, you're a great player. It
(11:58):
was always, you know, I had to prove myself. So
with that comes you know, doing the extra things. And
I feel like that's kind of where I got that from.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
What I was just gonna say, why do you feel
like you were were lately recruit You know, you started
YUC Davis and all that. Hell you were doing the
push ups. Didn't they know you were doing the push
ups since you were five six years old? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:18):
I mean what was going on here?
Speaker 4 (12:20):
I think a part of it, you know, reflecting on
and having the perspective is I played quarterback really in
high school a lot of the time. So my defensive
tape it was I would say it was good. I
thought it was good, But I was playing quarterback also,
so there might have been question marks there.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
And I also.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Had my best year by far, my senior year. So
the for yeah, for you know, a lot of colleges
have already given out their offers by the junior year.
But man, I would really say that was a blessing
for me, Like I said, I didn't have that everyone
telling me how good I was at a young age.
So it continued to drive me, and I feel like,
(13:03):
you know, I wouldn't take it back for anything. I
feel like it, you know, ultimately got me where I
am now.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
So you played quarterback in high school, and of course
it played linebacker as well.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
But if we.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Were having this conversation when you were junior senior in
high school, like were you hoping to play quarterback at
the NFL? Were you thinking that defense was always the
route that you would end up?
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Tell me about that?
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Yeah, I mean I was hoping to play quarterback until
I got offer from defense, and then I was like,
all right, yeah, you know I've I've been a football
player since I was really young, so I've played both
sides of the ball in my whole life. So I
was like, it's not necessarily something completely new. Like I
knew I could play defense, but I did want to
play quarterback until I didn't.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
Yeah, what was your quarterback style?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
Like, how would you describe yourself?
Speaker 4 (13:47):
I could throw, I was like I would say I
was like a I was a passer first, Like I
could run, but like I really tried to distribute the
ball first and then just run when needed.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Okay, trick plays if we need a trick flay here worked,
that's real tricky.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
I've been lifting too much. I lost the shoulder.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Special here.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
Do you do you actually think that the quarterback experience
helps you in terms of understanding of the game, what
kind of like the quarterback of the defense of the
middle there a linebacker.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Absolutely, I feel like just kind of knowing what it's
like to play quarterback that kind of helps you understand
what the other quarterback is going through and what things
might make it difficult for them or how it might
make it easy. So having that understanding and then having
learned offense, obviously it's in high school, but still you
have an understanding of how the quarterback is reading things
(14:42):
and and it's different things like that, and just processing
the game. And another thing that I think is like
kind of underrat is the pressure of playing quarterback.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
It's you know, it's it's a lot of pressure.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
So being able to take that to linebacker and be
able to just kind of embrace the pressure that come
in any football game has definitely helped me.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
That's interesting. I'm curious about you know, you to talk
about your journey and you wouldn't change anything. And like
we said, you started UC Davis and played for four
years there and then kind of had your breakout season
last year at Cal. How did that that journey kind
of shape you going that path?
Speaker 4 (15:20):
Yeah, I feel like it it Yeah, it just made
me a resilient guy. I feel like there were moments where,
you know, the NFL seems far out of reach. I
don't know how many guys have really gone, you know,
at least got drafted to the NFL from Davis. It's
not something you see every day and just the FCS
(15:41):
in general, right, So you know there's moments where you
know the path to the NFL was not very.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Obvious or very clear.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
So I feel like that's just made me resilient, really
giving me a strong belief in myself. Yeah, it just
like working my way up from that. It's something you
can't take away and something that you know, I'm proud
of myself for doing.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
And why did you want to play all four years
at UC Davis.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (16:06):
I felt like, you know, Davis believed in me when
I first got there, and there was a lot of
things that I wanted to do there a lot of
games that I wanted to win.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
And.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
I wanted to graduate from there. So I was able
to get my degree. Uh, graduated with a degree in design.
And then, you know, when I felt like I had
done everything that I wanted to do there, I felt like, Okay,
now it's a good time to leave. I knew I
could transfer for my fifth year. I kind of had
mapped that out, and you know, I got great support
(16:38):
from Davis. They they were completely understanding and supportive in
the sense of of me leaving. And yeah, I just
can't thank them enough for that.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Were you thinking, if you know, you go back to
your freshman, sophomore, junior year at U see Davis. You
mentioned that the path to the NFL could be hard
to see at times. But was your vision all that
you would end up in the NFL or were you
thinking as a student athlete and maybe I'll play the
rest of my college career and then I'll go on
to a career design Like what was your thought process
(17:08):
when you were at UC Davis in those early years.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Yeah, I feel like I always, you know, I was
always shooting for the NFL. And yeah, but like in
the moment in the day to day, That's not necessarily
what I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about, you know, how
good of a player can I be today? How what
can I do to you know, when I'm a when
(17:32):
I'm a freshman at Davis, how can I, you know,
earn a spot? How can I get on the field?
Am I good enough to get on the field with
these college guys? So it's really a step by step thing.
And then I've And that's kind of like the advice
i'd give to any like kid, any anyone who's trying to,
you know, achieve a really big goal, is you can't.
You have the goal and then you kind of forget
(17:55):
about it and you really focus on what I can
do today and what I can do in the position
I'm to be the very best of that position.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
Yeah, I mean think it's great perspective. I mean, there's
a lot of guys who were at the who are
at that level that dream of sitting in your shoes
right now, but it can seem so far away. But
I think it's it's a good perspective that you have.
So you play, you play four seasons at UC Davis
and then you transfer to Cal and you were a
Cal fan growing up, is this correct?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
I For me, COL was my dream school.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
I didn't I honestly didn't watch a ton of COL
football just I don't know why. But yeah, once, like
I took a visit there and stuff, and like I
really loved it.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
I really wanted to go there.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
And they gave me a PWO so I was going
to take the scholarship over that. But yeah, it was
definitely a place that I wanted to be coming out
of high school.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I had to motivate you a lot, for sure, You're like,
I'm going to earn that scholarship.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
It was a good feeling when you know, they came
back around and I was able to earn a scholarship.
And and I really did have a lot of pride
playing for Cal, even in my first year because that's
my hometown team. So it really meant a lot for
me to put it on that uniform. And yeah, I
just had a lot of pride planned for them.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
Yeah, I mean I remember moment in my career where
it was like they said you're not quite good enough,
and the chip that that puts on your shoulders just say,
all right, I'm gonna show I'm gonna show you.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
So you had.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
You did that, You went to Cow and like had
this breakout season. What I mean, you had a great
season at UC Davis before going there, but then you
on a national stage you did it. What was that season?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Why?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
How did it all come together for you this past
season at Cow and what did that do for you
as a player?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
It was really interesting because for me, I kind of
felt like I was the same player. Obviously I'm getting
better as I go, but yeah, it felt like I
was doing the same things I was doing A Davis
was just on a national scale and everyone got to
see it.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
And you know, I had.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
My coach, coach sermon, Uh, he's a linebacker coach in
the DC. He he really I feel like, put me
in a lot of good spots to make a lot
of plays. And how the defensive system that you know,
I fit really well in, so that helped me out.
And then I had, you know, just great players around me.
So it all just worked out and I was able
to have some good games and just show everyone on
(20:16):
a national stage what I could do. But it was
just weird for me because I felt like I was
doing a lot of the same things that I had
always been doing right right.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
Well, It's it's interesting because, like he asked you about
realizing that you can play at the NFL level, you
get out there practice and feel like I can play.
I'm curious if you go back to last year when
you transfer from UC Davis to cal like how quickly
did you realize like, oh, I'll have no problem hanging
at this level.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
That was actually a big thing in my mind, was
you know, am I good enough? Like I'm gonna take
a step up? You know, we played a few FBS
teams at Davis, but you know, I was like, how
am I going to fare in a whole season? You know,
how am I going to hold up? And I think,
you know, we actually cow We played Davis the first game,
so that was crazy.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Was that emotional?
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Oh yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
I was relieved when it was over, I would say,
just because you know, there's a lot of media attention asking,
you know, and I was like, that's the game you
can't lose, just from just from a personal perspective, like
I got all my buddies back at Davis, Like I
still talk to them all the time. I'm just talking
to them now, and yeah, if I lost that game,
(21:32):
I literally never hear that one, Like I actually would
have been like upset, like Arry.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Yeah, but how many talk does you have that game?
Speaker 3 (21:41):
I think I had like a I had an okay game.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
But anyways, the segway is that we played Auburn the
next week, so it was a big step up. We
played at Auburn and we were able to go out
there when that game, I had a really good game,
and I think that at that moment I kind of
knew like, Okay, you know this, I belong and I
not only do belong, but I'm a really good player.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Watching your college statement, what stands out to me is
like you're playing like your hair's on fire, man, Like
you're just all over the place, and you know, I
mean the ability to rush the passer, dropping coverage obviously,
you know, the run, tackling all that stuff, Like you're
just you're everywhere. Where does that kind of style of
play come from? And was there like a linebacker that
(22:26):
you looked up to or emulated from your youth?
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (22:31):
I feel like, you know, I played a lot of
sports growing up, Like football has always been my thing.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
It's always been what I've been best at.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
But I played everything growing up, so just kind of
having the versatility to you know, just be an athlete
and fit in in different spots. I feel like it's
something something I'm good at and something that you know,
it's helpful. As a linebacker, you're asked to do a
lot of different things. You're kind of you know, sometimes
you're up on the line, sometimes you're dropping back to
the post. So right, there's a lot of different things
(22:58):
that you do. In terms of linebackers growing up, I
feel like, you know, ray Lewis stands out obviously had.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
A pretty good career.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Yeah, you know, I'm from the Bay, So like Patrick
Willisonavar Bowman, even Fred Warner, Uh like Luke Keekley. There's
a lot of great linebackers that I can think of.
Even started watching row so yeah, there's just so many
and just trying to see what they do, emulate their
(23:29):
game and yeah, just inspire to be like those guys.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
And I said you played with your hair on fire.
The one thing that stands out was the long hair
in college, So what what you know that that is
kind of a signature. I feel like, I don't know
West Coast linebackers, long hair is spilling out of the
home up.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
So what what happened? Why did you make the decisions
go shorter? Well, the decision came.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
I was in the shower, and I just like, it
took a long time to watch and detangle and it's
the whole process. And I was like, it was right
after the season. I had the new year coming up.
I knew I was going to go out to train
for the Combine, I was going to do the East
West game. I was gonna do all these different things. Yeah,
and I was like, I don't want to be spending
(24:11):
thirty minutes a few times a week washing my hair,
Like that's just too much. And another part of it was,
you know, I kind of wanted to restart and kind
of as my NFL career goes on, kind of gradually
grow the hair backround, kind of kind of earn that back.
I didn't want to just come in like yeah, I
(24:32):
just kind of wanted to earn it and make it,
make it, you know what I mean?
Speaker 5 (24:35):
Yeah, that's a new Like how how long had it
been like this is a haircut before you got this side.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
I started growing it out right when COVID started, so
it was probably like five years.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
So it was a hard decision. It wasn't easy, but
at the same time, it does feel good to just be.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Able to not have all that hair that quick shower
of the morning.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
I'm curious about the combine, Like, you helped yourself with
the combine, had a really good performance there, and kind
of like is the theme here. You prove yourself at
UC Davis and then pretty quickly once you got to
cal that you showed everybody that you could hang on
that level, and you're working to do that here. But
the combine was an important step for you to really
show your athleticism to these NFL teams. How important do
you think that was and ultimately getting you to this
(25:17):
point of getting drafted by the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Yeah, I mean, I think the combine is important. I
don't know how important it is, but I was excited
for the combine. You know, we did mock combines at Davis,
so I knew roughly what my numbers were going to be,
and I was excited to show that. I feel like
a lot of people just didn't necessarily know yeah, or
you know, you need to go prove it, you need
(25:39):
to go do it, obviously, but I felt like there's
a good opportunity to show what kind of athlete I am,
and I feel like I was able to do that.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 5 (25:46):
Was there much talk between you and the Ravens during
the draft process, Like was this a place that you thought.
I'm sure everybody has their whatever three to five teams
that they think are most likely.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Were the Ravens one of those for you?
Speaker 4 (25:56):
Uh? Not really relative to the amount I talked to
some other teams, I did not talk to the Ravens
a bunch. So yeah, I was surprised but excited on
draft Day when you know, I got that call from
from Eric. But yeah, it was was it was that
was an amazing moment just getting that call. And but yeah,
(26:18):
it wasn't really on my radar, to be honest.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Yeah, where did you think you're going? Because I want
to be able to go back, like several years from
now when you're balling out and you know, having this
great career and I'm going to be like they missed out?
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Oh man, it was I didn't.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
I had no idea, But in my head, I knew
I was going to go, Like I just knew I
was going to go somewhere where I didn't expect to go,
but you me unexpected. I didn't have any like thirty visits, okay,
but I had a bunch of Zooms so I met
with like probably like twenty twenty one teams, but I
did not meet with the Ravens on Zoom.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
So I was like, maybe they don't like me, Like
I don't know, but yeah, it's hard. I had no
idea where I was going to.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
I feel like a lot of thirty visits are honestly
for like guys that teams have questions about. That's what
I heard, And just like talking to you, it's like, yeah,
this guy he checks all the boxes. Like I think
you've got a good feeling about him.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Yeah. Yeah, Well my.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Last question for you is West Coast guy, California kid,
what's it like going West Coast to East Coast.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
It's definitely different, you know that.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
It's it's it's the first time in my life where
like I'm just talking to people asking where they're from,
and like, no one's from California. They're like, oh, I've
never even visited.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
I'm like, oh my gosh, Like.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
You're visit out yeah, you're visiting out in great Weather.
But it's definitely different. But I've enjoyed it so far.
I mean I've had a chance to you know, get
into the city. You know, I think every every single
dish you can possibly get out here has like crab
or something on that, like some type of seafood.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
But you know, that's what we do.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
Yeah, It's it's good though, and and yeah, it's been fun.
I feel like, you know, that's what life's all about.
I was exploring places, and I'm just excited to continue
to immerse myself in the community and get to know,
you know, the city and the people.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
So I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Is there a like the pace? Is the pace different?
I mean, I know that's what everybody says is old
West Coast. It's sports, chill and all this stuff. Like
for you, are you like, all right, this is kind
of a different pace.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
I don't know, I don't know about pacing. I'd like,
you know, it's it's not that different. It's yeah, I mean,
it's it's more human. It's it's more human.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It's still be more humid.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
Was hot.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
It's probably one hundred degrees in Davis right now, check
my weather out, but it probably is. So the he's
it is what it is. Yeah, I think it's the
winter that's going to be a little different.
Speaker 5 (28:43):
Yeah, that will be much different. My last question is
this I read that you are into cooking.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Is this correct?
Speaker 3 (28:50):
I am? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Okay, So what's your go to dish?
Speaker 4 (28:54):
I really just like to make a good steak, Yeah,
Rabbi or New York rip reverse seer method?
Speaker 2 (29:03):
All right?
Speaker 4 (29:03):
Yeah, what's the reverse ser You put in the oven
first so it gets up to temp. I like to,
you know, pull it out probably one twenty is twenty two,
and then you see her it and it continues to
go up, but you kind of cook it first and
it's nice and dry, like you can't really mess up
to see her because it's already kind of cooked a
(29:24):
little bit and it turns out pretty good.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
When you were his age, what was your go to method?
Cereal in a box?
Speaker 1 (29:31):
Yeah, I was spaghetti spaghetti with.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Well that's awesome. Yeah, thank you so much for the time.
And look forward to growing the hair out because you
know you're gonna earn it. Now you're gonna grow the
hair out. You're gonna earn it, and it's gonna be
fun to watch.
Speaker 3 (29:45):
Yeah, it's growing out.
Speaker 4 (29:47):
I'm not gonna I might get a lineup or something,
but I'm not I'm not cutting it till it's till
it's long.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
Awesome. Yeah, I appreciate you guys having Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Thank you, man, appreciate it. Welcome back to the Latch Podcast.
Speaker 5 (29:58):
We are coming to you from the Sea Geek Studio.
Want to mention our partners with Draftking Sportsbook. They are
an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draftking
sports Book. The Crown is yours. Well, thank you to
Teddy for joining us. Enjoy the conversation with him, just
get to know him a little bit, and looks he
has the potential to be a significantly important player for
(30:19):
this defense. He's in a competition really for a starting
job along with Trenton Simpson, and there's possibility that both
of them, of course, end up playing a lot of
snatch for this team. But Teddy's a guy to watch
this year. I really think that he could be a
big time player for this team.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Yeah, I think that. You know, I would certainly handicap
Trenton as being the leader for the starting job. You know,
he started much of last season and I talked to
him before Mini camp finished, and he feels a lot
better than he was last year, especially in the mental
side of the game that Teddy also talked about in
processing and feels like things are slowing down and all that.
So like, I think the Ravens feel good about where
(30:55):
Trenton is and Trenton feels really good about where he is.
With that said, at linebacker, you don't Broquan might play
one hundred percent of the snaps, but the other guy doesn't,
you know, and look at even even before Trenton, you know,
wasn't starting last year. You know, Malik Harrison played a
lot of snaps. Chris Board played a lot of snaps.
So like, there are inside linebacker snaps to go around,
(31:18):
and I think that Teddy, along with Jake Hummel, you know,
he's going to be playing special teams primarily. I think
I think Teddy could eat up a lot of those
snaps that MALIEK. Harris and Chris Board won't be now
that they're elsewhere.
Speaker 5 (31:30):
Well, it's interesting because both both Teddy and Trenton have
a similar skill set in that man, they are athletic
and they can fly around to football if they when
I watch both of them, like they have those skills,
they can cover, they can run sideline to the sideline,
shore tacklers like. They have a lot of the similar skills,
and so I think a lot of that's going to
come down to just who's playing obviously the best in
(31:51):
these preseason games and in training camp, like who seems
to have the best feel for the defense, who's moving
the best, And it could end up being combination of
the two of them.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
I think they're both really good players. So I like Teddy.
Speaker 5 (32:04):
I think that he's he's off to a really strong
start and now he just has to keep growing from here.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Yeah, and I just like him as a person. I
was impressed with him here in this interview. You know,
he's just a mature guy for a rookie. You're like, man,
and that really goes across this rookie class I've been
as players and really as people. It's I mean, Malachi gosh,
it feels like Malachi has been in the league for
ten years, you know. And I get similar vibes from Teddy,
(32:33):
you know, I just think he's got his head on straight.
Speaker 5 (32:35):
I like players that prove themselves every step along the way,
counted out, not really expected to do much. Go to
UC Davis, like how many guys have played at UC
Davis in the past twenty years, and like all of
them at some point probably thought, oh, I'm gonna go
pro eventually, all of those dreams, right, And he's done
it now and so but like then he proves himself
and he gets the scholarship from the big school, then
(32:56):
he goes into the big school, he wins a starting
job right away, has one hundred fourteen tackles five sacks
last year, and it ends up getting drafted.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
Now he's in a similar situation. Okay, next step upright,
to prove yourself? What can you do?
Speaker 5 (33:08):
And you know, I think that he's off to a
strong start. So again there's this's a long path here,
but like I think that all signs are pointing up
on him and it's been just good to get to
know him a little bit and I think that he's
going to be an important player for this team.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
And obviously training camp will be the next step for him.
As a linebacker, you know, you can look great no
tas in mini camp, but once those big blockers start
coming downhill and looking to really kind of put their
pads on you and their hands on you, it's a
different game. So that'll that'll be an important step for
Teddy as well.
Speaker 5 (33:39):
Yeah, so training camp is right around the corner. We're
going to continue breaking down everything leading into that. Thank
you so much for watching and for listening. As always,
you can email us at the lounge at Ravens dot
NFL dot net.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
Thank you so much, and we'll talk with you again
soon
Welcome into the lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink
here with Garrett Downing and we are thrilled to sit
down with rookie linebacker Teddy Buchanan. Thanks for joining us.
And I'll say this, Teddy, you made history with this
appearance because you are the first I already got. You
(00:24):
are the first player I think that has ever texted
me like reached out ahead of time to let me know, like, hey,
I'm running a little bit late, like let's just can
we move to this time. Usually, you know, we're like
and our.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Guys are great. They're great.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I don't mean to like whatever, but we're usually tracking
them down. And Teddy was like proactive and was like, hey,
I know we set up this time like whatever, I'm
gonna be a little late. We're visiting a hospital. So
kudos to you, Teddy. I knew I liked you already
and now like even more functual.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
It's perfect appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
So, uh, you know, obviously getting embarked embarking on your
career here, and how do you feel like things are
going for you? So far?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Man? Things have been great.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
I feel like I'm a part of an amazing organization
and just having the chance to you know, integrate with
the team and meet all the guys. Man, It's it's
been really cool. And yeah, I've been just having fun. Man,
I'm living on my dream, so just trying to do
it to the best of my ability and just really
be appreciative every single day.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah, what do you think of.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
The off season program?
Speaker 5 (01:27):
You know, you get here after the draft and you
you have to learn the playbook, you have to learn
the city, you have to learn your teammates. What have
you taken away from these last couple of months since
being here and getting drafted.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Yeah, it's definitely been a process. I've I definitely feel
like I've settled in compared to when I first got here.
I kind of compared it to being a freshman in college.
You just kind of like every little thing and trying
to find out where places are and you know, what
do I eat? When when is this going to happen?
So just trying to figure all those things out. But
(01:57):
as I've done that, it's been a great adjustment. I've
feel like a mini camp and uh OTAs went really well.
I feel like I grew a ton and uh really
I saw growth with with everybody a ton, So that
was that was really cool And yeah, I feel like
it's a small accomplishment to do that, but.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I'm proud of that.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
Do you feel like when you when you come into
a new place and you're a rookie, like part of it,
you're just you have to learn where things are, Like
you've got to learn where the locker room is or
where the training room is, and like what the process is.
But then you're also trying to like make a name
for yourself and show that you're ready to play and
all that. Do you feel like there's but how do
you balance those things? Like I'm just trying to establish
(02:42):
yourself but then also trying to like learn how the
NFL works, Like there's both things are kind of a
big step when you're coming into this new place.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Yeah, it's it's definitely been one of the biggest challenges
so far as just finding that balance between figuring everything
out but also you know, pushing the envelope forward and
proving yourself as a player. But I mean, yeah, it's
kind of what you have to do as a rookie,
is you know, you want to respect everybody and what
they've done. You know, we have a lot of great
players on this team, so obviously want to show them
(03:12):
the respect that they deserve. At the same time, I
want to prove myself to them and earn their respect
as well. So yeah, it's been it's been a good
process so far, and I feel like I've definitely made
progress towards, you know, making that adjustment.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Well, talking about impressing the veterans, I think, you know,
certainly you're doing that. And the unique thing about you
is like you step right into a pretty good competition,
you know, and right next to Roquan you know. Obviously
Trenton's coming back and he was a starter at the
beginning of last year. But like, I think a lot
of people see that as like, hey, Teddy's going to
push him, you know, and that's gonna be a competition.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Like how do you kind of view that?
Speaker 1 (03:47):
I know that's a lot for a rookie to be, like,
I'm competing for some serious playing time, But how do
you handle it?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
I mean for me, it's I don't really look at
it as you know, I'm to focus on the day
to day, so I just control what I can control.
I try and show up every single day and and
do what I can do, and you know, whatever that
leads to, that's really out of my hands ultimately. So
for me, it's all about focusing on the process and
just letting the result take care of itself.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Yeah, well you looked good on the field, man, And
I won't lie. The first thing that stands out when
we're I'm looking out on the field.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Like Teddy is jacked.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
I'm like, you might have like the biggest legs of
like other than like a D lineman or O lineman, Like,
what is the your quad workout has to be insane?
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Well, yeah, I gotta give credit to my dad on
this one. He kind of he kind of got me
into lifting at a young age and it's something that
I really enjoy.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
And yeah, I've been doing it for a while, so
you don't miss a leg day, it seems.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I try not to say, but yeah, I feel like
the weight room is a huge part of football and
it definitely has helped me not only just you know,
being strong and being a good player, but also staying healthy.
I feel like that's that's super important for football especially.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Yeah, what did you start to get into weightlifting?
Speaker 4 (05:08):
So my dad always had me doing like push ups
and stuff, So I kind of I feel like i'd, like,
you know, six years old, I was probably doing push
ups and stuff. Like my dad wasn't like forced me
to do it. I just saw him doing it, so
it made me really want to do it as well.
And and then yeah, I've obviously I started lifting around
like eleven twelve, nothing crazy, but definitely introducing it young
(05:31):
really helped me. Then again, seeing my dad do it,
I feel like when your dad does something, you're gonna
kind of copy that and replicate it. So it made
it easy for me to have that example.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
Was he was he kind of your trainer growing up
or even still to this day or did he just
more get you interested in the weightlifting side of things.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Yeah, I mean he's a huge football fan, so he was.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
He coached me growing up, and I would say he
kind of trained me as well, nothing like super serious
or formal, but it was always a fun way that
made me enjoy the game. So yeah, I mean the
workout stuff it Yeah, the point is that workout stuff,
it definitely comes from my dad.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
What on the field, what's kind of been like some
of the biggest takeaways or lessons that you feel like
you've learned so far.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Yeah, it's.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I would just say, man, just continue to be myself
and and just continuing to grow and improve and and
just do the things that have gotten me to this point,
but also just try and improve on those things and
and just never being satisfied. I feel like a big
thing that I've noticed is it's just every single day
you have to bring it, and there's no day where
(06:42):
you can just relax and be like, you know whatever,
I'm tired.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Yeah, day off.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
So just coming prepared every single day and just bring
really giving your all every single day and treating every
single day as a new day.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I feel like if you're in the same room with Rokwan,
then like there's no choice but.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
To do that.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
I agree, what's what's it like kind of being in
the same room with him and I'm sure trying to
pick up as much as you can for him.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Yeah, it's a blessing for sure to have a guy
like that, you know, who's done at such a high level,
and just to be able to watch him on film,
watch what he does in the day to day. And
also I'm just thankful for him embracing me as a
rookie and kind of you know, taking me under his
wing and teaching me. So yeah, it's been an amazing
(07:32):
room to step into. And and yeah, Rose an awesome
player and and you know, just an amazing leader as well.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
You talked about this a little bit on the night
that you were drafted. But obviously there's a great history
of linebacker play in Baltimore. You have a great one
right now in Roquan Smith. And when you go into
that room, I'm sure there's pictures of ray Lewis on
the wall or CJ. Mosley or Zach Wars defensive coordinator,
like a long history, Jamil McLain, a lot of great
linebackers who have been here. How do you take that on,
(08:01):
knowing that like there's been a this is a position
maybe above any other where, like excellence is expected.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Yeah, I am super excited about that.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
It's something that you know, I love, Like I have
the chance to to to prove myself and to you know,
continue this legacy. And you know, when you have guys
like that, like you have no choice but to step
up your game and elevate you know, how you play.
So I feel like that's only going to make me
a better player. And you know at the Ravens, like
(08:33):
it means something to be a linebacker, and that's something
I've heard and something I've noticed and felt. So yeah,
I feel like that's only going to push me to
be a better player.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Have you had your Welcome to the NFL moment yet?
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Man?
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Yeah, I've I've had a few moments where you know,
it's like, Wow, these guys are good. I kind of
want to say, I'm saving that for when the pad's
got on. Yeah, there's been some moments, but I don't
think there's been an official moment.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Oh oh wow.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Is there any part so far in practice where you're like, Okay,
like I can I can do this, I can cover
this guy? You know, Like I imagine when you get
to this level, you're like, am I good enough to
hang at this level? You know, you know it, but
like until you do it, you don't really know it,
you know what I mean? Like, what part of your
game do you feel like, all right, this is translating,
(09:25):
you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:29):
For me, I feel like physically like I feel like
I can compete and run with guys.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
I feel like, you know, I have the tools to
do that.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Yeah, for me, I feel like it's the main thing
that I've been focused on, especially in OTA's mini camp
with no pads, has been the mental side of the game.
Understanding what the offense is trying to do and really
understanding you know, the defense as it's all new to me,
and you know, also practicing two positions, just balancing all that.
(09:58):
I feel like that's been my main focus.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Yeah, and you.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Know, I feel like it's definitely an adjustment, but I
feel like I've always believed in my ability, and you know,
going through this whole draft process and you know, meeting
guys throughout the league throughout that it's kind of gave
me the confidence like, Okay, you know, I feel like
I belong here, and I feel like I do belong
here and I am here, so I might as well,
(10:23):
you know, give him my all and just let it loose.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Yeah, I'll say so, I was with you at Jimmy's
Seafood for an event with the rookies, so Jamie McLean
took them all and learned how to pick crabs and
all this stuff, and just this just popped my head
when you were saying that was like another rookie came
up to Teddy and they were like talking through a
play and like assignments on that play, and we're in
the middle of like picking crabs, like everybody's just like
(10:48):
chowing down, and you're kind of like, no, no, this
is what it's called and like this is this this
is everybody's role. And I was like again, I was
like impressed, you know. And so it feels like you're
just a dude who's like got his head on straight
and like you're about your business. Where does that come
from for you? Like how do you look at that
side of the game, the mental side and the preparation
film and all that.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Yeah, well I can add to that. We're at the hospital,
which is a great thing we did today. I have
a ton of fun with the kids and we're we're
playing football with this kid and he has the ball
and we're playing. The two linebackers is me and Jay Higgins,
and we're going through actual call.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
You know.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
But but yeah, it doesn't stop.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
But yeah, I would just say.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
I guess I guess it kind of starts with I
was never like a highly recruited guy, so I feel
like I've always had to do the little things and
do the extra work to you know, make sure, make
sure I'm you know, up up to standard and stand out. Yeah, especially,
you know, I just it wasn't I didn't have the
external validation to say, oh, you're a great player. It
(11:58):
was always, you know, I had to prove myself. So
with that comes you know, doing the extra things. And
I feel like that's kind of where I got that from.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
What I was just gonna say, why do you feel
like you were were lately recruit You know, you started
YUC Davis and all that. Hell you were doing the
push ups. Didn't they know you were doing the push
ups since you were five six years old? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:18):
I mean what was going on here?
Speaker 4 (12:20):
I think a part of it, you know, reflecting on
and having the perspective is I played quarterback really in
high school a lot of the time. So my defensive
tape it was I would say it was good. I
thought it was good, But I was playing quarterback also,
so there might have been question marks there.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
And I also.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Had my best year by far, my senior year. So
the for yeah, for you know, a lot of colleges
have already given out their offers by the junior year.
But man, I would really say that was a blessing
for me, Like I said, I didn't have that everyone
telling me how good I was at a young age.
So it continued to drive me, and I feel like,
(13:03):
you know, I wouldn't take it back for anything. I
feel like it, you know, ultimately got me where I
am now.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
So you played quarterback in high school, and of course
it played linebacker as well.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
But if we.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Were having this conversation when you were junior senior in
high school, like were you hoping to play quarterback at
the NFL? Were you thinking that defense was always the
route that you would end up?
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Tell me about that?
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Yeah, I mean I was hoping to play quarterback until
I got offer from defense, and then I was like,
all right, yeah, you know I've I've been a football
player since I was really young, so I've played both
sides of the ball in my whole life. So I
was like, it's not necessarily something completely new. Like I
knew I could play defense, but I did want to
play quarterback until I didn't.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
Yeah, what was your quarterback style?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
Like, how would you describe yourself?
Speaker 4 (13:47):
I could throw, I was like I would say I
was like a I was a passer first, Like I
could run, but like I really tried to distribute the
ball first and then just run when needed.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Okay, trick plays if we need a trick flay here worked,
that's real tricky.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
I've been lifting too much. I lost the shoulder.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Special here.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
Do you do you actually think that the quarterback experience
helps you in terms of understanding of the game, what
kind of like the quarterback of the defense of the
middle there a linebacker.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Absolutely, I feel like just kind of knowing what it's
like to play quarterback that kind of helps you understand
what the other quarterback is going through and what things
might make it difficult for them or how it might
make it easy. So having that understanding and then having
learned offense, obviously it's in high school, but still you
have an understanding of how the quarterback is reading things
(14:42):
and and it's different things like that, and just processing
the game. And another thing that I think is like
kind of underrat is the pressure of playing quarterback.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
It's you know, it's it's a lot of pressure.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
So being able to take that to linebacker and be
able to just kind of embrace the pressure that come
in any football game has definitely helped me.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
That's interesting. I'm curious about you know, you to talk
about your journey and you wouldn't change anything. And like
we said, you started UC Davis and played for four
years there and then kind of had your breakout season
last year at Cal. How did that that journey kind
of shape you going that path?
Speaker 4 (15:20):
Yeah, I feel like it it Yeah, it just made
me a resilient guy. I feel like there were moments where,
you know, the NFL seems far out of reach. I
don't know how many guys have really gone, you know,
at least got drafted to the NFL from Davis. It's
not something you see every day and just the FCS
(15:41):
in general, right, So you know there's moments where you
know the path to the NFL was not very.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Obvious or very clear.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
So I feel like that's just made me resilient, really
giving me a strong belief in myself. Yeah, it just
like working my way up from that. It's something you
can't take away and something that you know, I'm proud
of myself for doing.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
And why did you want to play all four years
at UC Davis.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (16:06):
I felt like, you know, Davis believed in me when
I first got there, and there was a lot of
things that I wanted to do there a lot of
games that I wanted to win.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
And.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
I wanted to graduate from there. So I was able
to get my degree. Uh, graduated with a degree in design.
And then, you know, when I felt like I had
done everything that I wanted to do there, I felt like, Okay,
now it's a good time to leave. I knew I
could transfer for my fifth year. I kind of had
mapped that out, and you know, I got great support
(16:38):
from Davis. They they were completely understanding and supportive in
the sense of of me leaving. And yeah, I just
can't thank them enough for that.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Were you thinking, if you know, you go back to
your freshman, sophomore, junior year at U see Davis. You
mentioned that the path to the NFL could be hard
to see at times. But was your vision all that
you would end up in the NFL or were you
thinking as a student athlete and maybe I'll play the
rest of my college career and then I'll go on
to a career design Like what was your thought process
(17:08):
when you were at UC Davis in those early years.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Yeah, I feel like I always, you know, I was
always shooting for the NFL. And yeah, but like in
the moment in the day to day, That's not necessarily
what I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about, you know, how
good of a player can I be today? How what
can I do to you know, when I'm a when
(17:32):
I'm a freshman at Davis, how can I, you know,
earn a spot? How can I get on the field?
Am I good enough to get on the field with
these college guys? So it's really a step by step thing.
And then I've And that's kind of like the advice
i'd give to any like kid, any anyone who's trying to,
you know, achieve a really big goal, is you can't.
You have the goal and then you kind of forget
(17:55):
about it and you really focus on what I can
do today and what I can do in the position
I'm to be the very best of that position.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
Yeah, I mean think it's great perspective. I mean, there's
a lot of guys who were at the who are
at that level that dream of sitting in your shoes
right now, but it can seem so far away. But
I think it's it's a good perspective that you have.
So you play, you play four seasons at UC Davis
and then you transfer to Cal and you were a
Cal fan growing up, is this correct?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
I For me, COL was my dream school.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
I didn't I honestly didn't watch a ton of COL
football just I don't know why. But yeah, once, like
I took a visit there and stuff, and like I
really loved it.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
I really wanted to go there.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
And they gave me a PWO so I was going
to take the scholarship over that. But yeah, it was
definitely a place that I wanted to be coming out
of high school.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I had to motivate you a lot, for sure, You're like,
I'm going to earn that scholarship.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
It was a good feeling when you know, they came
back around and I was able to earn a scholarship.
And and I really did have a lot of pride
playing for Cal, even in my first year because that's
my hometown team. So it really meant a lot for
me to put it on that uniform. And yeah, I
just had a lot of pride planned for them.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
Yeah, I mean I remember moment in my career where
it was like they said you're not quite good enough,
and the chip that that puts on your shoulders just say,
all right, I'm gonna show I'm gonna show you.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
So you had.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
You did that, You went to Cow and like had
this breakout season. What I mean, you had a great
season at UC Davis before going there, but then you
on a national stage you did it. What was that season?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Why?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
How did it all come together for you this past
season at Cow and what did that do for you
as a player?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
It was really interesting because for me, I kind of
felt like I was the same player. Obviously I'm getting
better as I go, but yeah, it felt like I
was doing the same things I was doing A Davis
was just on a national scale and everyone got to
see it.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
And you know, I had.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
My coach, coach sermon, Uh, he's a linebacker coach in
the DC. He he really I feel like, put me
in a lot of good spots to make a lot
of plays. And how the defensive system that you know,
I fit really well in, so that helped me out.
And then I had, you know, just great players around me.
So it all just worked out and I was able
to have some good games and just show everyone on
(20:16):
a national stage what I could do. But it was
just weird for me because I felt like I was
doing a lot of the same things that I had
always been doing right right.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
Well, It's it's interesting because, like he asked you about
realizing that you can play at the NFL level, you
get out there practice and feel like I can play.
I'm curious if you go back to last year when
you transfer from UC Davis to cal like how quickly
did you realize like, oh, I'll have no problem hanging
at this level.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
That was actually a big thing in my mind, was
you know, am I good enough? Like I'm gonna take
a step up? You know, we played a few FBS
teams at Davis, but you know, I was like, how
am I going to fare in a whole season? You know,
how am I going to hold up? And I think,
you know, we actually cow We played Davis the first game,
so that was crazy.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Was that emotional?
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Oh yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
I was relieved when it was over, I would say,
just because you know, there's a lot of media attention asking,
you know, and I was like, that's the game you
can't lose, just from just from a personal perspective, like
I got all my buddies back at Davis, Like I
still talk to them all the time. I'm just talking
to them now, and yeah, if I lost that game,
(21:32):
I literally never hear that one, Like I actually would
have been like upset, like Arry.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Yeah, but how many talk does you have that game?
Speaker 3 (21:41):
I think I had like a I had an okay game.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
But anyways, the segway is that we played Auburn the
next week, so it was a big step up. We
played at Auburn and we were able to go out
there when that game, I had a really good game,
and I think that at that moment I kind of
knew like, Okay, you know this, I belong and I
not only do belong, but I'm a really good player.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Watching your college statement, what stands out to me is
like you're playing like your hair's on fire, man, Like
you're just all over the place, and you know, I
mean the ability to rush the passer, dropping coverage obviously,
you know, the run, tackling all that stuff, Like you're
just you're everywhere. Where does that kind of style of
play come from? And was there like a linebacker that
(22:26):
you looked up to or emulated from your youth?
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (22:31):
I feel like, you know, I played a lot of
sports growing up, Like football has always been my thing.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
It's always been what I've been best at.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
But I played everything growing up, so just kind of
having the versatility to you know, just be an athlete
and fit in in different spots. I feel like it's
something something I'm good at and something that you know,
it's helpful. As a linebacker, you're asked to do a
lot of different things. You're kind of you know, sometimes
you're up on the line, sometimes you're dropping back to
the post. So right, there's a lot of different things
(22:58):
that you do. In terms of linebackers growing up, I
feel like, you know, ray Lewis stands out obviously had.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
A pretty good career.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Yeah, you know, I'm from the Bay, So like Patrick
Willisonavar Bowman, even Fred Warner, Uh like Luke Keekley. There's
a lot of great linebackers that I can think of.
Even started watching row so yeah, there's just so many
and just trying to see what they do, emulate their
(23:29):
game and yeah, just inspire to be like those guys.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
And I said you played with your hair on fire.
The one thing that stands out was the long hair
in college, So what what you know that that is
kind of a signature. I feel like, I don't know
West Coast linebackers, long hair is spilling out of the
home up.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
So what what happened? Why did you make the decisions
go shorter? Well, the decision came.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
I was in the shower, and I just like, it
took a long time to watch and detangle and it's
the whole process. And I was like, it was right
after the season. I had the new year coming up.
I knew I was going to go out to train
for the Combine, I was going to do the East
West game. I was gonna do all these different things. Yeah,
and I was like, I don't want to be spending
(24:11):
thirty minutes a few times a week washing my hair,
Like that's just too much. And another part of it was,
you know, I kind of wanted to restart and kind
of as my NFL career goes on, kind of gradually
grow the hair backround, kind of kind of earn that back.
I didn't want to just come in like yeah, I
(24:32):
just kind of wanted to earn it and make it,
make it, you know what I mean?
Speaker 5 (24:35):
Yeah, that's a new Like how how long had it
been like this is a haircut before you got this side.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
I started growing it out right when COVID started, so
it was probably like five years.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
So it was a hard decision. It wasn't easy, but
at the same time, it does feel good to just be.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Able to not have all that hair that quick shower
of the morning.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
I'm curious about the combine, Like, you helped yourself with
the combine, had a really good performance there, and kind
of like is the theme here. You prove yourself at
UC Davis and then pretty quickly once you got to
cal that you showed everybody that you could hang on
that level, and you're working to do that here. But
the combine was an important step for you to really
show your athleticism to these NFL teams. How important do
you think that was and ultimately getting you to this
(25:17):
point of getting drafted by the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Yeah, I mean, I think the combine is important. I
don't know how important it is, but I was excited
for the combine. You know, we did mock combines at Davis,
so I knew roughly what my numbers were going to be,
and I was excited to show that. I feel like
a lot of people just didn't necessarily know yeah, or
you know, you need to go prove it, you need
(25:39):
to go do it, obviously, but I felt like there's
a good opportunity to show what kind of athlete I am,
and I feel like I was able to do that.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 5 (25:46):
Was there much talk between you and the Ravens during
the draft process, Like was this a place that you thought.
I'm sure everybody has their whatever three to five teams
that they think are most likely.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Were the Ravens one of those for you?
Speaker 4 (25:56):
Uh? Not really relative to the amount I talked to
some other teams, I did not talk to the Ravens
a bunch. So yeah, I was surprised but excited on
draft Day when you know, I got that call from
from Eric. But yeah, it was was it was that
was an amazing moment just getting that call. And but yeah,
(26:18):
it wasn't really on my radar, to be honest.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Yeah, where did you think you're going? Because I want
to be able to go back, like several years from
now when you're balling out and you know, having this
great career and I'm going to be like they missed out?
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Oh man, it was I didn't.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
I had no idea, But in my head, I knew
I was going to go, Like I just knew I
was going to go somewhere where I didn't expect to go,
but you me unexpected. I didn't have any like thirty visits, okay,
but I had a bunch of Zooms so I met
with like probably like twenty twenty one teams, but I
did not meet with the Ravens on Zoom.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
So I was like, maybe they don't like me, Like
I don't know, but yeah, it's hard. I had no
idea where I was going to.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
I feel like a lot of thirty visits are honestly
for like guys that teams have questions about. That's what
I heard, And just like talking to you, it's like, yeah,
this guy he checks all the boxes. Like I think
you've got a good feeling about him.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Yeah. Yeah, Well my.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Last question for you is West Coast guy, California kid,
what's it like going West Coast to East Coast.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
It's definitely different, you know that.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
It's it's it's the first time in my life where
like I'm just talking to people asking where they're from,
and like, no one's from California. They're like, oh, I've
never even visited.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
I'm like, oh my gosh, Like.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
You're visit out yeah, you're visiting out in great Weather.
But it's definitely different. But I've enjoyed it so far.
I mean I've had a chance to you know, get
into the city. You know, I think every every single
dish you can possibly get out here has like crab
or something on that, like some type of seafood.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
But you know, that's what we do.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
Yeah, It's it's good though, and and yeah, it's been fun.
I feel like, you know, that's what life's all about.
I was exploring places, and I'm just excited to continue
to immerse myself in the community and get to know,
you know, the city and the people.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
So I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Is there a like the pace? Is the pace different?
I mean, I know that's what everybody says is old
West Coast. It's sports, chill and all this stuff. Like
for you, are you like, all right, this is kind
of a different pace.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
I don't know, I don't know about pacing. I'd like,
you know, it's it's not that different. It's yeah, I mean,
it's it's more human. It's it's more human.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It's still be more humid.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
Was hot.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
It's probably one hundred degrees in Davis right now, check
my weather out, but it probably is. So the he's
it is what it is. Yeah, I think it's the
winter that's going to be a little different.
Speaker 5 (28:43):
Yeah, that will be much different. My last question is
this I read that you are into cooking.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Is this correct?
Speaker 3 (28:50):
I am? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Okay, So what's your go to dish?
Speaker 4 (28:54):
I really just like to make a good steak, Yeah,
Rabbi or New York rip reverse seer method?
Speaker 2 (29:03):
All right?
Speaker 4 (29:03):
Yeah, what's the reverse ser You put in the oven
first so it gets up to temp. I like to,
you know, pull it out probably one twenty is twenty two,
and then you see her it and it continues to
go up, but you kind of cook it first and
it's nice and dry, like you can't really mess up
to see her because it's already kind of cooked a
(29:24):
little bit and it turns out pretty good.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
When you were his age, what was your go to method?
Cereal in a box?
Speaker 1 (29:31):
Yeah, I was spaghetti spaghetti with.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Well that's awesome. Yeah, thank you so much for the time.
And look forward to growing the hair out because you
know you're gonna earn it. Now you're gonna grow the
hair out. You're gonna earn it, and it's gonna be
fun to watch.
Speaker 3 (29:45):
Yeah, it's growing out.
Speaker 4 (29:47):
I'm not gonna I might get a lineup or something,
but I'm not I'm not cutting it till it's till
it's long.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
Awesome. Yeah, I appreciate you guys having Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Thank you, man, appreciate it. Welcome back to the Latch Podcast.
Speaker 5 (29:58):
We are coming to you from the Sea Geek Studio.
Want to mention our partners with Draftking Sportsbook. They are
an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draftking
sports Book. The Crown is yours. Well, thank you to
Teddy for joining us. Enjoy the conversation with him, just
get to know him a little bit, and looks he
has the potential to be a significantly important player for
(30:19):
this defense. He's in a competition really for a starting
job along with Trenton Simpson, and there's possibility that both
of them, of course, end up playing a lot of
snatch for this team. But Teddy's a guy to watch
this year. I really think that he could be a
big time player for this team.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Yeah, I think that. You know, I would certainly handicap
Trenton as being the leader for the starting job. You know,
he started much of last season and I talked to
him before Mini camp finished, and he feels a lot
better than he was last year, especially in the mental
side of the game that Teddy also talked about in
processing and feels like things are slowing down and all that.
So like, I think the Ravens feel good about where
(30:55):
Trenton is and Trenton feels really good about where he is.
With that said, at linebacker, you don't Broquan might play
one hundred percent of the snaps, but the other guy doesn't,
you know, and look at even even before Trenton, you know,
wasn't starting last year. You know, Malik Harrison played a
lot of snaps. Chris Board played a lot of snaps.
So like, there are inside linebacker snaps to go around,
(31:18):
and I think that Teddy, along with Jake Hummel, you know,
he's going to be playing special teams primarily. I think
I think Teddy could eat up a lot of those
snaps that MALIEK. Harris and Chris Board won't be now
that they're elsewhere.
Speaker 5 (31:30):
Well, it's interesting because both both Teddy and Trenton have
a similar skill set in that man, they are athletic
and they can fly around to football if they when
I watch both of them, like they have those skills,
they can cover, they can run sideline to the sideline,
shore tacklers like. They have a lot of the similar skills,
and so I think a lot of that's going to
come down to just who's playing obviously the best in
(31:51):
these preseason games and in training camp, like who seems
to have the best feel for the defense, who's moving
the best, And it could end up being combination of
the two of them.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
I think they're both really good players. So I like Teddy.
Speaker 5 (32:04):
I think that he's he's off to a really strong
start and now he just has to keep growing from here.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Yeah, and I just like him as a person. I
was impressed with him here in this interview. You know,
he's just a mature guy for a rookie. You're like, man,
and that really goes across this rookie class I've been
as players and really as people. It's I mean, Malachi gosh,
it feels like Malachi has been in the league for
ten years, you know. And I get similar vibes from Teddy,
(32:33):
you know, I just think he's got his head on straight.
Speaker 5 (32:35):
I like players that prove themselves every step along the way,
counted out, not really expected to do much. Go to
UC Davis, like how many guys have played at UC
Davis in the past twenty years, and like all of
them at some point probably thought, oh, I'm gonna go
pro eventually, all of those dreams, right, And he's done
it now and so but like then he proves himself
and he gets the scholarship from the big school, then
(32:56):
he goes into the big school, he wins a starting
job right away, has one hundred fourteen tackles five sacks
last year, and it ends up getting drafted.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
Now he's in a similar situation. Okay, next step upright,
to prove yourself? What can you do?
Speaker 5 (33:08):
And you know, I think that he's off to a
strong start. So again there's this's a long path here,
but like I think that all signs are pointing up
on him and it's been just good to get to
know him a little bit and I think that he's
going to be an important player for this team.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
And obviously training camp will be the next step for him.
As a linebacker, you know, you can look great no
tas in mini camp, but once those big blockers start
coming downhill and looking to really kind of put their
pads on you and their hands on you, it's a
different game. So that'll that'll be an important step for
Teddy as well.
Speaker 5 (33:39):
Yeah, so training camp is right around the corner. We're
going to continue breaking down everything leading into that. Thank
you so much for watching and for listening. As always,
you can email us at the lounge at Ravens dot
NFL dot net.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
Thank you so much, and we'll talk with you again
soon
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Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.