University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers Football Q&A: Mechane Slade
Dec 18, 2018 | Football
Junior wide receiver has played in 12 games and has one touchdown catch in 2018.
Note: The Mechane Slade Q&A first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Nov. 10 when Memphis hosted Tulsa.
Q: Â Â How old were you when you first started playing football?
A:Â Â I started late when I was nine years old. A lot of people play flag football first, but soccer was my first sport. I saw a brother of one my teammates have his football gear on and it went from there. I wanted to join football and put the gear on.
Q:Â Â Did you continue to play soccer into high school?
A: No, I didn't. Once I fell in love with football, that was that. I played basketball in high school, as I had a love for both of those sports. I just took football seriously.
Q: Â Have you always been a wide receiver?
A: I moved to wide receiver my senior year in high school. Before that, I was a running back ever since I began playing at nine years old.
Q:Â What skills as a running back have allowed for you to be a successful wide receiver?
A: I can say the footwork has helped a lot. It translates to receiving by getting in and out of my breaks and making cuts left to right. From being so quick in the backfield and seeing holes, it helps me on kick returns as well.
Q: When did you realize that you wanted to come play for Memphis?
A: On my official visit. I came with Tony Pollard and Darrell Henderson. Tony and I hit it off. Ever since then, we said we were going to come (to Memphis) together. We have been roommates ever since, and we're trying to make history here.
Q: What have you learned from the previous wide receivers that have made you a better player today?
A: No matter the circumstances, you just have to come to practice and work. The work you put in for practice will translate to the game. You have to treat the practice rep like the game rep. When you get to the game, it's like clockwork.
Q:Â What kind of leader would you describe yourself as?
A: I would say that I lead by example. Anthony Miller, for example, didn't really say much, but the respect we have for him and how he worked in practice led us to doing the same thing for each other now. In our room, we love each other and respect each other like brothers. If one person says something or we have to run, we all do it for each other.
Q: What does it take for good communication between a wide receiver and his quarterback?
A: It's trust between you and your quarterback. Over the summer, we got a lot of extra work on our own beyond the workouts. I feel like that has showed up during the season. When we are in rhythm and our timing is right, then everything works in the game.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment at Memphis?
A: Scoring my first touchdown in Connecticut (in 2017). That's where I was born. To me, I felt like that was supposed to happen for me. I hadn't scored or had much success here before that game. For me to score in my home state was special to me.
Q:Â After football is over, what are your future plans?
A: I want to be a successful man. I didn't have a man in my life, so for me to be a successful man will take care of itself. I feel like I have defeated the odds from where I came from. Just being a man and supporting my family will make me happy at the end of the day.
Q: Â Â How old were you when you first started playing football?
A:Â Â I started late when I was nine years old. A lot of people play flag football first, but soccer was my first sport. I saw a brother of one my teammates have his football gear on and it went from there. I wanted to join football and put the gear on.
Q:Â Â Did you continue to play soccer into high school?
A: No, I didn't. Once I fell in love with football, that was that. I played basketball in high school, as I had a love for both of those sports. I just took football seriously.
Q: Â Have you always been a wide receiver?
A: I moved to wide receiver my senior year in high school. Before that, I was a running back ever since I began playing at nine years old.
Q:Â What skills as a running back have allowed for you to be a successful wide receiver?
A: I can say the footwork has helped a lot. It translates to receiving by getting in and out of my breaks and making cuts left to right. From being so quick in the backfield and seeing holes, it helps me on kick returns as well.
Q: When did you realize that you wanted to come play for Memphis?
A: On my official visit. I came with Tony Pollard and Darrell Henderson. Tony and I hit it off. Ever since then, we said we were going to come (to Memphis) together. We have been roommates ever since, and we're trying to make history here.
Q: What have you learned from the previous wide receivers that have made you a better player today?
A: No matter the circumstances, you just have to come to practice and work. The work you put in for practice will translate to the game. You have to treat the practice rep like the game rep. When you get to the game, it's like clockwork.
Q:Â What kind of leader would you describe yourself as?
A: I would say that I lead by example. Anthony Miller, for example, didn't really say much, but the respect we have for him and how he worked in practice led us to doing the same thing for each other now. In our room, we love each other and respect each other like brothers. If one person says something or we have to run, we all do it for each other.
Q: What does it take for good communication between a wide receiver and his quarterback?
A: It's trust between you and your quarterback. Over the summer, we got a lot of extra work on our own beyond the workouts. I feel like that has showed up during the season. When we are in rhythm and our timing is right, then everything works in the game.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment at Memphis?
A: Scoring my first touchdown in Connecticut (in 2017). That's where I was born. To me, I felt like that was supposed to happen for me. I hadn't scored or had much success here before that game. For me to score in my home state was special to me.
Q:Â After football is over, what are your future plans?
A: I want to be a successful man. I didn't have a man in my life, so for me to be a successful man will take care of itself. I feel like I have defeated the odds from where I came from. Just being a man and supporting my family will make me happy at the end of the day.
Players Mentioned
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