University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Tigers Q&A: Thomas Pickens
Dec 24, 2019 | Football
Redshirt junior linebacker has 41 tackles, two sacks, one interception in 2019.
NOTE: This Tigers Q&A feature on Thomas Pickens first appeared in the Memphis GameDay program Nov. 2 when the Tigers hosted SMU.
Q:Â Â How you did begin playing football?
A:  The first time I put on a football uniform, shoulder pads and helmet, I cried, and I didn't come back for like a year. I didn't come back until the next year. I was really young. It was something I didn't want to do because I played basketball for so long. It was totally different from what I thought it was going to be.
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Q:Â Â What made you return to playing football?
A:Â Â My dad. I knew I could do it, but I had to get my mind around all the contact that was going to be involved.
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Q:Â Â Have you always played defense?
A:Â Â Actually, I played a lot of positions in high school. I played quarterback, wide receiver, running back. When I was younger, I played offensive line, defensive line, linebacker. I've played pretty much everything other than center.
Â
Q:Â Â How did you end up on defense?
A:  When I got to high school, I had played offense pretty much my whole life. In high school, I had a defensive backs coach that said 'You could be a great defensive back.' I started off at corner, moved to safety, and now I'm an outside linebacker. I'm getting closer to the line of scrimmage.
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Q:  What did that defensive backs coach see that made him think you'd be a good defensive player?
A: What he saw first was my ball skills. I had played wide receiver on offense, so when the ball was in the air, I was attracted to it. I also feel like that (ball skills) came from me playing baseball because baseball was the sport that I really, really loved. If I could play baseball, I'd go do it right now.
Â
Q:Â What was your reaction to the interception you had two weeks ago against Tulane?
A:  It was no big deal. When the ball's coming to these hands, it's guaranteed to stick.
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Q:Â Â What have you learned since joining the program?
A: When I first got here, I had a torn ACL. I lost the edge I had; I lost the confidence that I had in my leg. I came from being the best athlete on the field at all times to here where everyone's the best athlete from where they're coming. I had to learn that it's the small things, being in the right position to help me make the play. I had to learn that it's about effort, your mental standpoint when you get to college. It's not just about athletic ability because everybody has that.
Â
Q:Â Â Do you feel like you're better than you've ever been?
A:   Yes, I feel way better, more confident than I've ever been. I think Coach (Adam) Fuller has done that for me, pushing me every day. I told him what I was going through when he first got here. Every day in practice, he pushes me to be better.
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Q:Â Â What's your relationship with Coach Fuller?
A:Â Â Â It's a great relationship. When he got here, he walked up to me in the hallway and told me 'You're going to be a big player. You're going to do good things for us here.' Ever since, I've been pushing myself, and we've been building that relationship. I told him 'I'm the type of player that if you push me, I'm going to respond.' If he yells at me, I'm going to respond to him. I'm never going to talk back or anything. I respond positively to coaching like that, so I really appreciate him.
Â
Q:Â Â Do you see yourself as a leader?
A:Â Â To be honest, I'm not very vocal. I try to lead by my actions.
Â
Q: Is there anything else people should know about you?
A:  I'm just going to be myself. That's one thing I pride myself on, just being myself every day.
Q:Â Â How you did begin playing football?
A:  The first time I put on a football uniform, shoulder pads and helmet, I cried, and I didn't come back for like a year. I didn't come back until the next year. I was really young. It was something I didn't want to do because I played basketball for so long. It was totally different from what I thought it was going to be.
Â
Q:Â Â What made you return to playing football?
A:Â Â My dad. I knew I could do it, but I had to get my mind around all the contact that was going to be involved.
Â
Q:Â Â Have you always played defense?
A:Â Â Actually, I played a lot of positions in high school. I played quarterback, wide receiver, running back. When I was younger, I played offensive line, defensive line, linebacker. I've played pretty much everything other than center.
Â
Q:Â Â How did you end up on defense?
A:  When I got to high school, I had played offense pretty much my whole life. In high school, I had a defensive backs coach that said 'You could be a great defensive back.' I started off at corner, moved to safety, and now I'm an outside linebacker. I'm getting closer to the line of scrimmage.
Â
Q:  What did that defensive backs coach see that made him think you'd be a good defensive player?
A: What he saw first was my ball skills. I had played wide receiver on offense, so when the ball was in the air, I was attracted to it. I also feel like that (ball skills) came from me playing baseball because baseball was the sport that I really, really loved. If I could play baseball, I'd go do it right now.
Â
Q:Â What was your reaction to the interception you had two weeks ago against Tulane?
A:  It was no big deal. When the ball's coming to these hands, it's guaranteed to stick.
Â
Q:Â Â What have you learned since joining the program?
A: When I first got here, I had a torn ACL. I lost the edge I had; I lost the confidence that I had in my leg. I came from being the best athlete on the field at all times to here where everyone's the best athlete from where they're coming. I had to learn that it's the small things, being in the right position to help me make the play. I had to learn that it's about effort, your mental standpoint when you get to college. It's not just about athletic ability because everybody has that.
Â
Q:Â Â Do you feel like you're better than you've ever been?
A:   Yes, I feel way better, more confident than I've ever been. I think Coach (Adam) Fuller has done that for me, pushing me every day. I told him what I was going through when he first got here. Every day in practice, he pushes me to be better.
Â
Q:Â Â What's your relationship with Coach Fuller?
A:Â Â Â It's a great relationship. When he got here, he walked up to me in the hallway and told me 'You're going to be a big player. You're going to do good things for us here.' Ever since, I've been pushing myself, and we've been building that relationship. I told him 'I'm the type of player that if you push me, I'm going to respond.' If he yells at me, I'm going to respond to him. I'm never going to talk back or anything. I respond positively to coaching like that, so I really appreciate him.
Â
Q:Â Â Do you see yourself as a leader?
A:Â Â To be honest, I'm not very vocal. I try to lead by my actions.
Â
Q: Is there anything else people should know about you?
A:  I'm just going to be myself. That's one thing I pride myself on, just being myself every day.
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