The 2016 ODU Football season is over, but ODUSports.com will continue to deliver information on the Monarchs. Whether it be photo galleries, highlight videos, or in today's case, a Q&A. Today's Q&A is sophomore quarterback, Blake LaRussa.
Q: What made you choose ODU?
A: I loved that it was close to home. Another thing is Coach Whitcomb. I went to a lot of camps my junior and senior year, and I really liked Coach Whitcomb. That was a big part of it. It was one of my only options too.
Q: How do you think Coach Whitcomb has affected your game?
A: He’s helped me a ton. The first three months I learned so much about football. From the mental aspect to everyday in drills. He has helped me get better.
Q: What is your major?
A: Applied Mathematics.
Q: When did you start playing football?
A: Flag Football. So, like six or seven. I have loved it from the very beginning.
Q: Did you play any other sports growing up?
A: I played basketball up until my junior year in high school. Basketball and Baseball are the other sports I like.
Q: Talk about your first two years here in the program.
A: I have gotten to watch a lot of football and see a bunch of different teams play. Even though you are not in the game, you learn a lot watching. I could see how much I progressed from my redshirt to last season recognizing what was happening on the field. Watching every play in film, putting myself in David Washington’s shoes. It really helps me learn.
Q: How did graduating early and arriving at ODU a spring earlier help you?
A: That was the best decision I ever made when deciding to come to ODU. Those first four months learning the offense and everything was so important. I could not imagine arriving in the summer and trying to learn everything. We have games to prepare for, the focus is on opponents. The offseason was a wake-up call. I got here in winter workouts, and that was good for me overall.
Q: Tell us about the week in the Bahamas leading to the bowl game.
A: The week there was awesome. It was a lot of fun. Hanging by the pool, going to the park every day. And then the game. The stadium was cool, it was a soccer field we played on. The stands were cool. It was an amazing game and win.
Q: Favorite thing about the Bahamas?
A: The river around the pools. We would sit there a few hours a day.
Q: What were your school options and how did you arrive at ODU.
A: My senior year, I had no Division 1 scholarship offers. I had some mid-majors ask me to walk-on. Richmond asked me and then later Liberty. I think it goes back to wanting to go to ODU more, even without a scholarship. It was close to home and I loved Coach Whitcomb. My goal was to get a scholarship anyway, I had to earn it regardless of where I went.
Q: Now you have that scholarship, when you received it what was going through your mind?
A: I was so grateful to all the coaches. When I first came to ODU, there were a lot of people telling me I made a mistake. They thought it was too big of a school to make it. After two years, when Coach Scott and Coach Whitcomb told me I was ecstatic. My parents were so happy. I wouldn’t have been able to afford being a walk-on for four years here. I was grateful to God for it.
Q: What have you learned backing up David Washington this past year?
A: Taking care of the football. Moving the chains. He was the second most efficient quarterback in the country. I learned how to be efficient. He was not the most conventional quarterback, but he took care of the football and was efficient.
Q: Coming into the spring, are you ready to compete for the starting job?
A: Every spring I’ve been here I’ve had to compete. I’m excited for it. It’s fun. I’m ready to play some football.
Q: Favorite Athlete and why?
A: I love Aaron Rodgers. Football wise, he is my favorite. Basketball wise, I love Kyrie Irving.
Q: Favorite Food?
A: Steak.
Q: Favorite Movie?
A: I’m a movie guy. I love watching movies. I love Forest Gump, Step-Brothers, Happy Gilmore, Lone Survivor and American Sniper. I love Adam Sandler movies.
Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
A: Flying.
Q: Any hidden talents?
A: I can play piano. My mom went to school for music and teaches piano. I learned from a young age.
Q: If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be?
A: Jesus, Tim Tebow, and Tom Brady.