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 with redshirt freshman quarterback, Drayton Arnold.
Q: What made you choose ODU?
A: I came to ODU because of the coaching staff. Since I am a shorter quarterback, recruiting was tougher on me. The coaches here were honest with me and very straight forward. That’s why I chose to come here.
Q: What is your major?
A: I am majoring in finance and accounting.
Q: When did you start playing football?
A: I started when I was eight years old, playing flag football.
Q: What got you into football?
A: Well, I used to race motocross but got hurt really bad. I still wanted to do something that had a lot of adrenaline rush, so I chose football. I have been playing ever since.
Q: How long did you do motocross?
A: Until I was about 10 years old. I rode from age six to 10. It was pretty serious, I was sponsored by Polini.
Q: What have you learned from your redshirt year?
A: A lot. As far progressing in the playbook, I’ve learned so much. Watching David play and film of Taylor (Heinicke) has really helped my pocket presence and how fast we must make our decisions. The little stuff to make my game better. Obviously, getting better in the weight room is a big thing. I think I’ve gained 20 pounds of pure muscle since I have arrived here. I have gotten a lot faster and quicker, pretty much progressing as an athlete.
Q: Are you ready to compete for the starting job this spring?
A: Yeah I am. When I got here I felt like I was ready, that’s just how I am. I think as a quarterback you always should have that type of mindset. You have to have that mindset that you are ready to play. I think that way every day.
Q: What have you learned from Coach Whitcomb?
A: He has taught me so much. He has helped me progress with the playbook, and be a better quarterback. He has helped with my accuracy and finding those lanes to throw between people since I am a shorter quarterback.
Q: What is it like having Brandon Sinclair here with you, coming from the same high school?
A: When you think about it, it is pretty crazy. At the time when it happened, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. We live together now, and are looking for a house for next semester. I think it is cool since that doesn’t happen too often. It’s awesome.
Q: Who committed first, Brandon or you?
A: I committed first. I think I was the first to commit in that class. Then the next week, Brandon came up here for a visit and ended up committing a week later.
Q: Favorite athlete and why?
A: Russell Wilson. I like his work ethic. He’s a short quarterback. He has a beautiful wife, I want a beautiful wife. He is great at football, won a Super Bowl, an all-around good athlete and person. He is also a Christian.
Q: Favorite Food?
A: Pizza. A meat lover’s pizza.
Q: Favorite TV Show?
A: Shameless is good, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia too. Those are my two favorites right now.
Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
A: Reading other people’s minds. I want to know what other people think of me. Really just my family, I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
Q: Any hidden talents?
A: I’m very good at the drums on Rock Band. Like hard and expert level good.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I have a deep love for jazz music. I listen to Norman Brown and Joey Alexander.
Q: During your redshirt year, you were able to dress and warmup during every game, what was that like and how important was it for you?
A: I thought it was extremely important. One, just to get use to the environment around pregame rituals and what guys do and don’t do. What quarterbacks do, how long we warmup and how long we throw routes on air. Two, watching David. Watching his mannerisms, what he would say to the offensive line and receivers. Was he calm, was he jittery, was he happy where he was. Just observing David and whether he wanted to lead guys. He did and we were very successful. I think I can pull a lot of good things from that.
Q: Did he give you any advice?
A: He told me to just have fun and do your job. At the end of the day if you do your job, most things will go the way they are supposed to.
Q: Talk about the Bahamas, that week, what was fun and what you liked?
A: That was probably the best week of my life. We had so much time off, we road every ride two or three times. Got to hang out with your best friends all week, which was cool. We only practiced for like an hour, which was cool. Great weather. It was a good time. I got to meet a lot of guys I didn’t really talk to when we were here which was good as well.