Football

UH defensive lineman Mbu tackles leadership

Much is expected from junior defensive lineman Joey Mbu this season. He has taken on a bigger role on and off the field. The coaching staff is expecting him to push the pocket in the passing game and make explosive plays in the backfield against the run. Mbu discussed the challenges of becoming a leader and a better player with The Daily Cougar.

The Daily Cougar: When you came to UH, you were a three-star athlete with not a lot of offers on the table. How have you taken your opportunity here and grown into a leader?

Mbu

Mbu

Joey Mbu: When I committed, I made a point to myself that I’m going to be the best commit that we have, out of my class. Every day I’m trying to prove myself more and more — now it’s not to my team any more, it’s to the nation — that I’m better than what a lot of people thought I was.

TDC: News came out that (sophomore defensive end) Eric Eiland will not play. How comfortable do you feel playing next to (junior defensive end) Trevor Harris?

JM: As a defensive line, we have a lot of chemistry, so when one person goes down, we have somebody to step up and we are all going to encourage him to try and fill his shoes.

TDC: You say that the defensive line has great chemistry. How do y’all grow that chemistry?

JM: We just hang out, we crack jokes with each other. It’s a lot more of like a family than just a teammate.

TDC: What do you expect for the rest of the season?

JM: I want our defensive line to be the best in the conference, at least. I want to be competitive. When we play, I watch our film, then I watch another team’s defensive line. I try to compare us to them, then I go and tell the guys, “Hey, we’ve got to do this better.”

TDC: The defense has changed to multiple sets. How has that factored in your practicing, your game plan and your preparation as a defensive lineman?

JM: I like it a lot. It’s a lot that we can do to catch the offensive line off guard. I feel that I’m good … (to) play different positions and catch them off guard. We work at it a lot; it’s a really good advantage.

TDC: Coach Levine said that this team may be one of the fastest teams in the nation. Do you feel you are the fastest person on the defensive line?

JM: Yup, they can race me. I’m open to it.

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