TE GUNNAR HELM
(on how much interaction he had with the Titans prior to the draft)
Yeah, to be honest with you, I didn't really think that they were going to take me. Obviously, I did my combine prep stuff in Nashville, so got a pretty good network there with the off-field stuff, the recovery stuff where I'm going to go to keep my body in great shape and in good health. But talked to them obviously at the combine informally, and didn't really think that were too interested in me. So, when the phone call came, it's the best feeling in the world. And I think I'm landing in the best situation for myself.
(on where he trained in Nashville and who he trained with)
I trained at a Lipscomb Academy, AthELITE with Jeremy Holt. And I got a lot of great tips from current NFL guys like Jordan Matthews had that network there. Worked out with Mitchell Evans, Jalin Conyers, Caden Prieskorn and Tyler Neville. We had a great connection to guys. Obviously just loved where we were, love the city of Nashville. So happy to be going back.
(on what he attributes his jump in production last year to)
Yeah, I completely attribute it to, just trusting the process, trusting the coaching, the cues that Coach (Jeff) Banks gave me, the cues the Coach (Steve) Sarkisian and Coach (Kyle) Flood gave me. I met with Coach Banks going into my last season and said, 'I want to play in the National Football League. I want to win a national championship. I want to be the next great tight end at the University of Texas. What do I have to do to help this team win and to be that guy that I want to be?' And he told me, 'Look, you need to get better in the vertical passing game. You need to clean up your technique in the run game. Got to get a lot faster, got to get stronger.' So, I set up a great plan in place with my tight ends coach. Set a great plan in place with our strength coach. And I got the tight ends doing some extra core work to help us in the run game. And then ultimately hit the ground running when camp rolled around.
(on what he feels he brings from a leadership and character perspective)
Yeah, I think I was able to—when I got to the University of Texas, I was an 18-year-old kid and I walked into a very broken culture, very broken team. And I was able to help shift the locker room from very young age. And one of the things that I feel I have in my arsenal is to be able to do that from a very young age, no matter what level I'm at. I feel, you know, just connecting with guys on deeper levels and using the techniques and practices that Coach (Steve) Sark(isian) had for us to build that culture at the University Texas is going to be something I keep with me, not just through the rest of my football career, but through my career life after football. But obviously, it translates onto the football field.
(on his thoughts on Cameron Ward)
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited. He called me when I was on the phone with them. Obviously, I couldn't answer. He texted me right away. I'm just super excited to get there, get with him. I met him at the combine, just a great guy. I can just tell he's a great leader, very well spoken. I'm super excited to hopefully be one of his targets.
(on how much he is looking forward to getting back with T'Vondre Sweat)
Oh yeah, it's going to be great. Super excited. Obviously loved (T'Vondre) Sweat when he was at the University of Texas with me, had a great connection with him. We were buddies off the field too. So, just being back in that realm with him is going to be super cool.
(on his relationship with Matthew McConaughey)
Yeah, absolutely. It's funny because he could walk into the facility, and nobody would even take a second look. He's always welcome in there. We know he's always welcomed there. He knows he's welcome in and he really became part of our team. And we all loved him. We love talking to him. He's given us all great pieces of advice. And obviously I've been a fan of his for a very long time. And for him to be a fan of mine is just another dream come true in itself. So, to have that support in my corner is just something I could have never dreamed of.
