Dalton Santos was the most important take at LB in our 2012 recruiting class and I shared my thoughts on what he brings to Austin back in February. Needless to say, I love what he brings.
Here's a nice Q&A snapshot from HornsNation of what we can further expect from this lovable maniac on the 40. If our Man from Van will work on his confidence and aggressiveness, we may have something at LB. I read the first part half of the interview in the voice of Randy 'Macho Man' Savage, then switched to Jeff Spicoli once things got outrageous.
Oh, where to begin...how about starting as a true freshman?
I'm going to do my best to get in there and knock heads. I'm not afraid to say it: I'm going to come out there and make that job mine, no doubt about it. I'm going to bring everything I have to the table and I'm not going to back down from anything or anyone. I'm coming to Texas and I'm bringing hell with me.
Only 70 more days 'til Daddy cuts my tether, lures me into a horse trailer with a chicken carcass, and drops me off in Austin! NOW I'M GONNA DO CLAP PUSH-UPS AND WATCH ROCKY IV TRAINING MONTAGE ON MY BETAMAX.
Dalton is already making friends with Longhorn back-ups...
You know, after the starting guys there's a pretty big dropoff. The starters are impressive, they are. But as soon as you get past them there's not too many guys to back them up. Really, my chance to get down there and play early is outrageous.
Outrageous. So, Dalton, what do you think of your competition at LB?
Apparently, people are going to get knocked smooth out. And not just 6th Street bouncers.
When I was young my dad said linebackers are half stupid and crazy. You've got to be half crazy out there but have enough sense to know what you're doing, and then you've gotta not care and throw your body on the line and knock somebody smooth out.
He's quoting Joyce there, I believe.
He also has a solution to the Palestinian problem:
He (the QB from Palestine) pump faked, pulled it, ran towards the sideline and I smoked him right up under the chin. Man, I remember standing above him and looking down. He got up, he looked me right in the eyes and I swear his eyes rolled to the back of his head. He just fell backwards and he was out. At that point, I knew it was over.
One riot, one ranger. One Intifada, one linebacker.
On concerns about playing against upper classmen...
I ain't worried about how much bigger or faster you are. I'm going to do my best to go out there and knock your screws out. I'm not afraid to bring what I've got to the table. I know I'm one of the strongest linebackers around. My speed, I'm fast and I can move. I'm not scared to say that. I know when I get out there I'm going to bring everything I have on every play and every second. I'm not there to play around. I want this to be my life. I hope the Lord keeps me healthy and I want this to be what I do. Not just for four years, but maybe for 10.
10 years? Someone needs to tell Dalton that while he's working on his PHD, he'll only have four years of eligibility to knock screws out of people. Also, anyone starting to get the sense that Dalton hasn't caught wind of these newfangled targeting rules and all of the concussion fuss?
Further evidence...
It gives me chillbumps. Every day I think about that kind of stuff. My first hit, the first time I knock somebody's helmet off. I think about that. It's always on my mind. I sleep, breathe and eat it.
MOM BRING ME CHEESE SANDWICH OR I WILL BREAK MY TETHER AND RUN AMOK AS I DID DURING THE MINEOLA RHUBARB FESTIVAL AND TURN OVER ANOTHER POLICE CRUISER
Dalton Santos, ladies and gentleman. This guy is going to be a lot of fun.