SB Nation's John Morgan interviews Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws

Fellow SB Nation blogger and Seahawks Fan John Morgan has a fantastic interview over at Field Gulls with Notre Dame Defensive Tackle Trevor Laws.

As you all know, I've got a serious "draft crush" for Laws, I would not bat an eye if the Jaguars selected him at 26.  I think he's has a better motor than Kentwan Balmer, and I think he'd be a great fit on our defense.

Anyhow, the interview is very well done.  An excerpt

John Morgan: Tell me a bit how you prepare for an opponent. Do you watch a lot of tape or look at scouting reports? Any pregame rituals or habits?  

Trevor Laws: Most games I have a pretty similar routine. Eat big the night before the game. Watch a few hours of film in the hotel. When I get up I make a big cup of coffee. I eat the same pregame meal every game. I have pancakes with peanut butter and honey on them. Then I go dominate.

JM: Do you develop a feel for an opposing offensive lineman, pick up on their strengths/weaknesses in game? And/or "tells" that might indicate if they're pass blocking or run blocking?  

TL: Yeah definitely. For me the first drive of the game is always the hardest because you don't know what to expect. After that it is easy to tell if it is a run or pass. If you know what to look for many times you can tell the direction of the play by looking at lineman position and backfield set.

JM: I noticed you have an excellent first step when assigned a single gap, how do you anticipate snap counts?

TL: To tell the truth it can be a gamble sometimes. I'd say that in most games teams go on the same snap count 90% of the time, so you can rely on that. Also if you see motion out of the corner of your eye you know that it’s going to be a normal cadence because the offense is timing it up.

JM: Watching tape I notice you frequently use a compact spin move, how did you develop that move? Can you describe any other pass rush moves you employ and in what situations they're most effective? 

   TL: I have been using that move on and off for the last 4 years. This year it   was my go-to move. I started to develop it with my old d line coach Greg Mattison. Other moves I use are bull, jab ole, and bite and go

He's a guy that should be flying up draft boards, even though draft boards are all pretty set by now.  He's a late 1st-early 2nd guy.  A perfect move would be trading back with Atlanta and grabbing him early in the second round, but again, if all the defensive ends are off the board, by all means reach a little for Trevor Laws.

-Chris