University of Tennessee Athletics
Seven Questions with the '07 Newcomers ??? Cody Pope
August 03, 2007 | Football
Height: 6-6
Weight: 285
Hometown: Julian, Calif.
High School: Cathedral Catholic
You originally came to school last year, but had to leave the team before the season started. Was that difficult for you?
???It was definitely hard for me, because I went through all of camp and made connections with a lot of the players. It was hard to be a part of the team and then have it taken away from me.???
You were fair game to be recruited by other schools after last year. Was there any chance you would sign with another school?
???I was coming back here, no question. Some other schools showed interest, but I was coming back. I had been here and developed relationships with the coaches and players. Recruiting is one thing, but when you actually get to campus, things are going to be different. But here, it was almost like UT was still recruiting me after I came to campus. I felt like I was a part of the family.???
Being from the San Diego area, what attracted you to Tennessee in the first place?
???It was different. I am a West Coast kid. I had some offers closer to home, and something like this came along. I decided I should visit to see the stadium. I had heard football was a big deal here.???
Was it good to get back on the field in the spring?
???It was cool coming back here. I knew I had come a long ways to be able to come back. The players and coaches were very welcoming. It felt good to be doing what I want to do again.???
Are you looking forward to playing at California this year and at UCLA next year?
???I???ve got friends on the teams at both Cal and UCLA, so that will be a cool experience for me. I will get to see family at both games, too. I will have family there this year, and a lot of family at UCLA next year.???
UT recruits from all over the country, unlike some SEC schools. What do you think having a diverse group does for the team?
???I think it helps with the focus of the team more than anything. When kids stay close to home, there tends to be other things that get in the way of school and football. Being far from home, it???s just football. Everybody has the same goal, and it???s what everybody wants to do.???
You are the rare combination of offensive lineman and vegetarian. Is it difficult to maintain weight and muscle with your diet?
???I eat a pretty good amount of food. Fruits and vegetables are mostly just water, so I add in a lot of nuts and pasta. I do cheat some and eat fish. But being from the West Coast it was hard to avoid fish. I grew up this way, so it???s not as difficult as you would think. I really don???t know any better. But people from down here are always telling me to barbecue this or barbecue that.???
By Tony Williams, UT Sports Information
