TRANSCRIPT: Caleb Lomu's Interview with New England media 4/23

Here’s what New England Patriots first-round draft pick Caleb Lomu had to say after being drafted with the 28th overall pick Thursday night:

On the moment he was drafted:

“I just saw my phone ringing. It kind of went blank from there. And then I answered the phone and talked to all the coaches and the owner and all that. And then…I’m trying to remember the whole thing. It kind of went blank. But it was such a surreal feeling, something I’ve been waiting for my entire life. So when it actually happened, it’s a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

On the fact Eliot Wolf said that they canceled his 30 visit, and it was a bit of a surprise, and what was his reaction to that, and if it swayed their opinion one way or another:

“No, I wasn’t shocked by that or thought differently. I had a really good visit with them at the Combine. I think maybe it’s just to check with medical, but I had clean medical. And so it didn’t throw me by surprise. I always thought they were still in the mix. And of course they were. I’m just very happy that they were in the mix and still wanted me.”

On what gave him the confidence to feel that they were still in the mix:

“I mean, I— everything I got from them, the meeting with them, and just being able to meet with them, and I got great feelings from them. They’re just a great organization. And I think it was just personally, I wanted them to always be in the mix. Just such an amazing team. It’s a place I always wanted to be and a team I always wanted to play for. So it was, maybe it was just me wanting them so super bad. And so once I got that call, though, it was crazy.

On the fact the Patriots already have Will Campbell at left tackle, and how he’d feel about playing right tackle or guard:

“Yeah, I feel great. I just want to play. Whatever position’s open, I just want to get on the field and get out and play. Will Campbell already sent me a text. I haven’t been able to respond yet, but, I love that, being able to come into a room. They just drafted him last year. Two guys I can be able to learn, newer guys. And so I’m so excited for the opportunity. I’ll play wherever. I’m coming in to play some football, the game I love. I’m able to play any position. And so wherever the team needs me, I’m going to be able to play and just so excited to be part of it.”

On the fact he mentioned [Campbell] sent him a text, and if they have a friendship at all, and if he knows him:

“Will Campbell?”

Yeah.

“No, we didn’t know each other before. He was probably the first person to text me that I looked at my phone after. Then it kind of started to blow up a little bit. But, you know, I’d never talked to him before. I do follow him on social media. And I’ve always followed his journey from college. And so, the fact I’m able to go to work with him now is— it’s amazing. But we didn’t know each other beforehand.”

On what he knows, if anything, about Drake Maye, and what his level of excitement is about getting to play with him?

“I’m so excited for that. A younger quarterback, coming in, such an amazing player. I mean, what they got going there, especially their offense, I’ll be a part of, and just their team. They’re on the rise, and it’s amazing. Drake Maye’s is such a talented quarterback. I’m so excited to be able to work with him every day, be able to protect him. I’m a protector. I’m an offensive lineman. It’s my job to protect that guy. And, I’m going to do everything that I can to protect him. So, being able to go to work with him now is going to be amazing.”

On the fact Eliot [Wolf] mentioned that he was surprised to see that he was still available at the time the Patriots were picking, and how he would describe his evening as far as the wait and that process:

“Yeah, it was definitely a long evening. I mean, just the whole day in general. I always just knew God had a plan for me wherever I was to go. And so it was a lot of emotions going through my body throughout the entire round. But I always knew wherever I ended up is going to be the right place for me in the right situation. And I can tell you that it is going to be. And so a lot of emotions going through, nerves, excitement, all of the above. But once I saw that number pop up on my phone, it was all excitement.”

On what he remembers about his first point of contact with the Patriots:

“Yeah, that was just at the Combine for my formal interview. Walked in, it was one of my first, and so initially it was kind of scary just walking in, seeing 20 people just all right there. It’s kind of like walking into this media room right now, and then you just sit right in the middle, and they just start attacking you with some questions. And so it was a little nerve-wracking at first, but I loved it. It was amazing to be able to talk with those coaches and kind of get to know them. They’re just doing their interview thing, and so I enjoyed it. But that was like the first time I got to be with them.”

On what they wanted to know about him and from him:

“A lot of it, all the basic stuff, just, who I am, ask me some questions. Then we got into the football stuff. They started asking me questions about who I am as a player, a person, my game on the field, and kind of started throwing like football knowledge at me to see how I could retain it and kind of communicate back to them. And so the whole thing was just a test, really. And I loved it. It was super intimidating, but I loved being in there and being able to answer those questions that they were asking me.”

On how he would describe his game:

“You know, I— a lot of ways, I’m a very technical player. I study the game really hard. I like to be very prepared out there so I know what I’m going to do, what to expect so I’m able to move faster and play faster. As an offensive lineman too, you got to be mean and aggressive, so that’s part of my game as well. But I love to be smart out there. It’s a very— football’s a very physical game, but it’s also a very mental game. And having that right mindset, being out on the field, it’s just as important. And so that’s how I make sure I focus on that. And I feel like that’s what makes me a very good football player.”

On what weight did he play at at Utah and what weight is he now:

“Just the past season, I was about 307 consistently. Right now I’m about 313, 314. I was training at that weight, maybe like 312 the past, like, pre-combine process and all that.”

On what his first impression was of Mike Vrabel and what did he get to see from him in these meetings:

“Yeah, I loved him. I walked in there and he was, he was definitely playing his role. He was kind of just mean bugging a little bit. And so I walked in there, that made me a little intimidated. Then he just started asking questions, he knew he was the top guy in there. And so I walked in, he started asking me questions, was getting on me a little bit and it was awesome. And then right after, you know, it was all smiles. He came up to me, shook my hand, said, “Really good job.” And I just walked out. It’s just speed dating at the combine. But I loved it. He was a very serious guy, and he’s an amazing coach. I can’t wait to be able to play for him.”

On during the pre-draft, if he had any contact with Josh McDaniels? And if so, what was his impression of him:

“No, I did not.”

On what Will Campbell said to him by text:

“I actually didn’t read the whole thing, but it was kind of just on my page. But it said just ‘Congratulations, can’t wait to work with you.’ And that’s kind of what I saw. So I’m excited to go be able to reply to that and text him back.”

On the fact he mentioned meeting Coach Vrabel, having played for Kyle Whittingham at Utah, how that prepares him for an opportunity like this:

“Yeah, for sure. Kyle Whittingham was an amazing coach. I’m very excited for what he’s going to do over at Michigan. But the way that Kyle Whittingham prepares his players, he gets them ready for the NFL, gets them ready for the league. And I think that’s why Utah produces so many players. You got Spencer Fano got drafted to the Browns, which is amazing. So they produce really good talent. I think that starts with Coach Whittingham, how he conducts the University of Utah. How he conducts football and just everything that Utah football is about. And he just prepares you for what’s later to come in life and then also just life in general outside of football. And so he just prepares you for every situation. I think that’s why we’re all so prepared for the next level.

On if there is any personal fun fact that might surprise Patriots fans about him:

“I love golf. I’m pretty decent at it too. I’m not going to say I’m amazing because I don’t want to get out there and start shanking balls. But I love golf, love getting out there. So don’t know much about golf over there, but hoping there’s some good courses to be able to go out and play. But I’m a golfer. I went this morning, actually.”

On how many people he had at his draft party:

“There’s quite a few. I don’t know the exact number, but there was a good crowd out there. Lots of family and people that supported me. So I was super happy I was able to be here with all of them and be able to experience this moment with the people who got me here as well. But there’s a good amount. I’ve got all the cousins and families and close friends.”

On if he’s been to New England before? And if so, what were his experiences? And if he hasn’t, what he’s looking forward to seeing:

“I’ve not been over there. No, I haven’t been to much of the East Coast at all, so I’m excited to get over there. Heard it’s beautiful. I had a friend there that actually served his LDS mission over there. He said he loves it. And so I’m so excited to get over to experience it. A little bit away from Arizona, which will be fun. But I’m excited to just experience it. I don’t know much about it at all, so that’ll be fun to learn about it more.”

On the fact he mentioned that he was excited about this opportunity, but if there’s something that excites him the most about the opportunity to play for the Patriots:

“I mean, you just see, they were in the Super Bowl last year, didn’t get the outcome that they wanted, but they’re a team that’s going to be fighting in the playoffs and Super Bowl every single year. And that’s the type of team I want to be on, a competitive team that’s willing to work and take that extra step to get that far into the season. And so I’m so excited to be a part of that, be able to get back there next year is what I want. That would be amazing. But it’s just the Patriots in general. The organization’s a wonderful organization, and they’re just a team that loves to play. And I can see that. I loved following them last year, and now I’m part of them. And so excited to get there, get to work, and get the whole thing rolling.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.