Jesse Newell’s Sideline Report

By Jesse Newell     Nov 14, 2008

Jesse Newell: How difficult has it been for you with all the switches in the defense this year?

Justin Thornton: It’s not been too difficult on me. I think it’s been maybe harder for a couple other guys. I’ve had a chance to be back there and learn a lot of the defense. I’m pretty comfortable with everything. I know most of my assignments. For some of the other guys, they only knew one position and then they had to switch to a completely different position. That can make it tough for guys for sure.

JN: What’s been the toughest part for you, then?

JT: Just getting comfortable out there. That, basically, is the hardest part for me. Just being out there on an island by myself. It’s something I’ve adjusted to well, and each game, I get more and more comfortable.

JN: What’s your favorite South Park character?

JT: Cartman.

JN: Why’s that?

JT: Because he’s funny. I love his voice and the way he sounds. He’s always saying something stupid.

JN: What’s your favorite ESPN show?

JT: It’s gotta be the NFL highlights at the end of the night on Sunday night.

JN: Do you watch those hoping some day you could be in the pros?

JT: Of course. That’s a dream for all of us athletes. Whether or not it comes true, everyone likes to imagine themselves doing something like that.

JN: You played wide receiver in high school. Do you miss it?

JT: I do at times. But after playing defense for so long, I realize defense is what I love. There’s no other glory (like) scoring a touchdown. That’s one of the best feelings. But at the same time, the chemistry that you have with your defensive players out there on the field is a really good feeling. Just knowing you’re out there playing for the other 11 guys – defense is where it’s at.

JN: You scored six TDs in one high school game at receiver. What do you remember about that game?

JT: It’s funny, because my family was up (during the Kansas State) weekend and they mentioned that. It was definitely a great night. My mom got a chance to come out and watch me play that evening. It was a great game. I scored six touchdowns a couple of different ways. It was fun.

JN: When you see a guy like Daymond Patterson play both ways, are you a little jealous?

JT: No, not at all, because I know if they wanted to throw me in at wide receiver, I could get in there and be productive right along with him. We’ve got great guys at the wide receiver position right now. They need to go ahead and get their shine on and do what they do. I’m going to stay on defense and do what I do over there.

JN: How good of a wide receiver would you be if you got switched over there full-time?

JT: I’m sure I’d be challenging those guys for a starting spot, that’s for sure. I could say that much. But the guys we have over there are pretty good, and that’s what they do. I’m sure if I got over there, I could showcase my skills a little bit. It would be fun.

JN: Is coach Mangino a different guy in the locker room than what we see of him?

JT: No, not really. What you see with coach Mangino is what you get. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s going to tell you how it is. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

JN: Has he ever not sugarcoated it with you?

JT: He’s straight to the point with me. I’ve taken a couple chewings from him before, and it’s not pretty. At the same time, he’s straight up with you.

JN: What do you remember about the first KU game you went to?

JT: I was in high school. I don’t know if I was being recruited at the time, but they were playing SMS at the time, which is Missouri State now. There was nobody in the stands. Our seats were up really high, and we got to come down closer. It was just a blowout, because they were playing a (Division I-AA) school. That was my first KU game. It was interesting. I got a chance to come to a couple more on my recruiting visits. But I don’t think it’s anything like what they are now.

JN: Do you take pride in that the fact that you play in front of a full crowd now?

JT: Yeah, it’s definitely amazing the turnaround this program has taken. From the facilities to the coaches to everything. We’re taking the steps in the right direction trying to bring this program to greatness.

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