I recently had a chance to talk with heralded NFL prospect LaMarr Woodley, the star Senior Defensive End of the Michigan Wolverines football team. His individual talent and tenacity as a ferocious defender were recognized this season when he was awarded with the Lombardi Award (Top Lineman ? offensive or defensive ? in the Nation) and the Ted Hendricks Award (Top Defensive End in the Nation). His 12 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss led the stifling Michigan defense to an 11-win season. We wish the best of luck to LaMarr Woodley as he continues to prepare for the 2007 NFL Draft. 1. What was it like being selected as a defensive captain in 2006? How did your role on the team change? LaMarr Woodley: It was a great honor because of the respect your teammates have for you, on and off of the field?it shows that all of the work you put in for all those years from the first time you walk in the door is being recognized. The guys look up to you and realize you aren?t going to let the team down. 2. How exciting was the 11-0 start to the season? At what point in the season did you begin to believe Michigan was a contender for a National title? LW: We came out early, and our biggest challenge was going to south bend to play Notre Dame and we went down there and when we put them under water, we realized we were a great team and knew who we were, and everything came together after that. 3. What was it like around the locker room after Florida was chosen as Ohio State?s opponent for the National title game? LW: We kind of knew that everyone didn?t want to see a rematch. We took it out of our hands when we lost to OSU and usually when you do that, it ends up going the wrong way for you. 4. What type of emotions do you remember from your final two games of your collegiate career, the Ohio State game and the Rose Bowl? LW: My emotions were not as much about the games themselves, but more about not playing for my teammates anymore since we?ve been around each other for the past 4 years, all of my coaches, being in Ann Arbor, realizing that it was all coming to a close. The most emotional part was leaving my teammates and everyone going their own way. 5. You won the Ted Hendricks Award and the Lombardi Award. You were a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, and were a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy. You were also a 2006 First Team All-American and on the watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy. What was it like being nominated for all of these awards and which are you most proud about being considered? LW: Oh man, pretty much all of them. You sit back and think about all the hard work, and ask how did you ever get nominated, or win, and really?my teammates are the ones who won the award for me. They worked hard with me every day, practiced hard every day, so I give them all of the credit. I didn?t win my bowl game or the national championship this year, but I was able to reach the individual goals that I had set out for myself. 6. Describe your experience at the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Did you learn anything? Did you pay attention to how other players at your position were performing? LW: I looked at a few players at my position but I felt like I was the best at my position. I was out there that Monday and Tuesday, but I left early cuz I pulled my hamstring and wasn?t able to perform. The biggest experience out there was talking to other guys from different programs, talking about their programs, and seeing what type of guys they were, because the only times you get to see them was on TV. It gave me the opportunity to finally meet them and talk to some NFL coaches and some NFL scouts. LW: The Combine was a little different because all of the top guys are out there performing, and when you aren?t performing like I couldn?t, it?s kind of like you?re falling behind, but I knew I had my hamstring injury which allowed me not to perform. I had an opportunity to meet some of the NFL head coaches and the position coaches, and really see how they were and they had an opportunity to meet me and see what type of guy I am off the field. 7. What are you and your fellow Michigan teammates doing to prepare for the NFL Draft? LW: We still got a lot of players down here working out because there are still a lot of individual workouts going on. We have the Patriots coming up here on Monday. Pretty much, we are just staying in shape and preparing for any team that comes up here to work us out. 8. What position do you think you?ll play in the pros? LW: It really don?t matter to me, I can play DE or LB, I may even play some MLB. In my 3 years at UM ive been playing DE, so im the most comfortable, and you?re gonna be most comfortable where you?ve been playing for years?but if I went back to LB, I?ll master that and ill still be that same player that I was playing DE. 9. What current or former NFL players do you compare yourself to, and why? LW: Lawrence Taylor or Shawne Merriman, because you gotta know where those 2 guys are on the field. You know, you gotta find that number 56, and if you don?t, they can wreck a whole offense up. And that?s the type of guy I am. If you don?t find me, I might make stuff happen. 10. Where do you plan to watch the NFL Draft? LW: You know what, I really haven?t decided yet, I?ve been thinking about it the past few days, but I still don?t know yet. 11. And finally, what are your thoughts on the slogan "Guns Don?t Kill People, LaMarr Woodley Kills People" on various Ann Arbor T-shirts and facebook groups? LW: (Laughs) That was a good slogan. That was very creative. I love that stuff. People in Ann Arbor are great. Jason M. Williams can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments.