Ogemdi Nwagbuo NFL Draft Interview --- April 25, 2008

In 2007, Michigan State's Ogemdi Nwagbuo enjoyed a solid senior campaign. At season’s end, the Spartans nose tackle was named to 2008 Hula Bowl's East team. Several pundits have Ogemdi listed as a second-day selection or priority free agent. The San Diego native kindly spoke with Football Review Daily on the eve of the NFL Draft about the his final collegiate season, the emergence of Oren Wilson, and Barry Sanders’ touchdown celebrations.

Q. How has your time at Michigan State prepared you for playing at the next level?

Playing at Michigan State prepared me because it has allowed me to play against some of the top competition in the country. That’s what you get in the Big Ten.

Q. Favorite game from 2007?

Penn State because we came from behind and finally closed out a game. It enabled us to go to a bowl.

Q. Favorite play from 2007?

When defensive tackle Oren Wilson knocked down the pass against Michigan, it showed his emergence as a future star in the Big Ten Conference.

Q. Toughest away game last season?

Definitely Ohio State but every road game in the Big Ten is tough.

Q. Oddest thing an offensive player has said to you on the field?

One player asked me, “How do you pronounce your name?” That was kind of funny.

Q. How have you prepared for the draft?

I trained mostly at school because I was taking classes.

Q. Will you be watching the draft with friends and family?

I still have finals so I will just be watching the draft up at school in Cherry Lane with DE Colin Neely and DT Oren Wilson.

Q. You scored a TD in junior college. How did your celebration go?

I just tossed the ball to the referee, kind of like Barry Sanders.

Q. Have you gotten used to the cold weather up in Michigan?

You can’t really get used to the cold weather. I just try to stay out the cold in the winter. I remember me and Dave Stanton who was also from junior college in California used to put stuff outside to see what happened when it would freeze.

Q. Favorite NFL player growing up?

My favorite team was the Patriots so I always liked Drew Bledsoe and Willie McGinest.