Sept. 4, 2007

By Chase Jones, Athletics Media Relations Staff

COLLEGE PARK, MD. - Defensive lineman Carlos Feliciano is one of the Terps top returners this season. The senior from Elizabeth, N.J., has played in all 24 games the past two seasons, including seven starts at defensive tackle a year ago. This season Feliciano is expected to be one of the leaders of the always tough Maryland defense. Feliciano recently sat down with Terps Gameday to share his thoughts on the team and his days as a Terp.

Gameday: What are your goals for the team and yourself this season?
Carlos Feliciano: "For the team I want a BCS Bowl game, playing in and winning the ACC Championship Game, and going undefeated at Byrd. And I want the defense to finish in the top three in rush defense, pass defense, and points allowed in the conference. Personally, I want to have at least four sacks, more tackles for loss, and basically just make bigger plays than I have the past two years."

GD: Being a four-star recruit out of high school, you got offers from a lot of schools; what made you choose Maryland?
CF: "It's just three hours from my home in Jersey. When I came here the players made me feel like I belonged and made me feel like I was one of them already. Also, Maryland wanted me to play defense, while a lot of other schools wanted me to be on offense. Another big reason was Coach Sollazzo, he was my recruiter and is my position coach now."

GD: Seeing the success and national attention for Ohio State and Rutgers who also recruited you, do you ever have any regrets?
CF: "No. A lot of people ask me that, but I can't put it any other way besides no. I like Maryland and I liked what they had, so there are no regrets. I made the right decision."

GD: You're a New Jersey native and turned down an offer from Rutgers. How important is that game to you this season?
CF: "It's real important. I can't wait to get back out there. I have a lot of people coming from my hometown since it's about 20 minutes away. It's going to be crazy for me. I'll be really intense that game."

GD: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
CF: "It has to be my father (Tony) and mother (Idalmi), and also my older brother. He always set good examples for me growing up and was always there. He was like my best friend and still is. I just follow him, and that's why I'm successful now and will look to be successful in the future."

GD: Are there any players in the NFL you look up to, and if so, who?
CF: "The players I look up to are the players that played here. The guys I know personally like D'Qwell [Jackson], Vernon [Davis], [William] Kershaw, and Conrad Bolston. I know them and I know what they did to get to where they now and how they handled things. Those guys are pretty much my inspirations."

GD: What's your favorite thing to do around campus outside of football and class?
CF: "Around campus I usually just hang out at Jeff Clement's place or Chase Bullock's place and we play a lot of video games. Either they come to my room or I go over to their rooms."

GD: Do you have any pregame rituals?
CF: "I just use my iPod. As soon as we leave the hotel it's on full blast. Some people might not want to hear it, but I have to have it on full volume. I don't want to hear anything, and that goes until the opening minutes of the game."

GD: What music do you listen to to get ready for a game?
CF: "I listen to rap, some rock, but mostly a lot of rap. I listen to a lot of music from this guy named Joe Budden. He's from New Jersey so he's an inspiration before games. He talks a lot about New Jersey and that gets me pumped up."

GD: How is this year different, now that you're a senior and a full-time starter?
CF: "It's a different feeling in general. Walking in here and knowing this is my last year, people look up to me, and coaches emphasize a lot of leadership. The coaches treat you differently because they know you've been here for a few years. As opposed to being a freshman and just learning, the coaches trust you to be wise enough to make the right decisions. The respect I get around campus is great, too."

GD: What is your favorite memory or accomplishment as a Terrapin?
CF: "As of now, it's the Champs Sports Bowl, because we worked so hard, especially while we were down there in Florida. We had long practices and everyone hated it because it was so hot, but after the game everything was a blur and it all just flew by. It was crazy."

GD: Describe yourself in three words.
CF: "Funny, friendly, and family-oriented."

GD: Do you have any nicknames?
CF: "It's `Starlos.' I actually have that tattooed on my body; I've been called that since I was young. But basically the team calls me `Los.' That's the main one here, but it's Starlos back home."

GD: What is something about you that wouldn't show up in a bio, but fans might find interesting?
CF: "I'm into graphic design and working with computers a lot. If my friends need any help with computer programs, or something is wrong with their computer, then I can help them out. I've always been really interested in computers and that's probably what I'll get into once I graduate from college. I might do something in graphic design since I like to do a lot of work with Photoshop."

GD: What's the best show on TV?
CF: "The best show that was on was Hell's Kitchen, which just finished. Jeff Clement and I used to call each other and make sure we both watched it on Mondays. That was my show."