Dec. 25, 2008

This is the fifth in a six-part series celebrating Maryland football seniors. This segment features defensive lineman Jeremy Navarre.

By Kelli Jordan, Athletics Media Relations Staff

The unquestioned leader of Maryland's defense this season has been Jeremy Navarre. The senior defense lineman, whose impressive Terrapins resume includes a team-high 47 career starts, leads all Atlantic Coast Conference defensive lineman with a career-high 63 tackles in 2008. The Joppatowne, Md., native also has three pass-breakups and 2.5 sacks this season, increasing his career sack total to 11.5. Preparing for his final game as a Terrapin, Navarre sat down with Terps Gameday to discuss being a leader, his future plans and his other favorite sport to play.

Gameday: Being a veteran on the team, what do you see as your responsibility to the team, and how have you adapted to the role of being a leader?
Navarre: "Being older, I just try to be more vocal. I always try to stay in guys' ears and talk to them. I lead by example first out there on the field. And if somebody makes a good play, I might say something to him to congratulate him. I try to keep everybody up and going by pretty much just staying in their ear."

GD: What factors played a role in your decision to come to Maryland?
JN: "It's close to home. It was between Maryland and Penn State. I wanted to be able to play in front of my family and have my friends to come to all my games. Being closer to home was a major part of my decision."

GD: What has been the greatest challenge you have faced and how have you overcome it?
JN: "I guess just getting to this point where I am a senior who just graduated this month. Sticking with it and doing all of the work that is involved. Coming in and playing as a freshman was a big accomplishment for me."

GD: Some 30 odd years from now, how do you think you will look back at your experience playing football at Maryland?
JN: "I got the most fun out of it that I possibly could. I have some very interesting stories to tell. It was a fun part of my life."

GD: What are your plans following the conclusion of you senior year?
JN: "I am going to try and get into the NFL. If that doesn't work out, I want to be a [physical education] teacher and coach football and wrestling."

GD: What is your favorite memory in a Terps uniform?
JN: "I would say all of the times the fans rushed the field. The games where we upset somebody, for instance last year when we played Boston College and they were in the top 10. Upsetting a team is one of the greatest feelings ever, and then to have the fans rush the field afterward is even better."

GD: You have been, so to speak, "Mr. Consistency" of this team in the fact that you have been a starter since your freshman year and you have yet to miss a game. What do you attribute to your success in those areas?
JN: "Staying healthy. I have been very fortunate. I might have bones of steel or something. I try to take care of my body. I work hard in the weight room, and it seems to carry over onto the football field. I can be able to stand a little bit more. Again I have been very fortunate, as one does not usually start and be able to play for four years. I got kind of lucky, knock on wood."

GD: What is some of the best advice that you have received from the coaching staff?
JN: "(Defensive line) coach (Dave) Sollazzo always has us playing hard. He emphasizes that it doesn't matter how athletic you are, and that as long as you play hard and tough, that will get you where you need to be. I am not the most athletic guy, but I play hard all the time, and that has gotten me where I am now."

GD: What is your favorite song of all time?
JN: "What pumps me before games is the song, "Requiem for a Dream." It's from the movie of the same title. It's upbeat. They play it when they do the highlight tape before the games. I always listen to it before every game."

GD: What is something most people do not know about you?
JN: "I like to play tennis in the summer. The Williams sisters would have to be my favorite players. I took up the sport as a class during the summer, and I have continued to play."

GD: If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
JN: "Maybe Superman because he can see through walls. Actually I would be the guy from Fantastic Four, the one who could catch on fire. He can make fire out of anything. I think that would be a cool super power to have."