GoHeels Exclusive: Shakeel Rashad Q&A

CHARLOTTE — Nearly two years have passed since Shakeel Rashad helped place the North Carolina football team on perhaps the biggest stage in program history, the 2015 ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium.

And on Wednesday night, Rashad, now a member of the Houston Texans, played at the venue for the first time since in a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

Rashad spent last season, his rookie campaign, on the Texans practice squad. Now with a year of NFL experience, he's looking to land a spot on the team's 53-man roster.

Following Wednesday's contest, Rashad spoke with GoHeels.com columnist Pat James about that pursuit, his rookie season, his time at UNC and more.

Q: Going through your second training camp, what's been the biggest difference for you with some experience under your belt?

Shakeel Rashad: I think you know less going into it any time it's your first time doing something. Even the first time going to camp in college, it's like, "What's going to happen, what's going to happen?' I got the same jitters last year. So this year, going a second time, you know what to expect, you know how it's going to go. That's pretty cool. It's not like it gets any easier or anything. Learning the stuff is a little bit different the second time around because you already have a pretty firm grasp of it, but you learn it in a different way. You're learning the Level 2 stuff this year, so it's cool. A lot of the same stuff you went through your second time in training camp in college.

Q: What were some of the biggest lessons and takeaways from last year?

SR: I think it's just learning the difference that it is when football becomes your job. In college, guys get in, do what they need to do and then get out. Now people stick around an extra couple of hours to work on their bodies. Everyone knows at this point what they need to do to help themselves out, whether it's extra stretching or extra treatment. People are sticking around, they're being pros – that's what people call it, 'Be a pro.' It's tough to put your finger on exactly what it is, but you kind of know.

Q: How much of an aid has your brother, Sha'reff Rashad (who played for the New York Giants in 2009 and the Washington Redskins in 2010), been to you?

SR: It's great. I can always look up to him … I remember him in his offseason, watching what he did. I kind of try to do the same thing. It's just stuff like that. And whenever I have a question, usually one of these 89 other guys can answer it. But if not, I can go to my brother.

Q: Is there anyone from UNC who helped you in that regard, as well?

SR: Last year, it wasn't so much the older guys. It was just talking to (Jeff) Schoettmer and Landon (Turner) because they were both going through camp (with the New Orleans Saints), and Quinshad (Davis with the Detroit Lions). All of the other guys were going through camp in different places, like, 'Hey, what's worked for you? What's helped out?' That was really cool, and a lot of those same guys I still talk to.

Q: You mentioned how there are 89 guys in this locker room who can help you. There are some stellar defensive minds around. How much of an asset have guys like (defensive coordinator) Mike Vrabel been to you?

SR: It's really cool. This is such a great place to be. You come in and you can learn so much. Especially in the NFL now, everyone comes from these different backgrounds. You always hear about coaching trees and everything. Everyone, whether they're a coach or player, has come from all of these different trees, and they've learned so much. You can learn from all of these different people … There's so much to learn. You just have to go out and find it.

Q: What's the main thing you've been concentrating on this year as you try to make that leap to the 53-man roster?

SR: I think for me it's just keeping my head down and working hard. That's always been kind of my thing, just working hard. One thing I've tried to focus on is really understanding things. I've always been good at memorizing and knowing things, but I really want to understand the game … I started doing some of it my senior year of college. I was a step behind back then in college – I was really good at memorizing, but I never really understood. You just start to understand the game. It's really cool, like a chess match almost.

Q: You had that interception in last year's preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. How special of a moment was that?

SR: It was fun. It was really cool. It was one of those things you dream about as a little kid. And it happened – it's in the past now. You go out and try to get another one now. And you see other guys get them and you get happy for them. It's really fun. It's still the same game you've been growing up playing.

Q: Where's that ball now? Do you still have it?

SR: Of course I do. I still have the ball from Pittsburgh my junior year. I keep balls – it's what I do.

Q: What's the one memory you've really held on to from your time at UNC?

SR: It's not like one specific thing, but one thing I always go back to is Saturday afternoons after an earlier game. I always think about how everyone would come over and we'd just hang out, watch football and just sit there for a while. Anyone whose family wasn't in town basically would come over to our house and we'd just watch football. It was so much fun. I always think about that.

Q: How much did your time in Chapel Hill help prepare you for this stage?

SR: A ton. I learned so much from all of the coaches we had back at UNC and also all of the other players. Getting to watch all of those guys from the time I was a freshman, when (Kevin Reddick) and all of those guys went off, to the time I was a junior watching those guys go off, and then them coming back and just getting to talk to them. It's helped so much, and I'm sure it will continue to help out.

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