University of North Carolina Athletics
One-on-One with Julius Peppers
November 3, 2000 | Football
Nov. 3, 2000
Earlier this week, TarHeelBlue encouraged fans to email in questions for Julius Peppers, Carolina's all-star defensive end who ranks fifth in the nation with 10 quarterback sacks.
While unfortunately we couldn't get to all of you, here's what Julius had to say on his training regimen, being a role model and playing both football and basketball for the Tar Heels.
Question from Dr. Fred Hasty in Fayetteville, N.C.: Congratulations on your outstanding play against Virginia. The defense played well enough to win. After losing four games that were winnable, what is the attitude of the team for the remaining games? I know you'll keep up your great play.
JP:
It doesn't affect the team's attitude. So far everybody is still keeping a positive edge. The games that we've lost have been so close. We know that we can win games, we just haven't been able to make the plays at the end to win them. We have enough talent, we have enough ball players. We just haven't been finishing the games.
The attitude is still positive. We still think we can win these last three games. We've just got to keep focused throughout the whole game. That's a big part of our problem. We play well at the beginning of the game, but we don't finish.
Question from Matt N: With your stock rising as a defensive end, I was wondering if you were going to play out your eligibility as a basketball player? Seeing as how you could be a Top 5 pick in the draft with your improvements, does that mean you will pass on basketball to work mainly on improving your DE status? As a Tar Heel fan, we all know you played as big of a part as anyone did in that Final Four, and I wanted to say congratulations, and hope to see you on the floor this year.
JP:
Right now, I'm not even thinking about basketball at all. After the season is over, when I go to basketball, it's going to be basketball until it's time to come back over here. Right now I'm planning on continuing to play basketball.
Question from Don in Lancaster, S.C.: At 6'7" 275 lbs. you are one of the most physically gifted athletes in college sports. What kind of regimen do you have to remain in phenomenal shape for both football and basketball season?
JP:
To tell you the truth, it's all natural. It's not really anything that I do. It's how I was born. I really don't have to do all this running or working out to stay in shape. I can take weeks off or months off and not lose a whole lot. I'll lose a little bit, but I can come back and pick up right where I left off.
Question from Glenn Dickson in Durham: What is your main focus on the field when you are out there? Are you focused on getting to the ball or do you need to stay in your area depending on the defensive call? How much roving room do you have on any given play?
JP:
When the play starts, you have to do your assignment first. Most of the time, mine will be pass rush or I have to get the running back out of the backfield. Once you do your initial assignment, it's just being a player and getting to the ball. I drop back into coverage sometimes. We play run first. We're always looking for the run. If I come off the pass rush in the backfield and the ball goes away from, I have to look for the reverse coming the other way. You can do what you want to do. There aren't any restrictions on where you go as long as you do your job.
Question from Robert Curtis in Zebulon, N.C.: From one Southern Nash High School graduate to another, keep up all your excellent work. Also, how does it feel to be really the first person from that area to achieve a lofty status and does that add any more pressure
in representing the community?
JP:
It adds a little pressure. I try to set a good example for the people where I'm from, the kids and everybody. There aren't a lot of people they know from the area that they can look up to. I try to set a positive example when I go home to show them that that's where I came from and that it's possible for them to make it big too.
Question from Nicole in Raleigh: What are your plans after graduation? I know you have a couple more years at Carolina, but if you decide to go pro, what sport will you choose?
I hope the rest of the season goes well for you and keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to seeing you in a Carolina basketball jersey.
JP:
I'll play either or. If I had the opportunity, I'd play either sport. I would like to go pro.
Question from James Grant in Baltimore, Md.: You are one of only a few collegiate
athletes participating in two high-profile sports. How do you balance the demands of both sports with your academic responsibilities? Besides members of your family, what
people have had the greatest impact on your life?
JP:
It's real tough. You don't really have a lot of time to do anything other than sports and school. After practice, you've got work to do and by the time you're done with that, it's time to go to bed. It's especially tough during basketball season because you're traveling so much. You're tired from the plane. You just have to stay focused and keep your priorities set. If you know you have to get work done, you have to do it. Everything else can wait. It's mostly about having your priorities straight. Sometimes we'll take our work on the bus or the plane with us and turn it in when we get back or do it before we leave...
My academic counselor Carl Carey has had a big impact on my life. He's somebody I can talk to when things aren't going right- everybody has problems sometimes. He's helped me out a lot with problems I've had. That's my man right there.
Question from Jason Lucas in Wilson, N.C.: How did you come up with the number 49 for football?
JP:
I didn't even choose it. When I got here, that's the number they gave me. I could have changed it the next year, but I didn't want to. I wanted to make my own number. I'm not a 49ers fan, I like the Eagles.
Question from Brian Smith in Louisville, Ky.: I am a freshman in high school and am a huge North Carolina fan. I have watched you and the Tar Heels since I was 6. I am a two-sport star like you in basketball and football, and I was just wondering what part of talent
from each sport you think transfers over the most and helps out the other?
JP:
Not much really. They're two whole different sports. There's such a difference in what you do when you're playing. You can use your quickness in both basketball and football, but there's not a whole lot else that they have in common.
Once again, we're sorry we couldn't get to all of you, but thanks to everyone who emailed Julius during the week. Check back next week as we go One-on-One with another of your favorite Tar Heels.
One-on-One Archives
One-on-One with K. Bailey (October 27, 2000)
One-on-One with B. Russell (October 20, 2000)
One-on-One with B. Allen (September 15, 2000)
One-on-One with Wags (September 8, 2000)
One-on-One with R. Sims (September 1, 2000)
One-on-One with A. Crumpler (August 25, 2000)
One-on-One with E. Hood (August 18, 2000)
One-on-One with B. Spoon (August 11, 2000)
