Texas Tech University Athletics
Meet The Two-Deep: Ryan Erxleben
August 31, 2011 | Football
August 31, 2011
"Meet The Two-Deep" is an exclusive daily feature at texastech.com designed to allow Red Raider Nation to connect with this year's football team. The players in this feature made the official "two-deep" following spring practices, which means they will be competing for a starting spot when Texas Tech opens the 2011 football season at home against Texas State on Sept. 3. Check-in each morning at 10 a.m. (CT) on texastech.com and get to know a different member of your Red Raider football team.
Meet Ryan Erxleben | Watch on YouTube | 
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What goes through your mind when running onto the field with the team on a gameday?
"The big scene, all the crowd and all the great fans that we have and just getting my mind right and all the off season stuff we do is getting ready to pay off. It is really exciting."
What is your favorite thing about being a Red Raider?
"It is the fan base and the gameday atmosphere and the camaraderie of being around the team. It is Big 12 football and I wouldn't want to be on any other team."
Is there a motto or a phrase you live by?
"Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes I am not punting as good or it is really windy and I say, `I am going to be better for it.' It is not always supposed to be easy but I think it is just a step-by-step process of five years here, and I think good things come out of hard work and that is what I live by."
What is your personal goal for this season?
"One is to set my team up with the best possible opportunity with field position. Obviously if we are punting in, pooch kick, I am not going to hit it in the endzone, or try not to. I will try to get it as close to the goal line as I can. Obviously, I have some personal goals. I would like to average at least 44 yards and just be consistent, have a lot of hang time and a lot of fair catches so we won't have a lot of big returns."
Do you have any hidden talents?
"I guess I am pretty good at juggling a soccer ball with my leg, but I guess you could guess that. I am really good with my feet and kicking stuff."
Who are some of the major influences in your life, both on and off the field?
"Number one is my dad. He was a kicker and punter at Texas and he has been through everything I am going through. He was a three-time All-American, so obviously I look up to him a lot. He kind of takes me step-by-step of where he has been and what I have to do and I think it is a big help with him being on my side and I can go to him any time of the day if I have questions or anything."
What has been the biggest difference for you personally from your first year at Tech to where you are now in your career?
"A lot of adjustments. My freshman year I kind of got thrown in, I started by the third game and I think the biggest thing is kind of relaxing, getting settled in. Definitely technique. My technique has gotten a lot better, my leg has gotten a lot stronger and a lot more consistent. I have a better feel for what I am doing now. I guess as a team, what to expect is a big deal too."
Give your personal message to Red Raider Nation.
"Red Raider Nation I look forward to seeing you guys every Saturday this fall. You guys really make it fun for all of our guys, that is why we work so hard to show up on gameday. We love your support. Thank y'all."
