New Raider Wilson's Entire Las Vegas Press Conference
HENDERSON, Nev.--The joy inside the Las Vegas Raiders headquarters on Thursday night when Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson fell to them at their seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was tangible.
As one of the top prospects in the entire draft, the physical and talented young man brings an immediate impact presence to a Las Vegas Raiders defensive line that was desperately needed.
Wilson spoke moments ago, and we have the entire press conference and transcript for you below:
Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick (No. 7 overall) – Defensive End Tyree Wilson
Q: The Raiders' biggest rival is Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes tweeted at you to take it easy on him. I'm just curious about your friendship and relationship being Red Raider brothers and now you're going to be enemies on the football field?
Wilson: "Pat [Patrick Mahomes] is from the same area I'm from. I know his family, and it's ironic that me and him both went to Texas Tech, and now we're in the same division. So, it's going to be a lot of competition and excitement for Texas Tech and East Texas."
Q: You were here for the 30 visit and you've only been here this morning, but what are the impressions of the organization that you're now playing for?
Wilson: "I knew the Raiders as a kid. It's a great organization with a lot of history, a lot of great traditions, and I'm excited to be at an organization where a lot of great pass rushers have been before me."
Q: What have the last 18 hours been like for you since you were drafted?
Wilson: "Been hectic. It was highs with the family, then you get on the flight, and you get to actually stay low, and now I'm here at my job."
Q: You said you know Patrick Mahomes' family, so you guys go back even further than Texas Tech since you grew up in the same area? How long have you known him?
Wilson: "Well, it's not like, 'know.' I know of Pat [Patrick Mahomes]. His extended family is from my area where I went to high school in New London, Texas. So, I know Pat's family more than I know him."
Q: I was told your high school mascot was a Raider and you were a Raider in college. Did you almost feel destined to be a Raider in the NFL?
Wilson: "Yes, definitely. I'm excited to be a Raider and continue to be a Raider."
Q: General Manager Dave Ziegler said last night that you made it pretty clear when you were here in conversation with him that this is where you wanted to be. What was it about this visit and this organization and what you saw here that kind of convinced you that this is really where you want to be?
Wilson: "I'd say first, the people inside the building. I feel like they make the organization, they care about the players. And there are two other great pass rushers, Maxx [Crosby] and Chandler [Jones], and I want to come here and learn from the best and take my game to another level."
Q: You played with your hand in the ground and upright. Do you envision playing off of Maxx Crosby or off of Chandler Jones, or along with them?
Wilson: "Really just fitting in wherever they need me. Helping out and being able to give breaks wherever I can."
Q: What do you like about this scheme that maybe you've been able to dive into a bit?
Wilson: "You know, I'm new to the Raiders. I haven't really gotten into the scheme yet, but I know they get after the quarterback, and I'm excited to do that."
Q: What are some of your strengths that you think you bring to the table?
Wilson: “First, the Raiders are tough, smart, and dependable. So, I feel like I bring that. A versatile player to be able to play anywhere in the defense."
Q: Have any of the players reached out to you or talked to you since you’ve been drafted?
Wilson: "Definitely. Maxx [Crosby] hit me up. And then, being in here I went into the weight room and I introduced myself to all the players who were in there."
Q: What was their message to you?
Wilson: "Happy for me to be here. Ready to work and feed off each other."
Q: There’s a lot of talent that comes out of East Texas. What does it mean to you to get the chance to represent that area at the next level?
Wilson: "I’m excited to keep the legacy rolling. There have been a lot of great football players in East Texas and Texas in general, and I'm excited to be one of those players."
Q: In the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine what were the interactions that you had with the Raiders coaches leading into it, and how did it go?
Wilson: "I met with the Raiders back at the Senior Bowl. Dave Ziegler, we had a great conversation and great meeting. And then I came here on the top 30 visit, and it's been great and I'm excited to be a Raider."
Q: Earlier you mentioned that you really wanted to go to Texas A&M and for whatever reason it didn't work out there and you transferred to Texas Tech. What was that whole experience like leaving one place and finding a new beginning at a new school?
Wilson: "It was a real smooth transition. I feel like it was a tough time for the country, it was during COVID. So, building a relationship was important. Just trusting the coaches that they were going to develop me as best as possible, and they did."
Q: What are some of your goals as you enter your rookie year?
Wilson: "First, to help the defense in any way possible and win as many games as we can and hopefully get to the Super Bowl in Vegas."
Q: I know it's early, but have you picked a number yet?
Wilson: "No, I have not picked a number yet."
Q: Any ideas on where you might be leaning in the significance of the jersey number?
Wilson: "No, I haven't talked about what numbers are available yet. But I'll be picking a number soon."
Q: Dave Ziegler and Champ Kelly commended you for talking about areas that you need to improve on during your top-30 visit. What are some areas that when you see you on film, you're like, I got to improve that?
Wilson: “Well, college and NFL are different levels, so I want to improve my technique going against great offensive tackles and offensive linemen. And locking people out and playing with the long arms that God gave me.”
Q: How did you first get into football? And when did making the NFL become like a realistic goal for you?
Wilson: “I mean, from Texas, every kid wants to play in the NFL. I was a big, physical kid growing up and my Mom put me in football, and I never turned back. I just kept working and growing and fell in love with football. Now I'm here.”
Q: Were you doing other sports too? Or was it just football from the moment you put the pads on and that was it?
Wilson: “When I grew up, I played basketball, and I did football. And then when I got into junior high, I got on the track.”
Q: Do you feel like you've taken something from these other sports that you can apply to your game as a football player?
Wilson: “Definitely. I mean, track, incorporate speed. You've got to be able to run and play football. And then basketball, you've got to be able to move and be agile, and you've got to also have that in football to be a great pass rusher.”
Q: What were your events in track? And what position did you play in basketball?
Wilson: “In track, I ran all the relays, 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400. And then in basketball, I was the four (power forward).”
Q: Were you this tall running in high school?
Wilson: “I was about 6-foot-5, 220.”
Q: What's the best thing about rushing the quarterback for you? What do you like so much about sacking the quarterback?
Wilson: “I feel like not everybody can rush the quarterback, you've got to have something about you. You've got to have great technique, and also you got to be physical and dominant to get to the quarterback.”
Q: How does your wingspan help you get to the quarterback?
Wilson: "Really, I like doing long-arm pass-rush moves to be able to use my long arms and be able to compress the pocket and also have counters off of it. And also reaching the quarterback to create turnovers to give the ball back to the offense."
Q: Who was your toughest opponent in college?
Wilson: "I would probably Bijan Robinson. He was the best opponent I went against in my college career."
Q: Who were some people that throughout the time you were in college -- on the personal and coaching level -- that have helped you the most get to this next level?
Wilson: "Everybody has their bits and pieces in college. I think all the coaches that helped mold me into the player I am. But if it was one person, I'd give it to Paul Randolph my D-line coach, who recruited me to Texas Tech."
Q: We talked about of course your long arms and everything and your unique ability to get the edge, but are there any NFL players -- other than the players you're right to be teammates with -- who you see parts of your game and you're like, 'I want to be able to do that.' What are specific things that certain NFL players, other edge rushers, that you'd like to take parts of their game and implement them into yours?
Wilson: "Honestly, I want to be different than other pass rushers in the NFL. I want to have my own ideal pass-rush plan and for other people to take bits and pieces from my game."
Q: Who has been your biggest influence so far, whether personal or professional, and maybe things that they might have told you that affected you and your growth as a player?
Wilson: "My biggest influence is my family. That's what got me into football. Mom got me into football and made a lot of sacrifices. So, I work every day to give back to them."
Q: One of the things that scouts talked about with you is that when you are double teamed or the play was going away from you, you stayed engaged and still tried to impact the play. That speaks to hunger. What is it that motivates you the way that you are that even when the plays away from you and you're a big guy and can take a play off, you're still trying to impact it?
Wilson: "Well first, my teammates -- our goal is to win a game and our big goal is to win a championship. You don't know who's going to make a play, so you've got to be acting like you're the only one on the field who can make the play and be hungry."
Q: You said it's been crazy the last 18 hours or so. Have you taken that moment to just realize you've made it, and this has happened?
Wilson: "I always (saw) myself in the NFL, it just hasn't really settled in yet. I feel like maybe in the next 24 hours it'll finally settle in, and I'll be getting to work helping Raider nation."
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The 2023 NFL Draft will continue tomorrow when it will begin at 4 p.m. PDT.
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