UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State sophomore running back Silas Redd and the Nittany Lions are just about one month away from the start of preseason camp in early August.

 

Over the next month, GoPSUsports.com will sit down with several Nittany Lions so that the fans can get to know the faces of the 2011 squad.  First up is the rising sophomore tailback from Norwalk, Conn.

 

From his roommates and their takeout eating to his passion for NFL running back history, take a look at a summer conversation with Silas Redd.

 

GoPSUsports: Firstly, let's talk some football.  Have you seen a big difference between your first year on campus and your second?

Redd: "I have definitely noticed that I have gotten stronger.  I need to get more flexible, and my conditioning could be a little better.  These are all things I am trying to improve on this summer."

 

GoPSUsports: How often are you working out this summer, and what is your schedule like?

Redd: "We work out five days a week.  Monday, Wednesday and Friday are lift days.  And Tuesday and Thursday are conditioning days."

 

GoPSUsports: A lot of different guys, in addition to coach, have talked about how the mindset has changed around the team since the Outback Bowl and that everyone is hungry to get the season started.  Have you seen that?

Redd: "Absolutely.  It has been a no excuses type of offseason.  Everyone has been working hard.  We are all working towards the same goal - getting a national championship.  Additionally, improving on what we did last year."

 

GoPSUsports: How good do you think this team can be?

Redd: "I think we have the potential to be really, really good.  The sky is the limit for us with the talent we have."

 

GoPSUsports: What do you need to do in order to get there?

Redd: "We need to be tougher, mentally and physically.  We need to execute.  We can't let anybody outwork us.  And I think we will be pretty good."

 

GoPSUsports: Switching gears and moving off the field now.  What is your major?

Redd: "Communications - broadcast journalism."

 

GoPSUsports: Post-football, what would you like to do one day?

Redd: "Hopefully, analyst or a commentator."

 

GoPSUsports: Who do you live with?

Redd: "Mike Mauti, Mike Zordich and Derek Day."

 

GoPSUsports: Those are obviously veterans of the program, what is it like living with them?

Redd: "It is a blast.  Not only are they a lot of fun, they give me a lot of wisdom and knowledge.  I have been here for a little over a year, and they are older, but they still took me under their wing and showed me the ropes."

 

GoPSUsports: Who cooks?

Redd: "We order (laughter)."

 

GoPSUsports: Where do you order from around town?

Redd: "We order from Fresh Harvest Café, Zen Wings and Things, Wings Over Happy Valley.  We go down to Chipotle and Logan's Grill.  We have little variety."

 

GoPSUsports: Do you have a favorite class you've had?

Redd: "The teacher I had for Stat 100 made that class really fun.  Also, Comm 320: Intro to Advertising."

 

GoPSUsports: In his spare time, Silas Redd likes to...Fill in that blank.

Redd: "I listen to a lot of music and a lot of variety in my music.  I do a lot of stuff normal 19-year-olds.  I play video games.  I listen to music.  I hang out with my friends."

 

GoPSUsports: Give me a few artists that you listen to.

Redd: "My favorite is Jay Z.  I listen to Wiz Khalifa.  I have been listening to a lot of Metallica, as well.  I don't know why, but a lot of Metallica.  I listen to a lot of old stuff, too.  My dad was a big Temptations fan, so I guess a lot of that rubbed off on me.  I listen to that, and Otis Redding."

 

GoPSUsports: What type of video games do you play?

Redd: "I am a Call of Duty guy."

 

GoPSUsports: Who is the best at Call of Duty on the team?

Redd: "I would have to say Johnnie Troutman."

 

GoPSUsports: How competitive does this get on the team?

Redd: "Well, we all have our own little groups because not all of us have the same system.  It gets pretty competitive, though."

 

GoPSUsports: Coach Paterno.  Have you ever met anyone like him?  And what is he like as a head coach for someone of your age?

Redd: "Coach Paterno is college football.  He is the definition of a man.  He has integrity.  He has dignity.  He has pride.  He is strong-minded.  He is disciplined.  He just does things the right way.  I think that rubs off, not only on me, but everyone who plays for him and coaches under him.  He is an all-around excellent man."

 

GoPSUsports: You wear No. 25. Is there any reason for that?

Redd: "Well, that was the number they gave me.  I get this question a lot.  I know my history, so I decided to stick with it.  I know there was another great 25 that played here several years ago.  Hopefully, history repeats itself."

 

 

For much more from Silas Redd, check back tomorrow for Part II of our conversation.

 

 

 

Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony