Nebraska Linebacker Mikai Gbayor Pre-Northern Illinois Press Conference

On earning more playing time: 

“It started in the spring. Coach started to believe in me and started to put me on the field. Since then I knew this year would be special teams and defense for me. I'm growing and working towards that. This summer they’ve been preparing me for it.” 

On the mentorship within the defense: 

“It felt pretty good, just like practice like I said they’ve been preparing me for a long time since the spring. The other guys like Nick (Henrich) and Luke (Reimer) have been talking to me every week and every day giving me things to do and taking those steps to getting ready for that moment.” 

On his choice to stay with Nebraska despite not playing the last two years: 

“Not necessarily, I was having a hard time getting on the field the past two years and like I said it came to me believing in myself. I struggled with that and when Coach Rhule came along, as well as Coach Rob (Dvoracek) they taught me to believe in myself. That’s what started to get me on the field and Coach Rob told me that he believed in me. When I wasn’t playing it was hard, but I stuck with it and I trusted the process. I kept working.” 

On building the program with the freshmen:

“It motivates them and gives them something to look forward to. For the young guys that are playing now they are doing their thing and for the other guys that are young, and not playing like I said it motivates them to keep working hard. When I came here and saw guys playing in my position like Marques Buford it motivated me, because one day I will be playing next to Marques Buford. That’s what it’s going to do for the young guys that are here now. They just have to trust the process and be patient.”