A proven quick learner, Matt Ioannidis wants to adjust to the NFL quickly and be yet another productive cog for the Washington Redskins' defensive line rotation.
The NFL Draft is a stressful process for players and Matt Ioannidis is no exception. The Redskins fifth-round selection said he wasn't sure where he would be selected coming out of Temple, but is grateful for the opportunity, even if being picked by the Redskins came as a surprise.
"They say it's always one of those things where you don't know who's going to pick you and quite frankly, I thought it was anyone's ball game," Ioannidis told Larry Michael on "Redskins Nation." "And I was just waiting for the call and when I got the call I was just ecstatic."
Ioannidis was a key figure in the resurgence of the Owls' football program, one that has struggled in years past. As a team captain, Ioannidis' teammates dubbed him "The Professor" for his knack of learning the defense.
"I like to think it's because I had that playbook memorized back at Temple," Ioannidis said with a smile. "But I'm sure other people will give different reasons."
That desire to learn as much as possible is something that he is bringing with him to the Redskins, opting to "stay ahead of the curve."
Other than his ability to learn a playbook, Ioannidis is also looking to bring intensity and focus with him to Washington.
"Yeah, I'm just going to be a relentless player, every snap," Ioannidis said. "I'm going to be the guy who gets the job done. Ultimately, at the end of the day, I'm going to do whatever is asked of me, I'm going to learn from the vets, I'm going to give 100 percent every day."
The Redskins defensive line is a close knit group full of veterans with knowledge and experience to share with young players. Ioannidis already had a connection with one of the key figures in the defensive core who has helped acclimate him to life in the NFL.
"[Chris Baker] has been taking me under his wing," Ioannidis said. "He played with my coach in college, so it's been good to have someone I know there, as well as Kendall Reyes, he's been pretty good to me so far."
Ioannidis has level expectations for his rookie campaign, not leading on to specific individual goals, focusing on giving his all every day instead.
"I'm going to give everything I have and I'm going to do what's asked of me and get the job done," Ioannidis said. "I think that's most important, doing what's asked of you and getting the job done."
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