Anthony Lanier II, one of several Redskins undrafted free agent rookies getting his first taste of the NFL, attended Alabama A&M and finished his career there with 164 total tackles, 43.5 tackles for loss and 12 sack as a defensive end.
He was the Bulldogs' Most Valuable Player and was named to the first team All-SWAC preseason team in 2015 and was second team All-SWAC in 2014.
On, Monday he and his fellow rookies spent breakfast with Redskins alumni in preparation for the Redskins Charity Golf Event at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va. After a busy day on Friday, the first Redskins Rookie Community Club event, The Redskins Blog caught up with Lanier to ask about his transition to the NFL and his relationship with Doug Williams.
It seems like you've got a nice relationship with this Coca-Cola polar bear this morning
Oh lord. That bear's just blinking. Whoo [laughing]. I've never seen nothing that big, your size, looking at you like, "Hey, how are you doing?"
I noticed on Friday at the Rookie community event that you really enjoy dancing as well. Where does that come from?
My family, we've got a nice personality. All the people I've been around are happy-go-lucky. Why not smile and bring somebody else [that] and brighten up my day.
How's your golf game?
It's alright. Not as bad as Charles Barkley [laughing].
How's this first rookie experience been for you?
It's a great experience, even this [golf tournament] so far, looking forward to the future, but it's just been a great experience, because where I come from we don't get stuff like this, so sometimes you have to hold the emotion back and enjoy the time you're here, enjoy the moment, carpe diem. It's opening new doors and seeing new things and being in new places.
Yeah, you're talking to Doug Williams, talking with a lot of Redskins royalty here. Is this a little surreal?
Just maybe a couple of months ago, I was sitting in my room holding his rookie card and now he;s calling me and getting to say "hey" to me every day. I posted on Facebook I feel like I'm in a dream, every day I wake up. I'm just happy to be here.
Are you struggling with anxiety being an undrafted rookie?
It's in the back of your mind. You think about it but it gives you that drive because you've got an opportunity. I remember all the time people watching over me and watching out for me. I do it for them. My biggest support is probably children and my mother. Just to see their smiles on their faces to say, "Hey, he did it and he's a regular guy." That's all I need.
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