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00:00 >> Smart, quick, being able to hold.
00:03 >> Last year, Roger Jones went first round.
00:05 What is it about that Georgia program that's been developing?
00:09 >> Yeah, so I think Coach Smart has done a tremendous job of getting some great
00:12 offensive line coaches.
00:13 Starting with Coach Pittman and Coach Lewis, all the way to Coach Stacy Serums.
00:17 I think they've done a tremendous job of just developing us.
00:21 And I would even say going back to Eddie Gordon, he played a big role in a lot of
00:25 those guys.
00:27 So I think it just goes back to getting some qualified guys and
00:30 guys taking the coaching.
00:31 >> Have you gotten to speak to Roger throughout this process?
00:33 >> I've talked to him a little bit.
00:34 >> What did he say to you?
00:36 >> Just making sure that I take advantage of my opportunities.
00:38 That was the biggest thing.
00:39 Just trying to tell me, I guess, some of the hiccups and
00:42 things that he may have came across and trying to avoid.
00:44 To just make sure that I can have the ultimate assistance.
00:48 >> You said you talked to me a little bit about your love for sports.
00:50 Where did it start and also did you meet with the Cincinnati Bengals?
00:53 I know you met a lot of guys.
00:54 >> So my love for sports, I think my earliest memory,
01:00 my love for football probably came out with Chris Johnson.
01:06 Absolutely loved him with the Titans.
01:08 Dudes Electric, that was also one of the first drawings I've ever done,
01:12 was of him.
01:13 So that's probably the first time I realized this would be pretty,
01:17 pretty cool to be able to play this sport one day.
01:19 So I probably started with him.
01:21 And then as far as the Bengals, I did not meet with them.
01:23 >> They said, have you met with the Boston Dispatch?
01:26 >> I have not.
01:27 >> And what would it mean to you to get some points for
01:30 a historic great shot like that?
01:32 I think you did a great job.
01:33 >> I think it would be an amazing opportunity.
01:34 I think the biggest thing for myself is whatever team I get to,
01:38 I wanna try to come in as soon as possible and
01:41 try to help them to add to their culture.
01:43 Cuz ultimately, the goal is to win.
01:46 I think that the draft is an amazing opportunity.
01:48 But it's one stop.
01:49 Ultimately, once you get there, the goal is to try to win.
01:52 But I think it starts there.
01:54 >> You said you've been playing in this game, but
01:56 is there a preference for you as a lineman?
01:59 A gap or a zone?
02:00 Is there one you prefer back or is there one you prefer?
02:02 >> Not at all.
02:02 I think the biggest thing is just getting in the system,
02:04 learning the playbook, and going from there.
02:06 Whatever I'm asked to do, I'm willing to do.
02:08 >> Have you ever been to Seahawks in the past?
02:10 >> I have not.
02:11 >> Have you met with the Buccaneers at all?
02:12 >> No, I have not.
02:14 >> And I expected more from Cajun football.
02:17 What happened to your new role in the Diver?
02:19 >> Well, I can't, I guess, act in that way.
02:24 As far as professional settings or being in Georgia,
02:27 cuz nobody would understand what I'm talking about.
02:29 So definitely when I get around people from New Orleans and
02:33 Louisiana, it comes out a lot more.
02:35 But that's not a way that I can carry myself all the time,
02:38 because nobody would understand what I'm talking about.
02:40 >> Cedric, you were- >> What's your name?
02:41 Is your name French or Cajun?
02:43 >> My last name is actually Dutch, Van Buren is Dutch.
02:45 >> Hey, Cedric.
02:47 >> Do you have a company?
02:49 >> Yes, I did move to Dallas, California.
02:51 >> Were you able to speak to Coach McCarty?
02:53 >> I was able to speak to him.
02:54 >> How long did the meeting last?
02:55 How did it go?
02:57 >> About 20 minutes, 15, 20 minutes.
02:58 I think it went well.
02:59 I was able to talk some ball, talk about some things I did well,
03:04 some things I did not do well, and look forward to fixing.
03:07 But I think it went great.
03:08 Learned a lot about them, their organization, great organization.
03:11 So I think the meeting went very well.
03:13 >> Sorry, Cedric, you- >> Did you meet with the Chicago Bears?
03:15 >> I did meet with the Chicago Bears.
03:16 >> And how did the speaker pause and most importantly?
03:21 >> Yes, ma'am, I spoke to everyone.
03:23 I think it was another great interview as well.
03:25 I think that's something that I've been able to do through this process so
03:28 far is be able to get in front of some guys and have great interviews.
03:32 >> The State University- >> You seem to be putting together
03:34 the Georgia offensive line, so darn hell, I'm not.
03:37 How would you fit in with those guys?
03:39 >> It's funny you called me out loud, but I think it would be a great fit for sure.
03:46 Being back with some of the guys from Georgia,
03:48 being able to click with those guys, it would be amazing.
03:51 A lot of chemistry there, so it's definitely would be something that we
03:55 would look forward to try and I guess keep building that culture up over there,
03:59 because they have a great historic program.
04:01 >> Hey, Cedric, you had mentioned earlier about taking advantage of opportunities.
04:06 What's been your involvement with NIL?
04:08 Normally you don't think of linemen doing that, but
04:11 there have been linemen who have started doing good NIL deals.
04:16 I know it's not a preoccupation, but what's been your involvement in NIL?
04:19 >> As far as NIL, I didn't have a bunch of engagement there.
04:24 I tried to do as much as I could.
04:26 But ultimately, the end goal is to try and win.
04:28 That's not something that we accomplished this year, so it failed season for myself.
04:32 >> You classified yourself as a smart center.
04:35 What does a center need to know to be classified like that?
04:38 >> Everything, everything.
04:40 I think it's that simple.
04:41 You need to know the ins and outs.
04:43 You need to know what the quarterback's thinking.
04:45 You need to be a great communicator.
04:47 So I think all of those things matter.
04:49 >> Cedric, you were pretty- >> Question in the back,
04:50 question in the back.
04:51 >> Go ahead.
04:52 >> What's my favorite player, Nails or Georges?
04:55 >> Man, Nails is a great teammate.
04:57 Absolutely love that guy.
04:58 He has this infectious energy about him.
05:00 Lights up room when he walks in.
05:02 I think the best thing about him is just that he was able to recall and
05:05 understand everything in the offense.
05:07 So I think that guy's really, really smart, great football player.
05:09 >> Love you, Ced.
05:10 >> Love you too, brother.
05:11 >> Cedric, you're a pretty notorious leader at the University of Georgia.
05:14 As your career kind of resets and you're now a rookie again,
05:17 how are you going about the leadership process on your next venture?
05:20 >> So to answer your question, I guess the reset in the NFL,
05:24 I think the biggest thing for myself is finding your role early, right?
05:28 So if you're to a team that has a lot of veterans,
05:31 getting with those veterans, finding out how they do things immediately,
05:34 finding out what's the culture there, what's the standard.
05:36 And then I think after that, it's trying to, until the next couple of years,
05:41 add your own flair to that to help build, to help add in a good way to what's
05:46 going on there.
05:47 And if you're going to a team that's maybe a little bit younger,
05:50 doesn't have a lot of different leaders, stepping up is one.
05:54 And bringing some of the things that you learned at Georgia about winning and
05:57 how to prepare, and all of those things, and try to incorporate it to the NFL
06:01 to hopefully create a system and a culture of winning there.
06:05 >> Cedric, you've made a lot of big blocks during your time at Georgia.
06:08 Can you talk to me about guys in the Torrey's, the Hyatt, the Chinatown,
06:11 if you could choose one block during this past season where you've been here,
06:16 that kind of like, rate plays in your head that you can't imagine yourself or
06:19 could be for one team?
06:20 >> I would say, I would have to go back to my sophomore year just because it was my
06:25 first year playing, very short freshman year.
06:28 I would say the Tennessee game on the road, pulled on me in a big block.
06:34 I would also say SC Championship my first year, pulling around against Alabama,
06:39 making a big block, that was pretty fun for me.
06:41 >> Who were some of the guys in the NFL that you studied to make your game?
06:45 >> Eric McCoy for sure.
06:47 >> Cedric, being a place in your career, you've had a six yard rush,
06:50 I believe, against Vanderbilt.
06:51 Kind of talk about that play a little bit, the spin down.
06:54 >> Well first, bad snap, that was the number one thing, bad snap.
06:58 But up until that point, if I'm remembering properly, we were losing,
07:02 and that was a big third down in that game.
07:04 So after the mistake, the biggest thing for myself was realizing,
07:08 you gotta make a play.
07:09 Cuz I didn't wanna really hear what was gonna be said to me on the sideline.
07:12 So at that point, you try to make a play and keep the drive going.
07:15 >> Cedric, what went into your decision not to play in the senior bowl, and
07:17 what do you wanna show teams this week when they see you in the regular?
07:20 >> So I was advised by my agent not to, that was the plan he had for myself.
07:24 And I trust him, so that's what I did.
07:27 Other than that, my plan is,
07:29 this week is to show that I can play all three interior positions.
07:32 Just try to be as smooth as possible.
07:33 >> Cedric, as the center,
07:34 how personally do you take that role of being the quarterback of that offensive
07:38 line?
07:39 >> It's extremely personal to be the quarterback of the offensive line.
07:42 I think the biggest thing in football you can have is trust.
07:45 That's something that I take very, very personally.
07:47 Just for the simple fact of, I think that when you have that trust to the guys that
07:51 left it to the righty and they depend on you for, to be honest, to feed their family.
07:56 I think it's something huge, and I think it builds a lot of camaraderie.
08:00 >> NFL, like the personnel folks, if they were to go back,
08:03 ask Coach Smart, what type of leader is Cedric?
08:07 What do you think he would say?
08:08 >> Coach Smart once told me that I was a black and white leader.
08:14 In a sense, I see things very clear, right is right, wrong is wrong.
08:19 There is no in between, and if the standard is right,
08:21 that's what we're gonna do.
08:23 >> When you met with the Chicago Bears, sometimes they put guys through
08:26 a competition drill where they have them play darts or putt putt.
08:30 Did they put you through that?
08:32 >> When I met with the Chicago Bears, it was myself and the rest of the coaching staff.
08:36 >> But they have a very outside zone heavy scheme.
08:39 How do you think you can help make that grow in Chicago?
08:44 >> So I think definitely it would be a fit there.
08:47 In my opinion, I don't think outside zone is anything different than we've been
08:51 doing as far as football.
08:54 Definitely think there's room to grow there for sure.
08:56 But in all honesty, I think that I could come in and help and do the best that I
08:59 could because at the end of the day, I felt like it's still football.
09:02 Table coaches teach you, implement it there.
09:04 >> Can you talk about your technique, snapping the ball with consistency?
09:09 >> Are you asking me what I did in college or as opposed to the outside zone scheme?
09:13 >> Just in general, your technique and approach to snapping the ball with consistency.
09:19 If I'm being 100% honest with you, I think that I've taken so
09:22 many reps snapping the ball, it's kind of second nature.
09:25 It's not really something you think about.
09:27 >> Cedric, you met with the CCS guys in the combat?
09:29 >> Yes, yes I have.
09:30 >> What would it be like again, just kind of playing with your former teammates that
09:33 are now at Georgia, at Hinesburg.
09:36 Is there any memories that kind of come to mind with those guys,
09:38 that kind of stick out when you were playing with them?
09:42 >> So one, to answer your question, I think it would be great to be able to link up
09:45 with those guys again and just, I guess, have another reunion there.
09:50 But ultimately, like I said, the goal for any team I get to is to try and win.
09:54 So while it would be nice, ultimately we have to figure out a way to gel again and
09:58 figure things out on the next level.
10:00 But if I had to figure out any memories or anything like that,
10:05 it would probably be the parade after the first national championship.
10:09 Seeing Bronjik and Darnell and all those guys, just how ecstatic they were and
10:13 the looks that they had on their faces.
10:15 >> Cedric, 45 consecutive starts at the center position, and
10:18 you said you wanna prove that you can play all three.
10:20 Was offensive guard or
10:21 guard something you were repping and practicing during your time at Georgia?
10:24 We just didn't get to see it on Saturday.
10:25 >> Yeah, so I repped it a bit my senior year.
10:29 It's definitely something that Coach Searles gave me the opportunity to do,
10:32 definitely for this moment, for sure.
10:34 But it's just not something that I was asked to do as far as for
10:36 the team on game day.
10:37 So didn't get to see it live, but
10:39 it was because that wasn't my role for the team, and I'm okay with that.
10:42 >> Cedric, you got to play under center for Carson Beck this last year.
10:45 You know what he's capable of.
10:46 Do you have any predictions as far as what he can accomplish in 2024?
10:50 >> I'm not gonna make any predictions on what Carson can do.
10:53 Just for the simple fact, I feel like that's pretty fair to that guy.
10:56 But one thing I will say, Carson is extremely smart.
10:58 He has all of the intangibles.
11:00 Big arm, big heart.
11:02 I think that he'll do an amazing job leading that team to success.
11:05 >> Did you meet with the Cowboys this week?
11:06 >> I did meet with the Cowboys.
11:07 >> Is that formal or?
11:09 >> Formal.
11:10 >> What did you think about that meeting, and what did you think about the franchise?
11:12 >> I think it's a great franchise.
11:14 I think the Cowboys have a lot of rich history there.
11:17 The meeting went great.
11:18 I felt like I aced it.
11:20 So I was really excited about that.
11:22 >> How much pride do you hold putting on for New Orleans and Warren Easton?
11:25 >> How much pride do I hold in New Orleans and Warren Easton?
11:28 My opinion is who I am.
11:30 It's what made me outside of my parents.
11:34 I feel like New Orleans has played a huge part in who I am today as a man and
11:37 how I carry myself.
11:38 So it'll always be something special in my heart.
11:40 >> Senator, what do you see as Amarius Flims as he makes a transition to the pro
11:43 game?
11:44 You didn't start that many games in college, so you're very recalling you.
11:47 But what does he need to do to have a very successful launch as a professional?
11:52 >> Well, I'll say this.
11:54 Number one for Amarius, in my opinion, when you have that level of God-given
11:59 ability, you don't need to play 40-something games to be a good football
12:02 player.
12:02 He has the gift of God.
12:03 He doesn't need to go out there and get 1,000 reps.
12:06 He's a good football player.
12:07 And the one thing that I'll say that I'm really, really proud of him,
12:11 that he's grown since a freshman until now, is his level of maturity.
12:15 He's really, really taking the game serious.
12:16 He's grown himself.
12:17 He's done the work to become the man that he is today, and I'm super proud of him.
12:21 >> Cedric, you're obviously interested in art.
12:23 I'm curious, 15 years from now when football's done, what are you gonna do?
12:27 What are you interested in?
12:28 >> Yeah, that's a great question.
12:29 So hopefully 15 years from now, I can either be making logos,
12:34 perhaps getting back to the football side, maybe getting a job at Georgia or
12:38 something, making logos, or editing videos or something.
12:41 Or eventually, I wanna start my own clothing brand.
12:43 So I think that'd be pretty cool to get in that side of the business too.
12:46 >> Cedric, being a center, you kinda have to be the captain of that offensive line
12:51 and the offense, you gotta reach for it and stuff like that.
12:54 Terry Routledge talked about how he's kinda going through that process and
12:56 trying to fill your shoes of being the captain.
13:00 And he said he's struggling a little bit with that.
13:02 Talk about that challenge of being the captain of the offensive line.
13:06 >> So I'll say this, number one, if, Tatey, you're watching,
13:11 you don't have to fill my shoes, be yourself, man.
13:13 You're a great leader, you lead by example.
13:15 You don't have to be the vocal guy like Nolan was or myself was.
13:19 That doesn't need to be you.
13:21 There's other ways to lead.
13:22 But I will say this, for myself, leading has always been kinda natural for me.
13:27 Since a child, I've always felt this immense care for
13:31 the guys that you call your brothers and the people that you love.
13:33 I make sure that they're taken care of.
13:35 And I think one of the biggest forms of care is looking after those guys and
13:38 making sure they're doing the right things,
13:40 ultimately for the biggest team goal of winning.
13:43 That's just how I look at it.
13:44 So for myself, leading is just kinda who I am.
13:47 Whether it's leading other guys as the top leader or
13:52 being the guy that supports other leaders, whatever I have to do,
13:55 that's just kinda who I am.
13:56 >> When you said you're a big family guy,
13:59 who among your family have been able to participate in this larger initiative?
14:04 >> So I think my dad has been the most active in this process for myself.
14:08 My mom has done a little bit here and there.
14:10 But I can be honest and say my mom is more of a get your degree type person.
14:14 In all honesty, I don't think my mom really even understands or
14:18 knows how big this moment truly is.
14:21 Just for the simple fact that she's always been a person who is about education,
14:25 not super invested into football, super invested into her son, but
14:29 not so much the football side.
14:30 So I would say probably the biggest investment is probably my dad,
14:33 which I guess is a little bit cliche, but probably my father.
14:37 >> What do you think of your mom?
14:38 >> I'm not sure how big this moment is, but how big is this moment?
14:43 >> I think this moment is huge.
14:44 And I say that she doesn't understand how big the moment is for
14:47 the simple fact of she's not a huge football fan.
14:49 She's more of a person, get your education, that type of thing.
14:53 >> Yeah, so for myself, this is a huge moment.
14:55 This is a thing that you've been praying for us as a child.
15:00 Something that, not speaking in a harsh way, but
15:03 something that you would have done some bad things for as a kid to get to this
15:06 moment.
15:07 And I think that's just the biggest thing, is just honing in on this and
15:11 understanding that although you may have things that don't always go your way, or
15:15 you may feel some type of way, enjoy the moment.
15:18 This is something special, something that's been, I guess,
15:22 given to you by God, and just be super grateful for it.
15:26 >> Last question.
15:27 >> Any pointers to Jared Wilson stepping into that position, Jared Wilson?
15:31 >> Have I given him any pointers?
15:32 Yeah, so Jared, we talked a lot.
15:35 I got Jared going probably about two years ago, watching film with me and
15:39 just teaching him different things on how to dissect film and what you're looking for,
15:42 how to figure those guys out.
15:44 I think Jared is gonna be amazing this year.
15:46 I really, really do think that Jared has a big year coming for him.
15:50 I'm super excited for him and I'm praying for him.