Jim Martinho: If you were a football player, what position would you play?
Jitim Young: I’d be either a tight end or a wide receiver, because I got quick cuts and I’m powerful. I can hit the hole hard and no one can catch me. I’ll play like I do on the court, I’ll be crossing people over on the football field.
JM: The Wildcats are a little short at wide receiver due to injuries right now, have you volunteered your services to coach (Randy) Walker?
JY: Oh man, if you need a receiver, suit me up. Just throw it deep to me. But I don’t think Rico (sophomore safety Frederic Tarver) would want to give up No. 25.
JM: What’s the best home football game you’ve ever attended?
JY: Definitely the Michigan game freshman year. At home. D.A. (Damien Anderson) dropped the ball in the end zone, then A-Train (Anthony Thomas) fumbled and we won the game. Everybody rushed the field — I was one of those guys.
JM: Did you try to tear the goalposts down?
JY: Nah, I wasn’t on the goalposts. I’m not crazy like that.
JM: Were you a Northwestern football fan before you came here?
JY: Yeah. Darnell Autry’s year when they went to the Rose Bowl, I watched that team. It was eighth grade or freshman year of high school. Darnell Autry, Adrian Autry — I thought they were brothers, but I guess they’re not related.
JM: What are your typical pregame activities?
JY: Tailgate (nods head). Tailgate. We tailgatin’.
JM: Do you think the basketball team will win more Big Ten games than the football team this year?
JY: I think so. The football conference is so hard and the team has a lot of young players. Plus they only play all the Big Ten teams once, when we get two shots at them. It’d be different if they played each team twice.
JM: Who are the better fans: the Ryan Field student section or the Wild Side at Welsh-Ryan Arena?
JY: I think football has the best fans because I’m there. I can’t be out there cheering for myself on the court. I give guys like Rico and Jason Wright and them all the fan support, I’m out there acting crazy in the stands.
JM: You’re a captain on the basketball team. Any advice for NU football captains Jason Wright, Pat Durr, Louis Ayeni and Torri Stuckey?
JY: Have fun. When you leave school, don’t leave with any regrets. You have to be true to yourself that you did everything possible to be the best player you can be.
JM: Is there anyone on the football team now who could help the basketball team this season?
JY: Trai (Essex). Trai can play. Big Zack (Strief), any of those big boys, we could use them against Ohio State.
JM: Do you know all the words to the NU fight song?
JY: Yeah, I know it. I know it by heart. I learned it when I was freshman. I’m a true Northwestern fan. You’re not going to make me sing, are you?
