Eastern red-shirt freshman linebacker Cory Leman comes from a family of athletes. His brothers, J and JD, were All-Americans at Illinois and Wheaton College, respectively, and his sister Julie played volleyball at Olivet Nazarene. He sat down with Sports Editor Scott Richey to talk about the support he gets from his family, his budding golf game and his love of the training montage in “Rocky IV.”

What was it like to play a full game as a starter?

Technically (against Illinois) I started but split reps with (red-shirt senior James Larson). Martin, I was the only strong-side backer that played.

It was exciting because, at U of I, I was like I didn’t know if I was starting, not starting. Martin, I knew going in I was starting, so I could mentally prepare a little bit better.

I wasn’t near as nervous. I felt a little more relaxed. It was a good experience.

What do you think you do well as a linebacker?

I don’t want to say anything because I don’t know if I did anything too well. I think I’ve caught on pretty well to the scheme.

I still don’t know it perfect by any means. I would say more than any of my strengths I still have a lot to work on physically and mentally.

What’s it like to come from a family of college athletes?

They’ll probably tell you that there’s no expectation, but you kind of feel like there’s expectations.

I know that they’re supportive, and I’ve learned a lot from them just seeing them go through all of college.

Especially J, playing big-time college football.

How has J helped you with playing linebacker?

I would say he was probably able to make two, maybe three, of my high school games because he was always playing.

He’s already seen four of my college games in person. It’s awesome because otherwise we’re just watching film.

He gives me a lot of pointers. He’s probably my No. 1 critic. He’ll tell me when I do things wrong. He’s got a lot of inside pointers to help me out and it’s really helpful.

What does it mean for your family to be at your games?

It means a lot because, Ohio Valley Conference, we travel pretty far to a lot of our games.

To have them there, usually (parents and J) and another one of my sisters or brothers comes, it means a lot because it shows how much they care about me.

It’s going to be tough love. Usually they’re going to tell me what I did wrong, but overall they’re just really supportive.

Which makes it nice because as a freshman you make a lot of mistakes, and I get down probably pretty easy.

J’s been good about lifting me up and making me feel better about my game even if it hasn’t been the greatest.

What do you like the most about playing football?

I really love just the camaraderie – just to be around all these guys. These are the guys I’m literally with all the time.

We play a game that we love everyday. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s something we love and it pays for school too. It’s a double benefit.

How good a golfer can you be when fully healthy?

When I’m completely healthy with the elbow and the shoulder, I can be a dynamic force.

I’ve never said that my driving is the best, but when I pull out my irons you better watch out. I will make it rain out there.

Bent Tree. Tuesday. If anybody wants to watch, let them know.

What do you like to do when you’re not playing football?

That’s a tough question. I don’t want to use the cop out answer of go out and hang out with friends on the weekends, but I’m trying to think what else I really do because I’m so busy with football. I would say just go to the football house and play bags. This summer we enjoyed playing bags, relaxing, sitting out front.

How would you say people would describe you?

I think they’d say I can be pretty goofy at times. I think for the most part I’m pretty easy to get along with. I think they’d say that I’m a man of faith. I take my faith seriously. Strong believer in Jesus and I like people to know that.

Sometimes I can be a little strong-willed. I can kind of want my way sometimes, but I think we all do one time or another.

What is your favorite movie and why?

It’s kind of a toss-up between “Rocky IV” and “Braveheart.” I really like those two. “Rocky IV” – the training montage in Russia – I watch that and it actually makes me want to go in the weight room and lift and work hard.”Braveheart,” it’s warrior out there. That’s how you want to picture yourself on the football field, just be a warrior taking guys down. You’re the underdog coming up.

What music are youlistening to on your iPod?

I just got a new iPhone, so I’ve been playing with that trying to figure out how everything works. I’m really not that good with technology. Nothing’s on it yet because I haven’t figured out how to upload anything on it.

So what’s your favorite music to listen to then?

If you would ask the teammates on the team, it’s probably going to be “Survivor” from the Rocky soundtrack.

It’s probably a toss-up of some good solid country, or what I like to call “club-bangers.”

Some get down and grind songs when you’re out. You can’t do without them.

Are there any pre-game superstitions you do?

Last game I had to make sure my toenails and fingernails were clipped perfectly because I can’t tear a nail. That throws me for a loop.

I usually always carb load – what I like to call carb load. The night before the game I really go after it.

We’re talking max out because every other time I’m always eating meat, fruit, vegetables, and I really maximize my carbs before the game.

What are your plans after graduating from Eastern?

Everybody has aspirations that they want to play on, but if not which is probably more so than making it, I probably want to get into something that deals with personal training.

I really have a desire for nutrition, so something along that path.

Scott Richey can be reached at 581-7944 or at srrichey@eiu.edu.

Red-shirt freshman linebacker Cory Leman has 11 solo tackles and eight assisted tackles this season and played in his first full game as a starter against Tennessee Martin on Thursday. He also has one pass defended and one quarterback hurry on the year. L

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