Last season was not kind to Ricky Sapp.

The former Bamberg-Ehrhardt star and current Clemson Tigers defensive end hurt his knee in the season-opener against Alabama, and banged it up again against The Citadel. Eventually, Sapp, who entered this season fourth among the ACC’s career tackles for loss list and fourth among active players in sacks with 11, had surgery to repair an ACL injury.

This year, he is back to full speed, leading Clemson with four sacks. Sapp, who along with former B-E star Da’Quan Bowers forms the Tigers’ vaunted defensive end duo known as the “Bamberg Bookends,” also has 28 tackles, 8.5 for loss this year.

An Academic Honor Roll student who is projected by many draft analysts to go in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, Sapp took time out of his busy schedule Wednesday to speak with T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder.

What’s this week been like for you guys coming off the big win over Miami?

RS: It’s been big. You know, to go to Miami and get a big win like that was great for our program. Basically, we got to enjoy that win, but now it’s time to go on to the next game.

You got banged up last year and had knee surgery. How tough was it for you dealing with those injuries?

RS: It was tough. I had never been hurt before in my whole football career and to get an injury like I had, you know, it was all a mind-set thing. I had to do a lot of rehabbing. Just seeing my team play, it really hurt, so I had a good offseason. I had a great rehab, and I got back and I’m playing with my teammates.

How tough is rehab when you come back from an injury like that?

RS: Tearing your ACL is more of a mind thing than anything. To go to rehab is probably the worse thing to do because, you know, you hate being hurt and you hate rehabbing. You know it is going to hurt, and you know it is going to be long. To go there, and be frustrated from being injured, it juts makes your mind all messed up. I just got it in my head that I had to go in. We have great trainers and great doctors down here. They had a great plan. I followed it and came back healthy.

How good does it feel to be injury free and playing well this season?

RS: It’s God’s blessing to be playing like I’m playing now with my teammates and having fun out there.

You are a senior, what are some of your best memories as a Tigers?

RS: Awe man, my first game ever we played Florida Atlantic, just putting on that uniform and going out there and getting my first career sack, I think, was my most memorable memory here. I will never forget that game.

Time is winding down for you and Da’Quan Bowers as the ‘Bamberg Bookends’ together. How much have you thought about that?

RS: It’s tough. I will tell you, playing with Da’Quan Bowers and to be as close as we are, to play in high school together and then come to college together, it has been great. At Clemson with him, we live together. We do everything togethter. I think the hardest thing will be to have to leave and not see him anymore. It’s going to be tough to wake up and not see him everyday like we have the last two years. It’s been great playing with him. I love being on the field with him. I love him as a brother, and I’m going to really miss him.

How tough is it going to be when those final seconds tick off the clock this year and your time as a Clemson Tiger is done?

RS: It’s going to be tough. I came up here from a small time, and I came to a big-city environment. Playing college football in front of the best crowd in the world has been great. I hate for the time to wind down. I wish I had another year. I had a great experience here.

Your name is brought up in NFL conversations and where you project. How excited are you knowing that the NFL seems to be in your future?

RS: To come from where I come from, it’s just a God’s blessing to be mentioned by NFL GMs and coaches. It’s going to be great to have the opportunity to play in the NFL. I just thank God that I came back from my injury. I’ve played with great teammates, great coaches and I look forward to the future.

 

You must be logged in to comment.