DeMeco Ryans Quotations

We feel that there's something special in the air around here. The senior class is here to put Alabama back on top and continue the winning tradition.

We knew who was going to get the ball. We knew exactly where they were going. We saw it over and over on film. Freddie stepped up and made a great hit that finished him off.

We didn't think he was that fast. He's pretty quick but we were ready for it. We were prepared for everything they did.

For us on defense, we just had to do what we had been doing all year. We didn't have to a make any big changes or anything like that just because we were facing a high-powered offense.

If we lose a game, then I know we're out of it.

He has the skill and all of that. He's probably one of the fastest guys out there. He has that swagger already.

He has such a high intensity level and you know he knows what he's talking about. He's one of the greatest ever.

He's a big threat to us, because he can change the game in a heartbeat. He's a real game-changer so we really have to be focused on him.

I was just happy to hear my phone ring. It was a great feeling. It's exciting to be part of an up-and-coming team, a new team. The Texans have a lot of upside to them.

I see (Leak) getting sacked a lot. Their offensive line is giving up a lot of sacks. We have to come after him and put pressure on him and see how he deals with it.

It doesn't matter about any of that stuff. All that matters is the guys that are playing getting out there and giving it all and playing our hardest. We know it's going to be a fist-fight, four-quarter game. We're prepared for that because we know it's what they're going to give us.

I wasn't thinking they were going to score. I knew one of our safeties was going to come in and hit him. I didn't think they were going to score.

I would like to be mentioned with all the top guys, all the elite guys. Everyone wants to be one of the best, and one of the elite, so of course I want to be up in there with those guys.

We knew we had to stand up. A few years ago, I don't think we could've performed the way we did out there today. Nobody was looking back at the plays they messed up on. Everybody was looking ahead, looking to make that next play that would change the momentum of the game.

We knew we had to bow our legs on the goal line and make a stand. We couldn't let them in the end zone. We knew he was going to get the ball.

We've come a long way. We've been through the ups and downs. As seniors, we stepped up and said we wanted to put Alabama back on top when we leave here this year.

You have to be prepared. We knew with their offense they were going to make some third-and-longs. But we had the right mindset going in and we didn't get down and continued to play.

When you get back to your (hotel) room and sit there and start thinking about it, you're like 'Mike Singletary is coaching me. Wow!' It's a great honor.

We just need to do what we have been doing.

We're going out to win, just to put Alabama back on top. To get our respect back at the University of Alabama. I think a lot of people have forgotten about Alabama football and the winning tradition we have here. A win would just put us back on top.

We didn't make any big changes or anything like that because we were facing this high-powered offense. For us, it was about doing what we do and doing it well.

I spend my spare time watching film. That's a fair statement.

The win is behind us. Our focus is all the way on Ole Miss.

I wanted to come, because it's always been a big thing here in Alabama. Getting invited, you just represent Alabama. Being younger, watching the game, you're always looking for the guys with the Alabama helmet on. It's special.

It really doesn't matter right now, because the bowls aren't next week and they're not this week. The season isn't over yet, so being 3 or 4 isn't a big deal.

It's nothing special. Everyone keeps saying that it's a special offense. They're a five-wide spread offense. We've just got to come up with a defense to stop it.

It's like we're just one big family, and that's how it's supposed to be.

Everyone knows what to do now. It's easier to fly around and make plays knowing your partners are right there at your back.

I have no clue. I'm just sitting back and waiting for it all to happen. Wherever it is, it'll all be good. I look at it as nothing can go wrong on draft day. Everything's going to work out well.

I'm not trying to catch it from the start. I'll just be in and out checking it out. I'll be eating and talking and having a good time.