For 14 consecutive years the University of Miami had at least one player drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, but that streak came to an end this year. In fact, the only member of the 2008 Hurricanes to get drafted was Spencer Adkins, who was selected in the sixth round by the Atlanta Falcons. Recently the linebacker sat down with Times sports reporter Jonathan Zopf to talk about life at "The U," why he chose to be a sociology major, and how the heat of Atlanta differs from Miami.

Question: What was it like playing at The U?

Answer: It was fun. I mean, it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to — I thought I was going to come out with a couple of rings, but at the same time it was a beautiful experience.

Q: So many people, when they make it to the NFL, make a big deal about it being a brotherhood there. What is it about the school, and what does that mean to you?

A: They really walk and talk that. Every year in the offseason they come back and teach the young dudes what they know from playing in the NFL. They come out with us, have a good time, so it is a brotherhood.

Q: Miami has a rich tradition and for 14 years it had a first round pick in the NFL draft. You were the only one from that school picked this year. How did that make you feel?

A: It was kind of bittersweet. I was fortunate enough to go, but at the same time that’s not the standard for what we do every year.

Q: Were you surprised that you were the only one drafted?

A: A little. I definitely thought my boy Bruce (Johnson) would go.

Q: You were a sociology major in college, why did you chose that?

A: I just like knowing people. Knowing people’s habits was an interesting topic for me.

Q: You chose Miami over Georgia, how does it feel to be playing here now professionally?

A: It feels good. I like the weather. It’s hot, but it’s not the same type of hot that I had in Miami.

Q: Compare the heat. Which is worse?

A: Oh, Miami definitely. It’s just hot. It feels hotter.

Q: But there’s no South Beach here.

A: That’s OK.

Q: You don’t miss that at all?

A: I miss it a little bit, but I can always go back and visit so that’s not a big thing.

Q: You were a top prospect coming out of high school, but you didn’t really get much playing time until your junior season (last year), how did you deal with that?

A: I just kept my head in the game. There were a lot of players in front of me. Every dude that was in front of me is in the NFL right now, so it’s not like it was a lack of talent. At Miami, sometimes you just have to wait a little bit. When it was my time to play, I showed up.

Q: Speaking of time to play, I understand you didn’t play football until high school...

A: Well, I always played sandlot, but I never played organized football. I was always a little too big to play in the pee wee leagues, so when I got to high school it was kind of natural for me.

Q: Did you know when you got to high school that’s what you were going to do?

A: Yeah, I played three sports. I also ran track and played basketball, and basketball was my first sport. But I started growing wider instead of higher so ... I kind of look more like a football player, so that’s the way I went.

Q: You miss playing basketball?

A: I still play a couple pick-up games here and there, but my skills have kind of fallen away a little bit. I’m gonna have to rekindle them.

Q: How have you adjusted to life in the NFL?

A: Aw man, it kind of really hasn’t hit me yet. They take care of me because we’re rookies, you know what I’m saying? They kind of ease us in really gently, so it hasn’t hit me yet. I’m sure it will soon enough.

Q: Any rookie hazing going on?

A: Nah, the vets are cool out here. Maybe carry a helmet here or there, but that’s about it.