Quick Chat: Xavier Truss

By John Frierson
Staff Writer

When he's not studying for his classes or studying up on the top-ranked Georgia football team's next opponent, offensive lineman Xavier Truss likes to spend some of his free time studying music. He doesn't just listen to the lyrics, he really takes the words in and examines them like lines of poetry from Wordsworth or Angelou.

A 6-foot-7 and 330-pound redshirt sophomore from West Warwick, R.I., Truss was a three-time high school state champion in track and field throwing events. Thinking about those fun days throwing the javelin and the shot put still bring a smile to his face.

Talking about food also makes the big man that has to eat a lot smile. During a recent Quick Chat, he talked about Thanksgiving, what he'd cook for his fellow offensive linemen, his love of track, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:

Frierson: We've got Thanksgiving in a couple of days, so what is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Truss: I like a good cooked ham — I know everybody likes turkey and it's Turkey Day, but I like ham on Thanksgiving. I like my ham juicy, a little pink in the middle, but a good cooked ham, sliced, nice and hot.

Frierson: How are you in the kitchen?

Truss: I'm not too bad. My mom is Italian so she's always cooking and I've picked up little things here and there from her. I like to consider myself a decent chef.

Frierson: OK, so say you're inviting the rest of the offensive line over for dinner, what are you going to make them to show off your skills a little bit?

Truss: I would probably make 7-layer lasagna, maybe some baked ziti, maybe some sausage and peppers.

Frierson: When you're as big as you are and burning calories the way that you do every day, what is it like feeding yourself? Do you get sick of eating sometimes?

Truss: I've got to obviously keep track of what I'm eating, first and foremost, and how much I'm eating. I have to make sure I'm not eating too late at night to where I gain fat. I'm just making sure I get all of my meals in — Collier (Georgia's Director of Football Performance Nutrition, Collier Madaleno) does a great job of helping to make sure that I'm on track and reaching all of my goals.

If I need to gain a few pounds, she'll make sure that I'm eating the right stuff. And if I need to lose some weight, (Direct of Strength & Conditioning Scott Sinclair) will make sure I'm in there doing my cardio and dropping a few pounds, while Collier makes sure I'm eating the right stuff to lean out.

Frierson: Is that one of the biggest changes from high school to college, having that level of attention on your body and diet, and the support system to help you get where you need to be?

Truss: For sure. In high school, you don't have so much control over what you're eating, and then you get to college and you're independent and it's on you. It's a responsibility — your body's a temple and if you don't take care of it, it's going to show.

Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on the team?

Truss: Sedrick (Van Pran) is pretty funny. I know I might sound biased coming from the O-line, but I think Sedrick's a pretty funny guy. Nolan (Smith), Nolan's a character, too. all the time. His motor's always going and he's always trying to put a smile on everybody's face.

Frierson: Do you have a creative side? Is there anything creative or artistic that you do or wish you could do?

Truss: I used to like to draw a lot, but not so much anymore. Creativity-wise, I like to break down music a lot. I kind of listen to it for deeper meanings, which I know a lot of people don't really do anymore.

I think my English teacher my senior of high school, we broke down a lot of music and it helped me get more into music. I'm a terrible artist, I can't draw to save my life [laughs].

Frierson: The English teacher you had, did it start with studying poetry and then move into music since song lyrics are basically just poems?

Truss: We broke down a bunch of Kendrick Lamar albums. I didn't really listen to Kendrick Lamar that much before that, I wasn't really into it, but after breaking it down and listening to the meaning and the lyrics and the wordplay, you understand that he's telling a story at the same time that you're getting a creative flow, and it just all blends together into a song and eventually an album.

Frierson: What did you do to win the three state championships in track and field? I'm guessing it wasn't in the 100-meter dash.

Truss: For indoor, I was shot put. In outdoor, I did discus, shot and until my junior year I did javelin too. I tried the hammer throw but I didn't have the footwork at that time for it [laughs].

I really loved track.

Frierson: What is it like to be a 15-year-old throwing the javelin? It's a pretty dangerous piece if equipment if you don't know what you're doing.

Truss: It's just like shooting a gun: I think if everybody understands the safety of it and how dangerous it can be, if everybody around you is being responsible, and you have your coaches there, it can be just as enjoyable as the other throwing events. I really loved it and I miss it a lot.

Frierson: If you could be great at anything for a day, just to experience it, what would it be?

Truss: One day? I'd be the fastest man in the world for one day. I want some Usain Bolt speed for just done day, just to see what it's like to run like some wide receivers. I consider myself a fast lineman but really, 4.2 (seconds in the 40-yard dash) speed, that would be crazy to have for a day.

(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)

Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.

Players Mentioned

Xavier Truss

Related Videos