Friday Five: Bryce Douglas

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – All spring long, we will highlight rising stars on the University of Northern Iowa football team. Returning senior and UNI defensive tackle Bryce Douglas continues the series, the Plainfield, Illinois native talks about receiving an extra year of eligibly, the UNI coaching staff and his basketball skills.

Q: How does it feel to receive an extra year of eligibility?
A: My family and I were very excited, and I'm just blessed to get this opportunity. We weren't sure that I would get it, but now I'm so happy we did because it gives me a chance to possibly finish my master's degree and compete in the MVFC for one more year.

Q: How has this spring gone for you?
A: This spring is going excellent. I've been learning a lot, I've been in the film room and weight room a lot more. We're watching film on us and our last game against South Dakota State. We want to learn from that and let it motivate us, it really adds fuel to the fire for how we ended last year.

Q: What has the coaching staff done for your development?
A: Coach Mark Farley has made me a better player by just pushing me. Even though it's my sixth year of college football he still treats me like a freshman because I have so much to learn. He's really pushing me and that's what's making me a great football player. Coach David Braun is challenging me in so many ways to build off last year's success. He made a whole tape of my negative plays and my positive plays to show me what I need to do better. He challenges me mentally and that has been a great thing for me.

Q: What's the chemistry like for the defensive linemen?
A: Rickey Neal Jr., that's my best friend. We're always hanging out outside of football and doing stuff. The chemistry in our defensive line room is great. I feel like we are taking over the leadership position and I feel like everyone is gelling well. We're excited for this fall.

Q: Rickey Neal Jr. is a talented musician; do you have any hidden talents like that?
A: For me, I don't have any hidden talents like that, I can play a little bit of basketball though. If the basketball team needs a good 15 points off the bench, then Coach Ben Jacobson can hit me up. I can get you some rebounds, but I would have to play a 2-3 on the court due to my height. I can go down there and box somebody out though, I'm a guaranteed 15 points from the 3-point line.

The 2018 Panthers will return 26 players who made starts on offense and defense for UNI in 2017. Last year's squad earned an 8-5 record and defeated three Top-10 foes on its way to the program's 19th FCS Playoff berth. The Panthers also succeeded on the postseason award's stage, after seven different players earned All-American honors which was the most since 2007.

UP NEXT
UNI will practice again on Saturday, with the Panthers hitting the Dome turf at 9 a.m. sharp.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @UNIFootball on Twitter and @UNIPantherFootball on Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @UNIAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Friday Five: Bryce Douglas

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Rickey Neal Jr.

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