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University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Ra'Shede Hageman
4/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Throughout the winter and spring, GopherSports.com has been bringing you interviews with future Gophers who signed letters of intent earlier this year. Next up is tight end Ra’Shede Hageman. GopherSports.com caught up with the local star out of Washburn High to get his thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium, staying home to play his college ball and his ability to cook a good breakfast. Hageman spoke to GopherSports.com earlier this week. Here’s a transcript of that interview:
GopherSports.com: Has it all sunk in that you’re officially a Golden Gopher yet?
Ra’Shede Hageman: Yes it has. Maybe not officially, because I don’t have a jersey or a helmet. But I am getting ready and finishing high school.
GopherSports.com: Can you talk about the recruiting process and what made you decide to come to Minnesota?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I thought the tight end situation was good for me. I had good chemistry with the tight end coach (Derek Lewis). The recruiting process was crazy, because a lot of coaches would call you and talk about their offense and where you would fit in. But after the recruiting process was over, I didn’t hear from a lot of those coaches. The recruiting process just seems like a business to me.
GopherSports.com: Is there anyone you like to emulate or pattern your game after?
Ra’Shede Hageman: It is a mix between Darren McFadden and LeBron James. I like the way they play and their style. How physically fit they are fits me, because I work hard and train to the best of my ability. I can see myself playing the same style as Darren McFadden.
GopherSports.com: What are your thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium?
Ra’Shede Hageman: It is a great look for Minnesota. I am excited to see it finished and I am excited to play there. Just because we have the stadium doesn’t mean that we are going to win more games, though. I am excited, but at the same time we still have to work hard.
GopherSports.com: What does it mean to you to play in front of a home crowd?
Ra’Shede Hageman: They are my support system. I want to prove to everyone that I made it. At this point right now, people watching me at home makes me excited and makes me want to work harder.
GopherSports.com: Do you realize you’ll be part of the first class to play your entire Minnesota career at the new stadium?
Ra’Shede Hageman: We are making part of history. Not just me as an individual player but just having the facility is history being made.
GopherSports.com: There are a lot of new players from the Twin Cities area, have you connected with any of them?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I am really excited to move on campus. Moses Alipate and I have been playing basketball together since grade school, so we are just excited to go on campus and live the college life.
GopherSports.com: What are your goals for your first season with the Gophers?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I want to make the All-Freshman team.
GopherSports.com: What are your long-term goals for your college career?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I hope to make it to the Rose Bowl. Obviously, I also want to build my skills and ability to be drafted into the NFL.
GopherSports.com: What have you been up to since Signing Day?
Ra’Shede Hageman: School. You can’t give up on that. I am just lifting and preparing mentally.
GopherSports.com: Can you tell us what it was like to win the State Championship in basketball?
Ra’Shede Hageman: Naturally, I was a basketball player before I was a football player. I thought basketball was going to be my favorite sport. I am just excited to win a State Championship. That is going to look good on my resume. It was good, especially for my senior year. I think it was great to win the State Championship to get me hyped up and get ready to play for the Gophers.
GopherSports.com: When did you decide you wanted to play Division I football?
Ra’Shede Hageman: When I started to gain more muscle and strength. I started dominating more in football and had colleges come talk to me.
GopherSports.com: What’s your favorite thing to do if you have a day to yourself to do anything you want?
Ra’Shede Hageman: Sleep. I really don’t get to sleep that much.
GopherSports.com: What music are you listening to most right now?
Ra’Shede Hageman: Mostly rap. I like Lil Webbie.
GopherSports.com: What is a song that gets you hyped up before you lift or go to practice?
Ra’Shede Hageman: Swerve On Em by Lil Webbie.
GopherSports.com: Have you seen a good movie lately?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I like a combination of comedy and action movies. I haven’t been able to see a lot of movies that I want to see lately. But if I go, it would be a combination of comedy and action.
GopherSports.com: What is one of your favorite movies?
Ra’Shede Hageman: Dumb and Dumber.
GopherSports.com: Favorite type of food? If you had to choose your favorite meal, what would it be?
Ra’Shede Hageman: Sausage pizza rolls are my favorite right now. For my favorite meal, I would like purple Gatorade, chicken wings with ranch sauce and vanilla ice cream with chocolate brownies for dessert.
GopherSports.com: What’s Can’t Miss TV for you?
Ra’Shede Hageman: UFC Fighting. I think UFC is better than boxing because it is an all-out brawl. It is just real, not like the fake wrestling. I like all of the fighters. I like them for all different reasons.
GopherSports.com: Do you have any hidden talents that maybe not many people know about?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I am funny. I am just a cool person to hang out with. And I can cook a good breakfast.
GopherSports.com: What are you looking forward to most about coming to campus this summer?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I want to lift weights well and eat well because I just want to become better.
GopherSports.com: Is there anything you’d like to say to Gopher fans who will be reading this?
Ra’Shede Hageman: I am definitely looking forward to playing for the Gophers and trying to bring a Rose Bowl Championship back to Minnesota.
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