Aug. 18, 2015

Ronnie Stanley – Senior – Offensive Line

On his ability to be a leader of this teamââ’¬¦

“I was always able to give my teammates good feedback and be able to influence them in some ways, but I was never too firm in my leadership role. Now I have taken hold of it and embraced it more than I ever have.”

On how difficult it was to become a more vocal leader of the teamââ’¬¦

“It was difficult. It wasn’t easy. You are dealing with guys, some of which are older than you and some are the same age. These guys are very skilled and grown up and they think they are probably the best around their town so there are a lot of egos and characters going around. People need to be humbled. Even myself, we need to be humbled and take responsibility and look at ourselves as part of the team.”

On if injuries limited his ability to participate in winter workoutsââ’¬¦

“Throughout the winters I did get in good work. I did fight through injuries but I always came back firing on all pistons.”

On his decision to return to Notre Dame this seasonââ’¬¦

“It was a very difficult decision. Personally I am not very much of a college guy. I rather be out and doing my own thing. One of things that got me to stay was my teammates, all those guys coming back that I built bonds with and I am really close with. It wouldn’t feel right leaving all those guys that I know.”

On his personal goals for this seasonââ’¬¦

“Just to improve every day, give it my all and always be that rock that my team can lean on and never have to worry about because I am going to get my job done.”

On the goals for the team this seasonââ’¬¦

“Win a national championship, but first we have to beat Texas.”

On comparing this Notre Dame to other teams in the country like Ohio Stateââ’¬¦

“I don’t want to compare us to Ohio State but the amount of talent that [Ohio State] had and the amount of talent this team has is the only comparable thing. This is our own team and we have our own ways of doing things. We have a camaraderie to this team and I believe it is something that is really strong and powerful when comparing it to other teams. When you match up two very talented teams the closeness of the teams and the ability to push each other forward and not down is really something that enhances teams and gives them the edge.”

On playing behind a mobile quarterback like Malik Zaireââ’¬¦

“It makes it a little easier once you have a quarterback that can decide to keep if he wants.”

On how he would describe this year’s offensive lineââ’¬¦

“I would say locked-in. We are very locked-in. When we are in there we are live. We are a very serious group out there.”