GopherSports.com will be posting
interviews with many of the newest Gophers from the 2012 signing class
throughout the remainder of the spring. The next profile in our series is a
conversation with running back James Gillum of Pearl River, La. and Mississippi
Gulf Coast Community College.
Gillum enrolled in school in January
so he could take part in Spring Practice. As a prep, Gillum led the state of
Louisiana in rushing as a sophomore and was recruited out of high school by
Coach Kill and his Northern Illinois staff in 2010, before heading to junior
college. Rivals.com rated Gillum as a three-star prospect, while Scout.com listed
him as a two-star player.
GopherSports.com: How are you enjoying your first few months
at Minnesota?
James Gillum: It feels great to be here. It's a great place to be,
so I'm happy about my decision. I feel good about the Twin Cities. It's a great
place. Everybody treats you nice out here.
GopherSports.com: When did you know you wanted to be a Gopher?
James Gillum: have a pretty good relationship with the coaching
staff, so I felt pretty good about signing here. The coaches are a good fit for
me, they want players who want to come out here and play for them. I knew when I took my official visit.
GopherSports.com: How
much playing time do you expect to get next season?
James Gillum: I'm looking to play right away, but I'm going to
have to work hard, learn the plays and show them I'm ready to play. I'm hoping
for a lot of playing time, that's my goal -- to play.
GopherSports.com: Why did you decide to enroll early?
James Gillum: I graduated from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community
College in December, so I wanted to get a head start here and learn the system.
GopherSports.com: Do you have a planned major yet?
James Gillum: Business and Marketing.
GopherSports.com: What kind of runner would you characterize
yourself as?
James Gillum: I feel like I'm an every-down runner. I can carry
the ball through the middle, I can come out of the backfield and catch the
ball, so I feel like I'm an every-down back.
GopherSports.com: What are your goals for next season?
James Gillum: My goal is to come out here and compete and bring my
all. I want to come in and make it all happen from the first season and have a
winning season.
GopherSports.com: What are your goals for your college
career, where do you want to be when it's all said and done?
James Gillum: Plan A is to play professional ball and my plan B
would be to get my business degree.
GopherSports.com: Is there a particular athlete you try to
model yourself after?
James Gillum: My favorite running back was Walter Payton. I like
Adrian Peterson too.
GopherSports.com: How do you feel about the new uniforms?
James Gillum: I like them. They look good. I like all the
different colors and I can't wait to wear them. I like the white-on-maroon and
the maroon-on-gold.
GopherSports.com: What is your favorite TV show?
James Gillum: My favorite TV show is The Game.
GopherSports.com: Who is your favorite music artist?
James Gillum: I would have to go with Lil Wayne.
-Interview by Mitch Praxl, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
