SE: Q&A with Dalton Risner on Rookie Season in NFL
Jan 17, 2020 | Football, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
Dalton Risner's rookie season in the NFL is in the books. Too early for his liking, with the Conference Championships set for this weekend, but he's turned the page to the offseason.
Along with some downtime and a beach vacation, Risner's offseason will include a few signings of his children's book, Rise Up, which came out last September.
In time, probably not much of it, the former All-American Wildcat (2014-18) and second round draft pick will start working out and preparing to build off an impressive rookie season. Risner, a Colorado native, started all 16 games this season for the Denver Broncos, who won four of their last five games to finish 7-9. Pro Football Focus placed Risner on its All-Rookie Team.
Risner spoke with K-State Sports Extra on the phone last week about his first NFL season, some K-State reunions and his first children's book.
SE: Now that the season's over and I'm sure you've reflected and evaluated a little bit…how do you assess your first year in the NFL?
DR: I thought it was a great year. I thought coming from Kansas State helped me a ton, just in terms of going through the five-week camp that I had. I think the time at Kansas State fully prepared me to be in the NFL. What Bill Snyder did with me for five years, what Charlie Dickey did with me, it made the transition really easy. I think I had a great year. I think there's a lot to build upon. I wish I would have made the Pro Bowl. It was great to be on the All-Rookie Team, but I have higher expectations and I also have higher expectations for what our football team can do in Denver. I think there was a lot left out there, but definitely extremely proud and blessed with my rookie season.
SE: How encouraged were you with how your team finished the regular season? It seemed like you finished strong, beating the Raiders to knock them out of the playoffs.
DR: It was great. It was awesome to be able to end 4-1, kind of have another rookie in (quarterback) Drew (Lock) step in and do a hell of a job and kind of get some mojo for us going into the next season. It gave us all something to be really excited about, looking forward for what we can do in 2020.
SE: When did it start to feel normal, playing for your childhood team? Has it ever really sunk in, in that regard?
DR: There were some days where it felt like I was the part and it felt normal. There were some days where I just felt like a little kid and I just felt like it was too good to be true, that I was playing in that stadium. Whether it be on an away trip or a home game or a practice, wherever it was, some days it sank in and some days it didn't, but looking back on it now, I'm truly doing what I always wanted to do. Not a lot of people can say that. I'm super grateful for that. God has blessed me in ways I can't even fathom and it's definitely cool when guys like you ask me about it because it's been a dream come true for me. I know that's so cliché to say, but I'm truly living the dream that I dreamed about as a kid.
SE: What's one random thing that you've really loved about being a pro, so far, that you didn't expect?
DR: I just love the accountability. I love that. In college, you get held accountable by your coaches for everything and they make sure you're at workouts, they make sure you're showing up on time and being at this right weight and having a good attitude. In the NFL, it's your job. It is what you make it. I love that. Some guys don't like that because they need someone to hold them accountable. I'm not saying there's no accountability, because there are fines and things like that, but I just love that in the NFL you make your career what it is. If you don't want to work out for the three months in the offseason, you don't have to work out. But you might not be in the NFL long. If you don't want to show up perfectly on time, you might get cut. It's your choice, though. No coach is going to call you and make sure you're at your lift. No coach is going to see you before practice and make sure your mind is right. You're in the NFL. There are rookies trying to take my job right now. They're trying to get drafted, trying to take my job. What I love about it is it's my job to keep my job. No one's going to make sure I do it. It's all on me. I just love that. I love the self-drive part. I love being around other good people, great athletes. That's definitely my biggest takeaway that I like so far.
SE: On the flip side of things, what's something you miss about being a college football player?
DR: I'd say the team camaraderie. In the NFL, a lot of guys are married. It's a little bit different dynamic. I was with guys for five years at Kansas State. A lot of us weren't married, we would go to Chili's get a 2 for $20, and I'm talking a 2 for $20 by myself, just little stuff like that, that I feel like in the NFL, a lot of guys are married, a lot of guys have kids they have to go home to. I'm not saying the team camaraderie's not there. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's just a little bit different feel in college, whenever you have roommates and you're all younger without much obligations, stuff like that. It's not as much of a job in college.
SE: One random thing I enjoy about seeing you guys get into the pros are the arrival clothes, what you wear as you walk into the stadiums. You had some pretty funny ones this season. Did you have a favorite walk-in outfit from the season?
DR: Oh yeah, my overalls (laughs). My overalls were pretty cool. That was pretty awesome to walk in with some Wrangler overalls. That was probably my favorite outfit, for sure.
SE: Obviously, you got the opportunity to play against some former teammates, K-Staters throughout the season and preseason. What were those reunions like? How much did you enjoy those?
DR: I think it's an awesome way to reunite with a guy. Byron Pringle, I got to see him. I got to see a ton of friends that I've had over the years that have played for different teams just in the NFL now. It's really cool to see guys that have worked hard like you, especially a guy like Byron Pringle. The story that he's had, I'm so dang proud of that guy. I was about to call him a kid but he's a grown man. He's an awesome dude, and just to be able to see him in the NFL and reunite with him and talk about old times and see how far we both have come, it means a lot. That's what we do this game for, we do this game to make memories and make friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime. Some surreal moments this year, I promise you that.
SE: Of the K-State guys you got to play against, it was Cody Whitehair (Bears), Byron (Chiefs), Tyler Lockett (Seahawks) and D.J. Reed (49ers). Are any of those guys trash talkers and, if so, who's the best?
DR: Well, out on the field, Cody I'm never going to see because he's on offense. I'm never going to see Byron because he's out there (on offense). D.J. Reed, we played in the preseason, so he was at practice a little bit. I never really got a chance to truly play against a Kansas State-type guy, them being on defense while I'm on offense, but I'd probably say D.J. He plays with a lot of fire. Even when he was up in Denver at practice, I heard him talking. Elijah Lee was on the San Francisco 49ers that week as well. He was hurt and he was probably talking the most trash. They're great at football and they love to talk. It brought me back to old times.
SE: Back to the offensive line. What would you say was the biggest jump you had to make was, going to the NFL and into a new system?
DR: It was a lot like going from high school to college. You're not going to be the biggest, fastest, strongest anymore. You're not going to line up across the ball and expect to dominate every single play. This year I went against a lot of guys that were stronger than me and bigger than me. There are very few times where I felt like I was lining up and intimidating the guy across from me. There are some grown men in the NFL. It just kind of was a test of, 'Hey, I have to go 100 percent every play or else I'm going to get embarrassed.' So, from college to the NFL, the best guy you'll go against in college, that's really kind of who you're going against every game in the NFL. You're going to be going against guys who are extremely good, whether they're first, second or third string, and that kind of took some adjusting for me. It was definitely something I've had to do before, kind of like when I first showed up at Kansas State.
SE: I want to ask about the book now, and I know you're hoping to have a book signing in Manhattan soon, but can you take me through what that process was like, writing and publishing a children's book?
DR: With my non-profit foundation, I wanted a way to make an impact this season. I wanted a way to reach out to the youth and kind of share my story a little bit, things that I value. I thought what better way than to come out with a children's book. I've always liked to write. I wanted to kind of start the whole book writing process because I want to be able to continue to write books. It just kind of worked out perfect. It was a way for me to spread God's word, to spread my story and spread it to the youth, who I think are most in need of stories like that. It just worked out really well. I hope to have some more signings and sell some more books, but it's been very, very successful so far. Hopefully I'll have more books to come in the future.
SE: I know community service has been important to you for a long time. How would describe your opportunities to expand on what you did at K-State at the NFL level?
DR: In college, there's a lot of opportunities. I think there's even more in the NFL. When you're in the NFL, you have an even bigger platform, usually a bigger city, to spread your word and whatever you want to do and your kindness. With my platform in Manhattan, it set me up so great. Moving to Denver, somewhere I'm from and being in the NFL, I have more eyes on me. The game of football provides me, as well as anyone else who's in the NFL, whatever opportunities they want. The opportunities are endless with the platform that we have and with where sports are today and how many people's eyes are on football, especially at the professional level. That's something I utilize all the time and I hope I continue to do so.
SE: So what are your offseason plans? Do you have a vacation lined up?
DR: I moved out to Kansas City with my girlfriend, Whitney Clampitt, so I'm out here in Kansas City now. She's going to school at MNU and playing basketball, so I'm watching a lot of basketball, enjoying not having to FaceTime her every day. I'm enjoying being able to hang out with her. I'm eating good food. I'm going to start working out here in Kansas City next week. I have a vacation to Cancun, Mexico planned in March. I'm going to hopefully go get a house, my first house ever, in April in Colorado. A lot of big things that I'm excited for.
SE: What's your biggest goal for 2020?
DR: Oh, man. I would just say to improve my game in all areas. I'd say the biggest areas are to become a stronger football player, increase my footspeed and, overall, work so hard this offseason on footspeed, hand speed, strength, get my mental side refreshed so I can start 2020 and not be a rookie anymore. I think my biggest goal is to line up every snap next year and be confident in myself to win that snap. That wasn't something I could have said for this year. I'm an extremely confident player, but there were times where I was going against some big name players that I kind of got nervous, so I just want to be able to go into next year and walk out every single game confident in my ability, no matter who I'm playing.
Dalton Risner's rookie season in the NFL is in the books. Too early for his liking, with the Conference Championships set for this weekend, but he's turned the page to the offseason.
Along with some downtime and a beach vacation, Risner's offseason will include a few signings of his children's book, Rise Up, which came out last September.
In time, probably not much of it, the former All-American Wildcat (2014-18) and second round draft pick will start working out and preparing to build off an impressive rookie season. Risner, a Colorado native, started all 16 games this season for the Denver Broncos, who won four of their last five games to finish 7-9. Pro Football Focus placed Risner on its All-Rookie Team.
Risner spoke with K-State Sports Extra on the phone last week about his first NFL season, some K-State reunions and his first children's book.
SE: Now that the season's over and I'm sure you've reflected and evaluated a little bit…how do you assess your first year in the NFL?
DR: I thought it was a great year. I thought coming from Kansas State helped me a ton, just in terms of going through the five-week camp that I had. I think the time at Kansas State fully prepared me to be in the NFL. What Bill Snyder did with me for five years, what Charlie Dickey did with me, it made the transition really easy. I think I had a great year. I think there's a lot to build upon. I wish I would have made the Pro Bowl. It was great to be on the All-Rookie Team, but I have higher expectations and I also have higher expectations for what our football team can do in Denver. I think there was a lot left out there, but definitely extremely proud and blessed with my rookie season.
SE: How encouraged were you with how your team finished the regular season? It seemed like you finished strong, beating the Raiders to knock them out of the playoffs.
DR: It was great. It was awesome to be able to end 4-1, kind of have another rookie in (quarterback) Drew (Lock) step in and do a hell of a job and kind of get some mojo for us going into the next season. It gave us all something to be really excited about, looking forward for what we can do in 2020.
SE: When did it start to feel normal, playing for your childhood team? Has it ever really sunk in, in that regard?
DR: There were some days where it felt like I was the part and it felt normal. There were some days where I just felt like a little kid and I just felt like it was too good to be true, that I was playing in that stadium. Whether it be on an away trip or a home game or a practice, wherever it was, some days it sank in and some days it didn't, but looking back on it now, I'm truly doing what I always wanted to do. Not a lot of people can say that. I'm super grateful for that. God has blessed me in ways I can't even fathom and it's definitely cool when guys like you ask me about it because it's been a dream come true for me. I know that's so cliché to say, but I'm truly living the dream that I dreamed about as a kid.
SE: What's one random thing that you've really loved about being a pro, so far, that you didn't expect?
DR: I just love the accountability. I love that. In college, you get held accountable by your coaches for everything and they make sure you're at workouts, they make sure you're showing up on time and being at this right weight and having a good attitude. In the NFL, it's your job. It is what you make it. I love that. Some guys don't like that because they need someone to hold them accountable. I'm not saying there's no accountability, because there are fines and things like that, but I just love that in the NFL you make your career what it is. If you don't want to work out for the three months in the offseason, you don't have to work out. But you might not be in the NFL long. If you don't want to show up perfectly on time, you might get cut. It's your choice, though. No coach is going to call you and make sure you're at your lift. No coach is going to see you before practice and make sure your mind is right. You're in the NFL. There are rookies trying to take my job right now. They're trying to get drafted, trying to take my job. What I love about it is it's my job to keep my job. No one's going to make sure I do it. It's all on me. I just love that. I love the self-drive part. I love being around other good people, great athletes. That's definitely my biggest takeaway that I like so far.
SE: On the flip side of things, what's something you miss about being a college football player?
DR: I'd say the team camaraderie. In the NFL, a lot of guys are married. It's a little bit different dynamic. I was with guys for five years at Kansas State. A lot of us weren't married, we would go to Chili's get a 2 for $20, and I'm talking a 2 for $20 by myself, just little stuff like that, that I feel like in the NFL, a lot of guys are married, a lot of guys have kids they have to go home to. I'm not saying the team camaraderie's not there. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's just a little bit different feel in college, whenever you have roommates and you're all younger without much obligations, stuff like that. It's not as much of a job in college.
SE: One random thing I enjoy about seeing you guys get into the pros are the arrival clothes, what you wear as you walk into the stadiums. You had some pretty funny ones this season. Did you have a favorite walk-in outfit from the season?
DR: Oh yeah, my overalls (laughs). My overalls were pretty cool. That was pretty awesome to walk in with some Wrangler overalls. That was probably my favorite outfit, for sure.
SE: Obviously, you got the opportunity to play against some former teammates, K-Staters throughout the season and preseason. What were those reunions like? How much did you enjoy those?
DR: I think it's an awesome way to reunite with a guy. Byron Pringle, I got to see him. I got to see a ton of friends that I've had over the years that have played for different teams just in the NFL now. It's really cool to see guys that have worked hard like you, especially a guy like Byron Pringle. The story that he's had, I'm so dang proud of that guy. I was about to call him a kid but he's a grown man. He's an awesome dude, and just to be able to see him in the NFL and reunite with him and talk about old times and see how far we both have come, it means a lot. That's what we do this game for, we do this game to make memories and make friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime. Some surreal moments this year, I promise you that.
SE: Of the K-State guys you got to play against, it was Cody Whitehair (Bears), Byron (Chiefs), Tyler Lockett (Seahawks) and D.J. Reed (49ers). Are any of those guys trash talkers and, if so, who's the best?
DR: Well, out on the field, Cody I'm never going to see because he's on offense. I'm never going to see Byron because he's out there (on offense). D.J. Reed, we played in the preseason, so he was at practice a little bit. I never really got a chance to truly play against a Kansas State-type guy, them being on defense while I'm on offense, but I'd probably say D.J. He plays with a lot of fire. Even when he was up in Denver at practice, I heard him talking. Elijah Lee was on the San Francisco 49ers that week as well. He was hurt and he was probably talking the most trash. They're great at football and they love to talk. It brought me back to old times.
SE: Back to the offensive line. What would you say was the biggest jump you had to make was, going to the NFL and into a new system?
DR: It was a lot like going from high school to college. You're not going to be the biggest, fastest, strongest anymore. You're not going to line up across the ball and expect to dominate every single play. This year I went against a lot of guys that were stronger than me and bigger than me. There are very few times where I felt like I was lining up and intimidating the guy across from me. There are some grown men in the NFL. It just kind of was a test of, 'Hey, I have to go 100 percent every play or else I'm going to get embarrassed.' So, from college to the NFL, the best guy you'll go against in college, that's really kind of who you're going against every game in the NFL. You're going to be going against guys who are extremely good, whether they're first, second or third string, and that kind of took some adjusting for me. It was definitely something I've had to do before, kind of like when I first showed up at Kansas State.
SE: I want to ask about the book now, and I know you're hoping to have a book signing in Manhattan soon, but can you take me through what that process was like, writing and publishing a children's book?
DR: With my non-profit foundation, I wanted a way to make an impact this season. I wanted a way to reach out to the youth and kind of share my story a little bit, things that I value. I thought what better way than to come out with a children's book. I've always liked to write. I wanted to kind of start the whole book writing process because I want to be able to continue to write books. It just kind of worked out perfect. It was a way for me to spread God's word, to spread my story and spread it to the youth, who I think are most in need of stories like that. It just worked out really well. I hope to have some more signings and sell some more books, but it's been very, very successful so far. Hopefully I'll have more books to come in the future.
SE: I know community service has been important to you for a long time. How would describe your opportunities to expand on what you did at K-State at the NFL level?
DR: In college, there's a lot of opportunities. I think there's even more in the NFL. When you're in the NFL, you have an even bigger platform, usually a bigger city, to spread your word and whatever you want to do and your kindness. With my platform in Manhattan, it set me up so great. Moving to Denver, somewhere I'm from and being in the NFL, I have more eyes on me. The game of football provides me, as well as anyone else who's in the NFL, whatever opportunities they want. The opportunities are endless with the platform that we have and with where sports are today and how many people's eyes are on football, especially at the professional level. That's something I utilize all the time and I hope I continue to do so.
SE: So what are your offseason plans? Do you have a vacation lined up?
DR: I moved out to Kansas City with my girlfriend, Whitney Clampitt, so I'm out here in Kansas City now. She's going to school at MNU and playing basketball, so I'm watching a lot of basketball, enjoying not having to FaceTime her every day. I'm enjoying being able to hang out with her. I'm eating good food. I'm going to start working out here in Kansas City next week. I have a vacation to Cancun, Mexico planned in March. I'm going to hopefully go get a house, my first house ever, in April in Colorado. A lot of big things that I'm excited for.
SE: What's your biggest goal for 2020?
DR: Oh, man. I would just say to improve my game in all areas. I'd say the biggest areas are to become a stronger football player, increase my footspeed and, overall, work so hard this offseason on footspeed, hand speed, strength, get my mental side refreshed so I can start 2020 and not be a rookie anymore. I think my biggest goal is to line up every snap next year and be confident in myself to win that snap. That wasn't something I could have said for this year. I'm an extremely confident player, but there were times where I was going against some big name players that I kind of got nervous, so I just want to be able to go into next year and walk out every single game confident in my ability, no matter who I'm playing.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballK-State FB | Welcome back Collin Klein
Monday, December 08
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Radio Interview
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Official Introductory Event
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Thank You Coach Klieman
Wednesday, December 03
