Exclusive Interview: TE John Tereshinski

SDBoltReport.com's Michael Kranzler continues his series of Chargers rookie interviews, this time sitting down with former Wake Forest tight end John Tereshinski. The driven rookie talks about contributing on special teams, playing college ball with Jyles Tucker, competing for time in San Diego's deep tight end corps and more.

Click here for the "Insiders only" portion of this interview, where Tereshinski talks about bucking family trends, becoming an Internet star and improving his blocking.

Michael Kranzler: Wake Forest was one of the country’s biggest surprise teams the past two years after being at the bottom of the ACC for years. What led to such a huge turnaround?

John Tereshinski: Well, it all started with the coaches getting good players in there who loved to play the game, guys with great character and guys that just want to go out there and win and have a winning mentality. It was guys like [former Wake Forest player] Jyles Tucker, who was a free agent and made the [Chargers] last year and did pretty well. We just have tons of guys like that who always believe you’re going to come out a winner.

MK: How did you manage to get catches in an offense where one player [Kenneth Moore] had more than one-third of the team’s receptions?

JT: It just depended on the play call and the defense we were playing against. Kenny’s a magnificent player with great heart and he catches everything.

MK: The Chargers benefit from very strong tight end play by Antonio Gates and Brandon Manumaleuna, and Scott Chandler has shown potential to be a serious contributor as well. What do you feel you can offer this team in terms of your play on the field?

JT: I feel like I’m a pretty good receiver and I do well on special teams and everything. Wherever they need me, I’ll play. I’ll be going 100 percent every play and believe in the system and everything like that.

MK: Have any of the veterans started to mentor you on the field?

JT: Yeah, they’ve been helping me out a little bit. It’s a good, close team, so they’re willing to help the young guys, as well. I’ve definitely been getting help from the tight ends in my group and some of the guys on defense, as well.

MK: What do you like to do in your free time?

JT: I like to just hang out with friends, maybe go play some golf or go fishing.

MK: What’s your handicap?

JT: I don’t know. I like to just go have some fun. I normally shoot around 85 to 90. I’m not good but I like to do it.

Click here for the "Insiders only" portion of this interview, where Tereshinski talks about bucking family trends, becoming an Internet star and improving his blocking.

Click here for an exclusive interview with Wake Forest tight ends coach Tommy Elrod, who explains why Tereshinski is the "wave of the future for tight ends."