Shortly after the Chargers took him in the fifth round, guard Scott Quessenberry called Chargers.com to give his exclusive first interview as a member of the Bolts.
Chargers.com: As a die-hard Chargers fan growing up, what's this moment like for you?
Quessenberry:It's unbelievable. It was getting pretty late in the draft, and I was kind of freaking out a little bit, but as soon as that phone rings, my stomach dropped and it feels great to be able to call myself a Charger. It's just incredible. Growing up watching guys like Nick Hardwick, Mike Goff, Kris Dielman. Their offensive line tradition there is unreal and out of this world so to be a part of it and hopefully be one of the next Pro Bowlers is unreal.
Chargers.com:And you had season tickets growing up?
Quessenberry: Yep, plaza section. Crazy how it all comes full circle.
Chargers.com:You probably grew up dreaming of being in that jersey like millions of kids, but you actually get to live out that dream. That's pretty special.
Quessenberry:It is. To have the bolt on the side of my helmet is going to be huge to be able to honor my family. But I'm going to do whatever I can for the organization to win football games and make us better.
Chargers.com:What are the Chargers getting in you? What do you bring to the table?
Quessenberry:They're getting a really complete, well-balanced football player*. *I'm only going to continue to grow in terms of my football knowledge. But they're getting someone who's going to come in and work hard every day. I'm not going to leave anything out there.
Chargers.com:What's it going to be like to block for Philip Rivers?
Quessenberry:I grew up watching Phil. I grew up watching him back up Drew (Brees). When he finally got his time, I watched him go 14-2 and have MVP-caliber seasons. So to block for a signal caller like that, is going to be really special.
Chargers.com:This team drafted some young players last year in Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney, so what's it going to be like being a part of that young core going forward? Plus you have some veterans like Mike Pouncey and Russell Okung. What's your mindset moving into this o-line room?
Quessenberry: I think they addressed a lot of needs at o-line in the offseason last year with bringing Okung in and bringing Mike in this year. Then getting Forrest and Dan back is going to be huge. I think being able to learn from guys like that, along with Joe Barksdale who's been a staple for the Chargers at right tackle, being able to learn from the older guys is going to be fun.
Chargers.com: You also played at UCLA so staying in L.A. has got to be fun. Could this have gone any better for Scott Quessenberry?
Quessenberry: I don't think so! I played at UCLA, I'm a short drive up north for my family to come watch me play. I'm really good friends with Eddie Vanderdoes who plays for the Raiders because he played at UCLA. I get to reunite with Joey Bosa who I played with in the Under Armour game. It's crazy how the world works and I'm really excited to be a Charger.
Chargers.com: Your brother, David Quessenberry, is in the NFL. What's it like for your family to have two kids in the NFL?
Quessenberry:It's pretty surreal! We're both pretty excited to be contemporaries and maybe see each other in the AFC Championship.
Chargers.com:What are the strengths of your game?
Quessenberry:I'm really good in pass protection, and I think my football intelligence is second-to none in this draft class. I'm excited to prove that.
Chargers.com:What do you want your very first message be to all the Chargers fans?
Quessenberry:Bolt up!
Take a look at the Chargers' fifth round pick, G Scott Quessenberry, of UCLA
Offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry talks to the media at the NFL Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Ind. (Detroit Lions via AP)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA center Scott Quessenberry (52) celebrates a touchdown by UCLA wide receiver Devin Fuller, right, in the first half of their NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry (52) points out players during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 31-24 in over time. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry (OL34) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry looks to block against Texas A&M defensive lineman Zaycoven Henderson during an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 45-44. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry (52) in the second half during an NCAA college football bowl game against Kansas State, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, in Phoenix. Kansas State defeated UCLA 35-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA's Scott Quessenberry speaks at the Pac-12 NCAA college football media day, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
North Squad OC Scott Quessenberry of UCLA (56) in action during the North teams practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala.,Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
