Jaylin Lane, Commanders 4th round pick, joins G&D to discuss being drafted by Washington plus what he will bring to this offense.
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00:00And that was a play made by a commander, Jalen Lane, who was just drafted by Washington this past week
00:08and is going to be a piece and a weapon, hopefully, that Cliff Kingsbury can make sweet music with.
00:13He's joining us in just a moment.
00:15Brooke Pinto, D.C. Councilwoman, to update us on the quest to get a stadium in D.C. at the RFK site.
00:21That's coming up in one half hour at 5 o'clock.
00:24Tariq El-Bashir joins us on site here at Capital One Arena at 5.30 as we look ahead to the Caps.
00:29And the Canadians.
00:30But on the Rude guest hotline, Rude, the most reliable heating and air conditioning in the DMV,
00:35we do find Jalen Lane, former Virginia Tech Hokie and current Washington commander.
00:41Jalen, congratulations on staying in the area here and being drafted by the commanders.
00:47Hey, thank you, man.
00:49You know, it's a really exciting time.
00:51A whole lot of Hokie fans are extremely happy about me going to Washington.
00:55So it's pretty cool.
00:57Yeah, every Hokie fan that I know was blowing up the old telephone, telling me how excited
01:01they were that you were staying here in Washington.
01:04What was that process like?
01:05When did you know?
01:06When did you have a feeling that it might be D.C. that you'd be calling home?
01:10You know, it's a cool process.
01:13You know, I meet with a lot of teams.
01:15A lot of teams come out, work you out.
01:17The commanders were one of the teams that came and did a private workout with me.
01:21And so, you know, I knew they were interested and, you know, we get to the draft and the
01:27picks start coming in and, you know, I see they're still on the board and, you know,
01:31it's just kind of a little bit of anticipation thinking I might get this call from them.
01:35And, you know, when they called, I was ecstatic.
01:37You know, I was extremely happy and, you know, I'm ready to work.
01:41Jalen, I've seen different sizes for you all over the Internet.
01:44How tall are you and how much do you weigh?
01:47Hey, man, I'm going to say I'm 5'10", around 195.
01:52Yeah, that's where I like to be at, around 195.
01:56Okay, but you're legit 5'10", because, like, you're still listed on college sites at, like, 5'8".
02:02Yeah, I'm not 5'8", I can guarantee that.
02:05But, yeah, I'm definitely, I'd say the lowest I'm going is, like, 5'90".
02:10But I like to give myself 5'10".
02:12I'm going to give you 5'10", too.
02:13Here's the reason I ask.
02:15Your skill set's electric, right?
02:17What a lot of us wanted was speed.
02:19I wanted a burner.
02:20I don't care what position people play anymore, the way I view offense.
02:24It's kind of positionless.
02:25I want playmakers, and it seems like you're one of those.
02:28But describe your game.
02:29Do you view yourself as a traditional wide receiver?
02:32Do you think you're a slot guy, or could you play on the boundary?
02:35Could you line up in the backfield?
02:36How do you view yourself?
02:38What will you be in the NFL?
02:40Yeah, man.
02:41I feel like I'm very versatile, man.
02:45I've done a lot of stuff out of the slot in my career.
02:47But I've also done, at Mississippi, I've done a lot of stuff on the outside.
02:51So, you know, I've got both of those in my bag.
02:54And, you know, if you look at the table, I've done some stuff out of the backfield.
02:57A lot of stuff just getting me the ball and, you know, letting me work.
03:02And, obviously, you know, you've seen the punt return, kick return work.
03:05So, you know, I feel like I'm a very versatile player, and I'm ready to bring that and help the commanders win some ballgames.
03:1279 catches, a little over 1,000 yards for the Hokies the last couple of seasons at Virginia Tech in the ACC.
03:18And, as you said, very likely going to be the punt returner, kick returner here in Washington, which we'll get into.
03:24Specific to how they used you, just watching the highlight packages that were all over the web after the pick.
03:30It's a lot of jet action.
03:32It's a lot of, you know, pitches and end-arounds and stuff like that.
03:35Was that the case at Middle Tennessee State as well when you had big wide receiver numbers?
03:40Or was that kind of the role you had at Virginia Tech?
03:43And do you think that carries over into the league?
03:45I would say we definitely did a little bit of that at Middle Tennessee, not as much as I did at Tech.
03:51But, you know, I was, you know, big down, field, vertical, you know, third at MT.
03:58And, you know, and then, you know, I come to Tech as a different side of offense, you know, different play callers.
04:03And, you know, we probably had a different reverse in each and every week.
04:07So, I knew that that was a guaranteed touch for me coming into a game.
04:11And so, you know, it was just cool to, you know, be able to showcase my abilities in that realm and, you know, show what I can do with the ball in my hands.
04:19Jalen Lane with us here on Grant and Danny.
04:22So, in terms of maybe what we didn't get to see.
04:25So, I guess because when I watch Virginia Tech play, it's everything like you're talking about.
04:29It's close to a line of scrimmage.
04:30It's a different reverse every week.
04:32It's like, oh, here comes the reverse.
04:33And here comes a dude that's faster than everybody else.
04:35What have you not gotten a chance to show?
04:38Maybe just, and I'm not blaming anybody.
04:40Just it's a different level, different game.
04:41But now that you're headed to the pros, what have you not gotten a chance to show that's in your tool bag?
04:46Yeah, like kind of like what I've talked about, what I did at Middleton to see, you know, just that vertical downfield threat.
04:52You know, it's, you know, something that I definitely feel like I have in my bag.
04:57I know I have in my bag.
04:58And, you know, I can threaten the defense going downfield and, you know, I'm a route runner as well.
05:04You know, I, you know, at Virginia Tech, even I got to showcase a little bit of that at Virginia Tech as well.
05:10You know, we're starting routes.
05:12I didn't always get the ball, but, you know, on tape, I feel like I was always open.
05:16So, you know, I feel like, you know, coming in with, you know, a new offense with, you know, a lot of experienced guys and a lot of talented young guys.
05:25But, you know, I'm ready to, you know, you know, find my way in and, you know, make plays and, you know, help the team win.
05:34Commander's draft pick Jalen Lane on Grant and Danny, chosen out of Virginia Tech, speediest member of their draft class, receiver.
05:41And they'll line them up all over the place and get them to football on this offense to try to make some explosive plays.
05:47One of the things I'm excited about is how Cliff Kingsbury can draw things up with you.
05:51He's very creative.
05:52And we saw some exotic concepts last year.
05:54What was your relationship like with Cliff before the draft?
05:58And what has he said, if anything, about usage?
06:02You know, I haven't talked to him as much as, you know, I've talked to Coach Ingram a lot.
06:09You know, I've talked to Coach Quinn, stuff like that.
06:11And, you know, it's mainly just been, you know, just, you know, they've just been expressing their excitement to get me and things like that.
06:19And, you know, we haven't talked too much scheme and stuff yet.
06:22You know, we're about to get into rookie minicamp, and I'm sure we'll start discussing.
06:26But, you know, I'm excited, you know, seeing what they did last year and just seeing the momentum they have building.
06:33And I'm just extremely blessed to, you know, be coming to this situation.
06:37Did Jaden Daniels reach out?
06:39No, not yet.
06:41Not yet.
06:42I'm sure.
06:43I'm already at the facility, so I know I'll meet him there when I get out.
06:48But, yeah, I'm excited for that.
06:50That's a good deal.
06:50Jaden Lane with us here on Grant and Danny.
06:52In terms of, you know, coming to the next level and the challenges that it's going to, you know, sort of obviously present here as you get used to a whole new set of situations, ballgame, et cetera, what can you lean back on?
07:06Kind of what you went through going from, no disrespect, going from Middle Tennessee all the way up now to playing huge big-time college football at Virginia Tech.
07:13How does that experience maybe help you jump to another next level?
07:16Yeah, man, you know, I feel like, you know, just challenging myself and transferring.
07:23Mainly, you know, I was going into, you know, competitive receiver room at Virginia Tech.
07:28And, you know, I knew I was going to have to work hard to earn my way.
07:31And, you know, I led the team in recessions the past few seasons.
07:35And, you know, I feel like it's a testament to how hard I'll work.
07:38And, you know, I'm just going to continue to bring that, just continue to bring a good work ethic and just working hard day in and day out.
07:45And no excuses.
07:46And, you know, that's ultimately how you get better.
07:48That's how you, you know, be the best in competition.
07:51And, yeah, I'm excited for it.
07:54We saw the phone call that the commanders made to you that they put out.
07:57Adam Peters told you you were the best punt returner on their board, yeah?
08:01Yeah.
08:03It's crazy.
08:03I didn't hear them because it was just so loud.
08:06I had to obviously watch the video back.
08:09But, you know, after you said you're going to be a commander, it got so loud in the room.
08:13And I can't hear anything.
08:14I was just saying thank you.
08:15I know Coach Quinn got on the phone.
08:17And, you know, I talked to him, too.
08:20But it was definitely a cool, you know, experience.
08:23And I'm glad they got video of it because I would have no clue what he said if they didn't.
08:28It seems like you are very comfortable as a return man taking on whatever contact comes and all those things.
08:36Do you anticipate getting an opportunity to do that?
08:38And punt returning seems like a no-brainer.
08:40They've been looking for a punt returner.
08:41What about kick returns?
08:42Is that something you could do also?
08:45Oh, yeah, for sure.
08:46You know, at Middleton this year, I did a lot of kick return stuff as well.
08:51A little bit at Virginia Tech.
08:52So, yeah, I'm comfortable in, you know, both facets of the return game.
08:56And, you know, I'm just ready to, you know, like I said earlier, just ready to go out and make some plays.
09:02I wasn't winning.
09:03You have a guy that you compare yourself to a little bit.
09:06Obviously, you're your own man and, you know, you're making your way in the NFL.
09:09But is there someone you kind of grew up emulating a little bit and whose game that fans who are getting to know you could say, hey, he's kind of similar to this guy?
09:17You know, growing up, I'm not going to lie, I was a Steelers fan.
09:21So, I like the Heinz awards and stuff like that.
09:24But, you know, recently as of late, you know, I did an interview during the pre-job process.
09:30Like, you know, I've been watching a lot of Terry the last couple of seasons, just, you know, studying his game and, you know, his route running, contested catches, all that.
09:40And, you know, he quickly became one of my favorite receivers.
09:43So, you know, it's cool that, you know, I'm going to a situation where, you know, I'll be playing with him.
09:48So, I'm excited for that.
09:49Yeah, and I just want to back you up.
09:51You said that before the draft.
09:52Yeah.
09:52So, that's not just you after you're with now.
09:54No, I was going to say, yeah, wait, it's a great answer.
09:57I saw his interview before the draft.
09:59You can look it up.
10:01Yeah, I said that after the combine, I believe.
10:04So, yeah, I wasn't who I liked then yet, but now it's cool.
10:08Well, Jalen, we appreciate you hopping on the show with us and getting to know you a little bit.
10:14Maybe we'll check in around training camp and see how things are going.
10:17But best of luck to you.
10:18If you need anything, mainly food recommendations is what we're good at.
10:22I don't know how we can help you otherwise, but we're here for you and enjoy your time in D.C.
10:27Word.
10:27I love to eat good food.
10:28So, I'd definitely be hitting y'all a little for that, man.
10:31Appreciate y'all.
10:31What's your genre, your food type of choice?
10:35Man, it really depends on the day.
10:41Like, today, I'm probably going Mexican food, but, you know, I like to branch out and try new things.
10:47So, you know, you can hit me with anything.
10:49So, I'm not a Mexican food guy, but, Danny, you could probably give him a rest.
10:53All over.
10:53There's plenty.
10:54If you're downtown close to Capital One Arena, Oymel is a 10 out of 10.
10:57But there's a million places in and around this area.
11:00It's got really, really good Mexican food.
11:02You'll be in heaven.
11:03All right.
11:04I love to hear that, Dan.
11:06All right, brother.
11:06Thank you for the time, and go make some plays.
11:09We'll catch up with you soon.
11:10Most definitely.
11:11Appreciate y'all.
11:12You got it.
11:13He is a Hokie.
11:15I forgot to bring in Hokie Altizer.
11:17Toby, who's our resident Virginia Tech Hokies expert, who anytime we have a Hokie on, I say anytime.
11:24We've done it once.
11:24Yeah, the other time we've had a Hokie on.
11:26With Basial Tootin.
11:27But now we'll bring in Hokie Altizer.
11:29Toby, when they drafted him, was this a guy that was on your radar that you get size for,
11:34or is it just that you're excited that they drafted a Hokie?
11:36No, I was fired up that they drafted Jalen Lane because I think he fits exactly what they want to do.
11:40I think he's great in the screen game.
11:42I think he's someone that's dynamic with the football in his hands.
11:45You talked about the reverses, and he talked about how they had a different one every single game.
11:49I think it's college defenses more so than pro defenses.
11:52But somehow, every single week, you knew that a reverse was going to Jalen Lane.
11:56And somehow, every single week, he still broke it for 20-plus yards.
12:00So, he's an electric athlete.
12:01He's going to help in the punt return game.
12:03He's going to help on the offense when you just get the ball in his hands.
12:05I think he's going to be really, really good here.
12:07Toby, what about my dream that he goes down the field?
12:09Is that something that he can do, but they just couldn't get it to him?
12:12Or is that not part of the toolkit now?