Q: Did you lose a lot of sleep over the decision? When did you feel like you had made it?

CJL: I mean, I wanted to take my time as much as possible. I knew I had time, but it was one of those things you couldn’t help but to think about. So, I tried to take as much time as I needed and make the best decision for me.

Q: When did you tell coach Gottfried and what was his reaction?

CJL: I talked to coach Gottfried a lot over the last couple of weeks, but yesterday I really had a face-to-face conversation with him and I kind of told him.

Q: Where do you feel like you can grow, from what you did this year to next year?

CJL: Well, I can grow in every aspect of the game. I feel like I can get better and I don’t feel like that was the peak of my game and I still haven’t reached the goals that I wanted to reach and that’s why I decided to come back for another year and get those goals.

Q: You said a week ago, I think it was at the banquet, that you were leaning one way. Was that direction you eventually went?

CJL: Yeah, I was leaning towards this way early on. Things really didn’t shift. They shifted a little bit for me a little later on and I ended up coming back. You know, obviously I’m making this decision.

Q: How many other things do you think you specifically want to work on another year?

CJL: I’m just going to be broad. I’m going to say I’m going to work on everything. I think I can improve on everything that I did good last year and the things I didn’t do so well. If I can get better at it, I’m going to get better at it. Best believe I’m going to come back and make it a good year.

Q: CJ, a little over a year ago, you were there when Gottfried was introduced as head coach and there was a lot of uncertainty around the program then. Could you have thought then that you’d be coming back out and be so excited about the potential this year?

CJL: I can’t say that I really thought about it. That was one of those things that just happened. It just turned out that way. I try to live for the moment for the most part. I mean, everybody’s always thinking about the future and everything, but that was one of those decisions that just happened and I didn’t try to think about it or push it one way. I was just going with the flow.

Q: Where do you see yourself as a leader on next year’s team? Do you see yourself being more vocal? You don’t seem like the vocal type. Do you see yourself becoming that type next year?

CJL: Oh yeah, definitely. I definitely have to step up and take that role. I did that a little bit this year, but not as well as coach wanted me to. The coaches are definitely going to enforce that on me. He thinks I’m ready for it and he said he believes in me, so I’m about to step up and take that leader role for the team. I think I’m ready to put the team on my back and make it a great year.

Q: How much were those team goals a factor in your decision?

CJL: It was a big factor, because like I said, I know Rodney is wanting to be here. He’s a big part of our comeback and I’m really looking forward to playing with him, as well as the rest of the recruits. I just have a special relationship with Rodney because I knew him ever since we were younger. But I’m looking at Tyler Lewis and TJ – all these guys, I’m looking forward to playing with and all these guys are great guys and they’re going to be outstanding freshmen. We’re just looking forward to having a good time and playing with each other and go out here and try to win everything.