Q: Can you believe your career at Texas A&M is winding down?

Nguyen: I try not to think about it. You know it's going to end sometime. It's amazing, and it's been a great ride. You couldn't ask for anything more. I enjoyed the most of it, not just football but being a regular student as well. To experience what I've experienced is something I'll cherish for the rest of my life. All the friends I've made here and the people that I've met, it's really been neat.

Q: Could you have ever imagined what would happen to you at A&M when you first stepped foot on this campus?

Nguyen: It's been a surprise. I've been shocked how I've gotten so much publicity and recognition this year. The great part is we're winning a lot of games. When you win a lot of games, you get more recognition.

When I came here, I never thought I'd play a down here at Texas A&M. What I've accomplished and been through, gosh, it's something I can't even explain.

Q: What will you remember most about your time at A&M, on and off the field?

Nguyen: The people I've met and the friends I've made. Everyone is so nice. That makes it more special. If you had gone to a place where you're not accepted, it's totally different even if you do well. But I think I've been accepted as a regular student and an athlete by the players. One thing I'll remember the most about this place, is once I leave football what am I going to do for that five-hour gap each day when I'm not practicing?

Q: How much do you think about winning the Lombardi or Butkus awards?

Nguyen: I don't really think about it. I just want us to have a great year and win games. Everything is coming around, everyone is doing well, and we're doing great. Everything has turned around for us. I came here, we played well and the tradition was there, and then all of a sudden, we had a little slump. But now, we're bringing it back. I feel great that I'm leaving the place where it once was.

Q: If you could give advice to young high school players, what would you say to them?

Nguyen: Never say you can't. There's always room for somebody who works hard and puts their mind to it. Dedication and desire... good things will come out if you put all that in. I've overcome a lot of obstacles, and when you grow up and go through life, you go through a lot of obstacles. Sometimes you fall, and sometimes you succeed. You've got to understand success isn't always going to be there. It makes you work harder, I can say that.

Q: What's been the high point and the low point of your final year at A&M?

Nguyen: The high point of this year has been the chemistry of this year, with everybody playing and having fun. And we're having so much success on the football field. The low point of this year was the first game. That was really disappointing. We had it in our hands and let it slip away. I think we learned from that. It was a great experience. You don't get too many opportunities to play an elite team. And for us as seniors, it was an extra game added to our schedule, so that was good.

Q: How do you envision this team finishing out the year?

Nguyen: The way we're preparing ourselves and the way we look at stuff, we're not looking ahead but letting everything fall into place. It might be one of the greatest teams in Texas A&M history. It's going to be special.

Q: Coach Slocum pulled you aside a few weeks ago and told you that no player he has been around has done so much on and off the field for the Texas A&M program as you have. How did that make you feel?

Nguyen: That's a very strong compliment. I never thought about that, and when he said it, that kind of shocked me. Guys who have gone through like Bucky Richardson... you name it, there are tons of guys and more than a handful of guys who have gone through this program and done as much as I have or more. It was a great honor for me to have him say that.

Q: Every newspaper and magazine has dissected your entire life. So what don't people know about Dat Nguyen?

Nguyen: I don't know, I think they know pretty much everything. I can't go anywhere or do anything... everybody knows what I'm doing. I'm just pretty much a little kid enjoying everything. I play video games and am just a regular person when there's no football. I just enjoy socializing with people and making friends.

Q: What do people not know about Coach Slocum?

Nguyen: He talks for a long time when he calls us up after practice. When he calls us up, everybody better get a knee pad and get ready... and start switching knees after 10 minutes.

Q: How much are you looking at the future, specifically a career in the NFL?

Nguyen: I don't know what the future is going to hold. I would like the opportunity to pursue a football career. I would jump on that in a heartbeat. If I don't (make it), I understand. I'm going hang it up sometime. I'm not going to play when I'm 40 years old. Eventually some doors will be opened for me if I don't make it. Then I'll sit down and see what I really want to do and pursue that.

Q: Can the Wrecking Crew survive without No. 9 in the middle?

Nguyen: Definitely they can. I'm just a piece of the chain. When I'm gone, somebody else will step up. Chad Frantzen or Amon Simon have a great chance of stepping in and doing a great job. And our team is real young. C.A. (Cornelius Anthony) is going to catch me someday (in total tackles). He's doing a great job.

Q: Can there be another Dat Nguyen at A&M, in terms of the whole package?