Q. Congratulations. Wanted to talk to you a little bit about the pre-draft process. How much did you have contact with the Eagles? Did you know this was coming? For all the Eagles fans, can you give them an outlook of what type of player you are?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Yeah, so most of the process I met with Coach DK and Coach Wilson through Zoom throughout my training. I met with them once or twice, and then a few weeks ago I met with the team psychologist.
Yeah, so I wouldn't say I knew it was coming or anything like that. I'm just happy to be here, happy to be an Eagle.
The type of player I am, I am what you call a versatile player. I'm not constrained to just one position. I'd definitely say I'm a savvy athletic defensive back who's willing to tackle and make plays on the ball.
Q. There are some projections that had you going higher, and here you are with the Eagles in the fourth round. How do you use that as motivation for this upcoming season and your career?
ZECH McPHEARSON: I'm just thankful to be here. I'm definitely motivated no matter where I went. I always got a chip on my shoulder. That's just the type of person I am. That motivation, that stuff comes from within. I don't need any type of stimulant. I got it going inside me, so, yeah.
Q. You started your career at Penn State and traveled to Texas Tech. What led to that decision and how did that help you grow as a player?
ZECH McPHEARSON: You know, leaving Penn State, it was definitely a tough decision. I ended up graduating and just grad transferring out of there. It was nothing with them but it was just something I knew I could play on a big stage and I needed more film to get to the level I am now.
I decided to go to Texas Tech when Coach Wells and his staff arrived there, and turned out well for me.
Q. Did it help you kind of grow as being one of the veteran guys down there at that point taking some of the younger guys you said your wing?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Yeah, definitely because when I went down the there I was the older guy. Definitely helped me grow just in transition to be that older guy that the younger players lean on and off the field. Definitely built my character. Different environment I was in than Penn State.
Q. Welcome to Philly. I don't know how familiar you are with the Eagles depth chart at cornerback, but not a lot of experience. Looks like there'll be playing time available to be won. What is your mindset as far as being ready to play this year as a rookie and coming in and contributing? Are you ready for that?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Yes, sir, I'm ready for it. I know that all starts -- you got to earn your are stripes on special teams as well. I'm ready for any challenge that there is. I'm ready just to be an asset to the team on and off the field.
Q. Welcome to Philly. I wanted to ask you like do you see yourself more as playing on the inside or outside and like how much does your athletic background with your family help you get ready for this level?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Like I said, I don't really constrain myself to one thing. I take pride in being versatile and being able to do multiple things on the field whether it's inside outside or even back at safety.
So I find that as a positive trait that I'm open to use with this program. And what was your second question if it you could repeat that one more time?
Q. Yeah, your family background. You come from a family of college and pro athletes and stuff. How does that help you get to this point?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Definitely having a lot of brothers and even my parents who played at the professional level has helped me. Just being the youngest sibling and absorbing all the information they got and being there and learning from them has definitely helped me.
I would definitely say leaning on my brothers who played on the big stage, too, they have a lot of information and a lot of tips and keys that have helped me along my journey.
Q. As a follow up on the family question, I guess what was it like growing up with all those top athletes as older siblings?
ZECH McPHEARSON: It was fun. Me being the youngest it wasn't so fun all the time. I was trying to hang with the big guys and didn't work out too well.
Growing up with all the older siblings and being in a house full of athletes can get real competitive in everything, so I really enjoyed it.
Q. Who's the best athlete in the family?
ZECH McPHEARSON: (Laughter.) I'm going to have to say me.
Q. Who had the LeSean McCoy jersey on hand?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Well, I had that since college, but that was my jersey. It was just in my closet for a while.
Q. Okay. And then just give us a sense of the scene there, who is with you, and as you sort of the think about this it settles in, who are the people that you think about after getting into make to this far?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Yeah, right now just really my immediate family. We just in the house enjoying one another, each other's presence. Haven't seen each other in a few years, been in all one area in a few years, so having everybody in one area to fellowship with one another, it's a great feeling.
Q. Then did you have balloons for all 32 teams?
ZECH McPHEARSON: My mom did, yeah.
Q. That's good. Smart planning.
ZECH McPHEARSON: Yeah.
Q. I was actually going to ask the about jersey too. I did want to ask about coverage. You say you don't want to be constrained to one thing and you're versatile. Have you played more zone or man in your college career and do you think you're better at one or the other?
ZECH McPHEARSON: Yeah, definitely both -- I mean, I played both. I liked them both. Whatever a coach brings in a call I'm fine with either or.
That's just the nature of the game, and being a big 12 it's a lot of men, so I'm fine with anything.
Q. Honest answer, who is better at Xs and Os with the parents, mom or dad?
ZECH McPHEARSON: I'm going to give it to my dad.
Q. Would your mom have a pretty good argument with that with her experience in the women's pro league?
ZECH McPHEARSON: No, she would say my dad as well. She fell off from the sport side a few years ago when she had all these kids.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports