Every NFL team needs a franchise left tackle who can shut down the league’s top pass rushers with a combination of athleticism, technique and strength.

Auburn’s Prince Tega Wanogho has all the tools to be that player at the next level after testing his mettle against some of college football’s most talented defensive linemen.

One of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2020 NFL draft class, Tega Wanogho recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about growing up in Nigeria, making the transition from basketball to football, and why he prefers Messi to Ronaldo.

JM: What was life like growing up in Nigeria?

PTW: I would say that it wasn’t terrible. It definitely wasn’t easy either. I grew up in a very big family. I have seven sisters and a brother. My brother was the oldest. He was always busy working. He wasn’t around much. I spent most of my time with my seven sisters. I grew up playing sports. I played a lot of futbol, or soccer as you’d probably call it (laughs). I played a lot of basketball as well. It wasn’t so bad. We didn’t have everything growing up, but we had what we needed. My parents were able to provide for us. Education and religion were big for us.

JM: When you came to the United States, what was your first “wow” moment? The first time you really experienced some form of culture shock?

PTW: I would say the way people talk. Especially in the south. Growing up in Nigeria, I watched a lot of American movies of course. I guess I had some pre-conceived notions of what people sound like. The accents in the south definitely surprised me (laughs). It’s just a little bit different. Everything was so different. The food especially. The people were different. It was a lot to take in at first. I got used to it, though.

JM: You came here for basketball originally, but eventually transitioned to football. How did you experience with basketball make for a smoother transition to football?

PTW: It all starts with my feet. To be successful in basketball, you really have to be good with your feet. You have to be able to move your feet with a purpose. The transition wasn’t as bad as I originally feared to be honest. Football is a totally different sport from an understanding perspective of course. I won’t debate that. Everything that actually goes on, your understanding of the game has to be on a different level from basketball.

My coaches made it easier for me. I played defense first. I was told to go get the quarterback. Go tackle whoever has the ball. The first thing I learned was to follow the ball. That made it way easier for me. They showed me where to line up. They taught me how to get into a three-point stance. That was pretty rough (laughs). I’m not gonna lie, I struggled with the three-point stance. They made the defense simple for me. Does the quarterback have the ball? Go get him. If the running back has the ball, go tackle him. I didn’t even know the difference between a quarterback and running back at first. I was just chasing down the ball. That’s all I did.

I played tight end on offense. My coaches helped me with that transition as well. They told me to run straight for 10 yards and go left or right (laughs). That’s what I did every time. I did that and they’d throw me the ball. I just had to catch it. I also played on kickoffs. I was on the hands team. My coaches did everything in their power to make the transition smooth for me. I’ll forever be thankful to those guys. They didn’t throw me too much too fast.

JM: As you said, you originally started out on defense. You’re now dominating at offensive tackle for Auburn, and that’s where you’ll likely play in the NFL next season. What was that transition like?

PTW: It wasn’t so bad. I didn’t really know much about the position when I first arrived at Auburn. My coaches were very helpful with it all. They originally just approached me and asked me about it. It was very casual and comfortable. I approached it with an open mind. I didn’t really know much about the game. I wasn’t in a position to say no to anything (laughs). I was just open to learning. It started out by watching some film on right tackles. We all sat together in the film room and did that. They told me what to do. They taught me what to look for. They had a lot of patience with me. We took things slowly. I started to understand the right techniques. I started to understand how to block. We started with the basics. It honestly wasn’t as bad as I thought. It went back to my basketball days and understanding how to move my feet. It was about grasping those fundamentals and applying them.

JM: You decided to return for your senior season despite already being on the NFL radar. Why did you make that decision?

PTW: I just felt like coming back for another year was gonna help me out in the long run. At the end of the day, the NFL is still gonna be there. Coming back, I felt like we had some unfinished business here. I wanted to compete for another year here. I want to compete for a National Championship. We have such a good team. The atmosphere in the locker room is fantastic. We really are brothers and we operate as one unit. We have a lot to offer. I’ve enjoyed being with my brothers for one final run. This year will be beneficial to me in the long run.

JM: I wanna get into your skill set a little bit. How do you handle speed differently from power?

PTW: With speed, I’ve always said that I’m quick to recover. I have the feet for that. I’m also strong enough to handle any bull rush anyone can throw at me. I’m strong enough to fend that off. I can get into my stance and handle that. Going back to my soccer and basketball days, I’ve been good with my feet my whole life. I’ve always been a natural in this department. My footwork is exactly where it should be right now. It’s not where I want it to be ultimately because I’m still making the transition. I should be playing left tackle at this point. With the basketball skill set in my back pocket, I’m able to use my feet to recover against speed.

JM: Do you think you’re more refined in pass protection or as a run blocker at this point?

PTW: I would say pass protection. I’m a work in progress in the run game. I’ve come a long way though. I’m definitely more refined in pass protection right now. For me, it just comes easier. I don’t know if it’s mental or what, but pass protection comes easy to me. It’s me against them and I have to protect the quarterback. It’s that simple. I need more work in the run game. I’m working hard to get better in that department. I’ve seen a lot of self improvement in the run game this year.

JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?

PTW: I can achieve this by getting my hands on you first. If I can do that, it’s gonna terminate everything you had in mind for this play. It’s already over. I’ve killed your plan by doing that. If I can get hands on you first before you get your hands on me, I’ve already demoralized you.

JM: Who are some of the best defensive linemen you’ve gone up against?

PTW: Carl Lawson was the first one that ever stood out to me. I was new to the game and new to the position. He’s very sneaky (laughs). Going up against him in practice was big for my development. Thinking about someone that wasn’t a teammate of mine, Clelin Ferrell from Clemson comes to mind. He was drafted very early by the Oakland Raiders this year. That was the second big game I ever played in. I was fresh meat (laughs). The crowd and the noise, I’m not gonna lie, I let the atmosphere get to me a little bit. Sometimes I think about what it would look like now. If I got another chance at him now, I believe it would be different. I’ve gotten way better since then. I know he’s in the NFL now and he’s gotten better as well, but I’d love to get another crack at him. He’s definitely one of the best I’ve ever gone up against.

JM: What are some of your hobbies outside of football?

PTW: Nothing really. Most of the time, I’m just in my room hanging out. I might play some video games. I love getting my sleep. I make sure I get all of my assignments done in a timely fashion. I don’t really do much. I like going to the movies sometimes.

JM: Who’s your soccer club? Who do you support?

PTW: I’m a big Messi fan.

JM: Oh, here we go.

PTW: Why?

JM: I’m more of a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, since he’s the best player in the world and all.

PTW:  I like him, too! (laughs). But I don’t know, man. Between Ronaldo and Messi, I like Messi better. He’s humble.

JM: That’s fair.

PTW: Ronaldo is a pretty boy. Messi is the chilled, more laid back one.

JM: To be fair though, if I looked like Cristiano Ronaldo, I wouldn’t be all that humble either.

PTW: You’re not wrong! (laughs). I can see that, too. I understand that (laughs).

JM: I’ve appreciated your time today, Prince. Best of luck to you going forward.

PTW: Thank you for your time, sir. I appreciate the kind words. You’ll be hearing from me again soon.

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