In this edition of Beyond the Wall, we sat down with new Orlando Predators fullback Jorvorskie Lane.  The Predators were assigned the 5-foot-11, 270 pound rookie fullback on November 18.  Lane posted 2,090 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns in his four-year career as a running back at Texas A&M, including a school record 19 rushing scores in his sophomore campaign.

 
EDITOR:  Mr. Lane, thanks for joining us today! Let’s go back to junior high. You weighed 125 pounds, played basketball and aspired to be the next Michael Jordan. How did you transition to football?
 
JORVORSKIE LANE:  I moved to Houston with my mom in sixth grade. I would hang out with my friends in the neighborhood and all the parents would say that I looked like a football player. I tried it out and it has stuck ever since then. 

ED:  Getting recruited by eight schools to play football can be overwhelming.  How did you decide to play for A&M?
 
JL:  At the time Coach [Dennis] Franchione was the Head Coach and he said, “I know you’re a big guy and stereotyped already. I want to give you an opportunity to prove yourself as a big guy that can run the ball.”  Coach Fran stuck with his word and I succeeded at running the football. 

ED:  How have you been preparing for the 2012 Arena Football League season?

JL:  I have been training in MMA for about a year. I am in tiptop shape and ready to play some football. 

ED:  What MMA drills help with your football game?

JL:  A lot of MMA skills relate to football.  A lot of body weight drills are performed, you throw and lift 300-pound tires, and it is a lot of hand eye coordination and footwork.  Football is going to be the easy part. 

ED:  What are you planning on bringing to this Predators team?

JL:  I am planning on bringing a championship to Orlando.  That is one of my main goals.  I have competed for the Big 12 and now I am ready to step it up and compete in the AFL. 

ED:  In 2009 your dream of making an NFL team was cut short. How has this experience affected you?

JL:  It motivated me big time.  I could have easily drowned, but I chose to fight for it.  I learned that no matter what you want in life, all you need to do is continue to fight for it. 

ED:  With a nickname like “J-Train” and being compared to Jerome Bettis, what are you like outside of football?

JL:  A lot of people see my style of play with running the ball and running people over, but I am not a tough guy. I love to play football and win. I’ll do whatever it takes to win. 
 
ED:   Jermichael Finley from the Green Bay Packers is your half-brother.  What has he taught you about the game of football?
 
JL:  Last October, I went to Green Bay for two weeks to visit Jermichael.  He told me the NFL is no different than any other football field we have played on.   He encouraged me to get back on my feet and make that money. 
 
ED:  What can Arena Football fans expect from you this season?
 
JL:  Sit back and enjoy the show. 
 
ED: J-Train, thanks again for joining us. Good luck the rest of the offseason.