New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Kawaan Baker
Video Call with New Orleans Media
Saturday, May 1, 2021
For those who aren't familiar with your game and who you are as a person describe yourself as a player and a human being?
"Man just me as a person I feel like people just have to know that I'm very humble very to myself and I'm very much a competitor. I've been a competitor all my life and everything. I'll say my game, just gave me the ball, so I made plays. I break tackles, I'm real fun to watch."
First just how special is this for you and also what's it like for someone who grew up in Atlanta being on the New Orleans Saints now?
"Man the moment is special man, just a blessing man. (I've) just been waiting on it my whole life and my dreams coming true. It don't know no matter where I'm from or where I go. I'm going to work hard, make the best of it. But coming from Atlanta, we Saints fans now."
You've been working your way toward New Orleans. I mean, you're just two hours away, right?
"Yeah, down in Mobile."
Where have you lined up the most and where do you envision yourself being the best fit wide receiver positions?
"Throughout my college career, I've probably lined up in the slot the most. So I'll say I'll have more success there, but I could definitely move around that's part of my game."
Could you say who your game is kind of like is just looking at your stats and watching some highlights?
"I'll say Deebo Samuel, just more of a physical, physical person and can move around make plays, break tackles. I'd relate it to him."
What's it like for you just knowing this type of offense that you're coming into and the success they have with wide receivers?"Yes, sir. I am very aware of it. That's why I was going to sign in free agency with them. Just to give me the best opportunity for myself and to have the best fit there."
You're the first University of South Alabama player drafted by the Saints since that program started. How much pride do you take in that?
"Being the first one, I take a lot of pride in just the hard work I put in for these four or five years I've been at South (Alabama), just making it out of South, in general, it's just huge and for the Saints to give me opportunities. It's a blessing, man. I just give it up to God and I'm going to make the most of it."
Did you say you would have signed with the Saints if you hadn't been drafted? Had you had talks with the saints about that already?
"Yes, sir. I was on the phone with them getting a contract over and everything and then I got a call again and Sean Payton was on the phone saying he had some good news and from there it was up."
2021 NFL draft photos of New Orleans Saints draft pick Kawaan Baker, wide receiver from the University of South Alabama.
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) during the second half of an NCAA football game against Georgia Southern on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 in Statesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Appalachian State defensive back Steven Jones (12) breaks up a pass intended for South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Jalen Wayne (4) next to Louisiana-Lafayette safety Percy Butler (9) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Oklahoma State linebacker Calvin Bundage (1) watches as fellow linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder (3) brings down South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) during an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke, bottom, tackles South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. Nebraska won 35-21. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker plays against Jacksonville State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker plays against Jacksonville State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker scoring a touchdown while playing against Jacksonville State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) out runs Southern Mississippi defensive back Natrone Brooks (18) on his way to a 52-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. South Alabama won 32-21. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
(left to right) South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker receives a pass from South Alabama quarterback Cephus Johnson while playing against Jacksonville State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker runs in a touchdown against Tulane during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker runs in a touchdown against Tulane during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) catches a pass as Georgia Southern cornerback Monquavion Brinson (4) and linebacker Reynard Ellis (36) defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. Georgia Southern won 20-17 in two overtimes. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) leaves Southern Mississippi defensive back Natrone Brooks behind on the way to a 52-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. South Alabama won 32-21. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Appalachian State defensive back Ryan Huff (21) stops South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
South Alabama wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) runs against Louisiana-Lafayette safety Percy Butler (9) during an NCAA college football game in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
