Tight end Nick Walker has always been one of the most outgoing players on Alabama’s football team. This year, he’s also one of the most productive. Walker leads Crimson Tide receivers with 12 catches this season and already has two touchdowns. He talked about his hometown of Brundidge, Ala., his second cousin Chris Nickson and Georgia’s “blackout” during a phone call Tuesday night.

Q. For someone who has never been to tiny Brundidge, what would you tell them about it?

A. “That it’s small. We’ve got one traffic light and about 2,000 people. That’s about it.”

Q. So what do you do down there?

A. “Play football. The big thing down there is high school football season. Other than that, there’s not much more you can do unless you drive somewhere else.”

Q. What’s the biggest problem facing today’s players when they get to college?

A. “A lot of guys are ranked so high coming into college, and some feel like they don’t have to work because it’ll be given to them. Some don’t understand that everybody is good on the next level. They get a big head sometimes.”

Q. No one received more praise than Julio Jones. Has it affected him at all?

A. “Not at all. He came in ready. He’s like the calmest guy you’ve ever seen in your life. Against Clemson, he scored, and he just threw the ball to the referee. That’s how he does at practice. He doesn’t talk. Nothing. He’s all about business. He likes to show instead of talking.”

Q. What’s the biggest misconception about Nick Saban?

A. “People think he’s just a mean person all the time, a crazy person. But when you get to know him, he’s really a guy who cares about his players a whole lot. He’ll do whatever it takes for you if it’s the right thing to do. He’s got a real big heart. He’s helped me grow in my leadership and taking responsibility and becoming a leader and managing my life. I have grown a lot since he’s been here.”

Q. Your second cousin and former high school teammate, Chris Nickson, is 4-0 at Vandy. You surprised?

A. “I’m not really surprised. I knew wherever he would go he would be a hard worker and do what he did in high school, and that’s play hard and make things happen on the field. I wish him the best.”

Q. OK, what’s on the iPod? What do you listen to before games?

A. “It’s got to be Young Jeezy’s ‘The Recession.’ Got to have that.”

Q. If you could change one rule in college football, what would it be?

A. “Hmm, never thought about that. What do the other players say?”

Q. They want to get paid.

A. “Oh, yeah. We should get paid weekly.”

Q. A lot has been made of Georgia’s “blackout.” What do you make of it?

A. “I really hadn’t heard too much about it, but it doesn’t matter. Shirts or colors never determine the game. It’s who goes out there and plays hard. I don’t let that get to me or nothing like that. If you think about it, it matters. If you don’t care, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just be looking to hit the guys who aren’t wearing white.”

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