Picture this: Antwaan Randle El in full uniform, in the middle of the Indiana campus in April, asking people, "Hey, you mind being in this ESPN The Magazine photo shoot?" 'Twaan always figures out a way to draw a crowd, whether he's on the field, on campus or on the mike. The Magazine's Seth Wickersham spoke with IU's Heisman hopeful about a few off-the-field topics. As usual, Randle El was on.

The Mag: So you played basketball for two years. What was it like playing for Coach Knight?

Antwaan Randle El: He was a cool guy. We'd crack jokes. We were once at his house for dinner, and he came out wearin' this ugly, stupid hat. Everyone's afraid to say anything, but I said, "Coach, that's gotta be the dumbest-looking hat ever." He put his hands on my shoulders and said, "You know, people have been killed for making fun of a guy's hat." We always got along well. Every now and then he'd come around and pop me in the back of the head with his championship ring, but that's okay.

The Mag: Do you remember your first SportsCenter highlight?

ARE: As a player, for sure. It was against Michigan State, 1998, we lost in OT. But I was also on for the Pizza Hut thing. [Ed.'s Note: In 1999, the Randle Els were among 20 plaintiffs awarded $160,000 when Pizza Hut settled a racial discrimination lawsuit for refusal of service.] My family finally bought me a new car, and everyone thought some booster had bought it for me.

The Mag: Ever wonder what life would be like had you played baseball?

ARE: Yeah. It killed me when I was drafted by the Cubs to play centerfield. My mom was such a dork about it. I was so mad at her. She wanted me to get an education, to go to college. I was like, "Mom, I was drafted in the 14th round! I can make money now!" I miss baseball, and I still think about it, but football's worked out pretty well.

The Mag: What's your weirdest habit?

ARE: I have to have at least one cherry Slurpee every day. Is that weird? I love 'em. I didn't have one yesterday and I was kinda pissed.

The Mag: How much do you think the Heisman weighs?

ARE: Uhh, eight pounds.

The Mag: It's more than that.

ARE: Put me down for 15. [Ed.'s Note: It weighs 25 pounds.]

The Mag: Give us a musician you're embarrassed to admit to liking.

ARE: Whitney Houston. I love her. She can sing and she's pretty.

The Mag: What's the strangest bit of mail you've received recently?

ARE: A few days ago I got my own Heisman postcard in the mail. They were asking for donations.

The Mag: Think you've already donated enough?

ARE: [Laughs] Yeah, I think so.

Seth Wickersham is a researcher for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at seth.wickersham@espnmag.com.