Durante cuatro años Víctor vivió en Seattle, mas en concreto en la Universidad de Washington. El ex Husky jugó su primer partido colegial en el 2014 y durante su carrera universitaria registró 198 derribes, 3.5 capturas, una intercepción, un touchdown, forzó tres balones perdidos, dos balones recuperados y diez pases defendidos.
Cuatro años después regresará a la Ciudad Esmeralda, esta ocasión como integrante de los Raiders.
Seis millas al sur del estadio de los Huskies, el Plata y Negro se enfrentará a los Seattle Seahawks en el CenturyLink Field en lo que será el partido final de la pretemporada para ambos equipos. Víctor espera tener amplia participación en el partido y aunque estará enfocado en demostrar su talento ha admitido que será un poco raro jugar de nuevo en Seattle.
"Son mis viejos rumbos y poder jugar de nuevo enfrente de esa afición que me rodeó será algo muy emocionante," dijo Víctor con una sonrisa. "Con todos los aficionados será nostálgico sentir ese ambiente de la universidad."
Como ya es costumbre, el cuarto y ultimo partido de la pretemporada se reserva para que jueguen aquellos jugadores que todavía buscan asegurar un lugar en el equipo. Por ellos el lunes pasado Gruden compartió lo que espera ver del novato de 22 años de edad.
"Es un jugador agresivo, sin duda, muy agresivo," dijo. "Tiene que afinar detalles en los equipos especiales y tiene que mejorar en cobertura como la mayoría de los apoyadores. Gran parte de su tiempo en Washington jugó presionando desde el extremo. Tiene inexperiencia en cuestión de los diferentes tipos de cobertura que utilizamos y en reconocer las formaciones. Creo que esas son las dos cosas principales que espero ver que mejore en Seattle y tendrá la oportunidad de hacerlo."
Como bien comentó Gruden, los novatos tienen una especie de curva de aprendizaje, pero Víctor ha mejorado visiblemente en el campo desde que fue seleccionado hace poco menos de cuatro meses. El Coordinador Defensivo Paul Guenther es considerado un especialista en desarrollar apoyadores y en su sistema, Víctor siente que inició su transición a la NFL desde el principio.
"Creo que ya he aprendido mucho," dijo Víctor. "Desde como ser…hay que considerarlo como un trabajo y no como escuela. Tienes mas tiempo disponible donde puedes estudiar más y de eso se trata. Estar en el equipo y entender lo que el equipo requiere de mi, cual es mi rol y tratar de ser parte del equipo."
Al mismo tiempo, Víctor también está abierto al criticismo y se toma muy enserio su responsabilidad de estudiar el video para corregir sus errores.
"Nadie ha tenido el juego perfecto, pero solo quiero minimizar lo mas posible los errores mentales y eso es lo que quiero lograr por ahora," añadió Víctor.
Para cualquier novato es importante encontrar un veterano con quien juntarse por varias razones. Para fortuna de Víctor ha establecido amistad con dos veteranos, Derrick Johnson y Tahir Whitehead, siempre listos para contestar cualquier duda.
"Esos jugadores han sido excelentes en ayudarme al igual que a otros jóvenes apoyadores en lo que sea que necesitemos o preguntemos," dijo. "Si preguntamos algo en el momento, lo contestan. Aun si es un mensaje tarde en la noche y de repente tengo algunas dudas, siempre nos responden en tiempo y forma y eso creo que es muy importante, que los veteranos estén al pendiente de uno."
El jueves por la noche, Víctor no tendrá la ayuda de los veteranos por lo que tendrá una gran responsabilidad en sus hombros al tener que comunicarse con sus compañeros dentro del campo. Cuando los reflectores estén en él frente a sus ex compañeros y aficionados de los Huskies, Víctor tendrá que estar listo para hacer eso que tanto le gusta.
"Solo me voy a divertir y hacer todas las jugadas posibles."
Go out to the practice fields with the Raiders for the last practice before their fourth and final preseason matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders assistant defensive line coach Marco Coleman and outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (80) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Paul Butler (84) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Lee Smith (86) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders players and coaches on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson (82) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (46) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (46) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders assistant defensive line coach Marco Coleman, defensive lineman Tank Carradine (96), and the rest of the defensive line on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Shakir Soto (64) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back James Butler (40) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders fullback Keith Smith (41) and running backs coach Jemal Singleton on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Isaac Whitney (19) and cornerback Shareece Wright (35) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook (18) and running back Chris Warren III (34) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Chris Warren III (34) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) and offensive tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (36) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Treyvon Hester (90) and offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (60) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Treyvon Hester (90) and offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (60) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive tackle David Sharpe (71) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Gabe Wright (74) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) and linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (77) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Jarell Carter (37) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris (17) and strong safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders players and coaches on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebackers on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in Alameda, California.
