Junior Dequan Finn enters the 2023 season as Toledo's starting quarterback after earning second-team All-MAC honors in 2022. He was named to preseason watch lists for the Maxwell Award (player of the year), the Manning Award (top quarterback) and the Davey O'Brien Award (top quarterback).

On expectations for 2023
As a team we all have a different approach at getting things done. We want to have fun but we also know when it is time to put in the work and focus to achieve our goals. Our coaches have been doing an astonishing job at getting us prepared for Week 1 and the whole season. I've been taking things one day at a time and trying not to look too far into the future. We're also not worried about the outcome of the 2022 season; we are focusing on the 2023 Toledo Rockets Football team. As long as we can do that, the sky is the limit for us.

On how he handles the pressure of awards, pre-season polls, expectations
It's a lot to deal with but I really can't focus on what the outside noise is saying. We have to focus on this team and what we can do to reach our full potential this season.

On why he's so excited about this season
I'm really just looking forward to being out there with the other guys. We had a good season last year, and we feel like we left a lot out on that field. Our goal is to go undefeated this year, so I'm looking forward to working towards that goal with our guys.

On how the team could have been better last season
We talk about this all the time. We could have done a lot more on the field. We could have been a lot better. We talk about how we can learn from last year's mistakes and improve this year so that if we face a similar situation this year we know how to adapt and overcome that.

On childhood, growing up and family
I grew up on the west side of Detroit where it was me, my mom, my grandma and my younger brother. My mom has been through a lot and has overcome a lot. She used to work two jobs to maintain our household and make sure we had clothes to wear and food to eat. I am grateful for everything she has done. My grandma also helps out as much as she can. She took us to school every day, helped with groceries when we didn't have any. She was our second source in our life and is also very appreciated. They are my biggest influences and my rocks throughout my life. They are at every game, home and away.

On work ethic
My mom has greatly shaped my work ethic. There have been times when I would see her just very tired but she still came home and made us dinner and made sure everything was in order in our house. She wants the best for both me and my brother.

On personal goals for this year
My number one goal is to go undefeated. I also want to be over 3,000 passing yards and have 40 touchdowns. My goals are high this year. This is the expectation for this year. I seek perfection but I know its going to be hard to get there, and I'm ready for all of the preparation it is going to take.

On hidden talents and his big break as Simba in The Lion King
I love to sing and perform. I was in The Lion King and Peter Pan in school. In the Lion King I played young Simba. I was the understudy. The guy who was supposed to play the part had some issues with his throat so he couldn't sing anymore, so it was my turn. I got on stage but I forgot the first two lines and I saw all of these blank faces just staring at me but then I started singing the songs and after that it all went really well. In Peter Pan I was, of course, Peter Pan. We didn't have any of the big flying transitions or anything like that but it was a fun time.