Press Conference (Devin Sanchez) Elite Edition September 2

0:00I'm at the bottom and I gotta get to the top. How, what do you feel like it's gonna take for you to get from the bottom to the top? You know, just discipline. They're big on discipline here and competitive and excellent. So it's just staying consistent every day, just doing the right, having little to none, mental errors. That's gonna give me a lot of feel. I do what I'm supposed to do, that's gonna give me a lot of feel. Along those lines, how do you manage those expectations for people to think that you should be playing week one, let me see, how do you manage people facing them? You know, I don't really let it get to my head because, you know, like I'm here, I got dudes in the room that are like, IGB, you know, he's been a big player, I started, I got to main, first in all, American, you know, he's gonna play this year too. So I can't let what people say on the net, you know, get to me because, you know, anybody can say, oh, he's gonna play this year, but you know, I actually gotta prove it. So I just gotta come out here, you know, work, you know, and that spot. What's your most important career learning so far in your three months here? I'm competing every day.

1:01That's the biggest thing. Having to compete, you know, these guys are a peer, they take winning and losing to heart. So, you know, my first week up here when we did our competitions, you know, I was winning, then I actually, I got that first loss on my belt and, you know, it kind of opened my eyes to like, these guys take it to heart when they lose, they don't like it. So, you know, I kind of got that now where I don't like losing. You had the opportunity to be around the team for, you know, CFP Ron. What did you learn from just those few weeks seeing this team make that run? You know, being real tight with your brothers, you know, they're real tight, you know, they push each other, you know, it's a real brotherhood. They don't let nobody down. They always got each other back. So, I mean, it's a new team now. So, you know, we gotta build that chemistry with each other, you know, just get tight. And I feel like when I was there for that playoff running and I practiced, when they were at the National Championship, you know, I just got to watch, you know, how guys are, you know, real locked in. They're close with each other. They're not letting nobody slack off. And, you know, I feel like we had the opportunity to do that with this team now.

2:02How did you handle losing? You handle that first lock? That first lock, you know, it kind of got to me. It was the IGB, you know, he, you know, he let me hear. So, after that loss, I was like, nah, I can't let this happen anymore. It's because it's like, now it's not high school where you 17, 16 years old and if you lose, you lose. Appearance, nah, if you lose, the coach will see that. So, and they're gonna see how you respond to it. So, I feel like I had to, you know, open my eyes, I had to go, go in there and lock them like, yeah, I can't let this happen anymore, you know. So I got to go up and, you know, these guys are counting on me too. So, it's really important that I don't lose. If you had to describe yourself as a competitor, how would you do that? I'm a great competitor, you know, I like winning. Who does win like winning? So, I mean, winning is, it's in my blood. You know, my parents taught me that at a young age, you know, going out there competing for anything that you want. And I feel like if you can go out there competing for, you know, as yours. And if you compete for it all the time, who's gonna take it from me? So I mean, I'm a good competitor, I'm always gonna go out there and try to take what's mine and if it's out there, then anybody can have it.

3:03I'm gonna be the one to get it. There's some role markers in your room, obviously. Are you a talker? What's your natural resources? Yeah, I mean, it could come out on me, you know. But I don't really, I'm really in my game to talk for this part. But you know, if it gets there, it gets to that point where, yeah, I can bring it out. Because regardless, I'm not just gonna let nobody just come out here and just catch balls on me. So if I'm having a good day when I'm consistently getting TPUs, yeah, I'm gonna talk. But you know, being in that room, you kind of got to talk. You know, the Jermaine, you got IGD, you know, those real talkers in that room. So it kind of makes you want to bring it out. And you know, when you bring that out, that just brings energy out on whole defense. And when you got the whole defense clicking, I mean, you can see, you can see what's happening. Is there anyone that's kind of a competition in the atmosphere? Who was doing a winner? We were doing, you know, just stuff on the field. We was just, just having the time on the field. Just a lot of competitions. So I mean, he just kind of, it was a day where, you know, they had us going up against just the freshmen. And then they kind of threw us in there and fired against the older guys.

4:03So we had to, you know, we had to wake up and, you know, we all kind of lost. And it all kind of like, we all kind of can't get that professional group like, what are we gonna do about this? Cause, you know, some of their kind of nice to just step up in those roads. Yeah, come here, welcome to college. Yeah, definitely, definitely, definitely, my work in college moments, you know, you know, just, just showing that, you know, it's real now, a metal high up state. I'm not in Houston, Texas, no more in my school. I'm far from my family. You know, I got to wake up, I got to grow, I got to mature fast. And, you know, I just got to get ready for the next level. You've mentioned high school a couple of times. How did, you know, grow it up very in Texas, playing at that level. How do you feel like that helped you prepare a real house date? I feel like it prepared good, you know, I feel like I went to a powerhouse in Texas. We obviously ran the Houston area, you know, we've been running the Houston area for a long time now. And I feel like, you know, we're a real college program. We live just like these guys who do the same lifts, you know, the level of ball I play, the highest level of ball in the Texas 6A, you know, we're going against guys like Dunkin' Bill, no crowded, those top schools, you know, receive it to come in more I go against them.

5:03I want to get some three times in my career. So I mean, those that really prepared me for this level, you know, coming in like, okay, this is not where it's a little school where, oh, they don't believe that I can come here and make an impact. I came from big schools, so they're counting on me to make an impact because, you know, I think, I mean, everybody would say Texas is one of the highest football players in the country, you know, they go as Florida and they're probably Georgia. So I mean, they're counting on me to be ready and that level of ball prepared me real, real well. How'd you do against DeCory? You know, it was, it was when, when lose, when lose, you know, I went some, he lost something. So I mean, it's just getting better on shot and higher because, you know, he's the top receiver, obviously, in our class, you know, I feel like he's going to have a good impact at the Oregon. So I mean, it's just, it's just, it's just, just, what's going to happen next? Looking forward to seeing him again? Yeah, definitely, definitely. I, you know, I plan on planning against him. We don't, we want to see him this year. Hopefully we see him in the big ten championships. So, you know, I, I want, I want that rematch, man. Devin, you committed super early in the process six months after that.

6:07You shut things down when, quite frankly, someone of your caliber didn't have to do that. You could have, you've seen kids play the game a little bit longer than that, but you chose to not do that. Just kind of a lot getting here. Why? You know, because this was, this was, this was what I felt, this was home. You know, I didn't really feel like, you know, standing Texas was a good thing for me. I didn't, I didn't feel like that was home for me. Up here, I just thought it was home, you know, because of law and because they, you know, they're making it, you know, making me feel important up here. And then, you know, like you could ask, because what, how many times I came up here, do out my high school career, I came up here 13 times. So it got to the point where I was knowing the guys on the team, I had the numbers stuff like that. When I come up here, you know, I don't got to always build the coaches. I can go chill with some of the guys on the team. So it's just, just me, you know, knowing what I want to play in my college ball at, you know, knowing where I felt like it was home and then, you know, it was also my parents too, you know, my mom being, you know, feeling safe that, you know, I'm up here, you know, I'm in the business and not having to worry about me. What's your goal to stay? Right.

7:08You get on the roll and that began the game. Defense is more sound in those guys are more stiff as this far as giving up yards. And as the game goes, it's like, okay, guys are starting up. So just keep running. But you kind of see it, especially right now. What do you see from Indiana's defensive front? That's the strength of their team. Yeah, undefeated team right now. I think more so sound and, you know, those guys are super disciplined. They like, they want to give up any yards. So that's our job to go out there and make a good deal. We talked to Trey last week about just kind of how fresh he felt. How about you, obviously? Have you worked with the last couple of years? Yeah, man. I think right now, you know, I felt the best ever. But like, especially mentally and physically, I feel great. Just having a great group of guys around me to go out there and try to go and win it all. So, you know, having Trey around as well, he's been such an asset to this team and, you know, just supporting each other throughout this whole year and just trying to go and win it all. That's your good. You expect the offensive line to pick up where it left off. Obviously losing a set is a huge blow and stuff. What have you noticed like today from the Espree to Cobra that group?

8:10Yeah, I don't know if there's anything out of the ordinary, you know, whoever steps in, those guys are going to execute. So I don't have any doubts of anybody. I don't know if there's a line on the other side. You know, they're going and escutting, playing their best. Thank you, man. Thank you. You got a couple of wins. So I'm going to really have that next level step of competitiveness that I need and that edge that I need it. That worth the $24.74. You guys came into the Tennessee game with a lot of outside motivation with Michigan loss and kind of the three weeks of talk. I know obviously there's still that motivation to go on and win a national championship, but how do you keep that kind of edge to life with better term mentally after some of that stuff has kind of gone away and followed the big one? I would say kind of if you lose your edge, I wouldn't really call you a true competitor. I think that the way with the college football playoffs is structured, the intensity cranks up every single week. So if you're not more intense than you were the last week, then something's wrong with you. I think that Tennessee was a great win, great for our momentum, but we have our full

9:13focus on Oregon. Not worrying about anything in the past, nothing in the future, our full focus is towards this game. And then we win this one, we go on to the next one, our full focus is going to be on that one. So it's just you keep moving down a ladder like this. I think I don't know, there's just something about it, something in the air down there in the my It's definitely very surreal and this is going to be my second time so I'm going to do my best to take it all in while also being fully focused on Oregon.

10:15Dan, hold on, let me worry. Matthew Will, son, he still has nine minutes about bad first game in Oregon. What kind of drive you've seen in this week wanting to get back at this one? Yeah, Will is a laser focused person. He goes about his business. He's very loose and he's very calm and he's able to rally the team. But you can see it in his eyes that this game means everything to him. So every single practice, every single huddle, making sure we're sharp, making sure we have a better practice than we had last than yesterday, a better practice in Oregon is having. So his full focus is on being this team and obviously it's hard not to think about the stuff of the past but I know he's laser focused on what we got coming up. Tony Garbond, fuck I have. Matthew, when you're a kid playing back here, I do it about the game. What team are you playing for? Honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a buck I fan until, you know, I really committed here and I saw what it was all about. I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.

11:17You know, my grandpa went to UW and stuff like that. So I like the Huskies too. But there was a legendary football player named Foto Liatto from my high school and he went to Oregon. And a couple of y'all probably know that story. I was a former couple of years back but he tragically died in the car accident. And you know, he was, he was someone I looked up to in high school. You know, I was relatively close with him even though he was a bit older than me in age. But I'm just seeing what he did at my high school and then going on to play big time football out Oregon. That was a school that I really dreamed of going to. Let's see Bill Vellett from this back. I think actually another Jeremiah question. Is there one moment, one play, one something that made you just go, oh man, I've never seen it before. That's just incredible. Yeah, I'll say it's happened multiple times. There's not really one. I can pinpoint but the more he does it, the more I tend to react less. So I would say probably my earliest memories of it were in spring ball. Kind of getting the first glimpse of him when he's making all these ridiculous catches.

12:17And he still does it time and time again, even now. But it's just more common now for me. Melandic, one of the things that gave him the north. You had, I think, 12 touches in the first game against Oregon, 10 receptions, two carries. Is there something about this matchup that favors you? And now that you have, where that productive, the first time you played this team, what kind of attention? I guess I'll maybe be different defenses. Are you expecting to see? Yeah, I mean, we're not entirely sure what their game plan is going to be, but we're paired for everything. You know, I'm not going to get too much into schemas like that, but we know that if the ball comes our way, we've got to make those plays. So whether I have 10 receptions again coming up this game where I have zero or one, we're just looking to get this win on the road. Because it's really a road game for us, you know, flying across two times on. So I think that, you know, it's going to be a great matchup, whether they tend to focus on me more or not. It doesn't really matter to me because I know our team has a great plan regardless. That time for a couple more questions, Spencer, over a letterman role, you guys ever surprised when the game ended?

13:20You look at it, it's actually car繞 something I can water to you guys. You can kind of feel it throughout the game, I would say. You know, he's a true competitor. He wants to get involved, but at the same time he's super selfless. I mean, he's really humble. So he's going to do whatever it takes for the team to get a win. But it's the competitor nature and then that wants to, you know, contribute as much as he can. So, you know, I try to be in his ear to tell him to be levelhead and stuff like that. Not that I need to. He's a very level-headed and selfless guy like I'm saying. But, you know, sometimes that's just how the game goes. You know, I had a game this year where I only had one catch. But, you know, we ended up winning by lot. So I think that, you know, it's hard or it's easy to be focused on the personal attributes that you could have game in and game out. But no one's really going to remember those if we're holding up the trophy at the end of the year. He could be a number one. I think 95% of the Barosses right now, but he's like number three. You see his work as they call those things that he goes, if they're going to play. Are you guys ever connected like, yeah, this guy could absolutely be a number one on the most-guys Barosses?

14:21I would disagree with you. I think that he is a number one. I think that we don't have a number three receiver. I think we have three number one receivers out there. So whatever the defense, you know, if they want to put their attention on one guy or a couple of us, they're not really doing themselves any favor because we're going to have a favor will match up on the other side of the ball. So that's never how we view ourselves. We know we're alpha dogs out there every single one of us knows we have the capabilities to be a number one receiver and we are number one receivers. And final question. Steve, how long have you 24 hours work? Yeah, and then at the end of that game, you made one of the clutch plays that passed down the sideline. At any time when you make that play, you think, did you ever, your mind that we're going to win this game after we're now close to field goal range? Did that play in your mind say, my goodness, we got a chance to get out of here with the win. Yeah, I definitely knew where I caught the ball and I knew we were closer being in field goal range. So there was a sense of, I knew I knew it was a big play that I made, but in those moments you have to finish out the game. No matter what, you can't get a big head, you can't get complacent, you have to finish the game until the clock hits zero.

15:26So that's some we've been working on, you know, we work on two minutes every single Wednesday. Every single Wednesday practice, so today we'll work on our two minute and we don't even call it two minute. We call it clutch because in those times, in those games, in those big moments, someone has to make a clutch play. So we're focusing on that every single game, knowing that we're going to have to make one of those plays coming down the stretch here. What would it mean if you're able to finish this one off and get to the final four at this playoff? What in your mind just, would this be, you know, just the ultimate, I suppose, to be a team that's already beaten earlier this year? No, I think the ultimate would be winning the national championship. So, you know, we're focused on this, this just happens to be the next team in the way. We're not focused on where we played them earlier this year, whether they got the win over us. They're just a nameless, faceless opponent, so we're going out there fully prepared, not worried about what's happening in the past. You know, we played them before, we felt them out, so it's all about who got better from that point in time until now. A matter of thank you for your time. Thank you. Prior to when I got there, so I just got to be in the West Asian community for a moment.

16:27So what was it about a high-state staff that may be correlated between what you were going into with Alabama that you felt you could transition over here? I feel like there was a really good quarterback development here. Coach Day, Craig quarterback Whisperer, you know, the quarterbacks they've had just the past five years shown with kind of great numbers. I've just played on things the right way and I've wanted to come to this offense because, by him, because my coach Kelly, you know, made me just move to the line. Did that just happen? It's definitely happened, I think. I think there's a good question about it. I hadn't been in much contact with them. They weren't really, I didn't know that stuff. Really, one of the things that Coach Day says is that you don't like to have your hands held for any kind of process. Now you've played up an age a lot of times in football. What is it about you to drive and to want that hard coach? I would say, you know, in high school, I had a coach that, you know, he would give me a lot of responsibility. And he would know kind of a lot of responsibility, I mean, make control of me. And so I just, you know, I want to be the best player that he can be. And take the need to feel a few things the right way and just do things the right way.

17:35I love watching Joe Barrow, he makes that adjustment line. He's a really good decision maker. I like Justin Herbert and I have Charlie Stance, I watch him play. And someone who's that kind of just, you know, he's a decision maker, he's a great, amazing player. I would say I'm a little bit more clever. I'm working on the Michael's side. You know, Coach Day is trying to get the people. I won't come later out there with the guys that even on that question is trying to get that. I'll be a little bit more. Definitely, definitely quite confidence. Definitely, confident in your goal. I know a lot of you have got to be a good team. I actually think I've only been here once in a few months. I love them. Really good to be places to be, hang out with friends. About a second. I think I've visited maybe freshman and sophomore. Yeah, just for the camper and visit, just to see the facilities. He's really good at that.

18:35I know he's on the FPVs, but being in the Alabama program, especially as they prepared for ballpoint upfront, what did you take away from that short period of time? Yeah, it was really good with Coach Rees and Jeff Stanton. They were coach and players hard and I saw the work that takes to get to the playoffs and then coming here. Just seeing the older guys putting their work throughout the winter. I see older guys all the leaders putting their work in and showing the athletes. How much of a relationship did you have with air, obviously? He had been committed. You come in, you're both freshmen. What was it like before and what's your relationship? We didn't have much relationship prior. We measured it with 11. I knew each other a little bit. And then come in here, you know, the quarterback room, everyone here is really close. So we're all pushing each other to be better. We're all taking push points from each other trying to get better. Coach, you know, you're right. You're right. I'm just expecting you. I would say we are a cop, I surprise.

19:35You know, come back from the game and you're a little bit high spirits because of the team journey. I don't know. It's high-five, I suppose. How did you feel when you were feeling on air? You were coaching the play floor and you were just signing with the player. And I was a person that I had to try to go for that. There was definitely a lot of emotions, but I'd like to help me through it and make the registration and I'm like, I'm not here and I'm like, I'm feeling good for more. I'm not taking the role of cop racing. How's the true question of what you could be doing this year? You know, I can't really explain how that happened. I'm just really trying to develop and take push for coach day. I can have great quarter-mechanical history. I take push for coach Kelly. I just want to develop and run the offense when they want it and take their first place in the transfer room. If you look at your state, say push for you. You can even think of it. No. But what do you think, what about your game, what do you think of the transfer room?

20:36I think that I can be a really good decision maker for the offense and someone who's the absolutely American trust. It's a game called you. Is that natural game? I think it's kind of a lot of things. I was always around football. My coach was a quarterback at Penn. So he used it quarterback and eighth and I was in high school and I was at Penn Fall in district steps. So I've always been around football and then I just been at high level. I think it's a high school and just really just had it a lot of time. Who's your favorite title? Packard. What are you saying? I'm a type of player. I'm a type of player. I'm a type of player. I just keep it like you. And he's certainly making a case to get on the field this fall. So I think it's been a really good spring for CJ.

21:38Whenever you have a good day, you've got to follow it up by another good day. You know, and kind of stack days. And I think that's what a pro does. You know what I mean? You want to be a pro. You've got to keep stacking and that's the expectation. And I think he's had some really good days and then he's had some days where you're like you're trying to push him a little bit. But I think CJ, where he is now compared to where he was last fall, he's a lot better football player. You've heard a lot of good things about a lot of good business here. I'm going down the gate hours. Are you envisioning right now that you want this to be a five six person operation? Yeah, well, I think Coach Dave's talked about it a lot, right? It's gonna be a long season. And so I think we need to have. I've always been on the opinion. If you have two guys, you have two guys when you ride with them, right? If you have six, you have six. And that's a blessing. So I'd say right now we're probably at five. That I would feel confident rotating out there on the field. And look, I'm old school, right? So I come from the era. I used to yell at Luke Pickle, what he would take me out.

22:38Oh, I get so mad. I get some maybe 42, whatever against Youngstown State. I'd be so upset coming out of the game. But seeing how violent this game is from this perspective, now you have to say, hey, okay, not only within games, can we keep guys fresh, right? But can we do that so that when you get to the last few games in the season, the fact that are the big ones, right? The ones that you're judged off of when you get to the game, are we healthier? And I think that's, it's kind of a full, a full fan, right? So I feel confident with five guys. And that's going to be a week to week. You know what I mean? Like these guys know, I think honestly, who start to be week to week? If you display during the week of practice that you're locked in and somebody else has a bad mental week, well, I can't reward you with starting if you have six mental errors during the week. You know what I mean? I think it's going to be that iron sharpens, iron constant complications due to the whole fault. That is something that James Gornidas would have enjoyed in the play. It kind of is you, as he just alluded to, but is that part of which one has to drive you then?

23:39Was it driving you then? Then you just assumed that was kind of the case when you played anyway. I always felt when I was here that they were trying to out-recruit me, which is the reality, right? Yeah. Which is why it prepares you so well for the National Football League. That's why Ohio State prepares you so well for the league, because now it's like they're trying to out-draft you. And so I used that as fuel, but I also sought firsthand. You know, there was a season where it was John Kerr, Marcus Freeman, certain guys rotating week to week. And so I thought like, should it fit to happen to them? It could happen to me. So I just tried to be a certain way in practice. Like, I tell the guys all the time, you have to control the things that take no talent. You have to eliminate all the loves. Like if you loaf on the field, you're a trader. Like you should just go play for the other team. Like, you can't be coaching effort. And then you can't have mental errors. Because if you have a mental error, then you can't trust you. So those are the two things I always had the player. I was like, all right, you're not going to catch me loafing. And you're definitely not going to catch me not knowing what I'm supposed to do. I might get beat, and that's inevitable. It's football, everyone's on scholarship, right?

24:40But those two things you can control every single day. What's the next step in the sun? I think it's just seeing it. We haven't done any of my series. We know you can tackle and all that. But I think it's just the repetitive grind of a football game from in the box, the constant. And he's been willing so far. You know what I mean? As far as his hand placement has been good, even more on the strike. He's tough. So it's just continuing to have him challenged to. There's plays right now where he's seeing it from the first time from a well backer. So the next time he sees it, maybe throw catch tackle is at the intersection. You know what I mean? Because he's seen it before from that perspective. Everything he's seen before this has been from top down off the shelf, right? So now it's dropping back, settling and striving. So he's made great progress and I'm really happy with how son he's done. James, look at that recruiting. This is like it's going really well for you. Obviously you can't talk about specific recruits, but just overall how do you feel like that's going?

25:40And are you enjoying your food? I am. I am enjoying it. I think it's fun to build relationships and get to know so many different... types of kids, you know. Ohio State presents opportunity, right? And so many different ways. You're not going to get developed better anywhere else in the country. You have the largest fan base. Largest alumni. It makes this opportunity everywhere, right? So you try to just explore, like explain your passion for the school that did so much for you, you know, especially being an out-of-state kid, not being from Ohio. And then realizing how much Ohio State changed my life. And so now you communicate that to other young kids who kind of see it and try to tell them the vision, like where you can get to. And I think the fun thing for me is that most of the kids that are recruiting are way more athletic than I ever was. So it's like, I tell them, if I can... the only way I survived in the NFL eight years was the fact that I had football intelligence.

26:45Like, I knew where I was going. You know what I mean? I knew where I was fitting. And so now if I can impart that information on kids who are extremely athletic, well now you're... now you got something special, you know what I mean? How much of you guys have this staff already talking about the long season and the need to play more guys? Well, I think, yeah, you're going to have to have depth. That's just the reality, right? It's a longer season. There's more games. And there's no excuse that a place like here, like if you're all playing with a... maybe a guy who was third or fourth, that doesn't matter. You know, like, you got to be ready to go. So I think depth is crucial at all of the things you need. Because injuries are going to happen there as part of football. You know, you never want to wish it upon anyone and you're certainly not. But it's just, you can't be naive to think that you're just going to have every single starter healthy for the whole season. You talked about your mentality as a player. And then you're recruiting different players than you were. How do you, how do you marry that when they made that, I have the same mentality that you need and what you want them to have?

27:47Well, you figure that out when you get to know them. And there are certainly some kids that you start to recruit to where you see like, you know what? Ohio State might be too big. It might be too big for them. You know what I mean? And so it's not for everybody. You have to want to come in and compete against the best. And realize that you have to win every single game to be the best in the world of what you do. That's the expectation. That'll have state. And that's certainly not for everyone. And that's okay. But you have to through the process kind of find out who has that mentality, who really craves football. You know, like who craves football versus a lot of the other fluff that kind of comes with it? Who craves ball? Because when they crave football, then the other stuff will take care of itself, right? And we'll just keep getting better and better and better if they want to be the best. Two more questions for Dave. Yeah, that's, I mean, I think that's your job as a recruiter is you got to figure out what's the mindset of the kid. And are they serious about football? And you have to talk to the people that are around them. And you got to figure out how to talk to coaches. And you just got to try to figure out like who loves ball.

28:48And the NFL, they do the same thing, right? Now they're attending the massive amounts of money. And they're saying, okay, we're going to get this person money as a change, their motivation. Or they still love ball. So now it means in college it's the same thing. Like who actually wants to be the best or who just likes the attention that comes with playing football? James, I've already talked about it, but can you tell a little bit of the elevation from our bell from end of the class? And obviously missing time last year with the injury. But where he's at now versus the expectation that he had to move this way. Our bell, I mean, has shown a lot of progress. You know, most importantly, you know, mentally with the playbook and everything. I think our bell last year there was a couple things, right? Because of injuries on the D line and camp. You know, he moved the end for a little bit. And we brought him off the ball and then he had an injury and he kind of missed some time. He wasn't an early mid-year, you know, so he comes in right in the summer. And so he missed some reps there. So the see where he's at right now is extremely impressive. And for a guy of that size and that much power and his ability to run, he's a special athlete.

29:50And so our bell has had a good spring. He's got to continue to dive into the playbook and got to continue to learn all the little things. As you go, right? Like week one, week two, you start seeing new schemes, new schemes, things build. And it becomes kind of a lot. He's the guy who continued to comb through it all because athletically, you know, he's one of the most gifted guys that we have in the room. I know, you know, and I have probably the biggest risk for that. What has changed the time that you've been recruited to now that you're winning? Like, are there other differences that you've noticed in your own leader? What do you think I can do? I think it still comes down for the most part. Like, NIL is certainly an aspect for some. For some, it could be the most important thing. It's always a factor. But I think you still just need to find out who are the kids that love football and they want to be developed. And it's about the relationship to an extent. Like, a relationship gets you to the final stretch. For some kids, I don't know, might be the thing that pushes them over the top. I mean, I don't know. Like, every kid is so different, right? I try to view it as you're just building relationships.

30:51And are you going to get a young man to trust you to develop them? And to not only the player that they want to be, but the person that they want to be in the future? And can you convince mom and dad that you're the right person to do that? You know what I mean? So I think one of the things that is helpful is my playing experience. I think, you know, when you've played and you've done it, and the drills that you're doing, you know that they work. You're not going to waste your time on stuff that doesn't work. And then the fact that, you know, I am blessed to be at my alma mater. You know, if there's no sense of trying to leave here. You know, and they have the question, I get a ton. What do you see yourself in five years? I'm like, where I'm sitting? It's my alma mater. You know, my kids love it in Columbus. Obviously, I love Ohio State. So I think those are things that can kind of be in the van. Okay, but I don't even work. You know, I would kick off and punch the teeth as well. It looks like for you in stressful, you're getting involved with that thing. Yeah, it's awesome. Maybe I love it because it gives you an opportunity to coach the whole team.

31:51You know what I mean? Like special teams in a spot where the whole team probably minus the quarterbacks, right? Is all in one team room, in one meeting room. So you get to actually directly impact other positions in just your own. And I think it also gives a little bit of urgency to your own room. Like when you're in there every single time, you better be making an impact. If you're a linebacker, you better be making an impact on kick return or kick off, kick off return, punt return, all those things. You better be making an impact, right? Because your coach is in there all the time. So it's been nice. And there's a lot of stuff that I think our coaches have done to kind of push that sense of team when you're in special teams that we every position matters. If you're interested, someone has been in the NFL. What do you think will be in the NFL doing them a kick off now? And you think that's like it could be good for college? I mean. The thing that's things that takes away like the surprise on side, you know what I mean? But all these rules are changing so much for the safety of the game.

32:51I mean, I think it's only a matter of time before it triples down. It seems like everything is tripled down. So we'll see. As of right now, we'll keep things going the way they are. All right, James. Thank you. Thanks, guys. You're welcome. Thank you. Yeah. I think when you go into a game like this, one of the most important things is to avoid distractions. So I'm letting my wife handle that right now, which is a lot. But, you know, the number one thing for us right now is focusing on this game. And so I said that to our team that we have to avoid all distractions right now. We have a lot of family, a lot of friends, a lot of people who certainly want to come to the game. And obviously those things need to get taken care of. But ultimately, we have to do our job. They're all there to see us. And that's what we're going to focus on. So, no, it's an opportunity, obviously, to be on stage and finish our mission. But we have to make sure we avoid all distractions.

34:02It just makes me realize I've grown up a lot since then. You know, again, I feel like our guys are men. We have 145 guys on a team right now. You know, again, I feel like our guys are men. We have 145 guys on a team right now, which is, you know, when you hear it, it just kind of blows you away. You have that many guys and everybody's job on the team. And that includes coaches and staff. It's not to be a distraction to the other player as they prepare. But also, just in general, you know, avoiding distractions for yourself in terms of your focus. And so, the question right there about tickets and all the different things or some of the stuff that, you know, the stories that are written, you know, talking about, you know, previous years or previous games or things that make it has nothing to do with what's going on in this game.

35:05And just being focused on this game and how we execute. And that's been a message without overdoing it. But our guys understand what the message is. And I believe they're locked in. Yeah. I know that we need everybody. So, you know, former players, you know, people who are going to be at the game and having a great presence in Mercedes-Benz stadium and being allowed. Yeah, we'll need them. So we're playing for them. You know, people who are back home in their living rooms, whether it's back in Ohio or, you know, in another country or across the country. You know, just setting great energy.

36:06Our guys feel all that. So, you know, we're playing for everybody. It was pulling to be a buck. I were playing for Buckaion Nation for sure. We're also playing, you know, for each other and for this team. And that's it. I'm not going to get too far into that right now, but that's it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he's like family. He is, you know, being the first really commit and guy who recruited the other guys, especially on defense, but also on offense. He was a leader from the jump. And being a buck I met even more to him growing up in Columbus and Pickering, Teno-Hile, his family, just great people. And this is a guy who overcame some things.

37:08He just didn't come in and his freshman year and dominate, leaving three years and going to the NFL to be a first round draft pick. I mean, this is a guy who, again, I say it all the time, you know, where's a hard hat to work every day, brings his lunchpale to work, and has the respect of his teammates. You're seeing his play, he was talking this year. So I know who he wants to play at his best, this game. Being a captain, you know, again, you know, in August having his teammates vote him in was a big deal for him. It was an emotional moment. And, you know, winning some of these games has really built him more and more confidence in knowing that this is what he wants. You know, he wants to win a national championship more than anything. And that I think represents our entire team. I just think that this year with the 12 team playoff, it's just been a little bit different.

38:16There's a lot, everyone has their own story and there's a lot of great teams out there. You know, a lot of things come into play when you make a run like this. Injuries and just different things. So we'll look at it at the end of the year and figure out, you know, the adjustments that need to be made, I think internally. But I also think that, you know, we all need to look at, you know, how this is playing and what this means, you know, playing 16 games. I think it's a great learning opportunity to see what that, what that's going to look like moving forward. But I know it's been exciting for college football and for their fans. Yeah, I think they do a great job on offense. Coach Dembrox done a great job wherever he's been. Riley Leonard's an excellent leader. Jeremiah Love is one of the most talented backs we've gone against and they have a very good offense align. Evans is really good at tight end, they have multiple tight ends, receivers are weapons.

39:17So, you know, they're going to challenge us in a lot of different areas. And so we have to play big 10 football. That's what it's going to look like. And, you know, every play matters when you play in a game like this and certainly against this team, it'll be the same way. Yeah, I think we built, we say this in all the time is that, you know, when you have momentum, you got to keep it. When you don't, you got to go get it. And, you know, we didn't have momentum at the end of the season. We had to create our own momentum. And then we started to build some momentum. And now we have to keep it. But I think the ability for our guys to sustain throughout the season has been significant here. And now it's going to be the best. It's got to ramp up. And again, the goal is to play our best game and to finish the mission.

40:17But we talked early in the season about building a foundation for down the road. And just like anything else, you build a foundation of a building. When storms come, it has to withstand those storms. But now we got to finish. What we started. And that's it. I think again, there'll be time to reflect on some of those things after the game. Right now, we're just going to continue to look at Monday night and play in our best game. And then we have a lot of guys on our team from the Atlanta area from the southeast. So for a lot of these guys, it's like coming home. So that's exciting. And then we have a lot of teams on our team.

41:17And we're just like training rats. We just come to work and figure out what the next mission is to get back to work that way. That's what it is. And every once in a while, you've got to come up for air and realize that it has been a great run. But now we've got to finish it. And so everyone's going to why we take a step back, but then you get refocused on what matters. But to your point, it's about everybody. And certainly it all starts with the players and what they do. And I think our energy has continued to grow. I think we talk about the mental fatigue. I just don't see that with our guys. I think it's only increased. The energy has increased. The focus has increased. I think our team is fresh right now. I think if you had to, we could continue to play for a few more weeks. But that just shows you the experience, the maturity, the depth that we have.

42:21And I think that's all important. But we're not going to play anymore. We've got one more left. And it's going to be our best. See that again? Yeah, we have. We have. And excellent football players with just great focus on family. And you can see how important relationships matter. And when you have an opportunity to recruit families and get into their homes, you got to feel for what that's like at home. And you can certainly see how in the Haitian community, family matters, relationships matter. So that when you bring somebody into your family and the football family, you know, they grab onto the culture.

43:23And it's been a huge asset to our team. And I think that's what we're going to do. Let's say it one more time. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, I got you. Oh, yeah, we're kind of. I guess that that transition has been happening the last few years, but you can see obviously this year, it's really accelerated. And the thing that's hit me is that, you know, we're. And we're starting to start starting spring ball in another week or so. And so it's just very, very different. I think it's all things that we have to learn from when we assess what's going on.

44:23But it's been hard to take a step back and look at anything because, you know, you have a short period of time to get back and win the next game. And like every single ounce of your energy has to be to go win the next game. And then you wake up and you realize you're on to the next one. And so we're not there right now. But I know after the season, you got to wake up. You know, and then we'll try to assess it the best we can and make it better. I know there's a lot of things that we can do to make this all better. And I know institutionally we'll continue to make those adjustments, like you said, and do things the way we've done before, but also adjust. But also, you know, I think in college football, we need to look and see how we can make this even better as it's gone on. Because every year it has gotten better. And I think it's great right now. But man, when you think about the potential and what it can be for the players and these teams, it's pretty extraordinary. Oh, yeah. That's it. That's it. That's it. I think our strength coach, Mick Morati, really, you know, symbolizes kind of what that means.

45:26He has this old school work ethic, you know, because the line's still the line and the cone's still the cone. You still got to have your foot behind the line. You still got to run through the cone plus two. But there's so many other things now. There's sports science. There's GPS. There's a longer season. And so having to be able to adapt with those times is important. And I think it's the same way with our program and how we run things. And the tradition is not going to change Ohio State. And that's one of the reasons why these guys come here. And it's one of the things we sell and recruit. You know, is that, you know, just over a hundred years of football and the great teams and players that have come before and what the expectation. And, you know, we have an obligation to be the best in the world at what we do. And that's the expectation, whether you're a player or coach. And we own that. We absolutely embrace that and put that also adjusting with the times. And now we have a new playoff system in place. So, but all that being said, here we are. A couple more days before the game. And we've got a chance to finish our season and finish the mission. And then again, cement ourselves in the history of Ohio State football as the 19 to win an national championship.

46:29And the third in over 50 years. A lot of good teams along the way. And that's been a message to our guys. And it's not about how you start. It's how you finish. Try not to get too much into those nostalgic thoughts because it's just it's a distraction. And there when you're in a game like this, it's easy to get distracted players and coaches. So, what matters is what we do on Monday night. How we execute, how hard we play. And that's it. And then after the game, I think there's a great opportunity to sit back and think about all those types of things. But, yeah, there's a lot that I could probably go into if we were to sit back and talk about what Monday night means.

47:31But, ultimately, we have to go win the game. And that's it right now. So, 48 hours out. I know a lot of people want to talk about different things. We're just going to focus on executing at a high, high level. Everybody doing their job. And find a way to win the game in the fourth quarter. And that's it. I think, you know, in life, you know, you have to work through tough times. And it's how you respond to those tough times. And that's it. And that's been the message all along to our players. It's not always how things happen in your life. It's how you respond. And I think our guys have learned a lot about that.

48:33And again, I said this before. I think there's some great stories to be told about, you know, what went on behind closed doors. And, you know, some of the things that were said and, you know, the personal challenges that we had for each other. And, you know, collectively the story. But the only way that gets told is if a banner gets put up in a hoodie. And that's the sobering reality of this game that nobody cares about what you go through. And you got to win that final one to finish the mission. And so that's it for our guys. And, you know, as much as some of these, these wins have been great wins for us. You know, to me, you know, it's about winning this final game. And so all that being said, I think our guys have learned a lot about life over the last month. I think it's been a tight group. We've seen the good, the bad and the ugly. And it's a special group of guys that care a lot about each other. And they're going to go on to be very, very successful moving forward because they're strong. They're loyal. And they're very mature.

49:34You're going to see, you know, 10, 20, 30 years down the road. These guys making an unbelievable impact not only on their families, but in the community and in the game of football. Yeah, it's football. And, you know, I said to my wife all the time, like that's, we signed up for it. And, you know, it's the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. This game will take you to knees and give you some of the greatest experiences in the world. And that's it. You know, not a lot of people get to experience those, those highs and lows. And you have to manage the tough times and you got to enjoy the good ones. And that's it. And, you know, the more you're in this game, the more you're going to realize that. And that's it. And those are opportunities to show strength. And that's it. So, you know, we're counting on that to make a difference on Monday night. Yeah, you got it. Yeah, that's it.

50:42And set a great example for the younger groups. One of the good things about having 145 guys on the roster is some of these new freshmen and transfers that are coming in get to see what it's supposed to look like. Get the C great leadership. This wasn't the case. They wouldn't have an opportunity to see what you know, a mecca book is like Wil Howard, Travian Henderson, Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke, you go through the list, Cody Simon. I mean, these, you know, Tyler Williams, you know, what does it look like? How do they prepare not only for one week, but several weeks. And, and these, these guys are, they're men. They are. And the way that they go about their business, not only they love being Ohio State fuck guys, but they love their teammates and all those things matter. So again, they want to play their best game here and finish themselves and cement themselves so that, you know, when they come back, they can see that banner up there and you have a bail ring to show for it. So that's it. You know, we'll get back to the hotel here, get back to work, get to these meetings

51:43and focus on what matters right now. Yeah, hard to put in the words what a mecca is meant to this team or to me or to my family or to Ohio State. It started when he first got here. He had a different look in his eye. He's extremely competitive. No jobs too small for a mecca. He's selfless. He's really made it unbelievable strides in his life, but also just in his faith. And you know, he speaks people listen, he's very well thought out. He's sitting down and having a conversation with a mecca book or you're going to walk away extremely impressed. And, but then when you talk about his play on the field, he's made a lot of great plays. He's been very clutch. He's been very consistent.

52:43And this is a guy I know who wants to finish his fish his career out with a great game Monday night. I think when you're when you're starting out this season and you're putting a ready for the season, and you're putting a roster together, you have to start from this game and move back. And I think when that happens, you have to build a team. I think now the big 10 has allowed us to do that with with the addition of some different styles of play on the west coast. And then certainly the traditional big 10 play. It's a combination of being able to get big and strong and heavy and stop the run and run the football when it matters.

53:44But also being a spread out game where you can be in a little bit of a track meet and have the skill to play with anybody in the country. And I think that's the combination that you need to have. And that's the goal every year to do that. You know, when you when you need to go get that yard, you get that yard. And when it's time to get that stop, you get to get that stop. But also having the skill to be able to run with everybody in a country. And that's that's how we start. And then as the season goes on, we look to identify the areas where we have to get better or whatever that might be. But I think it all starts in the off season with our off season program and what Mick Morati does. And I think our off season program when and I know it now because when I see players come from other teams, that's you get great feedback. You know, you get you know, guys who come in from different programs and say, you know, talk to me about what your program is compared to our program off season during the season, all that. It really gives me confidence knowing we're doing the right things. I think every year you learn and I think, you know, to be to be, you know, to be honest, I think, you know, every year I learn and grow and figure out what needs to be done to get it fixed and identify the issues and be honest.

55:06And call it out for what it is and get it fixed and get it addressed. And that's what leaders do. And you know, they look out in the horizon and see what's coming because the soldiers are fighting right in front of you. And that's what they are. And so what's coming down the road. And then obviously what areas need to get addressed and get fixed. And I always starts with, you know, who's in the right seats. You know, players, coaches and staff making sure that's organized and then building it from there. And so every alert every year you grow to try to get better. And then, you know, identify it the next year and move on from there and keep growing. And we all have to continue to learn. And I think, you know, I've done that as well. Yeah. Yeah. Caleb is mature beyond his years. Is a tremendous player. But he brings a work ethic. That's tremendous. He and Lathen ran some both in the way that they bring energy to practice every day.

56:11And they let their play do the speak, do the talking for them, but they're great leaders. And they're sharing the recruiting process. I went all the way down to the wire. It's been told before. And we were right there at the end. And, you know, I wish them good luck. And understood. I mean, Coach Saven is a unbelievable coach and certainly has success speaks for itself, but also just as a defensive backs coach. And I totally understood. And was pulling for him in his freshman year. You can tell my family and my wife and kids. We were all pulling for him because he's just such a unique talent and great person and great family. And then when when coach retired and, you know, he was in the portal, it was an opportunity to reconnect with him. And I think he had great relations with players. And it's been great to see him this year really flourish within our culture. And you're seeing the best version of him now. Well, it's going to be a great environment. We know that great crowds on both sides. So it'll be electric.

57:15And, you know, different than in the past where you kind of had these, you know, bowl game and then a final game. We, you know, these playoff environments now or something that, you know, we become accustomed to. So we need to focus on what really matters and the execution and find a way to win the game in the fourth quarter. That's it. You know, this is a team that continues to come at you. So we know what's going to take four quarters. It went all the way down to the last play last time we played them. And, you know, we have to be prepared for that. But, but that's it. It's a great environment. You know, and, you know, it's good to get over there today to have practice just to kind of see it again. Feel it again. And I know our guys will be ready. All good. Okay. Thanks. One more question here. Yeah, I think he's built confidence as an offense, Aliam and throughout his career, and especially this year. And he's become a leader for some front. And we'll need him to be at his best in this game as well. Thanks. Yeah.

58:24Yeah. I mentioned this before that, you know, this is about these players in this game. And it's all going to be about who executes well during the game. That's it. And I think our guys understand that and feel that. And, um, no, there'll be a lot of conversation, which is great. It's exciting for the fans to talk about. Um, but we know what really matters. And that's what our focus is on is executing at the highest level we possibly can. Thanks. I don't see it as I like doing the dirty work. Like, body, body like doing the dirt. That's how it was. I first, man. I just wanted to. They drive me hard to be able to catch passes. I thought I was just be able to catch passes, catch touchdowns, but I just be able to do everything. Turn until a complete receiver, trying to put myself in that position to do a dirty work. I just, like I said, I want to be every hour, see where I don't want to come up. Did you kind of felt like reprogrammed kind of like how you? Yeah, my top process, my mindset.

59:29Uh, at a reprogram. Really this this year. I tried to block some some last year, but I wasn't really fully area. So, uh, this year, this offseason, I got to say I wanted to. I ain't want to come out and run and run in place. It's going to take away from the play action. So, um, I got to say, I just try to do everything I can to be in my role. Was week one kind of a test for that? I'm guessing it's really easy to block when the ball is coming right over. That's kind of all you're doing. Oh, yeah. I feel like a, uh, a lineman out there, you know, saying that's not so. That's not going to be some games and not going to see the ball, but I'm at least at least winning. We got the best office in the league. So, they ain't done the complain about. I'm just trying to do my job at the, at the highest I can and help the team. You feel that way? That's what I'm saying. Yeah, I definitely feel that way. Um, we could have made some adjustments last week. Uh, Philly had a great game plan. They had a great, uh, front, front seven that stopped the run. So, uh, it's just a bump in the road. We're going to get better.

1:00:29I'm glad it happened early in the year. And so we could bounce back from it. So it's only going to make us better. Is anyone that helped you with that mindset? Did you go to anyone for advice about? Not really. Is just how I was looking on film. I just say I want to look weak in a running game. Or when I come out and we run the ball, just felt like I was kind of weak on myself. So, uh, just trying to take it took a step forward. And, uh, I got to try to try to get stronger to be able to make those blocks. First of all, I do the dirty work. Is that something you would try to do regardless? Like I know the system prioritizes it. But like, it was a different system that wasn't like really calm. Like, was that something just period of like, I got to do this better. Yeah, for sure. I was one of my biggest weaknesses that I had to improve on. So, uh, like I said, I just want to live a week in a blocking game. Uh, being able to, uh, have to run in bags and quarter bags and, uh, live and count on me. So, uh, that's something I definitely wanted to improve.

1:01:29I mean, you kind of, sorry, you can go ahead and get all this in front of me. So, you're just talking about how, you know, when you got drafted, you were like, you know, on first round, or I want the ball, things like that. And you would said last year, you know, that was kind of hard for you in that Tampa game when you didn't get the ball. But you see him kind of like, at peace with where you're at now. Like, is that all part of that, you know, growth mindset of it's not always going to be me, but I'm still. Yeah, it's a team sport. I kind of got caught in the kind of try catch area past last year, trying to be the number one receiver. But, like I said, it was just a growing. I was young. Uh, just allowed me to grow with experience. And it's not always going to come my way, but as long as I'm winning, I'm doing my job. That's the only thing I can control. So just trying to control their controlables and, uh, everything right after. Considering the rivalry with Atlanta and how last year ended, do you feel like there's going to be any carryover from how last year ended this week? Uh, they always play as good. It's always a good game. We played against them. We know it's going to come down to the wire.

1:02:33Big player or great player show up in big time game. So we had to have our best player show up and play at that best. It's going to be a great game. Just in two way, going back here, just getting in. I'm doing every time. Yeah, great. Just using your amateur right to change it to what's going to be the door. Yeah, just decided okay, I'm committing and now. It's actually. Ever since just getting off it. I mean obviously we had a couple of years. Did you get married? I'm curious about how you hit your high. You started to do that. I'm not saying in terms of guys that you want to join.

1:03:35You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. You're not. I'm. I am. What would you at first.

1:04:52What do you think he can bring to this project? A new generation of recruits where I don't think anybody outside Leckman will question this is a strength of your commitment like you're locked in the last eight you sent it over and over but you're making visits around the country you've seen other schools it's it's almost a totally different mindset How do you approach these other visits and how do you communicate with Ohio State

1:05:55about them what's been the message? I'm always locked in you know I'm still enjoying my visits It's only one time I'm still in the same place Other schools I set up like yes I'm going to be really hard to try to do the flip So how do you stay in this world to be? What does it mean you want to take part in this? I mean I'm really a son of a great person Is that something that you had to kind of learn or is there something that you had when you came in here? Like we were just a pair of things at the end It's something I had to learn with him Cody, something I had to learn and adjust to What does Peyton bring to the defense? Peyton is a great downhill like thumping type of lawn backer like Peyton going to talk with somebody you like a secure top player like that's what type of person is What time about that third line backer role that you had last year and what to expect yet?

1:06:55I haven't really talked to him about it we just we all playing we all think I haven't really talked to him about that How different is this fall camp knowing the spot that you're going to be in as opposed to a year ago when you had Cody inside this And something open was there on the front line What I say is too much different I mean I know the role I got coming in last year I knew the role so I just tacked Eric Day Really the same way It's technically a very rare Physically how different are you weight wise body wise on that from the year ago? I think I got a lot bigger I'm like 240 I'm like 240 for right now last year I played at like 236 to 37 What does it feel like a 240 for or bail you feel like an almost a different machine out there? Yeah, what does it feel like to be running around out there like you are but with more and more bands? I just feel like I'm like like like more downhill like stronger like I'm taking all blocks better it's bigger No Is it daunting? Maybe that's not the correct term but to think you're going to be playing much more than you did even last year

1:07:58And you played quite a bit last year and stuff What do you have to get straight in your head about being on the field that much more? I just got to get ready to just play 30 more snaps But how would you describe how much you're looking forward to it from an 8-stand point? I'm looking forward to it I'm ready for it My play I'm ready for it The text is opener it's a rematch and so to speak but it's not really two different teams compared to the last time you all played and stuff How has that enhanced this camp for you and this team getting ready for the where an opener put that magnitude? Yeah, with an opener like that we've been emphasizing it a lot and we know we got coming so we know we got to do it I think Riley ready to play right now he advanced freshman like he ended up he's studying like he advanced and his measurements is crazy like he saw line to line to Or like you said you're ready You know you're ready What was that process like during last season? Could you feel yourself becoming more and more ready?

1:09:01Yeah, because that's pretty much what my role was just whenever I was needed I had to step up so I feel like that's what built me into me being able to say I'm ready for this year When you say ready is it more a physical thing? When I say ready I think it's pretty much like everything physically, mentally, mostly I think I'm there What difference is that he won this year's Van Lass? I asked that one more time How different is that response ability? That's just a emotional story If it was last year you knew you were a home player I feel like it's a way bigger responsibility with me having to step up this year But I kind of go about it the same way like last year I was attention over everything I did I feel like this year it's going to be the same thing It's probably a little bit more For somebody who's some reason they were some reason to help you

1:10:01And what word? How's anybody worth your watch? I say describe my game I say like when you think of me you would think of like a bullet like a silver bullet I don't really a bullet, I'm always on the ball That's how I like to play and think I don't think I'm a nickname No, I ain't got to be my nickname But I'm not saying that the nickname could be that's all Oh yeah, yeah Yeah, that's a good question How does that fit you? And what are you enjoying about the playing in that kind of style? I think it fit me because I don't know I just like the defense I feel like we got like you said we got a lot of freedom We're moving around a lot of the times I don't know, I don't really not answer that That's okay, does it? You can go on your instincts a little bit more maybe And it's not so thinking of too much I don't even know if I say that

1:11:01There's a lot of thinking going on but it's like I just like it's defense, I like how it's pretty different I like what he got going on What was it sad when CJ left the room? No, I wanted to much sad I like happy fun That's what you want No That's my dog Kind of missing a little bit but I'm happy fun Go ahead one last question Coach Daze talked a lot about the guys who played some last year But maybe weren't the starters and the hunger for That wasn't maybe your national championship you guys will win your own How much do you feel that is a guy who certainly contributed last year And you have a bigger role and a longer summer year in your class Yeah, I do feel like I did win a national championship But like you said my role wasn't Same as how it's going to be this year So yeah, I definitely want to go get another one Experience that feeling with me be on the field A lot more place Oh, Bell, thank you very much

1:12:01Thanks, thank you When you were both in last year Did you feel, you never run up against an offensive I don't feel like I did a good way of running that Where you can do things against them No matter what, the offensive was If you want to try Yeah, I mean This year is not a different because I obviously I'm pushing to the ball But it kind of feels the same I think I like being able to play So it's like time to things up and being able to run for a speed And be able to hit somebody and catch the month guard And that's just what I'm able to do now Just end the ball and close the two Some of those guys who have talked to you About the distance, the capacity of the receiver So what's that? We haven't really talked about Like a few guys But he's talking about like winning the Guinness I had a chance to work with him My My junior At the opening but I was different because I was playing off the ball Boom Yeah, that's the one we got I didn't know what Smith was going to do

1:13:01I did the way that he coaches I mean he doesn't do a lot this is last two weeks And what is his style? It's very intentional But he knows that we're human So he knows nobody's going to be perfect And it's okay to mess up But the thing is being able to learn from that mistake And not do it again How different is this How different is your future project? How different is your future? It's different But like I said, I've just been enjoying the ride You know I like why I am now So I'm just going to Grow at this fight and get to where I want to go And that you know that process 100% 100% No, it's very hard We were just looking at our 222th class We got a lot of guys So now we probably only have like five or six guys here Exactly I'm sticking through and just I feel like me staying here

1:14:01Each year I feel like I was telling this thing Because yeah, it was opportunity to chance her But I kept feeling like God just stay Let his will be done Just let his will What's the thing you're working on? When you know you may not make a misplition change You know, you got a lot of things here You know, I try to Every little drill that we do I'm sure I'm doing it To the team, you know I don't like to mess up And that's why you see me I have to practice working with Coach Johnson Or Coach Patricia because of the fact I know it's very urgent But I still feel like I have time I'm going to spring You have 158 days probably to win the title You've been reppin' there Throughout December obviously What exactly did you start to make that transition though And when you heard they were high in the upper treasure Um Obviously in December it was different Because we had Coach Knows here And Coach Knows was one of the

1:15:01He was telling me different ways he was going to use me With the Jag and where he was going to have me line up And things like that Coach Day, what he was telling me was We were going to bring in different coach And just, you know There'll just be a specific coach just For the decision I was playing Just that way could just be easier on everybody And that probably was just going to be Coach Knows And just be seen it's a bit With Coach Patricia coming in I feel like it's a lot easier on everybody Because of the fact, like I said His experience and everything that we're doing now It just feels like Everybody can just play fast to be themselves With 158 days, what would you know that? We talk about every day Coach Day brings it up every day Because of the fact we got a Like yeah we have one good day today But we do have to stack day on top of day We played sex and sex and just in the playoffs You know they did not know so much You know that They're probably in the same mindset as we are right now Because they lost a lot of starters But it doesn't mean

1:16:01I mean you see guys like the parts of the world Part of their career is going back And they moved to the edge How much does that inspire you to see what comes to success? No I feel like watching those guys I feel like you can see Like it helped them in the longer Especially with the blue, especially with the gay last year Because the fact it was It's the first year on the line of scrimmage But um Obviously I watch those guys I watch other guys but I'm on the lead Coach Ray, what's it to you about the loss of building It's going into this season For you You step up, six I mean it doesn't think it happened really I'm going to have to learn right now How much you're sitting Because it seemed like it's a big, big blow I mean how would you describe it? I mean I guess you just got to learn everything slowly Of course there's a lot to learn But I got a lot of hope So You guys had a very unique experience Oldly early in the role these You got a chance to go to

1:17:01You know, semi-final Some of you went to the Rose Bowl There's nothing called the national championship game What was that like? How much did you think that helped you That was incredible I don't know, I don't know What was the highlight of that time Other than winning the national championship Was there something that stands out to you Just being able to travel and get to meet everybody Meet all the players Everybody at one in the adding and meet all Early and early It's been a most difficult part Making the transition from Liza What has been I was really just living on my own You got to be independent That's pretty much it I'm not comfortable with that You're still trying to get me I mean of course there's adjustment But I'm getting this for you Yes, your money is 100% You have to have sure very anything

1:18:03I mean of course it's hard to miss I see you all the last year Can I say my best friend? I think you can make my best friend Yeah right It was an interesting year Sorry for the stress right now I'm going to get you a trainer What do you say about my dad? I was a baby, my dad I got him a monster helmet Like a monster helmet Like once I was born Why did they pick that My dad looked up to me I'm a joyer so I'm going to play for your dad I think you should hear the first name in the heart right Yeah, okay so you could wear 8 too You should wear a 34 Yeah, you got two choices It's a desire that can be addicted for people I think I fell into that

1:19:03No way younger age But I'm super glad that's not War hand Is that again? I watched the last episode of Land Band On the planet I downloaded it's a pretty show What you can get a little hot But I don't know that his wife seems to be on my phone I don't know how he handles it It's a good show The humor seems to be coming on the camera But all this middle right I'm excited to see how it goes I thought it'd been a good show I was surprised honestly It seemed like you knew what he was doing for you It was a good show So you put a question You say you hit your mom in the salary You guess you win it all Your mom will get a pay raise or I don't know what to talk about that It sure will happen meeting or something

1:20:29What's right in front of us is an overlaid And that's another thing that you gotta tell me So much Guru is just being present In every single moment that I'm in You know not looking too far ahead Because I'm tripping on what's right in front of me So That's too self-reaching Of thinking for media if you think about what's next to me You're at least aware that there's a lot of speculation out there That people are gonna throw a huge number of people to go in the portal And you can see this I mean right now I'm just not worried about all that stuff I mean People can say all they want to say But you know I'm just focused on Focus on products Nervous I mean I still get nervous for sure But I just don't think I think I do it up to Just Understanding that That moment, whatever moment it is That I'm nervous about It doesn't define who I am as a person

1:21:29And it doesn't define who I am and God's eyes And understanding and knowing that That's just Kind of put like this force field of peace around me That I think It allows me to be able to be calm in certain situations But it doesn't I still get nervous What? What? I mean I just love the game so much And if you don't get nervous or a little bit of work I don't think you have that same love I mean I've got butterflies You know going into football game since I was You know, five, six years old So I don't know what that means I'm just curious I didn't know You know football just doesn't mean as much as it did to me back then I want to tell always me That's what I'm saying That didn't really That's what I'm saying I've been told But I think Who's going to let you go? I'll stay in the back It's going to be a hard stay

1:22:29I'm really playing as much So I just wanted to get like more experience under my belt So I can know bring younger guys with me Because I've been through a lot of it One of those younger guys we're seeing It's the first time in a sport like this What have you seen from Lill? Because I feel like last year we all forgot about it Because he was hurt Now how he's running I hope that I'm even tied What have you seen in the memories? Well, it was a workhorse He goes, stay quiet, he's going to work hard And that's what I love about him He focuses, he don't really talk much He's just going to get the job done Do a job right? Rarely has any mistakes So what would be a successful season? A national championship A ring When all the games we don't want to lose anything We got a mindset that we can't be beat We're going to show it It seems like you guys expect a national championship every year This year even more so you guys all come back for this You guys have all decided like enough as it was Is that just to keep feeling different

1:23:29Or is there not really any difference? It's just the same work It's definitely a difference. Everyone working harder We noticed our last run Most of us don't have any years after this So we got to go bigger, go home And we're not trying to go home Finish big I think you're Michigan But when you look at what they did They won the national championship And you guys took them down to the final minute Right? You know what I mean? I mean you were right there Something goes a little different You guys could have won that game against them Does that tell you anything about like that Hey, you guys won a winner national championship But you played to the 59th minute With the team that won the national championship last year Like you're that close So I'm saying we just like work harder And of course you make a saying Nobody cares, just work harder Like those won't play Georgia Same thing, last play They went on the win in 90 So we just got to get over that hump at the end of the season I think we'll be fine How frustrating is that? You're that close against the last two national titles

1:24:31Of course it's frustrating But you can't change the outcome You can't really dwell on it You just got to come back and work harder Do things better than you did last year And hopefully the outcome will change Is that as you get older you kind of learn I thought that was working hard but then you always find out there's a little more And you could have been doing it Yeah definitely, I mean that's how That's what growing up is basically in college I thought freshman year I was working It's hard as I could but now I look back at it I really wasn't working hard at all Compared to what I'm doing now Just to learn anything If the stamina is a 60 then the answer is What do you need it to be to be your best It's 75 80, 85 I mean it's all on me I think it's a little higher I was just trying to be funny But I mean it's all on me I just got to run harder in shape So I think It's been a thing The idea of the potential is 15 to 17 years I said about that idea

1:25:31Does it make you nervous about Can you last that long Where are you? I think I definitely can last I was just you know we got to get the young guys That come along with us we can't play 50 snaps again That's just too much on our bodies Just Everybody like online D-line We got to get those younger guys to play Get depth pieces on the D-line and the online And everywhere else So we can last that long Speaking of what's up with Lyskate, my dog And the snap is back Did you like playing that new snap again last year? I wasn't really expecting to play that next time Yeah I did Unless we were like winning by like a lot I thought like Darnos mom is not gonna sit down Or something But we're playing them big games like you know Notre Dame too or Notre Dame too Those kind of games Of course I want to be in because I know I can contribute And I won't want to put that on anyone else When I know I can get the job done What stands out about Kaden McDonald Is he got the kid? You guys in a second

1:26:31In practice he shows all the time He's just, he's growing right now He has a work ethic he just has to get you know In the playbook Things like that You guys are about the exact same size Listen, you're both listening to 6th grade You're 327, he's 326 Yeah he's a very old player I kind of look at him like my junior But you know Kaden might be a great player He's just got to develop more and get into playbook So really a lot on you older guys There's that large group of young guys What kind of your cast for this year to bring those guys along as well? Yeah definitely we got to be leaders Like I said we got to have them play this year We can't just play all the snaps They got to get in there and get some work And we got to get them right They're in the all season so they can play And not just play they want to contribute Like make plays tackle the sex It's straight out of our frustration It seems like these guys get bigger Each one of the freshmen class is bigger And those guys kind of, it doesn't kind of allow you in the soul of the person Yeah they're definitely some big dudes

1:27:31And they all work hard I haven't really seen much of something day two when I'm passing on But throughout the workouts they've been working hard You know they're determined to have to say that And it looks like they're ready to work with me How important this dude It feels like There's a lot of great defense this day You have big athletic defensive tactics You could eat up space But also move right to this day Is that an inquiring maybe for a great defense To have guys like you that have some balls But also a great feed I think that is definitely I think if you look at the last couple Not some championship winners Like team of Northe you know they got two good Detackle two athletic detackles Look at Georgia two athletic detackles So I think that's definitely need If you want to go on that big run and beat those big teams If you think about this If they want to fight by the defensive tactics Like what's Georgia Jordan Davis and Daniel Carter Let's miss again It's Chris Jenkins

1:28:31Tell them more questions You understand it because you play it But I feel like some time I don't know Are people realizing how important defense tackles are A little bit more than they used to? I think so I think they're starting to develop more and more of these like Freakiest detackles Yeah We're in the 478s and things like that So we'll see And when you think about this freakish attack How do you think you fit into that All of that kind of player You watch that and say yeah that's me Yeah definitely I think I'm top notch When it comes to detackles but I don't want to You know get a big head but you know Watch the comment I watch the dude do the drills I have tape to you like you're looking My film so I think I'm up there with all those guys So do you become like a artist And it comes into bad luck Passes the figure Wags can't be finished When you're going You're not doing much on 11 or 11 That's gross

1:29:31How do you work on that? Do you have like a goal in mind? I don't remember how many had last year You have a goal in mind? How many people in that? I mean as many as I can have I think I have more than that So but I think we work on drills matching the hand I think that's uh, goes big And uh, what we do is a D-line You know just affecting the quarter of that is Any way you can is just great for the defense You know just that little thing Covered his eye you know he might throw it A little bit to the left to our player So it's something that you really really have to work on You know that what you do It's very good That's one of the things that you can maybe work on the most You can bring your time here because there are a few guys that I've seen Like oh that passer is down We don't want that We kind of kind of expect it I think I just have like a Like a eye for the ball kind of I kind of just look at the quarterback And just seeing my load up I just try to get in his ways And sometimes he just throws it to me I'm irritated if you like to be a high state quarterback

1:30:31You can get back down passes I mean they get frustrated but you know we're a team You know we're just getting better Yeah A lot of different backsman and just learn and grow for them If you got a pick your top three backs You got a pull right now One two two I don't really have a top three But I'll give you I'll give you one I would say Sequan Gibbs and I like McCaffrey Although he was injured this year I like McCaffrey Who's the best backer this year? Best back in this drive That's y'all decision Playing well Howard What I'm going to remember most We're a Howard man He's just such a great leader Such a great leader man It's just like in moments where you know Usually a lot of players they fold Man he was just always calm and relaxed Man he just the leader that he was That's one thing I'm going to remember about him

1:31:34Yeah He's going to be really good man He's um Coastal lock I think he got the transfer in as well From West Virginia just that one two punch With them both as well They're going to be really good backs And so James people is man he's smart The way that he goes about his business man He's mature and so man he's growing You know just as a person and as a player And so man yeah definitely Ohio State you know that running back room is in great hands Yeah um Coach Coach Heartline man He's full of energy man and um he's creative as well You know um just learning from him as well You know um trying to run more Outside the backfield was being able to learn from Coach Heartline and so he's definitely Creative at what he's he does And he brings a lot of energy to the team as well And so I think that would do really good Just intensity man and since he got the playoffs

1:32:34Um every game and it's like the intensity got you know Higher and higher and so um you know Being able I know in the lead it's it's the same thing Even if it's not the playoffs just every every game and intensity It keeps getting higher and higher and so yeah You just I know you got to bring it you know each and every day And come in and work just like Ohio State You know I definitely feel like Ohio State They definitely do a good job of preparing us for that You know I just remember even before going through this process I'll talk to a lot of players Before then and they told me a lot of just about How much Ohio State prepared them you know for the NFL And so yeah Yeah Yeah I know I took a couple days off after the um National Championship and then Shoot right after that I'm right in right in sample Florida and I'm right to it and so um Yeah, I think where I trained I trained that um Your most performance um I think it's called the House of Athletes Yeah, I know I took a couple days off after the um Nation of the championship and then Shoot right after that I'm right in right in sample Florida and I'm right to it and so um I think it's called the House of Athlete Or the compound now um they did

1:33:34They did a good job, man, it just um Bringing us in and the way they went about training us Man they were they did a really good job I mean that would be cool in here The bucket in the airs, no I haven't We think it's city and Tampa Tampa, Tampa nice, this is nice, this is a nice city man Really nice Uh the 40 to broad and avert Train you've been on the praises and awesome locker You've been here with your mentality of like When you've got a linebacker So you're in the gap and you're in the right It's where I'm off of the game Yeah, uh yeah, nah man Uh it's really all about technique And then it's about mindset as well And so um I say you know it's for the love of my brother It's for the love of will Howard It's for the love of the receiver So I got on the perimeter just making sure you know um First of all my quarterback doesn't get sacked um And I I told will I think it was before the first game I was like I got your brother It's uh I said man I'm not gonna let you get hit you know um and so um I don't know if I don't know if I gave up a sack I'm not sure that um

1:34:34But I know if I did I haven't given up too many And so man it's for the love of my brother's though man Making sure the ball get in their hands You know the guys on the outside and making sure they get fed You know the practice field later today What is something you've been working on right now What do you think? In my game uh you can't really work on this You know in all season I feel like it's more so you know you got to put the pads on You got to go through some inside run you know maybe It's really just continuing run through tackles And so that's I feel like that's one of the areas in my game You know I want to continue to get better I feel like I did a good job of that my senior And so I just want to continue to build on that So you know what I said? Yes I did Yes I did So you can try to look like now that you are out there You get back in your ass and you can get back in your ass I can get back in your ass I did meet with new Orleans as well I never got that comparison actually I know I have a Camera Sure yeah man I have a Camera great back man Just what he does and those 101 matchups He's dangerous man and he's so smooth He's so smooth as well I'm not going to lie

1:35:34He's smooth So I hit your flavor off You hit the other one You hit the other one Yeah Inside zone From stack being able to hit that thing downhill And I'll say the next one is probably Just an option route out of the backfield You know a man and man coverage You're getting on that linebacker And so Yeah I say the man the biggest thing is the way that he carries himself man And the way that man he approaches the game He comes in with the mindset You know he's going to work every single week You know every practice you know he's working hard You know even shoot I don't know every good I think he had a every game was a good game for him And so but still man he always has the mentality The mindset that you know he's going to come in Each and every day he's going to continue to work

1:36:34And get better man and so he's definitely man He's going to be a special player man he really is I don't know what that was but I'm not going to stand out for him Man a lot of ups and downs man is this How you respond to adversity And I feel like that's something that God Is definitely helped me to do better Is this um I have something to lean on now You know I remember before I met him You know going through those adversity I had nothing to run to you know you can run to people But they still can't it's not too much They can't truly help you you know I feel like You know I feel like the only person that can truly help you Is your relationship with Jesus Christ And so being able to lean on him You know he gives you in those moments Where it's tough you know where it's low And um when you're behind the scenes And you're going through things that people don't know about Um he gives you he gives you that peace and comfort You know um Even in those moments man where it's so hard That you can't you can't explain It's like man I'm going through this but like

1:37:34How am I still filled with this internal joy You know how do I have so much peace in this situation And so that's something that only Jesus Christ can give you And so The back of firm uh Peterson Howard and Judge Alexander Who are back with? Which aspect could be to those other individuals Like you who are to the Bible and from being around Howard and Um Man eight those guys have such a great mentality man I might just really love their mentality Especially um Q as well You know I talked about Will Howard his leadership But Quincham mentality man um That boy just yeah that boy just gifted You know uh you see you know sometimes He put in a situation where he looked like You know he should have a negative five yards And as soon as you know it you know he That running through somebody still forming somebody And shoot it's a game of 10 And so You some of the things he does He just realizes two different things actually Um shoot I think Yeah man I think it's just like He's just gifted man to be honest

1:38:34He's just gifted you know he's a big back You know he's strong and so um You know he's he's able to do he's able to do those things And so um yeah man it's definitely you know I look at his game and I want to you know at the same time I want to learn from Quincham you know I want to look at this game It's like man where where can I get better at as well You know that's the type of player I am I'm always looking to get better man I'm always looking to grow as a player What are your thoughts on the tweets and the comments? Julian San oh yeah he's going to be a great back He's going to be a great quarterback man he's so so accurate And so um he's definitely man I know Coach Dez is definitely going to get him right Just you know um container grow as a leader Continue to grow as a player and so he's going to be really good for high state Thanks Coach Dez I know just the quarterback position I feel like you know the quarterbacks in the past They've they've definitely been vocal And so I feel like that's something that they're definitely going to um ask I'm Julian San as well It's to beat that vocal leader and lead the um and lead the offense and lead the team Thanks Coach Dez. I'm really sorry

1:39:34I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry Shoot man he has he has a build like JK Dobbins And um I kind of see them you know similar similarities in their game as well And I know JK Dobbins he was a great running back I feel like he's not talked about his none A lot but man his career here you watch his highlights is great I remember um before I recruit before I committee here I remember watching JK Dobbins highlights like every every um one of his years here Like four or five times and so man he was such a great back And um I feel like you know um when I see JK Dobbins when I see um James people I see similarities to both of their games I feel like they play the same And so I appreciate you all y'all

1:40:58I'm sorry I'm sorry

1:41:58I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry Well I got coming in last round of the row So I just attacked Eric Dave really the same way He's taking advantage of Eric rep He's taking advantage of Eric rep He's taking advantage of Eric rep I think I got a lot bigger I'm like 240 I'm like 240 for right now Last year I played at like 236 to 37 What does it feel like at 244 or a value? So like almost a different machine out there What does it feel like to be running around out there like you are but with more uh more back I just feel like I'm like like more downhill Like stronger like I'm taking a little blood to better It's a bigger move You just tried it

1:42:58Maybe that's not the correct term You're going to be playing much more than you did yet last year You did yet last year and you played quite a bit last year Yeah What do you have to get straight in your head about being on the field that much more He's just got to get ready to just play 30 more snaps So I would describe how you how much you're looking forward to it from an 8cm steering wheel Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready for it My, my, my It's opener But it's not really two different teams compared to the last time you all played and stuff. How has that enhanced this camp for you and this team getting ready for the where an opener of that magnitude? Yeah, with an opener like that, we've been emphasizing it a lot. We know we got coming, so we know we got to do what we prepared for it. I already did probably work today. Yeah, I think Riley ready to play right now. He advanced freshman, like he ended up here in the book. He stood in like he advanced. And his measurements are crazy, like he saw like a saw line to him. Or like you said, you're ready.

1:43:58You know, you're ready. What was that process like during last season? Could you feel yourself becoming more and more ready to go wherever the team needed from you? Yeah, because that's pretty much what my role was, just whenever I was needed, I had to step up. So I feel like that's what built me into me being able to say I'm ready for this year. When you say ready, is it more a physical thing? Is it a mental thing? When I say ready, I think it's pretty much like everything physically, mentally, mostly I think I'm there. A different is that feeling this year than last year. That's the most possible thing that happened. Oh, asked one more time. How different is that responsibility? That should be that you just need to know. All that was last year. You knew you were a role player. Oh, I feel like it's a way bigger responsibility with me having to step up this year, but I kind of go about it the same way. Like last year, I was attention to everything I did. I feel like this year is going to be the same thing. It's probably a little bit more.

1:44:59For somebody who's some reason that you see me as a help me to try. And what word? How's everybody working? I say, describe my game. I say, when you think of me, you would think of like a bullet, like a silver bullet. I don't really know. I'm always on the ball. That's how I like to play and think. What you like one of my body. No, I ain't got to be my nickname, but I'm saying that the nickname to be that's all. Oh, yeah, yeah. You want a lot of it? Yeah, that's like. I'm going to come up with a more nutritious style and how it's free. I mean, how does that fit the view? And what are you enjoying about? The whole thing in that kind of style. Think it fit me because I just like the defense. I feel like we got, like you said, we got a lot of freedom and we moving around a lot. A lot of the terms is like, no, I don't know. I don't really not answer that. That's okay. Does it? You could go on your instincts a little bit more, maybe?

1:46:00And it's not so thinking of too much. I don't even know if I say that because there's a lot of thinking going on, but it's like, I just like his defense. I like how the pressure defense. I like what he got going on. What was it, sad? What's your J-L-F-E-R? J-L-F-E-R. Uh, now I wanted to say that I was kind of like happy fun. Like, me. That's what you want. No, no. No. No. That's my dog. I'm going to say it. Kind of missing a little bit, but I'm happy fun though. Well, don't think you go ahead one last but coach days talked a lot about the guys who played some last year, but maybe weren't the starters and the hunger for that wasn't maybe your national championship. You guys will win your own. How much do you feel that is a guy who certainly contributed last year, but will be in this bigger role and a lot in the summer year. Your classmates? Yeah, I do feel like, um, yeah, I do feel like I did win a national championship, but like you said, my role wasn't the same as how it's going to be this year. So yeah, I definitely want to go get another one experienced that like feeling maybe on the field.

1:47:02A lot more place. That's it. Great. Oh, Bill, thank you very much. I mean, it's actually been using you, you know, that almost at safety role of stuff. How much is it grown that you can put your finger on? Yeah, I was growing immensely. I mean, Caleb, he makes a lot of checks. Latham makes a lot of checks. I listen to them. Whatever they need. If I need to cover somebody, I'll go cover anybody. If they need me to do run support, I'll do run support. And it's really what Caleb does. What we do in Latham. It just goes back to the coach G's preparation and everyone's preparation to give us more flexibility. And it doesn't matter who's in those positions. And we can all play every position. Whether it's covering somebody or running, running and tackling. Yeah, did you feel like that was the case before the Oregon game? You're showing up. Sammy is something that's been added. It just, you know, rely on a little bit more. Go ahead. Yeah, it did. I was probably playing Nebraska game. Me getting more safety reps. And we had a five week to prepare. So I really learned to playbook a lot more. Even though I knew the playbook, I learned a lot more.

1:48:04Like in debt, you know, so really just after the Oregon game, it helped me a lot to go back to safety. Go go to nickel everywhere. Do you guys have a lot of issues of giving up big plays in a passing game of the first game against Oregon? What do you feel like you guys need to do better this time around to make sure that doesn't happen? Just the same same mindset. We got to challenge these receivers. You know, every dog has their day. Maybe some people didn't have their day that that game. But we'll look out there and hopefully change the narrative. And we still play with the same confidence, same technique and, yeah. Bill Rebinoff, it's one of his best. And Denzel obviously had a tough game and that one. What have you seen from him and how he's responded? Do you get a sense of from him? How he's for this rematch? Oh, yeah, he's super stoked for this rematch. His preparation has been very good. He's always been preparing, even though it didn't go the way he wanted to go.

1:49:04That game, but he just always had his confidence. And we're going to see a big game out of him this week. And, you know, I know you guys wanted to play them in anapolis. But the fact that you get to play them at the Rose Bowl, I mean, get a second chance. And people have said he don't get that very often. How determined are you guys to take advantage of it? We're super, super determined. We watched film. I mean, we've lost a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played of film to watch. And it's just they've grown a lot as a team. Same as us. We've grown a lot. We're not the same team. We were when we played them week one or weeks, six or whatever. But now we're out there and going to play fast, physical, and everything like that. All right, Jordan, we're going to jump to the to assume a question here from Joey Kaufman. Columbus, this back. Oh, my bad. Not too Joey. Cameron T. Robinson, the athletic. Hey, Jordan, you've moved around a lot in the second day in your career. And now kind of getting some many more safety reps.

1:50:07What is it like at this point when Walt or Coach Mills comes to you and asks you to do some else and just how much can you lean on the experiences you've had moving around when you're trying to learn something new in the middle of the season? It means a lot. We always talk about this is if it's being on selfish. Whether that's making plays or not making plays or doing your job so another person can make plays, that's kind of what we pride ourselves on. And it's just fun. Me moving around different positions. I'm always up for a new challenge. And a lot of people in the country can't do that. I just hold myself to that standard where I can play any position and excel at it. Okay, if anybody else needs a question, let me know. But otherwise we can go to Austin or the podcast. Jordan, when you were talking about watching film Oregon, which one do you think is more valuable to you watching that against yourself seven games ago, even if you've changed or the ensuing six games for Oregon, which one do you put more stock in? Kind of both.

1:51:08For me, I kind of watched what I did, things I did well, things I didn't do too well against them. And their team is, some players have been out those stretch of games. So I really watched the past game we played. And I know they're going to go back to some of the stuff that they liked, of course. And different games like Penn State, maybe Illinois, they run a lot of men. So just watching, watching stuff like that every game matters. So yeah. Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. I really plan as much. So I just wanted to get more experience under my belt. So I can bring younger guys with me because I've been going a lot. One of those younger guys, we're seeing it out here. It's the first time in the sport of all those last years. What have you seen from Lill? Because I kind of felt like last year, we all forgot about it because he was hurt. Now he's running almost a second man out behind you and Ty. What have you seen in the games, right? Well, as a workhorse, he goes, stay quiet. He's going to work hard. And that's what I love about him. He focuses.

1:52:09He don't really talk much. He's going to get the job done, do a job right. He rarely has any mistakes. What would be a successful season? A national championship? I ring when all the games we don't want to lose anything. We got a mindset that we can't be beat. And we just got to go show it. So that mindset different. Seems like you guys expect a national championship in the year. This year even more so. You guys have all come back. You guys have all decided like that. That's an outfit. Because that is, you can feel the difference. Or is it not really any difference? It's just the same. It's definitely a difference. Everyone working harder. We noticed our last run. Like we, most of us don't have any years after this. So we got to go, go bigger, go home. And we're not trying to go home. Finish big. We know what you guys think of Michigan. When you look at what they did, they won the national championship. And you guys took them down to the final minute, right? You know what I mean? You were right there. Something goes a little different. You guys could have won that game against them.

1:53:11Does that tell you anything about like that? Hey, you guys won a international championship. But you played to the 59th minute with the team that won the national championship last year. Like you're that close. So I'm saying, we just like work harder. That's kind of coach makes a saying, you know, nobody cares. Just work harder. Like those, you know, we'll play Georgia. It's the same thing. Last, last play, you know, they went on the win in 90. So we just got to get over that hump at the end of the season. I think we'll be fine. How frustrating is that? You're that close against the last two national titles. Of course, it's frustrating. But you can't change the outcome. You can't really dwell on it. You just got to come back and work harder. Do things better than you did last year. And hopefully the outcome will change. As soon as you get older, you kind of learn. I thought I was working hard. But then you always find out there's a little more than you could have been doing. Yeah, definitely. I mean, that's how that's what growing up is basically in college. I thought French me. I was working as hard as I could. But now look back at it. I really wasn't working hard at all. Compared to what I'm doing now.

1:54:11So just to learn anything. If the standing was a 16, then the answer to like, what do you need it to be to be your best? Uh, 85. 80, 85. I mean, I can, it's all on me. I just, I think it's a little higher. I was just trying to be funny. But I mean, it's all on me. I just got to run harder. Yeah, the shape. The idea of the potential to be 16 is everything. I mean, I think I think we, I definitely can last. I was just, you know, we got to get the young guys to come along with us. We can't play 50 snaps again. That's just too much on our bodies. Uh, just everybody's like, oh, line, D line. We got to get those younger guys to play, you know, get that pieces on the D line and all line and everywhere else. So we can last that long. Speaking of that, I'm not going to snap. Did you like playing that knee snap again last year?

1:55:14I don't know. Maybe I was really expected to play that next time. Ah, yeah, I did. Unless we were like winning by like a line. I thought like, there are no moments you know, I can go sit down or something. But we're playing them big games like, you know, Notre Dame, too, or North, those kind of games. Uh, of course I want to be because I know I can contribute. And I won't want to put that on anyone else when I know I can get the job done. What stands out about Keaton McDonald is he got the key of the guys in the second game? Oh, yeah, definitely. K-Mac is a K-Mac animal. Y'all, you haven't really seen the yet, but in practice, he shows all the time. He's just, he's just, he's growing right now. He has to work at the, he just has to get, you know, in the playbook and things like that. You guys are about the exact same size. Listen, you're both listening to 6th or you're 327, he's 326. Yeah, I kind of look at him like my junior, but, you know, K-Mac, he's going to be a great player. He's got to develop more and get the playbook. So really a lot on you older guys. There's that large group of young guys and then there's the seniors in your back. Is that part of your task for this year to bring those guys along as well?

1:56:14Yeah, definitely. We got to be leaders. Like I said, we got to have them play this year. We can't just play all the snaps. They got to get in there and get some work. And we got to get them right, burn all season so they can play. And I just played, they want to like contribute, like, make plays, tackle, and stuff. It's a great job of working special. It seems like these guys get bigger. Each one of the freshmen class is bigger and bigger. And those guys kind of, it doesn't kind of allow you to solve the first. Yeah, they're definitely some big dudes. And they all work hard. I've only seen much of some of the day too. I'm not a pasoan, but throughout the workouts, they've been working hard, you know. They're determined to, I can say that. And it looks like they're ready to work at me. I think that's important to note. It feels like, you know, there's a lot of great defenses that you have big, athletic defensive tactics, who can eat up space, but also move, you know, right? That is that. Is that an inquiring maybe for a great defense to have guys like you that have some balls, but also a great feeling?

1:57:15I think that is definitely. I think if you look at the last couple of national championship winners, like Team on North, they, you know, they got two good, detacled two athletic detacles. Look at Georgia two athletic detacles. I think that's definitely need if you want to go on that big run and beat those big teams. Okay, really, if you think about this, if there was defied by the defense attack, it was like, what's Georgia, Jordan Davis and Daniel Carter? What's Michigan? It's Chris Jenkins. Tell them more questions. If you find this funny, like how, I mean, you understand it, because you play it, but I feel like some time, I don't know, are people realizing how important defense tackles are a little bit more than they used to? I think so. I think they're starting to develop to develop more and more of these like freakiest detacles. Yeah, like in the combine, just now, you see in like those guys, they're moving four to four, seven, eights and things like that. So we'll see. And when you think about those freakish out-of-the-tackles, how do you think you fit into that mold of that kind of player? You watch that and say, yeah, that's me. Yeah, definitely. I think I'm top-notch when it comes to detacles, but I don't want to, you know,

1:58:19get a big head, but you know, watch it come on. I watch it do the drills. I have tape here, you're like, you're looking like my film. So I think I'm up there with all those guys. Tyler, can you become like an artist who comes to Bad Young passes the figure wings and your things? When you're going, you're not doing as much a weapon on a weapon. That's stressful. How do you work on that? Do you have like a goal one, Martin? I don't remember how many had last your goal. You have a goal one last thirty-five. How many do you want to have? I mean as many as I can have, I think I have more than that, but I think he said it. I think they can count some of them and some of them were like just listed. But I think we work on drills matching the hand. I think that goes big and what we do is a D line, you know, just affecting the quarter-deck is anyway you can. It's just great for the defense, you know, just that little thing you cover in his eye, you know, he might throw it a little bit to the left to our player. So it's something that you really, really have to work on. It's very good for that. What do you think is going to happen? It's very good for one of the things that you've maybe worked on the most.

1:59:20It's a good thing that you're trying here because there are a few guys that I've seen. Like, oh, that pass through the back of the down. It takes a good, we don't have to ask for this kind of, kind of, kind of expect it for the defense. I think I just have like an eye for the ball comment. I kind of just look at the quarterback and just, I see him I load up, I just try to get in his way and sometimes he just throws it to me. I'm irritated if you want to be a high state quarter-deck student. I'm like a bad dumb pass. I mean, they get frustrated by, you know, we're a team, we're just getting better. I've got a lot of different backs, man. They just learn to grow for them. I don't really have a top three, but I'll give you one. I would say, say, Juan Gibbs and I like McCaffrey. Auto, he was injured this year. I like McCaffrey. Best back in this drive. I lead out of the yard. That's y'all decision.

2:00:24Playing with Will Howard, when I'm going to remember most. We're a Howard, man. He's just such a great leader, man. It's just like in moments where, you know, usually a lot of players, they fold, man. He was just always calm and relaxed, man. Just the leader that he was, man. That's one thing I'm going to remember about him. Yeah, he's going to be really good, man. He's on Coach Lock. I think he got the transfer in as well from West Virginia. Just that one, two punch with them both as well. They're going to be really good backs. And so James people is, man, he's smart. The way that he goes about his business, man, he's mature. And so, man, he's growing, you know, just as a person and as a player. And so, man, yeah, definitely Ohio State, you know, that running back room is in great hands. Yeah, Coach, Coach Hartline, man. He's full of energy, man. And he's creative as well, you know, I'm just learning from him as well, you know,

2:01:27trying to run more outside the backfield. It was being able to learn from Coach Hartline. And so he's definitely creative at what he does. And he brings a lot of energy to the team as well. And so I think that would do really good. Just intensity, man, then, since he got the playoffs, every game, man, is like the intensity got, you know, higher and higher. And so, you know, being able, I know in the lead, it's the same thing. Even if it's not the playoffs, just every game and intensity, it keeps getting higher and higher. And so, yeah, you just, I know you got to bring it, you know, each and every day and come in and work just like Ohio State. You know, I definitely feel like Ohio State, they definitely do a good job of preparing us for that. You know, I just remember even before going through this process, how I'll talk to a lot of players before then. And they told me a lot of just about how much Ohio State prepared them, you know, for the NFL. And so, yeah. Yeah.

2:02:28Yeah, I know I took a couple of days off after the National Championship. And then, shoot, right after that, I'm writing Sample Florida and I'm right to it. And so, yeah, I think while I trained, I trained that, your worth performance. I think it's called the House of Athlete or the Compound now. They did a good job, man, they're just bringing us in and the way they went about training us, man, they did a really good job. The bucket near, no, I haven't. Tampa, Tampa, nice. This is nice. This is a nice city, man. Really nice. The 40 to broad and the vert. Yeah. Yeah, nah, man. It's really all about technique and then it's about mindset as well. And so, I say, you know, it's for the love of my brother, it's for the love of Will Howard, it's for the love of the receivers who I got on the perimeter.

2:03:28Just making sure, you know, first of all, my quarterback doesn't get sacked. And I told Will, I think it was before the first game. I was like, I got your brother. It's, I said, man, I'm not going to let you get hit, you know, and so, I don't know if, I don't know if I gave up a sack, I'm not sure that, but I know if I did, I haven't given up too many. And so, man, it's for the love of my brother, it's, though, man, making sure that the ball get in their hands, you know, the guys on the outside and making sure they get fed. You had to hit the practice field later today. What is something you've been working on right now? In my game, you can't really work on this, you know, in all season, I feel like it's more so, you know, you got to put the pads on, you got to go through some inside run, you know, maybe, I was really just continuing to run through tackles. And so, that's, I feel like that's one of the areas in my game, you know, I want to continue to get better at it. I feel like I did a good job of that in my senior year. And so, I just want to continue to build on that. Yes, I did. Yes, I did.

2:04:32I did meet with New Orleans as well. I never got that comparison. Actually, I know I have a Camarit. Sure, yeah, man, I have a Camarit. Great, great back, man. Just what he does and those 101 matchups, he's dangerous, man. And he's so smooth, he's so smooth as well. I'm not going to lie, he's smooth. Yeah. Um, inside zone from stack, being able to hit that thing downhill. And I'll say the next one is probably just an option, out of the backfield, you know, and man and man coverage, you're getting on that linebacker. And so, Yeah, I say to man, the biggest thing is the way that he carries himself, man, and the way that, man, he approaches the game, he comes in with the mindset, you know, he's going to work every single week, you know, every practice, you know, he's working hard, you know, even shoot it.

2:05:36I don't know, every good, I think he had it, every game was a good game for him, man. And so, but still, man, he always has the mentality to mindset that, you know, he's going to come in each and every day, he's going to continue to work and get better, man. And so he's definitely man, he's going to be a special player, man. He really is. I'm starting to get you to know some entries, I think it's a massive check, and when it went back on it, what do you want to stand down for? Man, a lot of ups and downs, man, it's just how you respond to adversity. And I feel like that's something that God has definitely helped me to do better. It's just, I'm not having something to lean on now, you know, I remember before I met him, you know, going through those adversity, I had nothing to run to, you know, you can run to people, but they still can't, it's not too much, they can't truly help you, you know, I feel like, you know, I feel like the only person that can truly help you is your relationship with Jesus Christ. And so being able to lean on him, you know, he gives you, in those moments where it's tough, you know, where it's slow. And when you're behind the scenes and you're going through things that people don't know about, he gives you that peace and comfort, you know, even in those moments,

2:06:41man, where it's so hard that you can't, you can't explain, it's like, man, I'm going through this, but like, how am I still filled with this internal joy? You know, how do I have so much peace in this situation? And so that's something that only Jesus Christ can give you. And so, man, those guys have such a great mentality, man. I just really love their mentality, especially Q as well, you know, I talked about Will Howard, his leadership, but Quinchiam and Tallahdee, man, that boy just, yeah, that boy just gifted, you know, you see, you know, sometimes he put in a situation where he looked like, you know, he should have a negative five yards. And as soon as you know it, you know, he, the running through somebody, stiff arm, and somebody, and she, this again, a 10. And so, I think,

2:07:41I think, yeah, man, I think it's just like, he's just gifted, man, too, beyond it. He's just gifted, you know, he's a big back, you know, he's strong, and so, you know, he's able to do, he's able to do those things. And so, yeah, man, it's definitely, you know, I look at his game, and I want to, you know, at the same time, I want to learn from Quinchiam, you know, I want to look at this game, it's like, man, where can I get better at as well? You know, that's the type of player I am. I'm always looking to get better, man, I'm always looking to grow as a player. What's your last experience in the game? Julian Sand. Oh, yeah, he's going to be a great, but he's going to be a great quarterback, man, he's so, so accurate. And so, he's definitely, man, I know Coach Day is definitely going to get him right, just, you know, continue to grow as a leader, continue to grow as a player. And so, he's going to be really good for how I stay. He's, I know just the quarterback position, I feel like, you know, the quarterbacks in the past, they've, they've definitely been vocal. And so, I feel like that's something that they're definitely going to ask Julian Sand as well, is to be that vocal leader and lead the, and lead the offense and lead the team.

2:08:46Shoot, man, he has, he has a build like JK Dobbins. And I kind of see them, you know, similar, similarities in their game as well. And I know JK Dobbins, he was a great running back. I feel like he's not talked about his now. A lot, but man, his career here, you watch his highlights, is great. I remember before I recruit, before I committed here, I remember watching JK Dobbins highlights like every, every one of his years here, like four or five times. And so, man, he was such a great back. And I feel like, you know, when I see JK Dobbins, when I see James people, I see similarities to both of their games, I feel like they play the same. And so, appreciate you, all you have to go.

2:11:32Zachary, they really the same way. I think I got a lot bigger. I'm like 240, you know, like 240, 4 right now. Last year, I played it like 236, 237. What does it feel like at 244? I feel like almost a different machine out there. Yeah, like, what does it feel like to be running around out there like you are, but with more more back? I just feel like I'm like, like, like more downhill, like stronger, like I'm taking all the bloods better. It's a big move. Is it daunting? Maybe that's not the correct term, but to think you're going to be playing much more than you did even last year. And you played quite a bit last year and stuff. What do you have to get straight in your head about being on the field that much more? This is going to get ready to just play 30 more snaps. How would you describe how much you're looking forward to it from an 8 stand point? Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready for it.

2:12:33I'm ready for it. The text is open. It's a rematch. But it's not really two different teams compared to the last time you all played and stuff. How is that enhanced this camp for you and this team getting ready for the where an opener of that magnitude? Yeah, with an opener like that, we've been emphasizing it a lot. We know we got coming, so we know we got to do what we're preparing for it. Already just probably worked today. I think Riley ready to play right now. He advanced freshman, like he ended up here in the book. He stood in like he advanced and his measurements was crazy. He saw it on the saw line too. What was that process like during last season? Could you feel yourself becoming more and more ready for where the team needed for you? Yeah, because that's pretty much what my role was, which is whenever I was needed, I had to step up, so I feel like that's what built me into me being able to say I'm ready for this year. When you say ready, is it more a physical thing? Is it a mental thing?

2:13:33When I say ready, I think it's pretty much like everything physically, mentally, mostly I think I'm there. I asked that one more time. I feel like it's a way bigger responsibility with me having to step up this year, but I kind of go about it the same way. Like last year, I was attention over everything I did. I feel like this year is going to be the same thing. It's probably a little bit more. And what word? I say, describe like, now I say, like when you think of me, you would think of like a like a bullet, like a silver bullet. I don't really a bullet. I'm always on the ball. That's how I like to play and think.

2:14:37No, I ain't got to be my nickname, but I'm not saying that the thing to be, that's all. Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Um, think of fit me because I don't know, I just like the defense. I feel like we got, like you said, we got a lot of freedom and we're moving around a lot. A lot of the times is like, no, I don't know. I don't really not answer that. I don't even know if I say that because there's a lot of thinking going on, but it's like, I just like it's deep, I like how it's pretty deep is I like what you got going on. Uh, now I wanted to much sad. I was kind of like happy for you. No. No, no, no, no, no, that's my dog. So yeah, kind of missing a little bit, but yeah,

2:15:39I'm happy for you. I don't think you go ahead one last but coach days talked a lot about the guys who played some last year, but maybe weren't the starters and the hunger for that wasn't maybe your national championship. You guys are going to win your own. Yeah. How much do you feel that as a guy who certainly contributed last year, but we'll be in this bigger role and I wonder some of your classmates. Yeah, I do feel like, um, yeah, I do feel like I did win a national championship, but like you said, my role wasn't the same as how it's going to be this year. So yeah, I definitely want to want to go get another one experienced that like feeling with me be on the field a lot more place. Great. Oh, Bill, thank you very much. I'm still sometimes like basketball. I want to be on that just like the fed, but you know, you got to stay in some place. Yeah, that's a great question. I mean, I don't think I feel like these two can enter that for the beer. I know I think KK, you know, I don't know what to say about that. What do you guys

2:16:44think about that? I go and say, every day, you know, this man is strong. Right? I'm talking about like you get the basketball key like you can just do it. I know he was really fast. Just the overall strength that he had and he got the grip. He doesn't get up on the plane. Like you said, he's going to go in and watch the film. He's doing everything for the better man. You see it on the field. I'm like, just one. So now that it's not even to see the improvement in the game. You know, if you just follow us now, but I'll be in the game. He's sound like a coach, man. He's sound like a coach. Chip Kelly's in full exchange. Your mind about maybe like the idea of tack versus gardening because obviously his offensive predelictuous were like, yeah, offensive lineplay game. Has you been a part of you settle in the gut? That's um, I want to say maybe I don't know, but I mean, when I'm when I'm sure you got the job, I was really excited because I'm one of those guys who's the tempo. I can run with the tempo.

2:17:47You know what I mean? I'm playing basketball all life in Southern football and I feel like just the fast pace off and so we're running really fits the guys we have right now. I'm really excited for that. I know you can throw a football in 65 yards, but can you kick a football? 75 yards of Blake. No, I have a question. Lincoln, what's your question? How is your um, your roommate? I can be. He's a blessing, man. I can't complain. He's a great guy. His name's Lincoln. Teen hoes. Oh, he's cleaner. I think we're both really clean. That's why we kind of picked each other's roommates because we're very clean and we don't like our words really messy. Well, it's true though. It's true. It's a real pretty clean stuff. Luke, are you still a cross-training in TACO, or have you just been all-guard this spring? Oh, so far I've been all-guard. I really don't know. Like I said, I'm taking it practice by practice. I could end up being back in TACO, I could not, but you know, I'm just really focused in on this past practice and the next one would be fun. What do you mean?

2:18:51Yeah. Oh, that mean a lot. You know, you put a lot of work in to play here. And he's been a dream just for being in Ohio kids. I'm from Ohio kids perspective. It's, I mean, that's the biggest switch possible. I would say that's, it'd be pretty cool. What was it like just last year at first game getting on the field for the first time? It didn't fly. This is gonna be a weird answer, but it feels like I was playing a game yet. If that makes sense. I hit. I was pretty locked in. I felt like just no anxiousness, no stress, no nothing. I just went in that first game. I was like, shoot, I'm here now. It's time to roll. It didn't really hit me. I was like, it didn't even hit me after. But my mom was like, what'd you feel there? And if like getting out there at Indiana, I was just like, honestly, I don't know. I felt less nervous than I did in high school and it makes no sense. A lot. I mean, I'm learning from Josh and Austin. I think prior to one of my biggest role models here is my bigger, big brother in my first game. I'm up to deal. I don't want to do. Okay.

2:19:51Yeah, no. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, PD and Austin, those are my guys, man. I mean, even Miles too. I mean, all three of them. That's those are my roommates and they're progressing every day as well. And I'm excited to see where they where they can get to. I'm excited to plan the field with them. Oh, yeah. He's been really helpful. You know, just keep in my mind. Just settled in straightforward on the next play. It's a great question. Like I said, I mean, I just need to take consistent in my word. I think that's the biggest thing for me is just any consistent worry about the next play. So you got it from the guy you were in the play. Yeah. Wow, that's weird. Yeah, I mean, I guess they didn't want to get my nerves up, but like I was ready. I mean, I did. I took most of the ones. Perhaps all of camp and I mean, I was already, I was pretty much at. Yeah. I wasn't really nervous. It started the game. Yeah. What was his advice to you? Yeah. He said, you got it. You mean, you're going against Tyleek and Kyle every day and practice. I mean,

2:20:51it's not different. Almost different. Are you now both two and ten to the two-star tenders as a player, you know, having that under your belt? I mean, I'm more confident. I know what's going on. I can see, I can see what's going on with the defense. I know what's going on. I know what's coming. I mean, I understand the game's a lot better than what it was. I don't say last year. Which apps up to what? Fastest, Harding, etc. You playing with that dust for a while. I mean, if we get out early, it's get the defense change in place. It's changing their defense. They start fast. I mean, they're trying to get the call in the play, but you start fast. I'm not going back. I trust a lot of fresh outs. Yeah, of course they pretty much said those. You deserve the play. You know, some warm up fast. What would you expect this week in terms of your role? Where they need me, if it's left right, wherever it's I need to go in, I go in and go back to do the front of me. Took me back to high school days, but I should back at high school. I wasn't really

2:21:52random ball luck. I really didn't do any passes, but it was fun. Change. You got my feet better, I would say. How confident you feel like you could play there if you need me? If they want me there, I guess I'll play there. I mean, they need me. They need me. Awesome. The illness that swept through the office of the line room. A lot of times coaches and players have said that I was still relying for the groom, you know, getting you experience among others. What was that like for you and double dipping, playing some tag or playing some guard, the same practice as that? It was based like a group effort, like for me, we had guys out, and we just had to go back practice. All five guys, wherever they were playing, we just got to go. How much of that accelerate your development at that time with the ones you were actually doing? They really did. I was jumped in there. I didn't really know. So we wanted to practice with practices, but after those, I was like, you're in my confidence,

2:22:53through, yeah. It seemed like there was sort of a settling in process for you and the Akron game. Maybe play got better if the game went on. It really is, especially in the ground game, things seem to take on. But was there a moment when it clicked on the field for you? Like, was there nerves and then a time of settling in? I guess how? Take me through kind of that first game mentally. Yeah. First game, obviously you can have nerves be the first time starter. But then like after the first couple of plays, meaning that nerves naturally, the answer first couple of play that I was good, I was just rolling. Also, there's a weird meaning for the first time. The first time you played in the high state was also the first start. Yeah. Yeah, but like I prepared well and camp and practice all week and I was ready. I have two multi-year starters. It did a lot. I mean, I couldn't ask them, hey, what we got here, but I was prepared well.

2:23:55I was telling Jimmy and said, hey, we're in a flash. I'll be emotional. It's like, what's the guy from Ohio? What does it mean to start a beginning? It was always my dream to come here and play and start and having that like, I mean, I just like keep going, keep building those days, and go to games and just keep building. What a much younger Austin, though, do you have people from you? No, not really. I don't think, even I told my like, I asked my younger self, even committed, I wouldn't believe that now having a couple of starts. Yeah. Awesome. Has this happened faster than you had been doing in your company? I guess you're technically a softball player. Is there a richer question? No, I knew that year two, I was going to see you some playing time. Now starting week one, year two, I didn't see that, but like I was ready in spring ball. Like I knew I was going to play some softball players. What does it mean to you to not only get the opportunity to play, but

2:24:59like you played well enough now, and coaching staff trust you, you've been able to put that there in whatever the situation was, but that earned that so early on in your career. I guess it shows like my preparation, my hard work, and just everything I've put into this and I just finally show up on a field. There are moments, the top season, the end of the spring, and you can't just kind of realize that you could play at this high level, with the ones, you know, 188. Yeah, the definitely was in a training camp. I mean, Black and highly can tie every day. Like it feels, it feels a lot of confidence and doing it well and not like getting balled or anything. There is defensive tag wasn't that one that got it in the beginning. Hero in Jason Moore in Taiwan, all those guys, pretty much anyone on the deep in the morning, gets your face all the time, so, and Kay and Mack as well. Yeah, we've heard a lot about him. I've worked with Paul about this ability. That's a great thing to learn. How much can he help you?

2:26:01He helped me a lot, and I'm proud that he's our starting center, not someone else's, but, I mean, he's like the captain of the whole line. He's another voice on the line, with guys like Josh Fryer and Josh Simmons, Donnie and Tiger. That means another voice and another captain. Look, ways of having the men and women, it's much experience. Help during the year in the middle of the line. I mean, a lot. He can tell you, like before the play was going on, like how to block someone, like what you need to do, and it helps a lot. Tiger is talking about how calm he is, how much does that benefit you? You have a guy who's kind of been there and seen a lot of us. It makes us, us more calm, especially me and Pay, as our first star. So, like we were up here with Seth, like he brought us down, I mean, we were like fine. Like our emotions weren't high. We settled in. Is that like something he tells you? Is that something you could pick up on by how he's acting? How do you kind of mean sense what he's trying to do?

2:27:03It's by how he's acting, and what I mean, him, when we're on the side of him, both Josh Donnie, like he was telling us, like hey, we're cool, like we got it, but it's pretty much like everyone. Old, cool group. How much do you do that? As a first time starter, how much did the end best? Me a lot. That was my first time ever using iPads. We didn't use the iPads in high school, but I mean, you can say like try to remember the defense, you can just come on our side and bring them, we'll play and get help up really soon. Probably the first or second, but after that, I thought we'd say all right. Awesome. Thank you very much. It seems like training part is a part of a good example of getting bigger and stronger. Yeah, it's like the culture part. Yeah, how much of a factor is that in a part it took your change? It's also, it's a lot. I mean, I feel like you can't be able to transform your body,

2:28:03like I have, like people here come and do that without having that mentality part with it. It's like we we always talk about competitions here and our our culture is fight, so we're always here to compete. I feel like that is just that's what gets you in this mindset. When you talk about that transformation, can you just give us a little sense maybe with numbers or body fat or like what do you do in the weight group? How big is that transformation? I don't have really specific numbers, but I just like it's more just like I can just I feel like feeling when I'm playing. I remember how I felt to play when I just got here and now I know how I feel to play like like like just today like it feels physically different on my body. It's like it's just I'm getting used to it. That makes sense. I can't imagine feeling like that. Kadea also said about you that you are just a completely different guy from last year.

2:29:05We're here to work. Let's get it done. Yeah. Do you feel like you weren't at that place mentally? I think I was, but I think I had some I would say like kind of like confidence issues like I was just but you know I mean I work past it and I know I know who I am and I know I can be here. So if you have confidence issues how do you get through it? Is it yourself? Is it teammates? Is there someone in your family that makes you believe that you can do it? I know I can do it. It's not like that's those are all it's on the past now. Did the past of play time and the very obvious opportunity guys had to step up to be able to be on the business? Does that help you crank over that confidence issue there because it's now a difference in your opportunity? So kind of it's just like

2:30:09Just I mean it's just just being here like I feel like being here every day working with the guys every day. It's just like you know you become this person that you might not have like you might not have like felt like you were before that but like coming here working every day stacking these days like like you know I mean I just feel like I I realized who I am and I know what I can do now. Well I want to be on the best of my best run but are you? This is the second time I feel like convinced yourself that you actually belong here. You did. I knew I knew I could play here. I mean it's just it was like the like I just I don't know how to explain. I just like I've always known I could play here. It's just I'm just like let's go like I'm ready like I'm ready to attack. What are guys doing to help you to figure that out? First shot I think KJ was a big influence. Taya Hamilton and Tyleeke they all they all helped me a bunch last year kind of just pushing through you know.

2:31:13All right well. I'm playing as much so I just wanted to get like more experience under my belt so I can know bring younger guys with me because I've been through a lot of one of those younger guys worse than the first time. Well as a workhorse he he goes stay quiet you go and work hard and that's all I love about him. He focuses he don't really talk much. He's going to get a job done do a job right. Rarely has any mistakes. What would be a successful season? The National Championship? I ring when all the games we don't want to lose anything. We got a mindset that we can't be beat and the lids you got to go show it. Seems like you guys expect the National Championship every year. This year even more so you guys have all come back for this. You guys have all decided like that. Is that the feeling difference or is there really any difference?

2:32:16It's just the same. There's definitely a difference. Everyone working harder. We noticed our last run like we most of us don't have any years after this so we got to go go bigger going home and we're not trying to go home. Finish big. We know what you guys think of Michigan but when you look at what they did they won the National Championship and you guys took them down to the final minute right. You know what I mean? I mean you you were right there. Something goes a little different. You guys could have won that game against them. Does that tell you anything about like that? Hey you guys want to win a National Championship but you played to the 59th minute with the team that won the National Championship last year like you're that close. This I'm saying we just like work harder. That's kind of coach makes a saying you know nobody cares. It's work harder like those you know won't play Georgia is the same thing. Last last play you know they went on the win in 90 so we just got to get over that hump at the end of the season. I think we'll be fine. How frustrating is that you're that close against the last two national titles. Uh of course as you know it's frustrating but you can't change the outcome.

2:33:19You can't really dwell on it. You just got to you know come back and work harder. Do things better than you did last year and hopefully the outcome will change. Is that as you get older you kind of learn and I thought that was working harder than you always find out there's a little more than you could have been doing? Yeah definitely I mean that's how that's what growing up is basically in college. I thought freshman year I was working as hard as I could but now I look back at it. I really wasn't working hard at all compared to what I'm doing now so just to learn anything. If the stand was a 16 then the answer is like what do you need it to be to be your best? Uh 80 85 I mean I can it's all on me. I just I think it's a little higher I was just trying to be funny but I mean it's all on me. I just got to run harder. Yeah the shape. I think I think I definitely can last I was just you know we got to get the young guys

2:34:26to come along with us we can't play 50 snaps again that's just too much on our bodies uh just everybody like online D-line we got to get those younger guys to play you know get that pieces on the D-line and online and everywhere I was so we can last that long run. Speaking of the life plan that you snapped again last year if you love them? I don't know if any of us were really expected to be playing that next time. Uh yeah I did unless we were like winning by like a line uh I thought like there are no moments you know I can go sit down or something but we're playing them big games like you know Notre Dame too or North those kind of games I of course I want to be because I know I can contribute and I won't want to put that on anyone else when I know I get the job done. What stands out about Kaden McDonald and the C-guy that you guys in the second game? Oh yeah definitely K-Mac is a K-Mac's animal y'all you haven't really seen it yet but in practice he shows it all the time he's just he's just he's growing right now he has to work at the he just has to get you know in the playbook and things like that. You guys are about the exact same size.

2:35:26It's listening you're both listening to six three you're three twenty seven he's three twenty six. Yeah he's I kind of look at him like my my junior but you know K-Mac he's gonna be a great player he's got to develop more and get into playbook. So really a lot on you older guy there's that large group of young guys and then there's the seniors in the back is that part of your task for this year to bring those guys along as well? Yeah definitely we got to be leaders um like I say we got to have them play this year we can't just play all the snaps they got to get in there and get some work and we got to get them right during the all season so they can play and not just play they want to like contribute like make plays tackles sex. Yeah they're definitely some big dudes um and they all work hard I'm really seeing much of some day too I'm not a bad one but throughout the workouts they've been working hard you know they they're determined I'd say that and it looks like they're ready to work the minute.

2:36:28I'm pretty sure it's feels like there's a lot of great defense that you have big athletic defense attack to get eat up space but all you know right through this that is that environment maybe for great defense to have guys like you that have some fault but also a great team. I think that is definitely I think if you look at the last uh a couple of national championship winners uh like team of North they you know they got two good uh detaco two athletic detacles look at Georgia two athletic detacles so I think that's definitely need if you want to go on that big run and beat those big teams. So if you think about this they won't defied by the defense attackers like what's Georgia Jordan Davis and Daniel Carter let's miss again it's Chris Jenkins. You understand it was your play but I feel like some time I don't know are people realizing how important defense tackles are a little bit more than they used to. I think so uh I think they're starting to develop to develop more and more of these like

2:37:31freaky detacles yeah like in the combine just now you seeing like those guys they're moving four to four seven eights and things like that so we'll see and when you think when you think about this freakish attack how do you think you fit into that old of that kind of player you watch that and say yeah that's me. Uh yeah definitely I think I'm top notch when it comes to detacles but I don't want to you know get a big head but you know I watch it come on I watch it do the drills I have tape here you like you're looking my my film so I think I'm up there with all those. I think you're going to bring practice you're not doing as much a weapon or weapon. How do you work on that? Do you have like a goal in mind? I don't I don't remember how many Adlaid strip like you have a goal in mind? How many do you want to have? I mean as many as I can have I think I have more than that but I think he said it on the I think they had council some of them and it's some of them where I like just missed it so but I think we work on Jordan matching the hand I think that's uh goes big and uh

2:38:35what we do is a deal on you know just affecting the quarterback is anyway you can it's just great for the defense you know just that little thing covering his eye you know he might throw it a little bit to the left to our player so so it's something that you really really have to work on. You can do that with what you do. It's a experience that's one of the things that you can maybe work on the most during your time here because there are a few guys that I've seen like oh that past few times. We don't have that style. We're kind of kind of expected for him. I think I just have like a like a eye for the ball kind of I kind of just look at the quarterback and just I see him like load up I just try to get in his ways and sometimes he just throws it to me. Oh no. I'm here at T.A. Did you like T.A. Or I actually put a backstab in your back down fastest? I mean they get frustrated but you know we're a team you know we're just good. I should lot of a lot of different backs man and just learn to grow for them. You got to pick your top three backs and get a ball right now. I don't really have a top three but I'll give you I'll give you one.

2:39:38I would say Sequon Gibbs and I like McCaffrey. Auto he was injured this year I like McCaffrey. I appreciate it. Who's the best back in this drive? Best back in this drive. I'll lead that out of the yard. That's y'all that's y'all decision. What do you remember most about playing with Wail Howard? What I'm going to remember most. We're a Howard man. He's just such a great leader man. It's just like in moments where usually a lot of players they fold man. He was just always calm and relaxed man. He just the leader that he was man that's one thing I'm going to remember about him. Yeah he's shoot. He's going to be really good man. He's coast lock. I think he got the transfer in as well from West Virginia. Just that one two punch with them both as well. They're going to be really good backs. And so James people's man he's smart the way that he goes about his business man. He's mature and so man he's growing you know just as a person in as a player.

2:40:39And so man yeah definitely Ohio State you know that running back room is in great hands. So it's right there like I'm looking at you see spotting but I'm just not the biggest news in all of you and I'm just looking at the same man. Yeah coach Coach Hartline man he's full of energy man and he's creative as well. You know I'm just learning from him as well you know I'm trying to run more outside the back field was being able to learn from coach Hartline and so he's definitely creative at what he's he does and he brings a lot of energy to the team as well and so I think they'll do really good. Just intensity man and since the other playoffs every game and it's like the intensity got you know higher and higher and so you know being able I know in the lead it's the same thing even if it's not the playoffs just every every game and intensity it keeps getting higher and higher and so yeah you just I know you got to bring it you know each and every day and come in and work just like Ohio State you know I definitely feel like Ohio State they definitely do a good job

2:41:40of preparing us for that you know I just remember even before going through this process I'll I'll talk to a lot of players before then and they told me a lot of just about how much Ohio State prepared them you know for the NFL and so yeah yeah I know I took a couple days off after the national championship and then shoot right after that I'm right in right in Tampa Florida and I'm right to it and so yeah I think while I trained I trained at your worth performance I think it's called the House of Athlete or the Compound now they did a good job man they're just bringing us in and the way they went about training us man they did a really good job the bucket in the airs know I haven't. Tampa a Tampa nice this is nice it's a nice city really nice. The 40 to broad and avert. Yeah yeah no man it's really all about technique and then

2:42:54it's about mine said as well and so all my say you know it's for the love of my brother it's for the love of will Howard it's for the love of the receivers who I got on the perimeter just making sure you know first of all my quarterback doesn't get sacked and I I told will I think it was before the first game I was like I got your brother it's I said man I'm not gonna let you get hit you know and so I don't know if I don't know if I gave up a sack I'm not sure that but I know if I did I haven't given up too many and so man it's for the love of my brother's though man making sure that the ball getting their hands you know the guys on the outside and making sure they get fed right now in my game you can't really work on this you know in all season I feel like it's more so you know you got to put the pads on you got to go through some inside run you know maybe it's really just continuing to run through tackles and so that's I feel like that's one of the areas in my game you know I want to continue to get better I feel like I did a good job of that my senior and so I just want to continue to build on that yes I did yes I did

2:44:03I did me with New Orleans as well I never got that comparison actually I know I'm a Camara sure yeah man I have a Camara great great back man just what he does and those 101 matchups he's dangerous man and he's so smooth he's so smooth as well I'm not gonna lie he's smooth yeah um inside zone from stack being able to hit that thing downhill and I'll say the next one is probably just an option route out of the backfield you know a man and man coverage you're getting on that line backer and so yeah I say the man the biggest thing is the way that he carries himself man in the way that man he approaches the game he comes in with the monster you

2:45:03know he's gonna work every single week you know every practice you know he's working hard you know even shoot I don't know every good I think he had every game was a good game for him man and so but still man he always has the mentality to mindset that you know he's gonna come in each and every day he's gonna continue to work and get better man and so he's definitely man he's gonna be a special player man he really is man a lot of ups and downs man it's just how you respond to adversity and I feel like that's something that God has definitely helped me to do better is this um not have something to lean on now you know I remember before I met him you know going through those adversity I had nothing to run to you know you can run to people but they still can't it's not too much they can't truly help you you know I feel like you know I feel like the only person that can truly help you is your relationship with Jesus Christ and so being able to lean on him you know he gives you in those moments where it's tough you know where it's

2:46:04slow and when you're behind the scenes and you're going through things that people don't know about he gives you he gives you that peace and comfort you know even in those moments man we're so hard that you can't you can't explain it's like man I'm going through this but like how am I still filled with this internal joy you know how do I have so much peace in this situation and so that's something that only Jesus Christ can give you and so you want to bother with a big around power man those guys have such a great mentality man am I just really love their mentality especially Q as well you know I talked about Will Howard his leadership but Quench John mentality man um that boy just yeah that boy just gifted you know you see you know sometimes he put in a situation where he looked like you know he should have a negative five yards and as soon as you know it you know he the running through somebody step on him somebody and

2:47:06shoot it's a game to 10 it's uh so do some of the things he does he just realizes two different guys yeah um shoot I think yeah man I think it's just like he's just gifted man to be honest he's just gifted you know he's he's a big back you know he's strong and so um you know he's he's able to do he's able to do those things and so yeah man it's definitely you know I look at his game and I want to you know at the same time I want to learn from Quench John you know I want to look at this game is like man where where can I get better at as well you know that's the type of player I am I'm always looking to get better man I'm always looking to grow as a player Julian San oh yeah he's gonna be a great but he's gonna be a great quarterback man he's so so accurate and so um he's definitely man I know Coach Dez definitely going to get him right just you know um container grow as a leader container grow as a player and so he's going to be really good for high state uh he's that I know just the quarterback position um I feel like you know the quarterbacks in the past they've they've definitely been vocal and so I feel like

2:48:08that's something that they're definitely going to um ask Julian San as well it's to be that vocal leader and lead the um and lead the offense and lead the team shoot man he has he has a build like JK Dobbins and um I kind of see them you know similar similarities in their game as well and I know JK Dobbins he was a great running back um I feel like he's not talked about his none um a lot but man his career here you watch his highlights is great I remember um before I recruit before I committed here I remember watching JK Dobbins highlights like every every um one of his years here like four or five times and so man he was such a great back and um I feel like you know um when I see JK Dobbins when I see um James people I see similarities to both of their games I feel like they play the same and so I appreciate you all yeah I have a good

2:50:50uh all I got coming in last year I knew we're all so I just attacked every day really the same way it's taking advantage very rough physically how different are you weight wise body wise on that from your uh I think I got a lot bigger I'm like 240 you know like 244 right now last year I played at like 236 to 37 what does it feel like 244 or better you feel like an almost a different machine out there yeah like what does it what does it feel like to be running around out there like you are with more uh more back I just feel like I'm like like like like more downhill like stronger like I'm taking all bloods better it's bigger yeah is it daunting uh maybe that's not the correct term but so thank you're going to be playing much more than you did even last year and you played quite a bit last year and stuff what do you have to get straight in your head about being on the field that much more

2:51:55this is gotta get ready to just play there any more snaps so but are you are you how would you describe how much you're looking forward to it from an eight stand yeah I'm looking forward to it I'm ready for it I'm ready for it I'm ready for it I think it's open it's a rematch and so to say but it's not really two different teams compared to us time y'all play and stuff but how's that enhanced this camp for you and this team getting ready for they were an opener of that magnitude yeah with an opener like that we've been um we've been emphasizing it a lot and we know we got coming so we know we got to do we're prepared for it I think Riley ready to play right now he he advanced freshman like he ended up here in the book he stood in like he advanced and his measurements crazy like he saw like the saw line too or like you said you're ready what was that process like during last season could you feel yourself becoming more and more ready yeah because that's pretty much what my role was just whenever I was needed I had to step up so I feel like that's

2:52:59what built me into me being able to say I'm ready for this year when you say ready is it more a physical thing is it a mental thing when I say ready I think it's pretty much like everything physically mentally most of me I think I'm there oh I still want one time how different is that responsibility uh it's a way bigger responsibility with me having to step up this year but I kind of go about it the same way like last year I was intentional with everything I did I feel like this year it's gonna be the same thing it's probably a little bit more it won't work I say

2:54:00describe again I say like when you think of me you would think of like a like a bullet like a silver bullet but I'm really a bullet I'm always on the ball that's how I like to play a thing no I ain't got to be my nickname but oh yeah yeah yeah yeah um think it fit me because I don't know I just like the defense I feel like we got like you say we got a lot of freedom then we moving around a lot a lot of the terms is like no I don't know I don't really not answer that that's okay does it you get to go on your instincts a little bit more baby it's not so thinking of too much I don't even know if I say that because there's a lot of thinking going on but it's like I just like it's deep I like country's deep I like what you got going on uh now I want to say that I was kind of like happy for me that's what you want

2:55:05for me to listen to that no no that's my dog so yeah kind of missing a little bit but yeah I'm happy for you though don't think go ahead one last but coach days talked a lot about the guys who played some last year but maybe weren't the starters and the hunger for that wasn't maybe your national championship you guys have been around yeah how much do you feel that as a guy who certainly contributed last year but will be in this bigger role and along with some of your yeah I do feel like um yeah I do feel like I did win a nattie last year but like you say my role wasn't same as how's my beaters here so yeah I definitely want to want to go get another one experienced that like feeling me be on the field a lot more place it's great oh Bill thank you very much I'm so unique offense compared to the NFL especially with the way he uses receivers how do you anticipate your role changing it how do you view the offense from a receiver perspective yeah um I mean I think he likes to really push the ball down the field um he likes to be balanced

2:56:05he likes to uh give different looks to a difference you know we're gonna not to try to get too much into it but you know we're gonna use some motion move some guys around and things of that nature I think for myself I feel comfortable playing any of the positions that is that is asked whether there's a slot the outside positions and um unique part about our offenses I don't think necessarily you play the X or the Z because the pit on the formation of the hash you can be the opposite you could you can be the X but then you're to the field now you're the Z so you got to really learn the entire concept and know where you're out in the field which I think makes everybody smarter players because you don't pigeonhole yourself I just play X you know I'm only know this position like you get in two minutes you're the Z now you got to know what to do you may have the clear outrouter you may have the backside dig like you got to know uh what you're doing so I think he doesn't just say like we're going to do this offense he's really trying to create an offense that fits our personnel really well that that field boundary thing yeah that's the thing in college but it seems like it's more unique to clip is that is that something you're used

2:57:09to seeing with other offenses you've been in yeah definitely I mean I think if if I'm on the left hash like technically um I'm the X you know I'm in the boundary but if we're on the right hash I'm still on the left side I'm really the Z in the concept because I'm to the field I'm to the strength of the tie-down so um I've been in offenses like it's similar like that before and um you know I just think he he one thing I think that's really stood out as the compliments of our routes that we have so far um I feel like we have a chance to really run similar stems but there's different routes off those stems and things like that which I think for receiver like myself who uh you get you know a really good look at DBs and they study your film they study your splits like having routes uh that look the same but break off a different different angles is extremely important because it feels like you have some versatility in your bag to go out with versus like you got this hitch again you're backside like that's all you got you know what I mean so um yeah he's just been

2:58:09a really good player's person to work with and he's been really communicative with the leaders and how we want this offense to look like and some of the ideas that we may have as well so it's it's been a really uh cool transition you talk about the transitions you've heard offense in three years probably your fourth and six years yeah how do you not kind of build up some barriers yeah man I got to do this again right um I think you know human nature is is always um a factor in whatever you doing life but I think I try to make a conscious choice of coming in with a new year mentality each and every year and I think it's easy because we've had so many changes and um it's been great working with Marcus and Jaden and Jeff and Sam all of everybody like it's it's been great with working with all the quarterbacks and um I just have a mentality of not really being complacent like I try to really focus on the things that I I can come back better at this year and I've been working my butt off to do that so um I think the easy thing and when I was younger you're like dang like

2:59:14you just want that consistency you know what I mean like you want that um something you could depend on but like life isn't life isn't always like that so um I've been reinvigorated because of just the energy that DQ brings in to our building each and every day and and the coaches as well like it's fun competing you know what I mean and sometimes I could get lost in the grind but um I think the reason why you make it here at this level is because you you fall in love with the competition of it and I think the competition breathes the success because um that is really where you the iron truly sharpens iron so you know other guys are going to make plays but when you get excited to go in there and and know that um the next day we're going to go right back after the defense so um for myself I'm just looking forward to continue to grow with the quarterbacks that we have um I'm I'm in year six now which is extreme blessing and um leader one of the leaders in our room and I just try to take the bull by the horns with that and so uh that's really been my focus and uh you

3:00:18know I'm excited for another year to us it's looked like you're being more vocal on the sideline to help young guys definitely something you decided this offseason or uh I think that's uh been a part of my maturation process as a leader um I've always seen myself as somebody that was a uh a leader by example um but from coaches and other teammates I've had over the years um guys like to hear what I have to say for whatever reason sometimes you know and I think the biggest thing where I've tried to figure out where I fit in with my vocal leadership is I never wanted to be like a dictator you know I mean I never wanted to tell guys what to do or or be a yellow or things like that like when I say something I wanted to have power I wanted to have meaning and I hope you know the guys would feel the same way if they were to ask them that question um because I want to see all these guys win man like it's it's hard to make it in this league and staying a career and so anyway I could help the receivers the DBs I'm talking to some alignment Johnny who's who's rehabbing his foot you know what I mean like everybody has a role and everybody

3:01:19has a different story and path and so if I could share what I've been through my testimony to help them or do things that kind of slow down the process I'm gonna try to do that because um we need everybody from the rookies to the ten year vets to to make this thing work so um more so I I try to speak to what I what I know and and really those honest conversations that I try to have what guys what they know I'm coming from a good place and I think I'm not the type of guy where I'm just going to talk in at them like if they see something like I could take a coach and point from Luke McCaffrey I could take a coaching point from Deami from Jahan from uh Marcus from anybody you know like I think that's what makes you a great player when you can really uh be coachable from anybody and and not take it from a personal standpoint hi I'm good um going back to what you were saying about Cliff and how was he as a teacher in teaching all this yeah I mean I think he does a really great job of making things simple first and foremost he doesn't overcoach and I think that's

3:02:23the trust that he has in our group and his and his coaches our position coaches to um fill in the detail so we'll have an install meeting and um it'll be a good amount of time but then our position coaches will have time and we'll make it specific to that position and so um then we'll come in and have a walkthrough um and then after that we'll have another walkthrough and so I don't think there's been a time where I've come out here and I'm kind of worried about what I got you know I mean and when you get into certain offices there could be so many details where you could be overwhelmed and I think then it forces it kind of separates guys in a sense that like one guy may study more than another guy but when you have these these sessions that we have where we're having an installs in the morning we're having two walkthroughs and then we're coming on the field and doing it like I think you notice a lot of guys are playing a lot faster and more confident because he's keeping it simple but also he's very particular in in what he's expecting but it's not a lot so um there's not a pressure of to get it right but at the same time um you know it's expected of you and and

3:03:25you know you're going to have the tools given to you to be successful out there on the field and this offseason just the totality of change from front office players coaches the turf field I mean what what does that been like for you just to see what's going on? uh it's been fun um you know I think from uh Mr. Harris and the entire ownership group down to Adam Peters down to DQ down to Jada who he drafted and bringing in Marcus and Jeff and all those guys and down to leaders we have on our team I think it was extremely specific on the way they tried to build this thing going into this year um first of having the right people bringing in leaders bringing in guys who love to compete first thing that DQ said when he came here was and his first meeting like if you love to compete this is going to be the place for you and I love it you know I mean I love bags and and going at it with the db's every day like the little mundane stuff can seem a little boring but that's I think that was the the where you make the gains during the offseason where you're really focused on I'm hey like I'm a I'mma give all I got for this

3:04:26day and I'mma get better and then I'mma I'mma learn from the film and come back tomorrow and ready to do it again and he also understands like the the benefits of having breaks like he's giving us breaks we've had you know weeks off here in the other week and compose ourselves but then come back and give it all we got you know what I mean and when you got a coach that understands the physicality of an entire season where you guys do need breaks by the same time we're going to get after it uh it makes it fun as a leader because you can take that to your room and be like yo we got these we got this week you know I mean that's extremely important but you know we have this little break coming up where you're going to get your your mind and your body and your soul right so um coming into this season I'm I'm really optimistic of what we can be this year and I think it started with the foundation that uh the ownership group and the entire staff has built and now it's on myself as a leader to continue to hone that in into the locker room but I think it's great because we have so many great leaders from all across the league uh who have one and hey we got Bobby Wagner in there you know I mean I asked a hall of famer so like you know being

3:05:30able to have kind of guys like that that you can lean on that can sometimes take over that leadership role where it doesn't fall on one person I think it's uh uh extremely refreshing and knowing that everybody's on the same page and the message is the same um allows you to go out there with confidence and know what's expected of you. Terry you seem to spend many of your off seasons learning about things beyond football hobbies what happy did you do anything this whole season so far to hobbies or increase your knowledge of this the world around you. Uh let's go question um play a lot of golf uh as that they just keeps my competitive juices flowing um uh planning the wedding um that's going well and uh man I just been grinding like honestly you know I mean I've been hungry uh this all season like uh I started working out you know pretty early and uh you start to see guys like coming back and it's just fun to like to be here and competing and feeling like everybody's on the same page you know what I mean like and so for me

3:06:34I'm gonna grind every off season but just this one just feels like it's the start of something you know new and special and the foundation of is extremely important and to be a part of that to have a hand in that um you know it's it's an honor you know and I put a lot of expectation on myself to come out here and and be the guy that I know I'm capable of and also like taking the next step and uh being somebody that our quarterbacks that can trust and and believe in so um this all season was pretty simple for me um it was just really about you know working and and and grinding and getting better. You talked about Jayden before and you're eating so far I know we haven't seen everything but in terms of his his arm strength the throws he's making anything surprising so far about the types of his ability in that regard. Definitely uh I think after the second or third crosser that he threw I started telling receivers like hey you gotta get your head around you know I mean because again each quarterback throws the ball definitely sees the field differently so sometimes on crossers a lot of quarterbacks may like to see you cross the ball and get into that

3:07:36open zone over there if it's a man flattened off they like to see you get open with him he has a really good anticipation over the middle of the field where he can make those throws and give you a chance to catch and run and uh he he's really accountable too like we had to play today where he felt like he missed me and you know it's not a big deal at all you know I mean him and I could talk through those things and there's been a play that I've talked to him about I could do a better job but again like that open that open form of communication from a rookie I think is is very rare and I think it speaks to the confidence he knows who he is but he's also not afraid to say when he's wrong and he knows he needs room to improve but his touch on the deep balls is amazing um you know I love getting extra reps with practice after practice with him we're just catching the top end of a deep ball as big for me you know I mean I get to track the ball over my shoulder and as big for him to be able to get used to dropping the ball in the bucket but he just naturally has an ability to throw the ball he sees the windows really well and now he's just you know continue to get adjusted to the speed in the past rush I think he's these reps that he's getting are unbelievable

3:08:39during 11 on 11 because he's getting to feel pain and allen and DA and Cleveland Farrow like we got some dogs up there who are gonna come after them you know what I mean and we got some great guys up front who are gonna protect them and so these reps I feel like are even better than just seven on seven seven on seven I think he could do in the sleep to be fair like he throws the ball really well but when you get this 11 on 11 and two minute drill you're putting them in game like situations and I'm looking them in his eye I'm like we play a real ball now like we we we playing you know what I mean and you just see no no anxiousness in his game in his demeanor which is extremely exciting and and then you know he's extremely lighthearted and he's always smiling so he's joking with lime and D line he's just cool with everybody and like I said like for a rookie quarterback to come in like that where guys are gravitating to him and he's not afraid to be who he is that's dope I think he has a bright future for himself the tough losses the tough seasons can weigh on a player sure you're entering the prime of your career J.A. kind of mentioned it last year all he cares about is winning he wants to win now is

3:09:43there a sense of urgency you obviously always want to win yeah knowing that you know you're you're getting to the prime your career like you want to win now yeah I think that's a fair question I think you know you start to evaluate when you I'm in year six and you know it's how fast it goes and I try not to put the cart before the horse we're looking too far ahead by the same time you do want to win you want to be a part of a winning culture and have a chance to win the Super Bowl and the playoffs and all those things like that's why we we do this personally and I'm just excited with being a part of an organization in an environment where now like everybody's on the same page in the in the in the message is uniform and it speaks from the top down and it reflects in the guys that they're bringing in you know all the guys that they brought in are guys who are hungry who are competitors who not only fighting for spots but we're going to help us win games and when you're around an environment like that like that that that makes you excited makes you hopeful and you know you don't know how it's going to turn out until we start playing

3:10:45games but the foundation is extremely important and I think this all season we've really done a great job of building that they have and then when a coach queen guy here building with this team so I feel like we're going to be going into this offseason really knowing what we all got to do individually to become ready for camp but the the message is clear to come back to camp ready to compete and and be ready to win thanks Derek appreciate you guys I think one of the funniest guys on the team right now is playing as much so I just wanted to get like more experience under my belt so I can now bring younger guys with me because I've been through one of those younger guys we're seeing it on the first time it's heard all year long years we're seeing it what have you seen for well because I don't know if I should have real forgot about it because he was hurt now he's running you know almost a second man out of the

3:11:46time what have you seen for a while? Well as a workhorse he he goes stay quiet he's going to work hard and that's what I love about him he focuses he don't really talk much he's going to get the job done do a job right rarely has any mistakes what would be a successful season? A national championship? A ring? When all the games we don't want to lose anything we got a mindset that we can't beat and we just got to go show it seems like you guys expect a national championship right here this year even more so you guys have all come back for this you guys have all decided like that? Does that just keep feeling difference or is it not really any difference it's just the same work? It's definitely a difference everyone working harder we noticed our last run we most of us don't have any years after this so we got to go go bigger going home then we're not trying to go home finished big we know what you guys think of Michigan but when you look at what they did they won the national championship and you guys

3:12:47took them down to the final minute right you know what I mean I mean you you were right there something goes a little different you guys could have been one that came against them does that tell you anything about like that hey you guys want to win a national championship but you played to the 59th minute with the team that won the national championship last year like you're that close? So I'm saying we just like work harder that's kind of coach makes of saying you know nobody cares just work harder like those you know when we played Georgia it's the same thing last last play you know they went on the win in 90 so we just got to get over that hump at the end of the season I think we'll be fine how frustrating is that you're that close against the last two national title? Of course it's you know it's frustrating but you can't change the outcome you can't really dwell on it you just got to you know come back and work harder do things better than you did last year and hopefully the outcome would change. Is that as you get older you kind of learned I thought I was working hard and you always find out there's a little more than you could have been doing? Yeah definitely I mean that's how that's what growing up is basically in college I thought

3:13:50freshman year I was working it's hard as I could but now I look back at it I really wasn't working hard at all compared to what I'm doing now so just to learn anything. If your stamina is a 60 then they have to like what do you need it to be to be your best? Uh 80 85 I mean I can it's all on me I just I think it's a little higher I was just trying to be funny but I mean it's all on me I just got to run harder in shape. You know what's about can you last that long? I think I think I definitely can last I was just you know we got to get the young guys to come along with as we can't play 50 snaps again that's just too much on our bodies uh just everybody like online D-line we got to get those younger guys to play you know get that pieces on the D-line and online and everywhere else so we can last that long run.

3:14:58I don't know if any of us were expected to play that next time. Ah yeah I did unless we were like winning by like a lot uh I thought like there are no small means you know I can go sit down or something but we're playing them big games like you know Notre Dame too or North those kind of games of course I want to be because I know I can contribute and I won't want to put that on anyone else when I know I can get the job done. What stands out about Kaden McDonald and because you got that you got some of the second kids? Oh yeah definitely K-Mac is a K-Mac animal y'all you haven't really seen it yet but in practice he shows all the time he's just he's growing right now he has to work at the kids he just has to get you know in the playbook and things like that. You guys are about the exact same size. Listen you're both listening to 6-3 you're 3-27 he's 3-26 Yeah he's a kind of look at him like my junior but you know K-Mac he's going to be a great player he's got to develop more and get into playbook. It's really a lot on you older guys there's that large group of young guys and then there's the seniors in your back is that part of your task for this year to bring those guys along as well?

3:15:59Yeah definitely we got to be leaders like I said we got to have them play this year we can't just play all the snaps they got to get in there and get some work and we got to get them right during the all season so they can play and not just play they want to like contribute like make plays tackle six. It doesn't kind of why you want to solve the first. Yeah there definitely some big dudes and they all work hard I'm really seeing much of something day two when I'm passing on but throughout the workouts they've been working hard you know they're determined. I can say that and it looks like they're ready to work at me. There's a lot of great defenses that you have big athletic defensive tactics you can eat up space but also you know right that is that because that requirement maybe for great defense to have guys like you that have some faults but also a great feat.

3:17:00I think that is definitely I think if you look at the last couple of national championship winners like team of North they didn't know they got two good detacled two athletic detacles look at Georgia two athletic detacles so I think that's definitely neat if you want to go on that big one and beat those big teams. You think about that there was the five weather defense with athletes like what's Georgia's Jordan Davis and DL Carter and let's miss again it's Chris Jenkins. Tell them more questions about this one like how I mean you understand this was you play it but I feel like some time I don't know are people realizing how important defense tackles are a little bit more than they used to. I think so I think they're starting to develop to develop more and more of these like freakish detacles. Yeah like in the combine just now you see in like those guys they're moving four to four seven eights and things like that so we'll see. And when you think about those freakish out there you know how do you think you fit into that mold of that kind of player you watch that and say yeah that's me. Yeah definitely I think I'm top notch when it comes to detacles but I don't want to you know

3:18:04get a big head but you know I watch the combine I watch the dude do the drills I have tasted like you're looking like my film so I think I'm up there all the time. I think you become like a artist and it comes into bad down passes. Yeah. I think your legs can't be thanks. I mean you're going to break practice you're not doing as much a weapon or the weapon. I just don't see how you work on that. Do you have like a goal in mind? I don't remember how much you're like you have a goal in mind. How many do you want to have this one? I mean it's many as I can have I think I have more than that but yeah I think they've encountered it. I think they've encountered some of them and some of them were like just listed so but I think we work on drills matching the hand I think that's uh goes big and uh what we do is a D line you know just affecting the quarterback is anywhere you can it's just great for the defense you know just that little thing you cover it is I you know he might throw it a little bit to the left to our player so. So it's something that you really really have to work on. You can do that with what you do. It's really that's one of the things that you've maybe worked on the most.

3:19:05I think I just have like a like a eye for the ball comment. I kind of just look at the quarterback and just I see him I load up I just try to get in his ways and sometimes he just throws it to me. I mean they get frustrated but you know we're a team you know we're just getting better. I've got a lot of a lot of different backs man they just learn to grow for them. Uh I don't really have a top three but I'll give you I'll give you one I would say say Juan Gibbs and I like McCaffrey. Auto he was injured this year I like McCaffrey. How do you appreciate it? Who's the best back in this drive? Best back in this drive? I lead out of the yard that's y'all that's y'all decision.

3:20:09Playing with Will Howard what I'm going to remember most. We're a Howard man he's just such a great lead such a great leader man it's just like in moments where you know usually a lot of players they fold man he was just always calm and relaxed man he just the leader that he was man that's one thing I'm going to remember about him. Yeah he's he's going to be really good man he's um Coastal like I think he got the transfer in as well from West Virginia just that one two punch with them both as well they're going to be really good backs and so James people's man he's smart the way that he goes about his business man he's mature and so man he's growing you know just as a person in as a player and so man yeah definitely Ohio State you know that running back room is in great hands. Yeah coach coach hard line man he's full of energy man and he's creative as well you know

3:21:10I'm just learning from him as well you know I'm trying to run more outside the back field was being able to learn from coach hard line and so he's definitely creative at what he's he does and he brings a lot of energy to the team as well and so I think that would do really good. Just intensity man and since he did other playoffs um every game and it's like the intensity got you know higher and higher and so you know being able I know in the lead it's it's the same thing even if it's not the playoffs just every every game and intensity it keeps getting higher and higher and so yeah you just I know you got to bring it you know each and every day and come in and work just like Ohio State you know I definitely feel like Ohio State they definitely do a good job of preparing us for that you know I just remember even before going through this process how I'll talk to a lot of players um before then and they told me a lot of just about how much Ohio State prepared them you know for the NFL and so yeah yeah I know I took a couple days off

3:22:15after the um national championship and then shoot right after that I'm right in right in Tampa Florida and I'm right to it and so um yeah I think while trained I trained at your morph performance I think it's called the House of Athlete or the compound now um they did they did a good job man they're just um bringing us in and the the way they went about training us man they were they did a really good job the bucket near know I haven't Tampa Tampa nice this is nice this is a nice city man really nice yeah uh the 40 to broad and avert yeah yeah yeah no man uh it's really all about technique and then it's about mindset as well and so um I say you know it's for the love of my brother it's for the love of will highway it's for the love of the receiver so I got on the perimeter just making sure you know um first of all my quarterback doesn't get sacked um and I I

3:23:19told will I think it was before the first game I was like I got your brother it's uh I said man I'm not gonna let you get hit you know um and so um I don't know if I don't know if I gave up a sack I'm not sure that um but I know if I did I haven't given up too many and so man it's for the love of my brother's though man making sure the the ball get in their hands you know the guys on the outside and making sure they get fed in my game uh you can't really work on this you know in all season I feel like it's more so you know you got to put the pads on you got to go through some inside run you know maybe uh it's really just continuing run through tackles and so that's I feel like that's one of the areas in my game you know I want to continue to get better I feel like I did a good job of that my senior and so I just want to continue to build on that yes I did yes I did uh I did meet with um new Orleans as well um I never got that comparison actually um I know

3:24:22I have a comrade sure yeah man I have a comrade great great back man um just what he does and knows 101 matchups he's dangerous man and he's so smooth he's so smooth as well I'm not going like he's smooth yeah um inside zone from stack being able to hit that thing downhill and I say the next one it's probably just an option route out of the backfield you know and man and man coverage you're getting on that linebacker and so yeah I say the man the biggest thing is the way that he carries himself man in the way that man um he approaches the game he comes in with the mindset you know he's going to work every single week you know every practice you know he's working hard you know um even shoot him I don't know every good I think he had every game was a good game for him man and so but still man he always

3:25:26has the mentality the mindset that you know he's going to come in each and every day he's going to continue to work and get better man and so he's definitely man he's going to be a special player man he really is man a lot of ups and downs man it's just how you respond to adversity and I feel like that's something that God has definitely helped me to do better it's just um not have something to lean on now you know I remember before I met him you know going through those adversity I had nothing to run to you know you can run to people but they still can't it's not too much they can't truly help you you know I feel like you know I feel like the only person that can truly help you is your relationship with Jesus Christ and so being able to lean on him you know he gives you in those moments where it's tough you know where it's low and um when you're behind the scenes and you're going through things that people don't know about um he gives you he gives you that peace and comfort you know um even in those moments man where it's so hard that you can't you can't explain

3:26:28it's like man I'm going through this but like how am I still filled with this internal joy you know how do I have so much peace in this situation and so that's something that only Jesus Christ can give you and so man those guys have such a great mentality man I might just really love their mentality especially Q as well you know I talked about Will Howard his leadership but Quincham and Tallahdi man um that boy just yeah that boy just gifted you know you see you know sometimes he put in a situation where he looked like you know he should have a negative five yards and as soon as you know it you know he that running through somebody step on him somebody and shoot this again to 10 it's uh yeah shoot I think

3:27:29yeah man I think it's just like he's just gifted man to be honest he's just gifted you know he's he's a big back you know he's strong and so um you know he's he's able to do he's able to do those things and so um yeah man it's definitely you know I look at his game and I want to you know at the same time I want to learn from Quincham you know I want to look at this game is like man where can I get better at as well you know that's the type of player I am I'm always looking to get better man I'm always looking to grow as a player Julian San oh yeah he's gonna be a great but he's gonna be a great quarterback man he's so so accurate and so um he's definitely man I know Coach Dez definitely gonna get him right just you know um continue to grow as a leader continue to grow as a player and so he's going he's gonna be really good for our state uh he's that I know just the quarterback position um I feel like you know the quarterbacks in the past they've they've definitely been vocal and so I feel like that's something that they're definitely going to um ask him Julian San as well it's to be that vocal leader and lead the um and lead to offensive lead to steam

3:28:32shoot man he has he has a build like JK Dobbins and um I kind of see them you know similar similarities in their game as well and I know JK Dobbins he was a great running back um I feel like he's not talked about his none um a lot but man his career here you watch his highlights is is great I remember um before I recruit before I committed here I remember watching JK Dobbins highlights like every every um one of his years here like four or five times and so man he was such a great back and um I feel like you know um when I see JK Dobbins when I see um James people I see similarities to both of their games I feel like they play the same so appreciate you

3:31:09so all I got coming in last round of the row so I just attacked every day really the same way it's taking advantage very well physically how different are you weight wise body wise on that from your uh I think I got a lot bigger I'm like 240 you know like 244 right now last year I played it like 236 to 37 what does it feel like a 244 or a belly you feel like almost a different machine out there yeah what's it what does it feel like to be running around out there like you are but with more more back I just feel like I'm like like like like more downhill like stronger like I'm taking all bloods better it's bigger yeah is it daunting uh maybe that's not the correct term but to think you're going to be playing much more than you did even last year and you played quite a bit last year instead what do you have to get straight in your head about being on the field that much more this is got to get ready to just play already more snaps so but are you are you how would

3:32:14you describe how much you're looking forward to it from an 8th and a half yeah I'm looking forward to it I'm ready for it my I'm ready for it it's a rematch but it's not really two different teams compared to the last time you all played and stuff how has that enhanced this camp for you and this team getting ready for the where an opener of that magnitude yeah with an opener like that we've been um with the emphasis in their line we know we got coming so we know we got to do we've been prepared for it already just broadly with uh I think Riley ready to play right now he he advanced freshman like he ended he in the book he stood in like he advanced and his measurements was crazy like he saw like the saw line to him or like you said you're ready right you know you're ready what was that process like during last season could you feel yourself becoming more and more ready so whatever the team needed for me yeah because that's pretty much what my role was just whenever I was needed I had to step up so I feel like that's what built me into me being able to say I'm ready for this year when you say ready is it more a physical thing is it a mental thing

3:33:19when I say ready I think it's pretty much like everything physically mentally mostly I think I'm there a different piece that you want to get your analyze oh I asked a one more time oh I feel like it's uh it's a way bigger responsibility with me having to step up this year but I kind of go about it the same way like last year I was intentional with everything I did I feel like this year it's gonna be the same thing it's probably a little bit more and what work I was putting word to watch uh I say describe like now I say like when you think of me you would think of like a like a bully like a silver bullet I don't really a bullet I'm always on the ball that's how I like to play a thing

3:34:21what you like one of my body no I ain't got to be my nickname but oh yeah yeah um think it fit me because I don't know I just like the defense I feel like we got like you say we got a lot of freedom and we're moving around a lot a lot of the terms is like you know I don't know I don't really not answer that I don't even know if I say that because there's a lot of thinking going on but it's like I just like it's defense I like what you got going on no what was it sad when she did that? now I want to mention that I was kind of like happy for you that's what you want no no that's my dog I'm going to say yeah kind of missing a little bit but

3:35:24yeah I'm happy for you so thank you go ahead one last but coach days talked a lot about the guys who played some last year but maybe weren't the starters and the hunger for I know that wasn't maybe your national championship you guys will win your own. How much do you feel that is the guy who certainly contributed last year, but will be in this bigger role and along some of your classmates? Yeah, I do feel like, yeah, I do feel like I did win a Natty Lashier, but like you said, my role wasn't same as how it's gonna be this year. So yeah, I definitely want to go get another one experienced that feeling maybe on the field, a lot more place. Great. Oh, Bill, thank you very much. So I feel like we kind of have a lot of leaders on the D-line and at the D-in position so we kind of just kind of talk for children and adults. So competitive and we love it. We all competitive people, we all live to fish each other

3:36:25and that's the way we're bringing the best side of all of this. We all just kind of bounce it off each other and see what one person does and we kind of bidded into our toolbox and we all kind of just kind of build one great thing. Okay, do you ever go to a Lashier when you got the shot at full-back in the world and did they approach you with that idea or two coach then? I mean, how did that come about? Because you heard Jackson, all yourers not being. You can't touch that. So I definitely did it in high school. I was pulled back and a little bit excited. So I feel like they kind of saw what I could do there in Coach Wilson. Honestly, you love watching it too, the poor you love. And I feel like you're playing that seed in Coach Day's head and Coach Day kind of just went for it and tried to do the best I could to do it. Does that continue now? Do you have anything to experience? New playbook, I did not know you haven't got that far. I like to think myself as a football player. I can really play any position on the field. Give me a weaker two to learn it and kind of perfect it and try to do my best for you.

3:37:26Kid Jack, you're the same thing. Oh yeah. What about what? Graphically, that's what. I was talking to Coach Johnson on Tuesday about some of the conversations and sort of sought you and got out to have some conversations after the JT and Jack decided to come back. Just got to win into those, perspective and out of that help you maybe get the right mindset I guess I'm going to lose. Definitely kind of seeing it all the way through. People kind of just see what happened and they don't know everything that goes into it, how long the season is now, what you got to do to prepare for and what's happening all that time from here to there. So I feel like we definitely just coached in me kind of connected and we kind of just talked, man-to-man and he kind of just sent it straight to me and I feel like we kind of both were going on. Last question, we know we're making it. Making each other better every day. We got the 4 best DNs, 5 best DNs, honestly, in the College Football and we're going to be one of the best D-Lines in College Football. How do you feel about it today, today, at any work in this season? I feel like I've taken big steps in my roles of just being responsible and being more of a leader

3:38:31and kind of stepping up and taking a step to kind of get out there more on the team and kind of bring people in and I feel like we're kind of helping out more. I think record head around the Paiso City T-P-S season. That sounds bizarre, but I mean the season goes by so fast already. So when you're kind of like week 10 and you're like wow it's already week 10. So now it's kind of getting more time to kind of enjoy it and kind of savor it because I'm already here for a feeling of freshness, freshness, freshness, crazy. But you don't want to spend all your power in the first month, a year, right? Oh yeah. There is a mindset that I did know the season. Yeah definitely, definitely going to have the mental stability to handle all those weeks and all those practices. How much has Larry talked to you guys about the clip? Last question right here. 2016, 2017, 4 NFL 2 Finch and 1 Dollar and Sanitation. How much has he talked to that guy? I mean he doesn't have to talk about it. We know about it. We've seen it every day. We watch the film. We see them all working together. We know what it could be. We know we could become.

3:39:31So we know we're right at the same, we're at the right place at the right time. And God wanted us to be here and He knew we wanted us all to come together and kind of play together and be able to bounce off and just perfect our craft together. And I feel like we all are just great individuals and we come together. It's something special. We plan as much. So I just wanted to get more experience under my belt. So I can bring younger guys with me because I've been going a lot. One of those younger guys, we're seeing it like it's the first time. It's hard all year last year. What have you seen from Will? I should have real forgot about it because he was hurt. Now he's running, you know, almost a second man up behind you. Ty, what have you seen? Will is a workhorse. He goes, stay quiet. He goes work hard. And that's what I love about him. He focuses. He don't really talk much. He's going to do the job done. Do a job right. Really has any mistakes? So what would be a successful season? A national championship? I'm running. When all the games we don't want to lose anything.

3:40:32We got a mindset that we can't beat. We just got to go show it. It seems like you guys expect a national championship every year. This year even more so you guys have all come back with us. You guys have all decided like an offensive round. Does that just keep you from getting different? It's definitely a difference. Everyone working harder. We noticed our last run. Most of us don't have any years after this. So we got to go bigger, go home and we're not trying to go home. Finish big. We know what you guys think of Michigan. But when you look at what they did, they won the national championship. And you guys took them down to the final minute. Right? You know what I mean? You were right there. Something goes a little different. You guys could have won that game against them. Does that tell you anything about like that? Hey, you guys want to win a national championship. But you played to the 59th minute with the team that won the national championship last year. Like you're that close. So I'm saying we just like work harder. That's kind of coach makes a saying, you know, nobody cares.

3:41:34Just work harder. Like those, you know, one plate Georgia is the same thing. Last, last play, you know, they went on the win in 90s. So we just got to get over that hump at the end of the season. I think we'll be fine. How frustrating is that? You're that close against the last two national titles. Of course, you know, it's frustrating. But you can't change the outcome. You can't really dwell on it. You just got to, you know, come back and work harder. Do things better than you did last year and hopefully the outcome will change. Is that as you get older, you kind of learn. I thought that was working hard, but then you always find out there's a little more. Yeah, definitely. I mean, that's how that's what growing up is basically in college. I thought, Frank, when you're out working, it's hard as I could. But now I look back at it. I really wasn't working hard at all, compared to what I'm doing now. So just to learn anything. If the stamina is a 60, then the answer to what do you need it to be to be your best? Uh, 80, 85. I mean, I can, it's all on me. I just, I think it's a little higher.

3:42:35I was just trying to be funny, but I mean, it's all on me. I just got to run harder in shape. I was just trying to get the best stamina up to you, young guy. It's kind of things. The idea of the potential is to see the 70th grade. I mean, say everybody got that idea, there's a making nervous about, can you last that long? Do you have worries? I think, I think we, I definitely can last. You know, we got to get the young guys to come along with us. We can't play 50 snaps a game. That's just too much on our bodies. Just everybody like online, D line. We got to get those younger guys to play. Get that pieces on the D line and all the line and everywhere else. So we can last that long. Speaking of that, I'm not playing that new snap to me. I don't know if any of us were really expecting these play lines. Uh, yeah, I did. Unless we were like winning by like a lot. I thought like, there are no moments you know, I can go sit down or something. But we're playing them big games like, you know, Notre Dame too, or North, those kind of games.

3:43:35Of course, I want to be, because I know I can contribute. And I won't want to put that on anyone else when I know I can get the job done. It stands out about Kevin McDonald. Is he got the team? Have you guys ever seen him? Oh, yeah, definitely. Came back as a, came back to Animal Yard. You haven't really seen it yet, but in practice, he shows it all the time. He's just, he's growing right now. He has to work ethic. He just has to get, you know, in the playbook and things like that. You guys are about the exact same size. Listen, you're both listening to 6th grade. You're 327. He's 326. Yeah, I kind of look at him like my junior, but you know, came in, he's going to be a great player. He's just got to develop more and get into playbook. So really a lot on you older guys. Is that a large group of young guys and the seniors in the back? Is that part of your task for this year to bring those guys along as well? Yeah, definitely. We got to be leaders. Like I said, we got to have them play this year. We can't just play all the snaps. They got to get in there and get some work. And we got to get them right, burn the offseason so they can play. And not just play, they want to like contribute, like make plays, tackle a sex.

3:44:37It's a great battle about this version. It seems like these guys get big. Each one of the freshmen classes is a bigger, bigger. Do those guys kind of, those are going to kind of while you're in the cell for the first. Yeah, they're definitely some big dudes. And they all work hard. I've only seen much of somebody day two when I'm passing on. But throughout the workouts, they've been working hard, you know, they're determined to say that. And it looks like they're ready to work with me. I'm going to put this note to it. It feels like, you know, because a lot of great defenses that you have big athletic defensive tactics who can eat up space, but also move, you know, right? That is that. Is that an inquiring maybe for great defense? To have guys like you that have some fault, but also a great team. I think that is definitely. I think if you look at the last couple of national champions and winners, like team of North, they, you know, they got two good, uh, detaco, two athletic detacos. Look at Georgia, two athletic detacos. So I think that's definitely neat if you want to go on that big run and beat those big teams.

3:45:38If you think about this, they won't define by the defense attack. It's like, what's Georgia? Jordan Davis and Janet Carter. Let's miss again. It's Chris Jenkins. Couple more questions. You know, how? I mean, you understand it. I think you play it, but I feel like some time I don't know. Are people realizing how important defense tackles are? A little bit more than they used to? I think so. I think they're starting to develop to develop more and more of these like freakiest detacos. Yeah. Like in the combine, just now, you see in like those guys, they're moving forward to 478 and things like that. So we'll see. And when you think it, when you think about those freakish athletic defensive tackles, how do you think you fit into that mold of that kind of player? You watch that and say, yeah, that's me. Yeah, definitely. I think I'm top notch when it comes to detacos, but I don't want to, you know, get a big head, but you know, watch it come on. I watch it do the drills. I have tape here. You're like, you're looking like my film. So I think I'm up there with all those guys. Tyler, can you become like a artist or a good bad guy?

3:46:39Is the figure of the way he's going to your claims? When you're going to bring practice, you're not doing as much a weapon on the left. That's the problem. How do you work on that? Do you have like a goal? I don't remember how many I've lost. You have a goal. I'm going to be five. I mean, as many as I can have, I think I have more than that. But I think he said it. I think they can count some of them. And it's some of them where I like just missed it. So, but I think we work on drills matching the hand. I think that goes big. And what we do is a D line, you know, just affecting the quarterback is, anyway, you can. It's just great for the defense. You know, just that little thing you cover in his eye, you know, he might throw it. A little bit to the left for our players. So, it's something that you really, really have to work on. That's one of the things that you can maybe work on. But it's really your time here because there are a few guys that I've seen. Oh, that pastor just takes a good hit. We don't have to ask for this title. I don't know if they're kind of kind of expected for it. I think I just have like an eye for the ball kind of.

3:47:40I kind of just look at the quarterback and just, I see him like load up. I just try to get in his ways. And sometimes he throws it to me. I'm irritated if you want to be a high state quarterback. You're not going to get back down passes. I mean, they get frustrated by, you know, we're a team, you know, we're just getting better. I should lot of different backs, man. They just learn to grow for them. You got to pick your top three backs. You got to go right now. One, two, three. I don't really have a top three, but I'll give you one. I would say, say, Juan Gibbs and I like McCaffrey auto. He was injured this year. I like McCaffrey. Best back in this drive. I lead out of the yard. That's y'all decision. Playing with Will Howard. What I'm going to remember most. We're a Howard man. He's just such a great lead, such a great leader, man. It's just like in moments where, you know, usually a lot of players they fold, man.

3:48:44He was just always calm and relaxed, man. He just the leader that he was, man. That's one thing I'm going to remember about him. Yeah, he's shoot. He's going to be really good, man. He's on Coach Lock. I think he got the transfer in as well from West Virginia. Just that one, two punch with them both as well. They're going to be really good backs. And so James people's man. He's smart the way that he goes about his business, man. He's mature. And so man, he's growing, you know, just as a person and as a player. And so man, yeah, definitely Ohio State. You know, that running back room is in great hands. I was riding on my dad's looking at the U.S. spot. And I was talking to him. He's a personality and a coach. I'll keep that up until they get the same way. Yeah. Coach Hartlund, man. He's full of energy, man. And he's creative as well. You know, I'm just learning from him as well. You know, I'm trying to run more outside the backfield. It was being able to learn from Coach Hartlund. And so he's definitely creative at what he does. And he brings a lot of energy to the team as well. And so I think that would do really good.

3:49:44It's really good. What's your intensity, man? Just intensity, man. And since he got the playoffs, every game, man. It's like the intensity got higher and higher. And so, you know, being able, I know in the lead, it's the same thing. Even if it's not the playoffs, just every game and intensity. It keeps getting higher and higher. And so, yeah, you just, I know you got to bring it. You know, each and every day and come in and work. Just like Ohio State. You know, I definitely feel like Ohio State. They definitely do a good job of preparing us for that. You know, I just remember even before going through this process, I'll talk to a lot of players before that. And they told me a lot of just about how much Ohio State prepared them. You know, for the NFL. And so, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know I took a couple of days off after the National Championship. And then, shoot, right after that, I'm writing sample Florida. And I'm right to it.

3:50:44And so, yeah, I think while I trained, I trained that, on your performance. I think it's called the House of Athlete or the Compound now. They did a good job, man. They did a really good job. The Bucking Nears. No, I haven't. Temple, a temple. It's a nice city, man. Really nice. The 40 to broad and avert. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, no man. It's really all about technique, and then it's about mindset, it's will. And so I say, you know, it's for the love of my brother. It's for the love of Will Highway. It's for the love of the receivers who I got on the perimeter. Just making sure, you know, first of all, just making sure you know first of all my quarterback doesn't get sack. And I tell will I think it was before the first game. I was like I got your brother.

3:51:45It's I said man I'm not going to let you get hit you know. And so I don't know if I don't know if I gave up a sack. I'm not sure that but I know if I did I haven't given up too many. And so man it's for the love of my brothers. Don't make sure the ball get in their hands. You know the guys on the outside and making sure they get fed. You had to hit the practice field later today. What is something you've been working on right now? In my game. You can't really work on this you know in all season I feel like it's more so. You know you got to put the pads on you got to go through some inside run you know maybe. I was really just continuing to run through tackles and so that's I feel like that's one of the areas in my game you know I want to continue to get better at. I feel like I did a good job of that my senior year and so I just want to continue to build on that. Yes I did. So people say you look like now that tomorrow. You get back in nursing. I can better. I did meet with New Orleans as well. I never got that comparison actually I know I'm a Camarro.

3:52:46Sure yeah man I would come here great great back man. Just what he does and those one on one matchups he's dangerous man and he's so smooth. He's so smooth as well. I'm not going to lie he's smooth. Yeah. Inside zone from stack being able to hit that thing downhill and I say the next one is probably just an option route out of the backfield you know and man and man coverage. You getting on that line backer and so. Yeah I say to man the biggest thing is the way that he carries himself man and the way that man he approaches the game he comes in with the mindset you know he's going to work every single week you know every practice you know he's working hard you know even shoot every game. I don't know every game. I think he had every game was a good game for him man and so but still man he always has

3:53:49him in Tallahdee the mindset that you know he's going to come in each and every day he's going to continue to work and get better man and so he's definitely man he's going to be a special player man. He really is. Man a lot of ups and downs man it's just how you respond to adversity and I feel like that's something that God has definitely helped me to do better. It's just I'm not have something to lean on now you know I remember before I met him you know going through those adversity I had none to run to you know you can run to people but they still can't. It's not too much they can't truly help you you know I feel like you know I feel like the only person that can truly help you is your relationship with Jesus Christ and so being able to lean on him you know he gives you in those moments where it's tough you know where it's low and when you're behind the scenes and you're going through things that people don't know about he gives you he gives you that peace and comfort you know even in those moments man where it's so hard that you can't you can't explain it's like man

3:54:52I'm going through this but like how am I still filled with this internal joy you know how do I have so much peace in this situation and so that's something that only Jesus Christ can give you and so. The back of the firm, the power and judgment, which aspect to be to those other individuals that you run to come from being around power to him? Man those guys have such a great mentality man I might just really love their mentality especially Q as well you know I talked about Will Howard his leadership but Quench I'm mentality man that boy just yeah that boy just gifted you know you see you know sometime he put in a situation where he looked like you know he should have a negative five yards and as soon as you know it you know he that running through somebody stiff arm and somebody and she that's again a 10 and so. I think yeah man I think it's just like he's just gifted man to be honest he's just gifted

3:55:56you know he's he's a big back you know he's strong and so you know he's he's able to do he's able to do those things and so yeah man it's definitely you know I look at his game and I want to you know at the same time I want to learn from Quench I you know I want to look at this game is like man where can I get better at as well you know that's the type of player I am I'm always looking to get better man I'm always looking to grow as a player. He's going to be a great but he's going to be a great quarterback man he's so so accurate and so he's definitely man I know Coach Dez definitely going to get him right just you know um continue to grow as a leader continue to grow as a player and so he's going to be really good for a high state. He's I know just the quarterback position I feel like you know the quarterbacks in the past they've they've definitely been vocal and so I feel like that's something that they're definitely going to ask of Julian saying as well it's to be that vocal leader and lead the lead to offensive lead to steam. Shoot man he has he has a bill like JK Dobbins and I kind of see them you know similar

3:57:00to his inner game as well and I know JK Dobbins he was a great running back I feel like he's not talked about his none a lot but man his career here you watch his highlights is great I remember before I recruit before I committed here I remember watching JK Dobbins highlights like every every one of his years here like four or five times and so man he was such a great back and I feel like you know when I see JK Dobbins when I see James people I see similarities to both of their games I feel like they play the same and so

3:59:32I got coming in last year I knew it was all just tacky everyday really the same way it's a very very rare. How different are you weight wise body wise all that from the year ago I think I got a lot bigger I'm like 240 you know like 240 for right now last year I played it like 236 to 37. What does it feel like a 240 for our value it's like an almost a different machine out there yeah what does it feel like to be running around out there like you are but with more back I just feel like I'm like like like like more downhill like stronger like I'm taking the old bloods better it's bigger. Is it daunting maybe that's not the correct term but to think you're going to be playing much more than you did even last year and you played quite a bit last year instead of what do you have to get straight in your head about being on the field that much more. Is it going to get ready to just play 30 more snaps so.

4:00:35How would you describe how much you're looking forward to it from an 8th and a half. I'm looking forward to it I'm ready for it. I'm ready for it. The text is open it's a rematch so it's not really two different teams comparing the ones I'm going to play. How does that enhance this camp for you and this team getting ready for the where an opener of that magnitude. Yeah with an opener like that we've been emphasizing it a lot we know we got coming so we know we got to do we've been prepared for it. I think Riley ready to play right now he advanced freshman like he in the here in the book he's studying like he advanced and his measurements crazy like he saw like a saw line to him. I said you're ready. What was that process like during last season could you feel yourself becoming more ready. The team needed to do it because that's pretty much what my role was just whenever I was needed I had to step up so I feel like that's what built me into me being able to say

4:01:36I'm ready for this year. When you say ready is it more a physical thing is it a mental thing when I say ready I think it's pretty much like everything physically mentally most of me I think I'm there. A different is that. I feel like it's a way bigger responsibility with me having to step up this year but I kind of go about it the same way like last year I was intentional with everything I did I feel like this year is going to be the same thing it's probably a little bit more. And what word? How's everybody working? I say scrub again I say like when you think of me you think of like a like a bullet like

4:02:38a silver bullet I don't really a bullet I'm always on the ball that's how I like to play and think. No I ain't got to be my nickname but I'm not saying that the thing can be that's all about me. Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah it's like. How does that fit you and what are you and what are you doing about playing in that kind of second? I think it fit me because I don't know I just like the defense I feel like we got like you said we got a lot of freedom and we're moving around a lot a lot of the times is like no I don't know I don't really know how to answer that. That's okay does it? You can go on your end stakes a little bit more maybe than it's not so thinking of too much. I don't even know if I say that because there's a lot of thinking going on but it's like I just like it's defense I like how it's pretty different I like what you got going on. I want to say that I was kind of like happy for you.

4:03:41No that's my dog I'm going to say it. Kind of missing a little bit but I'm happy for you. Well don't think go ahead one last but Coach Day has talked a lot about the guys who played some last year but maybe weren't the starters and the hunger for that wasn't maybe your national championship you guys will win your own. How much do you feel that as a guy who certainly contributed last year but will be in this bigger role and a lot more some of your classmates? Yeah I do feel like I did win the Nadi last year but like you said my role wasn't the same as how it's going to be this year so yeah I definitely want to go get another one experienced that feeling maybe on the field a lot more place. Great well thank you very much. I'm going to be the second to answer. The championship been nicking you know before and everything like that and also you get your teeth knocked in you know first game and you can't have that happen because then you know really there's a mean anything and so just the constant mindset to continually get better but on the forefront of my mind and forefront of anyone here you can ask.

4:04:45Yeah we look at the class stats every now and then I'm like oh man they're gone they're gone. No it's been it's been good I mean the guys who are still here I'm definitely kind of bonded together pretty good so. Yeah yeah I mean you know Mark came in the other day he's like in a class 12 and one best class ever and I'm like yeah sure okay you know I can't really even you know just sitting to that you know I'm much left but yeah I mean to do what we can and do what we can for this team has been really important for all of us and I think us now realizing where the veterans you know where the old guys now has been kind of strange at least to begin with you know because you go from all those guys you like Donnie and Josh and those guys and all of a sudden it's Sunday we have a team meeting after the like the celebration

4:05:48of the shoe and all of a sudden the next day that it's gone and you know it's just very different so I think us being able to step up as you know leaders and as as vets to help bring out you know along the team our units and this program has been really important. Well I think they're overall good question just to try but then he was your office like the first shoe Luke said that Jake has been by so far he didn't change the shoe. No it could have been doing really well I mean I could go and he goes to work. He's extremely athletic extremely flexible you know he's a young kid obviously he's a lot of development a lot of he's a little adversity at all of us do but I think he's going through that right now but he's been coming out on the better end of it so far and excited to see what he can do because he's very impressive at this young stage. So I'm sure overall level of excitement just to be back with the rest of the sit you're

4:06:49off the line. Would you guys have any something just good to back up? Yeah extremely excited I mean trying to just build that culture back up again like what we had last year. I'm trying to do a little stuff here and there and I can know I think we're going to Ray Ray's a barbecue I think tomorrow so shout out Ray Ray's but yeah just trying to get that brotherhood back get that you know that oblock spirit back. Sure it's coming soon hopefully but just to kind of get those not those same faces but those same kind of mindsets back and our group is important right now and it's been fun to meet new guys from different backgrounds and stuff like that and try to figure out how to build that and mend that together it's been pretty cool. Now as you are one of the most experienced veterans on this team how much do you feel like you have to be leader for the students here? Yeah for sure I think that comes it's obviously I don't feel like it's natural to anyone to immediately step up and that's something I've been working on every day and talking

4:07:51to God about but I have to understand that and that's something I want to continue to work on. I want to be able to be a guy that people can fall back on and like coach was saying before like we're going to have highs and lows but the great players the ones being set our clocks do and I kind of want as my goal is to be one of those people that you can do that and I think for especially a very new set of eyes in the Woody not only coaches but players I think it's very important to kind of keep that steady mindset and I think for me learning how to be leader has been important just to not be too hard on myself but also not let myself kind of slack off in some departments to try to keep steady. Just your story itself though is testament of what it means for perseverance and stuff too though right? Carson I mean you don't have to stand up from somebody to say that right? I mean just what do you think you've shown more than anything else in every card? Yeah I mean I've been blessed you know I've been blessed with a lot of adversity I think

4:08:53that's definitely made me better on the back end and coach day always talks about it and you don't you know great leaders aren't you know they can show it but you know a lot of people can show a lot a lot of people can just talk about it but to be about it is important and I think to me now I've went through a lot of that adversity I went through a lot of that stuff and my testament you know has been written in an interesting way but I think for me to take that next step is really important for not only for this team but for myself personally. Yeah he's been doing great I mean he came in big freaking strong he's fun to be in the weight room with he's kind of quiet like that's kind of my first impression on him but he's actually pretty funny dude he and his dad come over and they kind of joke around and so he's been doing a great job he's been doing a great job for his size he has like freaky athletic feet like I watched him do the ladders and that's a lot of massive over on those things you know doing the little itch shuffle but I mean he's he was killing it and so he's been doing

4:09:57a great job I can't wait to see how he kind of continues to develop throughout this summer and throughout this fall camp. Yeah Piggy's been doing great I mean he he stepped up Piggy yeah everyone first of us Piggy is his username one time nice everyone's Piggy anyway no Pig's been doing great he's been able to step up and kind of bring around on those younger guys you know everyone's kind of trying to figure out their their new roles and I think he's been a big body guy that he catch the bar can run between the tacos his feet are quick and then once you think for a big guy that really good feet we get balanced so that's what makes him good that's what I saw him. Well tight in background now I don't know many with that type of background but he's a high school

4:10:57we see that they try to play as an age back well really good. What are you looking at the portal for running back to you? We want to try to recruit running back to visit matter to you if you have two different styles of running back to me one guy can do things better one guy can do something so there is it you'll just say the best running back to you. Do you want to have different styles? Yeah I want different styles you're going to try to take the same thing you know take the same thing and we'll take guys with different skills whether they're big guys small guys past cultures in between type of runners I don't know the yola I don't want to take the same thing but all different different different types. You guys have built and clinched a lot of the road and showered red zone story. You guys are doing a part of it. Was it important to find the back of the match the size of the CJA has the opening of it? We lost it. No I have my own opinion on the size of the game in the company where it's not you know I had Jordan James out of order and he's my great zone running show yola as a freshman in probably way to two ten or twelve five which is not very big

4:12:01but they ain't got any new again you know some guys you got to know so I'm sticking about his own and you play with a lot of aggression down here running so that could be CJA that could be James or what could be the freshman though Jackson it's just who has no one's could give him his own but that's that's what I'm going to go with. You don't have to be six two. No just because you're being there I'm making it off. We knew we could obviously you know freshman running back coming in and blowing his air here but what do you need to see from a freshman to feel comfortable with that playing? In the first thing we were there on the ball. Well they were doing a little small detail that I take care of the ball. The second thing would be how good they are in the past but that's the hardest thing for high school because they're not really here in high school but you have to understand the past but by all their falls on who you mean so like those days say I'm in person in my heart so but that's why I need to see first from everything Jackson I will understand to you so I can go to the next group.

4:13:06You feel comfortable with with go and I say where they're at or at least you know where their timeline is connected. Yeah I think they're gonna find I'd say I tell all the young guys he's a marathon out of spring. The first day of first you've been an armistice specialist too. You know your own spot with a specialist team then you earn the right to be a book out of you so they get out down the field so I think they're training the right moves. First practice, lack of wasn't merit, some to build off throws, cleaning stuff to work on. I've been seeing some of the younger guys in your room develop thinking about like Etrick Houston is coming in this year seeing him work with you guys Joshua Bacon sounds so you coming along. I feel like they're definitely picking up quick. I mean I was in their shoes one time and I had Zach Harrison, Javonte and Tyler Frydell in front of me so I feel like I'm just trying to be kind of one of those peers that they work for me

4:14:06and kind of just giving them the steps to get there and I feel like they're definitely picking up quick and I definitely need to be one of the great rushmen. Does it seem like the only coach that's been talking about JT and Jack Buffy didn't need a ton of their picks for me. Same as some of the opportunities for me to be able to get a good start. Is there a difference in the work for you because you've been getting through after champs for the last couple of years? I feel like all the camps I've definitely gotten a big coursework and I love that. So I asked Coach Jay for it. I love getting more reps because I just like protecting my craft. So I mean some people may not need it. Some people need it but I mean I just like to use me right because I need it. What do you think is the key on that coursework? I mean for me it's always just kind of getting my little details perfectly like my steps and my footing kind of just affecting my toolbox and what we call it and my craft and just trying to be a like whenever every place we try to do. Yeah definitely just getting stronger faster everything all the above but one of my big

4:15:14things is being a leader and kind of just not trying to look still look up to Jack and JT and kind of have my own kind of leadership and be able to bring people into. So I feel like kind of have a lot of leaders on the D-line and at the D-In position. So we kind of all kind of just count off the children and hearts. Is that been a tough time? I think we've used a bit of help from all the top guys playing with them all. We're all feeling the same. I'm just going to stick to my foot to now and try to keep the rest of your life from the leaders. What is that position? I don't think we've had it in New Leathers. We're all competitive people. We all look at fish each other and that's the way to bring the best side of all of this. I feel like we're all just kind of bouncing off each other and see what one person does and to kind of build it into archival box and we all kind of just kind of build one great thing. Do you remember when I last year when you got to get the shot at the full back in the club? Did they approach you with that idea and two coach's team? I mean, how did they come about? Because you're a good checks on your sloppy. It gets test done. So I definitely did it in high school.

4:16:14I was pulled back and a little bit of tidied in. So I feel like it kind of saw what I could do there in Coach Wilson. Honestly, he loved watching it too. He loved it. And I feel like he planned that seed and coach day's head and coach day kind of just went for it. And I tried to do the best I could to do it. Is active chin ring now? Do you have anything in the screen? New play about Guy DiNano, we haven't got that far. Yeah, yeah, yeah. How tough is that? Yeah, look at that. I like to think myself as a football player. I can really play any position on the field. You need me to just give me a weaker two to learn it and kind of perfect it. And I'll try to do my best for you. Can you check me the same thing? Oh, yeah. No, don't laugh. We're athletes, that's why. Cases is talking to Coach Johnson on Tuesday about some of the conversations and sort of saw you and got out to have some conversations after the JT and Jack decided to come down. Just better wait into those, respect him and out of that help you maybe get the right mindset I guess when they need me to explain. Um, definitely kind of seeing it all the way through. I feel like people kind of just see what happened and they don't know everything that goes into it.

4:17:16How long the season is now. What you got to do to prepare for and what's happening all that time from here to to then. So, uh, I feel like we definitely just coached in me kind of connected. And we kind of just talks man-to-man and uh, he kind of just sent a straight to me and I feel like we kind of both are pretty honest and we know we're making it. Yeah, I don't. We're making each other better every day and we got the four best DNs. Five best DNs, honestly. And then coach football and we're going to be one of the best DLIs in coach football. How do you feel about a player today that you work in this season? Um, I feel like I've taken big steps in my roles of just being responsible and being more of a leader and kind of stepping up and taking the step to kind of get out there more on the team and kind of bring people in and I feel like I'm kind of helping out more. I'd be right behind the line to pass the C-D-G-A-C. It's up sound. I mean, it sounds bizarre but I mean the season goes by so fast already. So when you're kind of like week 10 and you're like wow it's already week 10. So now it's kind of gives you more time to kind of enjoy it and kind of savor it

4:18:18because I'm already here for a refreshment space. But you don't want to spend all your power in the first month of the year right now. Oh yeah. There is a mindset that I did that season. Yeah, definitely. Definitely going to have that the mental stability that hand all those weeks and all those practices. How much has Larry talked to you guys around a bit? Last question right here. 2016, 2017, 2017, 2017. How much does he talk to that guy? I mean, he doesn't have to talk about it. We know about it. We've seen it every day. We watch the film. We see them all working together. We know what it could be. We know what it could become. So we know we're right at the same place at the right time and God wanted us to be here. He knew we wanted us all to come together and kind of play together and be able to bounce off and just perfect our craft together. And I feel like we all are just great individuals and we come together at something special. Great. How did your expectations like us EDF with how do you feel playing at this point of the season? I feel like I've made the plays that came to me. And that's where the Ockman game control.

4:19:19I've had more opportunities as he has progressed and been in spots to be here on the ball. But the expectation was to come here and contribute to the team and try to help find a way to push the team to win games at high level. And to be better than they were actually and for me to play better than I was last year. So really just coming to try to grow with myself and with the team. So that was my big goal and I feel like I've done a good job and the team has done a good job progressing through the year and getting better. So yeah, that's all I can say about that. I'm here to the right. I've made a lot of them grow. Yeah, I feel she's standing here right now. Does it feel like a different season? What does it feel like for you going into the playoffs? You know, you don't get to go. You want it necessarily to make your season. But here you are. Right? I mean, what is that sense that you have right now? That's different. I think about the rigging of season. I mean, everybody wants to say it's a new season in terms of, because if everybody's more

4:20:22new and it's 0 and 0 right now, when you keep going, if you lose, you're done. But genuinely, that's how you could play every game. You know, they play every game like it's your last game. So for me, I don't think it's really any difference if you have to go play a high level every game. And that can't be based at home. It's a player thing. You know, so you have to go play every game like it's the same thing. So I would say in terms of that. No, you just have to play the game. Play the game is there. What feels difficult is defense right now going into this. So y'all feel even more. The fight we've got by tight and we can close together. What was that? I mean, what was your sense of the brotherhood sort of state of the defense? I feel like we progressed throughout the season. We had to make a change after game 6, because we lost and we didn't play well like him. I feel like we'd grow up from that and got into a better place. And over these past two weeks, off just realizing, okay, these are the things that we messed up throughout the year.

4:21:23These are what we need to face. These are what this team is trying to exploit on us. So just really going back here, everything seemed to work into better for this kind of game and for the next couple of years. Let's have a question. Tell me you heard me fuck a hell. How does the Tennessee's wide split of the receivers impact you as a player? I feel like it makes the game more or more more game. It makes you receive it as a more dvs at the place that we're being in the guys' hearts. And it makes it, truthfully, like those guys have to do their job. And these guys have to do your job. You got to be able to stop the run with the people they have in the run fit. And you have to be able to stop the pass with the people they have out there. So that's what they do and they do it at a really low level. So let me tell you what. And I find a question to Joy Coffin, on this discussion. The coach knows the time about the speed at which there are few guys who have the common points. Is this built the potential for the crowd facts that you can play common?

4:22:23Is the player kind of van to say that it gives you just speed at which point you're going to play? It allows you to get your clean senator. So earlier, just a ability to see the formation, see what keys you have before the play. And have knowledge of your job and not really thinking. Being able to play in that game is a really big thing. So whenever you can get the call out faster and play a high level in play without thought. That's a really good thing for you team. Thank you very much. Appreciate you all. Did you hear the Jackson Hollywood lobby? Oh yeah. You could have touched that. So I definitely did it in high school. I was pulled back and a little bit of tidied in. So I feel like they kind of saw what I could do there in Coach Wilson. So he loved watching it too. He loved it. And he felt like he playing that seat in Coach Day's head and Coach Day kind of just went for it. And I tried to do the best I could to do it. Is that continuing now? I mean, are there people doing anything in the screen? New play, but I did not know yet. I haven't got that far. How tough is that?

4:23:23Do you know what you're talking about? I like to think myself as a football player. I can really play any position on the field you need me to. Just give me a weaker two to learn it and kind of perfect it. And I'll try to do my best for you. Can you check the same thing? Oh yeah. What? Graphically, that's what? I was just talking to Coach Johnson on Tuesday about some of the conversations. He sort of started using it. He got out to outside conversations after JT and Jack decided to come back. Just kind of waiting to know some of your spectators and how did that help you maybe get the right mindset? I guess we need to do this. I'm definitely kind of seeing it all the way through. I feel like people kind of just see what happened and they don't know everything that goes into it. How long the season is now. What you got to do to prepare for and what happened and all that time from here to then. So I feel like we definitely just Coach Day and me kind of connected. And we kind of just talked man-to-man and he kind of just sat straight to me. And I feel like we kind of both have been on this and we know we're making it. We're making each other better every day. We got the 4 best Dn, 5 best Dn honestly.

4:24:24And then Coach football and we're going to be one of the best D lines in Coach football. But you feel like the better player today anymore again this season. I feel like I've taken big steps in my rules of just being responsible and being more of a leader. And kind of stepping up and taking a step to kind of get out there more on the team and kind of bring people in. And I feel like I'm kind of helping out more. Any record in around the past? I think the TKC. And that sound. I mean it sounds bizarre but I mean the season goes by so fast already. So when you're kind of like week 10 and you're like wow it's already week 10. So now it's kind of gives you more time to kind of enjoy it and kind of savor it. Because you've come already here for like refreshments for these crazy. But you don't want to spend all your time here in the first month of the year right? Oh yeah. There is a lot of pace yourself there. I mean there is a mindset. Yeah definitely definitely going to have to have the mental stability to handle all those weeks and all those practices. How much has Larry talked to you guys about like that?

4:25:25Last question right here. 2016, 2017, 4 and about two French veterans all in simultaneously. How much does he talk to about that? I mean he doesn't have to talk about it. We know about it. We've seen it every day. We watched the film. We see them all working together. We know what it could be. We know we could become. We know we were right at the same, we were at the right place at the right time. And God wanted us to be here and he knew we wanted us all to come together and kind of play together and be able to bounce off and just perfect our craft together. And I feel like we all are just great individuals and we come together at some special. You get like good coaches who believe in you and like they give you the tools to go out there and just play with confidence. You know how they're doubting those stuff. Like you got your teammates who got your back like my first play when I got up there to the seat. Like when to the zoo, you got IGB and your main. Like first thing they say is like no worry just go out there and play with confidence. You know the tools, this is usual tools. Just go out there and make a play. And we're about to play coming to you. You know where is your time and show job. You just do it. And then like stand on coach. Like he gives me. He puts me in a position like at the drills we put in the work you put in the one on one.

4:26:25So I just go out there and just perform at the highest level. How much better are you right now than maybe last month and four sports right? I mean I got laid better just because I've transitioned a little bit to the inside. I miss my style. Like now I'm essentially like catch catch technique and is often preppers not always press at the line. So it's like not maybe like move my feet, move my hands like see like what I got to do just like just a case. I got to go back in corner. I can I plan off now. I'm very confident out there. Do you think that was a natural fifth of you or have you had the kind of convince yourself to transition? I mean I feel like it's natural for me because I feel like me individually. I'm a fast learner. Like coaches help us like learn fast and like because they're always honest about the techniques and stuff. So you like you write down like you pick up all the things and then like when we get out there they coach us to like the techniques always. You just go out there and play like fast spot and it's like it would be like versatile. You're able to go out there and just compete. Is that where you kind of stuff the spring or you kind of melt there?

4:27:26So I really been stuck there this spring a little bit right whenever you get us like other things. I was bouncing out there every once in a while just like just have fun. See if I still got it every once in a while. So it's as good as going to the compete at most spots. You mentioned the technique what technique you know tips and things that you had to pick up and learn from walking from taking the inside. I mean this is always like he always because what coaches ask you hands like see it. You see it move your feet and then get your hands with your hands on the man. So it's like when you get like when you out there you're able to like just process like the way the receiver comes off the ball. Looking at the hips and seeing like the way he moving. Are you able to pick up like the row concepts you can get out of that like so it's being like under coach walls for me. Like as a player and just like him breaking out football to you like one on one. It's like very beneficial. What was the hardest part of making that transition from outside inside? I really say like the corner you got to cover two you cover three each to cover one us. It's easy but you got nickel.

4:28:26So many responsibilities you got to see like the row concepts you got to be able to process like diagnosed rouse faster than what you got to do in a corner and just be able to like everything. Quit like a transition you got like you got to move fast. You got to learn to move fast. It's like game recognition. What do you think maybe from the most since you got to. I would definitely say I would definitely say has because how you get to like college is a little bit different. High school we don't got to worry about things like that when I will you get to like college or school like this. Like your recognition of plays and like you know your jobs the way like the coverage is supposed to be played. Understand all your teammates or plus if you have them feel like it's easy. What if your product is bad. It's very talented. He's a great dude. He's a humble guy. He's a great team. He's a very supportive guy that you don't want to wrong because you can feed off your energy because you can see like we make a place. He's like he like IGB. He's like IGB 2.0.

4:29:27So he's like you got to go guys like that with energy. It makes you play a little bit harder. And then like when you make a play it's out there. It's healthy. It's being out there with him. He's a great player. One of those guys questions and four kids. Obviously obviously the last couple of years. I'll probably see her first now. What is it about one build that gets you to play at a high school? It's a big question. I know. I'm just a bit wasteful because we have so many kids come out of the blue and just play at games. I leave like the league schools and then like like tracks a big part of it because. I mean actually everybody got a run track like it's made it's right. You don't really get a choice. Like get out here and like know how to compete and then like G like. Being built that mental toughness into you so like. Have you like I've heard now you got to be mentally tough because I'm not like. Life's not going to be easy so it's like being out here. Being able to compete and when are you down just pick yourself back up. I mean that's what he has done for me and that's what he has done for me.

4:30:27QT how do you describe the mentality of the defense right now? Getting this opportunity for a repassaged opponent. Yeah hungry and thankful. I mean we know how the last time when we had a chip on our shoulder. I mean we were riding high before that game and we took that loss and we came back had to make a couple changes but I think we understand what everything's at stake right now. Just fighting to where another house stage jersey for the next game. That's what's on stake and just to be able to represent this state and this team. I mean we understand what's on the line and we're just hungry and blessed that we get this opportunity playing the Rose Bowl. Right behind your Adam King WBNS. What do you remember most about walking off the field in Eugene? What was kind of all your eyes in that moment? I mean there is a I don't think anybody imagine it. Imagine us losing. You know I didn't that's for sure and I think after that it was a kind of head deep. I understand it that man we still there's still a lot of ball left to be played.

4:31:29I mean you can let it sting for a little bit but you know if you let it carry over too long then you know there goes there goes your whole season by I think we did a great job of just understanding coming together in this room right here. Not being afraid of display or hold accountability from one another. And you know as that happened we came back we grouped and you know we're just going right now. And I'm just blessed for those specific moments you know losing. I mean no one wants to lose but the testimonies and the things you're taught within those little situations speaks of all of you. After all of our letterman drawing. What did you see from King WBNS last couple of weeks? Was there like a push from him? I mean the conversation was and we can see like he's playing in the same basketball on the same scene. I mean that's my boy he's in the R2X club too but you know Keata I mean every time his numbers call he goes out there and makes the most of it no matter where we are in the game when he goes out there he's just hungry.

4:32:34He wants to go make plays and you know we see it in practice so it's not surprising to us. Bill Rebino has played this back. Bill and Gabriel is obviously very elusive in our talent and he's not very tall. How important it could be to just kind of stay in your past rush lanes and neglect a lot of balls and kind of make a difference that way? Yeah I think it just comes out being disciplined. No one who you're playing against like you said Bill he's a he sure but he's very elusive. I mean he can he is making throws I mean he get out the puck he can do everything. So I think for us we just got to discipline and just continue to just meet with Coach Jay. So I think we can just go with the coach knows and understand how we can just eliminate that. One question about UNJAP. I mean your personality seems to be a little different. You're more on the quiet side he's not. How about it? You've played together four years both five store guys. Kind of describe your relationship with him, friendship with him. Just kind of how you cop with each other. Man that's my brother like he said we're different but very alike.

4:33:37I think outside I'm like you said he's louder I'm quiet but you know once we're on that field we're like the same person. We'll do anything for this team you know we'll die for our players and we'll give everything we got. Room together for four years correct? Yeah. Fall camp. Yeah sometimes go over there. So go over there. There's a neat one who's the messy one. We have our share of days when we when I'm neat he's neat or you know we might both be messy but we do a good job. Yeah I would probably say I would better kick the jack though. Tony Gertman, like I held. When you're playing a team for the second time and that was almost a season to go by now. How much of are you at square one with with the scouting and preparation or how much do you take from that game? How much do you avoid taking so that you don't have any preconceived notions of what you're going up against on the offense on the offense flying? I say it's pretty 50-50 I mean that game like you said it was a while ago but at the same time they elevated as a team so did we.

4:34:38So we understand that they they had they made some changes for sure. You know there's there's a certain density we can take back from that game but we also understand that they went on a low run after that and we can see that they elevated as an offense. So we just got to continue to watch those games dissect the other games and just continue to see what stands out and what they change from the past game. We got a couple calls on zoom that will wrap up with first we have Nick Hamilton from night cast media Nick. I just wanted to ask you basically about the synergy of this defense and how you guys were able to not only celebrate the triumphs but get through the adversity be able to be this top notch defense that you are a college football today. Here you need to question one more time. One of the issues about the synergy you are able to develop over the course of the season obviously celebrating the triumphs but also getting through the adversity to where you are all the top notch defense that you are today.

4:35:42Yeah I mean like you said that we went through a lot of trials to trials but there's also there's a lot of things we can take away from all the wins and losses. From those wins we understood that hey we can be the best defense of the country and from those losses we understand that there's still things that need to be fixed and I think when you take all that in at once that comes out to the comical or the comment talk which is you can there's always learning points everywhere. And depending how we dissect those games or how we just continue to come as one and elevate you know we continue to just collect all those those learning points and just continue to grow from them. And one final question. Joey Coffin, Columbus Dispatch, Joey. JT what have you guys done better in the Tennessee game and just late in the season you think about turning some of the pressures that you've got on quarterbacks in the sacks and getting home in some of those situations. Yeah I think it was more just understanding the defense as a whole understanding everybody's job.

4:36:45I think as the season went on we had to understand that and we have to know what's going on in the back and we have to know what's going on in the linebacker crew to understand what plays we have room of freedom and I think once we understood that and got a better understanding of everybody's job I mean it showed this play because you know everybody knows what we're doing it's not like the lineback is not what they're doing. The corners and B.I. they know only their job I think we all know each other's job and we continue to ask each other questions on you know if they're listening how they can get to the quarterback and you know if I'm dropping playing quarterbacks by I can ask Cody on how to open field tackle. So you know we just we just kind of lean on each other's understanding because you know like I said like Denzel knows how to play corner bend it and I know how to play corner so you know he has more more wisdom at that position than I do. JT thank you very much. Thank you. Thanks man. The first race is the moment like Devon and Wolfgang. Definitely a little bit of both. Obviously I just wanted the team to win. I think we got a chance to win.

4:37:48No, definitely towards it and to stretch that last drive. I was a couple of plays here, a couple calls that he maybe should have gotten but I think the frustration more so it just comes from no wanting to win or anything. I was just being said he was a little surprised how much attention you got right away from your defense. I have a year. Yeah definitely. We maybe killed him or one of ones kind of how the game plan was set up. You didn't have a lot of different coverage out of cloud to my side and this is kind of how the game goes. What's the process of it and what sometimes where whatever reason just just see that. Yeah definitely. Especially in college a lot of the game fans defensively were tick me away. You know we had a lot of success at a high up state obviously one of the boys had a different the weapons. They're kind of still get the victories and I was yeah you continue to do better jobs doing it here. Why are you taking the rotation the process been like post game getting on the same page with Kyler. You guys exchange taxed or you guys in the film.

4:38:48Definitely kind of asking what did I see there kind of go over and play and. I just how I get him what I saw and kind of different feedback there. Mark I get it we're asking questions about the previous game bar you the type of guy to let a game like that winger or how do you flush him. You got to move on kind of once a long season guy. 16 more of them hopefully know I can stay healthy throughout the year and just continue building to better each week. So much work throughout the off season to get on the same page up different is it when you get into that ring of the season. Yeah it's totally different it's totally different. You can do a lot of things you know in shirts and shorts and then once you go out there put practice and get pads on. You do like the point practice we do the colds but there's nothing like actually going out there. Not in live action and really trying to get a same case so. I think that relationship will continue to develop and it will be better. Yeah definitely definitely. Like I said I was kind of my first live action together. So it can continue to be back to me.

4:39:48What are your early impressions on the field together and what's your experience with. Yeah but now obviously I have a death respect. You know JG's call or preseason and obviously be all feel really healthy. That's kind of the most important thing. I was a good little healthy going forward so. I mean what are your early impressions of the Rams. What do you think of the Rams. Yeah I mean they're a good team they're good physical team. I got a new lot of new guys up front I think that's kind of where the strong suit is. Kind of a little different to Buffalo come over a little match coverage so I'm excited to go. Personally when the belts take take me one of my opportunities. How do you feel today. Wasn't many of them. Wasn't many of them so Bethlehem you could. Which were you thinking versus just playing. You're not getting any preseason game actually. I think it was three season. Bethlehem definitely thinking a lot out there. I think I'll come with reps. I think to think and less and just going out there and playing. Bethlehem comes with reps and it's something you're on you better at.

4:40:49But I think definitely I was thinking a lot out there. Is there anything you can do to improve that. That's where I'm covered. Anything you can do to improve the past. You're going to fix that a lot. Yeah I mean you just got to team you get open for yourself. Make yourself available. The one the ball does anyway making the play. This is taking you away. I mean so other guys are having chance to get open so. That's not kind of how I look at it. It's no longer since the senior offense. That's the best thing for us. That kind of thing would be with Tyler. Is there something that comes pretty quickly in a new game or something like that. Hopefully sooner or later I think. I'll continue to see. I don't think we're in a bad place right now at all. Obviously I don't really think that. But just a live rep so we'll continue to grow and show. I think how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe. I like to practice at least like the positive. You know what I mean. So he the energy yeah. It would be on just a high-level B line. So that's kind of how I want to be.

4:41:49Go on. I'm living my whole life. I'm going to get a NFL team captain like specifically. I felt I wasn't a captain in high school. Wasn't a captain in college. But I want to make a joke. I was in high school. I feel like I'm nodding to the captain. It's like he's that I felt. But that would be awesome. You know but you know that happens. I'd be great but not either way. I want to assume a role as a captain from the perspective of guys. I want to give you a word. And get back to that point. Yeah. I mean I can't say that. I mean I guess the biggest thing is that I felt like how you used to move past. But it didn't take just the first LTAs. It took training and left and right. Once the season ended because I know what it was going to be. So it took a lot of reps. Just to give back to feeling like myself for the LTAs.

4:42:52And then that whole first week. But now like today specifically just changing some small things with my feet. That is it. Talking about the long coach. I've seen things I'm doing my feet to get to that to sell my traditional angle that I love to sit on. I thought I felt great already but I felt even better. Sorry to the more excited tomorrow now. I'm getting my feet back and how I like the right side and the left side. So I'm excited. I mean obviously I feel like in the league whether you're left or right or still going against premier guys. So obviously the high expectations for the left and right tackle. But definitely the level of energy and the expectations definitely take the human starting. Because now tonight it applies like that's the tackle world. So yeah I would say in terms of communication as far as this even outside of the facility. You can just stuff like that like really creating that. But in tackle quarterback.

4:43:53Bonnie the more off the field I think has been something that's even the cool. I got the text one day. I said hey, you put it left. I was like you know I've been training both. I've been training both. I asked after the season there like honestly you know we'll talk to you. So for the season I just got a text one. I was with the free agency. Then so I was like you know what I had a whole season right tackle. So if I get the word I'm going I'm staying right tackle. I did what I did before I'm built on that. But I was trying to let tackle now. As if I'm going to be left tackle. And I'd rather do that than training all the right time. I would go hey I'm going to switch my feet. You know what I mean? So I'm like let me just prepare an advance. I was like yeah it was kind of. I think occasionally on third down there would be a lot of twists. I was just not like it's on my head. And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season.

4:44:54Like I didn't have to go once again with some positive. I kind of figured like okay. This is this is the type of rush. I'm going to get this is how this guy usually rushes. If I get the vibe this is how the ends like the rush you know tackles that. First year guys you got the premier patch on. I already know what it was going to be. I already know every step. And honestly just knowing that's kind of an advantage to so you're not you're not you're not. Oh the problem is with my side. It was never air gone. But it come out the hot like three plays in a row. Two minutes I knew that. I was like I'm not going to be sad alive. You know what I mean? I'm watching more everybody else. And he really you know it goes out there occasionally. Third down I was like you know he's going to pick me. You know what I mean? So that's kind of it's also kind of an advantage in a way. But it's also exciting like okay I'm going to get the hardest look. You know those are real real reps. You know the things. Really out on our way to kind of process.

4:45:56And I was like hey when I told me. Let me know about my I'm just going to train it. I was training all left. So TAs I guess if I didn't hear anything about the days I came in like. So you know what I mean? Because just like I'm cool with training both continue. I would have been cool training both continually. But I feel like anybody any position will be like okay like. You want as soon as possible to get your feet kind of settled in your hips settled in. So then certain kind of what we've been hard to get you work both very hard to you. No. No. But they're definitely but in terms of the development. It's definitely a lot faster to stay on all one side. But I think having that the weeks that we had the transitional seasons over. And the bike was fine. You know. I'm trying to get up with it. I think we things that it's how right now. But when it comes back I'm showing the house.

4:46:57I've got a house not too far from. So I told him I got that house like I got a yellow outside. DJ. You know what I mean? So yeah. I just doesn't have any stock or anything. Doesn't mean anything. So we're we have to play on Friday and that's really all that matters. We're going to take two more from zoom before turning it back. Our first one's going to come from Stephen from Cleveland.com. Go ahead. It's the fun. I'm sorry. Hey Caleb. We've seen you were talking about the Ohio State Office. The success that they've had. Obviously Jeremiah has been a big part of that. What's it been like this year going against him in practice? And you know after doing that, does it surprise you at all to see him having a success? He's had as a freshman. No, it doesn't bring surprises. It was pretty easy to see the talent that he has and the blessings that God has put on his plate. But it's always a challenge going against Jeremiah and the other receivers and Mecca and Karnel and practice.

4:48:02And even guys like Brandon and his impression Rogers, they do a great job bringing looks for the defense and create a lot of obstacles. I'll find a question from zoom is going to come from Dan Hope. Go ahead Dan. Caleb, you, Quinn had a lot of success against you guys when you played him at Alabama last year. Just what do you remember from going up against him last year and what can you learn from that game? Really smart quarterback knows how to operate their offense. Push the ball in the right places. And then of course, our kitchen does a great job putting him in positions to win. Jerry back to you. Thank you Rob Aller. Columbus Dispatch. Caleb, JT and Jack Land opposite side today is opposite off the field. As they are on in terms of personality and just the people they are. They're offices but they are also like one of the closest people I know they spend a lot of time together. They've come from different sides of the country so they're different people for sure.

4:49:04They're both really great people and really great men. I'm sorry I was spec both. How did you do that? I'm not going to do that. I'm sorry. I'm not going to do that. It's about to ask the war on podcast throughout the season we would always see you on Wednesday nights. You and Nathan would be some of the last people off the field. Are the things that you're working on after a practice always the same? Is it a routine? What are the things that you're hoping to get out of those extra moments after practice? It's a routine pretty much the keys that we need to go into the game with. And then also changes week to week on based on what our jobs are going to put us into doing. So every week we go through the same things and then we add certain things that we do for the... What the team that we play is going to ask us to accommodate. Bill, we're going to win. Pull up this dispatch.

4:50:04I already got one here. Okay, Joe and Goplin, pull up this dispatch. Kill them. When... Take those uses play action and they use play action to prepare them. What do they do well in those spots and what's the key for you guys in those moments with Quinn? They do a really good job with ICANND. And it creates a lot of challenges for defense in order to see if it's runner pass. Because that's when they're going to take their shots too as well. So really just having great eye discipline, seeing the line and seeing what it's telling us. So that's what it does. Deep right, Nick Walker, Letterman Rolfe. Hey, look, you guys had a pretty good game plan for Tyler Warren when you guys played him. You guys have another technical that's a good tie-in and Gunnar Hound. What do you guys have to do to limit him and what do you think about his game? He's a really good player. He makes a lot of plays and he has a lot of receiving yards this year. So really just do the same thing we've done all year. Just be disciplined in our responsibilities. And if you're on them, you've got to make a play when it comes.

4:51:06Right, one of the main drill builders. Playman.com. When you look at their receivers as kind of a whole, you know, they spread ball around. So there's a lot of what stands out about the way that they can spread ball around. A lot of really good athletes. I play with Isaiah Bond, last year, who's a really great receiver. A lot of speed. And then all their receivers have made a lot of plays. So I mean, everybody has to be on that peasy queue as if we're going to stop them and do a really good job. Brother, on your 10 May Letterman Rolfe? Yeah, Caleb, you moved up here. I don't have to tell you when you moved. Basically a year ago. And stuff. It was a little bit of a leap of faith because you know, you know how many athletes are on this team. Good athletes and stuff. But when did you really feel this defense come into its own? And then then pass that, man, watching in Rose Bowl, you're recognition of what was coming seem to be on point. Did it feel like that? I mean, you personally. I think the defense has played really well throughout the season.

4:52:07I think we've had games where we played better and games where we haven't put it all together. I think that's how all defenses are. So I can't say there's a certain moment where I think we put it together. But what's your second party question? You seem really on point against Oregon about recognizing what was coming. I mean, you were really active out there directing and things like that. Did it feel like that? I feel like, as Luke said earlier, the preparation that we put in goes into that and just feeling comfortable and what we're doing, comfortable and what we're seeing with the other teams. I feel like that allows us to play fast and me and Laketon to communicate to everybody else. Do I miss anyone's questions here? Steve, how long have you been playing in the sports? Yeah, Caleb, but you came to Ohio State to play for National Championship. And there were a lot of ups and downs throughout the season. Just to be in this position, the last four teams still alive. You feel validated by that.

4:53:07Did you always have faith that this is how it was going to turn out? I came to Ohio State to become a better player and to help the team be as good as it can be, not to win a national championship. Not like that wasn't the only goal for me coming here. I really just wanted to be in the team and be with the brotherhood. But it's a great feeling being in the final four and being with the team and everything that comes with that. But it's a blessing to be here. And then one final question, Bill, where Ben wants to play this back? I did want to follow up. When I talked to you at the after the game, you said, when they scored their first and second touchdown, you were really hot on the sidelines. What was your message to the team? And you know, that's a good offense. They're going to score against most people. Why were you so hot? Really just because we didn't execute, which let them score. So we've done that a lot, which is something we can't do in these big games and these games where it's going to go home. So we got to make the plays when they come and get our competitive excellence as Coach Dases make the play where your numbers call.

4:54:08Caleb, thank you very much. I feel like they're definitely picking up quick. I mean, I was in their shoes one time and I had Zach Harrison, Javonte, Tyler Friedel, and Fred and me. So I was just trying to be one of those peers that they were for me. You can kind of just give them the steps to get there. And I feel like they're definitely picking up quick and they're definitely going to be one of the great freshmen. So they coach Josh and Salki about it. JT and Zach probably need a ton of their experience. So maybe that's one of the opportunities for me to be able to do a lot of them. Is there a difference in the work going on that you could get through after the chance for them to be the last couple? I feel like all the camps I've definitely got in a big course learned and I love that. So I asked Coach J for it. I love getting more reps because I just like protecting my craft. So I mean, some people may not need it, some people need it, but I mean, I was just like he has made it. I mean, for me, it's always just kind of getting my little details perfectly, like my steps, my footing.

4:55:10Kind of just perfecting my toolbox and what we call it and my craft and just trying to be a second winner every place we're trying to do. Yeah, definitely just getting stronger faster, everything all they've got. But one of my big things is being a leader and kind of just not trying to look still look up to Jack and JT and kind of have my own kind of leadership and be able to bring people into it. So I feel like we kind of have a lot of leaders on the D line at the D infosition. So we kind of all kind of just bounce off the chair. It's definitely tough to come and shoot these people from all the other spots guys playing with the ball. You're right on the floor and you're just like, you're just going to get to the right place. But you need to do this guys. What does that transition mean to? I'm competitive and we love it. So you're all competitive people. We all love to push each other. And I feel like the bringing the best side of all is, we're all just kind of bouncing off each other. We're all bouncing off each other and seeing what one person does and kind of better than the archival box.

4:56:10And we all kind of just kind of build one great thing. You remember last year when you got the shot of the full back hit and what? Did they approach you with that idea and you approach them? I mean, how did they come about? Because you heard Jack's all your claw being. Oh yeah. To get the test done. So I definitely did it in high school. I was full back and a little bit of Titan. So I feel like it kind of saw what I could do there in Coach Wilson. Honestly, he loved watching it too. Before he left. And I feel like he planned that seed in Coach Day's head and Coach Day kind of just went for it. And I tried to do the best I could to do it. Is that continuing now? Do you need anything in the screen? New playbook. I do not know yet. I haven't got that far. How tough is that? I like to think myself as a football player. I can really play any position on the field that you need me to. I'm just giving you a weaker two to learn it and kind of perfect it and I'll try to do my best for you. Kid Jack, you the same thing. Oh yeah. And what about the athletes? For athletes, that's what... Hey, this is talking to Coach Johnson on Tuesday about some of the conversations and sort of start you and you got out to have some conversations after JT and Jack decided to come back.

4:57:18Just got to win into those moments. And how did that help you really get the right mindset I guess when it needs to play? Definitely kind of seeing it all the way through. I feel like people kind of just see what happened and they don't know everything that goes into it. How long the season is now. What you got to do to prepare for and what happened and all that time from here to then. So I feel like we definitely just coached getting me kind of connected. And we kind of just talked man-on-man and he kind of just sent straight to me and I feel like we kind of both have been honest. And we know we're making it. We're making each other better every day and we got the 4 best DNs, 5 best DNs honestly. And then coach football and we're going to be one of the best DLines and coach football. How do you feel like the better player today than you were in this season? I feel like I'm taking big steps in my roles of just being responsible and being more of a leader and kind of stepping up and taking a step to kind of get out there more on the team. And kind of bring people in and I feel like we kind of helping out more. I mean I don't break your hand around the past.

4:58:19So it's a TKFC. That sounds bizarre but I mean the season goes by so fast already. So when you're kind of like week 10 and you're like wow it's already week 10. So now it's kind of getting more time to kind of enjoy it and kind of savor it because you've come already here for a freshman split. But you don't want to spend all your power in the first month of the year right? Oh yeah. There is a light set of that. Yeah definitely definitely going to have the mental stability to handle all those weeks and all those practices. How much is Larry talking to you guys around like that? Last question right here. 2016, 2017, 4 and a 12 inch of orange. So how much does he talk to about that? I mean he doesn't have to talk about it. We know about it. We've seen it every day. We watched the film. We see them all working together. We know what it could be. We know we could become. So we know we're right at the same, we're at the right place at the right time. And God wanted us to be here and he knew we wanted us all to come together and kind of play together. And be able to bounce off and just perfect our craft together. And I feel like we all are just great individuals and we come together at something special.

4:59:24Great. Doing it. What would the deliberation come from? I'm surprised it's even a conversation. Like it should always be live. Let's tell you. Tell you. Tell you. Tell you play football. So obviously there's a proximity to the season which is a little reckless, I understand that. But in spring, we're competing for jobs. I mean, if I'm a quarterback, I'm asking to be live so I can show him how I'm different than anyone that can't be live. You know what I mean? They're always trying to find an edge. And if you're never fully alive, I don't think you fully give guys opportunity to be who they want to be or who they can be. So that being said, I will cast my vote, but that will not be my final decision on that. But I will cast my vote. I think I can handle it well. It was good for all parties involved and more we can do that better, but I'm sure that is coming to a close here very quickly. So. At Merriffy, 24-7. Right. Jeremiah off the field. We saw after practice on the Saturday that the mob that came to autograph some things.

5:00:29When you're working with him on all these things you're talking about, but also dealing with the life of being one of the biggest names in college football. How do you help mentor him in that aspect? Yeah, I mean, it's a blessing to be able to be in a position where you know can provide insight or I wouldn't say recommendations, but just give perspective. What he chooses to receive the first perspective or not one and I mean he always does, but which is fine. But to be in that position is really humbling. That being said, he does a really good job on his own. He doesn't need to check the one too much. He's really done a great job. Again, the way he was raised and his morals and humble would always sign and taking pictures. I'm always trying to be the bad guy for him because he's not going to be and just says again more about his character. But he's not the only guy any guy would kind of do that. We have a group full of awesome young guys, but Jeremiah has done a great job with it.

5:01:29He's been on it and it's definitely growing at an exponential rate to say the least. But I think he's built for it and he's been handled at a high level. But those around them were trying to help him out a little bit. What made Quincy the first freshman to do this black track this year? Yeah, I mean, that's a good question. I think that, you know, frankly, you know, I don't, I'm not really fully involved with that. So that can be, but I wasn't. You know, I think that people on the outside would be defense or even coach day or anybody brought it to my attention. You know, we're kind of just going about practice and that's our expectation to make plays, not make mistakes. And he was starting to make a lot of plays consistently. I think the consistent level that he's been as a person, being on, being on time and doing his job description on each play and the ball is coming

5:02:30way and making some big plays and, you know, it starts, it starts being seen by your peers and your peers are asking for it. They start barking, getting a stripe off all those kind of things. That's the ultimate sign of respect. I think with your peers, you know, go to your bat. He's not going for his bad. No one, people are bringing it to your position coach. I think it speaks volumes of the general respect that you're earning through the process. So I think something like that happened and, you know, as well as there based on his peers and the other coaches. Step on christening. Ryan Day was talking about how impressed he's been this spring with Austin Sarevold. All that he's been able to do and Tyler Bohn was talking last week about the importance of the cross training and all that that goes into that. How much have you seen Austin benefit from this spring and everywhere that he's been and how big of a piece do you think he's going to be regardless of where he fits on his offensive line? Yeah, I think Austin's been awesome. I mean, he literally, you know, what was they say, he played every split, every position, we just move around, you know, and he handles it.

5:03:31And, you know, he's one of those guys. I feel like he watched film over and over again day after day. His name never really gets brought up, you know, in a good way. And the other line, your name gets brought up when usually not going as well. You know, I mean, they're literally at the point of the tack on every single play. So there's nowhere to hide. And so, but Austin, when his name gets brought up, he's like, man, that was a good job. A good job. Pass off that combo. Whatever. It's always positive and really impressed with him. You start in the winter. Take a great job through the winter. Again, continue to build a respect for his peers. And then he's done a good job, really good job just being very consistent to spring. Are left, Jeff Gilbert, press pros? Brian, since you've been working more with the whole offense, when it comes to quarterback play, what has grown in your, I don't know, appreciation of that position and what those guys have to do and go through? What do you think more about those guys versus maybe what you thought before is just a wide receiver guy? Yeah, I mean, I mean, there's no just a wide receiver guy.

5:04:31If you are just a wide receiver guy, you won't be a very later home. It's all about quarterback play. You know, so I think in that same world, though, to the point is that, you know, in order to be a great receiver or a great receiver or receiver guy, whatever you want to call it, there's only one page, just the quarterbacks page. So everything is based off them. There, whether they're progression, they're timing, the stresses they have is what we're trying to minimize. So if you don't fully understand the quarterback play, it's hard to maximize receiver play, I think. You know, that being said, yeah, I'm still always learning. You know, I think that I can't say anything's jumped out massively right now. But I would say that, you know, I guess I would say that the preparation level, I mean, the what is required to execute and play at a high level, it's just not capable in the a lot of time, right? I mean, there's only so much time where I'd be with players. If you're not willing to spend, you know, your own time getting prepared for practice to be to maximize one's ability,

5:05:36there's a good chance you're not going to maximize your ability. So, you know, other positions, I mean, online same thing, I mean, receiver play sometimes can, can, you know, get away from it. We do a great job studying and being in the room extra for sure. But the requirement of a quarterback to know the fixed protections, the BR run game coordinator based on the calls, you know, to get us in different checks. I mean, there's so much they need to know. And frankly, the, you know, the online is good as the quarterback, the receiver's line is good as the quarterback. They're often silly as the quarterback and it's our responsibility to put guys in position to maximize what they're capable of maximizing. But their inability to notice that they need to spend extra time outside the a lot of time, I think is critical. And the amount that it takes, I guess that was maybe a little naive to, but I think I was doing a great job doing it. And just a couple more coaches got a meeting, Rob Aller, Columbus Dispatch. Brian, you know, you guys reached the mount top, you got a banner out there, national champs. I think you keep these guys grounded, being in the moment, looking ahead, not back.

5:06:41Do you, are you tougher on them? Because, no, I think that, I mean, I think we have a lot of guys, you know what? I think it's understanding that we were trying to build the map to get to where you wanted to get to. But now that we have the map, doesn't mean we've traveled the path. So like we know what it looks like, the guys that are here know what it's supposed to look like. The guys before us, say, I'm believe we'll example how to get to where you want to get to. So the focus is on trying to replicate what they just did and how they operated. Can't say we've done that right now. So it's very easy to stay motivating because they already know it's not good enough, frankly. And so the last thing they want to do is put in a ton of effort and then not reach their goals. So motivation, I don't think is needed. I think there is a catching up of those and maybe aren't quite sure what it takes, you know. But overall, motivation is not what we've needed. Clearly, if message is definitely what we've been focused on and I think the message is being received.

5:07:45So not concerned about, you know, motivation and the looking back, if you will, I think everyone's pretty, pretty focused on being forward and knowing we haven't accomplished anything. Steve, please. Who would you say is the leader of your wire receiver right now? Well, I would say carnal tape, Brandon and his pride have done the most outspoken, you know, in the room. Yeah, I would say they're doing a good job. Those are probably the two guys that would jump out of my room. Yep. Brandon, he's been a vocal. Obviously. Carnal taking on that role, more and being more vocal. He's a good football player. But obviously, he's the only thing that's been done. But that process for heaven, becoming a more vocal leader to bring you to say that along. What was the question? Carnal, like, what do you think like the growth part of it? Yeah, I mean, he's, I think he's pulled guys aside, you know, have one-on-one conversations with them. He's locked in, you know, just, I think he saw the impact that I'm eccomade in the role he played and to think that you're going to lose that and then be a better group.

5:08:52Part of it doesn't mathematically make sense to him. So someone's got to set up in that role. And one, everyone respects him too. He knows he's capable of it. And that's just the desire and the appreciation, I think, to be at the older table now, the older head. And and appreciate the way I met. Could probably win about his business. And so he probably valued that, appreciated that. And he's just being sure we still have that. Final question. Better than what's supposed to happen. Did you assess the running back room? I think it's pretty much assumed both as running backs to CJ and and James. I think that's hand-in-system is probably the way you've got to go again. How do you think it's working? And you see third and maybe fourth guys up in the mirror. I think that, you know, college football, NFL football, any football really, you got to have depth in running back room. I think that is very apparent in the NFL. It's usually a two back system, you know, very very rarely is it one guy. But in college, I think we saw the benefit of that last year. The ability to compliment each other is really important. The ability for us to identify what they do great and put them in good positions to be what they are.

5:09:58What they're best at, I should say, is really important as a coaching staff. It's been very impressed with even the younger guys, Sam and Bo and the way they've come along, consistency, so what you're chasing, right? You're always able to. That's why you're here, but how often you do it ultimately dictates how much you play. But overall, I think locksmen on them, they understand the standard and in pass pro and not being a guy we got to sell out because you can't pass protect. So we were blessed, especially with tray last year and in Quin Sean. So, but no, these guys have done a good job. They're competing. They've been very coachable. No, it's very, it's shown a blog on film. But yeah, I mean, it's always hard on backs. I mean, every opportunity you get to go live and break tackles really gives you the most feedback on what these guys are capable of. You're just playing tag out there. You never get any art. At least you shouldn't. But the running backs on contact days have done a good job.

5:10:58James has done a really good job growing, really excited about him. Everyone's really excited about him and CJ. So, I think ultimately, how group the, how good will the group be? It's probably based on the bottom rising. You're going to have some guys at the top, but you know, where's the floor? And so I think, uh, bow and sand was guys done a really good job. And many, some more guys to get healthy. Any more guys on campus, but very encouraged. And you saw him improve. And then, um, McClein, I think, is a great plus. I mean, he is a guy that has football intelligence. He's picked it up. He's kind of of those incoming freshmen who still should be in high school. He's a guy. I think you're going to point to and you can see right now. He's going to be a player over to the right. Austin Ward, the podcast. A healthy Mitchell Melton. How does he fit in for your defense? What does he bring to it? Yeah, he's, you know, Mitch is that combination player, you know, in, um, in our four down.

5:12:06Um, you know, he's a guy that can do a lot of things, uh, drop fold in there and make plays. You see some of that all the time. Really athletic. Um, you know, we're kind of loaded at that end position. So he's going to play there. But, you know, like I said last year, we, we haven't needed it. But he's a guy you would point to along with CJ Hicks, you know, for the, for the long season. Um, people get injured. You get a little light inside. It's always hard on the defensive tackles. But if you're going to play with three ends, you know, that's Mitch is a guy who definitely can do all that. He has that over to the left. Joey Kaufman Columbus dispatch. Jim, you've talked about this before, but I think in past years where you're going up against a really talented receiver group offense to encourage your players to, it's not okay if they give up to the play and to go nearly almost the first half. Today where you, the offense didn't get in the end zone until the late in the second half just. And you guys have guys down the second area. Just what, what did you think of that sort of trend and how it's evolved in the way you guys almost shut them out of the first.

5:13:15Yeah, I think it's become, you know, an expectation now. You know, our DB's, you know, our BIA, best in America, we led the country in past defense. Right? I think it was 96. What I, what I got here and it was number one last year. So they've taken that spirit. So it's a competitive spirit. It's an expectation now. It doesn't matter who we're going against. It's, it's, they view it as a standard. So that was good to see in the first, first half. Over to the right Spencer Holbrook, Letterman role. Jim, we've talked about safety changing the way that you play defense and the Leo and the linebackers, but how much does having the depth that you guys have a defensive tackle changed the way that you can do things defensively? Yeah, I mean, you're going to play to your strengths, you know, and that's, that's my job is to what do we have and what do we do best? And when you have defensive tackles, but I've said it before, it helped our defense so much last year, when you have defensive tackles that actually make tackles, which is what we have right now.

5:14:27It changes the way you call a game, you know, it certainly helps you be in better shape on explosive plays on the back end. You don't have to do a whole lot to help those guys out because they're making tackles. So you got to go, you got to go with that, you know, you got to let those guys play and, and they're good. So you can't get too far away from the scheme of having those defensive tackles make place because they're doing it and it works. So you got over to the left, Tony Gurdman, Buckeye Huddl. Jim Ryan talked about the quarterback run being more of a thing with the offense here during the season, how much of when you're facing a team like that, how much does that impact your day to day throughout the week preparing for that? Yeah, it's a ton, you know, it, I think it changes everything you do on defense. You see it everywhere from the NFL on down if you have a quarterback who can make plays with his feet, your scheme better be designed that, you know, to, to take that away into account for it.

5:15:27So it changes the way you look at everything when you're game planning. Thank you, Donovan. Over here to the right, Tim May, the Tim May podcast. Jim, you might be doing it when I asked Ryan about just, for example, Calvin Simpson, Hunt, but the corner seemed to be playing almost with the chip owner shoulder to a certain extent. I mean, Davis and Nick, but no, it took today personally. It looked like you know, to make us some of the height going into the game, but what do you see from that group in particular that? Who is you going into this off season? Yeah, when you can, when you have corners that you can count on, again, it's just like having defense of tackles in the run game, when you have corners, you can count on that are going to compete all the time, no matter what the situation is. And we've developed that again, it changes the way you call the entire game. I mean, you, you're able to leave those guys on an island. You're able to switch out couverges and they know what they're doing and they take great pride in it. So having those guys out there in the development.

5:16:29It's a big deal. It really is. And it's not just the picture of the board. I just came in late back really late. Yeah, I mean, he's, he did come in late and you know, he compete, he's one of those guys that just competes every day, doesn't say much. You know, he's trying to live up to the standard or the other guys and you see him coming along. You know, you see him step by step coming along and, and you know, put him in a, you know, competitive atmosphere, same step up. That's a great sign. And final question for coach Knowles, Dan Hope, 11 Warriors. You mentioned CJ Hicks a few minutes ago. Have you seen him take the strides you need to see the spring to trust him as a guy who could be a potential starter on his defense? Yes, I mean, I think CJ has shown that he has talent and I think it's my job to put him in the best situations for him because he can be a force. You know, he's much better when he's bloodsaying or he's directed because he's able to use his athletic ability, but he has certainly shown that he's going to be able to help this defense coach.

5:17:40Thank you very much for your time. All right, and we will bring offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Chip Kelly to the podium now. We'll open up the questions over to the left bill Rebenowitz Columbus dispatch. Chip, what are your just general impressions of the offense coming out of spring, especially quarterback? We'll look at all 15. So I think, you know, this day is is a big part of it, you know, because it was the first time they were going to play some of those guys that we got to play in from the crowd. And it was an amazing crowd. You know, 80,000 for spring game. Now you could see some of the young guys kind of looking around like, wow, this is different than the indoor. But that's what they have to get ready to play it. So we got better from practice one practice, 15, you know, it's still in evaluation through the whole process, but it's not something in the players, though, too, that we're not making a decision walking off the field today. And hey, this is the direction that we're going in. We'll be very authentic and look through everything and make sure that we get a really good feel for what it all looks like and then who will best move this offense. That's what our decisions will do.

5:18:47What do I do? I think we got a lot of guys there. That part's tough. I think because you got it. There's guys that deserve reps, you know, and they're all competing for it. So, you know, sometimes you'd like to be sometimes when you had a guy who was an initial starter, well, he's going to get the bulk of the reps to get them better, but they capitalize on. We really rolled them, you know, if you were at some of our spring practices, you're watching all those guys rotate and rotate out. And as we talk about all the time, you know, the old adges is don't count your reps, make your reps count. And we'll put it all together and really come up with, you know, which guy do we really feel is going to make going to help us move this offensively over to the far right bill landess, the podcast, Kings of the North. Hey, Chip, you said we first talked to you that the basis of a lot of your success running the football just kind of figuring out what your guys do best and then leading into that over 15 practices now. How good of a field. Do you think you have for that? And then what did the next few months look like as you try to piece that all together? Really good question. It's interesting because the one thing that I think sometimes makes tough and evaluation is what a good front we want to get.

5:19:51You know, so for 15 practices, those guys on the other side of the ball were pain, you know, Jack and JT and Ty Lee can those guys. But I know come fall, there's not going to be anybody more happy that we have those guys in the defense side of the ball because of what they can do. So I still think we'll have to really evaluate that what we're going to what we're not what we got to get better on what we got to work on. But I think the work we got against such a quality defense was really key for us. Over to the far left, Nathan Barrett Cleveland dot com. So you were going this time, came out of the spring with still a lot of question marks about the offensive line. And even I guess that last season came out with question marks. What have you seen that progress in the time that you've been here and what's your confidence level that that offensive line is going to allow this offense to do everything it wants to do this fall. Yeah, I mean, I've been here short amount of time. So I didn't know. I really don't have anything to compare to. So I kind of tab you the rassa come in with a blank slate and just observe it. I think we're really athletic. I think gotty and in Seth and those guys inside are really smart and really intelligent.

5:20:54They allow you to to be able to make adjustments in game. Just talking football with some of those guys. It's like, well, these guys are wired the right way. And a lot of those guys have played a lot of football. So they can bank on their experience. I think we've got about four guys that have played significant amount of snaps and we got to make sure we can find out who the fifth guy is. But that's similar to where the quarterbacks body is, I think. And I also think of the offensive line. You're not going to play a 16-17 game season and just playing the five guys. You really have to develop your depth there. There's going to be a number two center that's going to play a lot of football. There's going to be a number two guard, whether it's on either side of the ball, there's going to be a third tackle. I think you're going to get tested, especially in this new playoff format. You really have to think that way. So, you know, you're not looking for five starters. You're really looking for 10 starters because you're going to have to. You're going to have to probably play that guys to get when you get through a 16-17 game season. Over to the right Austin Ward, the podcast. I think it was the first play of the game, the T formation and then the reverse spin move with Will Howard. What's the inspiration for that package and that sort of wrinkle with the quarterback?

5:21:58Mr. Hayes, there's a looming figure around this whole program. We get to get to work every day in the Woody Hayes Athletics Center. It was good enough for Woody. We're going to stay there. We're going to do it. We ran some last year. I think we took 21 snaps at UCLA and T got a short yardage formation for us and we've done some different things with it. I also think our players had a lot of fun practicing that and doing some different things. It's a small part of our offense. We will not be in the T 21 times in one game. But we may get it in some short yardage situations. I think it's come back. There's a lot of schools right now that are starting to do that. It's really just you're trying to, you've got a half a yard to get. You're trying to get your big guys in the game. I think we use three tight ends and two running backs in our formation today with Packard being the full back in that situation. There's a lot of different things you can do in short yardage but a little bit of a tribute to Coach Hayes and what he means in this program.

5:22:59Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch, over to the left. Chip, did you look back? You've been here two months, 15 spring practices. Is there something you feel best about what you've been able to accomplish with this offense? Well, I haven't accomplished anything because I didn't take a snap. But I think the most impressive thing since I've been here is how close close this football team is. Some programs talk about a brotherhood. This is really a brotherhood. Our practices, as we talked about, how good our defense is. They're highly competitive but they're not combative. And those guys really work very, very well together, both the whole line and the D line and the secondary and the receivers. The competition is going to be the best there is in the country. That makes you better. But I think sometimes competition guys can lash out and get really combative. And then all of a sudden the fight breaks out and the fight breaks out. And we're trying to accomplish and get footballed on them. But I think the way these guys cooperating work together as a group is a special bond. And I think you're going to need the closest team and the most connected teams on the ones that win. Over to the right here. Andy Baxter, Letterman Rol.

5:23:59Jay Fobbius, there's been a lot of talk about Jeremiah. But Ameca is the big return in this group. He kind of reminded everyone what he can do today. What's it been like working with him and what kind of weapon can he be for you guys? Good point.