Press Conference (James Franklin) Elite Edition September 3

0:00And also I want to take a moment and thank and show respect for Coach Farrant's and what he's been able to do at Iowa. It's unbelievable. In some ways it's sad that 11 years has become the exception in college football, but what he's been able to do at the University of Iowa is super impressive and I wanted to congratulate him and all his success. So open up to questions. We got first row on your right side. Kenneth Berry, touch on the tangent. Hey Kenneth. How's it going? Good morning. Coach, and all your years you look about at the Vanderbilt year where you guys had a record-breaking season. You look at the you made it to the Rose Bowl and with St. Quon and everything. How close do you feel like this team is and how much do you feel like they mirror the character and the identity of those teams?

1:00And this being your 11th year in the conference, how good is it feel seeing the influx of African-American head coaches not only just getting jobs across the landscape, but the Big 10 pretty much leading all of the conferences with a number of African-American head coaches that are currently present? Yeah. I'll answer the second part first. I love the fact that Big 10, the Big 10 is one of the leaders in this space. I think that sends a very, very clear and loud message that people are going to be judged by their work and their production. And I think the Big 10 is a great example of that. Obviously, something that myself and Mike Loxley and a lot of the guys take a ton of pride and a ton of work on his well. And hopefully that becomes more of the trend across college football as well as the NFL. Just spent some time the other day with Rahim Morris, who is one of my best friends.

2:00He was the defensive coordinator at Kansas State when I was the offensive coordinator. And now the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons getting a second chance, which is also not common. So I think that's powerful. And about our team and maybe some of the similarities to some of the teams that we had at Vanderbilt and over our time at Penn State as well. I think it starts with the three gentlemen that we brought with us to this event. Guys that are experienced guys, guys that have had a ton of success on the football field, they've handled themselves the right way academically on and off the field and have won a ton of games. So there are guys that embrace that were at a place like Penn State where we've been able to consistently for the most part when 10 or 11 games, but that's not the expectation at Penn State. They chose Penn State just like I chose Penn State to compete for championships. And we embrace that. But we are one of the few programs in the country you can win 10 or 11 games and people are unhappy.

3:04So we embrace that. We're excited about those opportunities and it starts for us at West Virginia in Morgan Town, which is going to be a challenging opening game. First row here. Good morning, coach Nick Hamilton, nightcast media. Hey Nick. How you doing? Good. Once I ask you about Abdul Carter, him changing positions, linebackers defensive and how much do you feel like that will strengthen your defense this season and also how does that play in the state as far as throughout the locker room as far as taking that type of role being a leader in the locker room? Yeah, so I think first thing is he'll play both. We have the flexibility to play in both positions. He's one of the unique athletes and that was playing linebacker at 250 pounds. And you never know how that transition is going to go playing in space at the linebacker position compared to moving up to the line of scrimmage and having to go against offensive tackles.

4:05He made the adjustment pretty quickly. And at the end of the day, you're talking about one of the more explosive physical athletes in all of college football. So we think he's got a chance to make a significant impact week to week. We'll decide where he's going to have the most impact for us. Whether it's on the line of scrimmage at defensive end or in the linebacker position this spring, he stayed mainly at defensive end and get comfortable with that. And then after that, we had a really good conversation. He's open to doing both. That'll also put us in a position where people can't gain playing and know exactly where he's going to be on the defense. So we're excited about that. But he's really grown up. I'm proud of him and his development academically as a student athlete, as well as a football player. And we need him and expect for him to have a huge year for us. Got a very, very close relationship with him and his father.

5:06And I'm proud of him. I'm excited about what he's going to do this year. On your left side. James Bill Rebino, what's in the Columbus dispatch? Hey, Bill. You got Julian Fleming as a transfer for Ohio State. How excited are you to have him? What kind of impact do you expect him to have for a receiver's unit of it? It wasn't all that exposed to last year. Yeah, he's a veteran guy that's played in this conference. He knows what it's all about. Obviously, you know, we got a ton of history with him and his family. Recruited them very heavily out of high school. But he's thriving. You know, he's very comfortable. He's very confident. He really came. Got on campus. Most guys should do. Kept his mouth shut, worked, earned everybody's respect through that first. And now he's really developing into a leader for us. His improvement from the end of spring to now. He is healthy and lean and explosive and fast right now.

6:09And just from the feedback from the players over to summer, has really done a nice job. Looking all the metrics and the numbers from our strength staff is in a really good position. I think he's got a huge chip on his shoulder and excited about the opportunity at Penn State. And has really turned into one of the leaders in that wide receiver room. So we're happy to have him and expect for him to do some big things for us this year. And I appreciate the question. Last year on your right side. Coach Franklin, Kyle Golik, Mike Ferrell Sports. Hey, Kyle. Hey, how are you? Good. We'll do. Hey, you mentioned earlier about Southern, Cal, Oregon, UCLA, Washington, joining the league. After the 2018 Ohio State game, you had your what I refer to as the epic good, degrade to elite brand. So with these teams coming in, where do you feel Penn State stands in the pecking order?

7:10And a follow up, if you don't feel Penn State's quite additively, what do you think the knitting lines have to do to achieve the elite status? Yeah, I would describe it as a speech, not a rant, first of all. But no, I think, again, back to the comment earlier, you're talking about a program that you can win 10 or 11 games and people are not happy or satisfied. That's inside the lash building and that's outside of the lash building. We totally get that and embrace that. I think our players understand that when we recruit them, our staff understands that, when we hire them. And as the head coach, I embrace all those things as well. I think Week in and Week out, the big 10 is arguably the best conference in all of college football. I've been fortunate to be a head coach in the SEC as well as the big 10s. I think I got good perspective on that. And then like you mentioned, adding the four new schools makes it even more challenging.

8:15So we'll have an opportunity to figure that out and figure that out real quick starting at West Virginia. We're fortunate to play most of those teams that we discussed. We want to play those teams that you discussed, both that have been in the conference historically as well as that have been added. For us, we got to play our best when our best is needed most in the biggest games at the biggest moments. And I think if you look at us specifically last year, did some phenomenal things, that's the step that we need to take in having a returning starting quarterback. Obviously helps with that. We're a quarterback driven game, whether it's in the NFL College or high school and having a returning quarterback at that position that did some phenomenal things. I think he was second in touchdown, the interception ratio. I think he broke the national record in completions without an interception. So did did some phenomenal things and we got to build on that.

9:17And then I think the pieces that a puzzle around him, tight end, running back. And then receivers been the big question mark really since last year. We got a ton of confidence in that room. Those guys got a huge chip on their shoulder back to the question earlier about the addition of Julian Fleming as well as the guys in that room. They've had a great summer and we got a ton of confidence of what they're going to do this year. We're going to have to play well early on, build confidence and carry that confidence throughout the season. Coach Franklin, thank you so much for your time. Thank you, sir. That was a really wow. You know, it's impressive. You know. What do you say to make Tim? I guess it's just natural. I don't know. I just like, how do you explain that? Yeah, I mean, I don't know. Smarrows that he chooses to practice doing that, whether it's a home in the mirror or something. You know what I mean? I don't know how he visualizes, but he just gets it done. You know. Want me to do that first drive in the second half. And they drive all the way down the field. You have that past deflection and then zone. Yeah.

10:18What's kind of going through your head? I know you want to limit it to three of anything. Yeah. Are you limited to zero instead? Yeah. Just tendencies going throughout the week being prepared. I kind of had a good feeling. You know, being a work on the field, I kind of figured he was going to pick on me. So I was high alert all week. So. Do you know the last time that the Cardinals as an organization did not allow a touchdown in three straight home games? No, I didn't even know that's crazy. No, yeah. I feel like, man, I just speak to the leaders that we have in our deepness of room. And they really take this game serious. And I really appreciate that. That was 1926. That was the last time that the Cardinals had out. And I used to it, man. We got some cooking out here, man. You ready to take me through? What you see all this? Man, I was just playing bar, man. It's kind of crazy because games like this when you just leave the field and you're just like, wow, man, we're just playing bars. So I can't even walk you through the play by a play, man. I was just, you know, locked in the other guys playing on me today. And I don't want to be the weakest league, man. JT was down. And me coming in, there should be no drop off.

11:19And it wasn't so. Take it. Let's start playing it here. Yeah. I'm crazy, but I couldn't stop smiling in the locker room earlier when I found out. So it's just a real moment, man. And my older guys got me ready for this moment. So that's all to them. You can meet me in front of this entrance. But as you guys are playing right now, man, I bring violence to the game and they bring it with me, man. So I told my group before we went out to the day, man. We seeing red all day today. And that's what we did, man. We had a great game today. It feels so good, man. I'm not going to like it when I feel amazing. You talk about that, but that's what the JG Friends is. So long weekend, I mean, what do I say about you, man? Just the preparation we put in throughout the week, the way we practice, the way we take care of our bodies, the way that we meet, the way we communicate, man. It's like it's one heartbeat out there, man. That's how it should be every week. Is it preparation? That pregame bill, you mean? I did have my spaghetti today, too, yeah. So yeah. I did. I told you I got to have every game, man. I don't feel the same. It's like rabbit fuel, man. So it's preparation, man. The superstitions, man, did people have it for the game.

12:20It's a mental thing. At the end of the day, it's ball. Ball is always going to be ball, so. So real quick, can you just take a spoon? What is it against the pregame bill? I get the spaghetti. They ain't had a pepper flakes for the pommas, y'all. So I just had ranch today, yeah. But yeah. Forgetting and ranch, man. They'd be saying it's nasty, but I think it's good. Yeah. You think the minstens he made to try that? So I don't think everybody knows it, but if somebody did ask, I recommend you. But you can't put too much ranch or too little ranch. You've got to have a good proportion on it. Yeah. So ranch on pizza. Oh, ranch on everything. Ranch on everything. If I'm at the house, I'm putting ranch on my steak. I can't do that steak house, but if the house I'm doing it, yeah. Yeah. It's like country boy and me. You know, I've done some great things at Ole Miss, and I've learned a lot. But I think just for me in my third year, you know, you want to be somewhere in a complete cycle of high-o-state, like I said, great culture, great teammates, great coaches, best players, and the best for him, baby. So, you know, I mean, just, it's for us, just be able to pull, you want to be around

13:28coaches that put you in a position to, you know, elevate yourself as a player and show more to your game. So I think Coach Day and Coach O'Brien will do that for sure. You know, just being all around back, you know, like just doing it all, you know, not just being, burning the ball inside the team, the tag coolers are outside, you know, just giving me a ball in the passing game, just showcasing everything that I can do with it. What did you see at the time, Coach O'Brien? You know, I've seen Coach O'Brien, you know, what he, what he coached, I played against Alabama in 2022. So I played against him and how he used to make gifs, and I've seen a lot of that being those things, and also his career when he's with the Patriots as well. So seeing how he just coached, you know, so really good. How's he talking about, like, his role, the role that he sees he went for this offense all year? Yeah, he's, he's came and he spoke to the team about, you know, him as a coach, who he is and how he plans to involve everyone and what his role is, so it's really good.

14:28I think I run tough, very elusive, fast, you know, I have vision, patience, I can make people listen, I run you over, I can catch up, you know, it's very different. I think just with Trinion, we're kind of, I don't know how to explain it. I would say, you know, he's good at what he does and I'm good at what I do. So, you said it? Yes, sir, yes, sir. Which is one of the three of you? I don't know. What makes you so hard to have? I think just my will, you know, my will to want to win the determination to get into the end zone and just help my team win. Came out of high school, you knew of an vision, you're full of it, you've done lines, you shouldn't realize it, you know, I'm not a bad guy. No, actually, you know, I did not, you know, as you go through your journey through high

15:34school and through college, you don't know where you'll end up as. I'm just blessed, very thankful for everyone that has helped me to get through this, you know, this process to be here and I'm excited. Is this the positive side of the Trinion oil base? You go somewhere, you have success there, but you're able to then put kind of another step before you go. Yeah, definitely, I feel like, you know, there's many things that are growing out there as far as when players go into the portal and things that aren't true, but, you know, it's actually more than that and players just want to elevate their game and show kids the way. I imagine that people on the table in the program and the other teams, and the man who is the right person, who are the people that are the right people. Yeah. Oh, we're kind of reaction, did you get to use that? It was crazy, you know, a lot of different things that were, a lot of different emotions, but it's a bit, it's a bit of an experience. So, you understand that, you know, people won't always be happy for the decisions you make when it's best for yourself, but like I said, I'm just excited to be here and do what I can. And I'm going to ask what you should do.

16:35You know, definitely not a factor for me. I think just me as a player, I just played football at the end of the day. I go out there and contribute to what I can do for my team and that's what I'm going to say. How much did you know about Big Kid football coming in and then send out a little study if you had to pick out? You know, I did not know that it was this big of a factor. You know, you always see it on TV when they play games on Saturdays and it's big. It's a lot of fans and like I said, everybody's passionate, but when you're here in it, it's a whole new football game, so I'm really excited. Did you have to just skip past that at all and decide to come to a big 10 school or, you know, with a part of the country, like, was that an adjustment? No. Not really. I would say it was probably just only a little cold, but other than that, though, it was an awesome process. I think that wasn't a factor for me. What do you talk about? What about the football club? What about Wil Howard and the quarterback you think is? I think Wil Howard is a great quarterback. He's a great player. I see him as a vision. He can use his legs. He can also throw as well.

17:36He's very smart and just looking at his film and what he's doing at Kansas State has been awesome. For you, the running backwards, that's you really have to quarterback who is a little trapped. It's very good to be in that position because not only will he open it up for you also, but he also gives the receiver the chance to, you know, be able to be used in the past. You talk about the place that I have a pretty good route for here. I have to be at more. Right. I've got a place where some of the other drivers are. How much did you know about your higher position right now? I've never heard about it. It was a big time. I've always heard a lot about it. But to be here and you see how big it is, they got the clock in there with the countdown. It's serious. So I'm excited to be the team up North and that's what we're working for. You played a good film, man. Right. What are your impressions of that? Yeah, definitely a great player. Like I said, everyone that was coming here, this portal class, great players from all around their different teams and Caleb personally, you know, he's done some great things at Alabama. And we're excited to have them. When you play that, how much do you want to play for the first team? Right.

18:36I think when we played, we more so, we're trying, we had a different ball game plan. Like we're trying to throw the ball and he's very successful there. He's stopping it so. That was pretty good. Which of you are some of your favorite running backs that you'd like to watch? I like Alan Camaro, Christian McCaffrey. I would say also, I like Jimiard Gibbs at Detroit as well. So just those three guys right there, I've been doing some great things at the portal level. Those are your guys that do a lot. You've already told it. That's all around the game. How important is that at the point of your doing Q&A? I think it's definitely important, especially where the game is going with running backs in today's game. I think it's overall, you have to showcase what you can do, not just ask. I ran it back in the back field, but also in the slot or wherever, though you can call just what you, be able to execute. What's that we're going to have to protect? That's definitely important as well too. For me personally, that's important for me personally, but because it's important as well.

19:39I mentioned that this conception of people having a traffic jam in the outside of the game. What do you think is that? Like I say, like about NIL or different days that don't pertain to everybody's situation. You know, it doesn't pertain to every single player, but a lot of people get that speculation as far as when people want to make certain decisions here in the portal. But we know it's always a lot of fun. I was a premier in the U.K. for Mississippi, the U.K. on this. When you make that decision, I'm starting to see some of these things going forward. Some of them are from the U.K. And I'm kind of finding that how it's different over time as a young man making this decision. So I feel it's easier for you to think about the truth. Yeah, you know, just do this whole process. You know, this is my first time ever going through this. And like I said, many things were saying, you know, from just the rumors and all of those things. But I think just throughout this process, I've learned a lot. I'm very thankful for the support I've had for my family because it's throughout this process. And just to end up here in Ohio State, it's been awesome.

20:40Other than that, it's been very interesting to be in that room. Is it just locked in the room? Is it just a little bit more of a conversation? I wouldn't say that. I think it's just more so, you know, just the whole thing. I was saying just the word that really told you. That's what the more we include, that is what it knows you. I have it. I recently just got here. So I haven't found too much like different places yet because I've been trying to hold the man and be acclimated. But I'm for sure from some other spots. What are your impressions of Will? I mean, I know that Stan's doing that. But back then, was potentially trans-well. He was running back trans. He was running back at how much you got to talk to him. I mean, through this, not recruiting process, but trans-well process. Yeah, immediately when I got here, you know, me and Will, we've always been in contact. You know, like just checking on each other, hanging out, no matter what it is, just having that personal connection with each other, off the field, and having that relationship. So, it's a great time. Did you ever, did you ever see a fish with Trey?

21:40When you were talking about thinking about coming here, did you ever see a fish with Trey? About what you was going to do, what's that bring to all of what you were doing? Like I said, like I think with the time that I was in the portal, it was such a short amount of time in the process. So, I think, you know, just trying to decide on where I wanted to go. I wasn't really focused on contacting anyone. Have you been to Ohio? No. There have been so many. You know where it was. Yeah. But nobody was, but I've never been. Okay, okay. You know, he's from the first of the 24th of my time. Except for Freedom Stand, right? You know that? Yeah. What's that process like from like persons came from your point of view, where all of that was, and what's that life that I was doing? Yeah, when everything, I agree. I think, you know, when everything's moving so fast, you have to stay poised as a player and focus on the things that matter, things that will put you in the best position. And I think that's what it's really about for me in my process.

22:40Who was your, who was your last trip on the tire? Who was that all-faction on the East starting to build a place to make you two different people? Very happy. Yeah, you know, that definitely plays a factor, especially in today's game with the five-span-of-run backs in the NFL. So I think that, you know, with the, like I said, the situation here just made me able to come here and contribute to this team and do what I can when it all. What did you mention? I think it's right. I think it's right. I think it's right. I'm curious, something like that. You know, like I said, any way that I can contribute to the team and do what I can to show and execute, that's what matters. And actually, you're given up the tire and you do the way that the trigger is. There's a lot of carries up there too. Right. Give my phone like, do you like that? And do you think it's that part of the curve, you know, you said from the outside to the other end of the game? Yeah, and not just that team as well. It's many other teams that do the same thing, you know? And I think it's just really special that what they've done together, just seeing how they play together, how far they come to see themselves, very special.

23:40And not just that, but how much carry the day to time last year, having a quarterback that can run or two running bags, I mean, is that how much the Fed expect you to have a fact to deal with that option of the opponent? It's very exciting just to know we have so many weapons and so many different ways to win the game. So it's very exciting and I'm looking forward to it for sure. How do you start to rationalize that decision? I don't think it's something that you more so just specifically think of, but I think it's something that's important in today's game that has to be valued as well. Did you feel like you were overused at Ole Miss? How would you describe it? I wouldn't really say overused. I don't think that's the word. I think, you know, just when you're playing, you don't focus on those different type of things, but, you know, like I said, you don't really talk about it. There was much made though about used to play with having a meeting with Coach Kidney, who knows something about the direction of the opponent.

24:41How much of that was true of how many Americans see it? Was it any of that true or just, you know, what was that all about? No, it's just a rumor. But I got to say, man, like a lot of people, they won't be happy when you make certain decisions for yourself, but just to sign it up. Did you enter it thinking, oh, how I was stating, I just walked up here a second ago, but you probably went all over this, but... When did Ohio State get on your radar this time? A possible landing spot. Just a nutshell maybe. Immediately when I got in the portal, you know? What? I think, like I said, this is the place that you want to go to, you know, a place where everyone's passionate and everyone wants to win here, you know, and there's a great culture and everyone is focusing out and into do something that's bigger than themselves, you know? Why wouldn't you want to go to a place like that? A lot of people are saying you and trivia on the same backfield and even having dail in there. This might be the best running back through some in the country. Do you feel that way also a lot?

25:43Definitely. I feel like, you know, with everyone in our room, they contribute in their own way. Everyone's a great player in our room, so I definitely agree. What's your thoughts on how to pass this thing? You know, you said I was going to be successful in the game. Review what it... I just swear, like, on a second down, it wasn't just a problem. Yeah, I think more so for me, it wasn't about, like, this is where I want to go immediately, but I think that I wanted to make my process pretty short, especially when I got in at a later time because I had to be in the world in school. So I think just more so, just figuring out where I wanted to go and, you know, making that decision as soon as possible. What was it on the code that you said? Just, like I say, the meetings, what Coach did, everything that I was showcased. This is just the place that you want to be. Two quickies, the name Quint Shawn, what was that come from? That came from my parents. Yeah. I know, but I mean, what was your background? I don't know. Of course you were. I forget that. But, um, I really don't know. I've never asked my parents that question.

26:43Actually. Yeah. And then, number two, the hairstyle. What's that? What's the juice? I came up with this hairstyle in a march of last year. So I just decided one day. I was like, okay, I want to die half a year. So I just went with it. I got a lot of great compliments, so I can't be the same. But I want to get more, but I'll tell you more about it. I'll tell you more about it. I'll say more about it. With you, we'll be able to see. Um. And I think that Coach, you know, especially when you're not getting reliable, and sometimes you have no chance to do that. Um, they want to know that, but I think you know, I don't think that Coach, she actually actually has a lot of things to do. It is here. It's here. How do you accept that and break that? You know, I embrace it well. You know, that's what everyone here works hard for. And that is the, the end goal. You know, it's not to get a certain amount of wins. That's the goal. That's what everyone is here for. To win the national championship. So I take it seriously. Um, everyone here is caught in.

27:43You know, whatever it takes to get that in. That's what everyone's trying to do. What's your subject for the first time? Let me know in a moment. One question. You know, you don't focus on things. Like I say, the most important thing is playing football, especially for me, you know, the NIL, that was that wasn't like, you know, something that I was focusing on. You know, I was just going out there playing football, and doing what I think. I was just, I'm sure you could have gone for a lot of places. I think the guy you're running that is, you know, you're in coming here sharing the load with Trady Arden. You know, I think just more so, the situation here in La Conde City just coming here, being not only with Trady, but just great players all around and being able to execute and contribute to this team and do what I can to help us win. That was the most important thing. Was there any thought about like, you know, taking some tread off your tires, like knowing that you have had something carried you for the first two years?

28:43I think just, like I said, I can today's game that's something that is important for running backs, you know, to be able to bow you and to think about as far as the shelf life and things like that, but you know, just in my situation come here, that was the most important. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The pig mentality of problem of instant gratification, you know, you can develop and grow. So, and sometimes you may be, and behind a guy that's a really good player, there's nothing wrong with developing and growing and playing when your time is right. And if the time is right right now, the freshman, like, what was your name? Did you play early, you know? So, we try to also sell that, you know, we care about them as people and try to prepare you for life after football. So, it's bigger than just football. We're going to prepare you for life, whether it's the NFL or on with a regular career in the workforce. We want you to prepare you as a young man and we try to sell that and preach that to the parents. With Tremaine having gotten it, in fact, you mentioned, holding all these different spots. Do you anticipate, you know,

29:43there wasn't a lot of rotation among the cornerbacks last year, when everyone was healthy. Do you anticipate maybe growing him through the rest guys here with the longer season potentially? Yeah, we play it about here. You know what I mean? We see how goals, by the time we get in the camp, but, you know, obviously, he's earning his stripes. So, you know what I mean? You earn your stripes, you know, a lot of jobs to create opportunities for you. You know what I mean? We have to see how it goes with all the other stuff. You know, once we get closer to the season, and we're getting the game plan stuff, but he's doing a great job, and he's taking a great step forward. Tim, when you're the way that you can build the room, or the way you can kind of just have a shirt from now, it seems like it's been, like, sonopies is kind of a relationship, and kind of building bonds. But I'm curious, is that something that you came in with the, like, a couple years ago, with the intention of doing it, or is it something that you're like, that's kind of been cultivated over the course of your Thomas position, both here and the guy who? No, it's been there for a while. I've been doing that for a long time. It's all about relationship. If you develop real relationship, and you're authentic in your communication, and you have honest feedback, and you have direct teaching, the guys that have a value in character

30:44and they appreciate that stuff, they'll embrace that. But they have to know you care, and you have to know that it's real, and they have to know that you're really concerned about where it is a young man, and when you get close to him, it's been a lot of time with him off the field. You could coach him hard, and you can say truthful things to him, and then they'll embrace it, and you have real conversation, because you know, the only goal is to help him get better as a young man. As you see, a couple years ago, I think those are the most known list of the... I've received really so far ahead of the border with a kind of skewed-out evaluation sometimes. How's that dynamic change in these two years? I think it's gotten older, and you've been better even more counted. Yeah, it's done balanced up a little bit now. That goes with great competition. We go against the best receivers in college football. So that helps escalate your growth process, because if you don't figure it out real fast, you're getting embarrassed. So that competition, and what happened with that, I guys start competing, I guys start growing, I guys got better, and now it's even up a little bit. So where you get really good work at practice today, you know what I mean? So as competitive,

31:44it's fun. Those guys both on both sides of the ball care about each other, so it's great competition, and they all are real close. So you know what I mean? It's that stuff that gets us better that will prepare us for Saturday. I asked Denzel, kind of like that same idea. He said, like first day practice, actually the receivers kind of got them, because I didn't get it. But they're able to make a poll, maybe if you're this... No, it's just, it's gonna competitive, man. They got the best group in the country, that you're going to get every day. So you have to bring it every day, you know what I mean? So we got a great quarterback room, we got a great receiver room, the running backs are really good. So when you out there going against them, it's deep. So you have to be ready for it. And obviously, man, we're seeing a lot of good stuff with Coach Day and Coach Kelly doing over there, and so it prepares you a lot, and it helps us grow. So what's your room playing kind of an massage tube for three and three? What's that? It's the one that you're reading. Or a wide receiver room kind of, like a part of your reading, it's like these are the guys you get to play at the gym. Yeah, all of that's because, you know,

32:44that's where you get better. Our shop is our. So you know, you get to see that every day of practice, that helps you grow. It's no better thing to go against every day, than to see that on a daily basis. I'm also near room massage storage, looking at to play that in the spot. We just moving a lot of guys around. We watch our practice, we have a lot of guys in there right now. You know, we pop out through a four different guys in there, obviously the ring's old in there, the gym ain't in there, Kelly. Miles, we have about four or five guys moving around. Right now, we just try things out in spring ball. See what it fit, you know, see what things work together. So it's probably some more guys in there. You know, we move it around to try to just get the right fit throughout the N and C. How it goes by the time we get really start the season. What's in the sound about Calvin to some part of that? He can run any strong. You know what I mean? He's fast. He's very serious about his business. He's big, he's 200 pounds. He can run, he's strong. He's conscientious. You know what I mean? He's starting to grow and he's starting to get better with it. You know what I mean? So we look for big things for him in spring. What do you want to see from here in spring? Keep competing. You know what I mean? Now he's made the transition competing today.

33:46You know what I mean? Start going in. That transition is all just like how I'm in your main last year. You throw them in the fire, you let them go, you compete. You go by the time we get out of the end of training camp. You have to be them figured out. Yeah, I want that. But now you just throw it all at them. Compete. Continue to grow, continue to learn. He has the skill set. He has the length. Now you just got to put it all together. And it takes time to do that. And hopefully you see that by the time we get in the training camp. It seems like a midway through spring and kind of click for the main last year and you start to see and perform a little better in practice. Is that like a benchmark for where you want parents to be? By the middle of spring, does he have to be in a certain point where you wanted to start clicking? Yeah, by the time you start getting about two weeks from now, that last week. You know, because it takes time because there's a lot of stuff going on. But you know, by the time you get into that last week of spring ball, you look to start seeing the things that you look for show up. And then you get another evaluation again when you get into training camp. See if this stuff carried on to make sure we go up for starting in September. What's your assessment of the growth of the lenses made now that he's kind of got his feet under one defense? What do you like about him and that knickles?

34:46He's very conscientious. He's smart. He can run. He's tough. He's made the adjustment because he's out of Europe on his belt. So now you can see he's not making a lot of mistakes. He competes. He's real conscientious. And he has a physical presence. So the growth has been really good and we look to continue that throughout spring. Coach, thanks very much. I can ask one more. All the guys that came back, like Denzel, the great example. That surprised you as you reflect on all these guys that came back late for the ransom. They could have turned pro. No, the culture here is real. Coach, they does a great job of building the culture. Our room is close knit. The guys on defense are real close. Those guys want to come back. They have an agenda. We want to come back. They want to come back and walk away with something. It didn't shock me. But it's a good environment for them too. That's when you see those guys come back. That's a testimony to the culture that's set here. The brotherhood, the environment. And I, Coach, they run the program for those who want to come back. Because we go edit. It's hard.

35:46It's not easy. But what we do. So, in fact, they come back and do that as a testimony to how he runs the program. Coach, thank you very much. Thank you very much. I think my capability, what I'm capable of, and then the personnel we have. Like I said, they're going to try and get the best level on the field, whatever that may be. So, you're still trying to figure that out. Just the fact that the conversation was about, it may have been hard for you to keep your weight down the stage. Do you look bigger? How much have you changed, physically? Are you allowed to just like finally eat now? I mean, last year I was eating regular like, I was like 2.30 to 2.35 the whole year last year. I don't know if people thought I was 2.25, but I was like 2.35 sometimes last year. So, it's not really like anything changed. Obviously, I'm a graduate of the game, some more weight. You know, I'm listening heavier weight. It was different training to be a DB than training to be a linebacker. So, you can gradually get a little bigger. Do you, are you embracing that different kind of training?

36:48Yeah, I love it. I love to be with the linebackers. I think with the DBs, like sometimes in the way room, I was expecting to win. So, like when I won, I was like, oh, it's anyone. But when I was with the linebacker, now it's like it's more of a conversation. You know what I'm saying? Not any hits with the DBs. I'm 2.30 going against someone who's 2.05, you know what I'm saying? I'm expecting to win. So, I love the competition. Cody said you came in and said, well, it's already bigger than most of the linebackers. See, are you playing Will and Sam at how far is the position? I've been working on both, yes. Is there any, like, fundamental difference between the two in terms of both? I'm seeing Sam's in the game. I mean, obviously, Sam, you're more outside the box, outside my backer overhang. You can be walked up on the edge on the tight end. Will's more inside the box. I think the biggest difference from Sam and Will, Sam, you just got to be more outside sometimes during the slot with two. You know, but I think it's similar concept. Because you can do the same thing in the boundary. It's almost more like the same for the field and the wheels at the boundary.

37:49So, I think it's pretty similar, honestly. The only difference is that Sam, last year, I never really was an interior run fitter, like in the A gap, you know, going A to B or whatever that might be. So, that's a little different. But I mean, I think I got some of that experience of safety just from a few yards back. So, like I said, the only difference really is now just suggesting the less time. Yeah, Coach, how's it coming from where you're coming from? You have a better perspective of what's going on. Because you might say, you know, I feel like I have a great understanding of the defense. I think that safety, I kind of already knew what the linebacks are doing. So, now what I'm really starting to learn is like exactly like every little detail with the D lines doing. That's not really what I didn't know every little aspect of it. I think I'm starting to learn that now because obviously the linebacker got to be knowing that more. So, I think when it's all said, no, I think I have a really, really good understanding of the defense and knowing exactly what everyone's doing. Do you feel like you're warm enough to afford the makes of the defense too at that linebacker? He's out of the sun because you can be dropping one minute pass rushing that you or me.

38:51I think you can handle some of that anyway. I think you can say, being a linebacker in the play, you're almost in every play. Obviously the play can run away from you. But you know, safety sometimes you're just back there, playing every guest. You take two back battles and it's a tackle. So, I think yeah, a linebacker, you're in the play more. More opportunities to make tackles. Can you feel comfortable there? I mean, what does that, you know, obviously you're staying that linebacker? Yeah, I feel super comfortable with it. Like I said, I think it's just going to be adjustment. Obviously it's different playing from a five than it was from playing from like 10 last year. I think it's an adjustment, but I'm super comfortable with it. So, are you talking to your dad and giving you any advice on the new position? Oh yeah, we watched table all the time, watched practice. You know, he was a high level linebacker. And I'm just getting started with this. He gets a little footwork and stuff like that. But it's good. I get good teaching him. You know, obviously coach Laurenidas, great player, great teacher for him, coach Noles. You know, he's a super smart football mind. So I'm getting great teaching all around. So I think everything happens quicker for you.

39:52How much did the experience playing from that Sam Scott-Beyes to your health? I think it helped a little bit. It's been like in terms of physicality being in the box down on the line. But I do think the run fit as a will and a Sam can be a little different. Like in terms like I said, like being an interior fitter, like you're a 30 backer, you know, an A you get pools, like you got to go spill it. And things like that. But I think I'm adjusting well. I think I'm picking up on stuff pretty fast. You know, there's still going to be a lot of stuff to work on though. Do you feel more pressure talking to the media with your brother sitting right there? Not at all. What do you think has been the biggest change from linebacker to safety climate? I think the biggest change will probably be that 10 to 5. Because it's a big adjustment because everything's happening faster. And you got to react faster. And like I said, the waist and movements. I think footwork is huge. I think when you see the great linebackers, seems to play habits are going.

40:54They're not taking any waist steps or not fall stepping, things like that. So I think waist and movement and being able to see what's happening react to the fast. It's been a big spin fitter between the same team with your brother. I mean, you know you got someone out there that's a, it's more than a team. We call each other brothers, but you know, bloods, bloods a little thicker. So that's always pretty cool. It's always, it's never 101. Yeah, but when he tells you something, he doesn't observe that, you know, it's coming from. Yeah, I think when you're blood like that, I think he's not scared of telling me the truth. You know what I'm saying? Obviously guys here, we have tough love. But I think it's always going to be a little different when it's your brother. Because he's going to keep it 100% blood exactly what you need to hear. Not what you want to hear. What's your advice on playing pickle? Oh, for him. Yeah. I mean, he just so have let it. He got to keep trusting his instincts. No, I think he's going to be great. I think what's huge for him is like I said, the athletic ability. Speed, you know, he bliss off the edge.

41:54He's, he's, he's been blessing super fast. And he's just great in coverage too. So I think something really good. I think we'll do a lot of different things. Kind of like you see a hand caught. Obviously a little different body than a hand caught, but I think he's going to be really good. And once the stuff's on that field, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's his time. Thank you. Great. What have you seen for Jator? He's time. We saw him on Saturday running with the ones. Mm hmm. But the two seems like he's making a little bit of his opportunity with the key. Yeah, he's been a guy that's been on the rise, you know, to me from where he was when he started. Spring ball to where he is now. He's made more plays at practice. His eye discipline is better. His understanding of the defense is better, which allows you to be able to play free and be able to play fast. So that's what I've seen so far. And I can, I expect that to continue. Who? What about Jator? We played, not see him before dressing. He's been great. He's been great. He, first off, we do a thing where we track. How well you run to the ball every practice. One of the things that we grade, right? So you can talk about all the schematics that you want. Coach Knowles has all that. But if you're not running to the ball, you're not playing good defense, right?

42:55So we track that. And he's one of the guys that every single practice is one of our highest grade guys running to the ball. So he's been awesome from an effort standpoint, first attitude. He's in early. He puts the work in. And he's made a bunch of plays out here. So now I'm excited about J. I'm a client for sure. You talk about running to the ball. You mean like he's ball hockey really well in the back end? Or is it a nose for the football running game or both? Yeah, so we're really tracking effort and how hard a guy's playing from there is what we do. But I would say this too. He's been around the ball a lot, right? With his alley running and he's downing the ball. And on a break through run or fitting gaps and things like that. And then he's got really good range in the post for the half-two. So he's done a good job of both of those things. I guess all the above. Yeah, I do. I do. And it's been an opportunity for you have a couple of guys out there. So you're able to continue to grow the depth and be able to see what guys can do. And you have increased reps from that standpoint. So I do feel confident.

43:55I feel confident in the guys that, how they've performed so far this spring. And the guys that haven't been out there, I feel confident from what their abilities are, what I've seen on film, and then the mental preparation from that standpoint. Now I would go back to refer to what late was like a couple of years ago and taking that same blueprint. Yeah, he's done, I would say the mental side. I would say if you took, he has really good physical skills. You see him when he walks on the field. I mean he's a, yeah, no doubt. I would say the mental side of the game, right? Really understanding what's the defense, what's my eye progression, where do I fit into this chess piece? You know, what's my chess piece in this whole match that's happening? And yeah, I've been pleased with him and he's putting the work in to make sure that he understands what's going on. I wouldn't say we're not, I'd say it's great, right? And because his preparation is so high level, it challenges you as a coach to be an elite teacher, right?

44:57Because he's going to be on his game, it's like coaching a professional player, right? He understands the concepts in the game so well, he's put so much time into it. As a coach, you better be matching or equaling that, right? Going above and beyond that, because if not, he's going to be a step ahead of the coach, right? So that's, it's been awesome to be able to push each other to make each other better. He's got a great understanding and feel for the game. He's a great young man, the work ethic is really high level. So every value that you would look for, not just for a skill or entangible thing, but who he is as a person, I can't say enough about who Caleb Downs is, it's been awesome. What's the next step for you for Latham, man? We'll talk about the preparation that Caleb has. I'm just Latham coming back from your final state, coming back from injury. What do you want to see from him? Maybe it's leadership, maybe it's on the field. I don't know. What is it for you? Yeah, I think leadership is definitely something, right? He's a guy that's been there, done that, has accomplished a lot, but not the goals that he wants to yet. So I would say from a leadership standpoint, holding guys accountable, and he's done that at a really high level.

45:57And then his own preparation, I've been impressed with, you know, if you're not taking as many physical reps, what are the mental reps that you're taking? And he's done a really good job of having daily routine, putting the time in, making sure that he's caught up with me with everything. So I would say the off the field stuff is a step in the right direction. What did you take away from your experience, like you as a coach, or maybe that, since we last saw you, you've been through multiple spring practices. You're like, what did you learn, something in your time, or when, or just, for you as a coach that you brought here to bring the safety of injury? Yeah, I think that you learn different ways to be able to do things, whether it's taking the ball away, or tackling methods, or, you know, the way that it's taught from other defensive coaches, so to learn from a different tree and thought process and philosophy, you know, I try to, I pride myself on being a teacher, which means that you better always be learning, right? Or you're getting behind. So I would say, yeah, just different ways to be able to maybe do similar techniques or things that have to be done from a defensive principle standpoint,

46:57and then, you know, bringing that to the table. As you step back and you say, okay, here's how I've always done it, or I've done it in the gym-null system, right? And then you're in a different defensive system, and how does that get executed? And then you can blend some of those or pick what you like from there. So a chance to reflect that, say. Did you feel like you accomplished what you wanted to do away from the gym-null system to bring it back to the gym-null system? Yeah, I mean, I think any time that you're no matter where you're coaching, right? You have principles of defense and a way to be able to play defense, whether you're how you tackle or how you play the red zone, or different things like that, and there's metrics to be able to track that, and some improvement was made. Not enough of my opinion. You only move there where it strives from that standpoint. And then, yeah, when you come back into it, you say, okay, the system here has developed in a year that I was gone, right? And then maybe I'm able to develop a little bit as a coach too, and from a positional coach or a coordinator mindset, things like that, and then you're able to mesh ideas and come back, and you learn, hey, what's the new that's happened over a year? And then I was able to see the big 10 from the different lens as well. And, you know, so I think that's valuable.

47:58Man, last question, down a few safeties on Saturday. Just kind of, how do you feel about your depth of that position right now? Something that, you know, we've addressed and say, hey, here's the guys that have played. Here's the guys that haven't played. Who's taking the reps right now, and how do we grow those guys? You know, from a mass standpoint. So I think it's a work in progress every single day. So I've been pleased with the guys. I think there's been a, you know, steadily on the rise approach from everybody in the room. You know, so I've been pleased with the guys and the progress that they've made. So I feel good about it. And I expect that to continue throughout spring, and then continue throughout summer and into fall camp, you know, from that standpoint. Yeah. For some of those guys that maybe haven't played much here, but you can see it making a little bit of spring. Yeah. Jaden Bonz was taking advantage of the opportunity that he's had. Jalen McClain's taking an opportunity, you know, advantage of the opportunity. Inky had a really good day today. You know, it's taking advantage of the opportunity. So the guys that, you know, are taking reps, you know, I'm pleased with watching those guys, you know, continue to progress, you know. And the Caleb, I think, is, you know, learned our system and done really well and gotten better every day. All right, man. Thank you.

48:58Thanks. Appreciate it, guys. Coach Day's offense and Chip Kelly's offense is the same offense. It's kind of neat going back to the roots and the origin. Maybe understanding a new twist or why he called it how we did. And it's been great for the Titans. I'll leave it at that, not to get too much in the scheme, but we've definitely benefited and me personally learning every day. Do you look at the, I guess, the most of it experience for you, dude? It's actually, coach, compared to other years, the emergency intensity technic shirt talk. Yeah, I think, you know, awesome. That's a great question. I hope not, right? I think, I think the energy was still there with a guy like Kate. Now, again, it might have been, like I said earlier, also it might have been, you know, the 3000 level course with, with Kate, because he's ran that play for four years before I got him. Right now, it still might be the, what do I got to do? And yeah, I mean, I hope the guys feel that the energy's picked up,

49:58because the urgency has, I mean, eight number eights, not in the room anymore. Great. We're going to play somebody in a couple months, right? And there's got to be a tie-down down there. Hopefully it's two, hopefully it's three tie-downs out there. So hopefully they feel the urgency's picked up. I believe that the roof is structured, but she's been in the front for a long time. But it felt like year after year, it was fun. The better guy, the next one, the better guy, the next one behind. That's, like, the dynamic of it right now. Is that for the beginning? You have to provide full leadership for the guys. You know what I mean? Is that after a couple more? Is that just a G's job, even if it's not for the whole world? Yeah, I don't know. I'm not going to put it all on you, right? But again, the leaders drive the culture. Whether it be G or whether it be Pat, who's been here for a long time and played a lot of football, whether it be Will came in and said, no, this is what it should look like. I mean, I want those guys to take it around with it. You know, on Saturdays, I'm in the box. I'm not cutting off the C-Gaff. It's got to come from them. Now, again, my job is to coach. To make them hear things they don't want to hear. They're pushing to do things they don't want to do. So I'm certainly going to do that at times.

50:58I'll keep doing it. But they've done a great job of driving the culture. Keenan, you were in the room with Rick Kevin. Was in the offensive meeting room for so many years. Does this have a chip kind of get you guys back to where you guys were with Kevin? I know that the room has an offensive staff. You guys were kind of young last year. Now to have chip with that experience, is that kind of like what you guys have with Kevin? You know, some similarities. I think the comparison is that we're talking about Kevin Wilson and Chip Kellier, two of the brightest, you know, minds and offensive football in the last several decades. So I think there's some similarities there. But yeah, I think it's a loud one coach day. Maybe to delegate, you know, to Coach Kellie and let him be the best version of himself. And Coach Kellie's been an awesome leader, right, of driving us and listening and providing input. So it's been great. I don't know if it's exactly like it was with Coach Wilson, but it feels great, however it is right now. Ken, it was initially a bigger role. It's definitely for Jolani in the cotton bowl and that not get to come to fruition as much as the way that game played out here. You know, I don't remember exactly what, you know, the expectation was he was going to help contribute.

52:01And certainly we wanted him to contribute from the jump and keep him in there contributing. The game kind of started off, you know, not ideal. And we had Kate in there and, you know, that was his last game as a buck guy. So we felt comfortable riding out with him, but I think Jolani and everyone else is kind of focused going forward. Did you guys see him coaching? I'm doing the bull prep that was a step forward at all. Yeah, oh yeah. Yeah, he definitely takes that forward for sure. If you are painting an ideal situation for the fall, what does the depth look like in terms of how many guys you'll trust? I think I got six seats in there. So six of the toughest dudes on the team. I'm not sure I'm just giving the coach speak, but I mean, however it shakes out. Hopefully we could play 13 person, no 14 person now. And I got guys out there that are going to go, uh, reach them happy. But I don't know. They're going to make that sort of out right now. I'm worried about whatever Thursday's practice, the toughest dudes on the field. Are you seeing enough of that to feel comfortable saying that that can happen by playing? Yeah, yeah, I mean, we're taking strides.

53:01We'll see about the end of spring and then hopefully fall camp. It's a long ways away from wherever we play with one. Can you, uh, what's up with my coffee? Yeah, it's been great. It's been great. Pumper turn and kick return and again to coach other positions too, right? I mean, I mean, special teams comes down to technique and effort, right? And that's the ultimate test of the brotherhood and no one signed up to be a buck out of me on Pumper turn. They want to be first round this, first round that. So it's been awesome and involved in that. What's that? Oh, yeah, we're working quite a few guys back there. We got some options. So that would be fun. You guys were thinking about puts a lot of you that maybe have a bigger world. What was the, what is he giving you guys that would make you think that there's more time? I mean, he had more time, right? Just because we have that whole month of kind of December for development. And, uh, you know, the bull press a lot like spring ball and that he has those three or four weeks, you know, uh, to get the reps he wasn't getting during the year because Katie was taking it.

54:01Right? Yeah, I think good. I think it just shows that, you know, next man in we trust you fully. Kate couldn't go. No one better than I was G. Then it was Pat period. We called their offense. There's no modified offense or anything like that. So to put our trust in him, he went out and made a lot of plays and both of this kids played really well. I think that helps the confidence for him and awesome. Really good. When you look at G now, do you, and this is a prestigious question maybe, do you see a tight end now? You're still when I'm saying from a couple years ago, years ago, he was, you know, he moved over from my receiver and all this kind of stuff. What just jumped out at you about what he brings to the tight end spot? Yeah, I know what you're asking too. I promise you, I never like, he's in the tight end room. I didn't say, oh, but he's a receiver playing tight end. He's a tight end. He's a tight end. So he's going to be greater like a tight end, treated like it. I never really, but like Kevin talked about when the, you know, first made the move, you want to, you want to get this guy some confidence, play and tight end, meaning,

55:05I'm not going to say he gets lesser opponents, but having some success out there, you know, like in the run game, the blocking aspect of things and stuff. And he seems to progress big time from that. I mean, do you feel that way too? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, he's gotten way better. And again, I practice. He's on the left side. He's against JT. He's on the right side. He's against Shaq. So I mean, there's no, this is Ohio State. You're playing against the best every day. So he's definitely progressed. Do you think that elaborate effort you guys are having us, special teams? Do you think that's benefiting you guys in terms of just how you're coaching at the end of the game? Yeah, I think so. Dan, as far as ownership goes, right? Like, I mean, I'm not saying I wasn't invested last year, but shoot. I'm a part of the tournament, kicker, turn. I mean, that's Coach Hartlan and I's product out there. And if there's not tight ends all over those units and they're not going to play tight end in Ohio State. And I bet you Hartlan feels the same way about the receiver. So as far as the buy-in from the staff, heck yeah. Heck yeah, for me, at least speaking for myself. When Coach stayed broke that up, what did you think about that change? And number two, what has he told you he wants that he wasn't getting from a special team two years ago?

56:06No, he never, he never told me anything about last year. It was all about, okay, how can we be, this is, again, Ohio State. Whatever the janitorial staff is supposed to be the best in the country. The tight end coach better be the best tie down in the country. Same thing with quarterback, same thing with Pumberturn Coach. On the Pumberturn Coach, I should be the best one in the country. So I got to work with Coach Hartlan and Coach Keys and everyone else. Learn in this game and techniques and now we got to put on the field. You find yourself studying punt returns or like NFL teams and things like that. I mean, how are you doing your prep work? Oh yeah, yeah, Coach Hart, Coach Keys, Thanksgiving or not. I mean, we lot ourselves in a room for a week there. I don't think I did any offense. You already have pretty good knowledge of return game or good moves. If you'd have to, like, start from scratch. No, yeah, there's no starting from scratch, Dan. I mean, it's all ball and that's the coolest thing about special teams is if you're not special teams, it's going to make you better tie down. It's going to make you a better DB. You're running back and it's like the technique and everything like that. I think I had pretty fair foundation and then maybe some tweaks and, you know, we have to decide what our identity is going this season. Then we come forward after a few years.

57:07We played a big role in the game. What do you mean? We've seen his development. What trust is he against what kind of trust is he? Yeah, I think he proved it on special teams because he played on special teams before he played offense. And then just reps up practice again against blocking the best linebackers in the country. It doesn't matter if you're a five star or if you're a walk on. But to that point, I think sometimes there's a mentality of what he's just a walk on. That does not exist with Pat. It's went out the window to start a, once you start a plan. How about you here? How about you guys? How about you guys? About 1130. How many stars? Oh yeah. Is that help you? Oh yeah, they know. I think everyone in my room knows and you know guys I talked to on the recruiting trail. Kate went down and there was G and then Pat was right in. I didn't have that in I. I'm going to put the toughest dude out there who goes to the hardest. Right? I don't care if you're from Ohio, you're a dancer, a buck guy, if you're a walk on or a five star. Whatever should help us win, you know?

58:08We can marry in events, not here yet. You still work with them for a while or how does that kind of work right now? Yeah, we can. I mean with Max and Toe, it's FaceTime and it's encouraging them to get here and watch practice so that when they get here right after graduation, we can hit the ground running. But yeah, it's much prep work as we can do on the front end with, you know, setting up tipsheets and that's what it is. We're technology nowadays. I mean, COVID we had to do it. So yeah, we can get to work right now. Two more questions folks with the special teams question. The collaboration that you guys have, it's three people in one room. Like how does that work semantically where you guys are all putting your heads together to get one idea? How does that play out in the room together? Yeah, I mean, luckily, I mean, it's Coach Hart and I. I mean, that guy, we worked, we're seeing each other every day for the last eight years and luckily I worked four years with him. So that's so organic. Hart and I just kind of bounce each other, thoughts off each other. We can read each other's minds by now. I think that's how close we are. So this really organic in there and then Coach Keeze does a great job of kind of setting the direction, giving us some expertise and we just kind of have a flow off each other. Okay.

59:08I've been seeing the guys react to that. So you're coaching the special teams. Yeah, I think they like it because like the accountability, again, if my tight ends aren't on return to kicker drink, they're not playing tight end and they know that. So I think across the board, it gives us a platform to coach other positions. She in a time when the print transport is so big and the guy like jeep probably going to left multiple times or you wanted to. What does that do for the room? To have a guy who's a leader, he's just so step-ass and like, I'm going to stay here and make an impact. Jesse, go. Yeah, I think it speaks volumes. You hit the nail on the head, not just for G, but for the brotherhood. I know it sounds cliche and people read it on Twitter and kind of roll the rise of brotherhood. Why did they think the entire defense came back for the brotherhood? We got two goals here. We haven't done them since she's been here. He hasn't hit his two goals, so he stayed for the brotherhood. So I think it speaks volumes for G as a leader in the room. But also, you look around a roster, how many guys could have either left for other opportunities in the portal or in the NFL. So I think it speaks volumes to the brotherhood. Is it different at tight end with the transfer portal maybe because for some positions it's such a development position at tight end where you have to develop run blocking?

1:00:13And you have to learn the passing game. Is it different trying to keep kids around maybe in the portal area at tight end? Yeah, maybe it is. And I haven't really thought about that because it's still so new. I think you've got to be so honest in recruiting. If you think I'm going to walk into a living room and say, come be my starting tight end, I should be crazy. You're crazy. Now, come prepared and get to work before you get here. And I'm going to give you the opportunity to. Again, I'll question earlier, I don't care if it's a senior or a true freshman. If you could play, you could play period. I can't wait. Give me a true freshman, you could play tight end. It's the Ohio State. You've got to block Jack and JT. And then your dog tired next play, you're getting covered by Downs and Latelyn and all those guys. You kidding me? Is this NFL? No, it's Ohio State. Right? So yeah, I think it's a little bit different, but you've got to be honest on the front end. Thank you very much. Awesome. Thanks, guys. Thanks, coach. Thank you. We're there, just circling back to what we had, natural maturation a little bit because he's been through a little bit of spring boys. He's been through a little bit of camps. So you're still learning the terminology, you're learning a new skill set.

1:01:15But he just dove right in and wanted to be a sponge and wanted to learn. And he's doing a good job and he's improving every day. So that's what's making the battle and the competition. And all these great snaps really good for us is because they all have that mindset. So from Seth, awesome. The unit in the group, awesome because there was no combattentance to it. Let's get in, let's go on this compete and then let the guys win. Luke said the skill set made you guys win. You can go with the link in the comments. Just learning the same deal. The young guys you come in, you've got to learn how to play in friction. So having three tech, having two eye, having those guys right in front of you. That every time you take one of those reps and you're out of your base or you're in your base, you feel the good, you feel the bad. So being more consistent that way, you can't make moves or shift guys if they're not mentally there. And so for him, he's got a pretty good football FQ. So he's continuing, he's growing every day, he's working and he's getting beat every day too. And he's learning from those. So in the spring time, we have saying in our room we're like, in the spring it's just and it's no.

1:02:17And the no is KNOW. Why didn't the rep work? What happened? And how do I make sure I don't repeat the same mistake? And so whether he's coming in and watching the tape on his own and then come with questions, he's grabbing me and watching tape with me or we're coming doing stuff as a unit. He's learning so that same deal the game can slow down and he gets more comfortable there in friction. So I mean, he's his weights up, his strengths up. He's spending all season with Mick. You know, there's a lot of development that still has to be had. Obviously not a finished product, but being able mentally for a guy to handle that, you know, helps a lot. Similar to Carson. Yes, the monitor can have Luke as well. Luke, a leaner guy. Did you tell him that? He paid you to say that? He did not pay me to say that. That might be the first time he ever heard that in his life. No. No. No. You know, like Luke Carson, whoever maybe that jump of 18 to 19 to 19 to 20 year old kid, that plays a lot into it too.

1:03:23Being in a full year with Mick. I mean, all those guys, you coming at mid, you're like your Devo and Dion and Ian more right now. You're keeping your head above water. That's your whole first year. And now you can actually get and we can sit. So when you sit and talk about a jam combo or a lock or whatever the call may be to Luke, he registers that. And I like something new because then there's paralysis by analysis. So I think the mental part on top of another year, natural maturity of getting bigger and stronger, that's always going to help. You know, guys here, they're not going to regress. It's going to keep adding progress and how fast can we get that going? Is what we're working on every day with him? He would have been all guard to this point. And Coach Day has mentioned this several times that Josh could play guard too. And you guys are trying to work through that fire. Yeah, he's, I mean, Josh could play off five. I mean, he snapped the ball in high school. You know, Josh had a great off season. But for you, when you're going to your spring and it's fact finding and experimentation, how much do you want to put them in different spots or not?

1:04:25Because you also have an eye on August to try and settle on five-man rotation. What's the balance of that for you? You have to get a really good, great,able set so that everybody has numbers of, you know, just like we said before, how many times have we done? A run blocking or pass blocking in this situation so that that all evens out. So that's the, it's not experimentation. It's just making sure that you get a good book of work to work out and grade that. So as we, you know, work guys around the platoons and go just to make sure that everybody gets good, greatable reps. So we can sit back by the end of spring and say, all right, this is your comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. And not, you know, apples to oranges because it's completely different that way. So that's kind of the thought behind that as you go into the spring. When you got here a couple years ago, you just met your fellow at FolkG. You two years from now, Chip Kelly is going to be here as office at FolkG. What would you have said? Not laughed. You know, but then I said, you know, it's college football. So who knows, right? What's up in like, I'm sure you're enjoying it. What's up in like? Yeah, I mean, he just added to another piece of just good people here.

1:05:26I mean, you still, you're coming to work here with guys every day, you know, with the kids we talk about a thumb, but then for us as coaches as staff. So adding just another good dude that's in the room. Obviously, as he says something and, you know, he might speak in old terms or terms that we had, you know, maybe be a little bit of a rosetta. So I'm like, no, no, this is this is like, yeah, that's right. Because that happens to all coaches that happen to me when we got here. First, I was at what's coach day sometime with Ryan's like, you know, what do we call this? Because he was in a system like that before. And he's, oh, this is this now. So I think just the, you know, translation of the rosetta stone there help, but just overall standpoint of adding a great guy that's a great coach that's been around that's, he's going to supplement the room and every time you add something new to the room, then that makes the room better, it makes you individually better. Oh, look how he does that. Maybe I could do that. Maybe I could bring that to my meeting room. Maybe I can bring that to communication to the staff or to the kids or whatever it is. Because he's, he's done it for a long time and he's done a high level for a long time. So it's good to add that guy to us and then continue as us to rest the staff for me and Brian and Key and everybody just learning and growing with that.

1:06:33What does he bring specifically just, I mean, does he from a talent standpoint? Does he see things sometimes, others don't see, I mean, does he, I mean, you know, what does he kind of bring from the chalkboard aspect of that? Well, I mean, what you're saying. So what does he see? It's good to have fresh eyes come in that maybe, you know, you're getting a routine and you're getting a rhythm and all of a sudden, you look for like certain aspects of like the running game, football, you know, he's one of those guys that I think goes into categories, forgotten a lot of football and some people have learned in their life. But no, his, I believe he coached every position on the field both sides of the ball through his whole career. So as he looks up and he writes when he's talking about, well, this will linebacker's going to do that. Then he might have coached that at Columbia, right? Or this is what the three techs going to read on a down block of a tackle because he's coached the offensive line and he's been a coordinator for a long time. So just a really good vision of big picture, understanding and, you know, the next step and not just being running it out of you. What does that just ticker if you had a theme or whatever, this spring?

1:07:36Because I mean, this seems kind of like a, not a make it a break in time for him. The time to step up and step in point was nobody cares. Nobody cares what struggles you have or whatever you got to go out there and feel like you get the job there. It's a life point. If you know she think different about tech, what do you see about tech? Yeah, he's competing his butt off. I mean, he's kind of living that way. You know, that's why we have that, the red line over there. When you cross the line, you know, coach, they talk about that here. Like it's, it's, the game doesn't care. You're off the field. You got to come out and step out and do your job. It doesn't care about anything off the field. Right? And that can sound really negative and harsh. But then it also, if you just spin your tone, like, isn't it beautiful that the game doesn't care? It doesn't care that your skin color, your socioeconomic background, where you've come from. If you just want to do it the right way in the 53 and a third, the game will love you back. You know, so I think it's the approach mentally that guys take that way. So yeah, for Tegrit, he's, he's taking that approach. Like he, he wants to come in and be a guy.

1:08:38So he's fighting and clawing and scratching every day. So when he makes a mistake, he's trying to correct it when he does it well. He's trying to enhance it. And that's what competitive people do. And that's what he's showed up to do. So that's good that he said that. Or something. What's his coming up with on the field been like as a center? And is that difficult when you're coming into a new offensive line to have that? Or is there something innate about the center position? If you've been experienced at it, like he has where you kind of have that? I guess command on field over with any offensive line. So I should say it over, it's all over again. You're saying the comfort of center with who now? Seth. Okay. Yeah, I'm saying like how has his command of the field been? And has it been difficult, I guess, to adjust for him if he's to have a certain level of on field command, you know, at that center? Yeah, I mean, the on command is just great communication getting everybody on the same page. Yes, having a bunch of banked reps helps. But then when you do come into a new offense, just like we talked, you know, chip a little bit earlier. You know, he might have called it yellow and we call it green or something.

1:09:40I don't just make it stuff up, but the transition of that in your head to get going with that. But yeah, the comfort of having a ball on your hand, having a guy. I mean, you talk about acclimation of football. Like play one handed and have, you know, tie leak this far from your face. You better have command of something, you know. So you got to understand the communication and the technique and those things there. So yeah, I think him coming into a new place, the game's not as fast as it probably would be for a younger guy. But also there's mistakes there that he can learn from and grow from. And same day, he's, you know, the one thing we're not having concerns with, we're not driving right now as the guys just competing and trying to get better after a mistake. Or like we said, we're enhancing as they've done some stuff really well. And he's adapted to that really well. This spring is the same for Sam and how do you assess their own by center versus guard? Could they do both? They both have been ripping its center. Yeah. For the competition aspect, could they roll out and play guard?

1:10:42Yeah, probably both of them could. How do you assess that? You just got to give them a bunch of guard reps. But if you send guys out too much that way, then that's not good coaching, you know. So we got a good plan with everybody. Those two guys included as we're moving ahead. But yeah, they've been really working at center position right now both of them. Would you ask about Josh Cimaget? No, I have it. Obviously came after spring practice next year. How has that seemed down here as you? How has he been this spring? It kind of speak to how what the challenge must have been for him last year, not having spring practice stepping in playing that position in the experience quarterback? Yeah. Same. He's been here not even a four year yet. So coming in the summer, doing what he did, coming in through the fall. And then now, I mean, the same with him. Sound like a broken record. I think the game's slowing down for him. Those mistakes that may have showed up or the questions that he had through the fall. And as we got going through the season, those are starting to erase a little bit, which is good.

1:11:42You know, his communication level is just talking more. That's probably the best thing that he's done so far. He's a highly, highly talented guy. We're just developing that skills and discipline and does go into communication. So as he communicates and talks, that's probably the biggest thing I've seen from him, which I think, you know, volume and communication equals confidence. And so he's playing much more confident right now. Obviously, he has talent. He also had a few plays of game or, you know, the penalty or whatever. Have you seen him reduce those? A bunch. Yes. Coach, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. Thanks, Jeff. I understand. All right, folks, we will come back when? You know, the communication and how everything works. I really just understand the football. I just kind of understand how defensive linemen work. You know, you're going to get the best investment in Coach J. It's an investment. I think that's where I come from. How can that chemistry be different from the company and the regular website? I think it's an even here. Like, they'll be, you know, the best thing about it. I think it's an even here. Like, they'll be, you know, the best thing about it.

1:12:43I think it's an even here. Like, they'll be things like, sometimes we won't even have to communicate. So we just, you know, like, we'll have a year of the ball together. And it was great. It's like, it's a challenge. It's like, it's a challenge. It's like, it's a challenge. What did you, what did you come to this screen? You know, you can go live to be the only disrepresentant. I came in knowing that just about everything. I mean, like, obviously, I kind of, I kind of feel like, in terms of like physical attributes, I can kind of like move and strong and stuff like that. But I think like, there's a lot more to it that I need to work on, even to come close to what I can do. To me being able to help a team, like, such as technique, awareness, just everything. Definitely communication, I think that's like the biggest thing. Urbanier and those big games, or you gotta be able to, you know, call it out, like, like, the pressure might come and stuff like that. So it's awareness and ball. I'm curious, the Q&A, the good for I is coming to summer, get the start right.

1:13:43I have a full spring for this one. Is there a level of understanding how we coaches and what we have to do as players and how we have to do our better than helping. Folks, we have Dallin, Hayden, not the 20. Yeah, who wants just 100% effort and just work hard? Like, obviously, like, there's more to it, but those are the things that he wants to do and want to put back, like, physical. That's the summer I pick at every day. Someone out here gets the best for this one. You've got to go forward, Dr. You've got to go back and ask me, is it almost like you've got any of these? All of them, they're throwing me all the stuff as a adjustment. I really think that is great for our needs, too. Definitely, but I kind of, like, when I come here, I knew Coach Fry and staff like they were gonna, they're gonna definitely like, scope me into the player. Like, that I would, yeah, scope me into that. Like, they know that, like, scope, I mean. Oh, scope, yeah. Okay, okay. Like, just kind of make me into that type of player. I mean, the development factor from Coach Fry and I mean getting these, like, I didn't even, it's like magic almost. So, I mean, I'm just kind of keep going with him and just keep riding with him.

1:14:44Yeah. Having his free practice, having the summer all has the best and how much better do you think? I guess we'll see. I'm gonna keep picking at it and... Sure. We'll see what we'll be. One of my players, hopefully, described you as a big guy. First of all, you have free with that? What do you think they should see? I guess, yeah, I would say sure, but I mean, I can't really take credit for something like that. You know, the boy I like that is, you know, the man above, kind of, put that in my dream. So, how much is running game changing? New odds, whatever you want to call it, with Chip Kelly in charge? What if you noticed this little bit, little, little nuances or stuff? I mean, maybe like little things. Little things add up to big things, right? Yeah, I mean, yeah. Yeah, well, where do you think you guys were lacking at some point last year in certain, some of those matchups? I mean, it was a whole new line, so I mean, like, I know the side camera shoots each other, but other than that, it was, I mean, it was a hard game.

1:15:44Nothing's gonna be like, for sure, what's going on, you know, you can have some hard times. Yeah. Did Missouri test y'all about as well as anybody? Just about, yeah. Yeah, they were pretty good. So, what did you know coming out of there, y'all had to get fixed? Uh, to be honest, I felt like we just tried to go out there and just play hard. Like, obviously, we know number six was a really good player, so we just had to make sure if you can either back through as much possible, so that's really, we can try to go to. The stripper game a little bit, Josh, wouldn't you do well when you saw the world cup of those? Just stripper dancing? Yeah, so as a left tackle, I feel like the number one job is making sure nobody gets to the quarterback. And that's something that I try to do, make sure nobody kind of get around me or go through the ring, just keep the quarterback playing out of the field, a lot more. You gotta be able to do a lot of play, you know, more people in the run and stuff like that. But like, that's probably one of the biggest things, not sure if the quarterback is playing. What do you like to know about your, uh, how was it essentially self-category? Yeah, so I mean, we got, I mean, yeah, the main deal I mean to go through, it's always twisting and stuff like that, so in the run, no twist, too. So, you just kind of like, I guess you just got a really state technical sound.

1:16:46That's somewhat I'm trying to do in the run. Josh, if you're gonna get, uh, Mitchell Melton, this spring and stuff, what, what stands out about him? Obviously, he came back from a couple of knee, knee injuries and stuff, but what's just jumped out at you about him? Yeah, you wouldn't even know he had the two knee injuries. I mean, he's so, like, the way he rushes, it's, it's so, like, it's his signature rush. Yeah, it's something that you can't, it's probably the heart, it's probably like the hardest person I've had to block here, if I'm being honest. Like, he's very twitchy, great with his hands, amazing get off. He has that sneaky power, if you're not really like, setting for it, he'll get you. So, I want to get your take, you know, he came here from San Diego State, your center, the guy's transferred in Seth McLaughlin, whether he starts or not, we'll see, right or no, he's from Alabama. He's an amazing, you have college football teams who are put together anymore. I mean, cause he could be a key thing, and what does that just tell you about the game these days? I mean, yeah, I mean, it can go anywhere, I mean, like Seth is a great player. He tells me, like, you know, stuff that they did differently in the back of the back.

1:17:48And I try to take some of, like, maybe some advice he has, cause he's been a college football player a little longer than me, so. Yeah, he seems like a grown-up, doesn't he? Yeah, he comes across that way, then. Yeah. What's the line of the line that you're asking about after the World War? New pieces? Like, you can go like, Taynes, what's the line of the pieces? Play fast, play physical. I mean, there's obviously more that we're working on, and we're learning, like, each other to be honest. Like, you know, the right side is, like, kind of, like, going a little bit. I mean, not with fire, but, like, you know, we have, like, some people that compete. I mean, we're all competing. I know I am. And stuff like that. So I just, um, we're just trying to play hard and play through. How true most of the way through this world is how helpful is, how, how necessary is really a spray that you can have some add-up? Uh, yeah, I, it's very necessary, especially when you kind of got a new OC and stuff like that. You can get, it's best to kind of get, you know, comfortable with the scheme now, then maybe, like, post-acam, because then, like, in, like, a few weeks to get, you got week one, so. Yeah. Good time to last year, Troy.

1:18:49Jim, do you have to lead on to that future? Uh, I mean, Don, he's, like, dude, I owe Don, and I, like, he's an amazing player. He gives me, like, insight on just what, it's, like, Notre Dame. I've never been, like, more nervous for a game than Notre Dame. I mean, I just kind of talked to him, he said, we got it. Keep doing what you do, and we got to it. We got it, we got it, we got it. Probably a little more. Oh, yeah, especially. Thank you, Josh. Thank you for having me. Thank you, Josh. So, um, like I said, I just sort of been tough on me to leave this year, and, uh, with the opportunity we got, you know, you only got, you only got one more chance left to, you know, to go do something that not many people get to do, you know, in their lives. So, uh, we're in a blessed position. Yeah, I'm putting you in. I'm putting you in. Yeah, I'm putting you out the top. Yeah, I'm putting you in. Uh, and I just think that, uh, was putting good positions. Uh, just kind of let, you know, let loose. We're not there in played ball.

1:19:49Like I know how to, and, uh, you know, my teammates played great too. And coaches called it a game defensively. I mean, you know, we give a 14 total points, or a 17, 14. I mean, 14, it's a good offense like that. Great team. Uh, I mean, that's a good day. So, obviously we didn't get the results we wanted, which is frustrating again, but it's a whole different story. Uh, yeah, I mean, I just think it was, it was collectively a good day on defense. And, you know, I happen to be fortunate to be in position, make some good plays. I mean, that'd be the time for, uh, obviously some opinion in the conversation. You guys have played well, but nothing really happened. The most I've done is necessarily meant weird. Like, you're trying to add all that to what's all started. Can you feel when we're in a groove like that when you get back to the field and I mean, you're giving all this much easier? Yeah, you know, I think I felt like I was in a groove probably the whole second half of the season. I felt like myself again, and I was just out there playing and having fun with my teammates. And, uh, you know, I think that, you know, when you come here and you expect to hit the field, it'd be a certain way, you know, it's hard to get over that for a little bit.

1:20:51And I think you can look at kind of this all of us on the D line as a front. We all kind of had our own journey into how we how we're playing right now. And now it's all about building and I looking back and playing how we know how to play and being confident out there. And, uh, using our abilities that God's gave us. So I think that this whole next year, you know, you're just going to see a whole different level of play from all of us. I know you're trying to keep it up. Yeah. And that'd be kind of a launch for you. What you're maybe capable of. You're in a future. You're just going to be able to do it. You guys are missing the way you go. Yeah, you know, I've knew all along what I was capable of. And I know it's frustrating for a few years, you know, not being able to, you know, not playing for whatever reason on the field. So what I was capable of. But, you know, once you just put that stuff to the side, just got there and play ball. You know how it's just going to take care of itself. You're good. Did, uh, you're trying to use the term building and telling what issues. I've got like an emphasis of not focusing on the little things kind of on you on that stuff. And you guys know you're in the talent.

1:21:52And what is it for you to show? Yeah, you know, I think you said it. You know, there's no talent issues here on this team. I think if you look at our team across the board, probably one of the most talented teams in the country. If not the most talented team in the country. So, you know, that's God given though. And what we can work on is our discipline, our skill, our technique. I think if we become the most, you know, disciplined and sound team technique wise, there's not going to be a team of countries to stop us. But it's, you know, it's a long process to get to that point and to get to that season. So, I just think that when Coach Day talks about that, you know, it's true. We've got the talent. Just got to go out there and work every day on the little things. What are you specifically working on this spring? You know, I'm working on a flexibility. You know, I'm working on bending the corner a little bit and hands. You know, at D line, you can kind of improve on everything. And so, Coach Johnson's emphasis is just, you know, just taking care of the little things, hands, hips, foot placement. So, it's kind of a little bit of everything in the spring. There's a lot to be excited for, especially if all of the guys come back on defense.

1:22:52But how excited are you to play again with JT? Oh, I'm really excited about that. You know, it was cool, really cool. I mean, him going back and forth the whole time, deciding whether we're going to come back or not. And, you know, when we, you know, I kind of knew before you guys knew when he was coming back. So, you know, I was excited. I was a, you know, a hell of a player and, you know, a really good friend of mine. So, just having another year with him and, you know, we're going to enjoy it. And, you know, hopefully have some fun. You know, we can have a comfortable match next fall. Even going back to your recruitment. You know, the first guy to come in, that's what we're doing. You high guy over the bar, you using your house. What was it like, I guess, to see a kind of comfortable circle in a way that you could kind of almost leverage that relationship. And we're good guys to come back into the pool and run back on the run. Yeah, you know, it's unique. You know, I think it's a really unique position. That great group of guys coming back, man. I mean, you know, it's just so exciting. And I just wanted to, you know, for me, you know, and at the same thing, for those guys, how much they care about this program,

1:23:52and care about the team and coach day, and guys you want to do it for in the city, and, you know, the chance, we all knew that, you know, we had great opportunities going in the field. And we also have a great opportunity to put another one of those banners up here. And, you know, get some revenge on, you know, the guys up north, all that stuff. So, you know, when you put in a nutshell, you know, it was a really simple decision for a lot of us. And, you know, we thank God for being in this position. And coming back, you know, I don't think anyone's ever regretted it. And we're just really excited to, you know, get back on the chase. And, you know, not miss a day. Jack, can you take a wide view of the defense with the additions made by Caleb coming in? And now you see Sonny Wu-Pulsar Alliance footage. You have an opportunity to, like, look at what's out there. How does it change the capability of your defense? Last time, how can it change the way maybe you deploy that you couldn't do a year ago? Yeah, I mean, you look at the defense one of the fear, like, damn, we're big.

1:24:52You know, corner, we're big, lineback, we're big, D-line, we're big, safe, through, we're big, fast. You know, we're just, you know, we're just, we've got a lot of weapons to say the least. And so, you know, when you got, when you know you got those guys behind you, you know, you just make you play so much more free up front. And, you know, you're dependent, you can rely on those guys behind you. And I think that, you know, if we take that approach and everywhere on the field, offense too, that, you know, we're going to really fun here. Jack, thank you very much. You kind of changed the perception. I don't know you guys don't pay attention, like, outside noise, but also, a lot of the same cheese stuff. You catch it all the way through. Yeah, I'd say it starts off with, like, you kind of got to, it starts off with tuning out the outside noise. And what other people have to say about it. And it's really good, but mine said, I kind of look at it as if it's like a drop in a bucket. You know, if I got a big bucket, there's no one thing I'm going to do to make this bucket full. It's a daily thing where I put one drop in in a day. And you look back over a year, two years, three years, look back and be like, man, I've gotten a lot better.

1:25:56So, like I said, I'm just very thankful for the unit. The guys that I have around me push me very hard, and I'm just thankful. You mentioned that the development is part of Tatex. What was the most challenging part of you to make everything into the play of the line? Yeah, I'd say, definitely the size component. You know, you got to be someone that's, you know, when the, you got to be big, you got to be strong. You got to be fast with a lot of jobs that you got to do. It's a very asking job. You need to buck the big, some of the biggest guys in the field. But also, when Ralph's off, some of the smallest guys in the field. So, I think the standpoint is to be out here and do exactly that. What was it like to get that shot the other day for the pros counts? Running Ralph's catch balls. Oh, yeah. Show off. Yeah, no, there's a good opportunity. I think some of the big, you know, region behind it, we're just kind of giving those guys out there that we're at. We're living in numbers. So, just get out there and give those guys a breather. But maybe the opportunity to get to go out there in front of scouts. I think that's a pretty good deal. And you're taking only a quarterbacks to this point. The quarterback battle is going on. What's been your take on Will, for example, get to know him.

1:26:59And then, of course, David, I think the line said that we have a body around here is ironing, sharpening iron. So, that's kind of like, it's not just, you know, one room. It's from top to bottom, front of this whole team. No matter what position you are, we're here to work. I think we're all here to make each other better. Whether it's in a quarterback room or tight-knit room, we're running back room. Offense versus defense, coach for his coach. It doesn't matter. We're all just, you know, iron and sharpening iron, especially this time of year in Spring Ball. We're not doing too much game planning for next week. We're really just spending this time to get better and just build a good foundation for ourselves. It's time to work on room forward. If you've seen Will, Will, how it fitting in more and more is the practice that's going on. You know, getting to know everybody and all that kind of thing. I mean, I've always been here for a while. I think it's time goes no matter where you are. You start to adapt and you start to get used to what we have going on here. So it's good to have... Thanks. Yeah. You came in. You came in. Thank you.

1:27:59What's it been like? Yeah. It's a lot of important. I'd say when it comes to that, I think it's all the glory to the Lord. And I decided to give my life completely to the Lord a little over a year ago. And that kind of really changed my outlook on the way that I approach football. There's no longer something that I idolize. It's just something that I do. And I think from the time of my life where I stopped, you know, compartmentalizing who God was in my life. God was something that I do on Sundays or something that I do in a Bible study. It went from what I do to who I am. And so now I embody that as who I am. And so some of the fruits of the spirit is peace, patience and kindness. And so those are the kind of things that I've started to embody on this journey. I think it's easy to kind of compartmentalize football away from faith. But ultimately it's all one. It's all one. So it's giving me a spirit of patience, peace and joy with the guys around me. And so I'm just, I'm thankful. I'm thankful to be here. But being quite honest, I just, I know for a fact I wouldn't be where I'm at right now.

1:29:01I know on the outside looking in, you know, I was like, you know, where are you right now. But I wouldn't be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for my relationship with the Lord. And so I actually came into my life and you know, changed around for the better. G, what did you see from Bennett Christian last year? How did you go about suspension and how did he work through that? Yeah, I think he did a great job. A lot of perseverance. I think that's no matter who you are, we're kind of hearing news like that. That you're going to be out for a year, that's hard. No matter where you are. I'm really proud of him because he came up, he came to show up every single day. He got better. He got better. The easy thing to do in that kind of situation is throwing the towel. You know, forget this or I'll get better next year. But I saw the drive at him. One thing I see now every day, he showed up. He got better. I'm proud of Bennett and I'm proud of this unit. Why's the question of seeing Mike? One, two, three, four. Three, four, three, four. In your heart. I mean, yeah. I don't know.

1:30:01I don't really know how to answer that question because if you go from one unit to another unit, the moment you trade units, you're no longer in the unit you were initially in. So you're now a tight end. So I need to answer that question. I think the time that I went from in the receiving unit to the tight end unit is the moment I became a tight end. You're the one who's the one who's the most beautiful. You're the most beautiful. No, I kept, no. Kevin Wilson, the coach Wilson was my coach. Coach Alvin was my coach and I was a receiver. It's just different. It's two different roles. I think I'd say to answer that question. The moment that I decided to come to play tight end is the moment I couldn't tighten. And so now over the years, I've gotten better at playing in the position. But the moment that I transferred over, I've been a tight end. And I'm excited to be a tight end. Another position I'd rather play. Little buck us. Thank you, G. Yeah. Yeah. We're the issue, so I am. What we're trying to attack. And so I think that's something that over time, I can feel Lincoln getting a better and better feel for it.

1:31:04Lincoln has definitely stepped up from a leadership perspective. And you can see the way that he attacks workouts. This winner is so big for all three of them. Just set the standard and understand the intangibles that playing quarterback is all about. Because there's so much more than just picking up a football and throwing it when it comes to this. So he did not Saturdays. So I've seen that growth from Lincoln and that's really exciting. As for Julian, you know, last year going into the year, he was competing for a job and, you know, end up not winning the job. And, you know, he could have turned it down and been bummed out and, you know, not attacked it the way way. But I saw him continue to grow throughout the year. So I'm torn from well and to get to a point this year where we're now he can step up and be more of a vocal leader. And, you know, that's something I've seen growth of him as well. You know, he's put on some weight and he looks good and he's definitely attacked his time in the, you know, the winner. And so that's been awesome. And then Tavy and comes in and, you know, Tavy and Tavy and, you know, really should still be in high school.

1:32:08Instead, he's, you know, in my office all the time, learning the offense. And when he's not with me, he's with Coach Mac, when he's not with Coach Macerite, he's over there doing academics and sassos. So, so his days are pretty jam packed and it's definitely new for him. But his commitment to wanting to be great and wanting to be to the level where he can go out and compete in the spring has been really impressive. So I'm excited for all the years on. Does it feel like what August 30th? Is it just around the corner? You're just telling him saying you got to have a guy ready to go. I'm against Texas. You know, you open. Yeah, I don't think so. I don't think so quite yet. You know, I think we have a unique situation where we've got three really talented kids. You know, they're all young. They all have a lot of room to grow. And I think they all understand that and are eager to attack that growth. But most college football teams or a lot of college football teams going through a year and they end up, you know, having a guy get hurt or something happens. So as far as, you know, having one guy, I guess not to go either. We want to develop the room.

1:33:08We want all three of them to continue to get better, to continue to develop and, you know, be guys that we can count on, you know, throughout the season. You guys want to board? Scholarship guy. That's still in conversation. We'll kind of see how it goes. You know, obviously three is a little bit less than we typically have. But you know, the three that we're really confident in right now. You have to try and work with the quarterbacks to work with the quarterbacks. You work with the quarterbacks, but for the next. Who's filling out your room? I mean, you have someone that you've had in mind to come in to meet the system for you. Or how do you see that? Yeah, right now, Colin Kienos in helping me. So Colin was working with me at Akron. He was a student assistant and he was really, really impressive there. So he's going to come in. He's going to help out with some of the day today stuff. And then, you know, Coach Day and I. I built a pretty good relationship where, you know, between my time here is a GA where, you know, I learned the game of football the way he sees it. And that was such a pivotal time in my career. You know, I was so blessed in college and then in my first couple, you know, my first job there that I got to work with Joe Morehead.

1:34:12And, you know, I learned so much football from that man and I credit so much of my career to him to put me in the position. But then, having the opportunity to, okay, hey, maybe I'll see you through a little bit of a different lens and to learn how Coach Day sees it. It was so big for me in my development. So that couple of years as a GA was awesome for me. And then last year to be able to sit in with him and really kind of see the game, you know, in a similar fashion. And I'm always going to continue to learn from him because he's just such a special coach. But to be able to see it, you know, in a similar way and continue to bounce thoughts on FAM to make sure that him and I are communicating in the same way. You know, Coach Day will always be directly involved with the quarterbacks. And now Coach Hartline will as well, you know, as the offensive coordinator, I think, as a guy in that chair, you have to have a relationship with the guys in the hotel. I think that's really important. So, you know, him and I have already begun conversations just about, you know, how that's going to work out and how, you know, he's going to continue to see the game the same way that the quarterback does and how he's going to communicate to them. Those conversations are already beginning. So it'll be, it'll definitely be a combination of, you know, us three.

1:35:12Bill, you can't be in being there from the championship, right? How about that? I guess help with development. Well, it's pretty cool. Just about every one of those games where he was at a playoff game at the national championship. You know, our guys were warming up and I grabbed him and say, hey, look around. You've got to take a couple minutes and take the same, right? This is what it looks like. This is what we work for. So, you know, when you get to a really hard day in the winter, right? You just remember not a homework and get to that point. So for him to have that experience and to be able to see that and, you know, hopefully one day when he's in that spot, he's like, oh, I've seen this before. I know what it looks like. I think it's pretty cool, I think, just to have that bank in his memory. I think it comes off so I've spoken, but he's without question, you know, come out of the show. And I would even say he's so spoken last year. You know, I think that he kind of understood that, you know, Will was in charge of the offense and he knew that he was young and was still earning respect. You know, a big part about leadership is you can't just walk into a room and start leading. You have to earn the respect you're curious and truly understood that.

1:36:18And, you know, I think he earned that respect throughout the year. And so this year, you're definitely seeing him step up. Him and Lincoln both, you know, are in that phase where they've earned that respect. And so they're doing a really good job leading right now. And, and Tavine's doing a good job on respect. So we're kind of in the middle right there between those two phases. Really, Lincoln is, I think still less than two years, just specializing. He was just regretting. I guess where do you think he is harnessing all of that all athletic ability to be a really good cop? Yeah, I mean, there's no question how Lincoln is special, I think. And, you know, guys that have that background that have been successful in multiple different sports. One way or another is going to translate to the game of football. So I think that we're continuing to see that. You know, I think as the more that he is in position to understand and learn the game, in which we saw last year, you continue to grow.

1:37:20And so to take that into spring, you know, and combine that with his athletic ability, I'm excited to see. I think it'll be really good competition. Can I, you know, I truly lead until he is the quarterback. Absolutely. I mean, the important one is talking about it. Oh, I think so. I think so. I mean, leadership comes in all different phases, you know, in all different ways. There's, you know, there's without question, I've been part of different teams and I've seen it where maybe the guy that wasn't starting quarterback was, you know, the strongest leader on the team. So I definitely think that that's part of it. You know, I think once you are in the respect of your teammates and once you show that, you know, you're going to lead by example and they respect you for that. You're in position now that you can be both. So, you know, I definitely don't think that you need to be a starter named a quarterback to be a leader at all. Even around some incredible offensive minds in college already, what are your, what are the traits you look for specifically as a quarterback being a quarterback yourself?

1:38:21Yeah. You know, I think it comes in a couple different ways. You know, from a tangible perspective, I think that you've got to be extremely accurate. I think you have to be able to make great decisions with the football and get them all out of time. And I think that you have to be able to do it. And we solve a problem with the feet. So, you know, it's rare in college football that every protection is blocked up perfectly or everything goes exactly that we drew it up on the whiteboard. And things break down. You know, I'll be able to fix it with our legs. And then, you know, as far as intensible school, I look at, I look at, you know, Guy Lake Will, who had those intangibles about as well as I've ever seen. And that's just a complete command and understanding of both the offense and the huddle to know exactly what we're trying to do on every single play. Know what we're trying to attack, understand where the issues are and where they lie and how you're going to combat those issues. To be able to understand, you know, when it's time to move on through the ballway and move on to the next play.

1:39:21And then also be mentally tough enough that when things don't go our way, to be able to react the right way and move on to the next play. Did you know last year? Last year? Last year? Last year? What were you just focused on last year? No, I didn't do this one. When you're coaching and you build a relationship with these guys, you want nothing more than for them to go out and have success on the field. And I think that's so important. I sit in that room and it's about them going out and reaching their potential and maximizing their talents and going out and execute on the field. And so last year, I was just trying to find a way that I could help them do that. So, you know, to be able to work with those guys last year and to help out and have them see some success. It was special for me, but it was special for me because I know how bad they wanted it. And so that was pretty neat. I always feel like it's one for improvement. Never feel like you just got it. That's one thing. A lot of people mess up one for like, oh, they have one good year.

1:40:23That's not any. I'm a no consider doing for years and years to come. I feel like to myself for sure. What do you know about this important? Because you party no big. It's all received just like me. I just came in and kept it set. Now I'm just working on my happy CS future here at Ohio State. Probably going to be no next one for sure. What's it like seeing all these like the national championship banner and seeing all the new signage. You know, you played a huge role. I mean, it's no sub-blessing. No, the subway, no. A role and no, the nighty run that we had as a truth freshman. But no, it's time to move on. Me and that's behind us now. And I can't wait for this season to come up. What kind of obligation do you do to a guy like me? Kind of take a minute. You're waving, showing how you work. I feel like he already got that. Just coming in. He already got that hard work at the quiet just like me as I came in. Just all about bar really. Me and here early. I mean, spend the time on Coach Hartline meeting and everything. I'm doing it the right way. I should say and he have a bright future here. Coach Hartline said he wants to come up with a good game.

1:41:23Yeah. You should have a car now. And I'm going to have to leave as we do. Yeah. How much for a challenge that you are kind of a quiet guy? Yeah, there's a challenge. No, just no stepping on my comfort zone. I mean, something everybody wants to see for me. Not just my coaches, but players on the team as well. We have a leadership meeting. There's a lot of people call me out on just saying they wanted to talk more. Working on it takes time. Not really a guy that's talkative or no, but lay by the time. But one thing that's definitely working on is trying to talk more and get more of my comfort zone. And just build it. Is that open with you? Yeah, for sure. That's definitely the biggest challenge. I mean, like I said, just definitely not my comfort zone. You know, leading the guys and leading the younger guys as well. You guys open with Texas next year. Going back to the playoff game. Do you think about that moving forward? Just kind of how you were taking out of that game? Oh, yeah, I think not really think about it. That's behind me. Maybe we won the game. We ended up going to the national championship. I mean, we see it on week one.

1:42:23I just know can't wait to face the great opponent. What's your impression of Devin Sanchez so far? Yeah, big long corner of the Corrine. Physical. He got it all. And I can't wait to see things he do here this year as well. Look, you know, it's different. Is there anything different about this defense of the, you know, these first three weeks of spring that's caught your eye? They just fast. Physical and willing to hit somebody. I should say saying they got the really changed for me. And guys still got no do. They've been doing over the last year and a half. And the year and a half is actually safe. Coach, that makes the quarterback's live like he did for a couple of practices last week. As a live receiver, right now, right? How do you think your quarterback is responding to that? Over authoring it. I think they were responding pretty good. I did not expect the quarterback to be live in a scrimmage. That surprised me for sure. Coach, they definitely surprised me with that. But I feel like they handled it very well. They took hits. Something we need. They needed, I should say, you know, tough him up.

1:43:24Right. Why are receivers all like not holding back? See how they handle that since obviously not a norm to do that. Learn anything now, but it's definitely not known to see a quarterback get hit. It gets his no defense, I should say. But no, guys, they was getting hit for sure, but they was getting right back up. So command, who knows if I'm for that. Two more questions. What can you get? Definitely can't get better. No, no, feel like I'm getting complacent. Always want to prove that. No, I'm just taking the day by day and just getting better each and every day. And why do you prepare for the scrimmage? And the expectations you're going to get on the next two seasons here off the season you just had. Not really focused on the espacation that I have coming up or the year after that. No, just focus on spring. Spring and you know, just going to follow count and just get ready for the season. I should say the espacations go be there. And I really know something high. No. In my mind right now, I'm just no being leader and just focus on the team.

1:44:29How much changes is right? How much changes? I really know we haven't really spoken about that right now. I don't really know. What's that? Jeremy, a lot of guys have said that they want a lot of championships. They're taking down. They don't want to see it. It's moving into the CSU and the team. What is how important is that for you? And why do you think that's significant for this team? I mean, I said we can't live in the past. The 2020-14, they won the national championship. This year, we did it. So, I mean, we just took everything down and weight room and everything. So, we could focus on being ourselves and this is our season. Great. You know, deep in, you couldn't stop. And what happened? After that? You know, they're a great team. We got a great running back. Riley Leonard is probably one of the toughest guys we've ever played against. And Marcus Freeman is a great job. So, hats off to them. You know, we knew they were going to make plays. Like you said, they did go right down the field, the first drive, 14 plays.

1:45:30And they were thinking of it. Whatever it was. There's a fun. Well, I mean, like I said, they're a great team, low coach. A lot of tough guys on that team. We knew they were going to fight their ass off. And it's a heavyweight balance. And that's what championship is, that's what it's all about. And we knew we were going to have to take some shots and keep swinging. It's hard to get up the coach's way. In that meeting, you guys had the yesterday's season. To him, to stand in front of you guys. You're vulnerable like that. And to make changes, what is it say? I mean, it just speaks to how great a coach is. I think a lot of coaches would have had a lot of selfie girls going into that meeting. He didn't at all. I mean, he loves us, you know, all of us like when his sons and we felt that form, you know, that loss. You know, we knew that we had a rebound like we did. I mean, I can't say enough like how much he means to stand and means to me. The way he goes about business. We don't go about it. Like a lot of things do about fear of losing your job. We go about it as a family. It's about love. And I know we had to execute and we did that tonight.

1:46:30How happy are you for Coach Day? And how close you are? You were his first kid, right? And for him to build a healthy good. Yeah, I mean, it's a dream come true. Like I said, I mean, God is so great. And during that, it took us down. And it took Coach Day on. He was family on, I mean. And then I'll be curious that we did night. And I'm so happy. It means everything to us. And to see and have the success, you know, makes me a 60. I know I saw the smile on his wife on her face and set the she ever doing it. It's going to be an ex-columnus at the end of the game. It's going to be a lot of fun. And I get my clients on the road. It's terrible. And to come out tonight and win this game for them, it's awesome. I mean, you dropped them and we come and burn on it. The championship will bust all that expectations with this team at one point. You know, we knew what the expectations were going to the season. You know, we knew that we're at Ohio State. And the job at hand every year has been out competing for a national championship. And not doing your job. So, you know, what never a burden. It's kind of a motivating factor. You know, do what we're doing right now. And we just did. And people legacy who just left is something that, you know, you can't put in the words how much it means.

1:47:34So we never looked at this as an burden. But there's an opportunity in it. And we did that just tonight. Yeah, keep dropping your hand in the back. Before we enter the championship. When did you sense that? Well, look, we never know today was going to fight it again. But it didn't just. You know, during the season, it was during the season you felt that you had a feeling. I think that before the season, we knew that we were capable of a national championship. Just because of the guys we had and the coaching staff, we knew that we were capable of this. And through all the ups and downs, we were able to persevere and keep fighting. Keep swinging. Coach, they always say, you've got to fight your way out of bat times and life. And as a player, as a coach, as a family, really, for him, you know, he's got to fight himself out of bat times. And they did just that. Made the adjustments. Made the change. Made the change. I had to get made and that was champion. So like I said, God is so good. And the journey brought us on was amazing. Jackson, I believe that was the last week to send your deep butt guide. Obviously, you grew up in Pickerington. When did you allow yourself to think about what this moment would be like and what it would mean for your legacy, you know, the highest day that you could get this done? When did you allow yourself to think about that? Yeah, I know. I mean, honestly, I haven't still been about about it. You know, I'm just so happy to be able to celebrate this with this kind of guy.

1:48:35It's not about me at all. It's about this team and Coach Day and the city of Columbus. I've been waiting for this for a long time for 10 years. And now I'm just so happy for this group of guys and the stuff that we went through and heard. And I'm keeping it up and keeping it up and keeping it up and practice and going as hard as we can. And I'm approaching with a positive attitude and trusting a God's plan. And you know, here we are in our national championship. And we can never take that away from us. So I'm just so happy that we will finish the job and get it on. You're a jack now that is a jack. Now that is a piece on the stage at one point, what were your thoughts right there, Jackson? I can't believe it. It looked like you kind of dropped your knees at one point and we're giving some kind of thanks or whatever. But what was going on there? Yeah, I was just thinking God. I was just thinking God for all of the ups and downs in my career and everyone else's career. And then to end it this way is just so special. I mean, you know, when you put your faith in God, you know, he says it's not going to be easy. And it hasn't been easy for any of us. And we kept trusting him and believing his plan. And here we are in national champions. You know, when I don't want to say all you guys didn't believe it, but I'm just going to say all you guys didn't believe it.

1:49:36What did you guys do here? I think we did the job then at the weekend of Ember. So here we are in national champs. I feel it's great to say. Who brought those regards? Who brought those regards? I could care less. Because I knew I know they sound there. Because as it should be, it should be. I got hurt two major injuries back or not back to back years. But you know, so I haven't been on the field as much as I should. That's true. That is true. But it's not like I'm having these little, little, little, dinky injuries and sitting out. It's something I can't control literally. So that's why I'm not bothered by it. Like, yeah, I am injury-poly. You can say that. You know, but I do think that the chargers are getting a guy that's going to be healthy from now on. You know, God will it. And it's going to be great. And I do think that it's going to be a great however many years here. When you've been on the field, you've been highly productive. 5.8 yards of very average for your career.

1:50:37Like knowing that when you're out there, you're very productive. How much confidence does that give you that really all you need is an opportunity? All the confidence in the world, you know, the way I work. I wouldn't say just from the numbers, but just the way I work, my work ethic, you know, and my relationship with Jesus is like, I have the most confidence when I step out there. Because I do know like if he grants me the health, it's over with. I don't think I'll be, you know, I think it'll be a great year or whatever, a couple of years. However many years he grants me great health, you know, and I think just the work ethic, my prayer, and all that stuff, that's what helps me have that confidence. What the numbers will be there in there. They might be higher after this year, you know, and it's crazy to think about it because I had 6.6 yards per carry. You know, so we'll see. You're looking forward to running behind this line, is this particular thing? Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah, I play with Bradley. I play with him, you know, I know Slater, I know all the guys, you know, and I'm excited.

1:51:41I think, like I said earlier, it's a talented group. You know, we just got put together, win some games, because that's what I came before. Just in all the part of the year, oh, I wouldn't say part of the recruitment, but like whenever I decided I was going to sign, it was great to have him in the room. Yeah, we're great. We have a great relationship. He's like my brother, so. I think it complements each other very well. You know, he can do a lot of stuff too. You know, a lot of people think he's just power power power, but I think he has some other parts of the game too, which it'll be great, because I feel like I can do everything. When we want to get tired, we can roll it in, we can keep rolling, win some games. When you, the two of you get going, how do you think this is going to look, or what will be that partnership back there? I know. That's a hard question. How do I think it will look beautiful?

1:52:41You know, a lot of people call this a passing league, but I think you got to run the ball to win a Super Bowl. You know, if you look at the team to win a Super Bowl, they can run the ball, they can control the clock. And so if we're both good, it'll look great. Beautiful. I would describe it as a great offense. I would describe it as, you know, a great offense. I think he gives a quarter, he's going to give the quarterback a lot of options. He's going to give the running back a lot of options. He's going to give the receiver a lot of options, you know, and I think it's going to be great. He's often going to be amazing. When we talk to him, you know, I was like, why are you going to build something good for Russian offenses throughout your career? Which everywhere you've been. And you said that one part of it is just, you got to call the place. You got to call it on the place. As we're running back, you know, how much confidence, how much you'd say it is to give you, you know, you have a play collar that's going to stick with it and allow you and the offense to run into a rhythm of rope. He gives me a lot of excitement, you know, it's going to be, like I say, it's fun to play this offense.

1:53:45And I think he does have some good things in the pass game too. But like you said, he sticks with the run and that's the identity. You want an offense that has an identity, right? You're going to be looking everywhere else to find your identity. You want to have it. And so I think his offense has that. And the guy he builds and puts in there, it complements that identity. So I think it's going to be great. You mentioned you're on it for a set now. So you mean full goal for training? That's the expectation. Look, I ain't going to answer any of the four. If it's up to me? Yes. Look, because I had this problem like two years, three years ago. I'm thinking I'm full goal. I think I'm ready to go. And then next thing you know, I'm on PUP. Like, hey, look, some stuff is above my prey, pay gray. So, but I don't know. Hopefully I can start. I think I'm ready to start, you know, begin a training camp. But that's not up to me as I've learned. How do you... I wouldn't say that.

1:54:47I think I've been in some great organizations. And I think this organization is a great organization. And the training staff is great. And so they just want what's best for me, you know. And they're taking care of me, which that's what you want in an organization. And so that's where that comes from. Which I appreciate it. Like, I really appreciate that. You know, because I'm a type of guy like I work really hard. So maybe sometime I'm blind to, you know, the danger of something, you know. So I appreciate it. But like I said, if it's up to me, yeah, I'm out there. But never know. Well, any frustration for you during the heading into pre-agency, you know, dealing with rehab and not, you know, having a full season of tape or the production to go out there. Was there any part of that where you're like, cat, wish, you know, had it for the public market with a different situation, you know. Nah. I like it. I like... How would I say this? I like it the hard way.

1:55:49But not... You know, I like it the hard way. I like it. I like trial and tribulations. So, I mean, the dice that I was given, the role was I was coming off a... or a killie. And that was the Lord's plan. So it was beauty in that. Like, I was comfortable. I was caught like... There was multiple teams, you know. I wasn't... It wasn't like I didn't have any other team. But I was comfortable in sitting back and just enjoying the process, letting myself get fully healed. So whenever that team, whoever I would, now as a charger, is going to get the best me, you know. And I think people all around the league know that, like, okay, this guy, okay. It's a high-risk, high-reward type thing, right? Not even a high-risk, low-risk because you... It's a business, right? So, I've got hurt last year. So not as much money that he's been throwing at. But I think everyone around the league knows that whenever I am on the field, the numbers don't lie.

1:56:52And so they know that. And a lot of teams will be like, alright, here. You can... We give you this, but we want you to be healthy. So when I'm healthy, it's going to be great. The chance that I've been giving here, I'm so grateful, and I know that's going to be... They won't regret it. Are you the type of person that likes to hurt people wrong? You've run a couple things like a high-risk, high-reward, injury-prone, you know, like, are you the type of person that really tries to hurt people wrong? No. I hear it. I see it. It's pretty cool. Like, you'll never see me unless I'm just like in a bad mood. You'll never see me like, oh, like, if I have a great game or a great year, like, I have this wonderful year, I ain't going to go back and... Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, what happened? No, because I don't care. You're eventually see, like, I'm a guy that's really good. So, I ain't worried about that, but I'm proving myself right that I am one of the best in the league.

1:57:52So, forget all the naysayers and people that talk about being injury-prone, because whenever I have this great year, it's going to be forgotten, you know? So, why give that energy? Yeah. Talking just in and all, I kind of changed the end of all year. Yeah, I was, you know, we just... with him, you know, he's a great guy. I mean, he was in my class. I remember seeing him, we were at an award show, because I was a dope walker, a finalist. And I'm like, I've seen him play, but I didn't know he was that tall. Like, I didn't know he was like, six years old. When I first saw him, this was years ago in college. And I'm like, am, this is pretty tall. It's cool, though. Like, I never really got to... I think a lot of those are going to be kind of, you know, nerdy, but he's cool, dude. Very laid back. No, we'll face to him. You think in terms of playing, what you did in Denver? I don't know that yet. I kind of just mentioned previously. I don't know my role.

1:58:52I don't know the engine out yet. Once we'll get, you know, through the protocols in NFOPA, we'll talk about, you know, the schemes and everything. Right? So, welcome. When you were in Denver in the three, four, where did you find yourself most comfortable in those situations? I played a lot of different positions in Denver. I mean, early in my year, I played zero. I played three, two, one. I mean, I definitely more comfortable in a shaded position, mainly being a three-technique and five-technique. That's where I find myself to be more comfortable, whether I'm standing up or not, or there's runner or pass. Those seem to be my best fits. And what is your impression of Pete Carroll's defense in the whole environment and Seattle in the far? From afar, it seems like he holds in on a defense a lot. I can't really say too much about that yet. I know Pete Carroll very little. So, I'm just trying to figure out more, and I'll give you a better answer later. What's the reputation around the league running the C-Honk?

1:59:54You know, hard-knows, hard-hat type of team. Definitely on a little more lack-sight as opposed to being a stuck-up or military style. Which is definitely good because this program is one of a lot of football games. They've been super successful for many years. As long as I've been alive and as long as I've been watching football, and definitely this has been a good program. Pete Carroll has been a hell of a coach for a long-darker member and he's back in his college days. I'm looking forward to experiencing that. Tell him why. I know you said you don't know yet what your role can be. But what kind of player are you that you don't understand who haven't watched the C-Honk? What kind of player is he has to get? Definitely a high-motor. Definitely not a one-trick-pulling type of player. I like to attack. Whether it's first or first to the fourth now. I like to attack. I'm always on the ply pressure. I'm definitely just a high-motor guy, my opinion. Maybe. Are they already understing for me?

2:00:55Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. This is not a team that really makes big splash sign-in in pregnancy. Did you think going into it that Seattle would be in play? No, not at all. It's kind of like being a cure at the candy store here. You know, got a whole bunch of different options coming at you. You're hearing a whole bunch of different crazy things. And you only get to choose one. And this is the place that we both chose each other. I mean, I'm loving Seattle so far. I like these colors. For real. What did you got to do in Seattle and see some season? Not much. Just kind of just drive around the city exploring, get down to the market a little bit. I want to get on the Ferris wheel. Do some more like touristy type things, you know. I'm new to the city and I got a lot to learn about the city. Larry? Yeah, there's been a lot of comparisons with you to Michael Bennett. I wonder if you know Michael Bennett at all and he could go to the back. I know Michael Bennett, like, I don't know nothing about it, but besides his style of play.

2:01:55But I'm honored to be considered in the same conversation as him in a style of play. You know, he's a Hall of Fame type of deep lime and that I've known about. So I was a kid. I mean, last time he played here, I was in high school. So, you know, it's cool to kind of came full circle a little bit watching him on TV. And now I'm being kind of compared to him in a way. I mean, I'm not touching surface of Michael Bennett. You know, he's a Hall of Famer and I'm not there yet. So, you know, I just got to keep doing my due diligence to be a better player. Carmen? Hey, Dream out. Welcome to Seattle. I know you get to play several seasons for Vic Fangio in the three four style defense. And Seattle's playing a similar system now dating back to last year. I did a defensive line and what do you think is most important to be successful in that system? Maybe fundamentals or just playing style to be successful? Um, just from what I learned being gap sound and being patient has always been the biggest thing. And that's how we've been successful when I was in Denver. Um, just kind of like relying on each other. I know that sounds kind of cliche, but like this kind of like the realm of being in the three four defense.

2:02:59You got to really really rely on the guys behind you and the guys on side of you to really make their. To do their job to make your job easier. Bob? Um, yeah, Dream. Um, you're, uh, you're going to have a state plan because you didn't start playing football to your junior high school. Why did you play basketball so that next? To, uh, what made you know, I guess you had to go play football and then with that, I just entered all the time away from basketball. No, no, I'll, I'll always love football first. Uh, it was just kind of just time to just playing it out. You know, I let a hoop, but you know, football was definitely about calling it and giving. I was, uh, 265 pound. I was like, I'm six degrees. I'm changing. So, you know, I kind of chose to route that guy gave me. And now I'm not six eight. My speed up. Yeah. My welcome to Seattle. And you've been told it. You're looking at something. I heard that you listen to the job. And can you just talk a little bit about that? That we're on the.

2:03:59I think the same. You know, I think the most important thing is when I come out the years, you and I went on that. Um, just for a standpoint, like I always get like over, overshadowed, overlooked whether it's, uh, and something, you know, saying like, I feel like I do a lot more than what can be seen by the, the eyes of the inexperienced, no scout. And I do a lot of different dynamic things that help make place for others. You know, I'm there. I'm definitely an active player. I'm always doing something whether in a run or pass game. I think that goes on notice sometimes and I'm looking forward to putting people on notice. Brady? What do you like to do outside of football? What is putting your hobby? Big gamer. I'm definitely I'm beginning to a lot of chess lately so I just expand my brain. I try to get into reading but if it's not as portioned later I really not interested in reading that much but mainly just video gaming in chess.

2:05:00I mean you can say you can say Dreymont Jones but like just I'm like personally just call me Drey because people like to f my name but like a lot they call me Drey Montet. I don't know why you put a Dreymont T in my name or Dreymont T whatever you want to say I just go by Drey to keep it simple. Michael Sean. Hey Drey what's specifically you bringing to the C-Law as a past question? The new era of the past question you know someone who's on the little lighter side of the average three technique and bring that explosiveness that quickness someone who's great with their hands someone who's very extensual and someone who's a go-getter when it comes to the run-and-passing. Appreciate it. Thank you. John Boyle. Yeah Drey Jones said after the trade they're after the signing that you actually got they wanted and the trade lasted and the rest of the trade that Denver said no. It was that time you were aware of it all and yeah I was aware I mean like she'll maybe flatter and they want to be even like that.

2:06:00Yeah I am flatter but I mean she actually just traded me from the jump but it was it was cool to I guess it kind of came full circle for Seattle a little bit I was including to the trade and Denver said no and then Denver kind of I don't want to say that word but Denver didn't pay my part respect so I'm here because they respect me from the jump. All right anything else guys? Thank you. I think it's just not getting too high not getting too low you know saying in a nice even medium and attacking each play at a time no matter what the score is and doing it to the best of your ability. What what ails this offense the most? I think just saying ahead of the chains and getting getting past those third downs converting on the third downs I mean that's what we got to be better at and within the day we got to put him in the zone and we're not doing that we're not doing our job so. Are you guys creating more explosive plays as an offense?

2:07:03Right I think you stick with it you know the explosive plays are going to come and now he's got to trust that and they'll be there for us for sure. Coach Stins has been here for highs and lows over the many many years he's been with this program now. What sort of his message to your group right now or when you're turning to him what what is he saying as far as how to get through this? Yeah so I think it's just really just coming and attacking every day as you would regardless and you know staying staying even even through hardship and attacking it attacking it the same way every day that's really all you can do and you just get a little better every day and see where it takes you. Based on the way things are already we're setting up but then also the way Jason Simmons was calling the game on Saturdays seem like tight ends are going to be a big part of this as you guys are trying to pull out and what world do you think you guys are going to have in trying to get this offense? Yeah I think we I think the role is always try to help the offense move the ball and

2:08:04whether they were called upon to do that in the past game or the run game we just got to step up and do our job at a high level and whatever you asked from us we just got to do it at high level and let the offense go. We're some of leaders on the offense. Some of the leaders have to say Gus is a big leader I mean he's been doing it for a while and I know someone that everyone trusts is going to do his job at a high level and I think we have Hudson's a good leader too as well obviously he's a quarterback so he takes on that leadership role and I think we just have a good amount of leaders throughout the offense. We were told George might be fairly close to getting back what would mean to get him back in the mix with the tight ends. Yeah it'd be great I mean George is a great athlete so having him out there can only help. You know we're really excited about him and what he can do on the field so it'd be great. You can say about likes and feelings that you guys are great through. Yeah I mean just when you look at the schedule he asks for us and how it takes care of our body

2:09:07you know just the diligence and situation of football. Coach McCarty man he's he's a great coach see you by the day just us being being ready and as we went over there and I'm just excited to build on that. I feel like I always feel good not always but I mean it's week one. It's week one so I mean definitely fresh but you know just got to you know continue to you know build on that and take care of my body and we want to be feeling good in December and January. Oh it definitely felt great you know it's going that touchdown uh had a bunch of emotions kind of had to lay it there and soak it all in but uh you know it's glad to be back.

2:10:08Very time and front and for us that too working starting the day I think those guys you know played their tell off they they competed um I think we had a great plan and we went out and executed it. When you were sitting on a bench in between ways would you think about Mike's interest defense and the way they put on that time? Oh wow I mean I think it was late in the second quarter and I think they had like 30 yards passing 30 yards rushing I'm like man these boys are out there playing um but I mean went against that defense off season uh know how difficult it is to play them to prepare for them um but you know they they stepped up and answered a call. And we have the best receiver unit in the nation so um we kind of we're kind of jack of all trades so. You've been moved around the office and passed a different things, emotions, different created ways to get open but has that increased any knowledge of telling it here or is it kind of the same as the benefit of your history? Uh probably stay away from talking about scheme stuff. So yeah. What was it that Jeremiah did that you think enabled you to be in Iron Buckeye?

2:11:11Yeah. Just coming in every single day and competing that's really what we're challenged to do um as as Buckeyes when we when we walk into the way we're going to coach make you're supposed to be there and show out and show out every single day and you're not allowed to have a step back and not allowed to have an off day he took he took care of all his um you know the non-negotiables of this program he was never late he made his way every single day he gave his 100% effort and at the end of the day he was just winning a lot of competitions and just grinding so yeah. I'm gonna let you let me tell you a lot about Brandon. Brandon didn't get a chance to do a lot this spring. Hmm. What stood out to you even when he wasn't on the field this spring that that makes things like he can be a legitimate impact life here. Well yeah first and foremost he got he got voted on by his peers to the leadership committee on our team which is a group of about you know 16 to 20 of our of our guys who the team looks to as leaders so obviously you can see how people think of him on this team they think highly of him um and he comes in every day as a very fiery competitive nature um and you know he puts in

2:12:14really hard work and days in and days out so even though he hasn't seen the field too much yet we have no we have no um concern that when he does step onto the field he's going to make a great impact. He's only been here here. Yeah. I heard last summer about him like he's gonna be darn as never spectacular as I need to be on leadership maybe I have to try to three hundred six five days like that. Yeah just his ability to be able to you know talk a good game but also back it up um not in a sense of playing football more in a sense of we're going to be the hardest working team on the field we're going to go in day in day out I'm going to I'm going to beat you even when I don't feel healthy even when I don't feel good all that type of stuff it's it's all an mentality. I'm not going to from far away it looks like violent much of kind of those little bit like young people right we're here with you like do you see that in him like yeah I'm not trying to compare to him with a 10-year-old thing do you see that a little bit in the way that he can shift around yeah he definitely is very fluid about the way he moves and we see it in his in his you know his routes and his releases so you know when when all the white receivers are

2:13:17knowing the film room and you know he's getting crapped he's doing all this body movement stuff it's like okay we could see he got a little sun to him so it's just about bringing him along you know he wasn't you know he just got here first first year here kind of built on along there's steps you got to take but he's definitely training in the right direction a lot of teams get talent for whatever reason you guys seem to develop the receiver's better than anyone what what goes on out there that somehow helps the Iowa State keep placing guys we play Denzel Davidson Ibnelson Germaine Matthews Jordan Hancock Lathan ran some Caleb Downs that's really what it is it's it's BIA getting this better every single day so tremendous credit to the defense and the the ability to be able to develop corners like that it's just good on good every single day that's that's the way you get better so I mean we definitely have a strong second there I would say this year um but you know it's just it's just it's not just their talent that makes them special it's their their ability to go hard every single day they show up every

2:14:17single day with a competitive nature and you know we're going back and forth on the field every single day they'll be bigger in it and spin that each other a little bit but um it's all love at the end of the day we appreciate them for getting this better let's question the method you do a lot of things this all that's a habit of your own weird Brandon Seymour guy so much whatever move around whether it's just due to anything you see kind of that same first how filled and Brandon is kind of something you do yeah absolutely Brandon you know he came up played running back for a lot of his life played a little quarterback here in there you know now he's received very he can do a lot of different things um so we just try to put him in a position where he can be the most successful um and the position that makes him the most successful is just the ball on his hand so we try to do that for him um and and a bunch of other guys in the program who thrive with that all right Michael well I think it's good we talk a lot we communicate a lot pretty snap I think it's good with everybody saying we're paying you a lot of those guys when you look at what you've learned you have told you last year how much do you take that use it how much do you also have to be

2:15:25man I try to prepare like him I like that from he prepared when he prepared he intentional so that's definitely something I try to do like him but like you said I'm leaving so but when it comes up preparing and being intentional with studying and how I prepared for practice I'm definitely now I totally all right just being honest like Kevin Boyle's guys what they asked you what happened to him trying to lie and then you get in the film room and it's obviously obviously lying here much you know something I can't believe the last time that happened so that's a good one those big shoes to fill the county down from a leadership standpoint what is he taking out the door with it you know maybe I'll have to fill it next slide yes sir I think it's definitely

2:16:31some big shoe to fill this cutty with a great player great leader he's like with the quarterback defense it's definitely some big shoe to fill and like close to our nice said though you got to beat me or not yeah you can't just try to beat him but definitely got some seat to feel when did you feel like you glossed last year or they could truly count on you and stuff I mean you know you remember how it came along I think it started in like fall camp just flashed in there I have to like the first games weren't around so I'm just like this person I like this person nearly I like a more feel that's not so poor oh we just we just learned right now we just working out we just working right now we just learned yesterday we think about CJ Higgs and what he can do in this defense I think CJ Higgs

2:17:33you said what he can do in his defense or just what are you gonna do this season you can do this season I think CJ gonna pop up this season for sure I think this definitely gonna be one of his his year for sure that's it we think it's the biggest difference between friendship and not just to me it's no different they both they both coach you and they both like they hard on you but they want you to be great so I'm not taking a different thing no I don't think so think sonny a great leader first before anything sonny a great leader for like he liked the voice he could be thinking sonny a just

2:18:34worried about for the whole team I understand so sonny definitely a great leader before anything so on into my whole field or what his leadership man like I said he just just a great leader like you you're vocal guy and like you said it shows up on the field too so and he's it's hard to follow after a guy who says something don't own and like they not own their stuff so it's anybody those guys who he's own his stuff so we can leave everybody listening because obviously has been long string of linebackers success of a higher state and I've been a long string of linebackers success I don't hire a state and I need to look at you know guy like sonny taking that next step this year I'm motivated are you going to be part of that linear to be one of the great linebackers to play at a higher state oh I'm ready for it I mean that's what I'm here for this telling you to alleviate any concerns that you may have about the potential of having to

2:19:42deal with those same problems those former ones are currently giving you yeah that's a great question um and a lot of the information and a lot of things before like during the time of those older players are a lot different than of the knowledge and information that we have now and I mean we're able to treat concussions and a also a back then is like if you got a concussion they were sending you right back into the game so uh now it's a lot different we got a protocol and it gives your brain time to heal and everything so I think uh things are setting plays now where it's a lot better than before and that time with we're making problems later on so that's what I'm not really too concerned about it. You then do how many recommended to you say again? I just wanted to get into a new home I mean people have a refer to they also uh don't know team meeting has said how um there's a number of helmets are better than other helmets right now so I just wanted to check those out and see what they are. Is this how much you get any more severe than the others you had? No that's one of the other things I mean I'm not gonna give a whole seminar on concussions

2:20:44over here but uh no it's not necessarily more severe each concussion like just what I learned each concussion is its own specific concussion and um yeah I give that time the heel and then once has heel and ready ready to go once you get back out here you're good so it's not like concussions are building on top of each other like if you give it time and heel but I think like before what guys were getting trouble with the long time ago is like they get a concussion not fully healed then they go right back out there and playing. Then's a captaincy aside or maybe part of it can you just reflect on how you've grown since showing up here at fairly 21? Yeah I've been here for a little while now I've been enjoying every second of it um I always came in trying to be a captain and trying to lead lead these guys as best as I can and um I definitely feel that I've grown vocally and uh just um just trying to help build the team up and build myself up so um just trying to do anything I can to help this team. How about um in a concussion situation like this you're so close to your mom and your brother did you have to sort of involve the family yeah yeah definitely they they came down with me so when I was I had um like when the team was

2:21:49here doing meetings I was driving up to a Pittsburgh meeting with the concussion specialist and everything and uh they were with me and uh just easing their mind that that's the biggest thing easing their mind uh they're all they're worried and everything but uh they'll be okay that'll be good. We saw the play with Elijah Moller and your head growing. Say it again. We saw the play practice. Yeah. Did you think you'd be up for two weeks after that? Oh I mean I was good pretty it was that day that I was kind of had a headache and everything but I was pretty much good after that but it was just about going through the protocol and I mean there was no rush back we weren't playing regular season games so I mean I was just really good in the time that he wasn't any rush. You both is wearing already in half and still had a you know helmet to helmet just from your perspective it has to be an expert but are those doing what um they're intended to do that you know you gotta take care of it when he got hurt you know I'm saying like yeah guys are still getting concussions and getting where I'm wearing yeah it's definitely still a physical sport so

2:22:50I mean concussion happened regardless I know if you were in a guardian cap or not um I think it could be looked at too I know and just talked about on the guardian cap I don't think in the back that is as much padding as is I would like but um I feel it could be looked at but I think you get a concussion whether you're wearing a guardian cap or not so I mean stuff happens this is a physical game. Sorry would you just clarify this you said you're gonna get any helmet also wear the guardian cap during the games? No I'm not going to know. You feel that about this in helmet that you wear? Yeah. Yeah. You know what's the name and the brand of helmet like any details you have? Oh I'm not sure the brand of name yet I have to get it from those guys inside but um you guys would definitely be seeing this on the I haven't got it just yet. How do you feel about not playing in a preseason game? Hmm. You have to say it's your career where it's not a big deal. Oh I want to say it's not a big deal but I don't feel any pressure any like oh I just needed to playing a preseason game. I feel that's a great opportunity for the younger guys to get out there and showcase what they're able to do. Well I still been practicing and playing and working out and

2:23:53getting ready for the season so I mean I know the game I'm looking forward to that first game and um yeah I'm not really concerned about not being able to get a snap of the preseason again. I think of how MJ did feel and if you particularly during the joint practice is against Jefferson. Yeah MJ is a number one corner I mean you you guys see it he's gonna be big for this year and um I think that's so special about this team we got three number one corners myself MJ and Greg I thought we all number ones and um we able to do different things out there on the field and uh the one guy's out another guy can step in and not lose track or not lose pace on what we got going on. Yeah definitely like you said bring it in that's exactly bring it energy bringing guys along uh MJ's real vocal out there and uh he competes as he's in competitor out there and just working hard and uh trying to be the best he got the mindset of wanting to be the best and uh he is so we just go out there and compete with one another. We're happy to see uh a CD lamb get his contract signed

2:24:57and he ready to go out there after this game so you can face the bad guy. No I'm definitely a happy form that's like changing uh contract and everything for him and his family so uh definitely happy for him and looking forward to going to having that match up in the game. I always love going against the number one guys and best guys on that team so I'll be looking forward to it. It turns out we got more to history because concussions that we're talking about. I think when you suffered the latest one, people who covered the team and then fans are wondering how loud and the discussion um you know could you contemplate retiring? Did that ever go through your mind or do you immediately know that you're gonna come back? Yeah like I said this is a game I love man I love playing this game. Being with the guys out here I really don't see myself doing too much other stuff so unless I'm just really physically unable to play this game. I don't see myself stepping away from football no time soon so and like I said before I can't take it easy on these receivers out here so me being out here I gotta give them a good look and um just go out there and play but

2:26:00I'll answer your question now I haven't seen myself walking away though. Are you actually out of probably football now? Yes. Yeah. Hey then so uh great-called miles hard in this teal of drafts. What have you seen? Say what say it again? Sorry great-called miles hard in this teal of the draft what have you seen from any other camp and what kind of excite you by hand? Yeah Miles he's been balling he's been showing out making plays against the Vikings and uh just making plays out here so it was big for him to make the team I was happy for him we all congratulated him and uh he's gonna be a big piece on our team though like coming going forward. Didn't some of the often other rookies you mentioned making the receivers better where have you seen how have you made Jamari talked about how you you've helped him you know as a rookie what what have you seen out of him in his development? Yeah he's been looking good uh since he came in I think he's been getting better and better uh he's night and day from once he came in so where he's at now I believe you know I think that's just uh his competitive nature and what he's been doing out there in practice and us going against one another out there so uh he's been good and he's gonna be a big piece as well uh it's our offense. So what's your tip do you give receivers how can you help the receiver

2:27:03in that? Yeah I mean it's a constant communication like if I were to win on a red they may come and ask me uh what it is that you've seen on that play that you're able to get in position and I'll tell them that I may ask them a question so it's just that constant communication on how we can get each other better thank you guys thank you thank you if you keep that in the back of your head and we want to get Jeremiah and Carnell and Brandon and and I'm back in. Yes that's my mindset like in practice all day I want those birds to get me everything that they have is so I go up up up up in seven days it's gonna be easy for me and I'll be prepared. What have you seen the groceries of these young owners? obviously we saw that he's not a Jeremiah last year um their domain sorry but uh Cowsen some of the errands and you've seen them come along. And Sky has gotten completely better from his brain

2:28:07like completely better. Is that just time in the program? I'm just getting used to the speed I would say. What about Calvin? He was obviously here last year. He was. I'm Calvin has gotten a lot better. Like I would say that he's gotten a lot smarter. And then he also write G.B. Go ahead. I think he's about Calvin's intelligence, you know, where he's grown. Where specifically is it? The film room? Is it kind of picking up, you know, the playbook? Where have you seen that? The rain up a grab? I would say Calvin has gotten smarter just like his game knowledge. Like expecting like a different kind of routes and stuff like that. What did everything start to click for him? The last year was it in the soft season? When did you feel just comfortable with this game? I would say in the spring I started to get a lot more comfortable in our defense. We said you break up the past yesterday with the German name. I'm sorry if you asked, but just earlier. But what is like going up against him? Do you think you enjoy it? Yeah, I love it. He's tough. I like going against him a lot.

2:29:08He's really good. What have you improved in your game just from that, for example? Those one-on-one matchups this preseason or whatever. You know how a ball of who disgain with? So German, he forces me to play the ball because if you don't play the ball against him, he'll go get it. Yeah, yeah. And you, Dave, send it. How would you describe this defense now compared to this time a year ago from this standpoint of a confidence factor? You don't mean that you guys feel on the field? How would you describe it? It's different about it, I guess. I feel like everybody has a lot more smartness here. Everybody's like, I would just say I would go just smarter. Yeah, when you look up and late and ran some decided to come back and Caleb down, transfer it in. What did you feel about that? Did it just grow stronger in that one week span, two weeks span? You're still on up saying? I feel like those guys have played at that time of the day. The level of those guys have played at? Yeah, I would say that.

2:30:08Like, a down is coming and a way of saying he was coming back, so he was coming back, but it's still like moving after the Vita netting. Thanks, man. Of course. I able to make a play. So you guys had a side with you and Juan on those touch-hands? So, it was to decide where you and Juan were on those one ball and those touch-hands. Is there something different you were trying or something that made that communication a problem? All the second time you guys, or was it something they were doing? No, it was just, I don't even know. It was just a long time. I got to go back and watch a film and just communicate. I said, it just got to be better and just can't have that out there on game day playing guys run for you. Is there anything unexpected? They were doing, I mean, you guys have seen her for a couple of times even. It's like a new offensive system. Were there any surprises? Yeah, it wasn't really no surprises. They're a good team. A lot of stuff that hurt us was self-inflicted.

2:31:09I feel like, and we just got to be better on art and then clean up our side to be better. So, they're a great offense, great team, but once we clean our own stuff up, I think it would be good. How would keep you pushing in the second half of the outside of game and the two in seventh start? Keep you going. Yeah, I mean, I love playing this game of football. So, just coming out here with my guys every day, I'm really coming to work with them and playing with them every day. And just trying to find ways to get a win each and every week. So, that's the main goal, trying to find a way to get a win. And just enjoying playing a game of football. You're worried all about wasting your time. No, I don't consider wasting a year in my prime. I'm trying to get a best I can for this team and this city and whatever happens happens. That's the biggest thing, but I don't know if it's been wasted. Just to be clear, what you were diagnosed for in the last game? I was in the protocol, but I feel great.

2:32:09And I'm out the protocol, but I'm good. So, you've taken that and nothing to do with mistakes out there today. Say the good question. I don't have anything to do with the concussions. I just got to be better on my end and make sure we all in the same call and we're always supposed to be. That's all meat. Then what do you think is more so like getting a footballer out to the best you guys or do you have more about the best as a seconder? Yeah, I mean all that stuff plays a factor. Get the call from the green dot and just spread the call around and just make sure we all in the same page and execute all our assignment. So, considering you guys are better in defaults, this isn't new to you guys. It's just how frustrating you guys are to have these communication breakdowns that ultimately end up clutching you guys in a pretty big one. Yeah, it is frustrating because we better than that. It is probably one of the first times that we even have blown coverage is really all year.

2:33:10But we know we could get a fix and we know we could be a better defense and better team out there. And we definitely go work to get a fix though. You guys always talk about rushing coverage. For a lot of the first half, it seemed like it was either a sack or they were completing a chunk in the past play. Does that add to the frustration when you are getting that sack production from your front that's happening in the back end? Yeah, like I said, we got to clean it up and we all get to figure it out. And they end up going to be better and work together. The rushing coverage work goes, do you feel like it's almost like a wasting performance by the past rushers, the files with three sacks, six sacks in the first half? Is that kind of a sourness? Yeah, it's sour coming because the main goal is to get the win. Get the win in the game. But definitely he had a great personal performance. But it's definitely a sour feeling when I'm not able to pull the win out of that thing. I know when we talked to you, I think last concussion you had in August had a good feeling. I'm worried about you just because of the number and you didn't seem to have any added concern.

2:34:14I guess after this week or do you still feel that way and everything like you're helmet and your future and all that? Yeah, I feel great. I feel great. I'm glad to be a part of this team and just doing what I can to hope is good a win. That's the main goal. So as long as I have you asked this before, what's your mindset? Obviously two and seven is not where you want to be. You have a bite. You're coming off a loss. Where's that mindset going into this week and what's supposed to be rest? Yeah, definitely still going into the buy week and get some rest and get away for a little bit. But just to come back, refocus and try to help flip this season around and get a win. Come next game. There's been a lot of stuff at the trade deadline coming up on Tuesday. So that's centered around your team and Zadarius. You just speak to what he means to you guys as a teammate here? Zadarius is an amazing teammate for our team and Captain on his team, a leader on his team and a playmaker out there on the field. Love happens to Zadarius on the field with me. That was one of my favorite additions to the team when he came on.

2:35:16I say he's a great player and a great guy in the locker room and I definitely appreciate Zadarius. The player he is, the guy he is. Thanks. No, thank you. And then help the team. You feel that way? That's what happens to the league? Yeah, I definitely feel that way. We could have made some adjustments last week. Filly had a great game plan. They had a great front seven that stopped the run. So that's just a bump in the road. We're going to get better. I'm glad it happened early in the year. And so we could bounce back from this. This is only going to make it better. Does anyone that helped you with that mindset? Did you go to anyone for advice about? Not really. I was just 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. I just felt like I was kind of weak on myself. So I was trying to take it. Took a step forward. And I got to try to get stronger to be able to make those blocks first of all and do the dirty work.

2:36:17Is that something you were trying to do regardless? I know the system prioritizes it. But if it was a different system that wasn't really caught on it. Was that something that was just period of like I got to do this better? Yeah, sure. That was one of my biggest weaknesses that I had to improve on. So like I said, I just want to live a week in a blocking game. I had to run in bags and quarter bags and lie in my account on me. So that's something I definitely wanted to improve. I mean, you kind of, sorry, dude. You can go out of your own身. 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? Yeah, but I'm still. Yeah, I guess it's a team sport. I got caught in the kind of trying to catch area past last year trying to be the number one receiver.

2:37:17But like I said, it was just a growing, I was young. It 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 the controllables and layer everything right up from there. 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? They always play as good. It's always a good game when we play against them. And we know it's going to come down to the wire. Big player or great player show up in big time games. So we had to have our best player show up and play at that best. And it's going to be a great game. Oh, yeah, now I feel fire said I just ran 1050s. So I'm getting back and shake. So getting away from anybody gets strong again. So yeah, I'm be ready. What potential do you see with this defensive line? Yeah, I mean, you definitely stacked. I see a lot of great things.

2:38:18You know, we work together. I think Sky is a number. What conversations have you had with some of the veterans like Cam, any other people on the D line? Yeah, just going to Cam just asked about certain things, Charles. How he sees offences. Just the whole time he's been leading in terms of formations. And how he picks up on little pre-signatories things like that. Charles, I think Mickey said, you dove into the deep end of the pool. How I guess much important is for you to be this invested with his team. And how much are you enjoying that investment? Yeah, now that's real cool. I love it here. The only thing I had to get used to is that he, but it's real cool. Great teammates. And everybody welcomed me with Open Arms. So it was a great experience. All that I've got to get work with is training camp. Day one is out, realistic. I'm just focusing on the day. Are you running it? Yep. Marshall and his other Ohio State guy just having them back in the building.

2:39:18Just talking to him. Oh, yeah. Big bro. You know, it's definitely excited to play with him. We always chat it, obviously, on different things. But I'm definitely excited to play with him. That's, you know, that's got to be big for me. Was that one of the guys who was making a decision that you kind of talked to about what this lock arm is like? Yeah. Marshall, Tyran. But yeah, I mean, there was a lot of great guys. You look at that, you know, on paper. I feel like definitely one of the most talented defenses in the league for sure. Now it's all about just putting it together. And, you know, coming together as a team. I gotta get a shake. That's how I'm, the run was good, but I'm so disappointed that I wasn't in the shape. And I didn't finish that. Two runs. I should have finished. How can you do that during the season? In practice, I can run more gasses, run more sprints, and we'll be ready to go.

2:40:18What did you think on the 61 yard when you were breaking free? You turned around and you saw them coming? Well, no. The first 40 yard. I'm like, oh, yeah. Bye-bye. Because I was putting away from him and then after that, I was like, oh, shit. I got heavy. So I was like, all right, let me just cover the ball. I got tired. I think you're the great guy. I think you're the great Justin. You're the great. You're the great ones. What's that different from? I got Justin's back. I caught him back especially. Right? I caught him back as great. He can't be Superman. You know, that's what the team is for. That's what they brought me here for. To have his back. Next week, I bet you feel better with that. We kept hearing this is going to be Jim. I was going to run the ball. It's going to run the ball. You could just really have it more especially in the second half. Because you feel nervous stopping the offensive game and you don't even know what you're going to work in the first half? Yes. I always took with it. I always believe in. I always fight. I knew we were going to crack some. You know, I knew we were going to crack some runs. I mean, you were offensive. I was going to fight.

2:41:18I'm going to fight with him. I'm going to have their backs. And you saw that. Jake, hey, after everything, how did that feel? How did that feel to have their performance out there for your first team? Or a game with the chargers? Hey, look, look, look, look, look. Turn around, look, look. Look, look, look. Get him, look, get him, look. Get him, look. But just look at my. That's how you get it. How are you right now? How are you right now? You're going to get it. You're going to get it. You're going to get it. You're going to get it. Man, it felt good though. It felt really good. But now I'm going to be ready for next week. You know, the type of guy who will have a good game. Go back to the draw board. Let's get better. I'm talking about this, you know, just recently. Talking about how what I want to do for the runners, I want to bring that home energy, the Hebrew. Right? So last year, of course, I'm sure you've been doing it for years, but the year when I spent my own, he brought a lot of energy, excitement, happiness in the room, which is his natural energy,

2:42:18to where I always had to focus on me. You know, I didn't have to make sure other guys were, you know, feels the type of way when they came in here because hump brought that. You know, the hump's not here, but I saw when you did for a room, I want to be that guy to make sure I was amptical to practice. Everybody's, I'm taking a field team one period, you know, until the low day, or something, you know, it's a different one. But like, I want to make it feel like home's home. Like, you're the pairs to trick. I want to bring that, because that's what me and hump did to each other, who I have each other do's like to, but we're lit. So I want to do that, I want to bring that energy, I want to make bring more guys, you know, to do that. I want to do that from day one, you know, I kind of, I want to do that from day one, talking to them, and obviously it's that time I spent, obviously, before I started just being in my self-just thinking about what the room needs.

2:43:19You know, because I know I renewal as one of leaders, you know, on my offense is that we need a guy like that, just going to make sure the O-line is picked up, ready to go every day, I was held accountable, little things are happening at practice, people aren't saying anything, and how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe, and I like to practice at least like the legal positivity, you know, I mean so, but he, the energy yeah, would be on just the hype of the beyond, so that's kind of how I want to be, go on my, really my whole life, I want to get on a NFL team captain, like specifically NFL, I wasn't a captain in high school, wasn't a captain in college, but I want to make a joke, I want to be in high school, I feel like I'm not going to be a captain 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

2:44:23from the respect of the guys on the team, the visual words, and get back in that point. Yeah, I mean I can't say that, I mean I guess the biggest thing is that I felt like I felt like how you used to be in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs, it took training and left and right, once this season ended, because I didn't know what was going to be the champion. So, I think a lot of, you know, reps just to get back to feeling like myself, for what they want LTAs, and then now, over the first week, but now like today specifically, just changing some small things with my feet, that good thing is they're talking about the long coach, and I think that's a good thing to get to that, to sell that traditional angle that I love to sit on, I thought I felt great already, but I'm okay, I felt even better out there. So, I need more excites tomorrow, now I'm getting my feet back, and I don't like the right side, and I'm on the left side,

2:45:23so long side. I mean, obviously I feel like in the league, whether I left the right, you're still going in, it's premier guys, obviously, you're high expectations for the left and right tackle, but definitely like the level of energy, and like the expectations definitely take the human side, because now tonight the blind side, that's the D tackle world, you know? So, yeah, I would say in terms of communication as far as this, even outside of the facility, you just stuff like that, like really creating that, but tackle quarterback, body, the warmth, the feel, I think has been something that's even the cool thing. I got a text one day, as I, like you put it up, I was like, you know, yeah, I've been training both, I've been training both, you know, I asked after the season there, like honestly, you know, we'll talk to you, simply in the season, and I just got a text, and I'm like, having what happens with the free agency, then, so I was like, you know what,

2:46:24I had an old season right tackle, so if I get the word, I'm going, I'm standing right tackle, and I'll do what I did before, I'm building on that bus, I was like, oh my, I was trying to left tackle now, as if we're going to be left tackle, and I'd rather do that than train on right tackle because of the color, how do you, how do you switch my feet? You know what I mean? So, I'm like, let me just prepare an advance, I was like, yeah, let's go. You know, I think occasionally, on third down, there would be a lot of twists, that I was just not like, it's automatic or common. And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season, like I didn't have to go into the game with some pros, like oh my gosh, they did that. I kind of figured like, okay, like this is the type of rush, and I'm like, yeah, this is how this guy usually rushes. Like get the vibe, this is how the ends, like the rush, you know, tackles that, you know, first year guys, you got the criminal repage on. Or you know what it was going to be, or you know, or the every stunt. And honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to, so you're not, you're not, oh,

2:47:25the problem's with my psyche, and it was never air-dombed. But it comes out when I was like, 30 plays in the world, and in two minutes, I knew that it was the way I was. So, you know what I mean? I'm watching more everybody else, and you really, you know, it goes out there, occasionally, or third down, I was like, you know, I was like, he's going to take me, you know what I mean? So, that effect, it's kind of, it's also kind of an advantage in the way. But it's also exciting, like, okay, I'm going to get the hardest look, you know, so it's like real, real reps, you know, really, I'm on our way to kind of process. And I was like, hey, when I tell me, let me know about what I'm just going to train it. I was training all the way up. So, TAs, I guess, if I didn't hear anything about TAs, I would've came in like, so, you know what I mean? Because just like, I'm cool with training, both continue, I would've been cool with training, both continually, but I feel like anybody, any position will feel like, okay, like, you want to as soon as possible

2:48:26give your feet kind of settled in, your hips settled in, your hands, so then, certain kind of that. Would it have been harder for you to work both, very healthy? No. No. But, they're definitely, but in terms of the development, it was definitely a lot faster to stay on all one side. But I think having that, the weeks that we had to transition with seasons over, you know, you have to bend a lot, it was fun. You know, look, I'm trying to get up, put up my heart, I think, week, things at a time right now, but when it comes back, I'm going to show them to you in the house. So, I've got a house that's not too far from, so I tore them, I got that house, like, I could yell outside. DJ! You know what I mean? So, yeah. I'm getting too super- what do you think about that as a body organ? I think it's a challenge that I'm looking forward to attacking. You know, can't be shy about what's been done in the past,

2:49:26but look forward to the future and then attacking that. You know, I think we got a good team, you know, we could sit over here and talk about playoffs, but to get to the playoffs, you got to dominate during the regular season. And, you know, we're not looking over that. You know, it's not playing for me or any of that. We got to play as a team, and I just look forward to putting my hand in the pile. And, from this season, you really stressed about how you wanted to win a one-home game. Mm-hmm. Yeah. After all this is settled now, what does it mean to you that you're going to have the opportunity to win? That's all I could ask for. You know, the chance to be a one-home guy, you know, it's not set in stone. I got to play like it. But, that's the way I've always viewed it. You know, when I first got here, you know, getting drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, I couldn't think about playing for another team. And, you know, that's always going to go on mine. You know, I told my mom in the car when I was on my way down here to sign. You know, she just, you know, she was talking about how rare it is.

2:50:27You know, I think it's me and Cam Jordan left that or able to say that. But, you know, I think it's really special to, you know, try to, you know, live that legacy in one place. Cam, on that note, do you hear from any of those Steelers mentors that you mentioned earlier? I heard from Keys. Like, Keys is my guy. You know, Keys is always the first one to text me. You know, I'm always the first one to text him, but I heard from a lot of guys. You know, and I always, I've always felt the love from them. Even before, like, there was an ounce. When I would see them, they were just like, Cam. Just keep doing what you're doing. You know, we appreciate what you're doing. You know, I hear that from them. That's just love. Like, I do whatever I could help those guys. How much do you embrace being that bridge from that arrow to the ball to you? You get lost, the Alice Knight's. You get the bent and on down the line. You know, I think I've gotten to see the cycle and seeing, you know, I am the bridge in that, in that accord.

2:51:28But, I mean, I just, I want to conquer that mountain that, that first part got to do. And, you know, I've told them about things that have happened in the past and talked about what we've done and what I've, like, I've experienced. But, you know, when I was young, it was just about being a sponge. And, you know, just learning from those guys. It wasn't me saying it, it was just me shutting up after the time. So, you know, I'm in a different position now, but you can't do it alone. I'm just gonna create some real mountain process. Or, just putting rare caves around the gut. The coordinator of an NFL team, the game won after me. The head coach, you play a caller that you have four in the same city. Do you use that at all? Or, like, a troche or a settlement there where you might be thinking you're seeing something that you're actually seeing something different? I don't know what it is. I feel like my anxiety is so high every year in the first game. I think we always play somebody new that's got something new going on. I don't know why there's just me overthinking it. But, I think you just got to rely on your technique.

2:52:31You can overthink a lot of things and it can get you in the treble. But, relying on your technique, you know, play assignment good football, I think that allows you to play better. It allows you not think as much. Because then, you're not just waiting for someone to dictate terms. You're dictating the terms. So, that's all I'm really worried about, you know, I understand there's new nuances going on and new players, but, you got to play still a brand football. When you met with us the other day, did you think this would get done at that time? Man, it moved pretty fast. It was a mixed of a lot. I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. I wanted to just stay locked in. Because, you never know, it could go sideways very quick. So, I wanted to just see the processor. And, you know, you could call it a poker face or what. But, you know, I think it wasn't time to really gauge where this thing could go.

2:53:31Can't what do you think might be different for this time? I just think we've got a good balance. And, you know, we talk about defences being on a sideline. That's a good thing. And, I think our offense can sustain that. Defens, I think, we're healthy this year and hopefully we stay that way. And, then, we have a component in the special teams. You know, you look at Miles Killabrew. You look at Bosphill. And, then, you have a guy like Cordero Patterson. I think that that group of guys allows us to just, it's a complete team. You know, I know you guys might think differently. But, in my mind, I think we have a good shot, you know, competing every game. And, yeah, we had to have those a team to be able to talk to each other and communicate. How everybody was feeling, why everybody thought the issues were it. But, I didn't have a day where a team and everybody here stands with each other and you got to go play. Can that mean the team closer in some way than galvanized the brotherhood even more?

2:54:31Definitely. Just getting information out that you have to each other and being more open and honest about everything and how you feel. It's a serious way to express your feelings to somebody that you really care about. You really want the best work. Right by the paper for your 24-7 sports. The tempo, like I said, is the conversation. Coach Nol's was talking about some of the ways you guys are prepared for that. And, kind of creative ways and practice coming to that. Someone who can't be who just is waiting for teams. How have you felt like that has worked and having played against this tempo before? How prepared do you guys feel? I mean, you can only be able to practice fast in terms of getting prepared for the game. Last year we did the same thing out of the demo everybody. They were unwacting for it. Between drills and between practice, between plays. Pretty much what we've been doing the same thing here. Just trying to build up stamina and then being able to play a full game. Because they play like 80 plays a game. So just being able to do that and do it at a high level is going to be a really big thing.

2:55:33In that recognition, you need to know quickly what's happening. I guess it's just as big as getting warmed up. Just getting the call and being able to get your cleats in the dirt is going to be really big. Just be able to play fast and play physical. And you have your eyes on the right place if you have to get the call and the back. This way better than looking at what they call it. Third row left. I hope that the Warriors came. There was talk that you were kind of one of the guys who took my leadership role after that mission. And you gave me any kind of a team you guys had. Is that true? And if so, what was your message to the team? I mean, I would say I was just the person that I was the most seasoned. I wouldn't say I did anything more than anything less than anything. I've done all season in terms of leadership. But yeah, I mean, everybody had to step up. You got like a make it guys like JT Jack. Everybody had to step up in terms of trying to get the team back on track or where we want to go. So that was really just the biggest thing for us just to try to move our focus to where we're going to be. Right in front of them Steve Hell, I get 24-7 sports.

2:56:35And, you know, this season you've been recognized pretty widely for your play. Just in your mind, what you came to I have stayed to accomplish. How did you expectations, I guess, beat up with how you feel you've played at this point in the past? I feel like I've made the plays that came to me. And that's where the Hawking & Gain Control had more opportunities as years progressed and been in spots to be around the ball. But the expectation was to come in here and contribute to the team and try to find a way to push the team to win games and odds level. And to be better than they were in Latcha and for me to play better than I was in Latcha. 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.

2:57:35We're here to the right, 10-11 in Rome. Yeah, I can't stand here right now. Just feel like a different season. What does it feel like when you're going into the playoffs? You know, you don't get to go. You want necessarily the regular season, but here you are. Right? I mean, what is that sense that you have right now? That's a different point about the regular season. I mean, everybody wants to say it's a new season in terms of. Because it is. Everybody's 0-0 right now. When you keep going, if you lose, you're done. But genuinely, that's how you play every game. You know, that play every game, it's your last game. So for me, I don't think it's really any difference to be able to go play at a high level every game that can't be based upon. Is it a playoff game or anything else? 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 and play the game this year. What feels different about this defense right now going into this? So you'll feel even more. You know, not by the title, me, close together.

2:58:36What is that? I mean, what is your sense of the brotherhood that's so to speak 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 that game. And I feel like we've grown from that and got into a better place. And over these past two weeks, off just realizing, okay, these are the things that we've messed up throughout the year. These are what we need to face. These are what this team is trying to exploit on us. So just really going back to everything and seeing what can do better for this kind of game and for the next coming years. Last couple of questions. Deep, Tony, you heard me, fuck a hell. How does the Tennessee's whites put their receivers in fact you as a Thunder? I feel like it makes the game more of a one game. It makes you receive your own DVs at the play of 7 games and the guys up front. 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.

2:59:37But if you believe happened to run fit and you have to be able to stop the pass with the BFL out there. So that's what they do when they do it at a really low level. So it's going to be tough to go with. And final question. Going back to Thomas Dispatch. The coach knows the time of the speed at which you guys are able to call in place. Is this built the tempo because of the power fast? Is it the play call end? Is it the player kind of band? Is it a bit of a gift to you just to speed with the coach? Come on. All right. It allows you to get your clean senator. Earlier just a ability to see the formation and see what keys you have before the play. And have knowledge of your job and not really thinking. Being able to play and not think during the game is a really big thing. So whenever you can get the call out faster and play at a high level and play without thought. That's a really good thing for you team. Caleb, thank you very much. Appreciate you all. Thanks, Kevin. And then maybe it can be from making some plays here and there. Anything else you want to offer on there?

3:00:38Yeah. Season everybody's been to it. Throughout training camp you and Aziz got very close. How good is to see him back on the field and how were you able to be there for him as he went through that three game suspension? Yeah. It's great to have him back. I'm really happy that he's back and I know he's very motivated to play. I'm excited for him. He's a former team. And he's able to, you know, in the season our way going into the playoffs. So yeah, you know, he's a leader and we need him around and nothing else. Definitely going to help this team. I'm going to keep some of the teams have already played the playoffs. Our resting players this week. But to me, because all you guys are going to play, you think it's important for you guys to get out there. Try to get back on track before the playoffs start this week. You know, I can say that, you know, it's, you know, Dima Carr is a player first. And you know, we got to trust his plan and go out there and, you know, in play.

3:01:39So, you know, I'm excited, you know, it's all, it's a blessing, you know, to be able to go and play in this league whenever it is. So, you know, we're excited to play Tennessee and you know, probably more even excited to play in the playoffs. So, but I do, you know, think that this is going to help us. You practice against him all year and you see the top corners. Derek's in the junior, the pro bowl will come out this week and last year's alternate. We think of his chance to earn that distinction or what he's done to improve himself. Hey, you know, he's probably the best athlete I've been around in my life, you know, just basketball, speed, strength, size, you know. And just somebody who, you know, if I've seen him just grow, you know, as a player. But, you know, I'm just very happy for him, you know, I think, especially just having a top of the year before, I think he can renegotiate. So, I mean, I know he's about to get a bag and I'm happy for him, he deserves it. So, yeah, but that's not his motivation, which is dope. It's just being a league at football. And I think he's going to be great in his league for a long time.

3:02:40What do you think you got to experience in January football last year? Playoff time. What is it about when the calendar turns in January and in the national football league? Yeah, it's a new season, you know, it's a new excitement. You know, you know, you know, it's all about, you know, winning that week, you know, and it's, you know, when you dumb it down, it's like, I get to win four more games and, you know, that's it, you know, so of course it's not that easy, but, you know, you got to find a way to motivate yourself. But it's motivation just, you know, being able to continue, you know, and I think it's good for us, you know, to realize, I mean, I know it's going to, I don't know exactly what's being said, but, you know, we put ourselves in this position, and it's not by chance, not by luck, it's not by people, other people is by us being a good football team. And I want my team to remember that as like, you know, people are going to talk, simple in playing, and we're the ones out there playing. And we got, we got into the playoffs by being a good football team and we're going to continue to be that.

3:03:42So, I'm excited, man, it's a new, you all know, and, you know, hopefully we get healthy going into there and be able to, you know, play whoever we play here, really tough and hopefully you'll win. Your teammates have always mentioned, like how competitive you are, you want to win everything, your perfectionist, and his nature. But they both say like in games, you know, how to like, not get too high, not get too close, so how do you kind of challenge that ultra competitiveness and keep it within that tube to want to compete but not get too close? But not get out of, you know, besides yourself, how do you kind of go about balancing that competitive drive, but not allowing it to like, maybe play beyond, you know, out of your self? Yeah, I mean, I just say just be myself, you know, I mean, I've been kind of this way in my whole life of, I mean, you have matured in a lot of ways in my life, both on and off the field. But, yeah, I would say just failures have helped me realize, you know, what is important to me trying things that I didn't like doing things that I didn't like and then learning from it on and off the field has helped me ultimately with just that, I guess that calmness that I have now, even in chaos, I guess.

3:04:54But, yeah, I guess it's just, you know, trying an area and that's why I don't, I try my best not to like, hardness or duck things that are difficult in life because ultimately the values teach you, you know, humility they teach you, just, you know, they teach you how to get up, you know, in the Bible says that the righteous man falls out several times and he gets up and, you know, just like Peter, you know, I want to get up. So, that's what I plan to do and, yeah, so that's all I feel like why I'm the one I'm just being able to learn from my failures. Take you off the field for a second is there a new year's resolution for CJ Stroud? I was, as probably a lie. I don't know, I never really believed in these resolutions. I kind of started this a couple months ago, this journey I started to just, you know, really just locking back in with the Lord, you know, was, you know, kind of in the lukewarm season, you know, one foot in, one foot out.

3:06:02You know, I mean, you know, the Lord has helped me to get out of that and so that's really my 2025 goal is just be locked in with the Lord as much as possible and, you know, and fast and praying, you know, being part of getting discipled, getting part of a church here in Houston, which I've been able to do. So, yeah, just that's my 2025 goal is just, you know, getting closer with the Lord. All right, thank you, guys. 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 and Latham. It just goes back to 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.

3:07:06Did you feel like that was the case before the Oregon game? You're showing up. Sam, is it something that's been added? It just, you know, rely on a little bit more. Go ahead. It did. I've probably been a brassica game, me getting more safety reps. And we had a five week to prepare. So I really learned the playbook a lot more. Even though I knew the playbook, I learned a lot more. Mount like 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. You guys had a lot of issues of giving up big plays in the passing game of the first game against Oregon. What do you feel 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 her 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, you know, they'll reveal it's one of this batch and then they'll obviously have 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 up he is for this rematch?

3:08:18Yeah, he's super stoked for this rematch. His preparation has been very good. He's always been preparing. You know, it didn't go the way he wanted to go that game. But he just always had 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 you 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 up 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, say so 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 zoom question here from Joey Kaufman. What was this back? My bad, not you Joey. Can't we T Robinson the athletic?

3:09:22Hey, Jordan, you've moved around a lot in the second day in your career and now kind of getting some many more safety reps. What is it like at this point when Walt or coach knows 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 when this is 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. Hey, anybody else need to question? Let me know. But otherwise we're going to go to Austin more of 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?

3:10:24Seven 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 for me. I kind of watch what I did things I did well things I didn't do too well against them and their team is that like their scheme has changed. Some players have been out those 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. J.J. this spring and the plan right now. We played a lot longer season than he played before in Texas. So what do you think looks like? Yeah, I think everyone played a lot longer than they ever have. So, you know, I think you know heading to this spring is just the tear down of the former foundation and the rebuild of the season.

3:11:24I mean, you have to have that mindset get that of mine a day one mindset in order to progress. You can't rely on previously built culture or schematic understanding. There's no assumptions. You have to rebuild from scratch or in the process of that. We will treat day one like day one that includes. Jeremiah Smith and so great opportunity to evaluate and grow a new group of guys. I think in spring. I think our opinion is, you know, by fall, everything the team, the team, the team, it's what it's all about. But in order to add to a team, in order to add to a collective, you got to focus on the individual. The individual must improve so the collective can improve. And so building the base, I think schematically and fundamentally culturally. Is what we're attacking as we head into spring. How much is Brandon looking forward to a different spring and different opportunity? I know it wasn't fun for him. Having to take a little bit of a backseat to a knockout. Where do you see him? The fire right now.

3:12:30So he gets right to this one. Yeah, I think when you come out of a season, you get out of January and kind of take a breath. Then when you get back in the winter, it's the first opportunity to reestablish the new role that I want to have. I mean across the board, there's not one guy that doesn't want to improve roles. So I think they're all attacking it that way. I think Brandon's one of them, but he's one of of 50. And I think that it's our job to provide opportunities to grow, to separate themselves and see peer to peer evals. To allow these guys to check a chase a role. At least through through winter they've gotten that started to continue that through spring. And I think Brandon's fits in line with that. I think Brandon did a great job looking back of finding his role last year and excelling at it. We know we talk a lot about if you want to be a starter, you have to be a starter before you the starter. And if you're not, they're never going to be the starter. So I think he embodied that.

3:13:33You know, he gave himself an opportunity to get into spring and get into us. Excuse me in the winter, continue who he is, continue to build his base, build his leadership. And then now he's got to get that in the spring. So all the great things you do prior doesn't mean anything. If you don't have to go out there and do it in the spring. So that's the harsh reality of the sport. You know, what have you done lately? And I think all these guys are chewing at the bit to get back on the field. Brian, everybody brings their own experience. Ryan was quarterback, you were a receiver. And then to become a play caller, obviously you have an understanding of the whole offense. But what was the process like for you up protections and the run game and quarterback play and just continuing to grow with your knowledge of that part of the game. As you prepared for this position. Yeah, I mean, I think you're always growing. I think that you still have a specialty here. You still have an expertise in one area. It is seen you have an expertise in all of it.

3:14:34That's just not true. And in my opinion, I've seen multiple coordinators. And I know that as a fact. So, you know, for me, I think it's just you have an opportunity to be with the best staff in America every single day with the best coach in America. Just stay off your phone and pay attention and take notes and actually maximize your time. It's amazing the amount of people that don't do that. So every time in a meeting, I just try to make sure I'm getting a nugget or I'm getting information or when things are said, do I truly understand it. And I really, guys will tell you, I don't care. I'll ask the question. I think I'm I look dumb, but I don't care because I want to know the information. So I think that approach. I think a lot of guys have that approach. That approach allows you to just build, you know, over time. And then that'll continue to build from now to game one and then build to the season. So the opportunity to grow is literally daily. So I just try to make sure I'm finding those opportunities. I'm aware of those opportunities when they're writing my face.

3:15:36I make sure they want to do a role in the offensive meeting room. How important is that it's a good question for you guys. Yeah, coach Jordan's always been a huge part of other receiver room. I think that yeah, he's just understanding that my pull away is real. That can happen. So he's going to be on his toes and being ready that we're ready to not skip a beat. So information wise, communication wise, he's got to be locked in on that and just time to assume that coach hard got it. He never really has. I expect him to continue to do that. And he's been a big part of everything we've done. Is that almost like taken from what Ryan did last year where he shipped away from play calling and handed that somebody else and she'd been away from being a quarterbacks coach. We're like, didn't have somebody to trust. How long did it take you maybe to develop that trust and that relationship with them and to where like, you know that, hey, if I pulled away for a second, like, Devon's got this. And I don't have to worry about like what my room is. I think it's more important that I do a great job being organized. So I'm never pulled away. I will be in that receiver room and they will be coached at the very highest level.

3:16:38So I think there's ways to eliminate being pulled away by being organized on top of things, having the right work and working right help before that receiver meeting ever happened. Is that important for you? That's the way you've got to emphasize. Nothing is going to change in terms of your. I never there's no. Nothing's going to change in my involvement in receiver room. Ryan from my land to be going through a full spring. Phil Oxy, for the first time. What do you look at everything? It's areas he can grow to push for playing time is here. Yeah, I mean, my land is doing a great job. He's growing at an exponential rate. He's getting stronger. He's getting bigger. He's got way added. You know, I'll tell you like, you know, I always explain to him like, you don't realize how much you've missed when you come in June versus a mid year. Like, it's massively different. Not saying you can't overcome it. Some do at the end of the season, you know, some have. But, you know, I think that's probably reliant on the room. You know, I have Chris had an opportunity late a lot of a, you know, in the season to kind of make an impact. But it's very, very rare.

3:17:39So, and now, you know, he's going through the winter workout. His growth, his everything he's done. He's like, hey, coach, I know what you're talking about now. And when you miss that, that section of winter workout. So that being said, it makes you laugh, but he's doing a great job. I expect expectations for him through through spring. And I don't see that changing. The only staff, the office staff this year is younger than it's been past years. I think of the makeup book that you don't have somebody to use. What's the average? It's like the average like 30 is the average age. Is that include support staff? No, it's just the primary. What's it? What's it been in the past? A couple minutes, no more minutes. No kidding. We don't know yet. Kevin Wilson. I don't know. Dan Lantings, the head coach at Oregon, I was his average. I'm asking. I don't, I'm 38. Kenny Dylan Campbell's 30s. So, I don't know.

3:18:39I gave zero thought to that. I think that, you know, I think your ability to kept with players is important. I think you probably see a little bit of that happening in the NFL as well. I really give it to you. I thought for that. I don't want to just ramble on that. Yeah, I just didn't know if it was the solid of the main injury. No thought to it. You were in proportion? What's the next step for him? Because we've heard him talk to him and he had missed the consistency, catching a lot of things. He seems to generate a little bit of buzz but has limited role. Now he's got an opportunity. What's the next step for him to get that opportunity? Take the next step and be a, be everything he's capable of being, right? I mean, I think the guys that, you know, are out there are, you know, very consistent in all job faces. You know, like, again, I think he wants to be a full rounded receiver. And you know that. I think he loves playing in the slot. The great job there. I asked him to come out to the outside a little bit. Did a good job out there. I think his natural positions is in the slot doing a great job there. But it's just another opportunity to establish himself based on his peers, right?

3:19:41I mean, it's kind of like the drafts. I try to explain sometimes these guys like you come to Ohio State to compete with the best. It'd be alongside the best. It's always pure to peer evils. Like that's how it works. Like the draft embodies that. Like if it's easier to go play somewhere else than that's fine. That's what we're kind of looking for. I'm not saying that's pricing. I'm just saying it's a very competitive room. And you chose that because of this room. Now you got to beat your peer to play more and do more and all that stuff. So, you know, I think that. You got to continue to build worries at. And the guys that seem to be, you know, starters in our room, you know, really I think over the last eight years have been NFL quality guys. So if you're and it become a start of the Ohio State, it's a good chance. You're probably NFL caliber receiver. I mean, again, just go on the numbers. So you're chasing that. Can't get discouraged. Or maybe not being, you know, not doing what you think you should have done. And that goes for everybody. It's not just Bryson, but all these guys are chasing that. As I ramble about Bryson, but, you know, I think that it's not just him.

3:20:43It's at BI. It's car now with everybody wants. It's chasing a higher level of play. And this spring is another step forward to do that. What you're doing. What you're doing. What you're doing. What you're doing. What you're doing. How much in your estimation is that a gift? Do we have to do it? How much of it is learned? Where do you stand on that? Oh, I haven't given a lot of thought to it. I've never, I've never called a play in a game. So for me to have an opinion, I think that'd be a little brash. I would say that, like anything, it's probably a skill that you can improve on. And do better at it, do good, do worse at it. I think being surrounded with guys and seeing how they do it has been a blessing. And it's very clear. Others more than one way to do things. So being aware of that, I've noticed that. What's your impression of the three freshmen and how they maybe transition here? Yeah, all four freshmen, I'm very encouraged, impressed with. They carry themselves the right way. Like we have hoped they worked their tails off.

3:21:45If all improved, I would say that they're the right mode, the right fit. They belong in the room. And now they have to just improve. Now they're competing both, you know, first individually between each other. And then, you know, as we get into spraying, they'll start competing against each other. With the rest of the guys, what I mean by that. But as a group, the freshmen group are very impressed and they're off to the right start. Go Charlant, thank you very much. Start with Lincoln. You know, a guy that's going to his third year here. And I think really, like when you've been in an office for two years already, you're going to that third year. You've got a really good feel of the scheme. You've got a better feel of college defenses. And, you know, where are our schemes are susceptible? And where are the issues lie? And what we're trying to attack. And so I think, you know, that's something that over time, I can feel Lincoln getting a better and better feel for it. You know, Lincoln has definitely stepped up from a leadership perspective. And you can see the way that, you know, he attacks workouts and all that. You know, this winner is so big for all three of them. Just really just set the standard and to understand the intangibles that playing quarterback is all about.

3:22:50Right? Because there's so much more than just picking up a football and throwing it when it comes to this. So he's sitting on Saturdays. So I've seen that growth from Lincoln and that's really exciting. As for Julian, you know, last year going into the year, he was competing for a job and, you know, end up not winning the job. And, you know, he could have turned it down and been bummed out and, you know, not attacked it the way way. But I saw him continue to grow throughout the year. So I'm going from well and to get to a point this year where we're now he can step up and be more of a vocal leader. And that's something I've seen growth at him as well. You know, he's put on some weight and he looks good and he's definitely attacked his time in the, you know, the winner. And so that's been awesome. And then TAVY comes in and you know, TAVY, TAVY, you know, really should still be in high school. Instead, he's, you know, in my office all the time, learning the offense. And when he's not with me, he's with Coach make, and when he's not with Coach make, or I, he's over there doing academics and sassos. So his days are pretty jam packed and it's definitely new for him.

3:23:51But his commitment to wanting to be great and wanting to be to the level where he can go out of the compete in the spring has been really impressive. So I'm excited for all these. I feel like what's August 30th? Is it just around the corner years down when I'm saying you got to have a way to go? I think it's Texas. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I don't think so. I don't think so quite yet. You know, I think we have a unique situation where we've got three really talented kids. You know, they're all young. They all have a lot of room to grow. And I think they all understand that and are eager to attack that growth. But most college football teams or a lot of college football teams going through a year and they end up, you know, having a guy get hurt or something happens. So as far as, you know, having one guy, that's not to go either. We want to develop the room. We want all three of them to continue to get better, to continue to develop and, you know, be guys that we can count on throughout the season. So you guys went up for it? Scholarship guy? That's still in conversation. We'll kind of see how it goes. You know, obviously three is a little bit less than we typically have.

3:24:52But, you know, the three that we're really confident about right now. You got to ride in order to work back to two. To work back to you. Work back to work back to work back to five. Work back to you. Who's filling out your room? I mean, you have someone that you haven't mind to come in and be the assistant for you. Or how do you see that? Yeah, right now, Colin Kienos in helping me. So Colin was working with me at Akron. He was a student assistant and he was really, really impressive there. So he's going to come in and he's going to help out with some of the day today's stuff. And then, you know, Coach Day and I have built a pretty good relationship where, you know, between my time, here is the GA where, you know, I learned the game of football the way he sees it. And that was such a pivotal time in my career. You know, I was so blessed in college. And then in my first couple, you know, my first job there that I got to work with Joe Morehead. And, you know, I learned so much football from that man. And I credit so much of my career to him to put me in the position. But then having the opportunity to, okay, hey, I'm going to see you through a little bit of a different lens and learn how Coach Day sees it.

3:25:53It's like so big for me in my development. So that couple of years as a GA was awesome for me. And then last year to be able to sit in with him and really kind of see the game, you know, in a similar fashion. And I'm always going to continue to learn from him because he's just such a special coach. But to be able to see it, you know, in a similar way and continue to bounce thoughts on them to make sure that him and I are communicating in the same way. You know, Coach Day will always be directly involved with the quarterbacks. And now Coach Hartline will as well, you know, as the offensive coordinator, I think, as a guy in that chair, you have to have a relationship with the guys in the hub. I think that's really important. So, you know, him and I have already begun conversations just about, you know, how that's going to work out and how, you know, he's going to continue to see the game. The same way that the quarterback does and how he's going to communicate to them. Those conversations are already beginning. So it'll be, it'll definitely be a combination of, you know, us three. Bill, you've got to be in being there for the championship round. How about that help with the development? Well, it's pretty cool. Just about every one of those games where he was at a playoff game at the national championship. You know, our guys warming up and I grabbed him.

3:26:54I said, hey, look around. You got to take a couple minutes to take the same, right? This is what it looks like. This is what this is what we work for. So, you know, when you get to a really hard day in the winter, or you just remember not a homework to get to that point. So for him to have that experience and to be able to see that and, you know, hopefully one day when he's in that spot, he's like, oh, I've seen this before. I know what it looks like. I think it's pretty cool. I think just to have that bank in his memory. I think it comes off. It comes off spoken, but he's without question, you know, come out of the show. And I would even say it's off spoken last year. You know, I think that he kind of understood that, you know, Will was in charge of the offense and he knew that he was young and was still earning respect. You know, a big part about leadership is you can't just walk into a room and start leading. You have to earn the respect to your peers and truly understood that. And, you know, I think he earned that respect about the year. So this year, you're definitely seeing him step up him and Lincoln both, you know, are in that phase where they've earned that respect.

3:27:56And so they're doing a really good job leading right now and in Tavians doing a good job on respect. So we're kind of in the middle right there between those two phases. Really, Lincoln is, I think still less than two years, just specializing. He's just, we're definitely actually kind of in the end of his personal career. I guess where do you think he is harnessing all of that while I'm flooding ability to do me? Yeah, I mean, there's no question how Lincoln is special. And, you know, guys that have that background that have been successful in multiple different sports. You know, one way or another is going to translate to the game of football. So I think that we're continuing to see that from Lincoln. You know, I think as the more that he, you know, is in position to understand and learn the game, in which we saw last year, you continue to grow. And so to take that into spring, you know, and combine that with his athletic ability, I'm excited to see. You know, I think it'll be a really good competition.

3:28:57Can I, you pull back truly lead until he is to quarterback? Oh, absolutely. I mean, he took one to quarterback. Oh, I think so. I think so. I mean, leadership comes in all different phases, you know, in all different ways. There's, you know, there's without question, I've been part of different teams and I've seen it where maybe the guy that wasn't starting quarterback was, you know, the strongest leader on the team. So I definitely think that that's part of it. You know, I think once you earn the respect of your teammates and once you show that, you know, you're going to lead by example and, you know, they respect you for that. You're in position now that you can be vocal. So, you know, I definitely don't think that you need to be a starter named a quarterback to be a leader at all. Even around some incredible offensive minds in college already, what are your, what are the traits that you look for specifically as a quarterback being a quarterback yourself? Yeah. You know, I think it comes in a couple different ways. You know, from a tangible perspective, I think that you've got to be extremely accurate.

3:29:59I think you have to be able to make great decisions with the footballer at the ball at the time. And I think that you have to be able to do it. And we saw the problem with the feet. So, you know, it's rare in college football that every protection's blocked up perfectly or everything goes exactly that we drew it up on the whiteboard. So when things break down, you know, all the ability to fix it with our legs. And then, you know, as far as intensible skull, I look at, I look at, you know, guy like Will who had those intangibles about as well as I've ever seen. And that's just complete command and understanding of both the offense and the huddle to know exactly what we're trying to do on every single play. Know what we're trying to attack, understand where the issues are and where they lie and how you're going to combat those issues. To be able to understand, you know, when it's time to move on for the ballway and move on to the next play. And then also be mentally tough enough that when things don't go our way to be able to react the right way and move on to the next one. Did you know last year? What last question? Did you go fight or quit?

3:31:00I didn't have a condition at all. You just focused on lost. Oh, no, no. I didn't do this in addition. Oh, I did. When you're coaching and you build a relationship with these guys, you want nothing more than for them to go out and have success on the field. And I think that's so important. Like I sit in that room and you know, it's about them. It's about them going out and reaching their potential and maximizing their talents and going out and execute on the field. And so, you know, last year I was just trying to find a way that I could help them do that. So, you know, to be able to work with those guys last year and to help out and, you know, have them see some success. It was special for me, but it was special for me because I know how bad they wanted it. And so that was pretty neat. I have to say some big scene to feel. This Cody was a great player, a great leader. He's like with a quarterback and a defense. He's definitely some big scene to feel. And like Chris, I said, you got to be who you are. Yeah, definitely. Definitely. When did you feel like you lost last year?

3:32:02They could prove that you were stuck. You remember how it came along? I think it started in like fall camp just flashed in there after like the first day. He was wearing a wrong side on his home. I know what it was like with the concentration. I like him. I like his personality. I like him all feeling that's not so poor. Yeah. And the life records. What kind of difference does the response of the players or the news in this system? Or is it going to be in his own words? Oh. We just learn it right now. We just work it out. We just learn it. What do you think about CJ Hicks and what he can do in this defense? Or just what are you going to do this season? We can do this season. I think CJ will pop up this season for sure. I think this definitely going to be one of his years for sure. Got to. Anything is the biggest difference between South Georgia and South Georgia?

3:33:03To me, it's no different. They both coach you and they both like they hard on you, but they want you to be great. So I'm not taking a difference. You're talking about how you're working out what you guys can do and fitting in. Do you think Junior's going to want to be trying to plug in South Georgia? Oh. No, I don't think so. What's the result of the approach you know about the South? Either on or off the air or something. I think Sonny is a great leader. First we follow anything Sonny is a great leader. I feel like he's like the voice. He can be thinking of Sonny and just can't worry about the whole team to understand. Sonny definitely is a great leader before anything. I think it's a lot of fun. I think it's a lot of fun. I think it's a lot of fun. How does that show itself? Obviously local. What is something that you need to back down?

3:34:06You talk about only field or when it's leadership. Whatever. Like I said, he's just a great leader. Like he, a vocal guy. Like you said, it shows up on the field too. So he's, it's hard to follow up to a guy who says something don't own and like, maybe not own their stuff. So, Sonny one of those guys who, he's own his stuff so when he leaves everybody listen. This obviously has been long string of linebacker success of Ohio State. Say it again. Been a long string of linebacker success at Ohio State. Now you look at, you know, about like Sonny taking that next step this year. I'm motivated. Are you going to be part of that? Then you have to be one of the great linebackers to play at Ohio State. Oh, I'm ready for it. I mean, that's what I'm hopeful. The most, the most at stake. But, you know, like I said, we're trying to treat it like a business trip. We're not good. You know, this isn't, this isn't the normal bull trip. But we're not here to, you know, necessarily go sightseeing or check out the city or anything. We're here to win a football game. That's what we're here for. You know, we're going to be hunkered down, doing everything we can to get this win.

3:35:06Well, you talk about motivation, getting over that October 12th game. But I think you talk about running the league and trying to balance out with not getting too high on your emotions. How does that motivation for you show up on an idea that basically is more preparation, more film? What does that look like for you? Yeah, it's just really an edge and everything you do. I feel like, and you know, carrying that kind of pissed off mentality. I mean, obviously not letting it affect you in a negative way. But, you know, making it, you know, reminds you, hey, like, I'm going to go the extra inch here. I'm going to, you know, see if I can find something extra on film late at night. Or I'm going to, you know, go over this sheet again, call the plays one more time. All these little things that, you know, I just, you know, we just can't let that what happened last time happened again. The only way this week I was talking about how, you know, playing back here at football, he tended to be playing in the Rose Bowl. You grew up in big 10th country. What does it mean to take part in this game? What does this mean? Game mean to you? You kind of grow them up? It's a tell, man. It's crazy that, you know, that God has blessed me

3:36:06and put me in this position to be here and be the quarterback in the Rose Bowl. You know, a game that I grew up watching every single year. Some unbelievable games that I've watched in the Rose Bowl, some classics. And just to be a part of it is a blessing. And I think we're all, we're all humbled to be here and we're all understanding of how unbelievable this opportunity is and we're not taking it lightly because, you know, again, it's a business trip. And, you know, the only thing that we're looking at is, you know, we win this game, we go on a playing the Cup Bowl. So, you know, it's really exciting. It's, you know, crazy that we're here and that we're a part of this, but, you know, can't let it be too big and just, you know, got to go out there and play football. I think so. I think, you know, you go back and watch the film and, you know, I just didn't, you know, and I'm hyper critical in myself and I think we all are here, you know, but I just look at it and I'm like,

3:37:06man, I don't think anyone this year beat us. You know, I think we beat ourselves every time. And, you know, you watch and, you know, we had to turn over, you know, in our own 20-yard line and they got the kick. You know, it's two possessions, it's the first half and then, you know, obviously the way the game ended, like, and we're still one point away. And that's what, what hurts and was, you know, a hostile environment in their place. You know, I'm just thankful that, you know, I said this since the other day, but we're just thankful that we get to the Rock. And you feel like, you're looking back to two weeks ago from Tennessee, you feel like there's a confidence about this world. It may be what they're going to show you. You know, you put it all together. What is your sense of the team from that aspect? Does it feel a little bit different? Yeah, I think, you know, a game like that, you know, in sales confidence, you know, because it shows us we're capable of. But you can't beat complacency and it can never be comfortability. And confidence and drive.

3:38:07And that's what it has to urge us to be like, man, like, we can do this. When we play in our best, and then there's like, you know, in the country that can hang us, but we have to be on our games. We have to make sure that, you know, we can't let anything go. No people take this. No people take this. No people take this. Oh, you're backing us that I feel like we've been using the evolution of this offense, but it's been an honor to have it. What do you think? I mean, at the end of the day, I just want to keep the ball moving down the field, you know, getting in a rhythm, I think it's going to be big for us. And I think we did a really good job of that in Tennessee game. We're weathering the storm a little bit early, and there were a couple of early calls that we got to be able to sound in that game. And kept this going, but regardless, we kept the drive going. For me, keeping us on schedule, taking care of the football, and making sure that we can hurt on third down in our situation we could. You know, we do all that stuff. Obviously for me, you know, I want to beat these guys and drive the machine, because we got, when we're on our stuff, we're hard to stop.

3:39:09So we just got to make sure that we finish our preparation, right? These last two days, and go out there and put our best reward. Thanks for all the help. Thank you guys. You come on this way. Yeah, that's a good play. Oh, it is good. It's good. It's good. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Yeah, what you've got a lot of playing time last year, and this season, and what kind of problems was that people were in? A good one. Especially sorry. My whole goal is to get going. It's going there. It's just too good. I know what I got. I was in the play. I know what I was thinking. It was just trying to keep me going. You walked on in the game. Did you ever envision yourself being where you are right now? And is it one of your favorite games? I definitely tried to. I definitely believe that if you speak something, I'll be kind of trying to be passionate about it. It's just really helpful to kind of see the vision and stick to that. So it's a blessing to me. You spent some of the vibes guys in the tight end room and a monitor on a regular basketball stadium.

3:40:15Vive guys, I'd say, better pressure when he's walking away. He kind of brings some good energy. Jason Middleton right there too. He kind of oversees Max and Barron for a little bit. That's pretty fun. We all have some pretty good opportunities for catching. Especially practice, we're all making some good money. Very competitive three fish years. Definitely competitive, but in a good way. We're all there. We all know our strength and we're all going to have to practice. We're working with each other and hoping to get better. We all know that we're moving to others. We'll see what's going on season. There are a few. You know, he just has a problem with the walk-in. They do pressure training on the left here. I'm going to do whatever point we're in. I'm part of it. I need to be like, understand all of them. That every other one of you would have to do more. Definitely not. If you're not helping people who are not here,

3:41:18speaking with a time ago, we're right there. I have a coach here that's feeding on that. Some of that's taught in real life. I mean, it was before that there was someone I knew. The Rutgers was just one of those opportunities. Yeah, I think that's what I'm going to do. I'm very proud of what I'm doing. I think that's what I'm going to do. He's definitely a lot tougher. I like that. Yeah, I mean, that's what our unit is. We're trying to help us put in the right way. We're going to do this for a certain point. We're getting ready to go. I would say we definitely have brought him. What he'd started in this way. That's where it was started. Trying to get it. Or just, you know, the hundredth.

3:42:19No, it's not. I mean, I want to really say that's real. And the toughness, that's real. And talent. It was right there. So, you know, we've done this a lot. I would say our gindi. I would tell him. I would tell him. We're just going, you know, full wraps. We're going to tell him. We're going to block this. Working with somebody. To make this work. To make this work. To make this work. To make this work. Okay. Coming up. Christmas is really a good year. Thinking about this year. That's really good.

3:43:19Credit free resource. Norwa player, I keep aóg. I have to go back to school events or go back to being a student, when the schedule permits. Yeah, so you play for me a five weeks or this week I can go back. So it's not very good. When things ramp up in the school, how do you balance that? You know, government. I, yeah, it does. Especially when the students are estimated to be able to do it. You really have to go to the university, go to the university, go to the university, go to the university, go to the university, and then the other one is almost 10. What, what excites you about getting on field and playing meaningful football? You know, the brothers, seeing the brothers succeed, just knowing that all the work that we put in and doing, we go to the university. That's awesome. It's good. Are you a big guy that had on taking in the environment

3:44:19or you choose all business once you step out of the hardest field? I, I'd probably say it's in a big business. I kind of just kind of went out there and it was pretty fun. But there's moments like when we had a big Ronald Notre Dame on the table and that was awesome. There's moments like that, we just kind of have to look at it and run it. Yeah. When you were when you had an accident, like getting on a football snack, what, how can you prepare for that or everything that you can get back in that moment? Practice. You know, uh, placing the beers, practice a hundred percent here, so that can be some of the January and the next day, we've been doing some training, you know, working on it at the game and it's just what they're about practices. What you're thinking about is that you're talking about the D.D. and you're always excited about working against that

3:45:19and practice. How do they push you as you have been? I am. Do you have any further information? A little quicker than we do. So I'd like to get my hands on a little bit of my hand and just kind of take off with that. That, you know, their quickness kind of helps me get my seat moving. I'm going to take a look at what's being played out there. I'm going to buy a color list and I'm going to see what is being brought in. I'm going to add some more data as well. I'm going to give you guys a key and we'll just hang on and then invite them to that new bowl. I mean, you can see a lot of those types of growth in the growth group. I mean, we've got a cable. I'm going to see it in the next one. We're going to do exactly what's going on. We're going to bring that along. We don't have any of those people who are nails. I'm going to be thinking about how many guys are having their own back before I go. How many people are having that? You know, one of them is having some sort of childhood stuff. People don't know what they're having. I don't know if they're having that.

3:46:20I think it's good. Well, I've been on the phone. You can't do anything to see this. That's a lot of things. I think it's great. Yeah, I think that's the last one. It's a little immediate. I'm so happy to see you. I'm going to give you a little bit of a script. How important is the relationship of the development? It's a lot of things. Good. Yeah. We're close with them. We talked a lot. I went to the mobile phone and I'll be there. I think that's the best. First utility. A lot of playmaking. A lot of down to dirty blocks. I've been in blocking. Just like, just an exciting play. Does the CK have the kind of hearing that last year as a receiver? How inspiring is that? The C the way it's tied into music? Man, it kind of has a more and more. And K was just one of the people that stood out this year because he put in that work for a system. In and out. In and out the wood. He laid nights early mornings. Even with Nissan Toms. What do you like to say? What do you like about blocking? Blocking? Just knowing that you can physically move a man. He knows, he knows you come.

3:47:24That's all blocking is. Knowing that you can get your right back to the kids all just by you can't somebody up. If you can hear you, like you've made the biggest strike, which one you want to hear? Of course, it was something one thing that I highlighted when I first got here knowing that a high school I didn't do really too much of it. I was more of a catcher while I was here, but when you got to do what you got to do, you got to get better. What's the thing you do when you bust a dog? Blocking? It's all about leverage. It's all about leverage. You break higher, you have good leverage, you're in the block. What's it been like having an air here? Hey, that's my dog. It's always good again. Somebody from back home, especially when a guy you already had a connection with for two or three years and years before that with football before high school. How would you see them take your high school? Man, he's dressed when everything. He didn't all the gyms from the other guys in the quarterback room, apart from the other guys that came back during spring practices because our one night is great.

3:48:25Man, air's going to be a great guy. How cool is that when you see a guy like CJ Strauss from back here? It was a little shocking at first because I decided to play with him and all you do is get the hair bottom. CJ is pretty cool. I talked to him a little bit. He said he showed up to the tie dance while he was here. There's a bunch of guys from Georgia. What's the team on both sides of the ball? What do you make of that? There's a bunch of guys from Georgia. Hey, Georgia, what are the dogs at? Literally the bowl ball? No, I'm not full of dogs. There's dogs. Both the combos played good. Like you made me a little bit play. I mean, game plan was come out of wind. I was a part of that beginning then some other guys came in who could get the job done. Just probably a little bit more better than me. Cain Bowler's great experience, really true. It was a great partner experience for the whole team. Got to leave the witty for a minute. That looked cooler vacation. It's been Christmas out there. What was it like to have to have patience?

3:49:25I think I'm thinking play. You've got a big guy. Yeah. Because you were a peagly maybe. But what's it like to play kind of your turn? At the same time trying to prove yourself? It's not. Yeah, it's not really too much proof of myself. It's just me getting better on a day-to-day basis. I mean, it's not the first time I've been waiting to play a little bit. Obviously, some guys, first year at high school, they played JV. I was one of those guys playing JV. You get better, you have moved up. And they're working so. It's better here because they're not dead too. We've been going, Alex. Long time no see. Well, Aaron knows the grind. Aaron's a quarterback. He knows the grind. He knows that a little bit better than me while I was in high school. He's so, he knows so many roles. But he definitely gave me gems and motivated me while I was making the process. Obviously, Caleb now is one of those Georgia guys that's been like practicing at the same time. Caleb Downs from Pettinay, man. I mean, he's trying to bring it every day. I bring it every day.

3:50:25Or, Ohio State, you're going to get the best of the best of every day. So, I love it. Did you play with your playing against baseball? I didn't get to play against him in the past. At high school, no. What would you say to him in practice in center? Or would he even speak of him being one of the best in the past? And the best in the state? Yeah. What are they talking about from your bench? What stands out about his play? I mean, he proved that everything he had proved to get that title at Alabama. He showed, he can make plays. He showed, he's a great football player and all he did was bring his time to Ohio State. Can you see Sandy? I mean, you see Sandy, but he wants you to play your league again on the guy. He knows what he did for the day. I know for sure, Caleb has definitely did his homework. He's definitely watched for him and he definitely knows what he's looking for. So, it makes the game very easy. Thanks a lot. Thank you. Thank you. I'm going to take you to Cody points that Coach Kelly and Coach Day gave me and then I'm also learning from our older guys, William Devlin, Ben here. They played a lot of football and so I'm just taking their points and then I'll jump through it out through. So, you went into the portal after a few pretty recent events you were going to do and what's that like?

3:51:26I'm going to take you to a bunch of schools, I believe, as a bad guy. I mean, it was a little bit crazy. I was only in for about two days because I had to make quick decisions just because of the classes starting in January. So, it was definitely a kind of crazy time, but definitely in the right season. Julian was Nick really the primary reason why he left? I would say yes. I came to Coach Sabin. We had a great relationship, the free process and I loved him, left Coach Sabin and I really wanted to play for him. And you know, just the new staff came and we didn't have the relationship prior to when I got there. So, I just thought it was a message for me for him. So, 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 felt like there was a really good quarterback development here. Coach Day, pretty good like Westboro. You know, the quarterbacks, they've had just the past five years shown the kind of great numbers and I've just played on things the right way. And I wanted to come to this offense because my husband Coach Kelly, you know, make adjustments to Ryan.

3:52:26So, what's that? It's happening all the time. I had pretty much contact with them and they weren't really a high-enderender in that stuff. Julian, one of the things that Coach Day says is that you don't like to have your hand held and have process. You've played up an age a lot of times and you've put up a good, what is it about you to drive and you want that much better? I would say, you know, in high school, I had a coach that, you know, he was giving me a lot of responsibility and he would know quite a lot of responsibility. And so, I just, you know, I want to be the best quarterback he can be and take the need with me or do things the right way and just do things around. I love Washington Hillboro, you know, he makes adjustments to Ryan. He's a really good decision maker. I like Justin Herbert, but I charge his fans and I've lost in him play. I don't know if he's a good decision maker, but I can make things work. I would say I'm a little bit more quiet, but I'm working on the high-end side, you know, Coach Day is trying to get me to be more,

3:53:33and I'm going to be able to get it out there with the guys that are in my direction. It's going to be a really good thing. Coach Day is trying to get me to be more, the vocal leader out there with the guys that are in my direction. That's why it's quite a confidence. That's why I'm confident in your ability to play. I know, let me show up for one of your songs. Did you have any experience with the band? I actually think I've only been here once in a few months, all the time. I love it. I'm really good for the places to be and hang out with friends. I think I've visited maybe Freshman or South Carolina. Yeah, just for the camper and visit, just to see the stories. It's really good to have him. I know it was only a few days, but being in the Alabama program, especially if they prepared for a comic from all the way up front, what did you take away from that short period of time in the course? Yeah, it was really good with Coach Rees and Coach Savin. They were coaching players hard, and I saw the work that takes to get to the playoffs and then coming here, just seeing the older guys putting the work throughout the winter.

3:54:34I've seen all the guys that were really putting the work in and trying to have the takes. What's your relationship with Air? Obviously, coming in, he had been committed, you come in, you're both Freshman. What was it like before and what's your relationship type? We didn't have much relationship prior. We measured it in 2011. I knew each other a little bit, and then come in here, you know, the quarterback room, everyone knows it in the playoffs. So we're all pushing each other to be better. We're all taking push points from each other, trying to get better. Coach Savin and Coach Savin were trying to make sure he had a fight in the fight. He was expecting it. I would say we were caught by surprise, you know, coming back from the game, and it was a little bit high-spirits because of the team-german, and it was high-five by surprise. How did you feel when you were playing for the playoffs? Did you play for the playoffs, did you sign up for the playoffs? Did you personally have a good drive for the ball back? There was definitely a lot of emotions, but I'd like to have a lean on a healthy thing in the table. I was able to make the right decision, and I'm like, who else could work for?

3:55:36I've been through Freshman a lot of times. I've been through Freshman a lot of times. I can't really explain how to have a ball back. I'm just really trying to develop and take push for Coach Day. I can break one of my players here, and then take push for Coach Kelly. I just want to develop and run the offense, and then they want to end up in the fresh and fresh play. You know what I mean? The little pictures still set for the break. You can make it. I know. What do you think? What about your game? You can try to play the ball. I think that I can be really the decision-maker for the offense, and some of you will be absolutely making trust. Last question. Did you play the game? Did that actually do it? I think it's kind of a lot of things. I was always around for a ball. My bow is a quarterback at Penn.

3:56:36He used it a quarter back in eighth, and I was in high school, and I was following his footsteps. I've always been around for a ball, and then I've just been at high level after his high school, and just really just had a ball around Penn. Who do you want? One more. Who's your favorite title? Uh, Packard. What are you saying? Well, I have a taste of my opponent. I'm a good player. I'm a good player. I just think of it like a good player. There were ups doing a good job, not just sitting there and being like, right, this is another player. I see them fiercely battling from that position, so I had developed a great job. Is there any practice you primarily had? Uh, position or left tackle. Left tackle. Okay. Um, that's, is that been your natural position pretty much? Yeah, I played left tackle towards end of my high school career. I played it all the way up until the spring of my junior season here. And I went to write for spring ball, a little bit of camp, and I went back to left. I think that I'm much more comfortable with left tackle. You went to, to write this past spring.

3:57:38Uh, the spring before the spring, so my junior, yeah. Were you right tackle all of last season, like throughout the year? No, I played left. Okay, so you've probably really been left. Yeah, most of my time here has been left. I'm very, very much more comfortable with left tackle. I'm on my, I'm left handed, like everything I do, I've been playing left tackle. Are you left-footed too? Uh, I'd say. Are you really? Yeah. You kicked it to your left foot. You know, chip made the comment about wanting ten dies if possible. Uh, because guys are going to need as much depth as possible, especially when it comes to the offensive line. Um, do you think right now your, your room is at that point where you can probably legitimately platoon? Like, and not just kind of at the end of the game type thing, but really throughout the game, it gets a meaningful minute. Yeah, like with all the stuff that went under in camp, like a lot of guys got a lot of reps, and I think a lot of guys were able to step up and show that like they are reliable, like there were days that we didn't know who we had going into practice. So it was, it was, I think that genuinely I can honestly afford,

3:58:39we say that we do have, we have good pieces in our room, and we have depth. More depth than I think we've had inside of it here. You think that would be something that like you guys would be able to kind of cohesively agree on, like it's like, okay, any second unit, let's get in there, and it's, you know, end of the first quarter, second quarter, whatever the case is, and some people may not get like kind of touchy about that. I got to come out of the game, you know. You think you guys have that kind of like relationship, if you will, to be able to, to agree upon something like that? I think we have a great, our room has a great relationship. I feel like that we, you know, everyone's best friends, you know what I'm saying? Like we, this is one of the closest, I mean, just the rooms I've ever been in, I feel like, we've been together for so long, and all the young guys have been coming along, so it's been good, I'd say not. It sounds like pretty pretty well. How do you think there's a unit handle of criticism for this venue for a couple of years, for the O-Line, and then it's just constant. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, when you're at a place like this, and everyone, everything around you,

3:59:39usually you're going to keep up, and what Coach Friar always tells us is that we have them in our room, so like there's no, like it's on us, like you look at your brothers next to you, and it's on all of us to uphold that standard, and just keep kind of like fighting to be the best version that we can be of our offensive line unit, and put it out there on game day. What's the biggest thing that feels different for you this year than maybe years past? I would say confidence and just comfortfulness, and then I'm in my fourth year, I'm back at my, you're just playing left to act well, I'm having a good time, I've just been, you know, I feel like I've just been genuinely having fun with it. Not taking it seriously, but like it's at the same time, realizing that like it's football, and I feel like that is almost relaxed, man, that able to play faster, I've been able to, you know, and just be more comfortable. What do you think it is that's instilled that confidence in you? Oh, reps. For sure, reps, just I have not a lot of reps this can't, but yeah. Is this a campaign you probably had the most reps of any campaign you've ever had? Oh, yeah, I mean, probably the first week of camp, I probably, I mean, I was taking like 30, 40 reps of practice.

4:00:43I feel like just we were going back to back, me and Austin, he was just going ones and twos, and I'm saying that guys are sick and we're not saying, I got a bunch of reps, so yeah, I don't know about it. How have you seen Austin take to playing tackle? He's doing good. I feel like Austin, he gets, you know, he gets out there, he's tired. It's like the end of the rack, we're switching off to the night with anybody, so I think sometimes it's kind of like, oh, I hear I go out there, but he's gotten better at it for sure. Just in general, like him playing both tackle guard, like what are the things you've seen from down down into your team? I see Austin going to, I mean, gosh, Austin's been such a big jump this year from last year guard. I mean, obviously I didn't see him a whole bunch last year because I think he was probably, I'm scouting, but this year, especially spring ball, I saw him take some strides with this camp, especially Austin's stepped up so much. I've seen so much more of Austin. Using what we've learned to execute in a game and improve in the practice. Now we're in Josh and we're here for four years now. I feel very, very, very good.

4:01:44I think growing the most of just having reps in the system, you know, there's a lot going on in the system, and so having reps, having seen live fire in front of you, and just getting that confidence, you know, oh, I know half of it's mentality that it has confidence. So just having the other half of the game, adding that to the half of the game, I think it's just going to improve further. Where is this line back in three seasons? Really stepped up, basically. I mean, taking a bit, where have you more come? Where is your season seven? I mean, I'll just say this whole line for the most part has a lot of playing experience. You know, Seth bringing Seth, he has a ton of playing experience, and then everyone else that on the line that played last year and now coming back, how he yearned it or belt. So just the, the veterans mentality is like the same at all so now, not just seeing it, you aren't guessing, you can play fast. And with the tools that we had, with, you know, Coach Fried teaching lesson,

4:02:44and just going against, I would say, one of the best headlines in the country, where you have much more respect to get better, you know, as much as I hate compliments in those guys, whether they do do this better. And so I just rolling off the ball, playing with technique, playing with the band, is what we learned about the season seven. The school of particularity, what is he brought? Can you tell he's played Big Time football? How does that show up here? I'm not saying that, like, Big Time football, where he came from, is that what? How does that show up here? I mean, he doesn't blink, you know. He's not jittered out there and he's played in the biggest games you can think of. And so, you can see his experience, his leadership as a personnel position, just communicating down the line and making sure I went on the same page. Johnny? Last question. What's your situation? How was your time, Bob? Just, I'm really just month in for the whole offensive line, starting with day one, illness and everything, having meetings in here.

4:03:46I'm sure it wasn't what you guys expected, August to look like. Yeah, you know, I just kind of just had to adapt. We've got some pretty split illnesses in here, but just, you know, trying to adapt and make sure everyone's one healthy one where a health comes first and foremost. So, we had to make sure we weren't in an area where we can still learn the healthy environment, and then just make sure those guys are taking care of them. So, then they come back to come back stronger and healthier. Well, I think this has a chip on your shoulder, and I would talk to them on that before, just to look at what happened last year, and sort of being the lack of a better term, a better term, a better term, a better term, a better term, a better term, a better term, a better term. I think you've been in all these terms with all these things. You've been in criticism, and you guys have taken that part of the content of the show, to help people solve it. I mean, yeah. I mean, I had to, I had to swallow my words there, but, yeah, I mean, what's been said in our room, don't get me said out here,

4:04:48and you're just saying the narrative, or you understand what some of y'all think of us. I mean, we just got executed, man. It's a, y'all in your report, which I see on the field, so if you want to change that narrative, you got to change what you come to field. That's what we got to do. Alright, God, but thank you. That kind of surprised me. But I liked that it was a little Christmas flare, so. Austin Moore, podcast. What did you guys think of the rotation on the guards last week? I thought all three of those guys did a really nice job, and I think it's, you know, to develop depth, lateness season, like we have, is critical. I thought it looked really well, but I think when you can kind of keep some guys fresh, you know, most teams defensively, Tennessee being one, our team being one, Oregon being one, rotate defensive line, and very rarely are you rotating offensive line, so to have three really capable guys inside, that can spell each other. I think helps keep them fresh a little bit, so. You know, I know Justin and Coach have talked about, and we'll continue to play all three of those guys,

4:05:49and I think it makes all three of those guys better players. He says not, it's not that common, we don't see it very often. Is that a difficult thing for a coach to do in an institute? It just goes against the notion that one chemistry and cohesion and all the rest of that, was it a difficult step for you guys to take that? No, I think it's a credit to those guys, and I think they've all earned it. So I think that's the one thing about it. It's a meritocracy here. If you've merit playing time, you get playing time, and all three of those guys have worked really hard at it, so you know, the more depth you can have, is better. And that's a positive, you know, as you're getting in here, as we talk about it, it's a 16-17 game season to win the whole thing, and so your depth is going to be tested. Our depth obviously has been tested in the offensive line, losing Jimmy, losing Seth, but to have Luke step up the way he stepped up is a huge deal for us. You know, David, you know what I'm saying? A lot of the guys, every time somebody's talking about consistency, they'll talk about what he's playing consistency, and the talents play better,

4:06:50but it's getting bigger or more, getting a good lot in the touch. What do you see from Jolani? This is a lot of the ground up here that you kind of find the consistency of that trust until the end. Yeah, I'm a big Jolani fan. I think he's a tremendous football player. He works his tail off. You can see him develop. He's certainly gotten better each week this season, and continues develop. He's a big tall, rangel target, but he's a physical football player. You know, and when you look at him, you see his length, and you see his height, and you say, well, you know, that's impressive, but then you watch his toughness. You know, I think on the one play, we'll took off for a first down and fell forward, but when he hit the ground, the ball popped out, and then Tennessee picked it up, and he laid a hit on the Tennessee defender that picked the ball up. There's an innate toughness to Jolani that any football person just kind of admire someone. So, you know, combining that athleticism with that toughness, it's a pretty good package. Downspirited, yes, why? WNS coach obviously, these are kind of uncharted waters. You guys knew going in, the death would be important, but this will be your 14th game.

4:07:54From a fatigue standpoint, and whatever, they've never played this many games before. How are you guys handling all that? I think there's a little bit of a break. You know, there was a break between the last game of our season, and then the first round will play off, so then I don't know if it's 10 or 12 days between round 1 and round 2 here in the quarter finals. And then I think there's a, it's not a week to week thing, you know, some other like it is in the NFL. There's a little bit of a break in there, so you just have to manage it the way you can manage it, but the other teams you're playing are going through the same exact thing, so it's not like one team's at a bigger, bigger advantage, you know, so I know Oregon had last week off, but then they did play in a championship game, you know, the week before that, so they didn't have the week off after the end of the season, so it's just how it is. And it is going to be a battle of attrition when you get down to the end. You know, I know like Georgia's lost their quarterback in their championship game, so that's just part of what everybody has to deal with. Everybody's dealing with injuries and losing he guys that keep positions, but it's about guy stepping up and running with it when they can.

4:08:56So, you know, and there's no better model than Cardell Jones and what he did when the last time this team won a national championship, you know, he started off the season of three, but then he was a quarterback that led them to the championship game. So we talked to our players about that a lot, and then it's when your time comes, are you ready when your time comes? And if it is, then let's go. What I get on a roll, ball amount is important. Do you feel the momentum coming out of that intensity game and your hope it continues now? You do hope it continues, and I think our players are in a good mindset right now. You know, I think we're still, I know today, I think you said Jerry a Saturday, right Jerry? Yes. It's Wednesday in our world, so that's kind of how we approach it. So, you know, we had a good Monday and a good Tuesday, so now it's really just having a good Wednesday and concentrating fully on what we can do today to get better for this game that's coming up in a couple days. Tell me, is this WSYD? It's this weekend's goal team to have a ball and to mention the organizing first back. What have you noticed the differences in organizing versus the last time you play on?

4:09:56I think some of the personnel has changed a little bit, and I think some of the players that did step up, you know, when Birch went down, have really played well. You know, Mateo's got 10 and a half sacks and has been a really, has been a force on the edge. You know, and I think all those guys have grown as a group, just like our guys have grown as a group. You know, it'll be a different game than it was the last time, just because of the maturity in both teams. I just will have a really good game in the four games that can be off-artfully made and best game as a buck-eye. How do you see him approach to me? He's been the same. That's the one thing I love about Willis, his consistency and his approach on a daily basis is every Monday is the same, you know, the same preparation in terms of film study and what we talk about. What's Tuesday? Look like what's Wednesday. Look like what's Thursday. Look like in his growth during the week. So I think it's that consistent approach that you really kind of admire from him. You know, there's nothing looking forward. Make the proper corrections on a Sunday after a game, whether it's a win or a loss, you know, and then move on to the next opponent. That's the way I think he's approached it since since the first game of the year.

4:10:59Even me, believe in Doc Conn. There's more on the rotation. I guess his ability to be able to do that in the same game, Donald Jackson sometimes talks about different things like Frank Wright, Frank, so just him being able to do that in the same game and he's great on as a champion in that game can you evaluate his performance on both sides? Yeah, and I think you make a great point. You know, there's a big difference between playing on the right side and playing on the left side. I don't know if people really truly realize that. It's a different deal. There's a big difference between being a guard and being a tackle. You know, how you see things and what you see, you know, you see different looks. You're facing different players. You know, you're using different footwork on the right side. You're the right hands down and the right foot's back on the left side, the left hands down and the left hands back. So that sounds easy, but to drill and to be a great offensive lineman. So, like you mean it seemed to look that way, that's what raised the left back on the wrong side as how he gang closes the mark.

4:12:03And I'm preparing to swing. Right, him way old well as he was we're up in the back. Maybe he got the gap that trend the moment he's used to that. on the left side when Donnie was down for a while there, but then to be able to fill and go over to the other side is a really big deal. And there was a way you guys are running the ball, obviously, pre-lung million different injuries on the offensive line. Just happened the time between the last time you guys played and you guys played on Saturday said, maybe revamp whatever you guys need to revamp to fit into what the guys are now. I don't, could you do that during the season when you're playing week to week well also trying to mitigate all the losses you're having on the offensive line? Yeah, a little bit. And I think a lot of times your game plan specific in the run game really is dictated by who your opponent is and how they play and how they deploy what type of spacing do they use up front and then what plays are better against that spacing and then breaking down the individual play of the individual guys. Where is their strength?

4:13:04Is it the inside guys? Is the outside guys? How do they handle certain plays? So there's certain plays that are better against different teams. So there's always adjustments that go on from a week to week basis from that standpoint. Spencer Holbrook, letterman Grog. Chip's as well has come back tight end. What is he giving you guys that you guys are missing the time or the thickness? Yeah, just having him back, we actually lost him in this game. You know, and then to come back, I think he's a big strong body. He can be a tight end and inline tight end that can block defensive ends, block the C gap. You know, gives you that that matchup in there against and we're going to need it this week because the ends we're facing are really, really good. But given a guy that can play in line in line up as basically the sixth offensive lineman and can be able to compete like that, he's done a really nice job. And I think it just added more depth than given us another weapon to use on the offensive side. Did you use the tight end to bring all against Tennessee? I think you had a big Johnny and big catch in the state.

4:14:06Did you use G in store again? It's very similar to pretty good against two guys. What is it about big games? A bit of play-climbing all the time that makes you guys like get the tight end more involved? It seems like in a big game, offensive is just targeting. Yeah, I mean, the tight ends are usually deployed towards the middle of the field. It's a shorter throw for the quarterback. The tight ends are usually bigger targets. They have a bigger catch radius just because of the size of the tight ends and what they can do. Sometimes it becomes a matchup game with tight ends. You know, how do they match up against the linebackers? If they're a little bit more athletic than the linebackers, then do you put a DB on them? But if you put a DB on them, maybe they're bigger than a DB. So that becomes kind of the game within a game when you're trying to control the middle of the field. You know, it's like having a really good slot receiver and we do in a Mecca that can control the middle of the field. But they have a really good tight end, you know, watching them on tape that does a great job of helping control the middle of the field. And he's really a safety valve for the quarterback knowing that, hey, I got a big guy somewhere in the middle of the field. It's a shorter throw. They don't have to drive the ball to the side line to get the ball to him.

4:15:07But you can take advantage of some of that spacing and use those guys. But I think it's the same thing, you know, the teams that are really successful in the NFL, the chiefs and people like that. The Niners with Kittle, you know, having that that kind of security blanket in the middle of the field is a big deal for a quarterback. Folks, this press conference is being zoomed in streamed around the world on the worldwide web. We're going to go to a couple of those on zoom right now. A question from Andrea Soto from the Los Angeles Times. Andrea? Both you are returning to the stadium that you've all home for the past six years. Is that at anything that is game for you or is this kind of business as usual? Gotta get more sunscreen looking at the weather report because we haven't seen the sun a little in a while out here at Columbus. But I think more the game itself and the rose bull itself, you know, is it's such an iconic place and such a special place to play. I know to be at that two o'clock kickoff on the West Coast on January 1st is it's special.

4:16:09And so I'm excited to be an opportunity to coach in another rose one. I think that's going to be really special. And how would you say you've grown over the past year? Say that again. How would you say you've grown over the past year? Like as a coach and as a person? Yeah, I mean, I think anytime you're a product of your environment. So to be able to be around this group, you know, the players and obviously this coaching staff here is. Has to make anybody better. So I think the fact that I got a chance to spend time with this group is is a truly special time. And I had a great time when I was at UCLA. I had a great staff and an unbelievable group of players there too. So I think just really fortunate with everybody that I've got a chance to be around the last seven years. Move on to Jordan Mendoza USA today. Hey coach, you at one point almost had Dylan Gabriel as a quarterback at UCLA. So clearly that you have a connection with him. What was it about him that you know, wanted you to why did you to have him as a quarterback? And what can you say about just the type of quarterback and person that he is?

4:17:10Yeah, I'm not surprised that the success Dylan has had, you know, you could see it. When he was at Millilani and in Hawaii in high school. And then watching what he did at Central Florida. Didn't surprise me to success. He had an Oklahoma, another success. He's at an Oregon. He's extremely accurate. I think he's really calm. There's a poise about him that I think is, you know, kind of special for the quarterback position. Doesn't seem to get rattled too much. Really has a true understanding of what they want to get accomplished there. And it's also really athletic so that if you do take away some of his options from a throw standpoint. He can beat you with his leg. So I think he's the complete package and one of the top quarterbacks in the country. You got time for one more on Dylan. Joe Reedy from the Associated Press. Hey, Jeff. Just with working with this offense for the past year. When was the point where you felt like you were really comfortable with this group and everything was kind of operating how you wanted it?

4:18:11That's always a work in progress, you know, I think in some games you're like that was, you know, we were really productive and really efficient in terms of what we did in the other games. You know, you come out of the game and say, hey, we left some things out on the field or we didn't do what we thought we could do against his team. So that's part of the process. But I think we really approach it on a week to week basis. We don't kind of look at it and say, hey, I think we've arrived because I think each week is totally different. You know, there's been some games where I think we've been really, really happy with what we've done. There's been a lot of, there's been a few games where we know we got to be better. So, you know, our job is to put those guys in position to make plays and then let them go play. So we got a great group from that standpoint that is a joy to coach because of how they approach every single day here. So, you know, we're excited about the next opportunity that we get with these guys. And then just what's it been like just, you know, being an offensive coordinator after many years of being a head coach has it been like you thought it would go?

4:19:11Yeah, it's been a lot more football and a lot less overall meetings. I think that a head coach has to do. But I think any head coach would share with you that part of it. You know, sometimes I think as a head coach, you wear a lot of different hats, you know, obviously as a coordinator and just coaching the quarterbacks. It's a little bit different. So, it's been fun. It's been a really enjoyed being back in the meeting room with players on a day-to-day basis as a head coach. You bounce around to different meeting rooms. But, you know, as the coordinator, you're with the quarterbacks all the time. So, I really enjoyed that aspect of it. At the time for a few more questions here. Tom Moore, what kind of other? We've seen teams kind of bracket Jeremiah at times as a play-caller. How does that make you open things up and when other areas of the field? How does that, you know, is that like an underappreciated part of this game that you maybe have in impact people? Yeah, he obviously has an impact every time he's on the field. But I think it's really the quarterback being able to discern that. Are they bracketing him on this play and not bracketing him on that play and understanding, do we go to option two or option three?

4:20:13If maybe JJ was option one and they are doubling him, then we got, then hopefully that means someone else is going to be open. It really will be able to process that post-nap from how teams are deploying him. And I think we'll as done a nice job of that. Having a quarterback like well, going up against a quarterback like Dylan, this is obviously two real, veteran, quarterback. You've had young quarterbacks somewhat recently as well. Where does that show off the most? Is that during the week that you can just kind of sit through stuff because it's the AAC. Or does that show up more on game day? Where do you see the biggest impact from having a veteran quarterback? I think in both. And I think a lot of times with Will specifically this year, he sits in on our game plan meetings with us and talk to him about, hey, we kind of like this in this situation. What do you feel like? He'll give, he doesn't always agree. So I kind of like this. So bounce ideas off of him because he's played a lot of football and has a lot of experience. So that's enjoyable when you have an older quarterback. Sometimes when you have a younger guy, they don't have the wealth of experience to be able to share with.

4:21:13I kind of like this because they haven't done it. They just lack the experience. I don't like the talent. They just like the experience. So having a veteran quarterback like that, that's played a lot of snaps. And there's things that will say, hey, we're looking to do this. So I did that. That was a two point play for us a couple years ago. So I kind of like that that operation. So having that experience, I think, is huge when it comes to quarterback spot. And I'm sure Dan will tell you the same thing about having Dylan over there. I think he's got 60 somewhat starts. So you know that experience can't, can't hurt you. Bill, we've been with this back. So if you coached for a long time, you've seen great play pushing NFL. Have you ever seen anyone as good as young as Jeremiah? As young? No. No, not that maturity level that approach those physical skills as a young player, as a freshman. I've not seen anybody like Jeremiah. And you guys wrote in last game, you're not going to do it throughout the playoff.

4:22:13What makes you so confident and feel good at? You know, I think the one thing about Jeremiah is just his consistency to practice itself. He practices every day very rarely as he missed anything. You know, I think his durability over the course of time. You know, we played 14 games now or 13 games now and he's been there every day. Some other guys have had an ankle, had a knee, had something that would keep him out not further an entire game. But during the course of a week, maybe miss a Tuesday, miss a Wednesday. The one thing about JJ is he's out there every day. And I think he really enjoys practicing. He really enjoys playing. I think the kid loves football, which is awesome to see. I think he's built for it. You know, you look at him physically, I think he can handle the workload. You said you were to watch your mind. He's ankle got twisted. He didn't miss any practice after that. No, you know, I think everybody was concerned after that. But because we're off, we run around on Sundays, but we're off on Mondays.

4:23:15But when we got back to Tuesday, he was back out there running around. And the most things out with Bill Landis, Kings of the North. I think the fantasy game was the most, maybe you guys have moved Jeremiah around. There was this highest percentage of slam snaps out of the week from the season. I know a lot of what you guys do is a part of the specific, but how much of moving him around was dictated by just how teams have defended him? And what is it for to, I guess, when you can not always happen with this. I think we did it early. We did a little bit against Nebraska, had him inside and did some different things. We kind of post-route down the middle against Nebraska in some of those situations. So again, most of its game points specific in terms of how our defenses that we're facing, trying to defend us. And what puts us in a situation to make plays. So that'll really depend on who you're playing and how they, how they kind of approach it more than, hey, this week, let's just try this. But there's not anything we're just trying. It's all based upon our evaluation of however many games they played and how they deploy their defense and their spacing to how we're going to deploy our offense and try to space them out.

4:24:22Jeremiah is a physical presence and I know he's really well. I know he looks at one handed catch as he's made. But when you guys have gotten in the ball kind of in space and visibility after the catcher was that out. I don't think anything about Jay Jay's underrated. He wasn't the first player. They have that. He didn't win it. I'll let you say. Oh, the linebacker. Yeah, he's good part. I didn't have a vote. Kids are good part. I'm sorry. Like it's a football player. But JJ after the catch, like, is that I guess maybe the bud brother asked is that something you want to try to unlock a little bit more as you go forward here in the post. Just, you know, letting him use his feet or or away. Yeah, I mean, JJ, you know, he, I think he ran a reverse against Michigan State for a touchdown.

4:25:24Short pass against West for Michigan. They just ran away from everybody. You know, I think obviously he's not just throw the ball up and haven't go get it. He can do a lot of different things. That's what makes him a complete football player. So, you know, he can take short passes and turn them into runs after catches and can make some damage that way. But he can also beat you over the top. I think the one thing that may be underrated is I think he's a really good blocker. I think he's done a really good job on perimeter runs in terms of being able to lock up the B's and get his hands on because he is such a big guy. But he takes a lot of pride in that too. That's the one thing that's always so good about JJ is that there's nothing that he's not willing to do to help us win. So if it may be a key block in a certain situation or it may be catching a short pass and running with it or maybe catching the ball over the top. Those highlight touches that he's made. It's said he's a complete package. So, you know, we're fortunate to have him. Coach, thank you very much. Thanks, Coach. I can't remember what the title was either.

4:26:25They just thought I could be an end just because I was quick. I was going to go gain a lot of weight. I was already 235 last year. So they thought I'd lose to like 250. But it's time to stay with you for you. Do you have like a, you're playing lineback now? Obviously, you just have to be your preferred spy. Like what do you like about linebackers? Just first, like if you had stuck with like maybe you could be on the edge or an end? I like a linebacker more because I feel like I'm more free. I like it too, but I like a linebacker. I'm more free. Not to make a bunch of plays that linebacker. Did you ask me about your linebacker? Did they just push you back? They put me back there. I just got one last year. Not being out there for a while, didn't you hurt? No. I really see. Feel that some deep bumps in my mouth. It wasn't really difficult. I knew I wouldn't see in the field. It was because what I was doing, I wasn't really into the playbook. I was really all over the place. So the one that I knew the bottom was, that's what I changed. So I want you to get those drive you into this year, then?

4:27:26I completely changed from last year. This year I'm in the playbook. I'm watching film on one of my coach. Like Justin, just... What does that look like day to day when you're in the playbook studying? Coach Day mentioned that was an uptick and preparation going to each one. What's taking me through it a day? What do you do? I just go over to mistakes I made yesterday. I just came to make the same mistakes. We don't all make mistakes, but we can make the same mistakes. So I just go over to mistakes. Obviously watch film on other scenes. Talk to Nova Stem. You have the mindset you seem to have on watching play, the mindset of a linebacker. Here's the one I'm saying. Do you feel more like a linebacker in your heart than anything else? Yes, sir. Why is that? How do you feel that? Like I said, I feel like that linebacker, I feel like I have to be around every player, like make every play. So that's why I'm always running to the ball. Because you never know what happens. The pop out, you get a pick from that. So just running to the ball, being around the ball.

4:28:27Do you guys have to coach you about that or if you always feel like that? That just sound like I always be. Just ran to the ball and saw it on the side. That's something I always do. If you have a little max on top, some guys have a firm initial. What's coming before it gets to you out before it actually happens? Do you feel like you have that kind of sense of action? Kind of having a feel for what's coming before they run the ball. You're going to say that. Yes, sir. That's just come with watching film. Like on the plays I was chasing the ball. I pretty much knew it was coming to you from the mistakes I made that week. But I cleaned up on it when I watched it. That first week in Cody wasn't out there. What was that like for you and what did you learn from yourself? Getting so many reps on foot. It was exciting because I knew I was going to play a lot. I got like 35 plays. That game I knew I was going to play a lot. And I just honestly, I learned that like, that's like a five. I'm prepared for it. I have to do it. And when you add Cody back to his lineback around, I mean, you Cody C.J. Stoney. The four of you very first talk about it to do a lot.

4:29:28What is it like being with that group and how much is that? Do you have help each other? I learned a lot from those guys. Like especially Cody played a mic position. So me being behind him, I could just watch him learn from him. Like when he's going to walk through, I'm a lot being learned. So I just learned a lot from Cody. I've had the opportunity to kind of be a player, make an impact. It's here being from Ohio, from the Northern area. It has a chance to make a play that I have a big house there. It means a lot to me, especially while I come from, I've used a lot of guys that come from, came from where I came from. That did the same thing. So just the fact that I can live up, being made sure it means a lot to me. Of course some people who leaned on had it grown up, that maybe have had experience with the players. Yeah. Can't really play. We can tell you a lot of football. I've been playing football since I was five. My mom put me into it. So I said my mom. You didn't work at all at the will during camp at all.

4:30:29He's never got any work over there. So a lot of times Sunday we'll talk about how interchangeable the two positions are. I learned about it, but I didn't get too much work there. Arve, with the preparation stuff you're talking about, like what flipped that switch? Was it a conversation with Coach Laurenidas? Was it something you just saw? Was it a conversation with the team? Like what got you in the film right more? I say Coach Laurenidas made me realize that I could really do it and actually play. He always say like if I just put the time in, I could do it. He always say something. So I say I've really stayed coach for nothing just me realizing too like that. I really can't do it. So is it a lack of confidence before things like you weren't sure if you were up there? Did you cut it right back? Not a lack of confidence, but a lack of like serious. Like I was enough. I played last time I was here. I was more really involved. Did you not know how good you were? I'm serious.

4:31:30No, I knew I'd do that one. You're talking like a guy who didn't understand how good they actually were. Somebody showed you like no, this is what you're going to do. Were you all struck by the process and everything? Or being here? Or was it just showing up and going to the motions? Were you all struck by everything? Is that why you weren't taking a serious? We're just trying to process more than you. I started off that line better than I got moved to A. It doesn't feel like you know. Here? Yeah. What was your work? When you got hurt by a special team, what injury was that? And how did that change things for you? I had a contusional kickoff. I had a contusional. I was up like five games. It didn't really change much. Was that a hard thing to go through? Yeah. I never met Andrew like that for that long. So he was hard. Who was he? Last question. Did you just do a marketing like coach said yesterday about 50 and I am like this guy? No, what did you say? Did you have any of the luck times when I came down here, basically you have a whole big sketch.

4:32:33You know, if you have to have it. Okay. You asked about it. Think about that? Yeah. Like, you have to create this. I know. Thank you, Arvo. If you end up in Marshall, I'll stay in for you. I tried to play and I had coached the nose was best for him. I thought I was good to go and a lot of people told me I wasn't. I was like, what do you mean? I'm fine. And then coach said, you know, talking off the cliff a little bit. But it's just trying to protect me for myself. You know, I have a blessed with opportunity to play a lot of ball this year. And so, you know, just like, look man, let's calm down for these weeks and we'll get you back after the buy. But I wasn't the most happy camper in the world for a good minute there. But it is what is reprinted for ball again. How's that the one that plays that? It was amazing. As a senior, I know I only have a limited amount of opportunities left to play in the

4:33:34game. So just running out of the tunnel, you know, I've never, never said I'd take the game for granted. But, you know, knowing that I like the number of times I have to do that's whaling down, kind of waiting on me those first few games. And so just playing the game to the highest levels as fast as I can and just, you know, taking it all in in the moment. I mean, when it happened, I've been lying about it that I said, I mean, I wouldn't take the route, heated obviously, so. But like, but like I was like, oh my gosh, like what happened? And it was kind of a moment of like, okay, like, how long does it say? And then everyone's like, as I am sure you've been like, like we don't, we don't know like, everyone's body heals differently. And so just trying to, you know, put good things in my body, so, I heal as fast as I can

4:34:38trying to get like out of the rust, doing everything to train us down to do everything, Coach Frank, Coach Day told me to do to try to heal as fast as I can and we're back on to the field. Yeah, no, there are definitely moments of frustration. I'm not going to lie about that, but our training staff of the, you know, Stu, Solo, Sean, Tyler, um, Karly Kelly, always give one there. They told me to trust the plan. They said that they've seen this type of thing happen numerous times and they know that it's going to take a lot, but you're going to go in and drop in the field. And so it's, you know, think of it now. It's kind of funny, but in the moment, I was like, don't tell me that, but it's, you know, it is what it is. I think it played great, you know, um, it's a competitive excellence that we talk about

4:35:46here. You know, making plans, you know, it was called and also some of us called and he did a fantastic job. You know, it's always great seeing young guys as sound old saying that, but Austin going out there and doing the same. You know, we all know we could do it. There was not a doubt in my mind. He was going to go out there and show us, but it was great seeing 67. I'm doing it. You got a way to be in his ear, you know, leading up to those games. I don't have a mean, you know, giving tips. What do you want, college? Yeah, I know I would, you know, make my voice known here and there, but he's already on this stuff. You know, I do like little new on things that I can't really like, like if he does this, he might do this because learning from my mistakes. I was like, he can do this so you don't make the same mistake I do. But Austin's a fantastic athlete, you know, just kind of not. And so he did fantastic doing what he does. Well, to keep it you hit as much time between, you know, he was every year a little malony and coming back because time goes on. I mean, it was it was that thinking was that hard to grasp it, sitting out with the maybe

4:36:46tough and the long run the right thing. Yeah, those those are difficult concepts from the grass from all of us. I'm a stubborn kid. You know, my mom, but you know, patients, patients hasn't always been my thing. So when it happened, I was like, I'll be back until he's been two weeks can. And I was like, it's the hurt. But it was just, you know, trusting the process, knowing that the our training staff knows what they're doing and they knew they're getting back on the field. And so, but out of them on the field, just keep on going. Yeah, a lot of them. They just feel 100% less. We have a hundred feet of a lot of them. Feel great. Yeah. God, what do you guys have a lot of experience on this line when you add a guy like, with that level of experience, how much does that help in that center position when he has so much. Yeah. Yeah, you know, I'm very, very sad. You know, sad is, I would say that the tip of the spear of our offense, I would say, they'll be like, if teams play us, they're not going to come out exactly what we think they're going to do because that's just, you know, game playing.

4:37:47But set, set communicates throughout the entire, almost down to the snap count of what we have to do to make sure all guys on the same page. There'll be times where, well, it was in this cage and he like yelled at me like, hey, we're going over here. So I know that just follow what he said and then we're going to make a good play out of it. What do you make of rotation and hatred and off-shared, your experience in terms of guard? How does, what are the pros and cons maybe, maybe, in terms of the professional vision? Well, it's a great coach for our question. We don't get it. I just play a left guard. I know that, I know that both guys are very talented and I know that when they're in the game, they're trying to prove themselves. And so just having to compare the guys and guys going after it. And as long as we move the ball and get to the end of it, I mean, I don't think anyone cares if they do, doesn't it? All right. Not in the back. Thanks, y'all. Thanks. Coming back, we didn't really know how much I could handle.

4:38:50How many plays I could handle at a certain amount of time. So it was just like kind of trialled by air just seeing what I could do in the short amount of time that I had it. But I definitely think there was more trust to be had on the coach's side with me. So I think that definitely came into the spring into this fall camp, you know, doing all the plays and doing a lot of repetition in those plays and getting, you know, really home day and all my play with the team. Talk about feeling healthy now. Maybe you don't have to have any of those kind of sessions. Is that still unwilling with the training staff that's here by? Yeah. I'm in the training room as much as I can. I've been in there. I believe I leave a facility with like five different body parts. I stop. But yeah, I think the biggest thing is just saying consistent. That's probably my biggest challenge going into this fall camp was I'd have moments like that where you said I'm flashing, but it's like where I stay consistent in every single play and doing my job, every single place. I'm trying to continue to work on it. It's just the depth of defense and the field. You're technically a backup, taking queries, thinking about a jacks and getting the

4:39:52start of jacks player and JT just the depth of defense that's really good. Yeah, I personally think we're one of the best team or best groups in the country. So I think it's great to have so many guys because you know, it's going to be a very long season. And we're going to leave a lot of rotation. So I guess even when Jack and JT came out of the game, I said there's still has to be upheld. So that's really what me, Taden and I, KJF, are finally doing every day. I'm a veteran. He's going great. I'd say he's very, I feel like he's found himself in a humble kind of space. You know what I'm saying? Where he's kind of took a step back and just like put his head down and worked. I think that's the same for a lot of the freshmen here. That's really cool to see him motivating and see from the guy like that. We think this defense will be known for not to over in November. When you think that's going to be my people, you think you're saying that. Thanks coach. You still want to hear that? I know what you mean. It's just kind of hard to frame because I'm not there yet, you know? And I just hope that we're known for doing our job and playing at a violently high level each and every step, going as hard as we can each and every step.

4:40:55And if that's what we are, then I think we can hang our hat on that for sure. How much more do you think every game? Just a day by day? Oh gosh, man, who you telling me now? It's definitely like those injuries, like I said, it's probably one of the more humble experiences of my life. And it kept me grounded. You know, I really realized like this is not something that is going to be here forever and I'm not going to be playing the sport forever. So I just really got to be blessed and thankful that I'm even in this position right now coming back from those injuries and saw the opportunity to play at a high level, which I am. So I think I've definitely found myself really trying to stay in the present as much as I can because it's not always guaranteed. But I'm going to be able to do what I can do. It was definitely hard. Definitely had to lean on some of my loved ones, my family members, my parents, just to like really understand that this is what I wanted to do. And of course it is now. But yeah, it took a second to really just like how to understand what it really took

4:41:58to get my body right, how to recover, how to, you know, rest right, do everything I can to that I can stay healthy for long season. Thank you. Mike, do you want to get title league coaching? It'll be only like five or six years. You guys have a big picture. Make sure it's on this roster. You got here? Yeah. Everyone did? What is that that still means to you and then for the four of you and still like this is how you want to get changed. You want to be watching everybody get already better for it. Yeah, I think it turns into motivation if anything. Knowing that a lot of the guys that came before us, guys at that point, they succeeded and stayed there. So that level excellence has to be like solidified in each rep that we do. And I think that the leaders of this team have really tried to hone on that every rep with every practice. We're trying to like understand why we're doing it and what we're doing is for us. I think keeping that on the forefront of our minds and every day and every practice is the things part again, back. Yeah. I mean, yeah, we understand what's happening these past couple of years and all the things

4:43:00that we haven't done. So I think this year is definitely like kind of a redemption in that right? Understanding that, you know, we've fallen short and we haven't met our expectations. And you know, it takes a lot to get there. We understand that and it takes more than what we've done. So I think finally, you know, taking that next step and doing everything we can, intentionally will be the biggest thing in life. That's what our top team is. Thank you. Thanks, guys. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And now we're just hoping to put all of our best games in habit and warmth and, you know, just all of us can decide on to come back. You know, that's just another year of memories, but another year to, you know, grind and get better by each other's side. Would you be asked, you'd also be here in your court? No, no, but, you know, God has His own way of doing things and this was His plan for all of us to come back, and you know, we just have to continue to trust in His works,

4:44:02but as well as do our works that we need to do it each and every day. How different Josh He's more poised you know, we there's a lot of great reps great won't be ones and you know He he test me athletically. I test them athleticly, but you know both both him and both Josh is actually They they do a great job. They do a great job. We're just having a stand on our toes and you know There's I mean, we're going to say the best tackles nation that's gonna win this against the ends the best deal lines So you know, we're just it's just good on good every day He has great feet very athletic You know, he he's just a he's a freak I mean, he moves well in his eyes and and you know, it tests all of us to you know, stay on edge You know, he's only has his has moments But Josh is a great kid man, you know, he's getting better each and every day

4:45:03Yeah, but you know, the high-simmer I haven't seen it but I can't talk I'm not part of it. I was I was But you know, that's I guess that's how the cookie crumbles you know Yeah And I feel like I could be a part of it. I have a tea But it's probably not in the you know my first name, but I do have a tea So I guess I'm just the cousin of the whole thing Yeah, right now they just have me on the side so I'm just on the side right now I think that's high but I think right now Where's work on all the little things you know get off Violent hands and just stay you know, taking our toolbox. So, you know, of course, that's a that's in mind But we understand that you know that goal would not be reached unless we

4:46:07Unless we don't continue to do the things that we do now and just work on our craft Man, you know Cody You know once he came back. He just took on leadership. We'll take on that the vocal role You know, it wasn't was it easy at first He he's uh, he just continued to you know talk you know, just get get that confidence going and you know He he just he grew and his his growth as a as a leader You know, I seen it from we first started off season to now and you know, he's a great leader Great guy want um, you know playing playing behind me and just leading a pack and you know, I'm blessed to have as a my car back Remember what what what are y'all what are y'all going to step in my face stand for the world you want to call it as a Is your reputation you feel? I think for us The front four that you run the R2X We just want to be known as uh, you know the guys that play relentless, you know like cozee says head on fire

4:47:12You know never never seen us, you know for sideline the sideline as big as we are you know, it may be 300 or maybe you know 260 250 but you know no matter what we're gonna be flying we're playing on our You know our heads off and just you know make sure that you know, relentless effort is a tell to the standard It was a commentator around the country stuff they they talk about how You're Having a pit stay game every week My goal I think you just hit on it consistency, you know my goal for me is You know as much as it would be great to have a pinch the game every day every week You know as hard so you know for me as you can't go chasing I got let it come to me got to stay, you know in my wellhouse Not you know going outside of it. You know doing things out of you know out the blue that hurts me more So right now it's just you know Eyes hands feet Playing fast playing physical and just continue to just uh, you know be the player in him and just uh bring that every every week

4:48:16Did you how excited are you yeah? Yeah, yeah, that's a that's one thing we've been uh when we've been preaching across the room is a lot of us just uh Being us by as well as you know playing together And just playing fast as we can Man, you know, I've been a bit roommates with him. Uh, Jack has um, you know Just big praise for him, you know to sing him grow and being with him Jack has been a tremendous leader In and out the Delan room and you know for him and be the name captain You know for us to have our to be named captain. I mean that that just speaks volume and you know He's gonna he's gonna continue to lead continue to push us. I continue to push him and uh We just continue to just have a hard hat days and you know keep our head down and continue to work Oh, yeah I remember uh We was just playing in the in the Rose Bowl You know a couple weeks back, but now it's a senior year, you know, we can ready for this last season

4:49:20Uh, man time flies. That's one thing though All the guys that came before me told me is just you know count your days make every day count because Um, you know when that day comes you're gonna look back and that man It's already my my senior year and uh, I do that every day. He just wake up But you know that just made me understand that how blessed I am played this game You know the position I mean I'm just able to you know not only um, you know affect the effect others around me, but uh, you know bring Bring a positive message to whoever whoever's uh come it after me You know, just let them know what the standard is. Let them know um, you know what uh on how state especially close your expects We're done here That I finished off of your catch

4:50:25Now I realize how was your guys because usually I practice catch your contact without the number and the game I'm not talking around on it. I don't think I'll have the most green guys You Oh Oh, yeah, we know they kind of play ball. It's a big day. They play the big team. Uh, so I know we we know they're gonna come over and play ball with us I know what you like about Um, I feel like I could uh, I could have blocked better. I look for a couple blocks out there on the film and stuff like that I love one catch up on the film and stuff like that and I always feel like I could play better than what I did But I think I'm pretty good. I just gotta be more consistent with what I do

4:51:26Uh, well, they're good. He then uh like the pressure gets to immediate uh, he just stirred uh stirred the will I would you see Um, it's going a lot and stuff like that I don't try to bother him. I try to let him get through all his reasons stuff like that And I just tell him whenever it goes but down you need somebody up there for you Yeah Yeah, uh, I was the first he got the first ball to him like uh, keep your head up I think they'll come back right back to you and stuff like that. That's what you did He'll just hit a fine with your football rest of the game I know you're a close friend and to see what he did as a proper turnaround game Now the premise is that it's like They'd excite me a lot especially I'm out there blocking from so I'm gonna go my uh my off from my dog It's like that hopefully we take one to the house this year Not gonna be too long He's gonna come real soon Thank you

4:52:31All right, good. Thank you Be a little more confident once you see once you see basically about everything you're gonna see in a game You just want to get more comfortable and you just it just feel more at ease and just feel more just like football, you know What do you see your rollout spin this deep? I think just It's a god I can play anywhere in the back end Just a god I can feel me helping special teams whenever they wherever they need me at this year Just gonna go out there and just give it my all Yeah, I've been in the nickel a lot of the spring I've been going back and forth. So it's been a new transition for me But it's really not that new. I played a nickel in high school. I really didn't play that much last year because I was trying to just get back Can you get into the groove of the public football ball? But I'm back to it now I think it's just the two-way gut that you get you have been in a slot You can go inside outside and if you press the catch technique compared to back pedal in and You got the sideline sideline the next dependent it can help you

4:53:38I think it's just I think it's about just me pushing them and then pushing me Lashir is about me just learning and it was just helping me as the older vets and out we all back again So it's just like this is more like I think it just give me a chance to learn more and just watch the bed Like it's ill been about to be a four-year starter. That's big, you know, so just watching everything he do how he prepares for practice I he prepares every day. It's gonna help me in a run run His patience Patience been your long suits since you've been alive or you had to learn a little bit about patience in the last couple years I think you're just like what you just talked about there. Patience has watched another student. Yeah patience is like It's a thing that's very hard Especially when come out of high school you want to hire recruited players And you don't you come here and you probably don't play as much as you thought you would or play as much as you want to you know And it just I think patience is just something that you just got to just hold on to and just grab it and just don't let it go Who can me? It's like it's easy for a guy like me to Get man and run away and go somewhere else and you can me do whatever I want to do

4:54:39I think patience is key and I think these last couple years that my patience has definitely gotten better And it's just it's helped me just be a better player a better man. Who's in brain dead in you? I mean coach You know Because what I don't hear was just talking a minute ago, you know It's gonna be a competitive thing here if you come to a high state, you know in y'all's room and you found it it is But As he talk to you about that as it's gone along too. I mean about about the patience aspect A little bit but not you really just know You really just know you would know If not like what's going to go on I think a lot of it comes with like just know yourself and know what your ability is and know where you really are I think some people get too hit or so for No, think they're head of where they are really are and just it's just a look in the mirror And how tough is it when you get your shot tonight, but just press the gas in the floor, you know And you just gotta go in here, you know do your job. I feel like that's the only thing It's a beyond your mind once you get that chance going there and do your job because the worst thing that can happen

4:55:40This something you know just go out there and you do your job you feel me That's all I got. Well, when I say Jeremiah Smith, what's for saying come to my You Athlete you did strong fast like a lot of the same things you see in Marvel But not not the same kind of younger right now, but yeah This same defensive staff, you know, mostly but BJ back It's nice, so you know the second year in the season is always better in the first so I think we've been embracing it and just Like I said, I tried to make the corrections from last year and just be better So I was talking about there's some kind of like mental awareness that goes to that income passes and knowing when you're not going to get to the quarterback How do you just talk about that as a defensive line as a Russian group in terms of Yeah, we do some of the drills in practice We haven't kind of restarted them yet, but those some things you drill in practice Obviously, you know, if it's a quick game, you're not gonna get there So you know just get your hands up think it's just more of a field thing Zach in particular seems really good at that

4:56:41You certainly said you think he does well in the real now. Yeah, Zach is definitely good at that And you know, I think that's something the interior is very good as oh just Bear what's your impression of Jonah Ellis now a few months working working with him You know, Jonah got a lot of natural skill I think his upside is very high, but I mean like anywhere, you know, there's a learning curve from playing coming from college and NFL So I think he's just continue to develop and continue to get better. I mean, I'm happy what I've seen But I mean, obviously I know he has high expectations for himself and not only him, but I hold you in it So I'm just like I said excited seeing keep growing was the most challenging aspect of that learning curve for you For you to come into the air or really I guess you're too I think the biggest thing was switching from inside to outside of man And inside you five yards off the ball kind of versus edge you right there with somebody in your face So just kind of learning how to just that change up and I think just learning how to you know get off the ball You know inside you have time to read outside. You don't have that much time to be kind of very decisive So just getting reps of that you know, that was the biggest thing to have me

4:57:43I think that it be something to have wellness to just getting reps some more reps to get the better you get Darren can you talk to me your relationship with Jonathan Cooper and how you guys I hear from Rotterdam kind of comes your relationship up front? Oh, yeah, that's my dog. I mean, I play with him four years in a high-off state So I think just you know being in a place like a high-off state together and going through that hard train in and then making it out on the other side You know, I think we just able to hold each other to that standard and I Afraid to hurt one another feelings if you don't hold live up to that standard And he know how to push my buttons. I know to push this buttons So, you know, I'm grateful to have him as a teammate in this very area. You get to play somebody from your college Spare metting you to do this time here especially like with the defensive bands just in terms of how you want to rush up each other How you communicate all that? I think is just the time you learn the rest as a dealer You know, this is a perfect time for us just to learn how to rest together You know, we meet together, you know, you ask the guy who's to your side You know what you're thinking on this play and film so you just kind of get a feel for it when that scenario pops up on the practice field or in the game

4:58:44And just creating that dialogue is I think it's a big estate and the asking questions. So There you've got a back to screen drive on Sunday. Can you tell us a little more about? Uh, yeah Don't hurry to gives me if I can't say too much because I've been focused on training camp So my publicist and I agents kind of been doing a lot of the labor in my mom But uh, yeah, we just uh, we're gonna have a big event out here Sunday. I believe up there in the parking lot Gonna have a corner ice machines some jump houses. We're gonna be donating backpacks I think over 150 backpacks for the kids for the upcoming school year with supplies And a bunch of different things But just trying to get the kids excited for going back to school and obviously helping out families who My not before too much to buy their kids this class in the school. So just trying to do what I can to have my community here in Denver Um That's the blessing about being at a school like a high state everyone around you scout team Those that are on your team and against you are the best players in the country

4:59:47Um, and that's that's the that's the blessing offered is if you can perform here and practice You'll be able to perform in a game about it. It is uh Physically um, obviously the big issue for me was speed Operation time Joe did a phenomenal job at the expectations of getting that mower Um, and a big thing for us is not getting blocked. We haven't been blocked in four years five years Um, so for me to come in and change what I was doing and speed it up Um, does a real sort of personal Um conflict whereas I want to be the best partner I could possibly be Um, but that was conflicting with the speeds they wanted and then I just sort of had to change my mindset and think about truly what I wanted to be if I wanted to be I was school like a high state which had high expectations Um, or go somewhere else but with that I just had to make I have to commit to it. So

5:00:48Um, just had to work with coach keys John felman our long staff. I live with them now Um, but we work every night to make sure that what we're doing is game like Um, and making sure that the speeds that we go out in practice are faster than what it is again. So It's been a blessing to work with him It's been a blessing to work with a guy from Mora Evans as well as Colin Johnson more long tapers and then obviously be able to see what Joe has been able to do in the national championship had a phenomenal kick Which was under extreme pressure and extreme state. So To be able to look at what he did it it was it was awesome Yeah, you mentioned you know the physical obviously adjustment but you would work with Darren Bennett You've been over here a few times but this was your first time living here What was the emotional and kind of adjustment like just being a college student just moving to a different country Also trying to manage being comfortable with Yeah, no, it was definitely emotional tall Um It's a bit without your family It's definitely hard Time zone differences don't also help the situation

5:01:51Um, at that time there was 16 hours So I'd wake up and now it'd be going to sleep or vice versa. So Now it was definitely emotional and the actual stress of trying to keep up with what they wanted also was a mental I'm glad to tell Fortunately, I had a lovely lady called Nicole Kraft who was uh, it was one of my teachers and Um, she got me in contact with some pretty cool people. So Um, well, we're put some sports psychologists and all that sort of stuff to work on that met inside Which is far more important for me than the actual physical side because I know I could physically do it But it was a matter of getting a mental headspace to perform at the highest level possible This is what it is in college football Just physically by just being about about the acting Something you can say what what is change definitely compared to this time of year You could put it in there next year Well definitely the speed um, and then the kid trying to build the consistency of the speed Um, there's there's expectations of what they want here And then you've got to meet those expectations and try some passes. So

5:02:53Um, again working with John and working at night We had to make sure that everything I was doing was trying to be as efficient and as effective as possible Um, with that being said, I'm still trying to improve. I'm still trying to Um, be as effective in my contact with the football Under the press under the spades that they want Um, which again, it's a blessing because if you can perform here you can perform anywhere Is there any franchise in Alstray and Roots football where we write was this in terms of pressure Exposure what did you want in college in terms of exposure Not at all. This is this is the biggest that I've ever seen and been a part of Um, in terms of pressure I was fortunate enough to play high level football Australian Roots football Um, and the pressure is the exact same you've you've got people relying on you've got coaches wanting you to perform There's jobs at stake. There's there's money at stake. There's there's all that sort of pressure And then obviously the own personal goals Which is again the biggest one possible

5:03:54I grew up in a household where my brother played for professional sport and The expectation was for me to sort of follow any path and try surpass him Um, and that was that that was the expectations. I had on myself and again. I wasn't able to do that. So um, again the opportunity to come here and perform I had to sort of take a step back and understand that it all takes time and um The only thing that's really going to get me to where I want to be is just hard work and um having good coaches around me And that's sort of what I got and um again, it's it's so much more learning that's got to happen But with that being said, it's it's a blessing to be here and it's a great opportunity. So um Yeah, I'm blessed to be noticed in his leadership style in the way he carries himself any difference at all um I think he's definitely getting a little more vocal within the building and um Uh

5:04:54Yeah, I mean, I don't think he's ever going to change. I don't think he's somebody that's going to change even when he gets paid next year So he's he's a man of faith and uh kind of reminds me of Scotty Shepler but just super humble and um really good kid uh and yeah, he's definitely famous He's famous. Do you know Shepler? I don't just from watching You've been you saw arm stead get released obviously meant so much to the defensive line into the team Let me call and John were pretty open that they were willing to talk about trading Ebo or are you a draft? Does that just another what's that feel like in the locker room when those sort of jolt happen? I didn't even know that happened um And I wasn't here but You talking about this offseason? Yeah, we're still in alarm air

5:05:55Oh, oh, so it's certainly one thing Yeah, um, it's a tough business for sure. Uh, you have to have thick skin and um I haven't gone through that but uh, I think You just have to understand that it is a business and the team is going to try and get as good as it possibly can with or without you And you have to look up for yourself That's why you go through holdouts and do certain things that seem selfish in the moment but um It is what it is and when everything's settled we're gonna come together as a team and try and go get one You know, what's the overall feeling around the group right now like how much does it feel like the excitement of the ramp up to the season even What's early? Uh, it feels good. It's been a couple days for me so um I like all the new guys. I'm getting to know everybody But I think the past is in the past and we're ready to go You talk to B8 up and you talk to B8 all about handling the business part of this

5:06:55He's going through some of the things Um, we chat a little bit but um, not too much about the details. They're just told them He just had up and um, trying to stay positive through it all What were you doing first impression when you heard about your schedule would be in that era and auditors this first time It'll be fun Yeah, it's gonna be and we do Kind of alluded to this for the fact last year You have a holdout to say that effect you do somewhere early in the season Um, if you hadn't had that experience would you be doing it? I mean, was that part of the motivation for being here earlier just to have I'd be opposite No, I don't think that's one of the reasons but um I just talked to Kyle and he kind of asked me He kind of stated how he felt about Um, why it would be good for me to be here and asked if I agreed and I 100% did agree so um, it's not like I'm missing too much. I think

5:08:00I'm out here. It's a little less workload than I'm doing back home So it's kind of a good active recovery thing for me and I'm getting football stuff football work in specifically so that's good. I'm not It's not compromising my training at all and get to meet all the guys Positive Oh, no, he's he's there. He's got a new regime over there I actually thought I was coming next week until recently so I was gonna have one more week at home, but We're both Um Yeah, just the things I already stated just getting around the guys and um um

5:09:00Just getting the football stuff home doing a little bit before camp steps Yeah, you know, you've been afraid to speak out on player safety issues and things like that What comes to the playing service and things like that? 18 game schedule has been kind of discussed again here recently. What is your kind of take on that possibility? I Know how many games you could be adding Um Yeah, I don't know why one morning to be added, but Uh It's not my job. You know, suffice to say you'd be against it. Yeah, I mean it's I think 164444 where the good both Set up So Yeah, but then we got a short enough season program a little bit

5:10:01Good Yeah, it's how jolani's different right now is is all the non glamorous It's just the daily habits and stuff that you guys might consider boring, but just just just what are your habits for a day to day standpoint How do you attack the offseason? Like him in the weight room with coach make this off season is like nothing I've seen yet Um, so I'm super encouraged and I cannot wait to watch it translate to football field Going back to max Last week of the combine latin rantsum said that you may have given you the idea to look at yeah I don't want to give you too much credit, but no, no there were there was no lies told there so Every Friday night Lathan Caleb Downs and I sit next to each other for dinner just a tradition we had last year and Every week I asked him about the opponent and kind of their game plan I asked him about the tight ends that they're gonna see and when it was Purdue week They were both going on and on about this kid

5:11:02So when it was you know when he entered the portal lay was like you that that that's guy was telling you about So then we watch this film and then you know Conversations kind of started to organically and then the rest of history, but yeah, I'll give latin So you said which one I'll ask about max the bomb. Yeah, what's his development been like here now Year after you ride almost you got to be right. Yeah, sure really good really good This is a huge spring for max and and we have high expectations I mean he had and awesome workout this morning that He won a one-on-one competition in front of the team and We've been feeling him more. He's a tough kid and Super excited to coach in the spring No What Yeah, I'm super impressed by his maturity I mean, I and I think it's credit to goes back to his high school coaches coach beller and those those guys at Washington and his

5:12:02His parents. I mean he had a brother who played college football so he kind of gets a little a little bit But he's been so locked in this winter Like it has not been too big for him at all, you know coming from a place like open middle of Dorma and Oklahoma to Columbus Ohio competing against these guys. Maybe there's an adjustment But he has not blinked and I'm super encouraged by how is it tacked the winner? It's already started Yeah, no, I would just say that they've messed perfectly and I think max come in here and nobody leaving speaks to the room and the culture that's in the room it speaks to max one because I told him I said listen Jazz is coming back, but he's coming back. Lonnie's coming back like I it's not like the cupboards bear at all And he was he understood that and he still wants to be a block. I which says a lot about max clear But then like today in today's day and age you bring in anybody from the portal You got to think somebody's walking right out the door let alone one of the better guys returning at that position

5:13:08No one batted an eye and I told him on the front end and I'm not surprised at all like the brotherhood in that unit It is so freaking strong And I told him the expectations to be the best unit in the country I don't I don't waver from that. It's a Ohio State Okay, it's it's not just to be you wide-resistant or you like it needs to be tight-end you and they know that expectation So I'm gonna sign the best in the country portal guys recruit guys and everyone's on the same page there So we're well aligned That's part of the conversation that game we weren't looking for someone to replace anybody in this room But the best tight-end in the country Yeah, I don't know if it was that easy like I could not say no I mean you still everyone else in the country wanted them as well But the conversation I went to will and I went to I went to Bennett and I said listen I have not talked to him yet with your permission I will and if he's a culture fit that was my only promise if he's if he doesn't fit you guys I'm not gonna bring him in but I think he has a skill set that might be complementary to you guys You know and I think it might make the room better and they were like coach. Let's go get them How much does the health of everybody played last year as a show they could play?

5:14:10They got they know they'll play Yeah, you hit the nail on the head like we're gonna play the best 11 like Think about two years ago and I took it like it was the case to overshow and then you go last year We had six guys playing the playoffs. We have 13 personnel at Ohio State We got 14 personnel at Ohio State like that people probably would not have believed that two years ago So our guys know like the proofs in the pudding now if you're one of the best 11 you're gonna play and listen If you're maybe you're not one of the best 11 but you're the top 20 we're gonna have a package You know what it means to your point like they saw it last year now we got it we got to expand on that now 16 person I don't know five in our bodies They He can do those things because we haven't seen him doing Sure, I mean, I think I think he was the first tight end of score last year right? I was 80 years touchdown. So I mean he showed us that but no if you want to play tight end here

5:15:12You got to be receiving threat and you got to be dominant in the blocking area Going off for your same before how would you define the culture that I can see you feel in these tight lines? Well, you know each each year's different right that's okay kind of had his own little thing going last year We pro try it ourselves like we we needed to be the baddest dudes on the field Because I told them in the first meeting last year. I was like We are the least talented unit on the team Not not just to insult them, but like we're not full of all these, you know high profile names We needed to be the bad boys and we needed to kind of embrace that blue collar image So that was last year's and I think we did it just turn on the film from the playoffs This year who knows what it's gonna be I've seen what it was this this past winter You know as a bunch of dudes that you know where are super hungry to be you know the hardest working unit on the team But times you get a tell I'm excited to see kind of and it's on them to set the culture Is there a point like in the season or in like camp that you realize like what that culture is gonna be like? Yeah, I think I think when you come out of spring you have an idea of sort of the direction we're heading in and then throughout the summer Then maybe fall camp, you know like last year of fall camp

5:16:15You know we all kind of looked around the room and the leaders were like you know If we block our tails off like we got a shot and then obviously we got to do we got to do our job in the past game We got to do the dirty jobs and they embrace that Um up until the last game of the season this year is gonna be different like we've already talked about it You know, it's not set in stone But like the challenge just winter in this spring is that the tight ends need to set the tone Like you look around the team like we've got so many veteran guys who have played We've got to set the tone like it should come through the tight end room the energy the effort the toughness the physicality the Production should come through the tight end room And that's what those guys are saying So I'm I bought into what there's you know kind of pushing for Yeah, I mean we've got a lot, but I mean Ben has certainly been vocal I mean now is from the first day of winter training he's been here for several years and you know He's definitely been probably probably the most vocal of the tight ends right now Leader

5:17:19Yeah, I think to your point you just made it great when I think Show me a great tight end. I bet you I'm gonna show you guy who has some scars Like I don't know it kind of make believe for like a tight end to come into college and it all clicks right away And it's had ups and downs and I think guys relate to that like this. It's gonna be freaking hard man So especially those young guys those new guys coming in Ben is kind of you know that veteran figure He's been through hell and back and then we lead on them down the stretch and he's out here dominating dudes and playoffs So I mean he's a lead first guy, but he's been super vocal and I've challenged him to take these new guys in the maxes and the nates and you know show them the way Yeah, and I don't want to compliment too much because he's one of my best friends, but uh Billy right off the bat is his knowledge. He's one of the smartest football minds have ever been around Like you got coach day and you got a couple of and then like Billy's up like right up there. Billy and I were roommates During COVID sent my wife back to Cleveland

5:18:21We don't want to get anyone sick and Billy and I room together and like when that season got taken from us for a little bit It was like football clinic Every single day 24 hours a day and I was learning a whole lot more from him than he was for me So I mean one is football mind, but also how he relates to these guys Obviously he's young and he played the position, but uh his ability to teach he's off the charts I was home run higher and super excited to work with him Yeah, I think so I mean I absolutely love our offence of staff in the sense of yeah, we're youthful right We can relate to the guys and we got full of energy you come to our practices You guys see like the starts with coach heart. He's out there running around like madman and we all got to follow suit Um, but also the continuity Like I've been here going on damn near a decade and my two bosses have been Ryan damn Brian Hartline for 10 years So like we know each other every day for whatever eight years so that continuity even you mentioned Billy Fessler He was gone and came back. So yeah, we're young, but we've been together show me another staff that's been together for eight years

5:19:25That knows each other that well and that's you know been this productive I don't think there is one how much does it help you you have experience? You know being in all these different positions so that you now take on that Yeah, I think a lot right I think uh, I'm gonna try I mean my job again is to is to make sure that coach Hartline's a best version of himself and make sure he's organized and has everything he needs But to your point like I've been in the running game. I've been in the past game um, you know So to be the guy to help maybe Tyler Bowen out a little bit. Hey, here's what what we call that in the past or you know British the gap between running past that's what I tight end does and that's what hopefully I could do for the offensive staff With Max Claire's skill set I'm gonna phrase this wrong You guys have great slot receivers or Ohio State you always do a Becca with a stud Could it tighten like that help fill in some of maybe what you lose with them after that physicality in the slot position that He's a tight end, but you can pass catch up. Yeah, I think I you know I think we got several guys in the room that if we're in 12 personnel they could go line up in the slot

5:20:26And they could line in line. I think that alone the ability to do both is a is a is a mismatch for a defense Right, we we tried out two or three different tight ends like how do you get to treat that we're gonna pack the box and run it But if we could also spread it out and attack you through the air. I think that could be a mismatch just like you said With um way Way Ryan and Ryan Call it here do you think they they like 12 personnel? What does a tight ends coach have to do to show like hey we can do this whenever you want to do it I promise you we have two guys who are ready to do like what's that yeah sure sure Yeah, and just like you said challenge that's exactly what it is because really I tell my guys like They don't have pride like the best guys are gonna play It's not like Brian Harlan coaches receiver. So they're gonna live in 10 personnel That's not gonna happen if I just I know the guy like he's my brother Like if the four best are running backs. We're gonna run the win T or something. Yeah, like He's a competitor and he's gonna put the best 11 on the field to win and if that's you know two tight ends

5:21:28Hopefully two tight ends three tight ends. We're gonna play with all of that And that's why you come to Ohio State. We don't shy away from that at all Um both of those guys coach heart and coach day, you know have NFL experience both of them have used 12 personnel in the past and We're really looking forward to expand that role But that's really on the tight ends, you know, they got to use this spring opportunity to prove. They're one of the best 11 Top 20 whatever that is You know anything else guys Kind of like maintained it and got my weight up so Yeah, I feel like a chef he's definitely made a big impact on how I play the game now I feel like I look at the I look at like first and second down different because I feel like he's gave me a lot of Information on how he sees the defenses way how they move and stuff like that So like Seth has become like a really good factor on my game in high and fruit I got to come in from Alabama

5:22:35You know I feel like you know Seth when Seth came in I knew Seth was a really good player at Bama He's playing those big games. So, you know, just learning and everything he's done And how he like takes the next step and how he gives his features is something I took took note Um Yeah, I feel like everything and just like bonding together I play we're all just playing really good next to each other Um, everything's been going really well Do you feel just you know physically stronger when you're messing?