Press Conference (Malik Hartford) Elite Edition September 2

0:00I mean he's coming to his own. Jim Dull said that for you it's confidence and reps and the most important thing is where you will come from right now is something. Like I said earlier just playing a lot faster. I feel like I'm more calm out there. I feel like the moment isn't too big. I feel like getting bigger throughout the year and when I was hurt definitely helped me. I think the great thing about Caleb is he's such like a likable person, a likable teammate, a great teammate. He will help any of the teammates. He definitely knows what he's doing. He's a great player. And for me he just pushes me to be better every day. I mean with your room being so stacked as this, you guys are piled right? Do you think that there could be the opportunity though for you guys to all see quite a bit of playing time throughout the season?

1:05And not just towards the end of games, mop up doing kind of playing time but like some real meaning for reps. I think that our room definitely has a lot of great players but as far as playing time, that's a question for Coach Lewis. I mean if you guys kind of been prepping for that though throughout the court camp maybe switching in and out and really kind of seeing a lot of room to action. We're definitely we're all getting like reps at each spot so like it's not just a just our abandoned anymore. It's not just you're here, you're there. We're all playing different positions. We're all learning different techniques so it's making each one of us more versatile. So you've been playing so many of the teams. How comfortable do you feel about strong state? I feel comfortable in any safety spot. So I mean the more reps you take the easier it is and I played both safety spots last year so it's not really that big of a transition. What are the differences between the two spots that you have to be used to? Honestly this year they made it so they're kind of they're I mean they're both you have to do each thing in both spots.

2:10So like you have to come down and make tackles at bandy you have to come down and make tackles at just at home. Obviously it's boundary and feel so that the spacing is a little different but I mean you have to do everything that both safes. What's different what's different this camp compared to last camp? For me personally I feel like I have I developed a better routine. I feel like I'm more mature and what I'm doing and I feel like just go out there and play and have fun. I think that's the biggest thing for me don't get too caught up on the last way. What have you added or what have you appeared to your routine? I think just getting here earlier and at times last year you know when it's hard to maintain that routine throughout the whole camp or throughout the whole year but this year it's easier to maintain that because I know what to expect. I know the requirements of me and I know that the team is following. Were there guys in last year for that influence do you to show up a little better?

3:11Yeah for sure I mean everyone is required. BIA our standard is so high that we challenge everyone. It doesn't matter if you're going to play this year it doesn't matter if you're going to play two years from now it doesn't matter if you're a true freshman. You're going to come in early and we're going to put in the work just like everybody else because it's not just the starters that are held to the standard as everybody. It seems like Jaylen McLean's kind of a similar trajectory as you were last year. He's pushing for playing time right away. What have you seen from Jaylen and that's interesting? He's all over the field man. I mean he runs to the ball every play. He hits hard. He's making plays on the ball so I mean he has like I said before he has a lot of potential and I'm excited to see what he does this year. You talked about getting bigger and bigger and you can't put out 25s last year. Yeah. You're able to keep that weight arm and what's it look like to gain even more weight? So I mean through the season it kind of fluctuated but right now I've gained even more weight so I'm at like 195 now. The plan is to get to 200 but it definitely builds confidence when you got to go down there and feel a gap.

4:15Yeah, imagine you play coach to the ball you say can't play. Exactly. Yeah. You were obviously on the long end of a play in that mission in game last year. Just what did you learn from that? I think that coach preaches competitive excellence and that means putting yourself in position to make the play and that means practicing harder. That means taking each rep like it's that big moment in the game and that's definitely what I'll try to do this year. You want to get better and then if you're struggling with some areas you got to figure out why. How are some of the guys who transferred in? How are they fitting in? They're awesome. I can't talk about speaking about them how they've been known as well. Ethan's amazing. He's done such a good job being able to learn the playbook and stuff because it's obviously hard here. It's an NFL style offense. It's a lot to learn and goes into playing the positions we play and I think Phil is also similar as well. He's doing an amazing job as well. So it's been awesome and you know the young guys are coming along as well.

5:15Jake Cook is truly surprised at me. He's balling right now and he's doing really well. Carter's getting there as well. He's doing great. And then obviously though as well they're all just good people that need to be in our little offensive meeting room. It's a good crew that we have going on right now. Obviously last year is last year. It's a new year and none of us have earned anything so we got to go and get it again. If we've been like to transition to being coached by Tyler. He's awesome. Coach Boatlin, he's amazing. Talk about him and obviously coach Johnson and coach Dickey and obviously awesome. Coach Austin Field. Obviously having four guys is amazing because you know it's almost like you have four offensive line coaches. You guys have to end of the day like you have five people on the line every time. And for one guy to be able to watch every play and in and out of the hood on stuff like that, that's hard to do. We're going to be able to just like look at all five and get treat treat. To take them and stuff like that and it's just good having all four of them here because obviously like there's a set of eyes on one or two guys every time for each guy.

6:22They're able to pretty. Everybody knows everybody new last year. Yeah, defensive line right now in the area that's getting you guys a little bit of trouble. Yeah, I mean, Edrick. Edrick and came back. They got a step up just like some of us have to step up. They did a tremendous job and done a great job. And I think the guys behind them are doing a tremendous job as well. I think it was. He's right there. He's grinding and stuff like that. It's been good so far and they're getting better every day and you can totally see it. They're getting some more fitting with coach Patricia's defensive scheme and stuff like that. It's been pretty cool. How much time is your status in life whenever you change from this time of year ago? Yeah. What's the detestment to sticking with you talking for some reason? Yeah. Because I think it's obviously the world's the nifty pay less for me. I'm a big believer in the Lord and just trusting in his mind and leading on him and leading on his understanding instead of mine.

7:23You know, I grew up in a faith-based household and I just leaned on him for a lot of times. And that's what's all about. It's a process here as much as you want to say something different. Like you know how to say, but your time's probably the majority of the people that are free. It's like Jay Jay. It takes time. You're good, but like it takes time for you to play with the guys. You got to learn the techniques. You got to learn them off the scheme. Everyone times different. And that's what I've learned here. It's got to enjoy the process because it's your story not anyone else's and it's going to be different. How much time are you spending at center? How's that split between center and guard? You look at building that pushability? Yeah. I think obviously just what Coach Day said, just the narrowing down of the roster and stuff like that. Obviously last year what happened, you know, like we had obviously Seth and Josh go down and a lot of us have stepped up in different ways. No Carson's long around, a Garmin center. I mean like we're all switch swaps, we're all switch swapping and cross training because we got to do that. You know, like we got to be able to go play different positions. It's one of playing that in a fell coach always tells us there's only guys that travel. So like everyone's got to know a different position because someone's going to go down and someone's got to be ready to go.

8:25What's your comfortable are you at center? How comfortable are you at center? I'm comfortable, yeah. I play a little bit of a Brian and I've been in high school and you know, I learned a lot from Coach Kelly last year. Because I'm obviously coached a line of stuff with the centers and Coach Fry as well. I'm just, I'm getting more comfortable because last year I was doing a lot of season cues and stuff like that for practice with starts. So it's good. Look, are you asking about Eastern? Yeah. I know about my team. Oh, okay, okay. Is your primary position left guard? Yeah, I'm just switching around honestly right now. Hey, look, one last question. After the street's paying through today. You and Tag Room, you know, that was a test to make to it. Yeah, you're right. You're talking about Texas. Yeah, the execution was not playing also. I'm pretty good at making a custom. No doubt. I'm going to make the hard ones that in the mid-stuff and stuff. Yeah, I want to perfectly block play on the game. I'll give you this story, this background.

9:26So last year we ran a lot, a lot of periods with streets and stuff like that. And we never really want to run in the game. So we were always like toss it out. Like, what are we doing? Like this, we never run this play coach. What are we doing, stuff like that? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we always joke about it. Like it was the perfect play to the perfect look. I'm not sure how much time was on the clock. I think it was like 14 seconds or something like that. So we were getting out there and I'll be lying to you if I said, like, oh, just here we go. Like we're just going to run the clock out with this play. Yeah. And it was a perfect look, you know, it was the perfect play to the perfect look. And, you know, obviously with all the scheming and stuff we do, and obviously running to the place day and day out during that time. What we do now, like... What's the blonde tape Armstrong? It works because, you know, we were ready for it. And you got to be ready for it. And, you know, sometimes coach always talks about just, you know, like when we walk through... Maybe we might only walk through play one time before we play the game. But like, I'm not sure I'll also do that.

10:27And they got to be ready for that. And ready for that certain look that possible can show up. And that's what happened. And we ran it perfectly. And that's just a testament to the coach's continued to stick with it. And that's continued to stick with it. Jeez, Elise. You're with me to think about you guys proving that you was best defense on the field today. Was that a big rallying cry for your group to come again? I don't know. We have a confident group. Obviously, we knew they were at top defense. We don't do a lot of talking. We just like to go out in the field and play and have fun. And I feel like we did that today. Yeah. Yeah. And kind of what you guys do. I don't know if you could... It's huge to be able to rotate, to be able to be fresh. I mean, there wasn't even that many plays in the first half. Even, I think it was the third quarter. It wasn't a lot of plays either. But when you do have that rotation up front and in the back. And it just... Anybody can make a play on this defense. And everybody is training and preparing like they're the starter. And that's why you see so many guys out there making plays. Anything else? We drive right after the charges in the score there.

11:28First one on the first half. Yeah, it was huge. I think the offense, we did a great job responding. And we knew what kind of game it was going to be. So I'm just proud of the guys out there for, you know, responding like we did, especially after this quarter. That first touchdown, like you said, and going down and putting in drive together. It was good. On the touchdown to Calvin, what were you looking for there? Can you talk about what happened and just of course how big that play was? Yeah, I mean, of course he was play. They were just in zone. Of course, and you really just, you know, high low on that, you know, hook defender. The hook defender took GP underneath and Calvin was right behind him. So, you know, a great play call in that situation. Of course, you know, you always appreciate the yack. The yards after the catch that Calvin got us. And of course it was a huge play for us. Big picture. Can you speak to what Calvin and Scottie Miller brought to the offense? Yeah, I mean, those guys definitely stepped up today. You know, Calvin doing everything on offense and special teams as well. And then, you know, Scottie too. You know, he didn't, I want to be played last week. So I'm just coming in.

12:28He had a big third down conversion for us, broken tackle with some yards. So they both played great today. So you guys threw some exo, they were in the first of exotic blitzes that you guys. We're prepared for some of those strikes over the middle. You had the third down conversion and the touchdown. How does it feel to execute something like you guys playing it outside and you got that Those big plays. Yeah, it feels great executing. You know, we were preparing for it all week on, you know, certain looks. We would get in certain situations and, you know, like you said, we did a great job executing it. All lines of the great job today and, you know, holding up and receivers just being at the right time at the right place. Yeah. So when you heard all week that Dan was about to break on the offense, you guys stop. What sort of scoring that shot, but is this what it looks like when that dam is in the process of breaking? Yeah, it is. And I think we've scored one more touchdown if I didn't throw that out of the intersection. So like we say, we're just going to keep working and keep getting better and keep improving. What did you see on that in the center? Yeah, he just matched to stick our way too fast. And, you know, I just shouldn't throw on the ball, you know, got to it. But at the end of the day, either should have worked the other side of the field throwing it to the flat because they were so soft.

13:31You know, just throw the ball away, especially when we were already, you know, in field goal range at the 40 yard line. That can happen. That can happen against us. Do you still like you're improving your detractors' role from the tractor from Chicago days? I'm not really worried about that. I'm more so into improving myself, you know, right? I know what kind of player I am. I haven't changed kind of my whole life. So at the end of the day, my teammates helped me be great. Shout out to them, shout out to our defense, shout out to everybody else in the offense for pushing me each and every day at practice. You know, it's just a credit to them. So I'm definitely glad and just feeling good to be in this position to be honest with you. So, yeah. You talked about improving your three last tries, where it went after the field a little longer. I've touched on them from the clock out. What do you feel like you improved on as this game went on and how did you make some adjustments to kind of strong like you did? Yeah. The first half we didn't run the ball like we wanted to. So, you know, second half, especially late in the game, we had to run the ball. They're running back on the O-line to a great job.

14:31Even in situations where we knew we had to run the ball. They did a great job executing knives and CP. They were hitting the whole great. And, you know, we were getting first downs at the first down. So, any time you can get that run game going. And, you know, this just helps us out overall. Good does it feel for the offense to put together a performance like this again, such a good defense like the Chargers? Yeah, it feels great. We kind of knew what we were up against. Two great edge rushers. And I think they were number one defense in the NFL coming into this thing. So, we knew we had a big test in front of us, but, you know, we have a pretty good defense that we go up against every day as well. So, just going up against those guys on the other side of the ball on our team, just kind of prepared for this moment. And, like I said, everybody came out executed and we put points up on the board. So, it felt great. Did those guys drive make you more confident in the sense that the longer their defense did on the field, you could open up some more pathways to run as well as play action? Yeah, not for sure. You know, anytime you can stand the field as long as possible, definitely tires them out. I think, it was second quarter, maybe before the two-minute warning.

15:33They were glad that we actually didn't run a play because, you know, they were so tired. The linebacker kind of made a joke over to us. It was like, appreciate you all because they were so tired. But, anytime you can, you know, keep their defense on the field for a long time with their run game and with the play action pass, like you said, and have our defense on the sideline resting. That's the positive for sure. Just this is the first time in your career that you won three consecutive games in the NFL. What does that mean to you and what kind of momentum do you feel like you have through the first three weeks of the season? It means a lot, but at the end of the day, it's not just me winning games. It's the whole team. So I'm just happy to be a part of this team, happy to be a part of this organization, and we definitely look forward to keeping it going next week versus Indy. With some more opportunity, do you feel yourself getting more comfortable and more confident within the system? For sure. You know, I think I've just grown a lot over the past few months, really just this year. So definitely feeling more confident and more comfortable out there on the field. So I'm going to say that they read a confidence in you in the second half that you were going to win the game, and they fed off that.

16:34What made you confident in the same? I think we kind of knew. We knew what kind of game we were going to be in, and we knew that we didn't play well enough in the first half. We had a couple of miscues in the first half, and we knew we were better than that. So like I told a report out there, coach T-challenges at halftime to play better and be better, and we came out second half and I did just that. Justin, you said you've done a lot of grown in the last year and a half, where do you feel like you've grown the most or shown the most grown? Just overall, seeing the field, I feel like I'm just very calm out there, cool, calm and collected on the field, and really just that sense of peace out there on the field. And not really rushing things internally in my brain. Just staying calm in the pocket and just making plays when I can and just doing my job. I just see Brother Jones stepping out there. Of course he was benched last week, and this week he comes out, but he was a big part of the offensive line having a good day.

17:39He was part of the offensive. And that situation pops up, he's not really thinking all week that he's going to play, and then Troy goes down Friday. It just shows how prepared he was. He prepared all week like he was starter, and I definitely showed a big for us, especially with this defense that we face showed up you. So big shout out to 7-7 for sure. This is a second time you've had 20 plus completions in your last eight games. Do you feel it? Almost like you're running back in your duchons that you're playing ball where you need to go and you start the final round? Not for sure. Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest thing is getting completions all first, second down, and I'm saying that third and manageable. So I think that's the biggest thing in second shots when they come. So anytime you can get in the rhythm as a quarterback, you just feel that confidence kind of overflow. And kind of like I said earlier, you just feel very calm in the pocket. I think you completed maybe first 10 passes. Does that help you get in the rhythm? Does that help you down later in the game?

18:39I think so. But you know, our game plan was kind of, you know, we knew that we're going to give us completions all first and second down, kind of keep us show over the top. You know, they don't really want, you know, big plays, so they kind of play off and soft. So we knew completions were going to be there in the first, on first and second down. So I really want a big surprise, you know, just pitching catch with the guys and, you know, been making great plays and run after catch. Yeah. We asked if there's a ball start in the home opener and just hold your first impressions of playing here in Pittsburgh and this crowd. And I mean, it was great. Definitely a little bit different from preseason for sure, but the fans showed out great turnout. And you know, it was, it was awesome. It was definitely getting out out there, especially when the defense was on the field. So great turnout by civil nation for sure. What's the success of the run game? What was your thoughts on Cordell Patterson's contribution? He's huge, man. I'm just seeing some of those hits. I'm handing the ball off and just watching them go. I mean, I know I can't do that. So the fact that he's been in the league for this long is still doing that. I mean, it's really crazy to see it to be honest. So he definitely did his thing today for sure.

19:41Just yet to very pinpoint passage one Friday with my drop in the Calvin. Is that accuracy? Something that you've gotten better at? I mean, they were pretty flawless rows right there. I think I've always been kind of accurate, but I might be a little bit biased, but yeah, I mean, just those situations, like Jackie said, I'm just trying to get in a good field, field position before the two minute, but I mean, yeah, definitely, you know, definitely need accuracy at this level for sure. Anyone else? Thank you guys. Appreciate your help. And so hard and ever our tight ends on receivers. I mean, it was just it was a whole after man. That was a great job by the entire team. Does it make life easier when you come out of the gate running the football like crazy? Like the first quarter was like nuts? When you get a quarter like that up on the wall, is that make the rest of the game easier? I think so, man. I think it gave everyone confidence right away, which was important. You know, I think that was important for Malik and important for all, it's my important for everyone.

20:42So I mean, it was huge and it felt amazing. That was fun. How did you, I mean, what were your impressions of Malik like in the huddle and how he was handling the whole... I couldn't believe how calm he was in there, man. His play calling was super clear. He wasn't stressed out. Like you could tell, he was very under control, had his wits about him, did a great job. There was no issues on that whatsoever, which is unbelievable. Like that's amazing. You know, his quarterback rating ended up to be like 126 plus his first 100 yard game. That kind of spurs up the confidence of a guy. I mean, it's got to, you know, our front office and everyone, I mean, we brought him here for a reason. Obviously, he can throw that rock around. And then boy, he showed it today. Yeah. Everyone's got all the confidence in the world and that was fun. Just in general, it was probably our bread and butter and Detroit and glad it's the bread and butter over here. So, you know, this is, this is not going to be too hard of a transition and things like that are right up my alley.

21:49And then finally, you know, Matthew Stafford, I know you had familiar with him, you're a rookie year, but watching from afar, what he was able to do in LA and, you know, we saw him kind of get back to help being healthy last year. As someone who is going to be protecting him, how do you describe him? How would you describe what he's good at and what you need to do to protect him? He's in Detroit. We caught him the wizard. You know, he could figure it all out. And he can make anything happen. And, you know, I'm excited to be able to protect him and, you know, let him make us look good and make plays happen. Thanks, Joe. And congratulations. Thank you. Adam. Hey, Joe. Adam, we want to kind of register. Congratulations. Thanks Adam. Appreciate it. Yeah. I'm curious. Kind of look the process looks like, you know, you agree your terms about two hours into the pre-agency. What do those two hours look like? Who are you talking to? You talked to anyone, the range personally. It's like just what do those hours look like for you?

22:54Actually, me and my wife, we were just sitting at home and like the, I guess, 12 o'clock hit. And we were like, we thought it was going to be like immediate, you know, mayhem and kind of sat there for like 45 minutes of my age and was calling me. It was like, what do you think of Los Angeles? And I was like, I don't sound too shabby. And we talked about it. And, you know, this sounded like the right move, good weather, good place to be, good winning culture, great staff. And, you know, just everything overall was just a plus. So we couldn't deny that. I know this kind of nature of business. What is it like, loaded, make a decision like that? Like such a like altering decision, like Adam such short notice? Yeah, I mean, it is, it is pretty crazy, you know, just the amount of timing you have. But, you know, you kind of have a, I don't know, I've been on the outside looking in at this place for a while. So I kind of had a general idea what's going on. And a lot of familiarity within our building, like, Brad Holmes, you know, he was from here.

23:55So I kind of got to feel the people that, you know, they they've been around and how they run things. So I kind of got a good feel about how it be here. Thank you. Stu. They showed us to Jackson from the rain. So I can't be the one you meant my fellow Jackson brother. What's up, man? Hey, what's up? Listen, that you spend most of your football career, whether the college or obviously the NFL now in the Midwest or East Coast. So now that you're here, what's the light just being out here and, you know, being in Southern California now? I will say the weather is beautiful, you know, it's excellent. And definitely going to miss the East Coast. You know, I've got a lot of roots there. The Midwest, you know, I've started a lot there, but not like new beginnings and no better place to be here. And I guess what did you notice about just this offense from afar? I know Jordan asked you about some of the specifics with schematic carryover, but, you know, beyond that, beyond Matthew Stafford, what it would appeal to you about being a part of this offense and being a part of this team beyond those things.

25:02Yeah, just, I mean, a lot of similarities on what we do, you know, the gap scheme, play action and, you know, having to drop back, you know, I'm comfortable in whatever we've had. I've had eight. This would be, I think nine now, nine different offense, a coordinator since I started college. So I'm comfortable on whatever it doesn't really matter. But, like I said, the pieces to the puzzle were, you know, incredible, whether it's the wire receivers, they're running back the QB, the O line, the defense, you know, it's, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a pretty good team over here. So I'm excited to be a part of it. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Gary. Hi, Jonah. Gary Klein from the last time. Sarah, thank you, Gary. I'm curious to think what was it like to be part of, you know, a lion, an organization that is doing that surge last season. And what, if anything, are your memories of playing against the Rams in that wild card game at 4.0?

26:06Yeah, you know, being a part of something, you know, and the trick were for so long that the city was dying for a winner and being able to bring it there and, you know, change the trajectory of everything and bring some light to the situation. It was awesome. And there's nothing like it. But, you know, when you, when you face the LA Rams, you know, they got it, they got a special defense and, you know, up front, they, they got the guys, you know, so being able to be on their team now makes it a lot easier. Sarah, Matt. We're happy to agree. Hey, Jonah. Great to be with you. Congratulations, Ben. Thank you, Sarah. Appreciate it. In free agency, how did you weigh the opportunities in terms of certain contracts really important? I mean, that's your money. You've got to take care of that. But you also talked about how you want to be in a winning culture. You want to be able to play for you to succeed with a team, with a, with a culture. How did you weigh those things and how grateful were you that an opportunity like this arose with the team within established winning culture with all this kind of stuff? I mean, yeah, once I heard the Rams were willing to, you know, do what they did and be,

27:10and be able to go somewhere and potentially win it all. I mean, there was, there was no denying it. There was, there was some teams, you know, maybe we could have done some more, but I wanted the perfect balance of being able to, you know, set my family up for life and be able to win football games. You mentioned that the Rams have like, you know, they have a good reputation and what is that reputation that other players on other teams, you know, they don't have a direct connection with the Rams. Think about the Rams. What, what is that, what is that vibe? Well, I mean, you just see it from the outside. You see the quarterback and he's second and none. And, you know, just all, like I said, the pieces to the puzzle are just incredible. And then you see Coach McVeigh and, and how they run things and, you know, it's, it's a, it's an approachable approachable place you feel and you feel like it's somewhere you can get settled in pretty fast. And that's why I felt like it was a good fit for me. I think my sciatic nerve and different things going down my leg and it was, some of the worst pain I've ever, I've ever dealt with. It was not a fun.

28:11I mean, it hasn't been fun. This week, last two weeks, it really been the first couple of weeks that I've really been improving and feeling better. You know, those first few days were really tough and, you know, it's, it's been testing my, my mentality and, you know, been testing everything. Because it's, it's hard to deal with, with pain, especially how these last few years won and how good I was feeling and coming back from the hand and having, having, having this adversity that I've overcome and then just getting hit with this random thing. I mean, of course, it's not random. Everything happens. Nothing just happens for no reason, but, yeah, it's, the main thing was it was a glute strain and it just was,

29:13a lot of doctors were unsure because the pathology and the pain kind of, it wasn't really matching up, but I had some good conversations with some other doctors recently that kind of assured me that that's the only thing that's going on. I had a million scans, kind of see if there was anything else going on, everything's clean, which overall is, is a good thing, but, you know, you're kind of open, like, man, I wish they would just find something so we can work on it and get it better. But, yeah, I think I'm, I'm finally over the hump. It's definitely not 100%, but I've played feeling worse before. Were you in pain just sitting, watching television? It was the first few days, first week was just brutal. No sleep. Couldn't sit. I still have the medicine ball at my, or the exercise ball at the house that I stole from here because that was my only thing. Because that was my only safe, safe place was laying on the medicine ball and, like, that fetal type position, because, I mean, that first day after the flight back was insane.

30:24I was laying in the training room for probably six hours on that ball. Couldn't move, try to get up and do some treatment and no position work. Still, I can't really sleep. It's, well, this week has been better, but I still, I'm a back sleeper and I can't really really sleep on my back with the glute. But I've finally been getting good sleep. Feel just comfortable moving around, feel, feel much better out there, starting to feel more even on both my legs. I was able to, luckily I was able to, you know, stay on my feet, you know, stay on top of my upper body lifting so I feel strong, my weight's good, my, my legs are coming back. So it was, it was tough and, you know, I think, you know, the adversity I've dealt with over the years has only made me stronger and has helped me learn more about myself.

31:24And kind of the things I need to do to be successful, you know, at this age, I'm not a fresh, young rookie anymore that can get away with doing some things that I could, could back then. And so, you know, I kind of definitely hit a low point dealing with this, but, you know, it's made me stronger mentally. I've been doing all the work I can with, with all the tools I have and the people around me. It's not only helped physically, but, but helped mentally and I think when I look back at this moment, you know, when you're in it, it feels hopeless sometimes and you're like, man, I don't want to do this, I listen to that, but I think I'll look back at this point and, you know, all these injuries that I've dealt over over the last three years and I think it'll be, maybe not a blessing in disguise.

32:27But, you know, an important part in my journey and my career that, you know, helps me take those few extra steps of things that maybe I wasn't doing before because I didn't have to, but this kind of has pushed me to, you know, be the best person I possibly can, not only physically but mentally. And, like I said, I've learned a lot about myself and what I need now and, you know, I'm just grateful that I have a great, great team around me and my family, my trainer, everybody here, my therapist, Roger, shout out. This is the man who's helped me, you know, through a lot of tough times in my career and I don't think, I know for a fact that I would not be standing here or be as successful as I am without all these people around me.

33:35I just want to, you know, thank everybody, including my teammates for, you know, having my back and not pushing me and just being there for me and knowing that I'm doing the things I can to try to get back and be the best teammate I can. And I think, you know, I don't have much time left in this game. You never, and dealing with stuff like this makes you realize that it can be over at any moment. And I just don't want to take anything for granted and I don't want to look back and be like, should I cut a wood? So I think I have a few years maybe, hopefully, hopefully a few good years left. And I just want to do everything I possibly can to take advantage of my opportunity. On that low point, what did you, what were you thinking yourself? Did you think this was at the end? Yeah, no, I mean, your mind just tends to ruminate and go to the future, go to the past, sell it, what if I did this, what if I did that?

34:37When you get into that state, it's just important to kind of reel it in and take it maybe not even a day at a time, but a minute at a time, an hour at a time. And I know it's pretty trendy to talk about being mindful and staying in the moment, but there's a reason it's popular because it's really important. And when you're down and you're upset, you're not going to be thinking rationally and making the correct decisions to just be able to reel it in and be mindful and take it one day, one minute at a time. It kind of puts things into perspective. And if you do the right thing, one thing at a time, eventually you're going to get to where you want to be. When the injury happened, it was on that first play. Yeah, no, I was not feeling great going into that game. I think that was the start of it after the Carolina game.

35:43And then that very first play, my left leg gave out and I just got absolutely planted in the ground, which I'm sure you're all of you, so I must have maybe strained it worse then or something. But I knew I wasn't able to finish that game. And I definitely didn't expect it to be as bad as it has been. Even when I was in a lot of pain the first few days, I'm like, all right, structurally there's not anything that's too crazy going on right now. So maybe in a few days, this will calm down and it'll feel much better. And then it just kept dragging and dragging and dragging. And here we are for five weeks later, however long it's been. So it was tough. But you know, everybody's dealing with injuries. Everybody's dealing with something. It's like sore warming up and like who's not sore warming up right now this point of the year, even after just reaching out.

36:43Even after just week one, it's a tough league and a tough game. Yeah, I'm just happy that I stayed the course and I'm starting to see the other side. So you came out of the Carolina game feeling something in the game? Yeah, I came out of the game feeling good. Like the actually, like right after the game, I was like, man, felt good. I had limited reps. It was really hopeful for the next week. And you know, those next few days just felt weird, felt like there's something going on. Didn't really think that it was the day after the game. And I didn't really think it was going to be any any problem. You know, I lifted as normal. I felt good. I didn't practice like super hard that week. I wasn't feeling amazing. But I definitely didn't see this coming and you know, I went into that Steelers game with not a lot of confidence. So I was really nervous. I'm sure if you watch me run out on the field usually I'm flying off trying to be the first one out there.

37:49And I was like, this might not go well today. But I thought I'd give it a shot. And I figured out pretty quickly that it wasn't going to go well after that first play. But yeah, like I said, I'm just happy that I didn't let those, you know, dark thoughts or dark times kind of get pulled at me and keep me down. I mean, this bad as football gets. It's, I mean, it's the greatest thing that I've ever been a part of or ever done. It's the best. The only thing I've ever been, you know, great at. And I just want to take advantage of my time here and it's running out and it's running out for everybody. And time doesn't just doesn't stop. Just keeps freaking moving no matter what you do. And yeah, like I said, I just want to look back and be like, man, I'm happy that I did everything I could to, you know, make an impact.

38:53And, and, you know, be the best player I can be. I think whoever's in the room, we just got to keep up, keep that stand. What was the most memorable part of the playout? The Texas game was a good game. I liked it. I liked how we put that game out. But obviously the match from championship just, just, when the clock hit triple zero, you just feel like a champion. So probably the national championship, but the Texas game is probably my favorite game. I just, that experience that quite a run. It feels like my junior high school, where my senior high school, where my state championship, my junior, and I just, I just remember to fill in just one, when it's so bad again, you end up coming up short. So I think you just stand on the guys and just stand on myself to do everything we can and just go back to back. It's going to be very hard and we know that. So I think you just got to support. What is it? Obviously climbing up. Just the bulls iron back and I didn't really do much. You got to go BS, be the buck ass wherever you are. So I think when we go out there and BS, there's just really won't be any problems.

39:58There was some talks from the leaders about taking down a couple of banners and not wanting this year's team to think that they're champions, kind of building back up in there. Why is it important to do that? Kind of not allow last year to a championship? Because most of the team didn't win anything like the freshman class, they wasn't on the team last year. They don't have a national championship. And most of the guys are like, I wasn't a starter last year. So I want to start. I want to be a bigger regional while we're in the national championship. So I think most of the guys that we have on the team this year, we really wasn't champions. You didn't too much do anything. It was most of the seniors that gone. So I think it's just on our own, because you really just won something for our own. Which receivers are we not talking about enough that you're out there covering? Who should we be talking about more and why? I like. I like, I like, I was in a lot of my, I like my, I like my. You just move. He's just very smooth. He's a good player. He's a great player. We all know that you.

40:58It seems like every time we're out here, you're one of the guys, you're always celebrating plays. You're always bringing a lot of energy. Like, how much do you do better than the part of who you are just bringing in energy? I think, I think a lot of guys can feed off of my energy. So I just try to give them other energy I can and just encourage out of the other guys and encourage them to even some of the other guys that's here. And probably doesn't have as much experience on the field. So I think it's just giving people the confidence. I think confidence is the most important thing about this game. If your confidence is where it needs to be and you feel confident to do your job, it's going to go well with it. That's the one you got kind of thrown out there for a fire as a freshman in some great moments. What do you think is the pair to be ready to play as such a freshman? It builds. I think just taking every day, coaches are telling me there's always stability. I think just taking every day, it's just like that you're going to be out there and just a pair that never know when that player is going to come and you know like Texas game, I played the whole second half. You got to be ready for that. If you just sit in the center of the side of the club that you're not going to play and think that I'm not going to get in this and that, get tough for you and then that's

42:00when you just your mind starts playing tricks on you. So I think just being prepared, standing ready at all times. What do you think about the last questions before the show? I think having this hand on the rail as a freshman, I think he looks better than me and I can't man in the spring. So I think that was going to be a very good football player here. He just has to just come on with the little things but that was going to be a great football player. I think I was a little more raw as a prospect. He's coming out. I think he's more put together. He's a big refrain. I think he has a little bit like, oh no, I just playing it but he just, I like it. Not really. I mean it's a long season ahead of us or me, I'm just taking the day by day. You don't see many true freshmen that make that the game for you. What's the key for you to stay hungry to continue to grow and make your goals? I mean just something to me. I mean just because I made that one play, I have that year after that. I just can't get big headed. I always feel like it's one for improvement. Never feel like you just got it.

43:03That's one thing. A lot of people mess up one for like, oh they have one good year. Okay, I mean that's not any. I'm a no-go-tier to do it for years and years to come. I feel like to myself for sure. What do you know about that? Of course you probably know big. Torre's here just like me. I just came in and kept it set. Now I'm just working. My high-pitched CS future here at Ohio State probably going to be next one for sure. What's it like seeing all these like the national championship banner and seeing all the new signage going, you played a huge role? I mean it's no sub-blessing. No sub-play, no U-roll and no the nighty run that we had as a choose freshman. But no it's time to move on. I mean that's behind us now and I can't wait for this season to come up. What kind of obligation do you feel to a guy like me to take one year waiting to show how you work? I feel like he already got that. Just coming in, he already got that hard work at it. Quiet just like me as I came in. Just all about Bar really. I mean he ain't here early. I mean spend the time on Coach Hartline meeting and everything. He's doing it the right way I should say and he have a bright future here.

44:03Coach Hartline said he wants you to come up with a good game. Yeah. You should have come up with a great game. How much for a challenge that you are kind of a quiet guy? Yeah it is a challenge. No just stepping out 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 want me 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 I'm definitely working on is trying to talk more and get more of my comfort zone and just build it. Is that open with? Yeah for sure that's definitely the biggest challenge. I can say just stepping out my comfort zone and 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? 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.

45:04I mean we see it on week one. I just know Ken Whitter, no face a great opponent. What's your impression of Devin Sanchez so far? Yeah big long corner, the Corrine, physical. He got it all and I can't wait to see things he do here this year as well. What if you know it's different? Is there anything different about this defense of 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. Guys still go no do what they've been doing over the last year and then I was in the year and then I should say. Coach that makes the quarterback's live like he did for a couple of practices last week. As a live receiver right now, how do you think your quarterbacks responded to that? Over offering. I think they responded pretty good. I did not expect the quarterbacks to be live in a scrimmage. That surprised me for sure. Coach Devin surprised me with that. But I feel like they handled it very well. They took hits.

46:04Something we need. They needed. I should say tough enough. Right. Why do receivers go all the way about quarterbacks in? How they handle that since it's obviously not a norm to be that? They're learning anything now but it's definitely not a norm to see a quarterback get hit. It gets his no defense as I should say. But no, guys, they was getting hit for sure but they was getting right back up. So command, could also them for that? How much do you work on it? How much do I get? Definitely can't get better no, for life's on game complacent. Always want to improve. No, I'm just taking the day by day and just getting better each and every day. Why do you prepare for the scrutiny 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 tell a fall camp and just get ready for the season as you say the espacations go be there And I really know something high no

47:06In my mind right now. I'm just no Being leader and just focus on the team. I really know we haven't really spoken about that right now I don't really know Jeremiah a lot of guys have said that they want a lot of championship got taken down They don't want to see it is moving into the sea to me team. What is how important is that for you? And why do you think that's significant for the statement? I mean like I said we came live in the past um the club in the 2014 they won the national championship This year we did it so mean we just Took everything down in the weight room and everything so no we could focus on being ourselves and no This our season That the by week and then trying to turn the season around what's that balancing?

48:10Yeah, I mean it's tough, but you know, we got to move for you know, I mean, that's all we can do For out, you know, what is our problem? Which you know, I don't think it's hard to see and Which is you know just executing you know and hone down on our assignments and um, you know just get the job done and So out of it, you know, we got to buy a week, you know rest up and get ready for San Fran Yeah, a couple of tough plays Uh the red zone the fourth quarter that it'd be an interceptions But you're able to mount the drive down the regulation What is your confidence that you know that you would bounce back and be able to reach you the way that you did that final drive? Yeah total confidence. I mean, he's done it, you know, again, again, again, honestly and uh, you know every time we we go we take the field You know again the huddle um You know, I know we're going to give our best effort, you know, I know if we give him time we run the right routes We know we're supposed to do he's gonna put the ball where it's supposed to be and you know, that's all we can you know do and uh But yeah, we have total confidence when we go out there. We just got to stop beating ourselves honestly

49:22Man, I hate losing, you know, I'm saying whatever I rather win, you know 100% You know My confidence level, you know, it's always been the same. You know, I've known that you know, I could break out and have an amazing game You know whenever but um, it's the wins that count Can you kind of walk us through the last touch down there that tied the game for you and taking the big hit and everything? Uh, yeah um, you know corner out, you know through a perfect ball had to put it really back shoulder for me, you know to make a play on it Um, and you know just made a play on it Hmm Uh, yes, sir, um, you know You know, I make sure you know, I see my surroundings, you know, you know some guys trying to take your head off So, you know, yeah, I do but I then the at the end of the day when I see the ball It's about the ball and and catching it, you know, that's my job and you know, I take I consider all those things

50:22But you know getting the job done is first The port in five they set that up what did you guys see on that play port in five salt man coverage, you know, I'm saying beat beat your man catchable Yes, guys on that team we knew they're gonna fight their ass off and uh, it's a heavyweight balance and national championship That's what it's all about and we knew we're gonna have to take some shots and uh, you know, keep swinging Conor because you can have the coach in that meeting you guys had To him to stand in front of you guys A whole team You're vulnerable like that and to make changes. What does it say? I mean it just speaks to how great a coach is I think a lot of coaches would have you know had a lot of selfie go thrown in that meeting and Um, he didn't at all. I mean he loves us, you know, all of us like for his sons and we felt that form you know that loss You know, we knew that we had had a rebound like we did and um, I mean, I can't say enough Like how much he means to me and stand on me and he's amazing The way he goes about business and we don't we don't go about it like a lot of teams do about fear losing your job

51:23We go about as a family as about love and uh, we know we had to execute and and we did that tonight How happy are you for coach day? You know, and how close you are you as first to me? It's a brand new build a healthy good Yeah, I mean, it's a dream come true like I said, I mean god is so great and during they took us out And uh, it took coach day on this family on I mean And then I'll be curious like we did tonight To see you have the success I saw the smile was white panel on her face and um, stuff that she ever And uh to come out tonight and win this game for them. It's awesome. It's a dream come Did the championship robust all by these Thanks You know, we knew what the expectations were going to the season, you know, we knew that we're at a high estate and The top of hand every year as if you're not competing for national champion or 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

52:26We just did and the legacy who just left is is something that you know, you can't put in the words how much it means We never looked at this as an emergency We did that just tonight Well, look, we never know today was gonna fight to the end You know during the season it was during the season you felt that you think before the season We knew that we were capable of national championship Just because of the guys we had and the coaching staff we knew that we were capable of this And uh through all the ups and downs we were able to persevere and and keep fighting keep swing coach day Always says you gotta fight your way out of bad times and in life and and as a player as a coach as a family really for him You know, he's got to fight himself out of bad times And he did just that made the adjustments Made the change that had to get made and now we're champions So like I said got us so good and the journey brought us on was amazing Send your debug guy obviously grew up in Pickerington When did you allow yourself to think about what this moment will be like and what it would mean For your legacy, you know, higher state that you can get this done

53:26What did you allow yourself to think about that? Yeah, I know me honestly. I haven't still even thought about it You know, I'm just so happy to be able to celebrate this in the school of guys It's not about me at all. It's about this team and coach day and the city of Columbus has been waiting for this for a long time for 10 years And uh, man, I just I'm just so happy for this group of guys and the stuff that we went through and heard And we keep getting up and keep showing off the practice and going as hard as we can and approach one of the positive attitude and trusting a god's clan And uh, you know, here we are in our national championship and they can never take that away from us Um, just so happy that we will finish the job You check now that it's on these on the stage at one point What were your thoughts right there? It's like you kind of dropped your knees at one point and uh We're giving some kind of thanks or whatever, but what was going on there? Yeah, I was just thinking god I was thinking god for all the ups and downs And my career and everyone else's career and then to end it this way is so special. I mean You know, would you put your faith in god? You know, he says it's not gonna be easy And it hasn't been easy for any of us

54:27And uh, you know, we kept trusting him and believe in his plan and here we are national champions You know, when I don't want to say all your guys didn't believe it You guys, I think we get the job then after we can November so Here we are national champs, I feel just great to say Who brought those regards? Who brought those regards? And I think they did just that and I think for us we just had to go out there and just accomplish the plan and Whatever play was called whatever maybe just go out there and execute it I don't think we've been preaching as execution is is really the motive You know anything me called but as long as everybody's mindset is has one mentality Which is uh just go get in and you know make sure there's no yard gain I think that that changes the the mindset of everybody on the silver bullet defense Did they feel like big changes to you all as they were ongoing or I mean at first like you know, it was a tough loss So you know as any it felt like everything was big but then when you kind of just take your time and look at everything and analyze everything It was just like man. We just we just need to keep everything simple

55:30Make everything and just just uh just about us and you know not like feel like we're Um, you know making everything about them. It's you know we can dictate what they do and I think that was the mindset Did mate letterman wrong? Yeah JT I know you get to watch a little bit of video Of Caleb and uh, Lathan and Jordan what stands out about that group from your from your vantage point? Oh, they're respected. They're relentless man. I mean, Lathan Caleb and I mean everybody in that BIA core Yes, they can cover but you know when it's time to you know stop the run They'll they'll come down 12 yards out however However, however far off the front line scrimmaging coming you know, throw the nose in there and you know Respect them for that because you know, there's gonna be times where we need them make them tackles and I mean they're displaying it this whole season Yeah, how critical are they in a game of this magnitude? Obviously everybody's critical But you know me that yeah sort of the last line of defense, but sometimes the last line of defense is in the middle of it Yeah, I mean they play a huge role. I mean like you said it takes everybody from the front four It's like a check reaction the front four don't do their job then you know falls, you know the back end

56:32So we off to work as a collective unit and I think there's a reason that there's 11 of us out there And you know, it's crazy if one person is doing their job then you know something to go wrong But if we just all continue to stay Communication with one another continue to just lay each other know we have each other's backs and just trust one another And man, I think that that That performance is gonna be off the charts Stits WSYF GT how would you describe the mentality of the defense right now getting this opportunity for a rebound to the warden? Yeah, hungry and thankful. I mean we know how the last last time when you know we We had to chip on our shoulder. I mean we were riding high before that game and we took that loss and we came back Had to make a couple changes, but I think we understand what you know everything's that stake right now I mean, oh just fighting to where another house stage jersey for next game That's what's on stake and just to be able to represent this this uh this state and this uh this team I mean we understand what's that What's on the line and you know, we're just hungry and blessed that we get this opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl Right behind your Adam King WBNS

57:34What do you remember most about walking off the field in Eugene? What was kind of all through your mind in that moment? I mean there is a I don't think anybody imagined it imagine us losing You know I didn't That's for sure and I think after that it was a Kind of head deep Understanding that man we still there's still a lot of ball left to be played I mean you can let it sting for a little bit But you know if you let it carry over too long then you know there there goes there goes your whole Season by I think we did a great job of just understanding coming together in this room right here Not being afraid to display or hold accountability for one another and you know as as that happened We came back regrouped and you know we're just Going right now and and I'm just blessed for those specific moments, you know losing I mean no one wants to lose but the the testimonies and the things are taught within those little situations speaks of all you

58:38What did you see from King Yada the last couple weeks Yeah, I mean that's that's my boy. He's in the R2X club too, but You know Kehada, I mean every time his numbers caught he goes out there and makes the most of it No, no matter Where where we at in the game when he goes out there he's just hungry He wants to go make plays and and you know we see it and practice those it's not surprising to us Bill Rebino, it's a bonus this batch Don't give us obviously very elusive and our talent and he's not very tall How important it could be to just kind of stay in your Past rush lanes and neglect a lot of balls and kind of make a difference that way Yeah, I think it just comes out being disciplined No one who you're playing against like you said don't he's a he sure but he's very elusive I mean he can He is making throws. I mean he get out the parking to everything So I think for us we just have to discipline and just continue to just

59:38Meet with coach Jay me with the coach knows and understand how we can just eliminate that What should about you and Jack? I mean Your personality seem to be a little different you more on the quiet side. He's How about you play together four years both five store guys kind of describe your relationship with him Friendship with him. Yeah, just kind of how you cop with each other man. That's ask my brother like he said We're different but very alike Think outside. I'm like you said he's louder. I'm quiet, but you know once we're on that field like the same person We'll do anything for this team. You know, we'll die for our players and we'll give everything we got Yeah, fall camps Yeah, sometimes go over there. So over there We have our share of days when we when I'm neat. He's neat or you know, we might both be messy, but we do a good job Yeah, I probably have a better kick in the jack though

1:00:42When you're playing a team for the second time and that was almost a season to go by now. How much of Are you at square one with with this scouting preparation or how much do you take from that game? How much do you avoid taking so that you don't have any creative No, she's a much going up against offense on the offense line. I say it's pretty 50 50 I mean uh that game like you said it was it was a while ago, but at the same time they elevated as a team So did we so we understand that they they had they made some changes for sure You know, there's team there's a certain density we can take back from that game But we also understand that um they went on a low run after that and we can see that they elevated as an offense So we just got to continue to watch those games dissect the other games and just continue to see um What stands out and what they change from the for the past game We got a couple calls on on zoom that will wrap up with first. We have Nick Hamilton from nightcast media Nick Uh Just wanted to ask you basically about the synergy of this defense and how you guys were able to

1:01:46Uh not only celebrate the triumphs but get through the adversity be able to be this top-notch defense that you are in college football today Uh Here you need to question one more time. Yeah, no problem Uh, I wanted to ask you about the synergy you are we're able to develop over course of the season Obviously celebrating the triumphs but also getting through the adversities to where you go all all the top-notch defense that you all are today Yeah, I mean like you said that we went through a lot of trials the trials um, but there's also there's a lot of things We can take away from all the wins and losses um and from those those wins we understood that hey We can be the best defensive country and from those losses we understand that there's still Things that need be fixed and I think when you take all that in at once um They comes out to the the comical or the comment talk which is you can there's always learning points everywhere And depending how we dissect those games or how we just continue to come as one and elevate You know, we continue to just Collect all those those learning points and just continue to grow from them

1:02:49And one final question Joey Coffin Columbus dispatch Joey JT uh what have what have you guys done better and the Especially in the Tennessee game and just latinist season you think about turning some of the the pressures that you've got on a quarterbacks in the sacks and getting a home in some of those situations Yeah, I think it was more just uh understanding the defense as a whole understanding everybody's job Think as the season went on we get to understand that you know, we have to know what's going on in the back And we also know what's going on to align back recruits to understand uh What plays we have room of freedom and I think once we understood that and got a better understanding of the of everybody's job I mean it it showed this play because you know everybody knows what each other's doing It's not like the linebackers know what they're doing Uh the corners and be eye they know only their job I think we all know each other's job and we continue to ask each other questions Um on you know if they're blitz and how they can get to the quarterback and you know if I'm dropping Playing quarterbacks by I can ask Cody on how to open field tackle

1:03:50So you know, we just we just kind of lean on each other's understanding because uh, you know Like I said like Denzel knows how to play corner better than I know how to play corner So you know, he has more more wisdom at that position than I do JT thank you very much. I He's he continues to grow and to grow and to grow Um like I mentioned again, Jolani was another guy that not only tied in position, but tied in our Ohio state I mean playing out of Ohio state in general. I mean that's a you know, it's a high standard But then to play the position of tie-down. It's not easy. And so I've seen um Jolani take big strides on and off the field I think same with him. I think he's just going to have to continue just to put those days in back to back to back and Same for him. He'll be able to look up one day and be excited for where he's at. He's very talented He's very gifted um god has given him a lot of great abilities and I think um It's just his job to put into the work put in the work and he'll look up one day and he'll be excited about where he's at Um Yes, yes, I was really from over camp

1:04:56Yeah, I think when his his freshman year, I was doing that a whole lot more His freshman year. I feel like every two seconds every time I turn around I'm trying to correct him and get him an alignment Um, but I mean man. He's he's he's taking steps. He's taking steps in the right direction Um, I'm proud to see his growth Yes, his freshman year too I know he didn't drive me nuts, but Did you drive him that? No That's my guy Yeah, um, I mean not particularly I feel like I trust that he's gonna do his job I feel like he knows his reads that he's gonna go through his reads and he's gonna get the ball Um to who he's supposed to get it to predicated on the play and the coverage that we're going against And um, he's done you know, he's done amazing things in the field this entire may even go back to spring He had a great summer and then to see the kind of player that he's really growing into even this camp has been great

1:05:57And so I have to just trust and faith that he's gonna put the ball exactly where it needs to be all it's my job just to go finish the play Did you go back and look to see how much Like when will our transfer over did you go watch check him out? It can't say so much. He's at the title No, I haven't it was been bent in it right. Yeah, no, I haven't really checked it out. I know he was a great player I know he's somewhere in the NFL right now But no, I'm focused right here building camaraderie with him right here and put it up putting good things on tape Will first walked in do you think he was a new tight end transfer? Yeah, he was big. Yeah, I think he's lost like 20 pounds since he's been here. That dude. It's a big boy What is his presence? I mean, I think he's show up out there. Yeah, he's he does a great job man I think that's he's growing to be one of my great buddies subjurani He's growing to be one of my you know, really really good buddies I'd say one thing with him. He doesn't really really good job of you know The ability to turn it off and turn it back on I think when we're off the field or having fun You know, he's one of my closest friends, but then when we're on the field He's locked in and he's he's ready to roll and he's able to take the lead of offense

1:06:57If you could tell just line thermon one thing and we'll get him on the field more often this year. What would it be? I don't know. Where do I start? Let's see Um, I don't just keep doing what you're doing. You're doing good things man. Yeah What is showing out about him? I guess in this camp. Yeah, I mean, I kind of yeah, no I was kind of like I kind of mentioned earlier I'd say you know like I mentioned God's giving him you know so many great abilities I'd say ultimately the ball is in his court to take full advantage of that and Ultimately bring the best out of himself. I think that's one of our missions as a culture is to fight to be the best versions of our self So I think if he continues to do that. I'm he's gonna be excited about where he's at Do you like about this one? Um everything. I like the I like the mindset behind it Maybe not as much you know Exasinoza is great, but I love the the mindset that we have about our intentions running the ball We're not just running the ball um to be flashy where we want to we want to be downhill We want to have smash not play smash not football and just impose our will on teams That's kind of our mindset going into playing games That's our mindset going into practice

1:07:58And ultimately we believe practicing that way is to how we're gonna do it on the field What's it like trying to do that against this defense? Oh, they bring it the defense brings it every single day It's a constant iron and sharpening iron Um another matter who's in ones twos guys are good guys are flying around they're playing fast. They're playing violent Um, but we're off and we're gonna bring it Did uh did chip Kelly? I mean how did it become obvious to you that there was gonna be a little bit of a new Approach to the running game mind set whatever you want to call it was it a big meeting or is it just y'all got out there in practice and hey Things are different you know me I guess no, I mean I wouldn't say there was any catastrophic event I think there's um there's a mindset shift like we we want to run the ball. We want to be the most physical Fast team in America Running the football is you know, it's pretty universal wherever you go. Every team's gonna run counter Everyone's gonna run zone. Everyone's gonna have you know, it is what it is The mindset going into it how efficient are we gonna do what we do and I feel like I'm very excited about

1:08:58You know the mindset that we have going in and running the ball that we want to be tough We want to be physical and we want to impose our wills on the team that we play You know will I did not know that I'm not just asking about the head. I had no idea that that's hilarious. He is fast for a big guy. He is Yeah, he moves very well You're you're sitting here what blessed two weeks away from the start of what your last season right? Yep Do you feel like this is the year? I mean, you know, where you contribute even more? I mean, just what's your mindset? Yeah, I'd say my mindset is to Ultimately be the best the absolute best teammate inversion in myself that I could possibly be this year I think if I put in the my due diligence of studying film practicing hard And laying everything out there. I ultimately I have faith in the Lord that he's gonna take care of everything else I don't I don't feel pressure of numbers or stats or things I need to put on Tape I just know that my absolute best my greatest effort will be enough. Whatever happens from there

1:10:03It's working for my good Yeah, I would say I've seen the Lord working a lot of ways on this team and just bringing guys closer And it's good to have that common ground with different guys on the team when things may be rocky on the field or things may be rocky in the classroom or You know in the film room whatever it may be to have that common ground that we understand that the Lord Is working the things that we're going through for our good and bad That we can just continue to keep our eyes on him in the midst of rocky times where we're in the valleys over on the mountain top that we just keep our face from Yep, yeah We're up in Christmas

1:11:06In the day we got to put him the ins on For not doing that we're not doing our job Are you guys creating more explosive plays as an offense? Right, I think I used to 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 Sins has been here for Highs and loads 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 does he saying as far as how to get through this? Yeah, so I think it's just really just Coming in attacking every day as you would Regardless and you know staying staying even even through hardship and Attacking 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 already we're setting up, but then also a Jason Simmons was calling the game on Saturday. It seemed 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?

1:12:09Yeah, I think we I think the role is always to try to help the offense move the ball and Whether 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 ask from us. We just got to do it at high level and Let the offense go You're some of leaders on the offense some of the leaders. I would say Gus is a big leader I mean he's been doing it for a while and I and it's someone that everyone trust Is gonna do his job at a high level and I think we have Hudson's a good leader too as well Obviously, it's a quarterback. So he takes on that leadership role and I think We just have a good amount of leaders You know 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 Titans 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 you can do on the field. So it'd be great I Have always known so it's all getting better and improving it things that

1:13:12We're big discrepancies in my game. Did you I mean, it's an amazing thing. I mean we're all pushing to be great You know, it's competitive, which is I mean, that's the best place to get better Did you seek out Ohio State or they seek you out or was it kind of a challenge? You did yeah, and how did you know you had a shot to even come here? You know me Nathan How does that work in the port? Honestly, I really didn't know just kind of a whole thing I mean, yeah, I put a lot of prayer to it and talk with my family and talk to my agent my old my coaches at rice and They're really helping to the processing without them. I don't know whether I'll be here right now Yeah, but by the grace of God I ended up here Obviously just in five was the coach when you came here. What was that kind of transition like of him leaving in a time of going coming in?

1:14:13I'll say it was pretty seamless. I mean both of them are incredibly good coaches They're both know what they're talking about. They they're really tuned into the fine details. So I mean, yeah, I wasn't worried at all. It wasn't Yeah, it's just businesses usually What are the biggest things you like about playing for coach following so far? On these are really good communicator Like we meet a lot and he's really good at this kind of putting out the fine details and how you can prove your game and then when it comes to different skills and everything just how to like fine-tune it through practicing everything Well, I guess I'm trying to live by being the hardest working person in this field. So I mean I think that's why I want to be like I want to spend the most time watching film spending the most time Like after practicing in action working on the edge and I feel like that's how I would describe myself Well, I mean, yeah, I mean I can always be better at a lot of things

1:15:17But you know just really like for working on the thing and let's be consistent. That's the biggest thing It's because it's just that's what it's really I'm dropping that weight You see I feel I'm better Yeah, I knew and then you know talking to dieticians and everything Well, I focus a lot more on getting the right like macros into my meals and Yeah, that was really the biggest thing I mean the biggest thing about this is diet But it's like a lot more protein that's part of stuff like that Okay, but yeah, every game is there's always one moment really like

1:16:18If I did do this in the way room you better this then I won't be in that situation Too much every game You guys defensive tackle I was really good Not to set a stone just yet We've been rotating times to see what best works and we've been all driving at the same time You see Was that about the physical stuff was that something else that you wrote? Uh, most of the game adjusted to the position that was the main thing Just same everything Tell me Really he told me We'll stop over thinking Just just block their play and that really helped me because

1:17:21You know New position try to find my area stuff. So it's pretty good to use Uh Three-take I mean the strength wise by all said And speed gets those words that's that's really helps me a lot What were the conversations like when this first came out that you possibly think who were you talking to? What was it like in your mind when they asked you about Well, I talked to Coach Jay because there was the main one he wasn't forcing me or nothing Who just said to move inside you can't have not stood uh did and you can't do that as well But I saw that I could help the team up get some death right there. So I chose to move inside I

1:18:36Yeah jack Then all Jack JT tell me air time to a great leaders ordered off the field there helped me uh With just simple stuff like If I didn't know where to go get something down in there tell me or they just like hanging out with the dude Good emotion just a lot of different small things that got bothers closer like last year Uh, they already the start going this year. I haven't started yet Yeah, but I'm gonna give a turn Yeah, I feel like uh, maybe we teach an audio that anybody can be a leader no matter what you're Especially so more through your scene or even if you're walking everybody can be a leader just um Yeah, but we didn't hit you last year that yeah, this technique this thing can work for me You know me you get you have to grow into it. How to grow it to a little bit um, it's very new Especially playing D in my own life, right? Uh, but I had a talent to help me like I said throughout the whole process

1:19:37Yeah, when did it really strike you that I could be a factor? Oh, you know what game or you know How do we do you feel comfortable on this or anything else? I would say closer to us the playoffs Uh, me to entitle it a lot. Uh, I don't feel comfortable by okay. I can actually do this because we'll show me some stress I have like see him like see you can do this and uh, that really helped me get the confidence and know that I can Yeah, but then you became a factor you came a factor especially, you know Basically through the playoffs and stuff What did mean to you to be a factor that early? All the word of God first of all to keep me uh, healthy to keep doing that Uh, it been though it been a lot that coach said trust me enough to go and end the big games like that and uh, murder now We ever produce Definitely speed and strength was my made to I was saying to help me in the inside of those guards I

1:20:37What's the Definitely my main thing also And so I thought interviewing some of those interviews. I said the main thing was being a team player and moving the three teams was Going to help the teams and I was really moving Jason and will I was very competitive uh, we both we all come in trying to see where we need to get better Uh, just to keep moving forward. So it's pretty good good competition and I love them but um And I thought you made the move like during the biweek last year is that right? What was the toughest part about that all crash course? Uh, really nothing. I really embraced it Uh, I knew that uh, I made the movement side Uh, in order to help out the team and we asked really great years last year that you know and

1:21:40Uh, JT jack came and carried to the game. So it was pretty good. It's and then moving the food tank I also asked them down there while uh, still good name for showcase what I got there. Did you feel like you Like does needed to get done quickly like did you feel that pressure to get it done quickly because you needed to be ready for that next game? No, they they were um, all in on me just whatever I'm ready. Just let them know how I feel about moving in or setting us up Uh, Jack was chasing all the guys that came in are they continue to work hard every day Uh, even if they don't get it the first time they'll ask us on what are doing this situation to help me out. So uh, They're building to keep trying to learn from people that's playing in their big stage. Uh, that's the word really gonna keep going Will you surprise how quickly things did start to click free?

1:22:41Given you said they were gonna be patient with you But by the time you get to the playoffs you're playing like that. Is that the surprise? I'm not really I knew once I got it. Jose was gonna trust me a lot more than to keep going out there each and every time So uh, I appreciate them Uh, like I said earlier. Thank you Lord. Thank you guys In that vein obviously Some different guys doing things at guard. I know you were obviously focused on being attacked But how much ownership do you take on trying to get some of those guys ready for what will be obviously a tough challenge Not only this game but potentially down the road. Yeah Everything with the guards I try to give my input to because you know for um Really three three years. I played that position and so I was like look like um What you're doing is not working this way you gotta do it this way because I've had experience to join against Next to really good tackles and next playing at a really high level at guard I was like uh, I can help you out with this because I know what it's like or taking my experience with playing

1:23:45Next to Paris. I was like this is what I did with him and we got to be on the same page in terms of double teams Because if we're not on the same page then that's how we get split and that's how you know We work against each other and there's no movement So trying to get on the same page with the guys playing next week and the guys on the other side of the line to Try to perform at the highest level Uh, if we're all right Cameron T. Robinson the athletic dunk enough. I know 22 I'm going to get in the way But after that mission I'll also seem like doing that game you guys will I'm a free a lot more loose What experiences can you take that lead up to this lead up To obviously want to win this game could just play free play alone loose in this game Yeah, I mean um Playing free and playing loose is a lot better than playing uptight You know um, uh, we're just uh focus on Playing as fast as possible and our coaches put us in the right position to do so So it's our job to execute it um in terms of what happened, you know, was it two years ago? Yeah two years ago. I can't really speak on it now because I'm where you was happening now, but um

1:24:47uh, you know, it's just uh Playing playing with the brothers next to you playing for the man next to you and uh not trying to let him down Rather than your own selfish success is what we're all aiming for Right in front of him step on creation. Yeah cleanland.com Seth is a guy who's you know had had the playoff experience He's also probably stuck in this Tennessee team in the years past maybe more so than anyone then you know How much Kind of as a coach now is he been able to help out these you know last few weeks whether it be Michigan we were not letting up to Tennessee Yeah, you know um he helps out as much as he can he's always here, you know Um, you know, maybe not in the outdoor practice. He hasn't really gone to those but um but um The indoor ones obviously in meeting rooms. He's uh he's a um A really insolval person. He's always helping out Carson always helping out the guards because yeah, you're right You know, he's played against the steam many times being at his former institution, but um He's just given us uh insight on uh what we need to do um To compete at the highest level against this uh D line because obviously they're a great group And then uh just helping us improve as best he can so you know, he's still just as involved as he was um

1:25:53Before the incident happened. He's just trying to give back as much as he can Uh second or right Bill Landis games of the north Tyler than we've seen we saw a loop plate center summon camp. I always played some tackles and played some juggle tight end What in your mind would make him a good guard for you guys? Uh, I mean All of that is just versatility. You know, I feel like uh Luke is uh versatile enough to play and plug and play anywhere we need him to be and uh He's had some great success at guard in the past couple of practices, but um he uh He's shown a great ability to anchor and uh being able to he's been playing stronger in my opinion So he's developing the right direction But um We like I said like we just need to write a step up at this point because um Even even the younger guys like we need them to have the mindset of that they could play at any time Because it's unfortunate. It's happening, but like we need everybody to be able to go Uh front row bill Rabinowitz Columbus dispatch I don't know you started the year playing your normal position behind or next to a

1:26:55central first round big at Josh and then two guys who don't have to be the rimmington trophy winner Both those guys are following your plan new position. Tell me what it's been like On the offensive line for you um especially Having Played the Michigan game and that didn't go well and now we have a chance to To do everything you wanted to do. I mean what's the mindset of the off the line right now? Yeah, I mean it has been easy You know you lose The best center in the country, you know, it's Everyone knows he's the best center country. He's a brain of the operation. He Put his position to succeed and obviously you lose uh Josh Simmons who he was a lockdown tackle like you didn't have to think about who was going against you I know Josh got it like we can worry about what we gotta do everywhere else because Josh is gonna handle this stuff So now we gotta um take a step back and be like okay like where can we attack to put our guys in the right position? Because um What we did before is not what we can do now and so um That we got new guys stepping up playing and they're playing at uh at competitive level But we got put guys in the right to say right position to succeed for a games coming forward and we uh we didn't execute

1:28:01Um Nearly as well as we wanted to last game obviously, but um we uh it's a beautiful thing about football beautiful thing about the playoffs That we have another opportunity to go out there and play Uh Austin Ward podcast I mean what you think back to you know we mentioned in camp maybe Austin would have to fill in for you in the short term Like what advice do you have then Zen goes into the line at then Carson comes back in you have this now with Luke Is your conversation advice communication the same with all four have you had to tweak the message? I'm sure you're tired of having to keep going through this process really Are they are all cases the same you tell them the exact same Message no matter who it is or different depending on each of those four guys Yeah, I've gotten really good at giving motivational speeches um this year, but um Yeah, it's it's always different. You know with with Zen coming in Um With we'll start the beginning with Austin going in um it was like hey man you're fine Like this is the same game you've been playing just in front of a lot more people You know you've been doing it all uh for a long time just keep doing what you're doing

1:29:02Then when when Zen came in I was like look man. I'm here next to you the entire time like you're not doing this alone Just communicate and we'll be eye and um It's the message changes varying per position everyone takes messages different ways, but um The end goal is all the same is just to play absolute hardest and worry about the result later And final question Tim May Yeah, I was wondering down is there a common theme when you're going against a talented defensive front like you know the previous game and in this one with Tennessee that uh They may not they may not be as tricky because they're they're really good players you understand what I'm saying I mean that they can sometimes win one on one battles and stuff What does gotta be the mindset against going against a uh a defensive front like this one Yeah, I mean uh um The defense from we're going as Tennessee is very talented. You know they rotate a lot of guys and all those guys can go like they're relentless I don't give you a time to breathe because once one guy goes in another guy goes in and he's just as good as the one that just came out

1:30:04So uh the main message is just to uh Uh, strange strange about off man. Get out you got one year one on one. It's like you said like um They're gonna they're gonna play you they're gonna play their defense and it's our job to execute our offense So a lot of respect to their front. I feel like um obviously that very talented guys on that front across the board from interior to The edges, but um, we just got execute what's called to the best of our abilities Thanks, Donovan. Thank you very much Me having that opportunity is good and you know, I'm gonna I'm always gonna come out here and compete Like I said, I'm putting myself at the bottom. So I'm working. I'm gonna work every day like I'm at the bottom I gotta I gotta get to the top. How what what do you feel like it's gonna take for you to get from the bottom to the bottom? You know just just discipline They're big on discipline here, and you know competitive agent So it's just staying consistent every day Just doing the rights Having little to none mental errors That's gonna give me on a field um, and you know, I do I do what I'm supposed to do that's that's gonna give me on the field

1:31:05Along those lines. How do you manage those expectations for people to think that you should be playing week one Let the season come around. How do you manage people? You know, I don't really let it get to my head because you know, I got like I'm here You know, I got dudes in the room that are you know like I did you know he's been a great player. I started I got your main personal American, you know, he's gonna play this year too So I can't let what people say on the net, you know, get to me because you know, anybody can say oh, he's gonna play this year But you know, I actually got to prove it. So I just got to come out here, you know work, you know, and that spot What's the most important you've learned so far? You've learned so far? You've learned so far? Um competing every day That's that's the biggest thing Having to compete, you know, these guys appear they take winning and losing to heart So no My first my first week up here when we did our competition, you know, I was winning Did I actually I got that first loss on my belt and you know, it kind of opened my eyes like these guys take it to heart when they lose They don't like it so you know, I kind of got that now where I don't like losing So you had you had the opportunity to be around the team for that, you know, CFP Ron

1:32:08What did you learn from just those few weeks seeing this team make that run? You know being real tight with your brothers, you know, they're real tight You know, they they push each other, you know, it's a real brotherhood They don't let nobody down. They always got each other back So I mean it's a new team now. So, you know, we got to build that chemistry with each other, you know Just just get tight and I feel like when I was there for that playoff running and I practice When they were at the national championship, you know, I just got to watch, you know how guys are you know real locked in Uh, they're close with each other. They're not letting nobody slack off and you know, I feel like we had the opportunity to do that with this team now You had no look Uh, you had no that first lock. That first launch, you know, it kind of got to me. It was the IGB You know, he you know, he let me hear so after that loss, I was like, now I can't let this happen It's because it's like Now it's not high school where you 17 16 years old and if you lose you lose appearance Not if you lose the coach to see that so and they gonna see how you respond to it So I feel like I had to you know open my eyes to have to go and then lock them like yeah, okay

1:33:09I can't let this happen on where you know So I got to go up and you know, these guys are counting on me too So it's it's really important that I don't lose if you had to describe yourself as a competitor How would you do that? I'm a great competitor, you know, I like winning. Uh, who doesn't like winning So I mean winning is it's in my blood, you know, my parents taught me that in a young age, you know Going out there competing for anything that you want and I feel like if you can go out there compete for it You know as yours and if you compete for it all the time who don't take it from me So I mean, I'm a good competitor. I'm always gonna go out there try to take what's mine if it's out there Then me anybody can have it. I'm gonna be the one to get it Yeah, I mean it could come out on you know, but I don't really I'm in my game through talking For this part, but you know if it gets there it gets to that point Yeah, I can bring it out because you know regardless I'm not just gonna let nobody just come out here and just you know catch balls on me So if I'm having a good day when I'm consistently getting TPUs, yeah, I'm gonna talk But you know being in that room you kind of got to talk, you know, Jermaine you got IGB, you know those those real talkers in that room

1:34:12So it kind of it kind of makes you want to bring it out and you know when we bring that out that just brings energy out of the whole defense And when you got the whole defense clicking You can see you can see Is there anyone that's kind of like a competition you have? It was during the winter we were doing you know, just just stuff on the field We was just just just having the time of the field just a lot of competitions So I mean he just kind of It was a day where you know, they had us going up against just freshman And then they kind of threw us in there and fired against the older guys So we had to you know, we had to wake up and you know, we all kind of lost and it all kind of like we all kind of came to get that The freshman group like what are we gonna do about this because you know some of their kind of nice to Just step up in those roads Yeah, definitely definitely definitely my work in college moments, you know, you know, just just showing that you know It's real now a metal high-o-state I'm not in Houston, Texas and I'm wearing my school Far from my family, you know, I got to wake up. I got a grow. I got a mature fast And you know, I just got to get ready for the next level. You've mentioned high school a couple times

1:35:14Well, how did you know grow it out there in Texas playing at that level? How do you feel like that help you prepare for Ohio State? I feel like you prepare good, you know, I feel like I want to power out some Texas We obviously ran the Houston area, you know, we've been running the Houston area for a long time now And I feel like you know, we're a real college program We live just like these guys who do the same this You know the level of ball I play the highest level ball in the Texas 6A You know, we're going against guys like donkibil, no crylin those those top schools You know receive a decoy in more I go against and I want to get some three times in my career So I mean those that really prepared me for this level You know coming in like okay, this is not where This is it's a little school where oh, they don't they don't believe that I can come here and make an impact I came from big school. So they're they're counting me to make an impact because you know, I think I mean everybody would say Texas one of the highest football players bars in the country You know, they go us floated in the poly Georgia. So I mean they're counting me to be ready and that level of ball preparing me real Well, I do do against the car. You know

1:36:16It was it was when when lose when loose, you know, I went some he lose some So I mean it's it's it's just getting better on sharpen iron because you know, he's the top receiver obviously in our class You know, I feel like he's gonna have a good impact at working So I mean it's just it's just just just what's gonna happen next Like a part of the stadium again. Yeah, definitely definitely. I you know, I plan on planning against him We don't we want to see them this year hopefully we see them in the big team championships. So you know, I want I want I want to rematch you W you committed super early in the process six months after that you shut things down when Quite frankly someone of your caliber didn't have to do that you could have You've seen kids play the game a little bit longer than that But you chose to not do that. It's kind of like it here. Why? You know, cuz this was this was this was where I felt this was home You know, I didn't really feel like you know standing Texas was a good thing for me I didn't I didn't feel like that was home for me Up here. I just like it was home. You know, because of all and because they you know them making it You know making me feel important up here and then you know like you can ask because what how many times I came up here

1:37:19Throughout my high school career I came for 13 times So we got to the point where I was knowing guys on the team. I had the numbers just like that when I come up here You know, I don't got to always build the coaches. I can go chill some of the guys on the team. So it's just Just me, you know, knowing what I want to put my college ball at, you know, knowing where I felt Like it was home and they know it was also my parents too. No, my mom being no feeling safe that you know I'm up here, you know, I'm handling the business and not having to worry about me when she goes to sleep All right, fifth row mental Steven Leonard college football foul Yeah, kind of piggybacking on that how much of it was there offensive line being a strength that are team versus Dylan Gabriel being able to escape and the lack of pressures that we had on our defense Oh, yeah, I mean when you got a good offensive line I mean it makes it even better for a quarterback, you know, being in the rollout You know that your line was gonna help you protect you when you're in the pocket So I mean it makes it easier for throws and it makes it harder for us honestly for having a good offensive line So I mean like I said before just being able to attack the offensive line attack their weaknesses and be able to go after

1:38:20And make it harder for the quarterback needs harder for them a world For the right Andrew Gillis, believe in doc. What's the challenge similar to Tim's question and you know When you play a team like this that runs the level of RPOs that they do the ones that they do How do you stay true and be aggressive and force the issue where you know Oh, yeah, like I said just putting pressure on them mean we just be able to get it get back there I mean we got a lot of different plays that can help us get back there faster in playing and playing to their tendencies You know a lot of times they have the RPO the RPO helps them out. It means you get the ball out fast I mean I mean things like Jackson and JT be able to get their hands up knock the ball down crazy stream I'm out of pressure for the quarterback when you got hands in face all times And final questions Bill Rebenowitz Columbus dispatch we've asked about Dylan Gabriel and receivers They're not one dimensional they were a good one back in Jordan James. What makes him special and what's the challenge for you guys? I think he's definitely one of the better running backs in the conference of well I mean just how hard he runs is it's hard to bring him down at times

1:39:20So I mean as a front pro we probably stopping around that's the first thing we're gonna do as we go on the game I mean past pressure is good and all but we can't stop the run I mean they've been running ball there and throw all the time so All the time we have to figure out how we're gonna stop them I'm gonna run the ball and then we're gonna take them down So I mean it's our job as a front pro to go on there and stop the run We're gonna make them one dimensional as we go out there So I mean if you get out there every time I say we go out there means we're gonna get them We're not gonna allow them to get in the yards allow them to get going We're gonna stop and we're gonna make them throw the ball Why JT was up here asked him about how to compare contrast him and Jack is personalities What's your take on that? How different are they as just personalities? I definitely think Jack is more outgoing I mean the guy he's like the the light that shines around me and everybody He goes around him and everybody loves him He's an outgoing guy that come to you shake your hand anytime of day And then JT is more of the glue guy I mean a lot of guys gravitate to him I mean he just has a bright smile on him all the time He's just a great guy that people like to be around I mean they're two good people so it's hard to tell

1:40:22And Ty I do that one more question for you Tony Irvin like that I'm obviously a face tough while you did it last week What's the key for you as a defensive one in facing tempo? Oh yeah I mean we've been going through all week in the past two weeks It's just getting set I mean that's the first thing you do if you're not set I mean it makes it harder to do your job So let's be able to get on the ball get set before they're lined up and set the ball It's one of more important things So when we're set we're able to do our jobs that are efficiency they they can before they can do theirs How difficult is that? It can be difficult at times you know you gotta look to the signline first You gotta get the call I mean the call has to be set down first So it can't be difficult at times but that's a definitely what we've been working on the past For a few weeks to just get the call and get the call early get set So we can go and be play faster Is there a time where you like you've changed the play to one side of the field And now it looks lined up they're gonna be heading to the other side So like you've got it you're just running the signline to signline just to get the money Oh yeah I mean I have been a lot a last game you know it's hard it's definitely tough I mean that's what we work on and practice just We move as fast as we can we simulate in these things so we can get into the game

1:41:22It's a lot easier so we move it around side to side running around doing extra conditioning just for moments like this Time thank you very much. Alright thank you To the games um you know so uh you know them guys is definitely getting off that ball So definitely exciting when I'm playing with those guys So are you pleased with the pressures on them you got to get the section one usually When you get the pressures those acts will come with them. Yeah they're gonna come I ain't too worried uh you know just keep playing my game and uh just keep doing what I'm doing And I'm not gonna come. Does it do you feel like the pressure is just a fact Good work. I definitely did. I think he reinforced in completion as we forced to Um interception so uh I think it definitely had a um Uh a hand on the game for sure Dennis said that you know a lot of people that were down on you all last week are now praising you all this week Is it is it hard to kind of block out that noise and not get too higher too low or is it It's pretty easy for me Uh, I say I don't really listen to none of it

1:42:23I'm just like then like you know tunnel vision blinded on and just doing my thing Are you hoping now that deep uh Offensive pay so much attention to a long titan that it brings Yeah, yeah, that's uh, yeah, then uh that way That that that play that we ran as a great play great called by coach um and you know we kept sticking with it Um and that boy the boy he did this thing so You mean one of the sacks he he ran behind you to go get it. Did you pick with him about a and you took my quarter back down No, no, you know, you know, sacks sacks uh, you know they worked a lot so I'm glad he uh he can he can pick them pick them things up What what does that His performance say maybe about his skill and and how have you seen him like as a player? Yeah, I mean I'll say a great player fast um physical Um, you know, just loves bar I think he's uh, he's he's very good and um think he's gonna have a very good year I know you all probably haven't really guided me to a game plan to fulfill me up It just kind of thoughts on dag and Dallas and use kind of initial take on them. Yeah, I mean we know that uh, you know a good team

1:43:28um, you know discipline team Um has great players But you know, I think we are that too. So uh think it'd be a good match up and uh, I guess we guess we gonna see after many things that going against him over the years Yeah, you know, I ain't tripping over my car boys for real, you know, I I feel like just in terms of because I played on my whole most of my whole career um going in the same week um, you know watching him um and try to put you know try to put ourselves in the best position to win Being in Washington for so long do you kind of carry some of that rivalry still with with Dallas? Um, not just more uh, you know, knowing what those play them, you know multiple times um, you know You know, knowing what those guys are about knowing that we have to uh put our best foot forward To have as much extra motivation to go get a sack on deck even though you're playing too many times Motivated to get a sack of it. So that ain't back ain't the one just doing that Your pressures were like a team high to come in right away like

1:44:31To one like did you feel like you could make that impact right away that And what does that do for the rest of the defense when you are performing at that level? Yeah, man, you know, I know what I can do. I'm very confident in my ability Um, and I know what I can bring to the table when uh, you know, I go um, so you know, I'm happy I can uh help the team the way I'm helping the team and uh my job is to keep going How much does the way that offense played have an effect on what you guys can do defensively? Oh a lot, you know, when you put points from the board, you know, teams have to pass the ball That's more um sack opportunities more pressure opportunities Um, as you see more opportunities to get interceptions and uh force turnovers Do you feel like the offense defense they're really kind of coming together? We talked about it a lot over training camp that the team seems like Is the bond is stronger? Yeah, definitely from this game. You can tell it was a complimentary football offense was that was sitting on all cylinders literally and you know defense Um, you know We did our thing and you know, we it just kind of play hand to hand

1:45:36I would say I was a physical in high school, but I've been a lot more physical I can tell just you know A coach making the strength staff you know, they help you a lot. I just exposure and all that so I appreciate the strength time for a lot You're with team how much has that helped you and the other early enrollees? So coach they asked all the uh the seniors before we came in they asked if they were okay for us to come With the playoffs with them and they all just give it a green light Uh, they wanted us to experience that uh for the next time we're in the playoffs so we can see that I think that's helped tremendously I think I made us mature just being around those guys and knowing what to do when we do get to that place Are there ways that you've already seen that thing all? I definitely can say you know just maturity wise especially from this class I think we all just came in a little bit maybe immature, but we've definitely grown throughout that process Just see the way a guy like daughter Ben Jackson stepped up for a high school So you're how inspiring is that for you? It's very inspiring You know me and Donnie were pretty close like to talk to him a lot So you know just seeing him move from guard to tackle and just make such a huge jump in that little time was just really cool to watch

1:46:37Carter the Especially the three primary coaches you're working on do they all speak the same language if you follow my grip I mean, yeah, who do you listen to most? I guess in those kind of situations Um, you know, they're all from different places so it's at first I think it was a little hard for them to mention the one that will know lingo But now they've got it down packed. They're all it's in this the same exact thing So that's been helping a lot. I mean obviously they can explain stuff a little different if you like them to yeah But they've been they've been doing a good job of keeping everything together and coach Dickian pers in in particular What what's he brought? What's he brought to you? What are some tidbits or you know things he's brought then open your eyes a little Um, just let the little older playstyle. I could say he's not like too fancy on all the technique stuff Yeah, so I like just how straightforward he is with all the technique stuff for sure. It's very straightforward I know you know loop pretty well both in from Toledo. How have you just seen loop bro here? So far going into this year. I think um, I've been watching him for a while You know, I've known him like you said But I've just seen him grow as a leader has been really cool Just seeing him a while back, you know, think all the software he's a senior. We always play to each other But seeing him move into that that leader role has been really cool to see

1:47:40Just always talking to the younger guys then encouraging us, you know Tell us what we need to do and not only the younger guys but the other guys just encourages as a whole and what does this story mean to you? I mean obviously this time a year ago. He wasn't even sure where he was gonna Fit in or whatever now of sudden especially through the playoffs. He was a force. I mean, what does it just tell you about Perseverance, but also a season. I think it really just never give up You mean obviously you might not start the first game. Maybe not even the second game But you can always make an impact if you really if that's your desire I would say Austin and Luke a lot, you know, I talked to him for your office especially about technique stuff also been playing Little different places. So he's gonna help me a lot of my small technique things just what to do for sure From Yeah, yeah, it's definitely the smaller stuff. There's like, you know hand protection stuff like that nothing to

1:48:42Adrast it. So it's it's been good. The trade just hasn't been too crazy Exactly what positions have you ever been? Only a left tackle. Yeah, so far you feel pretty comfortable there. I hope very comfortable Yes, these are grown men you're going against Kenyatta and Kaden like 2223 years old. Yeah. Yeah Obviously that's a lot different than the high school you're playing what 1617 most 18 So it hasn't been a lot different. I first co-practice were my best But I definitely adjusted a pretty well this spring It's been really good, you know, obviously we got all the fresh matter really good relationship with coach fry You know Men seeing him leave was actually a little hard but we all kept our minds open With coach born and we're liking him a lot Then developing relationships with him and he's been really good to us so far Good. All right, Carter. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah We feel a little off. I'm supposed balanced in my stance and show you the small technique. Do my feet

1:49:45Just still do you even I left tackle Just because part of my routine. I was part of my process and getting to my stand. So stuff like that He taught me from day one and obviously in practice was fun just competing You know just To meet at the back of the pocket and to dab each other about every rep like that was competing. You know what I mean? So That's my guy Yeah, that's a thing that's not how I was definitely know how I'd and how I thought about a transitional girl You know about the you know I'm some time in a car no soul career, you know I want to Play or forever, you know I mean talk about his plans So you know you wish transitions like one of those fairy tale like To your time now But but again either way, you know we talk about it, you know that that's that's the

1:50:48Togo's you know, but obviously you know he sees he's Happy Been one of the supporters again. I think everybody leads In their own way, you know, not everybody's the Bro guys come around. It's good like that's not everybody right like I think for me. That's me specifically on game day With the oh and after we do a little like that's my like well, I'm dead Like that's my like they vocal time. I feel like I talked about this You know just recently Talking about how what I want to do for the room is I want to bring that hum energy the he brought right so last year Of course, I'm sure he's been doing for years, but the year when I spent my own He brought a lot of energy the excitement and happiness in the room which is his natural energy To where I only have to focus on Me, you know, I don't have to make sure other

1:51:49Other guys are you know feels the type of way when it came in here because hump brought that but I'm not here But I saw when you did for a room. I want to be That guy to make sure it's an optical practice everybody's I have more taking a built team on period You know, it's a low day or something, you know, it's a this event But like I want to make it feel like Yeah, I want to bring that because that's what me and hump did to each other. We would hide each other I'd do it to probably walk We're lit so I want to do that. I want to bring that energy on make bring more guys Um, you know, to do that. Yeah, I wanted to do that from day one, you know, I kind of I wanted to do that from day one Talking to him and obviously it's that time I spent the obviously of a Ford OTA started um Just being in my self-just thinking about what the room needs You know because I know I New rural as one of the years You know on my offense is that we need a guy like that is going to make sure the O-line is picked up

1:52:57We're ready to go every day. I don't know how to kind of a little things don't happen to practice people aren't Saying anything and how I believe maybe different than somebody else may leave You know like at practice at least like a legal positivity You know, I mean so but He the energy yeah, we're beyond just though. I'd be on So I was kind of how Go on My whole life on again. I felt Team captain like specifically and I felt I wasn't a captain in high school Wasn't a captain in college But I'll make a joke when I was in high school So I feel like I'm not gonna be a captain like it's that I felt You know But that would be awesome, you know, but you know that happens. I'd be great, but not either way I want to assume a role as a captain from To Perspective the guys on team the visual words and get back in that way. Yeah. I mean, I can't say that um

1:53:57I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that I felt it has felt like how You used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs it took Train and left and right once this season and because I don't know what it was gonna be So a lot of reps Just to give back to feeling like myself for day one And then that whole first week, but now like today specifically just changing some small things with my feet I did say talking about along coach Some things I can do my feet to get to that but to sell that traditional angle that I love to sit on Thought even I thought I felt I thought I felt great already But okay, I felt even better So I need more exercises tomorrow now get on my feedback and how I like the right side and on the left side So I'm excited. I mean obviously I feel like In the league whether I left or right you're still going against premiere guys So obviously the high expectations for your left hand right tackle

1:54:59But um, they definitely like the A level of energy and like the expectations definitely take the human Because now connectable I'm sorry that's the as the tackle well, you know, so So yeah, I would say in terms of communications far as this even outside of facility Just stuff like that like really crazy that but tackle quarterback Bond even more off the field. I think it's been something that's Even the cool I got a text one day You know, yeah, I've been training both I've been training both you know, I I asked after the season there like honestly You know, we'll talk to you separately in the season and I just got a text I have this with the free agency Then so I was like, you know what I had a whole season right tackle So if I get the word I'm going I'm standing right tackle I did before I did before I'm build on that bus. I was like I might as well as train the left tackle now

1:56:00As if I'm going to be left tackle And I'd rather do that than train all the right time with the color Oh, I don't switch my feet yet You know what I mean so I'm like let me just prepare an advance. I was like, yeah, it's gone, you know I think occasionally on third down there be a lot of twists I was just no like it's automatic And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season Like I didn't have to go once again with some pros like oh my gosh, they did that. I kind of figured like okay This is this is the type of rush man again. This is how this guy usually rushes If I get the vibe this is how the ends like the rush you know Tackles that are first year guys. We got the premier patch on Already know what it was gonna be already know every stud and honestly just knowing that's kind of an advantage To so you're not you're not you're not oh they brought the twist on my side again Who's never air goblet You know what I mean I'm watching more everybody else and he rarely you know it goes out there occasionally third down

1:57:06He's gonna pick me you know what I mean so Effect it's kind of it's also kind of an engine or what but I saw think I talked to him about this You know just recently Talking about how what I want to do for the room is I want to Bring that hum energy the Hebrew right so last year Of course I'm sure he's been doing for years, but the year when I spent my own He brought a lot of energy excitement and happiness in the room which is his natural energy To where I only had to focus on Me, you know, I didn't have to make sure other Other guys are you know feels the type of way when it came in here because hump brought that but I've a hump not here But I saw when you did for a room. I want to be That guy to make sure it's amptical to practice everybody's I'm more taking a field team one period, you know, it's a low day Something you know, it's a event, but like I want to make it feel like

1:58:08I want to bring that because that's what me and hunk did to each other Do to be a lot Revolute so I want to do that. I want to bring that energy on make bring more guys You know to do that. Yeah, I wanted to do that from day one, you know, I kind of I wanted to do that from day one Contum and obviously it's that time I spend the office isn't before OTA started Just being in my self-esteem about what the room needs You know because I know I Renewal as one of leaders You know my offense is that we need a guy like that is going to make sure the O line is picked up We're ready to go every day. I was held accountable little things don't happen to practice and people aren't Saying anything and how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe you know like the At practice at least like a legal positivity You know, I mean so but

1:59:08He the energy yet would be on just though. I'd be honest So I was kind of how Go on Living my whole life on the NFL Team captain like specifically and I felt I wasn't a captain in high school Wasn't a captain of college But I'll make a joke because I was in high school. So I feel like I'm not gonna be a captain like it's that I felt But that would be awesome, you know, but You know that happens. I'd be great, but not either way I want to assume a role as a captain from To respect of the guys until the visual words and get back in that way. Yeah. I mean, I can't say that um I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that I felt like how You used to move past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs and took Train and left and right once this season and because I know what it was gonna be

2:00:08So a lot of Gramps Just to give back to feeling like myself for day one LTAs And then that whole first week, but now like today specifically just changing some small things with my feet That's it talking about the long coach Got some things I'm doing my feet to get to that to sell that traditional angle that I love to sit on Thought even I thought I felt I thought I felt great already but I felt even better So I need more excites tomorrow now get on my feedback and how I like the right side and on the left side So I'm excited. I mean obviously I feel like In the league whether I left or right you're still going against premier guys So obviously you have high expectations for your left and right tackle But um, there's definitely like the A level of energy and like the expectations definitely take the human Because now tonight the blind side that's the as the tackle world, you know, so

2:01:10So yeah, I would say in terms of communication as far as this even outside of facility Just stuff like that like really crazy that the tackle quarterback Bond even more often feel that because of something that's Even the cool I got the text one day Hey, you put left You know, yeah, I've been training both. I've been training both, you know, I I asked after the season there like honestly You know, we'll talk to you some great season and I just got a text I was with the free agency Then so I was like, you know what I had a whole season right tackle So if I get the word I'm going I'm standing right tackle I'll just do what I did before I'm built on that bus. I was trying to let tackle now As if we're going to be left tackle And I'd rather do that than train all right time. We're going to call a How do I switch my feet? You know what I mean? So I'm like, let me just prepare an advance I'll say yeah, it's got you know, I think occasionally on third down there'd be a lot of twists

2:02:13I was just not like it's automatic And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season Like I didn't have to go once again with some pros like oh my gosh, they did that. I kind of figured like okay This is this is the type of rush man again. This is how this guy usually rushes If I get the vibe this top the ends like the rush you know Tackles that are first year guys. We got the premier patch on already know what it was gonna be already You know every stud and honestly just knowing that's kind of an advantage To so you're not you're not you're not oh, they brought the twist on my side again Those never air goblin Come up on my like three plays in a row Two minute I do that I mean so you know what I mean? So I'm watching more everybody else and you rarely even goes out there Occasionally third down I was like you know He's gonna pick me you know what I mean so Fact it's kind of it's also kind of an angel way, but it's also exciting like okay. I'm gonna get the Hardest look you know those are real real reps, you know the things

2:03:19Really out on our way to kind of process I was like hey when I tell me Let me know about I'm just gonna train it. I was training all left To TAs. I guess if I didn't hear anything about TAs out of came in like So you know what I mean? Cuz just like I'm cool with training both continue. I would have been cool training both continually But I feel like anybody any position will be like okay like You want as soon as possible get your feet kind of settled in your hips settled in So then Certain kind of what would have been harder to work both their HOTs No They're definitely but in terms of the development It's definitely a lot faster to Stay on all one side, but I think having that the weeks that we had to transition with seasons over I'm like respond, you know Trying to get up with it

2:04:21When it comes back I'm showing the other house. I've got a house not too far from So I told him I got that house like I got a yellow side You know My mom said you know just go out there my dad just dominated the person I was confronting me Uh, you know just do what I've been doing for the last Uh two to three weeks I should say um, but you know they play man on man. So I'm just ready for the challenge Uh, I mean feels good Uh, just say somebody going out there and play man on man. I guess Ohio State receivers is something crazy But you know, we just ready for the challenge. Uh, they say they're not changing their gameplay But we gotta go out there and show them the reason why not the play man on man Sure

2:05:26Uh, I mean I don't really my if I be on the cover I be on the cover me and it's not really a big deal to me Um, may it definitely be a blessing for sure just to be on the cover of a game, but you know, it's not really a dream I'm it's a dream of mine, but I don't really think too much of it I mean no, not yet. Uh, probably hit me after this easy. Um, no, just no planning uh Carlos football players as a freshman uh, planning the Rose Bowl as a freshman Um, planning a card and bow and not in national championship. I mean it's a blessing for sure, um, but they haven't hit me yet I'm sure My favorite catch I would say We play Michigan State on the one I call over to defenders definitely probably my favorite for sure or you go

2:06:28The one from Iowa, I should say in the answer Pardon to I Uh, I don't I mean yet like you said it's pretty frustrating me having again that I had in the Rose Bowl in the Rose Bowl It they're coming to the Carlin Bowl, you know, just them uh doing different things chasing their scheme up for uh, gives me Um, but I mean like you said whatever I could do to make the I mean help the team win Uh, it's not really a big deal for me as long as we win. That's all I really care about and you gotta send us your championship

2:07:30Uh, it means a lot uh, we put a lot of work in this uh this season uh, we have highs we have lows. Oh, we have people kind of out Um, but we hear now we just read a pull in the show Monday Oh, yeah Yeah Uh, first of when there's a national championship because there means a lot um, you see everything that he bent on the ship people Uh, saying to be fired and this died on third, but uh, I mean you see everything that he bent through this year I mean I seen everything I had been through this year on see everything people saying about him on Twitter Um, I wasn't here uh, he first got the head coach and job, but I know this year for sure. We definitely got to win this for him Oh, I mean it's a lot a lot of people in the league. I should say I can't really say

2:08:36Who but I mean you had guys like oh, they're you had guys like uh Oh, they're you had Stefan Dicks. It means a lot of uh, Michael Tom is Chris Carter. Just a lot of no guys. I played in NFL and stuff like that But yeah, really them guys for sure Uh, no, just keep going um, you got it you net stuff for sure. Uh, really. Yeah, really that for sure Oh Oh, like a physical defense uh, like like you said like people say like they like to play man. They're not changing their scheme So we're just ready for the challenge. Uh, like you said probably the best defense we probably go see all year And we just gotta be ready to go out there Monday and just put on the show

2:09:36You Oh, I'm excited for will uh him like first coming here in Ohio State January our first workout we had together, uh, I mean just everything that we did through the season um I mean, I'm just happy for will to for him to be in this position right now, but we got to finish the job and that's the uh win and now the omanda You Oh, I mean, it's pretty funny um Them saying that because I'm just only a freshman, but um, it's a blessing for sure people to even say that but I got two three more years left for Carlos. I'm just focused on cars right now. I'm not really worried about the NFL right now Uh, it's very special for me. Uh, just being a freshman and playing the national stage

2:10:40Like a peer for national titles something that I dreamed of as a very young kid Um, I'm just happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on some Monday for you guys Uh, I mean all the receipts we'll just sit on the bench and we just see him hit the quarterback the bar come out And we all just got up and just started you know jumping up and down. We all decided Uh, happy for jacking that moment and we just knew that that moment like, you know, this we go on to the daddy for sure Yeah You Me it shows a lot um me you know going from high school or winning three state championship Uh, I saw my mama Donna then you know coming to Ohio State uh, just appear for national charter right now

2:11:44Me just so that I put two great schools um, but I'm happy to be here and I just came with the pointer show Monday You The coolest person um, I mean you got a lot. I can't really say just a specific person. You got a lot of great guys Reach out and leave like um, Odell you have guys like step on digs Um a lot of other places where I just can't cut my mom, but really really into guys with show of them and step on digs Yeah Yeah, um, I mean like they say they play man, so I mean I'm just ready for the toddlers and just get ready to go out there Monday and just no putting us so

2:12:53The vice genome high gave me um, I said just keep golfers um You uh, he I know the reason why I'm here and Me yeah, like he said just keep golfers and just no keep the maintenance and the best corner I faced this year Um I mean I've faced a lot of great corners. I can't really say but yeah, I face a great daughter great corners. He really put a name on it Oh My dream vacation is uh, turrets and cake go Oh good are you

2:13:53That's like I say both respect and frustration as well But I mean I doubt they come out there and trip it to me and they say stick it to whatever door in our year and that's playing man covers Which is ready for the challenge I Uh, pretty good group Christian Gary 29th a great corner uh 15 uh, Lenard Moore or two great guys or am I there? Um Very physical, but you know we all have to receive us so we ready for the challenge You Oh, I say just no

2:14:55Understanding the defense understanding the defense uh, understanding the game plan understand what coach Kelly is trying to get done Um, I mean just coming in I felt I progress from our first game gets accurate to now For I got better each and every week um me being slowed down a lot for me um, but yeah, it really just no understanding Devices and no understanding what they're trying to do to me for sure I'm two guys great part of the best we go see all year for sure um two fit two physical guys But you know, we're ready we're ready for the challenge that they're coming with and that's the play man And you know, we ready to go on Monday Yeah, I mean the environment is pretty crazy. Uh, seeing all these cameras Something I never thought I'd see it there my life, but uh, it's a blessing for sure. There's the maintenance position right now

2:16:07Um, and we just had a prayer late prayer uh, lead meeting and you know, we all they all just I mean we all discussed the issues because they discusses issues And you know, which is what the work uh, I mean that two and a half weeks we had off before Tennessee game and we just played came out there Um Tennessee game and we played with a chip on a chip on our shoulder Um all throughout the playoffs and we go continue to play with that chip on our shoulder in a national championship on Monday Uh, do you know how to very uh impactful uh, yeah, the very impact on my career I should say uh, you know, just going to his games as a Uh, very young kid 78 years old um him playing Westwood him playing for West Virginia and they played Clemson orange boat down in Miami Um, he just go there seeing his games. It was like yeah, I definitely wouldn't play on the stage and I can wait till I get to know that moment for sure Yeah

2:17:12Oh Because they really just in his own his own little space. Uh, he's just walking around trying to get his mind right trying to get his mind ready for the game Um, but you know, he he just gave everybody hype in the locker room and you know, just trying to get us ready to go to win the game Yeah Oh, yeah, oh yeah for sure. I mean You uh Go play magas or higher stair receivers. I mean just be ready uh, cuz you know, we definitely go come out there and know Uh, give our best and I mean they said not go change what they do so we're just ready for the challenge You know Uh, not a year later uh, definitely sometime my career college uh, but not my first in college I should say um, I mean just to be able to be in this position right now is you know a blessing

2:18:15Or just a young kid from Miami to be here and I won't take it for granted. I'm ready to go out there Monday and give him my dog Yeah Yeah, uh, I mean, I was watching that game against was it Georgia? I believe yeah, I was watching that game I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time um So I mean yeah, they left a bad testing them off Um, but I mean we ready to go out there Monday to redeem myself and you know just no poor punishable Monday

2:19:21Oh, I mean I just laughed um But you know that's what they do they're not gonna change what they do uh, just because we're a higher state So I'm just gonna go out there and put it on put it on uh, why not to play uh, man no man it gets us so we just got to go out there and shut up my day Okay, so the year sorry Uh My journey here at a higher state repair me a lot for not your shape of shit me just going through every night I've been through uh my first guy here all the uh, Matt jurles all the hard work guys that we had all the hard practices Um, just preparing all of us for this moment, and I'm just ready to go out there and give it up my all Monday Okay, okay We just squeezed this

2:20:25You 200 me as big as groans Yeah Oh What's 20 yeah, that's great. Yeah, it's pretty good. No problem You Uh

2:21:26It why not part of like the most is the one against Michigan State when I caught over two defenders on their side line Party like one or the one after that I should say or you go to one against Iowa probably them three probably my best ones for sure Oh, I mean just we'll put in the ball in my area, and I just know how to make a play for Um, even though somebody was grabbing my face, I just know I still how to make a play because the ball touched my hands I mean just in the ball and the other thing I had to make the play no matter how the ball comes at me After a big game um, I mean we really they really feed us chick-fil-a or piece after the game So it's really either chick-fil-a or piece, so yeah, probably chick-fil-a for sure

2:22:28Yeah Uh, it went it went pretty good everybody just uh Speaking with their thing is uh going right and what they think is wrong Um, which is a lot of the older guys was in their opinions on what we need to do the uh cut to get as a team Um, but you know that me and definitely uh helped us in a in a big way because it helped us on the field as well Because we played a great football right now and we got to shoot out one Monday Yeah, it definitely got emotional uh can't really say uh what really was said because that's you know Players only and coaches only but it was definitely some stuff said that um people take uh People took and they uh went with it and that's the reason we planned the reason why we planned right now

2:23:38Uh, yeah, make help me a lot this year um him being our older guy in the room um me help me in a car now as well And Brennan is in all the guys in our city room as well me just a great guy as well. It's very smart Me make just been a big part of the reason that I'm having a season. I'm having a well because he's been a big You know old-the-guy been there been a lot of great guys in our room like Chris Alivegaer was And Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson, Nick, and Jibba so he's seen all the grids I've been through there And I mean he teaching us the right thing and the right way and in the buck out way for sure I love it that that means they don't know what's coming out of next we got 12 personnel We got 11 personnel you get the two of us and the world is going to start it off What have you made of the quarterback? Uh, not too much. I feel like they all come in here working. I feel like everybody's making their goals making their paths and everybody making their corrections Say again

2:24:40When the next game that was it when the next game go out there on Saturday beat the man in front of you And came out with a national championship on the bench You know every day I'm trying to get my game as well I'm just playing spirit and I'm trying to come up to fill it on I feel like we've had leaders from last year that came back I feel like we got new guys that stepped up into their roles and their roles and around the team That would become a leader's being a leader you all always have to be vocal You can have certain examples on the field or you can be vocal or do both I was happy for you. I see him out here grind and I see him last year grind and getting an extra work There's ball is ball. We come out here and play ball

2:25:41He's out here doing a pro day yesterday. I just you know ready to go make some real money In what ways do you feel like you're a different player now going into this year And maybe you were last year. I feel like every year I've just improved on my overall game Blocking and kitchen consists of wires People used that word but I feel like I'm just overall better. I came in here ready to go How much does it push you when you're in a room of guys like Max and Will and Bennett that you know you've got to be on your game if you're going to get in the field man I feel like I started by iron every day and come in and work and they go push me every day to work It's just like I'm a do-do You Can't ask this before but it's not crowded room You got you got a mask for someone to bring I love more honestly max max Claire Max LeBlanc both of them. I love What You flashed Is this the year or welcome I feel like every year with my year but hey you gonna see this year I'm ready to come out here and put on a show for the Bucket Nation

2:26:44I feel like everybody on the field is ready to go put on the show we're trying to go back and back You got played quite a bit though last year to learn what what did you pick up from all of that especially on In a championship run, you know, and they were counting on you honestly just be ready at any time honestly You can be thrown in at any time just like I was I probably had some rest Why would you throw in and you gotta get it done? Yeah, if you don't get it done they're gonna find somebody who has to do it And no, I think we ask you this every time we get it It's a few times we can talk to you We're we can definitely see what you've progressed as a tight end, you know, the all of that means Honestly, not even a year ago. Honestly over the spring and some of this I was even I feel like I've told them my body a lot And I got stronger in the way room I've also got a little bit faster so I can get in and out of breaks a little bit And just the mind work part of the game The middle part of the game if you got even better at that I mean how would you describe that Say it again the the mind part of the game, you know that Well, I feel like it's a lot more fair. We I say like the tight ends we come in here

2:27:49Five o'clock every other day to do a walk through more film Which is more students in the game now? Like that I feel like it was just a exciting play I was the last read on it like the very last read on it. I was going to I can't down with the cats. I'm gonna get the first down You're but I still had a great rookie year Six yards of carry, you know, things like that. I think it was like nine touchdowns 10 including the playoffs and so There's always been like all right You guys let me show my talent trying a little bit like even when I had the knee so I had the knee right a lot of people No, like I didn't get hurt again whenever I got you know got cleaned up So I went down in 21 right had the injuries the knee injury and then Came back later the next year and I and I played the first few games and I just feel there was a lot of scar tissue in there

2:28:52So I had to get it cleaned up. I didn't get hurt again. I could have played the whole year, but I got it cleaned up so I can feel like me and So after I got that cleaned up by the first two games back from the injury. I had over 120 yards rushing Right and then went on had great great ending of the year, you know 100 total yards in the play-all game. We lost which I hate the most Stas don't matter me. I want to win But then come back the next year hurt again Like torn Achilles so two really unfortunate injuries, but That's just a guy's plan, you know, and I think that the storm is now over You know, and I do think that I'll be able to shine a light to the whole world Are you concerned that you have that label? I could care less because I do I do I know this out there Um, because as it 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've been on the field as much as I should that's true. That is true, but

2:29:53It's not like I'm having these 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 poem You can say that you know, but I do think that the chargers are getting A guy that's gonna be healthy from now on, you know, God will it and it's gonna be great and I do think that it's gonna be It's gonna be a great however many years here How much confidence does that give you that really all you need is it's not All the confidence in the world, you know, the way I work I want to say just from the numbers But just the way I work my work ethic, you know, and I'm 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 is over with is I don't think I'll be you know, I think it'll be a great year or whatever

2:30:57Couple 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 help me have that confidence with the numbers will be there and they might be higher after this year You know, Zen and it's crazy to think about because I had six point yards or six yards per carry You know, so we'll see Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I play with Bradley I play with him, you know, I know the Slater and all the I know all the guys, you know, and I'm I'm excited I think it's like I said earlier. It's a talented group You know, we just got put together win some games because that's why I came here for I wouldn't I wouldn't say a part of the recruitment but like whenever I decide I was going to sign it was great to have him in the room Yeah, we're great. We're we have a great relationship. That's he's like my brother I think it accomplished it complimented each other very well

2:31:58You know, um, he can do a lot of stuff too. You know, I mean got a lot of people think he's just power power power But I think he has some other parts of his game too, which it it'll be great because I feel like I could do everything and When one gets tired we can roll it in and keep rolling when some games When you the two of you get going Well, how do you think this gonna look for what will be that partnership back there? I know That's a hard question. Um, how do I think I think it'll look beautiful You know, um, a lot of people call this a passive league, but I think you got to run the ball to win a Super Bowl You know, if you look at the the teams who win the 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 you describe the bread growing offense I would I would describe it as you know, um, a great offense Um, I think he he gives a quarter he's gonna get the quarterback A lot of options. He's gonna give the running back a lot of options. He's gonna give the receiver a lot of options

2:33:00You know, and I think it'll be I think it's gonna be great his offense is gonna be amazing You said that one part of it is just you gotta call the place you gotta call run the place as we're running back You know how much confidence how much you say this and give you you know you play collar That's gonna stick with it and allow you any options Gives me a lot of excitement, you know, um, it's gonna be like I say it's fun to play his offense You know, um, and 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 that's the identity you you want to offense that has an identity right you don't want to be looking Everywhere else to find your your identity you want you want to have it And so I think his offense has that and the guy he builds and puts in there it it compliments that I didn't see so I think it's gonna be great

2:34:03I ain't gonna answer any of the fool if it's up to me. Yes Yeah, look because I had this problem like three two years three years ago. I'm thinking I'm fool go I think I'm ready to go and then actually you know I'm on pup like Hey, look some stuff above my prey pay Gray so But I don't know. Hopefully I can start. I think I'm ready to start, you know That's the beginning training camp, but that's not up to me as I've learned I Wouldn't say that I think I've been 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 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

2:35:05So 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 getting into free agency You know dealing with with rehab and not you know having a full season of tape or production to go out there Was there any part of that where you're like The different situation I like it. I like um, how would I say this? um I like it the hard way, but not you know, I like it the hard way I like it um, I like trial and tribulations So um, I mean the dice that I was given the role was I was coming off a or Achilles And um, that was 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

2:36:07But I was comfortable and sitting back and just enjoying the process Letting myself get fully healed So whenever that team whoever I would sign with who now is the Chargers is gonna 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 of low risk because you It's a business right so I got hurt last year So not as much money and he's be throwing that but I think everyone around the league knows that whenever I am on the field The numbers don't lie and so they know that and a lot of teams were like all right here. You can we give you this but We want you to be healthy. So When I'm healthy, it's gonna be great. There's the chance that I've been giving here I'm so grateful and I know that's gonna be they won't be they won't regret it Are you the type of person that likes to prove people wrong like you've done a couple things like the High risk higher reward and injury from you know like are you the type of person that really tries to

2:37:10To prove people wrong? No, uh, I I hear it. I see it. It's pretty cool like you'll never see me unless I'm just like in a bag Moved you 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 gonna go back and you like like yeah, what happened? No because I don't care like You're eventually see like I'm like I'm a guy that's really good. So I ain't worry about that But I'm proving myself right that I am one of the best in the league right so Forget all the naysayers and people to talk about eBand injury prone because whenever I have this great year It's gonna be forgotten you know Well, I give that energy Yeah, I was you know, we just with him, you know, he's is a great guy. I mean he was in my class I remember seeing him on we were at an award show I was a dog walker of finalists and I'm like I've seen him play

2:38:13But I didn't know he was that tall like I didn't know he was like six. He's the one I first saw him Years ago in college. I'm like, yeah, this is pretty tall like He's cool though like I like I'd never really got to I ain't gonna lie. I thought he's gonna be kind of you know No nerdy dirt waist. He's cool dude. We're late, but No, we'll face to him, you know It's just cuz like Last three years has been disappointed at the end of the season So I feel like we put more work in I think like that's what we're missing. We're just putting more work in and you just gotta Do that throughout the summer the spring the fall and then just gotta show it on the field Tell the guy to test jack this when you take a Just like in a moment or practice and you look at it through all of the deep fits I mean you look at the person L-chains were failed coming in with Sonny woman up in the Postural line of springage with all the guys in the kitchen coming back What's your like Just view of what's out there on defense and how it may be allowed you to do some things Uh, it's kind of just like

2:39:15I don't want to like Hyde Park has too much where I kind of look like a like a legendary defense kind of I feel like we got playmakers everywhere and then moving sunny down. I think that's a great move for him You know, he's a big athletic dude He can play in the box. He can play like safety thing that's just showing how like versatile he is and Caleb You know, you've seen Caleb how he plays. He's an animal. He's only a sophomore I think and I feel like the guys He brought back you know, we all can we're all dominant so for like as a collective unit. We're going to be like I stopped so confident this is a problem No Well, there's a part of that too and as I mentioned in there about pacing yourself If you get there's that much self-believe then there's also that part of going to build depth You know, in case you have injuries case you have vision So how do you look at spring in terms of getting the guys that are next in line As prepared to keep that standard high I think you just got to set a great example for the young guys and just showing them how to How to practice how to like watch film how to take care of their body because those are the things We're going to need to like going as deep run and think it's like 17 games or something that we're not we add in games

2:40:19So the young guys are going to have to play we can't just play fit the games a snap. That's not going to happen So You get to Is gonna keep working kind of keep running uh getting this eight You played so many You know what's kind of surprises me that you said you said that it was a joke I'm sure but like you know surprising to hear that from you. It's a really humbous napkin play last year But that kind of take it to a new last year and you think that you need to you know push it even further getting Better shapes so you can play all 16 17 games. Yeah, definitely. I got again Way better shapes than I've been and I feel like um It was kind of like it was a joke Yeah, of course, I needed those snaps because the years before I wasn't really playing as much So I just wanted to get like more experience under my belt. So I can know bring younger guys with me because I've been

2:41:28You Uh, well as a workhorse he he gonna stay quiet. You're gonna work hard and that's all I love about him Focuses he don't really talk much. He's gonna get a job done do a job right really has any mistakes So what what would be a successful season? Uh a national championship I ring When all the games we don't want to lose anything We got a mindset that we can't be beat and we just got to go show it That mindset different Seems like you guys expect the national championship every year this year even more so you guys have all come back for this All decided like Is that is to keep feeling difference or is there not really any difference? It's just the same work It's definitely a difference everyone working harder um we noticed our last run like we most of us don't have any years after this So we got to go go bigger going home and we're not trying to go home Finish big we know what you guys think of Michigan, but When you look at what they did they won the national championship and you guys

2:42:29Took them down to the final minute, right? You know what I mean? I mean you You were right there something goes a little different you guys could have been one that came against them Does that tell you anything about like that? Hey you guys want to win a national championship, but You played to the 59th minute with the team that won the national championship last year like you're that close So I'm saying uh we just like work harder. That's that's kind of coach makes uh saying you know Nobody carries just work harder like those you know won't play Georgia is the same thing Last last play you know they went on the win in that he so We just got to get over that hump at the end of the season. I think we'll be fine How frustrating is that you're that close against the last two national title? Uh, of course as you know it's frustrating, but you can't change the outcome You can't really dwell on it. You just gotta you know come back and work harder do things Better than you did last year and hopefully the outcome will change Is that as you get older you kind of learn I thought I was working hard and you always find out there's a little more Yeah, definitely. I mean that's how that's what growing up is basically in college

2:43:32I thought freshman year I was working as hard as I could but now I look back at it I really wasn't working hard at all Compared to what I'm doing now, so just to learn anything It's a 60 80 85 I mean I can it's all on me. I just I think it's a little higher. I was just trying to be funny, but I mean, it's all on me. I just got to run harder in shape You know, this about I think I think we I definitely get lies. I was just you know, we got to get the young guys to come along with us We can't play 50 snaps of game. That's just too much on our bodies Just Everybody's like online D line. We got to get those younger guys to play, you know Get that pieces on the D line and the online and everywhere else so we can last that

2:44:41I don't know Yeah, I did unless we were like winning by like a lot I thought like there are no mom's you know I can go sit down or something But we're playing them big games like you know Notre Dame too or North those kind of games. I of course I want to be because I know I can contribute and I won't want to put that on anyone else when I know I can get the job done Oh, yeah, definitely came back as a came back to animal y'all you haven't really seen it yet But in practice he shows all the time. He's just he's just he's grown right now He has to work ethic he just has to get you know in the playbook and things like that You guys are about the exact same size Listen you're both listen to six three you're three 27 he's three 26 Yeah, I kind of look at him like my my junior but you know, came in he's gonna be a great player He's got to develop more and getting a playbook So really a lot on you older guys there's that large group of young guys and then there's the seniors in the back Is that part of your task for this year to bring those guys? Yeah, definitely we got to be leaders um like I said we got to have them play this year

2:45:44We can't just play all the snaps they got to get in there and get some work and we got to get them right They're in the all season so they can play and not just play they want to like contribute like make plays tackle with sex I Yeah, they're definitely some big dudes um and they all work hard I'm really seeing much of some lead day two when I'm not passing on but throughout the workouts they've been working hard You know, they they're determined I'd say that and it looks like they're ready to work Defences that you have big athletic defensive tactics who can eat up space But also move you know right that is that Is that an inquire maybe through great defense to have guys like you that have some fault but Also a great feature. I think that is definitely I think if you look at the last uh couple of national championship winners

2:46:47Like team up north. They you know they got two good uh detaco two athletic detacters look at Georgia two athletic detacters I think that's definitely need if you want to go on that big run and beat those big teams If you think about this if they want to find by the defense attack What's Georgia Jordan Davis and J.L. Carter let's miss you again. It's Chris Jenkins You understand because you play it but I feel like some time it I don't know it's our people realizing how important defense tackles are a little bit more than they used to I think so I think they're starting to develop to develop more and more of these like freakiest detacters Yeah, like in the combine just now you see in like those guys they're moving four to four seven eights and things like that so We'll see and when you think it when you think about those freakish You know how do you think you fit into that Old of that kind of player you watch that and say yeah, that's me Uh, yeah, definitely. I think I'm top-notch when it comes to detacters But I don't want to you know get a big head, but you know watch it come on. I watch it do do the drills

2:47:50I have TTA like you look at my my film so I think I'm up there You're going You're not doing as much a I mean as many as I can have I think I have more than that But I think they're counting I think they're counting some of them and It's some of them where I like just missed it So but I think we work on drills matching the hand. I think that's uh goes big and uh What we do is a D line, you know just affecting the quarterback is Anyway, you can this is great for the defense, you know just that little thing covering his eye, you know He might throw it a little bit to the left to our players

2:48:56I think I just have like a like a eye for the ball comment I kind of just look at the quarterback and just I see him like load up. I just try to get in his ways and sometimes he's throws it to me I mean they get frustrated by you know we're a team, you know we're just getting ready Take time to grow, you know, you don't have to have the The pig mentality of problem of 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 is nothing wrong with developing and growing and playing when your time is right And if the time is right right now is a freshman like what's your main 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 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

2:49:58With remaining having that in fact you mentioned Rolling all these different spots do you anticipate you know, there wasn't a lot of rotation among cornerbacks last year when everyone was healthy Do you anticipate maybe growing him for the rest guys here with the longer season potentially? Yeah, we play it by ear, you know, I mean we see how it goes by time we get in the camp But you know, obviously he's earning his stripes So you know, I mean you earn your stripes, you know Our job to create opportunities for you, you know, I mean we have to see how it goes with all the other stuff You know once we get closer to the season My and we're getting the game plan stuff, but he's doing a great job and he's and he's taking a great step forward 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 authentic in your communication and you have honest feedback and you have you know direct teaching

2:51:03The guys that have a value and character and they appreciate that stuff. They're embrace that So but they have to know you care and you have to know that it's real and they have to know that you you're really concerned about There where being as a young man and when you get close to him and spend a lot of time with him off the field You could coach him hard and you can you can you can say truthful things to him and then they'll embrace it And you can have real conversation because you know The only goal is to help him get better as a young man Yeah, it's them 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, but what happened with that I guy start competing I got started growing I guys got better and now is even up a little bit So where you get really good work at practice today, you know, I mean, so it's competitive is fun

2:52:07Those guys both on both sides of all care about each other So it's great competition and they all real close So you know, I mean it's that stuff that gets us better That will prepare for Saturday I know it's just it's gonna competitive man They got the best group in the country that you're going against every day So you have to bring it every day, you know, I mean, so they 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 is deep So you have to be ready for it And obviously man, we see a lot of good stuff with with with stay in coach Kelly doing over there And so it prepares you a lot and it helps us grow Yeah, oh that's because you know, that's where you get better iron shop is iron So you know, you get to see that every day of practice that helps you grow

2:53:10It's no better Thing to go against every day than to see that on a daily basis 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 there are four different guys in there. Obviously the ring's old in their germane is in there Caleb Miles we have about four or five guys moving around right now. We just try things out in spring ball See what a fit, you know, see what things work together. So it's gonna 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 time we get ready start the season He can run any strong. You know, I mean, he's fast Very serious about his business He's big it's 200 pounds. He can run. He's strong. He's conscientious Now, man, he's starting to grow and he's starting to get get better with it You know, I mean, so we look for big things for him this spring You know, I mean, now he's made the the transition Competing the day, you know, I mean start going in that transition is all just like I'm in germane last year

2:54:11You throw them in the fire you let them go you compete you go by time we get out of end of training camp You'll be them figured out. Yeah, I want that but now you just throw it all at them compete Continuing to grow continue to learn he has the skill set he has to length now You just got to put it all together and it takes time to do that And hopefully you see that by time we get in the training camp Yeah, by 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 You know, by 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 know you get another Evaluation again, we'll get in the training camp see if this stuff carried on to make sure we go up for starting in September He's very conscious inches. He's smart. He can run. He's tough

2:55:13He'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 conscious inches and And he has a physical presence So the growth has been really good and we look to continue that throughout spring Back like No, the culture here is real. Of course, 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 You know, we want to come back they want to come back and And walk away with something so It didn't shock me but but it's a good environment for them too You know, I mean, that's when you see those guys come back. That's a testimony to the The culture that's set here their brotherhood the environment and our culture day runs the program for those do's to want to come back Because we go at it. It's hard. It's not easy. It's not easy Well, what we do. So in fact, they come back and do that as a testament to how he runs the program

2:56:15As far as How would you evaluate your game? Yeah, my goal was just to come out Play as hard as I could It was a little weird last week for the first time in my career playing a game that doesn't necessarily mean anything in terms of playoff contention and I kind of had to check myself and and this week come in with a mindset of every game matters and um And we need to put the best product out there that we can and Um, and that's what I try to do Later now it was a good push or you looked at the looking into you for a push up when you returned You didn't seem shaken up right after you kind of just talk about what happened Yes, Sam just tried to get it on it and uh Cop me it was more of like a stinger clip thing and but the ref wanted me to go to the tent So I had to go answer some questions crown your helmet

2:57:17It was like jammed yeah my neck You like your helmet. I know that you've got a sort of a different helmet help you yeah, maybe When it hits the top like that it's not as good but I played these guys 11 months ago kind of crushed their dreams. Do you get the sense they're kind of a different team or And also that they This was a very important game for them to win I don't think they're that different. I think they've had a ton of injuries on defense which hurts them But the mentality of the head coach you could see it throughout everybody um It's really a cool team uh, I could Just see from afar that it's probably a fun team to play for um and They've they come out and they played a win every game and I respect that I've put so much emphasis on the ball all meetings and takeaways and I think you got two since the by-week Is there any accounting for that? I mean is there so many different things that go into a turnover or take away how to

2:58:19wrap your brand around? It goes into every level the defense um When you have your opportunity. I know we had two against uh Stafford That could have made I mean if maybe if we get those it sparks a bunch of other ones so You just have to make your um make your plays when they're there and then um Just being being the right spots and I don't think we've done a great job of that this year It's good. He's a really good player and um Um Yeah, I wanted to see where I'm at against him Have you ever seen anything like the jameson Williams touched out where It's pop back to him and you've seen something like that or I was in the tent So I had no idea that happened It was a play in this game when we saw a kind of a misdirection Sprinted all the way across the field to make the play

2:59:23Um, did you see the play and I think it was it the one gives cut back Yeah, I had like a ten yard Cushion and he ran by me like I was didn't exist um And I tried to sprint and I just just like I Don't have this and thankfully Mustafa is a heat seeking missile and um And he made the play so I mean, I think we came in with the right mindset as a team just myself. It felt a little like dead energy wise um but Yeah, it was a learning uh A moment for me to learn and and um make sure that I come in with the right mindset every single week It's like there's there's a lot of plays where you guys get to the final pass breakups

3:00:23And it'll be like a couple plays in the row and then there's an excellent sub allowed What can you believe in on about the existence? Yeah, I mean we did we did get them to the second third lungs um And then yeah, they they would make a big play and you definitely want to Capitalize when you when you back them up like that we didn't do that tonight and that's why they scored 40 points I'm sure yeah You Oh, oh yeah for sure you had guys like Chris Carter guys like Michael Thomas really new to guys for sure um me Uh, Mike Michael Thomas was talking to me before the game Um, with a Rose Bowl and Chris Carter in after the game as well. I mean just them giving me advice

3:01:24Just you know telling me keep going first and you know just keep doing what I've been doing the whole year Um, I mean I'm got bugger alleges. So definitely look at them guys for sure. Make sure to expect Uh, it means a lot uh, we just a kid from Miami Uh, just be able to play an astro championship as a freshman uh, something that I dreamed of as a kid and I'm here now and there's K-rated Kate can't wait to put on the show Monday He said he can't Uh, I mean the Tissues know like he says may uh crazy each and every week uh playing um, but you know, I can't Can't let it get to my head. I should say um, let me just football at the end of the day, but you know, just no happy business Yes

3:02:32Oh none of us think we could be covered man oh man um, I mean we're actually talking about this yesterday as well But you know, I mean that's what they do. That's what they do. I mean we should go out there and you know Play our game and no short of reason why not to play man oh man You Two Four Three One You Uh, my mom said no just go out there Monday. I just dominated the person I was confronting me uh, no just do what I've been doing for the last

3:03:38Uh, two to three weeks I should say um, but you know, they play man oh man, so I'm just ready for the challenge Yeah, uh, I mean Feels good. Just say somebody going out there and playing man on man gets Ohio State receivers is something crazy But you know, we just ready for the challenge. Uh, they said they're not chasing a game plan But we got to go out there and show them the reason why not to play man on the Oh, I mean, I don't really my if I be on the curve, I be on the curve with me. It's not really a big deal to me May definitely be a blessing for sure just to be on the cover of a game, but you know, it's not really a It's a dream of mine, but I don't really think too much of it

3:04:43May no not yet. Uh, probably hit me after the season um, no just no Playing uh, call the football players as a freshman uh, playing in the Rose Bowl as a freshman um, playing in a carton bow Not in the national championship. I mean, it's a blessing for sure, um, but they haven't hit me yet My favorite catch I would say We played Michigan State um, the one I caught by two defenders definitely probably my favorite for sure or you go The one from Iowa, I should say and then answer probably them too You Uh, I don't I mean, yeah, like you said, it's pretty frustrating me having a game that I had in the Rose Bowl

3:05:47If they're coming to the carton boat, you know, just them uh, doing different things changing their scheme up for uh, against me Um, but I mean like you said, whatever I could do to make the I mean help the team win Uh, it's not really a big deal for me. As long as we win, that's all I really care about and it got us to national championship Uh, it means a lot uh, we put a lot of work in it's uh this is it uh, we have highs we have lows. We have people kind of out Um, but we hear now we just ready to put on a show Monday Oh yeah Yeah

3:06:48Uh, first of when this national championship because there was means a lot um, you see everything that he bent through this year people Uh, saying to be fine and this dying a third, but uh, I mean, you see everything that he bent through this year I mean, I seen everything I had been through this year on see everything people saying about him on Twitter Um, I wasn't here uh, he first got the head coach and job, but I know this year for sure. We definitely got a witness for him Oh, I mean, it's a lot uh, a lot of people in the league. I should say I can't really say Who but I mean you had guys like oh, they're you had guys like uh Oh, they're you got stepfather digs means a lot of uh, my good Tom is Chris Carter just a lot of you know guys I played in NFL and stuff like that, but yeah, really them guys for sure Okay Uh, no, just keep going um, you got it you next up for sure. Uh, really, yeah, really that for sure

3:07:59Uh, like a physical defense uh, like like you said like people say like they like to play man They're not changing their scheme. So we're just ready for the challenge. Uh, like you said probably the best defense we probably go see all year and we just gotta be ready to go out there Monday and just put on the show Oh, I'm excited for will um him uh first coming here in Ohio State January our first workout we had together May just everything that we did through the season um May I'm just happy for him to be in this position right now, but we got a financial job and that's the uh win and now the omanda Oh, I mean it's pretty funny um

3:09:02Them saying that because I'm just only a freshman but um Missed a blood for sure people to even say that but I got two three more years left of college and I'm just focused on college right now. I'm not really even worried about the NFL right now Oh, it's very special for me. Uh, just being a freshman and playing the national stage like a peer for national titles Something that I dreamed of as a very young kid Oh, I'm just happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on some Monday for you guys Mean all of us used we'll just sit on the bitch and we just see him hit the quarterback the ball come out And we all just got up and just started no jumping up and down. We all excited Uh happy for jacking that moment And we just knew that that moment like yeah, let's we're going to the ad for sure

3:10:10Yeah Uh ministers a lot um means no going from high school or when a three-state championship Shamanama Donna then you know coming to Ohio State uh just competing for national charter right now Me just so that I picked two great schools um, but I'm happy to be here and just came with the punisher Monday The coolest person um I mean you got a lot. I can't really say just a specific person. You got a lot of great guys reach out and leave like Oh, they'll you have guys like stuff on the eggs Um A lot of other places were just getting kind of my mom, but really really them two guys will show their stuff on this

3:11:14Yeah, yeah, um I mean like they say they play man, so I mean I'm just ready for the challenge and just get ready to go out there Monday and just no put on the show Thank you You Uh the vice-general high gave me um, I said just keep golfers um You uh, he I know the reason why I'm here and Me yeah, like he said just keep golfers and just no keep the maintenance and the best corner I faced this year Um I mean I faced a lot of great corners. Uh, I can't really say but yeah, I'll face a great daughter great corners. He really put a name on it He thinks

3:12:17Uh My dream vacation is, uh, tastes and cake, oh What good are you? I say both respect and frustration as well But I mean I thought they come out there and trip to me and they say stick it to whatever door in our year and that's playing man covers We just ready for the challenge Pretty good group Christian Gary 29 is a great corner 15 Lenard Moore two great guys are right there Very physical, but you know we all highest they receive us so we ready for the challenge

3:13:36I Say just no Understanding the defense understanding defense understanding the game plan understand what coach Kelly is trying to get done I mean just coming in I felt I progress from our first game gets accrued to now Feel I got better each and every week. I mean things slowed down a lot for me But yeah, really just no understanding devices and no understanding what they're trying to do to me for sure I Them two guys great part of the best we go see all year for sure Two two physical guys But you know, we're ready we're ready for the challenge that they're coming with and that's the play man on man You know, we ready to go on Monday Yeah, I mean the environment is pretty crazy seeing all these cameras

3:14:39Suddenly I never thought I see them alive, but it's a blessing for sure. This is the main position right now I Mean we just had a prayer live prayer live meeting and you know, we all they all the I mean we all discussed the issues Because they discuss issues and you know, which is one the word Me not true and how we we had off before Tennessee game and we just played came out there Tennessee game and we play with a chip on a chip on our shoulder All throughout the playoffs and we go continue to play with that chip on our shoulder in a championship on Monday Do you know how to very impactful? Yeah, the very impact on my career I should say just go into his games as a Very young kid seven eight years old him plan Westman him plan for West Virginia. They played Clemson Orange boat down in Miami

3:15:43Me just go there seeing his games. It's like yeah, I definitely want to play on the stage and I can't wait till I get to know that moment for sure Yeah Okay, uh, because they really just in his own his own little space. He's just walking around trying to get his mind right trying to get his mind ready for the game But you know, he just gave everybody hype in the locker room and you know just trying to get us ready to go to win the game Yeah Oh, yeah, oh yeah for sure I mean Go play man gets Ohio State receivers. I mean just be ready because you know, we definitely go come out there and know Give our best and I mean they said not no change what they do so we just ready for the challenge

3:16:49You know Not a year later definitely sometime my career college but not my first in college I should say I mean just to be able to be in this position right now. It's no blessing Or just a kid from Miami to be here, and I won't take it for granted. I'm ready to go out there Monday and give him a call Yeah, I mean, I was watching I gave my gets was it Georgia? I believe yeah, I was in I gave I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time So I mean yeah, they left a bad chance name off, but I mean we ready to go out there Monday to redeem myself, and you know just put a show Monday

3:17:52Oh I mean me I just laugh But you know that's what they do they're not gonna change what they do just because we're Ohio State So I'm just gonna go out there and put it on put it on why not to play man on man it gets us so we just got go out there show them my day He said again, I'm sorry My journey here at Ohio State repair me a lot for not your shape of shit me just going through everything that I've been through Not first guy here all the Matt jurals all the hard work guys that we had all the hard practices I'm just preparing all of this for this moment, and I'm just ready to go out there and give it up my all Monday

3:18:59Okay, okay We just squeezed this 200 me is big and strong Yeah What's the one? Yeah, that's pretty good no problem That's The

3:20:11은 One of the most was the one against Michigan State when I called over to Defenders on that solid line party like one or the one after that I should say or you go the one against Iowa party them three probably my best one for sure oh I mean just we'll put in the ball in my area and I just know how to make a play for even though somebody was grabbing my face I just know I still how to make a play because the ball touched my hands so I mean just when the ball is thinking I have to make the play no matter how the ball comes at me after a big game I mean we really they really feed us Chick-fil-A or Pizza after the game so it's really either Chick-fil-A or Pizza so yeah probably

3:21:12Chick-fil-A for sure yeah it went it went pretty good everybody just uh speaking with their thing is going right and what they think is wrong which is a lot of the older guys what's in their opinions on what we need to do to come to get as a team but you know that me and definitely help those in a in a big way because it helped us on the field as well because we played a great football right now and we just got to see that one Monday yeah it definitely got emotional can't really say what really was said because that's not prayer prayers only and coaches only but it would definitely some stuff said that people take people took and they went with it and that's

3:22:18the reason we planned it was right we planned right now uh you know make help me a lot this year him being our older guy in the room me help me and Carl Nell as well and Brendan and his and all the guys in our senior room as well me just a great guy as well very smart I mean make just been a big part of the reason that I'm having a season I'm having a look because he's been a big you know older guy been there been a lot of great guys in our room like Chris Olivegaer Wilson Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson Smith and Jibba so he's seeing all the Chris I've been through there and me teaching us the right thing and the right way and the buck out way for sure I was talking about the other options but did you feel on the rated? I was not really I was rated you know right I mean some other characters got me different not me and I just feel like I had all the offers I think I mean but I'm saying I had like a hurting work size but it

3:23:18doesn't matter you get hearing of all the stuff I'm with you know you know I feel good you know I'm feeling an auto hard work and I do that spring authorization and could you gave me notice paid off that is a no-time play with the camera they give the two deep as a true freshman now play the new and honest opportunities and have a bigger role this is what I'm just working to beat you know I mean obviously you know you know whatever with having these things or whatever you know I'm just working just to beat you know work my tail off you know make a role for my safety I can treat physical you know I got I would say like I got a lot more aggressive not getting you know I gave some weight now I'm pushing 200 pounds now and I'm not a man's target coach Patricia what have you uh see for the end of it now I'm gonna spend like you know he's a great guy you know I like him you know he's a great guy you know he cares about his players you know obviously football wise he's a master either

3:24:21behind this he is well respected in football business you know in his time he's an NFL so I think it's gonna fuck you too whether I'm whether it's not the starter or occasional piece what what is he what's right to see from the tail of the plane and it's not expect you know just add value you know from a half of the team in the same place you feel a lot more I feel this year last year oh yes for sure I feel like you know I'm starting to use to everything here and I feel like I'm just trying to pull off on the last one just like I said I think I was playing what I was gonna say you know mindset up a big annual spring starting to scratch you away not letting too much of the shadow of the national team really embraced that mindset and say competitive that's you know you know you have one of our ideas you know so far so you know we're trying to stay determined and I know just trying to dominate and we're not living in the past anymore it's like it never happened to just trying to get a little coach has got to venture to have an A and B rule you have a

3:25:24beer rules that are going in get some reps in another position well obviously you know right now planes starting for you so you need to just trying to know craft myself and just you know make myself more versatile for the team wherever I go they get to get some more last part with that limiting his reps right obviously he's living it like a playoff they said so you know I was meaning to make this you know and to hear you need to be ready you know why does this all just working I mean skipping skimba thank you for your show you know you know you have to lie and so like there's some stuff at least we they you did over there in order names that we'll see if we're able to kind of implement something here I'm sure some maybe not others depending on what our guys do best I saw my scene today because it's like it's a fresh start a new set of eyes on them and I think it's an opportunity to be multiple and use him and what he does best you know so that's the exciting thing you know you really studied what coach Patricia has done in the past is he likes to take like who are like who are our players and then let's build it around those

3:26:26nights and I think CJ has had a hell of a winner I think he's one of those guys so I'm excited to see how we be creative and use them into the spring that many kind of be like flow is more of an edge defender you've kind of definitely going to get I think yeah I think he has that I think that's exactly what kind of like potential CJ has is the ability to you know get on the edge move around the nice thing about that is is that you're not handicapped just with CJ doing one thing off the edge I think you have the ability because he understands conceptually zone drops linebacker terminology right you can get really creative how you use him but I think he definitely needs to be utilized more as a just got to the heart back go go be destructive what's happening? I don't know find out on Monday or about Matt is the leader of you guys this coach has how you how's he all fit with the guys and how are you seeing that and how to

3:27:29feel about the higher I love the higher I had a lot of respect for coach like ever since he worked me a markets out back here and what we were talking about that when he first was and the interview process is kind of how fast time goes but I'm really excited just to continue to learn like I said like there's some it's funny because there's some terminology that when I was at another day and you can use and I can at least speak some of his language with what he's called things before and you're trying to morph everything to gather right with these things that we've done what he knows what to do like it's a lot and but he's been incredible with I think the staff he's very organized he's detailed you'll have constant clear communication you know and they're going to get together at this time and do you mean like you're sufficient in your walnut and it's been a lot like when you're come from outside and you come back into it you have to try to catch him up on the recruiting board it's it you know like you have a lot of these conversations okay what are we looking for at these positions now and how do you see it

3:28:32um because you don't under one coordinator you might see a the my plan back on used to be this and then under this coordinator while I think the my back needs to be this so you have to have those conversations at every position and you just kind of keep going through and but I'm just excited to learn I think the more systems I mean luck play the system here in college play the system underneath by Nolo play the system of Tim Walden play the system under Greg Williams that is Allen coach of Galagol and then Jim Nalt like every one of those there's like different terminology for everything so you're you're learning a different language call and think you know I mean there's his concepts and um I think it was kind of collect over time what you think is really good stuff and how you do stuff that could be a little different and I'm just really excited to learn from that and I'm telling a success he would seem very excited over there talking really to be here yeah coaching college which yeah whatever so long um what's his personality like with you guys and what you see it's been great I mean his

3:29:33energy is incredible he's very uh he is he's he's authentically excited to be back in coach football um he could tell there's like a yearning to get back to like the why you got the coaching right is the impact young people it's the impact and teach the game of football and so the future has been a fun you know kind of like talking to the guys it was sense like he's excited to just teach ball you know what I mean and um kind of ironically like you know similar to a lot of other things that chips that last year right yeah get back and you're like man I'm just excited and so if he has that excitement he's done a phenomenal job I think of getting the other players um just kind of like walking around versus like popping in making sure that he's in front of them and they get to know him and he gets to know them and it's a lot like you can imagine when you come in you have all these guys right and trying to learn all these guys I'm learning recruiting, trying to learn to staff, trying to learn dynamics like it's a lot but he's handled it really well and you know he's an old school ball coach so he's a grinder so

3:30:34he's really good job James Sonny's probably not going to need to do much this spring how much more can you get done with the young guy? It's not him that so yeah I do a lot but in terms of Ryan Daredeer he said you know 50% 75% or whatever how much more can you get done with the young guys when you're not worried too much about the senior. Yeah I think I mean you're always just looking for competition especially like in spring ball of mess what it's all about right you're trying to have it's so cliche but it's true like the iron sharpener's iron mentality of you want your run to be super competitive to where hey the guy in front of me makes a play my next set of four plays I go out there I have the on point right and it's a constant driving of the room forward and so yeah Sonny gets 50 or how many reps you know reps off 50% rubber coach said that means a more opportunity for somebody else to play right so that'd be more for our vales at scheme flexibility with our vales we're going to pay pierce around we set TJ Riley you like all these guys stove

3:31:38we're all going to get more ruts which I think is great so we got to do it at this point in the season but I think you know yes there's still stuff that within their level of Sunny is that he's going to be clawing to try to get those rubs because he's a he's a true pro and that's been the most enjoyable thing about I think working with him is like you get a kid who's played safety his whole life comes the backer and he just wants to learn the why behind everything and you know very similar to the fact of Cody like we have guys where that easy to work with you're not trying to like not worried about texting anybody in our room about coming over and trying to learn all you know what I mean like where you at you know like they're obsessed with the game football they're always around when they're not at class so it's like it makes it really easy as a coach because they're passionate for the game is so strong you mentioned CJ in terms of the the higher with the map just what can Sonny like what do you envision more with him with all of that stuff I think I think we just have a lot of guys with a lot of links it's about sunny styles long run our bellries long run like

3:32:45it's crazy because you see sunny usually like okay this guy like I wish I was built like that when I played and then you see our bell stand next to sunny you're like you know what I mean and so like and then you look across the room like as the room warms up you're like holy smokes like we just have a bunch of guys and that's a lot of credit to make coach made as a phenomenal job I was just talking to Burma about it like to see even our meteor guys what they looked like when they showed up during like the bowl of the hola and that he run and they're kind of hanging out during practice and see the high school bodies to see what they look like today before they go away and like the shoulders are all like everything is just different and they've been indoctrinated in the brotherhood and so I think you know there's just a lot to work with and so what he's really good at right is like and he's talked about it one year he has junior sayo will him get us mic variable you know Roosevelt Colvin and those guys

3:33:49and then a couple years later he has Brandon spikes so he's like okay I'm just by his blitz the middle all the time he's 260 pounds and he's he always says he's my best nose guard from Mike backer right and then the year after that he gets you know got Jamie Collins and Dante high talent so now we can do a lot of stuff right so they're not just like hey this is what we're doing we got plucky blenders and hey here's what we got let's utilize it so that's what spring will be walled on the lab and figure out what that means I'm sure through spring ball there will be like hey here's what we do really well as unit because this unit is going to be different right and the unit we lose a lot of production so unit will be different so you kind of got to reform your own identity and you have re-earned that silver bullet big name and mantra how many other guys can look at our bell and just it seems like he's on a very good track is that it's a record just puts his ceiling it's just locked in he's done a great job becoming a leader um coming out of his shell I think you know I think for Velley it's all about

3:34:53consistency and just preparation and um I'm proud of our bell you know he's through the season you got way better at you know a lot of it's like little things just note taking and stuff like sometimes if these kids are always on their phones and stuff not like the meeting runs right thing like that but just naturally so like to get out a pen and paper and like you hear things and I mean oh yeah I got it what you do until your dog tired and then you forget because you know your name but when you really understand it you know what I mean like go play faster he got so much better through the year just a lot of that's because of Cody like becoming a pro and then now it's like Sonny's pulling him along he's pulling paint along the paint is pulling TJ and Riley and Eli so I can still like so I kind of love the competition and I'm right now in the way it's made up um yeah Bell's on he's on a great path right now how many different guys do you feel I can be in that Mike's spot for you that's but that was obviously losing Cody and now having that family there you know I think that's something that's fluid as we kind of go um because you know week one Sonny actually started out Mike for us and Sonny smart enough to play a

3:35:57mall our bell is smart enough to play a mall paint hears the smart enough to play a mall um and that's also like how do you like depends on what what scheme you're running where they how do they be utilized as well you know what I mean um so you say my like my backer you know whether it's Tommy I could burn Garofil research two different people and Cody's different than those two so I challenged to like a lot of the guys that come in and so you got to learn both the more you understand about the scheme in general the faster you will play you know what I mean like if I just sit here and I say hey I got there a mic my drop is this and that's all I need to know like well no football happens so fast and all the shifts and motions that like if you're out there just playing and you're waiting for a call and you're just reacting like you're so worried about what's going on on your side of the ball you don't even recognize that the offense is telling you something's what they're doing so if I'm out there and also I'm not getting a call I know what

3:36:58the call should be it's like hey are we playing you know let's go now as a new kid you can look I can see okay here's what the titans doing that's what the backs doing here's what plays are coming you just line up the place where I pass every time like you know staying a chance you got to eliminate plays in your mind by seeing what the offense is doing like they tell you a story every time they line up they just window dressing people motion and chance to try okay are they trying to do man's own indicators are they trying to make sure that they're getting the same formation they're on the same place but they just shift the people and then they motion and they move and they don't want you to recognize so for always worried about what work you don't mean so the more you know faster you can play you're not sitting there thinking oh what do I have for you just be a reactivator here I know you have so my challenge to guys like there's always a no both so think a lot I'll just be on on depth for sure guys get you know if Sunnies are only doing 50 to 75% of the place then probably more guys get more will reps than they had because we need more will bodies is that's technically where Sunnie has started but we'll rotate them through let the production kind of show what it does and I think sometimes you know you'll live

3:38:02over some of the mistakes just from didn't in spot but you'll be able to judge too like who's actually getting in the book you know I mean who's actually studying how much break have you seen from Sunnie this time of year ago through the national championship game and then what's next man I mean definitely I know I know Sunnie has big goals and he should I do as well for him to see how far he's come you know first thing kind of stands out is just like his his footwork has gotten so much better you know when you're in the boxes and linebacker you got to be able to remember loop thickly to say it all the time and you gotta be slow until it's time to be fast and when you're twitchy like he is a lot of times you know when you're about safety you're used to you know pulling a trigger and rolling like you gotta learn how to shuffle and not cross over and he got so much better as a year or not I think a lot of people question whether he'd be able to hold up his Caliwais and you know he was he was great you know he's the season guy he's really good with his hands he's a really natural ability to snag we'll keep challenging him I think he should

3:39:07be a dominant guy in coverage like he needs to be a guy that we can put on a tight end and be like he's not gonna be in catch on the ball you know what I mean because he has that athleticism that they've been in challenge in there challenge them I think everything is just this is not just Sunnie it's everybody's urgency in zone coverage I mean the urgency with you have to break on the football to close that space the knot at the ball carrier have so much space on you to to cut making mistakes it's critical I think sometimes he's he can do so athletic that you know you can get away some stuff and he knows anything that I'm saying right now here he knows so the best part is a lot of times like he'll come to me before film and already said man coach on that play I should have you know what I mean like he knows and the best part is that he's humble enough our whole limit is that they just want to be they want to be pushed and they want to be coached and so the big heck of a loss could be asked for right like so I always ask like what do you mean for me just just keep making sure like you're pushing it all and you settle let me settle so he's probably the best in the room with that do you look at

3:40:10Sunnie and Arvall as kind of your top of the guys right now yeah I mean I think going into it you know I think it's just accomplished the plan and whatever play was called whatever maybe just go out there and execute it one thing we've been preaching is execution is is really the motive you know anything be called but as long as everybody's mindset is has one mentality which is just go get it and you know make sure there's no yard gain I think that that changes the the mindset of everybody on the cerebral defense did they feel like big changes to you all as they were ongoing or I mean at first like you know it was a tough loss so you know as any it felt like everything was big but then when you kind of just take your time to look at everything analyze everything it was just like man we just we just need to keep everything simple make everything and just just about us and you know not like feel like we're you know making everything about them it's you know we can dictate what they do and I think that was the mindset did me let them in wrong yeah GT I know you get to watch a little bit of video of Caleb and

3:41:15Lathen and Jordan what stands out about that group from your from your vantage point oh they're respected they're relentless man I mean Lathen Caleb and I mean everybody in that BIA core yes they can cover but you know when it's time to you know stop the run they'll they'll come down 12 yards out however however they're however far off the frontline scribes and coming you know throw the nose in there and in our respect them for that because you know there's going to be times where we need them to make them tackles and I mean they're displaying it this whole season yeah how critical are they in a game of this magnitude obviously everybody's critical but you know me yeah sort of the last line of defense but sometimes the last line of defense is in the middle of it yeah I mean they play a huge role I mean like you said it takes everybody from the front four it's like a check reaction the front four don't do their job then you know it falls you know the back in so we off to work as a collective unit and I think there's a reason that there's 11 of us out there and you know it's crazy if one person is doing their job then you know something can go wrong but if we just all continue to stay communication with one another continue to just lay each other know we have each other's backs and just trust one another and man I think that that performance

3:42:19is going to be off the charts. So the right Kelly and Stitz WSYF? GT how would you describe the mentality of the defense right now giving this opportunity for Greenhouse and the Warden? Yeah hungry and thankful I mean we know how the last last time when you know we had a chip on our shoulder I mean we were riding high before that game and we took that loss and we came back how to make a couple changes but I think we understand what you know everything's that stake right now I mean you know just fighting to where another house stage jersey for the next game that's what's on stake and just to be able to represent this state and this team I mean we understand what's on the line and you know we're just hungry and blessed that we get this opportunity playing the Rose Bowl right behind your Adam King WBNS what do you remember most about walking off the field in Eugene? What was kind of going to your mind in that moment? I mean there is a I don't think anybody imagined it imagine us losing you know I didn't that's for sure and I think after that it was a

3:43:20kind of head deep but I understand it that man we still there's still a lot of ball left to be played I mean you can let it sting for a little bit but you know if you let it carry over too long then you know there there goes there goes your whole season by I think we did a great job of just understanding coming together in this room right here not being afraid to display or hold accountability for one another and you know as as that happened we came back we grouped and you know we just you're just going right now and and I'm just blessed for those specific moments you know losing I mean no one wants to lose but the testimonies and the things you're taught within those little situations speaks of all of them. Jay what did he see from Kenya the last couple weeks? Was there like a push from him? Yeah I mean that's that's my boy he's in the R2X club too but you know

3:44:20Kiyada I mean every time there's his numbers call he goes out there and makes the most of it no no matter where where we at in the game when he goes out there he's just hungry he wants to go make plays and and you know we see it in practice so it's not surprising to us. Bill Rebino, it's fun with this batch. Dylan gave us obviously very elusive and we're talented and he's not very tall how important it could be to just kind of stay in your past rush lanes and neglect a lot of balls and kind of make a difference that way. Yeah I think it just comes on being disciplined no one who you're playing against like you said Dylan he's a he sure but he's very elusive I mean he can he is making throws I mean he get out the parking do everything so I think for us we just have to discipline and just continue to just meet with Coach Jay me with the coach knows and understand how we can just eliminate that. One question about you and Jack I mean your personality seems to be a little different you're more on the quiet side he's how well you've played together four years both five store

3:45:22guys kind of describe your relationship with him friendship with him and just kind of how you cop with each other man that's my brother like he said we're different but very alike I think outside like you said he's louder I'm quiet but you know once we're on that field we're like the same person we'll do anything for this team you know we'll die for our players and we'll give everything we got. Room together for four years correct yeah fall camps yeah sometimes go over there so go over there so yeah we have our share of days when we when I'm neat he's neat or you know we might both be messy but we do a good job yeah I'd probably have a better picnic Jack though Tony Gertman like I have when you're playing a team for the second time and that was almost a season to go by now yeah how much of are you at square one with with this scouting preparation or how much do you take for that game how much do you avoid taking so that you don't have any preconceived notions of what you're

3:46:24going up against offense on the offense line I say it's it's pretty 50-50 I mean that game like you said it was a while ago but at the same time they elevated as a team so did we so we understand that they they had they made some changes for sure you know there's team there's a certain density we can take back from that game but we also understand that they went on a little run after that and we can see that they elevate as offense so we just got to continue to watch those games dissect the other games and just continue to see what stands out and what they change from the for the past game we got a couple calls on zoom that will wrap up with first we have Nick Hamilton from nightcast media Nick just wanted to ask you basically about the synergy of this defense and how you guys were able to not only celebrate the triumphs but get through the adversity be able to be this top-notch defense that you are in college football today here you beat the question one more time yeah no problem

3:47:26I want to ask you about the synergy you are we're able to develop over course of the season obviously celebrating the triumphs but also getting through the adversities to where you are all the top-notch defense that you are today yeah I mean like you said that we went through a lot of trials the trials but there's also there's a lot things we can take away from all the wins and losses and from those those wins we understood that hey we can be the best defensive country and from those losses we understand that there's still things that need to be fixed and I think when you take all that in at once that comes down to the the common goal or the common talk which is you can there's always learning points everywhere and depending how we dissect those games or how we just continue to come as one and elevate you know we we continue to just collect all those learning points and just continue to grow from them and one final question Joey Coppin Columbus dispatch Joey JT what have what have you guys done better and the first in the Tennessee game and

3:48:28just latinist season you think about turning some of the the pressures that you've got on a quarterbacks and the sacks and getting home in some of those situations yeah I think it was more just understanding the defense as a whole understanding everybody's job thing as the season went on we had to understand that you know we have to know what's going on the back can we have to know what's going on the linebacker crew to understand what plays we have a room of freedom and I think once we understood that and got a better understanding of the of everybody's job I mean it it showed this play because you know everybody knows we chose doing it's not like the lineback is know what they're doing the corners and be I they know only their job I think we all know each other's job and we continue to ask each other questions on you know they're listening how they can get to the quarterback and you know if I'm dropping and playing quarterbacks by I can ask Cody on how to open field tackle so you know we just we just kind of lean on each other's understanding because you know like I said like Dezo knows how to play corner better than I know how to play corner so you know he has more more

3:49:28wisdom at that position than I do JT thank you very much more more get how similar will you roll be I don't know that yeah I kind of just mentioned previously I don't know my role I don't know the engine out yet so once we'll get no through the protocols and NFOPA we'll talk about no the schemes and everything right so welcome when you were in Denver in the three four where did you find yourself most comfortable most effective in water well um 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 why I found myself to be more comfortable whether I'm standing up or I'm not or there's runner or pass those seem to be my best my best fits and what is your impression of

3:50:32from afar it seems like he holds in on a defense a lot I can't really say too much about that yeah I don't I know Pete Carole very little so I'm just trying to figure out more and I'll give you a better answer later no hard-knows hard-hat type of team definitely on the little more lack side as opposed to being no stuck up or military style and which is definitely good because then they 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 as long as I've been watching football and deeply this has been a good program and Pete Carole has been a hell of a coach for as long as I can remember he and back in his college days so I'm looking forward to experiencing that challenge while 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 you haven't watched from the Denver what kind of player does he have to get me definitely a high motor definitely not a one-trip or any type of player I like to attack

3:51:32no whether it's first or first to before now I like to attack I'm always trying to apply pressure I'm definitely just a high motor guy my opinion I'm pretty Anderson from ESPN nice to meet you this is not a team that really makes big splash sign-in is in brave and see did you think going into it that Seattle would be in play? No not at all you just it's kind of like being a kid at a candy store you know got a whole bunch of different options coming at you here in a whole bunch of different crazy things and you know you only get to choose one and this is the place that we both chose each other and I mean I'm loving Seattle so far you know I like these colors what did you got to do in Seattle in the city since he's been here? 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 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 city. Larry yeah there's been a lot of comparisons with you to Michael Bennett I

3:52:38don't know Michael Bennett but um besides his style of play but I'm honored to be considered and it's same conversation to him and style of play you know he's a hall of fame type of deep lime and that I've known about since I was a kid I mean last time he played here I was in high school so you know it's cool the it 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 you know I mean I'm not touching the surface of Michael Bennett you know he's a hall of fame and I'm not there yet so you know I just have to keep doing my due diligence to be a better player. Carvin? 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 think defensive lineman what do you think is most important to be successful in that system maybe fundamentals or just playing style to be successful. From what I learned being gap sound and being patient has always been the biggest

3:53:42thing and that's how we've been successful when I was in Denver just kind of like we're lying on each other I know that sounds kind of cliche but like this kind of like the the realm of being in a three four defense you got to really really rely on the guys behind you and the guys on the side of you to really make their to do their job to make your job easier. Bob? Yeah dream out of them you're a your Ohio State Miles because you didn't start playing football to you in your high school and you've already played basketball so that next just what made you I guess you said you go to play football and was that a hard decision at all they kind of move away from basketball. No no I always love football first it was just kind of just I was just playing it out you know I love to hoop but you know football was definitely about calling and given I was a 265 pound powerful and I was like six three some changes so you know I kind of chose the route that you got gave me and now I'm not six eight

3:54:55you know I'm just for a standpoint like I always get like over over shadowed over look whether it's and something you know I'm saying like I feel like I do a lot more than what can be sitting 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 definitely an active player I'm always doing something whether in a run or pass game so nothing that goes on others sometimes and I'm looking forward to playing people on notice. What do you like to do outside of football? Big gamer I'm definitely I'm beginning to a lot of chess lately so I just to expand my brain I'm trying to get into reading but if it's not supported later I really not interested in reading that much but mainly just video gaming in chess. And then when we write and say your name do you prefer brain or brain? I mean you can say you can say Dreymont Jones I mean but like just

3:55:56I'm like personally just call me Drey because it's easy because people like to F my name but like a lot and they call me Dreymont. 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. What's specifically you bringing to the C-Law as a pass question? Some of the new era of the pass 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 extensible and someone who's a go-getter when it comes to the run and pass game. Appreciate it. Thank you. John Schedger said after the trade they wanted to trade last year the Russell of the trade but Denver said no. It was that time you were aware of it all? Yeah I was aware. I mean like she'll be flattered and they want to be even like that. Yeah I am flattered but I mean she actually just traded me from the jump but it was it was cool to

3:57:00I 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 power of respect so I'm here because they respect me from the jump. All right anything else guys? Thank you. Whatever things do and we're all learning so it's been really good. How much were you talking to Kane as you got here and kind of going through that first year obviously he's doing his own thing but just what this is all like? Yeah no I think having him go through the whole process is that no big thing you know kind of having you know him in my corner just to you know talk to or call whenever I need you know we still talk talk a lot and I asked him questions whenever you know so you know I first got here he was you still here you know training everything but it's yeah it fell so you know it's been like I happened whenever so it's like what's it like watching now in the NFL with the Texans you guys not see you know pretty well doing it

3:58:03living out his dream yeah no it's gonna have been a super happy for him you know he's a down there induced in the you know CJ and everything I think you know he really likes it so you know I'm excited to see what he does this next coming year yeah I can think you kind of realize that you know this is you know this is your life you know you got to you know come in here the place like a high state like playing with the best every single day you know you you got with the time and you know you got to you know got to make sacrifices you know to you know what you want to get out of it in the end you know long-fifть you know school just you know live on your own it you know it's good for you to do a lot and you know as you get it just makes you better overall you graduate from here what you do yeah you have got like Riley and Peter and you and with that you know guys yeah I mean just kind of you know just shown the way around this

3:59:08the building you know just you know how how we do it here at a high state how we operate you know they've you know I think all three young guys coming in have done a great job you know they've you know great work ethic you know I think you know for me you know the offseason it was more like directly by example kind of thing and sprinkle a little bit of you know vocal leadership in there as well but you know just kind of working with them and you know kind of showing them how you know build a guy and how we do things in the room is you know definitely carried on to being a part of that championship round last year I guess what did you learn from that one they went on you guys went on that I guess what do you learn about like what do you think this is the problem I would just say you know staying together you know our biggest thing was each week was just trying to keep keep that group together each week and you know I think last year we had such a strong bond together you know with all the guys I think that was really the motivation you know just staying together and like like a band of brothers James talked about the past

4:00:11I think you have decided in our reality you know kind of made that two people James talked about your play well your making plays you're going to play play you know you're not the law and the sky you're making plays you're making plays you're making plays you're making plays you're making a lot of things you know yeah I mean I think you know just starts with you know coming out to practice every day you being up your head down just you know making sure you're going hard at your school play you know what you're doing you know so you can build that trust but I think you know just having the guys around like you know like Sonny or Val Payton you know you know been in there you know playing in games everything like that you know to lean on and ask some questions and stuff so you're ready where you said that was like I'm like 227 that's still 225 right now I think it'll bump up to like 238 so get a little more great news for sure so I think the real essence of urgency to be part of that two teams to provide

4:01:14depth or maybe more than that this season how do you go in here too yeah I mean I think all right now kind of focus on it's just getting better someday I think it's kind of what it springs for you know individually just you know continue to perfect your craft over a single day for that second year to you know scheme or whatever I believe in you know what uh yeah I mean I think that's you know definitely you know some of my head you obviously you know can you play so I think that's definitely a big thing I think just saying I had 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 um at the end of the day we got to put him in zone for not doing that we're not doing our job so are you guys creating more explosive plays as an offense right I think you stick with it um 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 sends has been here for uh 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

4:02:18to 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 um regardless and uh you know staying staying even even through hardship and uh attacking it attacking it the same way every day um that's really all you can do and uh 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 um um chase him assume it's what's calling the game on Saturday it seemed like tight ends are going to be a big part of this as you guys are trying to pull out and what what role 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 um whether 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 uh whatever you ask from us we just got to do it at high level and let the offense go you're some of the leaders on the offense some of the leaders I would say Gus is a big leader I mean he's been doing it for a while and I

4:03:20know someone that everyone trust um is gonna do his job at a high level and um I think we have uh Hudson's a good leader too as well um obviously he's a quarterback so he takes on that leadership role and um I think we just have a good amount of leaders uh you know throughout the offense we were told George might be fairly close to getting back what we 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 um you know we're really excited about him and what he can do on the field so it'd be great yeah they don't care about that up here so you know it's it's developing yourself to have a great mindset early uh you know having that grown man mindset at 18 years old uh it's it's really important because like the period don't really care about feelings so it's about you know just coming up here you know being a man that you think you are you know having to go out there and you know improve it David what's been the easiest thing and the most difficult thing about your transition years so far uh the easiest thing I would say I mean it's really not the easiest about this uh you

4:04:23know coming to a top program like this you know especially coming off an national championship uh it's really not the easy you know they're pushing for the same thing they're trying to go back and back so I mean we just got to come up here we got to we got to step up but the hardest thing I would say uh you know just just having to grow up uh you know going from high school where you know I've been the man there for three years so I mean coming up here where you started the bottom again so I mean I told my parents all the time like you know I think my history is repeating so because when I went into high school the high school I went to her a powerhouse so I was at the bottom there and I had to work my way up and I feel like that's just repeating so here and I'm at the bottom here you know I put myself at the bottom so I have to work my way up to the top and so you know just going to get these guys they're competing every day you're not gonna get a day off where you know she was just coming out here just just be essence so I mean you got to you got to be your peace and cure all the time when you see what a guy like sage sorry David keeps getting when you see what a guy like JJ did last year coming in here playing immediately is that inspire you to want to be able to do the same thing as a freshman I mean definitely uh you know

4:05:25just just what he did last year is a the true freshman uh you know him being able to play an impact team like that obviously I want that for myself uh so you know I'm gonna push myself to that limit uh you know try to be on the field here when that's my plan that's the biggest reason I came here because I have an opportunity to play here when so me having that opportunity is good and you know I'm gonna I'm always gonna come out here and compete like I said I'm putting myself at the bottom so I'm working I'm going to work every day like I'm at the bottom and I gotta get to the top how well what what do you feel like it's gonna take for you to get from the bottom to the top uh you know just just discipline uh they're big on discipline here and you know uh competitive and so it's just staying consistent every day um just doing the rights uh having little to none mental errors uh that's gonna give me on the field um and you know I do I do what I'm supposed to do that's that's gonna give me on the field along those lines how do you manage those expectations for people to think that you should be playing week one let me see how do you manage people basically uh you know I don't really let let me get to my head because you know like I'm here uh

4:06:25you know I got dudes in the room that are you know like IGB you know he's gonna be a three-year start I got your main uh first from all American you know he's gonna play this year too so I can't let what people say on the net you know get to me because you know anybody can say oh he's gonna play this year uh but you know I actually got to prove it so I just got to come out here you know work you know in that spot what's the most important you've learned so far in three months here um competing every day uh that's that's the biggest thing uh having to compete you know these guys appear they they take winning and losing to heart so you know my first my first week up here when we did our competition you know I was winning did I actually I got that first loss on my belt and you know it kind of opened my eyes like these guys take it to heart when they lose they don't like it so you know I kind of got that now where I don't like losing so you had you had the opportunity to be around the team for that you know CFP Ron what did you learn from just those few weeks seeing this team make that run uh you know being real tight with your brothers you know they're they're real tight uh you know they they push each other you know it's a real brotherhood uh they don't let

4:07:28nobody down they always got each other back so I mean it's a new team now so you know we got a build that chemistry with each other you know just just get tight and I feel like when I was there for that player running and I practiced um when they were at the national championship you know I just got to watch you know how guys are you know real locked in uh they're close with each other they're not letting nobody slack off and you know I feel like we had the opportunity to do that with this team now how do you handle Luke uh you handle that first lot uh that first loss you know it kind of got to me it was it was the IGB uh you know he you know he you let me hear so after that loss I was like now I can't let this happen because it's like now it's not high school where you 17 16 years old and if you lose you lose appearance not if you lose the coach you see that so and they're gonna see how you respond to it so I feel like I had to you know open my eyes I had to go going there locking them like yeah okay I can't let this happen anywhere you know so I got to grow up and you know these guys are counting on me too so it's it's really important that I don't lose if you haven't described yourself as a competitor how would you do that uh I'm a I'm a great competitor you know I like

4:08:31uh who doesn't like winning so I mean winning is it's in my blood uh you know my parents taught me that uh at a young age you know going after competing for anything that you want and I feel like if you can go out there to compete for you know as yours and if you compete for it all the time who don't take it from me so I mean I'm a good competitor I'm always gonna go out there try to take what's mine if it is out there then me anybody can have it and I'm gonna be the one to get it there's some role-mothers in your room obviously are you a talker what what your natural about yeah I mean it can come out on you know but I don't really I really know my game to talk for this part um but you know if it gets there it gets to that point where yeah I can bring it out because you know regardless I'm not just gonna let nobody just come out here and just you know catch balls on me so if I'm having a good day when I'm consistently getting P.B.U.s yeah I'm a talker but you know being in that room you kind of got to talk you know the jame you got IGB you know those those real talkers in that room so it kind of it kind of makes you want to bring it out and you know when we bring that out they just bring it to energy out on whole defense and when you got the whole defense clicking I mean you can see you can see

4:09:37it was during the winter we were doing you know just just stuff on the field we was just just having the time of the field just a lot of competitions so I mean he just kind of it was a day where you know they had us going up against just a freshman and then they kind of threw us in there in the fire against the older guys so we had to you know we had to wake up and you know we we all kind of lost and they're all kind of like we all kind of came to get that as a freshman group like what are we gonna do about this because you know some they're kind of nice to just step up in those roads yeah definitely definitely definitely my work in college moments you know you know just just showing that you know it's real now a metal high-oh state I'm not in Houston Texas and I'm wearing my school far from my family you know I got to wake up I got to grow I got to mature fast and you know I just got to get ready for the next level you've mentioned high school a couple times well how did you know growing up very in Texas playing at that level how do you feel like that help keep a fair real high state I feel like you prepared good you know I feel like I want to power house in Texas we obviously ran the Houston area you know we've been running the Houston area for a long time now and I feel like you know we're a real college program

4:10:39we live just like these guys who do the same this you know the level of ball I play the highest level ball in the Texas 6A you know we're going against guys like Dunkinville no crowded those those top schools you know we're see with the Korean where I go against and I want to get seen three times in my career so I mean those those that really prepared me for this level you know coming in like okay this is not where it's it's a little school where oh they don't they don't believe that I can come here and make an impact I came from big schools so they're they're counting me to make an impact because you know I think I mean everybody would say Texas is one of the highest football highest-played bars in the country you know they go us floated in the probably Georgia so I mean they're counting me to be ready and that level ball prepared me real real well how do you do against the Korean you know it was it was win win lose win lose you know I went something he lose something so I mean it's it's it's just it's just getting better on sharpen higher because you know he's the top receiver obviously in our class you know I feel like he's gonna have a good impact at working so I mean it's just it's just just just you know what's gonna happen next

4:11:42looking forward to seeing him again yeah definitely definitely I you know I plan on planning against him we don't we want to see him this year hopefully we see him in the big ten jammy ships so you know I want I want I want to rematch him. Devin you committed super early in the process six months after that you shut things down when quite frankly someone of your caliber didn't have to do that you could have you've seen kids play the game a little bit longer than that but you chose to not do that just kind of lock it here why you know because this was this was this was where I felt this was home you know I didn't really feel like you know standing Texas was a good thing for me I didn't I didn't feel like that was home for me up here I just saw like it was home you know with Coach Wall and Coach Day you know them making it you know making me feel important up here and then you know like you can ask because what how many times I came up here throughout my high school career I came for 13 times so it got to the point where I was knowing guys on the team I had the numbers just about that when I come up here you know I don't got to always build the coaches I can go chill some of the guys on the team so it's just just me you know knowing what I want to put

4:12:43my college ball at you know knowing where I felt like it was home and then you know it was also my parents too you know my mom being you know feeling safe that you know I'm up here you know I'm healing the business and not having to worry about me when she goes to sleep I've been practiced he had for you and I maybe see the other guys in the district I'm a coach hard in my room uh coach Droner and step up and he helped us out everything we did he's a big help and I just like make sure we stand time for my stuff we're just talking brandy about stepping into a big hole in the slide how much do you watch I like that every day try and take things whether it's preparation stuff you guys on the field just learning from a guy like that yeah every time I watch him I watch him so I just I have to take some of this game I had it to mine and Bryson Rogers too I take some of this all the receivers uh yeah they always help you out and I need to do this is what's it like walking into this room specifically I'm staying with all the history of

4:13:44and you're already smiling I mean you know what it means to be a part of this room what's that uh it's a big step um uh definitely it definitely holds a lot like a shoulder so you gotta you gotta gotta be gotta think quick it's definitely a big dream for my team it's never been a big dream on uh I'm blessed to be here you want that yeah yeah that's why you come yeah yeah that's why you come yeah yeah what's that I'm an advice you got from some of the owners that even before spring ball starting to talk to the mac guys some of those guys are too hot uh like try not to take everything personally like I'll say like when you know time will come we will make a comment saying make that play and uh I'll be looking forward to that any day and have some Daniel play but because that's gonna get you to find their life and father in this game yeah like do yeah yeah as you got right you just got to wait these last two years to wait to get this out which is how much is patience and requirement obviously you gotta get off the field but how much is patience and important how

4:14:48um not everybody has the same amount so some people always have a living term but you just gotta wait a minute like I say a minute time you just gotta make that play and it's gonna go off from here thank you I i'm pretty you

4:16:07Thank you. Thank you, brothers and sisters. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. First thing we did, thank you. I'm going to be talking about a family of thousands of young people. First time I met up with those who just found it really good. What do you think you can bring to the conference? You know, we would have to bring it up. It's a lot of people. It's a lot of people. It's a lot of people. What's going to be between California and the other country?

4:17:09That's going to spoil a lot of people. I don't know if it's going to help you in this world. It's going to be a lot of people. It's going to be different being an out-of-state recruiter here. When you are just a local out-of-the-wall hotel, you are definitely different. So, five years. I don't think anybody outside looking at you with a question is the strength of your commitment. Like you locked in the last eight, you sent it over and over. But you're making visits around the country. You see other schools. It's almost a totally different mindset. What's that code to be a domestic? How do you approach those other visits? And how do you communicate with a lot of state about them? What's been the message? I communicate with a lot of state. I just like to know that I'm always locked in. I'm still enjoying the process. I feel like this is only one time. I feel like I'm still enjoying it. So, the other schools I've had online.

4:18:09Yes, I'm really hard to try to get this flip. So, how state would it be? What does it mean to you want to take photos of this? Yeah, I'm not going to put out one specific thing. I'm going to need a kill guy and find yourself in the first three. Do you get frustrated in moments like that in the ball time? Definitely. A little bit of both. Obviously, I just wanted the team to win. I think we got a chance to win. Definitely towards it. And then it stretched out last drive. I was a couple of plays here. A couple of calls that he made me should have gotten. But I think the frustration and more so it just comes from. You know, wanting to win or anything. How much attention you have right away from your defense? How about you? Yeah, definitely. We maybe give them more one-on-ones kind of how the game plan was set up. You didn't have a lot of different coverage out of cloud to my side. And I just kind of had to gain those. What's the process then? Sometimes where whatever reason just to see that. Yeah, definitely.

4:19:09Especially in college, a lot of the game friends defensively were taking me away. You know, we had a lot of success. I was able to stay out of the game. One of the boys had different weapons. They kind of still get the victories. And I was able to continue to do better jobs when I had. My personal experience in the process has been like post game. Getting on the same page with Kyler. You guys exchanged text or you guys in the film? Yeah, filming them. Definitely. I'm kind of asking what did I see there. Kind of go over and play. And I just kind of give them what I saw. And keep back there. Mark, I get it. Mark, I get it. We're asking questions about the previous game. Are you the type of guy to let a game like that winger or how do you flush it? You got to move on. Got to move on. Some long season. Got like 16 more of them. Hopefully, no, I can stay healthy throughout the year. And just continue to build and get better each week. You guys did so much work throughout the off season to get on the same page. How different is it when you get into that regular season? Yeah, it's totally different. It's totally different.

4:20:09You can do a lot of things, you know, in shirts and shorts. And then once you go out there, put practice and get pads on. You do like the point practice you do with the colds. But there's nothing like actually going out there. Not in live action. And really trying to be on the same page. So I think that would really just keep the team to develop. Is that it just a matter of rocks that this month is going to be? Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Like I said, I was kind of my first live action together. So continue with me. When you're early impressions on the film together and when the season was with cows. Yeah. But now obviously I have a death respect, you know, JG's call or preseason. And obviously be all feel really healthy. That's kind of the most important thing. And obviously get all healthy even going forward. So, um, that's it. Marvin, what are your early impressions of the Rams? What do you think of the Rams? Yeah, I mean, they're a good team. They're good physical team. I got a new lot of new guys up front, I think. That's kind of where they're strong suit is. Kind of a little different to Buffalo. Come over a little match coverage. I'm excited to go against them.

4:21:09Personally, when the bells did give you one of my opportunities, how do you feel today? It's not too bad. It wasn't many of them. It wasn't many of them. So, uh, I thought I needed to. I wish we'd think game versus just playing. You know, not get any preseason game action. I think it was three season. It was definitely, definitely thinking a lot out there. And, um, you know, I think I'd come with reps. I think to think and less and just going out there and playing. Definitely come with reps. And it's something you know I'd get better at. I was thinking a lot out there. Is there anything you can do to prove that that's for all coverage? Anything you can do in the past? You're going to face that a lot of us. Yeah, I mean, you just got to team, get open for yourself, make yourself available. And when the ball does, make a way to make it into play. Um, this, the beef is just taking you away. That means other guys are having a chance to get open. So, that's how kind of how I look at it. It's no longer season of offense. That's the best thing it's for us. They're kind of doing what you do with Tyler. Is this something that comes pretty quickly? Hopefully sooner or later I think. I'll look into you to see.

4:22:10I don't think we're in a bad place right now at all. Obviously, I don't really think that. But just the live reps will continue to grow and show. It's a little about life. It's like, it's like, it's like, it's helping us. Like, saying what coach Gianco is what? Everything's not like it's about ball with them. It's about like, focus on like, how do you become a better man? A better player individually. So, one, I think you had your inner second. It's pretty easy. I always did that. I'll keep you talking to what I was heading into. Christian X season kind of trying to push first job. Is that like a confidence booster for you? I mean, I'll say it was a confidence booster. One reason I'll say that because you get like good coaches who believe in you. And like, they give you the tools to go out there and just play with confidence. You know, not their doubting yourself. Like, you got your teammates who got your back. Like, my first play when I got a third to the seat. Like, when you're in jail, you got IGB and a Germain. Like, first thing they say is like, no, where you just go out there and play with confidence. You know, you know the tools, it's usual tools. It's just go out there and make a play. And where about a play coming to you? You know, where there's no time, there's no job. You just do it.

4:23:10And then like, the same goes for you. Like, he gives me, he puts me in a position like, like the drills we put in, the work we put in, the one on one, so I just go out there and just perform at the highest level. How much better are you right now than maybe last month? I mean, I got way better just because I've transitioned a little bit to the inside. Niko's father, I'm like, now I'm actually trying to catch, catch, take me again is. And often, prevers not, it's not always press at the line. So it's like, now I'm able to like move my feet, move my hands, like, see, like, what I got to do just like, just in case I got to go back in corner, I can, I'll plant off now. I'm very confident out there. Do you think that Nick was an actual fifth of you or have you had the kind of convince yourself to transition with? I mean, I feel like his natural feel for me because I feel like me, individually, I'm a fast learner, a fast learner. Like coaches help us like learn fast. Like, because they're always honest about the techniques and stuff. So you like, you write down, like, you pick up on all the things you did. Like, when we get out here, they coach us to like, the techniques always, you just go out there and play like fast spot. And it's been like, it would have like, reversatility, you're able to go out there and just compete.

4:24:11Is that where you kind of stuff this spring or do you get kind of mounted? So I'm really been stuck there this spring a little bit. But like, whenever you get into like other things, I just bounce out there every once in a while. Just like, just have fun. See if I still got it every once in a while. So it's as good as going through to compete at most spots. You mentioned the technique. What technique, you know, tips and things that you had to pick up and learn from coach walking from the technique and stuff. I mean, this is always like, you're like, because what coaches are asking hands, like, see it, you see it, move your feet, and then get your hands on the mat. So it's like, when you feel like, when you out there, you're able to like process like the way the receiver comes off the ball, looking at the hips and seeing like the way he moves. And are you able to pick up the row concept you can get out of that. So it's being like, under coach walking, like as a player and just like him breaking out football to you like, one on one, it's very beneficial. What was the hardest part of making that transition from outside the inside? I really say like, you've got to cover two, you've got to cover three,

4:25:12you've got to cover one, it's easy. But then when you got nickel, there are so many responsibilities you've got to see, like the row concept, you've got to be able to process like, dying those rows faster than what you got to do out corner and just be able to like, everything's quid like a transition. You've got to like, you've got to move fast, you've got to learn to move fast. It's like game recognition, where you think maybe from the most since you got to, how much did you got to go to? I was definitely saying, I was definitely saying yes, because how you get to like college, it's a little bit different from high school, we don't got to worry about things like that. When you get to like college in a school like this, like your recognition of plays, and like your loyal drops, the way like the coverage is supposed to be played, I understand all your teammates are supposed to get what you feel, it's like it gets easy. What have you got to do with that? He's very talented. He's a great dude, he's a humble guy, a great teammate, very supportive, because I've got that you don't want to run around, because you can feed off your energy, because you can see like, when you make a play,

4:26:13he's like IGB, it's like IGB 2.0, so he's like, when you get off there with guys like that, with good energy, it's made you play a little bit harder, and then when you make a play, he's out there, like it's helping you, like it's being out there with him, he's a good player. One of those guys, first question, can't fool kids. I would say obviously, I'm a classical player, so it's probably serious. Now, what is it about one build that gets you to play at a high school? It's a big question, I know. I'm a global student at a high school, because we have so many kids come out of Glebil, and just play at these elite schools, and then like, like, track's a big part of it, because I mean, actually in a Glebil, everybody got to run a track, like it's minutes, or you don't really get a choice. You're able to just like get out here and like know how to compete, and then like, G like, game builds that mental toughness into you, so like, have you like, have you got to be mentally tough, because I mean, life's not going to be easy, so it's like being out here, being able to compete, and when you down, just pick yourself back up,

4:27:13I mean, that's what being is done for me, and that's what being is done for me. I play here forever, you know, I was talking about his plans. So, you know, you wish transitions like one of those fairytale, like, to your time now. But again, either way, you know, we talk about it, you know, that's the Togo's, you know, but obviously, you know, he's, he's, happy, he's been one of the big supporters. Again, I think everybody leads, and they're on the way, you know, and not everybody's the, right, guys, come around, it's not everybody, right? Like, I think for me, that's me specifically on game day, with the O-line, after we do a little one, like, that's my like, well, I'm dead, like, that's my like, a vocal time I feel like, I'm talking about this, you know, just recently, talking about how, what I want to do for the Rums,

4:28:13I want to bring that hump energy, the he brought, right? So last year, of course, I'm sure he's been doing for years, but the year when I spent my own, he brought a lot of energy, excitement, and happiness in the room, which is his natural energy, to where I only had to focus on, me, you know, I didn't have to make sure, other, other guys, you know, feel some type of way when it came in here, because hump brought that. I mean, I'm a hump's not here, but I saw when he did for a room, I want to be that guy to make sure I was able to practice everybody's, I want to take a little team on period, you know, it's a low day, or something, you know, it's a bit of a event, but like, I want to make it feel like, I want to bring that, because that's what me and hump did and I want to make sure we have each other, do something to make sure we're full. So I want to do that, I want to bring that energy, I want to make bring more guys, you know, to do that, you know?

4:29:13I 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, the obviously it's a before-o-t-a started, just being in my self-just thinking about what the room needs, you know, because I know, I knew we were all as one of leaders, you know, on our offense, is that we need a guy like that, it's going to make sure the O-line is picked up, we're ready to go every day, I want to help a little things, don't happen to practice people aren't saying anything, and how I believe, maybe different than somebody else may believe, you know, I like to practice, at least I can be a positivity, you know what I mean? So, but he, the energy I would be on, just like, hyperb-on, so I kind of, I want to be going on, really my whole life, I want to be on a NFL, team captain, like specifically,

4:30:13and I felt I wasn't a captain in high school, wasn't a captain in college, but I want to make a joke, I was in high school, so I feel like I'm not going to be a captain until I get to that, I felt, you know? But that would be awesome, you know, but, you know, that happens, I'd be great, but not either way, I want to assume the world as a captain from the perspective of guys, until the individual award, and get back to that point. Yeah, I mean, I can't say that, I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that, I felt like it has felt like how you used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first ALTAs and took training left and right, once this season ended, because I don't know what it was going to be, so it took a lot of, you know, grips just to give back to feeling like myself for the ALTAs, and then that whole first week, but now like today specifically, just changing some small things with my feet,

4:31:14that is it, talking about the long coach, about some things that I can do with my feet, 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, sorry, the more excited tomorrow now, get on my feet back, and how I like the right side, and on the left side, so the wrong side. I mean, obviously I feel like, in the league, whether I left the right, you're still going against premier guys, so obviously, you have high expectations for your left hand, or I'm not talking, but there's definitely, like the level of energy, and like the expectations definitely take the hands back, because now I can either fly side, that's the, as the tackle roll, you know, so, so yeah, I would say, in terms of communication as far as this, even outside of the facility, you can just stuff like that, like really creating that, but tackle quarterback, and bond even more off the field, I think has been something that's, even the cool,

4:32:14I got a text one day, because I, thank you for your left, I was like, you know, yeah, I've been training both, I've been training both, you know, I, I asked after the season, they're 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, I had an O season right tackle, so, if I get the word, I'm going, I'm standing right tackle, and I'll just do what I did before, I'm build on that, but I saw, I was like, I might as well as training the left tackle now, as if I'm going to be left tackle, and I'd rather do that, and I'd be training all the right time, we're going to go, hey, we're going to go, I'm going to switch my feet yet. You know what I mean? So, I'm like, let me just prepare an advance, I'll say, yeah, let's go. You know, I think occasionally, on third down, there'll be a lot of twists, I was just not like, it's on a mat, 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.

4:33:15I kind of figured, like, okay, this is, this is the type of rush, I'm going to get it, I usually rushes, if I get the vibe, this is how it begins, like, the rush, you know, tackles that, you know, first year guys, you got to premiere patch on, already, you know, what it was going to be, already, you know, every step, and honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to, so, you're not, you're not, you're not, oh, they brought the twists on my side again. It was never air gone, but, they come out the hot, like, three plays in the world, and two minutes, I do that, it was the one you had, and they said a lot of, you know what I mean? So, I want you more, and he rarely, he only goes out there, occasionally, third down, I was like, you know, he's going to pick me. You know what I mean? So, effect, effect, it's kind of, it's also kind of an advantage in a way, but it's also exciting, like, okay, I'm going to get the, hardest look, you know, so it's a real, real reps, you know, the things, so, really, I went in kind of process, and I was like, hey, when I tell me,

4:34:16let me know about I'm just going to train it, I was training all left, so TAs, I guess, if I didn't hear anything about TAs, I would have came in like, so, you know what I mean? Because just like, I'm cool with training, both continuing, I would have been cool with training, both continuing, but I feel like anybody, any position will be like, okay, like, you want to, as soon as possible, give your feet kind of subtle, and your hips subtle, and your hands, subtle, and a certain kind of left. We've been hearty- and you work both, there are no TAs. No. No. But, they're definitely, but in terms of the development, it's definitely a lot faster, you're staying on one side, but I think having that, the weeks that we had to transition with the seasons over, I'm like, it was fun, you know. Good, good. I'm trying to eat up, put up my mind, and I'm eating weak things at a time right now, but when it comes back, I'm going to show them how I was going to house them out too far from,

4:35:16so I told them, I got that house, I could get yellow outside. DJ. You know what I mean? So, yeah. Communication with the team. You know, I was communicating with guys left and right, you know, front office, coaches, teammates, and all I care about is how I am with my teammates. I don't want them to ever think, I don't care about them or how I'm not in it. And, you know, you can say whatever you want about me, besides that, but I always dedicate anything I can to them. And I don't want that to every question. I think I said that it felt like sometimes you were holding up somewhere watching film, you texted me, you said, hey, you missed this, or you want to tweak that? Well, like the first day, he was batting all of Russ's passes, so I had to let him know. You know, you got to take advantage of that, you got to make sure guys are, you know, know that you still care, and you still want to be a part of this.

4:36:16You know, just watch and practice. There's a couple of little things we're doing different, whether I'm communicating with Gumbarr or other people, you know. So, you know, that you're also talking with him, and you give him pointers during the off season, just a constant communication. How do you see who grows a person, you know, in part of how he's approaching things, and how he getting ready for this season versus his routine? You know, I think the thing with Keanu is he's more comfortable, you know. It's not his first time around the track. You know, it's actually like he can, you know, catch his feet under him. You know, I always think, when you're in your rookie season, you're going from bowl game. I don't even know what's going to play in a bowl game. Sorry, Wisconsin, I don't even know, but, you know, personally, I just think, when you go from bowl game to training for the combine, to, you know, rookie minicamp, OTAs, the, you know, many can, I mean, the training camp, the regular season, you really don't get a time to really catch yourself. You know, you understand to play book now,

4:37:16you can be more vocal. You know, I think, with my absence, the other guys' absence, you know, you need guys like that to step up and be ready for those opportunities. What do you think of the surgery you had in your off season? You know, it's the same you had during the season. It was a more thorough, what was it? Just tightened down everything. You know, my left side, because I was over-competing a little bit. But, you know, it was, it wasn't anything that lingers, you know, I'll say this, a growing's not like an ACL, it's not like anything that we're going to get affected again. And, you know, you know, feeling good, able to do everything, squat and heavy, with power and speed. So, you know, it feels good to get after a gun. What do you think of what the team was able to accomplish in our season in terms of bringing guys like Russ and, you think, Randy? You know, you're all good acquisitions, but, you know, you never want to be known as a paper champ. So, you can't win the off season. I think the work gets done out here on the field. It's done in the classroom.

4:38:17It gets done training. You know, and then you see where you're at in training camp. And then, you build on that. You know, I think we got the right guys in the building. It's just about putting a complete team on the field. Can you tell how difficult it is to separate the business part of the game in the actual football club behind you? You know, you always want to, you always have to treat it like a business, because, you know, one day it's going to end. And that's a good job. It's not like in college where, you know, you got four years guarantee. Well, now you don't even know what that I am. I don't know what it's like. It's a transfer portal. Portal. But, you know, you have to, I still have love for this game. And I still work my tail off. And I still put everything into it. And that's not going to change. But, you have to know what you bring to the team and what your value is. Can you have your own team to be out there with your teammates today, Emotionally?

4:39:17Great. You know, we got a new, you got a new training staff and still learning the warm up. A little different. But, you know, I loved it. You know, just getting after it. Learning new guys, going through the same drills I've been doing by myself. I actually like having more people around because like, kind of go stir crazy when it's just you and another guy you're like, damn, I gotta go back up for another rep already. And so, you know, it's nice to be up here and get a chance to be with my guys. Can we confident, and feel we'll get done with your Emotion? Oh, I'm going to try to remain pretty neutral because, you know, I don't want to be too, either way. All I know is I want to be here. But we'll see what happens. It's my last year here. I've had a great career here, but I look forward to playing next year. Can you do this?

4:40:17What that second surgery you said at this time was on the left side because the first time around on the right side? Right side during the season. Left side. And that was just tightened down my core muscle. It wasn't the same as my adductor. You know, you can ask Dr. Bradley, Dr. Zuckerbron, who did the surgery as well. You know, if anything's going to help me, and it'll make me a lot stronger for you on up. Can you say you were training with another guy who have you come to mind? Tyson, I've been training with him for the last eight years. We've always trained together. We've got a trainer up north, a child cohaler. He's my guy. He trained a heath-miller, a bread-kissle, a multitude of guys that I'll respect. And we've just been getting after him. Can you give me a few guys' historically, 35, they paid big contracts. And who that's held against you? I think there's not a lot of history behind it.

4:41:17But, you know, for me, I look at as, I'm not looking to be like anybody else. You know, my game is different from everybody else, and it's like, you know, I like to think, you know, I can play the run in the pass. And that's where I'm different. You know, I remember last year, Mike T. You just brought to my attention, you know, the thing that's really cool is you watch powerlifters. And, you know, my game's built on power and technique. And those guys go into their 40s. And so, you know, that's what kind of research I'm doing behind the scenes. But, you know, I will see what happens. There's not a lot of history, but I'm here to make history. And I'm here to, you know, win another Super Bowl of Air, and, you know, have a great season. Do you have a set goal for yourself, or how many years you want to play in the NFL? Or do you just take things here right here? You know, it was tough answering that question right after the season. I will say this, guys, I can't keep answering that question right after the season.

4:42:17That is not fair to the season that's not fair to my family. You know, but in my mind, I got three years. And I want to maximize them. I want to play at a high level. And I want to go deep into playoffs. And, you know, we got a good team. And I'm going to do my part to be ready for all those situations. If you plan on practicing when you report to the church, or it's impossible, you know, that you might fold in and unfortunately, it's just like, I have not even thought that far. I'm taking a day. My day, you know, I told my agent, and we talked about it. I mean, we were cool coming out here. You know, I'll be here for many. And then, I'll be there for training. I don't know what the work entails, but when we get there, we'll cross out through. Why would you have three more? For a minus deal or three years? You know, there was a conversation between me, Omar, and my team. And there are certain guys

4:43:17that are one-helma-guys. You know, and I want to be one of those one-helma-guys. And, you know, there's a hunger and desire there. But that doesn't mean just hanging it up and calling it a career. To me, I think, you know, I got more bullets to fire, and, you know, I'm excited to do that. What's the meaning of last one? You and Russell Wilson are going to be out there with Walter Menn. What's a paid man of the year patch, though? I saw Russell's on social media. But I have an idea to see it. I like the surprise happens when it happens. But, you know, it's cool to have another of Walter Payton Man of the Year winner. You know, I think it's an honor to be there. And I'll say one thing. I won't be here. I'm just telling you guys, so it's not a big deal. I won't be here because I have to do a Walter Payton Man of the Year thing on Thursday. So, it's not like I'm skipping. But, you know,

4:44:17it's an honor to be with Russ. And, you know, it's an honor of doing things in the community. You know, doing great work. And, you know, the cool thing is, as much as we get honored and nominated for these things, the work doesn't stop. And I can see that with Russ' foundation, you know, we had an event for our foundation. And my mom was quick to, you know, tell Russ, hey, we need the partners around. And I was like, well, let's just enjoy the event. But, you know, it's really cool to be a part of a lead group. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, it's been good. I mean, just trying to, it's just a different way of play, different terminology, different, it's a whole different scheme. So, just learn how they want things done compared to how you used to do things. It's really the... So, like being in that tight end, everybody's got different skills. Everybody's different, but y'all do some of the same things. Right. Yeah. No, it's a great room. A lot of really good guys have grown really close with a lot of those guys. So, everybody helps each other,

4:45:18a really nice learner from Dalton, breadin' those guys. I mean, Dalton's done it for a really long time. So, he helps me a lot with things that really aren't coachable things, you know what I mean? You mentioned how to family at the game, but what about working out here at this high school? Are you still in Ohio? Yeah. That's gonna feel good. And I don't know if your high school is like this, man, that's a good one, which is a different name. Yeah, I went to Lexington, how it's about a eighth of the size of this place. Yeah, this is not like my high school, but this is a healthy place. It's super cool to be home and just be back and give you a little sense of comfort, I guess, for me, especially being away for as long as I've been. So, as a man, you kind of wore around the city, and you've been there, and you've seen a bunch of fuck out fans that have wanted to get your autograph and take a picture of you, and you're probably been here? I don't get... I don't go out of the hole. I actually went home yesterday. I went back to the farm for a little bit, which was great for a couple of days. He did all my family and stuff and see my grandparents and everything. So, it was good. But I really haven't been out enough to know, so I try and keep her inside. It's good, that's good. Yeah. Do you think it was a talk about you come this...

4:46:18What do you think of your play and I really showcased it so far? Oh, that's a good question. I don't think that's... For me, I'm just trying to give. I mean, every time I think you can be this, you can play this game for 50 years, and there's always going to be something you leave to feel with. Like, oh, I wish I would have been better in that area. I wish it would have been better in some other area. You know what I mean? Like, it's never going to be. This is absolutely perfect. So, like, to me, that's... Right now, the hardest part of this is just mental toughness of all. I mean, physical toughness. I mean, you either have it or you don't, in my opinion. So, I mean, I've always felt like I was kind of bred in that area of the things, and that's just kind of way happens naturally. So, just play after play. That's kind of how we roll it. Okay. Good afternoon. Thank you guys. We are now. We got to get you on the boat. Yeah, I was growing immensely. I mean, KLAP makes a lot of checks. Lately, it makes a lot of checks. I mean, 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 KLAP does, what we do, and Lathan. It just goes back to the Coach G's preparation,

4:47:19and everyone's preparation to give us more flexibility and doesn't matter who's in those positions. And we can all play every position, whether it's covering somebody or running and tackling. Did you feel like that was the case before the Oregon game? You're saying what I'm saying? I mean, is it something that's been added? It just, yo, rely on a little bit more, go ahead. Yeah, it did. I've probably been a Brasco game, me getting more safety reps. And we had a five week to prepare, so I really learned to play, but a lot more. Even though I knew the playbook, I learned a lot more. I'm out in debt, you know, so really just after the Oregon game, it helped me a lot to go back to safety, go to NICU everywhere. Thanks, man. You can go to the left more. Do you guys have a lot of issues of giving up big plays in the passing game of the first game against Oregon? What do you feel like you guys need to do better this time around to make sure that doesn't happen? Just the same mindset. We got to challenge these receivers. You know, every dog has their day. Maybe some people didn't have their day that game,

4:48:20but we'll look out there and hopefully change the narrative. And we still play with the same confidence, same technique. And, you know, Bill Rebellion, it's a bonus this match. And Denzel obviously had a tough game. And that one, what have you seen from him and how he's responded? Do you get a sense of from him, how he's for this rematch? Yeah, 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 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 watched a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played up film to watch.

4:49:20And 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, weeks, weeks or whatever. But now we're out there and going to play fast, physical, and everything like that. All right, Jordan, we're going to jump to the Zoom question here from Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch. My bad, not too Joey. Cameron T. Robinson, the athletic. Hey, Jordan, you've moved around a lot in the second day in your career and now kind of getting some many more safety reps. What is it like at this point when Walt or Coach Noles 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 even 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. We're moving around different positions.

4:50:21I'm always up for a new challenge and a lot of people in the country can't do that. I just hold myself to that standard where I can play any position and excel at it. Okay, and 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? Seven games ago, even if you've changed or the ensuing six games for Oregon, which one do you put more stock in? Kind of both. For me, I kind of watched what I did, things I did well, things I didn't do too well against them. And their team is changing, their scheme has changed. Some players have been out those stretch of games. So I really watched the past game we played and I know they're going to go back to some of the stuff that they liked, of course, and different games like Penn State, maybe Illinois, they run a lot of men. So just watching stuff like that, every game matters.

4:51:21So, yeah. Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. Shoot ourselves a foot high on the hand run game, how I had in the passing game, and really just stop getting our own way. It's a CJ first couple of weeks. It looks like you've been having more comfortable with off-skritt plays and taking more risks, but you're saying that something that's overdubbed this year for you? I mean, yes and no. I don't choose a run. I run when I have to. I feel like I am agile and I can't get out, but I definitely try to read the defense to get my guys the ball, because they're usually open every time. So it's just up to the pocket and navigate and try to make my whole line arrive also. If I have to, extend the play. Did you guys start a go-and-to last year's night, Tuto? How much different do things feel this year, not even have the whole season under your belt? Would it be learned? Where do you feel like you've had the room?

4:52:21Oh, it's too... Oh, it's a lot worse than Tuto. So, you know, I'm definitely grateful. I'm definitely, you know, blessed we playing this great game. But, you know, it's definitely a lot of things we can clean up. I think around the league, you can see that, though, you know what I mean? A lot of sloppy ball, you know, some teams playing better than others, but I definitely know that, you know, section 4 was not what we put on the field today, but, you know, at least in the second half, and would definitely be better, for sure. You and Nico connected on a couple of scrambled drill style plays. Is that something you guys work on active plays? Is that what comes focus to viewers? No, it's just two guys out there making plays. You know, we have a drill that we do our practice to, you know, it does help those things. But, you know, China just be two guys, be dynamic players. Do you think you're going to be rolling? You're going to not lay the kind of mind notes that we're speaking to you? Yeah, for sure. I think, I mean, Nico, we've always had a good relationship and always, you know, you're at each other well on the field, but I think even now, you know, we'll take the next steps. And you can see, you know, staff getting involved more, tank getting involved,

4:53:22Dalton, Breath, we're just trying to spread it around, you know, and we have so many dynamic players. So, you know, it's a good problem to have. You know, obviously, you know, all two are better than things of that nature. How do you balance, you guys have to win, but you said you like to put on Texans football. How do you kind of balance one of the correct order mistakes, but while also, you know, celebrating the win that you guys just had today? It's football. It's hard to win the NFL. I'm happy. Of course, I'm not satisfied. I'll never be satisfied. There's always things that you can point out. We're not going to let one have a football make us put our heads and we're going to stay confident, we're going to stay taking shots, we're going to stay, you know, betting on us. So, I definitely, you know, understand, you know, we need to be better, but, you know, like you said, winning is number one. So, we won and now it's time to move on and get better. Can you talk a little bit about what Pioneer has meant to the team over these past two weeks? And as a quarterback, as an offense, does having a kicker that can hit from long range

4:54:26like that can just see you guys a little bit of extra confidence, you know, once you get over 50. Yeah, any guys in his aims, man, I'm super happy and proud of him. And he broke a record today or something like that. So, you know, we definitely need him. You know, all points are big points. And I definitely think like the preparation and just who he is at practice, you know, you know that he's going to knock it down just because how hard he is on himself doing practice. And, you know, it was a great job, I especially teams today blocking it. Also, you know, point, Tommy doing his job as well. So, you know, it takes three phases for one and for one game. Here you go. See the ignition. All right, here's a little get those numbers. I promised it was not long. 4602, now through 17 career games. Remember, it's the couple a year ago due to that concussion. So, reaches his full quote unquote first season, at least from a game standpoint here in week two of year two.

4:55:27Trout. And we're looking up at a few. It's different for me. I'm really like a ball player type of guy. Not very, not the most how going and both good, but we're not talking. I realize that people listen. So, just taking more of that type of aspect into my game, just making me more complete as a football player. I'm willing to do something. How have you seen maybe change a little bit with Coach Hardline? It's been a bit different all. Maybe whether it be other coaches, coach Jordan or players stepping up time to pay back. I always say change much. He's still super involved. He always tries to stay engaged with us guys. I mean, he's the ocean now and he's more skimmed, schematic and everything now,

4:56:31but he's still keeping that relationship strong with us and still really in there with the civil court. And shout out to Coach Jordan as long. Stepping up, taking a big little coach Jordan. He's a huge factor in our lunch and so I've been here. So, it's a big cross the coach doing everything he's doing. How do you feel like the spring's gone for you? Obviously you've done this now. Just what have you taken from us? Absolutely comfortable. Super confident in my ability to do what I do. Just building that trust with my quarterback just pretty much when I came in when I do. Just let them know that they got it. They got to revive the option of the third chain next time it's on the field. And you know, just establishing that. Like I said earlier, just showing my young guys a foundation example. What the coming and doing. What's the implementation? I'll figure it out. Real value. I sure can be a big caught. Yeah, obviously. Trust me. I'm a certain extent. How long have you felt yourself building that trust? I think it's been good. Just being more vocal with them guys as well. Me and Bill are very vocal even in practice a lot of times.

4:57:34Just things they go my way in the game, but even in practice a lot. Yeah, take care. I was very comfortable with Bill. I was more vocal guy, but working in that oboe put it back down here doing a little job. Just going to the ceiling taking our feedback. Not for criticism, but just because we love it. Just doing that and just keep growing on that all the way to fall and all the things that you've been supporting. You are doing some more outside for you. You're stopping as well. Yeah, I've been more the more years you get under your belt for the more experience you get. You can start knowing this offense more and more not just your position or what you're doing. Like everybody's what you're doing, how you're doing and why you're doing it. So I mean, I've been wrapping the outside ZXH anywhere coach Hong Kong needs me to just really be that guy and go make a play on it. What's the biggest difference for you between outside and outside? The pace. A route concept you can kind of get the pace you can play within the slides more from this game in the slide. Something I got very comfortable with.

4:58:34Just the way you can attack the defense, I think. Just you know conceptually and also just how you place down. But I mean, just doing both and just making me a better guy for the NFL. And that's what coach Hong Kong is. I'm producing on the field. I'm producing any fellow guys. I'm feeling very comfortable. Do you have to have a different mindset as a slot receiver because it cuts going on? Absolutely. But I think it's more thinking. I think it's more of a yet to have a hundred standing of the game a lot. In the slide, you've got to have a feel that have this is natural. I feel like it's more than that's a condition. And on the outside it's just more you know, get different things and see different coverage and see more. You see different player types of corners and nickel bats and safeties more in the slot. So just seeing how you can attack knowing your person now and how you can attack some people is I say the biggest difference. Do you have that more courage? You have that more courage in the slot? Yeah, absolutely. Especially like being myself in the slot faster. I skinnier guy than when I put hands on it, want to get physical with you.

4:59:35But you just got to match that and just let them know that you there too. You as in a ballast question, whatever gets you on to, regardless inside outside. I'm just willing to make plays and show one one of the best receivers in America. So if that's in the outside, that's in the inside. Whatever coach Hong Kong in this team needs me help us land in the show. And the best season in America. Right? Right you. At that time, you go back to zero, zero. They scored, they scored a thing in a half. We knew they got the ball back. The defense wasn't quite happy that they gave that touchdown at the end. And we knew they get in the ball back coming out. But we was excited because we knew the job wasn't doing it. Bill Rebellion, Columbus, this back. You were a five star guy and that coming up. All these guys in the room almost were five star guys. And then there's Jeremiah. Is he like, does he like all you guys in the room? I mean, I'm not sure if it's probably something you got to ask him.

5:00:35But you know, Jeremiah has played with a lot of great guys throughout his career. He's seen a lot of all the talent you can see in the world. But I don't know if he's ever in all, but I mean, you and all. Oh, and Maya. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I mean, I'm not surprised at anything he does now. Like I've seen him. It's out. We were nine years old. So anything he does, any one hand catch. I've seen. I'm not surprised at anything he does. When he was nine, did you know this is not a, this is something special. We even met a nine. Oh, yeah. I mean, coaches were coming up to us complaining that we were nine years old. Like, can we, can we get their IDs and stuff like that? So I mean, I mean, there's definitely some footage. I mean, we got to go find, but the place we used to make when we were younger and just to see where he is now is amazing. It seems very unaffected by all of the starter. Yeah. How does that happen? I think how he was raised. He's just, he's very level headed. He knows his goals and what he wants to get done in life. And this is just one step of the way for him.

5:01:37Can I throw a back to Texas for a couple of questions on Zoom, Scotty? Yes, sir. We're going to start with the farm from Cleveland.com. Go ahead. Brandon, I want to go back to what you were talking about with coach day earlier. You know, whenever he talks about this team success, he says all the credit goes through players. It seems like the players think that he deserves some of the credit. How big, how influential is he been during the turnaround you guys have had these last few weeks? He's been huge, man. Coming here after that team with Northwest, he knows heart breaking, of course. But we came in here. We had a leadership meeting. And he was in here. I mean, and then we had a team meeting after that. Hearing the stuff he had to say and we had to say going back and forth. We just, we knew we, we would have this back no matter what. I mean, there's a lot of stuff set about him and his family and stuff like that. But hey, here we're brotherhood and we're family. And we just, we go stand by him no matter what.

5:02:37Our next question is going to come from Dan. Dan, go ahead. Brandon, I mean, I'm sure you came in here to Ohio State thinking you'd probably be starting here in your second year. But it seems like you really embraced the growth process. Just what's kind of that process been like for you of kind of embracing your role this season and continuing to develop? Yeah. In life, things doesn't go the way you exactly planted to. And that just happened. You know, things happened to Mecca last year that allowed him to come back. And that allowed me to learn more. And that's just how I see it makes me a better football player for the future. So yeah, I mean, yeah, let's see it. Three more on Zoom. Next one is going to come from Stefan Means. Go ahead. Steven, but. That's dark. Yeah, you're good. Brandon, there are a lot of clips of you this year where you're super, super excited after a block.

5:03:43And kind of showing your emotion there. What about blocking do you love so much as a receiver? Just being able to hit another guy with all my power, the hardest I can without any consequences. Except if you accept the few hold, of course. But yeah, just bringing that power. I mean, I heard some of the defensive guys telling me yesterday they were like, I hate to go against you. So knowing that from the defensive guys. So I know what the other defensive guys are thinking like, just keep bringing it to them. They knock on like for four quarters. That's my mindset. Next question is going to come from Danny Davis. Danny, go ahead. Brandon, what are your impressions of these Texas defensive backs? What kind of scene from them on film so far? Yeah, the last couple of days we watched them. They're a fast team. They don't give up many big plays down field. They're aggressive, but I actually know some of the DBs they have at corner there.

5:04:44I play with them. Well, I played with Malik Muhammad at SFE. So I might know him a little bit. And we have a watching them. They're a fast team. They're physical. They're disciplined. They're not. Give any Malik stories or any. What do you say? Give any Malik stories or anything you remember about playing with them? Oh, um. Yeah, but I'm not going to say them here. Yeah, I was just keep that. Our final question is going to come from Kurt Bulls. Kurt, go ahead. Hey, Brandon. One of the issues that has had the second half of the year is finishing. And what if you can speak to, uh, and they had a trouble, obviously, in the Peach Bowl, you know, Blue was 16 point league. And you talk about finishing and having a killer instinct. And you guys obviously seem to have that now. Yeah, um, I think that started, started in, uh, offseason training at Fall Camp.

5:05:44We always say go plus two. That's if you're doing a 10 yard pro shuttle to, uh, you have to go plus two throughout the line. And that's just finishing up as well. And then Fall Camp, we had these long two and a half hour practices or whatnot. And then we came out and we had to do these, um, finishers. We called them ask for games late in the year like this. And we, um, I think Coach Day has a great, did a great job preparing all of us for these moments. And yeah, we just were ready to go. We have time for just a couple more questions and clumpets so we can wrap up with our other two guys. Bill Landis, Kings of the North. Great. Um, Shrevy on the second touchdown run. It seemed like you took two players out of the play first with your release. And then with the guy you actually blocked. Is that, is that how it's designed? Or was it just lucky to get the guy decided to take off inside of the release? Um, it's actually designed for me to block the safety and lead, uh, the corner 101 with the running back. Um, but I was surprised. The corner I see came in so far in my release.

5:06:45I think he thought it was a pass. Um, but I think he was the edge of the defense. If you go watch that play, but I don't know, I, I don't really know why he came in so far. But it helped out for us and I made my block and turned off score. Is there any lesson there for, for like, even a young receiver watching that, that even if you know him to play, you're not getting the ball. You're, you're intended to block, but you, you're release has to be, at all point, like as if you're going to go pitch pass. Yeah, definitely. Um, every little detail matters in them type of plays. We were in a red zone there. So we say every yard matters is two yards. Um, so the block I made is just a testament to Kyle coach hardline, prep, prep me throughout the week to make that block. So yeah. And final question, Joy Compton, Columbus this patch. And it will and then this has been some of the ball to equal lately. Um, and some of the special way you guys have opened games. What do you think is just quick for you guys and for him and watching those, but it's. Um, a lot more confidence. I say throughout the year. Um, we were always there as offense.

5:07:47We had, we didn't know, we didn't quite know our identity. And now slowly, but surely I think we found that and we're going to keep on rolling. And um, he's made some great throws and yeah. I'm sorry, Brandon, I do have one more steep. How many of the 247s for you? And there've been opportunities for you to play a huge role on offense. And you know, the number of plays you play in game can differ from one week to the next. But the opportunity is coming sooner rather than later for you to be in every down player. Just one of the things you need to do in your game to take it to where it is now to be in every down guy. Um, I think there's a lot of things I could work on in my game. Um, I would say continuing to be football smart, my IQ, just knowing what the defense is going to do before they do it. Um, my routes always can get better. My hands always can get better staying in the jugging machine. Um, work ethic, keep on top of it. Don't get, don't get satisfied with anything I do. And don't, don't get too big.

5:08:47Don't get too low. Don't get too high. Don't get too low. It's what they say. You feel like a guy that the people follow, it seems like just in your mind, even though just second year guy that you're kind of working toward being kind of a leadership type guy. Um, I got to have guys that will take that role. Yeah. Um, it's a great feeling. Of course, the no guys are watching what you do and listening to what you do. Um, but I just feel like we do that with a lot of players here and not just myself, but the leadership we have on this team is like no other. And that's why we got so far. I think Brandon, thank you very much. Not knowing anything, but to go hard and put his head down. I'm super, super proud of Will. And I think we can't feed off each other. You know, he was a lowly or under recruited guy out of high school. So he always knows it's to go hard and what that looks like. So I'm proud of him. What do you think Max is better at? Absolutely. A lot, a lot of skill. I mean, the guy you fist the room, personality wise, Johnny will tell you that. He's fun to be around.

5:09:48He's an outstanding route runner and he's, he wants to get better. He's hungry. So he's a great addition. I think a lot of people from the outside will see that. And you guys come in and you guys have four or five guys who feel like they can get reps too. Maybe some people would have thought it was some of you guys would be. Why would you guys say why is this group so deep and state even though you guys brought in another guy? Yeah, I mean, I think it's just a testament to how strong his brotherhood is. When a coach told us that we were bringing him in the max, I just thought it was a great opportunity for me to, I can worship stuff and he's a great player. And I already have the resource stuff for me and will. I think now we are really, really good guys in the room. We just stay fresh. It was a lot of fun there and ultimately become the best players we can be. I think it was, was it Nathan? We said, yeah, I saw that. Like, take him. I'm not sure you're not watching for these offense, but you guys can get ready. But how quick did you kind of realize that? Just guys legit. You see the numbers, you see the number one. You realize that this guy is real good.

5:10:48What I bet on the first day, he was a class act. And for me, I think character is a big thing. I had a really medicated football player. It doesn't have good characters. And I bet on the first day I knew that he was a hard worker. It came in here and just grinded. And then, you know, it's showing right now in the field. It's learning great. What do you have to do to get better at the surface? Yeah, I mean, I just, I'm not really focused on specific areas. I obviously want to become a more polished outrunner. And he get better at blocking and he get better at past rotation. So real I'm just working on everything, man, hopefully. You know, to go home and miss you together. I can never really get here. Is it feel good to have the only touchdown catch from one of the point of action right now? Yeah, tools. Yeah, yeah, that was cool. That was a cool moment to have with them. How's that been working with you? You guys were so close and real? Yeah, it's great. I remember when Lincoln first got here, I was dragging him out to the fields and throwing with me.

5:11:50So me and Lincoln go way back and I'm for him first got here. I love Julian and even Tavy is coming in and he's impressed me. So there's been a lot of talk about the quarterback. Is this an leadership that Joe just wants to see? I mean, how are you seeing those three guys coming in? You know, as leaders and is it at role? Yeah, I think they at first weren't nowhere near as vocal as Will was. We got here, but I think they're really stepping up in that role and it's really good to see. Awesome, thanks guys. I mean, just how it was raised, I just know how to work. That's all I had to do. Just give an effort and just going east out of it. I want to say this with full respect. When we see JJ and Sonny, it's like, that makes sense. When you're the third guy, were you surprised to be named? What puts you in that same category? Yeah, I was a little surprised. I kind of have feeling because I kind of like, I mean, I kind of could have guessed it.

5:12:51But I just knew that I was one of my goal to toss him behind Buckeye and I just couldn't work out. So what did you get at now? What did you mean? It was really special right after I texted my parents and they really knew what it meant until the video came out and they pushed me to play an intern. So then I totally didn't really care as much. Back then, it was playing football back then right after in games. Did you think you'd tell the difficulties of going back and forth? Not just like we were learning them, but actually it happened to play both football and five either. Yeah, it's pretty difficult, especially during the game, you have to put the whole mind around. It's a lot easier in practice because it's not getting like several down, but like going back to my game. It's pretty hard, but like in high school, it was every other player I was in back in school with triple-off. So I knew it, I was comfortable with it. And sometimes I just take it from my walk into my mind to my scrims.

5:13:51I had like, say it to be a play-and-and. Again, one time, so I get into my head. I was like, I got to set the example. And then like, my first two weeks here, I was like teaching them. I don't know what they're expecting these players because I've seen some new players with them. And even new defense, like technique two, three times keeps saying technique. And then, just helping them out because we need all of them. What did you like, what did the idea of playing tackle kind of come about? Did you like rap, did you see that? Did you go to bowling games? Did you win? How did everybody come about? It came close to the springtime. They wanted to have, they just wanted to have a good five out there. And they don't play the best of it. They just want to get the chance. What did you like to do all of such a hot spot? They're awesome, they're great. A lot of eyes, it's awesome because everyone's watching something.

5:14:52It's not like someone's only watching this place, so you know what's going on. I got to feedback to get like after a play, after a practice, from all three off to all five. It's awesome. They tell you like everything because they know like what's the last time I had it with coach Johnson, coach Dickies watching, watching the left and coach. The one who feels the right from right. So like, you know what's going on, it's great. How was the experience that you got at the big reps in the big games? All that helps. It was like coming into the sun. It really boosted my confidence. And I can lead the young guys too. So I know it was going on because they really don't really miss this first time spring. So I like to do my stuff. Just that leadership of them. Resortility has also been mentioned a lot. It's been a lot of both sides of the ball playing in different spots. Can you elaborate on that? Yeah. Just. Yeah, I can beat that question all the time. Can you just talk about the versatility that coach has been talking a lot about that uproar? So as a well, you guys in different spots being able to win. Yeah, so like, you all see it in last year.

5:15:54We lost two stars. All maybe started. So like, really guys, you stepped up and like going to season. I didn't know I was playing the start left guard. And I didn't really know I was going to bounce over the right. And what a donny news. I'm bounce out the tackle. So like, it really helps everyone. I think a lot of guys at season are playing multiple positions. And it's going to help us. But if you learn from Donnie and John, I'm sad and all that. Just like technique wise, they really helped me like pretty snap stuff. And my no one like was going to be like, what's going to be like, what's going to be like, I'm like, I'm going to play some stuff. All right. Thank you. Thank you. That's only going to motivate him more. So it's fuel to the fire, which I think is good for us heading into this week. What was the first moment that you saw in the fellows? Let's give you something. I would say probably just his mindset, not even obviously he's a freak when it comes to,

5:16:54his body and stuff like that, just his physical nature. But I think just as mindset the way he approached the weight room, it didn't really seem like a way of freshman would. And he was our only freshman ever to receive Iron Buck, I reward, which something I was pushing towards my entire time being here. But it takes another level of doing to be able to receive that reward. Especially as a freshman. So that's kind of what I knew. Steven, what do you mean? More on that. When you and Mara first got here, Gary and Chris were adamant about the way that you guys, even as fresh, pushing two guys who were about to be first round draft picks. And then Mara kind of said the same thing about Carnail and Brandon last year. How did JJ push you guys when he first got here as the young guy? And now you guys are the older guys? Yeah, I would say it's very similar. It's kind of the same exact thing. And I don't know what it is about the culture and its all in six, but we keep bringing in these type of people you're in and you're out. That's what makes our room so great. But I think that something that JJ was able to push me in was just, you know, he was able to push me in my leadership.

5:17:56I needed to grow in that aspect. But he also was able to challenge me when it came to the weight room and on the field. Because we were always paired together when it came to summer and when our workouts. We were always lifting together. You know, I get a couple of wins. He get a couple of wins. So I was really that next level step of competitiveness that I needed and that edge that I needed. That worked 2474. You guys came into the Tennessee game with a lot of outside motivation with Michigan boss and kind of the three weeks of the talk. I know obviously there's still that motivation to go on and win a national championship. But how do you keep that kind of edge for lack of a better term mentally after that? Some of that stuff has kind of gone away probably the big one. I would say kind of if you lose your edge, I wouldn't really call you a true competitor. I think that, you know, the way with the college football playoffs is structured. The intensity cranks every single week. So if you're not more intense than you were the last week, then something's wrong with you. I think that, you know, Tennessee was a great win, great for our momentum.

5:18:58But we have our full focus on Oregon. Not worrying about anything in the past, nothing in the future. Our full focus is towards this game. And then, you know, we win this one, we go on to the next one. Our full focus is going to be on that one. So it's just you keep moving down a ladder like this. Step on Christy, please let me talk to Dr. Oden. Mecha, there's been a lot of change in college football in the playoffs. It makes it that nature. But the way it's some of your teammates and coaches talk about the Rose Bowl seems like that's one game that's really, you know, maintain a lot of that tradition. You play the net. You know what it's about. Could you explain it to, you know, also, we've never had a chance to play that why the Rose Bowl has maintained, you know, a level of respect for the players and coaches. Yeah, I think, I don't know, there's just something about it. Something in the air down there in the Pasadena. It's just a beautiful venue, especially that time of the year. Like you said, the tradition is held year in and year out. And it's kind of the game you dream of playing in when you're a little kid, you know, playing backyard football with your friends. The Rose Bowl is always one that tends to come up. So just having a chance of playing it is definitely very surreal. And this is going to be my second time.

5:19:59I'm going to do my best to take it all in while also being fully focused on Oregon. Dan, let me worry. The macro will study still has 90 minutes about that first game in Oregon. And just what kind of drive you seem to him this week wanting to get back to this one? Yeah, Will is a laser focused person. He goes about his business. He's very loose and he's very calm and he's able to rally the team. But you can see it in his eyes that this game means everything to him. So every single practice, every single huddle, making sure we're sharp, making sure we have a, you know, a better practice than we had last. Then yesterday, a better practice in Oregon is having so his full focus is on being this team. And, you know, obviously it's hard not to think about the stuff of the past, but I know he's laser focused on what we got coming up. Tony Garbin, Buck, I have. Matthew, when you're a kid playing backyard, you're going to be about to gain what team we played for. Honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a. A buck I fan until, you know, I really committed here and I saw what it was all about.

5:21:00I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest. You know, my grandpa went to UW and stuff like that. So I like the Huskies too, but there was a legendary football player named Foto Liatto from my high school. And he went to Oregon and a couple of y'all probably know that story. So I'm a couple of years back, but he tragically died in the car accident. And, you know, he was, he was someone I looked up to in high school. You know, I was relatively close with him even though he was a bit older than me in age, but I'm just seeing what he did at my high school and then going on to play big time football out Oregon. That was a school that I really dreamed of going to. They build a bit like this back. I hate to ask you another Jeremiah question, but I asked it. Is there one moment, one play, one something that made you just go, oh man, I've never seen it before. That's just incredible. Yeah, I'll say it's happened multiple times. There's not really one. I can pinpoint, but the more he does it, the more I tend to react less. So I would say probably my earliest memories of it were in spring ball.

5:22:01Kind of getting the first glimpse of him when he's making all these ridiculous catches and he still does it time and time again, even now. But it's just more common now for me. The land is one that's in the north. I think you had, I think, was 12 touches in the first game against Oregon. 10 receptions, two carries. Is there something about this matchup that favors you? And now that you have, where that productive first, let me play this team. What kind of attention? I guess maybe different defenses are you expecting to see? Yeah, I mean, we're not entirely sure what their game plan is going to be, but we're paired for everything. You know, I'm not going to get too much into schemas, stuff like that. But we know that if the ball comes our way, we've got to make those plays. So whether I have 10 receptions again coming up this game where I have zero or one, we're just looking to get this win on the road. Because it's really a road game for us, you know, flying across two times zones. So I think that, you know, it's going to be a great matchup, whether they tend to focus on me more or not. It doesn't really matter to me because I know our team has a great plan regardless.

5:23:03But time for a couple more questions, Spencer, over a letterman role. You guys ever surprised when the game ended? You look at it, it's actually a car no longer in the order two games. You can kind of feel it throughout the game, I would say. You know, he's a true competitor. He wants to get involved, but at the same time he's super selfless. I mean, he's really humble. So he's going to do whatever it takes for the team to get a win. But it's the competitor nature and then that wants to, you know, contribute as much as he can. So, you know, I try to be in his ear to tell him to be levelhead and stuff like that. Not that I need to. He's a very level headed and selfless guy like I'm saying. But, you know, sometimes that's just how the game goes. You know, I had a game this year where I only had one catch. But, you know, we ended up winning by lot. So, I think that, you know, it's hard or it's easy to be focused on the personal attributes that you could have game in and game out. But no one's really going to remember those if we're holding up the trophy at the end of the year. He could be a number one, like 95% of the bar also right now. But he's like number three. You see his work as a ball of those things that he knows that they're going to play.

5:24:04You guys ever come behind him like, yeah, this guy can absolutely be a number one on the low scouts of Barrel. I would disagree with you. I think that he is a number one. I think that we don't have a number three receiver. I think we have three number one receivers out there. So, whatever the defense, you know, if they want to put their attention on one guy or a couple of us, they're not really doing themselves any favor because we're going to have a favor on the other side of the ball. So, that's never how we view ourselves. We know we're alpha dogs out there every single one of us knows we have the capabilities of being a number one receiver and we are number one receivers. And final question. Steve, how long has he 24 hours work? Yeah, and then at the end of that game, you made one of the clutch plays that passed down the sideline. At any time when you make that play, you think, did you ever, your mind, that we're going to win this game after we're now close to field goal range?