Press Conference (Steve Sarkishian) Elite Edition September 2

0:00and Arlington, we're gonna need everything we got to try to win this game, you know, you know, clearly we're massive underdogs, nobody's gonna give us a shot, so we're gonna need all that we can to try to win this game. Our next question is gonna come from Stephen Hawkins, go ahead. Stephen Hawkins with the APN Dallas, Will Howard, the last game he pointed AT&T stadium with Kansas State Beat and the TCU team that was undefeated. You saw a lot of him last year, obviously, and you've seen what he's done this year. What have you seen from Will Howard as you've watched him play in the car and said he brings? Yeah, I would say the first thing is he's a much better athlete than people probably give him credit for. He snapped off a shoot about a 70 yard touchdown run against us a few years ago. So he has good speed. He's got great poise and composure in the pocket. You can tell he's very bright, you know, the system they ran at Kansas State, put a lot on the quarterback and no one coach Kelly and coach Day and what they do. So him managing, you know, the offense is that way. So he's got intelligence, he's got athletic ability, and then his ability to throw a catchable ball.

1:09I've seen that now for a few years. He throws passes where they need to be thrown and guys make plays for him and his poise and composure in critical moments is something that has been very impressive as well. Coach, your next question is going to come from Corey Moose. Corey, go ahead. There you go. Try you doing just want to ask about how you love making your call sheet. I know that for sure. And so when it comes to this game, particularly when you have a guy like Caleb Downs and that secondary special time for moving him into the box lot more. How much is that effect your building of that call sheet and also how much of the help that you have a gym door for where winter to practice against to prepare for this game? Yeah, I mean Caleb's a fantastic football player, you know, obviously we played against him last year, his freshman year at Alabama and made some impactful plays in that game. You can you can sense and feel his football IQ, his awareness, but yet the athletic ability to cover ground to make plays, but then the physical ability to to get people on the ground to take on blocks.

2:17So as a complete player is all around player. And again, we're we got to look at the scheme first when we start building the call sheet and coach knows is a fantastic defensive coach been doing it a long time, very good, very good at developing plans that that put his best players in position to have success. Caleb being one of those. And so we got to look at the schemes before we even really start dialing into the specific players. And try to put our players in the best position to have success. So that's always a process that's a fun process to have. But again, us to opportunity for our guys to go against our defense every day, which we think is pretty good. That that that you know that always helps our guys kind of prepare for the speed, the closing ability on the ball that that is going to be necessary on game day. So that's your next question is going to come from Eric Henry Eric go ahead. Good morning Steve, you know, beginning of the season, you spoke about the obsession with winning a national title and obviously got a long way to go right two more games, but just curious having gone through 15 16 weeks.

3:26As you said, not much rest. How does that obsession kind of manifests itself within you now being so close. And we didn't come this far just to come this far, I guess would be what I tell you, it's how it's manifested itself. It's like the journey's not done. The mission is not complete. It's still a driving force behind what we do every day while we wake up so early while we stay so late, why our players are come in on an off day when they're when we were asking them not to be here and they're in here watching tape working out stretching strident getting rehab. It's all that you know, it's all that that continues to push you, you know, because none of this is guaranteed today is not guaranteed, but none of this is guaranteed. It's not like well, we'll just get back here again next year, you know, we're back in the final four for the for the second consecutive season. And those other three teams that were here a year ago with us didn't make the 12 team play off never mind the final four. So nothing's guaranteed. It's difficult to get to this spot and we want to make sure that we maximize this opportunity and put our best foot forward and see what happens.

4:34So your next question is going to come from Kenneth Barry. Go ahead. I'm a party coach here on the west coast. Gratts on making it this far in terms of just obviously everybody talks about NIL, but you got you talked about pretty much for a 16 game season. You're pretty much playing in NFL schedule in terms of just a number of games, especially with very little buys. So and whether outside of the portal, how important is it for the sports science department and you as a coach to be on the same page and just the money that would go into that to keep guys healthy, making sure, you know, you're training and healing processes up the power. Crucial overlooked design get. Does that get overlooked at a time like this? It does definitely does not get overlooked in our building. You know, we believe in sports science. We believed in it before the 12 team play off, you know, became into existence.

5:41But we definitely poured into it. Even more so when we found out that this could be the path and the journey that we'd go on before the season. We altered some things before the season and how we worked. We altered some things from a recovery and rehab standpoint. We did a bunch of research and studies on NFL teams and how they practice not only in season, but as they get into the playoffs. And we tried to we try to put our players in the best position to perform and as much as it is, it's about X's and O's. It's about taking care of their bodies, taking care of their minds. They're, you know, they're physically, you know, ready to compete at a high level, but also mentally and emotionally. And so sports science, sleep studies, all those things are hugely important in our building. Coach, your next question is going to come from Nick Hamilton. Nick, go ahead. Hey, coach, Nick Hamilton, night cast media. I wanted to ask you just from afar, being able to watch the wide recede,

6:44but obviously you pretend to know how high I was state of a mecca and Jeremiah Smith and just how they've been able to, you know, change the course of games and the threats that they pose against opposing teams. Yeah, but they're both big physical players. You know, they have they have length, they have speed, they have playmaking ability on the ball. They have really big catcher, radiuses. They've got, they've got the scheme to go with it with coach Kelly and coach day and they've got a quarterback who delivers on the ball. So you add all that up. These guys are impactful players that, that are real issues. And we're going to have a hard time garden. Coach, your next question is going to come from Joe. Go ahead, Joe. Hey, Steve, I don't know how you view maybe the first round, but the peach bull is the first time you as a head coach lifted up a bull trophy in your program in 10 years. Do you allow yourself to reflect on that or is there still just too far to go before you can start thinking about what that means for your career?

7:48No, I mean, we took a moment. We took a moment after the cleansing game and took a moment after the peach bowl. You know, there's always probably a good thing when the confetti's falling on you and it's your colors. You know, so, you know, we try not to miss those things, you know, as much as there's a there's the big prize at the end that we're striving for. There's there's there's victories along the way and those small victories need to be celebrated. And this by no means was a small victory, but you got to celebrate your victories as you as you navigate your way through it because it's hard to get if they weren't that difficult. There'd be a lot of other teams in this position, but we're fortunate to be here and like I said, I've been I'm so proud of our staff. So proud of our team with their work ethic, with their determination, with their resiliency, you know, week after week after week. And it's been a credit, you know, that my ourselves in Penn State are the only two teams now that actually played in the conference championship game and had to play a first round game. So we're we're the two that really haven't gotten any of the time off that that, you know, that Notre Dame and or Ohio State have gotten and even those teams that got the first round by so we're just trying to, you know, take it all in stride and continue to move forward. But again, along the way and enjoy the victories as they come.

9:05So your next question is going to come from Westcott, Ebers, go ahead. Hey, Steve, I was just wondering if there's anything that Arizona State did specifically to make things difficult for y'all on first down and what you need to improve that to be more effective on that down against the Ohio State. Well, I thought they were very active. I thought they did a good job of running their defense. I didn't think it was so much of that there was something new or different. But they executed. I thought they won some of their one on ones, which we got to improve upon that. You know, you know, at the end of the day, you know, first and second down wins are really important for us to try to minimize some of the third and long situations that you can get yourself into. But, you know, that's when we're at our best. And so for them, I just thought it was they executed that what they do on defense and they did it better than we did for a lot of that ballgame.

10:05So your next question is going to come from Brian Davis, go ahead. Hey, Steve, just wanted to ask you about the way you feel like the defense has answered the bell. You know, multiple times here, you know, in the postseason, all these situations, they're getting put in. And I don't know if you want to do you want to brag on the Michael Taff or maybe defend him a little bit, you know, multiple games now. You guys have been laying some really hard licks that that are not targeting. Does that is that a sign of how good, you know, are you are coaching them to maybe play the right way. Well, I think our defense has been tremendous all year. That was a hard game the other night. You know, they played over a hundred snaps. And it was an odd game, you know, you think about we really lost almost three full possessions on offense. Anytime you have a scoring return on special teams where we had a punt return for a touchdown, that would have been an offensive possession that we lost.

11:06Our first drive on offense, we scored in two plays. And then we we have the safety in one play. And so we really lost three possessions that, you know, unintentionally put our defense continually back on the field. I just thought it originally, man, we weren't getting off the field. We were we were doing OK, especially in the first half of that game. But over time, that can wear on you. And so I thought those guys showed a lot of grit, a lot of guts in that game to fight through. I had, you know, we have players playing a hundred snaps on defense, not including special teams. Michael Taff being one of those, I think you played 101 snaps on defense, not to mention he was on punt, punt return and kickoff return. And so that that's a lot on these guys that that we again, we've got to get him healthy and get him back. As far as, you know, football goes, hey, we don't play flag football, man. All right. This isn't seven on seven. This is tackle football. We believe in playing a physical brand of football. We try to do it the right way within the rules. You know, there were there were numerous plays. I thought in the game that I'm sure they were upset about a call. There was numerous plays. I didn't agree with a call.

12:09And so, but that's football. That's the way it goes. But we're not going to change the way we play. We play a physical brand of football. We're always going to try to impose our will on our opponents and Michael's a great example that he plays the game the right way. What's your next question is going to come from David Eckert David go ahead. Hey, Steve, appreciate the time. I was just curious going back to Ohio State's wide receivers. I guess, how do you kind of balance ensuring Jeremiah Smith doesn't kind of take over this game and while they've got, you know, two other wide receivers who are six hundred yard guys. How do you kind of conceptualize that defensively with resource management there? I just hope we're good enough to guard on me. These guys are really good players. We'll find out. Coach, your next question is going to come from Sean McFarlane Sean go ahead. Hey, Steve, appreciate the time. Just you talked this season about the depth and talent of the SEC and the competition this conference.

13:12What do they mean in year one to be the last team standing from this conference and be representing this conference on this stage? Well, you know, I still hold true to this. Like, I really believe this is a premiere, you know, football conference in America because of the weekend, week out task that it requires physically and mentally. It's not a one time thing where you just play one SEC team and then you get on to go do the rest. You have to do it weekend and week out. You have to go into some really difficult environments. And over time, that's what takes us toll on your team physically and mentally. And so you got to make sure that you can kind of recharge those batteries. Stay as healthy as you can. Clearly, we've endured our fair share of injuries this year. And I think I've done a pretty good job, decent job of navigating our way through it. Unfortunately for Georgia, you know, they lost their starting quarterback in our game and the SEC championship game.

14:13And I'm sure other teams in our conference had to endure things that can take their toll on your team. And that's that's no excuse that the end day we have to find a way to navigate our ways through it. But to be here on this stage, to be back in the final four. We're in that SEC patch on our jersey. You know, we're going to do our best to represent it because it's a heck of a conference. So, next question is going to come from Christopher Hidal. Go ahead. Hey, coach. This is Chris Hidal from Herbeth and Radio in Baltimore. Do you feel a lot of pressure being the home team in the state schools of the big state of Texas, playing and playing in the cotton bowl with the history of Texas being in the cotton bowl? You feel a lot of pressure or you just feel like there's just another game each week. I don't necessarily feel pressure upon that. You know, when you take the head job here at the University of Texas, you got to know what you're signing up for. And there's an expectation and a standard here to compete into win championships, compete for and win championships. And so you acknowledge it.

15:20You accept it and you start charging forward. I think if this is more of a great opportunity to play in the cotton bowl and in the semi finals of the college football playoff against an unbelievable opponent in a high state. They've got a great fan base. They're going to travel. Their fans are played against them in the Rose Bowl and different different opportunities. Their fans travel really, really well. And so the challenge for us is to stay composed in that arena. You know, the challenge for our fans is to show up by tickets and support us so that we can make it as tough an end of fireman as we can. Because like I said, we're going to need all those factors in this game. This is the best team in college football. And we're going to have to make sure that we put our best forward to give ourselves a chance to win the game. So your next question is going to come from Rob Oler Rob. Go ahead. Hey Steve Ryan Day was just talking about the NFL and his experience there. You have NFL experience. He said it kind of feels this starting to feel like an NFL playoff late season thing.

16:29Is it feel that way to you and you not that you have an advantage, but can you use that experience, you know, moving on from one game with the quick turnaround. Well, definitely feels like that. You know, you think about like I said, we're going into game number 16 here. And so how you manage the players, how you utilize your time, how you try to keep them as fresh as you can, not only physically, but mentally, but also put forth and make sure you got a good plan that you can execute against, you know, the further you go into the playoffs, the better quality opponent you face. And so your quality of play has to continue to improve. The coaching has to improve. Everybody's got to improve. We've always got to continue to strive to get better all on the same time trying to get everybody fresh and back and putting them in the best position to have success. And so it's a challenge. But that's the beauty of it, right? That's that's like to be in the stage and to be with this opportunity.

17:33You embrace it and you try to balance it as best you can so that when the balls kicked off, you're putting everybody, your staff, your players in the best position to have some success. Coach, two final questions first from Donovan Bridgeforth. Donovan, go ahead. Hey, coach, congratulations on such a great season so far. What is your response to those who see this as a home game for your program with it being at AT&T Stadium? Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I think both schools get the same number of tickets. I'm not certain Bianco might be able to answer that for you, but I think I think everybody gets the same number of tickets. And then from that point, who's going to buy the rest, you know, and I know we've got a great fan base that travels. I know Ohio State's got a great fan base that travels. So I don't know if it was at D.K.R., or I'd probably say something that would be like a home game, but you know, it is what it is.

18:33The last question is coming from Chip Brown. Go ahead, Chip. Hey, Steve. In Ohio State's first meeting with Oregon, they didn't sack Gabriel once in their second meeting. They sacked him eight times. What, you know, what stands out most about their pass rust? You see them. Are they similar to Georgia? Anyway, well, they're ferocious. They've got a great pass rush big on the inside, big edge players that are, they're very talented. I think getting ahead 34 to nothing in the second quarter was helpful. You know, Oregon got a little limited where they had to just start passing the ball. And that's generally one a lot of sacks occur. So when people have to just really throw it to get back into the game and quarterbacks can hold the ball and so on and so forth and D.Liamen can start pinning the ears back and going because there's not the threat of the run. So I think inevitably that's where that balance comes in that we talked about of why it's important that we continue to lean into the run game and find find balance there to try to neutralize those guys up front because it's a ferocious pass rest for sure.

19:43Well coach, we really appreciate you joining us today. Thanks for joining us already. I'll thank you. Full transcripts of both news conferences along with audio and video files will be distributed via email and posted via the Good Your Cotton Bowl Classic section of the College Football Playoff Media Portal. The game access to the portal send an email to licensing at catapultsports.com. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at Scotty SCL TTIE at Cotton Bowl.com. Thanks for joining us today. Stay safe. We wish you safe travels. I think some of us still need to work on so a lot of work to do but I think the biggest thing in library is just be instinctual and just go. You can't try and overthink things and try and overprosite because then you'll be slow to the play every single time. And our bell reached just what you see now out of him coming on this season and it looks like he's ready to take over what Cody's done. Is that kind of how you view it? I think he's going to be a great player right now. He's going to be a really good player next year. Obviously he's a physical specimen. Big guy fast and run can hit.

20:48I think the biggest thing is he's he took a huge leap this year in terms of like the mental part of the game. I think he has a grand understanding of the game. You know, be able to play my my client back. You got to be a smart football player and I think he took a huge jump in that part of the game. Thanks. We'll throw it to Texas and Scotty. We have two questions on zoom. Our first is going to come from Dan Hope from 11 warriors. Go ahead, Dan. Hey, sonny, you talked about how you guys prepared going into those first two games. How do you guys make sure you keep that same edge going into this fair game? Yeah, I mean, I think those days been doing a good job. Make sure there's no let off. You know, last two weeks, really don't matter if you lose this one. So we're not only focused on anything's happened to pass. It's a clean slate or just focus on being Texas. They've got a really good team. A really talented team and we know we've got to bring our best to be able to win that game. Our next question is going to come from Kurt Bowles from the Houston Chronicle. Kurt, go ahead. Morning, sonny. Good to see you. I was curious how you assess Texas off-mance and they've had their struggles in the running game.

21:53So they look like a team that's kind of pass heavy and leads into the past first and how would you evaluate that part of their game? I mean, I mean, you say they struggled to pass a few games of the running game, but I think they got a super explosive run game. If you watch the Clemson game, I think they put up almost 2050 rush hour or something like that. The third team that's capable of putting up around 50 points if you let them. I mean, we're deep enough short-rated players in an extremely talented offense on all three levels. I think the quarterbacks are great players. The running backs are very, very explosive. She was very explosive. They've got great tie-down, great online. So they're well-rounded offense. And you guys are big favorites in the game. Do you worry at all about overconfidence or complacency just because the way you've dominated the opposition so far? I don't think anything outside knows matters. I think there's things they said about us before we won those two games. And now they're thinking, set up about us after we won those two games and they'll think we might be different. And it really doesn't matter to us. We're just focused on the opinion inside the Woody. And we know we've got a brand-new egg in every single week. I mean, it's a really good team.

22:57It doesn't matter how it beat the last two teams. This is a whole completely different team. Thank you. That's all our questions on Zoom. All right. We'll go back to the local level here. Phil Rebenoins, Columbus Dispatch. You guys travel. Your fans travel very well, but obviously this game is in Dallas. Do you guys kind of thrive and like the playing front of hostile crowds? I think guys kind of like going in enemy territory sometimes. You know what feels good? Being a little bit of the villain you could say, but obviously you've got to take the fact that it isn't in Texas. So it could be a lot of environment. It could be like an away environment. We obviously know that. But it doesn't matter where you put the ball down. We're just going to come show up and play. And I think there's a staff that you guys, your opponents have not been called for a holding call since September or something like that. Is that something that you guys are aware of? And do you guys point out on the film?

23:57I didn't call that one. I didn't call that one. Yeah, we're aware of this. We don't pay attention to too much. So you guys just play. You already got too much to say about that. You got to just play through and just let your talent take over. Don't let it come down to a ref decision. Over here to the right, Austin Ward, the podcast. So I mean, it didn't feel like against Oregon that you guys had to blitz as much as you had in maybe some other games in the second half of the season. Why is that? What does it allow the linebackers to do when you don't have that responsibility? What made that a successful approach on Wednesday? Yeah, I think when you got as talented as guys, we do the front with those four guys up front. I mean, a four-man pressure is feeling like a six-man pressure to the quarterback. So you're able to drop out and be able to drop everyone else in the cover. So it makes it a lot easier on our defense when the defense align is just taking over like that. It's tough for an offense to do anything. We got four-man rush. Feel like a zero coming at you. And then you got everyone dropping into cover. It's kind of just shout over the field.

24:57So I mean, it definitely makes the defense a lot easier for everyone else when the defense aligns playing like that. Jim Knowles, you talked about this a little with having so many veteran players that you could make different game plans. You don't have to just be pigeon-hold into one thing. Does it feel when you get in there and you guys start game planning? Like they are very different for every opponent for you guys at this point? I don't know if I would say that. I think they keep it simple enough where guys aren't like confused when we're doing. I mean, it might look like that for the quarterback. We might be giving them different looks and things like that. But I don't think it's over-complicated at all. I mean, that might just be because we got a veteran defense as well. So it could be a little bit biased. But that's kind of the way it feels. It doesn't feel overly complicated when I got it. We'll go to Joey Coppen, Columbus, this way. So how do you think it's helped you guys to put Caleb down, drop down more into the box? Later, late in the season, I've been doing that.

25:59Seems like more, how does it help you guys? Yeah, I mean, I think both of our safeties have done a really good job dropping down in the box and coming down fast and running support. I mean, I think when you see guys coming from 12 yards and they're making tackles for two yards games, it's all that's pretty impressive. I mean, you saw late in the last game come from the weak side, boundary hash, about 10-12 yards. You come down and hit the dude at two yards and then Columbus knocked him out. So, I mean, both of our safeties are super impressive in the run game. So it definitely makes the health of the defense. Usually, when you're dropping the safety in, usually those are four yard runs, five yard runs. And where they're stopping for two yard runs, no yard runs. So it's super impressive and helps the defense out a lot. We'll go to Jeremy Birmingham, the podcast. So, how much does the defense structure only changed since the Oregon game in IndieG? Or is there some more of the loss of time that you guys just being more better in and knowing the defense better? Or has there been fundamental changes that have been made? Because it looks a lot different. Yeah, I mean, I think there's been some changes.

27:02But I think a lot of it's been a mentality of trying to be more aggressive. And we're just trying to... It's having an aggressive mindset. I think you've seen that in shows up on tape with the pressures, the TFLs and things like that. And I think we've gotten a lot better since the beginning of the year. And we've kind of improved on the issues that have shown up each week. Because the issues are always there. And I think we've improved on those really well. And then obviously, we look like completely different teams now. You've got a different aggressiveness from the coaching staff. So, it's not just coaching old individual position coaches like Coach Lawrence. But even from my day, like, as he been a different type of leader? I think he's been a great leader the whole year. I think after that team on Norfolk lost, we kind of hunkered down and say, Hey, we're going to get up and we're going to start swinging. And we're going to keep swinging as hard as we can. And see what happens at the end of the game. And this would have been doing the past two games and it's worked out pretty well. Next to Mick Walker, Letterman Row.

28:03So, you mentioned a great fight in earlier. What stands out to you about Gunner and Helm? And how do you kind of take out a guy that's such a focal point for all of us? I think he runs great routes. He has good hands. I think they set up some really nice plays for him. You see some of those plays where he kind of sneaks out of the protection and comes out wide open. I think the biggest thing that stands out is probably the routes in the hands. He's super impressive for a tight end. Obviously, he always been wearing where he's out on the field. And there's going to be some explosive play set up for him. Any other questions here? Tensley, quick one. Yeah, absolutely. Did you make Letterman Row? I'm sorry. Good minute eruption. Jerry. When you were in a nutshell, how would you describe him to someone? Because he seems even more effective when he kind of gets out of the pocket or moves around and stuff. So, Andy, what do you see when you think of him? I would say the capability of like early on the game, not him getting his routine.

29:03Like some of those routine throws, routine throws. They run the ball. And it's play action shot. 50 yards not field. Things like that. I think he's a super good job with that. Being able to sell the play action and pull the safety's up. And then hit you down, feel with the 60 yard bombs and like that. So I think that's the biggest thing that stands out to me on film. He's a super talented quarterback, super talented arm talent. He can get the ball on many different ways. But that's probably how I put it in the nutshell. He's just super talented player. He can make any throw on the field. Like you said, he can move around a little bit. I don't think people respect that enough of his legs. He can move around and extend the plays and hurt you down, feel. The guy he used to be in this building, at least for four or five months. I wasn't really here with him, but I don't think it's really odd. I played some former players before, but obviously he's a talented player. I think a lot of guys have a lot of respect for him. So it's just going to be a good match. I'm excited for it. We'll go to Bill Rebellion. It's Columbus Dispatch. Adam, the win will talk to you next. I'll ask you now. I'm sure it's the last thing you're going to buy.

30:04And we'll talk about, do you have any idea what you're going to do next year? Obviously, you can go to the NFL. Do you have any thoughts on that right now? No, I haven't thought about it at all. Just worry about winning. Scotty, that's it from Columbus for sunny styles. Any more on your end? No more on our end. Thank you, sunny. Thank you. OK. And then we went into the last game and still didn't quite know what the ramifications were everything that was going on based on who we had up front. And there was a lot of things that played into that game, but certainly one of them was we called this game more aggressively. There's no question about that. But also, I think we did some things in this game that maximize what we have in terms of our strengths and minimize our inefficiencies. Not that everything was perfect in this game, it wasn't. But I do think that, and I also thought Will was excellent in this game, played really well. You know, did a really good job of placing the ball and some big time throws.

31:06When he needed to make plays with his legs, he did. And certainly Jeremiah was dying to mind again. But Will was the leader. But we also had balance in this game. You know, it wasn't like it was just throwing it all over the place. You know, we did have balance. We had some good runs and those hit for us, which makes a big difference when you have that run pass balance that we're looking for. So, you know, this has got to continue. This has got to build momentum, you know, going into this next game. Over to the right, Dylan Davis. Dylan, where is that? Right. You dominated the first half. If you look up up the scoreboard, head to the halftime and you're only at 11. Would you feel like you let them off the hook a little bit? What was that conversation like at halftime going? You did dominate that half. I'll be it, you know, or more. Yeah, that's why we knew coming out in the second half. We had to win the next four to five minutes. And we did. And that really helped. Because you're right. You know, you can feel that way a little bit. But I say it all my all time coming in halftime. You're going to be up the honor. It's going to be tied. And so now we have to go win the next five minutes of the game, four minutes of the game. And, you know, they deferred. So they got the ball. So we had to get that stop we did and then we went down the score and that made a huge difference.

32:08But, but yeah, you know, I tell the guys all the time that, you know, in games like this, you got to have poise because there's ups and downs and you can't get caught up in that. But yeah, I mean, there was a point there where we have a chance to go up to 28-0 and we threw the interception, great play. And I like the call. I like how aggressively we were because that's part of it. When you're going to call the game aggressively something like this happens. You know, you have to do one to work, you know, live with it. But, but yeah, I mean, you have chances score right there and go 28-0 and the games, you know, pretty much in hand at that point. But they fought their way back in, but they're a good team. I mean, this is a very good SEC team that came up here and so we knew it wasn't an abeasing. Cameratee Robinson, the athletic. Right, and I know obviously the confidence for this group comes from the work you put in on a daily basis. But when you sit, you sit for weeks and you just obviously just want to get in the game, how important is it for you to have that first drive the way you guys did that to build confidence for the putter at that game? And just the execution, we've talked about that the last few weeks and some of the press conferences we've been in,

33:12I know you've heard us harp on execution, execution, execution because there's a lot of things coming out of that last game that, you know, we just look back on them. Like we just didn't execute very well. We didn't, you know, and certainly there are things that we needed to do better in terms of skiing. But we also didn't execute. I thought we, you know, for the most part, fielded the kicks better in this game. I thought, you know, we blocked better in this game. I thought we ran through contact better in this game and certainly we threw a cop better in this game. And that made a huge difference in it. But you're right, there was a confidence coming out of that first quarter because, you know, we're playing with a lot of energy. But even coming out of warm-ups, you can feel it. So it was, these guys wanted to play in this game and there was a confidence they got built through practice. And I thought we had a good game playing going in. I think the guys believed in it and that went a long way to get that first drive. Folks, I'm going to bring, have Jack Sawyer and Cody Simon go to the back two tables there to start their interviews.

34:12Then we're going to go ahead and continue with Coach Day, Bill Rebenweitz, Columbus Dispatch. Thank you, gentlemen. Either one of the back two tables. How you got through it and just how important this was because this was a season defining win to this point. What did you do to make sure that you guys were ready? Did that without the event standing off? Well, the first week was an identification of the issues. You don't just move on from the game. You have to identify what the issues are and have real conversations with the players, allow them to speak because they're vested in this. And then coaches have their two cents and you give it about a week and then you put a plan together on how we're going to move forward, how we're going to get these things fixed. And then you figure out what your opponent is. We found out it was Tennessee. And that's where the two weeks of work went. And they got about Wednesday of this week. You could tell these guys just wanted to get on the field.

35:14They had been a long lead up for us weeks. And it does, you know, to say it doesn't weigh on you. It does. You know, a lot of pride who we are. And these guys have a lot of pride. And these guys, they love each other and they're a great representation of Ohio State. And I'm glad that they were able to, you know, for the last game for those seniors to finish with the win. But they are not satisfied at all. I mean, they quickly are going to get their focus on Oregon, which is going to be a rematch for us, which is exciting and going into a great opportunity to go play in the Rose Bowl again. And so, yeah, I think it says a lot about who our guys are that we're able to respond like that in a big way. Dan Hope, 11 Warriors. Ryan, you talk a lot about leave no doubt. How important was it for you guys in the right terms of building momentum to not just win tonight, but two things no doubt. That's it. And even there were a couple of points in the game where, you know, there's some couple calls and, you know, different things where, you know, in the past when you have one of these games that comes down to the last play, you can look to those as game altering plays.

36:20But when you leave no doubt, you know, nobody will talk about those plays because we did. And there was a few opportunities in this game to do that very thing for a downstop. And, you know, there was again that those drives right there in the third quarter that I felt like allowed us an opportunity to pull away when the defense was getting stops. Over to the right, Stephen means Cleveland dot com. Ryan, you tell us during the week that we could see a rotation on the interior of your offensive line there. You just talk about the job Luke Montgomery did, but then also Austin's playing essentially two different positions in one game just evaluate the job he did going back and forth, depending on who was in the game. And I noticed the guards they're doing pretty well. I noticed Luke's energy toughness and edge. I got to watch the film and see how we did, but we blocked them much better in this game and they have a good front. I thought we got some of the gap schemes going some good double teams. It wasn't all perfect by any means, but it will have to continue to diversify going into the next game.

37:22I thought we at least focused on the things that these guys could do well and now we got to build on it. And they played with confidence. They played with energy. You can see after, you know, we scored a couple of touchdowns. I mean, they were they were jacked up and coming off the field with good energy and the leaders of that group certainly is not of injection Josh Friar. And great to see Carson play well. Look like anyways, from my point of view, watching the game on tablet that he played well. That allows us to have balance. And as you know, that's a huge part of it. Yeah, we'll have to look at it and see, but it seems healthy to me to get those guys involved in the game. We're going to go just a couple more questions for coach over to the left pat Murphy 24-7 sports. Brian, this week the defense talked about, you know, they had to win the game. They felt confident doing that. Obviously, you're often played the way it does so they don't have that much on their shoulders. Other than a couple of drives, they hold hold the port down their performance and just what they can build on from this. Well, they're playing with confidence and coming off the last game.

38:26I think they felt like, you know, we have to go win the game. But when the offense is playing to their potential, like they were today, then now it's complimentary and you can end up with a game like we did tonight. So you just never know. It could be like the Oregon game. It could be like, you know, the last game of the season. You just never know how those games are going to shake out. And we have to do whatever we can to win. We've talked about that before. Just win the game. So we got to win three more over to the right here. Spencer, Holbrook, Letterman, Ro. Ryan with Will, that first touchdown throw just seemed like it was just so on point. Yeah, he looked to be just kind of dealing tonight. Did you see anything different from him the last couple of weeks? Just because like down field, he looked better. He just looked more concise almost at every time. Yeah, I thought his footwork was good. I thought that we worked hard on some of those throws. And he had a few of those right on the money. Yeah, the fade ball and the goal ball were really well done. I thought the levels ball to Carnell was really, really well thrown ball. Probably missing a few others.

39:29But yeah, he was he was accurate today. And you know, a big thing for Will is his footwork. When his foot works on point. And when he's seeing things well, you know, he's as good as anybody in the country. Folks, we just sent Donovan Jackson to the back of the room as well. And this will be the last question for coach, Dave Scott darker men, the athletic. Yeah, Ryan, I wanted to ask you just kind of a big picture about the big 10 and what kind of this the season maybe looks like when you have three. Teams advance into the quarter finals and from a big picture perspective. What was this first year like playing in the big 10 and how good are these teams that are in the tournament? Well, I think. You know, the big 10 has great football. I think that, you know, we play nine conference games. So we beat each other up sometimes. But when you have an opportunity like this against a very good SEC team, you know, we. We know how important that is for the conference and you know, great to see some of the other teams in the league representing well because it is a great conference and a very difficult conference.

40:37Coach, thank you very much. We're going to open up. I guess more just like confident and like set. I'm going to be able to do the job. Ninety different. Ninety different from my first year and my second year to now. Like now my guy, I know I can play and I know I can go to one of the best. I'm ready with Max. Anybody else that we want to play this year and I know what I can do. So all I can do now is actually meet my potential and I should do it and help everybody else out on the team as well. You've practiced a lot against Malcolm and he's really coming to his own. What is it about Malcolm that's helped him make that next step there? Malcolm, he's quiet. He doesn't really say too much. He comes to work every day. Louis does and he works hard. He doesn't like twice or anything. Yet he'll get mad over cold red spells at the same time. Like he hasn't been tired of at all. Like he doesn't really care what you're doing. He's our anybody else name, so it's like, alright, keep going. That's how everybody is on the team. How about Ty Reed, two together, same mindset?

41:38He doesn't have the same mindset. He's like a little bit nervous. No, he is not. He is not my friend, but from this like first year here and so now, it's he has. He's just laying down. He's grown up a lot mentally, so. Looks like you guys are reimagining the offensive line with you out there right side. Arm there next to you on that side too and then drafting guys on the line. How exciting is that to be part of something that's kind of being, you know, having that trust but also being reinvented a little bit? I was very, you know, but me and Dylan knows they're going to keep placing us in worse. But all the same time, we got to keep going. We can't just really think about what they did, what we got to do is we can't really do it. We better work the same. So I'm going to put a lot of them on the left side of this and I don't know where they're going to look before. How well do you guys work together? We've worked pretty well. I guess they're interested. We had like a little rookie moment a little bit. But, you know, as big great friends, you know, I've true them like my brother.

42:41And I always will, you know, we talk every day about how can we do better, how can we help each other on the right side so we can actually make a connection. You guys play like Friday game. Do you think of that? What do you think about the other self-playing, like the win-see Christmas home? I guess you guys first. I don't really care about that. It's time to put it to me. I'm good. I just think of the challenge. I think all these attributes, they got all these things, but can they get past me though? Can they beat me though? So every day, just working on that. Just getting better and better. Have you ever used any of the strong, mixed, jippie, strong, and fast-paced? Yeah, that's my dog. We came in together and just like talking to each other about the process, especially when my coach Friday left. And I was like, you know, when we're going to do you and me and then we just start doing it. And then me and him now, I just talked to them every day. That's my bully and working on different things because he's at the left. I'm at the right scene. Things with different point of view.

43:42So it was great. How's the transition going for you? I was going to be amazing. I feel every day get better and better. Going against the best every day. So you have to be on your A game and going to get to do like CJ. That's my bully. Just getting better and better and transition. So, you know, four or six weeks ago, it was still quite a lot more halfway from home. So this has been pretty good. You started four games last period. So what are you kind of thinking to do with any of the members of those games? I think, like, for my role, I think I did just enough. Like as a person, I am now. If I was a person, I feel like I would have been laid better. But just going into that role, helping that's helping Minnesota do what we got to do. I did just enough but there's always, I could always do, there's always room for equipment. Where did you see the team? What's specific about the pre-modern? Pass, pro, and my first steps. Working on those things. I had the lift, I had the power.

44:42I just, I was all over the place and just every, I feel like every game I was understanding how the game worked and how to attack, how to be passive, how to work together as an online unit and not just be by myself. What did you mention the first step? What about that first step? Really just make sure I feel powerful out of my stance. That was the one big thing I had to work on and especially at my last school, working on my stance, making sure I can push off and like gain ground and I felt like sometimes I wasn't doing that. Even when you mentioned that he had to lose 30 pounds and he got here, did you have to chance from your body at all? Definitely. I was 320 coming in and I played at 320 I felt great. And they told me they wanted me to go down to 315 and I was like, nah, I want to do that. I got 315. I started running. They started putting me on the meal plan. They started doing all this. I'm like, oh, hold on, I see the vision. I was like, yeah, I definitely chose for my body. My arm is steadily getting bigger.

45:44Weight room is going to amazing. I'm growing every day. It's hard every day but I love it though. I'm getting worked after practice. I'm going to go to the weight room. I'm cooked but I can see the results and see the gains. What is it like you leave a place? You know you're probably breaking some people's hearts back there and stuff that describe what it's like to make a move like this. You know what I mean? And basically the midst of a college career. What were you seeking for the event? It was definitely a big move. What was I seeking? The development with knowing I wanted to go and get some of the best dudes every day and coming here I'll be able to do that. Just a training program in the culture here. It's summer. Minnesota so it was definitely a easy merge. You had said you were going to have to go to the gym. You hadn't really thought about Ohio State being an option. When did the portal house, quickly did the sort of emerge?

46:44What do you remember about just what was there for you? I remember Coach Fry calling me when I hit the portal. He was one of the first people to hit me up. I was going to go home anyways because I was going to go to my mom's house because I fasted. When I hit the portal, it made me feel like I was going to go home with my family and just talk about it. My cousin and I were like you're already an hour and a half away so you might as well just see what's up up there. They saw an interest and I was like, you know what I'm going to do. You mentioned the transition from Fry to Tyler Bowen just wasn't playing for both of them. I don't really know too much about Coach Fry, just a little bit. But what I was in here, I definitely saw dudes definitely develop. I can see it on tape. Not necessarily really see that practice, but with Coach Bowen every day. Just improving and he's just always telling me things. Little things I don't even notice that I need to work on. Especially with Coach Johnson and Coach Dickey.

47:44Having those three in the room is probably the best thing ever for me. Last year helped a lot. You know, just being in Nolzinski was pretty complex and understanding both and playing both has really helped me. So yeah, I'm just trying to do whatever I can to learn both and just fit wherever I'm needed. The map of Trisha has talked a lot about already how he likes to do guys around and adjust things to the strength of his players. Can you spout on that a little bit? Yeah, man. I mean, we just, we've got a lot of players that can do a lot of things and you know, you got two of the most versatile linebackers. And you got CJ too. So I mean, you've got Sunny who's probably the best, you know, past the Fending linebacker I know and then you got Art Vel who's elite off the edge and can do literally everything on the field. And then I feel like I'm pretty good in the box and can we all have got our strengths and we're just trying to make each other better. So I think, you know, whatever happens, happens and we've got guys who are able to play anything. It's been like two weeks, what are your thoughts on the Pritzper Trisha?

48:46So far. Man, I really like Coach Patricia a lot. He's a big, you know, it's what can he do for you? Not what can you do for him? And he's role, you know, he's just trying to serve and help. And I've learned so much football and this past two weeks more than I've, you know, learned in my whole lifetime. So it's been, it's been great having him and he's a good coach and he teaches and he's talking to me on the mic, telling me what I see and stuff. And it's just, I feel like I'm getting a lot smarter and processing things a lot faster. That's the difference for you coming out of, you know, last year with the injury and everything. What it has been like to eat with feet under you and kind of get over the building? I mean, it feels good. I was kind of just throwing right into it and fall camp and I thought I did a pretty well job, you know, just kind of getting thrown into the fire. But you know, now after coming back this year and just things are, things click a lot, a lot easier in this. And I feel like this defense is everyone's clicking and I'm just, I'm really studying as

49:46much as I can. I mean, I just live up here all day and you know, it's great having sunny and then just, even like a guy like Cody last year, just the level of preparation he had every single day was unlike I've ever seen anyone. He knew what everybody was doing every single play. So that's what I'm just trying to have trust in the coaches that I can, I know what's going on at all times so I can go in there and do my job. What feels different about this defense is to go to the pressure running. You picked up on that with nuance wise. What do you, what do you sense you feel a little bit different? I think he's just, he's big into playing the player's strengths. Like if I'm better at this, he's going to put me in this position. If I'm better at this, he's going to put me more in this position and just slow bit of that. I mean, we haven't really done much. It's only been two weeks, but guys are playing to their strengths and just getting better. I mean, that's just, and we're doing a lot of fundamentals stuff, not too much scheme. Just, you know, working on tackling, getting off blocks, being successful, mentality, stuff like that. Riley and Max did it. We got, we got, we got, we got opening.

50:47He noticed two coach Laura Minus over years to change a little bit and it's teaching. Where have you been calling those actual? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I would say, Ryan, he's the best linebacker coach in the country. I mean, he knows everything about it, especially with Patricia being in the NFL. He's definitely, you know, he knows it all and stuff. So he's done good, man. It was kind of hard for him. I think it was a little hard, you know, because he was kind of just thrown in. Like, I was just thrown in the mix. He was trying to give me as many reps as I could get in the Fall camp. And I'm really grateful for that. I mean, it was hard for me. You know, when Fall camp kind of ended, my reps really, you know, cut down, but he did a good job of, you know, keeping me with the defense and watching all the plays and stuff and just talking me through everything. And, you know, we built a great relationship and I couldn't be more grateful to have him as my coach. How did you think you handled last question? If we had thrown in the fire like that, were there any moments where you thought to yourself,

51:47like, I'm not ready for this. Did you feel pretty good? I felt pretty good. I mean, I, like I said, wrestling, you kind of get full. It was just a little bit of fire. And so, I think it was just a little bit of that. I think the really the hard part for me was just, you know, just consistently waking up every day and doing it, the mental side of it. Especially, I mean, you just don't know a lot of stuff. I mean, you hadn't never done it before, but I wouldn't say the physical stuff was hard. I mean, I mean, obviously it was hard, but, you know, growing up wrestling and, you know, having older brother beat up on you a little bit, it went too bad. Did you see the hitry kick? It seemed like you picked up more special teams with responsibilities, especially in the playoff. It's like your snapcats at least were higher for you. Doing more by that one this season, I think, hit the curve a little bit more. Yeah, 100%. I mean, I was kind of on all four phases just trying to do my job and just show I'm accountable every week and just, I mean, you know, guys will go down and stuff and step enough and, you know, being on kickoff and kick return and get some power turn reps and even some hot reps.

52:50And I was, you know, I was really grateful to have those, you know, just being, even just being in the games and the playoff games, you know, seeing the stadium and being on the field and having the responsibility. Thank you. You made a lot that they were willing to put me out there and they trusted me enough to do my job. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. I was really just watching it because I mean, we played the very lost games this past year on a part of the field rules from like 62 yards. So like, I was watching the game with more of a span. But yeah, I mean, the things that Coach Day does in the top end and Coach Ryan does, I feel like really fit my type of field and my best player. You know, where I was coming from in case day, it was a very long heavy offense, especially for everyone heavy, which I was very happy to do and didn't want to do any of the whole game.

53:51I'm excited here to where I feel like it's more of a, you know, where I can be that pocket passer and also use my legs when I need to. You know, I feel like my strength is doing my own thing. But I also feel like I can do really good things in the life, obviously being in quarterback you need to make those players much more of a need on them. How much do you get to work at it? If it's easy for a past year obviously, I'm not going to have to do that. I'm not sure that it's easy for a past year. But I'm just going to have to play with these guys and probably lose these days without having a huge impact on it. You know, I love my guys at K-State and I have nothing bad to say about them, but I mean, the talent here is unbelievable. Just being around the guys and the thing that's impressed me the most about, especially the receiver room, is how driven, how much they want to work. I don't have to go out there and beg these guys to go catch. I mean, they're already out here catching on the jugs when I come out to throw.

54:51They're incredibly hardworking all across the room. We got dudes like Carnell and Brandon and Ernest and obviously Mecca and all those guys. I mean, that's just the tip of the ice. There's so much talent in that room and being able to throw to guys like that makes my job a lot easier. First of all, you're a jerk at Jair Basque, man. Dude, he's a dude, man. I haven't gotten to talk to him that much yet, just because we've been in different groups and we've been in different groups. I mean, I'm just letting him stuff. But man, he's a specimen. I mean, that dude is a freak show when he comes to physical. I mean, he is, I'm excited to see him on the field and invite him to be able to come. I feel like the resounding thing that I heard from these NFL guys and from people around the league was need to play more and we need to see more high level play.

55:52And I feel like, you know, I played a lot of football in my time at K-State, but, you know, I only had one year where I was really the true starter and where I played, you know, the whole year. The most part I was a backup filling in and I felt like, you know, there's a bunch of statistics and things that they look at. You know, I was on the very lowest end of like, you know, the amount of yards that you're supposed to throw for. You know, you look at the success stories versus the failure stories. And there was just so many signs of a point in becoming back. And really in my heart, and that was at the end of the day, I mean, it was up to me, it was my gut. And I felt like I just wasn't ready to leave college yet. I go for a more, I want to go to a competition moment. I think it was kind of a big, well-hospital, I'm not going to be in the top of the competition. Absolutely. And I mean, the biggest thing was I felt like I could come compete here to win a national championship.

56:52And that above anything else was one of the most important things. And I felt like I just had more, I want to go to college and I wasn't going yet. And that was, I think, what really drew me here. Obviously, you know, getting to the next level and, you know, playing in an offense like this, I think is really going to prepare me for that next level and give me the best shot. And that's all I just really shoulder on the cake, you know, for me. You're number two. Yeah, I mean, we definitely talked about it. You know, we're all here to compete and we're all here to, you know, help the buck guys win. That's all we're here for. That was made evident when I came on my visit. And, you know, the thing that I'm the most fired up about is how good the dudes in the room are and how good they've been to me.

57:53You know, they could have believed me. I've been in a situation where we brought in an older trans, a kid. And, you know, they could have been mad and not taught me and helped me out. But I mean, Devon and Lincoln, the guys that have been around, they've really helped us a lot. Especially us three new guys. And, you know, I know I'm older and I've done things, but still just learning a new system learning, you know, how we do things a little bit. Just everything's a little different. So I'm so thankful for those guys that they've just, I mean, they've helped me so much. Just getting, getting accustomed to, you know, being in this building. Really good dudes, really good kids. And, really talented too. I mean, they can both spin the ball really well. You know, they're young and they, you know, they know they got a lot to learn and so do I. You know, I'm right there helping me, you know, I think we're all trying to learn this together, even, you know, approach over high in a little bit.

58:55And, we're hitting the ground running. You know, it's exciting. Those two guys are special, especially in the panel. Do you want to make sure I have a right here? You didn't, you didn't, you didn't. You have a possibility to go to the hands of a group. It's hard to say. I would probably say the draft would have been my, you know, I was talking to some other schools, you know, Miami and USC were in there in the mix. But it was really, I would say here in the draft at the end of it. You know, there was a lot of different things that went into it. It was a long, hard process, but, yeah, I would say, I mean, that was probably the most likely. When you first thought you spoke to about the weight of the rack and the console. I mean, I didn't think it was going to be a slime. How did the conversation with Bob and Max and the main console come? I mean, nothing, nothing crazy, you know, it was just... Oh, thank you. I appreciate that.

59:56I'm not a spider fan. Who really, yeah, I'm sure. I don't get that. I appreciate it. Yeah, there you go, a little sidetrack. But, no, I, what was the question again? I'm sorry. Spider controversy. What's up? Yeah, it's how the competition hall went. Yeah, no, it was... I mean, it wasn't really anything crazy, I would say. You know, I just, you know, nothing really changed. It was really kind of, you know, they were kind of holding me off a little bit. Until after that game, just in fairness. You know, I was, I was patient and, and, and, way to my time. And, you know, it all worked out. It comes to you now. I know you just kind of make the question. It's hard to tell. I don't really know. It was a world-wind of a process. You know, I started hearing initially they might be interested, but I hadn't really heard anything directly.

1:00:58And then, you know, really getting in, like, I really started to feel that interest. Did Coach Day let you know there's a change coming? Is it a good core-sider? A little bit. Yeah, I kind of figured that. I didn't know for sure, but he kind of hinted at it. And, you know, he, his point was, you know, it's in the best interest to him and the team. I was all in. I completely understood, you know, the decision and why he did it. You're talking about what this, like, defense, about your being, considering other scenarios. Yeah, I mean, there were a lot of things that were said. You know, a lot of things that, you know, were attractive to me about this offense and about what he kind of thought about my name, and how he thought he could, you know, elevate me to where I wanted to be. And, you know, I feel like one of the biggest things was how pro-style the offense is.

1:01:58And, you know, a lot of these other schools that I was looking at, you know, maybe these air raid types of schools. I mean, they got great offenses, and you know, I could put up a lot of numbers, but I don't know how much that would develop me to be out of it. And, I'm playing in a system that coached Ryan, which is a music video, I don't know how much. How much better can you prepare for the NFL than with somebody who's coached at a head coach level and an important head level at the NFL? You know, there's just all the things pointed to it. You're going to come to say part of the screen, or that I'm going to show you a few years ago, and that's how we're trying to get her hold on to her team. I kind of wanted to look back at the regulations, but I just didn't really have to, and obviously, you know, for some reason, it's not important. Just, how did you say ready and prepared? You know, you adopted and carried off the field, so you're going to say no. I can say ready and prepared.

1:02:58Those moments are how you know they know. They know you're just going to have adversity in the back of this team. It's roughly the night, sorry, the night again. But, prepare is the thing they call the calendar. Be understanding a new twist, or why he called it how we did. And it's been great for the Titans. I'll leave it at that, not to get too much in the scheme, but we've definitely benefited, and me personally, learning every day. Do you look at the, I guess, the most of the experience for you, is that you need to coach, prepare to other years, the emergency intensity, the tuck-in shirt talk, you know. Yeah, I think, you know, awesome, that's a great question. I hope not, right? I think the energy was still there with a guy like Kate. Now, again, it might have been, like I said earlier, also it might have been, you know, the 3000 level course with Kate, because he's ran that play for four years before I got him. Right now, it still might be the, what do I got to do? And yeah, I mean, I hope the guys feel that the energy's picked up, because the urgency has, I mean, eight number eights, not in the room anymore. Great, we're gonna play somebody in a couple months, right?

1:03:59And there's gotta be a tie-down out there. Hopefully it's two, hopefully three tie-downs out there. So hopefully they feel the urgency's picked up. I believe the roof is structured, but she's been in the spring for a long time. But it felt like year after year, it was fun. The better guy, the next one, the better guy, the next one, that's the thing, the better guy that's right now. Is that the, you have to provide full leadership for the guys, you know, the, is that after the goal? Is it just a goal? Is that just a G's job, even if it's not going to work? Yeah, I don't know, I'm not gonna put it all on G, right? But again, the leaders drive the culture. Now, whether it be G or whether it be Pat, and he's been here for a long time and played a lot of football, or whether it be Will came in and say, no, this is what it should look like. I mean, I want those guys to take it around with it. You know, on Saturdays, I'm in the box. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not cutting off the C gap. It's gotta come from them. Now, again, my job is a coach. It's to make them hear things they don't want to hear. You know, pushing to do things they don't want to do. So, I'm certainly gonna do that at times, and I'll keep doing it. But they've done a great job of driving the culture. Keenan, you were in the room with Kevin. Was in the offensive meeting room for so many years.

1:05:00Does, does having Chip kind of get you guys back to where you guys were with Kevin? I know that the room has an offensive staff. You guys were kind of young last year, and now to have Chip with that experience, is that kind of like what you guys have with Kevin? You know, some similarities. I think the comparison is that we're talking about Kevin Wilson and Chip Kelly, are two of the brightest, you know, minds and offensive football in the last several decades. So, I think there's some similarities there. But yeah, I think it's a loud one coach day, maybe to delegate, you know, to Coach Kelly, and let him be the best version of himself. And Coach Kelly's been an awesome leader, right, of driving us and listening and providing input. So, it's been great. I don't know if it's exactly like it was with Coach Wilson, but it feels great, however, it is right now. Can it initially a bigger role, expected for Jolani in the cotton bowl, and that that not get to come to fruition as much as the way that game played out here? You know, I don't remember exactly what, you know, the expectation was he was going to help contribute. And certainly we wanted him to contribute from the jump and keep him in there contributing.

1:06:00The game kind of started off, you know, not ideal. And we had Kate in there, and you know, that was his last game as a buck guy. So, we felt comfortable riding out with him, but I think Jolani and everyone else is kind of focused going forward. Did you guys seem to find during the bull prep that was a step forward at all? Yeah, oh yeah. Yeah, he definitely takes that forward for sure. If you are painting an ideal situation football, what does the depth look like in terms of how many guys you trust? I think I got six seats in there, so six of the toughest dudes on the team. I'm not sure I'm just giving you the coach speak, but I mean, however, it shakes out. Hopefully we could play 13-14 personnel. And I got guys out there that are going to go risk them having. But I don't know. They're going to make that sort of out. Right now, I'm worried about whatever Thursday's practice, the toughest dudes on the field. Are you seeing enough of that to feel comfortable saying that that can happen by playing? Yeah, yeah. I mean, we're taking strides. We'll see about the end of spring, and then hopefully fall camp.

1:07:00It's a long ways away from wherever we play with you. Keen, what's happened? The action's been great. It's been great. A pump return and kick return. And again, the coach, other positions too, right? I mean, I mean, special teams comes down to technique and effort. And that's the ultimate test of the brotherhood. And no one signed up to be a buck out of me on pump return. I'm going to be first round this, first round that. So it's been awesome getting involved in that. What do you think about it? The only thing that you look at is the best about your own management. Oh, yeah. We're working quite a few guys back there. We got some options. So, yeah, we're fine. You guys were thinking about putting some on you, and maybe having bigger wheels. And then, what is he giving you guys out of the technique that you need to do? I mean, he had more time, right? Just because we have that whole month of December for development. And the bull press, a lot like Spring Ball, and that he has those three or four weeks to get the reps. He wasn't getting during the year because Keen was taking it. Right? He was always on the cheek. I think good.

1:08:06I think it just shows that, you know, next man in, we trust he fully could go. No one bad at the night. It was G. Then it was Pat. Period. We call their offense. There's no modified offense or anything like that. So to put our trust in him, he went out and made a lot of plays. And both of this gets played really well. I think that helps the confidence for him and Austin. Really good. Keen, when you look at G now, do you, and this would be a prestigious question maybe, do you see a tie-down now? You're still when I'm saying from a couple years ago. A few years ago, he was, you know, he moved over from wide receiver and all this kind of stuff. What just jumped out at you about what he brings with the tie-down spot against? Yeah, I know what you're asking too. I promise you, I never, like, he's in the tie-down room. I didn't say, oh, but he's a receiver playing tie-down. He's a tie-down. So he's going to be greater like a tie-down, and treated like it. So I never really, But like Keen, talk about when the, you know, he made the move. You want to get this guy some confidence, play and tie it in, meaning, I'm not going to say he gets lesser opponents, but having some success out there, you know, like in the run game, the blocking aspect of things and stuff.

1:09:07And he seems to progress a big time from that. I mean, do you feel that way too? Oh, yeah. He's gotten way better. And again, that practice, he's on the left side, he's against JT, he's on the right side, he's against Shaq. So I mean, there's no, this is Ohio State. You're playing against the best every day. So he's definitely progressed. Do you think that elaborate effort you guys having a special team? Do you think that's benefiting you guys in terms of just how you're approaching that day? Yeah, I think so. Dan, as far as ownership goes, right? I mean, I'm not saying I wasn't invested last year, but shoot, I'm a pumper-turner-kigger-turner. I mean, that's Coach Hartlan and I's product out there. And if there's not tie-dens all over those units, and they're not going to play tie-dens in Ohio State, and I bet you Hartlan feels the same way about the receiver. So as far as the buy-in from the staff, heck, yeah. For me, at least, speaking for myself. When Coach stayed broke that up, what did you think about that change? And number two, what has he told you he wants that he wasn't getting from a special team to a year ago? No, he never told me anything about last year. It was all about, okay, how can we be? This is, again, Ohio State. Yeah. Whatever the janitorial staff

1:10:07supposed to be the best in the country, the tie-dens coach better be the best tie-dens in the country. Same thing with quarterback, same thing with pumper-turn coach. On the pumper-turn coach, I should be the best one in the country. So I got to work with Coach Hartlan and Coach Kees and everyone else learning this game. And techniques. And now we got to put on the fields. You find yourself studying pumper-turn or like NFL teams and things like that. I mean, how are you doing your prep work? Oh, yeah. Yeah, Coach Hart, Coach Kees. Thanks, Gunner. I mean, we bought to ourselves in a room for a week there. I don't think I did any offense. So, how are you? You already have pretty good knowledge of the turn game or the position you have to start from the scratch. No, yeah. There's no starting from scratch, Dan. I mean, it's all ball. And that's the coolest thing about special teams is if you're on special teams, it's going to make you better, Ty Dan. It's going to make you a better DB. You're running back. And it's like the technique and everything like that. I think I had pretty fair foundation. And then maybe some tweaks. And, you know, we have to decide what our identity is going this season. Can we talk about what happened to you? Maybe we'll see. Later, we go. What's the deal? What trust is you? I guess what kind of trust is that?

1:11:10Yeah, I think he proved it on special teams. Because he played on special teams. Before we played offense. And then just reps that practice again against blocking the best linebackers in the country. It doesn't matter if you're a five star or if you're a walk on. But to that point, I think sometimes there's a mentality of what he's just a walk on. That does not exist with Pat. It's went out the window to start a, once you start a plan. Is that how the coach here, the tall guys, the leaders of the guy, almost 1130? Is that how they start? Oh, yeah. Is that helping you? Oh, yeah. They know. I think everyone in my room knows. And you know, guys I talked to on the recruiting trail. Kate went down and there was G and then Pat was right in. I didn't have that in I. I'm going to put the toughest dude out there who goes to hardest. Right? I don't care if you're from Ohio, your dad's a buck guy. If you're a walk on or a five star. Whatever should help us win, you know? We can marry in fans. Not here yet. You still work with them? How does that work right now? Yeah, we can.

1:12:10I mean, with Max and Toe, it's FaceTime and it's encouraging them to get here and watch practice so that when they get here, right after graduation, we can hit the ground running. But yeah, it's much prep work as we can do on the front end with, you know, setting them tip sheets and that's what I think. We'll technology nowadays. I mean, COVID, we had to do it. So yeah, we can get to work right now. Two more questions folks with the special teams question. The collaboration that you guys have is three people in one room. Like how does that work semantically where you guys are all putting your heads together to get one idea? Just how does that play out in the room together? Yeah, I mean, luckily, I mean, it's Coach Hart and I. I mean, that guy, we worked, we're seeing each other every day for the last eight years and luckily, I worked for years with him. So that's so organic. Hart and I just kind of bounce each other, thoughts off each other. We can read each other's minds by now. I think that's how close we are. So this is really organic in there and then Coach Keys does a great job of kind of setting the direction, giving us some expertise and we just kind of have a flow off each other. Okay. I've seen the guys react to that. So you're coaching the special teams. Yeah, I think they like it because the accountability, again, if my tight ends aren't on

1:13:13a tournament territory, they're not playing tight end and they know that. So I think across the board, it gives us a platform to coach other positions. In a time when Trent Transport is so big and the guy like G probably could have left multiple times if he wanted to, what does that do for the room? To have a guy who's a leader, just so step that's like, I want to stay here, I want to stay here and make an impact just to go through the future. Yeah, I think it speaks volumes. You hit the nail on the head, not just for G, but for the brotherhood. I know it sounds cliche and people read it on Twitter and kind of roll their eyes to brotherhood. Why did they think the entire defense came back for the brotherhood? We got two goals here. We haven't done them since she's been here. He hasn't hit his two goals, so he stayed for the brotherhood. So I think it speaks volumes for G as a leader in the room. But also, I mean, you look around a roster, how many guys could have either left for other opportunities in the portal or in the NFL. So I think it speaks volumes to the brotherhood. Is it different at tight end with the transfer portal maybe because for some positions, it's such a development position at tight end where you have to develop run blocking and you have to learn the passing game. Is it different trying to keep kids around maybe in the portal area at tight end?

1:14:13Yeah, maybe it is. And I haven't really thought about that because it's still so new. I think you've got to be so honest in recruiting, right? If you think I'm going to walk into a living room and say, come be my starting tight end, I sure you're crazy. You're crazy. Now, come prepared and get to work before you get here. And I'm going to give you the opportunity to. Again, I do a question earlier. I don't care if it's a senior or a true freshman. If you could play, you could play period. I can't wait. Give me a true freshman. You could play tight end. It's the Ohio State. You got to block Jack and JT. And then your dog tired next play, you're getting covered by Downs and Lathen and all those guys. Are you kidding me? Is this NFL? No, it's Ohio State, right? So yeah, I think it's a little bit different, but you've got to be honest on the front end. I'm kidding. Thank you very much. Awesome. Thanks, guys. Thanks, coach. You know, the games are done. So I think that, you know, I definitely probably was in the back of my mind, you know, knew I was going to come back regardless. So, like I said, that just sort of been tough on me to leave this year. And with the opportunity we got, you know, you only got one more chance left to, you

1:15:17know, to go do something that not many people get to do in their lives. So we're in a blessed position. I just think that I was putting good positions. Just kind of let, you know, let loose. We're not there in play ball. Like I know how to. And, you know, my teammates played great too. And coaches called it the game defensively. I mean, you know, did we give a 14 total points or a 17, 14? I mean, 14 gets a good offense like that. Great team. I mean, that's a good day. So obviously we didn't get the results we wanted, which is frustrating again, but it's a whole different story. But yeah, I mean, I just think it was, it was collectively a good day on defense. And I happen to be fortunate to be in position, make some good plays. You know, be the type of, obviously, you've been in a good conversation. You guys have played well, but nothing really happened. The most I've done, I always necessarily meant weird. You kind of had all that, you know, it's all started.

1:16:18Can you feel when we're in a groove like that when you give up? Yeah, I think I felt like I was in a group probably the whole second half of the season. I felt like myself again, and I was just out there playing and having fun with my teammates. And, you know, I think that, you know, when you come here and you expect to hit the field in it to be a certain way, you know, it's hard to get over that for a little bit. And I think you can look at kind of all of us on the D line as a front. We all kind of had our own journey to how we're playing right now. And now it's all about building and not looking back and playing how we know how to play and being confident out there and using our abilities that God's gave us. So I think that this whole next year, you know, we're just going to see a whole different level of play from all of us. I know you're trying to keep it up, but you. And that'd be kind of a launch for you in terms of what you're maybe capable of. You're in a future of it. You're just going to be as you miss it. Yeah, you know, I've knew all along what I was capable of. And, you know, it was frustrating the first few years, you know, not being able to, you know, not playing for whatever reason on the field.

1:17:20So what I was capable of, but, you know, once you just put that stuff to the side, just got there and play ball. You know how it's just going to take care of itself. You're doing. Did, uh, you're playing on the D line? Use the term, building. Don't tell what issues. I've got like an emphasis of not focusing on the little things, kind of owning it on that stuff. And you guys know you're on the talent list. And what is it for you to support in the future? Yeah, you know, I think you said it. You know, there's no talent issues here on this team. Uh, you know, I think if you look at our team across the board, probably one of the most talented teams in the country. It's not the most talented team in the country. Uh, so, you know, that's God given though. And uh, what we can work on is our discipline, our skill, our technique. I think if we become the most, you know, disciplined and sound team technique wise, there's not going to be a team of countries to help us. Uh, but it's, you know, it's a long process to get to that point and to get to that season. So I just think that when Coach Day talks about that, you know, it's true. Uh, we've got the talent. Just got to go out there and work every day on the little things. What are you specifically working on this spring?

1:18:20You know, I'm working on a flexibility. You know, I'm working on bending the corner a little bit in, uh, hands. And it's at D line, you can kind of improve on everything. And so Coach Johnson's emphasis is just, you know, just taking care of the little things, hands, hips, uh, foot placement. So it's kind of a little bit everything in the spring. There's a lot to be excited for, especially all the guys coming back on defense. But how excited are you to play again with JT? Oh, I'm really excited about that. You know, it was cool, really cool. I mean, him going back and forth the whole time to side. And we're going to come back or not. Uh, and you know, when we, you know, I kind of knew, I knew before you guys knew when he was coming back. So, you know, I was excited. I was, you know, a hell of a player and, uh, you know, a really good friend of mine. So just having another year with him and, you know, if I'm going to enjoy it and, you know, hopefully have some fun. You know, we can have a comfortable next nice wall. Even going back to your recruitment. You know, the first guy to come in and let's recruit the class. You guys are over for barbecues in your house. What was it like, I guess, to see a kind of comfortable circle in a way that you could kind of almost leverage that relationship.

1:19:20And you could recruit guys to come back into the pool and run back on the run. Yeah, you know, it's unique. You know, I think it's a really unique position. Um, that great group of guys coming back, man. I mean, you know, it's just so exciting. And I just wanted to, you know, for me, you know, and at the same thing, same thing for those guys. How much they care about this program and care about the team and coach day and, and guys you want to do it for in the city and, uh, you know, the chance. We all knew that, you know, we had great opportunities going in the field. And, uh, we also have a great opportunity to put another one of those banners up here. And, uh, you know, get some revenge on, you know, the guys up north, all that stuff. So, um, you know, when you put in a nutshell, you know, it was a really simple decision for a lot of us. Um, and, uh, you know, we thank God for being in this position and coming back. You know, I don't think anyone's regretted it. And we're just really excited to, you know, just get back on the chase and, and, uh, you know, not miss a day. Jack, we take a wide view of the defense with the additions made.

1:20:22You know, you're going to be able to come again and now you see sunny, blue, pulsar, line of scrimmage. You just, you have an opportunity to like look at what's out there. How does it change the capability of your defense? Last week, how can it change the way maybe you deploy that you couldn't do a year ago? Yeah, I mean, you look at our, you look at the defense. One of the very, like, damn, we're big. You know, corner, we're big, line back, we're big, D line, we're big, safe through, we're big, fast. You know, we're just, it's, you know, we're just got a lot of, a lot of weapons to say the least. And so, you know, when you got, when you know you got those guys behind you, you know, you just make you play, play so much more free up front. And, you know, you, you're dependent. You can rely on those guys behind you. And I think that, you know, if we take that approach and everywhere on the field, offense too, that, you know, we're going to have really fun here. Jack, thank you very much. We're going to be combo because like, you know, we're obviously, we're doing a lot as a group. It's not just chip and I. So, but, you know, obviously, chip has an image and a view on things that I never had.

1:21:23So, to have that experience and to have that viewpoint, I'm just trying to absorb as much as I can. But then also highlight some things that we've really done a good job of and make sure those, you know, nothing's really changing. We're just trying to enhance. We're not changing. We're enhancing. So, where the things fit is perfect. You know, I think, you know, the rest of the dynamics of the chip can talk about, but it's been, it's been awesome. So, I'm excited about it. You talk about it. You talk about it. You talk to a mech at just not moving from slot to outside. You know how good you think in the slot. Is that a difficult move for you guys as coaches to know how good a guy is in one spot, but know that maybe for his long term future and the. No, I wouldn't say it's anything on his future because he's capable of doing whatever you want to get done, but I'd say that it says more about the room. I think it's the growth of, you know, Brandon, the gross growth of Bryson that's really, you know, allowing my mind to say, Hey, mech, be prepared.

1:22:23You're going to move around a lot. You're going to come out of that slot. You're going to be outside. We're going to create mismatches out there. I mean, his ability to move around is critical, but I would say between mech and between car and L. Tates ability to move around a lot. It's going to provide a lot of flexibility for our room and in those top, you know, six, seven guys that are really doing a good job right now. I'm going to progress with this spring for mech. Yeah, it's one of those things I'm sure when you guys balance how much the work is in versus. Yeah, heavy, heavy emphasis on what work he needs, you know, versus anything else. I rely on him. We have great dialogue back and forth. It's a two way, it's a two way conversation. And frankly, there's going to be times where like, Hey, mech, what do you want to do today? You want to go outside? You want to go inside? And I don't care. So we're not there yet. We will be there, but it's just more about, you know, when the room is ready to start mixing things up.

1:23:30I would say there's got, I mean, I make sure I bring in guys that are able to do all, but I have not asked them to yet. So the only guys that in our room currently, I've asked to do that has been mech and carnell. And those are probably the two guys that I would, you know, think heavily on doing moving around a lot. I'm not putting that on anybody else right now. I'm not saying they can't, but at this point, having two guys be able to swing, you probably don't need much more than that. I need guys being experts at what they're good at. So it helps the offense. Don't be great at everything and be an expert at something and we can use that to our advantage. Do you think you're moving this year is different to the people like maybe you guys who are more situational about that? The room's always different, frankly, I mean, from 2018 and then 19 and through COVID and those guys and then the depth of those guys and then where Mech and Marvin and those guys were as freshmen, you know, it's just, it's always different. And I expect this one to be different again, not sure at what level yet.

1:24:30The last question, the relationship between the TV room and your question room, especially the bathroom. I'm curious. The TV room has a leader just like you, you know, play the little high screen, as it helps screen the TV room. I'm curious about how you've seen Tim kind of build a different interaction and especially on the recovery. So I'm not a successful person. I'm just going to be effective. You're a great out. That's kind of enhanced. He would probably know more for that question than I would, but I would say that. Yeah, we obviously feed off each other, right? I mean, there really is a team sport and we can't do it without them and they can't do it without us and we can't do it without the quarterback. We can't do it without the old line. So the more that can seep into other positions and we work as a team and operate as a team and identify where a team. The healthier we are and when we are, we think that, you know, already, but I would say me and Tim. I've really, you know, met on that talked about it. Like we talk about technique, we talk about recruiting, we do all that together. And not a crazy level, but definitely like, you know, more than I have in the past.

1:25:33So I love working with OG. I mean, he's, he's awesome. He's got a great perspective and we definitely feed off each other in practice. And then maybe while building our rooms, we've done the same. Brian, thank you very much. Cool. Thanks guys. All right, folks, we have CJ Hicks on the 20s. Sure this one. Yeah, that was great. I'm three-take. I mean, the Strith was, like I was saying, and speed against those guards. That's, that's really helps me a lot. Well, I talked to Coach Jay. Coach Jay was the main one. He wasn't forcing me or nothing. He just said, if you want to move inside, you can't, if not, stay at the end. And you can do that as well. But I saw that I could help the team out. Get some depth right there. So I chose to move inside. I think you're a different, you know, a lot of the guys there.

1:26:34You're a different one. I'm going to spend my first level. Actually, young guy, he's the second-year guy right now. You are maybe more like a G-the-boy spots, you know, the Spiders. That's right. I'm unexpected, I have to do a West Park here. But also, what makes, what you learn from Jack and JT, and what's your name? What it tends to be, whatever, in that way? Uh, yeah, Jack, named Jack, JT, Tileek, and Tyhermson were great leaders. I wanted off the field. They don't help me with just simple stuff. Like, if I didn't know where to go, get some, they'll tell me. Or if they just like hanging out with the group, getting them closer. Just a lot of different small things that got brought us closer to like last year. That I need to start doing this year. I haven't started yet, but I'm going to get into it. You feel that you're in a position of a leadership, a senior? Yeah, I feel like, uh, main thing we teach in our unit, that anybody can be a leader, no matter what year, freshman, sophomore, junior or senior.

1:27:36Or even if you're a walk on, everybody can be a leader just, um, yeah. How do you try to hit you last year? Okay, this is protecting this thing. You know, did you have to grow into it? I had to grow into it a little bit. Um, it's very new, especially playing D in my whole life. Uh, but I had, uh, Tileek helped me, like I said, uh, throughout the whole process. When did you really strike you? I could be a factor. Oh, what I say closer towards the playoffs, uh, me to a Tileek a lot. Uh, I felt comfortable like, okay, I can actually do this because he was showing me some stress I have. Like, see him, like see you can do this and, uh, that really helped me get a confidence to know that I can. Yeah, but then you became a factor. You became a factor, especially, you know, especially through the playoffs. Yes, sir. Would that mean to you to be a factor that really? Uh, all going to go out first of all to keep me, uh, healthy to keep doing that. But, uh, it meant, uh, it meant a lot that Coach Jay trusted me enough to go on in the big games like that.

1:28:38And, uh, knew that I would be able to produce. Definitely speed and strength. Those are my main two that I would say will help me in the, uh, inside versus those guards. I don't know. Did you know you really brought me inside when you were high school like you wanted to be a defensive end, right? Yeah. What's the changes? Mentally, it's just realizing you're not taking it there anyway. What is the moment for you? Like, well, actually, I am going to take something. Definitely. The my main thing also, uh, and so I know interviews, some of those interviews. I said, the main thing was being a team player and moving the three tech was going to help the team. So I was willing to move inside for it. Jason and Will and Tywin are getting the whole new open stackers. So what's that like here? It's very competitive. Uh, we, we all come in trying to see where we need to get better in, uh, just to keep moving forward.

1:29:40So it's pretty good, good competition and I love them, but all. You made the move like during the pilot class. What was the toughest part about that? Uh, really nothing. I really embraced it. Uh, I knew that I need to move inside, uh, in order to help out the team because we asked really great D.N. Slasher, Mitch Mellon, uh, JT Jack, Kenny Curry, KJ. So it was pretty good ends and then moving the three tech. I also asked some deaf down there while still been able to showcase what I got going. Did you get that pressure? No, they, they were, um, all in on me. Just whenever I'm ready. Just let them know how I feel about moving in or stand outside. And you just did ask the leader. Three freshmen now. You know, ladies, a freshman, see what the brakes are both approaching. Do you see, uh, guys, you guys. Uh, Jack was chasing all the, uh, guys that came in are.

1:30:42They continue to work hard every day. Uh, even if they don't give it the first time, they'll ask us, what are doing this situation to help me out? So, uh, the, the ability to keep trying to learn from people that's played in the big stage. That's the word really going to keep them going. Last question. I'm not really, I knew once I got it, Coach, they was going to trust me a lot more to keep going out there each and every time. So, uh, I appreciate them. Uh, like I said earlier, thank the Lord. And thank you guys. All right. I think that's a big help. So I've been there ready to go in the game and go execute. Um, so now to step into a role where they're competing for the job. Um, you know, is, is, is it a little bit of a different deal? Yeah. Um, so I'm excited to see them compete for anything. Can you give your kind of impression of each of those guys from which you're the coach? Thank you, and it's really been all year. It's a little bit, it's just, it's just a initial impression to those guys.

1:31:44Yeah. Yeah. Um, so, you know, start with Lincoln. You know, a guy that's going to his third year here. Um, and I think really like, when you've been in an offense for, for two years already, you're going to that third year. You've got a really good feel of the scheme. You've got a better feel of college defenses and, you know, where our schemes are susceptible. And what were the issues? I am what we're trying to attack. Um, and so I think, you know, that's something that over time I can feel Lincoln getting a better and better feel for it. Um, you know, Lincoln has definitely stepped up from a leadership perspective. And you can see the way that, you know, he attacks workouts and, you know, this winner is so big for all three of them. Just really just set the standard and to understand the intangibles that playing quarterback is all about. Right? Because there's so much more than just picking up a football and throwing it when it comes to this. So I've seen that growth from Lincoln and that's, that's really exciting. Um, as for Julian, you know, last year going into the year, he, he was competing for a job and, you know, end up didn't not win in the job.

1:32:45And, you know, he could have turned it down and been bummed out and, you know, not attacked it the way way. But I saw him continue to go throughout the year. Um, so I'm going from Rowan and to get to a point this year where we're now he can step up and be more of a vocal leader. Um, and you know, that's something I've seen growth of him as well. You know, he's put on some weight and he looks good and he's definitely attacked. Uh, it's time in the, you know, the winner. And so that's been awesome. And then Tavy and comes in and, you know, Tavy, Tavy is, you know, really should still be in high school. Um, instead he's, you know, in my office all the time, uh, learning the offense. And when he's not with me, he's with Coach make, and he's not with Coach maker. I he's over there doing academics and sassos. So, um, his days are pretty jam packed and it's definitely new for him. Um, but his commitment to wanting to be great and wanting to be to the level where he can go out and compete in the spring. It's been really impressive. Um, so I'm excited for all the other. Does it feel like what August 30th? Is it just around the four or a year? Stay on up saying you got to have a career to go.

1:33:45I have a good Texas. Yeah. I don't think so. I don't think so quite yet. You know, I think we have a unique situation where we've got three really talented kids. You know, they're all young. They all have a lot of room to grow. And I think they all understand that and are eager to attack that growth. But most college football teams or a lot of college football teams going to a year and they end up, you know, having a guy get hurt or something happens. So as far as, you know, having one guy, I guess I'm to go either we want to develop the room. We want all three of them to continue to get better, to continue to develop and you know, big guys that we can count on throughout the season. Did you guys win a board? Scholarship guy? That's still in conversation. What kind of Seattle goes? You know, obviously three is a little bit less than we typically have. But you know, the three that we're really confident in right now. The last year you got to go to Ryan Morgan's quarterbacks to go to the quarterbacks. You work in the quarterbacks, bottoming. The first feeling out here. I mean, you have someone that you have in mind to come in and meet the system for you. Is it really important to you to see that group going out?

1:34:46Yeah, right now Colin Kienos in helping me. So Colin was working with me at Akron. He was a student assistant and he was really, really impressive there. So he's going to come in and he's going to help out with some of the day-to-day stuff. And then you know, Coach Day and I, I built a pretty good relationship where, you know, between my time here as a GA where, you know, I learned the game of football the way he sees it. And that was such a pivotal time in my career. You know, I was so blessed in college and then in my first couple, you know, my first job there that I got to work with Joe Morehead. And, you know, I learned so much football from that man and I credit so much of my career to him to put me in the position. But then having the opportunity to, okay, hey, maybe I'll see you through a little bit of a different life and to learn how Coach Day sees it. It was so big for me in my development. So that couple of years as a GA was awesome for me. And then last year to be able to sit in with him and really kind of see the game, you know, in a similar fashion. And I'm always going to continue to learn from him because he's just such a special coach. But to be able to see it, you know, in a similar way and continue to bounce thoughts on him to make sure that him and I are communicating in the same way.

1:35:52You know, Coach Day will always be directly involved with the quarterbacks. And now Coach Hartline will as well, you know, as the offensive coordinator, I think, as the guy in that chair, you have to have a relationship with the guy that's in the hub. I think that's really important. So, you know, him and I have already begun conversations just about how that's going to work out and how he's going to continue to see the game the same way that the quarterback does and how he's going to communicate to them. Those conversations are already beginning. So it'll be, it'll definitely be a combination of, you know, us three. Billy Cavian being there from the championship round. How about helping with development? Well, it's pretty cool. Just about every one of those games where he was at a point of game and at the national championship. You know, our guys were warming up and I grabbed him. I said, hey, look around. You got to take a couple minutes to take this in, right? This is what it looks like. This is what this is what we work for. So, you know, when you get to a really hard day in the winter, right, you just remember not a homework and get to that point. So for him to have that experience and to be able to see that and, you know, hopefully one day when he's in that spot, he's like, oh, I've seen this before. I know what it looks like.

1:36:52I think it's pretty cool, I think, just to have that bench in his memory. I know you have to be a hospital. You know, I think it comes off, so I've spoken, but. He's without question, you know, come out of a show and I would even say you're a soft spoken last year. You know, I think that he kind of understood that, you know, Will was in charge of the offense and he knew that he was young and was still earning respect. So a big part about leadership is you can't just walk into a room and start leading. You have to earn the respect to your peers and truly understand that. And, you know, I think he earned that respect about the year. And so this year, you're definitely seeing him step up him and Lincoln both, you know, are in that phase where they've earned that respect. And so they're doing a really good job leading right now and in Tavians doing a good job earned respect. So we're kind of in the middle right there between those two phases. And I think that, you know, Lincoln is, I think still less than two years, just specializing in. Just regretting. I actually kind of just end up special here.

1:37:52I guess where do you think he is harnessing all of that all on full of ability to be a really good coach? Yeah, I mean, there's no question how Lincoln is special. And, you know, guys that have that background that have been successful in multiple different sports. You know, one way or another is going to translate to the game of football. So I think that we're continuing to see that from Lincoln. I think as the more that he, you know, is in position to understand and learn the game in which we saw all last year, you continue to grow. And so to take that into spring, you know, and combine that with his athletic ability, I'm excited to see, you know, I think it'll be really good competition. Can I go back truly lead until he is the quarterback? Oh, absolutely. I mean, the Interval 1 quarterback. Oh, I think so. I think so. I mean, leadership comes in all different phases, you know, in all different ways. There's, you know, there's without question, I've been part of different teams and I've seen it where maybe the guy that wasn't starting quarterback was, you know, the strongest leader on the team.

1:39:01So I definitely think that that's part of it. You know, I think once you earn the respect of your teammates and once you show that, you know, you're going to lead by example and they respect you for that. You're in position now that you can be both of them. So, you know, I definitely don't think that you need to be a starter named a quarterback to be a leader at all. You've been around some incredible offensive minds in college already. What are your, what are the traits you look for specifically as a quarterback being a quarterback yourself? Yeah. You know, I think it comes in a couple different ways. You know, from a tangible perspective, I think that you've got to be extremely accurate. I think you have to be able to make great decisions with the football and get the ball out of the time. And I think that you have to be able to do it. And we solve a problem with the feet. So, you know, it's rare in college football that every protection's blocked up perfectly or everything goes exactly that we drew it up on the whiteboard. So when things break down, I want to be able to fix it with our legs. And then, you know, as far as intense football, I look at, I look at, you know, guy like Will who had those intense moves about as well as I've ever seen.

1:40:07And that's just a complete command and understanding of both the offense and the huddle to know exactly what we're trying to do on every single play. Know what we're trying to attack, understand where the issues are and where they lie and how you're going to combat those issues. To be able to understand, you know, when it's time to move on for the ballway and move on to the next play. And then also be mentally tough enough that when things don't go our way to be able to react the right way and move on to the next one. Did you know last year, last year? What last question? Did you go fight or quit? I don't know, audition at all. Or you just focus on last year. Oh, no, no, I didn't do this audition at all. I did. When you're coaching and you build a relationship with these guys, you want nothing more than for them to go out and have success on the field. And I think that's so important. Like I sit in that room and you know, it's about them. It's about them going out and reaching their potential and maximizing their talents and going out and execute on the field. And so, you know, last year, I was just trying to find a way that I could help them do that.

1:41:08So, you know, to be able to work with those guys last year and to help out and, you know, have them see some success. It was special for me, but it was special for me because I know how bad they wanted it. And so that was pretty neat. We're going to have their day, that game, but we'll look out there and hopefully change the narrative. And we still play with the same confidence, same technique. And, yeah. Bill Rebellion, what's the longest this batch? And TenZell 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 up to you for this rematch? Oh, 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.

1:42:10How determined are you guys to take advantage of it? We're super, super determined. We watch film. I mean, we've lost a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played up film to watch. And it's just, they've grown a lot as a team. Same as us. We've grown a lot. We're not the same team. We were when we played them week one or weeks, 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. Oh, my bad. Not too Joey. Cameron T. Robinson, the athletic. Hey, Jordan, you've moved around a lot in the second day in your career. And now kind of getting some many more safety reps. 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 season? It means a lot. We always talk about what this is being on the surface, whether that's making plays or not making plays or doing your job so another person can make plays.

1:43:17That's kind of what we pride ourselves on. And it's just fun. We've moved around different positions. I'm always up for a new challenge. And a lot of people in the country can't do that. I just hold myself to that standard where I can play any position and excel at it. Okay. 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 a few 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.

1:44:19So just watching stuff like that, every game matters. So yeah. Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. Hi. But working in that harbor, put it back down here doing a little job. Just pulling to the ceiling, taking our feet back, not for its criticism, but just because we love it. And you're the best thing to do. I'm just doing that. And just keep rolling on that. And I'm going to follow another interesting thing that just takes you. Are you doing some more outside for years stuff as well? Yeah, I've been more, the more years you get under your belt, the more experience you get. You start knowing this offense more and more, not just your position or what you're doing, but like everybody's job. What you're doing, how you doing, and why you're doing it. So I mean, yeah, I've been wrapping the outside ZXH, anywhere coach on, I'm using it to just really be that guy and go make a play on it. What's the biggest difference for you between outside ZXH? The pace. A route concept, you can kind of get the pace you can play within the slides more for Nesgame and the slide.

1:45:19Something I got very comfortable with. Just the ways you can attack the defense, I think. And just you know, conceptually and also just, you're placed down. But I mean, just doing both and just making me a better guy for the NFL. And that's what coach on, I'm pretty sure that's how I produce it on the third time and I'm producing any third guys. I'm feeling very comfortable with that. Do you have to have a different mindset as a slide receiver? That's what's going on. Absolutely, I think it's more thinking. I think it's more of a, you have to have understand another game a lot. And the slide you've got to have a feel, that have, it's just natural. I feel like it's more than that's a position. And on the outside it's just more, you know, get different things and see different congregations. 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. That's how I say the biggest difference. Do you have that more courage? Say what we're talking about. Do you have that more courage in the slot? Oh yeah, absolutely. Especially like being myself in the slot faster.

1:46:19I'm a skinnier guy than when I put hands on it, when I get physical with you. But you just got to match that and just let them know that you there too. So you as a balance 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 that's in the outside, that's in his side, whatever coach online in this team needs me. I'll just win and show them one of the best receivers in America. Thank you, sir. Bob to it. No decision yet. What do you want to see from JJ this break? And I'm just a plant right now. I'm pretty much longer season than he played before in high school. So what do you think looks like? You know, we're gone this break. Yeah, I think everyone played a lot longer than they ever have. So, you know, I think, you know, heading to the spring, it's just the tear down of the former foundation and the rebuild of a whole new team. I mean, you have to have that mindset. You have to have a mind, a day one mindset in order to progress. You can't rely on previously built culture or schematic understanding.

1:47:21There's no assumptions. You have to rebuild from scratch. We're in the process of that. We will treat day one like day one that includes, includes Jeremiah Smith. And so great opportunity to, you know, evaluate and grow a new group of guys. I think in spring, I think our opinion is, you know, by fall, it's everything the team, the team, the team, the team, it's what it's all about. But in order to add to a team, in order to add to a collective, you got to focus on the individual. Individual must improve so the collective can improve. And so building the base, I think, schematically and fundamentally, culturally, is what we're attacking as we head into spring. How much is Brandon looking forward to a different spring and different opportunity? I know it wasn't fun for him having to take a little bit of a backseat to that guy. Where do you see him, the fire, the passion right now? Is he gets right to this one? Yeah, I think when you come out of a season, you get out of January and kind of take a breath.

1:48:23Then when you get back in the winter, it's the first opportunity to reestablish the new role that I want to have. I mean, across the board, there's not one guy that doesn't want to improve roles. So they're all attacking it that way. I think Brandon's one of them, but he's one of 50. And I think that it's our job to provide opportunities to grow, to separate themselves, to see peer-to-peer evals, to allow these guys to check a chase a role. At least through winter they've gotten that started, to continue that through spring. And I think Brandon's, you know, fits in line with that. I think Brandon did a great job looking back of finding his role last year and excelling at it. We know we talk a lot about if you want to be a starter, you have to be a starter before you do the starter. And if you're not, they're never going to be the starter. So I think he embodied that, you know, he gave himself an opportunity to get into spring, get into us. He's made into winter, continue who he is, continue to build his base, build his leadership,

1:49:28and then now he's got to take that into spring. So all the great things you do prior doesn't mean anything, if you don't have to go out there and do it in spring. So, you know, that's the harsh reality of this sport. You know, what have you done lately? And I think all these guys are chewing at the bit to get back on the field. Brian, everybody brings their own experience. Ryan was a quarterback, you were a receiver. And then to become a play-caller, I obviously have an understanding of the whole offense. What was the process like for you up protections and the run game and the quarterback play, and just continuing to grow with your knowledge of that part of the game as you prepared for this position? Yeah, I mean, I think you're always growing, I think that, you know, you still have a specialty here. You still have an expertise in one area that's seen you have an expertise in all of it. That's just not true. And in my opinion, I've seen multiple coordinators, and I know that as a fact. So, you know, for me, I think it's just, you have an opportunity to be with the best staff in America every single day with the best coach in America.

1:50:35So, just stay off your phone and pay attention and take notes and actually maximize your time. It's amazing the amount of people that don't do that. So, every time in a meeting, I just try to make sure I'm getting a nugget or I'm getting information or when things are said, I'm going to truly understand it. And I really, guys, will tell you, I don't care. I'll ask the question. I think I'm, I look dumb, but I don't care because I want to know the information. So, I think that approach, I think a lot of guys have that approach. That approach allows you to just build, you know, over time. And then that'll continue to build from now to game one and then build through the season. So, the opportunity to grow is literally daily. So, I just try to make sure I'm finding those opportunities. I'm aware of those opportunities when they're writing my face. I think I'm going to do a role in the offensive meeting room. How important is that it's a tool that I need you guys to do? Yeah, the coach Jordan's always been a huge part of other receiver room. I think that, yeah, he's just understanding that my pull away is real.

1:51:37That can happen. So, he's going to be on his toes and being ready that, you know, we're ready to not skip a beat, right? So, information wise, communication wise, he's got to be locked in on that. And just time to assume that, you know, coach hard's got it. He never really has. I expect him to continue to do that. And, you know, he's been a big part of everything we've done. Is that almost like taken from what Ryan did last year where he shipped away from play calling? And he had that somebody else and shipped it away from being a quarterbacks coach. We're like, get to have somebody you trust and how long did it take you maybe to develop that trust? That relationship with them and to where like, you know that, hey, if I'm pulled away for a second, like, Devin's got this. And I don't have to worry about like, what my room is. I think it's more important that I do a great job being organized. So, I'm never pulled away. I will be in that receiver room and they will be coached at the very highest level. So, I think there's ways to eliminate being pulled away by being organized on top of things, having the right work and working great help before that receiver meeting ever happens. Is that important for you? Is that what you've got to emphasize?

1:52:39Nothing is going to change in terms of your, I never, I never, I never, There's no, nothing's going to change in my involvement in the receiver room. Ryan, for my island to be going through a full spring, a full oxy in the first time, what do you look at everything? It's areas he can grow to push for playing time is here. Yeah, I mean, my island is, he's doing a great job. He's growing on exponential rates and stronger, he's getting bigger, he's got way added. You know, I would tell you like, you know, I always explain to him like, you don't realize how much you miss when you come in June versus a mid year, like it's massively different. Not saying you can't overcome it, some do. At the end of the season, you know, some have. But, you know, I think that's probably reliant on the room. You know, and Chris had opportunity late, Alive, you know, in the season to kind of make an impact. But it's very, very rare. So, and now, you know, he's going through the winter workout, his growth, his everything he's done. I'm like, hey, Coach Harri, you know, I know what you're talking about now and you miss that section of winter workout. So, that being said, it makes you laugh, but he's doing a great job.

1:53:40I have expectations for him through a through spring. And I don't see that changing. The epic staff this year is younger than it's been past years. I think the makeup of that, you don't have somebody who's maybe. What's the average, is like average like 30 is the average age? Is that can include support staff? No, it's just the primary. What's it, what's it been in the past? A couple minutes, two more minutes. No kidding. Yeah, we'll know. Yeah, Kevin Wilson. I don't know. Damn Lening's head coach in Oregon. I was there. I was his average. I'm asking. I don't, I'm 38. Can he Dylan Hamles? It's 30s and 50s. So, I don't really know. I gave zero thought to that. I think that, you know, I think your ability to type with players is important. I think you probably see a little bit of that happening in the NFL as well. I really have given zero thought to that. I don't want to just ramble on that. Yeah, I just didn't know who saw it as a manager.

1:54:40No thought to it. You were a new version with Bryson. What's the next step for him? Because we've heard a mecha talk to him and like, you know, Mr. consistency catching a lot of things. He's like, he seems to generate a little bit of buzz, but has limited role. Like, now he's got an opportunity. What's the next step for him to get that opportunity? Take the next step and be a, be everything he's capable of being, right? I mean, I think the guys that, you know, we're out there are, you know, very consistent in all job faces. You know, like, again, I think he wants to be a full rounded receiver. And you know that I think he loves playing in the slot. The great job there. I asked him to come out to the outside a little bit. Did a good job out there. I think his natural positions is in the slot doing a great job there. But it's just another opportunity to establish himself based on his peers, right? I mean, it's kind of like the draft and trying to explain sometimes to these guys like, you come to Ohio State to compete with the best. It'd be alongside the best. It's always pure to peer evals. Like, that's how it works. Like the draft embodies that. Like, if it's easier to go play somewhere else, then that's fine.

1:55:41That's what we're kind of looking for. Per se, I'm not saying that's pricing. I'm just saying it's a very competitive room. And you chose that because of this room. Now you got to beat your peer to play more and more. And do more and all that stuff. So, you know, I think that you got to continue to build where he's at. And the guys that seem to be, you know, starters in our room, you know, really, I think over the last eight years have been NFL quality guys. So if you're and it become a start of Ohio State, it's a good chance. You're probably an NFL caliber receiver. I mean, again, just go on to the numbers. So you're chasing that. Can't get discouraged. Or maybe not being, you know, not doing what you think you should have done. And that goes for everybody. It's not just Bryson, but all these guys are chasing that as I ramble about Bryson. But, you know, I think that it's not just him. It's at BI. It's car now with everybody wants. It's chasing a higher level of play. And this spring is another step forward to do that. Which is a question of the freshmen. How much in your estimation is that a gift?

1:56:43Do we have to do it? How much of it is learned? And where do you stand on that? Oh, never gave it a lot of thought to it. I've never, I've never called a play in a game. So for me to have an opinion, I think that'd be a little brash. I would say that like anything, it's probably a skill that you can improve on. And do better at and do good and do worse at. I think being surrounded with guys and seeing how they do it has been a blessing. And it's very clear. Others more than one way to do things. So being, being aware of that, I've noticed that. The question of the three freshmen and how they may be transitioning. Yeah, all four freshmen, I'm like very encouraged and pressed with. They carry themselves the right way like we have hoped. They worked their tails off. If all improved, I would say that they're the right mode, the right fit. They belong in the room. And now they hesitate to improve. Now they're competing both, you know, first individually between each other.

1:57:43And then, you know, as we get into spring, they'll start competing against each other. With the rest of the guys, what I mean by that. So, but as a group, the freshmen group are very impressed and they're off to the right start. Coach Arland, thank you for your time. I need like, have trouble remembering something. I just go up to them and they know like every play, every little detail. And he just, he's helpful with that. And if I need help, like with four words, I think they'll come out and help me. And just like, whatever I need, he's there. When you are making that transition to a new position, do you have to kind of be patient and realize it's going to be a process that takes time? Oh, yeah, definitely. Coach Hart told me that at the beginning, like he played a quarterback in high school too. And he hadn't made a transition to receiver here at Austin. And this, he's helped me. It's going to be rough at first, but he has to push me to get me to where I need to be. When you think back and just like you're upbringing, you know, coming from, you know, Africa being over here, just what do you, how did all you feel, call of that kind of helped mold you into who you are now? Oh, yeah, definitely, definitely maybe like tough and like not afraid of like new change.

1:58:45And he's like willing to just adapt to my environment. What was it like for you coming in here as a freshman and getting to see if it's team go win an after-school championship for those first few weeks here? Definitely was a high motivated, you know? Being a freshman. It wasn't really my team though. So like, I didn't really get it. So that makes like, push me like that once, when it's my turn. I got put in the word, I want the same position, but with a ring on my finger. What did you learn from those guys just about what you need to do to have a chance to go accomplish what they did? So you just got to, don't let the past like affect you like, and just, you know, you got to be relentless. You got to be relentless, you got to put in the word. It's not easy at all by any means. It's got to be hard, but you have to do everything you do. What do you view as like the best attributes of your game that you're going to bring to this team? I would just say my size, my speed, I can take the top off the defense, and I can play tough and physical. It's about that.

1:59:46It's the last year, and like, when you think back to the whole reward last year, that's the total cost of the win. What has the last kind of year been like for you? It's kind of gone from the players, it was kind of going from the process to anything that's going to happen. I was definitely changing my mind because I was always on my sophomore year. I was hurt, and I got hurt during track, so I was able to, like, I was a highly excluded athlete. And this time last year was like, when my recruitment really picked up, and it's been crazy, like, must have another like, even just leaving me in my corner, my coach is everything, and they've just given me the motivation to go. What is your relationship with Leipzig and Tamiya? What is your relationship with Leipzig and you guys? What is your relationship with Leipzig and you guys? That's a big good thing. Before I even got a hosting offer, and before I even knew it, it was exactly actually through with a couple of times in both.

2:00:49I was working with, I knew it was at head coach, and anybody would come in and run routes, and I actually ran routes for Tamiya and Brighton. It was exactly, and it like, I think, the first team knew it. We had a lot more, we got together, us, the freshman class, and he's always working on everything. He's definitely got nice on. This cornerback is a great challenge, and how has that kind of helped you a lot in your freshman year? The cornerback? The cornerback. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they're definitely challenging it, and they always say, I'm so happy about it. And they make it hard for you, and when you play this high level competition practice, you go on a game, like, twice as easy into the practice, and he's really built on stuff. Is there been a moment in question? I think it's kind of like a moment first.

2:01:51Oh wow, these guys are really good at this. Yeah, just like, I just first, like, high school, I just take some reps and I've seen we just got, yeah, I just had past speed, and had catching abilities, like, face separation, and I come to college before everybody's fast, everybody's big, so you have fun new ways to get open, it's really good for yourself to hire your IQ. We're only freshmen ever to receive, you know, Iron Buck I reward, which, you know, is something I was pushing towards my entire time being here. But, you know, it takes another level of doing to be able to receive that reward, especially as a freshman. So, you know, that's kind of when I knew. Steve, it means, what do you mean about that? More on that. When you and Mara first got here, Garrett and Chris were adamant about the way that you guys, even as freshmen were pushing two guys who were about to be first round Rock Bix, 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?

2:02:55Yeah, I would say it's very similar. I mean, I have the same exact thing, and I'm, you know, I don't know what it is about the culture and its own sakes, but we keep bringing in these type of people you're in and you're out of that. 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. I 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 were always lifting together. We had a couple of wins, he had a couple of wins, so I was really that next level step of competitiveness that I needed and that edge that I needed. That worth the $24.74. You guys came into the Tennessee game with a lot of outside motivation, with Michigan loss, and kind of the three weeks of the talk. I don't obviously there's still that motivation to go on and win a national championship, but how do you keep that kind of edge to let the better term mentally after some of that stuff has kind of gone away, probably.

2:03:55I 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, but 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 go to my doctor. Michael, there's been a lot of change in college football in the playoffs, and things of that nature. But, you know, the way in some of your teammates and coaches talk about the Rose Bowl seems like that's one game that's really, you know, maintained a lot of that tradition. You play the net, you know, what it's about. Could you explain it to, you know, also, you would never have a chance to play in a wide the Rose Bowl. There's maintained, you know, that level of respect for players and coaches. Yeah, I think, I don't know, they're just something about it, something in the air down there in the past of Dana.

2:04:55It'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 role of the role 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. So I'm going to do my best to take it all in while also being fully focused on organ. Dan, let me worry. Matt, we will. So he still has nightmares about bad first game in organ. What kind of drive you seem to him this week wanting to get back at this one? Yeah, Will is, he's a laser focused person. He goes about his business. I mean, he's very loose and he's very calm and he's able to rally the team. But you can see it in his eyes that this game means everything to him. So every single practice, every single huddle, making sure we're sharp, making sure we have a better practice than we had last. Then the yesterday, a better practice in organ 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.

2:06:00Tony Garbin, fuck I have. Matthew, when you're a kid playing backyard doing 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. I was actually an organ 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 organ. 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 organ. That was a school that I really dreamed of going to. They build a bit like this back. I need to ask you another Jeremiah question. Is there one moment, one play, one something that made you go, oh man, I've never seen it before.

2:07:04That's just incredible. Yeah, I would say it's happened multiple times. There's not really one. I can pinpoint, but the more he does it, the more I tend to react less. So I would say probably my earliest memories of it were in spring ball. Kind of getting the first glimpse of him when he's making all these ridiculous catches. And he still does it time and time again, even now. But it's just more common now for me. I think you landed one that keeps the north. You had, I think, 12 touches in the first game against 4 or 10 receptions, two carries. Is there something about this matchup that favors you? And now that you have, where that productive, the first time you played this team, what kind of attention, or I guess it's gonna be different defenses are you expecting to see? Yeah, I mean, we're not entirely sure what their game plan is going to be, but we're paired for everything. You know, I'm not going to get too much into schemas, stuff like that. 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,

2:08:06flying 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. That 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 that deep current, also, we got to get the water to get this. 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 in 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 level head and stuff like that, not that I need to. He's a very level headed and selfless guy like I'm saying. Sometimes that's just how the game goes. I had a game this year where I only had one catch, but we ended up winning by lot. I think that 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.

2:09:08He could be a number one player, 95% of the boss, but he's like number three. When you see his work as a ball of those things, and you know, if they're a big supply, you guys ever come behind him like, yeah, this guy can absolutely be a number one on the low scouts of the boss. 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 will match up on the other side of the ball. So, that's never how we view ourselves. We know we're alpha dogs out there every single one of us. Knows we have the capabilities to be a number one receiver and we are number one receivers. And final question. Steve, how long has 24.000 sports? Yeah, and McAdina 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, I mean, did that play in your mind say,

2:10:08my goodness, we got a chance to get out of here with the win. Yeah, I definitely knew where I caught the ball and I knew we were, you know, closer being a field goal range. So, you know, there was a sense of, you know, I knew I knew it was a big play that I made. But in those moments, you have to finish out the game no matter what, you can't get a big head, you can't get complacent, you have to finish the game until the clock hits zero. So, that's something we've been working on, you know, we work on two minute every single Wednesday. Every single Wednesday practice. So today we'll work on our two minute. And we don't even call it two minute. We call it clutch because in those times, in those games, in those big moments, someone has to make a clutch play. So we're focusing on that every single game, knowing that we're going to have to make one of those plays coming down the stretch here. What would it mean if you're able to finish this one off and get to the final four of this playoff? Just what in your mind, just would this be, you know, just the ultimate, I suppose, to be a team that's already beaten earlier this year? No, I think the ultimate would be winning the national championship. So, you know, we're focused on this, this just happens to be the next team in the way.

2:11:10We're not focused on where we played them earlier this year, whether they got the win over us. They're just a nameless faceless opponent. So we're going out there, fully prepared, not worried about what's happening in the past. You know, we played them before, we felt them out. So it's all about who got better from that point in time until now. A method, thank you for your time. Thank you. I was talking about this, you know, just recently, talking about how what I want to do for the world is I want to bring that home energy, the Hebrew, right? So last year, of course, I'm sure you're doing it for years, but the year when I spent my own, he brought a lot of energy, excitement, happiness in the room, which is his natural energy, to where I only had to focus on me, you know, I didn't have to make sure other guys were, you know, feels the type of way when it came in here because Hunt brought that. I mean, I'm a hunt's not here, but I saw when you did for a room, I want to be that guy to make sure I was an amputable practice.

2:12:11Everybody's, I'm taking a built team on period, you know, it's a low day, or something, you know, it's a event, but like, I want to make it feel like it's going to be a whole new year. I want to bring that, because that's what me and Hunt did to each other, we would have each other do something to do. It's going to be a walk, we're lit. So I want to do that, I want to bring that energy, you want to make bring more guys, you know, to do that. I want to do that from day one, you know, I kind of, I want to do that from day one, talking to them, and obviously it's that time I spent in the offices of the Ford OTA started. Just being in my self-just thinking about what the room needs, you know, because I know I, renewal as one of leaders, you know, my mom's a hunt's, 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, those healthy kind of little things are having a practice of people saying anything and how I may leave maybe different than somebody else may leave, you know, like a practice, at least like a legal positivity, you know what I mean.

2:13:20So, but he, the energy, I would be on just like, I'd like to be on, so I was kind of, how would it be, to go on on, leading my whole life on the NFL team captain, like specifically, I felt I wasn't a captain in high school, wasn't a captain in college, but I'm going to make a joke, I was in high school. I feel like I'm not going to be a captain like he's that I felt. But that would be awesome, you know, but you know, that happens, I'd be great, but not either way, I want to assume a role as a captain from the perspective of guys on the team, the visual words and get back to that point. Yeah, I mean, I can't say that, I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that I felt like how you used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs, it took training and left and right once this season ended because I know what was going to be the champion.

2:14:21So, I took a lot of, yeah, grips, just to give back to feeling like myself for the LTAs, and then that whole first week, but now like today specifically, just changing some small things with my feet, that good thing, talking about the long coach, and some things I'm going to do my feet to get to the, to sell my traditional handle that I love to sit on, thought I felt great already, but I felt even better. So, I need to work size a little more now, get on my feet back, and how I like the right side and on the left side, so long side. I mean, obviously I feel like in the league, whether I left or right, you're still going against Premier guys, so obviously they're high expectations for the left and right tackle, but definitely like the level of energy and like the expectations definitely take the human strength, because now can that blind side, that's the, that's the tackle world, you know, so, yeah, I would say in terms of communication as far as this even,

2:15:26outside of the facility, just stuff like that, like really creating that, the tackle quarterback, bond even more off the field, I think has been something that's even the cool, maybe it's just, I got the text one day, and I said, hey, I keep well up, I was like, you know, yeah, I've been training both, I've been training both, you know, I asked after the season there like honestly, you know, we'll talk to you some plays in season, and I just got the text one, depending on how this went with the free agency. Then, so I was like, you know, what, I had a whole season right tackle, so if I get the word, I'm going, I'm staying in a right tackle, I'm just doing what I did before, I'm building on that, but I was like, I might as well as trying to let tackle now, as if I'm going to be left tackle, and I'd rather do that than trying to let tackle my pool, I didn't switch my feet. You know what I mean? So I'm like, let me just prepare an advance, I'll just go. I think occasionally, on third down, there would be a lot of twists, I was just not like, it's automatic or kind.

2:16:29And 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 the type of rush, I mean, this is how this guy usually rushes, if I get the vibe, this is how the ends like the rush tackles out. First year guys, we got the Premier patch on, already know what it was going to be, already know what we every stunt. And honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to, so you're not, you're not, oh, the problem twists on my side again. It was never air-dophied, but it comes out when I was like, three plays in a row, two minutes, I knew that, it was the one that they said a lot of it. You know what I mean? So I'm watching more everybody else, and you really, you know, it goes out there on occasion, on third down, I was like, yeah, I was like, are you going to pick me? You know what I mean? So, that 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 to look. You know, those are real, real reps, you know, the things.

2:17:31So, really, I went into kind of process, and I was like, hey, when I tell me, let me know about what I'm just going to train it. I was training all left. So TAs, I guess if I didn't hear anything about TAs, I came in like, so, you know what I mean? Because just like, I'm cool with training both, I would have been cool with training both continually, but I feel like anybody, any position will be like, okay, like, you want as soon as possible, you can kind of settle it in, your hips settle in, your hands, settle in, certain kind of that. Would it have been harder for you to work both, or how to use? No, no. But, they're definitely, but in terms of the development, they're definitely a lot faster, they're staying on one side. But I think having that, the weeks that we had the transitional seasons over, I'm going to like respond. You know, look, I'm trying to get up, put them on the front, and I mean, week, things at a time right now.

2:18:34But when it comes back, I'm going to show them that you're in the house, so I just got to house them out too far from, so I told them, I got that house, like, I got a yellow outside. Like, DJ. You know what I mean? So, yeah. Yeah. My mom says, you know, just go out there, my dad just dominated the person I was confronting me. You know, just do what I've been doing for the last two to three weeks, I should say. But, you know, they play men on men, so I'm just ready for the challenge. Yeah. I mean, feels good. Just say somebody going out there and playing men on men, guess Ohio State receivers, it's something crazy. But, you know, we're just ready for the challenge. They said they're not chasing their game plan, but we got to go out there and show them the reason why not to play men on men. Yeah.

2:19:35Yeah. I mean, I don't really, if I be on a curve, I'm being on a curve. It's not really a big deal to me. It may definitely be a blessing for sure just to be on a curve of a game, but, you know, it's not really a dream of mine. It's a dream of mine, but I don't really think too much of it. Yeah. I mean, no, not yet. Probably hit me after this season. No, just no. Playing Carlos football players as a freshman, playing the Rose Bowl as a freshman, playing a Cardin Bowl, not an action championship. I mean, it's a blessing for sure, but it hasn't hit me yet. Where are you going right now? My favorite catch, I would say we play Michigan State.

2:20:36The one I call over to defenders, definitely probably my favorite for sure. Or you go the one from Iowa, I should say, and the answer is a parliament too. I mean, yeah, like you said, it's pretty frustrating me having again that I had in the Rose Bowl. And they're coming to the Cardin Bowl, you know, just doing different things, chasing their scheme up against me. But, I mean, like you said, whatever I could do to make, I mean, help the team win. It's not really a big deal for me. Because we win, that's all I really care about. And it got us to national championship.

2:21:44It means a lot. We put a lot of work in this season. We have highs, we have lows, we have people cutting us out. But we hear now, we just ready to pull on the show Monday. First of all, the win is national championship because there means a lot. You see everything that he's been through this year, people saying he should be fired and this is not the third. But you see everything that he's been through this year. I mean, I see everything that he's been through this year, I see everything. People saying my head'm on Twitter. I wasn't here, he first got to hear the coaching job. But I know this year for sure, we definitely got to win this for him. I mean, it's a lot of people in the league, I should say, I can't really say who, but I mean, you had guys like Odell, you had guys like Odell, you had Stefan Dicks.

2:22:56It means a lot of Michael Thomas Chris Carter, just a lot of, you know, guys I played in NFL and stuff like that. But yeah, really them guys for sure. But no, just keep going. You got it, you've messed up for sure. Really, really that fish. Like physical defense, like people say, like they like the play man, they're not changing their scheme. So we're just ready for the challenge. Like you said, the best defense we probably go see all year. And we just got to be ready to go out there Monday and just put on the show.

2:23:56I'm inside of the field. He'll first come here in Ohio State January our first workout we had together. Just everything that we did through the season. I'm just happy for him to be in this position right now, but we got to finish the job and that's the winning out of the old Monday. I mean, it's pretty funny. Them saying that because I'm just only a friend, but I mean, it's a blessing for sure people to even say that, but I got two, three more years left for Carlos. And I'm just focused on cars right now. I'm not really worried about the NFL right now. I'm just very special for me. Just being a freshman, I'm playing a national stage up here for national titles. Something that I dreamed of as a very young kid. I'm just happy to be here. And I just can't wait to put on some Monday for you guys.

2:25:13All of us used to sit on the bench and we just see him hit the quarterback the ball come out and we all just got up and just started jumping up and down. We all decided happy for jacking that moment. We just knew that that moment like, you know, this we're going to the daddy for sure. What is that video? Me and so's a lot of me going from high school or when the three state championships, I saw my daughter then coming to Ohio State just appeared for national title right now. Me just so that I've picked two great schools, but I'm happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on some Monday. The coolest person to reach out to. The coolest person. I mean, you got a lot. I can't really say just a specific person. You got a lot of great guys.

2:26:20We tried to lead like Odell. You had guys like Stefan Deeks. A lot of other players will just get cut off my mom, but really, really them two guys will show Odell a step on this. Yeah, yeah, 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 put on the show. Thank you. The vice genome, how you gave me. I said just keep golfers. I know the reason why I'm here. Yeah, like he said, just keep golfers and just no keep the main thing and the best corner I face this year.

2:27:24I mean, I've faced a lot of great corners. I can't really say, but yeah, I've faced a great lot of great corners. He really put a name on it. I'm just like a teammate. My dream vacation is, uh, Terence and K-co's. Good. Yeah. I say both respect and frustration as well. But I mean, I thought they come out there and try to team me and they say stick it to whatever door now. Yeah, and that's playing man covers, which is ready for the challenge.

2:28:33Pretty good group Christian, Gary 29th, a great corner, 15, the Narmor, two great guys are right there. Very physical, but you know, we all highest never received us. So we ready for the child. Yeah. Yeah. I say just no understanding the defense, understanding the defense, understanding the game plan, understanding what coach Kelly is trying to get done. I mean, just coming in, I feel I progress from our first game against Akron to now. I feel like I better each and every week. I mean, the thing is 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.

2:29:38I don't know. 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. Oh man. And you know, we ready to go on Monday. I mean, environment is pretty crazy. See in all these cameras. Suddenly I never thought I'd see them alive, but it's a blessing for sure. This is the main this position right now. I mean, we just had a prayer prayer, prayer, a prayer meeting and you know, we all they all just we all discussed the issues because they discussed issues. And you know, which is one of the work. I mean, not two and a half weeks. We had off before Tennessee game and we just came out there on Tennessee game and we played with a chip on our chip on our shoulder.

2:30:42All throughout the playoffs, if we go continue to play with that chip on our shoulder in that championship on Monday. Do you know how that very impactful? Yeah, the very impact on my career. I should say just going to his games as a very young kid, seven, eight years old. He had a plan for West Virginia and they played Clemson Orange Bull down in Miami. I mean, just go there. They're 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, are you? Yeah, I'm just going to get to know that. Because they really just in his own his own love 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 just trying to get us ready to go to win the game.

2:31:46Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, you go play mangas or higher-stair receivers. I mean, just be ready. Because, you know, we definitely go come out there and know. Give our best. I mean, they said not go change what they do. So we're just ready for the challenge. I mean, just be ready to be in this position right now. Just a yellow key from Miami to be here. I won't take it for granted. I'm ready to go out there. I'm not all. Yeah.

2:32:56Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I was watching that game against was Georgia. I believe. Yeah. I was watching that. I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time. So, I mean, yeah, they left a bad chance to name off. But I mean, we ready to go out there Monday to redeem myself and just go put on show Monday. Yeah. Oh, I mean, I just live. But, you know, that's what they do. They're not going to change what they do just because we're higher state. So we just got to go out there and put it on. I don't know why not to play. Man, no, man, it gets us. So we just got to go out there and show them my day. Okay.

2:33:57Can you say the year? Sorry. My journey here at Ohio State, we're pairing a lot from the National Championship. Let me just go on through everything that I've been through. My first guy here, all the Matt Jules, all the hard workouts that we had, all the hard practices. I'm just preparing all of us for this moment. And I'm just ready to go out there and give it up my all on Monday. Okay. Okay. Yeah. We just squeezed this. One or nine. Two hundred. I mean, he is big and strong. Yeah. Yeah.

2:34:58What's your name? What's your name? That's great. Yeah. It's pretty good. No problem. I don't know. Why not probably like the most is the one against Michigan State when I caught up with two defenders on their side line. I mean, just will put in the ball in my area. And I just know how to make a play for them.

2:36:07Even though somebody was grabbing my face, I just know I still have to make a play because the ball touched my hand. So, I mean, just when the ball and the other thing, I have to make the play no matter how the ball comes at me. I have to a big gain. 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. Yeah. It went pretty good. Everybody just speaking with their thing is going right in what they think is wrong.

2:37:07Which is a lot of the older guys, what's in their opinions on what we need to do to get as a team. But, you know, that me and DeFi helped us in a big way because it helped us on the field as well. Because we're playing at a great football right now and we just got to cheer that one Monday. Yeah, it definitely got emotional. Can't really say what it really would say because that's players only and coaches only. But it was definitely some stuff said that people took people took and they went with it and that's the reason we're playing the Wies and Rowery playing right now. Yeah, make help me a lot this year. Him being our older guy in the room. Me and Carl Nell as well and Brendan and his and all the guys in our city room as well. He's just a great guy as well. Very smart. I mean, make just been a big part of the reason that I'm having a seat that I'm having a well because he's been a big.

2:38:08You know, older guy been there, been a lot of great guys in our room like Chris Aliveve, Gary Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson, Smith and Jibba. So he's seen all the graces 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 means they don't know what's coming out of next. We got 12 personnel. I love personnel. You can throw two of us in and throw one of us in. You gotta stop it all. What have you made of the quarterbacks of the three of them? Not too much. I feel like they all come in here working. I feel like everybody's making their throws, making their passes and everybody making their directions. When did you take away last season? I feel like I'm expanding. I'm going to be there. What did you take away from last season? You have to take a role in the game. When the next game, that was it. When the next game, go out there outside of the day, beat the man in front of you, and then came out with a national championship and an advantage. The strict laws about improving the destiny of the visual and the work of the industry. I'm going to go out there every day. I'm trying to get my game as well as my spirit. I'm trying to come up to fill it all.

2:39:11We hear about either the key rules, not just for the students, but for the whole team. The strictest step up who has started to step up and realize their place. 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 becoming leaders. Being a leader, you always have to be vocal. You can have certain examples on the field. You can be vocal, do both. I was happy for Gia. I see her, I hear Grin, I see her, I see her, Grin, and getting an extra work. I heard Boll is ball. We come out here and play ball. He's out here doing a pro day yesterday. I just see him ready to make some real money. 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 catching, consistent wise. People used that word.

2:40:12But 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 with guys like Max and Will and Bennett that you know you've got to be on your game if you're going to get them a field? I feel like Arya is starting to hire every day and come in and work and they go push me every day to work. It's just like I'm going to do that. I've probably been asked this before, but it's now a crowded room. You got Max first, what's your pressure going on with Max? I love him more, honestly. Max, Max Claire, Max LeBlanc, both of them. I love him. What's... You're flashed in the time you're... Is this the year work at all times in the other half? I feel like Arya was my year, but hey, we're going to see this year. I'm ready to come out here and put on a show for the Bucket Nation. I feel like everybody on the field is ready to go put on a show. We're going to go back and back. You got Blake quite a bit though last year, Tulane. What did you pick up from all of that? Especially in a championship run, you know, and they were camped on you. Honestly, just be ready at any time, honestly.

2:41:14You can be throwing in at any time, just like I was. I probably had some rest while I was just throwing in and you've got to get it done. And if you don't get it done, they're going to find somebody who has to do it. I think we asked you this year to tell me if you're jumping to talk to you. We're definitely seeing what you've progressed as a tight end, you know, the all of that needs. Honestly, over the spring and some of this, I feel like I've told them I've been here. I feel like I've told them I've body a lot and I got stronger in the way we were. I've also got a little bit faster so I can get in and out of the breaks a little bit better. And just the mine part of the game. The middle part of the game, if you got even better in the end, how would you describe that? I said, yeah, the mine part of the game, you know, that. Well, I feel like it's a lot more fair. I say the tight ends, we come in here. Five o'clock, every other day, we do walk through, more fair. Which is more students in the game now. We're like that. Thanks for the one. The wishes for you.

2:42:15We'll be Bob with it for like five o'clock. What do you mean we're like that, what? I feel like it was just an exciting play. I was the last read on it. Like the very last read on it. I don't go out, I can't go out with the kiss, so we did the first down. Thank you. I'm here, but I still had a great rookie year. Six yards of carry, you know, things like that. I think it was like nine touchdowns, ten, including the playoffs. And so there's always been like, all right, you guys let me show my talent, shine a little bit. Like even when I had the knee, so I had the knee, right? A lot of people don't know, like I didn't get hurt again whenever I got, you know, you 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 played the first few games and I just feel there was a lot of scar tissue in there. So 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, the first two games back from the injury, I had over 120 yards rushing.

2:43:19Right? And then went on, had great, great ending of the year. So 100 total yards in the play-out game we lost, which I hate the most. It's not going to matter to me I want to win. But then come back the next year, hurt again, like 20 kills. 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 my light to the whole world. Are you concerned that you have been labeled, you can't stand it, too? I could care less because I do, I know this out there. Because as it should be, it should be. I got hurt two major injuries back, not back to back years, but you know. So I haven't been on the field as much as I should. That's true. That is true, but it's not like I'm having these little, little dinky injuries and sitting out. It's something I can't control literally. So that's why I'm not bothered by it. Yeah, I am injury-pointer. You can say that, you know, but I do think that the charges are getting a guy that's going to be healthy from now on, you know.

2:44:26God will it, and it's going to be great. And I do think that it's going to be a great however many years here. When you've been on the field, you've been highly productive. Yeah. 5.8 hours of very average for your career. Like knowing that when you're out there, you're very productive. How much confidence does that give you that really all you need is an opportunity? All the confidence in the world, you know, the way I work. I want to say just from the numbers, but just the way I work, my work ethic, you know, and my relationship with Jesus is like I have the most confidence when I step out there. Because I do know like if he grants me the health, it's over with. I don't think I'll be, you know, I think it'll be a great year or whatever, a couple of years. However many years he grants me great help, you know. And I think just the work ethic, my prayer, and all that stuff, that's what helps me have that confidence. With the numbers, we'll be there and they might be higher after this year, you know, and it's crazy to think about it because I had six point yards per carry.

2:45:29You know, so we'll see. You listen forward to running behind this line, and then say, 50 every day? Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, I play with Bradley. I play with him, you know, I know Slater. I know all the guys, you know, and I'm excited. I think, like I said earlier, it's a talented group. You know, we just got to put it together and win some games because that's what I came through for. Justin, I'm part of the year. I wouldn't say part of the recruitment, but like whenever I decided I was going to sign it, it was great to have him in the room. Yeah, we're great. We have a great relationship. That's like my brother. I think it's complicated to compliment each other very well. You know, he can do a lot of stuff too. You know, a lot of people think he's just power power power, but I think he has some other parts of the game too, which it'll be great because I feel like I can do everything. And when one's to get tired, we can roll it in and keep rolling and win some games. When you, the two of you get going, how do you think this is going to look?

2:46:33What will be that partnership that's back there? I know. That's a hard question. How do I think I think it'll look beautiful? You know, 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 team to win a Super Bowl, they can run the ball. They can control the clock. And so if we're both good, it'll look great. Beautiful. I would describe it as a great offense. I think he gives a quarter. He's going to give the quarterback a lot of options. He's going to give the running back a lot of options. He's going to give the receiver a lot of options. You know, and I think it'll be, I think it's going to be great. He's often going to be amazing. When we talk to him, you know, it's like why are you going to build something good for us in our career? Which everywhere you can. And you said that one part of it is just, you got to call the place. You got to call the run the place. As a running back, how much confidence, how much excitement does it give you?

2:47:35You know, you have a play call that's going to stick with it and allow you and the opponents to monitor you to a rhythm of your own. It gives me a lot of excitement. You know, it's going to be, I guess, a spun-a-play. And I think he does have some good things in the past game too. But like you said, he sticks with the run and that's the identity. You want to offer his identity, right? You're going to be looking everywhere else to find your identity. You want to have it. And so I think his offense has that. And the guy he builds and puts in there, it complements that identity. So I think it's going to be great. You mentioned you're around a percent now. So you'll be full-go for training. Well, I ain't going to answer any of the four. If it's up to me? Yes. Look, because I had this problem like two years, three years ago. I'm thinking I'm full-go. I think I'm ready to go. And then next year you know I'm on PUP. Hey, look, some stuff above my pay-gray. But I don't know. Hopefully I can start.

2:48:38I think I'm ready to start, you know, at the beginning of training camp. But that's not up to me as I've learned. How do you... How do you... I wouldn't say that. I think I've been in some great organizations. And I think this organization is a great organization. And the training staff is great. And so they just want what's best for me, you know. And they're taking care of me, which that's what you want in the organization. And so that's where that comes from. Which I appreciate it. Like I really appreciate it. Because I'm a type of guy like I work really hard. So maybe sometime I'm blind to, you know, the danger of something, you know. So I appreciate it. But like I said, if it's up to me, yeah, I'm out there. But never know. Any frustration for you during the getting into free agency, you know, dealing with rehab and not, you know, having a full season of paid for the production to go out there. Was there any part of that where you're like, I wish I had hit the open market with a different situation.

2:49:40Yeah. I like it. I like... How would I say this? I like it the hard way. But not... You know, I like it the hard way. I like it. I like trial and tribulations. So, I mean, the dice that I was given to roll was I was coming off a third Achilles. And 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. But I was comfortable in 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 going to get the best me, you know, and I think people all around the league know that like, okay, this guy, okay. It's a high risk, high reward type thing, right?

2:50:42Not even a high risk, low risk because you... It's a business, right? So I got hurt last year. So not as much money in these people throwing them. 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, alright, here, you can... We give you this, but we want you to be healthy. So when I'm healthy, it's going to be great. The chance that I've been giving here, I'm so grateful and I know that's going to be... They won't regret it. Are you the type of person that likes to throw people wrong? Like you've done a couple things like the high risk, high reward, injury from, you know, like, are you the type of person that really tries to throw people wrong? No. I hear it. I see it. It's pretty cool. Like, you'll never see me unless I'm just like in a bad mood. You'll never see me like, oh, like, if I have a great game or a great year, like, I have this wonderful year, I ain't going to go back and, you know, like, yeah, yeah, what happened?

2:51:43No, 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 that talk about being injury-poorned because whenever I have this great year, it's going to be forgotten, you know? So, why, why give that energy? Talking just in the hall, I got a chance to be in the hall. Yeah, I was, you know, we just, with him, you know, he's a great guy. I mean, he was in my class. I remember seeing him on, we were at an award show because I was a dope walker or a finalist. And I'm like, I've seen him play, but I didn't know he was that tall. Like, I didn't know he was like six, six. I went to first arm. This was years ago in college. I'm like, damn, this is a big tall. Like, he's cool though. Like, I never really got to, I ain't going to lie. I thought he was going to be kind of, you know, nerdy. But he's cool, dude. Very laid back.

2:52:44No, we'll face to him. It's just because, like, the last three years has been disappointed at the end of the season. So I feel like we put more work in. I feel like that's what we're missing. We're just putting more work in. And he's got to do that throughout the summer, the spring, the fall. And then he's got to show it on the field. Tell the guy to test, Jack. When you take a, he's still like in a mold, and you're a practice, and you look at it through all of the deep fits. And you look at the person L-chains, we're failing coming in with Sunday moving up in the post-reline springage with all the guys in the suspension coming back. What's your, like, the view of what's out there on deep fits? And how it may be allowed you to do some things that you didn't do? I was kind of just like, I don't want to like, hype our heads so much, but I kind of look like a legendary defense kind of. I feel like we got playmakers everywhere. And then moving Sunday down, I think that's a great move for him. You know, he's a big athletic dude. He can play in a box, he can play like safety thing that's just showing him how like, versatile he is.

2:53:45And Caleb, you know, he's using Caleb how he plays. He's an animal. He's only a sophomore, I think. And I feel like the guys we brought back, you know, we all can, we're all dominant. So I feel like as a collective unit, we're going to be like unstoppable. So confident is a problem? No. Well, there's a part of that too. And as I mentioned, they're about pacing yourself. If 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 injuries. So how do you look at the springage 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 them, how to take care of their body. Because those are the things you're going to need to like go on this deep run. I think it's like 17 games or something that we're not. We add in games. So the young guys are going to have to play. We can't just play 50 games a snap. That's not going to happen. So. How do you get to a 70 or 80? He's going to keep working kind of keep running. Get in the shape.

2:54:49You played so many snaps. You know, it's kind of surprising to me that you said that you said that it was joke. I'm sure. But like, you know, it was surprising to hear that from you. It's a really humbly snapped you away last year. Did that kind of take a toll on you last year? I think that you need to push it even further getting better shapes. You can play all 16, 17 games. Yeah, definitely. I got to get way better shapes than I've been. And I feel like it was kind of like it was a joke. 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 bring younger guys with me because I've been through a lot of. One of those younger guys we're seeing right here. It's the first time. What have you seen from Will? Because I kind of felt like last year we all forgot about him because he was hurt. Now he's running, you know, almost a second man out behind you and Ty. What have you seen in the games? Well, it was a workhorse. He, he's going to stay quiet. He's going to work hard. And that's all I love about him. He focuses. He don't really talk much. He's going to get the job done. Do a job right.

2:55:53Really has any mistakes? So what would be a successful season? A national championship. I ring when all the games were going 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. You guys have all decided like a numbers amount. Does that feel different? Or is there not really any difference? It's just the same. It's definitely a difference. Everyone working harder. We noticed our last run. And we most of us don't have any years after this. So we got to go go bigger going home and we're not trying to go home. Finish big. We know what you guys think of Michigan. But when you look at what they did, they won the national championship. And you guys took them down to the final minute. Right? You know what I mean? I mean, you, you were right there. Something goes a little different. You guys could have been one that came against them. Does that tell you anything about like that?

2:56:53Hey, you guys want to win a national championship. But you played to the 59th minute with the team that won the national championship last year. Like you're that close. So I'm saying we just like work harder. That's kind of coach makes of saying, you know, nobody cares. Just work harder. Like those, you know, one plate Georgia is the same thing. Yeah. Last, last play. You know, they went on the win in 90. So we just got to get over that hump at the end of the season. I think we'll be fine. How frustrating is that? You're that close against the last two national titles. Of course, as you know, it's frustrating, but you can't change the outcome. You can't really dwell on it. You just got to, you know, come back and work harder. Do things better than you did last year and hopefully the outcome will change. As soon as you get older, you kind of learn that I thought I was working hard. And then you always find out there's a little more that you could have been doing. Yeah, definitely. I mean, that's how that's what growing up is basically in college. I thought, Frank, me, I was working as hard as I could, but not look back at it. I really wasn't working hard at all compared to what I'm doing now. So just to learn anything.

2:57:54If the stamina is a 16, then the answer to like, what do you need it to be to be your best? Uh, 85. 80, 85. I mean, I can, it's all on me. I just, I think it's a little higher. I was just trying to be funny, but I mean, it's all on me. I just got to run harder in shape. It's been a fact. The idea of a potential 16 is everything. I mean, side about that idea is there's a making nervous about, can you last that long? You're worried. I think I can kill that up there. I think I definitely can last. I was just, you know, we got to get the young guys that come along with us. We can't play for the snaps of the game. That's just too much on our bodies. Just everybody is like, online, online. We got to get those younger guys to play, you know, get that pieces on the D line and online and everywhere else. So we can last that long. Speaking of the life plan, I'm a snap. If you like playing that many snaps again last year, because I don't know if any of us were really expected to be by that next time.

2:58:58Yeah, I did. Unless we were like winning by like, a lot. I thought like, there are no moments you know, I can go sit down or something. But we're playing them big games like, you know, Notre Dame too, or North, those kind of games. Of course I want to be because I know I can contribute. And I won't want to put that on anyone else when I know I can get the job done. What stands out about Kaden McDonald is he got the key. You guys are the second. Oh yeah, definitely. K-Mac is a K-Mac animal. You haven't really seen it yet, but in practice, he shows all the time. He's just, he's growing right now. He has to work ethic. He just has to get, you know, in the playbook and things like that. You guys are about the exact same size. Listen, you're both listening to 6th, you're 327, he's 326. Yeah, I kind of look at him like my junior, but you know, K-Mac, he's going to be a great player. He's just got to develop more and get into playbook. So really a lot on you older guys. There's that large group of young guys and then there's the seniors in the back. Is that part of your task for this year to bring those guys along as well? Yeah, definitely. We got to be leaders. Like I said, we got to have them play this year.

2:59:58We can't just play all the snaps. They got to get in there and get some work. And we got to get them right during the all season. So they can play. And I just played and then want to like contribute, like make plays, tackle the sex. It seems like these guys get bigger. Each one of the freshmen class is a bigger, bigger, bigger. Do those guys kind of, does it kind of why you want to solve the first? Yeah, they definitely some big dudes. And they all work hard. I've only seen much of some lead day two when I'm passing on. But throughout the workouts, they've been working hard, you know, they're determined. I can say that. It looks like they're ready to work with me. How important is those? It feels like there's a lot of great defenses that you have big, athletic defense attacks who could eat up space, but also move, you know, right? That is that. Is that environment maybe from the great defense to have guys like you that have some balls? But also a great feeling. I think that is definitely, I think if you look at the last couple of nice and matured people

3:01:00and the competition winners are like, seem un-nerfly, you know, they got two good, uh, detaco, two athletic detacos. Look at Georgia, two athletic detacos. I think that's definitely neat if you want to go on that big run and beat those big teams. If you think about this, they won't define by the defense attack. It's like, what's Georgia? It's Jordan Davis and Daniel Carter. Let's miss you again. It's Chris Jenkins. How's the four questions? You might be wondering how, I mean, you understand it because you play it. I feel like some time, I don't know, are people realizing how important defense tackles are? A little bit more than they used to? I think so. I think they're starting to develop more and more of these like freakiest detacos. Yeah. Like in the combine, just now, you see in like those guys, they're moving forward to 478 and things like that. So we'll see. And when you think about this freakish attack attack attack, how do you think you fit into that bowl of that kind of player? You watch that and say, yeah, that's me. Yeah, definitely. I think I'm top notch when it comes to detacos, but I don't want to, you know, get a big head, but you know, watch it come on.

3:02:01I watch it through the drills. I have tape here, you're like, you're looking like my film. So I think I'm up there with all those guys. Do you become like an artist who comes to the band up passes the thing away? It's kind of your thing. When you're going to spring practice, you're not doing as much a weapon on a weapon. That's strong. How do you work on that? Do you have like a goal in mind? I don't remember how much you had last year, but you have a goal in mind? How many do you want to have little stuff? I mean, as many as I can have, I think I have more than that, but I think they're counseling. I think they're counseling some of them, and it's some of them where I like just listed. So, but I think we work on drills matching the hand. I think that's, uh, goes big. And, uh, what we do is a D line, you know, just affecting the quarter of that is anywhere you can. It's just great for the defense, you know, just that little thing you cover in his eye, you know, he might throw it. A little bit to the left to our player. So, so it's something that you really, really have to work on. You can do that with what you do in the past. It's a theory that's one of the things that you've maybe worked on the most.

3:03:01You can bring your time here because there are a few guys that I've seen. Like, oh, that past, you can do that. We don't have to ask him to try. We're kind of, kind of expected for the second. I think I just have like a, like, an eye for the ball kind of. I kind of just look at the quarterback and just, I see him like load up. I just try to get in his way. And sometimes he just throws it to me. I hear it's easier to do it to the Ohio State Fort Bexfield. I think a bad dumb pass is. I mean, they get frustrated by, you know, we're a team, you know, we're just getting better. Yeah. Take time to grow, you know. You don't have to have the, the pig mentality of problem of, of, of instant gratification, you know, you can develop and grow. So, and sometimes you may be behind a guy that's a really good player. There's nothing wrong with developing and growing and playing when your time is right. And if the time is right right now, the freshman, like, what's your name? Did you play early, you know? So we try to also sell that, you know, we care about him as people and try to prepare you for life after football. So it's bigger than just football.

3:04:01We're going to prepare you for life. Whether it's the NFL or on with a regular career in the, in the workforce. We want you to prepare. He has a young man and we try to sell that and preach that to the parents. With remain having that effect that you mentioned, you know, we're going to be growing all these different spots. Do you anticipate, you know, there wasn't a lot of rotation around the cornerbacks last year when everyone was healthy. Do you anticipate maybe growing him through the rest guys here with the longer season potentially? Yeah, we play it by ear. You know what I mean? We see how it goes by the time we get in the camp, but you know, obviously he, he's earning his stripes. So, you know what I mean? You earn your stripes, you know, the large job to create opportunities for you. You know what I mean? We have to see how it goes with all the other stuff. You know, once we get closer to the season, and we're getting the game plan stuff, he's doing a great job and he's taking a great step forward. Tim, when you're going through the way that you've been building the room, or the way you've kind of established your room now, it seems like it's been like the centerpiece of contemplation and kind of building bonds. But I'm curious, is that something that you came in, with the, like a couple years ago, with the intention of doing it, or is that something that you're like, that's kind of been cultivated over the course of your time as a position coach here?

3:05:05No, it's been there for a while. I've been doing that for a long time. It's all about relationship. If you develop real relationship and you're authentic in your communication, and you have honest feedback, and you have direct teaching, the guys that have a value and character, and they appreciate that stuff, they'll 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're really concerned about there where it being as a young man, and when you get close to them, it's been a lot of time with them off the field. You could coach them hard, and you can say truthful things to them, and then they'll embrace it, and you have real conversation, because you know the only goal is to help them get better as a young man. As you see, a couple years ago, I think those are the most known list of the... I've received room and so far ahead of the corner, we've got a kind of skewed down evaluations on that. How's that dynamic change in these two years? I've just got older and you've got to be more confident. Yeah, it's done balanced up a little bit now. That goes with great competition. We go against the best receivers in college football. So, that helps escalate your growth process,

3:06:05because if you don't figure it out real fast, you're getting embarrassed. So, that competition, but what happened with that, I guys started competing, I guys started growing, I guys got better, and now it's even up a little bit, so where you get really good work at practice today. You know what I mean? So, as competitive, it's fun. Those guys both on both sides of the ball care about each other, so it's great competition, and they all are real close. So, you know what I mean? It's that stuff that gets us better, that will prepare us for Saturday. I asked Denzel, kind of like that same idea, and said, well, like first day of practice, actually the receivers kind of got them, was that any kind of a good week of fall, maybe for this one. No, it's just 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 what I mean? So, we got a great quarterback room, we got a great receiver room. The running backs are really good, so when you out there going against them, it's deep. So, you have to be ready for it. And obviously, man, we're seeing a lot of good stuff with Coach Day and Coach Kelly, doing over there, and so it prepares you a lot. And it helps us grow.

3:07:06So, why are you really playing kind of an exhaustive for green, if you're green? Is that? It's the one that you're pretty, or a white or seagrass room kind of, like a part of your green, it's like, these are the guys you get to play against. Yeah, all of that's because, you know, that's where you get better. Our shop is our. So, you know, you get to see that every day of practice, that helps you grow. It's no better thing to go against every day than to see that on a daily basis. I'm also near room massage, Jordan, looking at it to play that in the best spot. We just move a lot of guys around. We watch that practice, we have a lot of guys in there right now. You know, we pop out through a four different guys in there. Obviously, Lorenzo's in there, Jameen 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 it fit, you know, see what things work together. So, there's probably some more guys in there. You know, we move it around to try to just get the right fit throughout the N and C. How it goes by the time we get really start to season. What's in the out of our caliber, too? You can run any strong. I mean, he's fast, very serious about his business. He's big, he's 200 pounds, he can run, he's strong, he's conscientious.

3:08:08You know what I mean? He's starting to grow and he's starting to get better with it. You know what I mean? So, we look for big things for him in spring. Tim, what do you want to see from here in this spring? Keep competing. You know what I mean now? He's made the transition competing today. You know what I mean? Start going in. That transition is all just like how I'm in your main last year. You throw them in the fire, you let them go, you compete. You go by the time we get out of the end of training camp, you'll be them figured out. Yeah, I want that. But now you just throw it all at him. Compete. Continuing to grow, continuing to learn. He has the skill set, he has the length. Now you just got to put it all together. And it takes time to do that. And hopefully you see that by the time we get into training camp. It seems like you did what you're springing kind of click for your main last year. And you started seeing, performing a little better in practice. Is that like a benchmark for where you want your parents to be? By the middle of spring, does he have to be at a certain point where you wanted to start clicking? Yeah, by the time you start getting about two weeks from now, that last week. You know, because it takes time, because there's a lot of stuff going on. But you know, by the time you get into that last week of spring ball, you'll just start seeing the things that you look for show up. And then you get another evaluation again when you get into training camp.

3:09:10See if this stuff carried on to make sure we go up for starting in September. What's your assessment of the growth that we've just made now that he's kind of got his feet under one defense? What do you like about him and that nickel-spotted defense? He's very conscientious. He's smart. He can run. He's tough. He's made the adjustment because he's out of Europe on his belt. So now you can see he's not making a lot of mistakes. He competes. He's real conscientious. And he has a physical presence. So the growth has been really good and we look to continue that throughout spring. Coach, thanks very much. I can ask one more. All the guys that came back, like Denzel, a great example. Because that surprised you as you reflect on all these guys that came back late for ransom. They could have turned pro. No, the culture here is real. Coach, they does a great job of building the culture. Our room is close knit. The guys on defense are real close. Those guys want to come back. They have an agenda. You know, we want to come back. They want to come back and walk away with something. So it didn't shock me. But it's a good environment for them too.

3:10:10You know what I mean? That's when you see those guys come back. That's a testimony to the culture that's set here. The brotherhood, the environment. And I, Coach, they run as a program for those dudes to want to come back. Because we go at it. It's hard. It's not easy. But what we do. So, in fact, they come back and do that as a testimony to how he runs the program. Coach, thank you very much. As far as intensity, how would you evaluate your games tonight? Yeah, my goal was just to come out and 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. I kind of had to check myself. And this week come in with a mindset of every game matters. And we need to put the best product out there that we can. And that's what I try to do. Later now, it was a good push.

3:11:10Or you looked at the working question, but you retired. You didn't seem shaken up right after you kind of just talked about what happened. Yes, Sam just tried to get it on it and caught me. It was more of like a stinger type thing. But the ref wanted me to go to the tent. So, I had to go answer some questions. How do you handle it? It was like jammed, yeah, my neck. You are a helmet. I know that you've got a sort of a different helmet. How do you handle it? Yeah, maybe. When it hits the top like that, it's not as good. But. I think 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. It's really a cool team.

3:12:10Just see from afar that it's probably a fun team to play for. And they come out and they play to win every game and I respect that. It puts so much emphasis on the ball, all meetings and takeaways. And I think you've got two since the by-week. Is there any accounting for that? I mean, there's so many different things that go into a turnover or takeaway. How do you rack your brand around that? It goes into every level of the defense. When you have your opportunity, I know we had two against 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, make your plays when they're there. And then just be in, be in the right spots. And I don't think we've done a great job of that this year. The last time I was in tonight, the soul is all pro. Did you want that matchup? Would you think about that matchup? It's good. He's a really good player.

3:13:12And yeah, I wanted to see where I'm at against him. Have you ever seen anything like the Jameson Williams touchdown or his pop act to him? Have you seen something like that? I was in the tent, so I had no idea that happened. There was a play in this game when we stopped, kind of a misdirection, sprinted all the way across the field to make the play. Did you see the play? I think it was, was it the one Gibbs cut back? Yeah. Yeah, I had like a 10-yard cushion and he ran by me like I was, didn't exist. And I tried to sprint and I just just like, I don't have this. And thankfully, Mustafa is a heat seeking missile and he made the play. But your mindset tonight was, what was your mindset against man? I mean, how did it have to get it? It took us.

3:14:12I mean, I think we came in with the right mindset as a team. Just myself. It felt a little like dead energy wise. But yeah, it was a learning, a moment for me to learn and make sure that I come in with the right mindset every single week. There's a lot of plays where you guys get to the finals, pass breakups, and it'll be like a couple plays in a row. And then there's an explosive about what can you put your finger on about the APS and the system? Yeah, I mean, we did get them to the second, third and longs. And then yeah, they would make a big play. You definitely want to capitalize 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, I'm sure.

3:15:15Oh, yeah, for sure. You had guys like Chris Carter, guys like Michael Thomas, really, them two guys for sure. I mean, Michael Thomas was talking to me before the game or the Rose Bowl in Chris Carter and after the game as well. I mean, just giving me advice, just telling me to keep going first and just keep doing what I've been doing the whole year. I mean, I'm God's bugger, I legend. So definitely look at them guys for sure. Make sure to spare. It means a lot. Just to care for Miami, just be able to play an actual championship as a freshman, something that I dream of as a kid. And I'm here now and is K-rated. K can't wait to put on a show Monday. He said he can.

3:16:19I mean, the Tissues know like he says, they're crazy each and every week playing. But you know, can't let it get to my head. I should say, let me just football at the end of the day, but you know, just happy business position. Oh, none of us think we could be covered, man, oh man. 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 play our game and know sort of reason why not to play, man, oh man. Two. Four.

3:17:22Three. One. I'll go fly. It's good. It's not about it. My mom says, you know, just go out there Monday. Just dominate the person I'm supporting me. You know, just do what I've been doing for the last two to three weeks, I should say. But you know, they play man on man. So I'm just ready for the challenge. I mean, feels good. Just say somebody going out there and playing man on man gets Ohio State receivers. It's something crazy, but you know, we just ready for the challenge. They said they're not changing the game plan, but we got to go out there and show them the reason why not to play, man, oh man. Yeah.

3:18:28I mean, I don't really, if I be on a curve, I'd be on a curve. I mean, it's not really a big deal to me. It may definitely be a blessing for sure just to be on a curve of a game, but you know, it's not really a dream of mine. It's a dream of mine, but I don't really think too much of it. I mean, no, not yet. Probably hit me after the season. No, just no playing in the colors football playoffs as a freshman, playing the Rose Bowl as a freshman, playing the Cardin Bowl, not in the National Championship. I mean, it's a blessing for sure, but it hasn't hit me yet. I'm not worried about that right now. My favorite catch, I would say we play Michigan State, the one I call the two defenders, definitely probably my favorite for sure.

3:19:29Or you could go the one from Iowa, I should say, and then answer probably them too. I mean, I can say it's pretty frustrating me having a game that I had in the Rose Bowl, and then coming to the Cardin Bowl, just doing different things, chasing their scheme up against me. But I mean, like you said, whatever I could do to make the, I mean, help the team win. It's not really a big deal for me. And as long as we win, that's all I really care about, and it got us to the National Championship. Right here.

3:20:32It means a lot. We put a lot of work in this season. We have highs, we have lows, we have people kind of out, but we hear now, we just ready to pull the show Monday. Oh yeah. First of all, the one that's not some championship because there were means a lot. I mean, you see everything that he bent through this year, people saying to be fired and this is not the third, but I mean, you see everything that he bent through this year. I mean, I see everything that he bent through this year, see everything, people saying to him on Twitter. I wasn't here, he first got the head coach and job, but I know this year for sure, we definitely got to win this for him.

3:21:32I mean, it's a lot, a lot of people in the league, I should say, I can't really say who, but I mean, you had guys like Odele, you had guys like Odele, you had Stephal Dicks, means a lot of Michael Thomas, Chris Carter, just a lot of, you know, guys I played in NFL and stuff like that, but yeah, really them guys for sure. No, just keep going. You got it, you've not stopped for sure. Really, I really appreciate that. You know what you see on that, you've been doing it for a long time, you know, it's like a big deal. Like, physical defense, like people say, like they like to play man, they're not changing their skin. So we're just ready for the challenge, like you said, the best defense we probably go see all year, and we just gotta be ready to go out there and run there and just put on the show.

3:22:39I'm excited to see him. I'm excited for Will. First coming here in Ohio State, January, our first workout we had together, just everything that we did through this season. I'm just happy for Will for him to be in this position right now, but we got to finish the job, and that's the winning idea on my day. It's pretty funny, um, them saying that because I'm just only a freshman, but I mean, it's a blessing for sure people to even say that, but I've got two, three more years left for college, and I'm just focused on college right now. I'm not really worried about the NFL right now. It's very special for me.

3:23:40Just being a freshman, I'm playing a national stage, a career for a national title, it was something that I dreamed of as a very young kid. I'm just happy to be here, and I just can't wait to put on some Monday for you guys. I mean, all the receives, we just sit on the bench, and we just see him hit the quarterback, the ball come out, and we all just got up and just started jumping up and down, we all decided, happy for Jack and that moment, and we just knew that that moment, like, yeah, we're going to the ad for sure. Me and so is a lot, I mean, going from high school,

3:24:40or when a three-state championship, Shamanama Donna, then coming to Ohio State, just competing for national title right now, me just so that I've picked two great schools, but I'm happy to be here, and I just can't wait to put on some Monday. The coolest person? I mean, you got a lot, I can't really say just a specific person. You got a lot of great guys, re-challeling, like, O'Dell, you got guys like, Stefan Diggs, a lot of other players in the world, just get cut off my mom, but really, really them two guys, for sure O'Dell, a Stefan Diggs. Yeah, yeah, I mean, like they say, they play men, so, I mean, I'm just ready for the challenge, and just get ready to go out there Monday, and just no put them in. So, thank you.

3:25:55The vice-geno high gave me. I said, just keep going first. I know the reason why I'm here. I mean, like he said, just keep going first, and just no keeping the main thing and the main thing. And the best corner I've faced this year. I mean, I've faced a lot of great corners. I can't really say, but yeah, I've faced a lot of great corners. I can't really put a name on it. My dream vacation is, uh, Teres and K-Codes. How good are you?

3:27:01I say both respect and frustration as well. But, I mean, I doubt they come out there and trip it to me, and they say, you stick it to whatever it's doing in our year, and that's playing men and covers, which is ready for the challenge. Pretty good group. Christian Gary 29 is a great corner. 15, Lenard Moore. Two great guys all right there. Very physical, but, you know, we all highest never seen this, so we ready for the challenge. Another question. Yeah. Another question. Everybody out there. Who else comes? The other guy. The difference is, the more great you go, the more great you go. The more you go, the more great you go. I say just no understanding the defense, understanding the defense, understanding the game plan, understanding what Coach Kelly was trying to get done.

3:28:04I mean, just coming in, I felt I progressed from my first game against Akron to now. I felt I got better each and every week. I mean, things slowed down a lot for me. But yeah, really just no understanding the defense and no understanding what they're trying to do to me, for sure. Two guys, great. Part of the best we go see all year, for sure. 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, oh man. And, you know, we ready to go on Monday. Yeah. I mean, the environment is pretty crazy. Seeing all these cameras. Something I never thought I'd see in my life, but it's a blessing for sure to be in this position right now. I mean, we just had a prayer, prayer, prayer, prayer meeting.

3:29:12And, you know, we all, they all, I mean, we all discussed the issues because they discussed issues. And, you know, we just want the work, I mean, not two and a half weeks we had off before Tennessee game. And we just came out there on Tennessee game and we played with a chip on our, a chip on our shoulder. All throughout the playoffs, if we go continue to play with that chip on our shoulder, in a championship on Monday. Do you know how that very impactful, yeah, the very impact on my career, I should say, you know, just going to his games as a very young kid, seven, eight years old. Him playing West Virginia, they played Clemson, Orange Bull, down in Miami. I mean, just going there, they're seeing his games. It was like, yeah, definitely when they play on the stage and I can't wait till I get to know that moment for sure. There are you. Yeah.

3:30:16Cause 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, 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 go play man against Ohio State receivers. I mean, just be ready. Cause, you know, we definitely go come out there and know. Give our best. I mean, they said not to change what they do. So we just ready for the challenge. Uh, not a year later, uh, definitely sometime my career college, but not my first in college, I should say, uh, me just to be able to be in this position right now.

3:31:16It's, you know, a blessing. Just to get here from Miami to be here. I won't take it for granted. I'm ready to go out there and give him my all. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, I mean, I was watching that game against was a Georgia. I believe. Yeah. I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time. Um, so I mean, yeah, they left a bad nickname off. Um, but I mean, we ready to go out there Monday to redeem myself and just put, put a show Monday. Yeah.

3:32:23Uh, 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 Ohio State. Uh, 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 show them my day. He said again. I'm sorry. Uh, my journey here to Ohio State, repair me a lot from that your shape is just going through everything that I've been through. Uh, my first guy here, all the, uh, Matt Jules, all the hard workouts that we had, all the hard practices. Um, we just prepared all of this for this moment. And I'm just ready to go out there and give it up my all on Monday. Okay. Okay. Yeah. We just squeezed this.

3:33:33200? Me is big and strong. Yeah. Yeah. What's the money? Yeah, that's pretty good. No problem. Uh, why not. Uh, why not part of the most is the one against Michigan State when I caught over two defenders on an airsoft line. Put it out one or the one after that. I should say, or you go the one against Iowa.

3:34:39Probably them three. Probably my best ones for sure. Uh, I mean, just will put in the ball in my area. And I just know how to make a play for them. Um, even though somebody was gathering my face, I just know I still have to make a play because the ball touched my hand. So, I mean, just when the ball and everything, I have to make the play no matter how the ball comes at me. Yeah. After a big game. Um, I mean, we really, they really feed us chick filet or pizza after the game. So it's really either chick filet or pizza. So yeah, probably chick filet for sure. Yeah.

3:35:43Uh, it went, it went pretty good. Everybody just, uh, uh, speaking with their thing is going right and what they think is wrong. Um, which is a lot of the older guys. What's in their opinions on what we need to do to come together as a team. Um, but you know, that me and definitely 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 just have to tune out on Monday. Yeah, it definitely got emotional. Uh, can't really say what really was said because that's not a player, players only and coaches only, but it was definitely some stuff said that, um, people took, uh, whether that's the reason we planned to, which is where are we playing right now. Uh, yeah, make help me a lot this year. Um, him being out all the guy in the room. Um, me help me in car, Nell as well, and Brennan is in all the guys in the room as well. Me just a great guy as well. Very smart.

3:36:51Uh, I mean, make just been a big part of the reason that I'm having a seat that I'm having a work because he's been a big, you know, older guy been there, been a lot of great guys in that room. Like Chris, a lot of way, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson, Smith and Jibba. So he's seen all the grids I've been through there. And me teaching us the right thing and the right way and the buck out way for sure. I don't know if you know what I mean. I just feel like I had all the offers. I think I mean, but I have fucked down like, I don't know if you know what I'm saying. I'm just a little bit more precise, but it doesn't matter. You get hearing notes on the stock. What was I like to make that? You know, I feel good. You know, I'm actually feeling an auto hard work and I do that spring on the teaching. I could you gave me not just paid off. I just know this way. I'm playing with the camera. They give the two deep as a true freshman. I'll play the new knowledge and opportunities and have a bigger role this year. What do you expect?

3:37:54You know, it's working to beat. You know, I mean, obviously, you know, we run whatever with having the same. So whatever, you know, I'm just working just to beat work my tail. I can make a role for my sanction. I can treat physical. I would say like I got a lot more aggressive and I gave you know, I gave some weight now. I'm pushing 200 pounds now. And I'm not against Harvard. Coach Patricia, what have you, uh, seen for David now? I've always been like, you know, he's a great guy. You know, I like him. You know, I'm not. You know, besides coach, he's a great guy. You know, he cares about his players. You know, obviously football wise. He's a master. I don't know. He is my respect. He's football business. You know, in his time being at a service. So I think it's like the other. Whether it's like the starter or occasional piece of what's going to be from the claim and I expect you know, just to add value, you know, former half of the team into the players.

3:38:55You feel a lot more. I feel this year. Last year. Oh, yes, for sure. I feel like I'm starting to use to everything here. And I feel like I'm just trying to build on the last. I'm not going to make a worse way. What? I was going to say, you know, mindset at the beginning was spring. I started scratching away and I'm letting too much of the shadow of the rest of the team. How was the team really embraced that mindset and see competitive in that sense? You know, you know, we have more ideas, you know, so far so, you know, we're trying to stay determined. And I know just trying to dominate and not living in the past anymore. It's like it never happened to me. I've been having the song of another coach. I've got to mention they're having an A and B rule. They have a beer rule that I heard from them. I've got to get some roots in another position. Well, obviously, you know, right now, playing Stoney and Friessing, you just trying to, you know, craft myself and just, you know, make myself more versatile for the team. We're right. I go. They get to get some more. Last time I went back to that. I'm pretty limiting his reps. Right. Obviously, he's living in like a playoff.

3:39:56So, you know, obviously, I'm leaving this now. And to him, you'd be wearing a line that is all just working. You know, I mean, skipping, skiing better. Thank you. Appreciate you showing. You know, I mean, so like there's some stuff at least we did over there in order to aim 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. Probably a lot of things in it because it's like it's a fresh start. I do set eyes on him. And I think it's an opportunity to be multiple and use him. And what he does best, you know, or so. That's the exciting thing. You know, when you really studied what coach Patricia has done in the past, is he likes to take like, okay, who are, like, who are our players? And then let's build it around those guys. And I think CJ said a helpful winner. I think he's one of those guys. So I'm excited to see how we be creative and use him into the spring. How many of you seem to be like float as more of an edge defender? Kind of differently than you guys do. I think, yeah, I think he has that, I think that's exactly what kind of like potential CJ has.

3:40:58It's the ability to, you know, get on the edge, move around. The nice thing about that is that you're not handicapped just with CJ doing one thing off the edge. You think you have the ability because he understands conceptually zone drops, lineback of terminology, right? You can get really creative with how you use him. But I think he definitely needs to be utilized more as a just got to the heart pack. Don't go be destructive. What's happening? What about you? I don't know. I don't know. I'll find out on Monday. What about Matt as a leader of you guys? This coach is like, how are you? How's he all fit with you guys? And how are you seeing that? How do you feel about the higher foot? I love the higher. I've had a lot of respect for coach Patricia. Like ever since he worked me a Marcus out back here. And what we were talking about that when he first was in the interview process, just kind of how fast time goes. But I'm really excited just to continue to learn.

3:42:01Like I said, like there's some, it's funny because there's some terminology that when I was at Notre Dame, 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 together right with these things that we've done. What he knows what we do, it's a lot. 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, I may have, we're going to get together at this time, and be like, you're just efficient in your role. And it's been a lot like when you're come from outside and you come back into it. And you have to try to catch him up on the recruiting board. You know, like you have a lot of these conversations. Okay, what are we looking for at these positions now? How do you see it? Because you know, under one coordinator, you might see a mic line back and used to be this. And under this coordinator, well, I think the mic back needs to be this. So you have to have those conversations at every position. And you just kind of keep going through.

3:43:02But I'm just excited to learn. I think the more systems, I mean, look, play the system here in college, play the system, underneath the Spagnolo, play the system in Tim Baldwin, play the system under Greg Williams, Dennis Allen, Coach of Galagol, and Jim Nalt. Every one of those, there's like different terminology for everything. So you're just learning a different language, Colin, you know, I mean, there's his concepts. And I think he's kind of collect over time. What you think is really good stuff and how you do stuff a bit, a little different. I'm just really excited to learn from that. I'm so excited to have some success. He seemed very excited over there talking really to me here. Yeah. Focusing college, which whatever. So long. What's his personality like with you guys? Yeah. He's been great. I mean, his energy is incredible. He's very, he is. He's authentically excited to be back in college football. To tell there's like a yearning to get back to like the while you got in the coaching, right? 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.

3:44:05You can sense like he's excited to just teach more. You know what I mean? And kind of ironically, like, you know, similar to a lot of other things that chips that last year, right? You know, get back and you're like, man, just excited to. And so if he has that excitement, he's done a phenomenal job, I think of getting to know the players. 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. You can imagine when you come in and you have all these guys, right? And trying to learn all these guys, I'm learning recruiting, trying to learn to staff, I'm learning dynamics, like it's a lot. But he's handled it really well. You know, he's an old school ball coach, so he's a grinder. So he's doing a really good job. James, I thought he's probably not going to need to do much this spring. How much more can you get down with the young guy? You're not telling him that. So you've got to do a lot. But in terms of Ryan Dair, he said, you know, thank you for saying 75% or whatever. How much more can you get down with the young guys when they'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.

3:45:09And that's what it's all about, right? You're trying to have it so cliche, but it's true. Like the iron sharpens 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. So, yeah, son, you get 50 or how many reps, you know, reps off for the percent of the coach said. And that means more opportunity for somebody else to play, right? So that'd be more for our Val. Is that scheme flexibility with our Val? We're going to pay Pearson round. We said TJ Riley, you like all these guys stove. We're all going to get more reps. I think it's great. So we got to do it this point of season. But I think, you know, yes, there's still stuff that within that all of a sudden is that he's going to be. Clon to try to get those reps because he's a he's a true pro. And, you know, that's been the most enjoyable thing about working with him is like.

3:46:12You get a kid who's played safety his whole life comes to the back yard. He's going to have to learn the why behind everything. And, you know, very similar to the fact of Cody, like, would you have guys who are 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, were you at, you know, like, they're obsessed with the game of 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. So strong. And, you know, you see today in terms of the higher with the map, just looking sunny, like, what do you envision more with him with all of that stuff? I think, I think we said a lot of guys with a lot of links. We talked about sunny styles long, can run our values long. Like, it's crazy because you see sunny. Like, okay, this guy, like, I wish I was built like that when I played. And then you see our Val stand next to sunny. 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.

3:47:16Like, we just have a bunch of guys and that's a lot of credit to make. Coach made it 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. And then they were like, the whole, like, the whole, like, the whole, like, that he run. And they're kind of hanging out during practice. And we 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 into the brotherhood. So I think, you know, there's just a lot to work with. So what he's really good at, right? He's like, he's talked about it. He's like, get us Mike Vrable, you know, Roosevelt Colvin. And those guys, and then a couple of years later, he has Brandon Spikes. So he's like, okay, I just, I just put his blitz brand in the middle all the time. So he was two hundred sixty pounds and a beast. He always says he was my best nose guard from Mike Backer, right? And then the year after that, he gets, you know, got Jamie Collins and Dante Hightower.

3:48:17So now we can do a lot of stuff, right? So they're shot just like, hey, this is what we're doing. We got plenty of people in there. It's like, hey, here's what we got. So that's what strength will be. Walgone the lab and figure out what that means. I'm sure through spring ball, there'll be like, hey, here's what we do really well. I just unit, since unit is going to be different, right? And you know, there's a lot of production. So you know, it will be different. So you kind of got to reform your own identity and you ever he earn that silver bullet. Big name and mantra. How many of you guys can look at our bell and just seem like he's on a very good track. Is that a great job becoming a leader coming out of a shell? I think I think for belly, it's all about his just to see it just preparation. And 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 stuff like sometimes these kids are always on their phones and stuff.

3:49:19Not like the meeting rooms or anything like that, but just naturally. So like to get out of pen and paper and like, you hear things in the middle. Yeah, I got it. What you do until your dog tired and then you forget, you know what I mean? 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 people on the page to call it DJ and Riley and Eli. So I can still like, so I kind of love the competition room right now. The way it's made up. Yeah, he's on a great path. How many different guys do you feel like can be in that Mike's spot? Appreciate it. But that was obviously losing Cody and now having that. I think that's something that's fluid as we kind of go. Because you know, week one Sonny actually started out Mike for us. And Sonny smart off the play. All our bell is smart off the play. I'm here so smart off the play. And that's also like, how did you like depends on what what scheme you're running.

3:50:21Where they how do they be utilized as well? You know what I mean? So you say my like my backer, you know, whether it's Tommy, I can very grow up in research. Two different people and Cody's different than those two. So my challenge to like a lot of the guys that come in. So you got the other 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 a lot of Mike. My drop is this and that's all I need to know. 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 didn't recognize that the offense is telling you something. What they're doing. So. If I'm out there and also I'm not getting a call, I know what the call should be. It's like, hey, are we playing? You know, let's go. Now listen, you get it. You can look. I can see OK, here's what the tight ends doing. That's what the backs doing. Here's what plays are coming. If you just lay up and play as a matter of pass every time.

3:51:22Like you know, stay in 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 she wants to try to. OK, are they trying to do man's own indicators and 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. They move and they don't want you to recognize. So we're 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? You're reacting. So I know you have. So my challenge to guys like, there's always a no both. So I think a lot of just beyond. On depth for guys to get, you know, if Sunnies only doing 50 to 75% of the plays. And probably more guys get more will reps than they had because we need. Well, bodies is that's technically where Sunnie started. But we'll rotate them through. Let the production kind of show what it does. And sometimes you know, you'll live with some of the mistakes just from. It's in his spot that you'll be able to judge to like who's actually. Getting the book, you know, I mean, who's actually studying.

3:52:24How much of a great have you seen from Sunnie this time of year ago. Who the national championship gave and then what's next. Man, I mean, definitely, I know, I know Sunnie has big goals and you should. I do as well for him and. 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 box with a linebacker, you got to be able to. Remember Luke, think we say all the time. And you got to be slow until it's time to be fast when you're twitchy like he is. A lot of times, you know, when you're about safety or you used to pulling a trigger and rolling like you got to. Learn how to shuffle and not cross over and he got so much better as a year or not. Think a lot of people question whether he'd be able to hold up his Cali wise and you know he was. He was great, you know, he's the season guy. He's really good with his hands is a really natural ability to snag. We'll keep challenging him. I think he should be a dominant guy in coverage. He needs to be a guy that we can put on a tight end and be like he's not going to be in catch on the ball.

3:53:28He has that athleticism. I think we need to challenge him there. Challenge him. I think everything is just miss it. It's not just sunny. It's everybody's urgency in zone coverage. I mean, the urgency of the three of you have to break on the football to close that space. Not at the ball carrier have so much space on you to cut making miss. It's critical. I think sometimes he's he can be 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 best part is a lot of times like he'll come to me before film and already say that 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 room is that they just want to be they want to be pushed. And they want to be coached. And so the heck of a rascal you ask for right like. I always ask like what do you need for me just just keep making sure like you're pushing it. Let me settle. Let me settle. So. He's probably the best. And the room at that. Do you look at sunny and our valley. It's kind of your top of the skies right now. Yeah, I mean I think going into it, you know I think it's accomplished the plan and whatever play was called, whatever maybe just go out there and execute it.

3:54:37One thing we appreciate is execution is really the motive. You know I didn't get me 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 changes the mindset of everybody on this ability. Do 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 I think it felt like everything was big but then when you kind of just take your time to look at everything and 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. Letterman. Yeah. JT I know you get to watch a little bit of video of Caleb and Lathen and Jordan. What stands out about that group from your from your vantage point. Oh there's a very relentless man. I mean Lathen Caleb and I mean everybody in that BIA core.

3:55:40Yes they can cover but you know when it's time to you know stop the run they'll come down 12 yards out however. However far off the front line scribes and coming you know the nose in there and in our respect 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 that. Yeah. Sort of the last line of defense but sometimes the last line of defense is in the middle of it. I mean they play a huge role I mean like you said it takes everybody from the front four it's like a chain reaction. The front four don't do their job then you know falls you know the back end 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 do 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 is going to be off the charts. For the right. The right. The right. Stits. WSYF. DT how would you describe the mentality of the defense right now giving this opportunity for a green after the award?

3:56:42Yeah a hungry and thankful I mean we know how the last last time when you know we 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 stick right now. You know just fighting to where another house they judge for the next game that's what's on stake and just to be able to represent this this this state and this this team. I mean we understand what's as 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 through your mind in that moment? I mean there was a I don't think anybody imagine it imagine us losing you know I didn't that's for sure and I think after that it was a kind of head deep. Understanding that man we still 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 thing we did a great job of just understanding coming together in this room right now.

3:57:50Not being afraid of display or hold accountability from one another and you know as as that happened we came back we grouped and you know we're just going right now and I'm just blessed for those specific moments you know losing. I mean no one wants to lose but the testimonies and the things are taught within those little situations speaks volume. After all we're all right. What did you see from King Adam the last couple of weeks? Was there like a push from him and there were many conversations with him we can see like he's playing since the best performance in the city. Yeah I mean that's that's my boy he's in the R2X club too but you know Keata I mean every time his numbers call he goes out there and makes the most of it no matter where we add in the game when he goes out there he's just hungry. He wants to go make plays and you know we see it in practice so it's not surprising to us.

3:58:50Bill Rebino has put this back. Dylan Gabriel is obviously very elusive in her 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 on being disciplined no one who you're playing against like you said Dylan he's a he's 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. I should about you and Jack I mean you're personally seem to be a little different you're more on the quiet side he's not. How about you play together four years both five or guys kind of describe your relationship with him friendship with him. Yeah just kind of how you pop them on 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.

3:59:53We'll do anything for this team you know we'll die for our players and we'll give everything we got. Yeah four years correct yeah fall camp yeah sometimes go over there so over there. There's the meat one who's the messy one. We have our share of days when we when I'm neat he's neat or you know we might both be messy but we do a good job. Yeah I'd probably say I would better pick the jack though Tony Gertman like I held when you're playing a team for the second time and that was almost a season to go by now. Yeah 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 preconceived notions of what you're going up against offense on the offense line. I say it's pretty 50-50 I mean that game like you said it was a while ago but at the same time they elevated as a team so did we so we understand that they they had they made some changes for sure. You know there's there's a certain density we can take back from that game but we also understand that they went on a low run after that and we can see that they elevated as a offense.

4:01:01So we just got to continue to watch those games dissect the other games and just continue to see what stands out and what they change from the past game. We got a couple calls on zoom that will wrap up with first we have Nick Hamilton from night cast media Nick. I just wanted to ask you basically about the synergy of this defense and how you guys were able to not only celebrate the triumphs but get through the adversity be able to be this top notch defense that you are a college football today. Here you need to question one more time. One of the issues about the synergy you are able to develop over the course of the season obviously celebrating the triumphs but also getting through the adversity to where you are all the top notch defense that you are today. Yeah I mean like you said that we went through a lot of trials to trials but there's also there's a lot of things we can take away from all the wins and losses and from those those wins we understood that hey we can be the best defense of the country and from those losses we understand that there's still things that need be fixed.

4:02:07I think when you take all that in at once it comes out to the common top which is you can always learning points everywhere and depending how we dissect those games or how we just continue to come as one and elevate. We continue to just collect all those learning points and just continue to grow from them. And one final question. Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch. JT what have you guys done better in the Tennessee game and just late in the season you think about turning some of the pressures that you've got on the 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. The thing as the season went on we had to understand that we have to know what's going on in the back can we have to know what's going on in the lineback recruit to understand what plays we have room of freedom and I think once we understood that and got a better understanding of everybody's job.

4:03:10I mean it showed this play because everybody knows what each other is doing. It's not like the lineback is not what they're doing. The corners and BI they know only their job. I think we all know each other's job and we continue to ask each other questions on if they're listening how they can get to the quarterback and if I'm dropping playing courtbacks by I can ask Cody on how to open field tackle. We just kind of lean on each other's understanding because I guess that like Denzel knows how to play corner better than I know how to play corner so he has more wisdom at that position than I do. JT thank you very much. More and more. Can health similar will you think in terms of playing what you did in Denver? I don't know that yeah I kind of just mentioned previously I don't know my role I don't know of the engine out yet so once we'll get no. Through the protocols and NFO PA will talk about no the schemes and everything. Right.

4:04:11So welcome when you were in Denver in the three four where did you find yourself most comfortable most effective in my role? I played a lot of different positions in Denver I mean earlier my year I played zero I played three to one I mean I definitely more comfortable in a shaded position mainly being three technique and five technique best for I find 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 deep care of defense and whole environment and Seattle from 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 know I know Pete Carol very little so I'm just trying to figure out more and I'll give you a better answer later. What's the reputation around the league? Hard knows hard hat type of team definitely on a 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.

4:05:14I've been super successful for many years as long as I've been live as long as I've been watching football and definitely this has been a good program and Pete Carol has been a hell of a coach for as long as I can remember you and back in his college days so I'm looking forward to experiencing that. I know you don't know yet what you're looking to be but what kind of player are you that you're playing to have a watch on the Denver what kind of player does he has to get? Definitely a high motor definitely not a one trick point type of player I like to attack. No whether it's first or first to do fourth now I like to attack I'm always on the ply pressure. I'm definitely just a high motor guy my opinion. Maybe. I'm pretty understand for me. This is not a team that really makes big splash sign in this in pregnancy. Did you think going into it that Seattle would be in play? No not at all. It's kind of like being a kid at the 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.

4:06:25I mean I'm loving see how so far you know I like these colors. What do you got to do in Seattle and see some season? Not much. Just kind of just drive around the city exploring get down to the market a little bit. I want to get on the Ferris wheel do some more like touristy type things you know I'm new to the city and I got a lot to learn about city. Yeah there's been a lot of comparisons with you to Michael Bennett. I wonder if you know Michael Bennett at all. I know Michael Burr and then it like nothing I don't know about but um besides his style of play. But I'm honored to be considered in the same conversation as him in a style of play you know he's a Hall of Fame type of deep lime and that I've known about since I was a kid. I mean last time he played here I was in high school so you know it's cool to. 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 Famer and I'm not there yet so you know I just got to keep doing my diligence to be a better player.

4:07:28David. Hey Dream out welcome to Seattle I know you get to play several seasons for big fan geo in the three four style defense and Seattle's playing a similar system now dating back to last year. I have a defensive line and what do you think is most important to be successful in that system maybe fundamentals or just playing style to be successful. Um just from what I learned being gap sound and being patient is always been the biggest thing and that's how we've been successful when I was in Denver. Um 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 the 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. Um yeah Dream up. You're a you're going to have a state plan because you didn't start playing football to you or junior high school. Why did you play basketball so that next? Just uh what made you know I get to play football and was that a hard decision?

4:08:30All the kind of away from basketball? No no I'm always love football first. It was just kind of just I'm just playing it out you know I love it who but you know football was definitely my calling given I was. Uh 265 pound power forward and I was like six three some change so you know I kind of told us about that you gotta give me and I'm not six eight. Um just for standpoint like I always get like over over shadowed overlooked whether it's uh 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.

4:09:32I'm always doing something whether in the run or pass game so nothing that goes on notice sometimes and I'm looking forward to playing people on notice. What do you like to do outside of football? Uh bit gamer. I'm definitely I'm again 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 to say your name you prefer gray or dream? Uh I mean you can say you can say Dreymont Jones to me but like just I'm like personally just call me Jerry because it's easy because people like to f my name but like a lot they call me Jerry Montet. I don't know why you put a Dreymont day in my name or Dreymont T whatever you want to say I was gonna go by a drain to keep it simple. Thank you Michael Sean. Hey Drey what's specifically you bringing to the sea of as a past question? Uh some of the new era of the past question you know someone was on the little lighter side of the average through technique and bring that explosiveness that quickness.

4:10:40Uh someone was great with their hands someone was a very stingsable and someone was a go getter when it comes to the run-in pass. Appreciate it. Well yet Drey Jones said after the trade did or after the signing that you actually got they wanted to trade last year. But Denver said no it was that time you were aware of it all? Yeah I was aware I mean like shit. They'd be flattered and they want to be even like that. Yeah I am flattered but I mean shit actually just traded me from the jump but uh it was cool to I guess it kind of came full circle for Seattle a little bit. I was included into the trade and Denver said no and then Denver kind of I want to say that word but Denver didn't pay my part respect so I'm here because they respect me from the jump. Hi anything else guys? Thank you. What have things to do and we're all learning so um it's been really good. How much were you talking to Kay 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 right?

4:11:46Yeah I think having him go through the whole process has been a big thing you know kind of having you know him in my corner just to talk to you or call him whenever I need you know we still talk to a lot and you know I have some questions whenever you know so you know I first got here he was still here in the training and everything. Yeah it felt so um you know it's been like I haven't been ever so it was really good. What's it like watching now in the NFL with the Texans? I've got to see you know pretty well doing it. Living out his dream. Yeah no it's going to come in the super happy form you know he's uh down there in Houston you know CJ and everything I think he you know he really likes it so I'm excited to see what he knows this next coming year. We just have different year to year. We're just in terms of getting a college student and getting a couple of that and all the same. Yeah I think you kind of realize that you know this is you know this is your life you know you got to you know coming here replacing a high state like playing with the best ever since the day you know you got the time in you know you got to uh you know what you want to get out of it in the end.

4:12:56You know long a fight 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. Did you graduate from here when you're doing that you have got like Riley and he's the interview and you looked up to you know guys. You know I was like what if I got rolled out but now you have got to what kind of players and players you have to do all the games you grow for those guys. Yeah I mean just kind of you know just showing the way around this building you know just you know how how we do it here at the 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 is more like a lead by example kind of thing. And spring a little bit of no vocal leadership in there as well but you know just kind of for the work of a fan 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 thing went on you guys went on and I guess what do you learn about like what it takes for you.

4:14:02I would just say you know staying together you know our biggest thing was each week was just trying to 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 a like a band of brothers. James pop down the past I think I'm sorry. You know kind of. You know you're playing well you're making plays. You're going to find playing. How are you pressing the set that approach you know you're not allowed to ask guys you're making a play. You're making a play. You're making a lot of things. Yeah I mean I think you know just start with you know coming out to practice every day you think of your head down just you know making sure you're going hard. You know what you're doing you know so you can build that trust. But I think you know just having the guys around you like you know like Sunny or Val Payton you know you know you know you know you've been in there you know playing in games and everything like that you know to lean on and ask some questions and stuff so you're ready.

4:15:09Where you sit down like this? I'm like 227. What's the goal for a quarter ball? It's still 25 right now I think it'll bubble up to like 238 so get a little more. Great. We saw that deal a sense of urgency. Part of that to be to provide depth or maybe more than that this season. I can go into your team. Yeah I mean I think all right now I'm kind of focused on just getting better or someday I think this kind of springs for you. Is you know individually just you know continue to perfect craft every single day for that technique or you know scheme or whatever. But yeah I mean I think that's you know definitely you know something in my head you know obviously you know can't be in play. So I think that's definitely a big thing. I think just saying I had the chance and getting past those third downs converting on those third downs I mean that's what we got to be better at. Within the day we got to put him in zone. We're not doing that we're not doing our job so.

4:16:11Are you guys creating more explosive plays as an offense? Right I think you stick with it. You know the explosive plays are going to come and now we just got to trust that and they'll be there for us for sure. Coach Sins has been here for high as 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 is 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 it attacking it the same way every day. That's really all you can do and you just get a little better every day and see where it takes you. The way things are already we're setting up but then also the way Jason Simmons was calling the game on Saturday seemed like tight ends are going to be a big part of this as you guys are trying to pull out and 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 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.

4:17:24You'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 someone that everyone trust is going to do his job at a high level and I think we have Hudson's a good leader too as well. Obviously he's a quarterback so he takes on that leadership role and I think we just have a good amount of leaders throughout the offense. We were told George might be fairly close to getting back what 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. You know we're really excited about him and what you can do on the field so it'd be great. They don't care about that a bit so you know it's developing yourself to have a great mindset early. You know having that grown man mindset at 18 years old is really important because not a period they don't really care about feelings. So it's about just coming up here being a man that you think you are having to go out there and prove it.

4:18:27David what's been the easiest thing and the most difficult thing about your transition years so far? The easiest thing I would say I mean it's really not that easy about this. You know coming to a top program like this you know especially coming off from national championship. It's really not that easy you know they're pushing for the same thing and they're trying to go back and back. So I mean we just got to come up here we got to step up but the hardest thing I would say you know just having to grow up. You know going from high school where 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 itself because when I went into high school I went to her a powerhouse. So I was at the bottom there and had to work my way up and I still like that's just repeating self here. Now 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. So you know just going to get these guys they're competing every day you're not going to get a day off where you know receive just coming out here just be essence. So I mean you got to be a piece of cute all the time. When you see what a guy like Jay sorry Kevin can you see what a guy like Jay did last year coming in here playing immediately.

4:19:33Is that inspired you to want to be able to do the same thing as a freshman? I mean definitely you know just what he did last year is a true freshman you know him being able to play an impact team like that. Obviously I want that for myself so you know I'm going to push myself to that limit 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 year one so me having that opportunity is good and you know I'm going to 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 got to get to the top. What do you feel like it's going to take for you to get from the bottom to the bottom? You know just discipline they're big on discipline here and you know competitive acting so it's just staying consistent every day. Just doing the right having little to none mental errors that's going to give me on the field. I do what I'm supposed to do that's going to give me on the field. How do you manage those expectations for people to think that you should be playing week one what the season comes around?

4:20:33How do you manage people? You know I don't really let you get to my head because like I'm here I got dudes in the room that are like I just think they're three years started. I got to main first in all American you know he's going to play this year too so I can't let what people say on that you know get to me because you know anybody can say oh he's going to 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 in that spot. What's the most important thing you've learned so far in three months here? I've never been competing every day that's the biggest thing. Having to compete you know these guys appear they take winning and losing to heart so you know my first week up here when we did our competition. You know I was winning then I actually I got that first loss on my belt and you know it kind of opened my eyes 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 the opportunity to be around the team for that CFP Ron what did you learn from just those few weeks seeing this team make that run?

4:21:34Being real tight with your brothers you know they're real tight you know they push each other you know it's a real brotherhood they don't let nobody down they always got each other back. So I mean it's a new team now so you know we got to build that kimchi with each other you know just just get tight and I feel like when I was there for that playoff running and I practiced when they were at the national championship. You know I just got to watch you know how guys are you know real locked in they're close with each other they're not letting nobody slack off and you know I feel like we had the opportunity to do that with this team now. How did you handle that first loss? That first loss 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 you see that so and they go see how you respond to it so I feel like I had to you know open my eyes I had to go going and locking them like you know I can't let this happen. So I got to go up and you know these guys are counting on me too so it's really important that I don't lose.

4:22:39If you had to describe yourself as a competitor how would you do that? I'm a great competitor you know I like winning who does I'm not winning so I mean winning is it's in my blood you know my parents taught me that at a young age you know going after competing for anything that you want and I feel like if you can go after I could peep for it you know it's yours and if you can peep for it all the time who don't take it from me. So I mean I'm a good competitor I'm always going to go after I try to take what's mine if it's out there then me anybody can have it and I'm going to be the one to get it. There's some role lockers in your room obviously you were talking what with your natural health. It can come out on you know but I don't really I really know my game through the talking for this part 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 going to 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 consistent with you and TVU's yeah I'm going to talk but you know being in that room you kind of got to talk you know the gym and you got IGD 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 you bring that out that just brings energy out and hold deep thing.

4:23:40And when you got the whole defense clicking I mean you can see you can see. Is there anyone that's kind of a competition you have? It was during the winter we were doing you know 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 the freshmen 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 all kind of lost and it all kind of like we all kind of can't get that to the freshmen group like what are we going to do about this because you know some of their kind ofness to step up in those roads. Yeah definitely definitely definitely my work on college moments you know you know just just showing that you know it's real now a metal high up state. I'm not in Houston Texas and I'm wearing my school far from my family you know I got a 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 how did you know growing up there in Texas playing at that level how do you feel like that helped you prepare for a high state.

4:24:42I feel like you prepare 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. We live just like these guys who do the same lifts you know the level of ball I played the highest level ball in the Texas 6A you know we're going against guys like Dunkinville no crowded those top schools. You know receive the Korean war against them I want to get some 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 a little school where 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 count on 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 it goes us floated and the probably Georgia so I mean they're counting on me to be ready and. That level ball prepared me. I do do against the Korean you know it was it was when when lose when lose you know I went some he lose some so I mean it's it's just it's just getting better on shop and higher because you know he's the top receiver obviously in our class you know I feel like he's going to have a good impact at working so I mean it's just it's just just just what's going to happen next.

4:25:56Yeah definitely definitely I'm not planning on planning it's 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 to rematch you. Devin you committed super early in the process six months after that you shut things now when quite frankly someone of your caliber didn't have to do that you could have you 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 is this is what I felt this is 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 what because they you know they're making it you know making me feel important up here and then you know I you can ask 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 to fight that knocked him up here you know I don't got to always be 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 in my college ball at you know knowing where I felt like it was home and then you know it was also my parents too you know my mom being you know feeling safe that you know I'm up here you know I'm handling business and not having to worry about me when she goes to sit.

4:27:10I did practice he had for you and I did this in the other class he just said. I'm a coach hard-knitman and a coach of junior and step up and he helped us out everything he's a big help and I just like make sure we stand talking to him and stuff. We're just talking about stepping into a big hole in the slide. How much do you watch while I like that everyday trying to take things whether it's preparation stuff he does on the field just learning from a guy like that. Every time I watch him I watch him so I just take some of this game and I had it to my hand and I'm writing a lot of this too. I take some of this all the receivables. Yeah they always help me out and I need to go. Is what's in life walking into this room to the civility and I'm staying with all the history of the majority of the slide. You know what it means to be a part of this room. What's that? It's a big step. It definitely holds a lot like a shoulder so you got to get a big quick.

4:28:11It's definitely a big dream for my team. It's never been to a lot of people. I'm blessed to be here. You won that. Yeah that's why you come. That's why you come. What kind of advice is that some of the workers that is already even before spring wall started to talk to the Mecca. Some of those guys are just a lot. I try not to take everything personally. I'll say like, you know, time will come when you're making comments and making that play. I'll be looking forward to that every day and I'm staying up late because I still don't get you to be a father in this game. I like that. Yeah, I like that. As you got back up, you was a guy who I've been waiting for the last two years to make a difference out of two years ago. How much is patient to require me to? Obviously you've got to get off the field. But how much is patient to employ? How much is patient to employ? Not everybody has the same amount. So some people always have a written term. But you just have to read a name. I can say a native tongue is down to that plate.

4:29:11It's going to go off from here. Awesome. Thank you. It's an action that we've written. It's going to go off. Ever since, it's been getting off of her period. My life has just gone faster. It's been great. I've just pulled kids in. I'm pretty sure. I mean, obviously we've got to come here for you. I'm curious about how you pick so high on straight things. How do you pick? It's pretty good. You started to pick a hundred percent good. I mean, in terms of the guy who you want to join in. How do you pick?

4:30:15I pick three. That's great. You can just name it. I pick four. I pick three. That's great. You can just name it. I pick two. I pick three. I pick three. You can just name it. I pick three. That's great. Thank you, Grandma's busy to coach today. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. What's your name? I'm going to be talking about this. I tell you about that. I'm going to be talking about this. I'm going to be talking about this. I'm going to be talking about this. This is the first time I met him. He's just a lot of rules. What do you think he can bring you to the top? No. He's just a lot of rules.

4:31:15So, like, I believe a lot of you do. I don't really care what it is. I can get into this. What's one of the things you need to tell him? Or, you need to be another part of it? That's what I would love to do. I'd love to tell him. But, hopefully, I can just give him. It's different being an out-of-state group here. There's a plenty of people out there that I love. It definitely is. I don't think anybody outside looking at you in the room, questions the strength of your commitment like you locked in your last eight and sent it over and over. But you're making visits around the country, you see other schools. It's almost, it's totally different mindset. How do you approach these other visits and how do you communicate with Ohio State about their next thing the message? I just let them know that I'm always lucky and I'm still enjoying buses. I'm not going to put out one specific thing.

4:32:34I'm going to give you a few questions. Definitely a little bit of both. Obviously I just wanted to team the win. I think you got a chance to win. Definitely towards it and to stretch that last drive. I was a couple of plays here, a couple calls that he made me shut up guys. I think the frustration more so it just comes from wanting to win more. What did you say he was a little surprised how much attention you got right away from the defense? I have a view. Yeah, definitely. We maybe gave him 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 this is kind of how the game goes. What's the process of it and what sometimes where whatever reason does it see that? Definitely. Especially in college, a lot of the game fans defensively were taking you away. We had a lot of success at a high up state. One of the boys had different weapons. They still get the victories and I was able to continue to do better jobs right now.

4:33:39What are the communication the process been like post-game getting on the same page with Kyler? You guys exchanged text or you guys in the film? Definitely. I'm kind of asking what did I see there or kind of go over and play. I just kind of give him what I saw and kind of different feedback. Mark, I get it. We're asking questions about the previous game. Are you the type of guy to let a game like that linger or how do you flush it? You got to move on. Got to move on. It's a long season guy. It's like 16 more of them. Hopefully, no, I can stay healthy throughout the year and just continue building to 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? It's totally different. It's totally different. You can do a lot of things, you know, inserts and shorts. And then once you go out there, put practice and you get pads on. You do like the joint practice video with the Coles, but there's nothing like actually going out there and live action. I'm really trying to be on the same page. So I think that relationship will continue to develop and look at the better.

4:34:39Is that it? It's just a matter of rucksack as well as anything. Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Like I said, I was kind of my first live action together. So I think we can continue with. When you're early impressions on time on the field together and you've been increasing with cows? Yeah, but now obviously I have a deaf serve respect. You know, JG's call or preseason. I obviously be all feel really healthy. That's kind of the most important thing. I obviously get a lot of healthy even going forward. So, um, that's it. Marvin, when you're 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, a new guys up front, I think. That's kind of where the strong suit is. Kind of a little different to Buffalo. Come over a little match coverage. So I'm excited to build this. Personally, when the bells take you one on one, how do you feel today? It's okay. It wasn't many of them. It wasn't many of them. So, uh, I feel like we could. I'm just really thinking versus just playing. You know, not getting a preseason game. I think it's a lot. Definitely, definitely thinking a lot out there.

4:35:40And, um, you know, I think I'll come with reps. I think to think and less, you just going out there and playing. Definitely come with reps. And it's something you're on, you're better at. But, um, definitely say I was taking a lot out there. Is there anything you can do to prove that? That's your coverage. I think you did the past because you're going to face that a lot. Yeah, I mean, you just got to see you get open for yourself. Making yourself available. And when the ball does, can you make it into play? Um, this. The heat is just taking you away. That means other guys are having a chance to get open. So, that's how kind of high look at it. It's no longer 16 or all offense. That's the best thing for us. They're countrymen with Tyler. Is this something that comes pretty quickly in a new game? Or something like that? One. Hopefully sooner or later, I think. Um, we'll continue to see. We'll see. I don't think we're in a bad place right now at all. Obviously, I don't really think that. But, uh, just the live reps will continue to grow and show. This is what's about life. This is like, is that it's helping us? Like saying what kind of GM coach what? Everything's not always about ball with them. It's about like. Focus on like, we can't help you become a better man and a better player individually.

4:36:43It's only one. I think you had your inner self. It's crazy. I always did that. I hope you compensate for what I was heading into. Chris next season kind of trying to push first job. Is that like a confidence booster for me? I mean, I'll say it was a confidence booster. One reason I 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 those stuff. Like you got your teammates who got your back like my first play when I got up there to the seat. Like when to sail the IGB and your main like personally they say is like, no, where you just go out there and play with confidence. You know, you know the tools is usual tools. It's just go out there and make a play. And where about a play coming to you? You know, where is your time? This is your job. You just do it. And 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 you put in. The one on one toe. So 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. Nicholas Fawcett. I'm like now I'm actually trying to like catch, catch technique and it's.

4:37:45Often covers not. It's not always press at the line. So it's like not maybe like move my feet, move my hands like. See like what I got to do just like just a case. I got to go back in corner. I can. I plan off now. I'm very confident out there. Do you think that was. An actual fifth view or have you had the kind of. Because it's yourself to transmission. I mean, I feel like it's natural for me because I feel like me. Individually, I'm a fast learner. Fast learner like coaches help us like learn fast like. Because they're always on this about. The techniques and stuff. So you like you write down like pick up all the things that in 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 a really like reverse utility. You're able to go out there and just compete. Is that where you kind of stuff this spring or. You've been kind of out there. So I've really been stuck there this spring a little bit. Like whenever you get it's like other things. I just bounce out there every once in a while. Just like have fun. See if I still got it every once in a while. So it's as good as go out there to compete at most spots. You mentioned the technique. What technique, you know, tips and things that you had to pick up and learn.

4:38:49Because walking from. I mean, this is always like you are because what. Preaches of asking hands like see it. You see it move your feet and then you do your hands on the mask. It's like when you get like. Were you out there? Are you able to like process like the way the receiver come off the ball looking at the hips and seeing like the way he moving? Are you able to pick up like the row concerts you can get out of that like. So it's been like other coach walls. Me. Like as a player and just like him breaking out football to you like one on one. It's like very beneficial. What was the hardest part of making that transition from outside inside? I really say like cornering. You got to cover two cover three. You get to cover once. Like you mean it's easy. But then you got nickel. There are so many responsibilities. You got to see like the row concepts. You got to be able to process like dying those rows faster than what you got to do in a corner. And just be able to like everything. Quit like your transition. You got to like you got to move fast. You got to just learn to move fast. It's like game recognition. Where you think maybe from the most since you got.

4:39:49How did you got to go? I was definitely saying. I definitely say hands because you get to like college. Just a little bit different. High school. We don't got to worry about things like that. When you get to college in school like this. Like your recognition of plays. And like you know your jobs the way like the coverage is supposed to be played. Understand all your teammates or pluses. You have to feel like it is easy. What have you forgotten about. It's very talented. He's a great dude. He's a humble guy. Great teammate. He's very supportive. As I've got that you want to run around because. You can feed off your energy because. You can see like we make it play. He's like he like I do me. It's like I do you two partners. So he's like. When you get out there with guys like that with good energy. It makes you play a little bit harder. And then like 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 have a lot of players. I know. I'll be serious. Now. What is it about one bill that gets you to play at a high school? That gets you to play at a high school.

4:40:51That's a big question. I know. The only thing that starts up. Because you have so many kids come out of the blue and just play at the. I mean I. The school was. And they like like tracks a big part of it because. I mean to actually in a good way everybody got a run track like it's mandatory. You don't really get a choice. You 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. I heard now you got to be mentally tough because I'm not. Life's not going to be easy. So it's like being out here. You know we could be when you down just pick your sub back up. I mean that's what he is down to me. That's what he is. I'm. Play here forever. You know I was talking about his plans. So you know you were. You was transitions like one of those fairy tales like. It's your time now. But I get either way you know we talk about it. You know that's that's the. Togo's you know obviously you know he's.

4:41:52He's. Happy. Been one of the supporters. Yeah I think everybody leads. In their own way you know not everybody's the. Bro guys come around. That's not everybody right. I think for me that's me specifically on game day. With the old lines. I think that's what I think. I think that's what I think. For me that's me specifically on game day. With the old line after we do. Like that's my like what I did. Like that's my like they vocal. Time I feel like I'm talking about this. You know just recently. Talking about how what I want to do for the. I want to. Bring that. I'm energy. Vapor. Right. So last year. Of course I'm sure you're doing for years but. When I spent my own. He brought a lot of energy. The excitement. Happiness. In the room which is natural energy. To where I only have to focus on. Me you know I don't have to make sure. Other. Other guys are you know feels the type of way when it came in here.

4:42:54Because hump brought that. And I'm not here. But I saw when you did for a room. I want to be. That guy makes sure it's. It's going to be quiet. I don't think that's. It's going to be. It's going to be quiet. Everybody's. We're taking a big team on period. You know it's a. Wow. Yeah. Parasites. I want to bring that. Because that's what we did with each other. I have each other. Hopefully want. Perfect. Cut. So I want to bring that energy. I want to make bring more guys. I wanted to do that from day one. I started to come to them and obviously it's that time I spent the obviously before I started. Just being myself just thinking about what the room needs. Because I know I renewal as one of the leaders in all my office is that we need a guy like that to make sure the O-line is picked up.

4:43:58We're ready to go every day on those healthy, kind of little things don't happen at practice and people aren't saying anything and how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe. You know, I like to practice at least like the legal positivity. You know what I mean? So, but he, the energy I would be on just though, I'd be the beyond. So I was kind of how I would be going on, literally my whole life, all the time. I felt team captain like specifically and I felt I wasn't a captain in high school. I wasn't a captain in college, but I want to make a joke on high school. So I feel like I'm not going to be a captain like he's that I felt. But that would be awesome. You know, but you know, that happens I'd be great, but not either way. I want to assume a role as a captain from the perspective of a guy. On to the visual work and to get back to that work. Yeah, I mean, I can't say that, I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that

4:45:00I felt like I was used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first day on TAs and took training left and right. Once this season ended because I know what was going to be the chair. So I was going to go out of the grips just to give back to feeling like my self. For what they want to TAs and then that whole first week. But now like today specifically just changing some small things with my feet. That good thing is talking about the long coach. Got some things 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 felt even better. So I need more exercises tomorrow now. I'm getting my feet back and how I like the right side and I'm left side. So I'm excited. I mean, obviously I feel like in the league whether I left the right or still going against Premier Guy. So obviously the high expectations for the left and right tackle.

4:46:00But there's definitely like the level of energy and like the expectations definitely take the interest back. Because now tonight the blind side has the tackle role. So yeah, I would say in terms of communication as far as this even outside of the facility. Just stuff like that. I think really creating that the tackle quarterback. Bond even more off the field I think has been something that's even the cool thing. I got the text one day. I said hey, you put it left. I was like, you know, yeah, I've been training both. I asked after the season they're like honestly, you know, we'll talk to you. So play the season and I just got a text one. I had 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'll just do what I did before I'm built on that. But I was like, I might as well just train the left tackle now.

4:47:01As if I'm going to be left tackle. And I'd rather do that than train the right tackle with the color day. I'm like, I'm just preparing to advance. I think occasionally on third down there would be a lot of twists. I was just not like it's on a mad, good call. 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, gosh, I did that. I kind of figured like, okay, this is the type of rush. This is how this guy usually rushes. If I get the vibe, this is how it begins like the rush, you know, tackles that first year guys. We got the premier patch on. Already know what it was going to be. Already know what we every stuck. And honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to, so you're not, you're not, you're not, oh, the problem twists my sight again. It was never air gone. But it's coming up and I was like, three plays in a row. Two minutes. I knew that it was going to happen. So a lot of, you know what I mean?

4:48:02I'm watching when everybody else, and you really, you know, it goes out there occasionally. I'm like, three down, I was like, you know, he's going to pick me. You know what I mean? So, that, that, that, 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 to look. You know, so it's a real, real reps, you know, the day. So, really, I went in kind of process. And I was like, hey, when I tell me, let me know about my mom's going to train it. I was training all left. So TAs, I guess if I didn't hear anything about TAs, I came to like, so, you know what I mean? Because just like, I'm cool with training both continue. I would have been cool with training both continually. But I feel like anybody, any position will feel like, okay, like, you want as soon as possible. You give your feet kind of subtle, and your hips subtle, and your hands subtle, and certain kind of that. Would have been part of the age work, both very good.

4:49:02No, no. But, they're definitely, but sometimes with the development, it's definitely a lot faster to stay on one side. But I think having that, the weeks that we had the transitional seasons over, I'd like to respond. You know, good, good. I'm trying to get up, put up my mind, and weak things at a time right now. But when it comes back, I'm going to show them the one house. I've got a house tonight too far from, so I told them I got that house, like, and I got a yellow outside. DJ. You know what I mean? So, yeah. Communication with the team. You know, I was communicating with guys left and right, and 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,

4:50:04but I always dedicate anything I can to them. And I don't want that to every question. I just 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, I, 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. You know, just watch and practice. There's a couple of little things we're doing different, whether I'm communicating with Dumbar or other people. So, you know, you know, that you're also talking with him, and you get him pointers during the off season, just a constant communication. How do you see who grows a person, you know, and how he's approaching things, how he's getting ready for this season versus his rookie. You know, I think the thing with Keanu is he's more comfortable, you know. It's not his first time around the track. It's actually like he can, you know, catch his feet under him.

4:51:04You 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 on 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, you know, many can, I mean, to train a can, the regular season, you really don't get a time to really catch yourself. You know, you understand to play book now, you can be more vocal. You know, I think with my absence, and other guys' absence, you know, you need guys like that to step up and be ready for those opportunities. So, the surgery you had in Yaw City, is it the same you had during the season? It was a more thorough one. I was tightened down everything, you know, on my left side, because I was over-compensating a little bit. But, you know, it was, it wasn't anything that lingers, you know. I'll say this, a groin's not like an ACL, it's not like anything's ever going to get affected again, and, you know, you know, feeling good.

4:52:05I'm 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 soft season, in terms of bringing guys like wrestling and things like that? You know, I think they'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, gets done in the classroom, it gets done training, you know. And then you see where you're at in training camp, and then you build on that. I think we got the right guys in the building. It's just about putting a completely monofil. Can't have technical reasons to separate the business part of the game in the actual football club. Oh, 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 pretty job. It's not like in college where, you know, you got four years guarantee.

4:53:08Well, now you don't even know what NIL knows, crap, 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't be only to be able to be out there with your teammates today emotionally. Great, you know. We got a new training staff, and still learning the ball. I'm still learning the warm up, a little different. But, you know, I love 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 got to 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 be able to get down with your emotion?

4:54:10I'm going to try to remain pretty neutral, because 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. When that second surgery, you said at this time was on the left side, was 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 ad doctor. You know, you can ask Dr. Bradley, Dr. Zuckerbron, who did the surgery as well. If anything, it's going to help me, and make me a lot stronger from here on up. I think that you were training with another guy who have you come in? Tyson, I've been training with him for the last eight years. We've always trained together. We got a trainer up north, Charles Kohaley, who's my guy, trained a Heath Miller, Brett Kiesel,

4:55:17and a multitude of guys that I'll respect. And we've just been getting after it. Can we get very few guys historically, 35, they paid big contract, any of that spelled against you? I think there's not a lot of history behind it, but for me, I look at as I'm not looking to be like anybody else. My game is different from everybody else, and I like to think I can play the run in the pass, and that's where I'm different. I remember last year Mike T. He just brought to my attention. The thing that's really cool is you watch powerlifters. My game is built on power and technique, and those guys go into the 40s. That's what kind of research I'm doing in the high end of the scenes. But we'll see what happens. There's not a lot of history, but I'm here to make history. I'm here to win another Super Bowl of Air, and you know, have a great season. Do you have a set goal for yourself on how many years you want to play in the NFL?

4:56:19Or do you just take things here right here? 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. That is not fair to the season that's not fair to my family. 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 we got a good team, and I'm going to do my part to be ready for all those situations. Do you plan on practicing when you report to the trophy? Is it possible that you might fold in and enforce an issue? I have not even thought that far, and I'm taking the day. I told my agent, and we talked about it, and we were cool coming out here. 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 didn't you bring you more?

4:57:20Remain a stealer for the next three years. There was a conversation between me, Omar, and Mike T. And there are certain guys that are one helmet guys. I want to be one of those one helmet guys. 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 I got more bullets to fire, and I'm excited to do that. What's the needy? Last one. Can you and Russell Wilson are going to be out there with Wultipate Man in the year? I saw Russ on social media, but I have an idea to see it. I like the surprise happens when it happens, but it's cool to have another Wultipate Man in the year winner. I think it's an honor to be there. I'll say one thing. I won't be here. I'm just telling you guys, so it's not a big deal.

4:58:21I won't be here because I have to do a Wultipate Man in the year thing on Thursday. It's not like I'm skipping. It's an honor to be with Russ and it's an honor of doing things in the community. Doing great work. The cool thing is, as much as we get honored and nominated for these things, the work doesn't stop. I can see that with Russ this foundation, we had an event for our foundation, and my mom was quick to tell Russ, hey, we need the partners somehow. I was like, mom, let's just enjoy the event. It's really cool to be a part of a lead group. All right. Thank you. I think good. I mean, just trying to play different terminology, different, to whole different schemes. Just learning how they want things done compared to how you used to do things is really the... What's it like being in that tight end room? Everybody's got that skills.

4:59:24Everybody's different, but you all knew some of the same things. Yeah, no, it's a great room. A lot of really good guys have grown really close with a lot of those guys. Everybody helps each other, a really nice learner from Dalton, breadin' those guys. Dalton's done it for a really long time, so he helps me a lot with things that really aren't coachable things. I mentioned how to family at the game, but what about working out here at this high school? You're still in Ohio that you don't feel good, and I don't know if your high school is like this, man, it can't feel the whole thing to a different name. Yeah, I went to Lexington, how it's about the eighth of the size of this place. Yeah, this is not like my high school, but this is a healthy place. But 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. You've been in a lot of war around the city, and you've been there to see a bunch of fuck out fans that have wanted to get your autographs and take a picture of you being 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 with my family and stuff and see my grandparents and everything, so it was good.

5:00:24But I really haven't been out enough to know, so I try and keep her inside. It's good, that's good. Yeah. What do you think of your play in that really show-based and self-emotional? 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, you can play this game for 50 years, and there's always going to be something you leave to feel with. I wish I would have been better in that area. I wish I would have been better in some other, you know what I mean? 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 it 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 with things, and that's just kind of what 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 bus. Yeah, I was growing immensely. I mean, Caleb, he makes a lot of checks, late thing, makes a lot of checks. I listen to them. Whatever they need, if I need to cover somebody out, I will cover anybody. If they need me to do run support, I'll do run support.

5:01:26And it's really what Caleb does, what we do, and late thing. It just goes back to Coach G's preparation, and everyone's preparation to give us more flexibility. And it doesn't matter who's in those positions, and we can all play every position, whether it's covering somebody or running 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, you know, rely on a little bit more. Go ahead. Yeah, it did. I was probably in Nebraska game, Megan in 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 play, but I learned a lot more. Mounting like 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. You guys had a lot of issues of giving up big plays in the passing game of the first game against Oregon. What do you feel like you guys need to do better this time around to make sure that doesn't happen? Just the same same mindset.

5:02:26We got to challenge these receivers. You know, every dog has their day. Maybe some people didn't have their day that game, but we'll look out there and hopefully change the narrative. And we still play with the same confidence, same technique. And, you know, Bill Rubinowitz, Columbus Dispatch. 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 up do you use for this rematch? Oh, 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.

5:03:27We watched film. I mean, we've lost a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played up film to watch. And it's just, they've grown a lot as a team. Same as us. We've grown a lot. We're not the same team. We were when we played them week one or weeks, 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 Coffin. Columbus Dispatch. Well, my bad, not you, 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 Knowles 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 season? It means a lot. We always talk about the Zeef as being on selfish, whether that's making plays or not making plays or doing your job so another person can make plays.

5:04:30That's kind of what we pride ourselves on. And it's just fun. We move around different positions. I'm always up for a new challenge and a lot of people in the country can't do that. I just hold myself to that standard where I can play any position and excel at it. Okay, and anybody else needs a 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 watch what I did, things I did well, things I didn't do too well against them. And their team is changing, that life, 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.

5:05:32So just watching, watching stuff like that, every game matters. So yeah. Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. Shoot ourselves a foot high on the hand around game. How do I have in the passing game and really just stop getting it wrong with? CJ, first couple of weeks, it looks like you've been having more comfortable with off-script plays and taking more risks. Would you say that's something that's over done 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. So if I have to extend the play. CJ, you guys started going to last year's night to know how much different the things feel this year. Now you've had the whole season under your belt.

5:06:33Would it be learned? Where do you feel like you guys are going to be? Oh, it's too, oh, it's a lot worse than the two, no. So, you know, I'm definitely grateful. 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 would definitely be better for sure. You would need to go connect it on a couple of scrambled drill style plays. Is that something you guys work on actively? Is that a focus of yours? 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, trying to just be two guys, be dynamic players. Do you think you can grow and you're born in that way, kind of mind-mouthed? 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.

5:07:33And you can see, you know, step getting involved more, tank getting involved, golden breath. We're just trying to spread it around, you know. And we have so many dynamic players. So, you know, is it a good problem to have? You're obviously, you know, all too competitive things in that nature. How do you balance, you guys have to win. But, you say they, you guys need to put on Texas football. How do you kind of balance one and correct all the mistakes you've put in a while? So, you know, celebrating the way 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 half of football make us put our head. 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?

5:08:36And as a quarterback, as an offense, having a kicker that can hit for long range like that consistency, if you guys have a little bit of extra confidence, you know, once you get over 50, you know, like... Yeah, any guys in his veins, 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 during practice. And, you know, it was a great job, especially teams today blocking it. Also, you know, point Tommy doing his job as well. So, you know, it takes three phases for one or one for a wall game. Here you go. See that you missed it. 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,

5:09:38from a game standpoint here in week two of year two. Stroud when 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 not talking. I realize that people listen. So, just taking more of that type of aspect into my game. Just, you know, making me more complete as a football player. I'm willing to do something. How have you seen maybe change a little bit with Pochart line in a bit of a different wall? Maybe whether it be other coaches, Pochart or players stepping up to replicate that. I want to say a change. Once he's still super involved, he always tries to stay engaged with us guys.

5:10:40I mean, he's the Oc now and he's more skimmed, schematic, and everything now. But he's still keeping that relationship strong with us and still really in there with the Civic one. And shout out to Coach Jordan as long as stepping up, taking a big little coach Jordan. He's a huge factor in our learning since I've been here. So, it's a big factor because of everything he's been doing. How do you feel like this spring's gone for you? Obviously you've done this now. Just for what, just what have you taken from us? Just for what it's all going to do. I'm extremely comfortable, super confident in my ability to do what I do. Just building that trust with my quarterback, just pretty much what I came in when I do. Just let them know that they got it. They got to revive the opposite of the third chain eight times on the field. And you know, just establishing that. Like I said earlier, just showing my young guys a foundation example. I want to come in and do what's the expectation. It wasn't often that real value I shared with you. When he did caught you. Yeah. Yeah, obviously trusted you to certain extent. How long have you felt yourself building that trust with Lincoln?

5:11:41I 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, just things they go my way in the game. But even in practice a lot. Yeah, I'm very comfortable with Bill. You know, more vocal guys. But working out on my quarterback now and doing a better job. Just going to make sealers and taking our feedback. Not for more spread to systems, but just because we love him. That's the only job. Just doing that and just keep going on that all the way to far. And I'm going to take credit against this station. You are doing some more outside for you. You're stuck as well. I said going to the field. Yeah, I've been more the more years you get under your belt. The more experience you get, you start knowing this offense more and more. Not just your position or what you're doing or like everybody's out. What you're doing, how you're doing and why you're doing it. So I mean, yeah, I've been wrapping the outside ZXH. Anywhere coach on me is me that 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.

5:12:41The route concepts you can kind of get. The pace you can play with in the slides more for next game in the slide. Something I got very comfortable with. Just the ways you can attack the defense, I think. Just you know, conceptually and also just, you're placed down. But I mean, just doing both. It's just making me a better guy for the NFL. And that's what coach on it, I'm pretty sure it's not a time to produce it on the NFL talent. I'm producing NFL guys. I'm feeling very comfortable with that. Do you have to have a different mindset as a slot receiver? That's what's going on. Absolutely. I think it's more thinking. I think it's more of a, you have to understand another game a lot. In the slide, you've got to have a feel. This is natural. I feel like it's more natural to position. And on the outside, it's just more, you know, get different things. You see different coverage. You see more, you see different player types of corners and nickelbacks and safeties more in the slide. So just seeing how you can attack, knowing your person, now how you can attack some people. That's how I say the biggest difference. Do you have that more courage? You have that more courage in the slide?

5:13:41Oh, yeah, absolutely. It's basically like being myself in the slide faster. My skinnier guy, the one who put hands on it, want to get physical with you, but you just got to match that and just let them know that you there too. So you was at a ballast question, whatever gets you on to, you're probably less inside outside. I'm just willing to make plays and show one one of the best receivers in America. So that's in the outside, that's in the inside. Whatever coach I'm on in this team needs me. I'll bust a man in the show and win the best receivers in America. All right. Thank you for the answer. 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'd 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 in that coming out. And then there's Jeremiah. Is he like, does he like all you guys in the room?

5:14:44I mean, I'm not sure it's probably something you got to ask him, but you know, Jeremiah has played with a lot of great guys throughout his career. He's seen 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 of you. Oh, oh, yeah. I mean, I'm not surprised at anything he does now. Like, I've seen him just out. We were nine years old. So anything he does, anyone hand-kidged, 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've been met, anything at nine? Oh, yeah. I mean, coaches were coming up to us complaining that we were nine years old. Like, can we get their IDs and stuff like that? So, I mean, I mean, there's definitely some footage that 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. And it seems very unaffected by all of the starter. Yeah. How did that happen? I think how he was raised. He's very level-headed.

5:15:45He knows his goals and what he wants to get done in life. And this is just one step of the way for him. Can I throw a back to Texas for a couple of questions on Zoom, Scotty? Yes, sir. We're going to start with Defond 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's 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 a huge man. Coming here after that team of Northwest, you know, his heart breaking, of course. But we came in here. We had a leadership meeting. He was in here. 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 would have his back no matter what. I mean, there's a lot of stuff set about him and his family and stuff like that.

5:16:45But here we're a brotherhood and we're a family. And we just, we go stand by him no matter what. Our next question is going to come from Dan. Hope 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, too. 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. 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 Stephen Means. Go ahead.

5:17:45Stephen, but that's not. Yeah, you're good. Brandon, there are a lot of clips of you this year where you're super, super excited after a block. And 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're not going to like it before 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 and this kind of we've seen from them on film so far? Yeah, the last couple of days we watched them, they're fast team.

5:18:48They 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. I play with them. Well, I played with Mollie Muhammad at SFE. So I might know him a little bit. But yeah, but watching them, they're fast team, they're physical, they're disciplined, but we just got to get the job. Give any Malik stories or any any. What do you say? Give any Malik stories or anything you remember about playing with them? Yeah, but I'm not going to say them here. Yeah, what's this keep that? Our final question is going to come from Kurt Bolz. Kurt, go ahead. Hey, Brandon. One of the issues Texas has had the second half of the year is finishing. And what if you can speak to, and they had a trouble obviously in the peach bowl, you know, blue with 16 point league. Can you talk about finishing and having a killer instinct?

5:19:51And you guys obviously seem to have that now. Yeah, I think that started in offseason training at Fall camp. I'd say go plus two. If you're doing a 10 yard pro shuttle, you have to go plus two throughout the line. And that's just finishing 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 finishers. We called them Asperg games late in the year like this. And 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, Kingston, the north. Brandon, try me 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 how it's designed? Or was it just lucky to get the guy decided to take off the side of the release? It's actually designed for me to block the safety and lead the corner 101 with the running back.

5:20:55But I was surprised. The corner I see came in so far in my release. I think he thought it was a pass. But I think he was edge of the defense. If you go watch that play, but I don't know, I don't really know why he came in so far. But it helped out for us and I made my block interior off score. Is there any lesson there for like, even a young receiver watching that, that even if you know him to play, you're not getting the ball. You're intended to block, but you release has to be at all point as if you're going to go pitch pass. Every little detail matters and then type of plays. We were in a red zone there. So we say every yard matters. It's two yards. So the block I made is just a testament to Kyle. Coach Hartline threatened me throughout the week to make that block. And final question. Joy Conferent Columbus this batch. Brandon Will and then this has been one of the ball deep well lately. And some of the special way you guys have opened games. What do you think is this quick for you guys and for him and watching those buzz? A lot more confidence.

5:21:56I say throughout the year. We were always there as offense. 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 he's made some great throws and. Yeah. I'm sorry, Brandon. I do have one more steep. How many of the 24-7s for you? I think Brandon, there have 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 way to the next. But the opportunity is coming sooner rather than later for you to be in every down player. Just what are the things you need to do in your game to take it from where it is now to be in every down guy? I think there's a lot of things I could work on in my game. I would say continuing to be football smart by IQ. Just knowing what the defense is going to do before they do it. About routes, always can get better. My hands always can get better staying on the jug machine. Work ethic, keep on top of it.

5:22:57Don't get satisfied with anything I do. And don't get too big, don't get too low. Don't get too high. Don't get too low is what they say. You feel like a guy that the people follow, it seems like. In your mind, even the second you're guy, you're kind of working toward being a leadership type guy. I got to have guys that will take that role. It's a great feeling, of course. No guys are watching what you do and listening to what you do. But 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. 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. He was a lowly or under recruited guy out of high school. So he always knows this is to go hard and what that looks like. So I'm proud of him. What do you think next to that? Absolutely. A lot of skill.

5:23:57I mean, the guy, he fits the room, personality wise. Johnny would tell you that. He's fun to be around. He's an outstanding route runner. And he wants to get better. He's hungrier. So he's a great addition. We've got a lot of people from the outside. We'll see. And a new guy comes in and we guys have four or five guys who feel like they can get reps to. Maybe some people want to talk to some of these guys. 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 could bring him up.