Press Conferences (Denzel Burke) Elite Edition September 2

0:00What's been your thoughts and impressions of Wilhauer through Ray Praxis? Oh yeah, Wilhauer's been gaming. He's gotten a lot better and he's been doing his thing, great reads. He's only throwing one in a session all camp. And he was too new to him. But nah man, he's a great leader, great person, he's a vet and he's a great quarterback. So what do you say about that? What do you just jump out and worry about? I would just say for me, I'll say his pocket presence, how he handles his team, how he breaks the huddle, how he finishes plays, how he is in the live periods, when it's good on good, when the ball is down and just him seeing, just him, the ball he throws and what he's been doing on the field, moving the ball and yeah he is, he's a great ad to the team. When we talked to him in anyapolis, you were a little guard, you're like I want to see more from him. He was okay in this spring but have you seen everything you need to see to say he can

1:00be a guy? Oh yeah, he's definitely been balling, really proud of him, he's been going really hard, playing really well, good decisions with the ball and especially when you go against his defense, it's not going to be easy on the pagers but he's been making really good decisions and he's been doing good. And also if you can put your jumping at those routes a little more, it seems like you guys are a little more confident on the island and you were the first two years in the defense, we saw the pick against Will yesterday, you just completely cut it. Are you getting better at that? Do you feel like that's something that you can even learn? Is it really just more instincts? You know the P.B.U.s, they're cool but in the day we got to turn that ball over and we're doing everything in our power to come out and compete every single day and turn that ball over and just go get the ball man and make the receiver better. How much better do you feel that you can do that knowing that he has a cable bit places? Kind of like the last one, almost behind you guys at the time. Man it's really come with the ball, you know communication really at an all time high

2:00right now, we're all on the same page and we're mixing a lot of stuff up and it's going to be a great year. Who said the receivers have been barking back? Who's barking back to Lavers? The barking back to me, Cardinal Tate, Brandon Innis, really says them too right now but I'm glad we're getting that response and it's just showing that can be nest lit. Crash Hawk has been a talking point that's all off season between you and receivers. Why is it important to have that in practice and just to have that great, especially going into the games, just knowing that the back of your mind that you go against the best every day so when we play on that field Saturday no one can really get it. They can't nest with us. They're just competing, getting to the better, having a little trash talk. But then a day we all got one come of goals, that's the winning match, so much amputee. What makes Cardinal Tate? Last question for Denzel. Folks we have right. Cardinal Tate. The rest of the North. Cardinal Tate.

3:01He's a really good player. Kind of reminds me a little bit like T Higgins a little bit. I might be gassing him but he's like T Higgins but yeah he's a ball player. He's good with his routes. He could catch the ball and he's a great player. Hey Denzel, Coach Walt was saying he tries to challenge you a little differently just because you're so experienced. Pretty accomplished compared to the rest of the room. So what's camp been like with you and him is he's trying to make you a little uncomfortable to help you get better? Yeah, Coach Walt, he's just continuing to coach me really hard, making sure I take a little of details and making sure I'm doing everything in my possible, everything in my doing everything possible to be the first corner off the board this year. He's been really good, coach me hard and just making sure I take care of everything. Jack and I shot. I gotta get a shake. The run was good but I'm so disappointed that I wasn't in the shape and I didn't finish that. Two runs, I should have finished. How can you do that during the season? In practice I can run more gassers, run more sprints and we'll be ready to go.

4:05What did you think on the 61 yard or when you were breaking free? You turned around and you saw them coming? No, the first 40 yard, I was like, oh yeah, bye bye. Because I was putting away from them and then after that I was like, oh, shit, I got heavy. So I was like, alright, let me just cover the ball. I got tired. I think you're the great guy. I think you're great, Justin. You're the great guy. You're the games of your ones. What's that feeling? I got Justin's back. I caught him back, especially. I caught him back, it's great. He can't be Superman. That's what the team is for. And that's what they brought me here for, to have his back. Next week I bet you feel better with that. We kept hearing this is going to be, Jim, I was going to run the ball. It's going to run the ball. You could just really have it more, especially in the second half. Because you feel them stopping the offensive game and on even though it wasn't working the first time? Yes. Always stick with it. Always believing, always fighting. I knew we were going to crack some. You know, I knew we were going to crack some runs. I knew your offensive line was going to fight. I want to fight with them.

5:05I'm going to have their backs. And you saw that. Jake, how did that feel after everything? How did that feel to have their performance out there for your first team or game with the chargers? Hey, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look. Get him, okay, get him, okay, look. But just look at my. That's how you really got you right now. How you right now? You're going to get him. You're saying right here? Man, it felt good though. It felt really good. But now I'm, I'll get you ready for next week. And the type of guy who will have a good game, go back to the draw and board. Let's get better. I feel like I'm more comfortable. Usually I'm just not talking. I just let my gameplay. But I know, like, sometimes you got to be both good to pick other guys up. And they're just not always about me. How much did you kind of learn from him? About leadership. And having a voice in the locker room, does it seem like you had a pretty big role in that sense last year? Yeah, I learned, I learned everything from him. I learned how to approach guys, how to approach different situations and just talk to guys. And the storyline also mentioned Brandon and this is one of those leaders, not just

6:05the receivers, but on the team. Just helping him with voices he had, not even just now, but even last year when he wasn't playing as much. Yeah, Brandon always had a voice on the stand. A lot of guys always listen to Brandon. Brandon's high energy. He brings the energy every day. So whenever there's no energy, he comes Brandon bringing more energy. What do you thought of Brandon R.L.I. kind of running this off? He's still managed working with the receiver room. I'm happy for him. He finally got the keys. He's finally going to be able to probably tell us the ball more. And what else? Now, how do you see Jeremiah pushing himself to keep getting better after a year he had last year? Oh, I'm just probably going to be more consistent. I mean, there's a lot of things he could probably, he thinks he can improve himself in, probably some parts, like making the hard catches or probably just blocking or like footwork, like little things like that. So you guys see that just in practice here, improvements with Navy. We're not seeing, but you guys see behind the scenes. Okay, we see, we definitely see the improvement. We see when he first came here until now, he's already improved a lot. He's only getting better. We come out of the open.

7:08We also said a lot of that. He's a mechanic. You know, we handle that. What about what a mechanic did for you guys that's the leader maybe inspired you? I'm not going to be long back. A mechanic talked to us. He talked to each and every one of us. He had a relationship, a connection with each and every one of us. We were able to come out of meca as a man before a player and a teammate. So he allowed us to do that and open up our eyes. How's that going for you? I was going good. I'm able to talk to more players. I'm connected with other guys I've never talked to before or like hanging around other groups. I've never hanged around. I'm also talking to the younger guys, helping them make sure they're good. I'm improving probably just being more vocal. That's me coming out of my comfort zone. I'm usually just a lead by example guys. So being more vocal for the guys around me, being heard more. It was always something that I could work on myself. And then they also just told me, you know, there's no leadership in the room now with

8:09a meca going there. There's like really no leadership on the team outside of probably Lissani. And they're like the guys that play. So like they said, when you talk people will listen. So we need that from you guys. It's been like going up against these corners and practice just how talented is that you're in the room. It's been really well. They're all really good. So you want something to lose them every day or compete and get better. Who's the best draft talker of the corners and who's the best draft talker of the receivers? Corner is probably IGB receiver Brandon. I'm sorry you've been asked this already, but how obviously Brandon in this step up this spring? Brandon is more and more vocal. He's obviously has a bigger role this year. He's becoming more vocal. So I love that for him. He's doing it different physically with him. He looks like he has a lot of fans. Yeah, Brandon, Brandon slipped out. We think it's a jersey number going from 11 to 1. He's slimmed down and got faster. So yeah. Mine? Just probably you see the ball more often this year. Yeah. I mean, it's only one ball.

9:13It's only one ball. It's probably like six offensive guys you got to get the ball to. Two runner backs. Three good receivers tied in. He's a quarter back. It's a light. It's only one ball. If you're impressed with the defensive ball, it's so far. Of course, he's a great guy. He's very determined. Like, it's probably one of the hardest workouts I've seen around. What's the biggest differences between Chip Kelly and what happened? Chip Coach Kelly was more laid back. He really, I mean, he wasn't in our position. Coach, we didn't really hear him. He probably just talked to the quarterback. But Coach, you can hear him on the field. He's on the screen. What's the light that you thought about that chip was leading and then that one like up? Always happy for Chip. I probably didn't say I didn't think he'd probably go stay for too long. I mean, it's hard to turn down a job like that. Opportunity is like that. So I'm happy for him. I also very happy for Coach Arlon who's waiting his turn here and continue to be here. Stay here through the ropes. From Ryan Day, promoting from the back. I just learned Ryan Day believes in his guys. Who's willing to keep it within the end of the day?

10:14He's definitely been talking more and more. He's getting more comfortable with it. Like guys like him when he talks to people, listen, and watch what he does. It's a very special being back home. That's my first time playing back there since high school. So a lot to me being in Chicago and also getting there for my family. It's probably like 30-40. Yeah. It was a blessing for me definitely. Yeah. I'm never, I've never been a baseball guy. That was my first time at regular. Yeah. It was great. Regal to various sort of feel. Hopefully I could catch you again this year. I was in a lot of people know Brandon for a moment. I was in a lot of people know. Last year was one of those years where he really didn't care about maybe his status.

11:15Yeah. And what he needs to do is go to bed like now to see him step up as a waiter and kind of fill in. Um, my mom, Brandon's always got his hand high. He always knew he had the way his opportunities, his chance and the opportunity to come in. When he did get on the field, he made plays and took the, uh, made the best of each and every opportunity. He's happy. He's in a great mental. He's, he knows that he has a big role this year. You know we're expecting a lot from him. So I'm happy for him. He's happy for himself and I just can't wait for him to go show it. He's a pretty old, old, old place to go. Who me? I don't know. That's the coach's plan. Yeah. Yeah. A little bit of hope. Um, obviously I just wanted the team to win. I think we got a chance to win. No, definitely towards it. And then stretch that last drive. I was a couple of plays here. A couple of calls that he made me should have gotten. But, um, I think the frustration more so it just comes from, you know, wanting to win more. Do you, do you? I was just, he said he was a little surprised how much attention you got right away from your defense. I have a view. Yeah, definitely. Oh, we maybe give him more one-on-ones kind of how the game plan was set up.

12:16Um, didn't go like, you know, different coverage out of cloud to my side. And this is kind of how the game goes. What's the process been, like sometimes, where, for whatever reason, just, just, just, just see that. Yeah, definitely. Um, especially in college, a lot of the game fans defensively were taking the away. Um, you know, we had a lot of success at a high-speed, obviously. One of the boys had in different, um, the weapons, they're kind of still getting the victories. And, um, I was, yeah, you continue to do better jobs doing it here. Why are the communication the process been like post-game, getting on the same page with Kyler, just, you guys exchanged text or, you guys in the film? Yeah, the film, definitely, um, kind of asking what did I see there, kind of go over and play and, um, that's how I get him when I saw, and kind of different feedback there. Change words. Mark, if I get it, we're asking questions about the previous game. Are you the type of guy to let a game like that winger, or how do you flush it? You got to move on. Got to move on. It's a long season guy. It's like 16 more of them.

13:17Hopefully, no, I can stay healthy throughout the year and, uh, just continue building to better each week. You guys did so much work throughout the off season to get on the same page. How different is it when you get into that regular season? Yeah, it's totally different. It's totally different. Um, you can do a lot of things, you know, in shirts and shorts, and then you go out there, put practice and get pads on. You do like the point practice we do with the colds, but there's nothing like actually going out there, um, in live action, and really trying to be on the same page. So I think that relationship will continue to develop and we'll get better. Is that it, it's just a matter of rubs them, as much as anything? Yeah, I think definitely, um, like I said, I was kind of my first live action together. Um, so I think we'll continue with. When you're early impressions on the field together and you're in the crisis with, with cows. Uh, yeah, but now obviously I have a deaf sort of respect, no JG's call or preseason. I obviously be all feel really healthy. That's kind of the best and most important thing that I was able to get a lot of healthy and going forward. So, um, that's it. Marvin, what are your early impressions of the Rams?

14:17What do you think of the Rams? Yeah, I mean, they're a good team. They're a good physical team. I've been a lot of new guys up front, I think that's kind of where the strong suit is. Um, 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 of them on, how do you feel today? Wasn't many of them. Wasn't many of them. So, uh, I thought you could, I'm just what you think versus just playing. You're not getting a preseason game actually. It's definitely, definitely thinking a lot out there and, um, you know, I think I'll come with reps. I think to think and less and just going out there and playing, definitely come with reps. And it's something you're on, you're better at, but, um, definitely say I was thinking a lot out there. Is there anything you can do to prevent that from coverage? Anything you can do to prevent that from getting the past? Because you're going to fix that a lot, obviously. Yeah, I mean, you just got to team, you get open for, you know, yourself, making yourself available. The one the ball does, can't wait to make it into play. Um, this, the beef is just taking you away. That means other guys are having a chance to get open. So, um, that's how kind of high look at it.

15:18It's no longer since you know offense. That's the best thing for us. They're kind of going to be with Kyler. Is this something that comes pretty quickly on a new game or something like that? Uh, hopefully sooner or later, I think. Um, I'll look and 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 a live reps, we'll continue to grow and show. We're going to have their day, that, that game, but, um, 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 problem with this batch? 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, how he is for this rematch? Oh, yeah, he's super stoked for this rematch. Um, his preparation has been very good. Um, he's always been preparing, you know, it didn't go the way he wanted to go that game, but he just always had, had his confidence. And we're going to see a big game out of him this week. And, you know, I know you guys wanted to play them in anapolis.

16:22But the fact that you get to play them at the Rose Bowl, I mean, get a second chance. And people have said, you don't get that very often. How determined are you guys to take advantage of it? We're super, super determined. We watched film. I mean, we've watched a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played up film to watch. And it's just, they've grown a lot as a team, same as us. We've grown a lot. We're not the same team. We were when we played them week one or weeks six or whatever. But now we're out there and going to play thighs, physical and everything like that. All right, Jordan, we're going to jump to the, to assume a question here from Joey Kaufman. What's the most this batch? Oh, my bad. Not to 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 Mills comes to you and asks you to do some else and just how much can you lean on the experiences you've had moving around when you're trying to learn something new in the middle of the season?

17:27It means a lot. We always talk about when this is being on selfish, whether that's making plays or not making plays or doing your job so another person can make plays. That's kind of what we pride ourselves on. And it's just fun. Me moving around different positions. I'm always up for a new challenge and a lot of people in the country can't do that. I just hold myself to that standard where I can play any position and excel at it. Okay, and anybody else need to question? Let me know, but otherwise we're going to go to Austin more of the podcast. Jordan, when you were talking about watching film Oregon, which one do you think is more valuable to you watching that against yourself? Seven games ago, even if you've changed or the ensuing six games for Oregon, which one do you put more stock in? Kind of both. For me, I kind of watched what I did, things I did well, things I didn't do too well against them. And their team is changed. Some players have been out those stretch of games.

18:28So I really watched the past game we played. And I know they're going to go back to some of the stuff that they liked, of course. And different games like Penn State, maybe Illinois, they run a lot of men. So just watching, watching stuff like that. Every game matters. So yeah. Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. But working in that harbor, put it back down there doing a little job. Just blowing to the ceiling, taking our feedback, not for its criticism, but just because we love it. Just doing that. And just keep growing on that all the way to fall and everything. But just take it. You are doing some more outside for sure, your 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 often, it's more and more, not just your position or what you're doing, but like everybody's, what you're doing, how you're doing. And why you're doing it. So I mean, yeah, I've been, I've been rapping outside ZXH, anywhere coach on me is me. And it's really me that guy. Go make a play on this. What's the biggest difference for you between outside and outside?

19:30The pace. A route concept, you can kind of get the pace you can play within the slides more for next game in the slide. Something I got very comfortable with. Just the ways you get to take the defense, I think. 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 me is doing at the time. Producing on the NFL talent and producing on the NFL guys. I'm feeling very comfortable with that. Do you have to have a different mindset as a slide receiver? Because it's going to be long. Absolutely. I think it's more thinking. I think it's more of a, you have to have understanding of the game a lot. You've got to have a feel. It's just natural. I feel like it's more natural conditioning. And on the outside, it's just more, you know, get different things and see different competitions. You see different player types of corners and necklbeats and safety is more in the slide. So just seeing how you can attack, knowing your person, knowing how you can attack some people. That's how I say the biggest difference.

20:30Do you have that more courage? You have that more courage in the slide? Oh, yeah, absolutely. Especially like being myself in the slide faster. I'm a skinnier guy. I want to put hands on and want to get physical with you. But you just got to match that and just let them know that you there too. So you instead of balanced 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 if that's in the outside, that's in the inside. Whatever coach I'm on in this team needs me help us win and show them one of the best receivers in America. Thank you, sir. I'll do it. No decisions yet. What do you want to see from JJ this spring? And the plan for him, he played a much longer season than he played before in Nice to this. So what do you think looks like here? Or gone this is great? Yeah, I think everyone played a lot longer than they ever have. So, you know, I think, you know, heading to this spring, it's just the tear down of the former foundation and the rebuild of the whole team.

21:30I 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. There'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 JJ and my 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, 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. The individual must improve so the collective can improve. And so, building the base, I think, schematically and fundamentally, culturally is what we're attacking as we head into spring. How much is Brandon looking forward to a different spring, a different opportunity? I know it wasn't fun for him having to take a little bit of a backseat to him.

22:31Where do you see him, the fire, the mashup right now. So 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. And then when you get back in the winter, it's the first opportunity to reestablish the new role that I want to have. I mean, across the board, there's not one guy that doesn't want to improve roles. Sure. So, I think 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, you know, 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're the starter.

23:34And if you're not, then you're never going to be the starter. So I think he embodied that, you know, he gave himself an opportunity to get into spring and get into us. And to winter, continue who he is, continue to build, you know, his base, build his leadership, and 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. Brian was a quarterback, you were a receiver. And then to become a play-puller, obviously you have an understanding of the whole offense. But what was the process like for you up protections and the run game and a 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.

24:34You still have an expertise in one area. It is 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. So, you just stay off your phone and pay attention and take notes and actually maximize your time. It's amazing the amount of people that don't do that. So, every time in a meeting, I just try to make sure I'm getting a nugget or I'm getting information or when things are said, do I truly understand it? And I really, you guys will tell you, I don't care. I'll ask the question. You may 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.

25:35So, I just try to make sure I'm finding those opportunities. I'm aware of those opportunities when they're writing my face. So, what makes you think I'm going to do role in the offensive meeting room? How important is that I'm going to do it every day with you guys? Yeah, Coach Jordan's always been a huge part of other receiver room. I think that, yeah, he's just understanding that my pull away is real. That can happen. So, he's going to be on his toes and be ready that we're ready to not skip a beat. So, information wise, communication wise, he's got to be locked in on that. And just on to assume that, you know, Coach Hard's got it. He never really has. I expect him to continue to do that. And he's been a big part of everything we've done. Is that almost like taken from what Ryan did last year where he shipped away from play calling? And he ended up somebody else and should think away from being a quarterback's coach. We're like, get to have somebody you trust and how long they're taking maybe to develop that trust. And that relationship with them and to where like, you know that, hey, if I'm pulled away for a second, I'm like, Devin's got this. I don't have to worry about like what my room is.

26:35I 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. 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 happened. Is that important for you? Is that the question you've got to emphasize? Nothing is going to change in terms of your, I never, I never, There's no, nothing's going to change in my involvement in receiver room. Ryan, for my land to be going through a full spring, full off scene for the first time, what do you look at everything? It's areas he can throw to push for playing time this year. I mean, myelin is doing a great job. He's growing at an exponential rate, getting stronger, getting bigger, he's got weight added. I'll tell you like, you know, I always explain to him like, you don't realize how much you've missed when you come in June versus the 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.

27:37You know, Chris had an opportunity late, a lot of a, you know, in the season to kind of make an impact. But it's very, very rare. So, and now, you know, he's going through the winner workout, his growth, his everything he's done. He's like, hey, coach, I know what you're talking about now. And when you miss that, that section of winner workout. So, that being said, it makes you laugh, but he's doing a great job. I expect expectations for him through through spring. And I don't see that changing. The reflexes staff. The reflexes staff. This year is younger than it's been. Last year's. Make up. That you don't have somebody. What's the average is like the average like 30 is the average age? Is that include the support staff? No, it's just the primary. What's it? What's it been the past? A couple minutes or two more minutes. No kidding, we don't know. Kevin Willson. Kevin Wilson. I don't know. Dan Lantings, the head coach in Oregon. I was his average. I'm asking.

28:38I don't. I'm 38. Can you Dylan Hamles? So I don't know. I gave zero thought to that. I think that, uh, you know, I think your ability to kept with players is important. I think you probably see a little bit of that happening in the NFL as well. Um, I really've given Joe thought to that. I don't want to just ramble on that. Yeah, I just didn't know if it was the sawdust of the main injury. Um, I know no thought to it. For you, what you've got in motion with Bryson, what's the next step for him? Because we've heard him talk to him and like, he had Mr. Consistency catching a lot of things. Like he's, he seems to generate a load 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, uh, and be a, uh, be everything he's capable of being, right? I mean, I think the guys that, um, you know, we're out there are, uh, 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, um, I think he loves playing in the slot. Did a 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 and is in the slot doing a great job there.

29:42But it's just another opportunity to establish himself based on his peers, right? I mean, it's kind of like the drafts. I try 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 e-vows. Like, that's how it works. Like the draft embodies that. Like, if, if it's easier to go play somewhere else, then that's fine. That's what we're kind of looking for. I'm not saying that's pricing. I'm just saying it's a very competitive room. And you chose that because of this room. Now you got to beat your peer to play more, play more and do more and all that stuff. So, um, you know, I think that, um, he's got to continue to build worries at. And the guys that seem to be, you know, starters in our room, you know, really, I think over the last eight years have been NFL quality guys. So, if you're, and it becomes a starter to Ohio State, it's a good chance. You're probably an NFL caliber receiver. I mean, again, just go off the numbers. So, um, 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, um, you know,

30:46I think that it's not just him. It's at BI. It's car now with everybody. It's chasing a higher level of play. And, uh, this spring is another step forward to do that. What you're, what you're, what you're trying to do multiple play, all is like, how much in your estimation is that a gift to be able to do it? How much of it is learned? 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, um, like anything, it's probably a skill that you can improve on and do better at and do good and do worse at. Um, I think being surrounded with guys and seeing how they do it has been a blessing. And it's very clear. Other's more than one way to do things. So, um, being, uh, being aware of that, um, I've noticed that. What's your impression of the three freshmen and how they maybe transition to your play? Yeah, all four freshmen. I'm like, very, uh, encouraged and pressed with. They carry themselves the right way like we have hoped.

31:48They worked their tails off. If all improved, I would say that, uh, they're the right mode, they're the right fit. They belong in the room. And now they have to just improve. Now they're competing both, you know, first individually between each other. And then, you know, as we get into spraying, they'll start competing against each other. Um, with the rest of the guys, what I mean by that. So, but as a group, the freshman group, uh, very impressed and they're off to the right start. Coach, Arlan, thank you for your time. If I need like, have trouble like remembering something, I just go up to them and they know like every play, every little detail, he just, you know, if you're helpful with that. And if I need help, like with four works, I think it'll come out and help me. And just like, whatever I need is 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, um, told me that at the beginning, like he played, uh, quarterback in high school too. And he hasn't made a transition to receive it at here, obviously. And this, he's helped me. It's going to be rough at first, but he has to push me to,

32:49get me to what 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 interview? Are you are now? Oh, yeah, play is definitely maybe like tough and like not afraid of like new change. And 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 his team go win an national championship for those first few weeks here? Uh, it 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? I so you just got to, don't let the past like affect you like and just, yeah, I'm relentless, you got to be relentless, you got to put in the work. It's not easy at all by any means and it's got to be hard, but you have to do everything into it. What do you view as like the best attributes of your game that you're going to bring to this team?

33:53I would just say, my size, my speed, I can take the top off the defense and I can play it. It's tough and physical. It's about that. What's the last year that like, when you think back to the whole reward last year, I don't have the skills to accomplish that point. What has the last kind of year been like for you as you've been gone from the player that was kind of calling me a process to make it possible to make the transition to see what is the last year. 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, I was a highly excluded anything and this time last year was like when my recruitment really picked up and it's like, it's been crazy like, must have another like, give it just leave it to me in my corner, my coach is empty. I just give it the motivation to go. What is your relationship with like the team you guys, to the team and to the other

34:55three working in the team? Oh yeah, that's a big good. Before I even got a hosting offer and before I even knew who he was, exactly, actually threw it with him a couple of times in both. Bella Fatt, from Chantane, yeah I was working with, I knew his head coach and he invited me to come and run routes and I actually ran routes for a table in the fight. If we was exactly headed like, we first came to New York. We had a lot more, we got got together, host a freshman class and he's growing, he's working on everything. He's definitely got nice on. This cornerback, you guys have a great talent to come and as that kind of helped you along with your recovery. The cornerback? The cornerback. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they're definitely talented in it. You said, as they always say, I just love you, Diana. 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 to do the practice and he's really built on something.

35:58Is there a kind of moment question? I was actually kind of looked at it at home. Oh wow, this is difficult. This is something that I guess I can walk from. I guess there have been kind of like a moment first. I've realized that. Oh wow, these guys are really good at this. Oh yeah, just like, I just first, like, on high school, I would just take some like reps and every see if we just could. Yeah, I just had past speed, had catching abilities, like face separation. And I come to college and go, everybody's fast, everybody's big. So you have fun new ways to get open. It's really good for yourself to hire on cue. The only freshman ever to receive, you know, Iron Buck I reward, which, you know, 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. Steven, what do you mean? More on that. When you and Mara first got here, Garrett and Chris were adamant about the way that you guys, even as freshmen,

37:01were pushing two guys who were about to be first round ground picks. And then Mara kind of said the same thing about Carnail and Brandon last year. How did JJ push you guys when he first got here as the young guy? And now you guys are the older guys. Yeah, I would say it's very similar. It's kind of the same exact thing. And I'm, you know, I don't know what it is about the culture and its own sex, but we keep bringing in these type of people year in and year out. That's what makes our room so great. But I think that, something that JJ was able to push me in was just, you know, he was able to push me in my leadership. 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. You know, I get a couple wins. He get a couple wins. So I was really that next level step of competitiveness that I needed and that edge that I needed. That Murphy 2474. You met the, you guys came into the Tennessee game with a lot of outside motivation with Michigan loss and kind of a three weeks of talk.

38:03I know obviously there's still that motivation to go on and win a national championship. But how do you keep that kind of edge to lack of a better term mentally after some of that stuff has kind of gone away and followed the big one? I would say kind of if you lose your edge, I wouldn't really call you a true competitor. I think that, 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 the dot com. Mecha, there's been a lot of change in college football in the playoffs. I think of that nature. But you know, the way in some of you and some of your teammates and coaches talk about the Rose Bowl seems like that's one game that's really maintained a lot of that tradition. You play the net. You know, what it's about. Could you explain it to, you know,

39:04also you've never had a chance to play that why the Rose Bowl has maintained, you know, that level of respect from players and coaches? Yeah, I think, uh, I don't know. There's just something about it. Something in the air down there in the Pasadena. Um, it's just a beautiful venue, especially that time of the year. Like you said, the tradition is held year and year out. And it's kind of the game you dream of playing. And when you're a little kid, you know, playing back yard football with your friends, the Rose Bowl is always one that tends to come up. So just having a chance to play in it. It's definitely very surreal. And this is going to be my second time. So I'm going to do my best to take it all in while also being fully focused on Oregon. Dan, hold on. Let me worry. I'm actually well said he still has nightmares about that first game in Oregon. Just what kind of drive you seem to him this week wanting to get back to this one? Yeah, Will is, uh, he's a laser focused person. He goes about his business. Um, 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.

40:06Then yesterday, a better practice than Oregon's 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, he's laser focused on what we got coming up. Tony Gurman, fuck I have. Mac, when you're a kid playing back yard, you're about to gain what team we played for. Honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a, a buck I fan until, you know, I really committed here. And I saw what it was all about. I was actually an organ fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest. Um, you know, my grandpa went to UW and stuff like that. So I like the Huskies too. But, um, there was a legendary football player named Foto Liatto from my high school. And he went to Oregon. Um, 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. Um, and, you know, he was, he was someone I looked up to in high school. Um, you know, I was a relatively close with him, even though he was a bit older than me in age. But, um, just seeing what he did at my high school and then going on to play big time football

41:06Oregon, um, that was a school that I really dreamed of going to. Uh, they build a bit like this back. I need to ask you another, uh, Jeremiah question. Is there one moment, one play, one something that made you visco. Oh, man, I've never seen before. That's just incredible. Yeah, I'll say it's happened multiple times. There's not really one. I can pinpoint, but the more he does it, the more, um, I tend to react less. So I would say probably my earliest memories of it were in spring ball. Um, 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, um, even now. But it's just more common now for me. The land. One that, um, gave the North. A bucket you had, uh, I think it was 12 touches in the first game against Oregon, Henry, such as two carries. Is there something about this matchup that favors you? And now that you have, where that could up the first time you played this team, what kind of attention or, I guess, maybe different defenses are you expecting to see? Yeah, I mean, uh, we're not entirely sure what their game plan is going to be,

42:08but we're prepared for everything. Um, you know, I'm not going to get too much into scheme and stuff like that. But, uh, 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, um, because it's really a road game for us, you know, flying across two times zones. So, um, I think that, uh, you know, it's going to be a great matchup. Whether they tend to focus on me, um, more or or not, it doesn't really matter to me, um, 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 and you look at it, it's actually a car no longer in the water. You can kind of feel it throughout the game, I would say. Um, you know, he's, he's a true competitor. He wants to get involved, but at the same time, he's super selfless. Um, he's really humble. So he's going to do whatever it takes for the team to get a win. Um, but it's the competitor nature in him that wants to, you know, contribute as much as he can. So, um, 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. But, um, you know, sometimes that's just how the game goes.

43:10You know, I had a game this year where I only had one catch. But, you know, we ended up winning by a lot. So, um, I think that, you know, it's, it's hard or it's easy to be focused on the, uh, the personal attributes that you could have game in and game out. But no one's really going to remember those if we're holding up the trophy at the end of the year. He could be a number one. Like 95% of the boss would bring up the needs. Like, you know, the three, you see his work as a whole of those things. I think that's a third makes it. You guys ever come behind and like, yeah, this guy can absolutely be a number one. On the low scouts or else. 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, um, whatever the defense, you know, if they want to put their attention on one guy or, or a couple of us, um, they're not really doing their selves any favor because we're going to have a favor. We'll match up on the other side of the ball. So, um, that's never how we view ourselves. We know we're alpha dogs out there every single one of us. Um, no, we have the capabilities of being number one receiver and we are number one receivers. And final question. Steve, how long have you 24 hours work?

44:11Yeah, and then at the end of that game, you made one of the clutch plays that passed down the sideline. At any time when you make that play, you think, and did you ever, your mind that we're going to win this game after we were now close to field goal range. I mean, did that play in your mind? Say, my goodness, we've got a chance to get out of here with the win. Uh, yeah, I definitely knew where I caught the ball and I knew we were, you know, closer being in field goal range. So, um, you know, there was a sense of, you know, I knew I knew it was a big play that I made. But, um, 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, um, until the clock hit zero. So that's something we've been working on, you know, we work on two minute every single Wednesday, um, every single Wednesday practice. So today we'll work on our two minute, um, and we don't even call it two minute. We call it clutch because, um, in those time, in those games, in those big moments, someone has to make a clutch play. So we're focusing on that every single game, knowing that we're going to have to make one of those plays coming down the stretch here. What would it mean if you're able to finish this one off and get to the final four at this

45:12playoff? 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, um, you know, we're focused on this, this just happens to be the next team in the way. We're not focused on when 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. Um, 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. I'm happy to thank you for that. Thank you. I'm talking about this, um, you know, just recently, um, talking about how what I want to do for the Rommas, I want to bring that hump energy, the he brought, right? So last year, um, of course, I'm sure he's been doing for years, but the year when I spent my own, he brought a lot of the energy, excitement, happiness in the room, which is his natural energy, to where I only had to focus on,

46:14you know, I didn't have to make sure other, other guys would, you know, feel some type of way when it came in here because hump brought that. And I'm a hump's not here, but I saw when you did for a room, I want to be that guy to make sure I was amptical to practice. Everybody's hype, we're taking a built team on period, you know, it's a low day or something, you know, it's a, this event, but like, I want to make it feel like home time. Yeah, yeah, pairs of trips. I want to bring that, because that's what me and hump did to each other who I have each other do, like, do, probably walk, reflect. So I want to do that. I want to bring that energy on, make, bring more guys. You know, should do that. Yeah, I wanted to do that from day one, you know, I kind of, I wanted to do that from day one, talking to them and obviously spend time, I spend the obviously, before OTA started, just being in my self-just thinking about what the room needs, you know, because I know, I'm renewal as one of leaders, you know, on offense, is that we need a guy like that, just to make sure

47:22the O-line is picked up, we're ready to go every day, those healthy, kind of little things are having a practice of people are saying anything and how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe, you know, I like to practice at least like a legal positivity, you know, I mean so, but he, the energy had to be on just like, I'd have to be on, so I was kind of, I wanted to go on, literally my whole life, I wanted to get out of the team captain, like, specifically, and I felt I wasn't captain in high school, wasn't captain in college, but I want to make a joke, I was in high school, so I feel like I'm not going to get captain to like his death, I felt, you know, but that would be awesome, you know, but, you know, that happens, I'd be great, but not either way, I want to assume a role as a captain from the perspective of guys onto the visual words and get back in that way. Yeah, I mean I can't say that, um,

48:25I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that I felt like I was used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs, it took training, left and right, once this season ended because I know what it was going to be, so 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, some things I'm going to do with my feet, to get to that, to sound at that traditional angle that I love to sit on, thought even, I thought I felt, thought I felt great already, but I'm okay, I felt even better, I feel like I'm starting to work more excited tomorrow now, getting my feet back, and how I like the right side, and I'm on the left side, so alongside. I mean, obviously I feel like, um, in the league, whether you're left or right, you're still going against Premier Guy, so obviously you're high expectations for your left and right tackle, but um, there's definitely like the

49:31level of energy, and like the expectations definitely take the human stuff, because now tonight it blinds, I guess that's the, has the tackle role, you know, so um, so yeah, I would say in terms of communication as far as this even outside of the facility, you just stuff like that, like really creating that, but tackle quarterback, body, the more off the field, I think, has been something that's even cool, I got a text one day, and I said hey, you put it up, I was like, yeah, I've been training both, I've been training both, you know, I asked after the season, they're like honestly, you know, we'll talk to you some play in the season, and I just got a text one, I'm having a habit 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 don't need to do what I did before, I'm building on that, but I was like, I might as well as training the left tackle now, as if we're going to be left tackle, and I'd rather do that,

50:32than training on right tackle, because I'm going to call it a, you know what I mean, so I'm like, let me just prepare an advance, I was like, yeah, it's got, you know, I think occasionally, I'm third down, there'd be a lot of twists, I was just not like, it's automatic, and I think, that was my mindset for like the first half of the season, like I didn't have to go once again with some pros, like, oh gosh, they did that, I kind of figured like, okay, like, this is, this is the type of rush, I'm going to get like, this is how this guy usually rushes, if I get the vibe, this is how the ends like the rush, you know, tackles that, you know, first year guys, you got the Premier patch on, already know what it was going to be, already know, every stud, and honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to, so you're not, you're not, oh, they brought the twist on my side again, it was never air-doll, but it kind of not the one I was like, three plays in a row, two minutes, I do that, it was going to happen, so you know what I mean, I'm watching more everybody else, and you rarely, you know it goes out there, occasionally, I'm third down, I was like, yeah, I was

51:34going 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, really out on our way to kind of process, and I was like, hey, when I tell me, let me know about my, I'm just going to train it, I was training all left, so TAs, I guess if I didn't hear anything about TAs, I came in like, so, you know what I mean, because just like, I'm cool with training both, continuing, I would have been cool with training both continually, but I feel like anybody, any position, I'll be like, okay, like, you want as soon as possible, give your feet kind of subtle to your hips, subtle to his, your hands, so then, certain kind of what, we've been hard of the age to work both, very good to you, no, no, no, but, they're definitely, but in terms of the development,

52:36it was definitely a lot faster to stay on all one side, but I think having that the weeks that we had to transition with seasons over, and the bike goes fine, you know, look, I'm trying to get up with them in the front, I mean, week, things at a time right now, but when it comes back, I'm showing them to the one house, so I've got a house that's not too far from so I told them, I got that house, like, like, I got a yellow outside, like, DJ, you know, I mean, so, yeah. My mom says, you know, just go out there, my dad just dominated the person that's in front of 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,

53:39guess Ohio State receivers is something crazy, but you know, we just ready for the challenge, they say they're not chasing their game plan, but we gotta go out there and show them the reason why not the play man on men. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I don't really, if I be on a curve, I be 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, just no planning to call us football players as a freshman, planning to Rose Bowl as a freshman, planning to call it a boat, not in the national championship.

54:41I mean, it's a blessing for sure, but it haven't hit me yet. My favorite catch, I would say we play Michigan State on the one I call over to defenders, definitely probably my favorite for sure. Or you go the one from Iowa, as I say, and as a parliament too. I mean, like you said, it's pretty frustrating me having a game that I had in the Rose Bowl, and they're coming to the Cardinals, just doing different things, chasing their scheme up for against me. But, I mean, like you said, whatever I could do to make, I mean, help the team win.

55:42It's not really a big deal for me, and long as we win, that's all I really care about, and you gotta stay in the national championship. It means a lot. We put a lot of work in this season. We have highs, we have lows, we have people kind of as up, but we hear now, we just ready to put on a show Monday. Yeah. Yeah. First of all, the one that's not so championship because there means a lot. You see everything that he bent on this year, people saying he should be fine, and there's that in the third, but you see everything that he bent through this year.

56:44I mean, I see everything that he bent through this year, and I see everything, people saying about him on Twitter. I wasn't here, he first got the head coach in job, but I know this year for sure, we definitely got to win this for him. Oh, 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 Dix. It 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 messed up for sure. Really, yeah, really that for sure. Yeah, I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. Oh, like physical defense, like like you said, like people say, like they like to play man,

57:48they'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 gotta be ready to go out there and Monday and just put on the show. What's your excitement? I'm excited for Will. Um, him, uh, first coming here in Ohio State January, our first workout we had together. I mean, just everything that we did through the season. I mean, 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 out of you Monday. I mean, it's pretty funny, um, them saying that because I'm just only a freshman,

58:48but um, it's a pleasure for sure. People even say that, but I got two, three more years left of college. And I'm just focused on college right now. I'm not really worried about the NFL right now. All right, right now. Uh, it's very special for me. Uh, just being a freshman at the National Stage, uh, a peer for national titles, something that I dreamed of as a very young kid. Um, I'm just happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on some Monday for you guys. Uh, I mean, all of us, we were just sitting on the bench and we just seeing him hit the quarterback the ball come out and we all just got up and just started jumping up and down. We all decided, uh, happy for jacking that moment and we just knew that that moment, like, yeah, let's, we're going to the ad for sure.

59:54Yeah. Uh, uh, uh, Ministers a lot, um, means, you know, going from, uh, high school, uh, winning three state championships, uh, I saw them around Madonna then, you know, coming to Ohio State, uh, just competing for national title right now. Me just showed that I've picked, uh, two great schools, um, but I'm happy to be here and I just came with the Pooner Show Monday. Um, I mean, you got a lot, I can't really say just a specific person. You got a lot of great guys reach out and leave like, um, O'Dell, you had guys like Stefan Deeks, um, a lot of other players will just take kind of my mom, but really, really into guys who show O'Dell and Stefan Deeks.

1:00:58Yeah. Yeah, um, I mean, like they say, they play man, so I mean, I'm just ready for the challenge and just get ready to go out there Monday and just no put on the show. Thank you. We're going to back. Uh, the vice-geno had gave me, um, I said just keep going first. Um, you, uh, he, I know the reason why I'm here and, I mean, yeah, like he said, just keep going first and just no keep the main thing and the best corner I face this year. Um, I mean, I've faced a lot of great corners. Uh, I can't really say, but yeah, I've faced a great, a lot of great corners here, really put a name on it. Uh, my dream vacation is, uh, turrets and cake goats.

1:02:20Oh, good. Are you? Uh, I say both respect and frustration as well. But I mean, I thought they come out there and try to put to me and they say, stick it to what they've been doing all year and that's playing man coverage. Uh, we're just ready for the challenge. Uh, pretty good group. Uh, Christian, Gary 29 is a great corner. Uh, 15, uh, Lenard Moore, uh, two great guys are right there. Um, very physical, but you know, we all have to never see this. So we ready for the challenge. Uh, I say just no understanding the defense, uh, understanding the game plan,

1:03:31understanding what coach Kelly is trying to get done. Um, I mean, just coming in, I feel I progress from our first game gets accurate. And now for I got better each and every week, um, me, thinking slowed down a lot for me. Um, but yeah, really just no understanding differences and no understanding what they're trying to do to me for sure. Uh, them two guys, great part of the best we go see all year for sure. Um, two, two, uh, physical guys, um, 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. Yeah. Uh, I mean, the environment is pretty crazy. Uh, seeing all these cameras, uh, certain I never thought I'd see them alive, but uh, it's a blessing for sure. This is the main disposition right now.

1:04:40Um, and we just had a, uh, prayer, prayer, uh, prayer meeting. And you know, we all, they all just, we all discussed. The issues, cause they discuss issues. And you know, which is one of the work, uh, I mean, not two and a half weeks we had off before Tennessee game and we just came out there, um, Tennessee game. And we played with a chip on our, on our shoulder, um, all throughout the playoffs. And we go continue to play with that chip on our shoulder in, uh, that championship on Monday. Uh, do you know how that very, uh, impactful, uh, yeah, the very impact on my career I should say, uh, you know, just going to his games as a, uh, very young kid, seven, eight years old, uh, him playing West, with him playing for West Virginia and they played Clemson, orange boat down in Miami. I mean, just go there, they're seeing his games. It's like, yeah, definitely when the player didn't stay, and I can't, uh, wait till I get to, no, that moment for sure. How are you?

1:05:46Oh, yeah, uh, because they really just in his own, his own love space, uh, he's just walking around trying to get his mind right, trying to get his mind ready for the game. Uh, but you know, he, uh, 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, uh, go play mangas or higher stair receivers. I mean, just be ready, uh, cause, you know, we definitely go call out there and know, uh, give our best. And I mean, they said not to change what they do. So we're just ready for the challenge. Uh, not a year later. Uh, definitely sometime my career college, uh, but not my first college, I should say, uh, I mean, just to be able to be in this position right now, just, you know, a blessing,

1:06:48or just a young kid from Miami to be here. And I won't take it for granted. I'm ready to go out there and give him my dog. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, I mean, I was watching that game against, was it Georgia? I blew it. Yeah. I was watching that game. Uh, I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time. Um, so I mean, yeah, I didn't left a bad taste in the mouth. Um, but I mean, we ready to go out there and Monday to redeem myself and, you know, just, put, put on show Monday. Yeah.

1:07:54Uh, I mean, I just laughed. Um, but you know, that's what they do. They're not going to change what they do, uh, just because we were high on state. So I'm just going to go out there and put it in, put it in, uh, why not to play, uh, man on man against us. So we just got to go out there and show them my day. So, can you say the game? I'm sorry. Uh, my journey here at Ohio State, we're pairing a lot for the National Championship. I mean, just going through everything that I've been through. Uh, my first guy here, all, uh, Matt Jules, all the hard workouts that we had, all the hard practices. Um, you just prepared 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?

1:08:54One or nine. 200? I mean, he is big and strong. Yeah. 120? Yeah, that's great. Yeah, it's pretty good. No problem. You

1:09:57Uh, and why not probably like the most is the one against Michigan State when I caught over two defenders on the airside line. Probably like one or the one after that I should say or you go the one against Iowa. Probably them three. Probably my best ones for sure. I mean just we'll put in the ball in my area and I just know how to make a play for them. Um, even 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. After a big game, um, I mean we really, they really feel as 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.

1:11:12Yeah. Uh, 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 watching their opinions on what we need to do to cut the get out of the team. Um, but you know that me and definitely uh, helped us in a, in a big way because it helped us on the field as well because we're playing a great football right now and we just got to you that one Monday. Yeah, it definitely got emotional. Uh, can't really say what really was said because that's not prayer, prayer is only and culture is only but it was definitely some stuff said that, um, people take, uh, people took and they went with it and that's the reason we're playing the way we're playing right now. Uh, yeah, make help me a lot this year. Um, him being our older guy in the room. Um, me help me and Carl Nell as well and Brendan and all the guys in our city room as well.

1:12:19A great guy as well. Very smart. Uh, I mean, make just been a big part of the reason that I'm having a seat that I'm having a look because he's been a big, you know, older guy been there, been a lot of great guys in our room like Chris Alivegaer, Garret Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson, Slickman Jibba. So he's seen all the grids I've been through there and I mean, he teaching us the right thing and the right way and in the buck out way for sure. I love it. That means they don't know what's coming out of next. We got 12 personnel, 11 personnel. You get the two of us and the world is going to stop it all. What have you made of the quarterbacks of the three of them before? Uh, not too much. I feel like they all come in here working. I feel like everybody's making their doors, making their paths and everybody making their corrections. When did you take away from last season? I feel like I'm an extended, all the way to the world. What did you take away from last season? You got to take the world and then you're in the world. When the next game, that was it. When the next game go out there on Saturday, beat the man in front of you, and then came out with a national championship on the Dennis.

1:13:21The spring ball is about improving as a visual one who worked on this. I'm working on everything I'm trying to do my game as well as playing spirit. I'm trying to come up to feel it on. We hear about the leaders in the heroes not just for this really bad set of routine. You should get a step up who has started to step up and realize what plays in the world. I feel like we've had leaders from last year that came back and 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. Or you can be vocal, or do both. What is it like to say that you've got new boys in the last couple of years, looking at that? I was happy for Gia. I see her out here, grind, and I see her match. She's grinding, getting an extra work. The ball 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 than maybe you were last year?

1:14:23I feel like every year I've just improved on my overall game. Blocking and catching, consistent wise. People used that word. But I feel like I'm just overall better. I came in here ready to go. How much does it push you when you're in a room of guys like Max and Will and Bennett that you know you've got to be on your game if you're going to get on the field? I feel like Arya is starting to hire every day. He comes in and they push me every day to work. It's just like I'm going to do that. It's not a crowded room. You got Max first or what's the pressure you're going to get in the practice? I love him more. I love Max. Max Claire, Max LeBlanc, both of them. What's your flashed any time you're here? Is this the year worth of all coming together? I feel like Arya was my year, but we're going to see this year. I'm ready to come out here and put on a show for the Bug-Out Nation. I feel like everybody on the field is ready to come put on a show. We're going to go back and back. You got to play quite a bit though last year, Tulane. What did you pick up from all of that, especially in a championship run?

1:15:28You know, and they were counting on you. Honestly, just be ready at any time. You can be throwing in at any time. Just like I was. I probably had some rest while I was just throwing in. You got to get it done. If you don't get it done, they're going to find somebody who has to do it. I think we asked you this every time we get a few times. We're definitely seeing what you've progressed. It hasn't tied in all of that needs. Honestly, over the spring and some of this, I feel like I've told them my body a lot. I got stronger in the weight room. I've also got a little bit faster so I can get in and out of breaks a little bit. And just the minest part of the game. The middle part of the game. You got even better in the end. How would you describe that? I said, yeah, the minest part of the game. 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're doing walkthrough, more film. We're just more students at a game now. We're a lot of them.

1:16:29Thanks, man. One of the wishes is for you. You've been Bob on it for like five times. What do you remember about that block? I feel like it was just an exciting play. I was the last lead on it. Very last lead on it. I don't go out. I can't down with the kiss. I'm going to do the first down. You know what? It wasn't Bob. Thank you. You're but I still had a great rookie year. Six yards of carry, you know, things like that. I think it was like nine touchdowns, 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.

1:17:29I had to get that cleaned up so I can feel like me. And so after I got that cleaned up, I had the first two games back from the injury. I had over 120 yards rushing, right? And then went on, had great, great ending of the year, you know, 100 total yards in the playoff 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 killies. So two really unfortunate injuries, but. That's just a guy's plan, you know, and I think that the storm is now over, you know, and I do think that I'll be able to shine a light to the whole world. Are you concerned that you have that label of guy you can't stand and think? I could care less because I do, 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,

1:18:29little dinky injuries and sitting out. It's something I can't control literally. So that's why I'm not bothered by it. Like, yeah, I am injury-poly. You can say that, you know, but I do think that the charges are getting. The guy that's going to be healthy from now on, you know, God will it. And it's going to be great. And I do think that it's going to be a great however many years here. When you've been on the field, you've been highly productive. 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 up 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.

1:19:29A couple of years. However many years he grants me great health, you know. And I think just the work ethic, my prayer and all that stuff, that's what helps me have that confidence. What the numbers will be there in there. They might be higher after this year. You know, Zen, and it's crazy to think about it because I had 6.6 yards per carry. You know, so we'll see. You said that 4-2 is running behind this line, does it fit together? Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah, I played with Bradley. I played 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 put together, win some games, because that's what I came through for. Just in all the parts of the year or all that. I wouldn't, I wouldn't say a 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, he's like my brother. I think it complements each other very well.

1:20:30You know, he can do a lot of stuff too. You know, a lot of people think he's just power power power, but I think he has some other parts of the game too, which it'll be great, because I feel like I can do everything. When we want to get tired, we can roll it in, we can keep rolling, win some games. When you, the two of you get going, how do you think this is going to look, or what will be that partnership back there? I know. That's a hard question. How do I think, 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 teams who win the Super Bowl, they can run the ball, they can control the clock. And so if we're both good, it'll look great, beautiful. How do you describe it as a bread-roaming offense? I would describe it as, you know, a great offense. I think he gives a quarter, he's going to give the quarterback a lot of options. He's going to give the running back a lot of options.

1:21:31He's going to give the receiver a lot of options, you know, and I think it's going to be great. He's often going to be amazing. When we talk to him, you know, I was like, why are you going to be able to build something good for Russian offenses throughout your career? Which everywhere you can. And you said that one part of it is just, you got to call the plates, you got to call them on the plates. As we're running back, you know, how much confidence, how much you say it is to give you, you know, you play collar that's going to stick with it and allow you and the offense upon it to get to a rhythm of the rope. It gives me a lot of excitement. You know, it's going to be, like I said, it's fun to play this offense. You know, and I think he does have some good things in the pass game too. But like you said, he sticks with the run and that's the identity. You want an offense that has an identity, right? You're going to be looking everywhere else to find your identity. You want to have it. And so I think his offense has that. And the guy he builds and puts in there, it complements that identity. So I think it's going to be great. You mentioned you're 100% now, so you mean full go for training?

1:22:34That's the expectation. Look, I ain't going to answer any of the four. If it's up to me? Yes. Look, because I had this problem like two years, three years ago, I'm thinking I'm full go. I think I'm ready to go. And then next year you know I'm on PUP. Like, hey, look, some stuff is above my prey, pay gray. So, but I don't know. Hopefully I can start. I think I'm ready to start, you know, at the beginning of training camp. But that's not up to me as I've learned. How do you, how do you feel? 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 an organization. And so that's where that comes from. Which I appreciate it. Like, I really appreciate that. You know, because I'm a type of guy like I work really hard. So maybe sometimes I'm blind to, you know, the danger of something, you know.

1:23:37So I appreciate it. But like I said, if it's up to me, yeah, I'm out there. But never know. Well, any frustration for you during the getting into pre-agency, you know, dealing with rehab and not, you know, having a full season of tape or the production vehicle out there. Is there any part of that where you're like, I wish I had hit the open market with a different situation. Yeah. 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 giving to Roll was I was coming off a third Achilles. And that was the Lord's plan. So it was beauty in that. Like, I was comfortable. I was caught like there was multiple teams, you know, I wasn't, it wasn't like I didn't have any other team.

1:24:39But I was comfortable in sitting back and just enjoying the process, letting myself get fully healed. So whenever that team whoever I would, 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? Not even a high risk, low risk because it's a business, right? I heard that here. So not as much money and he's be throwing that. But I think everyone around the league knows that whenever I am on the field, the numbers don't lie. And so they know that and a lot of teams will be like, alright, here. You can, we give you this, but we want you to be healthy. So when I'm healthy, it's going to be great. There's the chance that I've been giving here. I'm so grateful and I know that's going to be, they won't be, they won't regret it. Are you the type of person that likes it for people wrong? Like you've run a couple things like the high risk high reward, injury from, you know, like,

1:25:40are you the type of person that really tries to prove 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? You know, 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 will talk about being injury prone, because whenever I have this great year, it's going to be forgotten, you know? Why, why give that energy? Talking just into the all-error ground of chance to be in the all-error. Yeah, I was, you know, we just, with him, you know, he's a great guy. I mean, he was in my class. I remember seeing him, we were at an award show, because I was a dope walker, a finalist.

1:26:43And 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, eight, so when I first saw him, this was years ago in college. And I'm like, damn, this is me tall. Like, it's cool though. Like, I never really got to, I ain't going to lie, I thought it was going to be kind of, you know, nerdy, way he's cool, though, really bad. No, we'll face to him, you know? It's just because, like, the last three years, he's 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 guys just ask, Jack, when you take off, you're still in a mold, you're in practice, and you look at it, who else on the deep fits? And you look at the person else's change, you're failing to come in with Sunday women up in the cultural line of spring, with all the guys in the suspension coming back. What's your view of what's out there on deep fits, and how it may be allowed you to do some things you didn't do?

1:27:45It's 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. He's a big athletic dude. He can play in a box, he can play in safety, I think that's just showing him how versatile he is, and 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, we're all dominant, so I feel like as a collective unit, we're going to be unstoppable. So confident is a problem? 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 interest, case you have vision. So how do you look at spring in terms of getting the guys that are next in line as prepared to keep that standard high? I think you just got to set a great example for the young guys, and just showing them how to practice, how to watch them, how to take care of their body.

1:28:46Because the things you're going to need to go on this deep run, I think it's like 17 games or something, we're not. We add in games, so the young guys are going to have to play. We can't just play 50 games, it's not that, that's not going to happen. He's going to keep working, kind of keep running, getting in shape. I'm sure, but surprising to hear that from you, it's a really healthy snapshot of your play last year. Did that kind of take a toll on your last year? Do you think that you need to push it even further, getting better shapes so you can play all 16, 17 games? Yeah, definitely. I got to get way better shapes than I've been. I felt 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 more experience under my belt. I can bring younger guys with me because I've been through a lot of good.

1:29:48One of those younger guys we're seeing right here, it's the first time I've heard all of your last years. What have you seen from Lil? I've been kind of going to last year and we all forgot about him because he was hurt. Now he's running almost a second man behind you and Ty. What have you seen him and you were playing during the last three years? Well, as a workhorse, he's going to stay quiet, he's going to work hard. 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. He rarely has any mistakes. What would be a successful season? A national championship? I'm bringing win, all the games we don't want to lose anything. We got a mindset that we can't be beat and we just got to go show it. That mindset, different. It seems like you guys expect a national championship every year. This year even more so, you guys have all come back for this. You guys have all decided like enough is enough. Does that keep feeling different? Or is it not really any difference? It's just the same work. It's definitely a difference. Everyone working harder. We noticed our last run.

1:30:48Most of us don't have any years after this. We got to go bigger, go home and we're not trying to go home. Finish big. We know what you guys think of Michigan. But when you look at what they did, they won the national championship and you guys took them down to the final minute. You were right there. Something goes a little different. You guys could have won that game against them. Does that tell you anything about like that, hey, you guys won a national championship, but you played to the 59th minute with the team that won the national championship last year, like you're that close? I'm saying we just work harder. That's kind of coach makes a saying, you know, nobody cares, just work harder. Like those, you know, one plate Georgia is the same thing. Last play, you know, they went on the win in 90s. So we just got to get over that hump at the end of the season. I think we'll be fine. How frustrating is that? You're that close against the last two national titles. Of course it's frustrating, but you can't change the outcome. You can't really dwell on it.

1:31:48You just got to come back and work harder. Do things better than you did last year and hopefully the outcome will change. As soon as you get older, you kind of learn. I thought I was working harder than you always find out there's a little more. You could have been doing it? Yeah, definitely. I mean, that's how that's what growing up is basically in college. I thought French me, I was working as hard as I could, but now I look back at it. I really wasn't working hard at all compared to what I'm doing now. So just to learn anything. The stamina is a 60. What do you need it to be to be your best? Uh, 80, 85. I mean, I can, it's all on me. I just, I think it's a little higher. I was just trying to be funny, but I mean, it's all on me. I just got to run harder in shape. So, what's the stamina as to you? It's been a failure, yeah. The idea of a potential to succeed in a second is, yeah. So, what's the most exciting idea that you make you nervous about? Can you last that long? You're maybe a warrior, you're a warrior, right? I think, I think we, I definitely can last. I was just, you know, we got to get the young guys that come along with us.

1:32:50We can't play 50 snaps again. That's just too much on our bodies. Uh, just, uh, I think we, I think we, I definitely can last. So, just everybody, 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 light playing, let me snap. If you like playing that new snap to the end, not sure if it's that long. I don't know if any of us were really expected to play that next time. Uh, yeah, I did. Unless we were like winning by like a lot. Uh, I thought, like, there are no moments you know I can go sit down or something. But we're playing them big games like, you know, Notre Dame, too, in those kind of games. Uh, of course I want to be, because I know I can contribute. And I won't want to put that on anyone else when I know I can get the job done. What stands out about Kaden McDonald and his he got the game. Have you guys ever seen him? Oh, yeah, definitely. K-Mac is a K-Mac's animal. Y'all, you haven't really seen it yet, but in practice he shows all the time. He's just, he's growing right now. He has to work, I think. He just has to get, you know, in the playbook and things like that.

1:33:50You guys are about the exact same size. Listen, you're both listening to 63, you're 327, he's 326. Yeah, he's, 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 your back. Is that part of your cast for this year to bring those guys along as well? Yeah, definitely. We got to be leaders. Like I said, we got to have them play this year. We can't just play all the snaps. We can't get in there and get some work. And we got to get them right during the all season. So they can play. And not just play, they want to like contribute, like make plays, tackle the sex. It's a great job of working with special people. It seems like these guys get bigger. Each one of the freshmen class is bigger and bigger. Do those guys kind of, those are going to kind of while you're in the cell? Yeah, they're definitely some big dudes. And they all work hard. I've only seen much of some of the day too when I'm passing on. But throughout the workouts, they've been working hard. They're determined to actually.

1:34:51And it looks like they're ready to work with me. How important this notes feels like. There's a lot of great defenses that you have big athletic defensive tactics who can eat up space. But also move, you know, right? That is that. Is that an environment maybe for a great defense? To have guys like you that have some faults, but also a great team? I think that is definitely. I think if you look at the last couple of national championship winners like Team up North, they got two good detacled, two athletic detacles. Look at Georgia, two athletic detacles. 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 defied by the defense attack. It's like, what's Georgia? Jordan Davis and Dylan Carter and what's Michigan? It's Chris Jenkins. How do you understand this because you play it? I feel like some time I don't know. Are people realizing how important defense tackles are?

1:35:52A little bit more than they used to? I think there's started to develop more and more of these freaky detacles. In the combine, you see those guys moving forward to 478 and things like that. When you think about the freaky shot, how do you fit into that mold of that kind of player? Definitely. I think I'm top-notch when it comes to detacles, but I don't want to get a big head. I watch it come on. I watch it do the drills. I have tape here. You can look at my film. I think I'm up there all the time. Do you become like a artist or a band of guys? I think your legs have your things. When you're going to spring practice, you're not doing it as much as 11 of them. How do you work on that? Do you have a goal? I don't remember how many bad last year. You have a goal? How many do you want to have? I mean, as many as I can have, I think I have more than that. I think it counts some of them.

1:36:54Some of them were just missed it. But I think we work on drills matching the hand. I think that goes big. What we do is a D-line. Just affecting the quarterfegges. Any way you can. It's just great for the defense. That little thing you cover in his eye, he might throw it. A little bit to the left to our player. So let's something that you really, really have to work on. It's one of the things that you've maybe worked on the most. You could bring your time here because there are a few guys that I've seen. Oh, that pass really takes a little bit. We don't have to ask for this. We're kind of kind of expected for some of those people. I think I just have 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 ways. And sometimes he just throws it to me. I'm irritated if you want to be a high state quarterback. I'm getting a bad dog passes. I mean, they get frustrated, but you know we're a team. We're just getting better. You know, you don't have to have the pig mentality of problem of instant gratification.

1:37:57You 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 is a 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. We're going to prepare you for life. Whether it's the NFL or on with a regular career in the workforce. We want you to prepare you as a young man and we try to sell that and preach that to the parents. With remain having that impact that you mentioned, rolling all these different spots, do you anticipate, you know, there wasn't a lot of rotation among the cornerbacks last year when everyone was healthy. Do you anticipate maybe growing him for the rest guys here with the longer season potentially? Yeah, we play it by ear. You know what I mean? We see how goals by time we get in the camp, but you know, obviously he's earning his stripes. So, you know what I mean, when you earn your stripes, you know, a lot of jobs to create opportunities for you. You know what I mean? We have to see how it goes with all the other stuff, you know, once we get closer to the season.

1:38:59And we're getting the game plan stuff, but he's doing a great job and he's taking a great step forward. Tim, what's the way that you can build the room? The way you kind of establish your room now, it seems like it's been like the centerpiece of contemplation. Is that something that you came in with the, like a couple years ago, with the intention of doing it or is it something that you're like, that's kind of been cultivated over the course of your time as a position coach here like the guys who? No, it's been there for a while. I've been doing that for a long time. It's all about relationship. If you develop real relationship and you're authentic in your communication and you have honest feedback and you have direct teaching, the guys that have value and character and they appreciate that stuff, they're embrace that. But they have to know you care and you have to know that it's real and they have to know that you're really concerned about there where it being as a young man and when you get close to him, it's been a lot of time with him off the field. You could coach him hard and you can say truthful things to him and then they embrace it and you have real conversation because you know the only goal is to help them get better as a young man.

1:40:10How's that dynamic change in these two years as this group's gotten older and you've been better even more talented? Yeah, it's done balanced up a little bit. Now that goes with great competition. We go against the best receivers in college football. So that helps escalate your growth process because if you don't figure it out real fast, you're getting embarrassed. So that competition, 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 all 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 didn't know that same idea. The first day of practice actually the receivers kind of got them because I didn't kind of wake up call me for this. 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.

1:41:11The running backs are really good. So when you out there going against them is deep. So you have to be ready for it. And obviously man, we see a lot of good stuff with what goes day in goes Kelly doing over there. And so it prepares you a lot and it helps us grow. So why are you playing kind of an associate for green? Is that? It's the one that you're recruiting. Or a white receiver room kind of a part of your green. It's like these are the guys you get to play. Yeah, all 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 drawer. We're looking at to play that. We just moving a lot of guys around. We watch our practice. We have a lot of guys in there right now. You know, we pop out for a four different guys in there. Obviously the ring's always in there. Jameen is in there. Um, miles we have about four or five guys moving around right now. We just try things out in spring ball. See what it fit. You know, see what things work together. So it's going to 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.

1:42:13How it goes by time we get ready start the season. He can run any strong. You know, I mean, he's fast. Very serious about his business. He's big. It's 200 pounds. He can run. He's strong. He's conscientious. Now, man, he's starting to grow and he's starting to get better with it. You know, I mean, so we look for big things for him to spring. What do you want to see from here? This spring. Keep competing. You know, I mean now he's made the transition. Um, competing today. You know, I mean, start going in that transition is all just like I'm in your main last year. You throw him in the fire. You let him go. You compete. You go by time we get out of the end of training camp. You'll be them figured out. Yeah, I want to. But now you just throw it all at him. Compete. Continuing to grow, continuing to learn. He has the skill set. He has to let. Now you just got to put it all together and it takes time to do that. Um, and hopefully you see that by time we get in the training camp. It seems like it went with your spring and kind of click for your main last year. And you start to see and perform a little better in practice. Is that like a benchmark for where you want here and to be by the middle of spring? Does he have to be in a certain point where you wanted to start clicking?

1:43:14Yeah, by the time you start getting about two weeks from now, that last week, you know, because it takes time. There's a lot of stuff going on. But you know, by the time you get into that last week of spring ball, you look to start seeing the things that you look for show up. And then you know, you get another evaluation again. We'll get into training camp. See if this stuff carried on to make sure we go up for starting in September. What's your assessment of growth? What do you like about him and that Nickles? Uh, he's very conscientious. He's smart. He can run. He's tough. Um, 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, uh, and he has a physical presence. So the growth has been really good and we look to continue that throughout spring. Coach, thank you very much. I can ask one more. All the guys to come back like, uh, Denzel, the great example. Could that surprise you as you reflect on all these guys that came back late to the rain? So they could have turned pro. No, the culture here is real. Uh, Coach, they does a great job of building the culture.

1:44:15Um, our room is close knit. The guys on defense are real close. Those guys want to come back. They have an agenda. You know, we want to come back. They want to come back and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and walk away with something. So, um, it didn't shock me. Uh, but, but it's a good environment for them too. You know, I mean, that's when you see those guys come back. That's a testimony to the, the, the culture that's set here. The brotherhood, the environment. And I, of course, today he runs the program for those dudes to want to come back. Because we go at it. It's hard. It's not easy. It's not easy. But what, what we do. So, in fact, they come back and do that as a testament to how he runs the program. Coach, thank you very much. As far as, uh, intensity, how would you evaluate, I think, uh, dinged early on. How would you evaluate your games tonight? Yeah, my goal was just to come out, um, play as hard as I could. Um, it was a little weird last week for the first time in my career, playing a game that doesn't necessarily mean anything in terms of playoff contention. And I kind of had to check myself and, and this week come in with a mindset of every game matters.

1:45:15And, um, and we need to put the best product out there that we can. Um, and that's what I try to do. Later now, it was a good push or you looked at the looking into your work and push up, but you returned. You didn't seem shaken up right after you kind of just talk about what happened. Yes, Sam just tried to get on it and, uh, 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. Who's like jammed, yeah, my neck. You're helmet. I know you've got a sort of a different helmet. Help you. Yeah, maybe when it hits the top like that, it's not as good, but. Probably 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.

1:46:16I 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. I could just see from afar that it's probably a fun team to play for. And they've they come out and they play to win every game and I respect that. I've put so much emphasis on the ball, ball meetings and takeaways. And I think you got two since the by-week. Is there any accounting for that? I mean, is there so many different things that go into a turnover or takeaway? How do you wrap 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 the right spots.

1:47:19And I don't think we've done a great job of that this year. The last side closest to the night, the pool is all pro. Did you want that matchup? What you think about that matchup? It's good. He's a really good player. And 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 saw a kind of a misdirection sprinted all the way across the field to make the play. Did you see the play? I think it was the one Gibbs cut back. 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.

1:48:23What was your mindset against Miami? I mean, how did it take us to the end of the season? I 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 final pass breakups and it will be like a couple plays in a row. And then there's an explosive about what can you put your finger on about the ecosystem? 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.

1:49:23I'm sure, yeah, I'm sure. Oh, yeah, for sure. You had guys like Chris Carter. I mean, guys like Michael Thomas really, new to guys for sure. Michael Thomas was talking to me before the game with a Rose Bowl, Anchor's Carter and after the game as well. I mean, just giving me advice. Just tell them to keep going first and just keep doing what I've been doing the whole year. I mean, I'm got bug out legs. So definitely look at them guys for sure. Make sure respect. It means a lot of me just to care for Miami. Just be able to play an actual championship as a freshman. Something that I've dreamed of as a kid and I'm here now and is K-rated. Can't wait to put on a show Monday.

1:50:30He said he got. I mean, the Tissues know like he says, man crazy each and every week playing. But you know, can't 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 know happy business. Yeah, I'm happy business. Oh, none of us think we could be covered, man. Oh, man, 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 certain reason why not to play men. Two.

1:51:37Four. Three. One. I go five. I'm not saying, you know, just go out there Monday. Just dominate the person I'm supporting me. I'm just doing 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. I mean, feels good. Just say somebody going out there and playing men on men gets Ohio State receivers. It's something crazy, but you know, we just ready for the challenge. They say they're not chasing a game plan, but we got to go out there and show them the reason why not to play men on.

1:52:43I mean, I don't really, if I be on the curve, I be on the curve. I mean, it's not really a big deal to me. It may definitely be a blessing for sure, just to be on the cover 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 this season. No, just no planning to call us football players as a freshman, planning the roles, both as a freshman, planning a card and both not in the national championship. It's a blessing for sure, but I haven't hit me yet. My favorite catch, I would say we play Michigan State. The one I call the two defenders, definitely probably my favorite for sure.

1:53:47Or you can go the one from Iowa, I should say, and it is a part of them too. I mean, yeah, like you said, it's pretty frustrating me having a game that I had in the Rose Bowl. They're coming to the Cotton Bowl, 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. As long as we win, that's all I really care about, and it got us to national championship.

1:54:50It 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 put on a show Monday. Oh, yeah. First of all, there's national championship because there was a lot. I mean, you see everything that he bent through this year, people saying he should be fired and this is not the third. But I mean, you see everything that he bent through this year. I mean, I seen everything that he bent through this year. I was in here, he first got the head coach and job, but I know this year for sure, we definitely got to win this for him.

1:55:51I 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 Odele, you had guys like Odele. You had Stephard Dicks, it means a lot of my good Tom is Chris Carter, just a lot of 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 next up for sure. Really, I really that for sure. Like a physical defense, like you said, 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 got to be ready to go out there Monday and just put on the show.

1:57:03I'm excited for will him first coming here in Ohio State January our first workout we had together. Just everything that we built through this season. I mean, 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 at the Oman Day. I mean, it's pretty funny. 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 got two, three more years left for college. I'm just focused on college right now. I'm not really worried about the NFL right now. It's very special for me. Just being a freshman and playing the national stage, like a peer for national titles, something that I dreamed of as a very young kid.

1:58:05I'm just happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on a show Monday for you guys. I mean, all of us used to sit on the bench and we just see him hit the quarterback. We all just got up and just started jumping up and down. We all decided happy for Jack and I moment. We just knew that that moment like, you know, this we're going to the daddy for sure. I mean, it's a lot of me going from high school or when the three state championships, I saw my mama Donna, then you know coming to Ohio State, just competing for national title right now.

1:59:05I mean, just so that I put two great schools, but I'm happy to be here and I just came with the punishment 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. Rich out in the lead, like, oh, Dale, you had guys like Stefan digs. A lot of other players will just get cut off my mom, but really really into guys for sure. Oh, Dale, that's the for this. Yeah, yeah, I mean, like they say, they play man. So I mean, I'm just ready for the challenge and just get ready to go out there Monday and just no putting a show. Thank you. The vice genome had gave me. I said, just keep golfers. I know the reason why I'm here. I mean, like he said, just keep golfers and just no keeping the main thing and the best corner I face this year.

2:00:28I mean, I face a lot of great corners. I can't really say, but yeah, I face a great daughter. He really put a name on it. My dream occasion is. How good are you? 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 what they've been doing all year.

2:01:28And that's playing man covers, which is ready for the challenge. Pretty good group Christian, Gary 29th, a great corner, 15, Lenard Moore, two great guys are right there. Very physical, but you know, we all have to receive us. So we ready for the challenge. I say just no 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 my first game gets accrued to now. Feel like I better each and every week. I mean, things slowed down a lot for me.

2:02:32But yeah, really just no understanding, Devices and no understanding what they're trying to do to me for sure. I'm two guys great part of the best we go see all year for sure. Two physical guys. But you know, we're ready. We're ready for the challenge that they're coming with and that's the play man on man. 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 exposition right now. I mean, we just had a prayer, prayer, prayer, prayer meeting and you know, we all they all just, I mean, we all discussed the issues because they discussed issues.

2:03:36And you know, we just want the work. I mean, not two and a half weeks. We had off before Tennessee game and we just played came out there on Tennessee game and we played with a trip on a trip on our shoulder. All throughout the playoffs, and we go continue to play with that trip on our shoulder and that's championship on Monday. Do you know how that very impactful? He had a 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, West Virginia, they played Clemson Orange, both down in Miami. I mean, just go there seeing his games. It was like, yeah, definitely when the player didn't stay, and I can't wait till I get to know that moment for sure. Who are you? Because they really just in his own, his own little space. He's just walking around trying to get his mind right trying to get his mind ready for the game.

2:04:42But 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, you guess Ohio State 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 to change what they do. So we're just ready for the challenge. Is it like you've seen this kind of situation? Not a year later, definitely sometime in my career in college, but not my first in college, I should say. I mean, just to be able to be in this position right now, it's, you know, a blessing. Just to be like here for Miami to be here. I want to take it for granted. I'm ready to go out there. I'm going to give him my all.

2:05:53Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I was watching that game against was a Georgia. I believe. Yeah. I was in a game. I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time. So, I mean, yeah, it left a bad taste name off, but I mean, we ready to go out there Monday to redeem myself. And you know, just put on a show Monday. Yeah. Oh, I mean, me. I just laugh. But you know, that's what they do. They're not going to change what they do just because we're a higher state. I'm just going to go out there and put it on. Put it on. Why not to play a man on man against us? So we just got to go out there and show them my day.

2:06:57So. He said again. I'm sorry. My journey here at Ohio State repaired me a lot for not just shape of shit. Me just going through everything that I've been through. Now, first guy here, all the Matt Jules, all the hard workouts that we had, all the hard practices. I mean, 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'll just squeeze this. One or nine. 200? Me is big and strong.

2:07:59Yeah. What's 20? Yeah. That's pretty good. No problem. Yeah. That's great. Yeah. It's pretty good. No problem. Yeah. The one I probably like the most is the one against Michigan State when I caught over two defenders on the airside line. I want the one after that. I should say or you go the one against Iowa. Probably them three. Probably my best ones for sure.

2:09:09I mean, just we'll put in the ball in my area. And I just know how to make a play for them. Even 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 is the only thing I have to make the play no matter how the ball comes at me. 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.

2:10:14We just a lot of the older guys, what's in their opinions on what we need to do to come to get as a team. But you know, that being definitely helped us 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. Can't really say what it really was said because players only and coaches only. But it would definitely some stuff said that people took and they went with it and that's the reason we're playing the WISWROWYPLAIN 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 all the guys in our scene room as well. Me just a great guy as well. Very smart. I mean, make just been a big part of the reason that I'm having a season that I'm having a look. Cause he's been a big.

2:11:15You know, older guy been there, been a lot of great guys in our room. Chris Aliveve, Gary Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson, Smith and Jibba. So he's seeing all the greats I've been through there. Me teaching us the right thing and the right way and the buck out way for sure. I was along with him a lot. I was in the other way. So the other often. But did you feel underrated? No, I was not. I was really not right. I mean, some actors got me different. I mean, I just feel like I had all the offers. I think I mean, but obviously I had fucked down like hurting work sites. But it doesn't matter. You can hear enough on the stop. I like to make that. You know, I felt good. You know, I felt like I had a hard work and I do that spring. I got a teaching. I feel like you gave me notice paid off. I just know this way. I'm playing with camera. I'm taking the two deep as a true freshman out late. I'm not too. I have a bigger role. What do you expect? What do you think about it in your second? You know, I just work to beat. You know, I mean, obviously they'll be running whatever with having these savings or whatever.

2:12:19I'm just working just to beat work my tail. I can make a roll for my sanction. I can chase physical. I would say like I got a lot more aggressive and I gave some weight now. I'm pushing 200 pounds now. I'm not against target. Coach Patricia, what have you seen for granted? I've always been like real. He's a great guy. You know, I like him. I'm a size coach and he's a great guy. He cares about his players. I'm so football wise. He's a master of high-level high-level. He has a lot of respect. He has been football business. He has been super-makes. He's taught me that I felt so I feel like I was going to reflect on him. Was there a time when I went there and started a vocational piece? What do you expect to see from this? I'm feeling the claim and it's been a little bit more. I expect you know, just to add value, you know, from a whole for this team and just make players. You feel a lot more professional this year? Or you last year? I feel like I'm starting to use the everything here.

2:13:22I'm just trying to pull off my new last year. Like I said, I think I was going to make a worse move. What? I was going to say, you know, mindset at the beginning was growing. You started in a strategy way. You're letting too much of the shadow of the national team. How was the team really embraced that mindset and say competitive at that mindset? You know, you know, we have one idea so far. You know, we're trying to stay determined and I know just trying to dominate. And I'm living in the past anymore. It's like it never happened to the show. I'm not a coach. I've got to mention that A and B are all here. Have a beer. Are you feeling in? Yeah. Get some reps in another position. Well, obviously, you know, right now, playing Stony and Free City. You need to try and you know, you know, craft myself and just, you know, make myself more versatile for the team. Wherever I go. If you get some more last fight, what's that? Limiting his reps. Right. Obviously, he's living in like a coach. They said, so, you know, obviously, we believe in this. No, empty game. You know, why does this all just work? You know, I mean, skipping, skiing better.

2:14:22Thank you. Appreciate it. You know, the alliance. So like there's some stuff. At least we did over there in order to name 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 time I see it because it's like it's a fresh start. I do say the eyes on them. 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 study what coach Patricia has done in the past, is he likes to take like, who are like who are our players? And then let's build it around those guys. And I think CJ has had a helpful winter. I think he's one of those guys. I'm excited to see how we create up a new zone. The interesting thing. That many seem to be like flow is more of an edge defender. Kind of differently than you guys. I think yeah, I think he has that. I think that's exactly what kind of like protection CJ has. It'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.

2:15:26You think you have the ability because he understands conceptually. Zone drops linebacker 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 go to the heart bank. Go be destructive. Go what's happening? See about your new experience. I don't know. I don't know. Find out on Monday. What about Matt as a leader of you guys? This coach has had you. How are you? How's he off the edge guys? And how are you seeing that? How do you feel about the higher? I love the higher. I got a lot of respect for coach Patricia. I've never since he worked me a Marcus out back here. And what we were talking about that when he first was in the interview process. It's kind of how fast time goes. But I'm really excited just to continue to learn. Like I said, like there's some, it's funny because there's some terminology that when I was at Notre Dame, you can use. And I can at least speak some of his language with what he's called things before.

2:16:29And you're trying to morph everything together right with these things that we've done. What he knows what to do. Like 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, and they're going to get together at this time of the year. And like you're just efficient in your wallet. 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 them up on the recruiting board. And 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. It needs 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. But I'm just excited to learn. I think the more systems, I mean, look. Play the system here in college. Play the system underneath. Play the system.

2:17:30Well, played the system under Greg Williams. Dennis Allen. Coach of growl gold and then Jim. Like every one of those. There's like different terminology for everything. So you're just you're learning a different language. Call and think, you know, I mean, there's concepts. And I think it's kind of collect over time. What you think is. Really good stuff and how you do stuff. Maybe a little different. I'm just really excited to learn from that. I'm telling you success. He seemed very excited over there. Talking really to be here. Yeah. Coach in college. Yeah. Whatever. So long. What's his person? How do you like to meet 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. He could tell there's like a yearning to get back to. Like the why you got in the coaching right is the impact young people. The impact and teach the game of football. And so the few times it's been a fun, you know, kind of like talking to the guys. You can sense like. He's excited to just teach more. You know what I mean? And kind of ironically like, you know,

2:18:32similar to a lot of other things that chips that last year, right? Yeah. Get back and you're like, man, I'm just excited to. And so he has that excitement. He's in a phenomenal job. I think of. 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 that 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 with staff, trying to learn dynamics. Like it's a lot, but he's handled it really well. You know, he's an old school ball coach. He's a grinder. So he's really good job. James, I probably not going to need to do much this spring. How much more can you get down with the. That's on him that. So I do a lot. But in terms of Ryan Dairer, he said, you know, 50% 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. That's what it's all about right here trying to have. It's so cliche, but it's true.

2:19:32Like iron sharp. It's iron mentality of. You want your room 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 point, right? It's a constant driving of the room. Forward. And so. Yeah, sonny gets 50 or how many reps off 50% rubber coach said. That means more opportunity for somebody else to play. Right? So that be more for our values that scheme flexibility with our value paid pierce around. That's that 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 I think they're all about sunny is that he's going to be. Clon to try to get those reps because he's a he's a true pro. And. That's been the most enjoyable thing about working with him is like. You get a kid who's played safety is for life comes the backer and he just wants to learn the why.

2:20:35Behind everything and. You know, very similar to the fact of Cody like we have guys where that easy to work with. You're not trying to like not worried about texting anybody in our own. About coming over and trying to learn all you know, I mean like were you at you know, like. They're obsessed with the game football. They're always around when they're not at class. So it's like it makes it really easy as a coach because they're passionate for the game. So strong. You mentioned CJ 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 just have a lot of guys with a lot of length. It's about sunny styles long run or velvete long run like. It's crazy because you see sunny usually like okay, this guy like. I wish I was built like that when I played and then you see our bell stand next to Sunday. You're like. Those are those you know what I mean? So like and then you look across the room like as the room warms up. You're like holy smokes like we just have a bunch of guys and that's a lot of credit to make coach made as a phenomenal job.

2:21:41I was just talking to Burm about it like. To see even our meteor guys what they look like when they showed up during like the bowl of the whole natty run. And they're kind of hanging out during practice and see the high school bodies to see what they look like today before they go away. And like the shoulders are all like everything is just different and they've been indoctrinated into the brotherhood. So I think you know there's just a lot to work with. So what he's really good at right is like he's talked about it. One year he has junior say I will get a smite variable you know Roosevelt Colvin and those guys. And a couple years later he has Brandon Spikes. So he's like okay I just put his blitz brand in the middle all the time. So he was 260 pounds and he's 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 high talent. So now we can do a lot of stuff right. So they're just like hey this is what we're doing.

2:22:42We got plenty of people in there. Hey here's what we got. Let's utilize it. So that's what strength will be. I've been figure out what that means. I'm sure through spring ball there will be like hey here's what we do really well as unit. Because this unit is going to be different right. I mean the unit we lose a lot of production. So you know will be different. So you kind of got to reform your own identity and. You're re-earned that silver bullet. They name and mantra. How many guys can look at our bell. I'm very good track. Is that it? What's his ceiling? It's just locked in. He's done a great job becoming a leader. Coming out of his shell. I think I think for Velley it's all about consistency and just preparation. And I'm proud of our bell you know he's through the season. He got way better at you know a lot of it's like little things just note taking and stuff. Like sometimes these kids are always on their phones and stuff not like in meeting rooms or anything like that. But just naturally. So like to get out of pen and paper and like.

2:23:44You 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 paint along the paint is pulling TJ and Riley and Eli so it's still like. So I kind of I love the competition room right now. The way it's made up. Yeah, that was on his own great path. How many different guys do you feel like can be in that Mike's spot? Three. 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 at Mike for us. And Sonny smart enough to play a mall. Our Vel is smart of the play a mall. Painter is smart of the play a mall. And it's also like how did you like depends on what what scheme you're running. Where they how do they be utilized as well? You know what I mean?

2:24:44So you say my like my backer you know whether it's Tommy I convert Garofield research to different people and Cody's different than those two. So I challenge to like a lot of the guys that come in and 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 like. Well no football happens so fast and all the shifts and motions that like. If you're out there just playing and you're waiting for a call. And you're just reacting like you're so worried about what's going on on your side of the ball. You haven't recognized that the offense is telling you something's what they're doing. So. If I'm out there and also I'm not getting a call I know what the call should be. It's like hey are we playing you know let's go. Now is it you get it you can look I can see okay here's what the tight ends doing that's the back's doing here's what. Place are coming. If you just lie up and play as a runner pass every time like you know staying a chance. You got to eliminate plays in your mind by seeing what the offense is doing like they tell you a story every time they line up.

2:25:47They just window dressing. People motion to show us to try to get are they trying to do man zone indicators and they trying to make sure that. They're getting the same formation them in the same place. But they just shift the people and then they motion and they move and they don't want you to recognize. So for always worry about what work you don't mean so the more you know. That's the way you play. You're not sitting there thinking oh what do I have here's real react to. I know you have so my challenge to guys like. There's always a no both so. I think a lot of just beyond. I'm deaf sure guys get you know if the sun is only doing 50 to 75% of the place and coming more guys get more will reps than they had because. We need more will bodies is that's technically where sun is started. We'll rotate them through let the production kind of show what it does. And sometimes you know you'll live for some mistakes just from. It's a new spot but you'll be able to judge to like who's actually. Getting in the book you know I mean who's actually studying. How much of a great have you seen from sunny this time of year go through the national championship game and then what's next.

2:26:51Man I mean definitely I know I know sunny 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. When you're in the box is a linebacker you gotta be able to. Remember loop thickly say all the time and you gotta 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 the trigger roll and you gotta. Kind of 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 be able to hold up his cowly 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. Will keep challenging him I think he should be a dominant guy in coverage needs to be a guy that we can. Put on a tight end and be like he's not going to be in control ball. He has that athleticism and they've been in challenge in there.

2:27:51Challenge them I think everything is just missed on just sunny it's everybody's urgency in zone coverage. I mean the urgency with you have to break on the football to close that space. Not at the bulk area have so much space on you to to cut making miss is critical. I think sometimes he's keeping you so athletic that you know you can get away some stuff and he knows like 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 said man coach on that play actually you know what I mean like he knows. And the best part is that he's humble enough our whole lot is that they just want to be they want to be pushed and they want to be coached. And so the heck of a loss can you ask for right like. How is that like what do you mean for me just just keep making sure like you're pushing it all in the settle. He's probably the best. Look at sunny and our bell. It's kind of your top of the guys right now. Yeah I mean I think going into it you know I think it's just accomplished the plan and whatever play was called whatever maybe just go out there and execute it.

2:28:56One thing we appreciate is execution is really the motive. You know I'm going to be called but as long as everybody's mindset is as one mentality which is just go get in and you know make sure there's no yard gain I think that that changes the mindset of everybody on the silver bullet defense. Did they feel like big changes to you all as they were ongoing or. I mean at first like you know it was a tough loss so you know as any 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 we just need to keep everything simple make everything and just 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 it make better overall 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 they're respected. They're relentless man I mean Lathen Caleb and I mean everybody in that BIA core yes they can cover but you know when it's time to you know stop the round they'll come down 12 yards out however however however far out the front line scrubs and coming you know throw the nose in there and in I respect them for that because you know there's going to be times where we need to make them tackles and I mean they're displaying it this whole season.

2:30:14Yeah 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 offense but sometimes the last line of offenses in the middle of it. Yeah I mean they play a huge role I mean like you said it takes everybody from the front four it's like a check reaction the front four don't do their job then you know falls you know the back end 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 you go wrong but if we just all continue to stay communication with one another continue to just lay each other know we have each other's backs and just trust one another and man I think that that that performance is going to be off the charts. So the right Kelly and Stitz WSYF? DT how would you describe the mentality of the defense right now giving this opportunity for Greenhouse in the Warden? Yeah 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 and we had to make a couple changes but I think we understand what you know everything's at stake right now you know just fighting to where another house stage jersey for the next game that's what's on stake and just to be able to represent this state and this team I mean we understand what's on the line and you know we're just hungry and blessed that we get this opportunity playing the Rose Bowl.

2:31:31Right behind your Adam King WBNS what do you remember most about walking off the field in Eugene? What was kind of going to see your eyes in that moment? I just 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 but I understand it 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 I think we did a great job of just understanding coming together in this room right here not being afraid of display or hold accountability for one another and you know as as that happened you came back we grouped and you know we just you're 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 of all you.

2:32:34I throw over a letter of a draw. Jay what did you see from King WBNS the last couple of weeks? Was there like a push from him and then there was a conversation with him and we can see like he's playing since he doesn't want to see. Yeah I mean that's my boy he's in the R2X club too but you know Keata I mean every time his numbers call he goes out there and makes the most of it no matter where we are in the game when he goes out there he's just hungry he wants to go make plays and you know we see it in practice so it's not surprising to us. Bill Rebino, I just want to say this back. Bill Rebino is obviously very elusive in our talent and he's not very tall. How important it could be to just kind of stay in your past rush lanes and neglect a lot of balls and kind of make a difference that way? Yeah I think it just comes out being disciplined no one who you're playing against like you said though he's a he sure but he's very elusive. I mean he can he is making throws I mean he get out the pike he can do everything so I think for us we just have to just continue to just meet with Coach Jay, me with the coach knows and understand how we can just eliminate that.

2:33:43Yeah I'm a question about you and Jack I mean your personality seems to be a little different you're more on the quiet side he's talking. How about you play together four years both five store guys kind of describe your relationship with him friendship with him and just kind of how you cope with each other? Man that's my brother like he said we're different but very alike I think outside like you said he's louder I'm quiet but you know once we're on that field we're like the same person. We'll do anything for this team you know we'll die for our players and we'll give everything we got. We've been together for four years correct? Yeah fall camps. Yeah sometimes go over there so go 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'm a better coach 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.

2:34:46How much of are you at square one with with this scouting preparation or how much do you take from that game? How much do you avoid taking so that you don't have any creative signals to what you're going up against offense on the offense blind? 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. There's a certain intensity we can take back from that game but we also understand that they went on a little run after that and we can see that they elevated as a offense. So we just got to continue to watch those games dissect the other games and just continue to see what stands out and what they change from the past game. We got a couple calls on zoom that will wrap up with first we have Nick Hamilton from Nightcast 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 in college football today.

2:35:56Here you need to question one more time. Yeah no problem. One to ask you 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 wins we understood that hey we can be the best defense in the country and from those losses we understand that there's still things that need be fixed. I think when you take all that in at once they come down to the common talk which is you can always learning points everywhere and depending how we dissect those games or how we 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 Coppin, Columbus Dispatch. Joey? JT what have you guys done better in the Tennessee game and just late in the season you think about turning some of the pressures that you've got on the quarterbacks and the sacks and getting home in some of those situations?

2:37:08Yeah I think it was more just understanding the defense as a whole, understanding everybody's job. The thing is 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 linebacker crew to understand what plays we have room of freedom. And I think once we understood that and got a better understanding of everybody's job I mean it showed this play because everybody knows what we're doing. It's not like the linebacker know what they're doing. The corners and B.I they know only their job. I think we all know each other's job and we continue to ask each other questions on if they're listening how they can get to the quarterback and if I'm dropping playing quarterbacks by I can ask Cody on how to open field tackle. So we just kind of lean on each other's understanding because like I said, Denzel knows how to play corner better than I know how to play corner. So you know he has more more wisdom at that position than I do. JT thank you very much. More and more.

2:38:08Can health similar will you role be 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 the engine out yet. Once we'll get know through the protocols in NFOPA we'll talk about know the schemes and everything. Right. So welcome when you were in Denver in the three four. Where did you find yourself most comfortable most effective in my role? I played a lot of different positions in Denver. I mean early in my year I played zero. I played three to one. I mean I definitely more comfortable in a shaded position mainly being a three technique and five technique. That's why I found myself to be more comfortable whether I'm standing up or I'm not. Whether it'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? From afar it seems like he holds in on defense a lot. I can't really say too much about that.

2:39:09Yeah 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 around the sea? You know hard knows hard hat type of team definitely on a little more lack side as opposed to being no stuck up or military style. Which is definitely good because then they this program is one of a lot of football games. They've been super successful for many years as long as I've been alive and as long as I've been watching football and definitely this has been a good program. Pete Carol has been a hell of a coach for as long as I can remember him back in his college days. So I'm looking forward to experiencing that. Yeah I know you said you don't know yet what your role can be but what kind of player are you that you understand? You haven't watched the time of the game but what kind of player does he has to get me? Definitely a high motor definitely not a one trick paring type of player. I like to attack. No whether it's first or first to the fourth now I like to attack.

2:40:09I'm always on the apply pressure. I'm definitely just a high motor guy. My opinion. Maybe. Are they already Anderson for me? Yes, Ben nice to meet you. This is not a team that really makes big splash sign in this in brand new. 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 here now got a whole bunch of different options coming at you. You're hearing 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. I mean I'm loving see how so far you know I like these colors for real. 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 of things you know. I'm new to the city and I got a lot to learn about city. Larry. Yeah, there's been a lot of comparisons with you to Michael Bennett.

2:41:10I wonder if you know Michael Bennett at all and you think so direct. I know Michael better than it like nothing. I don't know about it but um besides his style of play but I'm honored to be considered and the same conversation to him and style of play. You know he's a hall of fame type of deep lime and that I've known about since I was a kid. I mean last time he played here I was in high school. So you know it's cool 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 fame and I'm not there yet so. You know I just have to keep doing my due diligence to be a better player. Hey dream out welcome to Seattle. I know you get to play several seasons for big fan geo and 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 has always been the biggest thing and that's how we've been successful when I was in Denver.

2:42:17Um just kind of like relying on each other. I know that sounds kind of cliche but like this kind of like the the realm of being in a three four defense. I really really rely on the guys behind you and the guys on the side of you to really make their to do their job to make your job easier. Bob. Yeah dream up. You're a you're going to have a day plan because you didn't start playing football to you or junior high school. You know what did you play basketball so that next to what made you I guess I go to play football and then with that artist. I always love football first. It was just kind of just playing it out. You know I love to hoop but you know football was definitely about calling given I was 265 pound power forward and I was like six three some change. So you know I kind of chose a route that you got gave me and I'm not six eight. Yeah. Yeah. I was going to Seattle and you can. You're going to be a couple of other things that you just can.

2:43:20And can you just talk a little bit about that? That we're only. I think the same. You know, I just for a standpoint like I always get like over over shadowed over look whether it's. I feel like I do a lot more than what can be seen by the the eyes of the inexperienced no scout. And I do a lot of different dynamic things that help make place for others. You know, I'm definitely an active player. I'm always doing something whether in a run or pass game. So I think that goes another sometimes and I'm looking forward to playing people on notice. What do you like to do outside of football? Big gamer. I'm definitely I'm 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.

2:44:21And when we write to say your name, do you prefer gray or gray? I mean, you can say you can say Dremont Jones. I mean, but like just I'm like personally just call me Jerry because it's easy because people like to f my name of a lot like a lot. And they call me Jay Montet. I don't allow you put a Dremont. I tell you my name or Dremont T whatever you want to say. I just go by a drain to keep it simple. Thank you. Michael Sean. Hey, Dre. What specifically are you bringing to the sea marks as a past. Some of the new era of the fast question. You know, someone was on the little lighter side of the average through technique and bring that explosiveness that quickness. Someone was great with their hands. Someone was very extensible. And someone was a go getter when it comes to the run-in pass. Appreciate it. Thank you. John Stadford said after the trade that they were after the signing, they actually got eight. They wanted them to trade last year. And I still have to trade. But Denver said no. It was that time you were aware of it all.

2:45:21Yeah, I was aware. I mean, like, she's. Maybe flatter. They want to be even like that. Yeah, I am flatter. I mean, she actually just traded me from the jump. But it was cool to, I guess, it kind of came full circle for Seattle a little bit. I was including to the trade and Denver said no. And then, Denver kind of, I don't want to say that word. But Denver didn't pay my part respect. So I'm here because they respect me from the jump. All right, anything else, guys? Thank you. Everything's new and we're all learning. So it's been really good. So, yeah. How much were you talking to Kayne 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 about? Yeah, I think having him go through the whole process has been a big thing. Kind of having him in my corner just to talk to you or call him whenever I need. He'll talk a lot and I asked him questions whenever. So a lot for Scott here, he was still here in the training and everything,

2:46:23but he had a fail. So it's been like, I happened whenever, so it's been a good thing. What's it like watching you now in the NFL with the Texans? You guys not seeing you know pretty well doing, living out his dream. Yeah, no, it's been a great time. And a super happy forum. He's down there in Houston, you know, in the CJ and everything. You know, he really likes it. So, you know, I'm excited to see what he does this next coming year. You know, just how different your career will be? You know, just in terms of getting college students get comfortable. You know, all this stuff, just under this field. Not necessarily just the neighborhood that goes through the community. 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, come in here, the place like a high state, like playing with the best every single day. You know, you got the time in, you know, you got to, you know, you got to make sacrifices, you know, to, you know, what you want to get out of it in the end. You know, long-fiking, you know, school, just, you know, live on your own. And, you know, it's, it's good for you to teach us a lot. And, you know, as you get, it just makes you better overall.

2:47:23Do you graduate from here, what you do? You have got like, Riley, he's the interview, and you look up to, you know, guys, you know, I'm saying, you're going to pick that role now. But you have got to, you know, what kind of players, the players, whatever you can have to do, all the agency grows, you know, that's what I mean. Yeah, I mean, just kind of, you know, just shown 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, you know, I think all three young guys coming in have done a great job. You know, they've, you know, great work ethic. You know, I think, you know, for me, you know, the offseason, it was more like, you know, like, you know, example, kind of thing, and springing a little bit of, you know, vocally, and there as well. But, you know, just kind of working with them and, you know, kind of showing them how, you know, build a guy's and how we do things in the room that's, you know, definitely carried on to that. Being a part of that championship round last year, I guess, what did you learn from that? What did they went on? You guys went on? I guess, what do you learn about? Like, what do things like this? This is the second level.

2:48:23I 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, like a band of brothers. James has talked about the past. I think you have been deciding in our village, you know, kind of made that too deep. But James has talked about the past, and that's your play, well, you're making plays and just learning practice. You're going to play playing, you know, you're going to be doing things, you're going to be doing how we're fresh, you're going to set that approach. You're not going to long just as you're going to use your making the play everywhere. You're going to be doing that just a man who obviously seems to be playing. Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, just starts with, you know, coming out to practice every day, you being in the, you know, their head down, just, you know, making sure you're going hard every single play, you know, knowing what you're doing, you know, so you can build that trust. But I think, you know, just having the guys around, letting them like Sonny, Arvel, Payton, you know, you know, who's, you know, been in there, you know, playing in games,

2:49:23everything like that, you know, to lean on and ask some questions and stuff. So, so you're ready. Where you said that was like, what was the, I'm like 227. What's the goal for Forty Paul and how to go? It's still 225 right now, I think, of a public to like 238. So, getting a little more, great, great experience. We saw that, do you feel a sense of urgency to be part of that 2D to provide depth or maybe more than that, this season, how can you go into your 2D? Yeah, I mean, I think all right now, kind of focus on it, just getting better someday. I think that's kind of what it springs for you, is, you know, individually just, you know, continue to perfect your craft every single day. Before that's a second-eat 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, came here to play. So, I think that's definitely, it's not one 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.

2:50:24But then the day, we got to put them in, so we're not doing that, we're not doing our job. Are 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've got to trust that, and they'll be there for us for sure. Coach Sins has been here for high zan 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 and attacking every day as you would, regardless. And, you know, staying, staying even, even through hardship and attacking it, attacking it the same way every day. That's really all you can do, and you just get a little better every day and see where it takes you. Based on the way things are already we're setting up, but then also the way Jason Simmons was calling the game on Saturday. It seemed like tight ends are going to be a big part of this as you guys are trying to pull out, and what role do you think you guys are going to have in trying to get this offense?

2:51:28Yeah, 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 asked from us, we just got to do it at high level and let the offense go. You're some of the leaders on the offense. Some of the leaders, I would say Gus is a big leader. I mean, he's been doing it for a while, and someone that everyone trust is going to do his job at a high level. 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 he can do on the field, so it'd be great. They don't care about that up here, so it's developing yourself to have a great mindset early.

2:52:33Having that grown man mindset at 18 years old, it's really important because 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. David, 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 easy about this. Coming to the top program, especially coming off from national championship, it's really not easy. They're pushing for the same thing and they're trying to go back and back. So we just got to come up here, we got to step up. But the hardest thing I would say, just having to grow up, 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, the high school I went to her part house. So I was at the bottom there and had to work my way up. And I felt like that's just repeating itself here. And I met the bottom here, you know, I put myself at the bottom.

2:53:33So I have to work my way up to the top. And so, you know, just going to get these guys there competing every day. You're not going to get a day off where, you know, she was just coming out here just to 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, when you see what a guy like Jay, Jay did last year coming in here playing immediately, is 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 here 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. How, what do you feel like it's going to take for you to get from the bottom to the top? You know, just discipline. They're big on discipline here and, you know, competitive agent.

2:54:33So it's just staying consistent every day. Just doing the rights. Having little to none, mental errors. That's going to give me on the field. And, you know, 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, let the season come to an end? How do you manage people? You know, I don't really let it get to my head because, you know, like I'm here. I got dudes in the room that are, you know, like IGB, you know, he's three or 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 the net, 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, and that spot. What's your most important thing you've learned so far in your three months here? Um, 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, my first week up here when we did our competition, you know,

2:55:33I was winning, did I actually, I got that first loss on my belt and, you know, it kind of opened my eyes to like, these guys take it to heart when they lose, they don't like it. So, you know, I kind of got that now where I don't like losing. You had the opportunity to be around the team for that, you know, CFP Ron. What did you learn from Justbos few weeks seeing this team make that run? You know, being real tight with your brothers, you know, they're real tight. You know, they push each other, you know, it's a real brotherhood. They don't let nobody down, they always got each other back. So, I mean, it's a new team now. So, you know, we got to build that chemistry with each other, you know, just get tight. And I feel like when I was there for that playoff running and I practiced, when they were at the National Championship, you know, I just got to watch, you know, how guys are, you know, real locked in, they're close with each other. They're not letting nobody slack off. And, you know, I feel like we had the opportunity to do that with just you now. How did you handle Luke? You handle that first lock? That first lock, you know, it kind of got to me. It was the IGB, you know, he, you know, he let me here. So, after that loss, I was like, nah, I can't let this happen anymore.

2:56:35It's because it's like, now it's not high school where you used 17, 16 years old. And if you lose, you lose. Appearance is not. If you lose, the coach will see that. So, and they're going to see how you respond to it. So, I feel like I had to, you know, open my eyes, I had to go, go in there and lock them. Like, yeah, I can't let this happen anymore, you know. So, I got to grow up and, you know, these guys are counting on me too. So, it's really important that I don't lose. If you had to describe yourself as a competitor, how would you do that? I'm a great competitor, you know. I like winning. Who doesn't like winning? So, I mean, winning is, it's in my blood. You know, my parents taught me that in a young age, you know, going after competing for anything that you want. And I feel like if you can go out there to compete for, you know, as yours. And if you compete for it all the time, who don't take it from? So, I mean, I'm a good competitor. I'm always going to go out there and try to take what's mine. If it's out there, then anybody can have it. I'm going to be the one who doesn't get it. There's some role-mokers in your room, obviously. Are you a talker? What would you like to do? Yeah, I mean, it could come out on, you know. But I don't really, I really know my game, though, talking for this part.

2:57:36But, 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 consistently getting TPUs, yeah, I'm going to talk. But, you know, being in that room, you kind of got to talk. You know, you know, the gym, you got IGD, you know, those real talkers in that room. So, it kind of makes you want to bring it out. And, you know, when you bring that out, that just brings energy out of the whole defense. And when you got the whole defense clicking, I mean, you can see what's happening. Is there anyone that's kind of, like, a competition in rap? It was during the winter. We were doing, you know, just stuff on the field. We were just having the time on the field. Just a lot of competitions. So, I mean, he just kind of, it was a day where, you know, they had us going up against just 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 then we all kind of, like, we all kind of came together as a freshman group, like, what are we going to do about this? Because, you know, they're kind of nice to step up in those roles.

2:58:37Yeah, definitely, definitely, definitely, definitely, my work on college moments, you know, you know, just, just showing that, you know, it's real now, a middle-high-o-state. I'm not in Houston, Texas, I'm wearing my school. Far from my family, you know, I got to wake up, I got to grow, I got to mature fast. And, you know, I just got to get ready for the next level. You've mentioned high school a couple times. How did, you know, grow it up there in Texas, playing at that level. How do you feel like that helped you prepare for Ohio State? I feel like it prepared good, you know, I feel like I went to a powerhouse in Texas. We obviously ran the Houston area. You know, we've been running the Houston area for a long time now. And I feel like, you know, we're a real college program. We live just like these guys who do the same dips. You know, the level of ball I play, the highest level of ball in the Texas 6A. You know, we're going against guys like Dunkin' Bill, North Crowley, those top schools, you know, receiving the Coyote Memorial against him. Three times in my career. So I mean, those that really prepared me for this level, you know, coming in like, okay, this is not where it's a little school where they don't believe that I can come here and make an impact.

2:59:39I came from big schools, so they're counting me to make an impact because, you know, I think, I mean, everybody would say Texas is one of the highest play bars in the country. You know, it goes us floated in the probably Georgia. So I mean, they're counting me to be ready and that level of ball prepared me real well. How do you do against DeCory? You know, it was when lose, when lose. You know, I went something, he lost something. So I mean, it's just getting better on Shob and Iron. 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 Oregon. So, I mean, it's just what's going to happen next. Like a part of the scene of him again? Yeah, definitely, definitely. I plan on planning against him. We want to see him this year, hopefully we'll see him in the big team in the championship. So, you know, I want to, I want to rematch him. DeVan, you committed super early in the process six months after that. You shut things down when, quite frankly, someone of your caliber didn't have to do that. You could have, you've seen kids play the game a little bit longer than that, but you chose to not do that. It's kind of a lot getting here. Why?

3:00:39You know, because this was, this was what I felt, this was home. You know, I didn't really feel like, you know, standing Texas was a good thing for me. I didn't feel like that was home for me. Up here, I just felt like it was home, you know, because of all, and because they, you know, they're making it, you know, making me feel important up here. And then, you know, like you could ask, because how many times I came up here, do I, my high school career, I came up here 13 times. So, it got to the point where I was knowing the guys on the team. I had the numbers just like that. When I come up here, you know, I don't got to always build the coaches. I can go tell you some of the guys on the team. So, it's just me, you know, knowing what I want to put in my college ball, you know, knowing what 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 the business and not having to worry about me. And she goes to sit. I've been practicing C.I. for you and I think it's in the other room. I just have to. I'm a coach, hard-knit in the room. I'm a coach, a junior in step-up. And he's helped us out. Everything we do is a big help.

3:01:41And I just like, make sure we stand on top of my stuff. What are you talking about? Step it into a big role. Slime. How much do you watch? I like that everyday. Try and take things. Whether it's preparation, stuffy those on the field. And just learning from a guy like that. Yeah. Every summer I watch, every summer I watch him. So I have to take some of this day and I had it to my end of my life just too. I take some of this. All the receivers. Yeah. They always help me out on the journey to this room. There's lots of life walking into this room specifically at Tire State with all the history. I mean, you already smile. You know what it means to be a part of this room. What's that? It's a big step. Definitely, it definitely holds a lot like your shoulders. So you gotta take it quick. It's definitely a big dream for my life. It's definitely a big dream for my life. I'm blessed to be here. You won that. That's why you come. That's why you come. That's why you come. What's that that I'm an advice you've got from some of the workers that has already been before spring ball started to talk to the Mecca?

3:02:45Some of those guys are too much. I try not to take everything personally. I'm saying like, you know, time will come. You know, they can come and send me that play. I'll be looking forward to that every day. I have a video playbook because I still don't get you to find your life. And find that in this game. Yeah, like that. As you got back, you was a guy right away last two years. How much is patient to require me to obviously get off the field. How much is patient to report to the child? I'm not everybody having the same amount. So, some people always have a written term. But you just have a, like I said, a legal time. You just have to play. And it's going to go on from here. Awesome. Thank you. Let's actually repeat what I've said. Ever since just getting off the field on my life, I've just seen Skyward.

3:03:45I just wanted to say, appreciate this moment. I mean, obviously, we've got a couple of years before you did there. And here's about how you get your high-end straights. It's pretty good. You started to get your pocket pretty big. But I mean, in terms of Skyward, you want to join us. How do you get to high-end? You're not a good person. You're not a good person. You're not a good person. You're not a good person. You're a good person. You're a good person. You're not a good person. What do you want out of a corner back in your class? Like a white class? Absolutely. You're a missing contestant. I want to tell you a little bit about what happened. I'm ready to get one of the arms in just one of the back coach. We're done. But to decide the answer is just to start the secret. I really just want to be able to come up with a better way. I hear it. I'm going to have to go up to the front. I'm going to go up to the front.

3:04:46Thank you. See you in the first place. I'll catch that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, brothers and sisters, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. You did great. Thank you. What's going on here? First time I met up with those who just found it really good. What do you think they can bring to the conference? You know, we were happy to have them. So I think the luck is there. What is the luck in this meeting? What's going on here? It's going to be a small office. I hope it's a good office.

3:05:49It's going to be a different meeting. How to state the group here? There's a one you were just going to talk about. It's definitely different. So fly here. A new generation of recruits where I don't think anybody outside looking at new questions, the strength of your commitment, like you locked in the last eight and sent it over and over. But you're making visits around the country. You see other schools. It's almost a totally different mindset. What's that code to the new investment? How do you approach those other visits? And how do you communicate with Ohio State about that? It's been the message. I just want to know that I'm always lucky. I'm still enjoying the process. I think it's only ever one time. I'm very excited to join. The other schools I set up like, yes, when you're really hard, try to give it a flip. It's so high on state. You know, it's where I want to be.

3:06:49What is it that made you want to take home? It's not going to put out one specific thing. I'm going to leave it here. I can find yourself in the first three. Do you get frustrated in moments like that in the both-time? Definitely. A little bit of both. Obviously, I just wanted the team to win. I think we got a chance to win. No, definitely towards it. And then it stretched out last drive. I was a couple of plays here. A couple calls that he made me should have gotten. But I think the frustration more so it just comes from wanting to win or anything. You said he was a little surprised how much attention you got right away from your defense. How about you? 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. I just kind of had to gain those. What's the process been in all of the sunsons where, for whatever reason, just see that. Yeah, definitely. Especially in college, a lot of the game friends defensively were taking me away. You know, we had a lot of success at a high-speed.

3:07:49One of the ball had in different weapons. They kind of still get the victories. And I was, you continue to do better jobs when I hear. A lot of the communication in the process has been like post-game, getting on the same page with Kyler. You guys exchange text or you guys get into the film. Yeah, film, definitely. Kind of asking what did I see there. Kind of go over and play. And I just kind of give him what I saw. And kind of different feedback there. Mark, I get it. We're asking questions about the previous game. Are you the type of guy to let a game like that winger or how do you flush it? You got to move on. Got to move on. Some long season. Got like 16 more of them. Hopefully, no, I can stay healthy throughout the year and just continue to build and get better each week. You guys did so much work throughout the off season to get on the same page. How different is it when you get into that regular season? Yeah, it's totally different. It's totally different. You can do a lot of things, you know, in shirts and shorts. And then once you go out there, put practice and get pads on. You do like the point practice you do with the colds, but there's nothing like actually going out there.

3:08:52Not in live action and really trying to be on the same page. So I think that relationship will continue to develop. Is that it just a matter of what's the most of the things? Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Like I said, I was kind of my first live action together. So continue with it. When you're early impressions on it. I'm on the field together and when it increases with cows. Yeah, but now obviously I have a death respect, you know, JG's call or preseason. And obviously be all feel really healthy. That's kind of the most important thing. And obviously get all healthy even going forward. So, um, that's it. Marvin, what are your early impressions of the Rams? What do you think of the Rams? Yeah, I mean, they're a good team. They're good physical team. I got a new lot of new guys up front, I think. That's kind of where they're strong suit is. Kind of a little different to Buffalo. Come over to a little match coverage. So I'm excited to build this. Personally, when the belts did give you one of my opportunities, how do you feel today? It wasn't many of them. It wasn't many of them. So, uh, I thought I could eat it.

3:09:52I wish we'd think game versus just playing. You know, not get a preseason game action. I think it was three season. Definitely, definitely thinking a lot out there. And, um, you know, I think I'd 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 know, I'd get better at. But, um, definitely say I was thinking a lot out there. Is there anything you can do to prove that that's for coverage? Anything you can do in the past? Because you're going to face that a lot on the side. Yeah, I mean, you just got to team, get open for yourself, make yourself available. And when the ball does, get away and making the play. Um, this, the beef is just taking you away. That means other guys are having a chance to get open. So, um, that's how kind of high it is. You know, long versus a season of offense. That's the best thing for us. They're kind of to be able to do with Tyler. Is this something that comes pretty quickly out of you team? Or is this something like that? Hopefully sooner or later, I think. Um, I'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 a live reps, we'll continue to grow and show. So, what's about life? Design, design, design, and help us.

3:10:53Like, saying what coach, GM coach, what? Everything's not like about ball with them. It's about like, focus on like, how do you become a better man? A better player individually. So, um, one, two, three. I think you had your inner self in the extreme. I always did that. Hope you, Thomas, while I was heading into this next season, kind of trying to push first job. Is that like a confidence booster for you? I mean, I'll say it was a confidence booster. One reason I'll say that because. You get like good coaches who believe in you and like, they give you the tools to go out there and just play with confidence. You know, not their doubting your selfs. Like, you got your teammates who got your back like my first play when I got a third Tennessee. Like, when the sale, IGB and a domain. Like, first thing they say is like, no, where you just go out there play with confidence. You know, the tools, the usual tools. Just go out there and make a play. And where about a play coming to you? You know, where is your time? This 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, so I just go out there and just perform at the highest level. How much better are you right now than maybe last month? I mean, I got way better just because I've transitioned a little bit

3:11:58to the inside. Nick was far, so I'm like, now I see something like catch, catch technique and his name. And often, cover is not always press at the line, so it's like, now I'm able to like move my feet, move my hands, like see, like what I got to do just like, just in case I got to go back in corner, I can, I'll plant off now. I'm very confident out there. Do you think that Nick was a natural fit for you or have you had to kind of convince yourself to transition around? I mean, I feel like it's natural for me because I feel like me, individually, I'm a fast learner. A fast learner, like coaches help us learn fast. Like, because they're always honest about the techniques and stuff. So you like, you write down, like you pick up on all the things and then like when we get out here, they coach us to like the techniques. So we used to go out there and play like fast spot. And it would have like, reversatility, you're able to go out there and just compete. Is that where you kind of stuck this spring or do you get kind of about there? So I'm really stuck there this spring a little bit, but like whenever we get it's like other things, I just bounce out there every once in a while, just like have fun.

3:12:58See if I still got it every once in a while. So it's as good as going through to compete at most spots. You mentioned the technique. What technique, you know, tips and things that you had to pick up and learn from, what you're from, taking the insight. I mean, you said, well, it's like, hey, I, because what, coaches are asking hands, like see it, you see it, move your feet, and then you turn hands on the man. So it's like, when you be like, when you out there, you're able to like, just process like the way the receiver comes off the ball, looking at the hips and seeing like the way he moves. And you're able to pick up like the row concepts you can get out of that. Like, so it's being like under coach Walter, me, like as a player and just like him breaking out football to you like one on one, it's like very beneficial. What was the hardest part of making that transition from outside inside? I really say like the corner you got to cover two, you cover three, you get to cover one, 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 diagnosed, rouse faster than what you got to do out corner and just be able to like everything,

3:13:58quit like a transition, you got to like, you got to move fast, you got to just learn to move fast. Is like game recognition where you think maybe from the most since you got to, how did you got to go? I was definitely saying, I was definitely saying yes because how you get to like college, it's a little bit different, high school, we don't got to worry about things like that. When you get to college in a school like this, like your recognition of plays, and like you'll know your jobs the way like the coverage is supposed to be played, understand all your teammates or fuses you have when you feel like it's easy. What have you got to spend on getting stuff from? He's very talented. He's a great dude, he's a humble guy, a great teammate, very supportive. He's like a guy that you don't want to run around because you can feed off your energy because you can see like when you make a play, he's like he like IDB, he's like IDB 2.0 so he's like, when you get off there with guys like that, with good energy, it makes you play a little bit harder. And then when you make a play, he's out there and like it's helping you, like it's being out there with him, he's a good player.

3:14:59One of those guys, first question, can't fool kids. I would say obviously I'm a last one here, so I'll be serious now. What is it about one build that gets you to play at a high school? It's a big question, I know. I'm glad we just got some preparation because we have so many kids come out of Globo and just play at games, elite schools, and then like tracks a big part of it because I mean to go to a good athlete in a Globo, everybody got to run a track. Like it's mandatory, you don't really get a choice. You can't just get out here and know how to compete and then like G, like getting builds that mental toughness into you. So like, have you like, have you got to be mentally tough? That's not life. It's not going to be easy, so it's like being out here, you know, with the beat, when you down, just pick yourself back up. I mean that's a being, it's down to me, that's what being is not. The player forever, you know, I was talking about his plans. So you know, you wish transitions like one of those fairytale, like,

3:16:00tear-tied now. You know what I mean? But again, either way, you know, we talk about it, you know, that's the, that's the, Togo's, you know, but obviously, you know, he sees, he's happy. And one of the supporters, again, I think everybody leads in their own way, you know, not everybody's the, bro, guys, come around, let's go. Like that's not everybody, right? Like I think for me, that's me specifically on game day, with the O-line after we do a little, like that's my like, well, I'm dead. Like that's my like, a cool time I feel like. I'm talking about this, you know, just recently. Talking about how, what I'm going to do for the role is, I want to bring that home energy, the Abroad, right? So last year, of course, I'm sure he's been doing for years, but when I spent my own, he brought a lot of energy, the excitement, happiness in the room, which is his natural energy,

3:17:03to where I only had to focus on me, you know, I didn't have to make sure other, other guys, you know, feel some type of way when they came in here, because hump brought that. I'm not here, but I saw when you did for the room, I want to be that guy to make sure I was an amptical practice. Everybody's, I'm taking a built team on period, you know, it's a low day, you know, it's a discipline, but like, I want to make it feel like home's home. You're like, you're the pairs to trick. I want to bring that, because that's what me and hump did to each other, who had each other do something to, probably be a walk, we're a blip. So I want to do that, I want to bring that energy, I want to make bring more guys, you know, should do that. You know? I want to do that from day one, you know. I kind of, I want to do that from day one, just talking to them, and obviously it's that time I spend, obviously it's a before OTA started, just being in my self-just thinking about what the room needs,

3:18:04you know, because I know I, you know, as one of the leaders, you know, on offense, is that we need a guy like that, that is going to make sure the OIs picked up, ready to go every day, I want to help a little things, I'm having a practice of people and saying anything, and how I believe, maybe different than somebody else may believe, you know, I like to practice, at least I could be a positivity, you know what I mean? So, but, he, the energy I would be on, just though, hyper the beyond, so I was kind of, how I wanted to be, to go on, really my whole life, I thought, yeah, I felt, team captain, like specifically, yeah, I felt I wasn't captain in high school, wasn't a captain in college, but I want to make a joke, I want to make a joke, in high school, so, I feel like I'm not going to be captain like he's that I felt. You know, but that would be awesome, you know, but, you know, if it happens, I'd be great, but not either way, I want to assume a role

3:19:07as a captain from the perspective of guys, until they were a regular word, and to get back in that way. Yeah, I mean, I can't say that, I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that I feel, is that I felt like how it used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs and took training and left and right. Once this season ended, because I know what was gonna be the journey. So I took a lot of reps, just to give back to feeling like myself, what they want LTAs, and then now, over the first week, but now like today specifically, just changing some small things with my feet, as they're talking about the long coach, about some things that can do my feet to get to, to sell my traditional angle that I love to sit on. Thought I felt great already, but I felt even better. Sorry, the more excited tomorrow now, I'm getting my feet back and how I like the right side and on the left side, so alongside each other.

3:20:09I mean, obviously I feel like, in the league, whether I left the right, you're still going against premier guys. Obviously, the high expectations for the left and right tackle, but definitely, like the level of energy and like the expectation definitely taking the human stuff, because now tonight it applies, that's the, as the tackle role, you know, so yeah, I would say in terms of communication as far as this even outside of the facility, just stuff like that, like really creating that, but in tackle core back, I'm even more off the field, I think has been something that's even cool. I got a text one day, as I, I keep put it up, I was like, you know, yeah, I've been training both. I've been training both, you know, I asked after the season there, like honestly, you know, we'll talk to you in some way in season, and I just got a text one, having what happens with the free agency. Then, so I was like, you know what,

3:21:09I had an old season right tackle, so if I get the word, I'm going, I'm standing right tackle, and I did what I did before, I'm building on that, but I was like, I might as well as train the left tackle now, as if I'm gonna be left tackle, and I'd rather do that than train the right time with the color, and do the left tackle. I didn't switch my feet yet. You know what I mean? So I'm like, let me just prepare an advance, I'll say, yeah, it's gone. You know, I think occasionally, on third down, there'd be a lot of twists, that I was just not like, it's automatic, it's gone. And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season, like I didn't have to go into the game with some pros like, oh my gosh, they did that. I kind of figured like, okay, like, this is the type of rush, I'm gonna get it. This is how this guy usually rushes. If I get the vibe, this is how the end's like the rush, you know, tackles that, you know, first of your guys, you got the premier patch on. Already know what it was gonna be, already know what would be every step. And honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to, so you're not, you're not, oh,

3:22:10the brother's twisting my side again. It was never airing off, but it's coming off the mic, like, three plays in a row. In two minutes, I knew that, it was gonna win. So, you know what I mean? So I'm watching more everybody else, and you rarely, you know, it goes out there occasionally, on third down, I was like, you know, I was like, he's gonna 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 gonna get the hardest to look. You know, those are real, real reps, you know, the things, really out on our way to kind of process. And I was like, hey, when I told me, let me know about, I'm just gonna train it. I was training all the way to T.A.s. I guess if I didn't hear anything about T.A.s, I would've came in like, so, you know what I mean? Because just like, I'm cool with training both continue, I would've been cool training both continually. But I feel like anybody in any position will feel like, okay, like, you wanna as soon as possible

3:23:11give your feet kind of a subtle, your hips, subtle, your hands, so then, certain kind of, what would've been harder to hit, you weren't both there, how do you? No, no. But, they're definitely, but in terms of the development, it was definitely a lot faster to stay on all one side. But I think having that week that we had the transition with the seasons over, you've been in the vehicle spot. You know, it really could try and meet up with them in the car and have a week things at a time right now. But when it comes back, I'm gonna show them to the one house. I've got a house to not too far from, so I told them, I got that house, I could yell outside, like, DJ. You know what I mean? So, yeah. Communication with the team. You know, I was communicating with guys left and right, you know, front office, coaches, teammates, and all I care about is how I am with my teammates.

3:24:15I don't want them to ever think I don't care about them or how I'm not in it. And, you know, you can say whatever you want about me, besides that, but I always dedicate anything I can to them. And I don't want that to every question. I think it felt like sometimes you were holding up somewhere watching film, you texted me, you said, hey, you missed this, or you want to tweak that? Well, like the first day, he was batting all of Russ's passes. So, I had to let him know. You know, you got to take advantage of that. You got to make sure guys are, you know, know that you still care and you still want to be a part of this. You know, just watch and practice. There's a couple of little things we're doing different. Whether I'm communicating with Gumbarr or other people, you know, so be it. So, you're also talking with him and you get him pointers during the off season, just a constant communication. How do you see him grow as a person, you know, and how he's approaching things, and how he's getting ready for this season versus his rookie? You know, I think the thing with Guyano is he's more comfortable,

3:25:16you know, it's not his first time around the track. It's actually like he can, you know, catch his feet under him. You know, I always think when you're in your rookie season, you're going from bowl game, I don't even know Wisconsin play in the 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 minicamps, OTAs, the, you know, minicamps, I mean, to training camp, 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, and I think with my absence, the other guys absence, you know, you need guys like that to step up and be ready for those opportunities. So the surgery you had, you know, the same you had during the season, it was a more thorough, what was... Just tightened down everything. You know, my left side, because I was over-competing a little bit. But, you know, it was, it wasn't anything that lingers, you know, I'll say this, a groin's not like an ACL,

3:26:19it's not like anything's that we're going to get affected again. You know, you know, feeling good, able to do everything, squat and heavy, with power and speed. So, you know, it feels good to get after a lot. What do you think of what the team was able to accomplish in our season in terms of bringing guys like wrestling and things around each other? 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. It gets done in the classroom. It gets done in training. You know, and then you see where you're at in training camp. And then you build on that. You know, I think we got the right guys in the building. It's just about putting a complete team on the field. Can you have a tentacles as a separate business part of the game and 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.

3:27:19And that's been a job. It's not like in college where, you know, you got four years guarantee. Well, now you don't even know what the NIL knows, it's a transfer portal. Portal. But, you know, you have to... I still have love for this game, and I still work my tail off, and I still put everything into it. And that's not going to change. But you have to know what you bring to the team and what your value is. Can you have anyone who's going 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 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

3:28:21and get a chance to be with my guys. Can we confident, if they will get down with your emotion? Oh, I'm going to try to remain pretty neutral, because I don't want to be to either way. All I know is I want to be here. But we'll see what happens. It's my last year here. I've had a great career here, but I look forward to playing next year. When that second surgery, you said at this time it 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 court, my court 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. You know, if anything, it's going to help me and make me a lot stronger from here on up. Can you say you were training with another guy who have you ever been working with? Tyson, I've been training with him for the last eight years.

3:29:24We've always trained together. We got a trainer up north, Shao Cohali, he's my guy. He trained a Heath Miller, Brett Kiesel, a multitude of guys that I'll respect. And we've just been getting after him. Can you make it very cute guys historically? 35, they paid big contract. Did he? That's held against you? I think there's not a lot of history behind it. But, you know, for me, I look as... I'm not looking to be like anybody else. You know, my game is different from everybody else, and it's late. You know, I like to think, you know, I play the run in the past, and that's where I'm different. You know, I remember last year, Mike T, just brought to my attention, you know, the thing that's really cool is you watch powerlifters. And, you know, my game's built on power and technique, and those guys go into their 40s. And so, you know, that's what kind of research I'm doing behind the scenes, but, you know,

3:30:24I will see what happens. There's not a lot of history, I'm here to make history. And I'm here to, you know, win another Super Bowl there, and, you know, have a great season. Do you have a set goal for yourself, or how many years you want to play in the NFL? Or do you just take things here right here? You know, it was tough answering that question right after the season. I will say this, guys, I can't keep answering that question right after the season. That is not fair to the season that's not fair to my family. You know, but in my mind, I got three years, and I want to maximize them. I want to play at a high level, and I want to go deep into playoffs. And, you know, we got a good team, and I'm going to do my part to be ready for all those situations. You've been playing on the practice team, when you were in Portugal, or it's impossible, you know, that you might fold in and, and of course, the issue is, I have not even thought that far, and I've taken a day. My day, you know, I told my agent, and we talked about it.

3:31:24We were cool coming out here. You know, I'll be here for many. And then, I'll be there for training. I don't know what the work entails, but when we get there, we'll cross out through. Why would a guy for you to work? Remain a stealer for years or so. You know, there was a conversation between me, Omar, and Mike T. And there are certain guys that are at One Helmet, guys. You know, and I want to be one of those One Helmet guys. And, you know, there's a hunger and desire there. But that doesn't mean just hanging it up, and calling it a career. To me, I think, you know, I got more bullets to fire, and I'm excited to do that. What's the meaning? Last one. You and Russell Wilson are going to be out there with Walter Man. Walter Payton, Man of the Year, Pat. I saw Russ as, on social media. But I have an idea to see it.

3:32:24I like the surprise happens when it happens. But, you know, it's cool to have another Walter Payton Man of the Year winner. You know, I think it's an honor to be there. And I'll say one thing. I won't be here. I'm just telling you guys, so it's not a big deal. I won't be here because I have to do a Walter Payton Man of the Year thing on Thursday. So, it's not like I'm skipping. So, all right. But, you know, it's an honor to be with Russ. And, you know, it's an honor of doing things in the community. You know, doing great work. And, you know, the cool thing is, as much as we get honored and nominated for these things, the work doesn't stop. And I can see that with Russ' foundation, you know, we had an event for our foundation. And my mom was quick to, you know, tell Russ, hey, we need the partners around. It's like, well, let's just enjoy the event. But, you know, it's really cool to be a part of a lead group.

3:33:25All right. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, it's been good. I mean, just trying to, it's just a different way of play, different terminology, different, it's a whole different scheme. So, just learning how they want things done compared to how you used to do things is really the... So, like being in that tight end room, everybody's got different skills. Everybody's different, but you all do some of the same things. Right. Yeah, no, it's a great room. A lot of really good guys have grown really close with a lot of those guys. So, everybody helps each other, really nice learning from Dalton, breadin' those guys. I mean, Dalton's done it for a really long time, so he helps me a lot with things that really aren't coachable things, you know what I mean? You mentioned how the family is beginning, but what about working out here at this high school? Are you still in Ohio that you don't feel good? And how do I know how your high school is like this? Man, they can't feel the clothes, but it's a different name, I see. 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,

3:34:25especially being away for as long as I've been. So, I was a man in the kind of war around the city, and you've been there, have you seen a bunch of fuck out fans? Did I want to get your autographs? Take a picture, call the minute. I don't get... I don't go out a whole... I actually went home yesterday. I went back to the farm for a little bit, which was great for a couple of days. He did all my family and stuff, and I didn't see my grandparents and everything, so it was good. But I really haven't been out enough to know, so I try and keep her inside. It's good, that's good. Yeah. Do you think you're playing that really show-based and self-promote? Oh, that's a good question. I don't think that's... For me, I'm just trying to give. I mean, every time you can be, you can play this game for 50 years, and there's always going to be something you leave the field with, like, I wish I would have been better in that area. You know what I mean? Like, it's never going to be. This is absolutely perfect. So, like, to me, that's... Right now, the hardest part of this is just mental toughness of all. I mean, physical toughness. I mean, you either have that or you don't, in my opinion. So, I mean, I've always felt like I was kind of bred in that area of the things, and that's just kind of way happens naturally.

3:35:25So just play after play, that's kind of how we roll it. I'll say. Good afternoon. Thank you guys. We are now. We gotta get you on the boat. Yeah, I was growing immensely. I mean, Caleb, he makes a lot of checks. He late them, makes a lot of checks. I listen to them. Whatever they need, if I need to cover somebody, I'll go cover anybody. If they need me to do run support, I'll do run support. And it's really what Caleb does, what we do, and lathe. It just goes back to the Coach G's preparation, and everyone's preparation to give us more flexibility and it doesn't matter who's in those positions. And we can all play every position, whether it's covering somebody or running and tackling. Did you feel like that was the case before the Oregon game? You're saying what I'm saying? Something's been added. It just, you know, rely on a little bit more. Go ahead. Yeah, it did. I've probably been a Brasco game, me getting more safety reps. And we had a five week to prepare, so I really learned the playbook. A lot more, even though I knew the playbook, I learned a lot more. I'm out like in debt, you know, so really just after the Oregon game,

3:36:27it helped me a lot to go back to safety, go to NICU everywhere. Thanks, man. 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 mindset. We 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 Rebellion, what's the longest this patch? And Denzel obviously had a tough game. And that one, what have you seen from him and how he's responded? Do you get a sense of from him, how he is 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.

3:37:27And we're going to see a big game out of him this week. And, you know, I know you guys wanted to play them in anapolis, but the fact that you get to play them at the Rose Bowl, I mean, get a second chance. And people have said, you don't get that very often. How determined are you guys to take advantage of it? We're super, super determined. We watched film. I mean, we've watched a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played up film to watch. And it's just, they've grown a lot as a team, same as us. We've grown a lot. We've got the same team. We were when we played them week one, or weeks, six or whatever. But now we're out there and going to play fast, physical, and everything like that. All right, Jordan, we're going to jump to the 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 Knowles comes to you

3:38:30and asks you to do some else? And just how much can you lean on the experiences you've had and moving around when you're trying to learn something new in the middle of season? It means a lot. We always talk about, and this is if it's being on selfish, whether that's making plays or not making plays, or doing your job so another person can make plays. That's kind of what we pride ourselves on. And it's just fun. 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. If anybody else needs a question, let me know. But otherwise we can go to Austin more of the podcast. Jordan, when you were talking about watching film or again, which one do you think is more valuable to you watching that against yourself, you know, seven games ago, even if you've changed, or the ensuing six games for Oregon, which one do you put more stock in? Kind of both. For me, I kind of watched what I did, things I did well,

3:39:31things I didn't do too well against them. And their team is changing, their scheme has changed. Some players have been out those stretch of games. So I really watched the past game we played. And I know they're going to go back to some of the stuff that they liked, of course. And different games like Penn State, maybe Illinois, they run a lot of men. So just watching stuff like that, every game matters. So yeah. Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. Shoot ourselves a foot high on a high and run game. How do I have in the passing game? And really just stop getting it wrong with. He's a C.J. first couple of weeks. It looks like you've been having more comfortable with off-script plays and taking more risks, which you say that's something that's overdubbed this year for you. I mean, yes and no. I don't choose a run. I run when I have to. I feel like I am agile and I can't get out. But I definitely try to read the defense to get my guys the ball

3:40:32because they're usually open every time. So it's just up to the pocket. And navigate and try to make my whole line arrive also. If I have to, extend the play. Did you guys start to go on to the last year of the night? How much different do things feel this year? You've had the whole season after your belt. What have you learned? What have you been doing? Oh, it's a lot worse than the two, no. I'm definitely grateful. I'm definitely blessed to be playing this great game. But it's definitely a lot of things we can clean up. I think around the league. You can see that though. I mean, a lot of sloppy ball. Some teams playing better than others. But I definitely know that Section 4 was not what we put on the field today. But at least in the second half, it would definitely be better for sure. You and Nico connected on a couple of scrambled drill style plays. Is that something you guys work on active plays that would focus the viewers? No. It's just two guys out there making plays. We have a drill that we do our practice to, you know, it does help those things.

3:41:34But you know, trying to just be two guys, be dynamic players. You guys think you're rolling. You're falling in that way. The kind of line notes. So it's being good. I mean, Nico, we've always had a good relationship and always, you know, you're at each other well on the field. But I think even now, you know, we'll take the next steps. And you can see, you know, Steph getting involved more. Tank getting involved. Dalton, Brad. We're just trying to spread it around, you know. And we have so many dynamic players. So, you know, it's a good problem to have. You know, obviously, you know, often prepared the things of that nature. How do you balance that at the win? But you said you like to be put on Texans football. How do you kind of balance one and correct all the mistakes that put it while also, you know, celebrating the win that you guys just had today? It's football. It's harder when 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 heads. And we're going to stay confident. We're going to stay taking shots.

3:42:34We'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 Payneas meant to the team over these past two weeks? And as a quarterback, as an offense, does having a kicker that can hit for long range like that consistency? Can you guys give you a little bit of extra confidence, you know, once you get over 50-go? Yeah, any guys in his hands, 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 can, 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. I especially teams today blocking it. Also, you know, Punt, Tommy doing his job as well.

3:43:36So, you know, it takes three phases for water and for water. There you go. See the ignition. All right, here's a little get those numbers. I promised it was not long. 4602, now through 17 career games. Remember, it's the couple a year ago due to that concussion. So, reaches his full quote unquote first season, at least from a game standpoint here in week two of year two. Stroud. And we're looking up at a few. I'm not talking to realize that people listen. So, just taking more of that type of aspect into my game and just making me more complete as a football player.

3:44:40I'm willing to do something. How have you seen maybe change a little bit with Coach Hardline in a bit of a different role? Maybe whether it be other coaches, Coach Jordan or players stepping up to have a big battle. I want to say a change much. He's still super involved. He always tries to stay engaged with us guys. I 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 lens inside of the end here. So, it's a big cross the coach doing everything he's doing. How do you feel like this spring's gone for you? Obviously, you've done this now. Just what have you taken from us? I'm extremely comfortable, super confident in my ability to do what I do. Just building that trust with my quarterback just pretty much when I came in when I do. Just let them know that they got it. They got to revive the opposite of the third chain next time it's on the field.

3:45:40And you know, just establishing that. Like I said, really, to show my young guys a foundation, I was amping on it. They want to come in and do it. What's the expectation? What's the expectation? I'll give it a little value last year. We did come. Yeah. Yeah, obviously, trust with you in the surface. How long have you felt yourself building that trust in Lincoln? I think it's been good. Just being more vocal with them guys as well. Me and Will are very vocal. Even in practice a lot of times, just things didn't go my way in the game. But even in practice a lot. Yeah, take care. I was very comfortable with Will. More vocal guys. But working in that oboe quarterback now, we're doing a better job. Just going to the Civic Sea, isn't it? Taking our feedback, not for criticism, but just because we love it. And we want the best for you. So just doing that. And just keep growing on that all the way to far and all the way to the Civic Sea. Just take this. You are doing some more outside for you. You're stopping as well. That's how you're going to feel. Yeah, I've been more, the more years you get under your belt for the more experience you get. You can start knowing this offense more and more and not just your position or what you're doing.

3:46:42Or like everybody's what you're doing, how you're doing and why you're doing it. So I mean, yeah, I've been I've been wrapping the outside ZXH anywhere. Coach Hanlon needs me to just really be that guy and go make a play on it. What's the biggest difference for you between outside and outside? The pace. A route concept. You can kind of get the pace you can play within the slides more for next game in the slide. Something I got very comfortable with. Just the ways you can attack the defense, I think. And just you know, conceptually and also just having a place down. But I mean, just doing both and just making me a better guy for the NFL. And that's what Coach Hanlon produces on the NFL talent and producing NFL guys. I'm feeling very comfortable with that. Do you have to have a different mindset as a slide receiver? That's what cuts my mind. Absolutely. I think it's more thinking. I think it's more of a yet to have understanding of the game a lot. In the slide, you've got to have a feel. This is natural. I feel like it's more natural position.

3:47:43On the outside, it's just more, you know, get different things and see different coverage. 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, 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? Oh, yeah, absolutely. Especially like being myself in the slide faster. My skinnier guy that want to put hands on and want to get physical with you. But you just got to match that and just let them know that you there too. So you as a ballist question, whatever gets you on the cardless inside outside. I'm just willing to make plays and show one one of the best receivers in America. So if that's in the outside, that's in the inside. Whatever coach I'm on in this team needs me help us win and show them one of the best receivers in America. Thank you, feel certain. At that time, you go back to zero, zero. 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 to end. We knew they get in the ball back coming out, but we was excited because we knew the job wasn't doing it.

3:48:46Bill Rebellion, Columbus, this way. You were a five star guy and that coming up. All these guys in the room almost were five star guys. And then there's Jeremiah. Does he like all you guys in the room? I 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 a lot of all the talent you can see in the world. But I don't know if he's ever in all, but I mean. You and all. Oh, and I, oh, yeah. I mean, I'm not surprised at anything he does now. Like I've seen him. We were nine years old. So anything he does, anyone hand catch, I've seen. I'm not surprised at anything he does. When he was nine, did you know this is not a, this is something special we've been met? A 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?

3:49:46So 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. How does that happen? I think how he was raised. He's very level headed. He knows his goals and what he wants to get done in life. And this is just one step of the way for him. 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 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. I see Ben, you know, in 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, it was heartbreaking, of course.

3:50:47But we came in here. We had a leadership meeting and he was in here. I mean, and then we had a team meeting after that. We had a team meeting and hearing the stuff he had to say. And we had to say going back and forth, we just, we knew we, we, we have his back no matter what. I mean, there's a lot of stuff set about him and his family and stuff like that. But hey, here we're brotherhood and we're family. And we just, we don't 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 to and that just happened. You know, things happened to Mecca last year that allowed him to come back and that allowed me to learn more. And that's just how I see it makes me a better football player for the future.

3:51:49So yeah, I mean, yeah, that's it. Three more on zoom. Next one's going to come from Stefan. Means. Go ahead. Steven, but. I'm sorry. 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. It's hard as I can without any consequences. Except if you accept a 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, bro, 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 for four quarters. That's my mindset.

3:52:50Next 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. They don't give up many big plays down field. They're aggressive, but I actually know some of the DBs they have at corner there. I play with them. Well, I played with Malik Muhammad at SFE. So I might know him a little bit. And we have a watching them. They're fast team. They're physical. They're disciplined. But we just got to get the job done. Give any Malik stories or any. 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 Bulls. Kurt, go ahead.

3:53:50Hey, 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 was 16 point league. And you talk about finishing and having a killer instinct. And you guys obviously seem to have that now. Yeah, I think that started in offseason training at Fall camp. We always 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 up as well. And then fall camp, we had these long two and a half hour practices or whatnot. And then we came out and we had to do these finishers. We called them ask for games late in the year like this. And we, 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.

3:54:51Bill Landis, Kings of the North. Brandon, maybe I'll second touchdown around. 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? Was it lucky to the guy decided to take off inside of the release? It's actually designed for me to block the safety and lead the corner one on one with the running back. But I was surprised that the corner actually came in so far in my lease. I think he thought it was a pass. But I think he was the edge of the defense. You go watch that play, but I don't know why he came in so far. It helped out for us. It made my block interior off score. Are there any lessons there for even a young receiver watching that? Even if you know him to play, you're not getting the ball. You're intended to block. But your release has to be at all point as if you're going to pitch pass. Yeah, definitely. 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.

3:55:52So the block I made is just a testament to Kyle. Coach Hardline print me throughout the week to make that block. And final question. Joy Conference, this back. And Will and then this has been throwing the ball to equal 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 plays? A lot more confidence. I say throughout the year. We were always there as offense. We didn't know. We didn't quite know our identity. And now slowly but surely I think we found that. And we're going to keep on rolling. And he's made some great throws. And yeah. I'm sorry, Brandon. I do have one more steep. How many more seconds for you? 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 week to the next. But the opportunity is coming sooner rather than later for you to be in every down player. Just one of the things you need to do in your game to take it to where it is now to be in every down guy.

3:56:57I 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. My routes always can get better. My hands always can get better staying in the jug machine. Work ethic, keep on top of it. Don'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. That's what they say. Do you feel like a guy that the people follow, it seems like. In your mind, even the second year guy that you're kind of working toward being kind of 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 I just feel like we do that with a lot of players here and not just myself. But the leadership we have on this team is like no other. And that's why we got so far, I think. Brandon, thank you very much.

3:57:57Not 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, 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 Max is better at, for example? A lot of skill. I mean, the guy, he fits the room, personality wise. Johnny will tell you that. He's fun to be around. He's an outstanding ground runner. And he wants to get better and he's hungry. So he said great addition. I think a lot of people from the outside will see. And you guys come in and you guys have two or five guys who, if you like, I think you get reps too. Maybe some people would have thought some of these guys would be. Why would you guys say, why is this group so deep and state even though you guys brought in another guy? Yeah, I mean, I think it's just a testament to how strong his brotherhood is. When a coach told us that we were bringing him in the max, I just thought it was a great opportunity for me. I can worship stuff in the way. He's a great player. And I already have the resource stuff for me and Will.

3:58:59And I think now we have some really good guys and really good safe fresh. It was Lord. I could try there and ultimately become the best players we can be. I think it was Nathan. We said. Yeah, I saw that. Nathan, take him. I'm sure you're not watching for these offense when you guys are getting ready. But how quick did you kind of realize that this guy's legit? You see the numbers? You see the number one? Do you realize that this guy is real good? What I bet on the first day, he was a class act. And for me, I think character is a big thing. I had a really medical football player. It doesn't have good character. And I bet on the first day I knew that he was a hard worker. It came in here and just grinded. And then you know it's showing right now in the field. It's going great. What do you have to do to get better at the surface? Yeah, I mean, I just, I'm not really focused on specific areas. I obviously want to become a more polished outrunner. And to get better at blocking and to get better at past rotation. So real I'm just working on everything, man, hopefully.

4:00:00You know, I got all mischievous. I think I have a really good year. Does it feel good to have the only touchdown catch from one of the quarterbacks? Yeah, tools. Yeah, that was cool. That was a cool moment to have with him. How's that been working with Jordan? You guys were so close with the world. Yeah, it's great. I remember when Lincoln first got here, I was dragging him out to the fields, and throw with me. So me and Lincoln got way back. And I'm for the first got here. I love Julian. And even Tavy is coming in and he's impressed me. There's been a lot of talk about the quarterback position and leadership that coach just want to see. I mean, how are you seeing those two guys coming to the merge as leaders and is it that role? Yeah, I think they, at first, weren't nowhere near as vocal as Will was. We will got here, but I think they're really stepping up in that role. It's really good to see. All right, thank you. Awesome, thanks guys. Thanks for your time. Thanks a lot. I mean, just how I was raised, I just know how to work.

4:01:00That's all I had to do. Just give an effort and just go and be steady there. You? I want to say this with full respect. When we see JJ and Sonny, it's like, that makes sense. When you're the third guy, were you surprised to be named? What puts you in that same category? Yeah, I was a little surprised. I kind of have feeling because I kind of like, I mean, I kind of could have guessed it. But like, I just knew like, I was one of my goal to toss him behind Buckeye and I just put in the work that was in there. So what did you get in that was, what did you mean? How did you take it? It was really special right after I texted my parents and they really knew what it meant until like the video came out and the coach made this plan into it. So then, so then, after what it's been, you guys are as well. Back then, when you were playing football, back then, right bar and games, did you think you'd tell the difficulties of going back and forth? Not just like when you were learning them, you actually have to play both of those thoughts.

4:02:01Yeah, it's pretty difficult, especially during the game, you have to put the whole mind around. It's not easier in practice because it's not getting like several down, but like going left in my game. It's pretty hard, but like in high school, like I was, it was every other player I was in back then, with Triple H. So like I knew, I knew it, I was comfortable with it. And sometimes I just take it, but when I'm walking to a mountain, I just come and say I like, say it to be a safe play again. And then one time, so I get into my head. I can bring in two factors in the foot, but I can't find the right way to go. I can't put it out, I can't put it out. So I can't put it out. Yeah, so like I got to set the example. And then like my first two weeks here, I was like teaching them, like I don't know what they're expecting these players because I've seen a new place for them. And even new defense, like technique two, because I keep saying technique, but just helping them out. And then I think that's what I think, because we need to be able to do that.

4:03:01What's your idea of playing tackle kind of kind of about the team? About like Rath, the team that they were going to go to going to the game, what's your opinion, how did that guys come about? It came close to Springtime. They wanted to have, they just wanted to have a good five out there and they don't play the best. So they just won't get the chance. What's the deal? They're awesome. They're great. A lot of eyes, and it's awesome because everyone's watching something. Someone's only watching this place, so you know what's going on. I got to feedback to you. Like after a play, after a practice, we're all three off the world. It's awesome. They tell you like everything, because they know like what's the last time I had with Coach Johnson and Coach Dickies watching the left and the coach on the right. But when it feels a lot to them, right? So like you really, you know what's going on, but... How was the experience that you got the big reps in the big games? All that helps. It was like coming into the sun. It really boosted my confidence. And I can lead the young guys too. So I know it was going on because they really don't really miss this first time in spring.

4:04:03So like they've done much stuff. Just that leadership of them. Resortility has also been mentioned a lot. It's been all both sides with all playing in different spots. Can you elaborate on that? Yeah. Yeah, I can beat that question a lot more time. Can you start about the versatility that Coach has been talking a lot about that up close? As a lot of you guys in different spots being able to win? Yeah, so like, you all see it in last year. We lost two stars, all maybe started. So like really guys need to stepped up and like going to season. I didn't know I was going to be playing the start of the left guard. And then I didn't really know I was going to be bounce over the right. And what a donny news when bounce out the tackle. So like it really helps everyone. I think a lot of guys that season are playing multiple positions. And it's going to help us in football. But if you learn from Donnie and John, or Seth and all that. Just like technique wise, they really helped me like pretty snap stuff. And no one was like, what's going on? What's your guys?

4:05:03I'm my great place. Thank you. Thank you. That's only going to motivate him more. It's fuel to the fire, which I think is good for us having into this week. What was the first moment that you saw in the fellas? This could be something. I would say probably just his mindset. Not even obviously he's a freak when it comes to his body and stuff like that. Just his physical nature. But I think just as mindset the way he approached the weight room, it didn't really seem like a way of freshman would. And he was our only freshman ever to receive an ironbuck eye reward, which is something I was pushing towards my entire time being here. But it takes another level of duty to be able to receive that reward, especially as a freshman. So that's when I knew. Steve, it means more on that. When you and Mara first got here, Garrett and Chris were adamant about the way that you guys even was fresh, pushing two guys who were about to be first round round fixed.

4:06:03And then Mara kind of said the same thing about Karnel and Brandon last year. How did JJ push you guys when he first got here as the young guy? And now you guys are the older guys? Yeah, I would say it's very similar. It's kind of the same exact thing. And I don't know what it is about the culture and its all sex, but we keep bringing in these type of people you're in and you're out. That's what makes our room so great. But I think that something that JJ was able to push me in was just, you know, he was able to push me in my leadership. 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, you know, I get a couple wins. He get a couple wins. So it was really that next level step of competitiveness that I needed and that edge that I needed. That worked 2474. You guys came into the Tennessee game with a lot of outside motivation with Michigan loss and kind of the three weeks of the talk. I know obviously there's still that motivation to go on and win a national championship.

4:07:05But how do you keep that kind of edge for lack of a better term mentally after that? Some of that stuff has kind of gone away probably the big one. I would say kind of if you lose your edge, I wouldn't really call you a true competitor. I think that, you know, the way with the college football playoffs is structured. The intensity cranks up every single week. So if you're not more intense than you were the last week, then something's wrong with you. I think that, 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 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 Crankstein, please let me talk about it. Mecha, 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, maintain 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 the why the Rose Bowl does maintain, you know,

4:08:06that level of respect for the players and coaches. Yeah, I think, I don't know, they're just something about it. Something in the air down there in Pasadena. It's just a beautiful venue, especially that time of the year. Like you said, the tradition is held year in and year out. And it's kind of the game you dream of playing in when you're a little kid, you know, playing back yard football with your friends. The Rose Bowl is always one that tends to come up. So just having a chance of playing it is definitely very surreal. And this is going to be my second time. So I'm going to do my best to take it all in while also being fully focused. I'm also being fully focused on organ. Dan, let me worry. Matthew Will said he still has 90 minutes about that first game in order. And just what kind of drive you see in this week wanting to get back to 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 yesterday, a better practice than organs having.

4:09:07So his full focus is on being this team. And obviously it's hard not to think about the stuff of the past. But I know he's laser focused on what we got coming up. Tony Garbin, fuck I have. Matthew, when you were a kid playing back yard during the bout game, what team were you playing for? Honestly, 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. It's from 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.

4:10:09He built a bit like, on the back. I think that's another Jeremiah question. Is there one moment, one play, one something that made you go, oh man, I've never seen it before. That's just incredible. Yeah, I'll say it's happened multiple times. There's not really one. I can pinpoint, but the more he does it, the more I tend to react less. So I would say probably my earliest memories of it were in spring ball. Kind of getting the first glimpse of him when he's making all these ridiculous catches. And he still does it time and time again, even now. But it's just more common now for me. The landed one that came from the north. But you had, I think, 12 touches in the first game against Oregon, 10 receptions, two carries. Is there something about this matchup that favors you? And now that you have, where that productive, the first time he played this team, what kind of attention or I guess maybe different defenses are you expecting to see? Yeah, I mean, we're not entirely sure what their gameplay is going to be, but we're paired for everything.

4:11:09You know, I'm not going to get too much into scheming stuff like that. But we know that if the ball comes our way, we've got to make those plays. So whether I have 10 receptions again coming up this game where I have 0 or 1, we're just looking to get this win on the road, because it's really a road game for us, you know, flying across two times on. So I think that, you know, it's going to be a great matchup, whether they tend to focus on me more or not. It doesn't really matter to me because I know our team has a great playing regardless. That time for a couple more questions, Spencer, over a letterman role. You guys ever surprised when the game ended? 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. He's really humble. So he's going to do whatever it takes for the team to get a win. But it's the competitor nature and then that wants to contribute as much as he can. So, you know, I try to be in his ear to tell him to be levelhead and stuff like that. Not that I need to. He's a very level-headed and selfless guy like I'm saying. But, you know, sometimes that's just how the game goes.

4:12:09You know, I had a game this year where I only had one catch. But, you know, we ended up winning by lot. So, I think that, you know, it's hard or it's easy to be focused on the personal attributes that you could have game in and game out. But no one's really going to remember those if we're holding up the trophy at the end of the year. He could be a number one, like, 95% of the ball is right now. But he's like, you know, the three. You see his work as all of those things that he doesn't dare to play. You guys ever come behind him like, yeah, this guy can absolutely be a number one. 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 we'll 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 of being a number one receiver and we are number one receivers. And final question. Steve, how long has he 24,000 sports?

4:13:11Yeah, and McAthien to that game, he 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, 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, my goodness, we've 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, close to being a field goal range. 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?

4:14:12Just what in your mind, just would this be, you know, just the ultimate, I suppose, to be a team that's already beaten earlier this year? No, I think the ultimate would be winning the national championship. So, you know, we're focused on this. This just happens to be the next team in the way. We're not focused on when 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 message, thank you, Bruce. Thank you. We're a little bit by committee in the back, back in on part returning. Brandon and this is there. Mecha's there. We have a few guys back there we can use. I think they'll see a couple of them there, but in terms of kickoff return, Jay and Boud will do the first kickoff. We'll go for that. You know, the Benwitz. Right. It's a ball. It's a standard. And what is our standard? We want everybody to grade out over 80%. You know, we're going to be able to do that.

4:15:13We're going to be able to do that. We're going to be able to do that. We're going to be able to do that. We're going to be able to do that. Well, again, you know, it's coached me for a reason, but it's true. It's about our standard. And what is our standard? We want everybody to grade out over 80%. You've heard us talk about that, champions, and that's a big part of it, and then be the hardest playing team in the country. So if it's truly not about our opponent, and we really embrace that, then it shouldn't matter. You know, we have to respect everybody we play against. We have to respect the game. We have to respect the fact that we only have 12 Saturdays in the regular season every year. I mean, these are precious opportunities. It's probably work that goes in, you know, to think that, you know, a game would be under value. I mean, that's not even, not anybody's radar right now. You know, we have a certain standard that we have to play with. We want to come into this game and, you know, set the tone for the season. That's our goal. And we come in on Sunday and figure out what's right.

4:16:13But every season is different. You know, this season is what it is. But that doesn't change our approach into the first game. Other than, you know, you just have a different group of guys out there. And I think with this group, we do have some experienced guys that have played a lot of football. We also have some guys who are excited to see on the field. We've got guys like Wil Howard and Caleb Bounds and Quinchon-Junkins. And we have some guys that we haven't seen. Wil Kazmarik. So I think we're all excited to see what those guys look like in a game and see how they gel with the team. So the right team it means. I don't think anybody forgot about what a great player, Mecca Bukhiz. But seeing them out there healthy is just so exciting.

4:17:14It's so energetic for our entire offense. It's just this. I mean, he's a warrior. He's a great player. And so not only do people feel his play out there, but they also feel his maturity. He's been like that since he's got here though. Now, this is not one of those things we just matured with last couple years. He came in and rolled man. And he's continued to have an impact on the entire team. And nobody was more frustrated than him last year, not being able to be 100%. So it was great to see him elected a captain, especially, you know, with a lot of guys that could have been captain, but great to see him elected captain by his peers. And I know he's excited to be 100% going on Saturday and start to season after right away. It's three days to the opener. I'm just one you've heard of bios or more. So I'm wondering if you have any higher orders to be more set up. Instead of put Chip Kelly, you know what I mean? It's three days now. He's going to be calling the players. Yes, Ellen, I'm saying. Right. Are you still getting used to that in Ukraine? I'm different than I've been. I'm excited. I'm excited. It's. Again, we got a long way to go.

4:18:15There's a lot of storms coming in. Nothing's going to be easy. It's just the way the game of football is. But I do like the way the offensive staff is coming together. I like the way they're working together. Chip has been great with the staff. He's got ideas. He's got a different perspective. Things are going to look a little different. But he's also embraced who we are as an offensive. What we do is. I'm going to be a little more careful. I'm going to be a little more careful. I'm going to be a little more careful. I'm going to be a little more careful. You know, I try to fundraise who we are as an offensive. What we do. I think Bryan Hartlin. Has been unbelievable just in the day to day and what he brings and just and fly and, you know, he для smokers. And he and Tim drill. They've done a nice job working together. I can't be barely. I call a slack one. I mean, I think it's a good group together. I think we all worked well together. But you know, it's going to be a long road. So that chemistry is going to be very important, but I'm the defensive side. Again, I feel that same chemistry. I think the staff is strong right now. And it has to be. to be because you know we're in for a long run here. The last question, the camera key problems. I know he's coming on top. He's got a sense of that. He's just going to have to go to the left side to play cards. He just won't be asking for a hint. He won't even do that.

4:19:16So ask him and go on with the cards. I've definitely got the news. But it's too bad. We've got the stuff that's going to happen from the point of view. It does allow you to step back and just perceive things differently. You just notice things different. There are some players and have a conversation with them. Much more involved in the special team which has been exciting. And that allows me to coach some of the guys on defense. I think the guys feel that part of it. Being able to sit in on other meetings. It's been good even if I don't have a lot of input just to be in the room and give a little feedback here and there even on the defensive side to say, you know, here's how the offense is approaching this. This is that perspective. So that's been great. A little bit more time than myself where I can get my thoughts together on how I want to message. The team and areas that I want to make sure I'm challenging the staff with and the staff meetings. So I think all that's allowed me to do that which, you know, and I think it's helped the team out. I think it's helped the culture out. I think the coaches feel good about that part of it. But chip has been great.

4:20:17You know, there's a lot of input from everybody on that staff together. I think that's what makes chip a great coach is. You know, he trusted staff and the guys that are around him. But he also is firmly believed in something. Coach, thank you very much. Thanks, guys. Thanks for all. Thank you. Folks, yeah, the Mecca Bucca on the goal line. We need to be leader in defense and air and leader of the team. How about you, personally? How do you feel like you've been able to have a physical leader this year? Just being a sharemire experience, the thing being an older guy. A lot of the other guys look up to the older guys. So just being a sharemire experience and being a teacher, I'm a member of the class of Winston. And I have a mixed race out of play. So I'm just going to be a better leader. Let's try to talk to the very young, some of our junior players. You can talk to people that kind of follow us. I think it applies to me just pretty much. It's because I don't like, I'll talk to my squad. I just let my play do what it does. So I have to say my score. I'll have you feel me well. I'm on the field. What is it about the Hamilton Brothers that don't talk much? They let their play. You have to talk to them.

4:21:17Where's that comes from? I think it just comes from just to me. It's talking a lot. The really mess up was going on. It takes me to something like that. So being able to just hone in and be able to play. And then doing less talk to them, let's play a bit. You feel it. Have people like this bigger impact? What's the best advice you ever got from your big brother? Older brother. I'm going to pick. Yeah. Basically pretty much is like saying this is joy the day. You know, every day is not promised. You know, I could be over in the instance. So being able to take myself from the field every single day. And enjoy every single day, no matter how hard it is. Or maintain that. Just now, I'm saying that. And here. These days are. I know I've actually just a couple times in the last couple of years. But why is it that jump came on not late? But y'all weren't here to meet for my effect of this standpoint. Getting on the field. Why is it jump came on late? I'm both you and the world. I think you just got a lot of time to guys here. So I mean, it's hard to be on the field. But like it's hard to understand. Like being here, I'm trying to look great players. You know, sometimes it's not right for me.

4:22:18Just being able to understand the true time of this standpoint. So I've got my time to take a bet at the forehand instance. And I'm here. I'm just being able to fully understand it. Take time. Really. Take the answer. She is not taking the right. I just like to say, you get a feel for it. The scene, the scene, the place that coming. If you know what's coming up, you have to be able to anticipate what is coming. Which knows what's going on. So I'm honestly like in general was obviously my first say. It was what did it just happen? So that was awesome. Obviously gave me the returning point to like just show the word that I can play. And then the one player in Wisconsin, you know, we need to hear the key to believe. Play. It's about. You know, you definitely, I feel like, I mean, maybe it's just me, but you definitely kind of nervous when you get ready to it.

4:23:20But once, you know, whistle is gone, you just locked in. You drive back and you're back to what you're doing. You practice and then you do the right thing. So you can go happy in the game. What are your thoughts on kind of a screen game on a network? I'm a bit, this is kind of wild where the game is going. Your thoughts on that. So notice respect to it. And if you do something that I'm just, I don't care. It's not the practice we have as a team and I think I'm sure the rest of the team feels the same way. We don't care about the camera since all nice and flashy, but we're about to grind. We're about to practice and get ready to achieve the end of the season. And this Saturday you're picking practice to depreciation. What's that they like for you guys going to have a good run of time? So it's great. I've seen like familiar faces obviously. And I mean, I don't get any pressure about it because it's like I said, just not. I'm not going to let it difference how I play or how I practice when you talent it. I say the same as it is the way I am. But not here to go.

4:24:21It's played for the number one or one or two teams. How does it spot in your playing hands? Here's the remaining six years. So I can not have that in my way. So yeah, that was awesome. I don't know what happened exactly, but I had a way for me and I followed them on the team. And she's out into the underhand. And I'm looking at that path for good people. So after this first scholarship, I was still in Germany. I was working with the guy who was going to be a talent to Brennan Collier. That was really like the turning point. He was like, hey, you got to figure something out. What you're thinking, who's that? You might get to go to high school and then you're in front of him. Yeah, I know him. But I don't know who my mom feels about it. But somebody saw me. This is so weird. This was possible, right? Go ahead. Did you buy it at first? At first I was like, how do you say English?

4:25:21Fabric acid? And I was honestly like, I was like, wow, is this real? It took me a couple days through the process and then I was going to head to what everyone takes. Went to America, you know, I think my season there, and the rest is history. Yeah, I just want to go back to fist-by-year, basically every place in boxing matches. Did you have to grow into that? Bringing the next street, so to speak? I feel like we said that in here. I think I'm naturally like a nice guy and Coach J. Deffendt, to pitch a little bit. So I think he did a great job, if I could just bring it out of me. He had time to work with me now for two years, even through recruiting. So I think he did a great job with me. What was your main sport? Soccer. How good were you? I was pretty good. I was really good. I was getting recruited by Major Team, when I was a young man. So what got you interested in America football? You kind of grow the sport at like 6'4 and 250.

4:26:24Football is different in soccer. I don't want to disrespect anybody here, but it's a little bit softer. So it's been hit somebody, somebody made fall. Oh, foul. I didn't like that because a lot of times it's fake. I didn't like the whole mentality. I was adding something new. The same moment, football came into my life. I've really come into your life. I live in a small village, maybe 200 people, 400 people. There's one guy who was in high school, went to high school for home, he was in his field with Conquo. He was with Ben in this month. So Ben called me the African P.I. So he really got me into it. I lived right next to the soccer field. He was throwing the football. I was just playing soccer. When he tried that, it was hard to get into it. He connected me to Ben and... I'll ask you off the wall, your name. You know the reason behind that name or how you got into Ben. So it was kind of like my family was trying to figure out. And for me, something with me, just my brother's name was David, my sister's name is Deborah.

4:27:27And my mom suggested like, Damien or something like that. And my dad, he's a very religious guy. He was like, the son of a young woman. He didn't like it. He said, I don't care. But the name of the night, he just said, Hero, my mom was like, you should live. We're going to name our son Hero. I mean, it's kind of hard to go up. Usually, I feel like you look at the baby first and your brother, his name. But it kind of came before. What do you think about it? I mean, I like it. It's not my only name. My little name is Chini Meramoku. Spalding. Chini Meramoku. Spalding. I'm just sexy. So somebody got to write it down. Okay. Now, but I mean, it's my God who continued with me. And I'm evil, which is the name of Chini. And half that's your character. It's kind of unreal to see my guy, my size, a green face, especially my arm, and there are so many tools that you can do. You know, just get a best place you can do it. What about jumping? You know, that all means. And you know, it's like, what about that?

4:28:29And he's so active. He's too active. And it was just coming off the ball. You know, he's being there with his crazy face. Make that penetration. And you know, to build off of that, you know, so many different moves, different skills you can do. And it's just kind of unreal. It's not just like a talent by the nation. The guy I did is kind of getting it. The Saturday you have this student appreciation, is it fun? The University of Sussex, is it weird having the guy next to you? Myology, myology, class 1 autograph. What's that like when you're kind of working out in front of your health? I think it's a great event that we're having. You know, you love our students. You know, just like on game days, you know, they come to watch with you. You know, it's a discussion feeling. So it's good to kind of get that doing the gym, like how it was going to see, and how it will be for the spring game. You know, we're just happy that they're going to come to watch it. And also you have the spring game coming up this year, it's on Fox. Does that say anything about the brand of a higher state or the group? Because the ball number started up with a practical or by practices

4:29:30on network television, we've been up for 20 years now. Yeah, I'm sure he definitely comes on. That's until we're losing for a spring game. You know, I've never heard of that before. You know, that's the big thing. That definitely serves the brand that we have here. You know, it's different during a larger than school, than a country. By way, it's kind of a real kind of thing. And it's definitely a special for us to have our opportunity. You said, do you have different life plays on the entry? Well, I'm saying through my ice cream career, I kind of read out some of my head. You know, do this to the process. You know, post-Jays, you probably always post that. It's kind of really the kind of stuff you have. You know, I might grow up to be a good group. And you know, that's years when it's by, you know, things worked out. And you was right. How much area are you now in the world? I believe I can't live in an area. To move you away in 25. And I'm at 305 now. That's definitely, to me, I don't, they don't throw out your distance.

4:30:31I know I get different. You know, I may look different. But to me, I feel like I'm moving way faster, quicker, more sportive. I ever was. What is your problem? Five-night. I know this is one of the long-term things for sure. Jason, you've heard from your size in high school, and just being able to kind of use your size and kind of dominate. And so learning how to use the more size, the higher the level. A big, mature transition. This is huge, I'm just saying. I don't know. I'm not your size, what you did here. That's one thing I realized. You took me to the wrong time and kind of fussed us. You don't want to get to know them. Then all your dodging, you just actually do that job and that shit. That's way different than anybody in high school. And it's more than your size that you have here. It's kind of just past them. It's more technique. You know, in the play, you know, who's around with everybody's doing. So I think it's way more than just size. It's kind of a different thing for sure. Is there like a moment for you? I'm here and I've got to learn to get to the size. Is there a moment, let's do practice with thinking about it or, or, or courses or,

4:31:34one of those guys on the inside. There are moments you point to like, look at that's what I like. I say, probably like halfway through the season. You know, you can all those reps and practice, uh, you're just out to, number one, you just start as every phrase. And you know, that's just kind of open my eyes. Just to really, this is kind of where everybody knows the real game. I really have to just, I want to do that one. I'm just saying that help people. Right now, Coach J said the true men. I feel free to hear gaining some buzz here from other guys around the program in the spring. How much did you think you could point the scouting? And that helped me prepare for possibly a breakout. Well, that helped me a lot. I feel like what I was doing on the scouting, I wouldn't do right here like now. You know, all the learning I went through, all the physical issues. I wanted to get to the starting. I wanted to get to the beginning. Trying to get to the end of the game. It helped me, you know, kind of getting ready for myself, you know, to learn whenever my time is, to come in with the jump.

4:32:36So we're talking to you and Dave and hero today. How important is it for you three young guys to step up on the interior of this year? It definitely important, man. You know, we have our, I talk for guys, you know, they kind of came in and said, what they could do, obviously, we could have went to the traffic spaces, but they want to come back, you know, you knew what they, you knew what they had to do. And I go to see the two of North, let me chat to you, shoot. And you know, you can't do it just for them. You know, you need guys to come in, kind of get themselves ready needed. So they can be the best, you know, the feel. And for us to be able to come in and help the team, you know, it's very needed for what I do. What was your reaction when Ty League said he was coming back? I was happy. Now I was so excited seeing it and that, you know, that's my guy. I was like, being there with him for the other year, just to learn from him. You know, that's for me, that's the kind of thing that I've been doing. So I think a lot of people see it as everybody on the team wants to be older guy to lead. You know, but why is that wrong?

4:33:38Why is that outlook going on? I think we want to win. You know, I feel like that's what everybody here is well. Now we're not really worried about anything else going on. We're not going to win. You know, guys, we're coming back to help us win. You know, that's all we can about that's all we want. Jason, they was there today that said that you guys are going to have to play 25-30 snaps to game. So to help Ty League inside, they could be six or seven. When you know that there's 25-30 snaps to game, you kind of up for grabs. What does that do for you? I honestly, it's like you just said that you've got those guys in the top. They're probably going to play in there for a 40-50 snaps. You know that there's pretty good shots. Hey, it's not going to start to wrap up. We said do we win? I mean, the size is looking at whatever snaps are available. We just want to do whatever it takes to help us win. And this game is taking those types of snaps. That's what we do to help us win. We're going to do that and do it the best we can. I just take pride when I step on the field every snap. I just want to be a leader in that space, because I'm starting with all four special teams.

4:34:38So I'm going to contribute in every single way there. Well, ultimately, I think every guy has to take pride in that. How do you see what you're doing on special teams that translates to when you get out there at Necklace? I mean, I would just kind of say like that relentless effort. Special teams, it's a longer play. So you go on deep until like 46 seconds. So being able to have relentless effort on special teams it translates when you're going to defense. I'm cool that was a play with these guys. I mean, it feels good to be out there with my brother. I know we got a couple snaps together. So being on the field with him, I know my mom, then I'll try to get the little pictures and they see us on the field together. It's been great. What do you think of the way that he's played so far at linebacker? I think he's playing decent so far, but he has to keep you in continue to improve. He's doing his job, but I want him to take it to the next level and be really be that best linebacker in the country. How much do you guys do that with each other? Kind of critique each other's games. Or should each other be better? I kind of ask him a lot more questions, because like he's in the interior. So with the nickel and stuff, I have to be in the run pits. So I'm like still understanding that with some of our new calls and stuff like that. But I really learned a lot from him, but his big mental is really my dad.

4:35:38I know his teaching a lot about the game. Why are you still, do you still follow it over the new, the players' driers? Oh yeah, definitely, definitely. And the switch from the C-River cornerback. Obviously was your choice. Was it a difficult position? Or was it like a squeeze-cage? I mean, it wasn't really difficult. When I was that entertained, I started the transition there. So once I got into it, I was like, I'm about to excel at this position, and I really just took it on. Took it face on, and I'm just trying to excel. Be the best of me there. You've got two very experienced guys ahead of you. Yeah. What's the mindset of the obviously going to be there tonight? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, as a man, as a football player, I just hold myself to a certain standard, whether I'm starring or where I'm the backup, whatever it is, I just hold myself to a certain standard. So the way I practice, the way I show up every single day, it's going to be the same, whether I'm starring or not. And then, so, you used to play in college football, playing offense. How long did it take you there? It's the side of me. I mean, it didn't take too long.

4:36:38I mean, you saw, once I get on defense, I was ready to go for my face on. I was ready to go hit. I think that's just a mindset. My dad, my brother, I grew up in kind of a defensive, or two family. So I knew one of my time to go attack, I got to go for my face on it. What is that face? What do you mean? No slowing down, no hesitation. Boom. Shaking through contact. Would you give it to your mom? Everybody knows that. Yeah. My mom, I think my mom has personality, like, just connecting well with people. You see that with her job. You see that with all, she makes friends everywhere we go, go to the grocery store, go anywhere, she's talking to somebody. So I think coming to a new place, I was able to transition one, connect with the guys in my room, connect with my team, really come part of this culture. Can you explain a question like, why the stadium, the big hit on Chicago? What is it, what is it, what is it, the PlayStation? I feel like I did my job, from being honest. Yeah, I was trying to do it every time I got a chance to go to my job. You guys have four guys on your defense who are all from the drinks, and what kind of pride do you guys take in that?

4:37:38We take a lot of pride in that. Growing up, we grew up together. We were playing sports since we were young, so we know that competitive competitive spirit we grew up with, and we were in still with our, our bads and the coaches around us. So we're just making that train so here as well. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. I'll head up. What it's you like, I mean, just in the off time. I mean, how are you paying for your back straight after something like that? Really just being the leader, supporting my teammates, making sure they're taking advantage of their play opportunities, and really just being that vocal leader on the sideline and lifting the energy up. It's almost as if I'm here to know that I may instep in it, and so much that happens to either you or I dream. It's awesome, man. He's a great player. He's a dog. I'm hoping to sell a few house at the university so it's awesome. Which day said that Lorenzo has earned the right to play more on defense? What have you seen from Lorenzo for his growth this year? Oh, yeah, he's growing a lot, man.

4:38:38He's a great player. And just to see where he's elevated his game, he knows he's been really awesome to see. It's guys' limits. At least that happened in the first half, but you know what, I'm just hanging the marks on it. Yeah, thank God. So I'm really excited for that. And yeah, you play. And I think that's the change of the rule. You didn't have to go to the lock, and we really stay on the table. So the side of our game gave you your team, right? Oh, yeah, I didn't even know that was a rule. So, yeah, that's actually cool. It's actually cool that they changed it. But what I'm going to bummer if I had to leave. And then this is actually the first half of the next game, even if you were in the first half of this game, so it's cool. You do come in to see if you would have an elite defense. There are two games. Nobody's for touchdowns. They haven't gotten up. They're blinds. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, how good is this defense? And how much better? It's pretty good. You know, we're chasing, we're chasing a lead in this. So our job is to just take the problems that are still there and make sure when we're in with matchup games,

4:39:38you know, we got everything covered. But if you've not, like, especially since you got the watch, it happens to you. Um, I would just say, I cannot say this. I was a little better going into the season, like the start of the season. Um, and another thing I would have to say is, I feel like we could be more, we could run to the ball more and really just take it a little things and, you know, I'll play to level our opponents sometimes. Is the schedule thing just just want to play in a big game? Or because you want to get a real look at how big you guys are? Yeah. For me, I definitely want to get a real look where we're at. And just to be able to have a better look at the game, and just to be able to have a matchup game early in the year, like these other teams around the country, it kind of just shows you where you're at. And, um, it's a good start up to the season, especially if you want to. What does, you have not seen me, you guys take Tuesday a little bit more to you right now, but you can see it's like four years, just probably the only time I've seen better. Yeah, yeah.

4:40:38Yeah, yeah. I definitely agree with that. Um, I, for me, I take Tuesday and Wednesday, really personal for me to be able to elevate my game to the highest level I can get one percent better every single day. And Tuesday and Wednesday is, um, it's good on good man. So I, I really take advantage of it. We're very honest. Yeah. A hearty system. You were not, they wish you probably want to say about the party. Um, it's really hard. It was, it was a bull crap crawl. Um, I really didn't understand it. And it's kind of been going around around the country. Really, I seen one. I think it was Florida and what was the other team? And then, and then that was, that was a bad call to and then my call to it. It's kind of just getting out of hand. And then the fact that's your outdoor game. The players not even heard or anything like that. And I was kind of like the last one in. I guess I could see the perspective of the pressure looking at. But, um, yeah, it's up. And so when, and you guys see them film after the game, Aaron probably could have had that. What do you guys say to young guy like that?

4:41:39Man, we were, we were happy for men to be able to be out there and make a play on the ball. And a little bit of a lot of time. It's awesome. I'm going to be able to see him and we are our job as a team to bring them up with us. And. And whenever his time to go on that field, we want to represent the IA. Not, I don't want to make a comparison with. It's a good, good last trip for freshman. But you see that come in and struggle early in spring and then start to make those strides. Are you seeing those things from Aaron that like, OK, like I see why he's here. I see why. You know, won't like him so much. Most kind of things. Yeah, Aaron definitely has flashes and he shows that in practice after life for me. It definitely has to be a little bit more consistent. You know, he has a lot of ways to go. I'm still young. But, uh, you know, the unit in order to not job to be able to show him on the field and show him off the field of what it means to be a week. How much of you guys talk about being consistent and some of the things that young guys have to do? What does that mean? Does that mean he consistent in terms of? I discipline that means being gifted and effort.

4:42:41What is that mean? The system means being consistent in all areas of the game really, especially in practice. Um, you can't have, you can't have ups and downs, especially at Ohio State. We have to instill that into the game guys, because you never know when the opportunity is going to come. And they're going to have to, you know, live up to the moment and wall up. I just want to help you guys as starters to have guys like your name, like, the length of like Aaron. Every day. It's awesome. You know, they're, they push the room, um, they make the room better. And just to be able to know that we have guys under us that are like a ball and play. It just makes it even more better. Just one last question for play. A couple of questions around the country who kind of make it plays up to the store here. But what's what there is a mentality thing or ability? What do you, what's the key thing to be able to perform as a true freshman? I mean, yeah, be consistent. All areas of your life on and off the field. And I'll take care of the way we're going to take care of school. You know, ball that one long and football field and gain trust with your teammates.

4:43:44That's what's going to take you a long way and essentially, you know, start as a freshman. Great. Thanks. Thank you very much. Yes, sir. Turn the right to be on the field, which I expect them to do. That's our job to make ways for them to be out there. Jordan playing a lot of safety last year. Did that kind of create a blue threat for you guys and how you will do more pre safety stuff? Yeah, Jordan was great from a flexibility standpoint, right? So we were able to go from kind of traditional nickel type looks to three high safety looks. And a lot to put Caleb in different spots. So that was critical for us, especially down the stretchers on the playoff room for a number of weeks. They didn't really know exactly how it was going to be deployed. So that flexibility is critically important to us. Flexibility going forwards is going to be great. And kudos to Jordan for taking that step to start against Nebraska high safety. You know, the different things that he was able to do last year was huge is going to help him in the NFL. And then yeah, get me looking. Okay, who are the pieces that we have? How do we highlight those and how do we deploy them? But if flexibility will always be important. It's ideally one guy. We need that Jordan play both that and it will be able to save these.

4:44:45I think it always helps anytime that whoever you are, whatever position they can do. Also, if you're a linebacker and you can rush off the edge of your corner and you can bump to the inside and play slot corner and play high safety. So I think those flexibility things are critical. More than just like pinpointing a just that position has to be able to function that way. You know, but the flexibility across positions as defensive backs as part of coach Walton, you know, you know, my philosophy is they're defensive backs. They're not just a corner or just a nickel or just a safety. Right. Let's meet together. Let's train together to be able to. Room these guys to be flexible in amount of packages. And that helps your depth to right. So it may not be like who's the next best defensive back of the game? Well, it may not just be the guy replacing a guy that got injured in that position. Right. You may have to move pieces around and that flexibility, you know, helps us for sure. Competition. I want to see incredible competitiveness every single day. Right. So I want to see consistency from the guys.

4:45:47I want to see, you know, it's one of our guys to be consistently on the rise. Right. It's not okay to like two days better than you're taking a step back. Like every day we need to be consistently on the rise. So like those habits, your consistency and then your competitive mentality. That's what I want to see. We'll coach them again with the right spot. I don't worry about that, but I want to see that competitive mentality that hunger. And that's what I've seen from the what it worked out so far. I mean, this morning it was it was a real one of years. And that's, you know, what coach Mick has developed with coach day breaches will be preaching defense to me. That competitive mentality. I think that's what I've seen. I mean, it's good to do my job. What about those two? Do you want to see most? Yeah, I think consistency for any young players, the biggest thing right here. You see flashes of talent, but you want to be able to have over and over and over and over again. I'm not saying that they have not been that way. I'm actually really pleased with where those guys are right now. But that's going to be the biggest thing is. You know, when you're when you're playing in situational type things or packaging things like that,

4:46:51it's different than maybe you're out there for 60 snaps in a game, right? That's a different type of feeling, right? So the consistency of performance is important in those because you're putting a lot of different ever situations, right? So that'll be the biggest thing is responding to those pressure situations and being consistent in performance. You play me and then it is to better see more that they can roll and they talk about those things. Yeah, our job is to put the best football players on the field. So we, you know, lathe and roll was lathe and roll because that's what lathe did. Well, Caleb's roll was Caleb's roll because that's what Caleb did. All right, so then you say, okay, we have some search coming back. We have a lot of new pieces, right? So we said, okay, what do these guys do holistically well? And then let's highlight those things and put them in position to be successful. That's all our job is coaches, right? So put the guys in position to be successful. And that was not a lot of times the defense staff talking about that. Personnel conversations, and that's our job. The spring is to make sure that we're getting those pieces, right? At the slot Jordan had such a great year, you guys last year. Who are some candidates to kind of replace them now? You called the nickel, you called the slot, I'd like to use.

4:47:52Yeah, nickels, what we call the galorezzo styles has done a bunch of awesome things at that position. When you look at the germane Matthews and what he's been able to do playing on the outside, but also the toughness he brings in the slot from that position. So there's a number of guys that have those traits, and it's a unique guy to be able to do that. You know, because you're not just a corner, you're not just a safety, you're fighting a linebacker sometimes too. So that interchangeable piece has been really important. Jordan did an awesome job of that. And then we were able to even grow the packaging last year because of the things that he was able to do. Coach, they said about youth, the national championship celebration. Sure, it's things he's told you privately. But for him to say that at the championship, it's the same you're one of the rising stars in the industry. One of the brightest young minds I had made me feel really good. Just your takeaway from now. I know you're a humble guy. You probably don't want me to ask you about that. No, no, you can ask anything. I think anytime that you get recognized for your hard work and your contributions also, I appreciate Coach Day saying it. I've got an awesome relationship with Coach Day. I think the world of him. Yeah, I try to just be up behind the scenes operator.

4:48:52I don't mind the spotlight, but I try to just be behind the scenes operator and put the guys in position to be able to shine. But I appreciate of him and look forward to keeping contributing. What are your thoughts on the far end coach Petrusha? We got chance of me for the first time very engaging personality. Just we're obviously very decorated. Just what are your thoughts on coach Petrusha? Yeah, I mean, first up, when Matt Petrusha walks in the room, the room speaks for itself, right? So, but first up, like a great, great guy, a great guy, like just humble, gracious. I've been very impressed with the person. And I had no previous relationship with Matt. Also, it was awesome to be able to build that relationship over the last couple of weeks. The football intelligence is incredible. The IQ period is incredible. This is a very, very, very smart guy. What he's been able to do with defenses and the wealth of knowledge and experience that he brings is like, he's operated as a GM and offense coordinator, defense coordinator, head coach. I mean, it's pretty amazing when you start talking about the things that he's been able to do throughout his career. So I have a ton of respect anyways, surface level, but then to be able to know the man.

4:49:54I can't say enough positive things, but he's going to be an awesome, awesome, awesome partner. Last night from me, what do you think of the Bible? Yeah. Has he shown you the Bible? He's saying he has it here. Oh, it's huge. It's stacked up. It's stacked up. You know, I've studied those New England teams from, you know, from afar for many years. Actually, I've used some of the things that they've done with their safeties as teach takes throughout the years. So I, especially when I was a younger coach in the profession I used, I used to have a lot of examples to teach guys earlier on my time at Duke. And I still carry those two with teach, I've studied that defense from afar. Obviously, without even knowing that. And then you have to be able to be here and then take you through the history of why I got to that. His background with the ballcheck and all those things is pretty awesome. But yeah, the amount of detail is amazing. Like, it's not a fluke why they've had the success. You know, when you say, okay, let's talk about a coverage. The amount of detail and the coverage where you take all this high level information and you boil it down to very simple.

4:50:55So the player can go play functionally like that's, it's a true talent that he has. The freshman that you have here, what are your thoughts about it so far? Before you've been to field, what kind of things do you look for for your first round to start the technology? In this game, you're right. Yeah, it's a great question. You know, so we have the Fahim Cody in the shot here right now. They've all been awesome. Like, first off, who they are as people has been fantastic. Like, those guys show up early for everything. They're on a point, body weight, you know, every little marker that we look for academically how they're performing. All that has been great. You know, Fahim came in with a ready-made college body, you know, document through recruiting. It's work-sided about him. He's learning the ways to be a Buckeye, what it means to be a Buckeye, you know, how on the older guys and it's been awesome. Cody's been great. Cody's a worker. Cody's a worker. He's been fantastic to have every single day. He's made big time with tools and it's really excited about, you know, him as well.

4:51:57And then, Deshaun is coming off that injury that he had, you know, his high school season. And he's been great as well. He's been really good. So like, all that have been diligent, workers bought in, you know, they're hungry and they want to get better. You know, so it works out about all those guys. Deshaun could be able to practice and spring practices. He'll be limited some in spring ball. So he'll be small with him, but he's progressing very well. Very well. With Fahim obviously, you know, from the top of the body. You can really get some off your top in the D&B. Oh yeah. What stood out about him? What do you guys want to say to him? Yeah, he brings a physical to his game. You know, you've been able to see him roll down the box, blitz, do some of the things that we've been able to do with safety. He's a bring a physicality and mentality with him, you know. And then obviously when you get here, that it's a totally different level, right? So everybody's as good as you, you know, and, but I think very highly of him and high expectations for him. When it comes to Caleb, down here, and curious of him. He's obviously on top of his body. How does that allow you to feel like you're experimenting with some of the things you can do?

4:53:00It feels like he could succeed in a lot of different positions and feel how much does that allow you to say, okay, we can do this. We can do that and move some things around you by the other way. Yeah, it definitely allows you to, and as a coach, you would say you have to be able to do that, right? So you've got essentially a very, very unique chess piece that can, like how many guys can really play the D-parter, feel the shallow part of the blitz, you know, do the different things that we ask him to do at that level. Right? Guys can move around and do it, but very few can do it to that level where he's elite at all of it. So it's keeping it simple enough to be able to go be functional with him and the pieces that are around him. But that's a huge part of, you know, you see our successes past year. A lot of that was putting Caleb in position to be successful. You know, that's, especially like as we, you know, say from the half point of the season towards the end, that was critical for us. So, yeah, I think it's a responsibility as a coach, we haven't got like this to make sure you're putting him in position. The league played a good bit as a freshman last year and obviously room state healthier a little bit too, but didn't get as much action, but still, you know, was a first-guile for the bench.

4:54:05What, what have you seen from him? Where is he at? I've seen a big jump from the league. You're just a different kind of guy when he takes the field to spring. So he, he, he's all mentality, it's all mentality. So physically, 20 saw, you know, the flash of him is a true freshman and he's always had that piece right there, but the mentality, the toughness, the grit that he has, I mean, that showed him big time right now. So I got big expectations for him. What does this spring look like for Caleb? Brian's talking about some of the guys who played a lot last year, maybe a little skilled, but their defense and obviously a second year in the system. What, what, what is his name and what for him? Yeah, I think leadership is the biggest thing right now. You know what I mean? So when he's always been a leader, but he's got even a bigger leadership role because you had a bunch of guys that had played a lot of snaps here last day, right? Where you don't have as many guys playing snaps. So I think, you know, this, this offseason, he's been fantastic and transitioning that way it will work to the field now from a leadership standpoint, it's going to be critical for him.

4:55:05So we'll be smart with, like Coach, they say, we'll be smart with how we manage reps and you know, springs and time to build fundamentals to build schematics, but really also find out what guys can do. You know, and we know some of what he can do and I live what we all do, right? So again, continue to get him better, but allow him to be able to influence the other guys to be able to grow. Are the two more. Yeah, the nickel spot. Yeah, who are some of the guys who are sort of like, we're happy that spot. The Renzo styles, the main Matthews, and we've got some guys that, you know, have experience in there and we've got some good candidates to be able to go to that spot. But those are the guys that you'll be able to see operating there. Thanks guys, appreciate you, Matt. Like I said earlier, just playing a lot faster. I feel like I'm more calm out there. I feel like the moment isn't too big. I feel like getting bigger throughout the year and when I was hurt, definitely helped me. Caleb's a professor in this game.

4:56:05It's kind of legendary, but I'm sorry. I think the great thing about Caleb is he's such, he's such like a likable person, a likable teammate, a great teammate. He'll help you, he'll help any of the teammates. He's definitely, he definitely knows what he's doing. He's a great player. And for me, he just pushes me to be better every day. I think with your room being so stacked as this, you guys, you guys, you guys, you think that there could be the opportunity though for you guys to all see quite a bit of playing time throughout the season and not just towards the end of games, not playing time, but like some real meaningful reps. I think that our room definitely has a lot of great players, but as far as playing time, that's a question for Coach Nose. I mean, if you guys kind of been prepping for that though throughout the call camp, maybe switching in and out and then really kind of seeing a lot of going to action. We're definitely, we're all getting like reps at each spot. So like it's not just a just our band anymore.

4:57:11It's not just you're here, you're there. We're all playing different positions. We're all learning different techniques. So it's making each one of us more versatile. So how comfortable do you feel about strong safety? I feel comfortable in any safety spot. So it's, I mean, the more reps you take, the easier it is. And I played both safety spots last year. So it's not really that big of a transition. What are the differences between the two spots that you have to be used to? Honestly, this year they made it so they're kind of, they're, I mean, they're both, they're both, you have to do each thing in both spots. So like you have to come down and make tackles, Evander, you have to come down and make tackles that adjust their own. Obviously it's boundary and feel so that the spacing is a little different, but I mean, you have to do everything that both safes. What's different, what's different this camp compared to last camp? For me personally, I feel like I have, I develop their better routine. I feel like I'm more mature and what I'm doing.

4:58:15And I feel like just go out there and play and have fun. I think that's the biggest thing for me. Don't get too caught up on your last play. What have you added or what have you improved to your routine? I think just getting here earlier and at times last year, you know, it's hard to maintain that routine throughout the whole camp or throughout the whole, the whole year, but this year it's easier to maintain that because I know what to expect. I know the requirements of me and I know that the team is kind of... What are your guys and last year's remediates? Do you want to show up a little bit early? Yeah, for sure. I mean, everyone is required. BIA, our standard is so high that we challenge everyone. It doesn't matter if you're going to play this year, it doesn't matter if you're going to play two years from now, it doesn't matter if you're a true freshman. You're going to come in early and you're going to put in the work just like everybody else because it's not just the starters that are held to the standard as everybody. It seems like Jaylen McLean, kind of a similar trajectory as you were last year, where he's pushing for playing time right away.

4:59:17What have you seen from Jaylen? He's all over the field, man. He runs to the ball every play. He hits hard. He's making plays on the ball. He has, like I said before, he has a lot of potential and I'm excited to see what he does this year. You talked about getting bigger with probably a few things, but like, 20 times last year. Yeah. Were you able to keep that weight on? What does it look like to gain? So, I mean, through the season, it kind of fluctuated, but right now I've gained even more weight, so I'm at like 195 now. The plan is to get to 200, but it definitely builds confidence when you got to go down there and feel a good... Yeah, imagine playing folks in the ball, you say playing some. Exactly. Yeah. You were obviously on his end of a play in that Michigan game last year. Just what did you learn from that? I think that Coach Preaches competitive excellence and that means putting yourself in position to make a play. And that means practicing harder, that means taking each rep, like it's that big moment in the game and that's definitely what I try to do this year.

5:00:22I wouldn't say I paid off, yeah, I really haven't done nothing yet, but God has a path for everybody. He's paving my path right now, so I'm just letting him control and pave my path right now. Would you discover that with your path? What would you do to come? I don't have a year to come. Yeah, listen. I don't know what I should do. I'll say after sophomore year, that's when it was a lot of ups and downs. Even this past year, it was a lot of ups and downs, but mainly from last year, it was a lot of ups. Just letting him control everything. I tend to overtake and want to control things myself, but that's not how God works. Like I said, God has a path for everybody. He's paving my path. What is the biggest thing that you see in the game? The team that showed you how to lead this game? It's like consisting. Everybody, it's different leaders. You've got the vocal leader, you've got the leader that said by example. It's different personalities in the group. I can't talk to Edward, I can't talk to Ken and Curry.

5:01:25They just, they consistent, they positive, everything. You may bless your major part of this game. What's your sense of this defense? How can you put it all up and make it into the front? Everybody's working. Like you said, we lost a lot of good players and a lot of good leaders. But the guys that stepped in up, we just got to step up. We just got to take on what the guys left for us. Pretty much it. It was a good defense. Good. It was a good defense. It was a good defense. It was a good defense. It was a good defense. You guys have a good defense. The same mindset that we had last year. You know, they said consistent. And on our toolbox and trust in Coach Jay, whatever he got for us. Everybody is training and preparing like they're the starter. And that's why you see so many guys out there making plays. Anything else? We drive right after the charges of scoring their first one on your first half. Yeah, it was huge.

5:02:25I think the offense, we did a great job responding. And we knew what kind of game it was going to be. So I'm just proud of the guys out there for responding like we did, especially after this score. That first touchdown, like you said, and going down and putting in driver together. That was good. On that touchdown to Calvin, what were you looking for there? Can you talk about what happened and just of course, how big that play was? Yeah, I mean, of course, huge play. They were just in zone quarters. And you really just, you know, high low in that, you know, hook defender. The hook defender took GP underneath and Calvin was right by right behind him. So, you know, great play call of that situation. Of course, you know, you always appreciate the yack. The yards have the catch that Calvin got us. And of course, it was a huge play for us. Hey, a picture. Can you speak to what Calvin and Scottie Miller brought to the offense? Yeah, I mean, those guys definitely stepped up today. You know, Calvin doing everything on offense and special teams as well. And then, you know, Scottie too, you know, he didn't, I want to be played last week. So I'm just coming in. He had a big third down conversion for us, broken tackle with some yards. So they both played great today.

5:03:26You guys threw some exotic, they were in the first week's exotic blitzes that you guys. And you guys were prepared for some of those strikes over the middle. You had the third down conversion and the touchdown. How does it feel to execute something like you guys planted out solid and got those big blitzes? Yeah, it feels great executing. You know, we were preparing for it all week on, you know, certain looks we would get in certain situations. And, you know, like you said, we did a great job executing it. Allotted a great job today and, you know, holding up and receivers just being at the right time at the right place. So, yeah. So, we heard all week that Dan was about to break on the offense. You guys stop short exploring that front punch shot. But is this a bit looks like when that dam is in the process of breaking? Yeah, it is. And I think we've scored one more touchdown if I didn't throw that out of the interception. So, like we said, we're just going to keep working and keep getting better and keep improving. How did you see on that interception? Yeah, he just smashed the sticker out way too fast. And, you know, I just shouldn't throw on the ball. You know, got hit. But at the end of the day, either should have worked the other side of the field throwing it to the flat because they were so soft. Or, you know, just throw the ball away, especially if you're already in field go range at the 40 yard line.

5:04:29That can't happen. That can't happen again. So, yeah. Do you feel like you're improving your trackers off trackers from Chicago today? I'm not really worried about that. I'm more so into improving myself. You know, right. I know what kind of player I am. I haven't changed kind of my whole life. So, at the end of the day, my teammates helped me be great. So, shout out to them. Shout out to our defense. To everybody else on the offense for pushing me each and every day at practice. And, you know, it's just a credit to them. So, I'm definitely glad. And just feeling good to be in this position to be honest with you. So, yeah. You talked about improving your three last tries. Or, you know, after the field, a little longer, I'm definitely touched on in the front of the clock out. What do you feel like you improved on as this game went on? And how did you make some adjustments to finish strong like you did? Yeah. The first half, we didn't run the ball like we wanted to. So, you know, second half, especially late in the game, we had to run the ball. They're running back to the O-line at a great job. Even in situations where we knew we had to run the ball. They did a great job executing knives and CP. They were hitting the whole great.

5:05:29And, you know, we were getting first downs after first downs. So, any time you can get that run game going. And, you know, it just sucks us out overall. So. Good, does it feel for the offense to put together a performance like this against such a good defense like the Chargers? Yeah. It feels great. We kind of knew what we were up against. Two great edge rushes. And I think they were number one defense in the NFL coming into this thing. So, we knew we had a big test in front of us, but, you know, we have a pretty good defense that we go up against every day as well. So, just going up against those guys on the other side of the ball on our team. Just kind of prepared for this moment. And, like I said, everybody came out executed and we put points up on the board. So, it felt great. Also, you know, the guys' lines rise, make you more confident and sensitive. The longer their defense is still in the field, you could open up some more pathways to run as well as play action. Yeah, not for sure. You know, anytime you can stay in the field, as long as possible, definitely tires them out. I think the second quarter, maybe before the two-minute warning, they were glad that we actually didn't run a play because, you know, they were so tired.

5:06:30A linebacker kind of made a joke over to us. It was like, appreciate you all because they were so tired. But anytime you can, you know, keep their defense on the field for a long time, with their run game and with the play action pass, like you said, and have our defense on the sideline resting. That's a positive for sure. Justin, this is the first time in your career that you won three consecutive games in the NFL. What does that mean to you? And what kind of momentum do you feel like you have through the first three weeks of the season? It means a lot, but at the end of the day, it's not just me winning games. It's the whole team. So, I'm just happy to be a part of this team, happy to be a part of this organization, and we definitely look forward to keeping it going next week versus Indy. What's the good job, for you to get, do you feel yourself getting more comfortable or confident within the system? For sure. You know, I think I've just grown a lot over the past few months, really just this year. So definitely feeling more confident and I'm uncomfortable out there on the field. Somebody guys were saying they read a confidence in you in the second half that you were going to win the game, and they fed off that. What made you confident in the same?

5:07:30I think we kind of knew. We knew, like I said, we knew what kind of game we were going to be in. And we knew that we didn't play well enough in the first half. We had a couple of miscues in the first half, and we knew we were better than that. So, like I told a reporter out there, Coach T challenges that halved time, so play better and be better. And we came out second half and I did just that. So, good. Justin, you said you've done a lot of grown in the last year and a half, where do you feel like you've grown the most, you're showing the most grown? Just overall, seeing the field, I feel like I'm just very calm out there, cool, calm and collected on the field, and really just that sense of peace out there on the field and not really rushing things. Internally, my brain just staying calm in the pocket and just making plays when I can and just doing my job. I was seeing Brother Jones stepping out there, of course he was benched last week, and this week he comes out, but he was a big part of the offensive line having a good day.

5:08:32He was part of the offensive. A massive situation pops up. He's not really thinking all week that he's going to play and then Troy goes down Friday. He shows how prepared he was, he prepared all week like he was starter, and I definitely showed a big for us, especially with this defense that we face, showed up you. So, big shout out to 7-7 for sure. This is a second time you've had 20 close completions in your last eight games. Do you feel that almost like a running back in your dungeons that you're probably all ready to go and start playing? Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest thing is getting the police to all firsts second down and saying that third and manageable. So, I think that's the biggest thing in second shots when they come. So, anytime you can get in rhythm as a quarterback, you just feel that confidence kind of overflow, and kind of like I said earlier, you just feel very calm in the pocket. Just, I think you completed maybe first 10 passes. Does that help you get in rhythm? Does that help you down later in the game?

5:09:33I think so, but our game plan was kind of, we knew they were going to give us completions on first and second down and kind of keep us show over the top. They don't really want big plays, so they kind of play off and soft. So, we knew completion were going to be there on first and second down. So, I really want a big surprise, just pitching catch with the guys and then making great plays and running after catch. We guys, there's a ball start in the home opener and just want to be your first impressions of playing here in Pittsburgh and this crowd in the environment. Yeah, I mean, it was definitely a little bit different from preseason for sure, but the fans showed out. Great turnout. It was awesome. It was definitely getting out out there, especially when the defense was on the field. Great turnout by civil and nation for sure. What is the success of the run game? What is your thoughts on Cordell Patterson's contribution? He's huge, man. I'm just seeing some of those hits. I'm handing the ball off and just watching them go. I mean, I know I can't do that. So, the fact that he's been in the league for this long is still doing that. I mean, it's really crazy to see it to be honest. So, he's definitely good at seeing me there for sure.

5:10:35Just yet to very pinpoint passes one Friday with my drop in the Calvin. Is that accuracy? Something that you've gotten better at? Because I mean, they were pretty close. Right there. I think I've always been kind of accurate, but I might be a little bit biased, but yeah, I mean, just those situations, what Jackie said. I'm just trying to get in good field, field position before the two minute, but I mean, yeah, definitely, you know, definitely need accuracy at this level for sure. Anyone else? Thank you guys. Appreciate your help. Any further? I'll build up to that game and see how you're going to do in the game. You are at this point in the season this far and what are the things you've worked on in practice? I think it's more just mental. Just seeing what the defense is, what their scheme is. And then also just making sure that you have the right technique for those defenders and stuff like that. I just don't do a lot of things. I don't know where I have the balance.

5:11:36Just talking about that. All you've got to do is hit several times. It has been a grind. Can you give me any insight on what's kind of hurt you before it office applying the grind? Yeah, you'd say everything. I mean, we hit on a daily basis all the time. So you could have knee pain, ankle pain. You could have headaches, shoulder pains, you have hands, wrist, thumb, anything. But I think it just shows that we're willing to do whatever to play. What's driving? One-in-a-champion chip. That's what's driving me more than ever because it's a memory that'll last a lifetime if you go and do it. What's driving on all the time in the past here in the Teres report on the eWish players and more pitches? You're one game, you're one game, but how's senior pitches? I think it's paid off. Playing for a national championship.

5:12:36If you were to tell me that when I was 10 years old, being a starting right tackle out of how state, I would say, I'd say some cuss words at you and then tell you to go away. Not that much, but yeah, it's Indiana. They're trying to make sure you're playing on the wall. I don't know, I guess you could say I'm getting it out. I don't look at myself more than I'm just looking inside that huddle during the offense when we're calling to play. I'm like, I got to do it for these guys. I'm not going to play so much in form. No, another name didn't recruit me when I was going out through high school, but I don't have any ill will against that. They didn't think I was a good enough football player, so I didn't.

5:13:36No, I don't think that's any motivation. Maybe that they recruited different guys and classes, but I don't look at it as any ill will. Yeah, I think it's good. I think it just shows it's like an NFL style season. It's crazy to think what we were in week was at 16 or 17. I think it prepares you for the next level more than ever because I wouldn't say it's NFL, but the playoffs and all that stuff, it's kind of coming together as the NFL. Sleep, sleep, going in the train room, spend hours in there, then go in the film room with an ice pack on or STEM or something like that and start watching film.

5:14:46I think it's like a 24-7 thing that you always got to keep your body right to make sure that you're ready to perform at the level you want to perform at. What was the most important step for the bottom point when the top players were coming back or re-tested and figured out another way to explain that they do it? That day was an O-shit for me. It was just to see where he went from the winter time to being the guy who wouldn't talk anything and being all American, Remy to Winter. It was a dark point in this season for us as a line, but I had confidence in Carson right away. I mean, he played 12 games and I thought he did find those 12 games, so I had complete and utter confidence in Carson.

5:15:47Yeah, I think it just shows that centers, guards, they just need time. I mean, you're not going to do amazing your first season unless you're Michael Jordan or something like that. But it shows that it's just a development and our slogan is developed here. Just to see him come from last season to this season, it's completely different. Yeah, I coached Fry's a great off-and-slime coach. He knows what technique to use on every single play. He busses asks for us, even though people give him hate all the time. I don't understand, I don't see why. He's a great human being. He just wants the best for us and I think that's what you see at him every single day is he's trying to push us to be the best for ourselves.

5:16:49Do you think the job looks awesome, Tech, or not, does that sound like a good thing? Yeah, I think they've done an unbelievable job. And it just shows the selflessness of all three of those guys because Tech were starting for the season. Awesome was the left guard and then Luke jumps in there. But those guys haven't complained one bit of, oh, I want to get more playing time or something like that. They've been selfless and it's amazing to see. You're after the cut, you'll not have a Jackson set that Jack Sawyer called him and recruited and tried to get some of these guys. What do you remember about Jack's goal and trying to get everyone to come back to you the full-time? Yeah, I knew I was coming back. There was no recruiting for me. I was kind of on the outside of that because it was only my first year of playing or first year starting. But I just remember just of fire and jack's eyes, you see, because Ohio native Ohio State guy, literally the buck guy I call him. And it's just the fire in his eyes of, hey, we can do this.

5:17:51We can go to a national championship and play for it. We just have to have everybody come back and it was awesome to see. The group leadership in the team leader and everybody's home? Yeah, there's been so many guys that have stepped up into that role of example setter, tone setter. I hear every day, every meeting, every weight room session, every practice, engage. I mean, every day, every hour, every minute, nobody more than Darwin James and Justin Herbert. Those two have been really off the charts and incredible and set the tone and been leaders by example the entire off season. Justin, is there a moment from this spring that got you most excited, whether that's on the field in the classroom? That would be a long list. I don't have that list in front of me right now, but it's just a punch.

5:18:55I mean, numerous throws, of course. The smash in the conditioning test. I mean, just like child's play. The way he's picked up the system, the cadence, the motion, landmarks, every the protection, his knowledge of a protection. Yeah, I could point to a bunch of examples where he changed the protection, picked up the blitz, did the blitz, was coming, made this incredible throw or that. Boy, if I had to say the top of the list would be just the way he elevates teammates. I mean, he lifts them up, makes himself smaller and then bigger as opposed to the guy that pushes the others down.

5:19:56Look at me, that scene you were watching. I think right now that probably topped the list even though there's some other words too. But there's never any shameless self-promotion. I mean, he's just been willing to do anything and everything for the team. How coachable is he? Like he wants to learn more. You got that passion for being a student of the game? Yeah, there's no question about it. I mean, he always has the right... I would say questions, but it's the right answers too. I'm more so than right answer. Hey, what do you think of this? He's got that ability too. He's an expert at football. You've been picking up the team, did that think the third team and a few years?

5:20:58How impressive have that been just from a mental standpoint? Yeah, I think that's impressed everybody. And we all had an understanding pretty much of what his mental capabilities are. He's a sharp, razor sharp, intelligent person. But it's also diligence, it's study, it's feedback. There's nobody in this organization who's played quarterback at the high level that he has. So like I said, there's an expertise there that's been extremely valuable. Being around Justin, seeing his mental attitude, he talked about some of the throws that he's made in the back. How is that? Gave him no better on a personal level as a player, as a person, informed how you guys have gone about building the offense and molding the vision of the offense?

5:22:00Yeah, from day one, it's been, you know, we want this, you know, how do you see this judge? And you're like, this way or this way, you know, what do you like? What do you input, you know, over communications, and that way since day one? The goal, Jury Lee, for Justin, was that something you implemented or chose for him? Yeah, he did not want that. He didn't. And I get that, I understand that. You know, as a quarterback, I didn't like wearing a different color jersey than anybody else on the team. So, I understand that that's not, you know, ideal for Justin, as it wouldn't have been for me. But, you know, quarterback, we try to have a two yard halo around him, you know.

5:23:10When we're in the off season in these kind of practices, you know, stay away from the quarterback. And the goal jersey is just a reminder that two yards for all the quarterbacks, but the guy wearing the goal jersey, let's make that two and a half for our three. And it's kind of the, kind of the, I was just like that. I mean, sometimes you got, hey, neither decisions ideal, you know, but I'm going to take the lesser of the two, you know, worse case scenarios there. But it happens, you know, I mean, you got to take that, that real worst thing that could happen. There could be, you know, young defensive linemen that's, you know, taking their make in the team by, you know, by beating the pass rush and getting too close to the quarterback, you know, I could come from a young lineman that's, you know, backed up too far into the quarterback or running back that doesn't step up in protection.

5:24:11So, you know, just trying to...