Press Conferences (James Franklin) Elite Edition September 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

40:54They're not taking any waist steps or not fall stepping, things like that. So I think waist and movement and being able to see what's happening react fast. It's been the biggest benefit of being on the same team with your brother. I mean, you know, you got someone out there that's, it's more than a team. You know, we call each other brothers, but you know, bloods, bloods and little thicker. So that's always pretty cool. It's always, it's never one on one. When he tells you something, he doesn't observe that. You know, it's coming from. Yeah, I think when you're blood like that, I think he's not scared of telling me the truth. You know, obviously guys here, we have tough love, but I think it's always going to be a little different when it's your brother. Because he going to keep it 100% blood exactly what you need to hear and that what you want to hear. What's your advice on playing Dickel? Oh, for him. I mean, he just so I've let it. He got to keep trusting his instincts. Now, I think he's going to be great. I think what's huge for him is like I said, the athletic ability speed.

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

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

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

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

45:58I've been impressed with, you know, if you're not taking as many physical reps, what are the mental reps that you're taking? And he's done a really good job of having daily routine, putting the time in, making sure that he's conscious of everything. So I would say the off the field stuff is a step in the right direction. What did you take away from your experience, Latham, as a coach for New York? Since we last saw you, you've been through multiple spring practices. What did you learn, something in your time, or what is your... For you as a coach that you brought here to bring the safety of your mission? Yeah, I think that you learn different ways to be able to do things, whether it's taking the ball away or tackling methods, or the way that it's taught from other defensive coaches, so to learn from a different tree and thought process and philosophy. I try to... I pride myself on being a teacher, which means that you better always be learning. You're getting behind. So I would say, yeah, just different ways to be able to maybe do similar techniques or things that have to be done from a defensive principal standpoint, and then bringing that to the table.

46:59As you step back and you say, okay, here's how I've always done it, or I've done it in the gym-null system right, and then you're in a different defensive system, and how does that get executed? And then you can blend some of those or pick what you like from there. So a chance to reflect that, Zay. Did you feel like you accomplished what you wanted to do away from the gym-null system and to bring it back to the gym-null system? Yeah, I mean, I think anytime that you're... no matter where you're coaching, right? You have principles of defense and a way to be able to play defense, whether you're how you tackle or how you play the red zone, or different things like that, and there's metrics to be able to track that, and some improvement was made. Not enough of my opinion. You only move there where strides from that standpoint, and then, yeah, when you come back into it, you say, okay, the system here has developed in a year that I was gone, right? Maybe I'm able to develop a little bit as a coach to, and from a positional coach, or a coordinator mindset, things like that, and then you're able to mesh ideas and come back, and you learn, hey, what's the new that's happened over a year, and then I was able to see the big 10 from the different lengths as well. So I think that's valuable. Man, last question, down a few safeties on Saturday.

48:01Just kind of, how do you feel about your depth of that position right now? Yeah, it's something that, you know, we've addressed and say, hey, here's the guys that have played. Here's the guys that haven't played. They've been taking the reps right now, and how do we grow those guys? You know, from that standpoint. So I think that's a work in progress every single day. So I've been pleased with the guys. I think there's been a, you know, steadily on the rise approach from everybody in the room. You know, so I've been pleased with the guys and the progress that they've made. So I feel good about it, and I expect that to continue throughout spring, and then continue throughout summer and into fall camp, you know, from that standpoint. Yeah. Yeah, I'm, Jayden Bonz was taking advantage of the opportunity that he's had, and Jayden and McClean's taking an opportunity, you know, advantage of the opportunity. Inky had a really good day today, you know, he's taking advantage of the opportunity. So the guys that, you know, are taking reps, you know, I'm pleased with watching those guys, you know, continue to progress, you know. And the Caleb, I think, is, you know, learned our system and done really well and gotten better every day. All right, man, thank you. Thanks. Appreciate it, guys.

49:04Coach Day's offense, and Chip Kelly's offense is the same offense. It's kind of neat going back to the roots and the origin. They'd be understanding a new twist or why he called it how we did. And it's been great for the Titans. I'll leave it at that, not to get too much in the scheme, but we've definitely benefited, and me personally learning every day. Do you look at the, I guess, the most of an experience for your group? It's actually, Coach, compared to other years, they're working to see intensity, time is your talk. Yeah, I think, you know, awesome. That's a great question. I hope not, right? I think, I think the energy was still there with a guy like Kate. Now, again, it might have been, like I said earlier, also it might have been, you know, the 3000 level course with Kate, because he's ran that play for four years before I got him. Right now, it still might be the, what do I got to do? And yeah, I mean, I hope the guys feel that the energy's picked up, because the urgency has. I mean, eight number eights, not in the room anymore. Great. We're going to play somebody in a couple months, right? And there's got to be a tie-down down there.

50:04Hopefully it's two, hopefully it's three Titans out there. So hopefully they feel the urgency's picked up. They believe that the room is structured, but she's been in the room for a long time. But it felt like year after year, it was fun. The better guy, the next one, the better guy, the next one behind us. It's just dynamic, it's like that. Is that the easy thing? You have to provide all the leadership for the guys. You know what I mean? Is that after a couple more years? You decided to own it? Is that just a cheese job, even if it's not been a good one? Yeah, I don't know. I'm not going to put it all on you, right? Again, the leaders drive the culture. Whether it be G or whether it be Pat, who's been here for a long time, and played a lot of football, whether it be Will came in and said, no, this is what it should look like. I mean, I want those guys to take it around with it. You know, on Saturdays, I'm in the box. I'm not cutting off the C-Guy. It's got to come from them. Now, again, my job is coaches to make them hear things they don't want to hear. You know, pushing to do things they don't want to do. So I'm certainly going to do that at times, and I'll keep doing it. But they've done a great job of driving the culture. And when you were in the room, when Kevin was in the offensive meeting room for so many years,

51:05does having Chip kind of get you guys back to where you guys were with Kevin? I know that the room has an offensive staff. You guys were kind of young last year, and now to have Chip with that experience, is that kind of like what you guys have with Kevin? You know, some similarities. And I think the comparison is that we're talking about Kevin Wilson, Chip Kelly, two of the brightest, you know, minds and offensive football in the last several decades. So I think there's some similarities there. But yeah, I think it's a loud one coach day, maybe to delegate, you know, to Coach Kelly, and let him be the best version of himself. And Coach Kelly's been an awesome leader, right, of driving us and listening and providing input. So it's been great. I don't know if it's exactly like it was with Coach Wilson, but it feels great, however it is right now. Kevin, was there initially a bigger role in making for Jolani in the cotton bowl and did that not get to come to fruition as much as the way that came played out here? You know, I don't remember exactly what, you know, the expectation was he was going to help contribute. And certainly we wanted him to contribute from the jump and keep him in there contributing.

52:05The game kind of started off, you know, not ideal. And we had Kate in there, and you know, that was his last game as a buck guy. So we felt comfortable riding out with him, but I think Jolani and everyone else is kind of focused going forward. Did you guys see him coaching? I'm doing the bull prep that was a step forward at all. Yeah, oh yeah. Yeah, he definitely takes that forward for sure. If you are painting an ideal situation for the ball, what does the depth look like in terms of how many guys you'll trust? I think I got six seats in there. So six of the toughest dudes on the team. I'm not sure I'm just giving the coach speak, but I mean, however it shakes out. Hopefully we could play 13 person, no 14 person now. And I got guys out there that are going to go a recent habit. But I don't know, they're going to make that sort of out right now. I'm worried about whatever Thursday's practice, the toughest dudes on the field. Are you seeing enough of that to feel comfortable saying that that can happen by playing? Yeah, yeah, I mean, we're taking strides. We'll see about the end of spring and then hopefully fall camp. It's a long ways away from wherever we play with one.

53:06Can you tell me what's happened? Yeah, it's been great. It's been great. Pumper turn and kick return. And again, the coach, other positions too, right? I mean, special teams comes down to technique and effort. And that's the ultimate test of the brotherhood. And no one signed up to be a buck out of me on Pumper turn. They want to be first round this, first round that. So it's been awesome. And involved in that. What's that? Oh, yeah, we're working quite a few guys back there. We got some options. So that would be fun. You guys were thinking about putting some logic and maybe having bigger roles. What is he giving you guys? I mean, he had more time, right? Just because we have that whole month of December for development. And the bull press a lot like spring ball. And that he has those three or four weeks to get the reps. He wasn't getting during the year because Katie was taking it. That's right. I think good.

54:08I think it just shows that next time we're going to be in the same place. Next man in, we trust you fully. Kate couldn't go. No one better than I was G. Then it was Pat. Period. We call their offense. There's no modified offense or anything like that. So to put our trust in him, he went out and made a lot of plays. And both of this kids played really well. I think that helps the confidence for him and awesome. Really good. When you look at G now, do you, and this is me, the ceaseless question maybe. You see a tight end. You're still when I'm saying from a couple years ago. He moved over from my receiver and all this kind of stuff. What just chuffed out at you about what he brings to the tight end spot? Yeah. I know what you're asking too. I promise you, I never like, he's in the tight end room. I didn't say, oh, but he's a receiver playing tight end. He's a tight end. He's a tight end. So he's going to be greater like a tight end. He's going to treat it like it. So I never really. But like Kevin talked about when the first made the move. You want to get this guy some confidence. Playing tight end. Meaning, I'm not going to say he gets lesser opponents. But having some success out there, you know, like in the run game.

55:09The blocking aspect of things and stuff. And he seems to progress big time from that. I mean, do you feel that way too? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. He's going way better. And again, I practice. He's on the left side. He's against JT. He's on the right side. He's against Shaq. So I mean, there's no, this is Ohio State. You're playing against the best every day. So yeah, he's definitely progressed. Do you think that collaborative effort you guys are having us special teams? Do you think that's benefiting you guys in terms of just how you're going to get the 18th? Yeah, I think so. Dan, as far as ownership goes, right? I mean, I'm not saying I wasn't invested last year, but shoot. I'm a part of the tournament. I get a return. I mean, that's Coach Hartlan and I's product out there. And if there's not tight ends all over those units, and they're not going to play tight end in Ohio State. And I bet you Hartlan feels the same way about the receiver. So as far as the buy-in from the staff, heck yeah. Heck yeah, for me, at least speaking for myself. When Coach stayed broke that up, what did you think about that change? And number two, what has he told you he wants that he wasn't getting from a special team to a year ago? No, he never told me anything about last year. It was all about, okay, how it going to be?

56:09This is, again, Ohio State. Yeah. Whatever the janitorial staff's supposed to be the best in the country. The tight end coach better be the best tight end in the country. Same thing with quarterback, same thing with pumper-turn coach. On the pumper-turn coach, I should be the best one in the country. So I got to work with Coach Hartlan and Coach Keys and everyone else learning this game and techniques and now we got to put on the field. You fund yourself studying punt returns? Oh yeah. You're like NFL teams and things like that. I mean, how are you doing your prep work here? Oh yeah, yeah. Coach Hart, Coach Keys, thanks Gunner and I. I mean, we lot ourselves in a room for a week there. I don't think I did any offense. You already have a pretty good knowledge of return game or good moves if you have to start from scratch. No, yeah, there's no starting from scratch today. I mean, it's all ball. And that's the coolest thing about special teams is if you're not special teams, it's going to make you better tight end. It's going to make you a better DB. You're running back and it's like the technique and everything like that. I think I had pretty fair foundation and then maybe some tweaks and we have to decide what our identity is going this season.

57:10What do you think? What do you think is the best thing about your what trust is you? Against what kind of trust is that? Yeah, I think he proved it on special teams because he played on special teams before he played offense. And then just reps up practice again against blocking the best linebackers in the country. It doesn't matter if you're a fight star or if you're a walk on. But to that point, I think sometimes there's a mentality of what he's just a walk on. That does not exist with Pat. It's went out the window to start a, once you start a plan. Is that how you go to here? How guys have tears? A guy, almost 1130. How many stars? Oh, yeah. Is that help you? Oh, yeah. They know I think everyone in my room knows and you know guys I talked to on the recruiting trail. Kate went down and there was G and then Pat was right in. I didn't see that in I. I'm going to put the toughest dude out there who goes to the hardest. I don't care if you're from Ohio, you're a dancer, a buck guy, if you're a walk on or a five star. Whatever should help us when you know. We can marry in the past. Not here yet.

58:10Yeah. You still work with them for a while? How does that kind of work right now? Yeah, we can. I mean with Max and Toe, it's Face Times and it's encouraging them to get here and watch practice so that when they get here right at your graduation, we can hit the ground running. But yeah, it's much prep work as we can do on the front end with setting them tipsheets and that's what a thing. We're technology nowadays. I mean COVID we had to do it. So yeah, we could get to work right now. Two more questions folks with the special teams question. The collaboration that you guys have. It's three people in one room. Like how does that work semantically where you guys are all putting your heads together to get one idea? How does that play out in the room together? Yeah, I mean luckily, I mean it's coach Hart and I. I mean that guy we worked every, we see each other every day for the last eight years and luckily I worked for years with them. So that's so organic Hart and I just kind of bounce each other. Thoughts off each other. We can read each other's minds by now. I think that's how close we are. So this really organic in there and then coach keys does a great job of kind of setting the direction given us some expertise and we just kind of have a flow off each other. Okay. I've seen the guys react to that.

59:10So you're coaching. That's much of teams. Yeah, I think they like it because like the accountability again if my tight ends aren't on point return to take a drink they're not playing tight end and they know that. So I think across the board it gives us a platform to coach other positions. She didn't in a time when the print transport is so big and the guy like G probably could have left multiple times if you wanted to. What does that do for the room to have a guy who's a leader? Have you just so step that's like I'm going to stay here and make an impact. Yeah, I think it speaks volumes that you hit the nail on the head. Not just for G but for the brotherhood. I know it sounds cliche and people read it on Twitter and kind of roll the rise of brotherhood. I think it's because why did think the entire defense came back for the brotherhood. We got two goals here. We haven't done them since she's been here. He hasn't hit his two goals so he stayed for the brotherhood. So I think it speaks volumes for G as a leader in the room. But also I mean you look around a roster how many guys could have either left for other opportunities in the portal or in the NFL. So I think it speaks volumes to the brotherhood. Is it different at tight end with the transfer portal maybe because for some

1:00:10positions it's such a development position at tight end where you have to develop run blocking and you have to learn the passing game. Is it different trying to keep kids around maybe in the portal or at a tight end? Yeah, maybe it is and I haven't really thought about that because it's still so new. I think you got to be so honest in recruiting. If you think I'm going to walk into a living room and say, come be my starting tight end and I should be crazy. You're crazy. Now come prepared and get to work before you get here. And I'm going to give you the opportunity to. Again, I'll take a question earlier. I don't care if it's a senior or a true freshman. If you could play you could play period. You can't wait. Give me a true freshman you could play tight end. It's a Ohio State. You got to block Jack and JT and then your dog tired next play. You're getting covered by Downs and Lately and then all those guys. You kidding me? Is this NFL? No, it's a Ohio State. Right? So yeah, I think it's a little bit different but you got to be honest on the front end. Keena, thank you very much. Awesome. Thanks, guys. Thanks, coach. Thank you. Just circling back to our head. Natural maturation a little bit because he's been through a little bit of spring boys.

1:01:11Been through a little bit of camps. So you're still learning to terminology. You're learning a new skill set. But he just dove right in and wanted to be a sponge and wanted to learn. He's doing a good job and he's improving every day. So that's what's making the battle and the competition. All these great snaps really good for us is because they all have that mindset. So from Seth, awesome. The unit in the group, awesome because there was no combativeness to it. Let's get in, let's go on this compete and then let the guys win. Just learning the same deal. Young guys you come in, you got to learn how to play in friction. So having three tech, having two eye, having those guys like right in front of you. That every time you take one of those reps and you're out of your base or you're in your base, you feel the good, you feel the bad. So being more consistent that way, you can't make moves or shift guys if they're not mentally there. And so for him, he's got a pretty good football fq. He's going to be there every day.

1:02:11He's getting beat every day too and he's learning from those. So in the spring time, we have saying in our room, we're like, in the spring it's just and it's no and I know it's KNOW. Why didn't the rep work? What happened? And how do I make sure I don't repeat the same mistake? And so whether he's coming in and watching the tape on his own and then coming with questions, he's grabbing me and watching tape with me or we're coming doing stuff as a unit. He's learning so that same deal the game can slow down and he gets more comfortable there in friction. He waits up, he's strength up, he's spending all of season with Mick. You know, there's a lot of development that still has to be had. Obviously not a finished product but being able mentally for a guy to handle that, you know helps a lot. Luke, a leaner guy. Did you tell him that? He paid you to say that? That might be the first time he ever heard that in his life. No. No. No. You know, like Luke Carson, whoever maybe,

1:03:17that jump of 18 to 19 to 19 to 20 year old kid, that plays a lot into it too. Being in a full year with Mick, I mean all those guys, you coming at mid, you're like your Divo and Dion and Ian more right now. You're keeping your head above water. That's your whole first year. Now you can actually get and we can sit. So when you sit and talk about a jam combo or a lock or whatever the call may be to Luke, he registers that and I like something new because then there's paralysis by analysis. So I think the mental part on top of another year, natural maturity of getting bigger and stronger, that's always going to help. You're not going to, guys here, they're not going to regress. It's going to keep adding progress and how fast can we get that going? So he's working on every day with him. The Josh said that he would have been all guard to this point and Coach Day has mentioned this several times that Josh could play guard too. And you guys are trying to work through that, Friar. Josh could play off five. I mean, he snapped the ball in high school. You know, Josh had a great off season. But for you when you're going to your spring and it's fact finding and experimentation, how much do you want to put them in different spots or not?

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

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

1:06:32What does he bring specifically just, I mean, does he from a talent standpoint? Does he see things sometimes others don't see? I mean, does he, I mean, what does he kind of brings from the chalkboard aspect of that? Well, I mean, while you're saying so what does he see? It's good to have fresh eyes come in that maybe, you know, you get in a routine and you get in a rhythm and all of a sudden. Like certain aspects of like the running game. Football, you know, he's one of those guys that I think goes into categories, forgotten a lot of football and some people have learned in their life. But no, his, I believe he coached every position on the field, both sides of the ball through his whole career. So as he looks up and he writes when he's talking about, well, this will linebacker's going to do that. Then he might have coached that at Columbia, right? Or this is what the three techs going to read on a down block of attack all because he's coached the offensive line and he's been a coordinator for a long time. So just a really good vision of big picture, understanding and, you know, the next step and not just being right now.

1:07:32Yeah. That's ticker. If you had a theme or whatever, this spring because I mean, it seems kind of like a make it a break in time for him. The time to step up and step in point was nobody cares. Nobody cares what struggles you have or whatever you got to go out there and feel like you get the job. It's like, if you know she think different about tech, what do you see about ticker? Yeah, he's competing his butt off. I mean, he's kind of living that way. You know, that's why we have that the red line over there. When you cross the line, you know, coach, they talk about that here like that it's the game doesn't care. You're off the field. You got to come out and step out and do your job. It doesn't care about anything off the field. Right? That can sound really negative and harsh, but then it also, if you just spend your tone, like, isn't it beautiful that the game doesn't care? It doesn't care. Your skin color, your socioeconomic background, where you've come from. If you just want to do it the right way and the 53 and the third, the game will love you back. You know, so I think it's the approach mentally that guys take that way. So yeah, for Tegrit, he's taking that approach.

1:08:35Like, he wants to come in and be a guy. So he's fighting and clawing and scratching every day. So when he makes a mistake, he's trying to correct it when he does it well. He's trying to enhance it. And that's what competitive people do. And that's what he's showed up to do. So that's good that he said that. What's his comment on the field been like as a center? It is that difficult when you're coming into a new offensive line to have that. Or is there something innate about the center position? If you've been experienced at it, like he has where you kind of have that, I guess, command on the field over with any offensive line. So it's said over it's not over again. You're saying the comfort of center with who now? Yeah, I'm saying like how has his command of the field been and hasn't been difficult, I guess, to adjust for him if he's to have a certain level of on field command at that center. Yeah, I mean, the on command is just great communication getting everybody on the same page. Yes, having a bunch of banked reps helps. But then when you do come into a new offense, just like we talked, you know, with Chip a little bit earlier, you know, he might have called it yellow.

1:09:38And we call it green or something. I don't just make it stuff up, but the transition of that in your head to get going with that. But yeah, the comfort of having a ball on your hand, having a guy. I mean, you talk about that. Accommodation of football. Like play one handed and have, you know, tie leak this far from your face. You better have command of something, you know, so you got to understand the communication and the technique and those things there. So yeah, I think him coming into a new place, the game's not as fast as it probably would be for a younger guy. But also there's mistakes there that he can learn from and grow from and same day. You know, the one thing we're not having concerns with or we're not driving right now is the guys just competing and trying to get better after a mistake or like we said, Tiger enhancing as they've done some stuff really well. And he's he's adapted to that really well. This spring is the same for that. And how do you assess their own by center versus guard? Could they do both? They both have been ripping it center. Yeah. For the competition aspect. Could they roll out and play guard? Yeah, probably both of them could.

1:10:44How do you assess that? You just got to give them a bunch of guard reps. But if you send guys out too much that way, then that's not good coaching. You know, so we got a good plan with everybody. Those two guys included as we're moving ahead. But yeah, they've been really working at center position right now both of them. What do you ask about Josh? No, I have a. Obviously came after spring practice here. How has it been this spring? It kind of speak to how what the challenge must have been for him last year. Not having spring practice stepping in play that position. Yeah, same. He's been here not even a four year yet. So coming in the summer, doing what he did coming into the fall. And then now I mean the same with him. Sound like a broken record. I think the game's slowing down for him. Those mistakes that may have showed up or the questions that he had through the fall. And as we got going through the season, those are starting to erase a little bit, which is good. You know, his communication level is just talking more. That's probably the best thing that he's done so far.

1:11:47He's a highly, highly talented guy. We're just developing that skills and discipline and does go into communication. So as he communicates and talks, that's probably the biggest thing I've seen from him, which I think, you know, volume and communication equals confidence. And so he's playing much more confident right now. Obviously has talent. He also had a few plays a game where, you know, the penalty or whatever. Do you see them reduce those? A bunch. Yes. Coach, thank you very much. Thank you, sir. Thanks guys. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Jeff. Thanks, Jeff. I understand. All right, folks, we will come back when. You know, the communication and how everything works. I really just understand the football. I just kind of understand how defensive linemen work. You know, you want to get the best investment, coach J. And you're the worst. So I think that's what I think. How can that chemistry do different? I think it's an even here like there'll be things like sometimes we won't be in the half to communicate.

1:12:49So we just just know, you know, like, we're here. A ball together. It was great. It's like, it's a child. It's like, what did you come to this screen? You can go like this. I came in knowing that just about everything. I mean, like, obviously, I kind of, I kind of feel like in terms of like physical attributes, I can kind of like move and strong stuff like that. But I think like there's a lot more to it that I needed to work on even become closer to what I can do. To me being able to help it to like such as technique, awareness, just everything. Definitely communication, I think that's like the biggest thing. I mean, you're in those big games where you gotta be able to, you know, call it out like a pressure might come and stuff like that. So it's awareness and ball. I'm curious about a few hours of good try. I'm in the summer. I get to start resonating. I get a full spring. Is there a level of understanding how coaches and what he has to use for years?

1:13:50And how do you handle better than helping? Folks, we have Dalland Hayden at the 20. He wants just 100% effort and just to work hard. Like obviously, like, there's more to it, but those are the things that he wants you to do and want to play fast. Like physical, that's the sum I pick at every day. Someone out here gets the best to do it for. You go back and ask him, is it almost like you do? I've got a lot of stuff that I've got to adjust to. I really think that is a great, learning experience and doing the features. Definitely, but when I come in here, I knew Coach Fry and staff, they were going to definitely like, scold me into the player. Yeah, scold me into that. Yeah, like, they know that like, like, scold me. Yeah. Just kind of make me into that type of player. I mean, the development factor from Coach Fry, I mean, getting these. It's like magic almost. So I mean, I'm just kind of keep going with him and just keep riding with him. Having his green practice, having some or all that stuff, is the comment that I'm going to keep going.

1:14:50I guess we'll see. I'm going to keep picking that in. Sure. We'll see what we'll be. Once my players, hopefully, describe you as a big guy. First of all, you're free with that? What do you think they should do? I guess, yeah, I would say sure, but I mean, I can't really take credit for something like that. You know, the boy I like that is the man above, kind of put that in my dream. How much is running game changing? New odds, whatever you want to call it, with Chip Kelly in charge? What if you noticed this little bit, little new odds, is there stuff? I mean, maybe like little things. Little things add up to big things, right? Yeah, I mean, yeah. Yeah, well, where do you think you guys were lacking at some point last year in certain, some of those matchups? I mean, it was a whole new line, so I mean, I know the side came a street with each other, but other than that, I mean, it was a hard game. Nothing's going to be like, for sure, what's going on, you know, you can have some hard times. Did Missouri test y'all about as well as anybody?

1:15:51Just about, yeah. Yeah, they were pretty good. What did you know coming out of there, y'all had to get fixed? To be honest, I felt like we just tried to go out there and just play hard. Obviously, we know, number six was a really good player, so we just tried to make sure if you can either back through as much possible, so that's what we should have got to. The striker game a little bit, Josh, wouldn't you do well when you saw him go out with those, just striker dancing? Yeah, so as a left tackle, like after like the number one job is make sure nobody gets to the quarterback, and that's something that I try to do, make sure nobody kind of get around me or go through them or anything. Just keep the quarterback playing out of here, there's a lot more, you gotta be able to do a well on the player, and you know, more people in the run and stuff like that, but like that's probably one of the biggest things. What do you think? Run block, however you are, how was it essentially self-category? Yeah, so I mean, we got, I mean, we have the main deal I mean, it's always twisting and stuff like that, so in the run, no twist, too, so you just kinda like, I guess you just gotta really stay technically sound, that's something I'm trying to do in the run. Josh, if you're gonna get Mitchell Melton much this spring and stuff,

1:16:52what stands out about him, obviously he came back from a couple of knee injuries and stuff, but what's just jumped out at you about him? Yeah, you wouldn't even know he had the two knee injuries, I mean, he's so, like the way he rushes, it's his signature rush, like something that you can't, it's probably the hardest person I've had to block here, if I'm being honest, he's very twitchy, great with his hands, amazing get off, he has that sneaky power, if you're not really like, setting for it, he'll get you, so. And everyone to get your take, you know, you came here from San Diego State, your center, the guy's transferred in Seth McLaughlin, whether he starts or not, we'll see, right or no, he's from Alabama, he's an amazing you have, college football teams are put together anymore, I mean, because he could be a key thing, and what does that just tell you about the game these days? I mean, yeah, I mean, it can go anyway, I mean like Seth is a great player, he tells me like, you know, stuff that they did differently, I bet, and stuff like that, and I try to take some of like, maybe some advice he has, because he's been a college football player longer than me,

1:17:53so. Yeah. Yeah, he seems like a grown-up, don't you, yeah. Yeah, he comes across that way then. Yeah. What's the line of the line that you're asking for my future role by new pieces? And like, if you go like, what's the line of the line? Play fast, play physical. I mean, there's obviously more that we're working on, and we're learning like, each other to be honest, I guess, you know, the right side is kind of like going a little bit, I mean, not with fire, but like, you know, we have like some people that are competing, I mean, we're all competing, I know I am, and stuff like that, so I just, we're just trying to play hard and play through. How sure most of the way through is through best. How helpful is, how, how necessary is really a spring that you have to have? Uh, yeah, I, it's very necessary, especially when you kind of got a new OC and stuff like that, you can get, it's best to kind of get, you know, comfortable with the scheme now, then maybe like, post-acam, because then like in like a few weeks, then you have to, yeah, we're going so. Yeah.

1:18:53I mean, Don, he's like, dude, I owe Don a lot, like he's an amazing player, he gives me like, inside of him, just, but it's like Notre Dame, I've never been like more nervous for a game than Notre Dame, I just kind of talked to him, he said, we got it, keep doing what you do, and we got to, we got to, we got to, we got to, we, probably wouldn't go off for sure. Oh yeah, especially. So, like I said, that just sort of been tough when we're going to leave this year, and with the opportunity we got, you know, you only got, you only got one more chance left to, you know, to go do something that not many people get to do, you know, in real life, so we're in a blessed position. Yeah, what do you think, look for your, in the fight, you have to do everything right now, you know, you have to come. And I just think that I was putting good positions, just kind of let, you know, let loose, we're not there in played ball, like I know how to, and, you know, my teammates played great too,

1:19:53and coaches called it the game defensively, I mean, you know, we give a 14 total points, or a 17, 14, 14, I mean, 14, it's a good offense like that, great team, you know, that's a good day. So, obviously we didn't get the results we wanted, which is frustrating again, but it's a whole different story. Yeah, I mean, I just think it was, it was collectively a good day on defense, and I happen to be fortunate to be in position, make some good plays. I mean, that'd be the time for, obviously, some convenient compensation. You guys have played well, but nothing really happened. The most I thought about was necessarily, we were in fact, like, you kind of had all that, you know, those starters, can you feel when we're in a groove like that, when you get back to the field, like, when you get back to the field, and then you get back to the field, and then you get back to the field, and then you get back to the field. And then I got to the groove probably the whole second half of the season. I felt like myself again, and I was just out there playing, having fun with my teammates. And, you know, I think that, you know, when you come here and you expect to get the field and to be a certain way, you know, it's hard to get over that for a little bit. And I think you can look at kind of all of us on the D line as a front.

1:20:55We all kind of had our own journey into how we're playing right now, and now it's all about building, and I'm looking back and playing how we know how to play and being confident out there, and using our abilities that God's gave us. So, I think that this whole next year, you know, we're just going to see a whole different level of play from all of us. I know you're trying to keep it up, but you... Yeah. And that'd be kind of the launch of the tournament, but what there may be capable of, you're in a future, it's going to be a just a little bit of a miss, and the way you look at it, is that the season's special. Yeah, you know, I've knew all along what I was capable of, and you know, it's frustrating the first two years, you know, not being able to, you know, not playing for whatever reason on the field, to what I was capable of, but, you know, once you just put that stuff to the side, it's got there in play ball, you know how it's just going to take care of it. So, you know, you're good. Did you use the tournament building? I don't tell you what issues. I don't know what it does. So, I've got like an emphasis of not focusing on the little things, kind of owning it on that stuff, but can you guys know you on the talent? What is it for you this year? Yeah, you know, I think you said it, you know,

1:21:56there's no talent issues here on this team. I think if you look at our team across the board, probably one of the most talented teams in the country. If not the most talented team in the country, so, you know, that's God given though. And what we can work on is our discipline, our skill, our technique. I think if we become the most, you know, disciplined and sound team technique wise, there's not going to be a team of the country as well, so. But it's, you know, it's a long process to get to that point and to get to that season. So, I just think that when Coach Day talks about that, you know, it's true. We've got the talent. It's got to go out there and work every day on the little things. Jeff, what are you specifically working on this spring? You know, I'm working on a flexibility, you know, working on bending the corner a little bit and hands, you know, at D line, you can kind of improve on everything. And so, Coach Johnson's, our emphasis is just, you know, just taking care of the little things, hands, hips, foot placement. So, it's kind of a little bit of everything in the spring. There's a lot to be excited for, especially all the guys coming back on defense. But how excited are you to play again with JT? Oh, I'm really excited about that.

1:22:56You know, it was cool, really cool. I mean, him going back and forth the whole time just starting, whether we're going to come back or not. And, you know, when we, you know, I kind of knew before you guys knew when he was coming back. So, you know, I was excited. I was a, you know, a hell of a player and, you know, a really good friend of mine. So, just having another year with him and, you know, we're going to enjoy it and, you know, hopefully have some fun. You know, we can have a concert with us next fall. Even going back to your recruitment, you know, the first guy to come in, this was your first class. You high guy over the bar, cues in your house. What was it like, I guess, to see a kind of kung-fu circle in a way that you could kind of almost leverage that relationship and you could recruit guys to come back into the pool and run back by the rug. Yeah, you know, it's unique. You know, I think it's a really unique position. That great group of guys coming back, man. I mean, you know, it's just so exciting. I just wanted to, you know, for me, you know, and at the same thing, same thing for those guys. How much they care about this program and care about the team and coach day and guys you want to do it for in the city and, you know, the chance.

1:23:59We all knew that, you know, we had great opportunities going in the field. And we also have a great opportunity to put another one of those banners up here. And, you know, get some revenge on, you know, the guys up north, all that stuff. So, you know, when you put in a nutshell, you know, it was a really simple decision for a lot of us. And, you know, we thank God for being in this position and coming back. You know, I don't think any of us have regretted it. And we're just really excited to, you know, get back on the chase and, you know, not miss a day. Jack, can you take a wide view of the defense with the additions made but Caleb coming in and now you see Sonny Wu pulsing a line of scrimmage? When you have an opportunity to, like, look at what's out there. How does it change the capability of your defense? Last time, how can it change the way maybe you deploy that you couldn't do a year ago? Yeah, I mean, you look at the defense one of the three, like, damn, we're big. You know, corner, we're big, line back, we're big, D line, we're big, safe through, we're big, fast. You know, we're just, you know, we're just, we've got a lot of weapons to say the least.

1:25:03And so, you know, when you got, when you know you got those guys behind you, you know, you just make you play so much more free up front. And, you know, you're dependent, you can rely on those guys behind you. And I think that, you know, if we take that approach and everywhere on the field, offense too, that, you know, we're going to have really fun here. Jack, thank you very much. You kind of changed the perception before. I know you guys don't pay attention, like, outside noise, but also, a lot of the same cheese got on the kitchen. Really? Pretty good. A lot of them too. Yeah, I'd say it starts off with, like, you kind of got to, it starts off with tuning out with the outside noise. And what other people have to say about it? And it's really good. I kind of look at it as if it's like a drop in a bucket. You know, if I got a big bucket, there's no one thing I'm going to do to make this bucket full. It's a daily thing where I put one drop in a day. And you look back over a year, two years, three years, look back and be like, man, I've gotten a lot better. So, like I said, I'm just very thankful for the unit. The guys that I have around me push me very hard, and I'm just thankful. You mentioned that the development is part of TITEC.

1:26:04What was the best challenge you've ever had to you to tune in to the whole thing? Yeah, I'd say definitely the size component. You know, you got to be someone that's, you know, when you got to be big, you got to be strong, you got to be fast, there's a lot of jobs that you got to do. It's a very asking job. You need to buck the big, some of the biggest guys in the field. It also runs routes off some of the smallest guys in the field. And so, I think just thankful just to be out here and do exactly that. What was it like to get that shot the other day for them, the pros counts? It's been out just running routes, catch balls, show off. Yeah, no, there's a good opportunity. I think some of the big, you know, reason behind it was just kind of giving those guys out there that were at Pro-Day, we have limited numbers. So, just get out there and give those guys a breather, but maybe the opportunity to get to go out there in front of scouts. I think that's a pretty good deal. And you're taking only a quarterbacks to this point. The quarterback battle is going on. What's been your take on Will, for example, get to know him. Yeah, and then, of course, David. I think the line said that we have body around here is ironing, sharpening iron.

1:27:04So, that's kind of like, it's not just, you know, one room. It's from top to bottom, throughout this whole team. No matter what position you are, we're here to work. I think we're all here to make each other better. Whether it's in a quarterback room or tight in a room, we're running back room. Offense versus defense, coach for his coach. It doesn't matter, we're all just, you know, iron and sharpening iron. Especially this time of year in Spring Ball. We're not doing too much game planning for next week. We're really just spending this time to get better and build a good foundation for ourselves. It's time to work on room forward. If you've seen Will, Will how it fitting in more and more is the practice that's gone on. You know, getting to know everybody and all that kind of thing. I mean, I've always been here for a while. I'm sorry. Yeah, I think, I think I think I think it's time. I think it's time goes no matter where you are. You start to adapt and you start to get used to what we have going on here. And so it's good to have. Thanks. Yeah. You came in. You came in. What's it been like? Yeah. It's a lot of different. I'd say when it comes to that, I think it's all the glory to the Lord.

1:28:10And I decided to give my life completely to the Lord a little over a year ago. And that kind of really changed my outlook on the way that I approach football. There's no longer something that I idolize. It's just something that I do. And I think from the time of my life where I stopped, you know, compartmentalizing who God was in my life. God was something that I do on Sundays or something that I do in a Bible study. It went from what I do to who I am. And so now I embody that as who I am. And so some of the fruits of the spirit is peace, patience and kindness. And so those are the kind of things that I've started to embody on this journey. I think it's easy to kind of compartmentalize football away from faith. Ultimately, it's all one. It's all one. So it's giving me a spirit of patience, peace and joy with the guys around me. And so I'm just, I'm thankful to be here. But being quite honest, I just know for a fact, I wouldn't be where I'm at right now. I know I'm outside looking in. I was like, you know, where are you right now? But I wouldn't be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for my relationship with the Lord.

1:29:10It really came into my life and changed around from the better. What did you see from Bennett Christian last year? How did you go about suspension and how did he work through that? Yeah, I think he did a great job. A lot of perseverance. I think that's no matter who you are, we're kind of hearing news like that. That you're going to be out for a year, that's hard. No matter where you are. I'm really proud of him because he came up and he came to show up every single day. He got better. He got better. The easy thing to do in that kind of situation is throw in the towel. Be like, man, you know, forget this or I'll get better next year. But I saw the drive at him. One thing I see now every day, he showed up. He got better. I'm proud of Bennett and I'm proud of this unit. I mean, yeah, I don't know. I don't really know how to answer that question because if you go from one unit to another unit, the moment you trade units, you're no longer in the unit you were initially in. You're now a tight end.

1:30:10So I mean, to answer that question, I think the time that I went from in the receiving unit to the tight end unit is the moment I became a tight end. No, Kevin Wilson was my coach. Coach Rolson was my coach. Coach Rolson was my coach and I was a receiver. It's just different. It's two different roles. I think I'd say to answer that question, the moment that I decided to come to play tight end is the moment I could think of. And so now over the years, I've gotten better at playing in the position. But the moment that I transferred over, I've been a tight end. And I'm excited to be a tight end. Another position I'd rather play. The buckas. Thank you, G. Yeah. We're the issue, so I am. We're trying to attack. And so I think that's something that over time, I can feel Lincoln getting a better and better feel for it. You know, Lincoln has definitely stepped up from a leadership perspective. And you can see the way that he attacks workouts.

1:31:11You know, this winner is so big for all three of them just really just set the standard and to understand the intangibles that playing quarterback is all about. Right? Because there's so much more than just picking up a football and throwing it when it comes to this succeeded on Saturdays. So I've seen that growth from Lincoln and that's really exciting. As for Julian, you know, last year going into the year, he was competing for a job and, you know, end up not winning the job. And, you know, he could have turned it down and been bummed out and, you know, not attacked it the way. But I saw him continue to grow throughout the year. So I'm going from well and to get to a point this year where we're now he can step up and be more of a vocal leader. And that's something I've seen growth of him as well. You know, he's put on some weight and he looks good and he's definitely attacked his time in the, you know, the winner. And so that's been awesome. And then Tavy and comes in and you know, Tavy and Tavy and you know, really should still be in high school. Instead, he's, you know, in my office all the time, learning the offense and when he's not with me, he's with Coach make, when he's not with Coach make her eyes over there doing academics and sassals.

1:32:18So, so his days are pretty jam packed and it's definitely new for him. But his commitment to wanting to be great and wanting to be to the level where he can go out and compete in the spring has been really impressive. So I'm excited for all the years on. Does it feel like what August 30th is it just around the corner years? I want to say and you got to have a guy ready to go. I'm against Texas. Yeah, yeah, I don't think so. I don't think so quite yet. You know, I think we have a unique situation where we've got three really talented kids. You know, they're all young. They all have a lot of room to grow. And I think they all understand that and are eager to attack that growth. But most college football teams or a lot of college football teams going through a year and they end up, you know, having a guy get hurt or something happens. So as far as, you know, having one guy, I guess not to go either. We want to develop the room. We want all three of them to continue to get better, to continue to develop and be guys that we can count on throughout the season. Did you guys win a fourth? Scholarship guy? That's still in conversation. What kind of CO goes?

1:33:19Obviously three is a little bit less than we typically have. But the three that we're really confident in right now. Actually, we got to ride in order to support our backs to work. We've got to work in the corner backs. You work in the corner backs, bottom. We're next. The food's filling out here. I mean, you have someone that you have in mind to come in to meet the assistant room or how do you see that? Yeah, right now, Colin Kienos in helping me. So Colin was working with me at Akron. He was a student assistant and he was really, really impressive there. So he's going to come in and he's going to help out with some of the day-to-day stuff. And then, you know, Coach Day and I, I built a pretty good relationship where, you know, between my time here is a GA where, you know, I learned the game of football the way he sees it. And that was such a pivotal time in my career. You know, I was so blessed in college and then in my first couple, you know, my first job there that I got to work with Joe Morehead. And, you know, I learned so much football from that man and I credit so much of my career to him to put me in the position. But then, having the opportunity to, okay, hey, maybe I'll see you through a little bit of a different life and to learn how Coach Day sees it.

1:34:23It's really, really, really, really, really, really, really good. I might develop it. So that couple of years as a GA was awesome for me and then last year to be able to sit in with him and really kind of see the game, you know, in a similar fashion. And I'm always going to continue to learn from him because he's just such a special coach. But to be able to see it, you know, in a similar way and continue to bounce thoughts on them to make sure that him and I are communicating in the same way. You know, Coach Day will always be directly involved with the quarterbacks. And now Coach Hartline will as well, you know, as the offensive coordinator, I think, as the guy in that chair, you have to have a relationship with the guy that's in the hotel. And I think that's really important. So, you know, him and I have already begun conversations just about how that's going to work out and how he's going to continue to see the game the same way that the quarterback does and how he's going to communicate to them. Those conversations are already beginning. So it'll be, it'll definitely be a combination of, you know, us three. Billy Cavian being there from the championship, Ron. How about like a help with the development? Well, it's pretty cool. Just about every one of those games where he was at a playoff game at the national championship.

1:35:23You know, our guys were warming up and I grabbed him and say, hey, look around. You got to take a couple minutes and take this in, right? This is what it looks like. This is what this is what we work for. So, you know, when you get to a really hard day in the winter, right, you just remember not all working to get to that point. So for him to have that experience and to be able to see that and, you know, hopefully one day when he's in that spot, he's like, oh, I've seen this before. I know what it looks like. I think it's pretty cool. I think just to have that bank in his memory. I think it comes off so I've spoken, but these without question, you know, come out of the show. And I would even say you're so spoken last year. You know, I think that he kind of understood that, you know, will was in charge of the offense. And he knew that he was younger with still earning respect. You know, a big part about leadership is you can't just walk into a room and start leading. You have to earn the respect to your peers and truly understood that. And, you know, I think he earned that respect throughout the year. And so this year, you're definitely seeing him step up him and Lincoln both, you know, are in that phase where they've earned that respect.

1:36:27And so they're doing a really good job leading right now and and Tavine's doing a good job earned respect. So we're kind of in the middle right there between those two phases. And I think that Lincoln is, I think, still less than two years, just specializing in this. It's just regretfully. I guess where do you think he is harnessing all of that all athletic ability to be a really good cop? Yeah, I mean, there's no question how Lincoln is special, I think. And, you know, guys that have that background that have been successful in multiple different sports. One way or another is going to translate to the game of football. So I think that we're continuing to see that from Lincoln. I think as the more that he is in position to understand and learn the game, in which we saw all last year, you continue to grow. And so to take that into spring, you know, and combine that with his athletic ability, I'm excited to see. I think it'll be really good competition.

1:37:28Can I, you know, I'm going to truly lead until he is the quarterback. Oh, absolutely. I mean, the important one is quarterback. Oh, I think so. I think so. I mean, leadership comes in all different phases, you know, in all different ways. There's, you know, there's without question, I've been part of different teams and I've seen it where maybe the guy that wasn't starting quarterback was, you know, the strongest leader on the team. So I definitely think that that's part of it. You know, I think once you are in the respect of your teammates and once you show that, you know, you're going to lead by example and they respect you for that. You're in position now that you can be vocal. So, you know, I definitely don't think that you need to be a starter named a quarterback to be a leader at all. I believe in around some incredible offensive minds in college already. What are your, what are the traits you look for specifically as a quarterback being a quarterback yourself? Yeah. You know, I think it comes in a couple different ways. You know, from a tangible perspective. I think that you've got to be extremely accurate.

1:38:30I think you have to be able to make great decisions with the football and get them all out of time. And I think that you have to be able to do it. And we saw the problem with the feet. So, you know, it's rare in college football that every protection is blocked up perfectly or everything goes exactly that we drew it up on the whiteboard. So, when things break down, you know, we'll be able to fix it with our legs. And then, you know, as far as intensible score, I look at, I look at, you know, guy like Will who had those intangibles about as well as I've ever seen. And that's just a complete command and understanding of both the offense and the huddle to know exactly what we're trying to do on every single play. No one we're trying to attack, understand where the issues are and where they lie and how you're going to combat those issues. To be able to understand, you know, when it's time to move on for the ballway and move on to the next play. And then also be mentally tough enough that when things don't go our way to be able to react the right way and move on to the next play. Did you go last year? What last question?

1:39:30You go quite a question. Did you go in the audition at all over your just focused on last year? Oh, no, no, I didn't do it as an audition at all. I did. Like, when you're coaching and you build a relationship with these guys, you want nothing more than for them to go out and have success on the field. And I think that's so important. Like, I sit in that room and you know, it's about them. It's about them going out and reaching their potential and maximizing their talents and going out and execute on the field. And so, you know, last year I was just trying to find a way that I could help them do that. So, you know, to be able to work with those guys last year and to help out and, you know, have them see some success. It was special for me, but it was special for me because I know how bad they wanted it. And so that was pretty neat. I always feel like it's one for improvement. I never feel like you just got it. That's one thing. A lot of people mess up one for like, oh, they have one good year. Okay, I mean, that's not Amy. I'm a no-cutter to do it for years and years to come. I feel like to myself for sure. What do you notice about that, that's important.

1:40:30Well, because you probably know big, tall receiver, just like me, you know, just came in and kept it set. Now, I'm just working on my high-pitched CS future here at Ohio State. Probably going to be, you know, next one for sure. What's it like seeing all these like the national championship banner and seeing all the new signage. You know, if you played a huge role. I mean, it's, you know, it's a blessing. Notice that I played, you know, a role and, you know, the natty run that we had as a truth freshman. But, you know, it's time to move on. I mean, that's behind us now and I can't wait for this season to come up. What kind of obligation do you feel to a guy like me? Kind of take a minute. You're waving, showing how you work. I feel like he already got that. Just coming in, he already got that hard work at the quiet, just like me as I came in. Just all about Bar really. I mean, he ain't here early. I mean, spend the time on Coach Hartline meeting and everything. I'm doing it the right way, I should say. And he have a bright future here. Coach Hartline said he wants to come up with a good game. Yeah. You should have Cardinal and Brandon and the coach are usually grouped. Yeah. How much for a challenge that you are kind of a quiet guy?

1:41:31Yeah, there's a challenge. No, just, no stepping on my comfort zone. I mean, something everybody wants to see for me, not just my coaches, but players on the team as well. We have a leadership meeting. There's a lot of people calling me out on just saying they wanted me to talk more. Working on it takes time. Not really the guy that's talkative or no, but lay by the time. But one thing I'm definitely working on is trying to talk more and get more of my comfort zone and just build it. Is that open with you? I don't see a more than anything on the field. Yeah, for sure. That's definitely the biggest challenge. I mean, like I said, just definitely not my comfort zone and the guy is leading the guy as well. You guys open with Texas next year, going back to the playoff game. Do you think about that moving forward just kind of how you were taken out of that game? Yeah, I think not really think about it. I mean, that's behind me. Maybe we won the game. We ended up going to the national championship. I mean, we see it on week one. I just know can't wait to face the great opponent. What's your impression of Devin Sanchez so far? Yeah, big, long corner, the Corrine, physical.

1:42:33He got it all and I can't wait to see things he do here this year as well. Look, if you notice difference, are you think different about this defense of these first three weeks of spring? Culture, right? They just passed physical and willing to hit somebody. I should say saying they got the real change for me. And guys still got no do. They've been doing over the last year and a half and so in the year and half. Coach, that makes the quarterback's live like he did for a couple of practices last week. As a live receiver, right now, right? How do you think your quarterback responded to that over offering? I think they responded pretty good. I did not expect the quarterback to be live in a scrimmage. That surprised me for sure. Coach Devin surprised me with that. But I feel like they handled it very well. They took hits. Something we need. They needed, I should say, tough him up and go. Why are receivers all like not holding back? I'll be handled that since obviously not a norm to do that. Learn anything now, but it's definitely not known to see a quarterback get hit.

1:43:36It's no defense, I should say. But no, guys, they was getting hit for sure, but they was getting right back up. So command could also then for that. Do you want questions? What can you get? Definitely can't get better. No, feel like I'm getting complacent. Always want to prove that. No, I'm just taking the day by day and just getting better each and every day. And why do you prepare for the scrim game? And the expectations you're going to get on the next two seasons here off the season you just had. Not really focused on the espacation that I have coming up or the year after that. No, just focus on spring, spring and you know, just going to follow count. And just get ready for the season, I should say. Espacations go be there. Not really something high. No. In my mind right now, I'm just no being leader and just focus on the team. How much changes is right? How much changes? I really know we haven't really spoken about that right now.

1:44:39I don't really know. What's that? Jeremy a lot of guys have said that they want a lot of championships. They're taking down. They don't want to see it. It's moving into the CSP team. What is how important is that for you? And why do you think that's significant for this team? I mean, I said we can't live in the past. The 2020-2014, they won the national championship. This year, we did it. So, I mean, we just took everything down and weight room and everything. So, we could focus on being ourselves and this is our season. Great. You know, deep in, you couldn't stop. And what happened? After that? You know, they're a great team. We got a great running back. Riley Leonard is probably one of the toughest guys we've ever played against. And Marcus Freeman is a great job. So, hats off to them. You know, we knew they were going to make plays. Like you said, they did go right down the field to first drive at 14 plays. And they were thinking of it. Whatever it was. There's a fun. Well, I mean, like I said, they're a great team. Well coached a lot of tough guys on that team. We knew they were going to fight their ass off.

1:45:40And it's a heavyweight balance. And that's what championship is. That's what it's all about. And we knew we were going to have to take some shots and keep swinging. It's hard to get up the coach's way. In that meeting, you guys had the yesterday's season. To him, to stand in front of you guys. A whole team, a vulnerable like that. And to make changes, what is it said? I mean, it just speaks how great a coach is. I think a lot of coaches would have had a lot of self-ego going into that meeting. He didn't at all. I mean, he loves us, you know, all of us like when his sons and we felt that form, you know, that loss, you know, we knew that we had to rebound like we did. And I can't say enough like how much he means to stand, he means to me. The way he goes about business. And we don't go about it. Like a lot of things do about fear of losing your job. We go about it as a family. It's about love. And I know we had to execute and we did that tonight. How happy are you for Coach Day? And how close you are? You were his first kid, right? And for him to build a healthy good. Yeah, I mean, it's a dream come true. Like I said, I mean, God is so great. And during that, it took us down.

1:46:40And it took Coach Day on. He was family on, I mean. And then I'll be curious that we did night. And I'm so happy. It means everything to us. And to see and have the success, you know, makes me a 60. I know I saw the smile on his wife on her face and set the she ever to be in a clinic. And I get a car, it's terrible. And to come out tonight and win this game for them, it's awesome. You dropped them and we come and burn them. The championship will bust all that expectations with this team at one point. You know, we knew what the expectations were going to the season. You know, we knew that we're at Ohio State. And the job at hand every year has been not competing for a national championship. We're not doing your job. So, you know, what never a burden. It's kind of a motivating factor. You know, do what we're doing right now. We just did. And people legacy who just left is something that, you know, you can't put in the words how much it means. So we never looked at this as an burden, but there's an opportunity. And we did that just tonight. Yeah, keep dropping your hand in the back.

1:47:40Before we enter the championship. When did you sense that? Well, look, we never know today was going to fight it again. But it didn't just. You know, during the season, it was during the season you felt that you had a feeling. I think that before the season we knew that we were capable of a national championship. Just because of the guys we had and the coaching staff, we knew that we were capable of this. And through all the ups and downs, we were able to persevere and keep fighting. Keep swinging. Coach, they always say, you've got to fight your way out of bat times and life. And as a player, as a coach, as a family, really for him, you know, he's got to fight himself out of bat times. And they did just that. Made the adjustments. Made the change. Made the change. I had to get made and that was champion. So like I said, God is so good. And the journey brought us on was amazing. Jackson, I believe that was the last week to send your deep butt guide. Obviously, you grew up in Pickerington. When did you allow yourself to think about what this moment would be like and what it would mean for your legacy, you know, the highest day that you could get this done? When did you allow yourself to think about that? Yeah, I know. I mean, honestly, I haven't still been about about it. You know, I'm just so happy to be able to celebrate this with this kind of guy. It's not about me at all. It's about this team and Coach Day and the city of Columbus. I've been waiting for this for a long time for 10 years.

1:48:42And now I'm just so happy for this group of guys and the stuff that we went through and heard. And I'm keeping it up and keeping it up and keeping it up and practice and going as hard as we can. And I'm approaching with a positive attitude and trusting a God's plan. And you know, here we are in our national championship. And we can never take that away from us. So I'm just so happy that we will finish the job and get it on. You're a jack now that is a jack. Now that is a piece on the stage at one point, what were your thoughts right there, Jackson? I can't believe it. It looked like you kind of dropped your knees at one point and we're giving some kind of thanks or whatever. But what was going on there? Yeah, I was just thinking God. I was just thinking God for all of the ups and downs in my career and everyone else's career. And then to end it this way is just so special. I mean, you know, when you put your faith in God, you know, he says it's not going to be easy. And it hasn't been easy for any of us. And we kept trusting him and believing his plan. And here we are in national champions. You know, when I don't want to say all you guys didn't believe it, but I'm just going to say all you guys didn't believe it. What did you guys do here? I think we did the job then at the weekend of Ember. So here we are in national champs.

1:49:42I feel it's great to say. Who brought those regards? Who brought those regards? I could care less. Because I knew I know they sound there. Because as it should be, it should be. I got hurt two major injuries back or not back to back years. But you know, so I haven't been on the field as much as I should. That's true. That is true. But it's not like I'm having these little, little, little, dinky injuries and sitting out. It's something I can't control literally. So that's why I'm not bothered by it. Like, yeah, I am injury-poly. You can say that. You know, but I do think that the chargers are getting a guy that's going to be healthy from now on. You know, God will it. And it's going to be great. And I do think that it's going to be a great however many years here. When you've been on the field, you've been highly productive. 5.8 yards of very average for your career. 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?

1:50:44All the confidence in the world, you know, the way I work. I wouldn't say just from the numbers, but just the way I work, my work ethic, you know, and my relationship with Jesus is like, I have the most confidence when I step out there. Because I do know like if he grants me the health, it's over with. I don't think I'll be, you know, I think it'll be a great year or whatever, a couple of years. However many years he grants me great health, you know, and I think just the work ethic, my prayer, and all that stuff, that's what helps me have that confidence. What the numbers will be there in there. They might be higher after this year, you know, and it's crazy to think about it because I had 6.6 yards per carry. You know, so we'll see. You're looking forward to running behind this line, is this particular thing? Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah, I play with Bradley. I play with him, you know, I know Slater, I know all the guys, you know, and I'm excited. 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 before.

1:51:48Just in all the part of the year, oh, I wouldn't say part of the recruitment, but like whenever I decided I was going to sign, it was great to have him in the room. Yeah, we're great. We have a great relationship. He's like my brother, so. I think it complements each other very well. You know, he can do a lot of stuff too. You know, a lot of people think he's just power power power, but I think he has some other parts of the game too, which it'll be great, because I feel like I can do everything. When we want to get tired, we can roll it in, we can keep rolling, win some games. When you, the two of you get going, how do you think this is going to look, or what will be that partnership back there? I know. That's a hard question. How do I think it will look beautiful? You know, a lot of people call this a passing league, but I think you got to run the ball to win a Super Bowl. You know, if you look at the team to win a Super Bowl, they can run the ball, they can control the clock.

1:52:51And so if we're both good, it'll look great. Beautiful. I would describe it as a great offense. I would describe it as, you know, a great offense. I think he gives a quarter, he's going to give the quarterback a lot of options. He's going to give the running back a lot of options. He's going to give the receiver a lot of options, you know, and I think it's going to be great. He's often going to be amazing. When we talk to him, you know, I was like, why are you going to build something good for Russian offenses throughout your career? Which everywhere you've been. And you said that one part of it is just, you got to call the place. You got to call it on the place. As we're running back, you know, how much confidence, how much you'd say it is to give you, you know, you have a play collar that's going to stick with it and allow you and the offense to run into a rhythm of rope. He gives me a lot of excitement, you know, it's going to be, like I say, it's fun to play this offense. 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.

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

1:54:53And the training staff is great. And so they just want what's best for me, you know. And they're taking care of me, which that's what you want in an organization. And so that's where that comes from. Which I appreciate it. Like, I really appreciate that. You know, because I'm a type of guy like I work really hard. So maybe sometime I'm blind to, you know, the danger of something, you know. So I appreciate it. But like I said, if it's up to me, yeah, I'm out there. But never know. Well, any frustration for you during the heading into pre-agency, you know, dealing with rehab and not, you know, having a full season of tape or the production to go out there. Was there any part of that where you're like, yeah, 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.

1:55:54I like trial and tribulations. So, I mean, the dice that I was given, the role 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. But I was comfortable in sitting back and just enjoying the process, letting myself get fully healed. So whenever that team whoever I would, now as a 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 you, it's a business, right? So I got hurt last year. So not as much money that he's be throwing at. 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 like, are here.

1:56:56You 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 to hurt people wrong? You've run a couple things like a high risk high reward, injury from, you know, like are you the type of person that really tries to hurt people wrong? No. I hear it. I see it. It's pretty cool. Like you'll never see me unless I'm just like in a bad mood. You 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, yeah, what happened? No, because I don't care. Like you're eventually see, like I'm like, I'm a guy that's really good. So I ain't worried 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 me being injury prone.

1:57:57Because whenever I have this great year, it's going to be forgotten, you know? Why give that energy? Yeah. You're talking just in the hall, like I kind of changed the end of all year. Yeah. I was, you know, we just with him, you know, he's a great guy. I mean, he was in my class. I remember seeing him and we were at an award show, because I was a dog walker or a finalist. And I'm like, I've seen him play, but I didn't know he was that tall. Like I didn't know he was like six. So when I first saw him, this was years ago in college. And I'm like, am this really tall? Like, it's cool though. I never really got to, I think a lot of those are going to be kind of, you know, nerdy, but he's cool, dude, very laid back. No, we'll face to him. You know, in terms of playing, what you did in Denver. I don't know that yet. I kind of just mentioned previously. I don't know my role. I don't know the engine out yet. So once we'll get, you know, through the protocols in NFOPA, we'll talk about, you know,

1:58:59the 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 with whether I'm standing up or I'm not, or there's runner or pass. So I'm a little seem to be my best, my best fits. And what is your impression of peak caros defense and whole environment and Seattle from afar? From afar, it seems like he holds in on a defense a lot. I can't really say too much about that. Yeah, I don't, I know peak caros very little. So I'm just trying to figure out more and I'll give you a better answer later. What's the reputation around the league running the C-Honk? You know, hard knows, hard hat type of team. Definitely on a little more lack side as opposed to being a stuck up or military style.

2:00:04And which is definitely good because this program is one of a lot of football games. They've been super successful for many years. As long as I've been alive and as long as I've been watching football. And definitely this has been a good program. And peak caros has been a hell of a coach for a long time. I can remember him back in his college days. So I'm looking forward to experiencing that. Tell him why. Yeah, I know you said you don't know yet what your role can be. But what kind of player are you that you don't understand? Do you have a watch on the Denver? What kind of player does he have to get? Definitely a high motor. Definitely not a one trick point type of player. I like to attack. No, whether it's first or first to the fourth now. I like to attack. I'm always on the fly pressure. I'm definitely just a high motor guy. I'm not being. Maybe. I'm pretty understand for me. Nice to meet you. That's a mature. Yeah, this is not a team that really makes big splash sign in. It's in pregnancy. Did you think going into it that Seattle would be in play?

2:01:05No, not at all. You just it's kind of like being a kid at a candy store here. You know, got a whole bunch of different options coming at you here in a whole bunch of different crazy things. And you know, you only get to choose one. And this is the place that we both chose each other. I mean, I'm loving Seattle so far. I like these colors. What, what did you got to do in Seattle and see some season? Not much. Just kind of just drive around the city exploring. Get down to the market a little bit. I want to get on the Ferris wheel. Do some more like touristy type 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 of you to Michael Bennett. I'm wondering if you know Michael Bennett at all. And you think they're accurate? I know Michael Bennett. Like, I don't know nothing about it, but besides his style of play. But I'm honored to be considered in the same conversation as him in a style of play. You know, he's a Hall of Fame type of deep lime and that I've known about since I was a kid. I mean, last time he played here, I was in high school.

2:02:05So, you know, it's cool to. It kind of came full circle a little bit watching him on TV. And now I'm being kind of compared to him in a way. You know, I mean, I'm not touching the surface of Michael Bennett. You know, he's a Hall of Famer and I'm not there yet. So, you know, I just have to keep doing my due diligence to be a better player. Carmen. Hey, Dream, welcome to Seattle. I know you get to play several seasons for Vic Fangio in the three, four style defense. And Seattle's playing a similar system now dating back to last year. I think the 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? 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. Just kind of like relying on each other. I know that sounds kind of cliche, but like this kind of like the realm of being in the three, four defense. You got to really rely on the guys behind you and the guys on side of you to really make their, to do their job to make your job easier.

2:03:07Bob. Yeah, Dream, welcome. You're a, you're going to have a state plan because you didn't start playing football to your junior in high school. And you've already played basketball so that next to it, what made you, I guess, decided to go play football and then with that, I heard you suggested all the kind of move away from basketball. No, no, I've always loved football first. It was just kind of just time to play it out. You know, I love to hoop, but you know, football was definitely about calling it and giving. I was 265 pound, powerful forward. And I was like, I'm six degrees from training. So you know, I kind of chose to route that guy gave me. And now I'm not six eight. My name is Gita. Yeah. And then I welcome to Seattle. And you've been voted. You're looking at fucking the audience. That you listen to me. And you just talk a little bit about that. And that moment, I think the same as you said, you know, for his kind of time in all of the years. Can you elaborate on that? Um, just for a standpoint, like I always get like over overshadowed, overlooked,

2:04:08whether it's, uh, and something, you know, saying like, I feel like I do a lot more than what can be, uh, sitting by the, the eyes of the inexperienced, you know, 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, you know, I think that goes on notice sometimes. And, um, I'm looking forward to playing people on notice. Brady. What, uh, what do you like to do outside of football? What is putting your audience? Uh, uh, big gamer. Um, I'm definitely, I'm, I'm again to a lot of chess lately. So, uh, just to expand my brain. Uh, I try to get into reading, but if it's not supported related, I, I really not interested in reading that much, but mainly just video gaming in chess. And then when we write and say your name, do you prefer gray or gray? Uh, I mean, you can say, you can say, you can say, Dremont Jones, I mean, but like just, I'm like personally just call me Dre, because it's easy, because people like to f my name

2:05:08up a lot, like a lot. And they call me Dre Montey. I don't know why you put a Dre Montey in my name or Dre Montey, whatever you want to say, I was going to go by Dre to keep it simple. Oh, thank you. All right. Michael Sean. Hey, Dre, what's specifically you bringing to the C-Mars as a past question? Uh, some of the new era of the past question, you know, someone who's on the little lighter side of the average three technique and, um, bringing that explosiveness, that quickness, uh, someone who's great with their hands, someone who's, uh, very extensual. And, uh, someone who's a go getter when it comes to the run-and-passing. Appreciate it. Yeah. John Boyle. Yeah, Dre, John Shedder said after the trade, or after the signing, that you actually got they wanted them to trade last year, the Russell of the trade, but Denver said no. It was that time you were aware of it all? Yeah, I was aware. I mean, like, shit. They'd be flattered and they want to be even like that. Yeah, I am flattered. Uh, I mean, shit, they should've just traded me from the jump. Uh, but, uh, it was, it was cool to, I guess, it kind of came full circle for Seattle,

2:06:10though, but I was included into the trade and Denver said no. And then, Denver kind of, I don't want to say that word, but Denver didn't pay my power respect. So I'm here because they respect me from the jump. All right, anything else, guys? Thank you. I think it's just not getting too high, not getting too low, um, you know, saying in a nice, even medium and, uh, attacking each play at a time, no matter what the score is and doing, doing it to the best of your ability. What, what ails this offense the most? Uh, I think just saying ahead of the chains and getting, getting past those third downs, uh, converting on those third downs, I mean, that's what we got to be better at. Um, but then the day we got to put him in the zone and we're not doing that. We're not doing our job. So are you guys creating more explosive plays? That's an offense. Right. I think, uh, you stick with it. Um, you know, the explosive plays are going to come and, you know, he's got to trust that and they'll be there for us for sure.

2:07:12Coach Sins has been here for, uh, highs and lows over the many, many years. He's been with this program now. What sort of his message to your group right now or when you're turning to him, what, what is he saying as far as how to get through this? Yeah. So I think it's just really just coming in attacking every day as you would, um, regardless. And, uh, you know, staying, staying even, even through hardship and attacking it, attacking it the same way every day. Um, that's really all you can do. And, uh, you just get a little better every day and see where it takes you. Based on the way things are already we're setting up, but then also the way, um, um, 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? Yeah, I think we, I think the role is always try to help the offense move the ball and, um, whether they were called upon to do that in the past game or the run game. We just got to step up and do our job at a high level and, uh, whatever you asked from us, we just got to do it at high level and let the offense go.

2:08:16There are some leaders on the offense. Some of the leaders have to say Gus is a big leader. I mean, he's been doing it for a while and I, and it's someone that everyone trust, um, is going to do his job at a high level. Um, I think we have, uh, Hudson's a good leader too as well. Um, obviously he's a quarterback. So he takes on that leadership role and, um, I think we just have a good amount of leaders, uh, you know, throughout the offense. We were told George might be fairly close to getting back what we mean to get him back in the mix with the Titans. Yeah, it'd be great. I mean, George is a great athlete, so having him out there can only help. Um, you know, we're really excited about him and what he can do on the field. So it'd be great. Can you say about likes and feelings that you guys have? Um, yeah, I mean, just when you look at the schedule he asked for us and how it takes care of our body, um, you know, just the, um, diligence and, uh, situational football. Uh, Coach McCartney, man, he's, he's a great coach. Um, you see about a day just us being, being ready, uh, and this week went opener and I'm excited to build on that.

2:09:24Um, I feel like I always feel good, not always, but I mean, this week one, uh, uh, this week one, um, something definitely fresh, but, uh, you know, just got to, you know, continue to, you know, build on that and take care of my body and, uh, we want to be feeling good in December and January. Oh, it definitely felt great. You know, it's going to touch down. Uh, had a bunch of emotions. Kind of had to lay there and soak it all in, but, uh, you know, it's glad to be back. Very time front and, uh, first half to work. You started the day. I think those guys, you know, played the tell off. They, they competed. Um, I think we had a great plan and we went out and executed it. When you're sitting on a bench, uh, in between ways, what do you think about Mike's, uh, defense?

2:10:24Oh, wow. I mean, I think it was late in the second quarter and I think I had like 20, 30 yards past 30 yards rushing. I'm like, many boys are out there playing. Um, but I mean, one against that defense all off season. Uh, you know, how difficult it is to play them, how to prepare for them. Um, but, you know, they, they stepped up and answered a call. And we have the best receiver unit in the nation. So, um, we kind of, we're kind of jack of all trades. So, you've been moved around the office and passed on different things, emotions, different ways to get open. But has that increased any knowledge of telling us here? Or is it kind of the same? Uh, probably stay away from talking about scheme stuff. Yeah. What, what was it that Jeremiah did that you think enabled to be in? Just coming in every single day and competing. That's really what we're challenged to do. Um, as, as bug guys, when we, when we walk into the way, we'll coach make you're supposed to be there and show out and show out every single day and you know, I have a step back and I let

2:11:25I have an off day. He took, he took care of all his, um, you know, the non negotiables of this program. He was never late. He made his way every single day. He gave his 100% effort. Not the end of the day. He was just winning a lot of competitions and just grinding. So, yeah. I'm just going to do a lecture to you. I'm going to bring a lot about. Yeah. Um, Brandon didn't get a chance to do a lot this spring. What stood out to you, even when he wasn't on the field, the spring that that makes things like he can be a legitimate impact by a player. Well, yeah, first and foremost, he got, he got voted on by his peers to the leadership committee on our team, which is a group of about, you know, 16 to 20 of our, of our guys who the team looks to as leaders. So obviously you can see how people think of him on this team. They think highly of him. And he comes in every day as a very fiery competitive nature. Um, and, you know, he puts in really hard work and days in and days out. So even though he hasn't seen the field too much yet, we have no, we have no concern that when he does stuff onto the field, he's going to make a great impact. He's only been here here.

2:12:25Yeah. Last summer. Like, like, Darn has never specifies he can be on the leadership. Maybe I have to have it for 365 days. Yeah, just his ability to be able to, you know, talk a good game, but also back it up. Um, not in the sense of playing football, but more in the sense of we're going to be the hardest working team on the field. Uh, we're going to go in day in day out. I'm going to, I'm going to beat you even when I don't feel healthy, even when I don't feel good, all that type of stuff. It's, it's all an entirely. From far away, it looks like. Uh, violent. I just kind of lose a little bit like young. Right. We're here with you. Like, do you see that in him? Like, I'm not trying to compare it to what the potential of it. Hmm. Do you see that a little bit in the way that he can shift around? Yeah, he definitely is very fluid about the way he moves and we see it in his, in his, you know, his routes and his releases. So, you know, when, when all the White receivers are knowing the film room and, you know, he's getting crapped. He's doing all this body movement stuff. It's like, okay, we could see he got a little sun to him. So it's just about bringing him along. You know, he wasn't, you know, he, he just got here.

2:13:28It's the first year here kind of built on a long. There's steps you got to take, but he's definitely training in the right direction. And a lot of teams get talent for whatever reason you guys seem to develop, develop their receivers better than anyone. What, what goes on out there that somehow helps the Iowa State keep replacing guys. We played Denzel, uh, Davidson, it was, it was in, it was in Germaine, Matthews, Jordan, Hancock, Lathan, Ransom, Caleb Downs. That's really what it is. It's a, it's a BIA getting this better every single day. So, tremendous credit to the defense and the, the ability to be able to develop corners like that. It's just good on good every single day. That's, that's the way you get better. So, I mean, we definitely have a strong second there. I would say this year. But, you know, it's just, it's just, it's not just their talent that makes them special. It's their, it's their ability to go hard every single day. They show up every single day with a competitive nature. And, you know, we're going back and forth on the field every single day. They'll be bigger and spin at each other a little bit. But, um, it's all love at the end of the day. We appreciate them for getting this better.

2:14:28Let's question the method you, you do a lot of things. This is all that's ahead. We're in and seeing what kind of guy you do so much. Whether we move around, whether it's just things or anything. You see kind of that same worst-how build in Brandon's, that's kind of something you do. Yeah, absolutely. Brandon, you know, he came up, played running back for a lot of his life, played a little quarterback here and there. You know, now he's received very, he can do a lot of different things. So, we just try to put him in a position where he can be the most successful. And the position that makes him the most successful is just the ball on his hand. So, we try to do that for him. And a bunch of other guys in the program who thrive with that. All right, Michael. Well, I think it's good. We talk a lot. We communicate a lot. Pretty snap. I think it's good with everybody. Same with paying you. A lot of those guys. When you look at what you learned, you have totally lost here. How much do you take that trying to use it? How much do you also have to need our government? Oh. Man, I try to prepare like him. I like that from, you know, he prepared when he prepared he intentional.

2:15:30So, that's definitely something I try to do like him better. Like you said, I'm, I'm leaving. So, but when it comes to preparing and being intentional with studying and how I prepared for practice, I'm definitely taking that turn. Anything from the leadership scheme? No, Cody Lee. Big sheets of film. I don't know what to say. Where's that come from? Just being honest. Like, you can't be more than those guys when they ask you what happened to you trying to lie. And you get the film moving. It's obviously obviously lying here. So, it's the other thing. Now, how, how much, what is it that you don't know something? I can't really tell the last time that happened. So, that's a good thing. Those big sheets of film and Cody know from a leadership standpoint. What is he taking out the door with it? You know, maybe our mail? Somebody's got a feel in it next slide.

2:16:30I think it's definitely some big sheet of film. Cody was a great player, great leader. He's like with the quarterback and defense. He's definitely some big sheet of film. And like, Chris Lauren, I said, you got to be who you are. Yeah, you got to get one right. Yeah, you can't just out of being, but definitely got some serious issues. When did you feel like you blossomed last year? Or they could truly count on you and stuff? I mean, you remember how it came along? I think it started in like fall camp just flashed. I had to like the first games, weren't around. I was home. I said, I'm almost being great. I like it. I like it's personality. I like a more feel. And that's not important. Yeah, and the life-afford. What is there in being the difference between responsibility and the use in this system? Or is it going to be in its own heart? It's a kind of scene. We just learn it right now. We just work it out. We just learn this to hit us out. What do you think about CJ Hicks and what he can do in this defense?

2:17:31I think CJ Hicks said what he can do in his defense? Or just what he can do this season, you know? We can do this season. I think CJ will pop up this season for sure. I think this definitely going to be one of his years for sure. Got to. We think it's the biggest difference between friendship and not friendship. To me, it's no different. They both coach you and they both, like they hard on you, but they want you to be great. So I don't think there's no difference. I think you're looking at what you guys would do in fitting in. Do you think Jitter's going to want you to try and plug into what you guys would do? No, I don't think so. I think Sonny is a great leader. He fires me before anything. Sonny is a great leader. I feel like he's like a voice. He can be thinking something Sonny just can't worry about for the whole team to understand.

2:18:36So Sonny definitely is a great leader before anything. I'm not sure if Sonny is a great leader, not just for why bad person. I'm not sure if he's a great leader. That's all. How does that show itself? Obviously local. Yeah. And before. That's all. Is there something that you need to talk about? On the top of the whole field or when it's leadership, like I said, he's just a great leader like you, you're a vocal guy. And like you said, it shows up on the field too. So he's, it's hard to follow after a guy who says something don't own and like they're not on their stuff. So Sonny one of those guys who he's on his stuff. So when he lead everybody listen. It's obviously been long string of linebacker success or a higher stage. I mean, it's what I'm hopeful. That's telling you to alleviate any concerns that you may have about the potential of having to deal with those same problems, those forms of concern. Yeah. That's a great question. Oh, I was going to ask you about this, I was going to ask you a question that you're going to ask yourself.

2:19:39I don't know. I just want to give you a move. I don't know. You know, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Yeah, that's a great question. A lot of the information and a lot of things before during the time of those older players are a lot different than the knowledge and information that we have now. We're able to treat concussions. Also, back then, if you got a concussion, they were sending you right back into the game. Now it's a lot different. We got a protocol and it gives your brain time to heal and everything. I think things are setting plays now where it's a lot better than before in that time where we're facing problems later on. So that's why I'm not really too concerned about it. Did you then do a hand-in-hand recommend it to you? Say it again. Did you do a hand-in-hand recommend it by the trainer or Michael's dad? No, I just wanted to get into a new hand-in-hand. I mean, people have referred it. They also, during our team meeting, has said how there's a number of helmets that are better than other helmets right now. So I just wanted to check those out and see what they are. Did you have any more severe than the others you had?

2:20:41No, and that's one of the other things. I'm not going to give a whole seminar on the concussions over here. But, no, it's not necessary. Each concussion, just what I learned, each concussion is its own specific concussion. And you gotta give that time to heal and then once that's healed and ready to go, once you get back out here, you're good. So it's not like concussions are building on top of each other. You give it time to heal. But I think before when guys were getting in trouble with the long time, they get a concussion, not fully healed. Then they go right back out there and playing. Can you captain see a side or maybe part of it? Could you just reflect on how you've grown since showing up here in fairly 21? Did you play a first or a second? Yeah, I've been here for a little while now. I've been enjoying every second of it. I always came in trying to be a captain and trying to lead these guys as best as I can. And I definitely feel that I've grown vocally and just trying to help build the team up and build myself up. So I'm just trying to do anything I can to help this team. How about a concussion situation like this? You're so close to your mind and your brother.

2:21:41Did you have to sort of involve the family decision? Yeah, definitely. They came down with me. So when I was, I had, like when the team was here doing meetings, I was driving up to a Pittsburgh meeting with the concussion specialist and everything. And they were with me and just easing their mind. That's the biggest thing. easing their mind. They're all, they're worried and everything. But they'll be okay. They'll be good. How did you play with the larger players? Say it again. We saw the play at practice. Did you think you could be up for two weeks after that? I mean, I was good. It was that day that I was kind of had a headache and everything. But I was pretty much good after that. But it was just about going through the protocol. And I mean, there was no rush back. We weren't playing regular season games. So I mean, I was just really good in the time of the year. It wasn't any rush. You both is wearing a large cap and still had a, you know, helmet to helmet. From your perspective, it has to be an expert. But are those doing what they're intended to do? You know, you have to take, wear it when he got hurt.

2:22:43You know what I'm saying? Like, guys are still getting concussions and getting more wearing. Yeah, it's definitely still a physical sport. So I mean, concussion and I happen to be a guardless, I know if you were in a guardian cap or not. I think it could be looked at too. I know and just talked about it on the guardian cap. I don't think in the back that is as much padding as I would like. But I feel it could be looked at. But I think you get a concussion whether you're wearing a guardian cap or not. So I mean, stuff happens. This is a physical game. Sorry. Would you just to clarify this? You said you're going to get any helmet. Also, wear the guardian cap during the games? No, I'm not going to. No. You feel that about this game helmet that you've been wearing. Yeah. You know, you name the brand of helmet. Like any details you have. Oh, I'm not sure the brand of name yet. I have to get it from those guys inside. But you guys would definitely be seeing this on the... And how do you feel about not playing in a preseason game? You have to say as your career is going to be good. I want to say it's not a big deal, but I don't feel any pressure any...

2:23:44Like, oh, I just needed to play in a preseason game. I feel that's a great opportunity for the younger guys to get out there and showcase what they're able to do. But I still been practicing and playing and working out and getting ready for the season. So, I mean, I know the game. I'm looking forward to that first game. And I'm not really concerned about not being able to get a snap of the preseason game. What do you think of how MJ did feeling that he'd be particularly during the joint practice against Jefferson? Yeah, MJ is the number one corner. I mean, you guys see it. He's going to be big for this year. And I think that's what's special about this team. We got three number one corners myself. MJ and Greg, I thought we all number ones. And we able to do different things out there on the field. And one guy's out, another guy can step in and not lose track or not lose pace on what we got going on. How do you think MJ has grown as a leader in the early of the year 3 and he's trying to pick on this world as a guy that's bringing energy and also trying to bring people along? Yeah, definitely. Like you said, bring it in. That's exactly. Bring in energy, bringing guys along. MJ is real vocal out there.

2:24:44And he competes as he's in competitor out there and just working hard and trying to be the best. He got the mindset of wanting to be the best and he is. So we just go out there and compete with one another. We're happy to see CD Lam get his contract signed and be ready to go out there. Hopefully this game can face the better. No, I'm definitely happy for him. That's like changing contract and everything for him and his family. So definitely happy for him. I'm looking forward to going to having that match up in the game. I always love going against the number one guys and best guys on that team. So I'll be looking forward to it. I think we got more history. Because concussions that we're talking about. I think when you suffer the latest one, people who cover the team and fans are wondering how loud and discussion. Could you contemplate retiring? Did that ever go through your mind or do you immediately know that you're going to come back? Yeah, like I said, this is a game I love. And I love playing this game. And with the guys out here, I really don't see myself doing too much other stuff.

2:25:45Unless I'm just really physically unable to play this game. I don't see myself stepping away from football no time soon. And like I said before, I can't take it easy on these receivers out here. So me being out here, I got to give them a good look and just go out there and play. But I answer your question now. I haven't seen myself walking away though. Are you actually out of protocol now? Yes. It's a great, cold, mild, hard and the steel drafts. What have you seen? Say it again. It's a great, cold, mild, hard and the steel drafts. What have you seen from any other camp? And what kind of excites you about him? Yeah, Miles, he's been balling. He's been showing out, making plays against the Vikings. And just making plays out here. So it was big for him to make the team. I was happy for him. We all congratulate him. And he's going to be a big piece on our team, coming going forward. I'm hoping another rookie you mentioned making the receivers better. How have you seen how you meet? Jamari talked about how you've helped him as a rookie. What have you seen out of him in his development? Yeah, he's been looking good since he came in. I think he's been getting better and better.

2:26:46He's night and day from once he came in. So where he's at now, I believe. I think that's just his competitive nature and what he's been doing out there in practice. And us going against one another out there. So he's been good and he's going to be a big piece as well. That's our offense. What sort of tips do you give receivers? How can you help a receiver? Yeah, I mean, it's a constant communication. If I were to win on a red, they may come and ask me what it is that you've seen on that play that you're able to get in position. And I'll tell them that. I may ask them a question. So it's just that constant communication on how we can get each other better. Thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. Glad to be back. Glad to be back. I just... It's a keep that in the back of your head. And we're going against Jeremiah and Carnell and Brandon and I'm back in. Yes, that's my mindset. In practice all day, I went to those birds to get me everything that they have.

2:27:47So I go, I go, I go, I go, I go, I go, I go, I go, I go, I go. And in Saturdays, it's going to be easy for me and I'll be prepared. What have you seen with the grocery-beam corners? Obviously, we saw that they're not a Jeremiah last year. They're your mates, sorry. But Calvin and some of the errands and the young guys. How have you seen them before? And Scott has gotten completely better from his brain. Glad completely better. Is that just time in the program? I'm just getting used to the speed of college support, I would say. What about Calvin? He was obviously here last year. He was. Calvin has gotten a lot better. I would say that he's gotten a lot smarter. Many else write G.B. Go ahead and use everybody Calvin's intelligence, you know, where he's grown, where specifically is it? The film room, is it picking up the playbook? Where have you seen that? The rain of a crab? I would say Calvin has gotten smarter just like his game knowledge, like expecting a different kind of routes and stuff like that. What did everything start to click for you in the last year?

2:28:48Was it in the soft season? When did you feel really comfortable with this game? I would say in the spring, I started to get a lot more comfortable in our defense. We say you break up the past yesterday with the German name, don't start to grasp it earlier, but what is like going up against him? Do you think it seems like you enjoy it? Yeah, I love it. He's tough. I like going against him a lot. He's really good. What have you improved in your game just from that, for example? Those one-on-one matchups, this preseason or whatever. You know how a ballie who disgames. So German, he forces me to play the ball, because if you don't play the ball against him, he'll go get it. Yeah. And you, Dave, send it. How would you describe this defense now compared to this time of year ago, from this standpoint of a confidence factor? You don't mean that you guys feel on the field? How would you describe it? It's different about it, I guess. I feel like everybody has a lot more smartness than everybody. Everybody's like, I would just say, I would go just smarter.

2:29:50When you look up and late and ran, some decided to come back and Caleb Downs transferred in. What did you feel about it? Did it just grow stronger in that one week span, two weeks span? You're still on up saying? I feel like those guys have played at that, the level those guys have played at? Yeah, I would say that. A downcoming, what they say, he was coming back, he was coming back, he was coming back, he was still like, moving after the Red and Lady. Thanks, man. Of course. I able to make a play. So you just decided with you and Juan on those touchdowns. So again, it was to decide where you and Juan were on those one ball. And there was something different you were trying or something that made that communication, a problem, all the second time you guys, or was it something they were doing? No, it was, it was just, it was just, I don't even know, it was just a little talk. I got to go back, wash and film and just communicate. I said, just got to be better and just can't, can't have that out there on game day.

2:30:51Playing guys run for you. So, was there anything, Charles? Was there anything unexpected, I mean, what they were doing? I mean, you guys have seen her over a couple of times even. Like, did you often subsystem? Were there any surprises? Yeah, it wasn't really no surprises. They're a good team. A lot of, a lot of stuff that hurt us was self inflicted. I feel like and we just got to be better on our end and clean up, clean up our side. And to be better. But like I said, they're great offense, great team. But once we clean our own stuff up, I think it would be good. How would keep you pushing in the second half of the outside of game? And then, two and seven, start. Keep you going. I mean, I love playing this game of football. So, just coming out here with my guys every day, I'm really coming to work with them and playing with them every day. And just trying to find ways to get a win each and every week. So, that's the main goal, trying to find a way to get a win. And just enjoying playing a game of football. You've worried all about wasting your time. No, I don't consider wasting a year of my prime.

2:31:52I'm trying to get the best I can for this team and the city. And whatever happens happens. That's the biggest thing. But I don't know if it's being wasted. Just to be clear, what you were diagnosed with a concussion from the last game. I was in the protocol, but I feel great. And I'm out the protocol, but I'm good. Please take me there, nothing to do with mistakes out there today. Say it again. I'm not having to do it with the concussions. I just got to be better on my end and make sure we all in the same call. And we're all we're supposed to be. So, that's all me. Then, what does this always communication use? Is it more so like getting a firm move out to the rest of you guys? Or is it more about the best as a second? Yeah, I mean, all that stuff plays a factor. We got to get the call from the green dot and just spread the call around and just make sure we all in the same page and execute all the assignment. So, considering you guys are better in defaults,

2:32:52this isn't new to you guys. It's just how frustrating you guys are. To have these communication breakdowns get ultimately end up clutching you guys. And they're pretty picking one. Yeah, it is frustrating because we better than that. I mean, this is probably one of the first times that we even have blown coverage is really all year. But we know we could get a fix and we know we could be a better defense and better team out there. And we definitely go work to get a fix though. You guys always talk about rushing coverage. And for a lot of the first half, it seemed like it was either a sack or they were completing a chunk in the past play. Does that add to the frustration you are getting that sack production from your front that's happening in the back end? Yeah, like I said, we got to clean it up. And we all get to figure it out. And they end up going to be better and work together. The rushing coverage work, you feel like it's almost like a wasting performance by the past rushers, the files with three sacks, six sacks in the first half. Is that kind of a sourman?

2:33:53Yeah, it's all our common cause the main goal is to get the win. Get the win in the game. But definitely, he had a great personal performance. But it's definitely a sour feeling when I'm not able to put a win out at the end. Didn't Zellay know when we talked to you, I think last concussion you had in August had a fence. I'm worried about you just because of the number and you didn't seem to have any added concern. I guess after this week or do you still feel that way and everything like you've come in and your future and all that? Yeah, I feel great. I feel great. I'm glad to be a part of this team and just doing what I can to hope is good to win. That's the main goal. So Zellay is not a few rasts before but what's your mindset, obviously two in sevens is not where you want to be. You have a bite, you're coming off a loss. Where's that mindset going into this week and what's supposed to be rest? Yeah, definitely. So going into the buy week, get some rest and get away for a little bit. But just to come back, refocus and try to help flip this season around and get a win. Come next game. There's been a lot of stuff at the trade deadline coming up on Tuesday.

2:34:54So that's centered around your team and Zedarius. Can you just speak to what he means to you guys as a teammate here? Zedarius is an amazing teammate for our team and captain on his team, a leader on his team and a playmaker out there on the field. Love happens to Zedarius on the field with me. That was one of my favorite additions to the team when he came on. So I say he's a great player and a great guy in the locker room and I definitely appreciate Zedarius. The player he is, the guy he is. Thanks, Zedarius. Thank you. And then help the team. You feel that way? That's what happens to the league? Yeah, I definitely feel that way. We could have made some adjustments last week. Filly had a great game plan. They had a great front seven that stopped the run. So that's just a bump in the road. We're going to get better. I'm glad it happened earlier in here. And so we could bounce back from this. So it's only going to make us better. Does anyone that helped you with that mindset? Did you go to anyone for advice about?

2:35:54Not really. It's just how I was looking on film. I just say I want to look weak in a running game or when I come out and we run the ball. I just felt like I was kind of weak on myself. So just trying to take it took a step forward. And I got said, trying to get stronger to be able to make those blocks first of all and do the dirty work. Is that something you were trying to do regardless? I know the system trial or tises it, but if it was a different system that wasn't really caught on it. Was that something that was just period of like, I got to do this better? Yeah, sure. That was one of my biggest weaknesses that I had to improve on. So like I said, I just want to live a week in a blocking game. I had to run in bags and quarter bags and lie them in count on me. So that's something I definitely wanted to improve. I mean, you kind of, sorry, dude. You can go out of your own in private. So you're just talking about how, you know, when you got drafted, you were like, you know, on first round or I went to ball, things like that. And you would said last year, you know, that was kind of hard for you in that Tampa game when you didn't get the ball.

2:36:58But you see him kind of like, at peace with where you're at now. Like is that all part of that, you know, growth mindset of it's not always going to be me, but I'm still. Yeah, it's a team sport. I kind of got caught in the kind of trying to catch area pass last year trying to be the number one receiver. But like I said, it was just a growing. I was young. It just allowed me to grow with experience. And it's not always going to come my way, but as long as I'm winning, I'm doing my job. That's the only thing I can control. So just trying to control the control of both and everything right up from there. Considering the rivalry with Atlanta and how last year ended, do you feel like there's going to be any carry over from how last year ended this week? They always play as good. It's always a good game when we play against them. We know it's going to come down to the wire. Big player or great player show up in big time games. So we had to have our best player show up and play at that best. It's going to be a great game.

2:37:58Oh yeah, now I feel fire. I said I just ran 1050s. I'm getting back in shape. I'm sure getting in the way where I'm about to get strong again. So yeah, I'm going to be ready. What potential do you see with this defensive line? Yeah, I mean, you definitely stacked. I see a lot of great things. You know, we work together. I think Sky's the number. What conversations have you had with some of the veterans like Cam or any other people on the D-line? Yeah, just going to Cam just ask about certain things. How he sees offences, just whole time he's been leading in terms of formations and how he picks up on little pretty snap reeds things like that. So you said you dove into the deep end of the pool. How much important is it to be this invested with his team and how much are you enjoying that investment? Yeah, and that's real cool. I love it here. The only thing I had to get used to is that he, but it's real cool.

2:38:58He's got great teammates. Everybody welcome you open arms. So it was a great experience. He's going to get worked. He answered the sorority as a training camp. Day one is a realistic expectation. I'm just focusing on the day. Are you running it? Yep. Marshall and his other Ohio State guy just having him back in the building. Just talking to him with that. Oh yeah, big bro. You know, it's definitely excited to play with him. We always chatted, obviously, on different things, but I'm definitely excited to play with him. That's, you know, that's got to be big for me. Was that one of the guys who make a decision that you kind of talked to about what this locker arm is like? Yeah, um, Martian, Tyran. Um, but yeah, I mean, there was, um, we got a lot of great guys, and it's the, um, you look at that, you know, on paper. You know, I feel like definitely one more time to defences and leave for sure. Um, now it's all about just putting it together, and, um, you know, coming together as a team.

2:40:02I gotta get a shake. That's how I'm, the run was good, but I'm so disappointed that I wasn't in the shape. And I didn't finish that. Two runs. That should have finished. How can you do that during the season? Uh, in practice, I can run more gassars, run more sprints, and we'll be ready to go. What did you think on the 61 yard when you were breaking free? You turned around and you saw them coming? Well, no. The first 40 yards, 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, all right, let me just cover the ball. I got time for it. I think you look really good. I think you're going great. Justin is going to love it. She's games are your ones. What's that? I got Justin back. I caught it back, especially. I caught it back, it's great. You can't be Superman. That's what the team is for. That's what they brought me here for. To have his back. Next week, I bet you feel bad with that. We kept hearing, this is going to be Jim. I was going to run the ball. I was going to run the ball.

2:41:02You could just really have it more, especially in the second half. Because you're never stopping the officer game, and I don't even know what you're going to work in the first ten. Uh, yes. I always stick with it. I always believe in. I always fight. I knew we were going to crack some. I knew we were going to crack some runs. I knew you were offensive lines going to fight. I want to fight with them. I'm going to have their backs. And you saw that. Jake, how did that feel? How did that feel? 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. Get him, look, get him, look. Get him, look. But, just look at my, look. That's how you get right now. You get him, you get him right now. You get him right now. Man, it felt good though. It felt really good. But now I'm going to be ready for next week. You know, the type of guy who will have a good game. Go back to the draw board. Let's get better. I'm talking about this, you know, just recently. Talking about how what I want to do for the world is I want to bring that home energy, the Hebrew.

2:42:04Right? So last year, of course, I'm sure he's been doing it for years, but the year when I spent my own, he brought a lot of energy, excitement, happiness in the room, which is his natural energy, to where I always had to focus on me. You know, I didn't have to make sure other guys were, you know, feels the type of way when they came in here, because hump brought that. You know, the hump's not here, but I saw when he did for the room, I want to be that guy to make sure I was amptical to practice. Everybody's, I'm taking a field team one period, you know, it's a low day, or something, you know, it's a disadvantage, but like, I want to make it feel like home's home. You know, you have the pairs of the trip. I want to bring that, because that's what me and hump did to each other, we would have each other do something to do. It's like, you walk, we're lit. So I want to do that. I want to bring that energy. I want to make bring more guys. You also 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.

2:43:06I want to talk to them, and obviously it's that time I spend, obviously, the four OTA started. Just being in myself just thinking about what the room needs, you know, because I don't know. I, renewal as one of leaders, you know, my offense is that we need a guy like that, and we're going to make sure the O.I. is picked up. We're ready to go every day. I was held accountable with things that happen to practice and people aren't saying anything. And how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe in all, like, that practice, at least, like, the legal positivity, you know, I mean, so. But he, the energy I would be on, just, oh, I'd be on, so that's kind of how I want to be. It's going on. Really my whole life, I want to get on a NFL team captain, like, specifically, and I felt I wasn't a captain in high school. I wasn't a captain in college, but I want to make a joke, I want to be a high school student.

2:44:08I feel like I'm not going to get a captain until I get on a NFL. 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 respect of the guys until the video awards. And get back in that way. Yeah, I mean, I can't say that, I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that I felt like how you used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs and took training left and right once this season ended, because I don't know what it was going to be. So, I think a lot of grips just to get 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 is it, talking about the long coach, about some things I can do with my feet to get to that, but to sell my traditional angle that I love to sit on.

2:45:11I thought I felt great already, but I felt even better. I felt even more excited tomorrow now, getting my feet back and how I liked the right side and the left side. So, long side. I mean, obviously, I feel like in the league, whether I left the right, you're still going in. It's premier guys, obviously, they have high expectations for the left and right tackle. But definitely, like, the level of energy and the expectations definitely take the human strength, because now, tonight, the blind side, that's the D tackle world, you know? So, yeah, I would say in terms of communication as far as even outside of the facility, you just stuff like that, like really creating that tackle core back, body, the warmth, and the feel that I think has been something that's even cool. I got a text one day, as I, like, you put it up, I was like, you know, yeah, I've been training both.

2:46:11I've been training both, you know, I asked after the season there, like, honestly, you know, we'll talk to you, simply in the season, and I just got a text one, depending on how this went with the free agency. So, I was like, you know, what? I had an O season right tackle. So, if I get the word, I'm going, I'm standing right tackle. I'll just do what I did before I'm built on that. But I was like, oh, I was trying to left tackle now, as if we're going to be left tackle. And I'd rather do that than training on right tackle, because I could have called that, and I could have left tackle. I didn't wish my feet had been. You know what I mean? So, I'm like, let me just prepare an advance. I was like, yeah, let's go. You know, I think occasionally, on third down, there would be a lot of twists, that would just not like, it's automatic or common. And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season. Like, I didn't have to go into the game with some pros like, oh my gosh, they did that. I kind of figured, okay, like, this is the type of rush, man. Yeah, this is how this guy usually rushes. If I get the vibe, this type of ends like the rush, you know, tackles that, you know,

2:47:14first year guys, you got to criminal your patch on already, you know, what it was going to be, already, you know, will be every stunt. And honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to, so you're not, you're not, you're not, oh, the brother's twist on my side again. It was never air-doll, but it comes out when I was like, three plays in the world. Two minutes, I knew that, it was the morning, so I, you know what I mean? I'm watching more everybody else, and you really, you know, it goes out there, occasionally, on third down, I was like, you know, I was like, he's going to take me. You know what I mean? So, thick, thick, 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 give the hardest look. You know, those are real, real reps, you know, the days, really out on our way to kind of process. And I was like, hey, when I tell me, let me know about what I'm just going to train it. I was training all the way up until TAs. I guess if I didn't hear anything about TAs, I would have came in like, so, you know what I mean?

2:48:15Because just like, I'm cool with training both, I would have been cool with training both continually. But I feel like anybody, any position will feel like, okay, like, you want as soon as possible to give your feet kind of subtle in, your hips subtle in, your hands, so then certain kind of that. Would it have been harder to get your work bold, very help to you? No, no. But they're definitely, but in terms of the development, they're definitely a lot faster, they're staying on one side. But I think having that week that we had the transitional seasons over, it kind of like was fun. You know, it would have been good trying to get up to put it on my heart and having weak things at a time right now. But when it comes back, I'm going to show them the one house. I've got a house that's not too far from, so I told them I got that house, like I could yell outside. DJ! You know what I mean? So, yeah.

2:49:16Well, that's getting too super bold. You think about that as a body order? I think it's a challenge that I'm looking forward to attacking. You know, can't be shy about what's been done in the past, but look forward to the future and attacking that. You know, I think we got a good team. You know, we could sit over here and talk about playoffs, but to get to the playoffs, you got to dominate during the regular season. And, you know, we're not looking over that. You know, it's not playing for me or any of that. We got to play as a team, and I just look forward to putting my hand up on it. You can throw this off, because it's really stressful how you want it to remain on one home, and that's the best. Yeah. After all this is settled now, what does it mean to you that you're going to have the opportunity to be on? I think that's all I could ask for. You know, the chance to be a one-helmet guy, you know, it's not just, it's not set in stone. I got to play like it, but that's the way I've always viewed it. You know, when I first got here, you know, getting drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, I couldn't think about playing for another team.

2:50:16And, you know, that's always going to go on mine. You know, I told my mom in the car when I was on my way down here to sign. She was talking about how rare it is. You know, I think it's me and Cam Jordan left that, or able to say that. But, you know, I think it's really special to try to, you know, live that legacy in one place. Can you hear from any of those Steelers' mentors that you mentioned earlier? I heard from Keys. Like, Keys is my guy. You know, Keys is always the first one that text me. You know, I'm always the first one that text me, but I heard from a lot of guys. You know, and I always, I've always felt the love from them. Even before, like, there was an ounce. When I would see them, they were just like, Cam. So, it's just, keep doing what you're doing. You know, we appreciate what you're doing. You know, I hear that from them. That's just love. Like, I do whatever I could at least guys. How much do you have a race to be in that bridge from that arrow of Steelers' football to you?

2:51:16Do you get lost? Yeah, I was nice to him. Do you have any bettals that went down the line? I think I've gotten to see the cycle and seeing, you know, I am the bridge in that accord. But, man, I just want to conquer that mountain that first part got to do. And, you know, I've told them about things that have happened in the past. And talked about what we've done and what I've experienced. But, you know, when I was young, it was just about being a sponge. And, you know, just learning from those guys. It wasn't me saying it, it was just me shutting up after the time. So, you know, I'm in a different position now, but you can't do it alone. Can you play my music for you? It's a real mountain process. Or, just a pretty rare case for you. God, the coordinator of an NFL team, the game won after me. There's the head coach, you play a caller, then you'll be the four from the same city. Do you use that at all? Or is there, like, a troche or a settlement? Where you might be thinking you're seeing something that you're actually seeing something different?

2:52:17I don't know what it is. I feel like my anxiety is so high every year in the first game. I think we always play somebody new that's got something new going on. I don't know why there's just me overthinking it. But, I think you just got to rely on your technique. You can overthink a lot of things and it can get you in the trouble. But, relying on your technique, you know, play assignment good football. I think that allows you to play better. It allows you not think as much. Because then, you're not just waiting for someone to dictate terms. You're dictating the terms. So, that's all I'm really worried about. You know, I understand there's nuances going on in new players. But, got to play still a brand football. When you met with us the other day, did you think this would get better that time? Man, it moved pretty fast. It was a mixed of a lot. I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. I wanted to just stay locked in. Because, you never know, it could go sideways very quick.

2:53:19So, I wanted to just see the process through. And, you know, you could call it a poker face or what. But, you know, I think it wasn't time to really gauge where this thing could go. Can't what do you think might be different from where this definitely is? I just think we've got a good balance. And, you know, we talk about defences. Being on a sideline, that's a good thing. And, I think, our offense can sustain that. Defens, I think, we're healthy this year. And, hopefully, we stay that way. And, then, we have a component in the special teams. You know, you look at Miles Killabru. You look at Boswell. And, then, you have a guy like Cordero Patterson. I think that group of guys allows us to just, it's a complete team. You know, I know you guys might think differently. But, in my mind, my eyes, I think we have a good shot, the, you know, competing every game. And, yeah, we had to have those a team to be able to talk to each other and communicate. How everybody was feeling, why everybody thought the issues were it.

2:54:21But, at that day, we're a team and everybody here stands with each other and we've got to go play. Can that bring the team closer in some ways? You can galvanize a brother really even more? Definitely. And, you know, just getting information out that you have to each other and being more open and honest about everything and how you feel. It's a serious way to express your feelings to somebody that you really care about. You really want the best work. Right by the paper for your 24-7 sports. The tempo, obviously, is a big conversation. Coach Nolz was talking about some of the ways you guys are prepared for that. And, kind of, really, ways of practice coming, setting the next. And, you know, you can just be ready for teams. How have you felt like that has worked and having played against this tempo before? How prepared are you guys to be? I mean, you can only be able to practice fast in terms of getting prepared for the game. Last year we did the same thing out of the demo everybody. They've run back and forth between drills and between practice, between plays. And, pretty much, we've been doing the same thing here and just trying to build up stamina and then being able to play a full game.

2:55:26Because they play, like, 80 plays a game. So, just being able to do that and do it at a high level is going to be a really big thing. In that recognition, you need to know quickly what's happening, I guess, is just as big as getting warmed up. Just getting one call and being able to get your cleats in the dirt is going to be really big. Just be able to play fast and play physical. And, you have your eyes in the right place if you have to get the call in the fastest way better than looking at what they call late. Third row left. I hope that's a good one. There was talk that, you were kind of one of the guys who took my leadership role after that mission in the A&T. Maybe you guys had, is that true? And, so, like, what was your message to the team? I mean, I would say I was just the person that I was the whole season. I wouldn't say I did anything more than anything less than anything. I've done all season in terms of leadership. But, yeah, I mean, everybody had to step up. In terms of trying to get the team back on track and where we want to go.

2:56:27So, that was really the biggest thing for us just to try to move our focus to where we're going to be. Right in front of them, Steve. How do I get 24-7 sports? And, you know, these seasons you've been recognized pretty widely for your play. Just in your mind, what you came to I statement to accomplish. How did your expectations meet up with how you feel? I feel like I made the plays that came to me. That's where the Ockman control had more opportunities as the years progressed and been in the spot to be around the ball. The expectation was to come in here and contribute to the team and try to find a way to push the team to win games and odds up them. And to be better than they were in Lachere and for me to play better than I was in Lachere. So really just coming to try to grow with myself and with the team. So that was my big goal and I feel like I've done a good job and the team has done a good job progressing through the year and getting better.

2:57:33So yeah that's all I can say about that. We're here to the right and made London role. Yeah, I can't stand here right now. It's just feel like a different season. What does it feel like when you're going into the playoffs? You know, you don't get to go. You want necessarily the regular season but here you are. Right? I mean, what is that sense that you have right now? That's a different point about the regular season. I mean, everybody wants to say it's a new season in terms of. Because if everybody's 0 and 0 right now, when you keep going, if you lose, you're done. So I mean, but genuinely, that's how you play every game. You know, that play every game, like it's your last game. So for me, I don't think it's really any difference if you have to go play at high level every game that can't be based upon. Is it a playoff game or anything else? You have to go play every game like it's the same thing. So I would say in terms of that, no, you just have to play the game and play the game this year. But what feels different about this defense right now going into this? So y'all feel even more.

2:58:33You know, got by the side of me close together. What was that? I mean, what is your sense of the furtherhood that's so to speak of the defense? I feel like we progressed throughout the season. We had to make a change after game 6 because we lost and we didn't play well that game. And I feel like we've grown from that and got into a better place. And over these past two weeks, off just realizing, okay, these are the things that we've messed up throughout the year. These are what we need to face. These are what this team is trying to exploit on us. So just really going back to everything and seeing what we can do better for this kind of game and for the next kind of games. Last couple of questions. Deep, Tony, you heard me, fuck a hell. How does the Tennessee's wide split receivers impact you as a Thunder? I feel like it makes the game more, more, more game. It makes you receive your own DVs at the play of the 7 games and the guys up front. And it makes it, truthfully, like those guys have to do their job and these guys have to do your job.

2:59:36You got to be able to stop the run, but if you believe happened to run fit, you have to be able to stop the path with the DV player out there. So that's what they do and they do it at a really low level. So it's going to be tough to go with. I can't find a place to join Pop and Columbus Dispatch. The coach knows what time the speed at which you guys are able to call in place is built the tempo because of the path fast. Is it a player with kind of band design that gives you just speed with the coach? All right. It allows you to get your cleats in it. Earlier just a ability to see the formation and see what keys that you have before the play and have knowledge of your job and not really thinking. Being able to play and not think during the games is a really big thing. So whenever you can get the call out faster and play at a high level and play without thought, that's a really good thing for you team. Caleb, thank you very much. Appreciate you all. Thank you. Thank you. And then maybe it can be from making some plays here or there. Is there anything else you want to offer on there?

3:00:37Yeah. Yeah. Season everybody's been doing. Throughout training camp you and Aziz got very close. How good is to see him back on the field and how were you able to be there for him as he went through that three game suspension? Yeah. It's great to have him back. I'm really happy that he's back and I know he's very motivated to play. I'm excited for him. He's a former team and he's able to, you know, in the season our way going into the playoffs. So yeah, you know, he's a leader and we need him around and nothing else. Definitely going to help this team. Did you think some of the teams have already played the playoffs or resting players this week? But Domingo said that all you guys are going to play. You think it's important for you guys to get out there, try to get back on track before the playoffs start this week? I can say that, you know, Domingo has a plan first and we got to trust his plan and go out there and play.

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

3:02:41What do you think you got to experience January football last year? What is it about when the calendar turns in January or in the national football league? Yeah, it's a new season, you know, it's a new excitement. You know, and it's all about winning that week, you know, and when you dumb it down, it's like, I get to win four more games and, you know, that's it. So, of course, it's not that easy, but you know, you have to find a way to motivate yourself. But it's motivation just being able to contain, you know, and I think it's good for us, you know, to realize, I know it was going well, I don't know exactly what it was being said, but, you know, we put ourselves in this position and it's not by chance, not by luck, it's not by people, other people was about us being a good football team and I want my team to remember that as like, you know, people are going to talk, simple in playing and we're the ones out there playing and we got into the playoffs by being a good football team and we're going to continue to be that.

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

3:04:46on and off the field has helped me ultimately with just that, I guess, that calmness that I have now, even in chaos, I guess, but, yeah, I guess it's just, you know, trying on air. And that's why I don't, I try my best not to like, hardness or duck things that are difficult in life because ultimately the values teach you, you know, humility they teach you, just, you know, they teach you how to get up, you know, and the Bible says that the righteous man falls out several times and he gets up, you know, just like Peter, you know, I want to get up. So that's what I plan to do, and, yeah, and so that's all, I feel like, why? I'm the one, I'm just being able to learn from my failures. I think you have to feel for a second, is there a new year's resolution for CJ Stroud? I was, as probably a lie. Man, I don't know, I really, I never really believed in these resolutions. It's like, I kind of started this a couple months, months ago, this journey, I started to just, you know,

3:05:52really just locking back in with the lower, you know, was, you know, kind of, in the, in the lukewarm season, you know, one foot in, one foot out, you know, the Lord has helped me to get out of that. And so that's really my, my 2025 goal is just be locked in with the Lord as much as possible, and, you know, and fast hand praying, you know, being a part, getting discipled, getting part of a church here in Houston, which I've been able to do. So, yeah, just, that's my 2025 goal is just, you know, getting closer with the Lord. All right, thank you, guys. I'd say, do you roll a staff out? How much is it grown? Did you, could put your finger on? Yeah, I was growing immensely. I mean, Caleb, he makes a lot of checks, Latham makes a lot of checks. I listen to them, whatever they need, if I need to cover somebody out, I'll go cover anybody. If they need me to do run support, I'll do run support. And it's really what Caleb does, what we do in Latham.

3:06:54It just goes back to Coach G's preparation, and everyone's preparation to give us more flexibility, and it doesn't matter who's in those positions, and we can all play every position, whether it's covering somebody or running, running and tackling. Did you feel like that was the case before the Oregon game, you're showing up, Sammy? Is it something that's been added to, it just, you know, rely on a little bit more, go ahead. Yeah, it did. I've probably been a broska game, me getting more safety reps, and we had a five week to prepare, so I really learned to play, but a lot more, even though I knew to play, but I learned a lot more, like in-depth, you know, so really just after the Oregon game, it helped me a lot to go back to safety, go to NICU everywhere. Thanks, man. Dan, both 11 Oregon and Jordan, do you guys have had a lot of issues of giving up big plays in a passing game of the first game against Oregon? What do you feel like you guys need to do better this time around, just 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,

3:07:57but 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 problem with 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's up to you for this rematch? Yeah, he's super stoked for this rematch. His preparation has been very good. He's always been preparing, you know, it didn't go the way he wanted to go that game, but he just always had his confidence, and we're going to see a big game out of him this week. And, you know, I know you guys wanted to play them in anapolis, but the fact that you get to play them at the Rose Bowl, I mean, get a second chance, and people have said, you don't get that very often. How determined are you guys to take advantage of it? We're super, super determined. We watched film. I mean, we've watched a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played up film to watch.

3:08:57And it's just, they've grown a lot as a team, same as us. We've grown a lot. We're not the same team. We were when we played them week one, or weeks, weeks, weeks or whatever, but now we're out there and going to play thighs, physical, and everything like that. Jordan, we're going to jump to the Zoom question here from Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch. My bad, not you Joey. Cameron T. Robinson, the athletic. Hey, Jordan, you've moved around a lot in the second day in your career, and now kind of getting some many more safety reps. What is it like at this point when Walt or Coach Mills comes to you and 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 the season? Meas a lot. We always talk about when this is even being on selfish, whether that's making plays or not making plays, or doing your job so another person can make plays. That's kind of what we pride ourselves on. And it's just fun, moving around different positions.

3:09:58I'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 ask them more of the podcasts. Jordan, when you were talking about watching film Oregon, which one do you think is more valuable to you watching that against yourself? Seven games ago, even if you've changed, or the ensuing six games for Oregon, which one do you put more stock in? Kind of both. For me, I kind of watch what I did, things I did well, things I didn't do too well against them. And their team, 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.

3:11:02Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. Jay, Jay, this is Greg. And we've just played a lot longer season than he has played before in Texas. So what do you think looks like, Jason? 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. I mean, you have to have that mindset, you have to have a mind, a day one mindset in order to progress. You can't rely on previously built culture or schematic understanding. 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 Jeremiah Smith. And so great opportunity to, you know, evaluate and grow a new group of guys. I think in spring, I think our opinion is, you know, by fall, everything the team, the team, the team, it's what it's all about. But in order to add to a team, in order to add to a collective, you got to focus on the individual. The individual must improve so the collective can improve.

3:12:08And 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 have not yet. Where do you see him, the fire, the passion right now? 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 you get back in the winter. It's the first opportunity to reestablish the new role that I want to have. I mean across the board, there's not one guy that doesn't want to improve roles. So I think they're all attacking it that way. I think Brandon's one of them, but he's one of of 50. And I think that it's our job to provide opportunities to grow, to separate themselves and see peer to peer evals, to allow these guys to check a chase a role, at least through winter they've gotten that started, to continue that through spring.

3:13:16And I think Brandon's fits in line with that. I think Brandon did a great job looking back of finding his role last year and excelling at it. We know we talk a lot about if you want to be a starter, you have to be a starter before you start. And if you're not, they're never going to be the starter. So I think he embodied that, you know, he gave himself an opportunity to get into spring and get into us. Excuse me in the winter, continue who he is, continue to build his base, build his leadership. And then now he's got to get that in spring. So all the great things you do prior doesn't mean anything. If you don't go out there and do it in spring. So 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, you everybody brings their own experience. Ryan was quarterback, you were a receiver. And then to become a play caller, obviously you have an understanding of the whole offense. But what was the process like for you up protections and the run game and quarterback play and just continuing to grow with your knowledge of that part of the game as you prepared for this position?

3:14:24Yeah, I mean, I think you're always growing. I think that you still have a specialty here. You still have an expertise in one area. It is seen you have an expertise in all of it. 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. Just stay off your phone and pay attention and take notes and actually maximize your time. It's amazing the amount of people that don't do that. So every time in a meeting, I just try to make sure I'm getting a nugget or I'm getting information or when things are said, do I truly understand it? And I really, guys will tell you, I don't care. I'll ask the question. I think I'm I look dumb, but I don't care because I want to know the information. So, I think that approach, I think a lot of guys have that approach that approach allows you to just build, you know, over time. And then that'll continue to build from now to game one and enough build to the season. So the opportunity to grow is literally daily.

3:15:31So I just try to make sure I'm finding those opportunities. I'm aware of those opportunities when they're writing my face. Yeah, Coach Jordan's always been a huge part of other receiver room. I think that yeah, he's just understanding that my pull away is real that can happen. So he's going to be on his toes and being ready that we're ready to not skip a beat. Right. So information wise, communication wise, he's got to be locked in on that and just on to assume that coach hard got it. He never really has. I expect him to continue to do that. And, you know, he's been a big part of everything we've done. Is that almost like taken from what Ryan did last year, where he shipped away from play calling and handed that to somebody else and shipped him away from being a quarterbacks coach? We're like, didn't have somebody to trust. How long did it take you maybe to develop that trust and that relationship with them and to where like, you know that, hey, if I pulled away for a second, like, Devon's got this. I don't have to worry about what my room is. I think it's more important that I do a great job being organized. So I'm never pulled away. I will be in that receiver room and they will be coached at the very highest level.

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

3:17:40So, and now, you know, he's going through the winter workout, his growth, his everything he's done. He's like, hey, Coach Hart, you know, I know what you're talking about now. And when you miss that, that section of winter workout. So that being said, it makes you laugh, but he's doing a great job. I expect expectations for him through spring. And I don't see that changing. The staff, the office here is younger than it's been past years. I think of the makeup book. That you don't have somebody to say. What's the average? Like average like 30 is the average age? Is that include support staff? No, it's just the primary. What's it? What's it been in the past? A couple minutes, bro. It's two more minutes. No kidding. Yeah, we don't know. Yeah. Kevin Wilson. I don't know. Daniel Anings, the head coach in Oregon. I was there. I was his average. I'm asking. I don't. I'm 38. Kenny Dylan. Hamles. 30s. So I don't know. I gave zero thought to that. I think that, you know, I think your ability to kept with players is important.

3:18:46I think you probably see a little bit that happening in the NFL as well. I really have given deal thought for this. I don't want to just ramble on that. Yeah, I just didn't know if it was solid as a major. No thought to it. You were in motion with Bryson. What's the next step for him? Because we've heard him. Echo talks him and like you've missed your consistency catching a lot of things. Like he seems to generate a little bit of buzz, but has limited role. Like now he's got an opportunity. What's the next step for him to get that out? Take the next step and be a be everything. He's capable of being right. I mean, I think the guys that you know, we're out there are. No, very consistent in all job faces. You know, like again, I think he wants to be a full rounded receiver. You know that. I think he loves playing in the slot. The great job there. I asked him to come out to the outside a little bit. Get a good job out there. I think it's natural positions and is in the slot doing a great job there. But she's another opportunity to establish himself based on his peers. Right. I mean, it's kind of like the drafts. I try to explain sometimes these guys like you come to Ohio State to compete with the best.

3:19:48It'd be alongside the best. It's always pure to peer evils. Like that's how it works. Like the draft embodies that. Like if it's easier to go play somewhere else, then that's fine. That's what we're kind of looking for. Per say I'm not saying that's pricing. I'm just saying it's a very competitive room. And you chose that because of this room. Now you got to beat your peer to play more and do more and all that stuff. So, you know, I think that. You got to continue to build worries at and the guys seem to be. You know, starters in our room, you know, really I think over the last eight years have been NFL quality guys. So if you're and it become a start of the Ohio State, it's a good chance. You're probably NFL caliber receiver. I mean, again, just go on the numbers. So you're chasing that can't get discouraged or maybe not being, you know, not doing what you think you should have done. And that goes for everybody. It's not just Bryson, but all these guys are chasing that as I ramble about Bryson. But, you know, I think that it's not just him. It's at BI. It's car now with everybody wants. It's chasing a higher level of play and this spring is another step forward to do that.

3:20:51What you're doing. What you're trying to do. How much in your estimation is that a gift? 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 like anything, it's probably a skill that you can improve on and do better at and do good and do worse at. I think being surrounded with guys and seeing how they do it has been a blessing. And it's very clear. There's more than one way to do things. So being, being aware of that, I've noticed that. How much of the pressure of the three freshmen and how they may be transitioned here? Yeah, all four freshmen, I'm like very encouraged, impressed with. They carry themselves the right way like we have hoped. They worked their tails off. If all improved, I would say that. Whether I mold the right fit, they belong in the room.

3:21:53And now they have to just improve. Now they're competing both, you know, first individually between each other. And then, you know, as we get into spraying, they'll start competing against each other. With the rest of the guys, what I mean by that. So, but as a group, the freshman group, very impressed and they're off to the right start. Go Charlant, thank you very much. Start with Lincoln. You know, a guy that's going to his third year here. And I think really like, when you've been in an offense for two years already, you're going to that third year. You've got a really good feel of the scheme. You've got a better feel of college defenses and, you know, where our schemes are susceptible. What were the issues? I am what we're trying to attack. And so I think, you know, that's something that over time I can feel Lincoln getting a better and better feel for it. You know, Lincoln has definitely stepped up from a leadership perspective. And you can see the way that, you know, he attacks workouts and, you know, this winner is so big for all three of them. Just really just set the standard and understand the intangibles that playing quarterback is all about. Right, because there's so much more than just picking up a football and throwing it when it comes to this.

3:22:53So I've seen that growth from Lincoln and that's really exciting. As for Julian, you know, last year going into the year, he was competing for a job and, you know, end up not winning the job. And, you know, he could have turned it down and been bummed out and, you know, not attacked it the right way. But I saw him continue to grow throughout the year. And so I'm going from well and to get to a point this year where we're now he can step up and be more of a vocal leader. And that's something I've seen growth of him as well. You know, he's put on some weight and he looks good and he's definitely attacked his time in the, you know, the winner. And so that's been awesome. And then Tavy and comes in and, you know, Tavy and Tavy and, you know, really should still be in high school. Instead, he's, you know, in my office all the time, learning the offense. And when he's not with me, he's with Coach make, and when he's not with Coach make her eyes over there doing academics and sassos. So his days are pretty jam packed and it's definitely new for him. But his commitment to wanting to be great and wanting to be to the level where he can go out and compete in the spring has been really impressive.

3:24:01So I'm excited for all these. I feel like what August 30th is it just around the corner years down when I'm saying you got to have a way to go. I have a kids' Texas. Yeah, I don't think so. I don't think so quite yet. You know, I think we have a unique situation where we've got three really talented kids. You know, they're all young. They all have a lot of room to grow. And I think they all understand that and are eager to attack that growth. But most college football teams or a lot of college football teams going through a year and they end up, you know, having a guy get hurt or something happens. As far as, you know, having one guy, that's not the way that we want to develop the room. We want all three of them to continue to get better, to continue to develop and be guys that we can count on throughout the season. So you guys went up board? Scholarship guy? That's still in conversation. We'll kind of see how it goes. You know, obviously three is a little bit less than we typically have. But you know, the three that we're really confident in right now. You've got to run back to two. You've got to run back to two. You've got to run back to five. You've got to push the filling out.

3:25:02I mean, you have someone that you haven't mind to come in to meet the assistant for you. Or how do you see that? Yeah, right now, Colin Kienos in helping me. So Colin was working with me at Akron. He was a student assistant and he was really, really impressive there. So he's going to come in and he's going to help out with some of the day today's stuff. And then Coach Day and I have built a pretty good relationship where between my time here is the GA where I learned the game of football the way he sees it. And that was such a pivotal time in my career. I was so blessed in college and then in my first job there that I got to work with Joe Morehead. And I learned so much football from that man. And I credit so much of my career to him to put me in the position. But then having the opportunity to, okay, hey, I'm going to see you through a little bit of a different lens and learn how Coach Day sees it. It was so big for me in my development. So that couple of years as a GA was awesome for me. And then last year to be able to sit in with him and really kind of see the game in a similar fashion.

3:26:03And I'm always going to continue to learn from him because he's just such a special coach. But to be able to see it in a similar way and continue to bounce thoughts on them to make sure that him and I are communicating in the same way. Coach Day will always be directly involved with the quarterbacks. And now Coach Hartlein will as well as the offensive coordinator. I think as the guy in that chair you have to have a relationship with the guys and how I think that's really important. So him and I have already begun conversations just about how that's going to work out and how he's going to continue to see the game the same way that the quarterback does and how he's going to communicate to them. Those conversations are already beginning. So it'll definitely be a combination of us three. Bill Etaven being there for the championship round. How about that? I guess help with the development. Well, it's pretty cool. Just about every one of those games where he was at a playoff game at the national championship. You know, our guys warming up and I grabbed him. I say, hey, look around. You got to take a couple minutes and take the same, right? This is what it looks like. This is what this is what we work for. So, you know, when you get to a really hard day in the winter,

3:27:03or you just remember not a homework to get to that point. So for him to have that experience and to be able to see that and, you know, hopefully one day when he's in that spot, he's like, oh, I've seen this before. I know what it looks like. I think it's pretty cool, I think, just to have that bank in his memory. I think he comes off, so I've spoken, but he's without question, you know, come out of the show. And I would even say he's not spoken last year. You know, I think that he kind of understood that, you know, Will was in charge of the offense and he knew that he was young and was still earning respect. You know, a big part about leadership is you can't just walk into a room and start leading. You have to earn the respect to your peers and truly understood that. And, you know, I think he earned that respect about the year. And so this year, you're definitely seeing him step up. Him and Lincoln both, you know, are in that phase where they've earned that respect. And so they're doing a really good job leading right now and in Tavians doing a good job earned respect. So we're kind of in the middle right there between the last two phases.

3:28:03Really, Lincoln is, I think still less than two years, just specializing. He's just, we're definitely actually kind of in the end, especially here. I guess where do you think he is harnessing all of that, all of that athletic ability to make a really good coach? Yeah, I mean, there's no question I would like to be special, I think. And, you know, guys that have that background that have been successful in multiple different sports. You know, one way or another is going to translate to the game of football. So I think that we're continuing to see that from Lincoln. You know, I think as the more that he, you know, is in position to understand and learn the game, in which we saw all last year, you continue to grow. And so to take that into spring, you know, and combine that with his athletic ability, I'm excited to see. I think it'll be a really good competition. Can I, you can pull back truly lead until he is in quarterback?

3:29:03Oh, absolutely. I mean, the important one for the back. Oh, I think so. I think so. I mean, leadership comes in all different phases, you know, in all different ways. There's, you know, there's without question, I've been part of different teams and I've seen it where maybe the guy that was in the starting quarterback, which, you know, is the strongest leader on the team. So I definitely think that that's part of it. You know, I think once you are in the respect of your teammates and once you show that, you know, you're going to lead by example and, you know, they respect you for that. You're in position now that you can be both of them. So, you know, I definitely don't think that you need to be a starter named a quarterback to be a leader at all. Even around some incredible offensive minds in college already, what are your, what are the traits that you look for specifically as a quarterback being a quarterback yourself? Yeah, you know, I think it comes in a couple different ways, you know, from a tangible perspective. I think that you've got to be extremely accurate. I think you have to be able to make great decisions with the footballer at the ball at the time.

3:30:04And I think that you have to be able to do it. You're consistent. And we solve a problem with the feet. So, you know, it's rare in college football that every protection is blocked up perfectly or everything goes exactly that we drew up on the whiteboard. And things break down to the ability to fix it with our legs. And then, you know, as far as intensible score, I look at, I look at, you know, Guy Lake Will, who had those intangibles about as well as I've ever seen. And that's just a complete command and understanding of both the offense and the huddle to know exactly what we're trying to do on every single play. Know what we're trying to attack, understand where the issues are and where they lie and how you're going to combat those issues. To be able to understand, you know, when it's time to move on for the ballway and move on to the next play. And then also be mentally tough enough that when things don't go our way, to be able to react the right way and move on to the next play. Did you go last year? What last question? Did you go last year? I didn't do this one. Oh, no.

3:31:04I didn't do this one. I didn't do that one. When you're coaching and you build a relationship with these guys, you want nothing more than for them to go out and have success on the field. And I think that's so important. Like I sit in that room and you know, it's about them going out and reaching their potential and maximizing their talents and going out and execute on the field. And so, you know, last year, I was just trying to find a way that I could help them do that. So, you know, to be able to work with those guys last year and to help out and, you know, have them see some success. It was special for me, but it was special for me because I know how bad they wanted it. And so, that was pretty neat. I have to do some big scene to feel this Cody was a great player, a great leader. He's like with a quarterback and a defense. He's definitely some big scene to feel. And like, Coach Lauren, I said that you got to be who you are or not. Yeah. Who that guy was, right? He's inside of being, but definitely that's what scene to feel. I mean, you feel like you've blossomed in the last year or they could truly count on you and stuff.

3:32:04I mean, you remember how it came along? I think it started in like fall camp just flashed in there. I had to like the first day and was wearing a wrong side on this hallline. I don't know what it was like with a concentration camp. Well, it's been great. I like it. I like it's personality. I like a more feel and that's a poor. Yeah. And the life-affors, what kind of difference does it have in the system? Or is it going to be the same? Or is it going to be the same? Oh. We just learned it right now. We just worked it out. We just learned it yesterday. What do you think about CJ Hicks and what he can do in this defense? I think CJ Hicks said what he can do in his defense. Or just what he can do this season, you know? We can do this season. I think CJ will pop up this season for sure. I think this definitely going to be one of his years for sure. Got to. What do you think is the biggest difference between French and New York and Georgia? To me, it's no different.

3:33:07They both coach you and they both, like, they hard on you, but they want you to be great. So I don't think there's no difference. I don't think so. What's the result of the approach you know about the sun? I think Sunnie is a great leader. First we follow anything Sunnie is great leader. I feel like he's like the voice. He can be thinking something Sunnie just can't worry about for the whole team to understand. So Sunnie definitely had great hit on the phone. I'm not sure if Sunnie had not just played that much. How does that show itself? Obviously local. There's something that's unique about that. I think it's about only field or when it's leadership.

3:34:09Like I said, he's just a great leader. Like he, a vocal guy. Like you said, it shows up on the field too. It's hard to follow up to a guy who says something don't own and they're not on their stuff. So Sunnie, one of those guys, he's on his stuff. So when he leaves, everybody listen. It's obviously been long string of linebacker success of Ohio State. You've been a long string of linebacker success at Ohio State. You've got Sunnie taking that next step this year. How motivated are you to be part of that linebacker? It's a play at Ohio State. I'm ready for it. That's what I'm hopeful. The most at stake. Like I said, we're trying to treat it like a business trip. We're not good. This isn't the normal bull trip. We're not here to necessarily go sightseeing or check out the city or anything. We're here to win a football game. That's what we're here for. We're going to be punked down, doing everything we can to get this way. Well, you talk about motivation in October 12th game.

3:35:11I think you talk about running the league and trying to balance out of that game too high on your emotion. How does that motivation for you show up on an idea that basically is more preparation, more film? What does that look like for you? It's just really an edge in everything you do. I feel like carrying that kind of pissed off mentality. I mean, obviously not letting it affect you in a negative way. Making it remind you, hey, I'm going to go the extra inch here. I'm going to see if I can find something extra on film late at night. I'm going to go over this sheet again, call the plays one more time. All these little things that I just can't let that what happened last time happened again. I was talking about how you're playing back here at football. He tended to be playing in the Rose Bowl. He grew up in big 10th country. What does it mean to take part in this game? What does this mean to you and your own up? It's a ton, man. It's crazy that God has blessed me and put me in this position to be here and be the quarterback in the Rose Bowl.

3:36:11A game that I grew up watching every single year. Some unbelievable games that I've watched in the Rose Bowl, some classics. And just to be a part of it is a blessing. And I think we're all humbled to be here and we're all understanding of how unbelievable this opportunity is and we're not taking it lightly because, again, it's a business trip. The only thing that we're looking at is we win this game and we go on a playing the Cup Bowl. It's really exciting. It's crazy that we're here and that we're a part of this, but can't let it be too big. We've got to go out there and play football. What was it fair to say? What did you say about your mother and her husband? I think so. I think you go back and watch the film and I just didn't. And I'm hypercritical in myself and I think we all are here. But I just look at it and I'm like, man, I don't think anyone this year beat us. I think we beat ourselves every time.

3:37:12And you watch and we had to turn over in our own 20-yard line and they got the kick. That's two possessions. It's the first half. And then obviously the way the game ended, and we're still one point away. That's what hurts. And it was a hostile environment at their place. I'm just thankful that I said this the other day, but we're thankful that we did it. Do you feel like you've been looking back two weeks ago from Tennessee? You've come back to us and confidence about this, where you've made what they're doing to show you. You mean, put it all together? Yeah. What is your sense of the team from that aspect? Does it feel a little bit different? Yeah, I think a game like that, you know, instills confidence in you guys, because it shows us we're capable of. But you can't be complacency and it can never be comfortability. It has to be confidence and drive and that's what it has to do. Her just to be like, man, like we can do this. When we play at our best, I don't think there's anyone in the country that can hang with us,

3:38:14but we have to be on our game. We have to make sure that we can't let anything go. You're not being protect this much. I'm not being protecting this much. I'm not being protected. I'm not being protected. You're not being protecting this much. I'm not being protecting this much. I'm not being protected. I just, you know, at the end of the day, I just want to keep the ball moving down the field, you know, getting in a rhythm, I think it's going to be big for us, and I think we did a really good job of that in Tennessee game. Weathering storm a little bit early, and in the recall early calls that we got the belt sound in that game, and kept this going, but regardless, we kept the drive going. For me, keeping us on schedule, taking care of the football, and making sure that we can hurt on third down in our situation we could. We do all that stuff, obviously for me, you know, I want to leave these guys and drive them she and because we got, when we're on our stuff, we're on our stop, so we just got to make sure that we finish our preparation, right? These last two days, and go out there and put our best work.

3:39:15Thanks for all the help, thank you guys. You come on this way. Yeah, that's one. That would be a good play. Oh, it is, it is good. It is good. It is good. Yeah, that's one. That would be a good play. Yeah, when you got a lot of playing time, you had to do something to it. What kind of problems would you have in that game? A good one. You know, especially Sergeant Longman, my whole goal was to just get going, just be there, just keep going. You know, when I got the ball, it was a good play. That's what I was thinking. I was trying to get me to go ball, I mean, I didn't really do anything. You walked on to the game, did you ever envision yourself being where you are right now, and just wanting to do it? I definitely tried to, so I definitely didn't really, but if you speak something, I'm really trying to be passionate about it, and it's just really helpful to kind of see a vision, and stick to that. So, it is a blessing to you. You spent some of the vibes guys in the tight end room and a monitor on a regular basketball stadium. Vive guys, I'd say, better pressure, he's walked away.

3:40:18He kind of brings some good energy. Jason Middleton right there, too. He kind of oversees Max the Bar, and a little bit, so that's pretty fun. And then, catching, we all have some pretty good opportunities for catching, especially practice with all the mates and everybody catches. It's a very competitive group this year. Definitely competitive, but in a good way. We're all there, supportive. We all know our strength and we're all good with it. We have to practice, we're working with each other, and hopefully, we get better, because we all know that we're moving each other, for the students, when we all season. There we are. He adjusted from the walk-down, did he, and then he passed your thing on the left here? I would say, there's a point where I'm not afraid of anything. I'm part of it. I need to be like, understand. I would always say that every one of you would question you, and you're not afraid of anything. If you're not afraid of how, how can people be proud of you? How are you? You're speaking with a time of day, a little bit, right there.

3:41:21I have a coach here, and I think it's a few on that. So, sometimes, it's not, it's really loud. I mean, it was before Rutgers, when I knew Rutgers was just a first opportunity. I don't know if you can tell that. I don't know, I don't know. You can tell that. I don't know. I just haven't heard anything about Rutgers. He's definitely on Rutgers, and I like that. He's on Rutgers. I'm going to talk to him. He's on Rutgers. I'm on Rutgers. Yeah, sure. I mean, that's what our unit is, we're trying to help us put you into that. That's what we're doing. You can just, first of all, just get a look. I would say we definitely have grown, but he started in this way. That's where it was started. I was trying to get it. Or just, you know, the hundred percent. No, the hundred percent. No, the hundred percent. No, the hundred percent. No, the hundred percent.

3:42:22No, the hundred percent. I mean, I want to really say that it's real, and the toughness, that's real, and the talent of the police is right there. So, you know, we've come up with this. It's a laugh. I mean, we've all started with this. That's all we've got. It's a laugh. They've got, you know, those are the last but a lot of it. I would say our gindi, like, kind of, those are the last of the toughness, because, our enemies are the toughest, we're just going, you know, full-wrap smell. We're going to be told to look for the block. It's the end of that. It's working. I saw that, and it's getting a lot of fun. So, you know, after this, we're putting on this. We're doing this. We're going to be going against this. Yeah, how much has your coming from your family been out? Going to great resource to being able to play here in Ohio State? I mean, being 20 minutes from home is pretty nice, and my dad plays here. It's a big one, too. So, just being able to go back home and spend time playing these good is a good thing. How often do you go back? I would say I'd probably go once a week, or this week, somewhere right around there.

3:43:25Not that, right? There's some good people. Yeah, get a family dinner. Yeah. No, there. Do you ever go back for a very high school event? Sure. Go back to being there. Yeah. For the schedule for next. Yeah, it's a play for me at five weeks, or this week, I can go back, so it's not that. When things ramp up in the school, and how do you balance that? You know, government. I, yeah, it does. I especially wanted to be the skimming system after the little games. I think you really have to go and trust and go to my seat for the area. You really have to go down and do some skimming. Now that we're under so much time, what, what excitement is it about getting on the field, and anything you've played, meaning will football. You know, the brothers, seeing the brothers succeed, and just knowing that all the work that will put any good, will go for them. Yeah. That's awesome. Let's go. Are you a big guy that had on taking the environment, or you choose all business once you step out of the honest view? I had probably said, I know, business.

3:44:26I kind of just kind of went out there and pulled a little bit. But there's moments, like when we had a big run at Notre Dame, I'm taking that all. That was awesome. There's moments like that, we just kind of have to look at it and run. Yeah. When you were at Rutgers, like getting on the football snatch, and how can you prepare for that for everything that you've done? Is there a way that you can get back in that moment? Practice. You know, placing the beers, practice 100% here. So that can be some of the January and the day after. And then that could be something you know, and work on it. And at the day, it means just what they're about practices. When you're making that, that's what it's worth. You're talking about the DDS today. You're always excited about working against that practice. How do they push you as to having that idea of you better than the previous one? A little quicker than me.

3:45:27So I'd like to get my hands on a little bit of my can, and just kind of break off of that. That, you know, their quickness kind of helps me get my feet on the ground. When you think about how many guys you have in your inventory, how much you like to add in, you know, like, you know, you're having to start to tell them you're young. People don't know what you're adding, like, an album. Right. I think it's good. Well, I was wondering, you've never made this game so much since then. I think it's a pain, you know. Yeah, but I have to rest.

3:46:27That's what I'm really, really, really, really, really good. How important is the relationship that we've been through? I'm really, really happy. Good. Yeah. We're close to the talk a lot. I went to the Moban and I was in the same place. I think that, especially when I was here. First utility, a lot of playmaking, a lot of down and dirty blocks, because I have, I've been as blocking, just like, just an exciting player. The seat paid half the kind of year he been last year as a receiver. Like, how inspiring is that? The seat away tight interview? You used to be a farmer. You used to be a man. Tyna is a, or a jack hotline more and more. And Kay was just one of the people that stood out this year because he put in that work consistently. And in not the woody late nights, early mornings, even with me sometimes. What do you like? 30. I just say, what do you like about blocking? Blocking, just knowing that you can physically move him, man. He knows, he knows, that's all blocking is. Knowing that you can get yo right back to the kids all just by you cutting somebody up.

3:47:31And you're like, you've made the biggest strike. Which one? Of course, it was something one thing that highlighted when I first got here knowing that a high school I didn't do really too much of it. I was more of a catcher while I was here, but when you got to do what you got to do, you got to get better. What's the thing you do most about blocking? Blocking, it's all about leverage. It's all about leverage. You bring high or you have good leverage, you're in the block. What's it been like having an air here? Hey, that's my dog. It's always good, again, somebody from back home, especially with a guy you already had connection with for two or three years and years before that with school, for about before high school. How would you see them take your high school? Man, he's dressed with everything. He did not, he did not, he did not, the gym from the other guys in the quarterback room, probably from the other guys that came back during spring practices because our one night is great. Man, air is going to be a great guy. How cool is that when you see a guy like CJ Strauss come back here?

3:48:32It was a little shocking at first because I decided to play with him and all you do is get the hair about him. CJ, he's pretty cool, I talked to him a little bit. He said he showed up to the tie dance while he was here. There's a bunch of guys from Georgia, our ones team on both sides of the ball. What do you make of that? There's a bunch of guys from Georgia. Hey, Georgia, what are the dogs at? Literally the bulldog? I'm not bulldog, it's really dogs. What kind of bulls, the combos, the same thing, what do you make of it when you play in a game? I mean, game plan was come out of wind. I was a part of that beginning then some other guys came in who could get the job done. Just probably a little bit more better than me. The combo was a great experience, really true. It was a great bonding experience for the whole team. I had to leave the witty for a minute. That looked cool in vacation. I spent Christmas out there. What was it like to have to have patience and panic? I'm thinking, play, you've got a big guy. You know, because you were a peagly maybe.

3:49:32What's it like to wait kind of your turn? At the same time trying to prove yourself? It's not really too much proof of myself. It's just me getting better on a day-to-day basis. I mean, it's not the first time I've been waiting to play a little bit. Obviously, some guys, freshman year, high school, played JV. I was one of those guys, played JV. You get better, you have moved up and the worker show. Basic air, because of air content too. We've been going, Alex. Long time no see coming close to the pool. Well, Aaron knows the grind. Aaron's a quarterback. He knows the grind. He knows that a little bit better than me while I was in high school. He showed, he didn't show me the ropes. But he definitely gave me gems and motivated me while I was making that process. Obviously Caleb Downs, one of those Georgia guys, that's been like practicing at the same time. Caleb Downs, from Perry, man. I mean, he's trying to bring it every day. I bring it every day. Or high on stage, you're going to get the best of the best of every day. So, I love it. Did you play against baseball? I didn't get to play against him in high school.

3:50:35What would you see of him in practice at center? People speak of him being one of the best in the base and the best in the state. What were they talking about for your match? What stands out about his play? I mean, he proved that everything he had to prove to get that title at Alabama. He showed, he can make plays. He showed, he's a great football player and all he did was bring his time to a higher stake. Can you see Sammy? I mean, you see Sammy, but he wants you to play a league again on the guy. He knows what he did for the game. I know for sure, Caleb has definitely did his homework. He's definitely watched for him and he definitely knows what he's looking for. So, it makes the game very easy. All right, so, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You know, taking the podium points that Coach Kelly and Coach Day gave me and then I also learned from our order guys, you know, William Devlin, Ben here. They played a lot of football and so I was just taking the points and then I jumped right out through it. So, you went into the portal and actually continued to reach out and made the final deal. And what's that like? I'm going to take a few months to go. I'm going to do a little bit of that while I was in the pool. I mean, it was a little bit crazy. I was only in for about two days because I had to make quick decisions just because of the classes starting in general.

3:51:37So, like, it was definitely a definitely kind of a crazy time, but definitely in the right decision. Julian was Nick really the primary reason why he left? I would say yes. I came with Coach Sabin. We had great leadership, the green process and I loved him, left Coach Sabin and I really wanted to play for him. And, you know, just the new staff came and we didn't have the relationship prior to when I got there. So, I just thought it was a message for me for him. So, what was it about a high-state staff that maybe correlated between what you were going into with Alabama that you felt you could transition over here? I felt like there was a really good quarterback development here. Coach Day, pretty good like Westboro. You know, the quarterbacks, they've had just the past five years shown the credit rate numbers and I've just really done things the right way. And I wanted to come to this offense because my husband, Coach Kelly, you know, make adjustments to Ryan. Do you want to staff it? Staff it, I'll tell you. I had pretty much contact with them and they weren't really a high-ender than that staff member.

3:52:37What are the things that Coach Day says that you don't like having enough in that process? Now, you've played up a need a lot of time and you've put a lot of things there. What is it about you to drive so you want that much further? I would say, you know, in high school, I had a coach that, you know, he was giving a lot of responsibility and he would know quite a lot of responsibility. He would make things hard on me and so I just, you know, I want to be the best player that he can be and take the need with me or do things the right way and just do things around. I love watching Hillboro, you know, he makes adjustments to Ryan. He's a really good decision maker. I like just the murder, but I charge his fans and I've lost in him play. Some of those guys know that I'll just, you know, do the decision makers who make things the right way? I would say I'm a little bit more quiet, but I'm working on the high school side, you know, Coach Day is trying to get me to the board. I'm a vocal leader out there with the guys that I need my management strategy. It's going to be a little different.

3:53:41That's why it's quite a confidence, that's why you're confident in your ability to play. I know what we do have a lot of fun with you, but I'd be happy if you could give us a big round of applause. I actually, I think I've only been here once in a few months, I love it. I'm a really good food, good place to be and hang out with friends a lot of years after. I think I've visited maybe Freshman or South Carolina. Yeah, just for the camper and visit, just to see the sort of these things. It was really good to have him. I know it was only a few days, but being in the out-of-down program, especially if they prepared for a walk-around front, what did you take away from that short period of time? Yeah, it was really good with Coach Rees and Coach Savin. They were coaching players hard and I saw the work that takes to get to the playoffs and then coming here, just seeing the older guys putting the work throughout the winter. I've seen all the guys put in the work and then trying to have the takes. How much of a relationship do you have with air, obviously?

3:54:41Like he had been committed, you come in, you're both Freshman. What was it like before and what's your relationship? We didn't have much relationship prior. We measured it in 2011. I knew each other a little bit and then come in here, you know, we're back room, everyone knows the playoffs. So we're all pushing each other to be better. We're all taking push points from each other trying to get better. Coach Savin, you're trying to make sure you're quite surprised. I'm just expecting you. I would say we are a cop, I surprise. You know, come back from the game and we're a little bit high spirits because of the team that you're in. I don't know, I mean, it was high cop, I surprise. How did you feel when you were in the air? Did you feel when you were in the air? Did you just play for or did you just sign up for the air? Did you just come out of the air? Did you drive for a ball back? There was definitely a lot of emotions but I'd like to have a lean on a healthy thing right now. I think you're going to make the right decision when you're in the air and I'm like, I'm going to move to work. I think you're not going to be able to stop making sure you're in there. I have a true question.

3:55:41I'm going to put you in the air. I can't really explain how to have out of the air. I'm just really trying to develop and take push points from Coach Day. I can have a great cornerback risk and then take push points from Coach Kelly. I just want to develop and run the offense when they want it. And then take push points and try to put them on there. What do you think, what about your game? I think that I can be a really good decision maker for the offense and some of you will be absolutely fantastic. Did you think that's what you call a game? Did that actually do it? Did you think that was a good decision? That's a good decision. I think it's kind of a lot of things. I was always around for a ball. My bow is a quarterback at Penn. So he used it quarterback in eighth and I was in high school and I was following his footsteps. I've always been around for a ball.

3:56:41And then I just been at high level after his high school. And you really just had a ball around that. Who do you want to take? Who's your favorite type of player? Packard. What are you saying? I'm a taste of my opponent. I'm a good player. I'm a good player. There are reps doing a good job, not just sitting there and being like, this is another player. I see them fiercely battling from that position. I had developed a great job. Is there anywhere you've been practicing primarily at? Position or left tackle? Left tackle. Is that your natural position pretty much? I played left tackle towards the end of my high school career. I played it all the way up until the spring of my junior season here. And I went to write for spring ball a little bit of camp and I went back to left. I think that I'm much more comfortable left tackle. You went to write this pass. The spring before the spring. So my junior, yeah.

3:57:41Were you right tackle all of last season, like throughout the year? No, I played left. Okay, so you've primarily been left? Yeah, most of my time here has been left. I'm very, very much more comfortable left tackle. I'm left handed, like everything I do. I've been playing left tackle. Are you left-footed, too? Yeah. I'd say, yeah. Are you really? Yeah. You kicked it to your left play. You know, Chip made the comment about wanting 10 dyes. It's possible. Because the guys are going to need as much depth as possible, especially when it comes to the offensive line. Do you think right now your room is at that point where you can probably legitimately platoon? Like, not just kind of at the end of the game type thing, but really throughout the game, you get some meaningful minutes. Yeah, with all the stuff that went under in camp, like a lot of guys got a lot of reps. And I think a lot of guys were able to step up and show that like they are reliable. Like there were days that we didn't know who we had going into practice. I think that genuinely I can honestly afford, we say that we do have good pieces in our room.

3:58:42We have depth. More depth than I thought. We've had some time in here. You think that would be something that like you guys would be able to kind of cohesively agree on. Like it's like, okay, any second unit, let's get in there. And it's, you know, end of the first quarter, second quarter, whatever the case is. And some people may not get like kind of touchy about that. I got to come out of the game. You know, you think you guys have that kind of like relationship if you will to be able to agree upon something like that? I think we have a great, our room is a great relationship. I feel like that we, you know, everyone's best friends. Like we, this is one of the closest, I mean, just the rooms I've ever been in. I felt like we've been together for so long and all the young guys have been coming along. So it's been good, I'd say. He's like a bonded sounds like pretty pretty well. How do you think there's a unit handle that criticism for this venue for a couple of years for the O-Line? And then it's just constant. Yeah. We've been at that type of event. Yeah. I mean, when you're at a place like this and everyone, everything around usually you're going to keep up. And what Coach Friar always tells us is that we have them in our room.

3:59:44So like there's no like it's on us. Like you look at your brothers next to you and it's on all of us to uphold that standard and just keep kind of like fighting to be the best version that we can be of our offensive line unit. Put it out there on game day. What's the biggest thing that feels different for you this year than maybe years past? I would say confidence and just comfortfulness and then I'm in my fourth year. I'm back at my... You just playing left to act while I'm having a good time. I've just been... I feel like I've just been genuinely having fun with it. Not taking it seriously, but like it's at the same time realizing that it's football. And I feel like that is almost relaxed. Being able to play faster, being able to be more comfortable. What do you think it is that's instilled that confidence in you? Oh, reps. For sure. reps. I've had a lot of reps this campus. Is this a camp you probably had the most reps of any camp you've ever had? Oh, yeah. I mean, probably the first week of camp I'd probably... I mean, I was taking like 30, 40 reps of practice.

4:00:44I feel like this was... You're going back to back. Me and Austin, he's just going ones and twos and I'm saying that guys are sick and whatnot. I got a bunch of reps. So yeah, I don't know about it. How have you seen Austin take to playing tackle? He's doing good. I feel like Austin gets out there. He's tired. It's like the end of the rack. We're switching off. I don't have anybody. So I think sometimes it's kind of just like, oh, I hear you're out there. But he's gotten better at it for sure. Just in general, like him playing both tackle and guard. Like what are the things you've seen from down down into your tail? I've seen Austin go to... I mean, gosh. Austin's been such a big jump this year from last year. Guard. I mean, obviously I didn't see him a whole bunch last year because I didn't even see him. I'm scouting, but this year, especially spring ball, I saw him take some strides. But this camp, especially Austin's stepped up so much. I've seen so much more of Austin. Using what we've learned to execute in a game and improve in the practice. Now we're in Josh and we're here for four years now. Do you know where the rope is going to go? I've seen it grow the most.

4:01:45I'm just having reps in the system. There's a lot going on in the system. We're having reps, having seen live fire in front of you. And just getting that confidence. You know, oh, I'm half of it. It's mentality that it has confidence. So just having the other half of the game, adding that to the half of the game, I think it's just going to improve further. Number, where is this line going to proceed? Really stepped up. Basically, you know what I mean? Taking a bit where do you want to come from? Where is your seat? I mean, I'll just say this whole line for the most part has a lot of points. You know, Seth bringing Seth, he has tons of points. And then everyone else that on the line that played last year, not coming back how he yearned to the belt. So just the veterans mentality is like, these senior balls now, not just seen it, you're not guessing, you can play fast. And with the tools that we had, with Coach Fried teaching lesson, and just going against, I would say, one of the best headlines in the country,

4:02:48where you have much more special to get better. You know, as much as I hate confidence in my sky as well, they do get us better. And so just rolling off the ball, playing with technique, playing with the band, is what we learned about the pieces. Seth, just be more particular. Where is he brought? Can you tell me, he's played Big Town football? How does that show up here? Seth, I want to say, I have a big town program where he came from. How does that show up? I mean, he doesn't blink, you know. He's a big jitter out there, and he's played in the biggest games you can think of. And so, you can see his experience, his leadership at this position, just communicating down the line and making sure I wasn't on the same page. Johnny, last question. What's your situation? What was your time for? Just, I'm weird as this month then, for the whole offensive line, starting with the one, the illness and everything, having meetings in here. I'm sure it wasn't what you guys expected, all just to look like.

4:03:50Yeah, you know, I just kind of had to adapt. We've got some pretty good illnesses in here, but just trying to adapt and make sure everyone's one healthy. When we're a health comes first and foremost, so we had to make sure we're in an area where we can still learn the healthy environment, and then just make sure those guys are taking care of and so they come back to come back stronger and healthier. Well, I think it's half a chip on your shoulder, and I would talk to them on that before, just to look at what happened last year, and sort of mean the lack of the better term of punch in my, in all the terms of... You know, criticism that you guys have taken at the heart of the content of our show, showed people something in the area. I mean... Yeah. I mean, I added small hours there, but yeah, I mean, what's been said in our room, don't get me set out here, we understand the narrative, we understand what some of y'all think of us.

4:04:52I mean, we just got executed, man. It's a y'all in your court, which I see on the field, so if we want to change our narrative, we got to improve how the field, that's what we got to do. And I'd go on to the thank you. That's the kind of surprise, man. But I like that it was a little Christmas flair, so. Austin Moore, podcast. What did you guys think of the rotation on the guard's philosophy? I thought all three of those guys did a really nice job, and I think it's, you know, to develop depth-lateness season, like we have is critical. I thought it looked really well, but I think when you can kind of keep some guys fresh, you know, those teams defensively, Tennessee being one, our team being one, Oregon being one, rotate defensive linemen very rarely, are you rotating offensive linemen, so to have three really capable guys inside that can spell each other, I think helps keep them fresh a little bit, so, you know, I know Justin and Coach have talked a lot, and we'll continue to play all three of those guys, and I think it makes all three of those guys better players. You said that, and he says not, it's not that common, we don't see it very often,

4:05:54is that a difficult thing for a coach to staff to do in an institute, like it just goes against the notion that one chemistry and cohesion and all the rest of that, was it a difficult step for you guys to take that back? No, I think it's a credit to those guys, and I think they've all earned it, so I think that's the one thing about it. It's a meritocracy here, you have merit-playing time, you get playing time, and all three of those guys have worked really hard at it, so, you know, the more depth you can have, the better. And that's a positive, you know, as you're getting in here, we talk about it, it's a 16-17 game season to win the whole thing, and so your depth is going to be tested, our depth obviously has been tested in the offensive line, lose a Jimmy, and he loses and sat, so, but to have Luke step up the way he's stepped up is a huge deal for us. You know, Davis Delver set? Yeah, obviously, every time somebody's talking about consistency, people talk about what he's playing consistency, then the talents play better, but you get a good lot of attention. What do we see with Jolani?

4:06:54This is a lot of betrayal, but we kind of find the consistency of that trust until the end. Yeah, I'm a big Jolani fan, I think he's a tremendous football player, he works his tail off, and you can see him develop. He's certainly gotten better each week this season, and continues to develop. He's a big tall, rangel target, but he's a physical football player. You know, and when you look at him, you see his length, and you see his height, and you say, well, you know, that's impressive, but then you watch his toughness, you know, I think on the one play, we'll took off for a first down and fell forward, but when he hit the ground, the ball popped out, and then Tennessee picked it up, and he laid a hit on the Tennessee defender that picked the ball up. There's an innate toughness to Jolani that any football person just kind of demires from him, so combining that athleticism with that toughness, it's a pretty good package. Downspherry, so yes, why? WNS coach obviously, these are kind of uncharted waters. You guys knew going in, the death would be important, but this will be your 14th game.

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

4:08:56so you know, and there's no better model than Cardell Jones and what he did when the last time this team won a national championship, you know, we started off the season of three, but then he was a quarterback that led them to the championship game, so we talked to our players about that a lot, and then it's when your time comes, are you ready when your time comes, and if it is, then let's go. What I get on a roll, ball-mounting, is important. Do you feel the momentum coming out of that defensive game, and you hope it continues now? You do hope it continues, and I think our players are in a good mindset right now, you know, I think we're still, I know today, I think you said, I think you said, Jerry, Saturday, right, Jerry? Yes. It's Wednesday in our world, so that's kind of how we approach it, so, you know, we had a good Monday and a good Tuesday, so now it's really just having a good Wednesday and concentrating a fully on what we can do today to get better for this game that's coming up in a couple days. Tell me, I think it's the last game that our ball didn't mention the important thing for us back. What have you noticed the differences in the importance of the last time you play on?

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

4:10:59Even me, Cleveland.com, there's more on the rotation. With Austin, I guess, his ability to be able to do that in the same game, Donald Jackson sometimes talks about different people like Frank Wright, right Frank, and so just him being able to do that in the same game, and he's great on as a champion in that game, can you evaluate his performance on both sides? Yeah, and I think you make a great point. There's a big difference between playing on the right side and playing on the left side, and I don't know if people really truly realize that. It's a different deal. There's a big difference between being a guard and being an attacker, you know, how you see things and what you see. You know, you see different looks. You're facing different players, you know, you're using different footwork on the right side. You're the right hand's down, the right foot's back on the left side, the left hand's down, the left hand's back, so that sounds easy, but to drill and to be a great offensive lineman, the technique and the repetitions are huge, and you have to be able to do it both ways within a game itself. Is a credit to Austin, and I think, you know, that flexibility allows us to kind of move those three guys around,

4:12:02because somebody has to swing if you're going to do that. So I think he's done a really good job, and I think since the beginning of the year, he's always kind of in that guy that, you know, started off a little bit early in the year on the right side. I then stepped in on the left side when Donnie was down for a while there, but then to be able to feel when going over the other side is a really big deal. And there was a way you guys were running the ball, obviously, pre-lung million different injuries on the offensive line. Just happened at the time between the last time you guys played, and you guys played on Saturday, and it made me revamp whatever you guys need to revamp to fit into what the guys are now. I don't know, could you do that during the season when you're playing week to week well, also trying to mitigate all the losses you're having and you're playing on the offensive line? Yeah, a little bit, and I think a lot of times your game plan, specific in the run game, really is dictated by who your opponent is, and how they play, and how they deploy what type of spacing do they use upfront, and then what plays are better against that spacing, and then breaking down the individual play of the individual guys.

4:13:02You know, where is their strength? Is it the inside guys? Is the outside guys? How do they handle certain plays? So there's certain plays that are better against different teams, so there's always adjustments that go on from a week to week basis from that standpoint. Spencer Holbrook, let him go. Chip's as well has come back tight end. What is the game you guys think would you guys think of the same time or the thickness? Yeah, just having him back, we actually lost him in this game, and then to come back, I think he's a big strong body. He can be a tight end and inline tight end that can block defensive ends, block the C gap. You know, gives you that matchup in there against, and we're going to need it this week because the ends were facing are really, really good. But given a guy that can play in line, in line up as basically the sixth offensive lineman and can be able to compete like that, he's done a really nice job. And I think it just added more depth than given us another weapon to use on the offensive side. Did you use the tight end to bring all against Tennessee?

4:14:03I think you had a big, Johnny and the catchings in the state. Did you use G, you can store it in, transfer it, so it was pretty good against two guys. I think it was a bit of a big game, it's been a bit of a long time, that makes you guys like get the tight end more involved. It seems like in a big game offensive, you just target a tight end. Yeah, I mean, the tight ends are usually deployed towards the middle of the field. It's a shorter throw for the quarterback. The tight ends are usually bigger targets. They have a bigger catch radius, just because of the size of the tight ends and what they can do. Sometimes it becomes a matchup game with tight ends. You know, how do they match up against the linebackers? If they're a little bit more athletic than the linebackers, then do you put a DB on them? But if you put a DB on them, maybe they're bigger than a DB, so that becomes kind of the game within a game. When you're trying to control the middle of the field, you know, it's like having a really good slot receiver and we do in a Mecca that can control the middle of the field. But they have a really good tight end, you know, watching them on tape that does a great job of helping control the middle of the field. And he's really a safety valve for the quarterback knowing that, hey, I got a big guy somewhere in the middle of the field.

4:15:03It's a shorter throw. They don't have to drive the ball to the side line to get the ball to him. But you can take advantage of some of that spacing and use those guys. But I think it's the same thing, you know, the teams that are really successful in the NFL, the chiefs and people like that. The Niners with Kittle, you know, having that kind of security blanket in the middle of the field is a big deal for Kormack. Folks, this press conference is being zoomed in streamed around the world on the worldwide web. We're going to go to a couple of those on zoom right now. A question from Andrea Soto from the Los Angeles Times. Andrea. Oh, she you are returning to the stadium that you've all home for the past six years. Is that at anything that is game for you or is this kind of business usual? Gotta get more sunscreen looking at the weather report because we haven't seen the sun a little in a while out here at Columbus. But I think more of the game itself in the Rose Bowl itself, you know, is it's such an iconic place and such a special place to play, you know, to be at that two o'clock kickoff on the West Coast on January 1st is it's special.

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

4:17:10Yeah, I'm not surprised that the success Dylan has had, you know, you could see it. When he was at Millilani in Hawaii in high school and then watching what he did at Central Florida. Didn't surprise me to success. He had at Oklahoma, no other success. He's at it Oregon. He's extremely accurate. I think he's really calm. There's a poise about him that I think is, you know, kind of special for the quarterback position doesn't seem to get rattled too much. Really has a true understanding of what they want to get accomplished there. And is also really athletic so that if you do take away some of his options from a throw standpoint, he can beat you with his leg. So I think he's the complete package and one of the top quarterbacks in the country. You got time for one more on Dylan Joe Reedy from the Associated Press. Hey, Jeff. Just with working with this offense for the past year, when was the point where you felt like you were really comfortable with this offense? Really comfortable with this group and everything was kind of operating how you wanted it.

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

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

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

4:21:16You know, they just lack the experience. I don't like the talent. They just lack the experience. So, having a veteran quarterback like that, that's played a lot of snaps. And there's things that will say, hey, we're looking to do this. So, I did that, you know, that was a two-point play for us a couple years ago. So, I kind of like that, that operation. So, you know, having that experience, I think, is huge when it comes to quarterback's bottom. I'm sure Dan will tell you the same thing about having Dylan over there. You know, I think he's got 60-some-odd start. So, you know, that experience can't, can't hurt you. Bill, a bit of it. It's almost this bad. So, if you coached for a long time, you've seen great players pushing NFL. Have you ever seen anyone who's good as young as Jeremiah? As young? No. No, not that maturity level that approach those physical skills as a young player, as a freshman. I've not seen anybody like Jeremiah now. And, you guys wrote in last game, you're undoubtedly going to do it throughout the playoff. What makes you so confident and fulfilled for that?

4:22:18You know, I think the one thing about Jeremiah is just his consistency to practice itself. He practices every day very rarely as he missed anything. You know, I think his durability over the course of time, you know, we played 14 games now or 13 games now. And, you know, he's been there every day. You know, some other guys have had an ankle, had a knee, had something that would keep him out not for the entire game, but during the course of a week, maybe a miss a Tuesday, miss a Wednesday. You know, the one thing about JJ is he's out there every day. And I think he's, he really enjoys practicing. He really enjoys playing. I think the kid loves football, which is awesome to see. So, you know, I think he's built for it. You know, you look at him physically, I think he's, he can handle the workload. You said, sir, Northwest Jeremiah, he's ankle got twisted. He didn't miss any practice after that. Now, you know, I think, you know, everybody was concerned after that, but when we, because we're off, we run around on Sundays, but we're off on Mondays. When we got back to Tuesday, he was back out there running around.

4:23:18Now, what both things out with Bill Landis, Kings of the North. Chip, I think the fantasy game was the most, maybe you guys have moved Jeremiah around. There was this highest percentage of snaps on the week from the season. I know a lot of you guys do as opposed to the specific, but how much of moving him around was, you know, dictated by just how teams have defended him. And what is it for you, I guess, when you can not always have the mistakes, but I think we did it early. We did a little bit against Nebraska, had him inside and did some different things. He caught a post-strike down the middle against Nebraska in some of those situations. So, again, most of its game points specific in terms of how our defenses that we're facing, trying to defend us in what puts us in a situation to make plays. So, that will really depend on who you're playing and how they approach it more than, hey, this week let's just try this. There's not anything we're just trying. It's all based upon our evaluation of however many games they played and how they deploy their defense and their spacing to how we're going to deploy our offense and try to space them out.

4:24:21Jeremiah is a physical presence and I know he's really well-rounded. He's one of the one-handed catches he's made. But when you guys have gotten in the ball kind of in space and his ability after the catcher stands out, at the point where he gets perhaps underrated, how would you... I don't think anything about Jay Jay's underrated. He was not the first one of the year. He wasn't the first guy you were. No, no. They have that? Yeah. He didn't win. He didn't win it? No, no. Who won it? Colin, Colin, Salis, that was it. I see. Oh, the linebacker? Yeah. He's a good player. But I didn't have a vote. Kids are a good player. I'm sorry. The next is the football player. But Jay Jay after the catcher, like is that... I guess maybe the bud brother asks is that something you want to try to unlock a little bit more as you go forward here in the post is just, you know, letting him use his feet to... Or what do we... Yeah, I mean, Jay Jay. You know, he, I think he ran a reverse against Michigan State for a touchdown.

4:25:22You know, he caught a short pass against Westwood Michigan. He just ran away from everybody. You know, I think obviously he's not just throw the ball up and haven't go get it. He can do a lot of different things. And that's what makes him a complete football player. So, you know, he can take short passes and turn them into runs after catches and can make some damage that way. But he can also beat you over the top. I think the one thing that may be underrated is I think he's a really good blocker. You know, I think he's done a really good job on perimeter runs in terms of being able to lock up the B's and get his hands on because he is such a big guy. But he takes a lot of pride in that too. That's the one thing that's always so good about Jay Jay is that there's nothing that he's not willing to do to help us win. So if it may be a key block in a certain situation or it may be catching a short pass and running with it or maybe catching the ball over the top. Those highlight touches that he's made. It's said he's a complete package. So, you know, we're fortunate to have him. Coach, thank you very much.

4:26:22Thanks, Coach. I can't remember what the title was either. They just thought I could be at end just because I was quick. I was going to go gain a lot of weight. I was already 235 last year. So they thought I'd lose to like 250. But it's time to stay with you for a few. Do you have like a, you're playing lineback now? Obviously, you just have to be your preferred spy. Like, what do you like about linebackers? Just first, like, if you had stuck with like maybe you could be on the edge or an end? I like a linebacker more because I feel like I'm more free. Is just, I like is too much. But I like a linebacker. I'm more free. Not to make a bunch of plays that linebacker. Did you ask me to go back to linebacker? Did they just push you back to linebacker? I put me back there. I took a one last year. Not being out there for a while didn't hurt. I really see feel that some deep bumps in my mouth. It wasn't really difficult. I knew I wasn't seeing a feel that was because what I was doing, I wasn't really into the playbook. I was just, I was really all over the place. So, the one, I knew what the bottom was.

4:27:22That's what I changed. So I want you to get those right here to this year, then. I completely changed from last year. So this year I'm in the playbook. I'm watching film on where my coach, like Justin, just, what is that look like day to day when you're in the playbook studying? Like Coach Day mentioned, that was an uptick and a preparation going to each one. What, take me through it a day with what do you do? I just go over the mistakes I made yesterday. I just can't make the same mistakes. We don't all make mistakes, but we can make the same mistakes. So I just go over the mistakes. Obviously watch film on other scenes. Talk to noticed them. You have the mindset, you seem to have, you have the mindset of a linebacker. Here's the one I'm saying. Do you feel more like a linebacker in your heart than anything else? Listen. What, why is that? How do you feel that? Like I said, I feel like that linebacker, I feel like I have to be around every player, like make every play. So that's why I'm always running to the ball.

4:28:22Because you never know what happens. The pop out, you get a pick from that. So just running to the ball, being around the ball. Do you have to coach you about that or do you always feel like that? That just sound like I always be. Just ran to the ball and saw it on the side. That's not all the good. If you have a little max sometimes, some guys have a firm initial. What's common before it gets to you out before it actually happens? Do you feel like you have that kind of sense of action? Kind of having a feel for what's common before they run the blind. You're a good one. Yes sir, that's just come with watching films. Like on the plays I was chasing the ball. I pretty much knew it was coming to you from the mistakes I made that week. But I cleaned up on it when I watched it. Well, that first week in Cody wasn't out there. What was that like for you and what did you learn from yourself? Getting so many reps on foot. It was exciting because I knew I was gonna play a lot. I got like 35 plays that day and I knew I was gonna play a lot. And I just honestly I learned that like, that's like a fine, but I'm prepared for it. I have to do it. And when you add Cody back to his lineback around,

4:29:23I mean, you Cody C.J. Stoney, the four of you, very versatile guys, do a lot. What is it like being with that group and how much is that? Do you have help each other? I learned a lot from those guys, especially Cody played a mic, so meet being behind him. I could just watch him learn from him. Like when he's going to walk through, I'm a lot being learning. So I just learned a lot from Cody. I've had the opportunity to kind of be a player, making an impact this year being from a high up to the ceiling area. And the chances of you kind of make the play a little higher up than you have here. It means a lot to me, especially when I come from, it's a lot of guys that come from camp, and where I came from. That did the same thing. So just the fact that I can live up, and be and make shoes, it means a lot to me. Of course some people who leaned on had it grown up, that maybe have had experience with the players. Okay. Can't really explain. We had a pleasure while we were footballing. I've been playing football since I was five.

4:30:23My mom put me into it, so I said, my mom. You didn't work at all at the will during camp at all. He never got any work over there. So a lot of times Sunday we'll talk about how interchangeable the two positions are, but I learned about it, but I didn't get too much work there. Arve, with the preparation stuff you're talking about, like what flipped that switch? Was it a conversation with Coach Laurenidas? Was it something you just saw? Was it a conversation with the team? Like what got you in the film or more? I say Coach Laurenidas made me really realize that I could really do it and actually play. Like he always say, like, if I just put the time in, I could do it. He always say something to me. So I say, I really say Coach Laurenidas is just me, realizing too, like, damn, I really can't do it. So it's a little lack of confidence. So for the end, like you weren't sure if you were a tough man to cut it right back, but not a lack of confidence, but a lack of life. Like serious, man. I say, like I was enough. I played last year, I was a peer. I don't know. You weren't really involved.

4:31:23I was a peer. Did you not know how good you were? I'm serious. No, I knew I'd do that one. What the hell is that? You're talking like a guy who didn't understand how good they actually were. And for somebody who showed you, like, no, this is what you're talking about. Yeah. No, I knew. Were you all struck by the process and everything? Are being here? Or was it just just kind of just showing up and going to the motions? You said, yeah. Were you all struck by everything? Is that why you weren't taking a series? We're just kind of trying to process more than you. I may not start off that line better than I got moved to A. It doesn't feel like you know. Yeah. What was your work? When you got her live stress, what injury was that? And how did that change things for you? I had a good person. It was a kickoff. I had a good person. I was up like five, Jones. It didn't really change much. Was that a hard thing to go through? Yeah. I never met Andrew like that for that long. So he was hard. Cool, I'm a little rough. Last question. Did you just do a marketing that coach said yesterday about

4:32:24a biscuit and I am like, what do you say? No, what do you say? He said, if any of the bloodlines on the Q-dot here, basically, you have a whole biscuit, you know, you can have it at half. Okay. You asked about that. Think about that? Yeah. Thank you. I'm not going to take it. Thank you, Arvo. If you end up in Marshall, I'll stand up for it. I was trying to play her and I had coached her nose the best for her. You know, I thought I was good to go. And a lot of people told me I wasn't. I was like, what do you mean? I'm fine. And then coach said, you know, talking off the cliff a little bit. But it's just trying to protect her. I'm not going to be able to do that. I'm not going to be able to do that. I'm not going to be able to do that. I'm not going to be able to do that. I'm not going to be able to do that. Trying to protect me from myself. You know, I've blessed with the opportunity to play a lot of ball this year and so you know, just like look, man. Let's calm down for these, these weeks and we'll get your back out for the buy. But I wasn't the most happy camper in the world for good minute there but it is what is reprinted football.

4:33:26How's that going to play in the past? It was amazing. You know, as a senior, I know I only have a limited amount of opportunities left to play in the worship. So just running out of the tunnel, you know, I've never never said I take the game for granted, but you know, knowing that I like the number of times I have to do that's whaling down kind of way to wait on me those first few games. And so just playing the game to the highest levels as fast as I can and just, you know, taking it all in in the moment. I mean, when it happened, I've been lying about it, I said, I mean, I wasn't going to take the route, heated obviously, so I said, but like, but like I was like, oh my gosh, like, what happened at all? And it was kind of a moment of like, okay, like how long is it going to take? And then everyone's like, it's an arm-train, dude, like, we don't know, like, everyone's body heals

4:34:29differently. And so just trying to, you know, put good things in my body, so I heal as fast as I can and trying to get, like, I put rest, doing everything to train, I've done it to, doing everything, coach Brian, coach Dave told me to do to try to heal as fast as I can and you're about on the field. Yeah, no, there were definitely moments of frustration. I'm not going to lie about that, but our training staff of, you know, Stu, Solo, Sean, Tyler, Karly Kelly, always people in there, they told me to trust the plan. They said that they've seen this type of thing happen numerous times and they know that it's going to take a lot, but like, you're going to go in and then drop in the field. And so it's, you know, think of it now, it's kind of funny, but in the

4:35:30moment I was like, don't tell me that, but it's, you know, it's what it is. I think it played great, you know, it's a competitive excellence that we talk about here, you know, making plan, you know, it was called and also some of us called and he didn't think that's no, it's always great seeing young guys as sound old saying that, but Austin going out there and doing the same, you know, we all know we could do it. There was not a doubt in my mind, he was going to go out there and show us the other, but it was great seeing 67 on the field. Scott, are you way to being his ear? You know, leaning up on those games? I don't know if it mean, you know, giving tips, whatever you want college. Yeah, I know, I would, you know, make my voice known here and there, but he's already honest on his stuff. You know, I do like little new one things, like, like, if he does this, he might do this because, I'm learning from my mistakes, I was like, he can do this so you don't make the same mistake I do. But Austin's a fantastic athlete, you know, just kind of not. And so he did fantastic doing what he does.

4:36:32Well, the team that you hit is much time between, you know, who's ever in your little malony and coming back because time heals all, I mean, was it was that the thinking, was that hard to grasp it, sitting out would be maybe tough in the long run, the right thing? Yeah, that was that was a difficult concept for me to grasp. I'm always when I'm a stubborn kid. You know, my mom, but, you know, patients, patients hasn't always been my thing. So when it happened, I was like, I'll be back in two weeks and in two weeks, can't, I was like, it still hurts. But it was just, you know, trusting the process, knowing that the our training staff knows what they're doing and they knew they're going to be back on the field. And so, when I don't mind the field, just keep on going. Yeah, 100% less. We feel happy. Feel happy. Feel great. Scott, what do you guys have on a lot of experience on this line when you add a guy like, with that level of experience? How much does that help in that center position? When we had so much, you had to say, thank you for all. Yeah, you know, I'm very, very upset, you know, I'm upset is, I would say that the tip of the

4:37:38spear of our offense, I would say, they'll be like, if teams play us, they're not going to come out and exactly what we think they're going to do. Cause that's just, you know, game plan. But set, set communicates throughout the entire, almost down to the snap count of what we have to do to make sure all guys on the same page. There'll be times where, well, it was in this cadence and he like, he held him, he like, hey, we're going over here. And so I know that just follow what he says and then we're going to make a good play out of it. What do you make of rotation and take a, your experience? Well, it's a great coach for our question. I just played a left guard. I know that I know that both guys are very talented. I know that when they're in the game, they're trying to prove themselves. And so just having to compare the guys can after it. As long as we move the ball and get to the end I mean, I don't think anyone cares if he plays you doesn't.

4:38:46Coming back, we didn't really know how much I could handle. How many plays I could handle at a certain amount of time. So it was just like kind of trial by air just seeing what I could do in the short amount of time that I had it. But I definitely think there was more trust to be hired on the coach's side with me. So I think that definitely came into the spring into this fall camp, you know, doing all the plays and doing a lot of repetition in those plays. You're getting, you know, really home day and all my play with the king. I'm talking about feeling healthy now. Maybe you don't have to have any of those kind of sessions. Is that still ongoing with the training staff is here by? Yeah, I'm a trainer room as much as I can. I've been in there. I can leave a facility with like five different body parts. I just start. But yeah, I think the biggest thing is just saying consistent. That's probably my biggest challenge going on in this fall camp was at half moments like that. Where you said I'm flashing, but it's like where I stay consistent in every single play and doing my job every single place. I'm trying to continue to work on.

4:39:57Yeah, I personally think we're one of the best team or best groups in the country. So I think it's great to have so many guys because you know it's going to be a very low season. And we're going to leave a lot of rotation. So I guess even when Jack and JT came out of the game, I said there's still has to be upheld. So that's really what me, Taden and KJ are trying to do every day. I'm going great. I'd say he's very, I feel like he's found himself in a humble kind of space. You know what I'm saying? Where he's kind of took a step back and just like put his head down and worked. I think that's the same for yourself for a lot of the freshman here. That's really cool to see him motivating Steve from the down like that. We think this deep is a fun, we'll be known for in October and November when you think that's going to be my people who can be saved. Thanks coach, I know what you mean. It's just kind of hard to frame because I'm not there yet, you know, but I just hope that we're known for doing our job and playing at a violently high level each and every step. I don't want this hard as you can each and every step. If that's what we are, then I think we can hang our heart on that for sure.

4:41:02Gosh, man, who you telling now? It's definitely like those injuries, like I said, it's probably one of the more humble experiences of my life and it kept me grounded. You know, I really realized like this is not something that is going to be here forever and I'm not going to be playing the sport forever. So I just really got to be blessed and thankful that I'm even in this position right now coming back from those injuries and saw the opportunity to play at a high level, which I am. So I think I've definitely found myself really trying to stay in the present as much as I can because it's not always guaranteed, but I'm going to be able to do what I can do. It was definitely hard. I definitely had to lean on some of my loved ones, my family members, my parents, just to like really understand that this is what I wanted to do and of course it is now. But yeah, it took a second to really just like how to understand what it really took to get my body right. How to recover, how to, you know, rest right. Do everything I can to

4:42:02that I can stay healthy for long season. Thank you. Mike, do you want to get title league after that? It'll be like, well, I have five or 16 years. I have a big picture of me trying to make you feel this roster. You got here? Yeah. Everyone did? Yeah. What is that that still means to you and then for like how do you instill this is how you want to be changing? Because you watch everybody get already better for you. Yeah, I think it turns into motivation if anything. Knowing that a lot of the guys that came before us, guys at that point, they succeeded and stayed there. So that level excellence has to be like solidified in each rep that we do. And I think that the leaders of this team have really tried to hone on that. Every rep with every practice, we're trying to like understand why we're doing it and what we're doing is for us. I think keeping that on the forefront of our minds and every day and every practice is the biggest part. Again, back there. I mean, yeah, we understand what's happened these past couple of years and all the things that we haven't done. So I think this year is definitely like kind of a redemption in that right?

4:43:05Understanding that, you know, we're following sort and we haven't met our expectations. And you know, it takes a lot to get there. We understand that and it takes more than what we've done. So I think finally, you know, taking that next step and doing everything we can, intentionally, will be the biggest thing. That's what I talked about. Thank you. And now we're just hoping to put all of our best games and having it in one. And you know, just all of us can decide on the comeback. You know, that's just another year of memories, but another year of grinding can better by the other side. No, no, but you know, God has His own way of doing things. And this was His plan for all of us to come back in. You know, we just have to continue to trust in His works, but as well as do our works that we need to do it each and every day.

4:44:05You know, he's more poised. You know, we there's a lot of great reps, great won't be ones. And you know, he tests me athletically. I tested him athleticly, but you know, both him and both Josh's actually they do a great job. They do a great job of just having us stay on our toes. And you know, there's, I mean, we're going to miss the best tackles nation that's going to win us the best the ends, the best D line. So, you know, we're just it's just good on good every day. He has great feet, very athletic. You know, he he's just a he's a freak. He moves well at his size and you know, it tests all of us to, you know, stay on edge. You know, he's only has his moments, but Zion is a great kid man. You know, he's getting a better each and every day. Young guy, but you know, he's a high-simmer.

4:45:06Can I get your thoughts on Tyley Conte, his new secret TNT handshake? I don't have his unit, but I can't talk. I'm not part of it. I always have what is. But you know, that's I guess that's how the cookie crumbles, you know. You like the TNT moniker? You like that? Oh, you guys are explosively sunny? Yeah. Again, I feel like I could be a part of that. I have a T. But it's probably not in the you know, my first name, but I do have a T. So, I guess I'm just the cousin of the whole thing. Yeah, right now they just have me on the side. So, I'm just on the side. I think that's high, but I think right now, we're working on all the little things, you know, get off violent hands and just stay, you know, taking a making our toolbox. So, you know, of course, that's a that's in mind, but we understand that, you know, that goal would not be reached unless we

4:46:07unless we don't continue to do the things that we do now and just work on our craft. Man, you know, Cody, you know, once he came back, he just took on leadership role, took on the vocal role. You know, it wasn't was it easy at first. He just continued to talk, you know, just get that confidence going and, you know, he just he grew and his growth as a leader. You know, I've seen it from when we first started off season to now and you know, he's a great leader. Great guy want, you know, playing playing behind me and just leading the pack and, you know, I'm blessed to have him as a my car. I think for us, the front four, the B1, the R2X, we just want to be known as, you know, the guys

4:47:08that play relentless, you know, like, like, Cozis has had on fire, you know, never, never seen us, you know, for sidelined sidelined as big as we are, you know, maybe 300 or maybe, you know, 262 50, but you know, no matter what, we're going to be flying, we're playing on our, you know, our heads off and just, you know, making sure that relentless effort is a tell to us, David. You know, maybe what is your goal in that regard this year? My goal, yeah, I think you just hit on it, consistency, you know, my goal for me is, you know, as much as it would be great to have a Penn State game every day, every week, you know, that's hard. So, you know, for me, I just can't go chasing. I got to let it come to me, got to stay, you know, in my warehouse, not, you know, going outside of it, you know, doing things out of, you know, out the blue, that hurts me more. So right now it's just, you know, eyes, hands, feet, playing fast, playing physical, and just continue to just, you know,

4:48:13be the player in him and just bring that every week. Yeah, that's one thing we've been preaching across the room is a lot of us just being us, as well as, you know, playing together, and just playing fast as we can. Man, you know, I've been roommates with him. Jack has, you know, just big praise for him, you know, just seeing him grow and being with him. Jack has been a tremendous leader, ending out the, the D-Live room, you know, for him to be named Captain, you know, for us to have our two SV name Captain, I mean, that just speaks volume, you know, he's gonna continue to lead, continue to push us. I continue to push him, and we just continue to just have a hard hat days, you know, keep our head down and continue to work. Remember, we was just playing in the, in the Rose Bowl, you know, a couple of weeks back,

4:49:16but now it's a senior year, you know, we get ready for this last season. Man, time flies. That's one thing that all the guys that came before me told me is just, you know, count your days, make every day count, because, you know, when that day comes, you're gonna look back and then, man, it's already my senior year, and I do that every day, and just wake up, but, you know, that just made me understand that how blessed I am to play this game, you know, the position I'm in, I'm just able to, you know, not only, you know, affect the, affect others around me, but, you know, bring, bring a positive message to whoever, come after me, you know, just let them know what the standard is, let them know, you know, or how state is best, and of course, you know, it's best.

4:50:18That's our friend's out of your catch. I don't realize how much you're a guy, because usually in practice, catch a contact with him, and the game, and I turn around, I don't think I have that much green guys. Oh, we, watching it, we kind of see like, they said, we were playing a little over there, he like runs a similar, oh, see how it's definitely, like, level three, level one, so, like, the high safety. When you see like, that, you know, catch your guys. Oh, yeah, we know they're kind of play ball, it's a big, they play the big team. So I know we know they're going to come over and play ball with us. I feel like I could, I could have blocked better, I look for a couple of blocks out there on the floor and stuff like that. I love one catch up on the floor and stuff like that. I always feel like I could play better than what I did.

4:51:20But I think I'm pretty good. I just gotta be more consistent with what I do. Uh, well, dude, good. He didn't like the pressure get to immediate, uh, he just stirred, uh, stirred the will. Uh, basically, it's going a lot and stuff like that. I don't try to buy them. I try to let him get through all his reasons stuff like that. And I just tell them whenever it goes, but now, you need somebody I'm there for you. Should I? Yeah, uh, I was the first he jumped the first ball to him like, uh, keep your head over. Things don't come back right back to you. So like, that's what he did. Uh, he'll just hit up. I was going to go to the ball. Well, I know you're going close with Brandon to see what he did as a proper turnaround game. That excites me a lot, especially how I'm out there blocking from. So I'm going to go my, uh, my off my dog and stuff like that. Hopefully you take one to the house.

4:52:22That's going to be too long. All right. Good. Thank you. You build more confidence once you see, once you see, basically, about everything you're going to see in a game, you just want to get more comfortable and you just, it just feel more at ease and just feel more just like football, you know, what do you see your rollout spin this I think just a guy that can play anywhere in the back end. Just a guy that can feed me help and especially change whenever they wherever they need me at this year. Just go out there and just give it all. Yeah, I've been in the nickel. I've been going back and forth. So it's been a new transition for me, but it's really not that new. I played a nickel in high school. I really didn't play that much last year because I was trying to just get back and get into the groove of the hospital ball, but I'm back to it now. I think it's just the two-way gut that you get you're being in a slot. You can go inside outside and if you press the catch technique compared to back pedal in and you got the sideline, the next defender, it can help you.

4:53:27I think it's just about just me pushing them and then pushing me. Last year it was about me just learning and it was just helping me as the older best. And now we all back again. So it's just like this is more like I think it just give me a chance to learn more and just watch the bed. It's a little bit of a puzzle. It's about to be a four-year starter. That's big. So just watching everything he do, how he prepares for practice, how he prepares every day is going to help me in a run. Is patience, patience been your long suits since you've been alive or have you had to learn a little bit about patience in the last couple of years? I think you're just like what you just talked about there. Patience is watching others do it. Yeah patience is like it's a thing that's very hard especially when you come out of high school, you're one of the higher recruiting players, and you come here and you probably don't play as much as you thought you would or play as much as you want to. I think patience is just something that you just got to just hold on to and just grab it

4:54:30and just don't let it go. It's easy for a guy like me to get man and run away and go somewhere else and you feel me to do whatever I want to do. I think patience is key and I think these last couple of years my patience has definitely gotten better and it just helped me just be a better player who's in green debt in you know coach you know because Walgreens were just talking a minute because you know it's going to be a competitive thing here if you come to Ohio State you know in y'all's room and you found that it is but has he talked to you about that as it's gone along to I mean about about the patience aspect a little bit but you really just know you would know if not like what's going to go on yeah I think a lot of it comes with like just know it yourself and know what your ability is and know where you really are. I think some people get too ahead of yourself or you know think they're ahead of where they are really are and it's just a look in the mirror you can. And how tough is it when you get your shot tonight but just press the gas in the floor you know what I mean and you just got to just clean your job. I feel like that's

4:55:34the only thing I should be on your mind once you get that chance going there and do your job because the worst thing that can happen is something you know just go out there and just do your job you feel me that's all I got. Well when I say Jeremiah Smith what's for St. Cough to my free athlete you dig strong fast it's like a lot of the same things you see in Marvel but not not the same kind of younger right now but yeah. This same defensive staff you know mostly but BJ back. It's nice though you know the second year in the season is all we've been in the first so I think we've been embracing it and just like I said I've tried to make the corrections from last year and just be better. The show was talking about there's some kind of like mental awareness that goes to the batting come passes and knowing when you're not going to get to the quarterback. How do you just talk about that as a defensive line as a defensive outside rushing group in terms of techniques or how to work on that one? Yeah we do some of the drills in practice we haven't kind of really started yet with those some things you drill in practice obviously you know if it's a quick game you're not going to get there so you know just get your hands

4:56:36up think it's just more of a feel thing. Zach in particular seems really good at that. Are you sure you think that he does well in the area? No yeah Zach is definitely good at that and you know I think that's something the interior is very good as a whole just even hands up. Aaron what's been your impression of Jonah Ellis now with a few months working with him? You know Jonah got a lot of natural skill and I think his upside is very high but I mean like any work you know there's a learning curve from playing coming from college and NFL so I think he's just continue to develop and continue to get better I mean I'm happy what I've seen but I mean obviously I know he has high expectations for himself and not only him but I hold unit so I'm just like I said excited seeing keep growing. Was the most challenging aspect of that learning curve for you and he came into the air or really I guess you're too. I think the biggest thing was switching from inside to outside I mean inside you five yards off the ball kind of versus edge you right there with somebody in your face so just kind of learning how to just that change up and I think just learning how to you know get off the ball you know inside you have time to read outside you don't have that much time to read you have to be kind of very decisive so

4:57:41just getting reps of that you know that was the biggest thing to have me and I think that would be something to have wellness too just getting reps some more reps to get the better you would be. Aaron can you talk to me your relationship with Jonathan Cooper and how you guys hired some Rotterdam kind of forms your relationship up front? Oh yeah that's my dog I mean I play with him four years at a higher state so I think just you know being in another place like a higher state together and going through that hard train in and then making it out on the other side you know I think we just able to hold each other to that standard and I'm afraid to hurt one another's feelings if we don't hold lift up to that standard and he know how to push my buttons I know to push this buttons so you know I'm grateful to have him as a teammate in this area where you get to play somebody from your college. I'm experimenting to do this time here especially like with the defensive bands just in terms of how you want to rough shop each other how you communicate all that. I think it's just the time you learn to rush as a dealer you know this is a perfect time for just to learn how to rush together you know we meet together you know you ask the guy who's to your side you know what you're thinking on this play and film so you just kind of get a feel for

4:58:41when that scenario pops up on a practice field or in the game and just creating that dialogue is I think it's a big estate and asking questions so. Aaron you've got a back to screen drive on Sunday can you tell us a little more about? Yeah don't hold it against me if I can't say too much because I've been focused on training camp so my publicist and my agents kind of been doing a lot of the leg work in my mom but yeah we're just gonna have a big event out here Sunday I believe up there in the parking lot. Gonna have a corner ice machines some jump houses we're gonna be donating backpacks I think over 150 backpacks for the kids for the upcoming school year with supplies and a bunch of different things but just trying to get the kids excited for going back to school and obviously having our families who might not be fortunate enough to buy their kids the supplies and eat for school so just trying to do what I can to have my community here in Denver. That's the blessing about being at a school like a high estate everyone around you scout team

4:59:43those that are on your table and against you are the best players in the country and that's the that's the blessing of it is if you can perform here in practice you'll be able to perform in a game no matter who it is. Physically obviously the big issue for me was speed operation time so I did a phenomenal job at the expectations of getting that mower and a big thing for us is not getting blocked we haven't been blocked in four years five years so for me to come in and change what I was doing and speed it up does a real sort of personal conflict whereas I want to be the best partner I could possibly be but that was conflicting with the speeds they wanted and then I just sort of had to change my mindset and think about truly what I wanted to be if I wanted to be a school like a high estate which had high expectations or go somewhere else but with that I just had to make

5:00:46I had to commit to it so I just had to work with coach keys John Fellman our long staff I I live with him now but we work every night to make sure that what we're doing is game like and making sure that the speeds that we go out in practice are faster than what it is in game so it's been a blessing to work with him it's been a blessing to work with a guy from Mora Evans as well as Colin Johnson more long tapers and then obviously be able to see what Joe has been able to do in the national championship had a phenomenal kick which was under extreme pressure and extreme speed so to be able to look at what he did it it was awesome so yeah you would work with Darren Bennett you've been over here a few times but this is your first time living here what was the emotional and kind of adjustment like just being a college student just moving to a different country and also trying to manage being comfortable with you yeah no it was definitely a emotional toll um bit without your family it's definitely hard time zone differences don't also help

5:01:50the situation at that time there was 16 hours so I'd wake up and now it'd be going to sleep or vice versa so it was definitely emotional and the actual stress of trying to keep up with what they wanted also was mental I'm not so tall um fortunately I had a lovely lady called Nicole Kraft who was uh it was one of my teachers and um she got me in contact with some pretty cool favourable so um well we're put some sports psychologists and all that sort of stuff to work on that met your side um which is far more important for me than the actual physical side because I knew I could physically do it but it was a matter of um getting a mental headspace to perform at the highest level possible and this is what it is in college football just physically about your game about the actor something you said what is change definitely compared to this time of year you could put it in that chair well definitely the speed um and then the kid try to build the consistency of the speed um there's there's expectations of what they want here and then you've got to meet

5:02:50those expectations and try some passes so um again working with John and working at night we had to make sure that everything I was doing was trying to be as efficient and as effective as possible with that being said I'm still trying to improve I'm still trying to be as effective in my contact with the football under the prep under the spades that they want um which again it's a blessing because if you can perform here you can perform anywhere. I was going to say is there any franchise in Alstray and Roots football where the rivals this in terms of pressure exposure what did you want in college? In terms of exposure not at all this is this is the biggest that I've ever seen and been a part of um in terms of pressure I was fortunate to have to play high level football Australian Roots football um and the pressure is the exact same you've you've got people relying on you've got coaches wanting you to perform um there's jobs at stake there's there's money at stake there's there's all that sort of pressure and then obviously the own personal goals

5:03:52which is again the biggest one possible I grew up in a household where my brother played for professional sport and um the expectation was for me to sort of follow any path and try surpass him um and that was that that was the expectation so I had on myself and again I wasn't able to do that so um again the opportunity to come here and perform um I had to sort of take a step back and understand that it all takes time and um the only thing that's really going to get me to where I want to be it's just hard work and um having good coaches around me around me and that's sort of what I got and um again it's it's so much more learning that's got to happen but with that being said it's it's a blessing to be here and it's a great opportunity so um yeah I'm blessed to be yeah all right thank you guys thank you all what have you noticed in his leaderships down the way carries himself any difference at all um I think he's definitely getting a little more vocal within the building and um

5:04:52uh yeah I mean I don't think he's ever going to change I don't think he's somebody that's going to change even when it gets paid next year um so he's he's a man of faith and uh he kind of reminds me of Scotty Shepler but except for just super humble and um really good kid uh and yeah he's definitely famous famous do you know Shepler I don't just from watching you've seen arm stead get released obviously he meant so much to defend line into the team let me call and John were pretty open that they were willing to talk about trading divo or are you a draft does that just another what's that feel like in a locker when those sort of jolt happen I didn't even know that happened um and I wasn't here but you're talking about

5:05:53this obviously yeah it's obviously well it alarm air can at least so it's certainly one thing yeah um it's a tough business for sure you have to have thick skin and um I haven't gone through that but uh I think you just have to understand that it is a business and the team is going to try and get as good as it possibly can with or without you and you have to look up for yourself that's why you go through holdouts and do certain things that seem selfish in the moment but um it is what it is and when everything settled we're gonna come together as a team and try and go get one yeah what's the overall feeling around the group right now like how much does it feel like the excitement of the ramp up to the season even though it's early uh it feels good it's been a couple days for me so um I like all the new guys I'm getting to know everybody but I think the past is in the past and where we're ready to go you talk to be a out can you talk to be a it all about handling the business part of this he's out of going through

5:06:56something somewhere um we chat a little bit but um not too much about the details they just told he just head up and um try and stay positive through it all well yeah first impression when you do what your schedule would be in that area in order this first time it'll be fun um yeah it's gonna be gonna be good one okay we'll move into this for the fact last year we had a holdout to say that effectively do somewhere early in the season um if you hadn't had that experience would you be there like I mean was that part of the motivation for being here early just to have the opposite kind of one on to another no I don't think that's one of the reasons but um I just talked to Kyle and he kind of asked me uh he kind of stated how he felt about um why it would be good for me to be here and asked if I agreed and I 100 percent did agree so um it's not like I'm

5:07:58missing too much I think I'm out here it's a little less workload than I'm doing back home so it's kind of a good active recovery thing for me and I'm getting football stuff football work in specifically so that's good I'm not it's not compromising my training at all and get to meet all the guys oh no he's he's there he's got a new regime over there I actually thought I was coming next week until recently so I was gonna have one more week at home but we're both anything you could share about times using the regime? um yeah just the things I already stated just getting around the guys and um

5:08:58um just getting the football stuff home doing a little bit before camp starts you know before you've been afraid to speak out on player safety issues things like that with us the playing service and things like that 18 game schedule has been kind of disgusted in here recently what what is your kind of take on that possibility? I know how many games you could just be badting yeah I don't know why I want more needs to be added but yeah it's not my job you know suffice to say you'd be against it yeah I mean it's I think 164444 where the good bull set up but so good thank you I put it yeah but then we got a short enough season program a little bit

5:10:10yeah it's how jolani's different right now is is all the non glamour stuff it's just that daily habits the stuff that you guys might consider boring but just just what are your habits for today's standpoint how do you attack the offseason like him in the weight room with coach Mick this offseason is like nothing I've seen yet um so I'm super encouraged and I cannot wait to watch it translate to football field going back to max uh which one a max player last week of the combine latin rantsome said that he may have given you the idea to look it yeah I don't want to give late too much credit but no no there was no lies told there so every Friday night uh latin Caleb Downs and I sit next to each other for dinner just a tradition we had last year and uh every week I asked him about the opponent and kind of their game plan I asked him about the tight ends that they're going to see and when it was per due week they were both going on and on about this kid um so when it was you know when he entered the portal lay was like that that that that's guy I was telling you about so then we watch this film and then you know conversations kind of started it organically and then the rest is history

5:11:12but yeah I'll give latin since you said which one I'll ask about max the bomb yeah what's it's developed and been like year now year after year I've almost done yeah sure really good really good this is a huge spring for max and and we have high expectations I mean he had and awesome workout this morning that uh he won a one-on-one competition in front of the team and we've been feeling him more he's a tough kid and uh super excited to coach him to spring you didn't make it all they see for it at all no yeah no it was what have you seen so far? Not maybe that this year you've got to what what excites you about him now yeah I'm super impressed by his maturity I mean I and I think it's credit to goes back to his high school coaches coach beller and those those guys at Washington and his his parents I mean he had a brother who played college football so he kind of gets a little a little bit um but he's been so locked in this winter uh like it has not been too big for him at all you know coming from a place like oh you know middle of dorm and open home on a club

5:12:15so high of competing against these guys maybe there's an adjustment but he has not blinked um and I'm super encouraged by how it's attacked the winter. I'm sorry to start you after the additional max and then you're waiting how have you seen the other guys a half of the how is max fit in and where do you see how do you see the like yeah no I would just say that they've matched perfectly and I think max come in here and nobody leaving speaks to the room and the culture that's in the room it speaks to max one because I told him I said listen Kaz is coming back Benny's coming back Lonnie's coming back like I it's not like the coverage bear at all and he was he understood that and he still wants to be a block I which says a lot about max clear but then like today in today's day and age you bring in anybody from the portal you got to think somebody's walking right out the door let alone one of the better guys returning at that position no one batted an eye and I told him on the front end and I'm not surprised at all like the brotherhood in that unit is so freaking strong and I told him the expectations to be the

5:13:17best unit in the country I don't I don't waver from that it's a Ohio State okay it's it's not just to be you wiper shooter you like it needs to be tight-end you and they know that expectation so I'm gonna sign the best in the country portal guys recruit guys and everyone's on the same page there so we're well aligned with that part of the conversation that game we weren't looking for someone to replace anybody in this room but the best tight-end in the country yeah I don't know if it was that easy like I you could not say no I mean you still everyone else in the country wanted them as well but the conversation I went to Will and I went to I went to Bennett and I said listen I have not talked to him yet with your permission I will and if he's a culture fit that was my only promise if he's if he doesn't fit you guys I'm not gonna bring him in but I think he has a skill set that might be a complementary to you guys you know and I think it might make the room better and they were like coach let's go get him how much does the health of everybody played last year as a show they could play they got they know they'll play yeah you hit the nail on the head like we're gonna play the best 11 like think about

5:14:18two years ago and I took it like it was the case to overshell and then you go last year we had six guys playing the playoffs we have 13 personnel at Ohio State we got 14 personnel at Ohio State like that people probably would not believe that two years ago so our guys know like the proofs in the pudding now if you're one of the best 11 you're gonna play and listen if you're maybe you're not one of the best 11 but you're the top 20 but we're gonna have a package you know what it means so to your point like they saw it last year now we got it we got to expand on that now 16 person I don't know I don't know if I have no body passing in what does Ben need to do maybe to show you they he can do those things because we haven't seen him doing sure I mean I think I think he was the first tight end this four last year right and I was 80 year touchdown so I mean he he showed us that but no if you want to play tight in here you got to be receiving threat and you got to be dominant in the blocking area going off for your same before how would you define the culture that I can see you feel these tight lines

5:15:20are well you know each each year's different right that's okay kind of had his own little thing going last year we pro try it ourselves like we we needed to be the baddest dudes on the field because I told them in the first meeting last year I was like we are the least talented unit on the team not not just to insult them but like we're not full of all these you know high profile names we needed to be the bad boys and we needed to kind of embrace that blue collar image so that was last year's and I think we did it just turn on the film from the playoffs this year who knows what it's gonna be I've seen what it was this this past winter you know there's a bunch of dudes that you know we're super hungry to be you know the hardest working unit on the team but times you get a tell I'm excited to see kind of and it's on them to set the culture. Is there a point like in the season or in like camp that you realize like what that culture is gonna be like yeah I think I think when you come out of spring you have an idea of sort of the direction we're heading in and then throughout the summer then maybe fall camp you know like last year fall camp you know we all kind of looked around the room and the leaders were like you know if we block our tails off

5:16:20like we got a shot and then obviously we got to do we got to do our job in the past game but we got to do the dirty jobs and they embrace that up until the last game of the season this year's going to be different like we've already talked about it you know it's not set in stone but like the challenge this winter in this spring is that the Titans need to set the tone like you look around the team like we've got so many veteran guys who have played we've got to set the tone like it should come through the tight end room the energy the effort the toughness the physicality the production should come through the tight end room and that's what those guys are saying so I'm I bought into what they're you know kind of pushing for yeah I mean we've got a lot but I mean Ben has certainly been vocal I mean that was from the first day of winter training he's been here for several years and you know he he's definitely been probably probably the most vocal of the Titans right now what kind of leader is that interesting yeah yeah I'm just like I'll jump on as he has a leader given like yeah this takes away problem like what do you see for him as yeah I think to your point you just made it great when I think show me a great tight end I bet you

5:17:24I'm gonna show you guy who has some scars like I I don't know it kind of make believe for like a tight end to come into college and it all clicks right away then it's head ups and downs and I think guys relate to that like this just gonna be freaking hard man so especially those young guys with new guys coming in then it's kind of you know that veteran figure he's been through hell and back and then we lead on him down the stretch and he's out here dominating dudes in playoff so I mean he's a lead first guy but he's been super vocal and I've challenged him to take these new guys in the maxes and the lates and you know show him the way yeah and I don't want to compliment too much because he's one of my best friends but uh Billy right off the bat his knowledge he's one of the smartest football minds I've ever been around like you got coach day and you got a couple of them and like Billy's up like right up there Billy and I were roommates uh during COVID sent my wife back to Cleveland and we don't want to get anyone sick and Billy and I room together and like when that season got taken from us for a little bit it was like football clinic

5:18:28every single day 24 hours a day and I was learning a whole lot more from him than he was for me so I mean one is football mind but also how he relates to these guys obviously he's young and he played the position but uh his ability to teach he's off the charts that was home run higher and super excited to uh work with him yeah I think so I mean I absolutely love our offence of staff in the sense of yeah we're youthful right like we can relate to the guys and we got full of energy you come to our practices you guys see like it starts with coach Hart he's out there running around like madman and we all got to follow suit um but also the continuity like I've been here going on damn near a decade and my two bosses have been Ryan Dane Bryan Hartline for 10 years so like we know each other every day for whatever eight years so that continuity even you mentioned Billy Fessler he was gone and came back so yeah we're young but we've been together show me another staff that's been together for eight years that knows each other that well and that's you know been this productive

5:19:28I don't think there is one how much does it help you you have experience you know being in all these different position groups that you now take on that close you yeah I think a lot right I think uh I'm gonna try I mean my job again is to is to make sure that coach Hartline's a best version of himself and make sure he's organized and has everything he needs but to your point like I've been in the running game I've been in the past game um you know so to be the guy to help maybe Tyler Bowen out a little bit here's what what we call that in the past or you know bridge the gap between running past that's what a tight end does and that's what hopefully I could do for the offensive staff with Max Claire's skill set I'm gonna phrase this wrong you guys have great slot receivers or Ohio State you always do a Becca with a stud could it tighten like that help fill in some of maybe what you lose with them after that physicality in the slot position that he's a tight end but you can pass catch up yeah I think I you know I think we've got several guys in the room that if we're in 12 personnel they could go line up in the slot they could line in line I think that alone the ability to do both is a is a is a mismatch for a defense right we we tried out two or

5:20:33three different tight ends like how do you get to treat that we're going to pack the box and run it but if we could also spread it out and attack you through the air I think that could be a mismatch just like you said with um way way Ryan and Ryan you know what I call it here do you think they they like 12 personnel what does a tight ends coach have to do to show like hey we can do this whenever you want to do it I promise you we have two guys who are ready to do like what's that yeah sure sure yeah and just like you said challenge that's exactly what it is because really I tell my guys like they don't have pride like the best guys are gonna play it's not like Brian Harlan coaches receivers so they're gonna live in 10 personnel that's not gonna happen if I just I know the guy like he's my brother like if the four best are running backs we're gonna run the win T or something yeah like he's a competitor and he's gonna put the best 11 on the field the win and if that's you know two tight ends hopefully two tight ends three tight ends we're gonna play with all of that um and that's why you come to Ohio State we don't shy away from that at all um both of those guys coach

5:21:36heart and coach day you know have NFL experience both of them have used 12 personnel in the past and we're really looking forward to expand that role um but that's really on the tight ends you know they gotta use this spring opportunity to prove they're one of the best 11 um top 20 whatever that is you know anything else guys thank you thank you very much appreciate it kind of like maintained it and got my way up so yeah I feel like uh Seth he's definitely made a big impact on how I play the game now I feel like I look at the I look at like first and second down different because I feel like he's gave me a lot of information how he sees the defenses like how they move and stuff like that so if like Seth has become like a really good factor in my game in high and for for a guy like that to come in from Alabama and he is and he has a great chance of yourself to be guys to fit in like that what do you what inside you get into like what it needs to be yeah in your group you get up and out I'm actually playing like you play in the last year

5:22:39I feel like you know Seth when Seth came in I knew Seth was a really good player at Bama he's playing those big games so you know just learning on everything he's done and how he like takes the next step and how he gives his features is something I took took note um Josh you guys obviously now quite a turning nucleus there I'm into your line you person you take a pause then how do you see just the chemistry of you guys you're all over the last couple of years yeah I feel like everything and just like bonding together I play we're all just playing really good next to each other um everything's been going really well do you feel just you know physically stronger when you're