Press Conferences (James Laurinaitis)3 Elite Edition September 2

0:00playing more in the fall. I think so. I think CJ Hicks has done a phenomenal job. You know, you got to keep pressing him and making sure that he's really tapping and everything that he can offer. You know, I think CJ sees the opportunity and he's, you know, certainly making a case to get on the field this fall. You know, so I think it's been a really good spring for CJ. There's just always, you know, whenever you have a good day, you got to follow it up by another good day. You know, and kind of stack days. And I think that's what a pro does. You know what I mean? Like there's always, you want to be a pro. You got to keep stacking and that's the expectation. And I think, you know, he's had some really good days and then he's had some days where you're like, you're trying to push him a little bit. But I think, I think CJ, where he is now, compared to where he was last fall, is he's a lot better football player. We've heard a lot of good things about a lot of business here. We're going down the gate hours, our buddies. Are you envisioning right now that you want this to be a group by six person operation? Yeah, well, I think Coach Dave's talking about it a lot, right?

1:02It's gonna be a long season. And so I think we need to have, I've always been on the opinion, if you have two guys, you have two guys when you ride with them, right? If you have six, you have six, and that's a blessing. So I would say right now, we're probably at five. That I would feel confident rotating out there on the field. And look, I'm old school, right? So I come from the era, I used to yell at Luke Pickle, what he would take me out. Oh, I get so mad. I get some, maybe 42, whatever against Youngstown State. I'd be so upset coming out of the game. But seeing how violent this game is from this perspective, now you have to say, hey, okay, not only within games, can we keep guys fresh, right? But can we do that so that when you get to the last few games in the season, that act that are the big ones, right? The ones that you're judged off of, when you get to the game, are we healthier? I think that's, it's kind of a both, a both-hand, right? So I feel confident with five guys, and that's gonna be a week to week. You know what I mean? Like these guys know, I think honestly,

2:02who start to be week to week? If you display during the week of practice that you're locked in, and somebody else has a bad mental week, well, I can't reward you with starting if you have six mental errors during the week. You know what I mean? Just because you started last week. So I think it's gotta be that iron sharpens, iron constant complications through the whole fall. I always felt when I was here that they were trying to out-root me, which is the reality, right? Yeah. Which is why it prepares you so well for the National Football League. That's why Ohio State prepares you so well for the league, because now it's like they're trying to out-draft you. And so I used that as fuel, but I also thought firsthand, you know, like there was a season where it was John Kerr, Marcus Freeman, certain guys rotating week to week. And so I thought like, should it fit to happen to them? It could happen to me. So I just tried to be a certain way in practice. Like I tell the guys all the time, you have to control the things that take no talent.

3:04You have to eliminate all the loves. Like if you, if you loaf on the field, you're a traitor. Like you should just go play for the other team. You can't, you can't be coaching effort. And then you can't have mental errors, because if you have a mental error, then you can't trust you. So those are the two things I always as a player was like, all right, you're not going to catch me loafing, and you're definitely not going to catch me not knowing what I'm supposed to do. I might get beat, and that's inevitable. It's football, everyone's on scholarship, right? But those two things you can control every single day. What's the next step that you're going to be doing in this season? I think it's just the end, you know, we haven't done, like any of my periods, you know, we know you can tackle and all that. But I think it's just the repetitive grind of a football game from in the box, the constant, and he's been, he's been willing so far, you know what I mean? As far as his hand placement has been good, even more on the strike, he's tough. So it's just continuing to, to have him challenged to, there's plays right now where he's seeing it from the first time from a will backer. So the next time he sees it, maybe throw catch tackle is up in the reception.

4:07You know what I mean? Because he's seen it before, from that perspective. Everything he's seen before this has been from top down off the shelf, right? So now it's dropping back, that'll be driving. So he's made great progress, and I'm really happy with how son he's done. James, look at that recruiting. This is like it's going really well for you. Obviously you can't talk about specific recruits, but just overall how do you feel like that's going? And are you enjoying your food? I am, I am enjoying it. I think it's fun to build relationships and get to know so many different... types of kids, you know? Ohio State presents opportunity, right? And so many different ways. You're not going to get developed better anywhere else in the country. You have the largest fan base, largest alumni, and maybe it's his opportunity everywhere, right? So you try to just like explain your passion for the school that did so much for you, you know, especially being an out-of-state kid, not being from Ohio, and then realizing how much Ohio State changed my life.

5:08And so now you communicate that to other young kids who kind of see it, and you try to tell them the vision, like where you can get to. And I think the fun thing for me is that most of the kids that are recruiting are way more athletic than I ever was. So it's like, I tell them, if I can... the only way I survived in the NFL eight years was the fact that I had football intelligence, like I knew where I was going. You know what I mean? I knew where I was fitting. And so now if I can impart that information on kids who are extremely athletic, well now you're... now you got something special, you know what I mean? How much of you guys have this staff already talked about the long season and the need to play more guys? Well, I think, yeah, you're going to have to have depth, because that's just reality, right? It's a longer season, there's more games, and there's no excuse that a place like here, like if you're all on playing with a maybe a guy who was third or fourth, you know, it doesn't matter, you know, like you got to be ready to go. So I think depth is crucial at all of the seasons, because injuries are going to happen there as part of football, you know?

6:11You never want to wish it upon anyone, and you're certainly not, but it's just, you can't be naive to think that you're just going to have every single starter healthy for the whole season. You talked about your mentality as a player, and then you're recruiting different players than you were. How do you, how do you marry that when they made that, and say, the mentality that you need is what you want them to have? Well, you figure that out when you get to know them, and there are certainly some kids that you start to recruit to where you see like, you know what? Ohio State might be too big, it might be too big for them, you know what I mean? And so it's not for everybody. You have to want to come in and compete against the best, and realize that you have to win every single game, and be the best in the world of what you do. That's the expectations that Ohio State. And that's certainly not for everyone, and that's okay. But you have to, through the process, kind of find out who has that mentality, who really craves football. You know, like who craves football versus a lot of the other fluff that kind of comes with it? Who craves ball? Because when they craves football, then the other stuff will take care of itself, right?

7:14And we'll just keep getting better and better and better if they want to be the best. Two more questions for games. Yeah, I mean, I think that's your job as a recruiter is you got to figure out what's the mindset of the kid. And are they serious about football? And you have to talk to the people that are around them, and you've got to figure out how to talk to coaches. And you've got to try to figure out who loves ball. And the NFL, they do the same thing, right? Now they're attending the massive amounts of money, and they're saying, okay, we're going to give this person money as a change in their motivation, or they still love ball. So now it means, and college is the same thing. Like who actually wants to be the best, or who just likes the attention that comes with playing football? James, I've already talked about it, but can you tell a little bit of the elevation from our bell from the end of the class? Obviously, missing time last year with the injury, but where he's at now versus the expectation that he had to move this way. Our bell, I mean, has shown a lot of progress. Most importantly, mentally, with the playbook and everything, I think our bell last year, there was a couple things, right?

8:16Because of injuries on the D-line and camp, you know, he moved the end for a little bit, then we brought him off the ball, and then he had an injury, and he kind of missed some time. He wasn't an early mid-year, you know, so he comes in right in the summer, and so he missed some reps there. So the see where he's at right now is extremely impressive. And for a guy of that size, and that much power and his ability to run, he's a special athlete. And so our bell has had a good spring. He's got a continue to dive into the playbook, and got to continue to learn all the little things. And as you go, right, like week one, week two, you start seeing new schemes, new schemes, things build. And it becomes kind of a lot. He's the guy who continued to comb through it all, because athletically, you know, he's one of the most gifted guys that we have in the room. I know, and I have probably been doing this for a long time. What has changed the time that you've been recruited to now that you're with me, and like, are there other differences you've noticed in your home? No, I think it still comes down for the most part. Like, NIL is certainly an aspect for some. For some, it could be the most important thing.

9:18It's always a factor. But I think you still just need to find out who are the kids that love football, and they want to be developed. And it's about the relationship to an extent. Like, a relationship gets you to the final stretch. For some kids, NIL might be the thing that pushes them over the top. I mean, I don't know. Like, every kid is so different, right? I try to view it as you're just building relationships, and are you going to get a young man to trust you to develop them, and to not only the player that they want to be, but the person that they want to be in the future. And you can convince mom and dad that you're the right person to do that, you know what I mean? So I think one of the things that is helpful is my playing experience. I think, you know, when you've played and you've done it, and the drill that you're doing, you know that they work. You're not going to waste your time on stuff that doesn't work. And then the fact that, you know, I am blessed to be at my alma mater. You know, so there's no sense of trying to leave here. And then you have to question like, a ton is, what do you see yourself in five years? I'm like, where I'm sitting? My alma mater. You know, my kids love it in Columbus.

10:21Obviously, I love Ohio State, so I think those are things that can kind of be in the band. James, I know you've been working with, you know, kick off and punch teams as well as look down to the flight for you in terms of getting involved with that. Yeah, it's awesome. Maybe I love it because it gives you an opportunity to coach the whole team. You know what I mean? Like, special teams in a spot where the whole team, probably minus the quarterbacks, right? Is all in one team room and one meeting room. So you get to actually directly impact other positions and just your own. And I think it also gives, it gives a little bit of urgency to your own room. Like, when you're in there every single time, you better be making an impact on punks if you're aligned back to your. You better be making an impact on kick return or kick off, kick off return, punt return, all those things. You better be making an impact, right? Because your coach is in there all the time. So it's been nice and there's a lot of stuff that I think our coaches have done to kind of push that. That sense of team when you're in special teams that we every position matters. Sure, if someone is going to be in a foul, what do you think will be in a foul?

11:23If they're going to kick off now, do you think that's like it could be good for college? I mean, the thing that stands to take away like the surprise on side, you know what I mean? But all these rules are changing so much for the safety of the game. I mean, I think it's only a matter of time before it triples down. It seems like everything is tripled down. So we'll see how it's all right now. We'll keep things going the way they are. All right, James. Thank you. Thanks, guys. What point do you feel like after moving around positions, do you feel like you felt settled at my level? I would say it was during the spring. Like I said, I feel like I had a pretty good spring. I think that's a little bit better. When you felt settled, was it more of like, okay, I know the plays, I know what I need to do or is it worth it? The worst is that field that I'm going to be. It just felt natural like I knew what I was doing and I felt bad doing it. What were the conversations like last year when they were looking at you maybe closer to the Lions' crew engine now?

12:25Sort of like focused on that linebacker. No. I can't remember what the power was. They just thought I could be at end just because I was quick. I was going to be playing a lot of weight. I was already 235 last year. So they thought I would lose me like 250. But it's time. But you're still 240. Do you have like a, you're playing linebacker now obviously. Do you, do you have to be your preferred spy? Like what do you like about linebacker? Just persons like, if you had stuck with like maybe you'd be on the edge or an end? I like a linebacker more because I feel like I'm more free. It is. I like it too but I like a linebacker more free. Not to make a bunch of plays that linebacker. Did you ask me to bring a linebacker to the pitch? They just pushed you back in linebacker. They put me back there. I'll just go watch last year. Not being out there for a while didn't hurt. It barely seemed to feel that some deepness in on that. It wasn't really difficult. I knew I wasn't seeing a field. It was because what I was doing I wasn't really into the playbook.

13:26I was really all over the place. So who I knew what the bottom was. That's what I was saying. So I'm like, did that drive you into this year? I completely changed from last year. I'm in a playbook, I'm watching a film, I'm with my coach. Like Justin, just... Or what does that look like day to day when you're in the playbook studying? Coach Day mentioned that was an uptick and preparation going to be one. What just take me through like a day? What do you do? I just go over the mistakes I made yesterday. You just can't make the same mistakes. We don't all make mistakes, but you can't make the same mistakes. So I just go over the mistakes. Obviously watch film with other teams. I can always tell. You have the mindset you seem to have on watching play, the mindset of a linebacker. You're still what I'm saying. You feel more like a linebacker in your heart than anything else. Yes, sir. Why is that? How do you feel that? Like I said, I feel like that linebacker, I feel like I have to be around every player,

14:27like make every play. So that's why I'm always running to the ball. You never know what happens. You're pop out, you get picked from that. So just running to the ball, being around the ball. Do you have any coach you about that or are you always been like that? That's just something I'll always be. Just ran to the ball, saw it inside, that's something I'll always be. If you have a team like you above, you know, like little Max sometimes, you're just in a combination of what's coming before you get some... You know, before it actually happens. You feel like you have that kind of sense about you. I'm kind of having a feel for what's coming before they run the ball. You're even more like that? Yes, sir, that's just come with watching films, like on the playing of the ball, I'm pretty much new. It's coming just from the mistakes I made that week and I cleaned up on it when I watched it. I mean, that first week with Cody wasn't out there. What was that like for you and what did you learn from yourself? Getting so many reps on the food. It was exciting because I knew I was going to play a lot. I think I got like 35 plays that game I knew I was going to play a lot. And I just honestly, I learned that like... That's like a five.

15:28I'm prepared for it, I have to do it. And when you add Cody back to his lineback around, I mean, you Cody, CJ, Stony, the four of you, very first to talk about, you do a lot. What does it like being with that group and how much does that help each other at the time? I learned a lot from those guys, especially Cody played a microphone. So, me being behind him, I could just watch him and just learn from him. Like when he'd walk through, I'm locked in learning. So, I just learned a lot from Cody. How about with the presentation to you, the kind of media player making an impact this year, from the high-falsuit in the area that chances us to make the plays of the high-falsuit? It means a lot to me, especially when I come from, it's a lot of guys that come from camp, from where I came from. That did the same thing, so just the fact that I can live up, being made sure it means a lot to me. Of course, some people you leaned on had it grown up, that maybe I've had experiences, like this. Just like that. Can you really say that? Can you tell your love of football?

16:30I've been playing football since I was five. My mom put me in full, 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. I said a lot of times Sunday we'll talk about how interchangeable the two positions are. I learned about it, but I didn't get too much work there. Are you talking about preparation stuff you're talking about? What flip that switch? Was it a conversation with Coach Laurenidas? Was it something you just saw? Was it a conversation with the team? What got you in the film or more? I say Coach Laurenidas made me realize that I could really do it, and actually play. He always say like, if I just put the time in, I could do it. He always say something. I always say, I've really said Coach Laurenidas is just me realizing too like, I really can't do it. So is it a lack of confidence before the end? Like you weren't sure if you were a problemist to cut it right back? Not a lack of confidence, but a lack of like serious. I say, like I was enough. I played last, I was just here.

17:31I really am born. Did you not know how good you were? Not serious. No, I knew I'd do that one. What's that? You're talking like I got to get to understand how good they actually were. And for somebody who showed you, like, yo, this is what you're going to do. No, I knew. Were you all struck by the process and everything? Or being here, or was it just showing up and going to the motions? Were you all struck by everything? Is that why you weren't taking a series? Were you just trying to process more than you? I mean, I started off at Laundry night, I moved to A. It doesn't feel like you know, like, you're here. What would you work with? When you got hurt, I stretched my head a little bit. What injury would that have had that changed things for you? I had a good cousin, it was a kickoff. I had a good cousin. I was off for like five games. It didn't really change much. Was that a hard thing to go through? Yeah, I never met injured like that for that long. So he was hard. Yeah. Who are you? Last question.

18:31Did you just do a Marshall leg coach say yes to him about a fifth-git? Can I help you with this stuff? No, what did you say? He said, if any of the bloodlines on the Q&A here is basically an equal biscuit, you know, you can have that happen. Okay. You asked him what I'm thinking about that? Like, that's a great thing. Thank you, Arvo. If you end up in Marshall, I'll stay in a bird. I can't have that stuff like that. Just try and simulate that every day. What do you think of the games in the title? I mean, we had this finisher at the end of practice where I had to make five in a row and going all the way back to 50. It was actually the people who came to end it. Yeah, I had to make five in a row or we were running. And so we got it. We ran, but we learned one.

19:32I did one time. Yeah. I know it's keeping you short-term. I'll take you to the fishroom that way. You were almost that time. Yeah, I feel a little bit. You know, you always been a performer in those kind of moments. And I felt like I got the team down, but at the same time, I knew that those guys had confidence in me and actually talking with my teammates, Jack and GTE and those kind of guys really got around me. It really helped me. But as a kicker, you kind of just got to wipe it clean and go to the next play. But yeah, you definitely want to make those kicks. Is that something you have to process? Like a mix after or is it just something that you got over the game? It's something you have to get over in mid-game as a kicker. You can't let the last kick affect you. So just trying to get through it and get through the game. I knew I could have made that kick. I mean, it's just one of those ones that got away from you. But you always look forward to the next one and you always have to correct your mind and get ready for that.

20:33I'd probably say the same as last year. I feel just as confident as I did last year, even though I didn't get too many attempts from deep to show that. But I still feel just as confident as last year. 55-60. Yeah, right around there. Right in there. Yeah. I'd say every kicker is true. That's every kicker's being. I mean, you saw the guy from FSU a couple of weeks ago. That's my buddy, Ryan Fitzgerald. Really, really great kicker. But everybody wants that opportunity to show everybody what you can do. What do you do as a kicker? Do you make your year to year? Trying to become more consistent always. You can always become more consistent. You're going to miss every once in a while, but just trying to limit the mistakes and the misses that you do have. Just so that you can become as perfect as possible. I guess this is the way I would put it. I mean, the standard is the standard here. And even we didn't look up to it last year. So you got to correct it and get better. And what is that consistent thing? It's a lot of things. It's a ball contact.

21:33It's confidence in your teammates. It's trusting that the ball is going to be there when it's there. It's getting more down the field on your follow through. It's not falling through straighter. It's something I really worked on as a follow through straighter this past off season. So a lot of my balls were going left towards the end of the year. So I had to correct that. And some of you can't really correct mid-season. You don't want to mess with it. But yeah, I corrected that this off season. Coach, as Coach Dave said, you don't have any experience in all the specialisms. Now that guy's a like coach, you've been to Utah. So I'll have to face some of the previous events on this special. I have. And I really like it. I like Coach Dave being around the specialist and all the special teams. It's just feels more involved. It feels of a higher importance this year. I think you guys saw that in the first game. He's done a great job. Him and Coach Keys and Gunner Danners. They've done a really good job. So yeah, I feel I feel it. It's good. Why do you specifically feel now? Like, where does that show up do you think you have coach Dave and the higher? I think the fact that he's paying more attention to special teams.

22:36He's seeing the good things that we do. And so he has more confidence and has to put us out there and give guys like Joe a chance. And you know, he pays more attention to things like that. So it's better for us so that we can thrive in those situations that we didn't thrive in last year. And he has the ability to put us out there because his call is a final call. So yeah. With Joe, your coach, or you both can't always got the guys who's just starting to come to you. Me and Joe got a lot of work over the off season to get him there. And it's not always who the starting planner is. It's just that he's the best at holding. So he got the job. Well, you're done every good job. Second year and then being here. Exactly. You see better than the one legendary. I mean me and John are like I said, me and John and Joe are like three best friends off the field. So we work a lot on stuff on the field and nobody's around. And so yeah, we've definitely built a good camaraderie between the guys. And yeah, I love job. Great guy. How does it make a difference for you guys and me and today and the other position coaches?

23:38I want you to learn about it. It just it makes you feel like he has more confidence in you when he's putting you out there because he's watched it a lot more. I know for sure on the kickoff reps, he watches kickoff coverage all the time. He loves to see the guys running down the field. And we actually made that a really big point of emphasis this past game to run through the goal lines. I joined my teammates run through the goal line. It was pretty fun. I'm not sure to help you guys but now there's only their coaches in Rob and Gunner from the other side. I mean Gunner was out there last year, but he couldn't give us coaching technique critiquing on the field. But at halftime he would he would talk to us and Gunner played at BC. He was a long snapper. So he provides really good insight into kind of like a I would compare him to like Brad Robinson. My freshman year gives you good insight. It's kind of like a veteran guy. So like when when things aren't going your way on the field or you're not playing up to the level that you want to, he's kind of there to calm you down and tell you like, hey, like I've been there before, like the veteran guy even though he's a coach now.

24:38So yeah, it's very nice. What is last question you guys? Rob brings a lot. Man, he's he's one having a coach. He brings a lot of pressure to it. He makes you feel that every kick really matters. He's really good. He he definitely helps with the coverages. The covers has been much better this season than they haven't had to cover yet. But you can just tell from the guys running down. They're a lot more passionate about it. There's bigger emphasis on it. Thank you, Jay. Thank you. Thanks, guys. I think if you remember what we did with Justin Field, it's probably similar to that. There's always going to be part of the game that, you know, Wilkin and all of the quarterbacks can make an impact with their feet. How we design that, you know, we'll determine that on a week-to-week basis based on our opponent's schematics situation of the game where we are down in distance, you know, red zone.

25:45There'll be a lot of things that come into play, but you know, the quarterbacks can have an effect with their feet, even in the passing game, scrambling those, those type of things. So there's a lot that comes with that part of it, but, you know, on a week-to-week basis, you know, we'll tailor it based on the opponent. Yeah, we're going to try to roll the tight ends the best we can. We think that they all deserve to play. I think they've built some depth in that room. Excited to see how they play on Saturday, but we expect those guys to play. There'll be multiple groupings going in the game as well. So they'll all have their opportunity and just to start on Saturday. But again, another group that has come on in the three season. Now it's time to put them in the field. Spencer Ober. You heard, do you have any second to say that? Yeah, we did. You know, JV is going to take the first kickoff return and in carnell is also going to be right there.

26:45Both those are two guys there. We're a little bit by committee in the back, back in on part returning. Brennan, this is there. Mech is there. We'll have a few guys back there we can use. I think they'll see a couple of them there. But in terms of kickoff return, JV will do the first kickoff. We'll go for that. You know, the middle. It's. Well. Again, you know, it's coached me for a reason, but it's true. It's about our standard and what is our standard? We want everybody to grade out over 80%. You heard us talk about that. Champions. And that's. That's a big part of it. And then be the hardest playing team in the country. So if it's truly not about our opponent, and we really embrace that, then it shouldn't happen.

27:46You know, we have to respect everybody we play against. We have to respect the game. We have to respect the fact that we only have 12 Saturdays in the regular season every year. I mean, these are precious opportunities. It's a great work that goes in, you know, to think that, you know, a game would be under value. I mean, that's not even on anybody's radar right now. You know, we have a certain standard that we have to play with. We want to come into this game and you know, set the tone for the season. That's our goal. And we come in on Sunday and figure out what's right. But every season is different. You know, this season is what it is. And that doesn't change our approach into the first game other than, you know, we just have a different group of guys out there. And I think with this group, we do have some experienced guys that have played a lot of football. We also have some guys who are excited to see on the field. You know, you've got guys like Wil Howard and Caleb Downs and Quinchon Junkins. And we have some guys that we haven't seen. Wil Kazmerich. So I think we're all excited to see what those guys look like in a game and see how they gel with the team.

28:46So the right team it means. I don't think anybody forgot about what a great player, Mecca Bukhiz. But seeing them out there healthy is just so exciting and so energetic for our entire offense. It just is. I mean, he's a warrior. He's a great player. And so not only do people feel his play out there, but they also feel his maturity. He's been like that since he's got here though. Yeah, this is not one of those things we just matured with last couple years. He came in and rolled man. And he's continued to have an impact on the entire team. And nobody was more frustrated than him last year, not being able to be 100%. So it was great to see him elected a captain, especially, you know, with a lot of guys that could have been captain, but great to see him elected captain by his peers.

29:48And I know he's excited to be 100% going on Saturday and start to season up the right way. It's a rig. It's three days to the opener. I'm just one you've heard of buyers or more. Someone who's having higher orders, you know, three days that he's going to be calling the players. You're someone I'm saying. Yeah. Right. Are you still getting used to that in your brain? I'm different. I'm excited. I'm excited. It's. I'm. Again, we got a long way to go. There's a lot of storms coming and you know, nothing's going to be easy. It just isn't. It's just the way the game of football is, but I do like the way the offensive staff has come together. I like the way they're working together. Chip has been great with the staff. You know, he's he's got ideas. He's got a different perspective. The things are going to look a little different, but he's also embraced who we are as an offensive player. Who we are as an offensive, what we do. I think Brian Hartline has been unbelievable just in the day to day. What he brings and Justin Frye and, you know, he and Tim Dreb know they've done a nice job working together. I mean, I think it's a good group together.

30:51I think we all worked well together. But you know, it's going to be a long road to that chemistry. He's going to be very important, but on the defensive side again, I feel that same chemistry. I think the staff is strong right now, and it has to be because you know, we're in for a long road here. The last question, the camera key, Robert. It's a very kind of off-road. No, he's talking about it all. If you've got it in the left, that's a great idea. It's just going to be up there for a camp. You know, if you want to be an offensive player, you have to ask him on the opposite side of the phone. I've definitely got to do with the distance you've got yourself as a coach, if you haven't done the course, you can do that. It does allow you to step back and just perceive things differently. You're able to put your arm around some players and have a conversation with them. Much more involved in the special team, which has been exciting. And that allows me to coach some of the guys on defense. I think the guys feel that part of it. Being able to sit in on other meetings. It's been good even if I don't have a lot of input just to be in the room and give a little feedback here and there.

31:51Even on the defensive side to say, you know, here's how the offense is approaching this. This is that perspective. So that's been great. A little bit more time than myself where I can get my thoughts together on how I want to message the team and areas that I want to make sure I'm challenging the staff with and the staff meetings. So I think all that's allowed me to do that, which, you know, and I think it's helped the team out. I think it's helped the culture out. I think the coaches feel good about that part of it, but the chip has been great. You know, there's a lot of input from everybody on that staff together. I think that's what makes the chip a great coach is. You know, he trusted staff and the guys that are around him, but he also was firmly believed in something. Coach, thank you very much. Thanks, guys. Thanks, man. Coach, you have a neck and a boot on the whole line. Yeah, I think, you know, around the world, you know, the detachels are usually just guys that just eat on the space. But here we're like playmakers, you know, we got guys like hero, Taiwan. You know, we're not just there to fit the gap, we're trying to get the fit the gap and make the play.

32:57Thanks, coach. Thanks, coach. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. We definitely want to be more disruptive and get more sacks, but you know, if anyone's going to get to Ohio State, they get the ball off fast. They're not going to let us rush them because they know like what's going to happen. So teams are just smart. They know not the whole to ball. You know, they quick screens, quick passes, but if they hold the ball, it will be a completely different story. Coach, tell me. What's going to happen? It's frustrating, but you know, it is what it is. You know, we cut out half their game plan just by being explosive. Like explosive dealers. Like what would the lighties come on for Taiwan? We'll turn them in the last couple of years. You know, you've been around them and stuff. What's different about him is approach itself. I'll say Ty is definitely more of a leader now. He leads the whole D-line, the whole interior. He's that head guy you go to if you need advice for anything. And he leads as a great example for the young guys.

33:57Yeah, he's almost like his silent partner a little bit, you know, but he's last year especially. He seems to be in the right place at the right time along, right? That's not a trick. I mean, what do you call it? A maturity? I mean, why would you call it? I'll say it's just his dedication to the game. He takes things serious, the way he's in the way he's in the room, you know, his diet, his, everything. He's top of the notch on recovery. Yeah, everything you need is a player. And then for you, what's the difference about you three years ago? I mean, right now, you get ready for this season. Obviously, you want to stay healthy. He thinks it takes like a moment. Where are you better as a player? I think I'm better everywhere. I'm not trying to be like a big headed, but I think I've taken a big step since last year. And, you know, I think the whole deline has, and I'm just ready to show it next Saturday. Yeah, and how will I let you open this deline? Because it's veterans across the board. I mean, where are you all going to be known for yet? I think we're going to be the most disruptive group in the nation. And, yeah. I think both kids talk about how consistent you set the loss of the team.

34:59Is your hand on it? What do you see in your battles with Seth? Seth definitely knows what he's doing. He's not like a guy, Q. You know, strong. Like, he's stout. He's not like a pusher over or nothing like that. He's a great player. I'm glad we got him. How do you kind of see him lead that line? Is it better to come out of the arena? I mean, like I say, he knows what's going on. He tells other people what's going on. If you don't know the play, ask him. He's kind of that guy. Like, he knows everything. He studies a lot. Strong, fast. Yeah. So, I'm going to see what's the hurry. You're going to go to pick up your pick up. It's a big deal. But, you know, it's good work. I think of today. I'm glad. Glad he's that guard. I think it's a better position for him. And he'll be a great guard in the future. Thank you. Great. Last spring, I think it was we called the drash. The center. We thought the Mitchell belt has to be the most beautiful in the past Russian style of the team. How would you describe the way that you interpret it?

36:00Mitch is playing basketball on grass as with Coach J. Carlton. He has a unique style that cannot be reciprocated within anyone. He's just, he's a different athlete when it comes to thinking about this. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. You just want to figure out? I don't know. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Someone might, Far. 히. Come out and be at me. Uh-huh, Be orwelling time, please be here. That's all right? We need a 2000 to haven not been anywhere in the past. Are you getting closer to jealous? He's asking. Is it a eks Sana Do? Yeah. Is it cool that flying? Is there anything? You know, just be the best place I can hear it.

37:02What about coming, you know, that almost goes down there and there's no one to cry right there. What about that? And he's so active. Just coming off the bar, you know, he's been there with the crazy things. He's like that penetration. And he's been there with a build off of that. You know, so many definitely moves, and the skills he can do. And it's just kind of our realties. It's not just like the talent by the musicians. God, give him kind of good. The Saturday you have this student appreciation, is it fun? The uniform, as soon as it's a weird having the guy next to him, my energy class won all the ground balls. What's that like when you're kind of working out in front of your health students? I think it's a great event that we're having. You know, you love us doing this, you know, just like on game days, you know, they come to watch you on the issue. You know, it's a discussion of feelings. And you just kind of get that doing again, like Hollywood's going to see you and Hollywood will be for the spring game. You know, we're just happy that they're going to come watch you. And also you have the spring game coming up this year.

38:03It's on Fox. That say anything about the brand of a high-state or the group of college football that we're starting up with, track. I mean, glorify practices on net worth television within a group 20 years. Yeah, I'm saying definitely something going. That's the television for a spring game. You know, I've never heard it that before. You know, that's a new thing. That definitely serves the brand that we have here. You know, it's different than a lot of different schools in the country. My way is different. It's kind of a real kind of thing. And this definitely is a special for us. It's an opportunity. You know, the group might be talking about what you should do. You think you might play on the entry of the race? I'll say you're through all my ice cream career. I kind of read out some of your ads. But, you know, do the process. You know, post-Jays, you find the only post-Jays that you really need. The kind of film you have. You know, I might go to the free pass. You know, like the years went by, you know, things worked out. And he was right. How much ever you're already doing that? I've been using that care man everywhere. To me, I'm in 25 and I'm in 305 now. It was definitely.

39:03To me, I don't feel like it's different. You know, I may make it look different. But to me, I feel like I'm moving way faster. The quicker it was supposed to be. I ever was in my life. What did you do? I was in the first place. I was in the first place. I was in the first place. I was in the first place. I was in the first place. I was in the first place. I was in the first place. 5 and 9. I know it. It's just one of the longs for the things is where. Jason, would you look for your size in high school and just be able to kind of use your size and kind of dominate. So learning how to use more size and college work. How big are you in this industry? This is huge, big, big thing. I feel like it's not just size. What should be here? That's one thing I realize. It's just a long time. It's kind of roughness. We want to get to the normal men out here at Dodgers, actually. I think it's actually not Jones, actually. That's way different than anybody I see. And it's more than just size that you have here that kind of did past them. It's more technique, knowing the plays, knowing who's around with everybody's doing. So I think it's way more than just size.

40:03It's kind of the much of things. Is there like a moment for you, like a year, and I've got to learn it into this size? Is there a moment last year for practice with the against Alabama or Carson or one of those guys that you're inside? Is there a moment you can point to? Look at that's what I like. I say, finally, how are we going to see these? You know, we've got all those reps and practice with the scouts and number one, it's the start of every straight. And you know, that just kind of opened my eyes right here. It's the real thing. This is kind of where everybody knows there's no gain. I really have to adjust, if I want to do that one. What's in that help you put it on the scouts? Right now, Coach James said that you've had an ideal free time. You're gaining some buzz here from other guys around the program in the spring. How much do you think you've got the scouts in? And that helped me prepare for possibly up for a breakout in the 2012. That helped me a lot. I feel like without being on the scouts, I wouldn't be right here like now, through the auto. To learn it, I went to the auto physical. And I went to the starter.

41:04I wanted to be here, trying to keep doing what I mean. It helped me kind of get ready for myself, you know, for when, whenever my time is, I'm in the middle of the jump. So we're talking to you and Gage and Hero today. How important is it for you three young guys to step up on the interior of this year? It definitely important. You know, we have our top four guys. You know, they kind of came in and said, what they can do, obviously, because of what the draft is past year, but they want to come back. You know, they do what they have to do. And I go to the team to see what I'm going to do. I'm going to chat and share it. And you know, you can't build just with them. You know, you need guys to come in, kind of get themselves ready needed. So they can be the best, when they're on the field. And for us to be able to come in and help the team, you know, I just bring in needed to what I do. What was your reaction when Ty League said he was coming back? Well, I was happy. Now I was so excited to be here and back, you know. That's my guy. I love how he's doing. Being able to take another year,

42:05just to learn from him. You know, that's for me, that's the kind of thing the best thing ever. I think a lot of people see it as everybody on the team wants to be older guy to lead. You know, but why is that wrong? Why is that I don't look good? I said, you want to win. You know, I feel like everybody here as well. You know, I remember he's worried about anything else going to win it. You know, guys who come back and help us win, you know, that's all we care about. That's all we want. Jason, I think it was Thursday that said that you guys are going to have to play 25-30 snaps to game to help Tyler Lee can talk to him. When you know that there's 25-30 snaps, you can kind of up for grandma. What does that do for you? Like you just said, you got those guys at the top. They're probably going to play in there before we're in 50 snaps. You know that there's pretty good chocolate. Hey, it's all for you. It starts to wrap up, please. What does that do for you? I don't know. I mean, besides just looking at it, whatever snaps are available, and we just want to do whatever it takes to help it win. And in this case, you know, playing those types of snaps,

43:06that's what we do in the game. And we're going to do that and do it the best we can. What about being through the top five after 10 years back this year, you mean you're taking over the game? Yeah, I mean, every year, it doesn't matter what the record is. You know, our record or their record, it's going to be a war no matter what. We just go back to history and look at that. So we know that they're going to give us a good shot. You know, they're a good team. They're a good football team. And there's no mistake in that. So you know, we know we're going to have to come in there and play our balls off. And we expect a war. And you know, that's what we came here to do. That's what we hope it is. Is there any chance they have extra edges if they're only playing very sort of in the squad? No, I wouldn't say that at all. And I think that no matter what, it's going to be a battle in this game. You know, it's a rivalry. It's the biggest game of the year for both of our programs. And I expect it to be a hard fought game. I can't wait. Jack, obviously the win is the trial. The last few years, which the lost is the toughness of this team is the question. Is that a point of pride for you guys? Not just getting a win, but doing it in the way that's like, yes, we can play the style of you can win that. Yeah, I love it. I mean, you know, for myself personally and for the defense.

44:09That's how we want it offence as well. You know, it's been our motto all year. You know, it's been the toughest guys on the field every time we stuff out there and execute on a high level. And if you do those two things, you know, usually win the game. So that's definitely, you know, I love that question. Because you know, for me, you run up in Columbus, that's like what you pride yourself on is being tough and win the games that way. So that's definitely the style of what we expect the Saturday. And that's just the style of what we go to play. Yeah, I mean, Donovan, Donovan is a great player. You know, he's so athletic and seeing him move to left tackle and play well if he has. There's no surprise to me. And the rest of the team, he's set up in a big way to leadership wise for the young guys. I had to step in for, you know, Seth going down which is so unfortunate, you know, so still feel so bad for him. But you know, he's been a great leader as well. So Donovan's been great leadership wise, playing wise, you know, it's no surprise he's been able to switch like that. And I really now, he's a step. Jack, do you have any specific memories from growing up when you realized how thick this rivalry was?

45:11Yeah, I could say back to when Curtis and Miranda went in over, I think it was over time to win Pat Elfine leading the way. You know, from Pick North, I grew up watching Pat play. So I was really special. And I think I was really the moment I was a man I want to, I want to play in this game. And it's just really cool looking back on the now. You know, watching them, my buddies going crazy when we scored, having no idea one day I'd be playing this game. So just a blessing from God and you know, take it all in. We said like the thing about that is that you're in it for that. You know, the event kind of sometimes hard to grasp. What you aspire to is competition. Yeah, you know, sometimes it's tough because you get caught up in the swing of being the, you know, trying to prepare yourself for the game. That you kind of lose sight of, you know, where you came from. And, you know, being grown up in Columbus always dreaming about playing this game. And sometimes you forget about it. And the, and the midst of, you know, getting ready to go play and actually compete. But yeah, I know it's cool to definitely reflect and be able to realize that you know, growing up, you know, being a buck I fan, growing up 15 minutes in here. It's such a, like I said, this is a blessing from God

46:12to be able to play in this game and play for the buck eyes. You know, so definitely don't take it for granted. And stuff is senior night too. So sure the emotion can be run high. So I'm going to see a bunch of tears for my mom, you know, right now the tunnel. So it's going to be a good experience. We're used to curious most of us were on how Austin and Carson were going to function this past week. I mean, did you find yourself watching them at all? I mean, when you're on the sideline, just let me, what that was like watching that from a deep consistent point of view. Yeah, you know, I wouldn't say I was curious about how they do because I know that, you know, Carson played a lot of ball for us last year at center. And, you know, I know Austin's a great player. He's been, you know, working his tail off all year, being ready for a moment like that. So I wouldn't say I was curious to see how he plays. I know they'd play well together. And I was cool to see that. OK. I made the way it is, but I'm just that. I'll see them. Everybody talks about this game. It's kind of like you. For you, the guy who's going to pass the game back with his game, what's that you're been like in a big couple of time you all about just kind of get by me.

47:14Yeah, I mean, it's the reason why we come back. And that's the reason we all came back. You know, I think a big part for me is to come back for Coach Day. I think that no one deserves us one more than he does. And I just see what him and his family have gone through in the last three years, falling sort to them. I made my decision even more clear to come back. And he's a guy who gave my opportunity to play here. So I thought that I would have to him to come back and get this win for him. So that's what we plan to do Saturday. And I was amazed that you could see the pain on the team when we got the team from last two years. How old are you? We also have a good person. I like how much QB on that about your life? Say that again. Well, how would you say that? Even though you can see the pain that's coming across. But I've seen how much QB on that, how personal you're is. Yeah, I mean, it's always personal with SCAM. And the last three has been tough. And I'm not going to sit up here until you're hadn't been because SCAM means everything to this program and everything that anybody involved. So yeah, we're using this fuel. We're using this fuel the last whole off season. So we're just ready to go out there and play and compete.

48:17We're ready for work. Are you having a meeting with May? I'm just going to say that this is a moment of what coach they has had to go through just in terms of what their expand there. Whatever. What does that do to you guys? Is it team? I know you play for each other. Do you play for him? Yeah, I'm not a love coach today. I mean, like I said before, I'm fixing media dad. Commit him a thousand times over. Just the type of guy he is and the family man he is. And the coach he is, the us, believing in all of us. So he had the stuff he had to go through was bullshit the last three years and works out to get out here and play for him. And definitely playing for him a little bit too. Not a little bit. I mean, that's one of the big reasons I came back is for him too. So definitely excited for this opportunity as we get. I was going through up here with this rivalry. Oh, you're talking a lot about David. What's been like for you? It's been the toughest part of now. You get to live out this rivalry. You've watched and you're on the other side of that. You put on the losing side for all of it. Yeah, I mean, it's tough. I think that I don't want to rivalry again with football since seven grade against the Rootview.

49:20Never beat them. Never beat central and high school. Tying, like the rubbed that in a lot. And then you get here and you fall short three years too. So just excited for the opportunity to go out the right way this weekend. What do you do? I mean, the rivalry ends there emotionally. Yeah. A long time ago without running a rivalry. I know when high school could be a little different. How does that weigh on you as a person with a decisive football player? Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't necessarily say it weighs on me as a person. But I'd be lying if I said I don't think about it every day. Shit, sometimes I still think about this. The game's against central and high school. So it's just a competitor in me. But I think that going through those trials and tribulations the last three years has really shaped this team and the coaching staff as well. And I think you see it in the way we're playing, the way we're approaching stuff now. And it's been tough. It hadn't been easy. It's been far from easy. So that's the way we like it around here. It's going through those tough times that each other has embraced it for this moment that we're got this year. So I think the chips have all aligned in the right spots.

50:21And we're just excited about the compete this Saturday. We're going to hear the positive really soon again between you guys and where you want to get to here, mate. That's the way it's supposed to be, man. I think that growing up, it's always been like that. The game's always been played for the most on the line. That's how I think they want it. That's how we want it. And that's how you want us to competitive too. I know they love it. We love it. They know everything you've got. Your work for and your love is on the line against the team that you hate the most. So that's the way it's supposed to be. And that's the great thing about sports. Jack, the past rush felt like the first quarter against Indiana was a bit of a struggle. But then Cody got free on that pitch. And you and JT were there too. And just kind of opened the plug, JT a little bit. Just what you thought about that, or you guys a 60 minute team that it may not happen in the first five minutes and the second five minutes. But it's eventually going to happen. Is that what you look at? Yeah, I think that early on in games, I'd love it more than anybody to really get a bunch of sacks. Early on in games, but teams scripted up

51:21a good first couple of drives. And they're getting the ball out quick against us and doing different things. So the game comes to you a lot of times, which I know you guys want to see a sack. And I know we want to see it more than anything. But like you said, that once you get in the flow of the game, you start putting the pressure on getting a third down, third in the longs. When you can really pin your ears back and go, that's when you see the sacks that are happening. That's when you can really get out to the quarterback. Did you guys want to end in a position they hadn't been all year? Could you see that? Yeah, I think you felt it too. I mean, you could see it in their eyes. You know, when they got in the third long, after the first few sacks that they're kind of looking all over the place now that someone's coming. So once you start putting pressure on offense like that, you know, it kind of just snowballs. Now they say sacks coming bunches. And I really believe that like you saw it last week. You got a couple of sacks all year on then they just started coming away. So that's really solid defense we want to play. They're unique sacks. They're, you're solo sacks came out of play where Cody Blitz is across the center space and you move to weak side C gap all the way to strong side A gap. But when a stunt is dialed up for you like that,

52:23what is going through you? Just excitement, you know, I mean, just hopefully that, you know, the play works like it's supposed to work. And you know, we executed a high level. That's the thing we've been talking about a lot later. Executing at a high level and doing your job and not worrying about anything else. So I think that when we got that type of mindset and you know, we're just going to play as hard as we can and execute and do our job, you know, to the fastest and best capability we can and things are going to work on the right way. Is there a sense of the defense? There are sense of deepness is over. We're shit, though, what we're basically the force of the Nebraska on is something new. You guys pretty much figure out a way to shut things down. One way or the other. What is it from the inside that you feel about this defense? Say that word again for Shindo. What's that mean? Meaning getting louder, make her make it. I like that. I might add that in my dictionary. But yeah, I mean, I think that we're playing confident, man. You know, coach knows it's trusting in us and he's down and stuff up for us and letting us play. Let us play fast and aggressive, which we want to stop while we want to play. And you know, it's working out great.

53:23We said keep continuing and keep back to the high level. And he's been going in spine again. The last couple games as he's done here. Jack, keep it here. What he's doing. I think he's done a great job. The whole time he's been here. You know, I think that a lot of times we had execute better. And I think that's been the focal point of this defense moving forward after the organ loss is executing better and knowing our job with Simon and playing fast we can. Yeah, you know, I'm very much. You guys have not talked about this much. Two, three locks. At least there's no back turn bones. How much is that in the back of your mind? You know, we don't really talk about that much anymore. Thanks, guys. Thank you, Jack. 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 test him athletically, but you know, both him and both Josh is 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 be the best tackles nation that's going to win us the best the ends, the best

54:24DeLine. So you know, we're just it's just good on good every day. What makes him a difficult guy? He has great feet, very athletic. You know, he he's just a he's a freak. I mean, he moves well at his size and and you know, it tests all of us to, you know, stay on edge. Jalani, the hardest ride to touch with the fight. You know, Jalani has his has moments. But Jalani's a great kid, man. You know, he's getting better each and every day. Young guy, but you know, he's a high singer. Can I get your thoughts on Tally Conte's new secret TNT handshake? I'm not. I haven't seen it, but I can't talk. I'm not part of it. I was I was. But you know, that's I just I guess that's how the cookie crumbles, you know, you like the TNT moniker? You like that? You guys are explosive. 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

55:26have a T. I'm just the cousin of the whole thing. You can be JT TK. Yeah. Right now they just have me on the side. So I'm just on the side right now. I think that's high. But I think right now, we're working on all the little things, you know, get off violent hands and just staying, 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 don't continue to do the things that we're doing now and just work on our craft. JT, what has Cody Simon done to earn for respect to this team in the Commonwealth? Man, you know, Cody, you know, once he came back, he just took on leadership role, took on the vocal role. You know, wasn't, wasn't 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

56:28to 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 eyes on my car. I'm back. What kind of, what is front four going to be known for? Do you think when it turns October, November, what are y'all, what are y'all going to step in my face and point of view on college? Is there reputation do you feel? I think for us, the front four, the D-line, the R2X, we just want to be known as, you know, the guys that play relentless, you know, like, like, Coach, they says, head on fire. You know, never, never seeing us, you know, for sideline to sideline. That's big as we are. You know, we may be 300 or maybe, you know, 262-250, 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, you know, relentless effort is held to the standard. Yeah, and come work with us. It was a commentator around the country, Stephanie. They're talking about how good you are. I've been to a good day, and one of the things they talk about is, having a Penn State game every week.

57:28Now, you know what I'm talking about. 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, it's hard. So, you know, for me, as you can't go chasing, I got let it be, I 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 hurt me more. So right now, it's just, you know, eyes, hands, feet, playing fast, playing physical, and just continue to just, you know, be the player I am and just bring that every week. Did you see how excited I am? Yeah, 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. CT, how excited are you with that Jack? Has been able to cap them and wouldn't they about his leadership? Man, you know, I've been, I've been roommates with him. Jack has, you know, just big praise for him, you know,

58:29just seeing him grow and being with him. Jack has been a tremendous leader in and out the, the, the V-Live room, you know, for him to be the name captain, you know, for us to have R2SV name captain, I mean, that just speaks volume and, you know, he's going to continue to lead, continue to push us. I continue to push him and we just continue to just have a hard hat days and, you know, keep our head down and continue to work. But at least years last but not for you two guys. Oh, okay. Yeah. I remember, we was just playing in the Rolls-Bull for, you know, a couple of weeks back, but now it's a senior year. You know, we can ready for this last season. Yeah. Yeah. 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 going to look back and be like, man, you know, it's already my senior year. And I do that every day. He just wake up, but, you know, that just made me understand how blessed I am in the play this game, you know, the position I'm in.

59:30I'm just able to, you know, not only, you know, affect the, affect others around me, but, you know, bring, a positive message to whoever, whoever's coming after me, you know, just let them know what the standard is, let them know, you know, what, on how state, especially, what closure and specs. All right, Jay, thank you. Thank you. You appreciate it. Appreciate me. Jay, I'm working here to the new mission. First game, the shot. Never. Wait a minute. Yeah. I'm going to be with Jay, you know, having a cold. Thank you. We're done here. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. We're doing some open-side. What are you talking about? You're seeing, I mean, you're in defense. Well, how's that? It's like a thoracia. We're back. Well, I think that's the, for the last, we also know. Oh, yeah. It's the same time. I think I'm putting out the, I always think for the reason we're in the tight end. No, he's helping us get better. To make sure the run is back. He's here for the top of the player. I've seen, so, it depends on the design. Well, he's like, trying to get one. Today, that's what happened. Yeah.

1:00:30We have ways to adjust the table. What do you think people have? It's for your teammate. It's for your teammate. You have a quarterback. Oh, my god. It just comes from two queries. I mean, the red one's in the out tradition. And it works in the same class as there. We're just, guys, we're in that. We'll talk about the pocket for two of the units. It's not always a DB one. Just having posts, he can have it back. There's some phones. Red man, I don't know. Like, what do you mean? The DB's in the comments. I'm telling you, these days, these days, these are like, dogs, bad ones, I've seen them. You know, we're really excited to have them on our team. And I remember, this pocket presence is amazing. And the red one feels really comfortable back there. It's like I said, I've got some red in it, because this is going to be... How fun is it to be at practice in games like this with B.A.A right now? It's really fun to be in game like this. And you know, it's kind of just like a little foreshadow over the season. You have to be like this all the time. It's really excited for what we have to offer in the field. We have all the chips in the wrist here. And then, maybe we want to win it all the way up. You've always been honest about your assessments and how things are going. What did you see from day one of practice or 15 for supporting safety?

1:01:55We're going to be amazing. We have a lot of new installs and we're going to see that the guys go crazy and all the way to the gym. We're going to take a lot of time into it, a lot of effort and it's definitely showing. He's doing one heck of a job and we're just trying to help him out as we can. Running was mentioning the idea of increasing germized routures and then you guys have been working on. Where was it last year in work and I guess grow or can you expand on that? Yeah, I mean, just asking JJ to do everything. You know what I want to put him in a box. You don't want to put carnell in a box. You don't want to put anybody in the box. To make sure he's fully equipped with every tool necessary to do anything that's required of a receiver at the college level or the NFL level.

1:03:00We take a lot of pride in developing that raltry technique but it's really the play with the mind of routes based on coverage and all those things. So yeah, just trying to find ways to challenge him and that's been one of the ways he's done that. When you guys were talking as an offensive staff about the possibility of having a quarterback go live, were you surprised that it came up? Were you surprised that you guys wound up doing it? What were the deliberations? I'm surprised it's even a conversation. It should always be live. I'll tell you. I'll tell you. I'll tell you but football. So obviously there's a proximity to the season which is a little reckless. I understand that. But in spring when you're competing for jobs, I mean if I'm a quarterback, I'm asking to be live so I can show him how I'm different than anyone that can't be live. You know what I mean? You're always trying to find an edge and if you're never fully live, I don't think you fully give guys opportunity to be who they want to be or who they can be.

1:04:01So that being said, I will cast my vote but that will not be my final decision on that but I will cast my vote. I think I was able to handle it well. It was good for all parties involved and more we can do that better but ensure that is coming to a close here very quickly. That would be 24th. Right. Jeremiah off the field. We saw after practice on this Saturday that the mob that came to get autographs and things. When you're working with him on all these things you're talking about but also dealing with the life of being one of the biggest names in college football. How do you help mentor him in that aspect? Yeah, I mean, it's a blessing to be able to be in a position where you know can provide insight or I wouldn't say recommendations but just give perspective. How he chooses to receive the first perspective or not one or not. I mean he always does but which is fine.

1:05:02But to be in that position is really humbling. That being said, he does a really good job on his own. He doesn't need to check talent too much. He's really done a great job. Again, the way he was raised in his morals and humble would always sign and taking pictures. I'm always trying to be the bad guy for him because he's not going to be and just says again more about his character. But he's not the only guy any guy would kind of do that. We have a group full of awesome young guys but Jeremiah has done a great job with it. He's handling it and it's definitely growing at an exponential rate to say the least. But I think he's built for it and he's been handled at a high level. But those around them were trying to help not a little bit. What made Quincy the first freshman to lose his black straight mission? Yeah, I mean, that's a good question. I think that, you know, frankly, you know, I don't, I'm not really fully involved with that. So I can be, but I wasn't.

1:06:08You know, I think that people on the outside would be defense or even coach day or anybody brought it to my attention. You know, we're kind of just going about practice and that's our expectation and make plays not make mistakes. And he was starting to make a lot of a lot of plays consistently. I think the consistent level that he's been as a person being on being on time and doing what his job description on each play and the ball is coming your way and making some big plays. And you know, it starts, it starts being seen by your peers and your peers start asking for it. They start barking, getting a stripe off all those kind of things. That's the ultimate sign of respect. I think when your peers, you know, go to your bat. And he's not going for his bat. No one else. People are bringing it to your position coach. I think it speaks volumes of the general respect that you're earning through the process. So I think it's something like that happened. And, you know, as well as served based on his peers and the other coaches. Ryan Day was talking about how impressed he's been this spring with Austin's serval. All that he's been able to do and Tyler Bohn was talking last week about the importance of the cross-training and all that that goes into that.

1:07:15How much have you seen Austin benefit from this spring and everywhere that he's been and how big of a piece you think he's going to be regardless of where he fits on this offensive line? Yeah, I think Austin has been awesome. I mean, he literally, you know, what would he say, he played every split, every position, which is moving around, you know, and he handles it. And, you know, he's one of those guys. I feel like you watch film over and over again day after day. His name never really gets brought up, you know, in a good way. Like you know, the old line, your name gets brought up when. Usually not going as well, you know, I mean, they're literally at the point of attack on every single play. So there's nowhere to hide. And so, but Austin, when his name is brought up, it's like, man, that was a good job. Right. Good job. Pass off that combo. Whatever. It's always positive and been really impressed with him. It started in the winter. They're a great job through the winter. Again, continuing to build a respect for his peers. And then he's going to good job. Really good job just being very consistent to spring. Brian, since you've been working more with the whole offense, when it comes to quarterback play, what has grown in your, I don't know, appreciation in that position and what those guys have to do and go through? What do you think more about those guys versus maybe what you thought before is just a wide receiver?

1:08:30Yeah, I mean, I mean, there's no just a wide receiver guy. If you are, so I receiver guy, you won't be a very later on. It's all about, it's all about quarterback play, you know, so I think in that same world, though, to the point is that, you know, in order to be a great receiver or a great receiver or receiver guy, whatever you want to call it, there's only one page is the core backstage. So everything is based off them. There, whether be their progression, their timing, the stresses they have is what we're trying to minimize. So if you don't fully understand the quarterback play, it's hard to maximize receiver play, I think, you know, that being said, yeah, I mean, I'm still always learning, you know, I think that I can't say anything's jumped out massively right now. But I would say that, you know, I guess I would say the preparation level, I mean, the what is required to execute and play at a high level, it's just not capable in the a lot of things. You know, you know, you're not going to be able to get that time right. I mean, there's only so much time where I'd be with players. If you're not willing to spend, you know, your own time, getting prepared for practice to be, uh, to maximize one's ability.

1:09:40There's a good chance you're not going to maximize your ability. So, you know, other positions, I mean, aligns same thing. I mean, receiver play sometimes can, you know, get away from it. We do a great job studying and being in the room extra for sure. But the requirement of a quarterback to know, uh, to fix protections, uh, the BR run game coordinator based on the calls, you know, to get us in different checks. I mean, there's so much thing you know. And frankly, uh, the, you know, the online is good as the quarterback. The receivers are going to the quarterback. They're often as good as the quarterback. And it's our responsibility to put guys in position to maximize with our capable of maximizing. But their inability, uh, to notice that they can just spend extra time outside the a lot of time. I think it's critical. And the amount that it takes, I guess that was maybe a little naive to, but, uh, the guys are doing a great job doing it. Just a couple more coaches got a meeting. Rob, all are coming this fashion Brian. You know, get reached the mount top. You got a banner out there national champs. I keep these guys grounded.

1:10:40Being in the moment, looking ahead. Not back. Are you tougher on them? Because no, I think that I mean, I think we have a lot of guys. You know what? I think it's understanding that we were trying to build the map to get to where you wanted to get to. But now that we have the map doesn't mean we've traveled the path. So like we know what it looks like. The guys that are here know what it's supposed to look like. The guys before us, setting unbelievable example how to get to where you want to get to. So the focus is on trying to replicate what they just did and how they operated. Can't say we've done that right now. So it's very easy to stay motivating because they already know it's not good enough. Frankly. And so the last thing they want to do is put in a ton of effort and then not reach their goals. So motivation. I don't think it's needed. I think there is a catching up of those maybe aren't quite sure what it takes. You know, and but overall motivation is not what we've needed.

1:11:41And clarity of message is definitely what we've been focused on. And I think the message is being received. So not concerned about, you know, motivation and the looking back, if you will, I think everyone's pretty pretty focused on being forward and knowing we haven't accomplished anything. So. Who would you say is the leader of your wide receiver right now? I would say carnal tape. Brennan in this. Probably done the most most outspoken, you know, in the room. Yeah, I would say they're doing a good job. Those are probably the two guys that would jump out my room. Yep. I mean, he's been in trouble. Obviously carnal taking on that role. Yeah, more and being more vocal. He's a good football for office. And he's the only thing that that process for him and becoming a more vocal leader took to say that on him. What was the question? Carnal, like, what do you see like the growth part of it? Yeah, I mean, he's I think he's pulled guys aside, you know, have one-on-one conversations with him. He's locked in.

1:12:46You know, just I think he saw the impact that a mecha made and the role he played and to think that you're gonna lose that and then be a better group. Part doesn't mathematically make sense to him. So someone's got to set up in that role. And one, I don't want to respect some two. He knows he's capable of it. And it's just the desire and the appreciation, I think, to be at the order table now, the older head. And and appreciate the way I met. Probably went about his business. And so he probably valued that, appreciated that. And he's just being assured we still have that. Final question. Bill Rebell, what's the bonus this back to you? Could you assess the running back room? I think it's pretty much assumed both as running back to CJ and and James. I think that tandem system is probably the way that it go again. How do you think it's working? And you see third and maybe fourth guys up and in there? I think that, you know, in college football, NFL football, any football really you got to have depth in the running back room. I think that. It's very apparent in the NFL. It's usually a two back system, you know, very very rarely is it one guy. But in college, I think we saw the benefit of that last year.

1:13:53The ability to compliment each other is really important. The ability for us. Yeah, we were just very three weeks prepared. Sometimes we get tired of going to study. We also don't want to add somebody else much. So they were we were able to do that. We were able to tackle somebody. Just get off the case. I lose. And today, man, we're just to release off my dog. Was there a moment out there in person when you felt like a young guy was holding on to me for one out of the time? I mean, we're playing on top of this, but we have to say like Tennessee is the last game I think was Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt went on 17. And they came back and we were so we stood there. You know, this seems like going to back the hour on this. That's what I was going to tell this guy. Yeah, you know, it probably goes on to trust me. So we created for our DB stuff.

1:14:56To attack me is different. But I mean, it was a great crowd. It gave different looks and I think we saw that today. It's due to the defense when the offense starts the way they. When you're often started to wait. I mean, we just beat off it. They started it. And you know, we just we were already high. But have the same the way they do went down the score. We just ripped everything up by 10. So things that you guys came out of something as well. I mean, they're great team. I know. It's a basic last game. I know they elevated. So I've always always have a. We have some time out there. Time to get our bikes right. It's just a two to just go blessing. So you're looking forward to that rematch. Oh, yeah, but it's definitely. I mean, there's. There's a lot behind it. Playing them twice. One of my first year in. I heard this year. So, you know, we're very motivated. We understand that it's going to be a hard part game.

1:15:58And ourself is ready. We won't be ready. J.C., I know you and Gak have some close relationship. How special is it when you both play at the level that you did tonight? I mean, a match. You know, I like previous previous games. I always match shove energy. And whenever he makes a play, I want to make a play. And the bikes versus. But to say him and it makes me make me happy. I'm blessed to play alongside him. And I can be thankful enough to have another edge. I can work alongside me as well as everybody else on the parts of it. Do you feel like I was the best game you two have had collectively? I think it's up there. It's up there. It took turns to look like I got a second out of set. He got one. I got one. So I mean, we're just doing off the show this. So we always bring the heavy games like that. And we've got continuous taker system and put another game together. And if you have for once again, a lot of sorry. Three now and then comments for the right away. I just have nothing. I'm going to be. Yeah, so I think that was just the very name for we had is.

1:17:00The one offers like Tennessee. Very close of office. SEC play of the year. We had to. We had to go back to get on the black. Sorry. I'll try that. I'll talk to you. Jerry. But yeah, so they have a lot of weapons. No, we had to understand that. But we had to play Gaps out. They just continued to attack every time. And. I'm going to finish up with Jack. A lot of guys come and go. They still protect you. Well, what do you see with this guy? Yeah, they've done an unbelievable job, man. I'm so proud of the way that they've attacked these playoffs. I feel like they were kind of being challenged. You know, when we came into the playoffs a little bit. And people had a lot of question marks about them. But I think they answered in a big way. And I'm just so proud of those guys and the resilience and the way that they overcame.

1:18:01You know, a lot of those struggles that they had. You know, all the shifting around that they've had to do. I mean, Donovan Jackson's playing maybe some of the best football of his career. And he's playing left to have. He never played tackle before. I mean, it's unbelievable. These guys have just stepped up and done what the team has asked them. And no matter what, you know, maybe they want to do. You know, I'm sure Donovan, you know, coming into this year probably wouldn't have expected to be playing, you know, tackle. You know, and and probably wouldn't have preferred to play tackle. But he's doing it because he, you know, that's what we need for us to win this game. And for us to win all these games. So they're just unselfish or, you know, an unselfish group of guys. You know, a group of guys that I love and care about so much. And, you know, they keep me safe, man. So I got to give all the all the thanks and the credit in the world of those guys. Cool. Yeah, I think that's a that's a really good point, man.

1:19:08I, you know, I talked about a lot when I was at K state, you know, the fact that that experience is invaluable. And when you go out there and when you do things, it may not be perfect. But, you know, the reps and being out there and just getting that experience is invaluable. And, you know, I feel like there's there's few ways to, there's few ways to really practice being out there other than actually doing it. You know, and I've played a lot of football in my career and I think it's taught me a lot. And there's been situations even this year where I've learned from, you know, and you never, you're never done learning. And the more that you, the more that you can go out there and, and feel different situations, understand how to deal with it, you know, not just in the moment, but mentally, emotionally, after it. You know, I've dealt with pretty much almost every scenario that a quarterback could probably deal with in terms of, you know, playing, starting, backing up. Like I've done pretty much all of it, but I think, you know, I just trust that God has a plan.

1:20:14And, you know, just continue to work hard and believe in, believe in myself. And, you know, here we are, man. So, so God is good. And, you know, just, just keep your head down and keep working, man. Yeah, you know, obviously, after the first two, you know, rounds of the playoffs, we were, we knew that he was probably going to draw some attention in that last game. And, you know, they did pretty much everything they could, you know, in the cotton bowl to eliminate him and not let him beat us or beat them. And, I thought other guys stepped up really well, but, you know, there are ways to get, you know, to get him the ball that, you know, you just got to scheme it up and figure out different ways to attack it.

1:21:17But, obviously, you know, it's a different style of defense that we're playing, you know, so there's maybe some different wrinkles that we can throw in there. And, you know, it's all part of the game plan, man. We just got to look at it, feel what's the best way to get the ball into his hands and, and all of our playmakers hands. Because, you know, the thing that can work out to your ability there too sometimes is that, you know, he can take two or three guys out of there. And, you know, that, this is a good thing sometimes. Sometimes you want to get him the ball. So, you know, there's a lot of different ways you can work with it. But, yeah, I definitely would, would expect him to attract some attention. Yeah, I think, you know, he's just a really down to earth guy. Really, really truly, you know, faith-driven, good values, good family. You know, you can just tell, you know, you talk to him.

1:22:31And, he just feels like pretty similar to me, you know. And, I just really respect the guy that he is and the person that he is, you know, first and foremost. And, you know, seeing the way that he plays, I feel like, you know, our games are a little similar in a way. You know, he's a, you know, he's a really good leader. You know, he plays with some passion, some energy. And, I love that, man. I think, you know, I think we're pretty similar guys. You know, and I'm just, I'm just really, you know, it's crazy that we're here, you know, a couple of months later and, you know, we're here in the national championship. You know, it's kind of, it's kind of wild, but you just got to thank God and be thankful, man, and do everything we can to win this game. Yeah, the transition was definitely, you know, interesting. And, you know, coming from a place where you're there for four years and you're very comfortable and, you know, everyone, you know, coming into a new system where you have to kind of, yeah, I didn't know anyone's name.

1:23:52You know, I'm just learning everybody's name when I first got here. You know, so first and foremost, I wanted to get to know, you know, I don't know how he went about his transfer. You know, I didn't talk to him a ton about it. You know, we obviously, you know, had had a couple of minutes together, you know, at the man in camp, but we haven't, you know, we haven't talked a ton. You know, but at least for me, in the way that I went about my transfer is, you know, I wanted to get to know everyone first, you know, and come in and not, you know, not be trying to lead everyone in bark orders right from the from the get go, man, just coming in there and saying, like, hey, I want to be a part of this. You know, I want, I want to be a buck guy like I want to understand what it's about, you know, I didn't want to come in too strong, come on too strong. And just, you know, I tried to really just, you know, show them and earn their respect, show them that I wanted to be here and I wanted to be a part of this thing and going from there, man, like we just, we just had so many good guys that took me in and appreciated me and, and I gained, I feel like I gained their respect.

1:24:53And really, in the summer, I think I was able to kind of step into more of a leadership role and, you know, just get more comfortable out there. Yeah, first of all, Notre Dame's defense, I mean, they're, I think that the hardest thing about them is that they play really, really hard. And they're just, you know, they don't take plays off, you know, sometimes you can watch on film and look around and see, man, like, oh, you know, these guys take a playoff here or there, but these guys play hard and they're tough. And I mean, they're going to do everything they can to disrupt me, you know, the pastor, they're going to, they're going to move up front. Those guys are active. You know, I think their linebackers are really instinctive players, their DBs are, are good cover guys, man, they're smart. That's safety, you know, number zero and number eight, I think they're both really, really good players.

1:26:04You know, I think they got, they got a lot of talent and a lot of heart. And I got a lot of respect for that, man. So we know it's going to be a fight. But then the second part, you know, the mystique of Ohio State, I guess, you know, it, me coming from a different program, like, you know, the brand of Ohio State is just so big, you know, and so, you know, kind of just, it is what it is, man. It's like, it speaks for itself, you know, it's, it's the Ohio State. So coming to a place like this, man, you kind of understand what that is. And I try to just kind of buy into it as much as I could, man, because I'm only here for one year. And I love it. I love it here. You know, I love being a buckeye and trying to just make the most of the year that I have here. Yeah, that's a good question, man. I would say probably my sophomore year of high school was when I started to realize like, hey, man, this football thing I think is what I'm probably going to end up doing.

1:27:15And I think I might have a real shot to do this thing. You know, I started getting some offers. You know, it wasn't anything too high. You know, I was kind of just thinking, man, you know, maybe I can work my way into some, somehow playing at the Division I level someday. But, you know, I always believed in myself. I never really expected to, you know, I never expected my career to go the way that it would. I obviously wanted to make it to this point at some point. But, you know, if you were to ask a 19 year old or 18 year old Will Howard, if he'd be at Ohio State playing in the National Championship, I think he'd probably say you're crazy, man. But, you know, it's just you got to continue to believe in yourself, no matter what and adapt and change. You know, I that was one of the biggest stories of my career was just dealing with the change and dealing with adversity and then, you know, dealing with success and being able to balance that and just continue to work hard and keep that chip on your shoulder through all that.

1:28:22You know, I would say probably not that much, honestly. You know, when I came into the transfer portal, it was really between, you know, at the end of the day, it was really between going to Ohio State and then, you know, there were a couple other schools on the docket, but it was really the NFL was what my other option was. You know, I had a senior bull invite. You know, I was, everything was teed up for me to kind of go into the draft process. You know, obviously the NIL money, you know, it was nice to get it as a team. You know, I kind of kind of kind of thing, but, you know, that really didn't, if I would have been in it for the money, I probably would have been somewhere else to be honest with you, but, you know, I came to coach day and I said, man, I want to go somewhere I can develop myself into a better player and win a national championship. And that was really what the ultimate motivation was for me. So, yeah, the NILs nice and, you know, I wasn't there when I was, when I was coming into this thing, it's a nice add on, but it wasn't why I came here.

1:29:25Trey, oh man, that's a really good question. He's, he's, I think one of the most underappreciated guys, you know, in college football, man, that dudes just an explosive guy when he gets the ball in his hands, but I think one of the most special things that he does is without the ball in his hands is, is pass pro. I mean, that guy is unbelievable in pass pro. Like, and he, and as a quarterback, it's cool because he takes so much pride in it and he loves, he's like, man, they're not touching my quarterback, man, and I just like, man, I love that, you know, I do that, especially a running back, you know, that's unselfish enough to, to be, you know, that caring about not letting dudes hit his quarterback, man, like that's special. And he and Q do an unbelievable job in, in pass pro man, but, I mean, that, you know, what they do with the ball in their hands speaks for itself, but, you know, that, that, that's one piece of his game on the field, I would say that, is special and probably overlooked.

1:30:27Yeah, you know, I obviously, I wasn't here for that, but I know that, you know, a lot of people around the building still ache at that one. You know, so definitely it will be, you know, if we were able to, able to get this one done in this building, you know, it'd be a little poetic. You know, that, that definitely be, you know, a great feeling for a lot of people in this building, but, man, that, you know, Ohio against the world mantra, that's kind of what we, kind of what we try to embody, you know, and we talk about Ohio against the world, the woody against the world, you know, really just us believing in ourselves. That's really what it is. It's, it's not us against, you know, obviously we say it's us against the world, but it's more us bringing each other together and saying, man, like we're going to hunker down and kind of say this is all we got, this is all we need, man, and, and, it's more of that, you know, I'm going to go out there and, and, and fight my butt off because I love the guy next to me, not because I hate the guy across from me, but it's because of that love for the guy next to me.

1:31:41And that's really what I think we're trying to portray with that, you know. Yeah, yeah, that's definitely, you know, the human element starts to kick in at this point where, you know, you get a little tired and it's late in the, late in the, you know, but you got to shake that off, man, because this is the national championship. You know, and at the end of the day, none of that, none of that stuff matters, none of that, you know, human stuff matters because, I mean, we got, you know, 60 minutes really for the rest of our lives, man. And this is, this is it. This is all we've, you know, been working for. And it's been, yeah, I mean, this playoffs has been, it's been long, it's been a grind and it's been, you know, kind of a crazy ride because, you know, when we started off in this thing, you know, a lot of people were writing us off.

1:32:45I'm really going to give us a chance at home against Tennessee and then all of a sudden going to the quarterfinals were like the favorite. And, you know, it's, it's just crazy, man. You got to, I think that the thing we've done a really good job of is not changing who we are because of what people are saying about us and trying to just believe in ourselves. Stay true to what we are and who we are blocking everything out and just continuing to work and have that same chip on our shoulder every week. Second touchdown. Why did you break that around deep? Yeah, I kind of saw the pre snap. I'm based on the play that we called. I know I kind of had to overrun and once I kind of scrambled to the right roll to the right. I kind of feel like there was only nobody deep there and obviously with Kyler and his ability to explain the play always got to be ready and kind of have an a pre snap. You know, what I want to do if he starts to scramble. So I just took a high, you know, obviously great vision. He saw me and I be connected on the big play there. Yo, when you don't, did you think you were going to get to the goal line or were you where you're going to be? I did once I took off. I was going to end zone for sure. And the JG always tell us not to reach some. So he's going to tell me about that. But I'm glad I made the play for sure.

1:33:54What was another screen? Of schedule. What's the key for you to help him? I just get open. Make sure he can see you first and foremost. Get open, find open space. Make yourself available. On the second scramble drill on the left side line. Was that intentional? You can step back. They did the safety that you went deep. Was that intentional? What's going through your mind there is just kind of all based on feel. Yeah, I mean, it's a little bit of feel. Obviously, you know, I kind of saw the deep fence that there was no way deep. And you know, kind of once I came back to Kyler, I knew he would kind of drive on it. And then kind of, you know, made a you turn and took a deep and obviously with kind of his vision. Like I said, his building extended play second to none. And I was in grateful. He saw me. And their first touchdowns. Is it all feel familiar when you score in Paris is lifting you out? Yeah, definitely. We've been talking about that for a while now. So I'm glad we got the fight. It's a chance to do that. Are you feeling good Kyler? You can come up with it, Charlie. Yeah, I mean, I think it's great. Obviously, his skill setting, his ability. He can do everything on football field. Obviously from end of pocket.

1:34:57Extended to play. I think I do a good job of getting myself open when the play breaks down. Obviously, that's one of his best abilities. Obviously, in the pocket, having everything one time. I feel like I'm pretty good route runner. So I can get open on time and on schedule. And we kind of just do our thing from there. Mike said you didn't change anything about your pretty game routine. Did you think about it? Did you think about changing anything up? Or did you know I got to just do the same thing? Yeah, I can't change anything up just off of one week. I think more than anything to process is probably the most critical and important factor to anything. The results are going to be what they're going to be, depending on the week, depending on the defense, how the game flows. So the results come very, but along with your process, they're the same. I think that's most important. What are your catches, Marvin? There's a defender draped all over you. What does more for your confidence or validate your confidence that or scoring the touchdowns? I'm just happy because it's a completion. However, however it comes, it comes. I'm just going to do my job to get open and catch the ball for Kyler and I just go from there really.

1:35:58Mike said that he texted you after the game last week to kind of give some words of wisdom. What does it mean to have the support of something that's your locker made over there? Yes. I couldn't ask for a better teammate really than Mike and just to really rest the receiver room. Since the first day I got there, they've always had my back. I always wanted to support me. That receiver room is great. I've been in a special receiver room from a talent standpoint and the talent's just up there with the rest of them, but just the characters and persons. Personality's in that room. It's really second to none. So I'm super thankful they always had my back. I always had their back as well. But Mike, for him to do that, definitely meant a lot to me. And obviously we do everything pretty much together. We do on a jug machine throughout the week. We're always on a jug machine. Just to find it any way that we can make each other better. So I have a teammate like Mike, like I said, he's been great and I wouldn't ask for anybody better. Did you feel like you left some meat on the bone in terms of plays that you could have made and then how much is that going to fuel you for next week?

1:36:58Like I said, for a conclusion, for Kyler and they were all to me, it's definitely unacceptable and you're continuing to get better. And develop that chemistry, develop that relationship, as you get more gi-n-wreps, I'm sure it will come still week two. We have 15 weeks left, so I'm not worried. I'm going to need to get better like I said. When did you realize that all the physical completions were targets for you? Well, look at the stat sheet, a box score, whatever it is. I got an on a s-line. It was very disappointed. You know, that's all that. You have a counter-eager who's telling us in the locker-american game you're wondering if you would have some jokes for the team this week in meetings. Yeah, they've been on me. Obviously all the rookies have kind of had to say jokes before the meetings. It's not really my personality. I kind of just sit there and listen to the coaches, but I told them we'll see. We'll see about that. You like this time to deliver though? He said to me you were an ol' Iman. You would have been fine by now. Yeah, like I said, the receiver room, they're the great job of not having me do too many outlandish things and I guess I couldn't ask for a better receiver room.

1:38:05How many texts did you have when you checked your phone after the game? I'm asked that really having gotten around to it yet. I just kind of enjoyed the win with my teammates. Obviously that's the first one of the year against the division opponent. I'll build a lot of momentum going forward. There's such performance like this. I was just asking what a performance like this does about the offense in big situations, hostile environments, just putting it all together. What does that say about what this team can do moving forward? I think within a building we think we have the best offense in NFL just from a talent standpoint, who the coaches are. Obviously with one back there we can do anything. I think we've got continue to show that, improve that on a weekly basis. We'll continue to get better. Obviously the whole offensive really hasn't had much in game action just yet really really long that second game. So continue to grow. I'm a super excited to see where we go from here. 30 and 2 in the first quarter. That is good and of course we see what we do.

1:39:07I mean it could have been better I'm sure. So I got to get the rest of the game to go as well. Bring to the table and make sure that the mesh well has been rooted. So I've been enjoying it. I've been in Gregg Hebackham and so Caldyson. This is the school I've really before coming up. So I take a lot of pride in it. I feel like I owe it to the guys at that ward. This logo on this jersey prior to me. So don't keep pushing that direction. We're in the top lane though. Where have you seen the biggest areas of improvement from the teams so far? I just think starting fast. I know that was a big issue. Coach false won't take the size of the season. It's the early practices. I think the guys have taken heed to that and really took pride in it. Just coming out here with the right mentality. Not oozing into practice and turning it up at the end. I've seen throughout the camp. I have some highs and lows. But the more we continue to ascend in terms of how we compete I think the better we will be. So that's been the biggest thing I've been impressed with. Just coming out hot. Ready to go.

1:40:09I'm always in a challenge. My guys are coming out. We set the tone up front. So if we're half-step enough there then you can't expect the rest of the defense to fly around. That's going to be the constant challenge. We're playing our logo places this season in a lot of different areas. So we've got to be able to react to whatever time they give us. We've got to go play. What area is still the improvement you think we're seeing in the game? I think just the little things. Like I said, this is year two for them. This solid defense. So not as much teaching in terms of execution where you need to be even more. So just the little techniques. Whether that's your hand placement and your feet. How violent you're bringing it to strike or how we're finishing on the quarterback and what we're focusing on in our past rush. All those little type of things I think make a big difference once you get the game time. So while we're in this camp training type mode, how can you get better on the little things? Because I think how you do anything. How have you seen the camaraderie of the team improve throughout the camp? Yeah, I know. It's kind of tough to get around other groups throughout camp. So starting with my group, I think they've been great. And like I said, I've been trying to shuffle around guys and see who can play with what.

1:41:12So you can always trust these out on the field. I think how we play on defense, coach and boys all about a connection is one of the most passionate guys I've been around and bringing us together and playing for one another. And I think that is also going to turn into special teams. And it's going to turn them into the offense. I love the competition periods that we have. Coach Foster challenges the guys to be there after it. But doing it in a way that's great on the field and on the field we're back to being brothers again. So great competition up front. I think we can continue to build that relationship with your teammates. I think that's going to ultimately make us better in the long run. What's the process like of building a line, like building a combination of guys that's going to work and where you guys out with that process? Yeah, I think it starts with knowing who can do what and knowing what can each person handle. Some guys are athletic enough to play on the inside of me. Outside, some guys are more cerebral to be able to drop at times. We were rushed to pass our time. We had to get inside and play passing situations on the materials. It's similar to what they do with the twins last year. So it starts with that. And then just going out there and letting them play.

1:42:12Obviously the individual pays with things like that. I'm very vocal. I'm trying to show them and teach them what I want to do. And when they get on the field, it's their time. I don't want to be overcoaching them. I want to be able to have them play naturally and play based off of the team. They have parameters when they defense, but I don't think constantly traveling around. I can put in different groups out there, seeing who can do what. And then you see who steps up and it's time to play. I don't even know. I wouldn't even say I have a clear idea of who is going to be doing what this year. I know we have a lot of guys with a lot of experience and a lot of different athletic abilities. So it's going to be interesting how we can play that on the field. I'm excited for where we're at, but looking forward to getting more out of it. I think it's mentality, man. He's an alpha. As you guys know, he's a dog on the field. I guess all business we step into this turf, which is something I can always appreciate. Him being an older guy, having a whole lot of snaps. So you know, I'm constantly finding ways to challenge him. Finish more. Like he's definitely going to bring the juice and never got to be a guy that you've got to rally up or rattle up to get going. He's going to set the tone up front. So he's trying to find ways to constantly bring guys around with he knows.

1:43:16You know, him and new pet a lot of snaps last year. Gary Smith played a lot of snaps last year. We got a lot of guys who haven't had that experience. So trying to help them see what he sees and kind of do kind of what he feels like the best reaction to a blocker or a reaction to a particular play is. So I mean, definitely stepped up his leadership qualities. You know, definitely got to have them on part of the room. And I think he's taken some strides from our players back here to now in terms of how he's speaking up, how he's having a sense of pride on the defense and also like having a standard of what he needs to look like. He's probably one of the first guys to speak up with things on going right. But not from a demeaning element, but from a passionate element, a care standpoint. Showing them that he really cares about this game and trying to maximize the time that he has. And I think that's the type of urgency he needs to play with this game at this level. So our Collins plans some insights to let Terry defensive line on Saturday. Is that kind of like part of a cross training where you do both or do you see him maybe play more inside? Yes, that's the fact of the topic of moving guys around.

1:44:18I think Collins is the guy that can do both. So challenge him to do both. I don't know he's been out dealing with interest in the past. So trying to get him back in the groove, kind of shake off the rest and he's accepted the challenge. So I'm going to keep growing, keep improving. He's taking the coaching. And obviously, you know, what he's used to doing in the past, what we're doing here is a little bit different. So he's still very young in terms of his experience with the defense. But I think he's doing a good job so far. He's got to keep stacking the days, man. Trying to find a way to push through and find a way to get better. Sharif says he closed the training. You know, I stopped the coach Miller. I hope so and I know he's working hard to get back. We just don't want to be, you know, too quick to put him out there before he's ready. So we want to make sure his condition is straight for all that. But you know, behind scenes doing a lot of work to get him prepared and ready. So when his time is, we can see what he can do. And he's going to be a good, true evaluation. And he's kind of going from there. One other guy is you've got to try to make it up. You want to leave with Sherman coming from Division 3, and that's how I'm against UCLA. What have you thought about him? I like his mentality, man. I know he was not sure what to expect just in terms of from where he was at to where we're at here.

1:45:21But another guy that's like you can see and trying to take the coaching and applying. Right? It's just a different way of doing things. I know a lot of our techniques are different. Our scheme on defense is a little bit different. You kind of mentioned how this is the first time of him being like a true outside backer. So all the elements to go around that has been different from him. But one thing about Luke Maynay's going, goes a 100 miles per hour. So if you play with that type of effort and that energy, I think he'll be in the right spot. And how's he about fine-tuning little details and cleaning up his technique, son? But you know, he's always going to work hard. He brings that mentality, that work force mentality to the group, so he's got to keep it up. One of the younger guys on the group, Grant Bucky. What have you seen out of him so far? Bucky, man. Another guy that's playing multiple positions, you know, I know in the past he's played inside. This season we're really working on him at both. A guy that's, you know, he can just show a tool and Bucky just retains it, right? He can even just listen to the coaching applied really early. So him, another thing I'm challenging, just to play continue to play faster. You know, with being able to move him all around, like you can't just be, you know, just super heavy and just ready to play the run all the time. Want to be able to drop it sometimes, want to be able to set the edge at time.

1:46:22So I think he's been getting better, man. That's especially from spring to now. I'm like, until it matters to him. At least on the field, he carries it like that. You know, another thing on the container challenge, Bucky, man, just continued to compete in everything that he does. Like every place in, not saying that he is, but sometimes you just feel like when you've got this scheme of the defense down, you can just go out there and just, you know, play it naturally. But I always want to try to find ways to look at things differently, how can it be better in this rush. I can be better on the inside when I'm playing these type of blocks. And he's he's responding, man. He's great, man. I feel like I can coach all these guys home or something I appreciate. There's just an extreme amount of passion I have for this game. Like I said, to this university, he needs a lot to have those who follow us and who first. So I want to make sure we put out the proper product once time you go. Good? Yes, thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Just finishing it in the right way is, I might say, you know, right now. And you're going to be playing in Texas, I guess, Texas. The crowd will be, you know, a lot of Ohio State fans because they always travel.

1:47:23But we approach Texas crowd for the most part. Do you guys kind of thrive off that? Do you like that kind of being the enemy? I guess. I mean, you can say that, but you know, we don't really, you know, try to focus on the fans. If you just want to, you know, produce on the field, if it's a way game, home game, you know, we just want to go out there and execute. Four goals, right. Cameron T. Grovitz and the athletic. It's highly, if there's a lot to say, when you guys all came back, you're going to see what the line could be. These last two games, we have 12 stacks. You guys really are blitzing the time. It's not even the start. The bench guys can be out of. They just come in. Which is what's it been like to see this? Realize it's potential and kind of where the counter we got. Class of the season. I say we always knew what we had in our room, you know. It's just, now it was just showing up, you know, teams are scheming us different ways. And it's allowing, you know, certain players and making certain plays. And I think, you know, we got so many guys in the room, you know. We have two that can be ones anywhere.

1:48:24We have three that can be ones anywhere in the country. But they all, you know, decided to stick here and, you know, grind this thing out with the guys they came in with. And like I said, I think we have a great group who, you know, can make plays anytime. When you guys get eight sets in a game, but also a whole lot of it, it's a minus 24 rush yards in a game. What is that like? What is that say? I'm just going to put it in the job you guys did. I think it's a great feeling, you know, looking up at the scoreboard and seeing like a negative. Definitely. But you know, it's just like all the work we put in over the summer, over the season. You know, we've been building this defense to where it is now. And like I said, when we're executing and we're at a high level, it's hard, you know. Do anything with us. Behind the enemy Birmingham, the bot cat. I'm not going to ask you to call out officials, okay, but I do want to ask you, have you ever been told before? Yeah, I think our whole deal line gets held, you know, every game. I don't know what the rest are seeing or what's going on with that,

1:49:24but you turn on the tape and really look at it. We're held almost every play. So. Is there something that you guys need better actors? Can you be more dramatic about it? What do you think has to happen for it to get called in your favor one time this season? We can be actors, but you know, we don't really teach nothing like that, but I don't know if it's real, because we're Ohio State, you know, letting things go or what it is, but it's been, you know, pretty bad. I know y'all see it too. It's every play, almost every game. We got you. Adam, think WDNF? We have a chance to see a glimpse of Coach Day's pre-game speech. The intensity that you've seen for him for the last two games in the playoffs. Is that different than you've seen throughout the year, and what does that do for this pre-game before you go out on the field pool? I want to say it's different. He's been like that his whole year, but it's just now getting recorded and posted. But definitely when you see your head coach, it's fired up like that.

1:50:24It likes to fire and you, you know, go out there and do better. And you know, you can't thank Coach Day enough, because, you know, he's our leader over this team, and when he's like that, he makes you want to, you know, go out there and do great for him for like the guys around us. Scottie, we're going to go to you with a couple of Zoom. Yes, sir. We're going to start with Andy Anders. Andy, go ahead. Yeah, Aliq. Texas has a, runs a lot of outside zones, Keem. You're just, what's important for, you know, those kinds of plays on the ground? And I guess just, you're straightening out those kinds of, so to speak. He said, Evigan. Yeah. I'm done with you to get there. Yeah. Just Texas runs a lot of outside zone in their run game, running schemes. Just what's important for defending that kind of plays of the tackle? For a detackle versus stretch team, you always want to talk about penetration,

1:51:24like penetrating the line and not catching, because once, you know, you penetrate the stretch, it basically stops the stretch and makes them, you know, cut back to, you know, unblocked players. So really just attacking this game and not catching. Next question's going to come from Dan Hope. Dan, go ahead. Hi, Leake. You were in a freshman class with Quinn. Now you're playing against him a few years later. Just what's that like for you? You know, Quinn's my guy. You know, he's a great competitor, great quarterback. I think it'll be fun going against him, you know, trying to get him running around. Next question comes from Kurt Bulls. Kurt, go ahead. Yeah, tell you, I don't know if there's one thing you can pinpoint why you've been so dominant. I would think maybe it comes back under the physical brand of football. Do you feel that's going to be the survivor in this game? Who's the more physical team? I'll say definitely the more, the most violent team, you know,

1:52:24the team that plays the fastest, executes the most. And you know, uh, exceeds their game playing the most is going to win this game. I found a question will come from Stefan from Cleveland.com. Ty Lee, what's kind of your relationship been like with Ty Hamilton, especially as the season progressed and just how in sync do you feel like you two are playing on a defensive line together? Me and Ty are, you know, we've been roommates for the past two years. We live in the same apartment complex. We play the game together. It's really like one of my best friends on the team, you know, we talk about a lot of football things. So we're really on the same page with a lot of, you know, plays, teams like to run against us. And who could be some stunts we run, we're always, you know, connected in some kind of way. Jerry, back to you. Great, thanks. We got that. Just a couple more questions. Joy, come up and Columbus this bat. Ty Lee, what does it say about your defensive line and how pride for you guys

1:53:24when you can get eight sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, that I haven't been bringing a ton of extra guys and pressure, but you can just look forward to a lot of that. I'll say cool to our coach, Coach Jay. This is a lot of technique. And, you know, sometimes it doesn't show up because, you know, teams scheme you different ways. But when you have a team one dimensional, like they have to pass the ball, that's when all the, you know, the pass rush technique and stuff comes out. And I think we've gotten Tennessee and Oregon to those situations where they had to pass the ball. And, you know, just let us rush free instead of worrying about the run. Does that make sense? Are you guys just winning those one on one of those pass rush situations till I was here with so many sacks and TFLs? Yeah, I'll say we're definitely winning way more one on one now. And, you know, they're not keeping as many guys in the box to block us because they have to, you know, they're trying to come back. So, I think it's, like I said, it's just cool to the offense, you know, creating these big leads and making teams one dimensional. Before we left, David DeGouz, then WCME.

1:54:25Tyler, we've talked about how better the team has gotten to getting off to fast starts on those sides of the ball. But there has been some scoring lead in the first half. Like it's kind of seeing the gets Oregon. Has there been renewed emphasis on controlling the middle eight and how important will that be against Texas? Definitely, you know, that's one of Coach Day's biggest points, you know, controlling the middle eight. Controlling the middle eight, you like chances of you winning that game goes, you know, sky rockets. So definitely versus Tennessee and Oregon, we give up touching on, you know, lay in the second half. I mean, first half. But, you know, we just got to keep our foot on the gas. We can't let up, like at all. Because these teams we're playing are great teams. Like Texas is a great team. You know, the gray offense, gray offense, the line, gray quarterback, gray receivers, gray running backs. So, you know, we just got to just keep executing like we know we can. And, you know, see how it plays out. Okay, final question for Tyler Lee here. Tim May, Letterman Ruff. Tell me, you know, Aaron Donnelly, you talk about everybody's hurting at this time of the year. But when the lights come on and the snap goes, what goes off in a guy like yours, mine?

1:55:29I mean, from the standpoint of making the play. I mean, can you explain that to people? Don't get to play down in the middle of it all. I'll say, you know, like I said, you're right. Everybody has heard around this time. You know, we're in, we're in, what, 15th, 14th? You know, deep in the season. You know, you just got to, you just got to show up. That's my mindset. You just got to show up. No matter what I'm going through, I got to make that play. I got to be disruptive, you know, just to help my team out. Because when I'm on my A game, you know, everybody else can, you know, feed off of me or we can feed off of like, you know, JT Jack Ty. But, I said, you know, Coach, make always says like nobody cares. Like it's true. Nobody really cares if you're a hurried stranger. You just got to go out there and play and make plays. Just a little bit. Explain the drive you have personally. To get, to through this next one into the next one. But I know it's one step at a time. But, you know, he came back, et cetera, explained people what's going on in your brain about your motivation. My motivation, you know, we all have our wives, you know, while we're doing things, you know.

1:56:32We have family, you know, family here, our team, our brotherhood. But, you just got to, you want to do, you write for your brothers, you know, on this team. You know, we're trying to win the big thing. We're not just, you know, trying to go win two games and lose. We're trying to win the big thing, you know. As long as we stay motivated, stay, you know, humble, you know, like, you know, take the rap poisoning, you know. Things like that, and just execute and just play our hardest, you know, we'll be fine. Thank you very much. I think that brotherhood is important. You've been known as a pretty good friend throughout your entire career. Have you seen a shift in the way that you're able to do things already without walking into buildings yet? You say like, I was, I was eight, offensive. Yeah, whatever you say, like, is it different than what you were able to do already at the end of the game tag? We're going to Penn State, we're always, always looking at this with recruiting. I think it's so true. Every program, there's a different level of difficulty.

1:57:34Right, it's all, it's all difficult now for you. Now, I think the biggest transition is going from a role as a coordinator back to the role as a position coach in that recruiting mode, which is obviously been something that I've been excited about, to be honest. That's something that I cut my teeth doing. But I think each program, you go to it's a different, it's a different level of difficulty based on who you're competing against. Right, when you're at certain programs, you're not going to compete against a program like this. Right, but when you're at this program, you compete nationally with other programs, right? So it gets all the same level of difficulty and it still, you know, it goes back to kind of what we talked about with trust with the offensive line. Like, it is a people business. The first thing and no different than we did with our individual players, but within the recruiting set in the middle of Ohio State's radar for a while. And our radar for a while, but also, we want to try to build that relationship and bridge it quickly, make sure that we're getting people in campus to be able to sit down face to face. You know, I haven't had an opportunity with a ton of these guys to go visit them in person unless they were regionally at the place at once.

1:58:35So, you know, I think all of that's been exciting. You know, I don't know if it's certainly the brand here. It's really, really strong, right? But always look at it. I'll never say it's easier or better, right, wrong, or a difference. It's just a different level of difficulty. You've got to attack it that way. The racial aspect of the game is that you do a good job putting your right back in the game. The best position to be successful. Do you have like a one game that you try to stick to or you like a community and what you call one game to get in the spring practice, you're going to see like, okay, this group does this best. You know, or it's there like a Taliban stable in which you are. Right. I think the first thing that you mentioned is Bay Shah's incredible player. And it was fun to be able to move him around and put him in positions to be successful, hard worker. I'm looking forward to see what he does with his career. I look at the wrong game like this, particularly this time of the year. And today's college game took play and particularly run the ball at the high level.

1:59:36You better have a diversity. Right. So that's going to look very multiple at this time of the year. And then as we go, we're following that now to what does this new well, what is this offensive unit new well in the run game? I think you're always looking at that way. If you don't have the ability to attack the defense from the A gap to the knee gap and on the perimeter at some point, you know, they're going to be able to anchor in and you know, have an opportunity to make it difficult for you. That means you can't do it, but they can make it difficult. So to be able to have that diversity to go in to thematically and then from there, you know, what do we do well? What are those five guys doing? What are they running back? You know, you know, where's our quarterback? You know, all those things will play into the run games. I wouldn't say there's ever one thing I know this. We want to have a physical downhill run game that does not generate TFL's and have it. Right. That's another one thing where we do it our best all the time and not create TFL's and have it. So it really starts there. Before you go run the ball really well, you can't give up to your FFL's right.

2:00:39We've got to keep the ball moving forward. So I look at it that way every year, every team's different, every unit takes on a different identity. But you've got to start diversion now through attack the defense in every area and then figure out what pieces in that main plan we really fit to go against that defense based on what we do well. We'll be here. It's just interesting to be thinking about some of our footballs and things about them. Oh, man. There's a ton. I don't I'll miss somebody. If I just start spitting off names, I mean, I'll go all the way back. I think early in my career is fortunate to play for a really good head coach. That was run mildly and very diverse and what we did and then also become a young coach in the first round that we run free to that someone comes to mind right away. But then even moving on, you know, the sprint game. We coach more head, you know, where I was with him in a couple of different places and running that type of system. Invaluable, the experience I had with the Jacksonville Jaguars, you know, what we did.

2:01:40Wasn't a great year from a result standpoint, but you take a lot of knowledge from that situation. And then, you know, go into a place like just came from where you're in a rebuild and you're having to evolve every year. Your personal may not be necessarily to go a great, but we've got to figure out how to equate the talent and equate the run game based on what we have. So I think all those have been valuable experience. I don't know if there's, you know, I don't know if there's one person in particular. I would say you take good and bad from everywhere you go. I'm not trying to give a cop out answer, but that that, I mean, that's the truth. I mean, if nothing else, I don't believe you can be in this profession and not be a lifelong leader. Yeah, I'm not talking about you at every year. If we're not studying best practices of technique, we're not studying best practices of what's news dramatically. If we're not looking at our own film and saying, how could we make this better? How can we enhance it? Then we're going to fall in line. How are you interested for other creative standpoints? You spend a lot of time giving up kids and then you take a job right and you get to switch things.

2:02:42What's the messaging shift? When you go from anywhere, some of the obviously prefer to get recognized. What's the good thing about it? How does the message change? Is it just, I mean, I didn't understand. Well, I say it's different because of this. Where is it still about the personal relationship? Yeah, I mean, I think it starts with the personal relationship, for sure. You know, there's a trust level that's built in any relationship we have. But it's also kind of bridging the gap of what this program means. And I think it's a good testimony for guys that I had prior relationships with. Why did I want to be a part of this? Which is what I think is the best program in college football. So I think that part of it makes the communication easy, but it still starts with those personal relationships. Those are going to go a little bit more wild when you want to be here a little bit more. So maybe realizing like, this is why plays a part of stadiums at the time. I want to say a while it is what I expected to be, but more.

2:03:45And I'd say that all starts with Coach Day's visual. Just how the program is ran day to day, the detail of the organization. How everyone has a very detailed role of what they need to accomplish for the greater good. And I think that's from a player standpoint, from the coach standpoint. I think that's where you need to be at the top of the league. Excuse me, sorry. If we were in big first contest, I don't know if I'm going to call it. That's how it happened. Would you think whatever process started? Well, obviously you know what's going on in the landscape of Coach. I think it was a time from remembering correctly. It's all been a world when we were out on the road. Our house on the road and number popped up and it was great because I'd been around Coach Day before. I was down in Jacksonville and knew a couple of people here and obviously I'm always competing against this program. And also at Marin and from afar, I was very excited and the conversations started from there in the interview for instance.

2:04:49And why would you want to be a coach for the competition? Yeah, I think you think about alignment with the type of coaches you want to be around. The type of head coach you want to work for, the ability to compete at the highest level. I think all those things are trying to be here. Well, you get here, you're surviving with the guys of us here. I think you're turning service back and you can have them in practice here. What are your early impressions of like the car's in the center, the parts that you guys are bringing back and the attack was like, you know, recruit these guys, you know, maybe not met any of them until now. What are your early impressions of the stock? You said it best first, I'm going to reserve a lot until we get on the field. Obviously there's a body of work with some guys from last year that you're seeing on film watching every snap. I hope that they went through last year and guys moving around and all those things.

2:05:49I'd say the thing that stands out to me is the athleticism in the room. The guys that can pull and kick out and get on the perimeter and do things. I think there's a general level of athleticism that sticks out. And guys that have experienced different spots you hope as we get in the spring that helps a bad strategy. But as we go through spring, we're able to create some flexibility on from. And you think your conversations with Brad, about this job helped be a part of this conversation once the career is canceled. So how much of that matter do you think you are in the right direction? I don't know that, you know, that'd be a question for him. I mean, I hope that everywhere I've been, I think you make an impression on people as a recruiter, as a coach, you always view it whatever job you're at, you're in a view in every day. Not even just for that job, but what your reputation is. So I hope that played a part of it, but I'm sure it's just here to work. Ask you, who do you think is the most athletic in your family?

2:06:49I'm going to say myself, my brother is really athletic, but I'm going to go with myself this time. Tommy, leave out words with Las Vegas Raiders. Congratulations. Obviously you being a linebacker, being drafted by a team whose head coach was a former linebacker. How excited are you to be able to kind of learn under him and kind of gain his knowledge as well? Yeah, I'm really excited to learn from him and just, you know, how he sees the game just as a former linebacker. It's a great player. You know, how he sees the game and, you know, just how he coaches us to, you know, I can't wait. I'm just curious. What is your relationship? Maybe with Sarah Monfer and a bit of a bit of a kind of here with his experience has been like with the Raider. Can you say it again? No, I'm just curious. Maybe your relationship with Sarah Monfer from a real estate guy and he's not able to talk to him at all about what his relationship has been. What has experiences been like with the Raider? Yeah, I talked to him briefly.

2:07:49We actually we overlapped two years or three years, I think, but he loves it. And, you know, I can't wait to join him. Tommy, so I don't know how familiar you are with the kind of energy around the Raiders that since Antonio Pierce took over his head coach. It's led by guys like Max Crosby and Robert Spillane, but it's basically how do you think your energy fits in with this team? You know, I think they're really, really tough dudes that love the game and football and play really, really hard. And that's something that, you know, I try to proud myself on too. And, you know, that's something I hope to add to this team. I know it's just curious what these last few days have been like. I know this can be, you know, kind of a nerve-wracking proposition waiting for your name to get called. How was it for you over the last few days? It was, you know, it was definitely ups and downs. I think, you know, I think if you ask anyone, I think they'd probably say that, but, you know, it's a relief.

2:08:51But, you know, it's kind of like, you get picked, but, you know, there's other things, you know, there's more steps. You know, you got to keep going. So I'm just excited. Yeah, I know you obviously are new, but you've got to rivalries up there in the hospital. And now you have to rival with the chargers here with the Raiders and Jim Harboss there. You've kind of excited about every knowing that rivalry at the NFL level. Yes, I am. Yep. I'm very excited for that. Tommy, could you talk about your motor and just the way you're all football all the time, and whether it's film and after practice, just about your love for the game. That that sets you apart from a lot of guys who have talent as well, but maybe don't love it. Yeah, I mean, and that was something I told a lot of the teams is, you know, my love for the game is unmatched. Like there's nothing else I want to do in it on, you know, in my life. And, you know, it's hard to turn off, but I mean, I love the game. I mean, I'm always around it. Always just trying to learn, learn whatever it really.

2:09:55I mean, even, I mean, I can't even name all the things I've done back in college that just revolved around football because I love the game so much. I love the dudes, I love the coaches, I love just everything that comes with it. So I'm excited to just continue my journey. Tommy, obviously, coming from a prestigious program like Ohio State, you played in some really big games, some really big robberies. How much do you think the pressure of those moments and those situations will help transfer to, you know, playing within NFL and making it go roster? Yeah, I think it will help me a lot. Just because I know that I've played football at the highest level in college. I don't know how to say where the expectations are so high where there's someone coming to take a spot every single day. And if you don't show up, you know, that's your spot on the line. So, you know, I think it's helped me a lot so much in the, you know, I think it'll keep health, man's usually. And we speak the same language, you know, you know, like, you know, he's been on 20 plus years in NFL.

2:10:55I was 12 years in NFL. So a lot of the language, you know, a lot of guys, the tree that he's under and a lot of guys that I were close with really kind of have the same background. So, all those things and the language and the understanding of the fronts and covers and high tie-in kind of similarities there. So, that part of being a good blend. And, you know, just really going to show him the lead a little bit of college perspective because it's changed a little bit since he's been there. It's different obviously. At Ohio State, the new offensive is working in the country. It's Ryan's office, right? Is there still generals who defense? Is this the Ohio State defense now? What is the identity of this defense? It'll be Ohio State's defense. You know what I mean? It's the collaborative group effort on pulling things together. Some new stuff, some stuff we did in the past, you know, because today's thoughts, you know, it'll be a group effort of things trying to pull it together to get there right mix and all.

2:11:56You know, we've done a lot of good things here that has, but you know, some things we need to tweak and adjust and we'll just kind of blend it all and see how it goes. It's a second year for Aaron and Rice. How big is this spring for them? And what, you know, work the day. I was really trying to talk about the fact that IGV is not going to be getting as many graphics as I'm doing it. So, this is a spring where there's probably some real opportunity for those guys to sort of make a step. Yeah, we have to see what some guys can do. Big for Aaron, big for Bryce. We're really excited about them and upside in the potential. They're really good players, really good young guys with a lot of potential, big upside. And we need to see them, put them in position to see them get a chance to get a lot of reps, execute new things. You know, we have a few guys, you know, IGB, Caleb, they have a lot of snaps, you know. So, we need to really see the rest of the guys, put them in different position, game like positions and see how they function over a three or four week period.

2:13:02When David St. Joseph Breakfast is wearing other lips also? Probably so. They're all probably so. But all those things though, we'll work on that. Even though I was in a league, you know, we have streaks for guys. Get, you know, these, those things happen a little bit. You know, I mean, do you want to keep learning and grow for it? You know, I mean, what happens is, you know, we'll go back through it and look through it. Some of them easy out to do a better job. It's two or three of them are questionable calls in there. So, you know, it's just a reputation now that you just have to look at it and say he's the guy that holds it. Yeah, well, all those things kind of play a factor. Doesn't matter. They call it. We got to work through it. So, we got to put ourselves in a position to be better with it regardless because it's kind of a thing for you now. So, you got to find a way to remove that and you do that by working on it and doing the little things at the top around to help you, you know, overcome that part of it.

2:14:03Which we will. We'll work on that all this spring. That part of the big. I know you and Matt here are a lot very closely together in the secondary just out of that year together last year. Help pair you this year. We have a new coordinator. Want to kind of keep some things. Keeps me together and stuff. Yeah, it helps a lot with that. You know, man, you know, we work together. So, like I said, me and Coach Gurrey got a great relationship and we able to blend stuff together. And we're kind of showing them that, you know, some of the stuff that we've done here. It's all football, man. It's all the same, you know, it's just, you know, whether you call it an apple. So, Orange is all, you know, cover three, cover one, cover two, you know, little same things. So, we just got to blend it and make sure the verbiage and all that stuff is in place. It's not unusual for young corners to come in and make them back in the spring. Right away, it's a wonderful, wonderful year. What do you want to see from some of the younger guys coming in for their first?

2:15:06Compete. I want to see you compete. I want to see you have a chance to make plays on the ball. I want to see you have a chance to be in competitive situations and apply the things that you know. So, that's a big force to see. You know, because that's gambling. The good thing for us, we see the best receivers in college football. We also want to top off fences in college football. So, we get a chance to experience real game-like situations in 101's, 707's, team drills. So, I look to see them compete and then try to execute in game-like moments. Because that's critical. That's how you get game-ready. You know, it's not just the drills. You know, now can you go play the game of football and go apply situations down in distance, field position.

2:16:06Can you comprehend and apply those things under the risk? How much does that have to do with Caleb back as a third-year version of Caleb Downs? How do you help a young secondary or young defense in experience here back home? It's huge. I mean, the leaders over there. So, it helps a lot that he can direct, advise, comfort those young guys on how to play the game. He puts a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, type of, effect with guys in there because he can help communicate with them. He gives them words of encouragement and the one-on-one talks and things that he has with them of understanding the game. And, you know, can be a constant for those young guys when they can't start around. You know what I mean? So, that part is big because you're getting it from a guy who's played the game out of elite level. It's with, it's with Devon. I think Jeremiah Smith has sort of broken everyone's brain in terms of what a realistic, true, freshman season looks like for guys with sort of a five-star, prudent, and increased. What have you seen out of Devon so far?

2:17:09What's Devon? What are the kind of key things that he needs to work on this spring? And once a realistic expectation for him, this sees if he sort of puts things together. Well, first of all, you know, let's start out where he is a tremendous athlete, a tremendous talent. But now we've got to go play football. You know, now, you know, we have to see the application of those things transitioning into the game. So we kind of got a little bit of weight and sea on that, but we have big hopes. He has a big upside. We're looking forward to seeing now go apply those things on the field in competition, in situation where he's on a football. And then he does, you know, he has a chance to improve and keep going in the direction we were like, but you've got to have a weight and sea, you know, once they get going. So you still have, we got a lot of guys, man, that have, that we look a bit strange with, you know, as Scott, Bryce, Wes, you know, we got those guys that are young talent, guys, man, that can be, but we have the still go play the game.

2:18:19So we look at the sea, how that transpired in the moment when the bullets off the line. So former player here, yourself, James and Brian, also on the staff, you guys take extra pride that you brought an actual cheap back to the state. Have the guys you played with? Thank you. Congratulations to you. What's been the response? Well, no doubt. We feel really good that we've been able to be a part of that as, as former players. So that's big for the city. You know what I mean? And the former players, you know, it's in 10 years, man. We have some really good teams. It's came up short. So I'm to get it over the hook for those guys. Coach, they, that's really big for the city. You know, because we believe, but God, man, you know, played here. So that stuff is big to be able to be a part of this on the other side and go down on the history books, but to be able to bring that to the community is our standing deal. So no, we have a long history with this city.

2:19:22Sorry, if you were asked about this. It's just a wild hair. Maybe could, could Davidson play inside at all? Well, he just, he better outside. Well, he does do inside some to, more of the dying stuff. We just, you know, we'll see how it goes in spring. But, you know, we had enough that was stuff last year that we just got a, you know, we had a good group there last year with depth. But we'll move a lot of guys around this spring to see what they can do. You know, because we're just a different year. Different group now. Jeremiah sort of redefined, I think, the expectations for freshman around here and maybe nationally. I have been calling Devon Sanchez the Jeremiah Smith and Hornabucks for a while. I'm not sure if it's a little stupid. Am I saying that? And where, how has Devon lived upwards? Or what has he shown you so far that gives you optimism that he is whatever thought?

2:20:24Well, it's stupid for Sanchez. But I don't ever like to put expectations on guys. I like to let them no play and see tremendous athlete. But one question for Tyler. You know, get adjusted to the game, learn the game, get in some situation or football stuff and see and then grow, don't get better. Don't compete. Because you know, I'm big on compete. You know, that's the thing we talked about about the room. Even when we started recruiting, you know, like everybody's competing for stuff. But they know that the whole room knows it. Open to a positive musical chairs, man. We won't guys to go earn it. Guys to go compete. We got a lot of young guys that's been on that. We're looking to see things from the screen. And Scott Bryce West, you know, we got a lot of guys that we got to go see play. And then we kind of let it play out. We'll have a much better answer on those things. Probably in about two or three weeks once they get going. You know, to see how you make the transition. And even with the young guys, when you start playing more snaps, you know what I mean?

2:21:25When you start getting to hockey now, I'm playing 40 snaps. Now you can see whether you can ascend and be able to maintain it for a level of time. And you know, those are the things we were able to see with Jemaine. You know, he was able to get it and then move up and then be able to maintain it. So that's when they're trying to build the clubs. To be reunited with Matt, just how excited are you about this opportunity and how much scheme and how much do you think this defense is going to change? I don't know. It's still up in the air with stuff we're trying to do, but I'm excited about it because of the fact that we've worked together before. He's a brilliant mind. He's sharp. He knows the game. We've been able to work together. He knows the same same language. And then, you know, we've been to teach the guys at a high level understanding the game of football and the game within the game. So we're excited about it. It'll be a combination of stuff. You know, because we had a lot of guys that back, you know, me and James and Matt go J. You know, all of those guys we worked together a lot. So he's the happy piece that's coming in to get a great addition to it.

2:22:26So we'll just start a blended and see how all this stuff fits together. James, you got a good one. That's about a little bit last year. How much on board were those experiences? As he gets, as he kind of wants to start with. It's important. You know, again, we have to see how those does on a week. We excited about it. We have a big upside as well. But we have to see it play because you know, join play a lot of stuff. It's a little past several years. So now, we're going to see because he doesn't have as much experience with that. But really works hard, really sharp detail. It puts him in time. This will be a good spring for him also to see you in a new role. Or out as applied and how he handles those things. And the first till today, he can do it. When you think about when you imagine, you have another name and he's playing a offense there. How what does that journey been like to see? We're open on the 30 last question. Great because of the fact that I saw the transition of him learning, growing, started the bottom of the depth chart.

2:23:29Don't work his way to the top. But he's a diligent worker. Push the time in and we looking forward to see now in a new role on how he can compete and go maintain. That's a far less game. Things, because we're going to be going on a road against a really good Baltimore team. And we got to be able to minimize mistakes if we're going to be able to win that game. But the vibes are in here are really high because of the way we're competing in practice and showing up in the game. The little thing. So we're looking forward to middleing that. Terry, I think you've shut down Cincinnati. Today you have a 60 plus incredible play. Jayden, how do you feel about the rapport that you and him are building? And how special was that played in it? Yeah, him and I are growing each and every week. And great thing about him is we're always in constant communication. So when I have him to stay, he's always got my back and making sure I'm just keeping focused and staying with him. Just trying to encourage him when things don't go right. But you can definitely tell that our connection is growing each and every week. And I just want to be the guy that can help continue to develop and be a great teammate for him and the rest of our team.

2:24:32And honestly, I just want to shut out Deami for real. He's had quite the journey and the league and the way he's matured and continue to keep his head down at work. And he's kept his faith high in the Lord and he was ready for his moment. And obviously, Mr. Noah, that was tough for us, but for him to step up in that moment to get one on one coverage. We knew we were going to get a lot of man today. And I feel like we handled that as a group. Luke coming up with big conversions, OZ. And I'm just really happy for Deami. So I think he just has to continue to grow and being those big spots for us. I know he's going to continue to try to make those plays. So me and Jayden are going to continue to grow, but I'm definitely happy for the other guys in my room too. You guys had a lot of huge plays today. What does it say about this office? You guys may be able to get, I think four plays, 34 more yards to go to the staff. I think they just six overall. And what's it about the stuff? It's a lot of them plays like that. Yeah, I think we're finding ways to create explosives. And it's not just in the past game. It's in the run game as well. You're finding guys who are running down the field trying to get blocks in the second level. So they're running back and spring free. We're doing a really good job in Scramble Drib and Jayden is giving us a chance.

2:25:32And when you got a man game like this, you might have some chance to get some explosives. And you got to make teams pay. So we're really excited that we're able to create explosive plays in the run in the past. And I feel like that just gives a lot of dynamics for our defense to continue with. And on us, we just got to learn how to minimize the mistakes, you know, getting down in the red zone, missing opportunity, fumbles on my part, drop touchdowns. So, but to put up 34 points and win the game against a good defense, you know, we're proud of that. So you take the good with the bad, but you you got to learn from it going forward because we're going to have a really, really good test next week against Baltimore. Jerry, could you see this coming? Could you start? Could you start coming? I think you never really know how it's going to play out, but I had confidence in this group the way we practice each and every week. The camaraderie, the way we built from the spring through camp, the competitive edge that we have against one another. And Kyle Coach Quinn pushes us to compete in everything we do. And when you got guys who won and won every single practice rep, I think that translates to the football field. And I think our preparation is really in a good spot right now,

2:26:34but I think it really the hang hat, we can really hang our hat on the way we're working. And just to see that we're able to put up the points that we already defense is getting in the group, but we still have a lot of room to get better and leave, you know, at least meet on the bone. That's exciting as a player for myself. So, yeah, we're just going to continue to build on this. You never really know how it's going to play out in the league, but when you put good days of practice together, when you play for one another, when you compete at the highest level, and there's a lot of selfishness on this team, you have a chance to have success. So, I think we're doing that at high level right now. You guys are putting the nation on notice. So, for those just starting to tune into what this team is all about, what do you think you showed them today? We're just going to continue to stay humble. But at the end of the day, I feel like when you turn on the film, you're going to see a group of guys, but it's often defense special teams going to play extremely hard for the guy next to them. Everybody's eager to try to make a play to help win the game, or make a game change you play. And you got guys who are really unselfish and just really need to do the little things that help us be successful, whether it's in the run game, pass game, defense running to the ball,

2:27:35D-Lim and run out of stack, especially teams that way there, converging on kickoffs and bringing energy to our team. So, it's not really something that we're trying to prove to the nation, but I think what you turn the film on is a direct indication of what we've been building since Coach Quinn got here in the spring. And it's on us and the leaders to continue to try to build on that and continue to get better on the little things and the mistakes that we did have so we could play a lot cleaner. But when you come out with a win like that and you feel like you still have a lot of room that's exciting, you know what I mean? It makes you get eager to get back to the drawing board, where's the film and to get better. Thanks, Sarah. Thanks, Sarah. Appreciate you very much. Thank you, guys. You like fundamental mental stuff, hand-play scene, leveraging things like that? What do you view as the biggest strength of your game that you're bringing here last year? Definitely my arm lift, my sideline, my side-line speed, and my covering. What are the biggest things you're working on now to be able to get better at some freshness? My hand placement, you know, since my arm is so long, sometimes I tend to try to get all blocks in my hand. You too, why I got to get closer, things like that.

2:28:36You and Riley are kind of going through the exact same thing. Should still be in high school right now, both linebackers. Is it nice to have a guy going through the same thing that you're going through? Yeah, that's my roommate. So like, we just from everything together. What kind of example is sunny setting for you guys as a linebacker right now? Really just being a great leader, like the way he leaves the whole team is just amazing. And the way he swits from safety to linebacker and how he learns so much and just more year from the ordinary is just great. Come valuable, was it for you to be able to come in in January and be with the team for the end of that championship front? Oh, it was great. You know, just watching the last year seniors how the way they led, or the way the run they went on, how intense things were, and how everything like every rep matters, every rep matters. I'm sure like that's something you already dreamed of before you got here, but when you actually see your own eyes, how much does that inspire you to then want to be part of when yourself? Oh, this is great. You know, you just like, you see it and you're just like, we gotta go get what? We gotta go get what? We gotta keep legacy going things like that. The bread doesn't go in.

2:29:36That's never happened here before where the early and early days get to go to like those season games. What happened? When did you guys find out that you were doing that? I found out when I came, because I got here on January 2nd, and as soon as the day I got here, they called me, said I had come in and worked out, and then we just started doing things with the team. Yeah, I was the first person that we did at the beginning. Yeah, very. And what did you take away from that experience? Just everything, you know, the way they appreciated everything, the way they took in everything, like I would tell him every red matters, just every little thing, every little thing matters. It's like what you all got here. Anything like that? Now, when we first got here, I was just doing individual drills. Physically, how have you changed to personal? I was in great, you know, got stronger in the weight room, cos, everything, there's amazing intent, got gotten faster, things like that. What are you doing? Came in at what weight are you right now? Uh, 230. What'd you come in at?

2:30:36Like, two eight teams and 20 round there. What are your goals for your freshman year? What do you feel like you can accomplish at year one? Really just getting some play in time, you know, showing what I could do on the field, in the game moments, things like that. But if you know, first it starts in practice. How much do they emphasize special teams being something to cover you can contribute at year one? Well, they, they emphasize that a lot. They'd say to play here at Ohio State, you have to first play in special teams. Like, that's just the culture. You gotta do unselfish things to make the team better. When was the last time you were on special teams? Uh, I played special teams all four of my high school years. Obviously a lot of guys have come here from Florida and have had success here. How much does that inspire you? You know, it's great. It inspires me a lot. See people like, you know, J.J. Command, Shine, K.J. Command and Shine, Ryan Shays here at the linebacker position. Just things like that. It just shows you that, yeah, I could do that. You know, in Florida, they kind of be like, Oh, yeah, Ohio don't play Florida kids. They don't like Florida kids.

2:31:36But then when you look at history, like it's so different. Shays here, one of the guys that inspires you as a player. Definitely him, Jerome Baker players like that. J.J. Thank you. Thanks, J.J. Thanks, J.J. And Arlington, we're going to need everything we got to, uh, to try to win this game, you know, you know, clearly we're, we're massive underdogs. Nobody's going to give us a shot. So we're going to need all that, that, that we can, uh, to try to win this game. Our next question is going to come from Stephen Hawkins. Go ahead. Please, Stephen Arkins with the AP and Dallas Will Howard, the last game he pointed AT&T stadium with Kansas State beaten the TCU team that was undefeated. You saw a lot of him last year, obviously, and you've seen what he's done this year. What have you seen from Will Howard? Did you watch him play in the car and said he brings? Yeah, I would say the first thing is he's, uh, he's a much better athlete than people probably give him credit for. Um, he snapped off a shoot about a 70 yard touchdown. Run against us a few years ago. Uh, he, so he has good speed. He's got great poise at composure in the pocket. Um, you can tell he's very bright, you know,

2:32:36the system they ran at Kansas State, um, put a lot on the quarterback and, and no one coach Kelly and coach Day and what they do. Uh, so him managing, you know, the offense is that way. Uh, so he's got, he's got intelligence. He's got athletic ability. And then his ability to throw a catchable ball, you know, I've seen that now for a few years, you know, he throws passes where they need to be thrown. And guys make plays form and his poise and composure. Uh, in critical moments is something that has been very impressive as well. Coach, your next question is going to come from Corey Moose. Corey, go ahead. There you go. Try you doing just want to ask about how you love making your call sheet. We got to know that for sure. And so when it comes to this game, particularly when you have a guy like Caleb Downs and that secondary, especially not the first one. And then you have a guy like Caleb Downs and that secondary, especially not the moving him into the box lot more. How much is that effect your building of that call sheet? And also how much of it, how much of it helped that you have a gym door for where winter to practice against to prepare for this game?

2:33:37Yeah, I mean Caleb's a fantastic football player, you know, obviously we played against him last year. His freshman year at Alabama, uh, and made some impactful plays in that game. Um, you can, you can sense and feel his, his football IQ, his awareness. Um, but yet the athletic ability to, to cover ground to make plays, but then the physical ability to, to get people on the ground to take on blocks. Um, so he's a complete player. He's all around player. Um, and again, we're, we got to look at the scheme first. Uh, when we start building the call sheet and coach Knowles is a fantastic defensive coach, been doing it a long time. Very good, very good at developing plans, uh, that, that put his best players in position to have success. Caleb being one of those. And so we got to look at the schemes. Um, before we even really start dialing into the specific players. Um, and then try to put our players in the best position to have success. So that's always a process. That's a, it's a fun process to have. Um, but again, us to opportunity for our guys to go against our defense every day, which we think is pretty good.

2:34:41Um, that, that, um, you know, that always helps our guys kind of prepare for the speed. Uh, the closing ability on the ball that, uh, that is going to be necessary on game day. Coach, your next question is going to come from Eric Henry Eric. Go ahead. Good morning, Steve. Uh, you know, beginning of the season, you spoke about the obsession with winning a national title. You know, we've got to go along with it. Go right to more games, but just curious. Having gone through 15, 16 weeks, as you said, not much rest. How does that obsession kind of manifest itself within you now being so close? Um, um, you know, we didn't come this far just to come this far. I guess would be what I'd tell you. It's how it's manifested itself. It's like the journey's not done. The mission is not complete. Um, it's still a driving force behind, you know, what we do every day while we wake up so early, we stay so late, why are players are, you know, come in on an off day when they're, when we're asking them not to be here and they're in here watching tape working out, stretching, striding, getting rehab.

2:35:44Um, it's all that, you know, it's all that that continues to push you, you know, because none of this is guaranteed. Today is not guaranteed, but none of this is guaranteed. It's not like, well, we'll just get back here again next year, you know, we're back in the final four for the, for the second consecutive season. And those other three teams that were here a year ago with us didn't make the, the 12 team playoff never mind the final four. So nothing's guaranteed. It's difficult to get to this spot. Um, and we want to make sure that we maximize this opportunity and put our best foot forward and see what happens. Coach, your next question is going to come from Kenneth Barry. Go ahead. I'm a party coach here on the West Coast. Um, I'm glad so making it this far in terms of just, obviously, everybody talks about NIL, but. You got, you talked about pretty much preparing for a 16 game season. You're pretty much playing an NFL schedule in terms of just a number of games, especially with very little buys.

2:36:49So, and whether outside of the portal, how important is it for the sports science department and you as a coach to be on the same page. And just the money that would go into that to keep guys healthy, making sure, you know, you're training and healing processes up the power. How crucial and overlooked does that get, um, does that get overlooked at a time like this? It does definitely does not get overlooked in our building. You know, we believe in sports science. We believed in it before. The 12 team playoff, you know, became into existence. But we definitely poured into it even more so when we found out that this could be the path and the journey that we'd go on before the season. We definitely altered some things before the season and how we worked. We altered some things from a recovery and rehab standpoint. We did a bunch of research and studies on NFL teams and how they practice, not only in season, but as they get into the playoffs.

2:37:50And we tried to put our players in the best position to perform. And as much as it is, it's about X's and O's. It's about taking care of their bodies, taking care of their minds. So that they're, you know, they're physically, you know, ready to compete at a high level, but also mentally and emotionally. And so sports science, sleep studies, all those things are hugely important in our building. Coach, your next question is going to come from Nick Hamilton. Nick, go ahead. Hey, coach, Nick Hamilton, night cast media. I wanted to ask you just from afar, being able to watch, um, the wide receded, obviously, pretend to matter how high I was state of a mecca and Jeremiah Smith and just how they've been, how they've been able to, you know, change the course of games and the threats that they pose against opposing teams. Yeah, but they're both big physical players. You know, they have, they have length, they have speed, they have playmaking ability on the ball. They have really big catcher, radiuses.

2:38:53They've got, they've got the scheme to go with it with coach Kelly and coach day and they've got a quarterback who delivers on the ball. So you add all that up. These guys are impactful players that, that are real issues. And we're going to have a hard time garden. Coach, your next question is going to come from Joe. Cook. Go ahead, Joe. Hey, Steve, I don't know how you view maybe the first round, but the peach bull is the first time you as a head coach lifted up a bull trophy in your program in 10 years. Do you allow yourself to reflect on that or is there still just too far to go before you can start thinking about what that means for your career? I mean, we took a moment. We took a moment after the cleansing game and took a moment after the peach bowl. You know, there's, it's always probably a good thing when the confetti's falling on you and it's your colors. You know, so, you know, we try not to miss those things, you know, as much as, there's a, there's the big prize at the end that we're striving for.

2:39:54There's, there's victories along the way and those small victories need to be celebrated. And this by no means was a small victory, but you got to celebrate your victories as you, as you, as you navigate your way through it because it's hard to get if they weren't that difficult. There'd be a lot of other teams in this position, but we're fortunate to be here and like I said, I've been, I'm so proud of our staff, so proud of our team with their work ethic, with their determination, with their resiliency, you know, week after week after week. And it's been a credit, you know, that, our selves in Penn State are the only two teams now that actually played in the conference championship game and had to play a first round game. So we're, we're the two that really haven't gotten any of the time off that, that, you know, that Notre Dame and or Ohio State have gotten and even those teams that got the first round by so we're just trying to, you know, take it all and stride and continue to move forward. But again, along the way and enjoy the victories as they come. So your next question is going to come from Westcott Ebers. Go ahead.

2:40:57Hey, Steve, I was just wondering if there's anything that Arizona State did specifically to make things difficult for y'all on first down and what you need to, and prevent to be more effective on that down against the Ohio State. Well, I thought they were very active. I thought they did a good job of, of running their defense. I didn't think it was so much of that there was something new or different. But they executed. I thought they won some of their one on ones, which we got to improve upon that. You know, at the end of the day, you know, first and second down wins are really important for us to try to minimize some of the third and long situations that you can get yourself into. But, you know, that's when we're at our best. And so for them, I just thought it was they executed that what they do on defense and they did it better than we did for a lot of that ballgame. So your next question is going to come from Brian Davis. Go ahead.

2:41:57You just wanted to ask you about the way you feel like the defense has answered the bell. You know, multiple times here, you know, in the postseason, all these situations they're getting put in. And I don't know if you want to, do you want to brag on the Michael Taff or maybe defend him a little bit, you know, multiple games now you guys have been laying some really hard licks that that are not targeting. Is that a sign of how good you know, are you are coaching them to maybe play the right way. Well, I think our defense has been tremendous all year. That was a hard game the other night. You know, they played over a hundred snaps. And it was an odd game, you know, you think about we really lost almost three full possessions on offense. Anytime you have a scoring return on special teams where we had a punt return for a touchdown, that would have been an offensive possession that we lost. We had a drive on offense. We scored in two plays and then we we have the safety in one play.

2:42:57And so we really lost three possessions that, you know, unintentionally put our defense continually back on the field. I just thought it originally man, we weren't getting off the field. We were doing okay, especially in the first half of that game. But over time, that can wear on you. And so I thought those guys showed a lot of grit, a lot of guts in that game. To fight through, I'd, you know, we have players playing a hundred snaps on defense, not including special teams. Michael Taff being one of those, I think you played a hundred one snaps on defense, not to mention he was on punt, punt return and kickoff return. And so that's a lot on these guys that that we again, we've got to get him healthy and get him back. As far as, you know, football goes, hey, we don't play flag football, man. All right, this isn't seven on seven. This is tackle football. We believe in playing a physical brand of football. We try to do it the right way within the rules. You know, there were, there were numerous plays. I thought in the game that I'm sure they were upset about a call. There was numerous plays. I didn't agree with the call. And so, but that's football. That's the way it goes. But we're not going to change the way we play.

2:43:58We play a physical brand of football. We're always going to try to impose our will on our opponents. And, and Michael's a great example that he plays the game the right way. So, what's your next question is going to come from David Eckert. David, go ahead. Hey, Steve, appreciate the time. I was just curious going back to Ohio State's wide receivers. I guess, how do you kind of balance ensuring Jeremiah Smith doesn't kind of take over this game? And while they've got, you know, two other wide receivers who are 600 yard guys, how do you kind of conceptualize that defensively with resource management there? I just hope we're good enough to guard them. I mean, these guys are really good players. We'll find out. Coach, your next question is going to come from Sean McFarlane. Sean, go ahead. Hey, Steve, appreciate the time. Just, you talked this season about the depth and talent of the SEC and the competition this conference. What does it mean in year one to be the last team standing from this conference and be representing this conference on this stage?

2:45:05You know, I, I still hold true to this. Like, I really believe this is a premier, you know, football conference in America. Because of the weekend, week out task that it requires physically and mentally. It's not a one time thing where you just play one SEC team and then you get on to go do the rest. You have to do it weekend and week out. You have to go into some really difficult environments. And over time, that's what takes us toll on your team physically and mentally. And so you got to make sure that you can kind of recharge those batteries. Stay as healthy as you can. Clearly, we've endured our fair share of injuries this year. And I think have done a pretty good job, decent job of navigating our way through it. You know, I know, unfortunately, for Georgia, you know, they lost their starting quarterback in our game and the SEC championship game. And I'm sure other teams in our conference had to endure things that can take their toll on your team. And that's, that's no excuse that the end day. We have to find a way to navigate our ways through it.

2:46:09But to be here on this stage, to be back in the final four, where in that SEC patch on our jersey, you know, we're going to do our best to represent it because it's a heck of a conference. So, your next question is going to come from Christopher Hidal. Go ahead. Hey, coach, this is Chris Hidal from Herbert and Radio in Baltimore. Do you feel a lot of pressure being the home team and the state schools of the big state of Texas, building a plane in the cotton bowl with the history of Texas being in the cotton bowl? You feel a lot of pressure or you just feel like there's just another game each week. I don't necessarily feel pressure upon that, you know, when you take the head job here at the University of Texas, you got to know what you're signing up for. And there's an expectation in a standard here to compete into win championships, compete for and win championships. And so you acknowledge it, you accept it and you start charging forward. I think if this is more of a great opportunity to play in the cotton bowl and in the semi finals of the college football playoff against an unbelievable opponent in Ohio State.

2:47:18They've got a great fan base. They're going to travel. Their fans are played against them in the Rose Bowl and different different opportunities. So their fans travel really, really well. And so the challenge for us is to stay composed in that arena. You know, the challenge for our fans is to show up by tickets and support us so that we can make it as tough an end of fireman as we can. Because like I said, we're going to need all those factors in this game. This is this is the best team in college football. And we're going to have to make sure that we put our best forward to give ourselves a chance to win the game. So your next question is going to come from Rob Oler Rob. Go ahead. Hey Steve Ryan Day was just talking about the NFL and his experience there. You have NFL experience. He said it kind of feels this starting to feel like an NFL playoff late season thing. Is the field that way to you and you not that you have an advantage, but can you use that experience? You know, moving on from one game with a quick turnaround.

2:48:25Well, definitely feels like that. You know, you think about like I said, we're going into game number 16 here. And so how you manage the players, how you utilize your time, how you try to keep them as fresh as you can, not only physically but mentally. So put forth and make sure you got a good plan that you can execute against the further you go into the playoffs, the better quality opponent you face. And so your quality of play has to continue to improve. The coaching has to improve. Everybody's got to improve. We've always got to continue to strive to get better all on the same time trying to get everybody fresh and back and putting them in the best position to have success. And so it's a challenge. But that's the beauty of it, right? That's that's like to be in the stage and to be with this opportunity. You embrace it and you try to balance it as best you can so that when the balls kicked off, you're putting everybody, your staff, your players in the best position to have some success.

2:49:30Coach, two final questions first from Donovan Bridgeforth. Donovan, go ahead. Hey, coach, congratulations on such a great season so far. What is your response to those who see this as a home game for your program with it being at AT&T Stadium? Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I think both schools get the same number of tickets. I'm not certain Bianco might be able to answer that for you, but I think I think everybody gets the same number of tickets. And then from that point, who's going to buy the rest, you know, and I know we've got a great fan base that travels. I know Ohio State's got a great fan base that travels. So I don't know if it was at D.K.R., I'd probably say something that would be like a home game, but you know, it is what it is. The last question is coming from Chip Brown. Go ahead, Chip. Hey, Steve. In Ohio State's first meeting with Oregon, they didn't sack Gabriel once in their second meeting. They sacked him eight times.

2:50:35And what stands out most about their pass rush? Do you see them? Are they similar to Georgia in any way? Well, they're ferocious up front. They've got a great pass rush big on the inside, big edge players that are very talented. I think getting ahead 34 to nothing in the second quarter was helpful. And then from Georgia, you know, Oregon got a little limited where they had to just start passing the ball. And that's generally one a lot of sacks occur. So when people have to just really throw it to get back into the game and quarterbacks can hold the ball and so on and so forth and D.Liaman can start pinning the ears back and going because there's not the threat of the run. And inevitably that's where that balance comes in that we talked about of why it's important that we continue to lean into the run game and find find balance there to try to neutralize those guys up front because it's a ferocious pass rest for sure. Well, coach, we really appreciate you joining us today. Thanks for joining us already. I'll thank you. Full transcripts of both news conferences along with audio and video files will be distributed via email and posted via the Good Your Cotton Bowl Classic section of the College Football Playoff Media Portal.

2:51:45The game access to the portal send an email to licensing at catapultsports.com. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at Scotty SCLTTIE at Cotton Bowl.com. Thanks for joining us today. Stay safe. We wish you safe travels. I think some of my still need to work on so I got a lot of work to do. But I think the biggest thing at Library is you got to just be instinctual and just go, you can't like try and overthink things and try and overprosic because then you'll be slow to the play every single time. And Arbel Reese, just what you see now out of him coming on this season and it looks like he's ready to take over what Cody's done. Is that kind of how you view it? Yeah, I think he's going to be a great player right now. He's going to be a really, really good player next year. Obviously he's a physical specimen. Big guy, fast and run can hit. I think the biggest thing is he's he took a huge leap this year in terms of like the mental part of the game. I think he has a grand understanding of the game. You know, be able to play my my client back. You got to be a smart football player. And I think he took a huge jump in that part of the game.

2:52:46Thanks. We'll throw it to Texas and Scotty. Yes, sir. We have two questions on zoom. Our first is going to come from Dan Hope from 11 warriors. Go ahead, Dan. Hey, sonny, you talked about how you guys prepared going into those first two games. How do you guys make sure you keep that same edge going into this fair game? Yeah, I mean, I think those days been doing a good job of making sure there's no let off. You know, last two weeks, really don't matter if you lose this one. So we're not only focused on anything's happened to pass. It's a clean slate or just focus on being Texas. They've got a really good team. A really talented team. And we know we've got to bring our best to be able to win that game. Our next question is going to come from Kurt Bowles from the Houston Chronicle Kurt. Go ahead. Morning, sonny. Good to see you. I was curious how you assess Texas off-mance and they've had their struggles in the running game. So they look like a team that's kind of pass heavy and leads into the past first. And how would you evaluate that part of their game?

2:53:46I mean, I mean, you say they struggled to pass a few games of the running game, but I think they got a super explosive run game. If you watch the Clemson game, I think they put up almost 2050 rush hour or something like that. I think their team that's capable of putting up around 50 points if you let them. So I mean, we're deep enough short-rated play. It's in an extremely talented offense on all three levels. I think the corebacks great player. The running backs are very, very explosive. She was very explosive. They've got great tight end, great online. So they're well rounded offense. And you guys are big favorites in the game. Do you worry at all about, you know, overconfidence or complacency just because the way you've dominated the opposition so far? No, I don't think anything outside knows matters. I think there's things they said about it before we won those two games and now they're thinking set up about us after we won those two games and those things might be different. And it really doesn't matter to us. We're just focused on the opinion inside these inside the Woody and we know we got a bear egg in every single week. I mean, it's a really good team. It doesn't matter how it beat the last two teams. This is a whole completely different team.

2:54:46Thank you. That's all our questions on zoom. All right. We'll go back to the local level here. Bill Rebenoins, Columbus, this batch. I mean, you guys travel, your fans travel very well, but obviously this game is in Dallas. Do you guys kind of thrive and like the playing front of hostile crowds? I think guys kind of like going in enemy territory sometimes. You know, it feels good being a little bit of the villain you could say, but. Yeah, I mean, obviously got to take the fact that it isn't Texas. So it could be a lot of environment. Could be like an away environment. We obviously know that. But I mean, that's right. Where you put the ball down. We're just going to come show up and play. And I think there's a staff that you guys that your opponents have not been called for a holding call since September or something like that. Is that something that you guys are aware of? And do you guys point out on the film? I didn't call that one. Maybe call that one. Yeah, we're aware of this. We don't pay attention to too much. So you guys just play.

2:55:50I don't really got too much to say about that. You got to just play through it and just let your let your talent take over. Don't let it come down to a ref decision. Over here to the right Austin Ward, podcast. So it didn't feel like against Oregon that you guys had to blitz as much as you had in maybe some other games in the second half of the season. Why is that? What does it allow the linebackers to do when you don't have that responsibility? What made that a successful approach on Wednesday? Yeah, I think when you got as talented as guys, we do the front with those four guys up front. I mean, a four man pressure is feeling like a six man pressure to the quarterback. So you're able to drop out and be able to drop everyone else in the coverage. So it makes it a lot easier on our defense when the defense align is just taking over like that. I mean, it's it's tough for an offense to do anything. We got four four man four man rush feel like a zero coming at you. And then you got everyone dropping into coverage. It's kind of just shout over the field. So I mean, it's definitely makes the defense like easy for everyone else when the defense line's playing like that. Jim knows it talked about this a little with having so many veteran players that you could make different game plans.

2:56:56You don't have to just be pigeon hold into one thing. We have to week. Does it feel when you get in there and you guys start game planning like they are very different for every opponent for you guys at this point? I don't know if I would say that. I think they keep it simple enough where guys aren't like confused when we're doing. I mean, it might look like that for like the quarterback. We might be giving different looks and things like that. But I don't think it's over complicated at all. I mean, that might just be because we got a veteran deep into as well. So could be a little bit biased, but that's kind of the way it feels. This isn't feel overly complicated. I will go to Joey comp and Columbus this back. How do you think it's helped you guys to get Caleb down. Dr. Morn to the box. Lay the latest season. That seems like more. How does it feel? I think both our safeties have done a really good job. Dropping down in the box again. Come down fast and run support. I think when you see guys coming from 12 yards and they're making tackles or two yards games. It's all that's pretty impressive.

2:57:59I mean, you saw Latham's last game come from the weak side boundary hash about 10 12 yards. You come down hit the dude at two yards and then home was knock him out. So I mean, both our safeties are super impressive in the run game. So it definitely makes the health with the defense. Usually you're dropping the safety in. Usually those four yard runs, five yard runs and where they're stopping for two yard runs, no yard runs. So it's super impressive and helps the defense out a lot. We'll go to Jeremy Birmingham, the podcast. So how much does the defense structure only changed since the Oregon game in the game or is more of an awesome time? Like you guys just being more better and knowing the defense better as there have been fundamental changes that have been made because it looks a lot different. I mean, I think there's been some changes. But I think a lot of it's been a mentality of trying to be more aggressive. And it's having an aggressive mindset. I think you've seen that when it shows up on tape with the pressures, the TFLs and things like that.

2:59:00And I think we've gotten a lot better since the beginning of the year. And we've kind of improved on the issues that have shown up each week because the issues are always there. And I think we've improved on those really well and then obviously looked like completely different team now. You got a team of different aggressiveness from the coaching staffs. And not just coach Nolts and individual position coaches like coach Lord Knights, but even from my day. Like, is he been a different type of leader? I think he's been a great leader the whole year. I think after that team of Norfolk lost, we kind of hunkered down and say like, hey, we're going to get up and we're going to start swinging. And we're going to keep swinging as hard as we can and see what happens at the end of the game. And I think that's what we've been doing the past two games and it's worked out pretty well. Next to Mick Walker, Letterman Rowe. So, you mentioned a great kind of earlier. What stands out to you about Gunner Hellman? How do you kind of take out a guy that's such a focal point for all of us? I think he runs great routes. He has good hands. I think they set up some really nice plays for him. You see some of those plays where he kind of sneaks out of the protection and comes out wide open.

3:00:07I think the biggest thing that stands out is probably the routes in the hands. He's super impressive for a tight end. Obviously, he always be aware of where he's out on the field and there's going to be some explosive play set up for him. Any other questions here? Absolutely. Yeah. Letterman Rowe. I'm sorry. Good minute eruption. Jerry. When you were in a nutshell, how would you describe him to someone? He seems even more effective when he kind of gets out of the pocket or moves around and stuff. So, what do you see when you think of him? I would say the capability of like early on the game, him getting his routine. Like some of those routine throws, routine throws. They run the ball. That's play action shot. 50 yards now field. Things like that. I think he did a super good job with that. Being able to sell the play action, pull the safes up and then hit you down field with the 60 yard bombs and like that. So, I think that's the biggest thing that stands out to me on film. He's a super talented quarterback, super talented arm talent.

3:01:08He can get the ball out in many different ways. But, yeah, that's probably how I put it in the nutshell. He's just super talented player. You can make any throw on the field. Like you said, he can move around a little bit. I don't think people respect that enough with his legs. He can move around and extend the plays and hurt you down field. Is there really a guy that used to be in this building, at least for four or five months? I wasn't really here with him, but the only thing is really, you played some former players before. But obviously he's a talented player. I think a lot of guys have a lot of respect for him. So, it's just going to be a good match. I'm excited for it. We'll go to Bill Rebellion. Columbus, this batch. Adam, the wind will talk to you next. I'll ask you now. I'm sure it's the last year on your line. We'll talk about, do you have any idea what you're going to do about next year? I mean, obviously, you can go to the NFL. Do you have any thoughts on that right now? No, I haven't thought about it at all. Just worry about winning. Scotty, that's in from Columbus for sunny styles, any more on your end? No more on our end. Thank you, sunny.

3:02:09Thank you. And then we went into the last game and still didn't quite know what the ramifications were, everything that was going on, based on who we had up front. And there was a lot of things that played into that game. But certainly one of them was, we called this game more aggressively. There's no question about that. But also, I think we did some things in this game that maximize what we have in terms of our strengths and minimize our inefficiencies. Not that everything was perfect in this game, it wasn't. But I do think that, and I also thought Will was excellent in this game, played really well. Did a really good job of placing the ball and some big time throws. When he needed to make plays with his legs, he did. And certainly Jeremiah was dying to mind again. But Will was the leader. But we also had balance in this game. It wasn't like it was just throwing it all over the place. We did have balance. We had some good runs. And those hit for us, which makes a big difference when you have that run pass balance that we're looking for.

3:03:14This has got to continue. This has got to build momentum. Going into this next game. Over to the right Dylan Davis. Delaware Gazette. You dominated the first half. But then you looked up up the scoreboard head and then a half time and you're going up 11. Would you feel like you let him off the hook a little bit? Moves that conversation like that, half time going. You did dominate that half. I'll be it. Yeah, that's why we knew coming out in the second half. We had to win the next four to five minutes. And we did. And that really helped. Because you're right. You can feel that way a little bit. But I say it all my all time coming in half time. It's going to be up down or it's going to be tied. And so now we have to go win the next five minutes of the game, four minutes of the game. And they deferred. So they got the ball. So we had to get that stop. We did and then we went down the scoreboard and that made a huge difference. But yeah, I tell the guys all the time that in games like this, you've got to have poise because there's ups and downs. And you can't get caught up in that. But yeah, I mean, there was a point there. We have a chance to go up 28-nothing and we're through the interception. And I like the call. I like how aggressively we were because that's part of it.

3:04:15When you're going to call the game aggressively something like this happens, you have to do one to live with it. But yeah, I mean, you had a chance to score right there and go 28-nothing. And the games pretty much in hand at that point. But they fought their way back in. But they're a good team. I mean, this is a very good SEC team that came up here. And so we knew it wasn't going to be easy. Cameratee Robinson, the athletic. I know obviously the confidence for this group comes from the work you put in on a day-to-day basis. But when you sit for weeks and you just want to get in the game, how important is it for you to have that first drive? The way you guys did that to build confidence for the putter at that game. And just the execution. We've talked about that the last few weeks. And some of the press conferences you've been in that, I know you've heard us harp on execution, execution, execution. Because there's a lot of things coming out of that last game that we just look back on and we're going to say, we just look back on it. We just didn't execute very well. And certainly there are things that we needed to do better in terms of skiing. But we also didn't execute. I thought for the most part, field of the kicks better in this game.

3:05:19I thought we blocked better in this game. I thought we ran through contact better in this game. And certainly we threw a cop better in this game. And that made a huge difference in it. But you're right. There was a confidence coming out of that first quarter because we were playing with a lot of energy. Even coming out of warmups, you can feel it. You know, these guys wanted to play in this game. And there was a confidence they got built through practice. And I thought we had a good game playing going in. I think the guys believed in it. And that went a long way to get that first drive. Folks, I'm going to bring, have Jack Sawyer and Cody Simon go to the back two tables there. To start their interviews, then we're going to go ahead and continue with Coach Dave, Bill Rebenweetz, Columbus Dispatch. Thank you, gentlemen. Either one of the back two tables. How you got through it and just how important this was, because this was a season defining win to this point. What did you do to make sure that you guys were ready?

3:06:19Did that without the event standing off? Well, the first week was an identification of the issues. You don't just move on from the game. You have to identify what the issues are and have real conversations with the players. Allow them to speak because they're vested in this. And then, you know, coaches have their two cents. And you know, you give it about a week. And then you put a plan together on how we're going to move forward, how we're going to get these things fixed. And then you figure out what your opponent is. We found out it was Tennessee. And that's where the two weeks of work went. And they got about Wednesday of this week. You could tell these guys just wanted to get on the field. They had been along lead up for us, you know, weeks. And it does, you know, to say it doesn't weigh on you. It does. You know, a lot of pride who we are. And these guys have a lot of pride. And these guys, they love each other. And they're a great representation of Ohio State. And, you know, I'm glad that they were able to, you know, for the last game for those seniors to finish with the win.

3:07:21But they are not satisfied at all. I mean, they quickly are going to get their focus on Oregon, which is going to be a rematch rush, which is exciting. And going into a great opportunity to go play in the Rose Bowl again. And so, yeah, I think it says a lot about who our guys are that we're able to respond like that. And a big way. Dan Hope, 11 Warriors. Ryan, you talk a lot about leave no doubt. How important was it for you guys in the way? In terms of building momentum, not just the wins tonight, but teams, no doubt. That's it. And even there were a couple of points in the game where, you know, there's some couple calls and, you know, different things where, you know, in the past when you have one of these games that comes down to the last play, you can look to those as game altering plays. But when you leave no doubt, you know, nobody will talk about those plays because we did. And there was a few opportunities in this game to do that very thing for a downstop. You know, there was again that those drives right there in the third quarter that I felt like allowed us an opportunity to pull away when the defense was getting stops.

3:08:25Over to the right, Stephen means Cleveland.com. Ryan, you tell us during the week that we could see a rotation on the interior of your offensive line there. You just talk about the job Luke Montgomery did, but then also Austin's playing essentially two different positions in one game. Just evaluate the job he did going back and forth, depending on who was in the game. When you don't notice the guards, they're doing pretty well. I noticed Luke's energy, toughness and edge. I got to watch the film and see how we did, but we blocked them much better in this game and they have a good front. I thought we got some of the gap schemes going, some good double teams. It wasn't all perfect by any means, but it will have to continue to diversify going into the next game. I thought we at least focused on the things that these guys could do well and now we got to build on it. And they played with confidence, they played with energy. You can see after we scored a couple of touchdowns, they were jacked up and coming off the field with good energy. The leaders of that group certainly is Donovan Jackson, Josh Fryer.

3:09:26And great to see Carson play well. It looked like anyways from my point of view watching the game on tablet that he played well. So that allows us to have balance. And as you know, that's a huge part of it. Yeah, we'll have to look at it and see, but it seems healthy to me to get those guys involved in the game. We're going to go just a couple more questions for coach over to the left Pat Murphy 24-7 sports. Ryan, this week the defense talked about they had to win the game. They felt confident doing that. Obviously, your offense played the way it does so they don't have that much on their shoulders. But other than a couple of drives, they hold hold before down their performance and just what they can build on from this. Well, they're playing with confidence and coming off the last game. I think they felt like, you know, we have to go win the game. But when the offense is playing to their potential like they were today, then now it's complimentary and you can end up with a game like we did tonight. So you just never know. It could be like the Oregon game.

3:10:27It could be like, you know, the last game of the season. You just never know how those games are going to shake out. And we have to do whatever we can to win. We've talked about that before. Just win the game. And so we got to win three more. Over to the right here, Spencer, Holbrook, Letterman, Ro. Ryan with Will, that first touchdown throw just seemed like it was just so on point. Yeah. He looked to be just kind of dealing tonight. Did you see anything different from him the last couple of weeks? Just because like down field, he looked better. He just looked more concise almost at every time. Yeah, I thought his footwork was good. I thought that we worked hard on some of those throws. And he had a few of those right on the money. Yeah, the fadeball and the goal ball were really well done. I thought the levels ball to Carnell was really, really well thrown ball. Probably missing a few others. But yeah, he was he was accurate today. And you know, a big thing for Will is his footwork. When his foot works on point. And when he's seeing things well, you know, he's as good as anybody in the country.

3:11:28Folks, we just sent Donovan Jackson to the back of the room as well. And this will be the last question for Coach Day. Scott Darkerman, the athletic. Yeah, Ryan, I wanted to ask you just kind of a big picture about the big 10. And what kind of the season maybe looks like when you have three teams advance into the quarter finals. And from a big picture perspective, what was this first year like playing in the big 10 and how good are these teams that are in the tournament? Well, I think the big 10 has great football. I think that, you know, we play nine conference games. So we beat each other up sometimes. But when you have an opportunity like this against a very good SEC team, you know, we know how important that is for the conference. And you know, great to see some of the other teams in the league representing well because it is a great conference and a very difficult conference. Coach, thank you very much. We're going to open up. I guess more just like confident and like set.

3:12:29You feel like I can lead to the two of the nine eighths. Nine eighths are my first year and my second year to now. Right now, my guy, I know I can play. I know I can hold him one of the best. I'm spending with Max. Anybody else that we can play this year. And I know what I can do. So all I can do now is actually meet my potential and actually do it. And help everybody else out on the team as well. You've practiced a lot against Malcolm and he's really come into his own. What is it about Malcolm that's helped him make that next step there? Malcolm, if he's quiet, he doesn't really say too much. He comes in to work every day. Who he does and he works hard. He doesn't play twice at anything. Yeah, he'll get mad over a cold red skull. So at the same time, he has an entire year off at all. He doesn't really care what you're talking about. He's our anybody else name, so it's like, alright, keep going. That's how everybody does on the team. How about Ty Reed, two together at the same mindset? He does at the same mindset. I'm going to move that. I'm going to the nerves. Oh, no.

3:13:29He is not. He is not my girlfriend, but from this first year here to now. He has. He's playing just lame, though. He's grown up a lot mentally, too. Looks like you guys are reimagining the offensive line, a little bit with you out there right side. Yeah. Farm there next to you on that side, too. And then drafting guys on the line. How exciting is that to be part of something that's kind of being, you know, having that trust, but also being reinvented a little bit? That's very, you know, but me and Dylan knows, they're going to keep placing us in worse, but all the same time, we got to keep going. You know, we can't just really think about what they did, what we got to do is think about what we can't really do. We better work the same. So, I'm going to put a lot of them on the left side of this. We don't want to throw them right. A little bit more. How well are you going to work it together? We've worked pretty well, you know. I guess they're as we have like a little rookie moment a little bit. But, you know, as big great friends, you know, I assume like my brother. And I always will. You know, we talk every day about how can we do better?

3:14:30How can we help each other on the right side? So, we can actually make a connection. You guys play like party game. Do you think of that? What do you think about the other self playing? Like the win-steep Christmas home? That's what I think. I think I see those. I guess you go first. I don't really care about the time of the play. I think you're going to be. I just think of the challenge. I hope that like, we got all these attributes. They got all these things, but can they get past me though? Can they beat me though? So, every day just working on that. Just getting better and better. Have you used them in all the strong race, trippy, strong transfers? Yeah, that's my dog. You know, we came in together and just like talking to each other about the process, especially when my coach Ryle left and I was like, you know, what are we going to do with me? And then we just stuck through it. And then me and him now, I just talked to them every day. That's my bully. And we're working on different things. Because he's at the left. I'm at the right scene. Things with different point of view. I was going to be great. How's the transition going for you? I was going to be amazing.

3:15:30I feel every day get better and better. Going to get to the best every day. So you have to be on your AK and going to get to do like CJ, that's my full way. Just getting better and better and transition. Just not an hour, half away from home. So this has been pretty good. You started four games last period. So what do you kind of think you did with any of the members of those games? What did you think you learned from them? I think for my role, I think I did just enough. As a person I am now. If I was a person, I feel like I would have done lay better. But just going into that role, helping that's helping Minnesota. Do what we got to do. I feel like I did just enough. But there's always, I could always do what was always in the work. Where did you see this? I think. Let's specifically do what I've been doing. Pass, pro and my first steps. Working on those things. I had the lift, I had the power. I just, I was all over the place.

3:16:30And just every, I feel like every game I was understanding on how the game worked. And how to attack, how to be passive, how to work together as an online unit. Not just be by myself. You mentioned the first step. What, what about that first step? Really just make sure I feel powerful out of my stance. That was the one big thing I had to work on. And especially at my last school, working on my stance, making sure I can push off and like, gain ground. And I felt like sometimes I wasn't doing that. You don't mention that he had to lose 30 pounds when he got here. Did you have to change from your body at all? Definitely. I was 320 coming in and I played at 320, I felt great. And then they told me they wanted me to go down to 315. And I was like, nah, I don't want to do that. I got 315. I started running. I started, they started putting me on a meal plan. They started doing all this. I'm like, oh, hold on, I see the vision. I was like, yeah, I definitely chose for my body. My arm is steadily getting bigger. The weight room is going to be amazing.

3:17:32I'm growing every day. It's hard every day. But I love it though. I'm getting worked after practice. I have to do weight room. I'm like, cooked. But I can see the results and see the games. What is it like, you leave a place. You know you're probably breaking some people's hearts back there. It's not that the describe what it's like to make a move like this. You know what I mean? And basically the midst of a college career. What were you seeking for the event? It was definitely a big move. What was I seeking? Just the development with knowing I can, I wanted to go against some of the best dudes every day. And coming here, I'll be able to do that. Just a training program in the culture here. And it's summer in Minnesota. So it was definitely a like a easy merge. You had said you had really thought about Ohio State being an option. When the house is quickly to sort of emerge. What do you remember about just some of the group? I remember coach Fry call me when I hit the portal.

3:18:35He was one of the couple first people to hit me up. I was going to go home anyways. Because I was going to go to my mom's house because I fasted. When I hit the portal, make sure I was making the right decision. And I was going to go home with my family and just talk about it. And my cousin and I were like, you're already an hour and a half away. So you might as well just see what's up up there. They show an interest and I was like, you know, I'm not sure. You mentioned the transition from Fry to Tyler Bowen. Just what's it been like playing with boats going so far? I don't really know too much about coach Fry. Just a little bit. But what I was in here, I definitely saw dudes that we developed. I can see it on tape. Not necessarily like really see that practice. But with Coach Bowen every day. Just improving. And he's just always telling me things. Little things I don't even notice. And I need to work on it. Especially with Coach Johnson and Coach Dickey. Having no street in the room is probably the best thing ever for me. Last year helped a lot.

3:19:35And just being in Nolz Eski was pretty complex. And understanding both and playing both has really helped me. So yeah, I'm just trying to do whatever I can to learn both. And just fit wherever I'm needed. And Matt Petrusk has talked a lot about already how he likes to do guys around. And adjust things to the strength of his players. Can you spout on that a little bit? Yeah, I mean, we've got a lot of players that can do a lot of things. And you know, you got to the most versatile linebackers. And you got CJ too. So I mean, you've got Sunny who's probably the best, you know, past defending linebacker. I know. And then you got Art Vel who's elite off the edge and can do literally everything on the field. And then I feel like I'm pretty good in the box. And we all got our strengths. And we're just trying to make each other better. And so I think, you know, whatever happens happens. And we've got guys who are able to play anything. Two weeks, what are your thoughts on the Coach Petrusk? Man, I really like Coach Petrusk a lot.

3:20:36He's a big, you know, it's what can he do for you? Not what can you do for him? And he's just trying to serve and help. And I've learned so much football. And this past two weeks, more than I've learned in my whole lifetime. So it's been great having him. And he's a good coach and he teaches. He's talking to me on the mic, telling me what I see and stuff. And it's just, I feel like I'm getting a lot smarter and processing things a lot faster. That's the difference for you coming out of last year with the injury and everything. What it has it been like to take your feet under you and kind of give away the feeling? I mean, it feels good. I was kind of just throwing right into it and fall kept. And I thought I did a pretty well job, you know, just kind of getting thrown into the fire. But, you know, now after coming back this year and just things are, things click a lot, a lot easier in this. And I feel like this defense is everyone's clicking. And I'm just, I'm really studying as much as I can. I mean, I just live up here all day. And, you know, it's great having sunny.

3:21:37And then just, even like a guy like Cody last year, just the level of preparation he had every single day was, I'm like I've ever seen anyone. He knew what everybody was doing every single play. And so that's what I'm just trying to have trust in the coaches that I can, I know what's going on at all times so I can go in there and do my job. What feels different about this defense? The coach Patricia running, I know they mean, who picked up on the end of the new on-swives when he picked up Cody, what do you sense would be a little bit different? I think he's just, he's big into playing the player's strengths. Like, if I'm better at this, he's going to put me in this position. And if I'm better at this, he's going to put me more in this position. And just slow to that. I mean, we haven't really done much. It's only been two weeks. But guys are playing to their strengths and just getting better. I mean, that's just, and we're doing a lot of fundamental stuff, not too much scheme. Just, you know, working on tackling, getting off blocks, being visible, mentality, stuff like that. I mean, he knows two coach learning. It's over years to change a little bit. And it's teaching, where do you work calling those actual?

3:22:38Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I would say right now, he's the best linebacker coach in the country. I mean, he knows everything about it. Especially with Patricia being in the NFL. He's definitely, you know, he knows it all and stuff. So he's done good, man. It was kind of hard for him. I think it was a little hard, you know, because he was kind of just thrown in. Like, I was just thrown in the mix. He was trying to give me as many reps as I could get in the fall camp. And I'm really grateful for that. I mean, it was hard for me. Like, you know, when fall camp kind of ended, my reps really, you know, cut down, but he did a good job of, you know, keeping me with the defense and watching all the plays and stuff and just talking me through everything. And, you know, we built a great relationship and I couldn't be more grateful to have him as my coach. How did you think you handled last question? We had thrown in the fire like that. Were there any moments where you thought to yourself, like, oh, I'm not ready for this. Would you feel pretty good? I felt pretty good. I mean, I, like I said, wrestling, you kind of get it forging in fire.

3:23:43And so, maybe just a little bit of that. I think the really the hard part for me was just, you know, just consistently waking up every day and doing it, the mental side of it. Especially, I mean, you just don't know a lot of stuff. I mean, you hadn't never done it before, but I wouldn't say the physical stuff was hard. I mean, obviously it was hard, but, you know, growing up wrestling and, you know, having older brother beat up on you a little bit, it went too bad. Did you see the difference? It seemed like you picked up more special teams' responsibilities, especially in the playoff. Is it your snap-house in East Carolina or higher? Were you doing more by that point in the season that you had the curve a little bit more? Yeah, 100%. I mean, I was kind of on all four phases just trying to do my job and just show I'm accountable every week. And just, you know, guys will go down and stuff and stuff and up and, you know, being on kickoff and kick return and get some power turn reps and even some punt reps. And I was, you know, I was really grateful to have those, you know, just being, even just being in the games and the playoff games, you know, seeing the stadium being on the field and having a responsibility.

3:24:44Thank you. It made a lot that they were willing to put me out there and they trusted me enough to do my job. Thank you very much. Thank you, thanks. You're welcome. Thank you. I was really just watching it because I mean, we played Missouri lost on this past year. I was in a corporate field of 62 yards. So I was watching the game with more of a span. But yeah, I mean, the things that Coach Day does in his offense and Coach A'Brien does, I feel like really fit my title. I'm a player. You know, where I was coming from in case day, it was a very long heavy offense, especially for a bad one, heavy. Which I was very happy to do and didn't know I'm doing it all. I'm excited here to where I feel like it's more of a, you know, where I can be that pocket passer and also use my legs when I need to.

3:25:44But, you know, I feel like my strength is doing my own. But I also feel like I can do really good things in the leg. Obviously being in quarterback, you need to make those plays when I'm in need of them. How much do you work in it? I've been seeing this for a past year obviously. I've been seeing this for a past year obviously. I've been seeing this for a past year obviously. Oh, it had a huge impact on it. You know, I love my guys at K-State and I have nothing bad to say about them. I mean, a talent here is unbelievable. Just being around the guys. And the thing that's impressed me the most about, especially the receiver room, is how driven. Now, much they want to work. I don't have to go out there and beg these guys to go catch. And they're already out here catching on the jugs when I come out the throw. They're incredibly hardworking just all across the room. I mean, we got dudes like Carnell and Brandon and I.

3:26:46Obviously, Mecca and all those guys. I mean, that's just the, that's just the ice cream. There's so much talent in that room and being able to throw to guys like that makes my job a lot easier. What's your about Smith? Dude, he's a dude, man. I haven't gotten to talk to him that much yet. You know, just because we've been in different groups, lifting and stuff. But man, he's a specimen. I mean, that dude is a freak show. I mean, he's a physical. I mean, I'm excited to see him on the field and by the opportunity to be able to come. I feel like they're really good. I feel like they're really good. I feel like the resounding thing that I heard from, from these NFL guys and from people around the league was need to play more. And we need to see more high level play. And I feel like, you know, I played a lot of football in my time at K-State. But, you know, I only had one year where I was really the true starter.

3:27:48And where I played, you know, the whole year. The most part I was a backup filling in. And I felt like, you know, there's a bunch of statistics and things that they look at. You know, I was on the very lowest end of like, you know, the amount of yards that you're supposed to throw for. You know, you look at the success stories versus the failure stories. And there was just so many signs of the point in becoming back. And really in my heart, and that was at the end of the day. I mean, it was up to me, it was my gut. And I felt like I just wasn't ready to leave college yet. I go for a more, I want to go for a competition moment. I've been reading these kind of things. And they go out of the league. I've been watching them for 15 years. I've been watching them for 15 years. I've been watching them for 15 years. Absolutely. And I mean, the biggest thing was I felt like I could come compete here to win the national championship. And that above anything else was one of the most important things. And I felt like I just had more I wanted to accomplish my college. And I wasn't telling yet.

3:28:48And that was I think what really drew me here. Obviously, you know, getting to the next level and, you know, playing in an offense like this, I think it's really going to prepare me for that next level and give me the best shot. And that's all I just really shoulder on the cake, you know, for me. Yeah, I mean, we definitely talked about it. You know, we're all here to compete and we're all here to, you know, hope the buck guys win. That's all we're here for. And that was, you know, that was made evident when I, you know, when I came on my visit. And, you know, the thing that I'm the most fired up about is how good the dudes in the room are and how good they've been to me. You know, I they could have, you know, believed me. I've been in a situation where we brought in an older trans, a kid. And, you know, they could have been, you know, mad and not taught me and helped me out.

3:29:50But I mean, Devon and Lincoln, the guys that have been around, they've, they've really helped us a lot, especially us, us three new guys. And, you know, I know I'm older and I've done things, but still just learning a new system, learning, you know, how we do things and how we, you know, go about our business. Everything's a little different. So I'm so thankful for those guys that they've just, I mean, they've helped me so much, just getting, getting accustomed to, you know, being in this building. What do you get to offer right now in the air? Really good dudes, really good kids. And really talented too. I mean, they can both spin the ball really well. You know, they're young and they, you know, they know they got a lot to learn and so do I. You know, I'm right there helping, you know, I think we're all trying to learn this together, even, you know, approach over high in a little bit and we're hitting the ground running. But, you know, it's exciting. Those two guys are special, especially in the middle. What do you want me to have a ride with you? You didn't think you would be having a possibility to go to the Hansevo, which was one of those.

3:30:54It's hard to say. I would probably say the draft would have been my, you know, I was talking to some other schools, you know, Miami and USC were in there in the mix. But it was really, I would say here in the draft at the end of it. You know, there was a lot of different things that went into it and it was a long hard process. But yeah, I would say, I mean, that was probably the most like it. When you first thought you spoke to about the weighting rack in the console, I mean, I was just going to do the same thing. How did the calisades of the ball come down and extend the main line? I mean, nothing, nothing crazy. You know, it was just... Oh, thank you. Appreciate that. It's a fighter fan. Who really? Yeah, true. I don't get that. Yeah, I appreciate it. Yeah, there you go, a little sidetrack. But, no, I, what was the question again? I'm sorry.

3:31:55It's a fighter controversy. What's up? How did the calisades fall? Yeah, no, it was... I mean, it wasn't really anything crazy, I would say. You know, I just, you know, nothing really changed. It was really kind of, you know, they were kind of holding me off a little bit until after that game just in fairness. You know, I was out of the station and waited my time and, you know, it all worked out. Did you come to say, like, I know you just kind of make the point. It's hard to tell. I don't really know. It was a whirlwind of a process. You know, I started hearing initially they might be interested, but I hadn't really heard anything directly. And then, you know, really getting in, like, I really started to feel that interest. Did Coach Day let you know there's a change coming? Did you get a quartet or a quartet?

3:32:56A little bit. I kind of figured that. I didn't know for sure, but he kind of hinted at it. And, you know, his point was, you know, it's in the best interest to him and the team. I was all in. You know, I completely understood, you know, the decision and why he did it. You're talking about what this defense show about, about your team considering other scenarios. You're talking about this problem. Yeah, I mean, there were a lot of things that were said. You know, a lot of things that, you know, were attractive to me about this offense and about what he kind of thought about my game and how he thought he could, you know, elevate me to where I wanted to be. And, you know, I feel like one of the biggest things was how Crow style the offense is. And, you know, a lot of these other schools that I was looking at, you know, maybe these air raid types of schools. I mean, they got great offenses and you know, I could put up a lot of numbers, but I don't know how much that would develop me to be out of it.

3:33:57And, you know, playing in a system that coached Ryan, which is, I'm using the paper, how much? How much better can you prepare for the NFL than with somebody who's coached at a head coach level and an important head level at the NFL, you know, it's, there's just all the things pointed to it. You know, when it comes to safe, harmful things, and I'm looking at those in terms of the use of the pressure and how much pressure is there and how it's supposed to be. I kind of wanted to, for example, back in the generation, my husband is in the age of, and he's obviously in the first place, and I'm seeing this in the first place. How did you stay ready and prepared? Did you adopt it in very often field? I was able to do so. I just stayed ready and prepared those moments, how did you stay prepared? They probably just told that it's supposed to be the fact that it's just a few nights' hard to find it. And, for a period, it's just a few nights off the calendar. I'll be understanding a new twist or why he called it how we did. And it's been great for the Titans.

3:34:58I'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, relatively experienced food? Is that true? You've heard other years, do you have urgency, intensity, and technical support? Yeah, I think, you know, awesome. That's a great question. I hope not. 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, 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? Yeah, and 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 out there. Hopefully it's two, hopefully three tie-downs out there. So hopefully they feel the urgency's picked up. They believe that the room is a structure map. But she's been in the corner for a long time. But it felt like year after year, there was a lot of things. The better guy, the next one, the better guy, the next one, behind us.

3:35:59Like, it's a dynamic thing for us right now. Does that mean you have to provide more leadership for the guys? Does that have to be more for you? Does that mean the team is just a cheese job? You better just not be a little bit more. Yeah, I don't know. I'm not going to put it all on you, right? But again, the leaders drive the culture. Now, whether it be G or whether it be Pat, and he's been here for a long time and played a lot of football, or whether it be Will came in and say, no, this is what it should look like. I mean, I want those guys to take it around with it. You know, on Saturdays, I'm in the box. I'm not cutting off the C gap. It's got to come from them. Now, again, my job is a coach. I 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. I'll keep doing it. But they've done a great job of driving the culture. Keenan, you were in the room with Kevin. Was in the offensive meeting room for so many years. Does this have a chip kind of get you guys back to where you guys were with Kevin? I know that the room has an offensive staff. You guys were kind of young last year. Now to have a 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 and Chip Kelly are two of the brightest, you know, minds and offensive football in the last several decades.

3:37:06So 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. Keenan was initially a bigger role, it's making for Jolani in the cotton bowl and that not get to come to fruition as much as the way that game played out here. You know, I don't remember exactly what, you know, the expectation was he was going to help contribute. And certainly we wanted him to contribute from the jump and keep him in there contributing. The game kind of started off, you know, not ideal. And we had Kate in there and, you know, that was his last game as a buck guy. So we felt comfortable riding out with him, but I think Jolani and everyone else is kind of focused going forward. Did you guys see him going to find during the bull prep that was a step forward at all?

3:38:07Yeah, oh yeah. Yeah, he definitely takes that forward for sure. If you are painting an ideal situation football, what does the depth look like in terms of how many guys you trust? I think I got six seats in there. So six of the toughest dudes on the team. I'm not sure I'm just giving 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 happy, but I don't know. They're going to make that sort of out. Right now I'm worried about whatever Thursday's practice. I mean, the toughest dudes on the field. Are you seeing enough of that to feel comfortable saying that that can happen by hand? 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 Keenan. Keenan, what's happened? The action has been great. It's been great. A pump return and kick return and again to coach other positions too, right? I mean, I mean, special teams come down to technique and effort. Right? And that's the ultimate test of the brotherhood. No one signed up to be a buck out of me on pump return. They want to be first round this, first round that.

3:39:08So it's been awesome. And involved in that. What do you think about it? The only thing that you look at for a month or two, you got a back trail. Oh yeah, we're working quite a few guys back there. We got some options. So that would be fun. You guys were thinking about puts a lot of you that maybe have a bigger world. What is he giving you guys that would make you think that you're going to be better at? I mean, he had more time, right? Just because we have that whole month of kind of December for development. And the bull preps 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 Keenan was taking it. Right? I think good. I think it just shows that, you know, next man in we trust you fully. Kate couldn't go. No one better than I was G. Then it was Pat. Period. We call their offense. There's no modified offense or anything like that. So to put our trust in him, he went out and made a lot of plays. And both of this gets played really well. I think that helps the confidence for him and awesome.

3:40:09Really good. When you look at G now, do you, and this is the easiest question, maybe you see a tight end now. You're still when I'm saying from a couple years ago. I'm here to go. He moved over from my receiver and all this kind of stuff. What just jumped out at you about what he brings to the tight end spot. Yeah, I know what you're asking to. I promise you I never like in the tight end or might 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 and treated like it. So I never really like Kevin talk about when they, you know, first made the move. You want to you want to get this guy some confidence playing tight end. Meaning I'm not going to say it's lesser opponents, but having some success out there, you know, like in the run game. The blocking aspect of things and stuff. He seems to progress big time from that. I mean, do you feel that way too? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. He's gone way better. And again, 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. I mean, that's the best every day. So he's definitely progressed. Do you think that the labyrinth of the effort you guys are having as a special team?

3:41:11Do you think that's benefiting you guys in terms of just how you're approaching that day? Yeah, I think so. And Dan, as far as ownership goes, right? Like I mean, I'm not saying I wasn't invested last year, but shoot. I'm a permanent gig with you. I mean, that's 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 is he told you he wants that he wasn't getting from a special team two years ago? No, he never told me anything about last year. It was all about, okay, how it going to be? This is again, Ohio State. Yeah. Whatever the janitorial staff is supposed to be the best in the country. The tight end coach better be the best dynamic in the country. Same thing with quarterback. Same thing with PumberTrend coach. On the PumberTrend coach, I should be the best one in the country. So I got to work with Coach Hartlan and Coach Keys and everyone else. Learn in this game and techniques and now we got to put on the field. You fund yourself studying punt returns or like NFL teams and things like that.

3:42:11How are you doing your prep work? Oh 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 pretty good knowledge of just returning aim or good position. You have to start from scratch. No, yeah, there's no starting from scratch, Dan. I mean, it's all ball and that's the coolest thing about special teams is if you're not special teams, it's going to make you better, Tydan. It's going to be a better DB, you're running back and it's like the technique and everything like that. I think I had a pretty fair foundation and then maybe some tweaks and you know, we have to decide what our identity is going this season. Then we talked about that path of experience. Maybe we played a big role in the game. What's the biggest of the offense? What trust is the game against what kind of trust is it going to be? Yeah, I think he proved it on special teams because he played on special teams before we played offense. And then just reps up practice again against blocking the best linebackers in the country. It doesn't matter if you're a five star or if you're a walk on.

3:43:12But to that point, I think sometimes there's a mentality of, oh, but he's just a walk on it does not exist with Pat. It's went out the window to start a, once you start a plan. Does that have a coach here? How many guys have a coach here? Almost 11-30. 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. Kade went down and knew his G and then Pat was right in. I didn't have a bad eye. I'm going to put the toughest dude out there who goes to the hardest. I don't care if you're from Ohio, your dad's a buck guy, if you're a walk on or a five star. Whatever should help us win, you know. We can marry in minutes. Not period. Yeah. You still work with them? Well, far, how does that kind of work right now? Yeah, we can. I mean, with Max and Toe, it's FaceTime's and it's encouraging them to get here and watch practice so that when they get here, right after graduation, we can hit the ground running. But yeah, it's much prep work as we can do on the front end with, you know, sending them tip sheets and that's what I think. But in terms of technology nowadays, I mean, COVID, we had to do it.

3:44:12So yeah, we can get to work right now. Two more questions, folks, with the special teams' question. The collaboration that you guys have, it's three people in one room. Like, how does that work semantically where you guys are all putting your heads together to get one idea? And just how does that play out in the room together? Yeah. I mean, luckily, and it's Coach Hart and I, and that guy, we worked, 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, giving us some expertise and we just kind of have a flow off each other. Okay. I've seen the guys react to that, so you're coaching, but that's much of a team's. Yeah, I think they like it because like the accountability, again, if my tight ends aren't on point return to kicker dream, 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. And in a time when Trent Transport is so big, and the guy like G probably could have left multiple times if he wanted to, what does that do for the room?

3:45:13To have a guy who's a leader, have just so step-ass, I'm like, I want to stay here, I want to stay here and make an impact. I think it speaks volumes. You hit the nail on the head, not just for G, but for the brotherhood. I know it sounds cliche and people read it on Twitter and kind of roll their eyes to brotherhood. Why did they think the entire defense came back for the brotherhood? We got two goals here, we haven't done them since G's been here. He's been hit his two goals, so he stayed for the brotherhood. So I think it speaks volumes for G as a leader in the room. But also, you look around a roster, how many guys could have either left for other opportunities in the portal or in the NFL. So I think it speaks volumes to the brotherhood. Is it different at tight end with the Transreportal maybe because for some positions it's such a development position at tight end where you have to develop run blocking? And you have to learn the passing game. Is it different trying to keep kids around maybe in the portal area at tight end? Yeah, maybe it is. I think it's not that because it's still so new. I think you've got to be so honest in recruiting. If you think I'm going to walk into a living room and say, come be my starting tight end, I should be crazy. You're crazy.

3:46:13Now, come prepared and get to work before you get here. And I'm going to give you the opportunity to. Again, I do a question earlier. I don't care if it's a senior or a true freshman. If you could play, you could play period. I can't wait. Give me a true freshman, you could play tight end. You could block Jack and JT and then your dog tired next play, you're getting covered by Downs and Lathen and all those guys. You kidding me? Is this NFL? No, it's Ohio State. Right? So yeah, I think it's a little bit different but you got to be honest on the front end. Thank you very much. Awesome. Thanks, guys. Thanks, coach. Thank you. You know, the games are done. So I think that, you know, I definitely probably was in the back of my mind, you know, knew I was going to come back regardless. So, like I said, that just sort of been tough on me to leave this year. And with the opportunity we got, you know, you only got one more chance left to, you know, to go do something that not many people get to do in their lives. So we're in a blessed position. Yeah, but you could look for your final match. Yeah, you could do that without your credit card.

3:47:13And then you could come. Uh, and I just think that I was putting good positions. Uh, just kind of let, you know, let loose. We're not there in played ball. Like I know how to and, uh, you know, my teammates played great too. And coaches called it the game defensively. I mean, you know, did we give a 14 total points or 17, 14? 14. I mean, 14 and it's a good offense like that. Great team. I mean, that's a good day. So obviously we didn't get the results we wanted, which is frustrating again, but it's a whole different story. Yeah, I mean, I just think it was, it was collectively a good day on defense. And I have to be fortunate to be in position to make some good plays. I mean, that'd be the time for, obviously, some of you in your good compensation. You guys are playing well, but nothing will be happening. The most I've done is necessarily meant to mirror that. Like you try to add all that to what most starters, can you feel when we're in a groove like that when you get off the field? Yeah, I know. I think I felt like I was in a group probably the whole second half of the season. I felt like myself again and I was just out there playing and having fun with my teammates.

3:48:16And I think that when you come here and you expect to get the feeling to be a certain way, it's hard to get over that for a little bit. And I think you can look at all of us on the D line as a front. We all kind of had our own journey to how we're playing right now. And now it's all about building and not looking back and playing how we know how to play and being confident out there. And using our abilities as 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 up that. Yeah. And that'd be kind of a launch. What there may be. You're in a future. You're in a future. You're in a future. You're in a future. You're in a future. Yeah, you know, I've knew all along what I was capable of. And I know it's frustrating for a few years, you know, not being able to, you know, not playing for whatever reason on the field. So what else capable of? But, you know, once you just put that stuff to the side, just got there and play ball. You know how it's just going to take care of it. So, you know, you're good.

3:49:16Did you use the term, don't you, don't tell what issues. I don't know what does. Is it not like an emphasis? I'm not focusing on the little things kind of on you on that stuff. Can you guys know you on the talent? What is it for you to support? Yeah, you know, I think you said it. You know, there's no talent issues here on this team. You know, I think if you look at our team across the board, probably one of the most talented teams in the country. It's not the most talented team in the country. And so, you know, that's God given though. And what we can work on is our discipline, our skill, our technique. I think if we become the most, you know, disciplined and sound team technique wise, there's not going to be a team of countries to stop us. But it's, you know, it's a long process to get to that point and to get to that season. So I just think that when Coach Day talks about that, you know, it's true. We've got the talent. It's got to go out there and work every day on the little things. What are you specifically working on this spring? You know, I'm working on a flexibility. You know, I'm working on bending the corner a little bit and hands. 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.

3:50:22So 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 TNT? Oh, I'm really excited about that. You 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. He's a, you know, hell of a player and, you know, a really good friend of mine. So just having another year with him and, you know, we're going to enjoy it. And, you know, hopefully have some fun. You know, we can have a comfortable time. It's nice while. Even going back to your recruitment, you know, the first guy to come in on this spring. You had guys over for barbecues in your house. What was it like, I guess, to see a kind of comfortable circle in a way that you could kind of almost leverage that relationship. And we're good guys to come back into the pool and run back on the run. Yeah, you know, it's unique. You know, I think it's a really unique position. I've got great group of guys coming back, man. I mean, you know, it's just so exciting. And I just wanted to, you know, for me, you know, and at the same thing, same thing for those guys.

3:51:25How 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. We all knew that, you know, we had great opportunities going in the field. And we also have a great opportunity to put another one of those banners up here. So, 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 regret it. And we're just really excited to, you know, get back on the chase and, you know, not miss a day. Jack, you take a wide view of the defense with the additions made by Caleb coming in. And now you see Sonny move closer to line of scrimmage. When you just, when you have an opportunity to like look at what's out there, how does it change the capability with your deepest? 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.

3:52:27You 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 got a lot of weapons to say the least. And so, you know, when you got, when you know you got those guys behind you, you know, you just make you play so much more free up front. And, you know, you're dependent. You can rely on those guys behind you. And I think that, you know, if we take that approach and everywhere on the field offense too, that, you know, we're going to really fun here. Jack, thank you very much. I think combo because like, you know, we're obviously, we're doing a lot as a group. It's not just chip and eye. So, but, you know, obviously chip has an image and a view on things that I never had. So, to have that experience and to have that viewpoint, I'm just trying to absorb as much as I can. But then also highlight some things that we've really done a good job of and make sure those, you know, nothing's really changing. We're just trying to enhance. We're not changing. We're enhancing. So, where the things fit is perfect.

3:53:27You know, I think, you know, the rest of the dynamics of search chip can talk about, but it's been, it's been awesome. So, I'm excited about it. Are you talking about, you know, we talked about a decade. There's nothing moving from slot to outside. You know how good you think in the slot. Is that a difficult move for you guys to just go just to know how good a guy is, one spot, but know that maybe for his long term future and the, the, the, No, I wouldn't say it's anything on his future because he's capable of doing whatever you want to get done. But I'd say that it says more about the room. I think there's, it's the growth of, you know, Brandon, the growth of Bryson. That's really, you know, allowing my mind to say, Hey, Mac, be prepared. You're going to move around a lot. You're going to come out of that slot. You're going to be outside. We're going to create mismatches out there. I mean, his ability to move around is critical, but I would say between Mac and between car and L. Tates ability to move around a lot. It's going to provide a lot of flexibility for our room. And, and those top, you know, six, seven guys that are really doing a good job right now.

3:54:29I'm just looking at this spring for like a, because, yeah, it's one of those things. Sure, when you have balance, how much does work is a mean versus. Yeah, heavy, heavy emphasis on what work he needs, you know, versus anything else. I rely on him. We have great dialogue back and forth. It's a two way, it's a two way conversation. And frankly, there's going to be times where like, Hey, Mac, what do you want to do today? You want to go outside? You want to go inside? I don't care. So we're not there yet. We will be there. But it's just more about, you know, when the room is ready to start mixing things up. I would say there's got, I mean, I, I make sure I bring in guys that are able to do all. But I have not asked them to yet. So the only guys that in our room currently have asked to do that has been mecca and carnell. And those are probably the two guys that I would, you know, think heavily on doing moving around a lot.

3:55:33I'm not putting that on anybody else right now. I'm not saying they can't. But at this point, having two guys be able to swing, you probably don't need much more than that. I need guys being experts at what they're good at. So it helps the offense. Don't be great at everything and be an expert at something. And we can use that to our, to our advantage. Do you think this year is different? Like maybe you guys who are more situational. They're the rooms always different. Frankly, I mean, from 2018 and then 19 to COVID and and those guys and and then the depth of those guys and then where Mecca Marvin and those guys were as freshmen, compared, you know, it's just, it's always different. And I expect this one to be different again. Not sure what level yet. Last question. The TV room. I'm curious. The leader just like you, you know, play the Ohio. I'm curious about how you've seen him kind of build different our backs and especially on the green.

3:56:34So maybe kind of be effective. Your recovery out. That's kind of enhanced. He would probably know more for that question than I would, but I would say that. Yeah, we obviously feed off each other, right? I mean, there really is a team sport and we can't do without them and they can't do without us. And we can't do without the quarterback. We can't do without the online. So the more that can seep into other positions and we, we work as a team and operate as a team. Identify where a team. The healthier we are and we when we are, we think that, you know, already, but I would say me and Tim. I've really, you know, met on that talked about it. Like we talk about technique. We talk about recruiting. We do all that together. And not a crazy level, but definitely like, you know, more than I have in the past. So I love working with OG. I mean, he's, he's awesome. He's got a great perspective. And we definitely feed off each other in practice. And then maybe while building building our rooms, we've done the same. Ryan, thank you very much. Cool. Thanks guys.

3:57:34All right, folks, we have CJ Hicks on the 20s. From this one. Yes, man. Yeah, that was great. I'm three, I mean, the Strith was like I was saying, and speed against those guards. That's, that's really helps me a lot. I'm like, you're right. Well, I talked to Coach Jay. Coach Jay was the main one. He wasn't forcing me or nothing. He just said, if you want to move inside, you can't, if not, stay at the end, then you can do that as well. But I saw that I could help the team out. Get some death right there. So I chose to move inside. We're different than a lot of guys here in here. I'm going to move in the first place. Actually, young guys, the second year of my year, you are maybe more watching the Wix Box. I'm just going to ask you guys. I'll, I'll, I'll expect you to do it this far.

3:58:38But also, what makes, what you're doing for Jack and JT, and entirely about what it tends to be, uh, yeah, Jack, named Jack, JT, Tileek, and Tileham, to a great leaders, on and off the field. They don't help me with just simple stuff. Like, if I didn't know where to go, get some, they'll, they'll tell me, or if they're just like hanging out with a group, getting them closer. Just a lot of different small things that got brought us closer to like last year, that I need to start doing this year. I haven't started yet, but I'm going to get into it. Do you feel that you're in the business of the industry? Yeah, I feel like, uh, main thing we teach in our unit, that anybody can be a leader, no matter what year, freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, or even if you're a walk-on. Everybody can be a leader, just, um, yeah. How do you try to hit you last year? Okay, this is great technique, this thing, you know, you know, did you hit the girl with you at the beginning? I had a girl in the middle of it. Um, it's very new, especially playing D in my whole life, but I had a colleague help me,

3:59:42like I said, throughout the whole process. We did it really strikingly, I could be a factor. Oh, what game, you know, how do we get you to go up and down against the whole need of that? I'll say closer towards the playoffs, uh, me to a tallick a lot. I felt comfortable like, okay, I can actually do this, because he was showing me some strengths I have, see him like, see, you can do this and, uh, that really helped me get a confidence in knowing that I can. Yeah, but then you became a factor, you became a factor, especially, you know, yeah, basically through the playoffs. Yes, sir. Would that mean for you to be a factor that really? Uh, all glory to God, first of all, to keep me, uh, healthy, to keep doing that. But, uh, it meant a lot that Coach Jay trusted me enough to go on in the big games like that, and, uh, knew that I would be able to produce. I definitely speed and strength. Those are my made to that I would say will help me in the, uh, inside of those guards. I know that you know, you know, really brought me inside when you were high school like you wanted to be a defensive.

4:00:44Yeah, what changes? Mentally, it's just realizing your body taking you there anyway. What is the moment for you? Like, you know, like, actually, I am going to take a lot of things. Definitely my main thing also, uh, and so I know interview some of those interviews. I said, the main thing was being a team player and moving the three tech was going to help the team. So I was willing to move inside for it. Jason and Will and Tywin are located in the back of the pack. I was very competitive. We both, we all come in trying to see where we need to get better in. Uh, just to keep moving forward. So it's pretty good, good competition and I love them. But all. You made the move like during the pilot class. You were there, right? Uh, really nothing. I really embraced it. Uh, I knew that I need to move inside, uh, in order to help out the team because we asked really great D.N.s.

4:01:47Last year, Mitch Mellon, uh, JT Jack, Kenny Curry, KJ. It was pretty good. And then moving the three tech I also asked some depth down there while still being able to showcase what I got going. Did you feel like you just did that before? Like did you feel like Russian? No, they, they were all in on me just whenever I'm ready. Just let them know how I feel about moving in or stand outside. Patrick, you just did ask, um, if you have the leader, you can refresh your knowledge in the room with you. You can play this impression and see what the brakes are both approaching. Do you see Junk West and all those guys actually taking the negative they can compete in time? Uh, Junk West, Trajan, all the guys that came in are, they continue to work hard every day. Uh, even if they don't get it the first time, they'll ask us, what are they doing in this situation to help me out? So, uh, the ability to keep trying to learn from people that's played in the big stage, uh, that's the word really gonna keep them going.

4:02:47Last question. Not really. I knew once I got it, Coach, they was gonna trust me a lot more than to keep going out there each and every time. So, uh, I appreciate them. Like I said earlier, thank the Lord and thank you guys. I'm happy they're ready to go into game and go execute. So now to step into a role where they're competing for the job, um, you know, is, is, is, is a little bit of a different deal. Um, so I'm excited to see them compete with anything. Can you give your kind of impression and a picture of those guys from which you're the coach? They enjoy the league all year. Yeah, yeah. Um, so, you know, start with Lincoln, you know, a guy that's going in his third year here. Um, and I think really like, when you've been in an offense for, for two years already, you're going to that third year. You've got a really good feel of the scheme. You've got a better feel of college defenses and, you know, where are schemes are susceptible and what, where the issues lie and what we're trying to attack.

4:03:51Um, and so I think, you know, that's something that over time I, I can feel Lincoln getting a better and better feel for it. Um, you know, Lincoln has definitely stepped up from a leadership perspective. And you can see the way that, you know, he attacks workouts and, you know, this winner is so big for all three of them. Just really just set the standard and, and to understand the intangibles that playing quarterback is all about. Right? Because there's so much more than just picking up a football and throwing it when it comes to this. So I've seen that growth from Lincoln and that's, that's really exciting. As for Julian, you know, last year going into the year, he, he was competing for a job and, you know, end up not winning the game. He ended up not winning the job and, you know, he could have turned it down and been bummed out and, you know, not attacked it the way way. But I saw him continue to grow throughout the year. So I'm going from well and, and to get to a point this year where, where now he can step up and be more of a vocal leader. And, you know, that's something I've seen growth of him as well. You know, he's put on some weight and he looks good and he's definitely attacked.

4:04:53It's time in the, you know, the winner. So that's been awesome. And then Tavy, and comes in and, you know, Tavy, Tavy is, you know, really should still be in high school. Instead, he's, you know, in my office all the time, learned in the offense. And when he's not with me, he's with Coach Mac, and when he's not with Coach Mac, he's 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. So I'm excited for all of you. 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, 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 to a year and they end up having a guy get hurt or something happens.

4:05:57So as far as having one guy, I guess I'm going 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. 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. Actually, we got Ryan working with quarterbacks to work with quarterbacks. You work with quarterbacks, bottoming with quarterbacks. Who's filling out your room? I mean, do you have someone that you have in mind to come into me and assist them 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-to-day stuff. And then Coach Day and I have built a pretty good relationship where between my time here is a GA where I learned the game of football the way he sees it. And that was such a pivotal time in my career.

4:06:59I was so blessed in college and then in my first job there that I got to work with Joe Morehead. 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. 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 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 Hartline will as well as the offensive coordinator I think as the guy in that chair you have to have a relationship with the guy that's in the hub. I think that's really important. So, you know, him and I have already begun conversations just about how that's going to work out and how he's going to continue to see the game the same way that the quarterback does and how he's going to communicate to them.

4:07:59Those conversations are already beginning. So it'll be, it'll definitely be a combination of, you know, us three. Bill Etaven being there for the championship round. 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. You know, our guys were warming up and I grabbed him and say, hey, look around. You've got to take a couple minutes and take this in, right? This is what it looks like. This is what we work for. So, you know, when you get to a really hard day in the winter, or you just remember not a homework and get to that point. So for him to have that experience and to be able to see that and, you know, hopefully one day when he's in that spot, he's like, oh, I've seen this before. I know what it looks like. I think it's pretty cool, I think, just to have that bank in his memory. I think it comes off, so I've spoken. But, without question, you know, come out of a show and I would even say it's not spoken last year. You know, I think that he kind of understood that, you know, Will was in charge of the offensive and he knew that he was young and was still earning respect.

4:09:05You 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. 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 Tavine's doing a good job on respect. So we're kind of in the middle right there between those two phases. And, you know, Lincoln is, I think, still less than two years, you know, just specializing in people. He was 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 athletic ability to being a really good coach? Yeah, I mean, there's no question how Lincoln's special athlete. 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. Lincoln, you know, I think as the more that he, you know, is in position to understand and learn the game,

4:10:10in which we saw last year, you continue to grow. And so to take that into spring, you know, and combine that with his athletic ability, I'm excited to see, you know, I think it'll be a really good competition. Can I go? Can you pull back truly lead until he is in quarterback? Oh, absolutely. I mean, he took one 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 was in the starting quarterback, was, you know, the strongest leader on the team. So I definitely think that that's part of it. You know, I think once you earn the respect of your teammates and once you show that, you know, you're going to lead by example and 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 you look for specifically as a quarterback being a quarterback yourself?

4:11:14Yeah. You know, I think it comes in a couple different ways, you know, from a tangible perspective. I think that you've got to be extremely accurate. I think you have to be able to make great decisions with the football and get the ball out of the time. And I think that you have to be able to do it. We solve a problem with the feet. So, you know, it's rare in college football that every protection is blocked up perfectly or everything goes exactly that we drew it up on the whiteboard. So, when things break down, I know I have the ability to fix it with our legs. And then, you know, as far as intents for school, 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. 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.

4:12:15And then also be mentally tough enough that when things don't go our way, to be able to react the right way and move on to the next play. Did you know last year, last year? What last question? Did you go fight or quit? At all, over you just focused on last year. Oh, no. No, I didn't do this on the condition. 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'm going to have their day that game, but we'll look out there and hopefully change the narrative. And we still play with the same confidence, same technique.

4:13:16And, you know. Bill Rebellion, what's the problem with this batch? And Denzel obviously had a tough game and that one. What have you seen from him and how he's responded? Do you get a sense of from him, how pumped he is for this rematch? Oh, yeah. He's super stoked for this rematch. His preparation has been very good. He's always been preparing, you know, it didn't go the way he wanted to go that game. But he just always had his confidence and we're going to see a big game out of him this week. And, you know, I know you guys wanted to play them in anapolis. But the fact that you get to play them at the Rose Bowl, I mean, get a second chance. And people have said, you don't get that very often. How determined are you guys to take advantage of it? We're super, super determined. We watched film. I mean, we've lost a lot of film. The first time we played them, now we've got another six games that they played up film to watch. And it's just, they've grown a lot as a team. Same as us. We've grown a lot. We're not the same team. We were when we played them week one or weeks six or whatever.

4:14:17But now we're out there and going to play fast, physical and everything like that. All right, Jordan, we're going to jump to the to assume a question here from Joey Kaufman. Columbus Dispatch. Oh, my bad. Not too joy. 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, when Walt or Coach Noles comes to you and asks you to do some else and just how much can you lean on the experiences you've had moving around when you're trying to learn something new in the middle of season? Means a lot. We always talk about, and this is if it's being on selfish, whether that's making plays or not making plays or doing your job. So another person can make plays. That's kind of what we pride ourselves on. And it's just fun. Me moving around different positions. I'm always up for a new challenge. And a lot of people in the country can't do that. I just hold myself to that standard where I can play any position and excel at it.

4:15:20Okay. Anybody else need to question? Let me know. But otherwise we're going to go to Austin more of the podcast. Jordan, when you were talking about watching film Oregon, which one do you think is more valuable to you watching that against yourself? Seven games ago, even if you've changed or the ensuing six games for Oregon, which one do you put more stock in? Kind of both. For me, I kind of watch what I did. Things I did well. Things I didn't do too well against them. And their team is changing. The life of scheme has changed. Some players have been out those those stretch of games. So I really watched the past game we played. And I know they're going to go back to some of the stuff that they liked, of course. And different games like Penn State, maybe Illinois, they run a lot of men. So just watching, watching stuff like that. Every game matters. So yeah. Jordan, thank you very much. Thank you. Hi. But working in that harbor, put it back down here doing a little job. Just pulling to the ceiling.

4:16:21Taking our feedback, not for more spreadorcism, but just because we love it. And you were the best for me. Just doing that. Just keep rolling on that. All the way to far. And I'll be to Thursday. Just take this. You are doing some more outside for years. Talk as well. Yeah, I've been more the more years you get under your belt. And you're more experienced you get. You start knowing this offense more and more. Not just your position or what you're doing, but like everybody's job. What you're doing, how you doing, and why you're doing it. So I mean, yeah, I've been wrapping the outside ZXH. Anywhere Coach Hanlon needs me to just really be that guy and go make a play on this. What's the biggest difference for you between outside and outside? The pace. A route concept. You can kind of get the pace you can play within the slides more. That's a game in the slide. Something I got very comfortable with. Just the ways you can attack the defense, I think. Just you know, conceptually and also just. You're placed down. But I mean, just doing both. It's just making me a better guy for the NFL. And that's what Coach Hanlon produces.

4:17:22That's how I produce it on the fair. I'm producing any NFL guys. I'm feeling very comfortable. Do you have to have a different mindset as a slight receiver? That's what's going on. Absolutely. I think it's more thinking. I think it's more of a, you have to have understanding of the game a lot. In the slide, you've got to have a feel. It's just natural. I feel like it's more in the outside. And on the outside, it's just more, you know, get different things. You see different coverage. You see different player types of corners and nickel bats and safeties more in the slide. So just seeing how you can attack knowing your person now and how you can attack some people. That's how I say the biggest difference. Do you have that more courage? You have that more courage in the slide? Yeah, absolutely. Especially like being myself in the slide faster. I skinnier a guy that want to put hands on and want to get physical with you. But you just got to match that and just let them know that you there too. So you as did a balanced question, whatever gets you on to, regardless inside outside, you're not going to ask me about it. I'm just willing to make plays and show one one of the best receivers in America.

4:18:22So if that's in the outside, that's in the inside. Whatever coach Hanlon in this team needs me, I'll post a link in the show one of the best receivers in America. I'll do it. No decision to. What do you want to see from J.J. this spring? And the plan for him, you play much longer season than he played before in high school. So what do you think looks like? 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 new team. I mean, you have to have that mindset, you have to have a mind, a day one mindset in order to progress. You can't rely on previously built culture or schematic understanding. 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, that includes Jeremiah Smith. And so great opportunity to, you know, evaluate and grow a new group of guys.

4:19:24I think in spring, I think our opinion is, you know, by fall, it's 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. Individual must improve so the collective can improve. And so building the base, I think schematically and fundamentally, culturally is what we're attacking as we head into spring. How much is Brandon looking forward to a different spring and different opportunity? I know it wasn't fun for him having to take a little bit of a backseat to a Mecca. 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, kind of take a breath. Then when you get back in the winter, it's the first opportunity to reestablish the new role that I want to have. I mean, across the board, there's not one guy that doesn't want to improve roles. So, I think they're all attacking it that way.

4:20:25I think Brandon's one of them, but he's one of 50. And I think that it's our job to provide opportunities, to grow, to separate themselves, to see peer-to-peer evals, to allow these guys to check, you know, and chase a role. At least through winter they've gotten that started, to continue that through spring. And I think Brandon's, you know, fits in line with that. I think Brandon did a great job looking back of finding his role last year and excelling at it. We know we talk a lot about if you want to be a starter, you have to be a starter before you're the starter. And if you're not, then you're never going to be the starter. So, I think he embodied that. You know, he gave himself an opportunity to get into spring and get into us. He's me, into winter, continue who he is, continue to build, you know, his base, build his leadership. And then now he's got to take that in spring. So, all the great things you do prior doesn't mean anything. If you don't have to go out there and do it in spring. So, you know, that's the harsh reality of this sport. You know, what have you done lately?

4:21:26And I think all these guys are chewing at the bit to get back on the field. Brian, everybody brings their own experience. Ryan was a quarterback, you were a receiver. And then to become a play caller, obviously you have an understanding of the whole offense. But what was the process like for you up? Protections and the run game and the quarterback play. And just continuing to grow with your knowledge of that part of the game as you prepared for this position. Yeah, I mean, I think you're always growing. I think that, you know, you still have a specialty here. You still have an expertise in one area that's seen you have an expertise in all of it. That's just not true. In my opinion, I've seen multiple coordinators. And I know that as a fact. So, you know, for me, I think it's just, you have an opportunity to be with the best staff in America every single day with the best coach in America. So, just stay off your phone and pay attention and take notes and actually maximize your time.

4:22:26It'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. That'll continue to build from now to game one and then build to the season. So, the opportunity to grow is literally daily. So, I just try to make sure I'm finding those opportunities. I'm aware of those opportunities when they're writing my face. I make sure you're going to do a role in the offensive media room. How important is it to do a major thing that you guys are doing? Yeah, the coach Jordan's always been a huge part of the receiver room. I think that, yeah, he's just understanding that my pull away is real. That can happen. So, he's going to be on his toes and be ready to, you know, we're ready to not skip a beat, right?

4:23:29So, information wise, communication wise, he's got to be locked in on that and just time to assume that, you know, coach hard's got it. He never really has. I expect him to continue to do that. And, you know, he's been a big part of everything we've done. Taken from what Ryan did last year, where he shipped away from play-gallowing and handed that to somebody else and shipped him away from being a quarterbacks coach. We're like, get to have somebody you trust and how long did it take you maybe to develop that trust and that relationship with them and to where like, you know that, hey, if I'm pulled away for a second, I'm like, Devon's got this. I don't have to worry about like, what my room is. I think it's more important that I do a great job being organized. So, I'm never pulled away. I will be in that receiver room and they will be coached at the very highest level. So, I think there's ways to eliminate being pulled away by being organized on top of things, having the right work and working very help before that receiver meeting ever happens. Is that important for you because that's the way you've got to emphasize? Nothing's going to change the tempo here. There's no, nothing's going to change in my involvement in the receiver room.

4:24:31Ryan from Myland to be going through a full spring, full off scene for the first time. What do you look at everything? It's areas he can grow to push for playing time is here. Yeah, I mean, Myland is doing a great job. He's growing on exponential rates getting stronger. He's getting bigger. He's got way added. I'll tell you like, you know, I always explain to him like, you don't realize how much you've missed when you come in June versus the mid-year. Like, it's massively different. Not saying you can't overcome it, some do. At the end of the season, you know, some have. But, you know, I think that's probably reliant on the room. You know, I know Chris had opportunity to lay a lot of a, you know, in the season to kind of make an impact. But it's very, very rare. So, and now, you know, he's going through the winner workout, his growth, his everything he's done. He's like, hey, Coach, I know what you're talking about now. And when you miss that, that section of winner workout. So that being said, it makes you laugh, but he's doing a great job. I expect expectations for him through through spring. And I don't see that changing.

4:25:31The opposite of staff, the opposite of staff this year is younger than it's been past years. I think make up a value. Don't have somebody to say me. What's the average? It's like the average like 30 is the average age. Does that include, include support staff? No, it's just the primary. What's it, what's it been in the past? A couple minutes, no, two more minutes. No kidding. We don't know yet. Kevin Wilson. I'm a Dan Lanings head coach in Oregon. I was his average. I'm asking. I don't, I'm 38. Can you Dylan Hamles? It's 30s and 50s. So, I don't really know. I gave zero thought to that. I think that, you know, I think your ability to cut with players is important. I think you probably see a little bit that happening in the NFL as well. I really have given two thoughts of this. I don't want to just ramble on that. Yeah, I just didn't know it was the solid as a manager. No thought to it. What's the next step for him? Because we've heard a mecha talk to him and like, you know, Mr. Consistency catching a lot of things.

4:26:34He's like, he seems to generate a limited buzz but has limited role. Like now he's got an opportunity. What's the next step for him to get that out of the game? Take the next step and be a be everything he's capable of being, right? I mean, I think the guys that, you know, we're out there are, you know, very consistent in all job faces. You know, like, again, I think he wants to be a full rounded receiver. And you know that I think he loves playing in the slot. The great job there. I asked him to come out to the outside a little bit. Did a good job out there. I think it's natural positions and is in the slot doing a great job there. But it's just another opportunity to establish himself based on his peers, right? I mean, it's kind of like the drafts and trying to explain sometimes these guys like you come to Ohio State to compete with the best. It'd be alongside the best. It's always pure to peer evals. Like that's how it works. Like the draft embodies that. Like if it's easier to go play somewhere else, then that's fine. That's what we're kind of looking for. I'm not saying that's pricing. I'm just saying it's a very competitive room. And you chose that because of this room.

4:27:35Now you got to beat your peer to play more and do more and all that stuff. So, you know, I think that you got continue to build worries at. And the guys that seem to be, you know, starters in our room, you know, really, I think over the last eight years have been NFL quality guys. So if you're and it become a starter to Ohio State, it's a good chance. You're probably NFL caliber receiver. I mean, again, just go off 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 the spring is another step forward to do that. What you're in the pressure. You rush me. How much in your estimation is that a gift? Do we have to do it? How much of it is learned? And where do you stand on that?

4:28:35Oh, 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 it. Do good. Do worse at it. I think being surrounded with guys and seeing how they do it has been a blessing. And it's very clear. Others more than one way to do things. So being aware of that. I've noticed that. What's your impression of the three freshmen and how they may be transitioning? Yeah, all four freshmen. I'm like very encouraged and pressed with. They carry themselves the right way like we have hoped. They worked their tails off. If all improved, I would say that. They're the right mode with the right fit. They belong in the room. And now they hesitate to improve. Now they're competing both, you know, first individually between each other. And then, you know, as we get into spraying, they'll start competing against each other. But the rest of the guys want to mean by that.

4:29:35So, but as a group, the freshman group, very impressed. And they're off to the right start. Coach Arland, thank you very much. I need like, have trouble remembering something. I just go up to them and they know like every play, every little detail. And he just, he's helpful with that. And if I need help, like with four words, I think they'll come out and help me. And just like, whatever I need is there. When you are making that transition to a new position, do you have to kind of be patient and realize it's going to be a process that takes time? Oh, yeah, definitely. Coach Hart told me that at the beginning, like he played a quarterback in high school too. And he hadn't made a transition to receive a hero off state. And this, he's helped me. It's going to be rough at first, but he has to push me to get me to where I need to be. When you think back and just like you're upbringing, you know, coming from, you know, Africa being over here, just what do you, how did all you feel, call of that kind of help to mold you into who you are now? I definitely, definitely, maybe like tough and like not afraid of like new change. And so willing to just adapt to my environment.

4:30:35What was it like for you coming in here as a freshman and getting to see if it's team go win an national championship in those first few weeks here? Definitely was a high motivated, you know. Being a freshman, it wasn't really my team though. So like, I didn't really get it. So that makes like, push me like that once, when it's my turn. I got put in the word, I want to be the same position, but with a ring on my finger. What did you learn from those guys just about what you need to do to have a chance to go accomplish what they did? So you just got to, don't let the past like affect you like and just, you got your limits, you got your limits, you got put in the work, it's not easy at all by any means. It's got to be hard, but you have to do everything you do. What do you view as like the best attributes of your game that you're going to bring to this team? I would just say my size, my speed, I can take the top off the defense and I can play tough and physically. It's about that. When was the last year, then like, when you think back to the overall reward last year, what has the last kind of year been like for you?

4:31:42Was it a lot of fun for you? It was kind of cool, I think it was awesome. It's been a long time since I was making a transition to see it. So how has this last year been? I was definitely changing my mind because I was always on my sophomore year. I was hurt and my junior year, I got hurt during track. I was able to, I was a high schooler, and this time last year, my junior really picked up. It's been crazy, I must have another, but it's leaving me in my corner, my coach is everything. They've just given me the motivation to go. What is your relationship with like the team? What do you think you guys? What do you think you guys think? What do you think you guys think? What do you think you guys think you guys think you guys are the three world champion? That's a big good. Before I even got a hosting offer, and before I even knew it was exactly, I actually threw it with a couple of tires and belts. Bella Mons, you saw that? Yeah, I was working with, I knew it was at head coach, and anybody would come in and run routes.

4:32:44And I actually ran routes for a table in the driving. If we was exactly at a night, we were the first team in the year. We had a lot more, we got got together, we had the first class in the show, we were working on everything. He's definitely got nice on. This cornerback in the year is actually pretty talented. How has that kind of a beautiful experience? The quarterback? The quarterback. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they're definitely talented in it. And they always say, I should have been on it. And they make it hard for you. And when you play this high level competition practice, you go on a game, and then the practice, and he's really spills on stuff. Is there been a moment in question? I think it's kind of like a moment first. I realize. Oh wow, these guys are really good at cycling. Yeah, just like, I just first, like, I just feel like I just take some reps and have a seat with this guy.

4:33:48Yeah, I just had speed, had catching abilities, like face separation. And I come to college before everybody's fast, everybody's big. So you get fun, new ways to get open, it's really good for yourself to hire your IQ. We're only freshmen ever to receive, you know, Iron Buck I reward, which is something I was pushing towards my entire time being here. But, you know, it takes another level of doing to be able to receive that reward, especially as a freshman. So, you know, that's kind of when I knew. Steve, it means, what do you mean about that? More on that. When you and Mara first got here, Gary and Chris were adamant about the way that you guys, even as freshmen were pushing two guys who were about to be first round round picks, and then Mara kind of said the same thing about Carnail and Brandon last year. How did JJ push you guys when he first got here as the young guy? And now you guys are the older guys? Yeah, I would say it's very similar. It's kind of the same exact thing. And, you know, I don't know what it is about the culture and its all safe,

4:34:48but we keep bringing in these type of people you're in and you're out. That's what makes our room so great. But I think that something that JJ was able to push me in was just, you know, he was able to push me in my leadership. I needed to grow in that aspect, but he also was able to challenge me when it came to the weight room and on the field. Because we were always paired together when it came to summer and when our workouts were always lifting together. You know, I get a couple of wins, he get a couple of wins. So I was really that next level step of competitiveness that I needed and that edge that I needed. That Murphy 2474? You guys came into the Tennessee game with a lot of outside motivation with Michigan loss and kind of the three weeks of the talk. I know obviously there's still that motivation to go on and win a national championship, but how do you keep that kind of edge to life with better terms mentally after some of that stuff has kind of gone away? I would say kind of if you lose your edge, I wouldn't really call you a true competitor. I think that, you know, the way with the college football playoffs is structured, the intensity cranks up every single week.

4:35:53So if you're not more intense than you were the last week, then something's wrong with you. I think that, you know, Tennessee was a great win, great for our momentum, but we have our full focus on Oregon. Not worrying about anything in the past, nothing in the future, our full focus is towards this game. And then, you know, we win this one, we go on to the next one, our full focus is going to be on that one. So it's just, you keep moving down a ladder like this. Step on Christy, please let me drop down. Mecha, there's been a lot of change in college football in the playoffs, and things of that nature. But, you know, the way in some of your teammates and coaches talk about the Rose Bowl seems like that's one game that's really, you know, maintain a lot of that tradition. You play the net, you know, what it's about. Could you explain it to, you know, also, you would never have a chance to play the why the Rose Bowl does maintain, you know, that level of respect for players and coaches. Yeah, I think, I don't know, they're just something about it, something in the air down there in Pasadena. It's just a beautiful venue, especially that time of the year. Like you said, the tradition is held year in and year out, and it's kind of the game you dream of playing in when you're a little kid, you know, playing backyard football with your friends.

4:36:53The Rose Bowl is always one that tends to come up, so just having a chance of playing it is definitely very surreal. And this is going to be my second time, so I'm going to do my best to take it all in while also being fully focused on Oregon. Dan, let me worry. Matthew Will, so he still has 90 minutes about bad first game in Oregon. What kind of drive you seem to him this week wanting to get back at this one? Yeah, Will is a laser focused person. He goes about his business. I mean, he's very loose, and he's very calm, and he's able to rally the team. But you can see it in his eyes that this game means everything to him. Every single practice, every single huddle, making sure we're sharp, making sure we have a better practice than we had last. Then yesterday, a better practice in Oregon is having. So his full focus is on being this team, and obviously it's hard not to think about the stuff of the past, but I know he's laser focused on what we got coming up. How many gerbants, fuck I have? Matthew, when you were a kid playing backyard, you were about to gain what team were you playing for?

4:37:53Honestly, I was never really a buck I fan until I really committed here, and I saw what it was all about. I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest. My grandpa went to UW and stuff like that, so I like the Huskies too. But there was a legendary football player named Foto Liatto from my high school, and he went to Oregon. A couple of you all probably know that story from a couple of years back, but he tragically died in the car accident. He was someone I looked up to in high school. I was relatively close with him even though he was a bit older than me in age, but just seeing what he did at my high school and going on to play big time football out Oregon, that was a school that I really dreamed of going to. I think that's another Jeremiah question. Is there one moment, one play, one something that made you go, oh man, I've never seen it before. That's just incredible. Yeah, I'll say it's happened multiple times.

4:38:54There's not really one I can pinpoint, but the more he does it, the more I tend to react less. So I would say probably my earliest memories of it were in spring bowl, kind of getting the first glimpse of him when he's making all these ridiculous catches. And he still does it time and time again even now, but it's just more common now for me. The land that one that keeps the north, I think it was 12 touches in the first game against Oregon, 10 or so, just two carries. Is there something about this matchup that favors you? And now that you have, where that productive, the first time you played this team, what kind of attention? I guess it's something different, defense, is there anything to see? Yeah, I mean, we're not entirely sure what their game plan is going to be, but we're paired for everything. You know, I'm not going to get too much into schemas, stuff like that. But we know that if the ball comes our way, we've got to make those plays. So whether I have 10 receptions again coming up this game where I have zero or one, we're just looking to get this win on the road. Because it's really a road game for us, you know, flying across two times zones.

4:39:54So I think that, you know, it's going to be a great matchup, whether they tend to focus on me more or not. It doesn't really matter to me because I know our team has a great plan regardless. That time for a couple more questions, Spencer, over a letterman role. You guys ever surprised when the game ended? You look at it, it's actually a car, not something I can afford to get. You can kind of feel it throughout the game, I would say. You know, he's a true competitor. He wants to get involved. But at the same time, he's super selfless. I mean, he's really humble. So he's going to do whatever it takes for the team to get a win. But it's the competitor nature and then that wants to, you know, contribute as much as he can. So, you know, I try to be in his ear to tell him to be levelhead and stuff like that. Not that I need to. He's a very level headed and selfless guy like I'm saying. But, you know, sometimes that's just how the game goes. You know, I had a game this year where I only had one catch. But, you know, we ended up winning by lot. So, I think that, you know, it's hard or it's easy to be focused on the personal attributes that you could have game in and game out. But no one's really going to remember those if we're holding up the trophy at the end of the year.

4:40:55He could be a number one, like 95% of the boss would run out of these. Like, you know, the brief. You see his work as a whole of those things that he doesn't dare to explain. And you guys ever come behind him like, yeah, this guy could absolutely be a number one of the most golfing boss in the system. I would disagree with you. I think that he is a number one. I think that we don't have a number three receiver. I think we have three number one receivers out there. So, whatever the defense, you know, if they want to put their attention on one guy or a couple of us, they're not really doing their selves any favor because we're going to have a favor will match up on the other side of the ball. So, that's never how we view ourselves. We know we're alpha dogs out there every single one of us. Knows we have the capabilities to be a number one receiver and we are number one receivers. And by the question Steve, how long has 24-7 sports? In the end of that game, you made one of the clutch plays that passed down the sideline. At any time when you make that play, you think, did you ever your mind that we're going to win this game? After we're now close to field goal range, I mean, did that play in your mind say,

4:41:55my goodness, we've got a chance to get out of here with the win. Yeah, I definitely knew where I caught the ball and I knew we were, you know, closer being a field goal range. So, you know, there was a sense of, you know, I knew I knew it was a big play that I made. But in those moments you have to finish out the game no matter what, you can't get a big head, you can't get complacent, you have to finish the game until the clock hits zero. So, that's something we've been working on, you know, we work on two minute every single Wednesday practice. So, today we'll work on our two minute and we don't even call it two minute. We call it clutch because in those times, in those games, in those big moments, someone has to make a clutch play. So, we're focusing on that every single game, knowing that we're going to have to make one of those plays coming down the stretch here. What would it mean if you're able to finish this one off and get to the final four of this playoff? Just what, in your mind, just, would this be, you know, just the ultimate, I suppose, to be a team that's already beaten earlier this year? No, I think the ultimate would be winning the national championship. So, you know, we're focused on, this just happens to be the next team in the way.

4:42:56We're not focused on, where we played them earlier this year, whether they got the win over us. They're just a nameless, faceless opponent. So, we're going out there fully prepared, not worried about what's happening in the past. You know, we played them before, we felt them out, so it's all about who got better from that point in time until now. A matter of thing for everybody. Thank you. 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 he brought. Right? Last year, of course, I'm sure he's been doing for years, but the year when I spent my own, he brought a lot of energy, excitement, happiness in the room, which is his natural energy, to where I only had to focus on me. You know, I didn't have to make sure other guys were, you know, feels the type of way when they came in here, because hump brought that. I'm a hump's nut here, but I saw a way different room. I want to be that guy to make sure I'm on this amptical practice.

4:43:58Everybody's, I'm taking a field team on period, you know, it's a low day, or something, you know, it's a bit sick, but like, I want to make it feel like hump's home. You know, you have to pass the trip. I want to bring that, because that's what we at hump did to each other, we would hide each other, and do something to do. I want to get locked, get off lit. So I want to do that, I want to bring that energy, I want to make, bring more guys. You know, should do that. I want to do that from day one, you know, I kind of have. I want to do that from day one. I'm just talking to him, and obviously it's that time I spent in the offices of the Ford OTA started. Just being in myself just thinking about what the room needs, you know, because I don't know. The new role as one of leaders, you know, on the offense is that we need a guy like that, just going to make sure the O-line is picked up. We're ready to go every day, I want to help a little things, or have enough practice for people, and saying anything, and how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe.

4:45:02I like to practice, at least, like, the legal positivity, you know, I mean so. But he, the energy, I want to be on, just, I want to hide the view on, so I just kind of, how I want to be going on. I'm learning my whole life, I want to get off lit. Team captain, like, specifically, I felt I wasn't captain in high school, wasn't captain in college, but I want to make a joke, I was in high school. I feel like I'm not going to be captain like he's that I felt. But that would be awesome, you know, but, you know, if it happens, I'd be great, but not either way. I want to assume the role as a captain from the respect of the guys, until the individual words, 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 we used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs, it took training left and right once this season, because I know what was going to be true.

4:46:08So, I took a lot of, yeah, grips, just to get back to feeling like myself, what they want to do is, and then that whole first week, but now, like, today specifically, just changing some small things with my feet. I've been seeing talk about the long coach, about some things I'm doing with my feet, to get to sell my traditional handle that I love to sit on. I thought I felt great already, but I felt even better, starting to work since tomorrow now, and getting my feet back, and how I liked it, the right side, and the left side. So, alongside. I mean, obviously, I feel like, in the league, whether I left the right, you're still going in. Premier Guy, so obviously, you have high expectations for the left and right tackle, but, definitely, like, the level of energy, and like the expectations definitely take the human side. Because now, I can not deny the blind side. That's the, that's the tackle world, you know?

4:47:10So, yeah, I would say, in terms of communication as far as this, even outside of the facility, you just stuff like that, like really creating that, the tackle court back, bond even more off the field, I think has been something that's even done. Cool. I got a text one day, and I said, hey, I keep put it up, I was like, you know, yeah, I've been training both. I've been training both. You know, I asked after the season there, like, honestly, you know, we'll talk a few of some great season, and I just got a text one, telling what happens with the free agency. Then, so I was like, you know, what? I had a whole season right tackle. So, if I get the word, I'm going, I'm staying in a right tackle. I'm just doing what I did before I'm built on that. I was trying to let tackle now, as if we're going to be left tackle. And I'd rather do that than training on right tackle, good to call A, good to let tackle. I didn't switch my feet. You know what I mean? So, I'm like, let me just prepare an advance. I was like, yeah, it was good. I think occasionally, on third down, there would be a lot of twists. I was just not like, it's automatic, it's kind of...

4:48:16And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season. Like, I didn't have to go into again with some pros. Like, oh my gosh, they did that. I kind of figured, okay, like, this is the type of rush. This is how this guy usually rushes. If I get the vibe, this is how it begins, like, the rush, you know, tackles that first of your guys. You got to print your patch on. Or, you know, what it was going to be. Or, you know, what would be every stunt. And honestly, just knowing that's kind of an advantage to... So, you're not... Oh, the problem is with my psych... It was never air-dombed. But, it comes out to my psych... 3 plays in a row. Two minutes. I do that, it wasn't like that. It's so loud. You know what I mean? I'm watching more everybody else. And you really... It goes out there occasionally, on third down, I was like, yeah, I was like, all right, he's going to pick me. You know what I mean? So, that effect, it's kind of... It's also kind of an advantage in a way. But, it's also exciting, like, okay, I'm going to get the hardest to look. You know, those are real, real reps, you know, the things. Really out on our way to kind of process.

4:49:22That I was like, hey, when I tell me, let me know about, I'm just going to train it. I was training all left. So, TAs, I guess, if I didn't hear anything about TAs, I would have came in like... So, you know what I mean? Because, just like, I'm cool with training both, I would have been cool with training both continually. But, I feel like anybody, any position will be like, okay, like, you want as soon as possible to give your feet kind of subtle in. Your hips subtle in. Your hands subtle in. I'm starting to kind of let it. Would it have been harder to reach or pull their hips out? No. No. But, they're definitely, but in terms of the development, they're definitely a lot faster to stand on one side. But, I think, having that week that we had to transition with seasons over, I'm delighted to respond. Look, I'm trying to get up, put them in front of me and I think, week, things at a time right now. But, when it comes back, I'm going to show them to you in the house. So, I got a house tonight too far from...

4:50:25So, I told them, I got that house, like, I got a yellow outside. DJ! You know what I mean? So, yeah. My mom says, you know, just go out there and Monday and just dominate the person outside front of me. You know, just do what I've been doing for the last two to three weeks, I should say. But, you know, they play men on men, so I'm just ready for the challenge. I'm talking about middleman or middleman, but I was asked about that when I had a big smile. I mean, feels good. Just say somebody going out there and playing men on men, guess Ohio State receivers is something crazy. But, you know, we're just ready for the challenge. They said they're not changing their gameplay, but we got to go out there and show them the reason why not to play men on men. And then, uh, the situation announced with the month of 2016 and somebody's not going to run right now. I'm sure you're going to be the conversation. Yeah. When you go cars and bad, you have something about the state's case, right?

4:51:26Uh, I mean, I don't really... If I be on a curve, I'd be on a curve, I mean, it's not really a big deal to me. Um, it may definitely be a blessing for sure just to be on a curve of a game, but, you know, it's not really a dream of mine. It's a dream of mine, but I don't really think too much of it. I mean, no, not yet. Uh, probably hit me after this season. Um, no, just no playing in the colors football playoffs as a freshman, uh, playing in the Rose Bowl as a freshman, um, playing in a card and bow and not in the national championship. I mean, it's a blessing for sure, um, but it haven't hit me yet. Where are you going right now? From out with your fan, fan, fan, fan. My favorite catch, I would say we play Michigan State, um, the one I call over to defenders. Definitely probably my favorite for sure.

4:52:27Or you go the one from Iowa, I should say, and then answer, probably then two. Uh, I don't, I mean, yeah, like you said, it's pretty frustrating me having a game that I had in the Rose Bowl. They're coming to the cotton bud, you know, just them doing different things, changing their scheme up for, uh, gives me. Um, but I mean, like you said, whatever I could do to make the, I mean, help the team win. It's not really a big deal for me. As long as we win, that's all I really care about. And it got us to the national championship.

4:53:29Uh, it means a lot, uh, we put a lot of work in this, uh, this season, uh, we have, how's we have loads, we have people cutting us out. Um, but we hear now, we just ready to put on a show Monday. Oh, yeah. Uh, first of when there's a national championship because there was means a lot. Um, you see everything that he bent on this year, people saying he should be fired and this, that a third, but, uh, when you see everything that he bent through this year, I mean, I see everything I had been through this year, um, see everything. People saying my hem on Twitter. Um, I wasn't here, uh, he first got the head coach and job, but I know this year for sure, we definitely got to win this for her.

4:54:29Uh, I mean, it's a lot, uh, a lot of people in the league, I should say, I can't really say who, but I mean, you had guys like, oh, they're you had guys like, uh, oh, they're you had Stefan, digs, means a lot of, uh, my crew, Tom is Chris Carter, just a lot of, you know, guys that played in that field and stuff like that. But yeah, really them guys for sure. Uh, you know, just keep going on. You got it. You've messed up for sure. Really, I really appreciate that. So they said. Like a physical defense, uh, like like you said, like people say like they like to play man, they're not changing their scheme. So we're just ready for the challenge. Like you said, probably the best defense we could probably go see all year. And we just gotta be ready to go out there Monday and just put on the show.

4:55:42I'm inside of for will. Um, him first coming here in Ohio State January our first workout we had together. Um, man, just everything that we did through the season. Um, man, I'm just happy for him to be in this position right now, but we got to finish the job and that's the winning at the old Monday. Uh, I mean, it's pretty funny. Um, them saying that because I'm just only a friend, but, um, it's a blessing for sure. People to even say that, but I got two, three more years left of college. And I'm just focused on college right now. I'm not really worried about the NFL right now. Uh, it's very special for me. Just being a freshman, I'm playing a national stage up here for national titles.

4:56:42Something that I dreamed of as a very young kid. Um, I'm just happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on some Monday for you guys. Yeah. Uh, I mean, all of us used to sit on the bitch and we just see him hit the quarterback the ball come out and we all just got up and just started jumping up and down. We all decided, um, happy for jacking that moment. We just knew that that moment like, you know, this we're going to the daddy for sure. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, me. It shows a lot on me, you know, going from high school or when the three state championships, uh, Shamanama Donna, then you know coming to Ohio State, uh, just

4:57:44I'm not sure how to write not me just so that I put two great schools, um, but I'm happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on a show Monday. The coolest person. Um, I mean, you got a lot. I can't really say just a specific person. You got a lot of great guys. We're trying to lead like, um, Odell. You have guys like Stefan digs. Um, a lot of other players will just take kind of my mom, but really, really into guys for sure. Odell, a step on this. You're looking at every day. Something that you got out of your mind. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, like they say, they play man. So I'm just ready for the Tulas and just get ready to go out there Monday and just no put on the show. Thank you. We're going to back. That's what.

4:58:44All right. Uh, the vice Geno high gave me, um, I said just keep going first. Um, you, uh, he, I know the reason why I'm here. And me, like he said, just keep going first and just no keep the main thing and the best corner I face this year. Um, I mean, I've faced a lot of great corners. I can't really say, but yeah, I've faced a great lot of great corners. I can't really put a name on it. I'm going to give it a shot. I'm going to give it a shot. Yeah. My dream occasion is, uh, Teres and K-co's. I'm going to be back.

4:59:49How good are you? Uh, I say both respect and frustration as well. I mean I thought they come out there and trip it to me and they say stick it to whatever it's doing our year and that's playing man covers which is ready for the challenge. Pretty good group Christian Gary 29th is a great corner 15, the NARMOR, two great guys all right there very physical but you know we all have to receive it so we ready for the challenge. I'll say just no understanding the defense understanding the defense understanding the game plan

5:00:59understand what coach Kelly was trying to get done I mean just coming in I felt I progress from our first game gets Iced Granted now for I got better each and every week me being slowed down a lot for me but yeah really just no understanding the versus and no understanding what they're trying to do to me for sure. I'm two guys great part of the best we go see all year for sure two physical guys but you know we're ready we're ready for the challenge that they're coming with and that's the play man oh man and you know we ready to go on Monday. I mean environment is pretty crazy seeing all these cameras suddenly I never thought I'd see their my life but it's a blessing for sure this is the main position right now.

5:02:07I mean we just had a prayer prayer prayer prayer meeting and you know we all they all the I mean we all discussed the issues because they discussed issues and you know we just want the word mean that two and a half weeks we had off before Tennessee game and we just came out there Tennessee game and we played with a chip on our chip on our shoulder all throughout the playoffs and we go continue to play with that chip on our shoulder in that championship on Monday. Do you know how that very impactful yeah the very impact on my career I should say you know just going to his games as a very young kid seven eight years old him playing with him playing with West Virginia and they played Clemson Orange Bull down in Miami. I mean just going like they're seeing his games it's like yeah I definitely want to play on in stage and I can't wait till I get to know that moment for sure.

5:03:13Okay uh because they're really just in his own his own love space he's just walking around trying to get his mind right trying to get his mind ready for the game but you know he just gave everybody hype in the locker room and you know just trying to get us ready to go to win the game. Yeah oh yeah oh yeah for sure I mean uh you uh go play man against Ohio State receivers I mean just be ready uh because you know we definitely go come out there and know uh give our best uh I mean they said not go change what they do so we're just ready for the challenge. Not a year later uh definitely sometime my career college uh but not my first in college I should say uh me just the better the being is position right now it's you know a blessing or just a

5:04:16yucky if I'm Miami to be here and I won't take up for granted I'm ready to go out there my day and give him a roll. Yeah Yeah uh I mean y'all watching that game against was it Georgia I believe yeah I'm watching that game uh I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time um so I mean yeah they left a bad taste in them off um but I mean we ready to go out there and run there to redeem myself and they'll just put a show of money.

5:05:16Oh I mean me I just live um but you know that's what they do they're not gonna change what they do uh just because we're Ohio State so I'm just gonna go out there and put it in no put it in no uh why not to play uh man no man it gets us so we just got to go out there so the Monday so he said he ain't sorry uh my journey here at Ohio State prepared me a lot for national championship me just going through everything that I've been through uh my first guy here all uh Matt Jules all the hard workouts that we had all the hard practices um we just prepared all of us for this moment and no I'm just ready to go out there and give it up my all on Monday okay okay yeah we just squeezed it

5:06:17yes 200 me as big and temptation here The little I'm not part of the most is the one against Michigan State when I caught over two defenders

5:07:31on their side line. Party Laugh won't over the one after that I should say or you go the one against Iowa. Party them three. Party my best ones for sure. I mean just we'll put in the ball in my area and I just know how to make a play for them. Even though somebody was grabbing my face and I just know I still have to make a play because the ball touched my hand so I mean just when the ball is the other thing I have to make the play no matter how the ball comes at me. I have to a big gain. I mean we really they really feed us Chick-fil-A or Pizza after the game so it's really either Chick-fil-A or Pizza so yeah I'm probably Chick-fil-A for sure. Yeah it went it went pretty good everybody just speaking with their thing is going right

5:08:52and what they take us wrong which is a lot of the older guys watching their opinions on what we need to do to come together as a team but you know that me and Deftly helped us in a big way because it helped us on the field as well because we're playing a great football right now and we just got to shoot out on Monday. Yeah it definitely got emotional. I can't really say what it really was said because that's no prayers only and coaches only but it was definitely some stuff said that people took people took and they went with it and that's the reason we're playing the way we're playing right now. Yeah make helped me a lot this year him being our older guy in the room me help me and Cardinal as well and Brendan and his and all the guys in our scene room as well me just a great guy as well very smart I mean make this been a big part of the reason I'm having to see that I'm having to work because he's been a big you know older guy been there

5:09:56being a lot of great guys in our room like Chris Alivega was in Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson Smith and Jibba so he's seen all the grids I've been through there and he teaching us the right thing and the right way and the buck out way for sure. I love it that means they don't know what's coming out of next we got 12 personnel you can throw two of us in the world to say you got to stop it all. What have you made of the quarterbacks of the three of them? Not too much I feel like they all come in here working I feel like everybody's making their throws making their paths and everybody making their directions. Wouldn't you take away last season? I feel like it's been a long time. Tell you again. What did you take away from last season? I think you got to take away all the other things. When the next game that was it. When the next game go out there I'll say it's been a long time.

5:11:08I feel like we've had leaders from last year that came back and I feel like we got big guys that stepped up into their roles and their roles and around the team that become a leader. Being a leader you all always have to be vocal. You can have the same examples on the field or you can be vocal and do both. What was it like to say that you got to be more than the last couple years? I was happy for you. I see him out here crying and I see him crying and getting an extra work. Ball is ball. We come out here and play ball. He's out here doing a pro day yesterday. I just see him ready to go make some real money. What ways do you feel like you're a different player now going into this year but maybe you were last year? I feel like every year I've just improved on my overall game. Blocking and catching consists of wise people who used that word but I feel like I'm just overall better. I came in here ready to go. How much does it push you when you're in a room with guys like Max and Will and that you know you've got to be on your game if you're going to get in the field?

5:12:09Man I feel like Arya is starting to hire every day and come in and work and they go push me every day to work and it's just like I'm going to do that. I love more. Max, Claire, Max LeBlanc, both of them. What's your flashed in the time now? Is this the year where it all comes together? I feel like every year with my year but we're going to see this year. I'm ready to come out here and put on a show for the Bucket Nation. I feel like everybody on the field is ready to go put on a show. We're going to go back and back. You got a play quite a bit though last year, John. What did you pick up from all of that especially in a championship run and they were counting on you? I personally just be ready at any time honestly. You can be throwing in at any time just like I was. I probably had some rest while I was just throwing in and you got to get it done. And if you don't get it done they're going to find somebody who has to do it.

5:13:12I think we asked you this year to tell me if you've done it. We're going to definitely see what you've progressed as a tight end. You know the all of that needs. I honestly over the spring and some of this I'll see you there. I feel like I've told them I've body a lot and I got stronger in the way we were. I've also got a little bit faster so I can get in and out of the breaks a little bit. And just the mine part of the game. The middle part of the game. If you got even better at that I mean how would you describe that? I said yeah. The mine part of the game you know that. Well I feel like it's a lot more fair. I say like the tight ends we come in here. Five o'clock every other day. We do walk through more film. Just more students at the game now. We're right there. Thanks. One of the wishes for you. Let's do it. You Bob will have to like five o'clock. What do you mean we're about to play? I feel like it was just an exciting play. I was the last read on it. Like the very last read on it. I don't go out and I came down with the kiss.

5:14:12I need to get the first down. You really don't want to go out. Thank you. You're but I still had a great rookie year. Six yards of carry. Things like that. I think it was like nine touchdowns, ten including the playoffs. And so there's always been like all right. You guys let me show my talent trying a little bit. Like even when I had the knee. So I had the knee right. A lot of people don't know like I didn't get hurt again whenever I got you know. I cleaned up so I went down in 21 right. Had the injuries the knee injury. And then came back later the next year. And I played the first few games and I just feel there was a lot of scar tissue in there. So I had to get it cleaned up. I didn't get hurt again. I could have played the whole year but I got it cleaned up so I can feel like me. And so after I got that cleaned up I had the first two games back from the injury. I had over 120 yards rushing. Right. And then went on. Had great great ending of the year. You know, 100 total yards in the play-out game.

5:15:12We lost which I hate the most. The stats don't matter to me I want to win. But then come back the next year. Heard again like 20 killies. So two really unfortunate injuries but that's just a guy's plan. You know and I think that the storm is now over you know. And I do think that I'll be able to shine a light to the whole world. Are you concerned that you have that label of what you can't stand? I could care less. Because I do. I knew I know this out there. Because as it should be. It should be. I got hurt two major injuries back. Not back to back years but you know. So I've been on the field as much as I should. That's true. That is true. But it's not like I'm having these little, little dinky injuries and sitting out. It's something I can't control literally. So that's why I'm not bothered by it like yeah, I am injury-poin. You can say that. You know but I do think that the chargers are getting. The guy that's going to be healthy from now on, you know.

5:16:12The guy will it. And it's going to be great. And I do think that it's going to be a great however many years here. When you've been on the field you've been highly productive. Yeah. 5.8 hours of very average for your career. Like knowing that when you're out there, you're very productive. How much confidence does that give you that really all you need is an opportunity? All the confidence in the world. You know, the way I work. I want to say just from the numbers, but just the way I work. My work ethic, you know, and my relationship with Jesus is like I have the most confidence when I step out there. Because I do know like if he grants me the health, it's over with. I don't think I'll be, you know, I think it'll be a great year or whatever. A couple of years. However many years he grants me great health, you know. Just the work ethic, my prayer and all that stuff. That's what helps me have that confidence with the numbers will be there in there. They might be higher after this year, you know, and it's crazy to think about it.

5:17:13I had six point yards or six yards per carry, you know, so we'll see. You listen forward to running behind this line. 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 and win some games because that's what I came through for. Justin, don't you agree with the year or? I wouldn't say part of the recruitment, but like whenever I decided I was going to sign it, it was great to have him in the room. Yeah, we're great. We have a great relationship. That's like my brother. I think it complimented 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. I feel like I can do everything and when we want to get tired, we can roll it in. We'll keep rolling.

5:18:13We win some games. When you, the two of you are 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'll look beautiful? You know, a lot of people call this a passive league, but I think you got to run the ball to win a Super Bowl. You know, if you look at the team to win a Super Bowl, they can run the ball. They can control the clock. And so if we're both good, it'll look great. Beautiful. I would describe it as a great offense. I would describe it as a great offense. I think he gives a quarter, he's going to give the quarterback a lot of options. He's going to give the running back a lot of options. He's going to give the receiver a lot of options. I think it's going to be great. He's often going to be amazing. One thing we talked about, you know, is like why are you going to build something good Russian offenses throughout your career? Which everywhere you go.

5:19:13And you said that one part of it is just, you got to call the police. You got to call the police. As a running back, how much confidence, how much you say it is to give you a play call or a stick with it and allow you and the offense to run a team to a rhythm of the game? It gives me a lot of excitement. You know, it's going to be, I guess, a spun to play his offense. And I think he does have some good things in the past game too. But like you said, he sticks with the run and that's the identity. You want an offense that has an identity, right? You don't want to be looking everywhere else to find your identity. You want to have it. And so I think his offense has that. And the guy he builds and puts in there, it complements that identity. So I think it's going to be great. You mentioned you're 100% now. So you mean, Fogo 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 of gold.

5:20:13I think I'm ready to go. And then you know I'm on PUP. Hey, look, some stuff in my pay gray. But I don't know. Hopefully, I can start. I think I'm ready to start, you know, the beginning of training camp. But that's not up to me as I've learned. I wouldn't say that. I think I've been in some great organizations. And I think this organization is a great organization. And the training staff is great. And so they just want what's best for me, you know. And they're taking care of me, which that's what you want in an organization. And so that's where that comes from. Which I appreciate it. Like I really appreciate that. 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 getting into free agency, you know, dealing with rehab and not, you know, having a full season of paid for the production to go out there.

5:21:20Was there any part of that where you're like, I wish I had hit the public market with a different situation. Yeah. I like it. I like how would I say this? I like it the hard way. But not you know, I like it the hard way. I like it. I like trial and tribulations. So, I mean, the dice that I was given to roll was I was coming off a third Achilles. And that was that was the Lord's plan. So it was beauty in that. Like I was comfortable. I was caught like there was multiple teams, you know. I wasn't it wasn't like I didn't have any other team. But I was comfortable and sitting back and just enjoying the process, letting myself get fully healed. So whenever that team whoever I would sign with who now is the Chargers is going to get the best me, you know, and.

5:22:21I think people all around the league know that like, okay, this guy, okay, it's a high risk, high reward type thing, right? Not even a high risk of low risk because you. It's a business, right? So I got hurt last year. So not as much money and he's be throwing that. But I think everyone around the league knows that whenever I am on the field, the numbers don't lie. And so they know that and a lot of teams were like, all right here, you can we give you this, but. We want you to be healthy. So when I'm healthy, it's going to be great. This 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. I have a person that likes to do people wrong. You've done a couple things like the high risk, high reward, injury from, you know, like, are you this have a person that really tries to do 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.

5:23:21You never see me like, oh, like if I have a great game or a great year, like I have this wonderful year, I ain't going to go back and. Yeah, yeah, yeah, what happened? No, because I don't care. You're eventually see like I'm like, I'm a guy that's really good. So I ain't worry about that, but I'm proving myself right that I am one of the best in the league. So forget all the naysayers and people to talk about being injury prone. Because whenever I have this great year, it's going to be forgotten, you know, too. Why give that energy? Talking just into the all our kind of chances. Yeah, I was, you know, we just with him, you know, he's a great guy. I mean, he was in my class. I remember seeing him on We Were at an award show, because I was a dope walker or a finalist. And I'm.