Press Conferences (JJ Smith) Elite Edition September 3

0:00Um, as a true freshman, um, but no, it's time to move on. I mean, that's behind us now and I can't wait for this season to come up. What kind of obligation do you feel to a guy like me to kind of take a look at you? Are you even showing how you work? I feel like he already got that, just coming in. He already got that hard work at it. Um, quiet, just like me as I came in. Just all about ball really. Me and here early, um, me spending time with Coach Hartline, me and everything. He doing it the right way, I should say. And he have a bright future here. Coach Hartline said he wants you to become more of a good person. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. How much for challenge that you are kind of quiet guy? Yeah, it was a challenge. Uh, no, just no stepping on my comfort zone. Um, I mean, something everybody wants to see for me, not just my coaches, but players on the team as well. We have a leadership meeting. There's a lot, a lot of people call me out on just saying they want me to talk more. Um, working on it takes time. Um, not really the guy that's talkative or no, but lay by a zombie. Um, one thing that's definitely working on is trying to talk more and get more of my

1:02comfort zone and just build it. Yeah, definitely the biggest challenge. Um, you know, like I said, just stepping on my comfort zone and the guys and the young the guys as well. Do you guys open with Texas next year, going back to the playoff game? Do you think about that moving forward just kind of how you were taking out of that game? Uh, yeah, I think not really thinking about it. I mean, that's behind me. Um, maybe we won the game. We ended up going to the national championship. And I mean, we see it on week one. I just know can't wait to know face a great opponent. What's your impression of David Sanchez so far? Yeah, big long corner of the Corrine, um, physical. Um, he got it all and I can't wait to see things he do here this year as well. And what if you know his difference? Are you anything different about this defense of the, you know, these first three weeks of spreading the touch? The cocktail ride? Uh, they just fast. Physical and willing to hit somebody I should say, saying they nothing really changed for me. Um, guys, they're going to know what they've been doing over the last year and then I was

2:02in the year and then I should say, yeah. Coach, that makes the quarterback's live like he did for a couple of practices last week. As a wide receiver, Cardinal, right? How do you think your quarterback is responding to that? Over offering? Uh, I think they responded pretty good. I did not expect the quarterback to be live. Um, they're in a scrimmage. Um, that surprised me for sure. Cause they definitely surprised me with that. Um, but I feel like they handled it very well. They took hits. Um, something we need. They needed, I should say, you know, tough. Right. Why do I see those people? They're all like, I'm not quoted back seeing how they handle that. Since it's obviously not a norm to do that. Uh, learning anything, but it's definitely not known to see a quarterback get hit. It gets his no defense, I should say. Um, but no, guys, they was, they was getting hit for sure, but they was getting right back up. Who knows what to do for that? Do you have any questions? What's the thing you get? Uh, definitely can get better. No, feel like I'm getting complacent. Um, always want to prove that, you know, I'm just taking the day by day and not just

3:04getting better each and every day. And why do you prepare for this group? The expectation you're going to get on the next two seasons here off the season you just had? Uh, not really focused on the expitation that I have coming up or you're out to that, um, No, just focus on spring, spring, and just going to the fall camp and just get ready for the season. I should say, as best as you can go, be there. I really know something high. In my mind right now, just being a leader and just focus on the team. How much changes is right? How much changes are there? I really know. We haven't really spoken about that right now. I don't really know. Jeremy, a lot of guys just said that they want a lot of championships. They don't want to see it. It's moving into the CS20 team. What is that for you? And why do you think that's significant for the team? I mean, like I said, we came live in the past, the 2020-2014, they won the national championship.

4:06This year, we did it. So, we just took everything down and the weight room and everything. So, we could focus on being ourselves and this is our season. Great job. It's amazing. I wasn't going to give my house a big gift of another. Guys, obviously, you were going to testify where you came in early. And you touched fire, touched fire, and all of a sudden, he's gone in and so it's been like giving another new guys. They made it pretty easy to get the note of the throw because Boa and he kind of recruited me out of high school a little bit when he was there at a Virginia Tech. And when he first came in, I remember going out spring workouts and he kind of just gave the vibe like he's a great dude. He really wanted to build connections with us. So, it's been amazing. What's been the biggest adjustment you've had to make since coming in on that state? The biggest adjustment I would have to say is just really buying in to the culture. Because we're a big culture program. We keep the culture. It no matter what's going on, we are going to be the same way.

5:07So, just kind of buying in stuff like that. And you've got to go to a couple of those bowl games and kind of see what that experience was like. What did that kind of do for you to help prepare you to do it yourself? It was crazy because there's my first time actually watching games from the field. So, I actually got to see steps. I got to see play call and I got to see coach Fry. I see coach knows guys up on the sideline and I actually forgot to talk that he's talking. For freshmen offensive lineman, patience is required. It's a development. As a guy who comes into high school, we're playing a lot. How do you kind of reset coming in as an offensive lineman knowing it may be a year or two before you start to get real fun? You know, you kind of just want to learn from those guys that have been here because of, like you said, it's kind of tough coming in and being a young guy and then going against different fronts you might never seen before and talking different knowledge that you might not have talked before. But for me, it's been kind of a learning process, but I'm picking up on it. I get very great coaching every day and the older guys do a great job of communicating.

6:13So, it's kind of been really easy actually. Nine different guys started last year. What does that mean for this real in terms of, you guys know you guys are going to play for any. So, how do you prepare for that? Just coming every day ready to work and coming with that mindset that we all need each other. It's not just one guy that knows, there's five guys out there and those five guys that are going to be out there, they got to be able to trust their brother and the guys that are on the side, we got to be out there churning on our brothers. And when our names are called or whatever names call, you got to be able to step up. Some more just that early on, like right now for you trying to still, your teammates can trust you. Just coming every day with the mindset that I'm here to work. Like I come in the building, I come in the wood, and they know that I'm here to work. They know that I'm not here to play around. They know that I'm coming in to meet and ask the questions. Trying to figure out what's going on, picking the older guys, bringing stand out the practice,

7:13even getting at your work. You talked about this kind of scene improvement already. Where have you seen that development? It's most in your experience. I want to say knowing the game of football. That was the biggest improvement for me because coming out of high school is kind of a lot more simpler. Coming to a place like Ohio State, you got to know what's going on. And Coach gives us a good look. I'm talking about Coach Perr, he gives a great look. Different looks. Is that through no more? You start to see that the most, the knowledge of the game, not necessarily the whole field. I want to say to fill them in on the field because you can work on the end of the field room and you can work on the wall, but if you can't take it to the field, none of that really matters. Thank you. Thank you for trying to force everything to gather right with these things that we've done. What he knows will do. It's a lot. But he's been incredible with, I think the staff, he's very organized, he's detailed.

8:19You'll have constant, clear communication. You know, and me, hey, we're going to get together at this time of the evening. You're just efficient in your role. And it's been a lot like when you're come from outside and you come back into it, you have to try to catch them up on the recruiting board. You know, like you have a lot of these conversations. Okay, what are we looking for at these positions now? How do you see it? Because under one coordinator, you might see the Mike Linebacker needs to be this. So you have to have those conversations at every position. And he's kind of keep going through. But I'm just excited to learn. I think the more systems, I mean, luck. Playing the system here in college, playing the system, underneath Vagnolo, playing the system, or Tim Walden, playing the system under Greg Williams, Dennis Allen, Coach of Ralgold, and then Jim Null. Every one of those, there's like different terminology for everything. So you're just learning a different language, calling things. You know, I mean, there's this concept.

9:19And I think it was kind of collect over time. What you think is really good stuff and how you do stuff that may be a little different. And I'm just really excited to learn from that. And I'm kind of success. He seemed very excited over there talking really to me here. Yeah. Coach in college, which is whatever. So long. What's his personality like with you guys? Yeah. He's been great. I mean, his energy is incredible. He's very, he is. He's authentically excited to be back in college football. He could tell there's like a yearning to get back to like the while you got in the coaching, right? Is the impact young people, is the impact to teach the game of football. And so the few times he's been in front, you know, kind of like talking to the guys, you know, he's like, he's excited to just teach more. You know what I mean? And kind of ironically, like, you know, similar to a lot of things that chips that last year, right? Yeah. You gotta get back and you're like, man, I'm just excited to. And so he has that excitement. He's doing a phenomenal job, I think, of getting to know the players.

10:19Just kind of like walking around versus like popping in, making sure that he's in front of them and they get to know him and he gets to know them. And it's a lot. You can imagine when you come in, you have all these guys, right? And trying to learn all these guys, I'm learning recruiting, trying to learn to staff, I'm learning to learn dynamics, like it's a lot, but he's handled it really well. You know, he's an old school ball coach, he's a grinder, so he's really good job. James, son, he's probably not going to need to do much this spring. How much more can you get done with the young guy? You might tell him that. So you've got to do a lot. But in terms of Ryan DeRity said, you know, 50%, 75%, or whatever, how much more can you get done with the young guys when they're worried too much about the senior? Yeah, I think, I mean, you're always just looking for competition, especially like a spring ball, that's what it's all about, right? You're trying to have, it's so cliche, but it's true. Like the iron sharpens, iron mentality of, you want your run to be super competitive, to where, hey, the guy in front of me makes a play, my next set of four plays, I go out there, I have the point, right?

11:22And it's a constant driving of the room forward. And so, yeah, sonny gets 50 or how many reps, reps off 50%? Remember, Coach said, that means more opportunity for somebody else to play, right? So that need more for our values, that scheme flexibility with our value, we're going to pay Pearson round, we set TJ Riley, you like all these guys stove, we're all going to get more reps, which I think is great. So we got to do it at this point in season. But I think, yes, there's still stuff that, within that all of the best sunny, is that he's going to be clawing to try to get those reps, because he's a true pro, and that's been the most enjoyable thing about working with him, is like, you get a kid who's played safety, his whole life comes to the back, and he just wants to learn the why behind everything. And, you know, very similar to the fact of Cody, like, would you have guys who are that easy to work with? You're not trying to, like, not worried about texting anybody in our room,

12:22about coming over and trying to learn all, you know what I mean? Like, were you at, you know, like, their obsessed with the game of football, they're always around when they're at class, so it's like, it makes it really easy as a coach, because they're passionate for the game, and so strong. You mentioned TJ in terms of the higher-width map, just looking sunny, like, what do you envision more with him with all of that stuff? I think, I think we just have a lot of guys with a lot of links, like, you know, it's up on sunny styles, long, conron, our Valries, long, conron. It's crazy, because you see sunny, and you're like, okay, this guy, like, I wish I was built like that when I played, and then you see our Val stand next to sunny here, like, you know what I mean? And then you look across the room, like, as the room warms up, you're like, holy smokes, like, we just have a bunch of guys, and that's a lot of credit to make. Coach May does a phenomenal job. I was just talking to Burma about it, like, to see even our meteor guys, what they looked like when they showed up during,

13:25like, the bowl of the hola and Maddie run, and they're kind of hanging out during practice, and you see the high school bodies, you see what they look like today before they go away, and like, the shoulders are all, like, everything is just different, and they've been indoctrinated into the brotherhood. So I think, you know, there's just a lot to work with, and so what he's really good at, right, is like, and he's talked about it. One year, he has Junior Seo, we'll even get a smike variable, you know, Roosevelt Colvin, and those guys, and then a couple of years later, he has Brandon Spikes, so he's like, okay, I'll just put his blitz brand in the middle all the time, because he has 260 pounds and a beast, and he always says he was my best nose guard, and from Mike Bakker, right? And then the year after that, he gets, you know, we've got Jamie Collins and Dante Hightower, and now we can do a lot of stuff, right? So they're just like, hey, this is what we're doing, we got plenty of people under, and say, hey, here's what we got. Let's utilize it. So that's what Sprint will be. While going to lab and figure out what they mean,

14:26so I'm sure through Sprint Ball, there'll be like, hey, here's what we do really well as a unit, because this unit's gonna be different, right? I mean, there's a lot of production, so the unit will be different. So you kind of gotta reform your own identity, you gotta re-hearn that civil bullet, nickname, and mantra. How many of you guys can look at Arbel? He's on a very good track, is that it? Is it a record? What's his ceiling? What's his background belt? It's just a lot, right now he's locked in. He's done a great job becoming a leader, coming out of his shell, I think, you know, I think for Velley, it's all about consistency and just preparation, and I'm proud of Arbel, you know? He's through the season, you got way better at, you know, a lot of it's little things, just note taking and stuff. Sometimes these kids are always on their phones and stuff, not in the meeting rooms or anything like that, but just naturally. So like, to get out of pen and paper and like, you hear things and to me, yeah, I got it. What you do until you're dog tired, and then you forget, you know what I mean?

15:26But when you really understand it, you know what I mean? Like, go play faster. He got so much better through the year, just a lot of that's because of Cody, like becoming a pro, and now it's like, Sonny's pulling him along, he's pulling Payton along, he's pulling TJ and Riley and Eli, so they can still, so I kind of love the competition and the way it's made up. Yeah, Velley's on a great path, right now. How many different guys do you feel like can be in that Mike's spot? Three yet? Obviously, losing Cody and now having that. I think that's something that's fluid as we kind of go. Because, you know, week one, Sonny actually started out Mike for us, and Sonny's smart enough to play him all. Our Velley is smart enough to play him all. Payton Pearce is smart enough to play him all. And it's also like, how do you, like depends on what scheme you're running, where are they being utilized as well, you know what I mean? So, you can say, Mike Backer, you know, whether it's Tommy, I convert Garofil, research, two different people,

16:27and Cody's different from those two, so I challenged to like, a lot of the guys that come in, and so you got to learn both. The more you understand about the scheme in general, the faster you will play. You know what I mean? Like, if I just sit here and I say, hey, I got to learn Mike. My drop is this, and that's all I need to know. Like, or no, football happens so fast, and all the shifts and motions that like, if you're out there playing and you're waiting for a call, and you're just reacting, like, you're so worried about what's going on on your side of the ball, you don't even recognize that the offense is telling you something that's what they're doing. So, if I'm out there and also I'm not getting a call, I know what the call should be. It's like, hey, are we playing, you know, let's go. Now as soon you get it, you can look, I can see, okay, here's what the tie-down is doing, that's what the back's doing, here's what plays are coming. If you just line up and play, it's a runner pass every time, like, you know what I'm saying? You got to eliminate plays in your mind by seeing what the offense is doing. Like, tell you a story every time they line up, they just window dressing. My people motion and shit, if they're trying to, okay, are they trying to do man-zone indicators,

17:28are they trying to make sure that they're getting the same formation, they're in the same place, but they just shift the people and then they motion and they move, and they don't want you to recognize them. So, for always worrying about what work you're doing, you know what the more you know, the faster you can play. You're not sitting there thinking, oh, what do I have for you, you're just re-actual, so you know what I know you have. So, my challenge to guys, like, there's always a no-both. So, I think a lot of it would just be on, on the depth of certain guys, you know, if Sunnies are only doing 15 to 75% of this place, then probably more guys get more will reps than they had, because we need a well-bottaged, that's technically where Sunnies started, but we'll rotate them through. Let the production kind of show what it does, and sometimes, you know, you'll live with some mistakes just from being a news spot, but you'll be able to judge too, like who's actually getting in the book, you know what I mean, who's actually studying? How much growth have you seen from Sunnies this time of year ago through the National Championship game, and then what's next for you?

18:28Man, I mean, definitely, I know Sunnies has big goals, and he should. I do as well for him, and to see how far he's come, the first thing kind of stands out is just like his, his footwork has gotten so much better. When you're in the boxes and linebacker, you gotta be able to remember Luke Fickley's to say it all the time, and you gotta be slow until it's time to be fast. When you're twitchy like he is, a lot of times, you know, when you're about safety, you're pulling a trigger and rolling, you gotta learn how to shuffle and not cross over, and he got so much better as a year or not. I think a lot of people question whether he'd be able to hold up Fisk howdy wise, and he was great, you know, he was the season guy, he's really good with his hands, he's a really natural ability to snag, we'll keep challenging him. I think he should be a dominant guy in coverage, like he needs to be a guy that we can put on a tight end, and be like, he's not gonna be any catching the ball, you know what I mean? Because he has that athleticism, and a challenge in there, a challenge in there. I think everything is just missed on just sunny,

19:30it's everybody's urgency in zone coverage. I mean, the urgency with the three of them break on the football, to close that space, not at the ball carrier, have so much space on you to cut making mistakes. It's critical. I think sometimes he's, he can be so athletic that you know, you can get away with some stuff, and he knows like anything that I'm saying right now, here he knows. So the best part is a lot of times, I've come to me before film, and I already said, man coach on that play, I should have, you know what I mean? Like he knows. And the best part is that he's humble enough. Our whole problem is that they just want to be, they want to be pushed, and they want to be coached. And so, the pain of heck of a loss could be asked for, right? Like, how I was asked, like, what do you need for me? Just, just keep making sure, like, you're pushing, you don't let me settle, don't let me settle. So, he's probably the best in the room with that. Do you look at sunny and arvel, and it's kind of your top of these guys right now? Yeah, I mean, I think going into it, you know, I think it's sunny or avial, pain's right up there in that mix, you know, your accurate there, and then it's like, who else is going to emerge

20:32from really the fourth, the fourth guy? You know, I think it's a healthy way to put it. Um, yeah, I just, I think our, I think our backers are so competitive, so competitive that it's, you know, like, I know Peyton Pierce is chopping at the bit, and I know that he's going to push, you know, Vell and sunny. I know that, you look at Riley and TJ and Eli and Stove, like, those guys are going at it. These work guys, those guys are going at it, and it's constant competitive, you know what I mean? They're trying to fight each other, everything. So, because the reality of it is, they're fighting for reps, right? So, this game is hard, it's winter loser every single day. And, you know, a lot of the guys are going to make our break and then start with the mental preparation, to be honest with you. And, um, because that's where trust starts, right? If you don't know what you're doing, I can't put you out there. So, who preps mentally as we get rolling, and then the physical part of that blood. That's it, it's sunny, our belly, and Peyton probably have,

21:34probably the top three, and then, but like I always say, it's always fluid. It's always fluid. I haven't done this, you know, it's funny. There's one coach who said that, I forget what kind of felt he was, but he said that what he does is he has a depth chart sit in the front of the room, so like if you're a starter, you're the first to grow, you know, and then the second row, and it'll change weekly. Sometimes loop camp, I'm like, I can't do that. Are you guys? I'm not sure they can handle that. Okay. Good? Good. So, I can't wait. Check here, what, the injury should pass. Is there anything you've been attributed to beyond this? Yeah, it's just unfortunate. You know, but guy has a plan always. You know, I don't know what the plan exactly is. You know, I don't know. But whatever plan it is, it's for me to be here.

22:34You know, I had a great rookie year. I didn't really have the volume as other people in my rookie year, but I still had a great rookie year, six yards of carry, you know, things like that. I think it was like nine touchdowns, ten including the playoffs. And so, there's always been like, all right, you guys let me show my talent, 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, got cleaned up. So, I went down in 21, right? Had the injury, the knee injury. And then came back later the next year, and I played the first few games, and I just feel there was a lot of scar tissue in there. So, I had to get it cleaned up. I didn't get hurt again. I could have played the whole year, but I got it cleaned up so I can feel like me. And so, after I got that cleaned up, the first two games back from the injury I had over 120 yards rushing, right? And then went on, had great, great ending of the year. You know, 100 total yards in the playoffs game,

23:36we lost, which I hate the most. It's not a matter of me I want to win. But then, come back the next year, hurt again, like, 20 kills. So, two really unfortunate injuries, but that's just a guy's plan. You know, and I think that the storm is now over, you know, and I do think that I'll be able to shine a light to the whole world. Are you concerned that you have been labeled and got your guess down? I could care less, because I do, I know this out there, because as it should be, it should be. I got hurt two major injuries back, not back to back years, but, you know. So, I haven't been on the field as much as I should. That's true, that is true. But it's not like I'm having these little, little dinky injuries and sitting out. It's something I can't control, literally. So, that's why I'm not bothered by it. Like, yeah, I am injury-poin. You can say that, you know, but I do think that the chargers are getting a guy that's going to be healthy from now on, you know, God willing.

24:36And it's going to be great. And I do think that it's going to be, it's going to be a great however many years here. When you've been on the field, you've been highly productive by 20 years, with very average, or through 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. And I think just the work ethic, my prayer, and all that stuff, that's what helps me have that confidence. What the numbers will be there in there. They might be higher after this year. You know, it's crazy to think about it,

25:36because I had six-point yards, or six yards per carry, you know. So we'll see. You're going to forward to running behind this line that they put together? Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I play with Bradley. I play with him, you know. I know the Slater. I know all the guys, you know. I'm excited. I think, like I said earlier, it's a talented group. You know, we just got put together. We win some games, because that's what I came through for. Justin, on the part of the year, or... I wouldn't say part of the recruitment, but like whenever I decided I was going to sign, it was great to have him in the room. Yeah, we're great. We have a great relationship. He's like my brother. I think it accomplished a compliment each other very well. You know, he can do a lot of stuff too. You know, a lot of people think he's just power, power, power. But I think he has some other parts that we've gained too, which it'll be great. Because I feel like I can do everything. And when one's getting tired, we can roll it in. We keep rolling.

26:36We win some games. When you, the two of you, how do you think this is going to look? The work will be... That partnership that's 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. How do you describe it as a Greg Rowan offense? I would describe it as, you know, a great offense. I think he gives a quarter... He's going to give the quarterback a lot of options. He's going to give the running back a lot of options. He's going to give the receiver a lot of options, you know. I think it's going to be great. He's often going to be amazing. One thing we talked about is why I think you will build something in good Russian offenses throughout your career, which is everywhere you've been.

27:37And you said that one part of it is just... You've got to call the place. You've got to call the run the place. As a running back, you know, how much confidence and how much you're setting this up, you know you have a play collar that's going to stick with it and allow you and the offense to monitor the individual. It gives me a lot of excitement. You know, it's going to be... I'd say it's fun to play this offense. You know, 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're going to be looking everywhere else to find your identity. You want to have it. And so I think his offense has that. And the guy he builds and puts in there, it complements that identity. So I think it's going to be great. You've been to your 100% now. So you'll be full-go for training. That's the expectation. Look, I ain't going to answer any of the... If it's up to me? Yes. Look, because I had this problem like two years, three years ago. I'm thinking I'm full-go.

28:37I think I'm ready to go. And then next year, you know, I'm on PUP. Like, hey, look, some stuff above my pay-gray. But I don't know. Hopefully I can start. I think I'm ready to start, you know, to begin a training camp. But that's not up to me as I've learned. How do you... How do you... How do you... I wouldn't say that. I think I've been in some great organizations. And I think this organization is a great organization. And the training staff is great. And so they just want what's best for me, you know? And they're taking care of me. Which that's what you want in an organization. And so that's where that comes from. Which I appreciate it. Like, I really appreciate it. You know, because I'm a type of guy like I work really hard. So maybe sometime I'm blind to, you know, the danger of something, you know? So I appreciate it. But like I said, if it's up to me, yeah, I'm out there. But never know. Well, any frustration for you during the getting into the agency, you know,

29:39dealing with rehab and not, you know, having a full-season of paid for the production to go out there. Is there any part of that where you're like, I wish I had hit the open market with a different situation. Yeah. I like it. I like how would I say this? I like it the hard way. But not, you know, I like it the hard way. I like it. I like trial and tribulations. So, I mean, the dice that I was giving, the role was I was coming off a third Achilles. And that was the Lord's plan. So it was beauty in that. Like, I was comfortable. I was caught like, there was multiple teams, you know? I wasn't, it wasn't like I didn't have any other team. But I was comfortable in sitting back and just enjoying the process, letting myself get fully healed. So whenever that team, whoever I would, now as a chargers, is going to get the best me.

30:43You know, and I think people all around the league know that, like, okay, this guy, okay. It's a high-risk, high-reward type thing, right? Not even a high-risk, low-risk because it's a business, right? So I got hurt last year. So not as much money that he's be throwing at. But I think everyone around the league knows that whenever I am on the field, the numbers don't lie. And so they know that. And a lot of teams were like, alright, here, you can, we give you this, but we want you to be healthy. So when I'm healthy, it's going to be great. The chance that I've been giving here, I'm so grateful, and I know that's going to be, they won't regret it. Are you the type of person that likes to throw people wrong? Like, you've done a couple things like a high-risk, high-reward, injury-prone, you know? Are you the type of person that really tries to throw people wrong? No. I hear it. I see it. It's pretty cool. Like, you'll never see me unless I'm just like in a bad mood.

31:45You'll never see me like, oh, like, if I have a great game or a great year, like, I have this wonderful year, I ain't going to go back and, you know, like, yeah, yeah, what happened? No, because I don't care. Like, you're eventually see, like, I'm a guy that's really good. So, I ain't worried about that, but I'm proving myself right that I am one of the best in the league. Right? So, forget all the naysayers and people that talk about being injury-prone, because whenever I have this great year, it's going to be forgotten, you know? So, why give that energy? Talk just in the middle of it. I got a chance to be in middle of it. 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 dog walker or a finalist. And I'm like, I've seen him play, but I didn't know he was that tall. Like, I didn't know he was like, six, eight, so when I first saw him, this was years ago in college. And I'm like, damn, this is pretty tall.

32:45Like, it's cool though. Like, I never really got to, I ain't going to lie. I thought it was going to be kind of, you know, nerdy, but he's cool, dude. I'm really bad. No, we'll face to him. Come get more and more. Can you tell similar, will you roll the, you know, terms of playing, what you did in Denver? I don't know that yet. I kind of just mentioned previously. I don't know my role. I don't know the engine out yet. So, once we'll get, you know, through the protocols in NFOPA, we'll talk about, you know, the schemes and everything. Right. So, so, welcome, when you were in Denver in the three, four, where did you find yourself most comfortable most effective in my role? I played a lot of different positions in Denver. I mean, early in my year, I played zero. I played three, two, one. I mean, I definitely more comfortable in a shaded position, mainly being a three technique and five technique. That's why I found myself to be more comfortable with whether I'm standing up or not, whether it's runner or pass.

33:46Those seem to be my best, my best fits. And what is your impression of peak carols defense and whole environment and Seattle from afar? From afar, it seems like he holds in on a defensive lot. I can't really say too much about that yet. I don't know. I know peak carols very little. So, I'm just trying to figure out more and I'll give you a better answer later. What's the reputation around the league running the C-Harm? You know, hard knows, hard hat type of team. Definitely on a little more lack side as opposed to being a stuck up or military style. Which is definitely good because this program is one of a lot of football games. It's been super successful for many years. As long as I've been alive and as long as I've been watching football. And definitely, this has been a good program. And peak carols have been a hell of a coach for a long time. I can remember him back in his college days. So, I'm looking forward to experiencing that. Tell him why. I know you said you don't know yet what your role can be. But what kind of player are you that you don't understand who haven't watched the C-Harm?

34:48What kind of player does he have to get? Definitely a high motor. Definitely not a one-trip paring type of player. I like to attack. No, whether it's first or first to the fourth now. I like to attack. I'm always trying to apply pressure. I'm definitely just a high motor guy, my opinion. Maybe. Are they already understing for me? Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. Yeah, this is not a team that really makes big splash sign-in in for agency. Did you think going into it that Seattle would be in play? No, not at all. It's kind of like being a kid at a candy store here. You know, got a whole bunch of different options coming at you. You're hearing a whole bunch of different crazy things. And you know, you only get to choose one. And this is the place that we both chose each other. I mean, I'm loving Seattle so far. I like these colors. What did you got to do in Seattle and see some season? Not much. Just kind of just drive around the city exploring, get down to the market a little bit.

35:48I want to get a little, the Ferris will do some more like touristy type things. I'm new to the city and I got a lot to learn about the city. Larry? Yeah, there's been a lot of comparisons with you to Michael Bennett. I'm wondering if you know Michael Bennett at all and he could go to the right. I know Michael Burr, but besides his style of play. But I'm honored to be considered in the same conversation as him in a style of play. He's a Hall of Fame type of deep lime and I've known about this as a kid. I mean, last time he played here, I was in high school. So it's cool. It kind of came full circle a little bit watching him on TV. And now I'm being kind of compared to him in a way. You know, I mean, I'm not touching the surface of Michael Bennett. You know, he's a Hall of Famer and I'm not there yet. So, you know, I just have to keep doing my due diligence to be a better player. Carmen? Hey, Dream out. Welcome to Seattle. I know you get to play several seasons for Vic Fangio in the three four style defense.

36:48And Seattle's playing a similar system now dating back to last year. I did a defensive line and what do you think is most important to be successful in that system? Maybe fundamentals or just playing style to be successful? From what I learned, being gap sound and being patient has always been the biggest thing. And that's how we've been successful when I was in Denver. Just kind of like relying on each other. I know that sounds kind of cliche, but like this kind of like the realm of being in the three four defense. You got to really rely on the guys behind you and the guys on the side of you to really make their... to do their job to make your job easier. Bob? Yeah, Dream. Welcome. You're a Ohio State player because you didn't start playing football to you or junior in high school. You know, why did you play basketball so that next? What made you, I guess, decided to go play football and then with that, I heard you said you had all the kind of move away from basketball? No, no. I've always loved football first. It was just kind of just time to play it out. You know, I love to hoop, but you know, football was definitely about calling it and giving out a 265 pound power forward.

37:53And I was like, I'm six degrees from training. So, you know, I kind of told the route that you got gave me. No, I'm not six eight. My name is Gita. Yeah. Because then I welcome the Seattle Indian coach and you're looking at a couple of other things that you listen to in the job play. And can you just talk a little bit about that? And that enrollment, I think the same as you said, you know, four is kind of counted out and you just can't do it. You and I were at norm that. Just for a standpoint, like I always get like overshadowed, overlooked, whether it's in something, you know, saying like, I feel like I do a lot more than what can be seen by the eyes of the inexperienced, you know, scout. And I do a lot of different dynamic things that help make place for others. You know, I'm definitely an active player. I'm always doing something whether in a run or pass game. So, you know, I think that goes on notice sometimes. And I'm looking forward to playing people on notice. Brady.

38:53What do you like to do outside of football? A big gamer. I'm definitely I'm again to a lot of chess lately. So, I just to expand my brain. I try to get into reading, but if it's not supported later, I really not interested in reading that much. But mainly just video gaming in chess. And then when we write and say your name, do you prefer gray or dream? Well, I mean, you can say, you can say Dre my Jones, I mean, but like just, I'm like personally just call me Dre, because it's easy, because people like to f my name of a lot, like a lot. And they call me Dre my day. I don't know why you put a Dre my day in my name or Dre my tea, whatever you want to say. I was going to go by Dre to keep it simple. Thank you. Michael Sean. Hey Dre, what's specifically you bringing to the C-Law as a pass question? Some of the new era of the pass question, you know, someone who's on the little lighter side of the average. Do you think it's a good idea to bring that explosiveness, that quickness. Someone was very with their hands, someone was very stingsual and someone was a go-getter.

39:54When it comes to the running pass here. Appreciate it. Thank you. John Stadler said after the trade did, or after the signing, that you actually got the they wanted and the trade lasted. And the rest of all, the trade that Denver said no. Was that something that you were aware of at all? Yeah, I was aware. I mean like, shit. Maybe flatter. They want to be even like that. Yeah, I am flatter. I mean, shit, they should have just traded me from the jump. But it was cool to, I guess, it kind of came full circle for Seattle a little bit. I was including to the trade and Denver said no. And then, Denver kind of, I don't want to say that word. But Denver didn't pay my part respect. So I'm here because they respect me from the jump. All right, anything else, guys? Thank you. Great water. And I ate a good size meal before the game and none of it was food. So I think I may have been like bloated from water. I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out and play around with some things.

40:54But I know we're going to jump. Are you okay like anything served for you? No, no, I'm all right. Yeah, I'm all right. Just some unfortunate, you know, got to deal with it. But thank God I got the got the got the got blocked. So it's all good. How much fun are you guys having like in that last game? Just run blocking. I know that's kind of like what linemen like the best and how much did you enjoy that game? Yeah, no, it's awesome, especially when it's hitting like that. You know, just, you know, you can kind of see the defense get worn down and start getting tired. And that's what football is all about right there. It was defensive front though. It was a little bit different obviously than the gold champion. It was one of the best defensive titles. How do you kind of gain playing for a game like him? Yeah, well, we have to obviously make sure he doesn't wreck the game and keep him under control. It's not just him though. I mean, they've got a good big front across the board. The linebackers play downhill. There's just a very aggressive defense. So we're having our hands full. It'll be a good game for you as a lineman. Is like that change or how do you approach that?

41:55Because it's two different sets of quarterbacks there. Where is it finally going to be a little different? Yeah, well, just, you know, got to prepare and be ready for both. And no matter who we end up rolling out there, we just have to execute, you know, and communicate and not miss a beat either way. So that's the focal point for me right now. How much confidence can you guys have coming up with a performance way? That's a strong, aggressive performance. You guys have a league health beat. You can hold positive. How much confidence do you have? Yeah, I mean, I think we proved to ourselves that we could do it. And I think that gives us a ton of confidence, you know, and well, not just the rest of the team too. I mean, you're talking Malik and the confidence he has in himself and that we all have in him. So yeah, I mean, I think we feel good. But yeah, just, just a bit. Like what just this kind of just general question, what's your favorite part of playing? Same thing. Hitting. I would say coming down. I'm just smashed about.

42:57That's pretty much the right look forward to. And just, you know, going out there and dominating my opponent. That's the exact answer I was expecting watching your tape because you're just such a physical downhill player. What does it feel like in a game to deliver? Play the wood on top. It feels great. I mean, it's just, it's just domination. I said, that's the best feeling to be honest. Better than a pig, a TVU. It's just physically putting yourself on the body and just, at the point of attack winning. And just, yeah. Do you think a lot of safety would say the same thing? Or do you think a lot of cities would prefer an interception to a big kid? I would say definitely, it's a, it definitely differentiates. So, you know, some people just like to get the pig and the flashy. But, you know, that's cool too. But everybody got that. It's an opportunity for you with, you know, Nathan Ranson leaving to get on the two deep this year. And then to compete for the playing time. What are you doing to try and get to that level? Just maximizing myself every day. So, you know, taking coach G's advice and coaching and getting better every day.

43:59So, using what he gives me and creating a better version myself these days. And as I keep doing that, I think I'll compete. Are you trying to model your team after? Is there anybody watched and grown up or you'll get it today? The college, the college, the program. I really, I watched a lot. I like like, I watched Darwin James and Jesse Bates. Just take like, put a bigger, just piece it out of everybody's game. So, I try to implement them in my game. And I really take anybody's game but just take little bits and put them in like my version of Playstop. You committed to a high school, you've been a class student. Yes, I have. Coach Guerrero talked about, especially for out-of-state kids. Relationships are very important in that time. You're committed. What was it about coach Guerrero and the relationship that you had with him? You know, kind of made you feel comfortable. Still thinking about that. Yeah, you know, Coach G, he's one of the smartest coach I've been around. You know, it's definitely my first year in college. But, you know, definitely just a very smart coach.

45:02Like, has a potential to probably be a DC definitely. Maybe a head coach Monday. So, you know, when we have that, just that mental piece, you know, I think it has in my game. It's like, out-of-the-fence ability and he's a mental piece. So, I feel like it jails together and I knew that in my recruitment to be the best safe, you gotta be smart. So, having that piece, it made me want to come here and learn. Having gone through that process, obviously, what advice would you give to somebody who is going through the process right now? Who does have a little bit to their commitment? What advice would you give them? I'm just kind of weathering everything through their senior year. I would say pick the decision that's going to best maximize yourself personally wise and football wise. You know, you got a lot of different things to do with throwing at you. But, then in the day, you got to keep making the main thing. And becoming the best ball player and being without your dream is going to NFL first mile. Just put that first. So, yeah. He asks for us and how well he takes care of our body.

46:02You know, just the diligence and the situation of football. Coach McCarty, man, he's a great coach. You see, by the day, just us being ready in this week, we're opener. And I'm just excited to build on that. I feel like I always feel good, not always. But, I mean, this week one, this week one, something definitely fresh. But, you know, just got to continue to build on that and take care of my body. You want to be feeling good in December and January. I definitely feel great. You know, just going that touchdown, had a bunch of emotions, kind of had to lay there and soak it all in. But, you know, it's glad to be back. I think it's a very mild care experience.

47:04Very time-the-front. And, first half, two working Saturdays. I think those guys, you know, played their tell off day. They competed. I think we had a great plan and we went out and executed it. When you were sitting on a bench in between ways, what do you think about Mike's? Oh, wow. I mean, I think it was late in the second quarter. And I think I had like 30 yards, passing 30 yards, rushing out. I'm like, man, these boys are out there playing. I don't know about me. Went against that defense offseason. Know how difficult it is to play them, to prepare for them. But, you know, they stepped up and answered the call. Thank you. It took hard to keep playing on the team. I'm competing every day. That's the biggest thing. Having to compete, you know, these guys are pretty. They take winning and losing to heart. So, you know, my first week up here when we did our competition, you know, I was winning. Then I actually got that first loss on my belt. And, you know, it kind of opened my eyes. Like, these guys take it hard.

48:04When they lose, they don't like it. So, you know, I kind of got that now where I don't like losing. You had the opportunity to be around the team for that CFP run. What did you learn from Just Goast? You being seen this team make that run. You know, being real tight with your brothers. You know, they're real tight. You know, they push each other. You know, it's a real brotherhood. They don't let nobody down. They always got each other back. So, I mean, it's a new team now. So, you know, we got to build that chemistry with each other. You know, just get tight. And I feel like when I was there for that playoff run and I practiced when they were at the National Championship, you know, I just got to watch. You know, how guys are, you know, real locked in. They're close with each other. They're not letting nobody slack off. And, you know, I feel like we had the opportunity to do that with just you know. How do you handle Luke? You handle that first lock? That first lock, you know, it kind of got to me. It was the IGB, you know, he, you know, he let me hear. So, after that loss, I was like, nah, I can't let this happen anymore. It's because it's like, now it's not high school where you used 17, 16 years old.

49:05And if you lose, you lose. Up here is not. If you lose, the coach will see that. So, and they're going to see how you respond to it. So, I feel like I had to, you know, open my eyes, I had to go in there and lock them. Like, yeah, I can't let this happen anymore, you know. So, I got to grow up and, you know, these guys are counting on me too. So, it's really important that I don't lose. If you hadn't described yourself as a competitor, how would you do that? I'm a great competitor, you know. I like winning. Who doesn't like winning? So, I mean, winning is, it's in my blood. You know, my parents taught me that at a young age, you know, going after competing for anything that you want. And I feel like if you can go after it, compete for it, you know, it's yours. And if you compete for it all the time, who don't take it from you? I mean, I'm a good competitor. I'm always going to go after it, try to take what's mine. If it's out there, then anybody can have it. I'm going to be the one who's going to get it. There's some role-lockers in your room, obviously. Are you a talker? What would your natural resources be? Yeah, I mean, it could come out on me, you know. But I don't really, I really know my game, through the talk, for this part. But, you know, if it gets there, it gets to that point, you know, yeah, I can bring it out.

50:05Because, you know, regardless, I'm not just going to let nobody just come out here and just, you know, catch balls on me. So, if I'm having a good day when I'm consistently being P.B.U. as the Yamato, but, you know, being in that room, you kind of got to talk. You know, Jame, you got IGB, you know, those real talkers in that room. So, it kind of makes you want to bring it out. And, you know, when you bring that out, that just brings energy out of the whole defense. And when you got the whole defense clicking, I mean, you can see what's happening. Is there anyone that's kind of a competition you're at? It was during the winter. We were doing, you know, just stuff on the field. We was just having the time of the field. Just a lot of competitions. So, I mean, he just kind of, it was a day where, you know, they had us going up against just the freshmen. And then they kind of threw us in there and fired against the older guys. So, we had to, you know, we had to wake up and, you know, we all kind of lost. And it all kind of like, we all kind of came together as a freshman group, like, what are we going to do about this? Because, you know, they're kind of nice to step up in those roles. Yeah, kind of, you're welcome to call us. Yeah, definitely, definitely, definitely, my welcome college moments, you know, you know, just, just showing that, you know,

51:08I'm real now, a middle-high old state. I'm not in Houston Texas anymore in my school. Far from my family, you know, I got to wake up, I got to grow, I got to mature fast. And, you know, I just got to get ready for the next level. You've mentioned high school a couple times. How did, you know, grow out there in Texas, playing at that level? How do you feel like that helped you prepare for Ohio State? I feel like you prepared good, you know, I feel like I went to a power house in Texas. We obviously ran the Houston area, you know, we've been running the Houston area for a long time now. And I feel like, you know, we're a real college program. We live just like these guys who do the same lifts. You know, the level of ball I play, the highest level ball in the Texas 6A. You know, we're going against guys like Dunkin' Bill, North Crowley, those top schools, you know, receive the Coyote more I go against. And I want to get some three times in my career. So I mean, those that really prepared me for this level, you know, coming in like, okay, this is not where, it's a little school where, oh, they don't believe that I can come here and make an impact. I came from big schools so they're counting on me to make an impact because, you know, I think,

52:08I mean, everybody would say Texas is one of the highest football players in the country, you know, they go as Florida and they're probably Georgia. So I mean, they're counting on me to be ready and that level of ball prepared me real, real well. How'd you do against DeCory? You know, it was when, when lose, when lose. You know, I went something, he lost something. So I mean, it's just getting better, I'm not sharp and higher. Because, you know, he's the top receiver obviously in our class, you know, I feel like he's going to have a good impact at Oregon. So, I mean, it's just, it's just, it's just, just, just what's going to happen next. Looking forward to seeing him again? Yeah, definitely, definitely. And you know, I plan on planning against him. We don't, we want to see him this year, hopefully we'll see him in the big team championships. So, you know, I want, I want, I want that rematch. DeVa, you committed super early in the process six months after that. You shut things down when, quite frankly, someone of your caliber didn't have to do that. You could have, you've seen kids play the game a little bit longer than that. But you chose to not do that. It's kind of like getting here. Why? You know, because this was, this was, this was where I felt, this was home.

53:09You know, I didn't really feel like, you know, standing Texas was a good thing for me. I didn't, I didn't feel like that was home for me. Up here, I just felt like it was home. You know, because of all, it was day, you know, they're making it, you know, making me feel important up here. And then, you know, like you could ask, because what, how many times I came up here? Throughout my high school career, I came for 13 times. So, it got to the point where I was knowing the guys on the team. I had the numbers just like that. When I came up here, you know, I don't got to always build the coaches. I can go chill with some of the guys on the team. So, it's just, just me, you know, knowing what I want to play in my college ball at, you know, knowing where I felt like it was home and then, you know, it was also my parents too, you know. My mom being, you know, feeling safe that, you know, I'm up here, you know, I'm handling the business and not having to worry about me. When she goes to sleep. Are you in the big 12, two part question? When you look at what you've done, Jackson State, first year at Colorado, the accomplishments and the eyes and attention that you've brought. Have you taken the moment to sort of sit back and appreciate?

54:11I know you've given a lot of love to your players and programs, but have you taken time to appreciate the worth and what you've brought part one, part two? You got one at a time, I'm 56. You can't do that. One at a time. Give me one at a time, all right. First of all, thank you. Thank you for just understanding and recognizing those things. I don't have time to sit back and watch what was done because I'm so busy doing what I do. So, I don't have time for, you know, even though my arms could reach that back to the pet myself on the back, I ain't got time for it. You don't like it anyway. Everyone's so old I do it because I know y'all ain't going to do it. So, I don't have time for it, but I appreciate it and I'm thankful of the calling that God has on my life. I really am. Now we go to part two. Part two, with what you brought to the programs in the historic Black Colleges and to Colorado, do you feel an obligation with whom you are to perform at a higher level or coach at higher level?

55:13Yeah, like I, yes. Yes, I'm judged on a different scale. My, my, my, my wins are totally different than your wins. Your wins, you just judge in football. That's why I have to start out and give you education and academics and so forth. I have to give you those things so you understand that's a greater scope. I can't win nine games and we, our GPA suffers. Our GPA can't be high, but we lose another eight games. We, we can't not go and grab high school players and you got a bunch of guys in the portal, uh, out of the portal that's getting incarcerated. My wins are different. We have to win in every area. That's the way we're judged. And I'm cool with that. Because we, we, we come a little different. So the expectation is greater. But it's not just football. It's been like, did all my life. I always had a greater expectation for myself.

56:13So the expectation you have for me would never outweigh the expectation I have for myself. Thank you. That's a wonderful question. All right. We'll go to the left side, third row in the middle. Hey, Deon Collins-Willson with the action network. One question. Uh, what led you to the hiring of Robert Livingston come from the city? Oh my God. They just the opportunity. I mean, uh, we needed the defensive coordinator and, and I'm a pro man. And that's nothing against, uh, the college coaches because we have some phenomenal college coaches, especially in this conference. But I'm a pro. So I like the relationships and the thought process of a pro. And coach, Livinson was, Livingston was recommended to me by a few pros that, that I'm well familiar with in our trust. My, Ximmer being one of them. And his interview process and his consistency and his thought process and his relatability just put place him well above the other applicants.

57:16I'm happy I made the decision. And when we look back on it, I'm, I, first of all, I pray to God that I keep him. Because I feel like we're going to kick butt. We're going to win. And he's going to be a head coach and college or pros and whatever he endeavors because he's that good. I'm thankful and I'm happy for him, but he is awesome. When I tell you awesome, he is totally awesome. Okay, we'll go over here to the right side in the first row. We got another guy on the side of the ball named Pat Sharma that's pretty darn good as well. I mean, really good. And his compatibility and relationship with Shador is amazing. And what they plan on doing this season, I can't wait to see it myself. Yes, sir. Coach Prime, my name is Arnie Bayesmore with Vegas Sports today. Yeah. I want to officially welcome you to our amazing City of Las Vegas. Thank you. Now, my question is, I don't gamble though. So you ain't getting that out of me. Okay. Okay. With respect to legacy and impact, what legacy and or impact do you hope to have on the world of sports as a player and or as a coach?

58:20Both, really, I don't care. Like how you see me, how you look at me, I'm more apt to understand how I see me and how I look at me and how God sees me and how he looks at me. So really, I don't care how you see me. It's never going to be enough. Nothing I do is ever going to be enough. So I'm cool with that. I understand that that is life and that's how life is going to be. But I plan on being a tremendous blessing to as many people that I can bless, especially those probably 120 young men that put so in this CU helmet and go out there and to play for our school in our program. So the summit all up, man, I just want to be known as a great dad. I think I had three sons here today and I just want to be a great dad to them. That's it. Thank you, my man. I appreciate you. All right. We'll stay on the right side. We'll go about halfway back on the aisle. Coach Dom is out WDY in Fargo, North Dakota.

59:21You're opening up with North Dakota State or known PBS killer. Tell me what you know about the bison. They're good. They're really darn good. And I'm mad at Rick right now if I put them on the schedule, open up with them. Like, can you give me a layup or something? Like those guys are wonderful. Their staff has always been amongst the best. Many people have matriculated from that staff to go to higher levels. Those kids play their butts off. They play tough. They don't make many mistakes. They're accustomed to winning. They don't give a darn about being at home on the road that does not face them whatsoever. We just can't wait to see it. I know it's a national television game. I believe it's a Thursday night game. Hopefully not too late. But we can't wait to see them. It's going to be a phenomenal game, phenomenal matchup. But that program is second to none. All right. We'll go to the left side, sixth throw on the far left side. Stuart Mandel from the athletic. Going into your two, what are some of the things that give you confidence

1:00:24that this season can end a lot better than for a day? When I see the offensive line and the way they train, the way they work, the way to go about their job, when I see the defensive line coaches and the way they're on their kids and the way they're demanding excellence and the way these young men are working in the athletes that they are and the bodies that they have and they've developed right now. When I see the receiving core, stand out the practice to work with the quarterback, coming over quarterbacks, coming over there on off days to work with one another. When I see the running backs doing the same, led by a former walk on Charlie Alford Doll. When I see the special teams, Mark Vesett is here right now. I think he's a darn pro and model that don't miss. And Jayce Philly and those guys that they can't wait to their time. They understand special teams mean that we're special. When I see those, the secondary shoot, they get out of bed

1:01:28and want to play man-to-man coverage. I love it, man. Shall OK, wait to hit somebody. You know, Cam Silman. So many of the guys, the change made from safety to linebacker would Trevor, I mean, and I really think this young man is going to be the next Brian Erlecker. I think he's going to make that transition from safety to lineback and be dominated. Like I just see the won't in the fight and desire from our young men. And I can't wait to you get an opportunity to see it as well. So I'm very optimistic on what we have on our plate this year. All right, we'll go to the right side, third row right in the middle. Phillip Dukes, the five star flex on on three. Coach Sanders. My dog has the father of three Division I football players. What did you learn during their process as a parent that's helped you formulate your recruited style as a head coach? Great question.

1:02:28First and foremost, I've set in all seats. The parent seat being recruited as the kid, now being the coach, that helps me tremendously when I'm recruiting, when I'm understanding what the parent is thinking, what the kid is thinking, now what the coach desires to want to know. It's been a tremendous asset for me to understand those facets of this new recruiting age that is impacted tremendously by NILs and collectives. So I love it. Sometimes I don't like it, but I love it and I love that these kids are being compensated somewhat for what they bring to the table. I don't want them to put the bag before the game, because if you have the game, the bag is going to come. I want them to understand that. But I just don't want to take away from the purity of this wonderful game that we have.

1:03:33College football is phenomenal, man. This conference is phenomenal. Look at what we are. You got to be kidding me. I'm a brother from Folk Myes, Florida. And I'm sitting up here in the Dern Inzon in Las Vegas talking to the whole Dern country about a childish game that I played when I was a shouting. Don't you understand how powerful and how wonderful it is? I'm so thankful to be here. So I try to relate that to all our young men. This is a moment, man. You better maximize it. And let's go get it. Thank you. It was a wonderful question. All right. We'll see in the right side. We'll go halfway back in the right. And if you have it, it is right. I got you today, right? Okay. All right. We'll go back halfway back in the right side on the center aisle. Coach Prime, Alex Blackburn, College football dogs. With all the media attention surrounding your program, how do you stay focused on the main goal, which is winning games? How do you keep yourself and your team focused? Well, you keep the main thing, the main thing. The main thing never should transfer itself.

1:04:36Winning is what we're here for. As far as the focus and intention, I think every sense I step into Florida state in 85 has been like that for me. This ain't new to me. I'm not new to this. Like we say in the hood, I'm true to this. So this is new to some of you all. And you want us to change. We're not going to change. We're going to try to do things being smart, tough, fast, disciplined with character. That's what we're relaying to all our young men. But the cameras and the lights, I think I haven't seen one kid here today to say he didn't like that. He may not like the process, but he likes the, the, the pagots that you wrap him up in and you put him out there. All these kids are excited about the EA sports game, right? There's, there, there's scores and levels. They want attention. They want affection. They won't love. They want adoration. Adulation. I'm sorry. Yeah. We give you that. But you got to work first. So you can understand the consistency thereof.

1:05:36It's going to take you to where you want to go. Every time I'm on. And that's what you please. I will stay over here on the right side. Third row right in the middle. Hi, coach. How you doing? Good. How are you? You go, girl. I know you. Nikki Edwards, you sports report. We talked during spring and throughout last season, the importance on stopping the run. Yeah. You get a guy like BJ Green and your defensive line. Yeah. How is he going to be a leader in achieving that goal? BJ Green is already a leader. Do you know that BJ Green played for me when he was five through seven years old with truth and Dallas and well South Dallas? So he's been a part of my life for a long time and they raised him right at Arizona State and for him to come over now. It's phenomenal. His work, I think, the way he approaches in the text of game. It's phenomenal. His want, his desire, his will. I just got to finish doing the interview and they say, well, you have two young men that projected probably to be the top five picks.

1:06:38I said, yeah, but we won't for in the first round. And the only way that's going to happen is we win and they're dominant. And I think BJ Green could be one of those guys. And I think he will be one of those guys because he wants it that much. Shane, round deal, Amari McNeil. I'm just the name of few and Juan is to to Feeck, Chodosi, T.C. That's my dog from Arkansas. I mean, we have some guys inside there that can flat out do it. Outside, we have some guys that can go get the quarterback as well. We just want to be in the position to allow them to be the best they can be. And that's one thing that Coach Livingston is doing well. He's not coming in trying to remake everything and reinvent the wheel. He's like, let's find out what these guys can do well and let them do what they do. And that's what we're going to do. That's the formula. I've told you guys. That's what we do.

1:07:38That's how we come in. All right, final question. Far left side. About a question. I'm just having a good time. Now you got to go right out of time. We got a shot. Pluck, Joy, did they give you a shot? Pluck. How are you doing, Coach? How are you doing? On me, Archon, TG Sports here. I have a quick question regarding building a winning culture for you. What does that mean? What does a winning culture mean? I want to know what that means. Because you got to be a winner to understand what that winning culture means. Everybody want to know about the culture, the culture. What is culture? To me, culture is day in, day out, putting in the work. Life stuff. Life stuff. Yeah. So progressing in that general area right there, as far as the winning culture side, Lacia, you guys started off strong. You did kind of feels a little bit towards the end of the year. But I remember you still talking about continuing to build that winning culture day in, day out. Do you feel the guys that you brought in this year are going to be able to help you build those gaps?

1:08:39I don't talk about culture that much. So that wasn't me. But I do talk about the consistency there of the goal and being consistent in whatever you do. So if you have a team that's got to be a little more physically tough, you got to develop that. If you got mentally tough, strategically satisfying, and from the culture staff's point of view, you got to understand that. But culture, everybody's own this word, this word, and I don't understand this word one bit. And somebody got to help me understand what that word culture means. An environment, understanding of winning, you want that. I feel like I'm a winner. So whatever I display, however I go about my job, my work, my business, my personal life, that's, that's of a winner. That's all I know. I don't know anything else but that. So in due time and due process, we're going to reach that goal. Because if we're going to get there, because I know I'm going to get there.

1:09:40And I'm not going by myself. I don't do it. Coach, thank you for your time. Wow. God bless you all. I want to thank you. You are welcome. Thank you. Thank you. I want to thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Is that kind of, is it keep that in the back of your head? If you want to get Jeremiah and Carl Nell and Brandon and I'm back in. My mind said like in practice the whole day I went to those boys to get me everything that they have so I In the Saturdays it's gonna be easy for me and I'll be purple

1:10:45And Scott has gotten completely better from his brain Glad completely better I'm just getting used to the speed of college. I would say I'm Kevin has gotten a lot better like I would say that he's got a lot smarter Intelligence you know the you know where he's grown Where specifically is it the film room is it picking up you know the playbook where have you seen that? I would say Kevin has gotten smarter just like His game knowledge like expecting like a different kind of routes and stuff like that Perfect. What did everything start to click for you? So last year was it in the softies when did you feel I would say In the spring I started to get a lot more comfortable in our defense What is like going up against him do you seem like you joy? Yeah, I love it. He's

1:11:47He's tough. I like going against him a lot. He's really good What have you improved in your game just from that for example those those 101 matchups This preseason or whatever you know how belly who this game? Yeah, so Joe my He forces me to play the back of if you don't play the ball against him here go get it. Yeah, yeah And you and you Dave's in How would you describe this defense now compared to this time a year ago from this standpoint of a confidence factor You don't mean that you guys feel on the field. What how would you describe it? Different about it. I guess I feel like everybody's a lot more smarter this area Everybody's like I would just say that we're going just just just just smarter Yeah, but you know when you when you look up in late than ransom decided to come back and Caleb down Transferred in what what did you feel about that? They did just grow stronger in that one week span two weeks man. You're still on up saying I feel like those guys have played at that The level those guys have played it. Yeah, I would say that like

1:12:52Downs coming in What they say he was coming back. They say it was coming back. It's just so like Thanks, man It was a blown coverage on both of them. So we just we just got to be better That's the biggest thing when you say though that you could put it on me. I mean, are you Covered for other people when you say that? I just know I could I could be better at and Whatever faster it is I could just be better than or to a boy a situation like that from happening and So that's all I'm doing in the future and Just got be better. Got be better to avoid just leaving people wide open and able to make a play Say again it was to decide where you and Juan were on those Something different you were trying or something that made that communication a problem all the sudden you guys

1:13:53Or was it something they were doing or? No, it was it was just I don't even know it was just one of the time I got back wash and film and I'll just communicate I said just got to be better and just can't can't had that out there on game day Playing guys run for you so Is there anything? Is there anything unexpected? I mean what they were doing? I mean you guys have seen her for a couple of times Even like a new offensive system. So they're any surprises. Yeah, it wasn't really no surprises. They're they're a good team A lot of a lot of stuff that hurt us was self-inflicted. I feel like and we just got to be better on art and and and then clean up clean up our side And to be better so but like I said that they're great offense great team But once we clean our own stuff up I think it would be good I will keep you pushing and then the second half of the Side game and the two and seven start keep you going I mean I love playing this game of football So just coming out here with my guys every day I'm really coming to work with them and playing with them every day and

1:14:54Just trying to find ways to get a win each and every week. So that's the main goal trying to find a way to get a win Just enjoying playing a game of football Now I don't consider wasting a year in my prime I'm trying to get the best I can for this team and the city and Whatever happens happens that's that's the biggest thing, but I don't know if it's been wasted just to be clear What you were diagnosed I was in the protocol, but I feel great and I'm out the protocol But yeah, I'm good. There's nothing to do with mistakes out there today say to the concussion They have anything to do with the concussions I just got to be better on my end and and make sure we all in the same call and We're all we're supposed to be so that's so me Then so with those always communications is it more so like

1:15:56Yeah, I mean all that stuff plays effective We got get the call from the green dot and just spread the call around and just make sure we all done the same page and Execute all their assignment Communication breakdowns Yeah, it is frustrating because we better than I mean This is probably one of the first times that we even have blown coverage is really all year and But we know we could get a fix and we know we could be a better defense and better team out there and We definitely go work to get a fix though. You guys always talk about rushing coverage For a lot of the first half it seemed like it was either a sack They were completing a chunk in the past play Does that add to the frustration you are getting that sack production from your front that? You know that's happening in the back. Yeah, like I said we got to clean it up and we go we all get to figure it out And I'll clean up and be better and work together rushing cars work

1:16:58You feel like it's almost like a wasting performance by The past rushers files with three sacks six sacks in the first step is that is that kind of Yeah, yeah, it's our coming because the main goal is to get the win get the win in the game But um definitely he had a great uh personal personal performance But um, yeah, it's definitely a sour feeling when I'm not able to pull the win out Didn't that line up when we talked to you? Last concussion you had in August and over fans I'm worried about you just because of the number and you didn't seem to have any added concern So I guess after this week or do you still feel that way and and everything like you're helmet and your future and all that Yeah, I feel great. I feel great. Um glad to be a part of this team and uh, just don't what I can to help us get a win So if you ask this but what's your mindset, you know obviously two and seven So you want to be in the body You're coming off a boss. Where's that mindset going into this week? And what's supposed to be less? Yeah, definitely still going into the by-week and get some rest and get away for a little bit

1:17:58But um, just to come back uh refocus and try to help um flip this season around and uh get a win come next game Then so there's been a lot of there's been a lot of uh, just you know stuff at the trade deadline coming up on Tuesday Some of it centered around your teammates at areas. Can you just speak to what he means to you guys as a teammate here? As a derriest is an amazing teammate uh for our team and um Captain on his team a leader on his team and a playmaker out there on the field Love happens at areas on the field with me. I was one of my favorite additions to the team when he came on So I say he's a great player and a great guy in the locker room and uh Definitely appreciates the various um the player he is and the guy he is Thanks. Thank you. Thank you A lot and I'm excited like I said to be able to play in space be able to play in Open holes and the defense and make plays after the catch Chris it is a receiver like when you make a catch and you're trying to make the determination of like you don't work to get some y'all

1:18:58You're not taking a necessary hit but how do you how do you make that that calculation like when it's worth it? Um just Just all feel really just seeing We can really see a pre snap from the coverage Post-snaps see what they see what they do with the defense does Uh, you can really feel the defenders around you Uh, it's like I said if you can see Three or four people around you can't really do too much Uh, but like I said a lot of more a lot more space with his offense a lot more Uh holes and a defense that you're trying to get the playmeggers into so I'm excited to be able to to work with that You can't really do it as much in practice. You know you're not gonna get hit but More preseason and first couple games on the sides of cc with that look like I think of um sheets I'm excited man. Like I said from jump Uh, he's a special special player. You don't really get that So many players like him that's so quick so fast At least speed and I ain't gonna run routes too. So I'm excited to see what he does in the future

1:20:00But uh, I feel like that's the least they can do for him this year It's just speed man. Spees you can't teach speed at all Just having us on opposite sides even to play on both sides Uh, just speed down the field. He could run 15 20 yard in breakers outbreakers and Like I said, you can have to play two safes most of the time Or you can run the ball you can get underneath routes. Uh, it's gonna. It's gonna be a great compliment to the offense So I'm excited. Chris you said you hope this new office of book playing makers in decision making place What about you specifically what looks in area where you think you'll have more opportunity to fix your game? Um Like it's it's a lot of areas that You can see to To look at to improve my game, but Yars out the cases of when I'm looking for for to just more opportunities with that more space just to show showcase my speed and Just my my ability with the ball. So I'm excited to do that this year

1:21:02Something that I really showcase the first two years. So I'm excited to be with Quick game element of it just getting the ball in your hands like yeah, quick game play action more over the over the middle routes It's a lot of different things that You could say that this guy's gonna help that but like I said, I'm excited. How would you start the We're getting way better man. I mean, it was our first year last year So it was kind of up and down, but That's what it comes with the game of football. So uh, we worked a lot this office in OTA Which was really good and we got up to a good start these first two days of camp getting extra working But that's gonna come with time. So I'm not worried about that at all. We both competitors. We both want to be the best. So We got it. We got it. Do something so it's a bit different Just like It's just like it's more than that man. It's in a fail everybody. You know everybody's good. So we just got to

1:22:08Know what each other's thinking. Pre-snap post-snap cover cheese where the balls go Just rees hot We'll read I am and in progression Everything goes along with that. So just being on the same page being like I said chemistry is built with time So just little stuff like that that turns into big things is it's gonna be huge You're calling from a Spencer Rattler to the two. What do you heard early impressions from? He's real talented. That's the first thing I seen from him His arm title is out the charts. He's a real natural natural feel out there. He's He's gonna be real good. I want to see him in action But from from my first impression. He's gonna be a real good player It's going back to the sheet that you talked about all the different stuff you should do. You think there's still a lot more there for them? Oh, yeah He hasn't really I think this is first year being Receiver to or really receiver In my opinion we both receive a one so I just be able to move around run real routes

1:23:10Feel like it's gonna be a huge advantage for for the same. So it's a special player and I can't wait to see him ball And I can't wait to see him get more opportunities You gonna see what he can do Yeah, just just getting more you know He hadn't really played too many plays his first two years. He kind of just get thrown in there when he's getting the ball or He's a decoy or something like that But he's actually being involved in the offense always been in Even on run plays I feel like he's gonna be a huge advantage for him to get a feel for the game and be more natural out there How hard is a firm receiver like that for the shed kind of the You know think of him as the deep threat level and then so People just think of him as a deep threat, but we can do more how hard is it to kind of shed that label or that perception I mean That's that's what life everybody is trying to label somebody as as one thing or two things But I feel like you can showcase. I mean, that's that's not really who we are You know, I'm saying as you get as he gets more opportunities that you as you can see you can do more and more

1:24:14That's what that's what anybody on the team. So I'm excited like I said and For his for his huge opportunity to get this year and it's gonna be a big one for the Saints Because is this skiing asked for more blocking from the receivers is there more responsibility? Oh, yeah, for so I mean That's what I told us you too, we both don't have the block And I know we're not the biggest guys or the strongest but like I said we just want to be on the field We got to be on the field for the play action plays All those things so we both got to go block B-Lime and block linebackers, but that's what coming football So we both got to take take that next step in our game. Is that somewhere there's like a payoff? Like you know you play action next Yeah, it's gonna be a huge payoff Like I said most of our office is based on play action all the inbreakers a lot of yards at the catch of plays So we got to go in there at block And like I said take that next step and be able to be great for for our team Like in here. Oh, yeah So

1:25:14After I feel the weather out here, man, that's what I'm used to Not using the war and it's out there trying to catch my breath, but It's a great opportunity for us Not yet, but they don't they don't come out here soon Appreciate you Me, you know, I didn't have to make sure other Other guys are you know, feels the type of way when it came in here because hump brought that And I'm a hump's not here But I saw a way different room. I want to be That guy to make sure it's an optical practice everybody's I have more taking a built team on period You know, it's a low day or something But like I want to make it feel like I want to bring that because that's what me and hump did to each other. I have each other So I want to do that. I want to bring that energy on make bring more guys You know, to do that. Yeah, I want to do that from day one, you know, I kind of I want to do that from day one

1:26:21Talking to him and obviously it's that time I spend the obviously isn't before until today started Just being in my self-just thinking about what the room needs You know because I know I New world as one of leaders You know Is that we need a guy like that is going to make sure the oh line is picked up We're ready to go every day. I was healthy kind of a little things don't happen to practice and people aren't Saying anything and how I believe maybe different than somebody else may believe you know like At practice at least like the positive You know, I mean so but He the energy yeah, wouldn't be on just oh hype of the beyond So I was kind of how Go on Really my whole life Team captain like specifically and I felt I wasn't a captain in high school Wasn't a captain in college But I'm gonna make a joke. I was in high school. So I feel like I'm not gonna be a captain like it's that I felt

1:27:24Yeah But that would be awesome, you know, but you know happens up you great, but not either way I want to assume a role as a captain from Perspective the guys onto the video words and get back in that way. Yeah, I mean, I can't say that um I mean, I guess the biggest thing is that I felt it has felt Like how you'd used to in the past, but it didn't take just the first LTAs and took Train and left and right once this season because I know what was gonna be So I took a lot of reps Just to give back to feeling Like myself for the one LTAs And then that whole first week But now like today specifically just changing some small things with my feet I've been talking about the long coach Some things I can do my feet to get to that to sell that traditional angle that I love to sit on Thought even I thought I felt I thought I felt great already, but I'm okay

1:28:28I felt even better of it. Sorry, the more excited tomorrow now get on my feedback and how I like the Right side and on the left side so I'm excited. I mean obviously I feel like In the league whether I left the right you're still going in Premier guys obviously your high expectations for the left and right tackle but um, they're definitely like the A level of energy and like the expectation definitely take the humor Because now tonight the blind side that's the as the tackle well, you know, so um So yeah, I would say in terms of communications far as this even outside of the facility Just stuff like that like really creating that but tackle quarterback Bond even more off the field I think has been something that's Even the cool I got the text one day You know, yeah, I've been training both. I've been training both, you know, I I asked after the season. They're like honestly

1:29:28You know, we'll talk to you some play in the season and I just got a text one I don't know how this was with the free agency Then so I was like, you know what I had a whole season right tackle So if I get the word I'm going I'm standing right tackle I'll just do what I did before I'm built on that bus. I was like I might as well as train the left tackle now As if we're going to be left tackle And I'd rather do that than train on right time with the color You know what I mean? So I'm like, let me just prepare an advance You know I think occasionally on third down there be a lot of twists. I was just not like it's on And I think that was my mindset for like the first half of the season Like I didn't have to go it's a game with some pros like oh gosh They did that I kind of figured like okay This is this is the type of rush man again. This is how this guy usually rushes If I get the vibe this type of ends like the rush you know Tackles that first year guys you got the premier patch on already know what it was gonna be already

1:30:32You know every stud and honestly just knowing that's kind of an advantage to so you're not you're not you're not oh They brought the twist on my side again. It was never air goblin But come out the hot like three plays in a row Two minute I do that You know what I mean? I'm watching more everybody else and you rarely go out there occasionally You know what I mean? So That effect it's kind of it's also kind of an original way, but it's also exciting like okay. I'm gonna get the Hardest to look you know those are real real reps You know the things Really out on our way to kind of process And I was like hey when I tell me But let me know about I'm just gonna train it. I was training all left To TAs I guess if I didn't hear anything about t. A's out of came in like So you know what I mean? Cuz just like I'm cool with training both continue. I would have been cool training both continually

1:31:33But I feel like anybody any position will be like okay You want as soon as possible Kind of settle in your hips settle in Your hands so then So we've been hard to hit you work both very good No They're definitely but in terms of the development It's definitely a lot faster Stay on one side, but I think having that the weeks that we had to transition with seasons over I'm like respond Good I'm trying to get up put up Things at a time right now, but when it comes back I'm gonna show him the one house. I've got a house not too far from So I told him I got that house like I could yell outside

1:32:39It just pushes you into a new role Cuz you're kind of the leader of the group now and it's a blessing to be in that position and Be able to have guys looking up to you ask some questions and it's a great feeling to be a part of to know that I mean, I can help develop younger guys that had the opportunity to play this year next year So so it's on to be in the position that I'm in you feel like what you need to develop an act for playing The other safety Um, I felt like that's communication that comes with time Yeah, we got I used to play with late last year So that was a blessing to have him here and to have a year with him But now yeah, we got to learn to play with new people and continue to grow as a defense and have new people in different positions Okay, who's caught your who's caught your eye in that secondary this kind of making a move this spring It's turning out to you I think everybody's done a really good job I like I'd like the lot with uh, Luir Roker is doing done. He's uh stepped up a lot and had a lot of improvements that I love to see

1:33:44Uh, jaylet and the leaky played extremely well So just low to watch those two guys continue to compete and continue to grow um And then outside those guys compete every day Uh, miles like I just got a strike off and he's been playing really well So proud of him and what he's been doing but those are the people that I would just just devon sent you as will look like What you would call a five star. I mean when he's out there and stuff What what you know to mean to guy comes in with a little bit of tarry. You don't just back to a certain extent Living up to a billing I mean as he lived up to it, I guess at the end of the day even when I got to college it really doesn't matter about your stars You walk in you're at the same type of Stature as everybody else So it doesn't really matter in terms of how would you walk in here with He's done extremely well. He's learned a lot. He's improved a lot from day one to now So it's been great to wash him develop and wash him get better and he's made some exceptional plays and I hope to continue to see that I do feel like macaroni is help you grow as a player. What's kind of your relationship?

1:34:44How is that kind of development of the time that you've been here with him? um very football intelligent very Like football first mindset it just and I respect that as a person just to be able to Go and have somebody with the same mindset as me Coach wallen has been a really good help to me and as I'm helping me a lot on and off the field here So I respect him for that but coach G's he's pushed me to Increase and learn more football every day in our state Not when you know not before you know About like this new coordinator baby brings a new idea stuff What's how could you roll change or revolve or I mean Just just being a new position the ability to play multiple positions in the secondary Playing down and stuff like that Being put in different positions that I wasn't maybe put in last year to have different things on the field

1:35:47I think that's a great thing always good to have versatility as I said and Something our problem I so That's that's in coach day coach arch-sans so I don't I sure really think about that but If I get the chance to go back there it'll be on I'll try to pick another play. It's a like walking every day It's been it has been kind of weird to walk in here and see all the different pictures that they put up I even the three from the play also It's been it's been great and then they have different pictures inside and everything so it's a good It's been eye catching where you walk by like they we just accomplished that but um It's uh It's a great it's a great situation being you might be an You guys I mean, I think that's you have to reset at some point and I think at some point we had like

1:36:51In the weight room we had like master's every stuff up there and it was like I mean this new guys that walk in here we have earned anything We as the new 2025-26 season we haven't earned anything so We can't really take credit for anything that is up on the banners We can't take credit for winning anything at this point Uh, we have to compete every day with the mindset of we have to get better to be able to put ourselves in position to be How the opportunity to get to that point. Yeah, what is the lesson learned from an accomplishment like that? Kale that you do carry forward Um, I mean the lesson learned is you have to continue to work Last year every day we continue to stack bricks like he said and continue to get better every day And I think that's why we came out to be where we were and you can't just think about that from the moment that you get here in January You start lifting in there. You have to continually push to be exceptional every day and It's not really helping if you're just looking at stuff from the last year. Yeah, you get the move passed And you have to keep going but I think the spring has been good for that because it's been able to be okay

1:37:55We are turning the new leaf. We have different people in here new faces and everything and it's different people on the field and they got a we got a Make plays with who we are coastaches. You've been limited from Participation standpoint to a certain extent, right? But I was asked you want to go about the team But what have you noticed about this team from a work standpoint of the catches your eye? Very competitive. I'll say people are trying to compete and push themselves every day and It gets it gets chippy sometimes and that's that's always a good thing Just especially on the defense to have people that are willing to go there We'll get to that age and willing to be physical I really like to see that I'd love to see it and I mean I think we just need to continue to be more disciplined Until you work on our scales and everything like that continue to start to be better. We good I mean, that's that's not a my ass They ask I'll do it for sure That's not a my ass

1:38:56Team that has so much turnover you guys step up at the big ones helping is a spin Have a guy like Sunni and how much have you been to see him grow as a leader of his last two or three months? Oh, it's been an honor to see just because we've had conversations about it and everything About how both of us are gonna have to step in the bigger roles and everything like that But to see where he's to see where we had those conversations to where we're at now. It's it's It's just honor to see honor to see the growth that he's been a part of And a product and he's gonna continue to get better continue to Be the person that he's supposed to get if they need me to do run support I'll do run support and it's really what Caleb does what we do and lathe and It just goes back to coach g's preparation And everyone's preparation to give us more flexibility and it doesn't matter who's in those positions And we can all play every position whether it's covering somebody or running running and tackling Did you feel like that was the case before their Oregon game? You're saying what I'm saying is that something's been added to it just

1:39:58Yo rely on a little bit more go ahead. Yeah, it did I've Probably been a brassica game Me getting more safety reps and we had a five week to prepare So I really learned to play but a lot more even though I knew the playbook. I learned a lot more it amount Like in debt, you know, so uh really just after the Oregon game It helped me a lot to go back to safety go go to nickel and everywhere You guys had a lot of issues of giving up big plays in a passing game of the first game against Oregon What do you feel like you guys need to do better this time around to make sure that doesn't happen? Just the same same mindset. We got to challenge these receivers you know Every dog has her day Maybe some people didn't have their day that that game but um We'll look out there and hopefully change the narrative and we still play with the same confidence same technique and yeah Bill Rebellion It's a long list this batch and Denzel obviously had a tough game and that one

1:40:58What have you seen from him and how he's responded? Do you get a sense of from him? How up he is for this rematch? Oh, yeah, he's super stoked for this rematch um 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 had his confidence and we're gonna 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? Well, we're super super determined we watch film I mean we've lost a lot of film the first time we play them now. We've got another six games that they play Of film to watch and it's just they've grown a lot as a team same as us. We've grown a lot. We're not the same team We were when we played them week one or weeks six or whatever But now we're out there and going to play fast physical and everything like that All right, Jordan. We're gonna jump to the to assume a question here from Joey Kaufman. What's this?

1:42:02Oh my bad not you Joey Cameron T. Robinson the athletic Hey, Jordan um you've moved around a lot in the second day in your career and and now kind of getting some many more safety reps What is it like at this point when when wall or coach knows comes to you and asks you to do some else and it is how much can you lean on The experiences you've had moving around when you're trying to to learn something new in the middle of season It means a lot we always talk about when this is if is being on selfish Whether that's making plays or not making plays or doing your job so another person can make plays That's kind of what we pride ourselves on and it's just fun me moving around different positions Uh, I'm always up for a new challenge and a lot of people in the country can't do that I just hold myself to that standard where I can play any position and excel at it Okay If anybody else needs a question let me know but otherwise we can go to Austin more of the podcast Jordan when you were talking about

1:43:02watching film or again Which one do you think is more valuable to you watching that against yourself? You know seven games go even if you've changed or the ensuing six games for war again, 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 saying that 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 Thank you being over here just what do you how did all you feel call of that kind of helped mold you interview? Are now I definitely definitely maybe like tough and like not afraid of like new change and He's like willing to just adapt to my environment What was it like for you coming in here as a freshman and getting to see his team go win an national championship those first few weeks here?

1:44:10I definitely was a high motivated, you know Being a freshman it wasn't really my team though, so like I 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 in the same position, but with a ring on my finger What did you learn from those guys just about what you need to do to have a chance to go accomplish what they did? I so you's gonna You know let the past like affects you like and just yeah, I remember she got me relentless You got put in the work. It's not easy at all by any means and it's gotta be hard But yeah, for everything it's what easy was like the best attributes of your game that you're gonna bring to this team I'll just say my My size my speed I can take the top off the defense and I can play tough and physical Last year What has the last kind of here been like

1:45:19I was definitely chasing like I was always on Myself for a year I was hurt and my junior I got hurt during track So I was able to like I was a highly food or anything and this time last year's like when my crew We really picked up and it's like it's been crazy like must have another like given it's leaving me up In my corner my coach is everything I just give you the motivation Oh, yeah, that's a big good before I even got a hosting offer and before I He was exactly actually Through with them a couple of times in both Bella So I said yeah, I was working with I knew his head coach And he invited me to come in run routes and I actually ran routes for a table right If we was exactly All right, we first came to we had a lot more up. We got got together

1:46:22I was the freshman class and he's growing. He's working on everything. He's definitely got nice on this He's cornerback in the years Yeah, yeah, they're definitely childhood and you say I always say eyes for every guy and They make it hard for you and When you play this high level competition practice, then you go on the game like twice as easy to the For the practice and he's really This is I guess they're been kind of like Oh, wow these guys are these guys are really good Oh, yeah, just like I just first right on high school. I would just take some like reps and ever see we just good Yeah, I just had had speed and We catch your abilities like space separation and I come to college and go everybody's fast everybody's big

1:47:27So you have five new ways to get open. It's really good. Push yourself to higher IQ Now I was but I just got more more I'll say just come in and try to be the first guy to come in like I'm trying to come in before the older guy You get in here. That's hard to take on me really so really just Stick with them and going on the ride with them and try to be them at the thing they're doing earlier to me Where do you feel like you've grown the most from year one to year two? I would say Learn the game more like learning of concepts and just know what the office is gonna do before they do it Is it feel different being out there of a spring than it was when it this time of year? Yeah, definitely I like everything much slower like in my shoulder my fresh. We're like my high school defense all we read was this man So like all this is new to me especially with cognitive defense and this year is like everything slow down

1:48:31Uh, I'll say just simplify more it's more simplified and coach is trying to get a lot more guys Um just see where everybody is pretty new still we still learning working through it, but he just trying to get the basics and figure out what guys are good at You guys guys like Jeremiah Yeah, all the guys here in my partner are the most like in the game is definitely I definitely do feel like it's easier Got like we got the best this year's in the country That's competitive It's very competitive we all be going out of each other y'all just we all be telling true. I'm trying to be a man I'ma come try and come take y'all's watch my come take y'all sees You're talking about? Yeah, so Devin Sanchez is kind of the same role that you were last He was a big time five star recruit You know, um, what do you see at a dubbing circle?

1:49:31You're very competitive very competitive uh Yeah, I got how about it energy maybe talking to the I fly out my whole room kind of like just come together We all like got the same energy, so but he definitely put a lot of energy and yeah, that's it Uh really how to just approach the game uh take a time watching more film uh Just really they helped me slow things down when they help me break things down and know what they expect from my children's coming I feel like I did good. I could pretty good So I find it like one play I think it was against CCC. It's like it was played. I could uh it was made a bit in the area more but that's just Listen to it. Explain even look taller. Yeah, I'll try like six more. Oh no six more. I'll say six more. Talk to Jerry. Yeah He talks about watching film. How different is that now for you in like High school and even coming here last year

1:50:32Now it's like you got a lot of more resources, so you got coach actors just come in and help you And like my main thing is I'm trying to come in early and I'm getting with every coach I can and uh Really just high school you know you watch it film, but Tyler's like you got to stay watch film every day I'm watching the practice three times two three times a day and flight that's it for It's being close to home working out well for you Uh, yeah stay at home is cool, but I don't really be going back home. Ain't that bad for me, but my family come and come kick it with me here and there I appreciate you. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, my mom she loved down close What you saying? I would say that about you. Oh, I'm your girl. Yeah, I would get it's typical I just said I did I was just

1:51:36Yeah Yeah, I feel like I knew a lot. I knew I knew I know too much, but I feel like I'm But definitely learn more. I didn't know too much coming out high school My program It was awesome. He was winning a lot housing a lot of havoc he had a couple good plays in the run But this week I think we're playing a better Honestly a better team that's uh, they're playing better football. It looks like and uh, they run the wall well We're gonna have to be better in our techniques. We kind of got away with some things last week so So yeah, we have to hone in and not not pet ourselves on the back Um, I haven't watched too much on him. He's stout and you could run a little bit

1:52:36I mean since he's been here I know how how his arm strength is and how he's a good processor of information And to get the ball out so um, it'll it'll be the same formula try and make him one dimensional Grand Darrin said what's made him what makes him sense? I think he's got a low center gravity um, he's athletic So it's tough to power him and then He's he said athletic enough to run nearby and if he gets his hands he kind of is able to replace him Renny boy Somebody like Leonard has got such a good high motor that does that You see that kind of carry over to the to the rest of the room when you're playing next to the guy that's given that kind of effort Yeah, I think our effort was pretty darn good against the jets even from first play on sometimes it takes a little Little time early in the season because Game speed is different and that game wind is different But I think we're flying around and

1:53:40Floyd's no exception Aaron held the ball that less amount at least amount than any quarterback in the league last week 2.33 seconds How do you as a past Russian who wants to get those sacks? How do you do that? I mean, there's obviously a positive that comes with that from the overall defense. But how do you do that? Yeah, I mean, it's it's tough. We kind of expected it though And then they pulled them late which was kind of surprising But I think we were we were causing some pressure We weren't on the field much and then you're going three and out and he's getting the ball out So it gets a little tough to keep your mind in it but there was some ops at the end there and We're just gonna I mean games It's good football. It's nine or football if that's the type of games we have when we don't have a lot of But we have to go get them at the end so we have to keep our mind in it What kind of saying the other night that uh He came to miss in all the camp he was He said I can't leave how laser focused everybody was nobody was doing

1:54:44No joke got around everybody was serious. He was like really impressed Did you have that feeling all along through camp and did you see feel that going into the game? Yeah, it's funny because when I came in last year was I was talking to Trent about how it's like high fives and hugs Right when you walk in and then everybody's like all right We've been here. We're working and then you like that's it's work. It's football and that's just how it is here and That's why we were able to have a good team You're in a near out Nick. What kind of pride do you've taken the fact that you were beating the jetsob at they took out your enrangers? um Like I said, we're not patting ourselves in the back. It's one game and um, we don't know How good we are yet. We don't know how good other teams are so we just have to keep getting better You're around a backward ball rush like you have last game That was a failed move But I'll take it. I get a little pressure on them. So After the game, what were you on Patrick Willis kind of talking about it?

1:55:45Yeah, he was just asking me um about some of my past-risk plans and and that was just elaborating and we're kind of going back and forth As far as road environments minnesota's got a pretty unique fan base. Do you enjoy playing there In minnesota like stadiums depends on it's a long flight and it's field turf, but it is one of the cooler Environment so can't lie about that Thanks What makes you good in that area good round run? Where do you feel like Reable to succeed at the ask at your right. Yeah, I think I just you know, I have a good feel for the game when I'm running routes and You know try to try to understand the whole play the whole concept um from a very deep level and try to try to find those holes in the defense as well and be on the same page with the quarterback No, no, so I actually played quarterback growing up until my junior year of high school So that's kind of when I made the transition to tie-down Um, there's just some things as a tight quarterback battle and

1:56:47The coach knew I could play tight in so you know, I kind of kind of wanted to do it too Is something that I was interested in so it's kind of how that came about do you do? Right Yeah, I'm sure you had a lot of suitors why come to a place where That's not necessarily You're actually a coach Yeah, no, I think coach key I mean he hit on all the things I wanted to hear Um, and and some things that didn't want to hear you know, I mean, and that's that's real as a coach And you want to be in an environment that's gonna push you in all aspects of the game and being a tight-ass About past coaching you know, you got a block and you know, I think that's something that I want to keep the belt and and you know Going against these guys every day. I mean running routes and and blocking these guys every day I mean, it's gonna make you better so I think I have a You know a vision of where I want to be as a tight-end and I think this place gives me the best opportunity to do that

1:57:51Yeah, I think so just whatever way I can help the team whatever they're asked Ask for me to do I'm gonna do I mean, I like everything but like you know, you know, I coach is like They sometimes just tell you what you want to hear you know, you don't you don't always want that You want someone that's real and you get the rule with me, you know Showed some things that like I need to improve on which I like to hear but not everyone once you you know I mean stuff stuff like that Yeah, I mean, they're all great. There's so many of them. I mean, I think you know, honestly, I'm not I'm so locked in on the plays at the time they like I don't really have time to see who's even across from me It's hard to really think about who who's giving me the most trouble at this moment Can you say in a Caleb and Nathan kind of Bouch for you were told that you were good player from the from the crew game Are you the chance to talk to Caleb or late? Yeah, I did yeah, Nathan's awesome

1:58:53Got to know him a little bit before he went off and started training He's he was awesome to be around awesome to talk to and same with Caleb. They're just great people They're in your talk to you Yeah, yeah, they've been great so far Yeah, it was great. I mean just seeing the culture they have here and how they run things You know, they had they had that group of guys that really You know led the way and showed showed me what it looks like to win here. So it was awesome All right, thanks. Thank you That's amazing That we're on the uh, you're talking to Julian Edelman. That's when the only podcast you've had to refer to with recent interview Talking about Building schemes to fit the person. Yeah, it doesn't seem like you're married to just one thing So yeah, if you are scheme flexible, what is the overall principle that guides you as a defensive coordinator?

1:59:54Yeah, and that's something that kind of developed right? I think when I originally went to New England in the early 2000s The game was different, you know, there was much more like two back sets and double tight unsets and we were fundamentally at 314 as people would say Now our 3 4 changed through the years. We always kind of were developing it involving it But the game changed and one of the things that kind of happened to us in New England Luckily enough fortunately, I'm all very lucky with the things that happened for a reason We would pick late in the draft because of our season um Our 3 4 scheme really expanded, you know Couple of coaches left and Romeo Cornell left and Eric went to the jet and so they became much more difficult to find The pieces to fit the scheme So we had to take the reverse effect. Let's just get the best players we can Let's bring them in and let's figure out how to use it Let's figure out how to put them in position And then with 11 personnel and no-hottles and all those things that involved Um the game changed from a really heavy kind of like called base defensive packages to multiple sub packages

2:00:56And that's something else that happened and we just had guys that Evolved the defense to the years because they were on our team. So saying all that I guess what I tell everybody is you know my whole goal is to try to figure out what do you do well How do I put you in the best position to go get on the field and do that well That job well to invest your ability because if you can play fast you can play aggressive Because you know, you know, I have you in your skill set Then you're going to be disruptive as a defensive player You're going to help us win as a defense win as a team and we can fit the pieces around Where everybody goes you know in that accord. So and then go from there. So that's kind of like you know I'm of course, all of it right? I'm like, of course 3443 nickel big nickel dimes all those packages Four down from five down funds. I'll add spacing You know just you kind of do it through the course of the year So to me, it's all like hey that guy can do this or that guy can do this And then I also think it creates rules So it's not always like the same 11 on the field So you can have a really good skill set and you can do something if it's in a critical situation

2:01:56Then you know, we got to get you in that spot and and help you be in that situation when we win the game Actually, like a reliable Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's how it's going to say in the building It's going to say it is it is yeah, actually have two of them right now I brought them in and kind of like set them down and everyone's like oh my gosh What does that like just just reference? Actually, it's this opportunity to come to Ohio State and become some of the talent coming back And the guys you'd be able to kill it, just to sit out to you and like hey, I want to go coach that guy I would like to have an opportunity to put that guy in the words I mean, it's hard not to walk in the building and try to find Caleb as fast as possible I mean he is unbelievable Amazing player Very versatile, you know, we can there's a lot of like you know, you look at a guy like that We're gonna be able to do some really fun things with him and he's super smart So such a great student the game and his approach is amazing Sonny styles, I mean, you know, we look at him You know, our belt. I mean, they're those are guys we always had big backers. I walked in and I was like I'm like this is like these guys are you know, they're big they're long. They can move. They eat up a lot of space

2:03:01So now my brain just starts got I'm like oh, we can do this we can move here. We can put in there. We can line up ears Do all those things but then you got you got IGV outside, you know Dramay you got you have so many great players to me I know it's exciting. Hey, so you have a relationship with Timmy wolf. Yes, coach the other but Basically this whole staff is here and you're coming in just to talk about that dynamic and how much work Yeah, I mean how lucky for me right to be able to come in a situation where these guys can really help Bring me in, you know, and let me in so obviously I lean on Tim quite a bit because of our relationship going back but Coach Johnson and I have known each other for a long time, you know going back to when I was at Syracuse University The head coach there was Paul Pasco when he hit played at Penn State So we always kind of had a Penn State Syracuse, you know kind of connection and Obviously just admired him through the years and always was talking to him because he's great players coming out Wherever he's coach to come to our level. So you were always building those relationships And so to be able to sit down and talk football last year with him is amazing

2:04:05The cover stuff we put Tim and I it's like just That's like a natural conversation because again, Tim was in the NFL for a long time too So a lot of those conversations are are great Matt and you know James I worked out James here. I'm probably pretty sure that I'm a field and I was you know yelling at him But you know super smart player a guy that saw the game extremely well and was able to play fast because of it So all that those connections that's been it's been really awesome and I'm just again I just my job's really to sit and learn and try to observe and then okay Where can I add working change working we adjust and you know, and then we got to work it out of the staff I still wear the So yeah, I was actually You know, I'm always taking notes. I actually don't have mine, but I usually care like a notebook So even when our guys are working out I'm probably walking around just taking a little notes and you know, we're always drawing football It's kind of just to have it at most points from Being a young coach and and break and film you know, I think I kind of told the story on

2:05:09You know, Julian's podcast or the show that coach and I did but um You know, it's a young coach. We we would break down film. I would draw every play you know in detail all 22 guys Depths alignments all of it and it really was you know, we hand drum and you know The good old number two is the best thing to do nice and sharp. We got a nice clean point in the lines where we're smooth But it used to take us like 12 hours to break the game, you know, you're drawing as we play So when you're coaching all day long and then trying to break four or five games during the course of the week If you had 10 minutes, I mean care where you were in the building you had your pads where they were like Let me you know, let me start to draw It kind of just went in the hat behind here because that was the safest place to put it So that's kind of where that is, but I'm always trying to take notes and stuff Oh, yeah, yeah, I got some good notes in this morning to sure. Yep Bellicic is going back to school. Yeah, yeah Did that impact you if you guys prepared notes at all? I mean, I don't know if you do that Yeah

2:06:10Why he did that maybe that show you it can be Yeah, um, I would say this But I actually very close we talked a lot, you know, and we've spent Great you know, two decades together Football conversation too But we were together every day this past fall, you know, we did the coach show on YouTube Which was which was great. That was something I wrote last spring and then just you know I'm no way for you and I to get in the room and just teach football which we'd love to do Um, thank you for asking But we did have a lot of conversation about college football, you know, through the course of really last spring Take a look at how we really get fascinated with roster builds So one of the things I think that was really interesting with college football was with the portal with You know the two opportunities there with recruiting how fast can you build your team and how fast can you really you know get the good players in the building In the NFL is pretty pretty rigid, you know, you knew your points where there was Free agency to the draft to the 53 cut to go to the trade deadline Those are the four opportunities then with the contracts, you know, how many how many really big contracts can you sign and we just we got fascinated with the college model

2:07:17So we really started studying a lot of the different schools and how they were building the roster So we did have a lot of those conversations and duties are different, but what did you learn and enjoy? Oh there there is so much you do learn in that situation. I mean obviously um, you know for myself Going from being a coordinator to a head coach. It's there's no book It's really you know until you're in that position And that's why you know so many first time head coaches It's not easy, you know, and a lot of times when you go back and if you get in the second opportunity You have more success because if you do take that opportunity and the mining Detroit was was great I learned a lot, you know great family Uh the poor families that owned it so you know, it was a great franchise Um, I wasn't my best version of my of a coach, you know, it's something I certainly I take responsibility for and you know Do the course of my years of coaching like not all of them are going to be perfect You know, I'm trying as much as I can But that first year was really hard, you know, and I was trying to learn a lot and I didn't do a good job You know, I reflected a lot too. I think one of the things that really

2:08:19Um, that I kind of I watched that Michael Jordan document you see that and something like triggered when I was he was talking about You know, he's intent to be when they lost the championship and how told everybody that was coming in the building next year Exactly how it was going to be like his focus Um, you know, we had lost the Super World then we had been You know, it was like Super World Championship Super World Championship It was like every other year and So we had one in 16 and we went back and set it to you and we lost and I think that That mindset when you lose that game like all you want to do is go you just want to go back Like it's just your your level of where your intensity and your existence is such a high level And I do a good job of walking into a new building There right They didn't lose this, you know, I mean that was That wasn't My And I never reset myself. I don't think well enough to like hey, I'm in some place new like these guys didn't have that I gotta I gotta start to teach you

2:09:21I Last time you have so many different packages that you used as you moved to the college level I think the beauty of the Football and definitely something I learned that you know, it was Let's take the extremely complex and let's try to boil it down to maybe three to five things Really simple so we can really detail that out as much as possible I think that's a really cool thing to do. I think that in general Yes, we have lots of packages and all that stuff But I always felt going into a game. I was like I just want to make sure that I can go play fast and play aggressive. So I don't want to have too much where they can't do that. I want them to be able to go play they play You know, I'm not they play the game So let them get on the field let them play fast let them play aggressive And I think that is a good balance of making sure you have enough to you know defend what you're going to see But also you know left the players go play free enough where they can be aggressive and have the tools on the field They need

2:10:22My john to make this job easier Darius Darin urban from azcartinals.com. I know that A lot of players these days aren't sticking in one school For a long time you did it for five years. I mean even Marvin did it for three like what what what what behind that and why wasn't meaningful for you to to stand one school Yes, I'm a zura. You know, we had some tough seasons But we were really built with a edge energy details grit and emotional consistency And I just find myself just trying to grow and get better each year and also as a team You know win more games each year and that was my that was my home I was my family. I was blessed that you know get two degrees as well off to field and I just love mazo two degrees See Marvin Bob McManamon Arizona Republic Congratulations. Thank you to both of you You're known as all business and I want to know how that's going to serve you well in this league from personal standpoint

2:11:22Your brand everything you do with a daily preparation There's a lot that goes into being all business. Tell me what that is to you Yeah, I mean yes, just being a pro Raised and grew up to do and keep the same mindset same attitude that I had throughout my whole career Once I get here continue to work hard Be consistent discipline, you know, and all that I do so look before to put in the work Hey Marvin Josh Wayne for the ESPN. What were the best pieces of advice your dad gave you about being an NFL player? I mean, yeah, it takes a lot of work a lot of preparation No from Monday to Saturday It's all working then Sunday should be the easy part. I go out there. I have fun right put the work in so The source of the work first and then no one Sunday comes is wreak benefits Hey, Darryus Howard Balls are from cards wire. I can't help but notice that ring on your fingers. Is that a cotton bowl ring? Yes, it is the cotton bowl You showed it to Marvin very quickly. No, I just showed the Marvin. I was telling Marvin, you know, he was glad he did play

2:12:28We lead a note, you know, you see how I stay everybody said okay, Marvin Harrison And then he's like, is he gonna play as he go play? He didn't play so you know, we looked out so Hey Marvin Paul Kelvici Cardinals broadcasting Do you believe that receivers have to earn the trust of their quarterback and if so, what is that usually require? Absolutely you got to earn a trust of the quarterback and they start you know every day in practice And being consistent really you can't just do it one day. You can't just do it for one week Has to be you know done over and over and over again I think that's how trust has earned so No matter where you get picked when you're a first receiver Around seven doesn't really matter. I got to go in our trusted quarterback Your coaches your teammates so it all starts in practice What's going on guys good to see you again Tyler Drake. There's no sports systems for Darryus What's the feeling of just being able to represent your school as that first round pick and what kind of impact can that have for those guys falling in your footsteps? Yes, awesome. I feel like I'm setting the standard going for it

2:13:28But that's named was who was known as D-Line Zoo So I'm just added to the family, but now I feel like I'm setting the standard for my younger teammates That this is attainable if you work really hard be consistent and really get the trust your stroke coach I feel like every program is built out the stroke coach and I develop all the habits on and off the field Darryus Zachersmanaziecarnels.com right over here JG mentioned that he loves the violence that you play with you mentioned the different tendencies that you picked up the emotional Consistencies the great how do you balance that the violence with discipline on the field? Oh, I'm just through preparation and practice. I'm a big guy. I'm a big believer in inside hands So that's why I'm always working my hand placement and then I live weight So you know, that's all connected. So I'm just trying to be focused on my technique as much as possible Hey Marvin over here David Brantley associated press You know a lot of rookies come into the league and they get a little bit of leeway It's like oh he's young he needs to grow and stuff like that But obviously you're going to be expected to be the guy here really quickly

2:14:33How do you deal with that pressure? How do you go about just so much being expected of you so quickly? I mean, yeah, I've high standards for myself But I'm just gonna go in there and try to work. No, the best I can I just want to help the team win really so with that a role. I play you know come September Let me do my best and I'll do that rule Now this one's for both of you guys The fans want to know who you guys are on the inside. I don't know how much you're willing to reveal to us today A lot would be nice Can you tell us what you like to do away from football? What What pisses you off about things and you know what what makes you roll? Um, I'm pretty simple. I like to you know be in my apartment watch the movie if I go out and I go to a restaurant Get some food, but other than that I don't make do too much and then I'm pretty easy going guys So try not to let nothing bother me too much Yeah, I say the same thing a real chill guy just really obsessed with football But outside of football like I said I got my two degrees. I got my undergrad hospitality management and a minor in business

2:15:38Got my masters in positive culture with emphasis affiliate leadership So just thinking about being well rounded and then I do philanthropy work I start my own nonprofit foundation deris Robinson helping hands foundation But really just football and then everything else honestly Congratulations guys Welcome to the valley and Robbie Baker with Fox 10 Deris this is for you after the draft last night you had a great response about how you're processed and preparing for a game Just kind of wondering where your love for kind of the grind comes from and your love for that process comes from I would say my junior year because I play literally ball off and on but I got my junior year and I was playing high school And my whole goal was just to earn a scholarship for during that process I really fell in love with the game, fell in love with working out Relationships with teammates and now it's kind of like my vice and I can't let it go And just kind of finding ways always get better, you know Luke hidden here with 12 sports congrats both you welcome to the valley this one's for you Marvin I'm curious your thoughts Uh, or what was that conversation like with your dad after your name was called and you were able to be drafted by this organization and how surreal is it for you to

2:16:45Be following on your own father's footsteps, but in your own way. Yeah, I mean it was very brief I actually just in a second congratulations. I walk up to the stage Then I had to do a bunch of interviews at the word so I don't think it's hit both of us yet and what's happened I think you know one of my goals always make him proud so I hope I did that Marvin Bobrock PHNX sports when do you anticipate catching your first passes from Kyler Murray? I don't know. I don't know I guess we'll see hopefully as soon as possible Darrys you mentioned philanthropy and I know there's been it's been talked about how you took some of the NIL and I L money to do a Get back to school for the kids in Columbia. Where did that Believe in doing those things come from? I say my family my brother my mom really instilled that into me Enter me at a young age just give back your blessings to others and my fifth year at Mizzou was the best year in my life So why would I not share my blessings with others? So that's what really motivate me to do that and now being an NFL you know my goals and do three events each year

2:17:49Just give back because you know it's life outside of football and bigger blessings out there Marvin you obviously played with a number of highly drafted receivers at Ohio State What sort of feedback if you got in about the NFL from them and you know about making the transition and the league itself Yes, a long season. I think going from the 12 game record season you had them college to was it 17 games now And you got three preseason I think actually just the biggest challenge the game stays the same Obviously never all skilled and very talented athletes So the mental part is probably the biggest thing and biggest change from college to pros Marvin what's your timeline for hiring an agent right over here on a way far right You haven't hired an agent. Why is that is there a timeline the hiring one and are you gonna sign the NFL P.A. Licensing Agreement? I'll continue talking my team. We do what's best for me. I'm moving forward We just take it one day at a time. I just got drafted So I'm trying to enjoy the moment and be happy while I can at the moment Hey Marvin. I'll say Romero Arizona Republic. Welcome man

2:18:51Um, can you just kind of share a little bit about you touch on it briefly here But just a little bit more about growing up with with your dad and you know the experiences you had at In Indianapolis and games and so on and so forth Yeah, I mean there's no better role model coach Men tour that you can have as someone who's played the game and then he's actually a father too So he means a lot to me. He's helping get to the point I'm at right now And she's been very detailed and everything that I've done The growing up of playing football. So we're thankful for him. I'm glad they can be here with me today Look, we're getting here with 12 sports is for Daria Starris. M-I-Z. Yeah, yeah, sir I'm a moderate as well Curious what do you think you learn the most from your time at Mizzou that has helped you Be ready for this moment. I'll say the biggest thing is not how you start is how you finish And I have to feel like me being drafted. That was the exclamation point on my career Mizzou But now I got started all over again and really earned respect on my teammates and coaches and then earn a role within our organization But that's what I'll say

2:19:55Marvin over here. What's it like being another buck guy out here in the desert having Paris in the front row and getting to reunite with your guy out here It's awesome Yeah, I think this is kind of like two years in the making with Paris and kind of had his conversation Going back to even before he got drafted from the car nose and I just get a chance to play with him again And hopefully last quarter some touchdowns he raises me up and his arms like he used to do in college So I'm super excited to play with him. I mean not only is it gonna be great teammate but a great friend half as well Or if the tapes speaks for itself, but what would you say is the most underrated part of your game? I think just my competitiveness And me I mean I show it. I'm not much of an emotional guy on the field, but I'm very competitive I think it's probably very underrated part of my game Yeah, looks like that's it. So thank you so much Of course, thanks When they gave me the all clear to start that week Uh, and then in the game there was like a critical third down. I had to go make a play and I did that so from there

2:20:55I think my trust started to go with the program I thought really like the longevity of my career I thought it would be at cornerback and I had a lot of trust in coach wall and I had a lot of trust like what Ohio State does with DB So I was just I thought it should be the best for me Uh, study being I mean being close to home my brother here. That's definitely a plus But um, I had to think about like the longevity of my career like need playing with studies Not necessarily gonna help me get to the NFL. So I had to think about what was gonna be best for me there I think a lot about the program that there's a lot of similarities in between both programs Uh, one thing that I really think about or I was thinking about like before coming doing this Uh, we used to do like tug of war there So going to get some of the guys of swan on matchups and this game's kind of kind of like that tug of war This is gonna be someone met him swings and we just like when they blow the whistle out there We got to make sure we're pulling it to our side You Oh, they asked me a couple questions, but that was more so last year

2:21:56I know they have a new uh off the coordinator from OSU so the team is a little bit different from when I was there But yeah, there's definitely some questions being asked Yeah, he could he's on he can run the ball for sure I think uh, his physicality his athleticism and toughness uh shows up on the tape There's gonna be a lot of plus one runs which makes it hard extra having the box after defend that But um, I think he really he's a big leader on that team not saying the other quarterbacks weren't but uh, he's really a driving force for that off and see it uh to go Uh, he has he has decent size he has really good size uh, he shows he shows some twitch on film So uh, I was there with him as well, so I'm excited to uh go with that matchup Um, I'm doing this when I really think about it like legacies a bit like really comes to mind uh Dad being here my brother being here and then this team's growing. I think it's a really faith-based team So I just want to give a lot of credit to G-Scratch

2:22:57Just give me this opportunity to be on this team be able to do this to the I don't even want to talk about this season being honest me and jack been friends since we were seven years old Playing basketball and um, he he helped my this competitive edge really increased So when we were on the court He's always that guy talking stuff always getting the team like our guys are allied up then And then uh, he helped me get better when I'm younger because like when you're younger like the people you surround yourself with that really helps like Just help you form who you are and uh, he played a really big part in that just always pushing me to the best self and hopefully I did the same for him So Uh, I mean, yeah, it's more like an NFL season a little bit less, but uh, it starts to add up on your body So a good thing about Ohio State we have death here. So when guys needed to step up Like when I had my opportunity to see the D line multiple positions. They really need to step up We've had the guys to do that. So they're staying healthy and um really trying to take it so the whole season

2:24:09I Means a lot of Pyrgerton um, we all played like childhood sports together So I think it just goes like the community that I was surrounded and then type of parents um that mindset just like really pushing their kids to be great And I hope that continues on a picnic Oh, I would have to say either JT Sonny. I feel bad for doing my boy Jack with JT or Sonny I Mean, I feel like that's easy to say yeah just because he was he was like the number one player in the country I'm not a high school so like the expectations have always been high But it's hard as like a eight-year-old even envision like him being like making that play that he did But we always knew we were gonna play at a high level together and we talked about that since we were really young Originally we talked about playing at Ohio State together And now we're here though, but um, so like my freshman year when we both are freshman sophomore year In Crude Ohio State we mean him or visiting like every other week together

2:25:12So really just seeing the vision seeing what he talked about and being a man of his word just going to come show it Uh, honestly wasn't even thinking about Notre Dame because there was so much going on in the program at the time like the real folks Just on being Tennessee so The B here in this this time my my girlfriend goes another name a lot of my family like just a lot of connections between Notre Dame and Ohio State for me So um, I just know it's gonna be a good match up to everyone's excited for I did talk to him, but I those were conversations were short-lived the total can't be talking to the enemy too long so She's beautiful Ohio State she should we actually got a conversation about this so if anyone she should be in Ohio State If anyone sees it Oh, it was a little difficult. There was a little it was a little bumpy, but we got our Ohio State side for sure So if your parents are the first ones that you can get in the room No, no, my mom and dad they don't have to split jerseys anymore anything like that. All Ohio State should be at this game

2:26:27Oh, yeah, I'm on the outside, but I've always kept in touch with my players there like some of my friends and a former like current players there So uh, I want to credit a lot of that to coach Freeman The program like when I was there we they were some tough losses that were taken So they were definitely needed some change to to be made and he did that and I think this formatting with the 12 scene playoff It helped us, but it really helped them as well Yeah Another name is a little bit different just because it's already rooted in their tradition So here guys that really had to step up and really kind of be vocal about it And I just think it was like of the most important just because In our sport like you have to have a reference point and if your reference point is this basher It's just measured on your success on the field how much NIL money you're getting things with that nature It's easy to go up and down. So find out that reference point within the Lord. Um, how's got this team study? You have a few things that you think you can do to improve your career?

2:27:33Yeah, I mean I feel like coach I said I'd say a lot of is because he got us a high estate roots Um, but now honestly coach Freeman um When he first came the team they really took him in when I was at Notre Dame Um, I remember him first coming in the locker room vividly and everyone in the team jumped up and uh, there's another thing that sticks out to me before every single practice He'd daped up every single player in line. So he really he's a really player coach uh And I just want to like he he he works real hard like I just saw like the dedication he had like how much you care about the program the players and being that Notre Dame man So I have a lot of respect and um, yeah a lot of their successes because him Yeah, I understand but I'm not sure on that level. I'm like how much he's matured But I saw the the bricks being laid for sure while I was there Oh, yeah, I had a I had a long talk with Algon while was a defense coordinator and he really wanted me to stay

2:28:34Uh, but I kind of already had my mind made up that I was ready to enter the portal and I'm finding better fit for myself Yeah, that was the conversation as well Appreciate it At what you know 4-3 you know you take a 4-3 everybody's choose confused and I'm a 4-3 god, but really you know You take a 4-3 you take it uh, and stand them up you can slide to three four just like that Yeah, and that's multiple defense, but I'll change the needy personnel and so it's a 4-man brunt We can go to a 3-man or 4-man 5-man 6-man In the heartbeat with the guys on the field So I think that we've been multiple with we keep saying it's a 4-man front But it can be a interchange before you're 5- Thanks Yeah, that's it. So I'm all so mad. It's how you look at it You know, everyone can say it's 4-man front 4-man front Not really when you can't just do the pieces the four guys can stay in the field and you can pop JT or pack KJ up I see another one's like a 3-4 But it's a 4-guys on the field plan that's been in the game

2:29:36And so I think that we can't lose how you can play deepness now because you can't substitute every play to get a new personal So those guys can be the play for a 4-man to 3-man or whatever Happens. We have to be ready to do that What do you think you'll have more opportunities to coach CJ this year is what's the what would you envision for a role for them? I he's wifting right now. So CJ is wifting right now and trying to learn how to play the position Yeah, and then I want him to learn how to play the position as a T-fus of end stand up We get to that one month and not as a linebacker. I think that's the transition He's mentally he's got to go through he's done an outstanding job thus far he's bought in So what we're doing and I think that's the key when it got by end is like this is what I want to do And he has a really good skill set so we can use them in the model ways But we don't want to use them just third-out Right, we want to use the first and second down So my job is to get him ready to play the one from on the line You're supposed to be in space that's different and once we accomplish as we go Then I think of every chance to give us some great depth and we're really doing some good things for us I'm a cider bottom because he's really excited about the position change

2:30:39Where when you talk about being multiple How impactful can a guy like CJ be because of his versatility about the stand up Yeah, that's that's a bonus if you can do that right because it stays on the field And then you bring it out from space you can drop him from space or you can put him And I think that as we go forward I think we'll try to build that we just can't build it around one guy You got to build out what it came up what you can do on the field and so like I say it's early stage So it's hard to say this is what we're gonna do because we're just putting it together But I know that CJ is very happy where he's at he's saying to have a really good time understanding what we're doing And so what do I go from there? Last year that would you see him last year that make you think that he could be Impact or we know he can rush. He's got great speed off the edge You really can't get off the ball that we know that now like I said for his can he play on a tight end and a six technique And then stand it up in a two feet plate. That's the thing. Yes, I'm already do once he master that They rushed off a company's because today is how I feel and that's what we try to work as we get going

2:31:40We can walk out of spring We haven't feel really good about playing a run and rushing faster Than we got a bonus and that's the goal There can't last year you mentioned Josh Like it was coming down Yeah, where did he in the season and I up close to you to be the guy who's going to back I think as we move forward. I think he has some factor in I think every guy is factoring right because of death right So we lose some great players and now we're gonna get these young guys really fast and so we're gonna need all hands on death Your room typically has guys who start to show it in your Yes, I want to do seems like a trip Search on year two and then they first thing to see are the interviews With that json Just didn't seem to come together in your shoes. How can he kind of make up for that and get to where you need him He's probably more Yeah, I think jace's got a playful ball. He's got to play more football in live situations I said he's a lot of shots playing in games and so this all season. This is biggest offseason

2:32:43You know, I said to me a minute conversation and this is a year This is a time The process is now built now he's got a gun and I think he's ready for it So I'm looking for great things for him to go forward. He's seen to be in a good space right now I like where's that so but we've got a lot of days to go to him right so I'm very confident So what do you guess the same thing when it comes to will Is injured at the discretion? Yeah, hasn't played a lot of football for you What's it kind of the same thing with him or is it a little different with him? A lot different we changed the position a little bit trying to find the right fit for him He'll have everyone three tech to have nose guards. I think we're gonna flunnel get one tech I'm really pleased where is that right now. It's got strong ways got bigger. I just click in around that one So I'm looking forward to as we go into the screen Football how he comes out, but so far so good I mean, I think he has a chance to help us Well, maybe I'd like to play the good number snap. Yeah, you guys Yeah, last last year but what does he need to do to be ready to take on an even bigger role? Well, you know, he's got to be a leader in a first of all, so that's a role for him

2:33:45He has not been in it. He's gonna be the leader moving unit. He's so far. He's done a great job doing that now he's you know, he's gonna be the guy's gonna have to Demonstrate the production force and move the sick force the arts and force and I think he has a chance to do that Now he's gonna play for you to play so we'll see him more and I think we'll see his talent come yeah come to front What made you want to bring in Logan George and how do you see him fitting into this? Well, you look for a fit right most important thing he's fit doesn't fit our defense in a fit our scheme They don't culture. That's all important. We are real guys Got to be a fit and sitting talking to them talking to the family talking to his coach was really really Brad and I raised about him as a player and then once we sit down and talk I felt like he fit our room Great crowd can rush it and be plays hard and everything you want to see you got to have he has and so I'm looking forward to see where it goes from Yeah Same high school Yeah, well not necessarily learn but I know they coach really well and then after he's a phone call

2:34:50I mean he gave right years was a player You know that was that was the end for me because you got to have some information and then hey coaches just could love because It's good stop talking about So my brother gonna talk to him on a bad ass end down like It was pretty good. What do you need to see from a guy like him to know that can translate To Ohio State this is like Let's actually point literally the top of the sport right now So how do you know that that's gonna translate from FCS based on what I've seen thus far and skill set is there he's gonna translate I mean a huge mistake Just go to the same thing. Yeah, I know what you're saying like it's a big moment. All right, but but he's been he's in he's done great That I can tell you that I'm really looking forward to and he's been all business and that's what you want He's a great leader in a room. He's helping in your guys, but he goes on. He works and that's what There I think it is something that probably all of us. Yeah, I've talked about it times over the years Yeah, I'll just ask the drink. Yeah, um was there anything in Jim Gould's time here where his style of defense and your style

2:35:56Defense did not exactly mesh. No Why do you think we think that because you guys think he's a three four you guys look at his system at Huckle Humber and thought that way is gonna bring the jack thing here So he looked at that you're right. I was looking for three four defense. Yeah, I remember we have all these four three guys here And so you have to change the way you recruit if you got to change the defense scheme set, right? I think we tried jacks or Right and then as the Season went on and teams were playing offensively You know, he was Predicate some more added four guys in the field and changing up so it was never way like it like like I don't chase stories and lies out there Because nobody's asking me this question here But Jim and I had really great conversations about what there was never a moment where we're gonna a I don't want to freeze one There was never that because that was the best fit for our players How can we get them to continue and that was always the conversation To this day Star was made about that's constantly there was no conflict maybe because I said well, I don't know what the jack

2:36:58You know, I don't know what about that time when I know what we're doing to jack I knew that we thought jack sorry And to see decision between coach and I that like let's get jack sorry back to him as it ends And that's where well, let's go to another jack position guy to do it We've never did it again. You know, we never got back to the shore of defense It's it changed what you do. I don't know the question about it. It's a different scheme of different things We do it you got to look by big 10 offense. There's so many different ways from nations You get that guy caught in the house trying to play that So this is something I'm gonna bother you that story But that story was out there. How much did it bother you that the story was out there that you know Here's what I say to you that's bothering me because I know I who I am as a man as person right And so I'm never gonna chase lies of people talking about what I did And I was amazed and I'm getting sent into night when I used to read it because that's not who I am I mean, Jim and I had a great relationship and there it came down to that. I don't have the ultimate I was never that the story got created which is unfair

2:38:01But again created somehow with someone on a podcast. I guess trying to get clicks or something I don't know. I don't know. I don't read that song But no that it didn't bother because I'm not chasing a lot. I know who I am as a person Nice to be very high in my character. Why? I've been this minisal on time and I don't have to go through chairs and everything by point Yeah, I mean I have a pin here. I give that a pin you we agree walk on a room what we're gonna do We go for I think you saw that this season we played really well as we did it we played well as a staff How much more how much testimony do you need? Yeah, well I start when you when you think about especially the way the defense played down the stretch second half of the year and play on when you think about Staff players talent experience coming in just what's your evaluation of how do you high estate defense play on? The way to national championship. I think to play light up. I think they're play closest to you I thought they had a lot of pride about what they're doing and they were on the mission They really were after two more of the year You knew that it was gonna change. I mean as you as a pro as one of the coaches see guys play the way they're close

2:39:03I mean everything came to a time and that's what you want The greatest moment of it happened when I said I couldn't be more proud of how to play down the stretch and every day They came to work every day to kid and were never one moment where they like they coach no, let's go Let's go I mean you're you have to be the rooms and no in practice and see Zach was on on every day those guys were preparing for every day That's why you keep doing that It's fun every of like like why like why stop something really long because you know that this is a moment like I said to Before I said to the young guys talking about the four guys of front right we're doing this with them They came back for a reason and we have to give them everything we got to make sure they're used to going And that was every day in my media like don't forget why we're doing this It's why we have to go hard because of these four guys here. They came back to do this again for us I hope I win the championship That was my passion. I walked in every single day. I was not going to let those guys down And that kind of permeate throughout our own room

2:40:04And that's what we approach every game every season every day we talked about that We're not going to be that we came personally Because you fell in connection to these four guys that gave you everything they got And you feel like you had to give them something so Every day I walk in the room said I'm not going to fill you. I'm gonna give you everything I got Everything I got every day because I want you to be successful If they're lies the last game walking up to shia tears all our eyes you felt they were like wow we didn't Did you just look at you chummy said we didn't because we believe in each other All three four three four I see you got a lot of guys just walk out the door Primary reason for why that Made sense with that bucks turn over Such as are you open to the idea of maybe the front change a little bit more of a shirt based on where the depth might be this year If that were the case I'm always open and change because it's all about winning It's all about we're not kids in a best position to me at like I don't know where just his concept come to like my holy things back. I don't have any way

2:41:04You know me. I just want to be a coach Right and whatever you tell me your coach Just unfortunate that this three four four three doesn't really matter As long as we're successful what we're doing and put on players in the best position to be successful That should be the bottom line to where you four three four three five six doesn't matter Our players in the best position to play in a way that's it. That's really matter Because you start getting caught like we don't do this and we don't have the personnel to do this But we still plan it and the stars way how you say can't play the three four because in our gun right Like it can't be that right and I think you're a multi-part defense and that's what we are We can find what to use our players in the best position possible to be successful. I think you have to do that And I think I've gone to what six quarter gives a coordinate Right and so the change is always revolving So you have to adapt to it, but I'm all in It's gonna go to some best position our players and players fast. They can't To whatever you play. I'm all in

2:42:04So there's no resistant from coach John's like you've got to be a forehand front And we can be able to want to be into personnel fit what we're trying to do So that's the last thing I'm gonna say it's not skiing is gym in the jokes Right, and so we can talk scheme all you want three four. Where are we up? The end of the day is those guys are front guys and back hat or all on the same page is the place as possible Matter No down Never going chance How much you want to rotate I do I have I go into the game with ideal Zach what I want to do Who will rotate who's ready is not necessarily rotating who's ready to rotate to go into the game because you can't put a God position where he's gonna fail because you didn't get him ready for the I'm really big and they're ready to go and ready to play Yeah

2:43:05Hey, there's I got to tell you by the time and it's well, but I happened this year Because you've been a group of guys You're on that and all of a sudden all to be gone. It's trying to win that national sense And we get it down with the same guys in your product to me that's that's that's that's what comes to sort of that It's great Yeah, I said I said it told me so different Uh, it really didn't hit me until you know first practice of spring Um, but you know it feel well Yeah, what is that like over way too tired expressing this page when you could have gotten up Yeah, uh, what's that like the way too tired? He's paid off for you Um, I wouldn't I wouldn't say have paid off. Yeah, I really haven't you know done nothing yet, but uh, you know God has a path for everybody and he's paving my path right now. So I'm just letting him control, you know, and pay my path right now Wouldn't you discover that would you

2:44:06Um, I'll say I'll say after sophomore year that's when you know, it was a lot of ups and downs and you know even this past year It was a lot of ups and downs, but you know mainly from last year. He was a lot of ups And you know, just like let him control everything, you know, I tend to you know Overdeep and want to control things myself, but that's not how you know God works Like I said, God has a pen for everybody. He's catching my Payton my Just like consistent, you know, everybody it's it's different leaders, you know, you got the vocal leader You got the greener that said by example, you know, it's it's different personalities in the group So I'll say, you know, just I can't talk to Edward. I talked to you know, Ken Currie. I can't talk to Ken Currie I talked to Ken, you know, so it just you know, it is you know, stay consistent, you know, stay positive And you know everything you're gonna take care of stuff You made blood last year, you know, you made your part of this thing right? Um, what's your sense of this defense coming back from placing eight starters

2:45:08How he could hurry off and make another run? You know everybody, you know, everybody's working like you said we lost, you know A lot of good players man, a lot of good leaders man, but you know, the guys that step to know we just got to step up We just got to you know, take on what the guys that you know left for us pretty much it The same mindset that we had last year, you know, the second six feet and on our toolbox and trust and coach Jay whatever he you know, got for us This is a receiver Is it is pretty polished? Why is he sort of the thing? Yeah, I don't know, I mean probably he had good coaches and obviously he's naturally, you know A gifted athlete he played a couple different sports in high school has a good feel for space and super athletic But he's he's really impressed me with how you know how dedicated he is and he's always in my office. He much trying to get better Get the guy like him Involved in the passing game as well. We saw Kaden G do it to some level, but he's a guy who caught 50 some passes

2:46:13Yeah, no, I think I think it makes it easier Right, you know, I show these recruits all the time it because everyone says oh, how is he just a receiver school? It's like Marvin Harrison was the best receiver in the country You know, and you know who number two is and targets and receptions and receiving ours was paid because you know You could go to the other schools and they don't have the receivers we do and you're gonna get doubled every game Like good luck. I don't know many, you know great plays if you're gonna get bracketed But no, you have the receivers at coach hard line and we keep playing in here We're gonna have single coverage and if my tight ends can't beat single coverage and you know We're gonna have issues about how I get another tight any can like we've got a lot of tight ends who are pretty good receivers and Excited to see him. You mentioned that in line blocking. Yeah, I think if you take pff grades How have who for max for max? Yeah, just how how do you see that part of his game? Because I think that's been the knock that people have talked. Yeah, I'm not sure. I mean that he checked that box when I watched the film I'm not sure with the nice folks at pf ff watching, but Will Kazmerik didn't have many offers coming out. He's the best blocking tight end in the country

2:47:16So I don't know what his grade is Yeah, yeah, late then late then latin trying to take all the credit Caleb Downs was also, you know kind of sure for me I always have dinner with those two guys at DB's really the safeties on Friday nights and I always every week Just asking about the opposing tight ends and they were super high on max pretty weak So when he went to the portal late in the Caleb like see. Oh, that's a guy. So I was a while watching Obviously you have to do your own evaluation How much do you value that up and you gear that from guys who actually have to go on the field? No hugely hugely and like I just back to back years really because you had I mean, I would have watched max anyway. I'm not giving play to too much credit over here But like like the year before it was the same way was told me about Will Kazmerik. So No, if a guy knows our culture and says pushkey he fits your room like I gotta have sam all the credit for finding cash Is this the deepest tie-in room that you've had here? Yeah, it's gotta be just because again, Dan how many guys played in the natty then we had five or four or five tight ends

2:48:22We had all six play in the playoffs and four of those six are back So yeah, I mean we've got tons of guys in that room that have started college football games and not just against This girl down the street like big-time moments and big-time games. So yeah, we're super deep I'll valuable is that to know when you have you know four guys that have all played a lot of football in your tight end hugely and I think the best part, Dan is like now I could challenge him even more We're past the stage of okay, here's what it's gonna be like on Saturday Almost all the guys in that room have done it You know, so now I could challenge him even more to go you know go be the best tight any room in the country We're at a high-estate like if you're not up to that challenge and go somewhere else For guys like Bennett and Jolani what did they have to do to earn even more life? Yeah, I think everyone's different right Bennett's different than Jolani and they go for those guys And we consistently I said it you know last week like those hards could have put the best 11 on the field It doesn't matter if they're all running back to receivers or tight ends So like every day I tell them every day you're competing against the other tight ends in the room But we're competing against receivers and the running backs to When we put two or three or four tight ends on the field if that package is better than none

2:49:25We're gonna live in that so um every day's a challenge Yeah a lot a lot I was obviously all injured Unfortunate but he put in so much work. I was excited to see him Have a full season so I was cut short But again on the flip side it challenged him to be more of a leader and to learn the offense Maybe you know taking a step back and help mentor a guy like Jolani And I think there was a huge opportunity for a guy like Bennett and Jolani like we watched it this morning In my meeting when we went down We went tempo the next play G block the C gap then we hit quench on them the next play We were like 14 personnel of 13 and it was three tight ends We've never done that and we're on the road at Oregon and like we punched it in and scored It's just just a great story to tell the guys like when Kade went down against Georgia We played the game with Miss Rossi All the guys got to be ready. I don't know when your numbers had to be called So I know it was unfortunate, but such a good learning opportunity What are you today's talk about Jolani needing to be more consistent?

2:50:28Is that some of your seeing more of a venture? Yeah, I mean he's he's off the charge night and day more mature Been really impressed with just his work ethic He's in here every night getting the extra work in I'm challenged him to learn every position on offense. Don't just be a Y be a Y be an H Know what the C's got and then also be a leader. He's not a young guy anymore So like he's he's coaching Nathan or blocking those guys and Max, you know, even harder He was yelling at Max Claire, you know, talking not yelling at he was encouraging him to finish like hey You're obviously tight end like we're gonna be going harder than everyone on the field and I was like you get it That's awesome. He's been a leader. It's a super impressive them For you, I know you're one to defer to your guys and credit them But you are kind of the staple of one part of the person coaching you do You build your way up through this program now Get tired of this offseason What's it been like to watch your journey here and kind of see where you are now? Yeah, and I appreciate that you know, I'm not gonna take the bait there. That's that's total rap poison but no, I think Every every offseason out of high state

2:51:30We have such good players and we win championships everyone around here is gonna get opportunities to to to go somewhere And that's a credit to those guys There's also like shows all the trust that coach day and coach hardline have for me and I've been Those guys have been my boss for the last nine years Whether it's coach day or coach hard so like nothing's changed, but a title And just you know super blessed to be here with those two guys and I love those guys Keenan used to be talking talking about the message with your guys about being over He's talented boy in the rankings and all that This group is now veteran. Oh, yeah, one of the most productive tight ends in the country join the room Do you have to change? I know it's still gonna be hardest working. No, I'm not gonna take that away Is it a different message now? Different mentality it is It is yeah, awesome. You hit the nail in the head like we're not changing our DNA You cut open Ohio State tight and easy to be a bad dude It was really freaking hard and it's just gritty as it's all get out But I'm not saying that that we're gonna be overlooked this year at at all. It's a 180 I told the guys we should set the tone for the offense for the team You know nationally like with toughness and effort and all that but production and and we should be a driving force like

2:52:34Some I challenge them all the time someone comes to practice You want to see what what the Ohio State Buck guy fight culture is a brother? Just go watch the Titans Don't want you like that to the buck guys are so I challenge them. No lead from the front now We don't need to be you know the least kind of the sleeper unit. No, no, like set the tone Did Max You mentioned will try to lead and Pre-curage through practice. He's been here too. Why stop? Is he put in that mindset? No, he fits right in and that's all things to something today I'm like all right. Yeah, no, he's easy to be in high state tight. Um Yeah, now super proud of him and the whole unit Sorry, that I missed anybody else Good. Thank you guys I'm too guys for sure um me Uh Mike Michael Talman's was talking to me before the game Um or the Rose Bowl in Chris Carter and after the game as well. I mean just them giving me advice Just you know telling me keep going first and you know just keep doing what I've been doing the whole year Um, I mean, I'm God's bug out legend. So definitely look at them guys for sure major respect I

2:53:39It means a lot uh Just a kid from Miami just be able to play an actual championship as a freshman uh some that I've dreamed of as a kid And I'm here now and is K-rated Kate can't wait to put on a show Monday He said he got Oh, I mean the Tissue know like he says may uh crazy each and every week uh playing um, but you know Can't can't let it get to my head. I should say um me just football at the end of the day, but you know just you know happy business Just Oh none of us think we could be covered man oh man um oh man we'll actually talk about this yesterday as well But you know I mean that's what they do that's what they do me. We should go out there. You know

2:54:41Play our game and no short of reason why not to play man oh man I To Four Three One I go five. It's good. No problem You Um, I'm not saying no just go out there Monday. I just dominated the person I said front of me Uh, you know just do what I've been doing for the last uh Two to three weeks I should say um, but you know they play man oh man, so I'm just ready for the challenge

2:55:47I Mean feels good. Just say somebody going out there and playing man. I'm man. I guess Ohio State receivers is something crazy But you know we just ready for the challenge. Uh, they say they're not changing their game plan But we gotta go out there and show them the reason why not to play man oh man Yeah Uh, I mean, I don't really my I'll be on the cover. I'm gonna cover me. It's not really a big deal to me Uh, may it definitely be a best of a show just to be on the cover of a game, but you know, it's not really a dream of my it's a dream of my mom's but I don't really think too much of it You Mean no, not yet. Probably hit me after this easy. Um, no, just no

2:56:48planning Carlos football players as a freshman Uh, planning the Rose Bowl as a freshman um, planning a carton bow and not in the national championship I mean it's a blessing for sure, um, but I haven't hit me yet What My favorite catch I would say we played Michigan State on the one I called the two defenders definitely probably my favorite for sure or you go The one from Iowa, I should say and as a partner in two I Uh, I don't I mean yeah, like you said, it's pretty frustrating me having the game that I had in the Rose Bowl in the Rose Bowl And they're coming to the carton boat and they're just doing different things chasing their scheme up for gives me

2:57:54But I mean like you said whatever I could do to make the I mean help the team win Uh, it's not really a big deal for me along as we win. That's all I really care about and it got us to the national championship Right here Uh, it means a lot uh, we put a lot of work in this uh this season uh, we have Hards we have loads. We have people kind of out um, but we hear now. We just read and put on a show Monday Oh Oh, yeah Yeah Uh, first of when there's a national championship because there were means a lot um, you see everything that he bent through this year people

2:58:54Saying should be fine and there's that a third, but uh, you see everything that he bent through this year I mean, I seen everything that he bent through this year on see everything I mean I mean A lot of people in the league I should say I can't really say who but I mean you had guys like oh there you had guys like Oh there you have step on the eggs Means a lot of uh, my good Tom is Chris Carter just a lot of you know guys I played in NFL and stuff like that But yeah, really them guys for sure Uh, no, just keep going um, you got it you next up for sure. Uh, really. I really that Push me up so they say

2:59:58Oh like a physical defense uh, like like you said like people say like they like to play man. They're not changing their scheme So we're just ready for the challenge. Uh, like you said probably the best defense week We probably go see all year and we just gotta be ready to go out there Monday and just put on the show I I'm excited for will um him First coming here in Ohio State January our first workout we had together, um, I mean just everything that we built through this season Um, I mean, I'm just happy for him to be in this position right now, but we got a financial job and that's the winning out of Monday Oh

3:00:58I mean, it's pretty funny um Them saying that because I'm I'm just only a freshman, but um, it's a blessing for sure people to even say that but I got two three more years left for college and I'm just focused on college right now. I'm not really worried about the NFL right now It's very special for me. Uh, just being a freshman and playing the national stage up here for national titles Something that I dreamed of as a very young kid. Um, I'm just happy to be here and I just can't wait to put on some Monday for you guys Yeah Uh, I mean all of a series we'll just sit on the bench and we just see him hit the quarterback the ball come out and we all just got up and just started No jumping up and down. We all decided Uh happy for jacking that moment and we just knew that that moment like, you know, this we go on to the daddy for sure

3:02:06You know Me issues a lot um me you know going from high school or winning three state championships Shamanama Donna then you know coming to higher state Just competing for national charter right now. I mean just so that I picked two great schools Um, but I'm happy to be here and I just came with the pool to show my day The coolest person um, I mean you got a lot. I can't really say just a specific person He had a lot of great guys reach out and then lead like um, oh, Dale you had guys like stuff on digs Um, a lot of other places were just getting cut off my mom, but really really them to guys for sure. Oh, Dale, that's that for this

3:03:13Yeah, yeah, um, I mean like they say they play man, so I mean I'm just ready for the challenge and just get ready to go out there Monday and just no put on the show You Uh the vice-geno high gave me um, I said just keep golfers um You oh, he I know the reason why I'm here and Me like he said just keep golfers and just no keep the maintenance and maintenance and the best corner I faced it sure Um I mean I faced a lot of great corners. Uh, I can't really say but Yeah, I faced a great daughter great corners here really put a name on it

3:04:19My dream vacation is uh, Terence and cake goes Oh Oh, good. Are you Uh, I say both respect and frustration as well But I mean, I doubt they come out there and trip to me and they say you stick it to what they've been doing all year and that's playing man coverage We just ready for the challenge I Uh, pretty good group uh Christian Gary 29th a great corner uh 15 uh, Leonardo more uh two great guys or am I there? Um, very physical, but you know we all highest they receive us so we ready for the challenge

3:05:29Uh Uh, I say just no Understanding the defense understanding the defense uh, understanding the game plan understand what coach Kelly is trying to get done Um, I mean just coming in I felt I progressed from my first game gets accurate to now For I got better each and every week um me thinking slow down a lot for me um, but yeah, it really just no understanding Devices and no understanding what they're trying to do to me for sure Uh, them two guys great part of the best we go see all year for sure um two fit two physical guys um, but you know we're ready we're ready for the challenge that they're coming with and that's the play man And you know we ready to go on Monday

3:06:33Yeah, I mean the environment is pretty crazy. Uh, seeing all these cameras Uh, something I never thought I'd see it in my life, but uh, it's a blessing for sure this the main this position right now Um, and we just had a prayer live prayer uh, live meeting and you know, we all they all just I mean we all discussed the issues because they discusses issues And you know, which is one of the work uh, I mean that two and a half weeks we had off before Tennessee game and we just played came out there Um Tennessee game and we played with a chip on a chip on our shoulder Um, all throughout the playoffs and we go continue to play with that chip on our shoulder and uh, that championship on Monday Uh, do you know how that very uh impactful uh, he had a very impact on my career I should say uh, you know, just going to his games as a

3:07:35Uh, very young kid 78 years old um him playing Westfield Westwood, West Virginia and they played Clemson Orange Bull down in Miami Um, he just go there seeing his games. It was like yeah, I definitely want to play on the stage and I can wait till I get to know that moment for sure Yeah Yeah Cause they really just in his own his own love space. Uh, he's just walking around trying to get his mind right trying to get his mind ready for the game Uh, but you know, he he just gave everybody hype in the locker room and you know, just trying to get us ready to go to win the game Yeah Oh, yeah, oh yeah for sure. I mean You uh, you go play man against Ohio State receivers. I mean, just be ready uh, cause you know, we definitely go come out there and know

3:08:36Uh, give our best and I mean, they said not go change what they do. So we're just ready for the challenge You know, you have the business like you see this kind of situation Uh, not a year later uh, definitely sometime my career college uh, but not my first in college, I should say Um, I mean, just to be able to be in this position right now is you know, a blessing or just a young kid from Miami to be here and I won't take it for granted I'm ready to go out there and give him a call Three years ago Yeah Yeah, uh, I mean, I was watching that game against was it Georgia? I believe yeah, I was in a game

3:09:40I was pretty sick myself because I was actually committed at that time Um, so I mean, yeah, they left a bad nickname off Um, but I mean, we ready to go out there Monday to redeem myself and you know, just report, put a show Monday Oh, I mean me I just laughed um But you know, that's what they do they like a chance what they do uh, just because we're high estate So I'm just gonna go out there and put it on put it on uh, why not to play uh, man, no man, it gets us so we just gotta go out there and shut up Monday He said again, I'm sorry Oh My journey here at Ohio State repair me a lot from natural shape of shit me just going through everything that I've been through

3:10:44Uh, my first guy here all the uh, Matt Jules all the hard workouts that we had all the hard practices Um, just prepare all of us for this moment, and I'm just ready to go out there and give it up my all on Monday Okay, okay Yeah We just squeezed this One or nine 200 me is big and strong Yeah Okay That's what you know What's 20? Yeah, that's great. Yeah, it's pretty good. No problem

3:12:01You Uh It why not probably like the most is the one against Michigan State when I caught over two defenders on an airside line Party lag one or the one after that. I should say or you go the one against Iowa probably them three probably my best ones for sure Oh I mean just we'll put in the ball in my area, and I just know how to make a play for Um, even though somebody was grabbing my face, I just know I still had to make a play because the ball touched my hand So mean just when the ball is everything I have to make the play no matter how the ball comes at me

3:13:01After a big game Um, I mean we really they really feed us Chick-fil-A or piece after the game. So it's really either Chick-fil-A or or piece so yeah, probably Chick-fil-A for sure Yeah Uh, it went it went pretty good everybody just uh Uh Speaking with their thing is uh going right in what they think is wrong Um, which is a lot of the older guys watching their opinions on what we need to do to uh come to get as a team Um, but you know that meeting definitely uh help doesn't have in a big way because it helped us on the field as well Because we played our great football right now and we got to tell you that on Monday Yeah, definitely got emotional uh can't really say uh what really was said because that's no player's only and coaches only but it was definitely some stuff said that um

3:14:12people took uh People took and they uh went with it and that's the reason we planned the way we planned right now Uh, yeah, make helped me a lot this year um him being out all the guy in the room um Me help me and carton as well and Brennan and it's in all the guys in our city room as well Me just a great guy as well. It's very smart uh I mean make just been a big part of the reason that I'm having the season that I'm having the world because he's been a big you know Older guy been there been a lot of great guys in that room like Chris a lot of gay girl Wilson Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson's making jibba so he's seen all the grids I've been through there and Me teaching us the right thing and the right way and the buck out way for sure Yeah Did you feel on the rated Oh, no, I thought I was rated you know right? I mean So my co-nafters got different not me and uh I just feel like uh I had all the offers

3:15:15I think I would not mean with obviously my head fucked down like Her own website but no it doesn't matter you get here enough. I'm gonna start I What was it like to take that? You know, I feel good. I'm not telling you know all the hard work and I On do that spring on the teaching faculty you gave me notice paid off Like the camera they give the two deep as a true freshman out late into the knowledge of opportunities and have a bigger role this year Just what do you expect to go into your second? Oh, you not as working to keep you know, I mean I see Whatever with how many savings or whatever You know, I'm just working just to keep you know work my tail logs and you know make it roll for my section Um, I got I would say like I got a lot more aggressive and I gave you know I gave some weight now Um pushing 200 pounds now You know Coach Patricia one of you uh see for me now I'm gonna spend like you with them. No, he's a great guy

3:16:16You know, I like him. No, no size coach He's a great guy. No, he cares about his players. You know, I'm so football wise He's a master rider behind this he is my respect For You know, and it's time being in a family so I think it's like I expect you know just to add value you know from a team and just make players You feel a lot more Well, yes for sure. I feel like I'm starting to use the everything here and I feel like I'm just trying to pull off my new last year You know I was gonna say you know line set up a bigot of screen Starting this right away now Letting too much of the shadow the national team how was the team really embrace that mindset and say competitive in that sense? You know, you know, you have one idea, you know so far so No, we're trying to stay determined and I know just trying to dominate and we're not

3:17:19Living in passing or it's like every happy I see no right now planes You know, you know crack myself and just you know myself more versatile for the team wherever I go Get some more In the game you know Speak some of his language with what he's called things before and you're trying to morph everything together right with these things that we've done What he knows what do like it's a lot and But he's been incredible with I think the staff he's very organized. He's detailed You'll have Constant clear communication, you know, and they're gonna get together at this time to be like you're just efficient In your woman and it's been a lot like when you're come from

3:18:22Outside and you come back into it and you have to try to catch him up on the recruiting board It's it, you know like you have a lot of these conversations. Okay, what are we looking for at these positions now? Like how do you see it? Because you don't under one coordinator you might see a the my plan back when you used to be this and under this coordinator Well, I think the my back needs to be this so you have to have those conversations at every position and you just kind of keep going through and But I'm just excited to learn I think the more systems to mean luck Play in the system here in college play the system underneath the Magnolo play the system or tumble and play the system under Greg Williams That is talent Coach of Ralagold and then Jim Null like Every one of those there's like different terminology for everything. So you're just you're learning a different language Call and think you know, I mean there's concepts and I think it's kind of collect over time what you think is Really good stuff and how you do stuff a big deal different. I'm just really excited to learn from mad I'm telling a success. He seemed very excited over there talking really to be here. Yeah

3:19:25coaching college, which yeah, whatever so long What's his personal? They like to wait for you guys and yeah, he's been great I mean his energy is incredible. He's very he is he's authentically excited to be back in college football To tell there's like a yearning to get back to Like the why you got the coaching right is that impact young people is the impact and teach the game of football And so the few times has been a fun, you know kind of like talking to the guys in a sense like He's excited to just teach ball you know what I mean and Kind of ironically like you know, similar to a lot of things that chips that last year, right? Yeah, get back and you're like man, I'm just excited And so he has that excitement. He's doing a phenomenal job. I think of getting other players Just kind of like walking around versus like popping in making sure that he's in front of them and they get to know him and You get to know them and it's a lot and you can imagine when you come in we have all these guys, right and Trying to learn all these guys. I'm learning recruiting. I'm learning staffs and dynamics like it's a lot

3:20:29But he's handled it really well You know, he's an old school ball coach. He's a grinder. So he's really good job James, I probably not gonna need to do much this spring. How much more can you get done with the young guy? Not on him that's not gonna do a lot But in terms of Ryan Dehrer, he said you know 75% or whatever. How much more can you get done with the young guys when they're not worried too much about the senior? Yeah, I think I mean You're always just looking for competition Especially like a spring ball of mess what's all about right? You're trying to have It's so cliche, but it's true like the iron iron sharpener's iron mentality of You want your room to be super competitive To where Hey, the guy in front of me makes a play My next set of four plays I go out there. I have the point right and it's a constant driving of the room Forward and so yeah, sonny gets 50 or how many reps off 50% rubber coach said Then that means more opportunity for somebody else to play right? So that need more for our vales that scheme flexibility with our value

3:21:32Pay pierce around read that tj. Riley you like all these guys stove We're all gonna get more reps. I think it's great. So we got to do it this point of season But I think you know, yes, there's still stuff that within that all of a suddeny is that he's gonna be Clon to try to get those reps Because he's a he's a true pro and You know, that's been the most enjoyable thing about I think working with him is like You get a kid who's played safety his whole life comes the backer and he just wants to learn the why behind everything and You know very similar to the fact of Cody like we have guys who are that easy to work with you're not trying to like Not worried about texting anybody in our room About coming over and trying to learn ball, you know, I mean like where you at you know like They're obsessed with the game football. They're always around when they're at class So it's like it makes it really easy as a coach because they're passionate for the game So strong you mentioned C.J. in terms of the the higher with the map just what can sonny like what what do you envision?

3:22:33More with him with all of that stuff. I think I think we just have a lot of guys with a lot of lengths You talk about sunny styles long can run our velvets long can run like It's crazy because you see sonny. You're like, okay, this guy like Wish I was built like that when I played and then you see our Val stand next to sonny here like You know those those you know what I mean? And so like and then you look across the room like as the room warms up You're like holy smokes like We just have a bunch of guys and that's a lot of credit to to make coach made as a phenomenal job. I was just Talking to burn about it like To see even our meteor guys what they looked like when they showed up during like the bowl of the hola and Maddie run And they're kind of hanging out during practice And we see the high school bodies to see what they look like today before they go away And like the shoulders are all about everything. It's just different and they've been And doctrated into the brotherhood

3:23:36So I think you know, there's just a lot to work with and so what he's really good at right is like and he's talked about it One year he has jr. Sayah will he be good at smite variable, you know rose without cold and and those guys And a couple years later he has brand of spikes. So he's like okay, I'm just by his blitz brand at the middle all times He's 260 pounds and beast and he always says he was my best nose guard from my back Right and then the year after that he gets you know got Jamie Collins and Dante high talent So now we can do a lot of stuff right so They're not just like hey, this is what we're doing. We got plenty of people and it's like hey, here's what we got Let's utilize it So that's what spring will be Walled on the lab and figure out what that means. I'm sure through spring ball. There'll be like Hey, here's what We do really well as unit because this unit is gonna be different Right, I mean the unit with us a lot of production so unit will be different So you kind of got to reform your own identity and Yeah, we heard that civil bullet big name and mantra

3:24:36How many guys can look at our bell Just like he's on a very good track. Is that it? It's just what's his ceiling talking to the starboard bell It's just a lot right now he's locked in instead of a great job becoming a leader um Coming out of a shell. I think you know, I think for Vellie it's all about consistency and just preparation and I'm proud of our bell, you know, he's through the season. You got way better at You know, a lot of it's like little things just note taking and stuff like sometimes These kids are always on their phones and stuff not like the meeting runs right thing like that but just naturally So like to get out of pen and paper and like You hear things and I mean, oh yeah, I got it What you do until your dog tired and then you forget because you know, I mean But when you really understand it, you know, I mean like go play faster. He got so much better through the year Just a lot of that's because of Cody like becoming a pro and then now it's like sonny's pulling him along He's pulling pain along the pain to pull a tj and Riley and Eli so I didn't stole like So I kind of love the competition or what right now in the way it's made up

3:25:39Yeah, that was on a great path right now How many different guys how many of the guys do you feel like can be in that Mike's spot? Obviously losing Cody and now You know, I think that's something that's a little bit as we kind of go Because you know week one sonny actually started at Mike for us and sonny smart enough to play them all Our vel is smart of the play them all Pay me pierce the smart of the play them all Um And it's also like how did you like depends on what what scheme you're running where they how do they being utilized as well? You know what I mean so You say my like my backer, you know, whether it's Tommy I can very grow up in research two different people and Cody's different than those two so I challenged to like a lot of the guys as I come in It's just got the other both the more you understand about the scheme in general The faster you will play you know what I mean like If I just sit here and I say hey, I got to learn Mike My drop is this and that's all I need to know like Well, no football happens so fast and all the shifts and motions that like

3:26:44If you're out there is playing and you're waiting for a call And you're just reacting like you're so worried about what's going on on your side of the ball You don't even recognize that the offense is telling you something is what they're doing so If I'm out there and also I'm not getting a call. I know what the call should be It's like hey, are we playing you know, let's go Now listen you get it you can look like a see okay. Here's what the tight ends doing. That's what the backs doing Here's what plays are coming If you just lie up and play it's rather passive at the time like you know stand a chance You got to eliminate plays in your mind by seeing what the offense is doing like they Tell you a story every time they line up. They just window dressing My people motion a chance to try okay. Are they trying to do man's own indicators? Are they trying to make sure that They're getting the same formation. They're on the same place But they just shifted people and then they motion and they move and they don't want you to recognize So for always worried about what work you don't mean so the more you know The faster you can play because you're not sitting there thinking oh, what do I have for you? Just for your react to see where I know you have so my challenge to guys like There's always a no both so think a lot. I'll just be on Undepth for sure guys and get you know if sonny's only doing 15 to 75% of the plays and probably more guys get more

3:27:49Will reps than they had because we need More will bodies is that's technically where sonny started but We'll rotate them through let the production kind of show what it does Think sometimes, you know you'll live with some mistakes just from Feet in news spot, but you'll be able to judge to like who's actually Getting in the book, you know, I mean who's actually studying How much of growth have you seen from sonny this time of year go through the national championship game and then what's next? man, I mean Definitely, I know I know sonny has big goals and you should I do as well for him and to see how far he's come you know first thing kind of stands out is just like his His footwork has gotten so much better You know when you're in the boxes and linebacker you gotta be able to Remember loop thickly to say it all the time and you gotta be slow until it's time to be fast and when you're twitchy like he is A lot of times you know when you're about safety or you're used to pulling the trigger and rolling like you gotta

3:28:50You gotta learn how to shuffle and not cross over and he got so much better as a year or not Think a lot of people question whether he'd be able to hold up physicality wise and you know He was he was great, you know, he's the season guy. He's really good with his hands. He's a really natural ability to snag We'll keep challenging him. I think he should be a dominant guy in coverage Like he needs to be a guy that we can put on a tight end and be like he's not gonna be in catching the ball You know, I mean because he has that athleticism I don't think we need a challenge in there Challenge them. I think everything is just Missed on just sonny to everybody's urgency and zone coverage. I mean The urgency with you have to break on the football To close that space to not the ball carrier have so much space on you to to cut making miss is critical I think sometimes he's he can be so athletic that you know, you can get away some stuff And he knows like anything that I'm saying right now. Here he knows so The best part is a lot of times like he'll come to me Before film and already said like man coach on that play. I should have you know, I mean like he knows

3:29:50And the best part is that he's humble enough our whole government is that they just want to be they want to be pushed And they want to be coached and so The big heck of a rascal you asked for right like So I always ask like what do you need for me just just keep making sure like you're pushing it. Don't let me settle. Don't let me settle. So He's probably the best in the room with them Do you look at sonny and our valet paint that's kind of your top two guys right now? Um, yeah, I mean, I think going into it, you know, I think it's sonny or val paintings right up there in that next You know, your accurate there and then it's like Who else is gonna emerge from really the fourth the fourth guy, you know, I think it's a healthy way to put it Yeah, I just I think our I think our backers are so competitive So competitive that it's You know, I know painting pierces chopping at the bit and I know that he's gonna push, you know, Vell and sonny I know that you look at Riley and TJ and Eli and stove like those guys are going at it

3:30:54We do these work guys those guys are going at it and this constant competition You know, I mean they're trying to fight each other everything so Because the reality of it is they're fighting for reps right so This game is hard. It's winter loser every single day and You know a lot of the guys are gonna make our break and it starts with the mental preparation to be honest with you and Because that's what trust starts right if you don't know what you're doing. I can't put you out there so Who preps mentally as we get rolling and then The physical part of that but let's say it says it's sonny or valet and painting probably have probably the top three and then But like I always say it's always fluid. It's always fluid I haven't done this. I you know, it's funny. I have there's one coach who said that um Forget what kind of felt he was But he said that what he does is he has the depth chart Sit in the front of the room so if you're a starter you're the first to grow you know, and then the second row and these like it'll change weekly Sometimes through camp I'm like I can't do that. I got

3:31:55Not sure they can do that Good Ryan two things one topic being available, but not necessarily playing today What happened with there and then also what was the evaluation will well at halftime? Yeah, well as good to go Just took a shot there as you guys saw Tyleague was available. He was gonna be was available in emergency role We felt like we needed him. We were gonna put him in the game. He was cleared But felt like one more week almost like the dawn of in situation one more week Of rest, you know, we'll get him to 100% which We felt like was the right thing to do if we needed to we could have put him in the game. We we decided we didn't need him Yeah, just a general overview of how you feel about this game, you know first row game first big 10 game Went about 38 seven and then of course the turnover is y'all forced and the stoppage there on a fourth down When they were deep in your territory just how much did those those loom huge? Oh, yeah

3:32:56I mean the turnover battle was huge in this game and You know if we don't get those turnovers that you know, maybe it's a different game for sure But that's the game and you know, we got to make sure we win in the situations So you know, we'll take a look at the film and figure out where it's at But I thought the atmosphere was was excellent early on. I thought you know They came out and played really really hard. I think again, Jonathan's doing a really good job of You know putting his culture into this is thumbprint on the program here. You can see it going and That a lot of respect for him and his staff, but but I thought our guys responded well And and had some really good poise that was something that we talked about coming into the game is having poise in the noise You know getting down in there some of those fourth down conversions are pretty clutch You talk about that poise will start off really well And maybe kind of hit a little rust by I had a couple passes And I'm sure he went back one obviously that he went back What was your assessment of just the poise that he showed and kind of settled down on that following drive and Answered back right back. Yeah, I mean the biggest one was the interception you know he knows

3:33:56I mean, that was that was not a good play and it could have cost us So something to learn from you said to move on from it and and You know work through his progression there, but You know When when you're going through you know learning a new offense and everything's gonna be some of these growing Opportunities and learning from those opportunities. So but overall I thought he was solid. He was This poised made some big big big throws and then um and then you know a couple runs a couple tough runs in there That you know you can see what a difference it makes when you have somebody who can run What has allowed Jeremiah to at least match the expectations that came in for him so far As work ethic he does it every day in practice. I mean just doesn't say a word but works is tail off As disciplined as humility He loves being a buckeye you can tell just with the way he works with his teammates Um, he's coming out of his shell a little bit too, which is great to see But I mean the talent speaks for itself I just am impressive the discipline and the hard work and being able to step in at such a young age

3:35:00The only way to do that is if you go in and put the work in and you know he came in with that work ethic Brian certainly taken it from there, but This is especially not a man Yeah, Ryan we talk about Jeremiah Smith and how special he is but Caleb Downs on defense Was just was pretty incredible. Yeah, pretty impressive. What's it like to have when things are a little clunky You've got a guy that can make NFL plays on both sides of ball. Yeah, I thought Caleb played great tonight Showed up in a big way on a bunch of different spots and you can to see the acceleration out fastie plays and a part of that is is that let us And but another part is just the way he prepares. I mean he prepares as hard as anybody on our team and You know, he was he was all over the place tonight and huge made a huge difference And you said and kind of turning that point where they were moving the ball some and he got it He got us going a little bit back there and No, those are some big plays and then I think it kind of felt like it turned the momentum for us on defense Right, what does this say? I know you've already touched on a little bit What does this say about Devon to be able to come in and deliver that kind of pass? That was a clutch play

3:36:04It was a clutch play put it there and you know, we told them you know if you have the opportunity to throw it rip it only throw where you know You know the receiver can catch it. You know, we had a couple different options there If if if nothing was there just throw it out of bounds and kick the field goal and he did that he gave him a chance and And so it was good. It was good to see him make that play in that big spot You Ryan two things on Trey. I know you got the load he kind of went up the field after he got hit there and fun Well didn't know but just kind of how's he doing and then two just how much drove you've seen from him Specifically in the past man side of things he had some great pickups huge pickups the one on The touchdown in Jeremiah and the touchdown to a mecca And there was a couple more he did a really good job coming across I got to watch the film But I just like three of them particular right I he came across and then picked up some corner fires and did a nice job But that was big he's he's becoming that all-purpose back that you know, we all know we can be and you know, again I thought they ran hard, but um Yeah, I mean

3:37:05I think where we are right now is is we're making progress, but we got a long way to go You know, and I think that you know our guys have that mindset it was good to get this win on the road first road win good environment But you know, we know that the challenges are bigger ahead so we get to get on this film. It's the hungry and And you know, keep the journey going, but um, you know, we're gonna get back to work tomorrow And we know that we got a really good Iowa team coming in here next week. They have had a week off Just like always there. They're very very good team Play complimentary football and so we know we got a big challenge ahead of us So we got to have a great week of practice Yeah, coach just want to ask you the play calling a particularly there the end around To Jeremiah just feels like when you guys get into a bit of a You guys have a wrinkle you have something that's coming is this chip is this you collaborating just What would you say that one seemed to catch them really flat footed on that plug? Yeah, no It's everybody on the staff. There's this collaboration, but but chips got a great feel for it for the game and calling the plays and

3:38:07You know, it was always you know have some wrinkles in there. We got a few other ones that we know we held a half on but I think it's it's a balance of making sure that you have your fastballs where you're running downhill And you feel really good about them but having enough curve balls that you know we can create explosive plays And that's that balance you're constantly looking for But we always want to try to find ways to get you know the ball to our playmakers in space and we're gonna keep trying to do that Responsibility getting everybody lined up getting the call But no of my assignment I didn't hide his little butt just like up to him a little bit more. So again, I just gonna take I'm some getting used to but I know I'm not really How much do you think that's gonna help you in the ball? What being Mike? I think it's gonna be good Being able to be in a room around and uh, just taking charge. I'm definitely used to that comfortable with that So I feel like it's gonna be good for me to fall. Does it help you learn a defensive scheme faster to have that much responsibility? Yeah, for sure. I'm knowing knowing what everybody's doing And everybody's responsibility. He's definitely going to help me play better

3:39:07What's the typical day like for a true freshman middle linebacker trying to learn the defense off the practice field? off the practice field um just waking up getting here early Um probably probably watching the watching film you know we got we got Prankings or or weight so so when I get through that then we got meetings so more more The game knowledge then we got an individual meeting so Just learning to learn in that more and then after that after that we got class and stuff So after class we definitely definitely gonna stay on the film some more what what film are you watching? Oh practice film practice film in the your film yeah, yeah, knowing what I day wrong what I can improve on my head and learning new installs all of you changed physically since it's enrolled I definitely got a little bit stronger um for sure speed speed a little bit faster You came in at what and you are at what now as far as weight? I came and I had two good teen. I'm at two two So what's the target weight? You have a certain technical you're trying to get to right now uh two

3:40:08So doesn't take make long day What are your expectations for your press career every every time you get to chance to talk to James Lauren I say it's a nice thing to say about you what are your expectations for your first two? Um just get on a field and make him plays I feel like I feel like That's good You know I suppose to change me. I just want to get out there and make plays Describe your game. It's a linebacker Um, I think I think um I can do a little bit of everything I can cover I can rest faster. I can uh play to run to Um, I think I think those I'm I'm I have those are all my strengths Um, yeah, I think I think my strength plays a factor Um, I think I think I think I see things when that's usual a big Texas flavor on this team a lot of Texas guys As it's been like here for like the last 10 years um, that's got to make you feel kind of at home Yeah, talk more about that if you would um just take this guys You know, you know football is really big in Texas, so So uh With that Texas though, how pipeline um knowing I got guys from Texas

3:41:10I love I love it Yeah What is it just inspired you to see what Cody Simon was able to do here last year not only as a player but a leader um That that that that's definitely something I look forward to um becoming and um being up being up Do those things that Cody did Cody did the way he played all the plays he made my I feel like it's a good Aim for me. What kind of example is sunny setting for right now? sunny the Switch from safety to my back. I feel like um the way that he played last year being his first year of my back I feel like like I feel like if he could do it, I could do it so you know That's definitely getting some you have a lot of experience playing safety. Uh, yes, I'm really seeing my freshman I mean, we're all like I said we're all pretty much interchangeable, you know like if I need to go to left guard center Whatever bone needs to go to center of the car

3:42:11However, you know, it's it's not really like Like a big shocker moment, you know, it's we train for this. We're prepared for this. So when it happens We're able to execute To left guard um I think half time Well coming in as a rookie in the crowd in the noise and I know you said you guys all trained for this But what can you tell us about how yeah, I mean, he's a he's a man, you know, he's he's he's he's built for this moment He's done it for His whole life. So, you know at the end of the day, it's just a game and we keep on we care try to keep everybody calm Collected and you know, we're five is one we help each other out and whenever you know We do it. So he was right. He was built for it Now he's gonna be a great player. You're obviously no stranger to Matthew's toughness What was it like just seeing the way he let this off? I think I that guy's a warrior 36 years old. He's taking some hits and some things and some dent So and he's able to get back up and keep it rolling

3:43:11You know, he's still got that fire to him and you know, we love having him back there Sean is always set after a loss don't let the team beat you twice But to have the lead late in the game It's all the injuries and not win. Can you describe that level of frustration? I mean, it's the NFL comes down to Seconds and inches and who've seen it all through Past couple days and today, you know, it comes down to the the little things and you know, we'll see him again And I apologize if you were asked this but what was it like for you personally to walk on Is it was kind of surreal man. It was it was nice. We were all emotional seeing everybody. No I wasn't a kid when I came here, but you know, I've got grew into more of a man and These people here definitely help lay that blue spring for me help me out big time I know I can't thank them enough for that I know you've looked at film yet for how you feel about the D. I feel really good, you know, sand because Just everything Careful all summer and OTA is showing up, you know, we said I ground We came with um sure came up sure a little bit, but in that end day, you know, it's a lot of air from

3:44:15I see a bright future for us Kind of get a role. Yeah, you know, you know, just something that we just need work on, you know, got to play around better on that and just Got a little bit of big face That's all that it comes down to but I just felt like we just Just came to show on that so The offense is kind of struggling to find its footing early in the game. What did you guys feel like you like to do? Feel like we just need to step up, you know, I know they would have come through and have our back So I just tell the office, you know, we got your back, you know, just keep going. We won't keep on trying holding best Are you you're ready to pop up a Bigger performance in this game. Yeah, definitely. I feel like you know as a whole everybody on the offense can contribute And you know, we have a lot of great playmakers on our team and our coach will definitely find ways to get us all to ball and get in the best position to score

3:45:16I would say yeah definitely as a competitor that's something that you compete for To especially as a team player, you know to be at the top level to go to the playoffs and being this position So I wouldn't say I would have guessed I would be here in this position now, but uh definitely wanted to be in this spot Will have the moment to the end of the game. He thinks about Jeremiah's same thing. He ended the play early in the game or the bubble Great play, but he said to play how much do you think about that? What was how do you how do you think about that play? You know that's past us now, you know that game is past us. We're looking forward to How we can come up this week coming up and win this game and that's all that really matters You know as a whole as a team everybody has that same mindset that same grit and that same passion. So that's all that matters Some pretty clear motivational factors coming out of Michigan going into Tennessee with three weeks of a lot of talk How do you keep that same kind of mental edge?

3:46:17Now we're in the best game or maybe there's More people talking positively without you things like that. Yeah, definitely Everyone just keep the same mindset that we had going into where we are now Uh, we all have a big a big goal in mind and we know what that goal is So whatever it takes to stay focused as we're going to do You and trade now stuff the work will last week was that Sort of the perfect design of what you guys envisioned a year ago So we started looking at the sun Definitely I would say you know our coaches do such a great job at that and just getting me him And there in different positions on the field and just trade being the type of player he is You know whoever is on the field, you know, we're both going to do our job. So I'll go forward to it Tony Gourmet, fuck I have a try to do you got games to focus on I have you thought about what's gonna happen next year where you're going to be No, as a right now. I'm just looking forward to this next game and trying to win it all Any help with Quintcha? Kevin news Fuck I holl I know it's looking back

3:47:17We didn't have a chance to ask you what's going through your mind on the first Uh, where your first touch on is when the exchange between you and will we in the ball on your We're in what you know, what's the thought there? I actually thought he was going to pull the ball and I kind of felt it and I just got an instinct So I just kind of grabbed and just do my best Any else for Quintcha? Great Quintcha, thank you Thanks I mean that there's there's always people that's going to be coming in and trying to do what you did in the past So I'm looking forward to it and like I said, I mean we're just all excited to go out there and keep going Okay, well anyway, the fact that the way that this defense has additions on every level You know, talk about chasing the people to find another trampoline there You guys have willing to second level and the third level who they to go on with Sean and the rest of them How much pressure is on this defense to perform to the higher level of respect and the most on me

3:48:19Right, I would say that um, last year was You know, we excelled in certain things, but we're also Trying to get back to where we were in the past. So we got some great additions and um, we're excited for that Ultimately, it's to use some of these guys to be the number one defense In the league and that's always going to be the goal So whatever we can do to utilize all the different talent that we have on this team to to be the best and play as a team and To build the best chemistry that we got That's what we're going to do About this offense just early this early in the game Yeah, yeah, we're not used to going against the normal offense. I have been the past three years So it's been a lot more moving moving pieces definitely have to use your eyes pretty well because if not then somebody's going to be open Um, but I like what they're doing. I'm very excited for it Um, I just know it's making our defense a little bit better because we're having to do different things

3:49:22Not just the normal Offense we've been used to I would say so I mean as the the league is changed over time. I think they Revert to certain offenses that are that do well in certain systems I would say we're taking maybe a little bit pieces from other offense that we we see to do well So I like what we're doing. I mean, I don't know as much as some of these quarterbacks that we have on the team some of the Offensive players, but I just know it's tough to go against I'm lowest at number last year, but still one of the top two school in defense and What do you guys really need to finish getting after the quarterback? Yeah, I would just say place, uh, you know, heavy emphasis in practice. It always is going to start in practice with getting after The quarterback not not touching him in practice, but you know making some good moves and And I would just say rush rush more um, I mean there's so much that goes into it and it goes with the coverage

3:50:27Everybody works together I would say that we had we had great numbers But we do we are trying to get that number up, but the ultimate goal is always going to be the ball Getting the ball Taking it away getting off the field We're putting our offense out there on the field and we're staying off that means that we're doing a good job Haven't you wins a Morgan? We're gonna go in the field. What kind of a tree open that to For defense when this guy's a limit with this group I do believe we have one of the most talented linebacker core groups and in the league So um just excited what we're going to be able to do out there on the field I think we all compliment each other super well bigger guys that are explosive So I'm excited for it I And also I want to take a moment and and Thank and show respect For coach pharence and what he's been able to do at Iowa It's unbelievable in some ways it's sad that 11 years is become the exception in college football

3:51:32What but what he's been able to do at the University of Iowa is super impressive and I wanted to congratulate him and all his success So open up to questions First row on your right side Kenneth Berry touchdowns the tangent. Hey, Kenneth. How's it going? Good morning coach and All your years you look back at you know the Vanderbilt year where you guys had a record breaking season You look at the you made it to the roles bowl and with say quon and everything How close do you feel like this team is and how much do you feel like they mirror the character and the identity of those teams and this being your 11th year in the conference How good is the field seeing the influx of African-American head coaches not only just getting jobs across the landscape But the big 10 pretty much leading all of the conferences with the number of African-American head coaches that are currently President yeah, I'll answer the second part first, you know

3:52:35I love the fact that big 10 the big 10 is one of the leaders in this space um I think that sends a very very clear and loud message That people are going to be judged by their work and their production um And I think the big 10 is a great example of that obviously something that myself and Mike Loxley and a lot of the guys take a take a ton of pride And it's done a done a ton of work on as well And hopefully that becomes more of the trend across college football as well as the NFL Just spent some time the other day with Rahim Morris who's one of my best friends He was the defense coordinator at Kansas State when I was the offense coordinator Is now the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons getting a second chance, which is also not common So I think that's that's powerful And then you know about our team and maybe some of the similarities to some of the teams that we had at Vanderbilt and over our time at Penn State as well

3:53:36I think it starts with the three gentlemen that we brought with us You know to to this event Guys that are experienced guys guys that have had a ton of success on the football field They've handled themselves the right way academically on and off the field And have won a ton of games You know they're guys that embrace that were at a place like Penn State Where we've been able to consistently for the most part win 10 to or 11 games But that's not the expectation at Penn State they chose Penn State just like I chose Penn State to compete for championships And we embrace that But we are one of the few programs in the country you can win 10 or 11 games and people are unhappy So we embrace that we're excited about those opportunities and it starts for us at West Virginia in Morgan town Which is going to be a challenging opening game first row here Good morning coach Nick Hamilton nightcast media. Hey Nick. How you doing good? Once I ask you about Abdul Carter

3:54:37Him changing positions linebacker to defensive and how much do you feel like that will strengthen your defense This season and also how does that Play Kate as far as throughout the locker room was far as taking that type of role being a leader In the locker room Yeah, so I think first thing is he'll play both We have the flexibility to play in at both positions. He's one of the unique athletes And that was playing linebacker 250 pounds um And you never know how that transition is going to go playing in space at the linebacker position compared to moving up uh, you know to the line of scrimmage and having to go against offensive tackles He made the adjustment you know pretty quickly and uh then did a day you're talking about one of the more explosive physical athletes in all of college football So we think he's got a chance to make a significant impact week to week will decide Where he's going to have the most impact for us?

3:55:39Whether it's on the line of scrimmage at defensive end or in the linebacker position this this spring He's stayed mainly at defensive end to get comfortable with that and then after that we had a really good conversation He's open to doing both That'll also put us in a position where people can't gain playing and know exactly where he's going to be on the defense So we're excited about that But he's just he's really grown up I'm proud of him and his development academically as a as a student athlete As well as a football player and we need him and expect for him to have a huge year for us Um got a very very close relationship with him and his father Uh, and I'm proud of him and excited about what he's going to do this year On your left side James Bill Rabino, it's in the Columbus dispatch. Hey Bill. You got julienne Fleming is a transfer for both higher state How excited are you to have him? What kind of impact do you expect him to have for a receivers unit of it? It wasn't all that exposed question

3:56:39Yeah, he's a veteran guy That's played in this conference. He knows what it's all about Obviously, you know, we got a ton of history with him and his family Recruited them very heavily out of high school But he's thriving, you know, he's he's very comfortable. He's very confident. He really came Got on campus Like most guys should do kept this mouth shut worked earned everybody's respect through that first And now is really developing into a leader for us Uh, his improvement from the end of spring to now Uh, he is healthy and and lean and explosive and fast right now And just from the feedback from the players over to summer Uh, has really done a nice job looking all all the metrics and the numbers from our strength staff is Isn't a really good position. I think he's got a huge chip on his shoulder and excited about the opportunity at Penn State And is is really turned into one of the leaders in that wide receiver room

3:57:42So we're happy to have him and expect for him to do some big things for us this year and I appreciate the question Far last year on your right side Coach Franklin Kyle Golik Mike Ferrell sports hey Kyle. Hey. How are you good? Hey tell Mike I said hi We'll do hey you mentioned earlier about southern cow organ UCLA Washington Joining the league after the 2018 Ohio State game you had your what I referred to as the epic good to great to elite brand So with these teams coming in where do you feel Penn State stands in the pecking order and a follow up if you don't feel Uh, Penn State's quite additally. Where do you what do you think the knitting lines have to do to achieve the elite status? Yeah, I would describe it as a speech not a rant first of all um But no, I think you know again back to the comment earlier

3:58:44You're talking about a program that you can win 10 or 11 games and and and people are not happy or satisfied And that's inside the lash building and that's outside of the lash building We totally get that and and um embrace that I think our players understand that when we recruit them our staff understands that when we hire them And as the head coach I embrace all those things as well I think weekend and week out the big 10 is arguably the best conference in all of college football I've been fortunate to be a head coach in the SEC as well as the big 10s I think I got good I got good perspective on that And then like you mentioned adding the four new schools Makes it even more challenging. So we'll have an opportunity to figure that out and figure that out real quick starting at west for jenia We're fortunate to play most of those teams that we discussed We want to play those teams that you discussed both that have been in the conference historically as well as that have been added

3:59:45um For us we got to play our best When our best is needed most in the biggest games At the biggest moments and I think if you look at us Specifically last year Did some phenomenal things that's the step that we need to take in having a returning starting quarterback Obviously helps with that We're a quarterback driven game whether it's in the NFL college or high school and having a returning quarterback at that position That did some phenomenal things. I think he was second in touchdown the interception ratio I think he broke the national record in in completions without an interception So did did some phenomenal things and we got a build on that and then I think the pieces that a puzzle around him Tight end running back and then receivers been The big question mark really since last year We got a ton of confidence in that room those guys got a huge chip on their shoulder back to the question earlier about the

4:00:47edition of julien Fleming as well as the guys in that room They've had a great summer and we got a ton of confidence of what they're going to do this year We're going to have to play well early on build confidence and carry that confidence throughout the season Coach Franklin. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you, sir. That's a really wow You know it's impressive. Yeah I guess it's just natural I don't know I just like how do you explain that? Yeah, I mean, I don't know smear is that he chooses to practice Doing that whether it's a home in the mirror something, you know what I mean I don't know how he visualizes, but he just gets it done, you know We do that first drive in the second half and they drive all the way down the field you have that past deflection in the end zone Yeah, what's kind of going through your head? I know you want to limit it to three if anything. Yeah, are you limited to zero instead? Yeah, well Just just just Tennessee's going going throughout the week being prepared I kind of had a good feeling You know being a work on a field. I kind of figured he was going to pick on me. So I was high alert all week

4:01:48So do you know the last time that the Cardinals as an organization did not allow a touchdown in three straight home games? Not even know that's crazy. No, yeah, I feel like man I just piece to the leaders that we have in our our demons of room and They really take this game series and I really appreciate that that was 1926 That was the last time that the Cardinals didn't use to it man. We don't we got some cooking out here, man Yeah Man, I was just playing bar, man. It's kind of crazy because Games like this when you just leave the field and you're just like wow, man Like we're just playing bars. So I can't even walk you through the play by a play man I was just you know locked in the other guys playing on me today I don't want to be the weakest league man. JT was down and me coming in there should be no drop off and it wasn't so Man, it was crazy, but I couldn't stop smiling in the locker room earlier when I found out so It's just a real moment man and My older guys got me ready for this moment. So that's off to them

4:02:50Man, I bring I bring violence to the game and they bring it with me man. So I told my group before we went out of the day man. We seeing red all day today and uh, we did man Had a great game today. Feel so good man. I'm not gonna lie. I feel amazing That's Man uh just the preparation we put in throughout the week the way we practice the way we take care of our bodies the way that we meet the way we communicate man It's like it's like it's one heartbeat out there, man. That's how it and that's how it should be every week I did have my spaghetti today, too. Yeah, so yeah, I did I told you I gotta have every game, man I don't feel the same as like rabbit fuel man. So it's preparation man The superstitions man that people have before the game is just it's a mental thing at the end of the day is ball balls always gonna be balls I get the spaghetti they ain't had a pepper flakes for the pummelgeons. I just had ranch today Yeah, forget the ranch. That's the forgetting ranch man. They'd be saying it's nasty, but I think it's good

4:03:53So I don't think everybody know it, but somebody did ask I recommend you But you can't put too much ranch or too little ranch. You gotta have a good proportion on it So ranch on pizza. Oh ranch on everything ranch on everything If I'm not the house I'm putting ranch on my steak. I can't do that steakhouse. But if the house I'm doing it yeah Yeah, it's that country boy You know, I've done some great things at Ole Miss and I learned a lot But I think just for me in my third year, you know, you want to be somewhere in a place like Ohio State like I said great culture Great teammates great coaches best players and the best for him based on I mean just as far as just be the player you want to be around coaches that that puts you in a position to you know Elevator self as a player and show more to your game. So I think coach Dave and coach Brown will do that for sure I think it's just you know, just being a all around back you know like

4:04:58Just doing it all really, you know, not just being running the ball inside the clinic Tackels or outside, you know, just giving me a ball in the passing game Just showcasing everything I can do You know, I've seen cultural bright, you know, what he's what he coached I played against Alabama in 2022 So I played against him and how he used to make his and I've seen a lot of that being those things and also his career with the paint yours as well So seeing how he coached you know, sort of like How's he talking about like his role the role that he sees you in for the soft pounds of dollars Yeah, he's came and he spoke to the team about you know him as a coach who he is and how he plants and carve everyone and what his role is I think I run tough I'm very elusive Vision patients

4:06:02I think just with Tradion we're kind of uh, I don't know how to explain it. I would say I would say you know, he's good at what he does and I'm good Which is I think just my will you know my will to want to win the determination to begin the end zone and just help my team You know Actually, you know, I did not you know as as you go through your journey through high school and through college You don't know where you where you'll end up as um just bless very thankful for everyone that has helped me to get through this You know this process to be here and I'm excited

4:07:07Yeah, definitely I feel like you know There's many things that are thrown out there as far as when players going to the portal and things that aren't true But you know, it's actually more than that players just want to go very great game Yeah It was it was crazy, you know a lot of a lot of different things that were A lot of different emotions, but it's it's it's a business. So you understand it You know people won't always be happy for the decisions you make when it's best for yourself Like I said, I'm just excited to be here and do what I can You know definitely not a factor for me. I think just me as a player. I just played football at the end of the day I go out there and contribute to what I can what I can do for my team That's You know, I did not know that it was this big of a factor, you know

4:08:09You always see it on TV when they play games on Saturdays and it's big It's a lot of fans and like I said everybody's passionate, but when you're here in it It's a whole new the ball game. So really excited Just pass that it on No No, not really. I would say it was probably just only a little cold but But other than that does it was an awesome process. I think that wasn't a factor I think real hard is a great quarterback, you know It's a great player. I see you as vision. He can use his legs He can also throw as well He's very smart and just looking at his film and what he's doing at Kansas State. He's awesome It's very good to be in that position because not only will he open it up for you also But he also gives the receiver the chance to you know be able to be using the pass

4:09:17Oh, it was a big time. I've always heard a lot about it But to be here and you see how big it is they got the clock in there with the countdown It's a serious. So I'm excited to be the team up north and that's what we're working for Yeah, definitely a great player. I gotta say everyone that was coming here this is portal Class great players from all around the different teams and Caleb personally, you know, he's done some great things at Alabama Right, I think I think um when we played and we more so we're trying we had a different ball game plan We're trying to throw the ball and he's very successful there. I stopped it itself I like a have a Camara Christian McCaffrey. I would say also I've liked Jumir Gives at Detroit as well So just those three guys right there

4:10:26I think it's definitely important especially where the game is going with running backs in today's game I think it's overall you have to showcase what you can do not just ask a running back in the back field but also On the in the slot or wherever the coaches put you be able to execute That's definitely important as well to for me personally that's something you know That's important for me personally Like I say like about NIL or or different things that don't pertain to everybody's situation, you know It doesn't you know pertain to every single player, but a lot of people get that speculation as far as when people want to make certain to see that you're in the portal Yeah, you know just do this whole process, you know, this is my first time ever going through this and I can say many things were sad you know

4:11:40Just the rumors and all of those things, but I think just throughout this process. I've learned a lot I'm very thankful for the support I've had for my family Because it's throughout this process and just to end up here in Ohio State has been awesome Is it just I wouldn't say that I think it's just more so you know Just Like I was saying just I haven't I recently just got here so I haven't found too much like different places yet because I've been trying to move in and be acclimated But I'm for sure for us a couple spots I mean I know Stand you're gonna have a backfield Yeah, I'm either when I got here you know me and will always been in contact

4:12:43Checking on each other hanging out no matter what it is just having that personal connection Thinking about Like I said like I think with the time that I was in the portal it was such a shorter amount of time in the process So I think you know Just trying to decide on where I wanted to go. I wasn't really focused on contacting There The Yeah I think you know when everything's moving so fast you have to stay poised as a player and focus on the things that matter

4:13:48And that'll put you in the best position And I think that's what it's really about You know that definitely plays a factor especially in today's game with I spent a friend back so I think that you know With the like I said the situation here just me being able to come here and contribute to this team You know You know like I said any way that I can contribute to the team and do what I can show and execute that's what matters As Yeah, and not just that team as well It's many other teams that do the same thing you know, and I think it just really special that what they've done together

4:14:50Just seeing how they play together how far they come and see me so it's really special to see And not just that but how much I mean, very today's time last year and having a quarterback that can run or two running bags and then is that how much the vet expect you to have a side deal With that option on the opponent It's very exciting just to know we have so many weapons and so many different ways to win the game so it's very exciting I'm looking forward to it for sure I Don't think it's something that you more so just specifically think of but I think it's something that's important in today's game that has to be valued as well You're overused at old men's I wouldn't really say overused. I don't think that's the word. I think you know just When you're playing you don't focus on those different type of things but you know like I see you don't really talk about it There was much made though about you suppose having a meeting with coach Kibble who was talking about the direction of the offense

4:15:54How much of that was true or from an athlete? Was that any of that true or just you know what was that all about? No, that's true, but I got to say man a lot like a lot of people They won't be happy when you make certain decision for yourself. Yeah, just a sign of it. Did you? Interest thinking Ohio State you I just walked up here I probably went all over this but when did Ohio State get on your radar? This is impossible. I mean that's your opinion. Immediately when I got in the portal, you know, I think like I say this is the place that you want to go to You know a place where everyone's passionate and everyone wants to win here You know and it's a great culture and everyone is focusing out and into to do something that's bigger than themselves You know why wouldn't you want to go to a place like that? A lot of people are saying you attribute on it and saying backfield and even having Dallin in there This might be the best running back for you in the country. Is there too some for you? Do you feel that way also a lot?

4:16:56Definitely. I feel like you know with everyone in our room they contribute in their own way Everyone is a great player in our own so I definitely agree. What's your answer to Ohio State? You know what I'm saying? Review what it is. I just swear I like all of a sudden Dallin wasn't just a problem. Yeah, I think more so for me it wasn't about like this is where I want to go immediately but I think that I wanted to make my process pretty short Especially when I got in at a later time because I had to be in the world in school. I think just more so just figuring out where I wanted to go and you know making that decision so it's possible. What was it on the phone? Just like I say the meeting with Coach Day everything that I was showcased. This is just the place that you want to be. Two quickies of the name Quint shot. What was that come from? That was the came from my parents. Yeah, I know but I mean what is there a backfield? Of course you can't forget that. But I really don't know I've never asked my parents that question actually.

4:17:57Yeah and then the hair style. What's that? I came up with this hairstyle in a march of last year so I just decided when they were like okay I want to dye hair. So I just went with it. I got a lot of great company so I kept it the same. Blonds get more, blonds have more fun or have more runs. I'll say more runs. As you said, white hair. Yes. What would a hair loss be? As tractor age teachers it is. The weather was especially Jess and It was horrible in the sense of having lots of haves. How do you think the natural shampoo should get every year from there? It is. You know, I embrace it well, you know, That's what everyone here works hard for it. That is the end goal, you know, to get us in a lot of wins. That's the goal. That's what everyone there for. To win the National Championship. So I take it seriously. Everyone here is audience. Whatever it takes to get that in.

4:18:58That's what everyone's trying to do. You've got to accept that first action. One minute, well, let me finish this. I have a player like Tony, you know what you're in here. And I have a friend who has probably you kind of put all that all the time. You know, you don't focus on things, like I say. The most important thing is playing football, especially for me, the NIL. That was something that I was focusing on. I was just going out there playing football, doing what I did. I'm sure you could have gone for a lot of places. Did you be a guy running faster? Did you feel him coming in and sharing the load of training? You know, I think just more so the situation here, like I'm saying, just coming here, being not only with Trayba, just great player all around and being able to execute and contribute to this team and do what I can to help us win. That was the most important thing. Was there any thought about, like, you know, speaking to some tread off your tires, like knowing that you have had somebody carry for the first two years? I think just, like I said, like in today's game,

4:19:59there's something that is important for Renna back, you know, to be able to value and to think about as far as the shelf life and things like that. But, you know, just in my situation, come here, that was the most important thing. But, sure, thank you. Thanks for the space. Thanks for the opportunity. The peak mentality of problem of instant gratification, you know, you can develop and grow. So, and sometimes you may be a, and behind a guy that's a really good player, is nothing wrong with developing and growing and playing when your time is right. And if the time is right, right now, is a freshman, like, what's your name? Did you play early, you know? So we try to also sell that, you know, we care about him as people and try to prepare you for life after football. So it's bigger than just football. You know, you can't just be a bunch of prepare you for life, whether it's the NFL or on what a regular career in the workforce, we want you to prepare you as a young man and we try to sell that and preach that to the parents. With remaining having that impact that you mentioned, and growing all these different spots, do you anticipate, you know, there wasn't a lot of rotation among the cornerbacks last year when everyone was healthy?

4:21:01Do you anticipate maybe growing him through the rest guys here with the longer season potentially? Yeah, we play it by here. You know what I mean? We see how it goes by the time we get in the camp. And I believe he's earning his stripes. So, you know, when you earn your stripes, you know, a lot of jobs to create opportunities for you. You know what I mean? We have to see how it goes with all that other stuff. You know, once we get closer to the season, and we're getting the game plan stuff, but he's doing a great job and he's taking a great step forward. Tim, when you're the way that you've been building the room, or the way you've kind of established your room now, it seems like it's been like centerpieces, kind of relationships, and kind of building bonds. And I'm curious, is that something that you came in with the, like, a couple years ago, with the intention of feeling, or is it something that you're like, that's kind of been cultivated over the course of your time as a position coach here in the guys. No, it's been there for a while. I've been doing that for a long time. It's all about relationship. If you develop real relationship, and you're authentic in your communication, and you have honest feedback, and you have, you know, direct teaching, the guys that have value and character and they appreciate that stuff, they're embrace that. So, but they have to know you care,

4:22:02and you have to know that it's real, and they have to know that you're really concerned about them. They're really concerned about them. We're being as a young man, and when you get close to them, it's been a lot of time with them off the field. You could coach them hard, and you can say truthful things to them, and then they embrace it, and you can have real conversation, because you know, the only goal is to help them get better as a young man. As you see, a couple years ago, I think those have told us that the, received room so far ahead of the border, was going to kind of skew that evaluations on my, how's that dynamic change in these two years? As the scoop's gotten older, and you've been bad at even more counting. Yeah, it's done balanced up a little bit now. That goes with great competition. We have the, we go against the best receivers in college football. So, that helps escalate your growth process, because if you don't figure it out real fast, you're getting embarrassed. So, that competition, but what happened with that, I guys started competing, I guys started growing, I guys got better, and now it's even up a little bit, so where you get really good work, at practice today, you know what I mean? So, as competitive, it's fun. Those guys both on both sides of all care about each other, so it's great competition,

4:23:02and they all are real close. So, you know what I mean? It's that stuff that gets us better, that will prepare us for Saturday. I asked Denzel, kind of like that same idea, and he said, well, like, first day of practice, actually, the receivers kind of got them, because I didn't kind of, but the wake of call made me feel this, for this, for this, for this, for this, for the better. I know, it's just, it's just going to competitive, man. They got the best group in the country, that you're going to get every day. So, you have to bring it every day, you know what I mean? So, they, we got a great quarterback room, we got a great receiver room, and running backs are really good, so when you, out there going against them, is deep, so you have to be ready for it. And obviously, man, we're seeing a lot of good stuff with, with, with, with, with, with, stay in Coach Kelly, doing over there, and so it prepares you a lot, and it helps us grow. So, why don't you go into a room and play kind of an Sasha for green pitch, where you, is that? Is, is the one that you're recruiting, or a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, Yeah, all that's, because you know, that's where you get better, iron shoppers iron. So, you know, you get to see that every day at practice, that helps you grow. It's no better,

4:24:02uh, thing to go against every day than to see that on a daily basis. I'm also near room massage drawer, looking at, to play that, we just moving a lot of guys around. We watch at practice, we have a lot of guys in there right now. You know, we pop out, there are four different guys in there, obviously, the ring's old, and their germane is in there, Caleb, um, Miles, we, we have, we have, four or five guys, moving around. Right now, we just try things out in spring ball. See what it fit, you know, see what things work together. So, it's gonna probably be some more guys in there. You know, we move it around, and try to just get the right fit throughout the N and C. How it goes by time, we get ready to start the season. What's in the out of our cow, and see what's in some hard. He can run any strong. You know what I mean? He's fast, uh, very serious about his business. Uh, he's big, it's 200 pounds, he can run, he's strong, he's conscientious. You know what I mean? He's starting to grow, and he's starting to get, get better with it. You know what I mean? He's making it to the spring. Tim, what do you wanna see from here? This spring. Keep competing. You know what I mean? Now, he's made the, uh, the transition, um, competing today. You know what I mean? Start going in. That transition is all just like I'm in your main last year.

4:25:03You throw them in the fire, you let them go, you compete, you go by the time we get out of the end of training camp, you have to be them figured out. Yeah, I want to, but now you just throw it all at them. Compete. Continue to grow, continue to learn. He has the skill set. He has to length. Now you just gotta put it all together, and it takes time to do that. Um, and hopefully you see that by the time we get in the training camp. It seems like a midway through spring, it kind of clicked for your main last year, and you start to see and perform a little better in practice. Is that like a benchmark for where you want here, and to be by the middle of spring, because you have to be in a certain point, where you want it to start clicking? Yeah, by the time you start getting about two weeks from now, that last week, you know, because it takes time, because there's a lot of stuff going on. But, you know, by the time you get into that last week of spring ball, you look, you start seeing the things that you look for show up, and then, you know, you get another evaluation again, when you get into training camp, see if this stuff carried on to make sure we good for starting in September. What's your assessment of the growth that we've made now that he's kind of got a student under one defense? What do you like about him and that nickel spot? Uh, he's very conscientious, he's smart, he can run, he's tough,

4:26:03he's made the adjustment because he's out of Europe on his belt. So now you can see he's not making a lot of mistakes, he can piece his real conscientious, and he has a physical presence. So, the growth has been really good, and we look to continue that throughout spring. Coach, that's a great match. I can ask one more. All the guys that came back, like Denzel's a great example, because that surprised you as you reflect on all these guys that came back late in the race, and they could have turned pro. No, the culture here is real. Coach, they does a great job of building the culture. Our room is close knit. The guys on defense are real close. Those guys want to come back, they have an agenda. You know, we want to come back, they want to come back and walk away with something. So, it didn't shock me, but it's a good environment for them too. You know what I mean? That's when you see those guys come back. That's a testimony to the culture that's set here. The brotherhood, the environment, and of course, they run the program for those dudes to want to come back. Because we go at it, it's hard. It's not easy. It's not easy, but what we do. So, in fact, they come back and do that.

4:27:03It's a testament to how he runs the program. Thank you, Coach Wong. Thank you very much. I think my capability, what I'm capable of, and then the personnel we have, like I said, trying to get the best level on the field, whatever that may be. So, you're still trying to figure that out. Just the point that the conversation was about, it may have been hard for you to keep your weight down the stage. Do you look bigger? How much have you changed physically? Are you allowed to just like finally eat now? I mean, last year, I was eating regular. I was like 2.30 to 2.35 the whole year last year. I don't know if people thought I was 2.25, but I was like 2.35 sometimes last year. So, it's not really like anything changed. Obviously, I'm a graduate of the Gainsome War Weight. I'm listening heavier weight. It was different training to be a DB than training to be a linebacker. So, you're going to gradually get a little bigger. Do you... Are you embracing that different kind of training? Yeah, I love it. I love to be with the linebackers.

4:28:04I think with the DBs, sometimes in the way, especially in the way room, I was expected to win. So, like, when I won, I was like, oh, it's anyone. But that was the linebacker now. It's more of a composition. You know what I'm saying? Not any hits of the DBs. I'm 2.30 going against someone who's 2.05. You know what I'm saying? I'm expecting you to win. So, I love the competition aspect. Yeah, Cody said you came in and said, well, he's already bigger than most of the linebackers. Are you playing Will and Sam? How was the position? I've been working on both, yes. Is there any, like, fundamental difference between the two in terms of both? Sam, what do you think? I mean, obviously, the Samy more outside the box, outside the linebacker overhang. You can be walked up on the edge on the tight end, Will's more inside the box. I think the biggest difference from Sam and Will, Samy's got to be more outside sometimes during the slot with two. But I think it's similar concepts, because you can do the same thing in the boundary. It's almost more like the Samfrogs of the field than Will's at the boundary. So, I think it's pretty similar, honestly.

4:29:04The only difference is that Sam Lashar, I never really was an interior run fitter, like in the A gap, you know, going A to B or whatever that might be. So, that's a little different. But I mean, I think I got some of that experience at safety just from a few yards back. So, like I said, the only difference really is now just suggesting the less time. Yeah, Coach, no, Sid, you've come in from where you're coming from. You have a better perspective of what's going on, because you played safe. Yeah, yeah. I feel like I have a great understanding of the defense. I think at safety, I kind of already knew what the linebacks were doing. So, now what I'm really starting to learn is like exactly like every little detail what the D line's doing. That's not really what I didn't know every little aspect of it. I think I'm starting to learn that now, because obviously the lineback you've got to be knowing that more. So, I think when it's all said, no, I think I have a really, really good understanding of the defense and knowing exactly what everyone's doing. You feel like you're warm enough there more in the mix of the defense, too. The lineback here sounds stunning because you can be dropping one minute pass-resistant. You know what I mean?

4:30:04I can't even tell you some of that anyway. Yeah, I actually said that. I think you can say, like being a linebacker in the play, you're almost in every play. Yeah. Obviously the play can run away from you, but you know, it's safety sometimes you're just back there, playing every guest of you. You take two back battles and it's a tackle. So, I think yeah, a linebacker, you're in the play more. More chance, more opportunities to make tackles. And you feel comfortable there. I mean, what does that, you know, obviously you're there to stay in that linebacker. Yeah, I feel super comfortable with it. Like I said, I think it's just going to be adjustment. Obviously it's different playing from a five than it was from playing from my 10 last year. So, I think it's an adjustment, but I'm super comfortable with it. So, are you happy or dead? Are you giving you any advice on the new position? Oh, yeah. We watch the table all the time. We watch practice. You know, he was a high level linebacker. And I'm just getting started with this. He gets a little footwork and stuff like that. But it's good. I get good teaching him. You know, obviously coach Laurenidas, great player, great teacher for him, coach Moles. You know, he's a super smart football mind. So, I'm getting great teaching all around. You know, my back, everything happens quicker for you.

4:31:05How much did the experience playing some of that sandwich, got the ice, your health, and this? Um, I think it helped a little bit. It's just being like in terms of physicality being in the box down on the line. But I do think the run fit as a will and a Sam can be a little different. Like in terms of like I said, like being an interior fitter, like your 30 backer, when A, you get pools. Now you got to go spill it, so things like that. But I think I'm adjusting well. I think I'm picking up on stuff pretty fast. You know, there's still going to be a lot of stuff to work on though. Do you feel more pressure talking to the media with your brother sitting right there? Not at all. What do you think has been the biggest change from my back or safety? Um, I think the biggest change will probably be that that's 10 to 5. Because it's a big adjustment because everything's happening faster and you got to react faster. And like I said, the waist and movements, I think footwork is huge. I think you see the great linebackers.

4:32:06As soon as the play happens, they're going. They're not taking any wasted steps or not fall stepping, things like that. So I think wasting, wasting movement and being able to see what's happening react to the fast. It's been the big spin fitter between being on the same team with your brother. Um, I mean, you know you got someone out there that's, it's more than a teammate. You know, we call each other brothers, but you know, blood's a little thicker. So that's always pretty cool. It's always, it's never 101. Yeah, but when he tells you something, he doesn't observe what you, you know, it's coming from. Yeah, I think when you're blood like that, I think he's not scared of telling me the truth. You know, you know, obviously guys here, we have tough love, but I think it's always going to be a little different when it's your brother. Because he going to keep it 100% blunt exactly what you need to hear. Now what you want to hear? What's your advice on playing Dickel? Oh, for him. Yeah. Um, I mean, he just so I've let it. He got to keep trusting his instincts. I think he's going to be great. Uh, I think what's huge for him is like I said, the athletic ability speed.

4:33:06You know, he blitzed off the edge. He's, he blitzed super fast. Um, and he's just great in covers too. So I think it's going to be really good. I think we're going to do a lot of different things. Kind of like you see a hand caught. Obviously a little different body than a hand caught, but I think he's going to be really good at once and stuff. So I'm not feeling. He's, he's, he's, he's just time. Thank you. Great. What have you seen for Jaden? He's time. We saw him on Saturday running with the ones. Um, he's been a guy that's been on the rise, you know, to me from where he was when he started spring ball to where he is now. He's made more plays at practice. His eye discipline is better. His understanding of the defense is better, which allows you to be able to play free and be able to play fast. So that's what I've seen so far and I can expect that to continue. He's been great. He's been great. He's been great. He first off, we do a thing where we track. How well you run to the ball every practice. One of the things that we grade, right? So you can talk about all the schematics that you want. Coach Knowles has all that.

4:34:06But if you're not running to the ball, you're not playing good defense, right? So we track that and he's one of the guys that every single practice is one of our highest grade guys running to the ball. So he's been awesome from an effort standpoint first attitude. He's in early. He puts the work in and he's made a bunch of plays out here. So now I'm excited about Jaden McLean for sure. You're talking about running to the ball. Do you mean like he's ball hockey really well in the back end or is it a nose for the football running game or both? Yeah, so we're really tracking effort and how hard a guy's playing from there is what we do. But I would say this too, he's been around the ball a lot, right? With his alley running and he's downing the ball and on a break through run or fitting gaps and things like that. And then he's got really good range in the post or the half too. So he's done a good job of both of those things. I guess all the above. Yeah, I do. I do. And it's been an opportunity for you have a couple guys that are out there. So you're able to continue to grow the depth and be able to see what guys can do. And you have increased reps from that standpoint.

4:35:07So I do feel confident. I feel confident in the guys that, how they've performed so far this spring. And the guys that haven't been out there, I feel confident from what their abilities are, what I've seen on film, and then the mental preparation from that standpoint. Now I would go back to refer to, you know, what late than was like a couple of years ago and taking that same blueprint. Yeah, he's done. I would say the mental side. I would say if you took, he has really good physical skills. You see him when he walks on the field. I mean, he's a, yeah, no doubt. I would say the mental side of the game, right? Really understanding what's the defense? What's my eye progression? Where do I fit into this chess piece? You know, what's my chess piece in this whole match that's happening? And yeah, I've been pleased with him and he's putting the work in to make sure he has a good job. And to make sure he understands what's going on. Here for you is a coach that is here. All the changes you're going to be working on are actually going to go. Now, as a coach, what is it like working with this? I wouldn't say weird. I'd say it's great, right? And because his preparation is so high level,

4:36:07it challenges you as a coach to be an elite teacher, right? Because he's going to be on his game, it's like coaching a professional player, right? He understands the concepts in the game so well. He's put so much time into it. As a coach, you better be matching or equaling that, right? Going above and beyond that, because if not, he's going to be a step ahead of the coach, right? So that's, it's been awesome to be able to push each other to make each other better. He's got a great understanding and feel for the game. He's a great young man. The work ethic is really high level. So every value that you would look for, not just for a skill or intangible thing, but who he is as a person. I can't say enough about who Caleb Downs is. It's been awesome. What's the next step for me for waiting, man? You're talking about the preparation that Caleb has. What is the way of coming back from your final? Yep. Coming back from injury, like, what do you want to see from him? Maybe it's leadership. Maybe it's on the field. I don't know. What is it for you? Yeah, I think leadership is definitely something, right? He's a guy that's been there, done that. He has accomplished a lot, but not the goals that he wants to yet. So I would say from a leadership standpoint,

4:37:07holding guys accountable, and he's done that at a really high level. And then his own preparation. I've been impressed with, you know, if you're not taking as many physical reps, what are the mental reps that you're taking? And he's done a really good job of having daily routine, putting the time in, making sure that he's coming up with speed with everything. So I would say the off the field stuff is a step in the right direction. What did you take away from your experience, like you as a coach, for a year, that since we last saw you, you've been through multiple spring practices. What did you learn, something in your time, or when it was just, I had for you as a coach that you brought here to bring the safety of your mission? Yeah, I think that you learn different ways to be able to do things whether it's taking the ball away, or tackling methods, or, you know, the way that it's taught from other defensive coaches. So to learn from a different tree and thought process and philosophy, you know, I try to, I pride myself on being a teacher, which means that you better always be learning. Right, are you getting behind? So I would say, yeah, just different ways to be able to maybe do similar techniques

4:38:07or things that have to be done from a defensive principal standpoint. And then, you know, bringing that to the table. As you step back and you say, okay, here's how I've always done it, or I've done it in the gym-null system, right? And then you're in a different defensive system, and how does that get executed? And then you can blend some of those, or pick what you like from there. So a chance to reflect, I'd say. Did you feel like you accomplished what you wanted to away from the gym-null system to bring it back to the gym-null system? Yeah, I mean, I think any time that you're, no matter where you're coaching, right? You have principles of defense, and a way to be able to play defense, whether you're how you tackle, or how you play the red zone, or different things like that. And there's metrics to be able to track that, and some improvement was made. Not enough of my opinion. You only move, there were strides from that standpoint. And then, yeah, when you come back into it, you say, okay, the system here has developed in a year that I was gone, right? And then maybe I'm able to develop a little bit as a coach too, and from a positional coach or a coordinator mindset, things like that. And then you're able to mesh ideas and come back, and you learn, hey, I knew that's happened over a year, and then I was able to see the big 10 from a different lens as well.

4:39:10So I think that's valuable. Man, it's been a lot of pushing down a few safeties on Saturday. Just kind of, how do you feel about your depth of balance position right now? Yeah, it's something that, you know, we've addressed and say, hey, here's the guys that have played. Here's the guys that haven't played. Who's taking the reps right now, and how do we grow those guys? You know, from Mass standpoint. So I think that's a work in progress every single day. So I've been pleased with the guys. On the, you know, steadily on the rise approach from everybody in the room. So I've been pleased with the guys in the progress that they've made. So I feel good about it. And I expect that to continue throughout spring, and then continue throughout summer and into fall camp. You know, from Mass standpoint. Yeah. Yeah. Jaden Bonz was taking advantage of the opportunity that he's had. Jalen McClain's taken an opportunity, you know, advantage the opportunity. Inky had a really good day today. You know, it's taking advantage of the opportunity. You know, I'm pleased with watching those guys, you know, continue to progress. You know, and the Caleb, I think, is, you know, learned our system and done really well and got better every day.

4:40:10All right, Matt, thank you. Thanks. Appreciate it, guys. Coach Day's offense, and Chip Kelly's offense is the same offense. It's kind of neat going back to the roots and the origin. Maybe understanding a new twist or why he called it how we did. And it's been great for the Titans. I believe 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, my most of it experience for you, too? Is that true? Coach, you've heard other years, the emergency intensity, the type of shirt-talk, you know? Yeah, I think, you know, awesome. That's a great question. I hope not, right? I think, I think the energy was still there with a guy like Kate. Now, again, it might have been, like I said earlier, also it might have been, you know, the 3,000-level course with Kate because he's ran that play for four years before I got him. Right now, it still might be the, what do I got to do? And yeah, I mean, I hope the guys feel that the energy's picked up because the urgency has.

4:41:12I mean, 8-8, number 8's 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 it's three tie-downs out there. So hopefully they feel the urgency's picked up. I believe that the roof is structured up. It's been a long time. But it's not like year after year, it was a long time. The better guy, the next one, the better guy, the next one, that's the thing. It's just like every big difference right now. Does that mean you have to provide full leadership for the guys? You know what I mean? Is that how it's going to work with you? Does that just a G's job, even if it's not going to work? Yeah, I don't know. I'm not going to put it all on G's, right? But again, the leaders drive the culture. Now, whether it be G or whether it be Pat, who's been here for a long time and played a lot of football, or whether it be Will came in and said, no, this is what it should look like. I mean, I want those guys to take it and run with it. You know, on Saturdays, I'm in the box. I'm not cutting off the C guys. It's got to come from them. Now, again, my job is coaches to make them hear things they don't want to hear. You know, pushing to do things they don't want to do. So I'm certainly going to do that at times. I'll keep doing it.

4:42:12But they've done a great job of driving the culture. Keenan, you were in the room with Rick Kevin. Was in the offensive meeting room for so many years. This haven't chipped, kind of, gets you guys back to where you guys were with Kevin. You know, the room as an offensive staff, you guys were kind of young last year. Now, to have chipped with that experience, is that kind of like what you guys have with Kevin? You know, some similarities. I think the comparison is that we're talking about Kevin Wilson, and Chikali, two of the brightest, you know, minds and offensive football in the last several decades. So I think there's some similarities there. But yeah, I think it's a loud one coach day, maybe to delegate, you know, to Coach Kelly. And let him be the best version of himself. And Coach Kelly has 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 there initially a bigger role, expecting for Jolani in the cotton bowl, and did that not get to come to fruition as much as the way that game played out there? You know, I don't remember exactly what, you know, the expectation was he was going to help contribute.

4:43:14And 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. Especially if you guys seem to like during the bull prep that was a step forward at all. Yeah, oh yeah, he definitely takes that forward for sure. But you are painting an ideal situation for the ball. What does the depth look like in terms of how many guys you are going to trust? I think I got six seats in there. So six of the toughest dudes on the team. I'm not trying to just give you the coach speak, but I mean, however it shakes out. Hopefully we could play 13% or 14% 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, the toughest dudes on the field. Are you seeing enough of that to feel comfortable saying that that can happen by home? Yeah, I mean, we're taking strides.

4:44:15We'll see about the end of spring and then hopefully fall camp. It's a long ways away from whoever we play with going. Can you tell us what's happened like you've been doing for a long time? Yeah, it's been great. It's been great. A pump return and kick return. And again, the coach, other positions too, right? I mean, I mean, special teams comes down to technique and effort. Right? And that's the ultimate test of the brotherhood. And no one signed up to be a buck out of me on pump return. They want to be first round this, first round that. So it's been awesome. And involved in that. What do you think? He looks like he's got a different type of punch back here. I'll be honest to you guys. Oh yeah, we're working quite a few guys back there. We got some options. So yeah, we fun. You guys were thinking about puts a lot of you that maybe have a bigger rules. What is he giving you guys that would make you think that you're a real life athlete? I mean, he had more time, right? Just because we have that whole month of kind of December for development. And the bull press, a lot like spring ball. And that he has those three or four weeks to get the reps. He wasn't getting during the year because Katie was taking it. Right?

4:45:15He's over there. He's helping with the one thing that you can do. He's having so many steps. And that was the thing that was going to happen. I think good. I think it just shows that, you know, next man in, we trust you fully. Katie couldn't go. No one bad at the night. It was G. Then it was Pat. Period. We called 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. Really good. When you look at G now, do you, and this may be a prestigious question, maybe, but you see a tight end now. You're still when I'm saying from a couple years ago. I'm here to go. He was, you know, he moved over from wide receiver and all this kind of stuff. We just jumped out at you about what he brings with the tight end spot. I guess. Yeah. I know what you're asking too. I promise you, I never like, he's in the tight end. I didn't say, oh, but he's a receiver playing tight end. He's a tight end. Yeah. He's a tight end. So he's going to be greater like a tight end, treated like it. So I never really. But like Kevin talked about when the, 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 he's less

4:46:19or opponents, but having some success out there, you know, like in the run game, the blocking aspect of things and stuff. And he seems to have progressed big time from that. I mean, do you feel that way too? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. He's going way better. And again, that practices. He's against JT if he's on the right side, he's against Shaq. So I mean, there's no, this is Ohio State. You're playing against the best every day. So he's definitely progressed. Do you think that elaborate effort you guys are having a special team? Do you think that's benefiting you guys in terms of just how you're approaching that table? Yeah, I think so. 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 partner during the kicker journey. I mean, that's Coach Hartlan and I's product out there. And if there's not tight ends all over those units and they're not going to play tight end, I know 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 brought that up, what did you think about that change? And number two, what has he told you he wants that he wasn't getting from a special team two years ago?

4:47:19No, he never, 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 tight end in the country. Same thing with quarterback. Same thing with Palmer-Turne coach. On the pumper-turn coach, I should be the best one in the country. So I got to work with Coach Hartlan and Coach Keys and everyone else. Learn in this game and techniques and now we got to put on the field. You find yourself studying punt returns, like NFL teams and things like that. How are you doing your prep work? Oh yeah, yeah. Coach Hart, Coach Keys. Thanks, Gunner. I mean, we locked ourselves in a room for a week there and I don't think I did any offense. So, how are you? I already have pretty good knowledge of the turn game. Or do you have to start from scratch there? No, yeah, there's no starting from scratch. I mean, it's all ball. And that's the coolest thing about special teams is if you're not special teams, it's going to make you better tight end. It's going to be a better DB, you're running back. And it's like the technique and everything like that. I think I had pretty fair foundation and then maybe some tweaks and, you know, kind of, we have to decide what our identity is going this season. And then we talked a lot about how to do it.

4:48:21Maybe it's really a bit late to be role-playing. What do you mean? What is the case with the offense? What trust is you against what kind of trust is that? Yeah, I think he proved it on special teams because he played on special teams before he played offense. And then just reps up practice again against blocking the best linebackers in the country. It doesn't matter if you're a five star or if you're a walk on. But to that point, I think sometimes there's a mentality of, oh, but he's just a walk on. That does not exist with Pat. It's went out the window to start a, once you start a plan. Is that how you approach it here, bro? It's how guys are here, guys. Almost 11.30. It's what you have in your stars. Oh, yeah. Is that helping you? Oh, yeah. They know, I think everyone in my room knows. And, you know, guys I talked to on the recruiting trail. Kate went down and knew his G and then Pat was right in. I didn't see Pat and I. I'm going to put the toughest dude out there who goes to the hardest. Right? I don't care if you're from Ohio, you're a dancer, you're a black guy, you're a walk on or a five star. Whatever you'd help us win, you know. We could marry in that.

4:49:22Not here yet. Yeah. You still work with them a car? 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 could hit the ground running. But yeah, it's much prep work as we could do on the front end with, you know, setting them tip sheets and that's what it thing. We're technology nowadays. I mean, COVID, we had to do it. So, yeah, we could get to work right now. Two more questions, folks. With the special teams question, the collaboration that you guys have and it's three people in one room. 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, I mean, it's Coach Hart and I. I mean, that guy, we worked, we're seeing each other every day for the last eight years and luckily, I worked for years with him. So that's so organic. Hart and I just kind of bounce each other, thoughts off each other. We could read each other's minds by now. I think that's how close we are. So, it's really organic in there. And then Coach Kees 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. Obviously, the guys react to that.

4:50:23So, you're coaching the special teams. Yeah, I think they like it because like the accountability, again, if my tight ends aren't on a tournament takeer during their not playing tight end, and they know that. So, I think across the board, it gives us a platform to coach other positions. In a time when the print transport is so big, and the guy like G probably could have left multiple times if he wanted to. What does that do for the room? To have a guy who's a leader, have just so set that. I'm like, I'm going to stay here, I'm going to stay here and make an impact. That's the goal. Yeah, I think it speaks volumes. You hit the nail on the head, not just for G, but for the brotherhood. And I know it sounds cliche and people read it on Twitter and kind of roll their eyes at brotherhood. Why did they think the entire defense came back for the brotherhood? We got two goals here. We haven't done them since she's been here. He hasn't hit his two goals, so he stayed for the brotherhood. So, I think it speaks volumes for G as a leader in the room. But also, you look around a roster, how many guys could have either left for other opportunities in the portal or in the NFL. So, I think it speaks volumes to the brotherhood. Is it different at tight end with the transfer portal maybe? For some positions, it's such a development position at tight end where you have to develop run blocking.

4:51:26And 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. And I haven't really thought about that because it's still so new. I think you've got to be so honest in recruiting. If you think I'm going to walk into a living room and say, Come be my starting tight end, actually, you're crazy. You're crazy. Now, come prepared and get to work before you get here. And, you know, I'm going to give you the opportunity to. Again, I'll tell you a question earlier. I don't care if it's a senior or a true freshman. If you could play, you could play period. I can't wait. Give me a true freshman, you could play tight end. It's still high-estate. You've got to block Jack and JT. And then your dog tired next play. You're getting covered by Downs and Lathen and all those guys. Are you kidding me? Is this NFL? No, it's a high-estate. Right? So, yeah, I think it's a little bit different, but you've got to be honest on the front end. Keena, thank you very much. Awesome. Thanks, guys. Thanks, Coach. Thank you. You're there just circling back to what we had. Natural maturation a little bit because he's been through a little bit of spring. He's been through a little bit of camps. So you're still learning the terminology.

4:52:27You're learning a new skill set. But he just drove right in and wanted to be a sponge and wanted to learn it. He's doing a good job. And he's doing a good job. And he's improving every day. So that's what's making the battle and the competition. And all these great snaps really good for us is because they all have that mindset. So from Seth, awesome. The unit in the group, awesome because there was no combativeness to it. Let's get in, let's go on this compete and then let the guys win. Luke said the skill set made you guys what you're going to do with the car. Just learning the same deal. All the young guys you're coming, you got to learn how to play in friction. So having three tech, having two eye, having those guys like right in front of you. That every time you take one of those reps and you're out of your base or you're in your base, you feel the good, you feel the bad. So being more consistent that way, you can't make moves or shift guys if they're not mentally there. And so for him, he's got a pretty good football FQ. So he's continuing, he's growing every day, he's working and he's getting beat every day too. And he's learning from those. From the spring time, we have a saying in our room, we're like, in the spring, it's yes and it's no.

4:53:30And I know it's KNOW. Why didn't the rep work? What happened? And how do I make sure I don't repeat the same mistake? And so whether he's coming in and watching the tape on his own and then coming with questions, he's grabbing me and watching tape with me or we're coming doing stuff as a unit. He's learning so that same deal the game can slow down and he gets more comfortable there in friction. So I mean, his weights up, his strengths up, he's spending all season with Mick. You know, there's a lot of development that still has to be had. Obviously not a finished product, but being able mentally for a guy to handle that, you know, helps a lot. Luke, a leaner guy? Did you tell him that? He paid you to say that? He did not pay me to say it, but I will say it. That might be the first time he ever heard that in his life. No. No. You know, like Luke Carson, whoever maybe, that jump of 18 to 19 to 19 to 20 year old kid,

4:54:35that plays a lot into it too. Being in a full year with Mick, I mean all those guys, you coming at mid, you're like your Divo and Dion and Ian more right now. You're keeping your head above water. That's your whole first year. Now you can actually get and we can sit. So when you sit and talk about a jam combo or a lock or whatever the call may be to Luke, he registers that and not like something new, because then there's paralysis by analysis. So I think the mental part on top of another year, natural maturity of getting bigger and stronger, that's always going to help. You're not going to, guys here, they're not going to regress. It's going to keep adding progress and how fast can we get that going? That's what we're working on every day with him. Josh said that he would have been all guard to this point. And Coach Day has mentioned this several times that Josh could play guard too. And you guys are trying to work through that, Friar. Josh could play off five. I mean, he snapped the ball in high school. Josh had a great off season. But for you, when you're going to your spring and it's back finding and experimentation, how much do you want to put them in different spots or not?

4:55:38Because you also have an eye on August to try and settle on five minute rotation. What's the balance of that for you? You have to get a really good, great,able set so that everybody has numbers of, you know, just like we said before, how many times have we done? A run blocking or pass blocking in this situation so that that all evens out. So that's the, it's not experimentation. It's just making sure that you get a good book of work to look at and grade that. So as we, you know, work guys around the platoons and go just to make sure that everybody gets good, greatable reps. So we can sit back by the end of spring and say, all right, this is your comparing apples to apples and oranges oranges and not, you know, apples to oranges because it's completely different that way. So that's kind of the thought behind that as you, as you're going through the spring. When you got here a couple years ago, you just met your fellow coach who, you're from now, Chip Kelly is going to be here as an office employee. What would you have said? Not a laugh. You know, but then I said, you know, it's college football. So who knows, right? What's up in like, I'm sure you're enjoying it. What's up in like, is it? I mean, he just added to another piece of just good people here. I mean, you still, you're coming to work here with guys every day, you know, but the kids we talk about a thumb, but then for us as coaches of staff.

4:56:46So adding just another good dude that's in the room. Obviously, as he says something and, you know, he might speak in old terms or terms that we had, you know, maybe be a little bit of a rosetta. I don't know this is this. He's like, yeah, that's right. Because that happens to all coaches that happen to me when I got here. First, I was at what's coach day sometime with Ryan's like, you know, what do we call this because he was in a system like that before. And he's, oh, this is this now. So I think just the, you know, translation of a rosetta stone there help, but just overall standpoint of adding a great guy. That's a great coach that's been around that's, he's going to supplement the room and every time you add something new to the room, then that makes the room better. And it makes you individually better. Oh, look how he does that. Maybe I could do that. Maybe I can bring that to my meeting room. Maybe I can bring that to communication to the staff or to the kids or whatever it is because he's. He's done it for a long time and he's done a high level for a long time. So it's good to add that guy to us and then continue as us to rest the staff for me and Brian and key and everybody just learning and growing with that.

4:57:46What does he see? It brings to me. Specifically just, I mean, does he from a talent standpoint? Is he see things sometimes others don't see? I mean, does he? I mean, what does he kind of brings from the chalkboard aspect? Well, I mean, while you're saying so what does he see? It's good to have fresh eyes come in that maybe, you know, you get in a routine and you get in a rhythm and all of a sudden. What do you think about the way you're doing it? What do you think about the way you're doing it? What do you think about the way you're doing it? He's one of those guys that I think goes into the categories, forgotten a lot of football and some people have learned in their life. But no, I believe he coached every position on the field both sides of the ball through his whole career. So as he looks up and he writes when he's talking about, well, this will linebacker is going to do that. He's going to coach that at Columbia, right? Or this is what the three techs going to read on a down block of a tackle because he's coached the offensive line and he's been a coordinator for a long time. So just a really good vision of big picture, understanding and, you know, the next step and not just being right now.

4:58:46What does that take? If you had a theme or whatever, this spring because I mean, it seems kind of like a not to make it a break in time for him. The time to step up and step in his point was nobody cares. Nobody cares what struggles you have or whatever you got to go out during that field and get the job done. It's a life point. If you notice anything different about tech, what do you see about tech? Yeah, he's competing his butt off. I mean, he's kind of living that way. That's why we have the red line over there. When you cross the line, you know, Coach, they talk about that. Here, like, the game doesn't care. You're off the field. You got to come out and step out and do your job. It doesn't care about anything off the field. That can sound really negative and harsh. But then it also, if you just spin your tone, like, isn't it beautiful that the game doesn't care? It doesn't care. Your skin color, your socioeconomic background, where you've come from. If you just want to do it the right way in the 53 and the third, the game will love you back. So I think it's the approach mentally that guys take that way. So yeah, for Tegrit, he's taking that approach. Like, he wants to come in and be a guy.

4:59:51So he's fighting and clawing and scratching every day. So when he makes a mistake, he's trying to correct it when he does it well. He's trying to enhance it. And that's what competitive people do. And that's what he showed up to do. So that's good that he said that. What's his command on the field been like as a center? And is that difficult when you're coming into a new offensive line to have that? Or is there something innate about the center position if you've been experienced at it? Like, he has where you kind of have that. I guess command on the field over with any offensive line. So I should say it over and start over again. You're saying the comfort of center with who now? Yeah, I'm saying like how has his command of the field been and hasn't been difficult, I guess, to adjust for him if he's to have a certain level of on field command. Yeah, I mean, the on command is just great communication getting everybody on the same page. Yes, having a bunch of banked reps helps. But then when you do come into a new offense, just like we talked, you know, chip a little bit earlier. You know, he might have called it yellow and we call it green or something. I don't just make it stuff up, but the transition of that in your head to get going with that.

5:00:57But yeah, the comfort of having a ball in your hand, having a guy. I mean, you talk about that. Accommodation of football, like play one handed and have, you know, tie leak this far from your face. You better have command of something, you know. So you got to understand the communication and the technique and those things there. So yeah, I think him coming into a new place, the game's not as fast as it probably would be for a younger guy. But also there's mistakes there that he can learn from and grow from and in the same day. You know, the one thing we're not having concerns with and we're not driving right now is the guys just competing and trying to get better after a mistake or like we said, we're enhancing as they've done some stuff really well and he's he's adapted to that really well. This spring is the same for that. And how do you assess their own by center version of guard? Could they do both? They both have been ripping it center. Yeah. For the competition aspect, could they roll out and play guard? Yeah, probably both of them could. How do you assess that? You just got to give them a bunch of guard reps.

5:02:00But if you send guys out too much that way, then that's not good coaching, you know. So we got a good plan with everybody. Those two guys included as we're moving ahead. But yeah, they've been really working at center position right now both of them. Would you stress what Josh said? No, I have it. He obviously came after spring practice next year. How has he been in this spring? I kind of speak to how what the challenge must have been for him last year, not having spring practice stepping in playing that position here in experience for him. Yeah, same. He's been here not even a four year yet. So coming in the summer, doing what he did, coming in through the fall. And then now I mean the same with him. It sounded like a broken record. I think the game's slowing down for him. Those mistakes that may have showed up or the questions that he had through the fall and as we got going through the season, those are starting to erase a little bit, which is good. You know, his communication level is just talking more. That's probably the best thing that he's done so far.

5:03:00He's a highly, highly talented guy. We're just developing that skills and discipline and does go into communication. So as he communicates and talks, that's probably the biggest thing I've seen from him, which I think, you know, volume and communication equals confidence. And so he's playing much more confident right now. And obviously he has talent. He also would have a few plays of game or, you know, the penalty or whatever. Have you seen him reduce those? A bunch. Yes. Coach, thank you very much. Hey, sure. Thanks, guys. Thank you. Thank you, Chef. You made my bare fans. Thanks, Chef. I understand. All right, folks, we will come back when. You know, the communication and how everything works. I really just understand football, which you kind of understand, like how defensive line will work. You want to get the best investment for today, the rest and so on. I think that's what I'm talking about. How can that chemistry be different from your comedy, or your side? I think it's an even here. Like, there'll be things like, sometimes you won't even have to communicate.

5:04:02So you just know, you know, like, you're a little bit of a ball together and it was great. I was like, this is the challenge of my side. What did you come to this spring? You know, you can go live to meet me during this round. I came in knowing that just about everything. I mean, like, obviously, I kind of feel like in terms of like physical attributes, I can kind of like move and I'm strong and stuff like that. But I think like, there's a lot more to it that I needed to work on, even to come close to what I can do. To me being able to help a team like such as technique, awareness, just everything. Definitely communication, I think that's about the big thing. Like, when you're in those big games, you gotta be able to call it out, like, a pressure might come and stuff like that. So, it's awareness and ball. I'm curious about the two-hour round. The first two-hour round. I think it's the summer. If the start round is going to be, how you feel spring is going to be? Is there a level of understanding how we can just let you know,

5:05:02that's where these players are going to be down better than the football teams. Right, folks, we have Dalin Hayden on the 20th. Yeah, he wants just 100% after it and just work hard. Like, obviously, like, there's more to it, but those are the things that he wants you to do. He wants you to play fast, play basketball. That's the summer I pick at every day. Coming out here gets the best to do it for him. You go back and ask me, is it almost like you have all the stuff that was thrown in me, all the stuff I had to adjust to. How do you think that is? That's a great one. You've used to do it for the future. Definitely, but when I come in here, I knew Coach Fry and staff, they were going to definitely like, scope me into the player that I was. Oh, you were doing a player? Yeah, they scope me into that. Yeah, like, they know that like, scope, I mean. Oh, scope, yeah. Like, just kind of make me into that type of player. I mean, the development factor from Coach Fry that I've been getting is like, I didn't even, it's like Magic almost. So, I mean, I'm just kind of keep going with him and keep riding with him. Having his green back, his having his armor all has been shown to us in how much better he would be.

5:06:03I guess we'll see. I'm going to keep picking that in. Sure, we'll see what we'll be. Once my players hope to describe you as a speaker. First of all, do you agree with that? What do you think is the reason for that? I guess, yeah, I would say sure, but I mean, I can't really take credit for something like that. You know, the boy like that is the man above, kind of put that in my gym, so. How much is running game changing? New odds, whatever you want to call it with Chip Kelly in charge? What if you noticed this little bit, little new odds, is there stuff? I mean, maybe like little things. I mean, little things add up to big things, right? Yeah, I mean, yeah. Yeah, well, where do you think you guys were lacking at some point last year in certain, some of those matchups? I mean, it was a whole new line, so I mean, like, I know the site came to shoot with each other, other than that, it was, I mean, those are hard games, nothing's going to be like, for sure, what's going on? You know, you can have some hard times. Did Missouri test y'all about as well as anybody?

5:07:04Just about, yeah. Yeah, they were pretty pretty good. What did you know coming out of there, y'all had to get fixed? To be honest, I felt like we just tried to go out there and just play hard. Like, obviously, you know, number six was a really good player, so we just tried to make sure keeping either back good as much possible. So that's really, we can try to go to. Describe your game a little bit Josh wouldn't be well when he's going to work out with those. Just, just describe your dancing. Yeah, so as a left tackle, like, after like, you know, more jobs, make sure nobody gets to the quarterback. And that's something that I try to do, make sure nobody kind of get around me or go through them or anything. Just keep the quarterback clean out of here, there's a lot more, you gotta be able to be a well-owned player, you know, more people in the run, stuff like that. But like, that's probably one of the biggest things, make sure it's for that spring, nobody gets to run. What block did you, I was essentially something that I heard? Yeah, so I mean, we got, I mean, we have the main deal I mean, throw his twist in and stuff like that, so in the run, no twist, too. So you just kind of like, I guess you just got to really stay technically sound, that's something I'm trying to do. Josh, if you're going to get Mitchell Melton much this spring and stuff, what stands out about him?

5:08:07Obviously, he came back from a couple of knee, knee injuries and stuff, but what just jumped out at you about him? Yeah, you wouldn't even know he had the two knee injuries. I mean, he's so, like, the way he rushes, it's so, like, it's his signature rush. Yeah, it's something that you can't, it's probably the hardest, it's probably like the hardest person I've got to block here. Yeah, if I'm being honest, like, he's very twitchy, great with his hands, amazing get off, and he has that sneaky power. Like, if you're not really like, setting for it, he'll get you. And everyone gets your take, you know, he came here from San Diego State, your center, the guys transferred in Seth Maclaufflin, whether he starts or not, we'll see, right or no, he's from Alabama. Is it amazing to you how college football teams are put together anymore? Yeah, because he could be a key thing, and what does that just tell you about the game these days? I mean, yeah, I mean, it can go anywhere. I mean, like Seth is a great player. I mean, he tells me, like, you know, stuff that they did differently, I bet, and stuff like that. And I try to take some of, like, maybe some advice he has, because he's been getting college football for a little longer than he saw.

5:09:07Yeah. Yeah, he seems like a grown-up, doesn't he? Yeah. He comes across that way, then. What's the line that you're absolutely up to? What's the line that you're up to? What's the line that you're up to? Play fast, play physical. I mean, there's obviously more that we're working on. We're learning, like, each other to be honest. I guess the right side is, like, kind of, like, going a little bit. I mean, not with fire, but, like, you know, we have, like, some people that compete. I mean, we're all competing. I know I am. And stuff like that. So I just, we're just trying to play hard in play physical. How is your most of the way through this, for instance? How helpful is, how necessary is really a spring? How do you have that? Yeah. It's very necessary, especially when you kind of got a new OC and stuff like that. It's best to kind of get, you know, comfortable with the steam now. Then maybe, like, post-acampus in, like, in like, a few weeks, then you have to, yeah, we're going so. Yeah. This time, last year, you're like, do you know what to lead on to get a future? I mean, Don, he's like, dude, I owe Don and a lot of, like, he's an amazing player.

5:10:10He gives me, like, insight on just what it's like Notre Dame. I've never been, like, more nervous for a game than Notre Dame. I just kind of talked to him. He said, we got it. Keep doing what you do, and we got to it. We got to open it up. Probably a little more. Oh, yeah, especially. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So, like I said, you know, just sort of been tough on your leave this year. 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. That's what you do. Look for you. And I'll find you. Yeah. You have to talk to me. You have to talk to me. You have to talk to me. Uh. And I just think that I was putting good positions. Uh. Just kind of let, you know, let loose. We're not going to play ball. Like I know how to. And, uh, you know, my teammates played great too. And coaches called it a game defensively. I mean, you know, we give a 14 total points or 17, 14.

5:11:13I mean, 14 gets a good offense like that. Great team. I mean, that's a good day. So obviously we didn't get the results we wanted, which is frustrating again, but it's a whole different story. Uh. Yeah. I mean, I just think it was, it was collectively a good day on defense. And I happen to be fortunate to be in position and make some good plays. I mean, that'd be the time for. I'm obviously in the organization. You guys have played well, but nothing really happened. The most I thought was necessarily never mirroring that. Like you trying to add all that to my first starters. Can you feel when we're in a groove like that when you get back to the field of that? And you get back to the field of that when you get back to the field of that? Yeah. I think I felt like I was in a group probably the whole second half of the season. I felt like myself again and I was just out there playing and having fun with my teammates. And, uh, you know, I think that, you know, when you come here and you expect to get the field to be a certain way, you know, it's hard to get over that for a little bit. And I think you can look at kind of this all of us on the D line as a front. We all kind of had our own journey into how we 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.

5:12:16And, uh, using our abilities that God's gave us. So I think that this whole next year, you know, just going to see a whole different level of play from all of us. I know you're trying to keep it up. Yeah. And that'd be kind of a launch in terms of what they're maybe capable of in the future. It's going to be a good thing for you to have the season special. Yeah. You know, I've knew all along what I was capable of. And, uh, you know, it was frustrating the first few years, you know, not being able to, you know, not playing for whatever reason on the field. 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 itself. Okay. You know, you're good. Did, uh, you're right. Use the term, uh, and talent issues. Uh, with us. Is it not like an emphasis? I'm not focusing on the little things kind of owning it on that stuff. Can you guys really tell us? What is it for you to support? Yeah, you know, I think you said it. You know, with, there's no talent issues here on this team. Uh, you know, I think if you look at our team across the board, probably one of those talent teams in the country.

5:13:16If not the most talented team in the country. Uh, so, you know, that's God given though. And, uh, what we can work on is our discipline, our skill, our technique. I think if we become the most, you know, disciplined and sound team technique wise, there's not going to be a team of the country to stop us. Uh, but it's, you know, it's a long process to get to that point and to get to that season. So I just think that when Coach Day talks about that, you know, it's true. We've got the talent. Just got to go out there and work every day on the little things. Jack, 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, uh, hands, you know, at the D line, you can kind of improve on everything. And so, Coach Johnson, our emphasis is just, you know, just taking care of the little things, hands, hips, uh, foot placement. So it's kind of little bit every day in the spring. There's a lot to be excited for, especially all the guys coming back on defense. But how excited are you to play again with JT? I'm really excited about that. You know, it was cool, really cool. I mean, him going back and forth the whole time to side and whether we're going to come back or not. Uh, and you know, when we, you know, I kind of knew, I knew before you guys knew when he was coming back.

5:14:19So, you know, I was excited. I, you know, he'll be a hell of a player and, uh, you know, a really good friend of mine. So there's happened another year with him and, you know, if I'm going to enjoy it and, you know, hopefully have some fun. You know, we can have a comfortable support of us next fall. Even going back to your group and, you know, the first guy to come in on this spring break. You guys are a little above cues 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 could prove guys to come back into the pool and run back on the run. Yeah, you know, it's unique. You know, I think it's a really unique position. Um, that great group of guys coming back, man. I mean, you know, it's just so exciting. And I just wanted to, you know, for me, you know, and at the same, they say the same thing for those guys. How much they care about this program and care about the team and coach day and, and guys you want to do it for in the city and, you know, the chance we, 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.

5:15:21So, 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, 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 sunny, blue, pulsaroline, scrimmage. But you just, when you have an opportunity to like look at what's out there, how does it change the capability with your defense? And how can it change the way maybe you deploy that you couldn't do a year ago? Yeah, I mean, you look at our, you look at the defense one of the three like, damn, we're big. You know, corner, we're big, lineback, we're big, D line, we're big, safe, through, we're big, fast. You know, we're just, you know, we're just, we've got a lot of weapons to say the least. 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.

5:16:23And, you know, you depend and 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 not really fun here. We have to kind of change the perception. Or, I know you guys don't pay attention like outside noise, but also, a lot of the things you just got are actually really good. Yeah, I'd say it starts off with like you kind of got to, it starts off with tuning out the outside noise. And what other people have to say about it. And it's really good. I kind of look at it as if it's like a drop in a bucket. You know, if I got a big bucket, there's no one thing I'm going to do to make these bucket full. It's a daily thing where I put one drop in a day. And you look back over a year, two years, three years, you look back and you're like, man, I've gotten a lot better. And so, like I said, I'm just very thankful for the event. The guys that I have around me push me very hard, and I'm just thankful. We mentioned that the development kind of, this part of TEDx, what was your book challenging part of you to develop things into the playing squad? Yeah, I'd say definitely the size component.

5:17:25You know, you got to be someone that's, you know, when you got to be big, you got to be strong, you got to be fast. There's a lot of jobs that you don't do. It's a very asking job. You need to buck the big, some of the biggest guys in the field. But also run routes off some of the smallest guys in the field. And so, I think just thankful just to be out here and do exactly that. What was it like to get that shot the other day for the pros counts? Run routes, kits falls. Show off. Yeah, no, there's a good opportunity. I think some of the big, you know, reason behind it was just kind of giving those guys out there that were at Pro-Day. We have limited numbers. So just get out there and give those guys a breather. But any opportunity to get to go out there in front of scouts, I think that's a pretty good deal. And you're taking only a quarterbacks to this point. The quarterback battle is going on. What's been your take on Will, for example, getting to know him. And of course, David, I think the line said that we have a body around here is, ironing, sharpening iron. So that's kind of like, it's not just, you know, one room. It's from top to bottom, top to the whole team. No matter what position you are, we're here to work.

5:18:25And I think we're all here to make each other better. Whether it's in a quarterback room or a tight-knit room, we're running back room. Offends first, defense, coach for his coach. It doesn't matter, we're all just, you know, iron and sharpening iron. Especially this time of year in Spring Ball. We're not doing too much game planning for next week. Which we're really just spending this time to get better and build a good foundation for ourselves. It's something to work on moving forward. I mean, Will, how we're fitting in more and more is the practice that's gone on. You know, getting to know everybody and all that kind of thing. I mean, I know we've been here for a while. I'm sorry. Yeah, I think, I think I think I think as time goes no matter where you are, you start to adapt. You start to get used to what we have going on here. And so it's good to have them. Thanks. Yeah. You're welcome, man. Thank you. Thank you. What's it been like? Yeah. I used to get a lot of different learning solutions. Yeah. I'd say when it comes to that, I think it's all the glory to the Lord. And I decided to give my life completely to the Lord a little over a year ago.

5:19:27And that kind of really changed my outlook on the way that I approach football. It's no longer something that I idolize. It's just something that I do. And I think from the time of my life where I stopped, you know, compartmentalizing who God was in my life. God was something that I do on Sundays or something that I do in the Bible study. It went from what I do to who I am. And so now I embody that as who I am. And so some of the fruits of the spirit is peace, patience and kindness. And so those are kind of the things that I've started to embody on this journey. I think it's easy to kind of compartmentalize football away from faith. But ultimately, it's all one. It's all one. So it's giving me a spirit of patience, peace, and joy with the guys around me. And so I'm just, I'm thankful. I'm thankful to be here. But being quite honest, I just, I know for a fact I wouldn't be where I'm at right now. And I know I'm outside looking in. You know, I was like, you know, where are you right now? But I wouldn't be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for my relationship with the Lord. It really came into my life and changed around for the better. What did you see from Ben and Christian last year?

5:20:28How did you feel about suspension and how do you work with that? Yeah, I think he did a great job. A lot of perseverance. I think that's no matter who you are, when you're kind of hearing news like that, that you're going to be out for a year, that's hard. No matter where you are. I'm really proud of him because he came up and he came to show up every single day. And he got better. He got better. The easy thing to do in that kind of situation is throwing the towel. Be like, man, you know, forget this or I'll get better next year. But it's all the drive-out and one thing I see in it every day, he showed up. He got better. I'm proud of Ben and I'm proud of this unit. What's the question with you? What's the question with you? What's the question with you? What's the question with you? What's the question with you? What's the question with you? I don't know. I don't really know how to answer that question because if you go from one unit to another unit, the moment you trade units, you're no longer in the unit you were initially in. So you're now a tie-down. And in the chance of that question, I think the time that I went from in the receivient to the tie-down unit

5:21:29is the moment I became a tie-down. Kevin Wilson was my coach. Coach Alvin was my coach and I was a receiver. It's just different. It's two different roles. I'd say to answer that question. The moment that I decided to come to play tie-down is the moment I became a tie-down. And so now over the years, I've gotten better at playing in the position. But the moment that I transferred over, I've been a tie-down. And I'm excited to be a tie-down. Another position I'd rather play. Go back out.