By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Scrimmage on Saturday and then the schedule working around school starting (Monday) follows.
Bryson Jackson
Right now the team wakes up each day and brings a certain intentionality to each practice and meetings. From the spring thus far we’ve had successful camps, and guys who have been working their tails off. Most importantly, keeping the same consistency every day to week one. The progress has stood out tremendously. We have young guys stepping up. Most importantly, the energy and the team bond have been impressive, and it’s nice to be part of a unit like this.
(Are the new guys better than used to be) There’s a lot of talent among the young guys, especially on defense. Mostly having the maturity to go on the field and watch film every day and taking notes during meetings are important. As a freshman, if you can go in there and do that and meet with some of the older guys and do extra, that’s going to be the advantage we have on our team. We’ve got depth and we got players who can play during the season.
(What was the position you had here at first) Coach Rhule recruited me as a sandbacker, which is like the star position in this defense. I went through injuries and stuff, and when Coach Aranda got here it was finding a role on the team. It started out on special teams, which is something we take very seriously and Coach Aranda takes seriously. I had to find a home there, and I thought that was going to give me the advantage to pretty much figure out what I can play on defense, and that was to be versatile pretty much. Going out with Coach Roberts, it was doing what I could each day, and a pass rusher became a home of mine. It’s something I continue to work at. Now we’ve got a lot of packages going in, and it’s going to be pretty fun.
Most importantly, my goal was to come in and figure out two techniques I could use during a season. Working those in the spring and coming into fall camp I’ve been able to perfect them, and add them to my package. That’s the goal. I’m going to go out tomorrow and find something else to do.
(Are you thinking of the first game yet) I’m thinking about the game, but most importantly it’s looking up to the next day, focusing on practice tomorrow and next week. Those are the things that are going to prepare us as a team, as a unit to go out there. We want to treat everything the same because everything matters. If we go out here and have consistency at practice, the games are going to be the same as practice. It’s going to be pretty cool because you’re going to see the things we do in practice, the habits we take from here to the games are going to be very similar. I’m not thinking about it too much, but I’m just trusting in the process in that sense.
(Depth at linebacker) That room is special. We’ve got a lot of young guys in that room pretty much, and each guy having their own attribute and their strengths will be an advantage in that room. There’s a lot of talent, a lot of versatility there. Our defensive packages going in, we’re going to move guys to different positions that they can have different roles during the season.
(Is there pride carry over from last year) Knowing what we went through last year to get to that point is the focus on what can we work on now, and what we learned there and bringing it to fall camp now and to the first game and improve. We’re thinking of last year’s season and how we got to that point last year, and then doing even better now.
(What’s the identity the team has established in fall camp) This team’s bond is unique. Each player on offense and defense is going to be something to allow us to play complementary football throughout the season. The team bonding and chemistry and being able to have young guys step up that’s the advantage. Being able to put people in certain positions is going to be what stands out for us as a team and the advantage we’re going to have.
Ben Sims
(What do hope to see in upcoming week) The biggest thing is to take pride in the scrimmage. Last week’s scrimmage wasn’t the best, I didn’t get to experience a bunch of it (due to graduation). But if we take the next step in the scrimmage I think it will really show where we are as a team.
(Has offense bounced back) I think we really emphasized coming out with a lot of energy, a lot of focus, and doing the little things equals the big things. So we’ve really come out this week and taken care of business.
(Have thought much about first game) To be honest, no. I know we’re at that (McLane Stadium) and I know what date it’s on, but I’m focused on us right now.
(What have worked on in offseason) I had three main goals coming into fall camp: to be better on the front side of the wide zone, making the contested catches, and my third one is being able to lean on other teammates. Sometimes I feel like I don’t sometimes push myself on my teammates, and I feel that leaning on them shows the team aspect. I’ve learned vulnerability. I think it’s helped me lean on the team. Sometimes being bottled up is easy to do. Letting yourself out there is kind of difficult. Being more open, communicating more and talking with the entire offense, I feel like I’ve impacted others.
(What have seen from Blake) Everything. He’s been playing hard and he’s been playing really well. Coach Bell is coaching him to the best of his ability, and he’s doing really well. I’m happy. His completion percentage is up, he’s making some really good throws, he’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing.
(Blake’s leadership) It started last summer. Everyone was kind of expecting it and waiting for his moment. He’s come a long way since the beginning of summer, he’s become more vocal, he’s become more influential. He’s been texting me, asking me to do all these things with him now. He’s been stepping out of his shell and wants to become the best leader he can be.
(What is communication level between you and Blake) It’d say it’s pretty high. Communication can be hard when you’re not talking directly. But I feel like the offense is set up to be non-communicative, I guess. We just kind of click.
(Working on contested catches) I feel like I’ve been put in a lot of situations in this fall camp, not necessarily just running the routes I’ve been running in the past, but expanding my tool box and learning new routes and learning how to play through certain defenses and just getting better. So I think I have been getting better at that.
(Have worked with Blake in laying balls over safeties in camp) To a certain extent, not exactly the same, but Blake’s got a lot of finesse and I like to catch the football. So we work pretty well together.
(Young guys at tight end) I’ve seen a lot. We’re fortunate to have the new tight ends come in for the spring, and they were able to do spring ball except for Cody (Mladenka). At least they got a taste of what college football is like, so they’re taking strides in fall camp which is good. They’re fitting into what’s going on, so it was a good head start for them. I’m happy that they’re here. I love all of them.
(Kelsey Johnson) He’s very athletic. Kind of freaky, he’s fast and strong. The first couple weeks in the weight room, he’s throwing weight around. It’s kind of cool to see. He’s a strong dude, he’s fast and savvy, and understands the game of football. He fits in really well in this offense.
Publisher
Scrimmage on Saturday and then the schedule working around school starting (Monday) follows.
Bryson Jackson
Right now the team wakes up each day and brings a certain intentionality to each practice and meetings. From the spring thus far we’ve had successful camps, and guys who have been working their tails off. Most importantly, keeping the same consistency every day to week one. The progress has stood out tremendously. We have young guys stepping up. Most importantly, the energy and the team bond have been impressive, and it’s nice to be part of a unit like this.
(Are the new guys better than used to be) There’s a lot of talent among the young guys, especially on defense. Mostly having the maturity to go on the field and watch film every day and taking notes during meetings are important. As a freshman, if you can go in there and do that and meet with some of the older guys and do extra, that’s going to be the advantage we have on our team. We’ve got depth and we got players who can play during the season.
(What was the position you had here at first) Coach Rhule recruited me as a sandbacker, which is like the star position in this defense. I went through injuries and stuff, and when Coach Aranda got here it was finding a role on the team. It started out on special teams, which is something we take very seriously and Coach Aranda takes seriously. I had to find a home there, and I thought that was going to give me the advantage to pretty much figure out what I can play on defense, and that was to be versatile pretty much. Going out with Coach Roberts, it was doing what I could each day, and a pass rusher became a home of mine. It’s something I continue to work at. Now we’ve got a lot of packages going in, and it’s going to be pretty fun.
Most importantly, my goal was to come in and figure out two techniques I could use during a season. Working those in the spring and coming into fall camp I’ve been able to perfect them, and add them to my package. That’s the goal. I’m going to go out tomorrow and find something else to do.
(Are you thinking of the first game yet) I’m thinking about the game, but most importantly it’s looking up to the next day, focusing on practice tomorrow and next week. Those are the things that are going to prepare us as a team, as a unit to go out there. We want to treat everything the same because everything matters. If we go out here and have consistency at practice, the games are going to be the same as practice. It’s going to be pretty cool because you’re going to see the things we do in practice, the habits we take from here to the games are going to be very similar. I’m not thinking about it too much, but I’m just trusting in the process in that sense.
(Depth at linebacker) That room is special. We’ve got a lot of young guys in that room pretty much, and each guy having their own attribute and their strengths will be an advantage in that room. There’s a lot of talent, a lot of versatility there. Our defensive packages going in, we’re going to move guys to different positions that they can have different roles during the season.
(Is there pride carry over from last year) Knowing what we went through last year to get to that point is the focus on what can we work on now, and what we learned there and bringing it to fall camp now and to the first game and improve. We’re thinking of last year’s season and how we got to that point last year, and then doing even better now.
(What’s the identity the team has established in fall camp) This team’s bond is unique. Each player on offense and defense is going to be something to allow us to play complementary football throughout the season. The team bonding and chemistry and being able to have young guys step up that’s the advantage. Being able to put people in certain positions is going to be what stands out for us as a team and the advantage we’re going to have.
Ben Sims
(What do hope to see in upcoming week) The biggest thing is to take pride in the scrimmage. Last week’s scrimmage wasn’t the best, I didn’t get to experience a bunch of it (due to graduation). But if we take the next step in the scrimmage I think it will really show where we are as a team.
(Has offense bounced back) I think we really emphasized coming out with a lot of energy, a lot of focus, and doing the little things equals the big things. So we’ve really come out this week and taken care of business.
(Have thought much about first game) To be honest, no. I know we’re at that (McLane Stadium) and I know what date it’s on, but I’m focused on us right now.
(What have worked on in offseason) I had three main goals coming into fall camp: to be better on the front side of the wide zone, making the contested catches, and my third one is being able to lean on other teammates. Sometimes I feel like I don’t sometimes push myself on my teammates, and I feel that leaning on them shows the team aspect. I’ve learned vulnerability. I think it’s helped me lean on the team. Sometimes being bottled up is easy to do. Letting yourself out there is kind of difficult. Being more open, communicating more and talking with the entire offense, I feel like I’ve impacted others.
(What have seen from Blake) Everything. He’s been playing hard and he’s been playing really well. Coach Bell is coaching him to the best of his ability, and he’s doing really well. I’m happy. His completion percentage is up, he’s making some really good throws, he’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing.
(Blake’s leadership) It started last summer. Everyone was kind of expecting it and waiting for his moment. He’s come a long way since the beginning of summer, he’s become more vocal, he’s become more influential. He’s been texting me, asking me to do all these things with him now. He’s been stepping out of his shell and wants to become the best leader he can be.
(What is communication level between you and Blake) It’d say it’s pretty high. Communication can be hard when you’re not talking directly. But I feel like the offense is set up to be non-communicative, I guess. We just kind of click.
(Working on contested catches) I feel like I’ve been put in a lot of situations in this fall camp, not necessarily just running the routes I’ve been running in the past, but expanding my tool box and learning new routes and learning how to play through certain defenses and just getting better. So I think I have been getting better at that.
(Have worked with Blake in laying balls over safeties in camp) To a certain extent, not exactly the same, but Blake’s got a lot of finesse and I like to catch the football. So we work pretty well together.
(Young guys at tight end) I’ve seen a lot. We’re fortunate to have the new tight ends come in for the spring, and they were able to do spring ball except for Cody (Mladenka). At least they got a taste of what college football is like, so they’re taking strides in fall camp which is good. They’re fitting into what’s going on, so it was a good head start for them. I’m happy that they’re here. I love all of them.
(Kelsey Johnson) He’s very athletic. Kind of freaky, he’s fast and strong. The first couple weeks in the weight room, he’s throwing weight around. It’s kind of cool to see. He’s a strong dude, he’s fast and savvy, and understands the game of football. He fits in really well in this offense.
