Cougars finishing up third week of fall camp

On overall thoughts from today’s practice:
I thought today was a very good practice. Last time was a little sloppy, and as camp goes there is give and take. Offense has a day, defense has a day. I think that is a sign of a good team, but we still have a ways to go in the next two weeks.

On the competition at safety:
There are five guys that I feel like we can win with, and I think all those guys are fighting, clawing, and digging. Every one of them has different traits and qualities that I love when they are on the field. They are all going to play. How much, we will see how the next two weeks continue to go. But I love the group.

On new defensive linemen who have stood out:
Hunter Clegg stands out. Tausili Akana stands out. Keanu Tanuvasa stands out. There are probably ten of them I could name, but those guys come to mind.

On defensive line progress since the start of camp:
I think we are more athletic in that spot than last year, especially in the defensive end group. The pass rush has gotten better. They still need to continue to improve physically. We lost Tyler Batty, who was a huge presence on the edge with how physical and nasty he was, so we still need some guys to step up in that role. But I like the pass rush. I have seen that progress, and I think the overall knowledge of the scheme continues to improve.

On defensive playmakers so far in camp:
It is weird because every day it seems like it is someone new. Today Talan Alfrey had a huge play. Jack Kelly had an interception. You know Glasker is going to make huge plays, and Kelly is going to make them, but the safety group has made a lot of plays today. Tommy Prassas had a couple of good ones. Tre Alexander had a nice play today. Each day it goes in waves, and it is different every day, which is a good thing.

On Jack Kelly’s ability to surprise him in practice:
I do not know if surprise is the word, but almost every day he will do something that puts a smile on my face.

On who’s impressed him on D-line outside of Keanu Tanuvasa:
I think JT (John Taumoepeau) He got a lot better from spring ball. JT’s another guy like Keanu who’s probably faster than most offensive linemen, and he’s a really strong guy, so you got to bring your A-game. He’s making us a better offensive line as well as Keanu.

On camp this year compared to last year:
I feel a lot more comfortable. I think the offensive line feels a lot more comfortable. We’ve been in coach Woods' system for a year now, so nothing’s new to anybody. That’s helping us out a lot. Last year at this time, I was still trying to learn everything. I’m starting to feel really settled in under center. 

On feeling established at center:
That’s where I’ve played all fall. It’s where I feel the most comfortable. Obviously, I still got a lot of work to do. Footwork, hands, you can always improve. I’m feeling comfortable in the calls, and now it’s just executing it and getting all the offensive line on the same page.

On what he’s learned most from last year until now:
Last year, I was playing a lot of guard early on in fall camp, so I was more so listening to the center, and he was telling me where to go. Schematically, I’ve just learned where everyone else should go on the plays.

On how he’s approached studying tape now at center:
You start to look at things differently. You try to see the blitzes, even if they’re not coming to you, so you can get everybody in the right protections.

On what the line does to stay on same page:
We’ve got a tight-knit o-line group I’d say. We’re all really close with each other. We just love hanging out with each other. This summer, we went down to St. George and did a little bonding to just get to know each other a little better. Yesterday and the day before, we went out camping. It was fun. The whole o-line was able to share a cabin and just bond together. O-line is such a unique position because you’ve got to have five guys all on the same page. If one guy’s off, you’re going to give a sack or a tackle for loss. You’ve got to have chemistry between the guys.

On going against the offensive line:
It’s always fun going against them because you know they’re always going to give it their best. You’re always in for a treat with them.”

On continuity of the staff and scheme translating on the field:
Trusting in the process I would say. Especially with Jay Hill, the plays that he calls puts us in a great position especially playing these different teams having different schemes. Every game, we’re always ready for the team because of the gameplan he has for us.

On what he does to prepare for each game:
Helping my teammates get prepared. Especially last season, going through all the games and all the gameplans against these Big 12 teams, I feel like I can help the younger guys that haven’t got as much playing time.

On young offensive guys that have impressed him:
I would say the quarterbacks. You kind of get a mix of all three of them. I think going against Bear is really fun because he’s a young guy and it’s just a good look.