Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Defensive Line
It was the defensive lines turn at the podium on Thursday (August 11), as defensive line coach Paul Randolph, along with three student-athletes addressed the media inside Memorial Stadium following the eighth practice of the preseason.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Paul Randolph | Defensive Line
On the defensive line's experience…
PR: They have that experience. They've got experience in our system, which is awesome. And then they do have leadership, James Head Jr., Demarcus Elliott, and Sio [Nofoagatoto'a], not going to say that last name, but all three of those guys have immense experience here at IU, in the Big Ten. And they've done a tremendous job even since spring of leading the group. Coaches were leaning heavily on them because they've been in the trenches during game time in this league.
On what has stood out about James Head Jr. this offseason…
PR: I'll tell you what, just his work ethic. He approached spring as a guy that [thought] "I've got to get better; I've got to improve in different fundamental techniques" and he's worked hard to do it. He hasn't missed a single practice, he's worked his tail off, and he's gotten better every single day at working and focusing on getting better at one specific thing a day. So, just pad level, aggressiveness, playing the run, different things like that. He's really improved and excited about his mindset.
On what Venson Sneed has shown…
PR: Venson, he models who we are. Toughness, tremendous fanatical hair-on-fire effort, and the willingness to learn, and extreme aggressiveness. He's really held his own as a freshman. I think the best thing about it for him was he was here [for winter workouts]. So, he got to go through spring, start to learn the ropes a little bit. Now, coming into fall, I told him, you're not a freshman, you're a sophomore, because you did get the spring. His willingness to want to be great and to want to play is something great.
On the benefits of linemen coming into school a semester early…
PR: I do think it's about getting bigger and stronger so the time they spend with our strength coach, Aaron Wellman, I think that's the most important part of reporting early. Because where you struggle at when you first come in as a freshman is either mental maturity, physical maturity, toughness and things like that. So, to me, if they get with Coach Wellman, they get in a semester early, and then get with that strength program and buy into it, they have an opportunity to get stronger, to get bigger, to get faster. I think Venson realized all of that during the spring semester.
Demarcus Elliott | Sr.+ | DL
On working with defensive line coach Paul Randolph…
DE: It's been great working with Coach Randolph. He's worked with so many guys, like Aaron Donald and so many others. Him bringing that to the table helps us grow as people and as pass rushers. We are more versatile.
On being pushed during fall camp…
DE: Coach is big on us being able to show [NFL scouts] and the league that we can play any position and emphasizing that versatility. For me, it is just being able to have a high motor [like Coach Randolph], it's been great working with him.
On the last time he played defensive end…
DE: I think it was high school, the last time I played defensive end. It was a lot different back then. Being able to go back to how I used to play, having more freedom with Coach Randolph. I've been able to learn a lot from him.
James Head Jr. | Sr.+ | DL
On what feels different for him this year…
JH: My mindset is different. I am trying to attack everything with all I've got knowing this is my last year. The urgency is a little more amped up. I'm attacking everything like it could be my last play.
On last season and the injuries…
JH: Coming off that injury, I was doubting myself. I was sad but the coaching staff and the players all backed me up on everything. They were all on my side. I'm more motivated than ever. Trying to get back out there and prove myself again. That's what I'm battling with myself right now. Trying to prove I can do it at a high level still.
On working with Coach Randolph…
JH: Coach Randolph, he's like a pass rush master. We're pass rushing everyday focusing on little things, little moves that I've been missing. Making sure all our technique is where it needs to be at.
JH Tevis | Sr.-R | DL
On where he sees himself fitting into the defensive line rotation...
JT: I am comfortable at both [defensive end and defensive tackle]. I feel like it is need based, based on the offenses that we will play. I am prepared and they are preparing me to play both inside and outside. Obviously, depending on the different fronts and personnel we see, we will go from there each week.
[At Cal] I played a mix of three technique and 4-I and some five, based on the down and distance we were facing. So, I am experienced all over the line, from the 2-I all the way out to the 5 or 6-I. I am not worried about [where they line me up]. They are doing a good job teaching me the playbook and getting me reps at practice.
On the value of being versatile...
JT: I think it is important to have that versatility, especially with a game like football when you don't know who you are going to have [available] each week. So, if a guy is down, or goes down in a game, you have to get guys to step up. There are a lot of younger guys doing a good job, like Dalton Davis, Nick James and [J'mari Monnett] have been showing some really good promise.
We have a lot of guys on the defensive line stepping up, because we never know when we are going to need them. I think that kind of goes hand-in-hand.
Original source can be found here.
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