Senior Receiver Gary Jennings Jr.
On what he thinks the offense is capable of
There’s a lot, but, right now, we’re just progressing, and we’re trying to be the best that we can be every day.
On the running game
That’s very special, as well. We have four very talented backs, (freshman running back) Leddie (Brown), especially, is looking really good. (Junior running back) Kennedy McKoy, (junior running back) Martell (Pettaway), (redshirt freshman running back Alec) Sink (Sinkfield), they’re all looking really good.
On if fatigue can be avoided due to added depth among receivers
I believe so. That’s been an emphasis on keeping us as fresh as possible and making sure we aren’t putting anything bad on film. We’re definitely rotating a lot.
On why he’s putting feathers in his helmet again this season
Well, the story last year was during ball drills, a bird swooped down twice. The first time it was like, ‘What was that?’ The second time, I just so happened to hit it. The bird got away safely, and some feathers were left behind. The feathers for this year, I asked (redshirt junior offensive lineman) Colton McKivitz – he goes hunting a lot – so I asked him to pick me up some cool-looking feathers on the way.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Colton McKivitz
On if there’s room for improvement along the offensive line
There always is; you’re always improving. (Assistant Coach/Offensive Line) (Joe) Wickline sees it; I’m also seeing it – we are ahead of where we were last year. Having those younger guys, having Wickline for a full year, and the addition of the (redshirt junior offensive linemen Michael and Joe) Brown brothers, that helps. Guys are starting to push each other, and I know there’s an emphasis on being more physical. That’s a step we’re taking, and it’s appearing in practice so far.
On redshirt junior offensive linemen Michael and Joe Brown
I hosted them when they came down for their official (visit), so I got to meet them and their family. I got to see how much they eat, and they’re definitely a different breed of big guys, so it’s definitely fun having them next to me and practicing with them.
On senior receiver Gary Jennings’ feathers
That was a turkey I shot this year. He had asked if I could get him a couple feathers, so I looked around the yard and the couple of mounts I have laying around my apartment. I hooked him up, and now, he wears them, which is pretty sweet.
Junior running back Martell Pettaway
On the offensive line and running backs working together in practice
You can definitely see the difference from last year to this year. The offensive line has gotten way better since the spring, actually. The running backs, we have a whole group that just brings everything to the table. Everybody has something they bring to the table; it just works for our offense.
On freshman running back Leddie Brown
Leddie, that’s a big body. He just forward leans downhill. (Redshirt freshman running back) (Alec) Sinkfield can cut, fast. (Junior running back) Kennedy (McKoy) is just a flash, and I’m just out there.
On how the offensive line has changed from last year to this year
More consistency, definitely more consistency. Maybe last season we’d have a big play in the run game, and then we’d have drives that got stalled up because of inconsistency. Now, there’s more consistency, so we’re making more plays for bigger drives.
Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Lineman Josh Sills
On how he has improved from last year
I would say that I’m more understanding of the scheme. I’m better with angles and fits. Last year, it was about that’s your guy, go cover him up and block him. This year, it’s about taking the right angle to the path to put you in position to make the block, to put yourself in better position to make the correct fits to where they can’t show a cover in the gap. I can cover them up and take more of their body or less of their body – that type of thing.
On making the transition from being on the sidelines to getting into games
It’s night and day. When you’re not out there, you just look around. You get the feeling that you’re on the field, but it’s different knowing that you can’t play or you’re not going to play because you’re just in a jersey. Then, when you run out onto the field, and you know that you’re going to play, you know that you have the ability and the chance to play. You get goosebumps. It’s night and day different.
On his confidence level as the season approaches
I have more confidence this year. Then again, I still have (redshirt junior offensive lineman) Colton (McKivitz) and (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste) that I’m still learning from. I ask them for advice and help – what can I do differently? This or that? I’m just still learning from them, and they’re two of the best tackles in the country. That’s a huge help and a huge confidence booster to lean on, ask for advice and help.
Sophomore Safety Kenny Robinson
On his thoughts of last season
Last year, it was a lot of ups and downs, honestly. Starting out as a freshman, just dressing and traveling really hurt me a lot because I wasn’t playing. But as the season went on and things started to develop, my coach started to believe in me. I had to step up and play a role that wasn’t really expected of me, so last season was a lot of ups and downs. I just had to work through, keep my head down, keep working and make the best of it.
On moving to safety
Honestly, I really was a safety the whole time, and then my coach just threw me out there and said, “Just Ball,” because he figured I was just an athlete. At practice, I would go out to corner to just have fun and practice, and he liked that aspect of me. I just like to compete, so he threw me out there, and I guess it just worked out.
On associate head coach – defensive coordinator/linebackers Tony Gibson wanting to keep him in the middle of the field
I just take it and keep running with it. I just need to keep working, honestly. If I don’t keep working on my craft, then people are going to try me, and I have to keep getting better and better every time so nobody will want to throw out across the middle and keep the ball away from me.
Senior defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose
On the differences with the defensive line this season
I see more accountability, I see more responsibilities. People are taking responsibilities for their actions. I’ve also seen more leadership coming forth like (redshirt senior defensive lineman) Jabril (Robinson), (redshirt senior defensive lineman) Kenny Bigelow (Jr.), (junior defensive lineman) Reese (Donahue) and I. We’re four of the pillars that (assistant coach/defensive line) Coach (Bruce) Tall goes to for guidance, because we have the most experience and the most time playing. I feel like it’s really helping us become more of a dominant (defensive) line.
On having different styles of players on the defensive line
It brings a variety of playing styles to the table. People don’t just focus on a speed rusher or a power guy. It’s hard to adjust to different people playing at different times.
On if adding redshirt senior defensive lineman Jabril Robinson and redshirt senior defensive lineman Kenny Bigelow Jr. has helped competition in camp
Yes, it has, and I love it. It just gives us an edge, actually. I see Jabril go in with the ones, and I’m not mad at all, and I like the way it brings a competitive edge out of all of us.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Dylan Tonkery
On if he’s jelling with the other linebackers
Most definitely. Last year, I played inside-out, so I was used to the communication aspect of the game already. So, moving to MIKE, I just picked it up a little bit more, because I need to talk to both of (the other linebackers) now. It was pretty quick.
On who communicates most among the linebackers
Everybody is talking at the same time, so we just have to understand each other and see what we’re saying.
On the process of adding on weight during the offseason
In the summer, I was just trying to keep my weight up. The strength staff, they do a great job of trying to keep you on track with stuff like that.
Redshirt senior punter Billy Kinney
On how the special teams’ unit has improved this offseason
I think a lot of it has come with our confidence. I think just getting more reps in practice has brought the confidence up in everyone. We’re all syncing better together by getting more reps together in practice.
On how fatigue affects a specialist
A lot of problems with specialists are that we use our legs all the time, every day for practice. We really need to recover, take care of our legs and make sure that we’re not kicking too much, because they can go dead on you, and they lose a lot their power.
On how to manage fatigue
There’s not a specific count for how many times you should kick. It’s more of feeling based on how you’re feeling that day. It depends on what you did the day before. You’ll take that into account when you move on to the next day. You take from what you did the day before. If you’re sore that day, then you’ll cut back on it.
On what he thinks the offense is capable of
There’s a lot, but, right now, we’re just progressing, and we’re trying to be the best that we can be every day.
On the running game
That’s very special, as well. We have four very talented backs, (freshman running back) Leddie (Brown), especially, is looking really good. (Junior running back) Kennedy McKoy, (junior running back) Martell (Pettaway), (redshirt freshman running back Alec) Sink (Sinkfield), they’re all looking really good.
On if fatigue can be avoided due to added depth among receivers
I believe so. That’s been an emphasis on keeping us as fresh as possible and making sure we aren’t putting anything bad on film. We’re definitely rotating a lot.
On why he’s putting feathers in his helmet again this season
Well, the story last year was during ball drills, a bird swooped down twice. The first time it was like, ‘What was that?’ The second time, I just so happened to hit it. The bird got away safely, and some feathers were left behind. The feathers for this year, I asked (redshirt junior offensive lineman) Colton McKivitz – he goes hunting a lot – so I asked him to pick me up some cool-looking feathers on the way.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Colton McKivitz
On if there’s room for improvement along the offensive line
There always is; you’re always improving. (Assistant Coach/Offensive Line) (Joe) Wickline sees it; I’m also seeing it – we are ahead of where we were last year. Having those younger guys, having Wickline for a full year, and the addition of the (redshirt junior offensive linemen Michael and Joe) Brown brothers, that helps. Guys are starting to push each other, and I know there’s an emphasis on being more physical. That’s a step we’re taking, and it’s appearing in practice so far.
On redshirt junior offensive linemen Michael and Joe Brown
I hosted them when they came down for their official (visit), so I got to meet them and their family. I got to see how much they eat, and they’re definitely a different breed of big guys, so it’s definitely fun having them next to me and practicing with them.
On senior receiver Gary Jennings’ feathers
That was a turkey I shot this year. He had asked if I could get him a couple feathers, so I looked around the yard and the couple of mounts I have laying around my apartment. I hooked him up, and now, he wears them, which is pretty sweet.
Junior running back Martell Pettaway
On the offensive line and running backs working together in practice
You can definitely see the difference from last year to this year. The offensive line has gotten way better since the spring, actually. The running backs, we have a whole group that just brings everything to the table. Everybody has something they bring to the table; it just works for our offense.
On freshman running back Leddie Brown
Leddie, that’s a big body. He just forward leans downhill. (Redshirt freshman running back) (Alec) Sinkfield can cut, fast. (Junior running back) Kennedy (McKoy) is just a flash, and I’m just out there.
On how the offensive line has changed from last year to this year
More consistency, definitely more consistency. Maybe last season we’d have a big play in the run game, and then we’d have drives that got stalled up because of inconsistency. Now, there’s more consistency, so we’re making more plays for bigger drives.
Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Lineman Josh Sills
On how he has improved from last year
I would say that I’m more understanding of the scheme. I’m better with angles and fits. Last year, it was about that’s your guy, go cover him up and block him. This year, it’s about taking the right angle to the path to put you in position to make the block, to put yourself in better position to make the correct fits to where they can’t show a cover in the gap. I can cover them up and take more of their body or less of their body – that type of thing.
On making the transition from being on the sidelines to getting into games
It’s night and day. When you’re not out there, you just look around. You get the feeling that you’re on the field, but it’s different knowing that you can’t play or you’re not going to play because you’re just in a jersey. Then, when you run out onto the field, and you know that you’re going to play, you know that you have the ability and the chance to play. You get goosebumps. It’s night and day different.
On his confidence level as the season approaches
I have more confidence this year. Then again, I still have (redshirt junior offensive lineman) Colton (McKivitz) and (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste) that I’m still learning from. I ask them for advice and help – what can I do differently? This or that? I’m just still learning from them, and they’re two of the best tackles in the country. That’s a huge help and a huge confidence booster to lean on, ask for advice and help.
Sophomore Safety Kenny Robinson
On his thoughts of last season
Last year, it was a lot of ups and downs, honestly. Starting out as a freshman, just dressing and traveling really hurt me a lot because I wasn’t playing. But as the season went on and things started to develop, my coach started to believe in me. I had to step up and play a role that wasn’t really expected of me, so last season was a lot of ups and downs. I just had to work through, keep my head down, keep working and make the best of it.
On moving to safety
Honestly, I really was a safety the whole time, and then my coach just threw me out there and said, “Just Ball,” because he figured I was just an athlete. At practice, I would go out to corner to just have fun and practice, and he liked that aspect of me. I just like to compete, so he threw me out there, and I guess it just worked out.
On associate head coach – defensive coordinator/linebackers Tony Gibson wanting to keep him in the middle of the field
I just take it and keep running with it. I just need to keep working, honestly. If I don’t keep working on my craft, then people are going to try me, and I have to keep getting better and better every time so nobody will want to throw out across the middle and keep the ball away from me.
Senior defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose
On the differences with the defensive line this season
I see more accountability, I see more responsibilities. People are taking responsibilities for their actions. I’ve also seen more leadership coming forth like (redshirt senior defensive lineman) Jabril (Robinson), (redshirt senior defensive lineman) Kenny Bigelow (Jr.), (junior defensive lineman) Reese (Donahue) and I. We’re four of the pillars that (assistant coach/defensive line) Coach (Bruce) Tall goes to for guidance, because we have the most experience and the most time playing. I feel like it’s really helping us become more of a dominant (defensive) line.
On having different styles of players on the defensive line
It brings a variety of playing styles to the table. People don’t just focus on a speed rusher or a power guy. It’s hard to adjust to different people playing at different times.
On if adding redshirt senior defensive lineman Jabril Robinson and redshirt senior defensive lineman Kenny Bigelow Jr. has helped competition in camp
Yes, it has, and I love it. It just gives us an edge, actually. I see Jabril go in with the ones, and I’m not mad at all, and I like the way it brings a competitive edge out of all of us.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Dylan Tonkery
On if he’s jelling with the other linebackers
Most definitely. Last year, I played inside-out, so I was used to the communication aspect of the game already. So, moving to MIKE, I just picked it up a little bit more, because I need to talk to both of (the other linebackers) now. It was pretty quick.
On who communicates most among the linebackers
Everybody is talking at the same time, so we just have to understand each other and see what we’re saying.
On the process of adding on weight during the offseason
In the summer, I was just trying to keep my weight up. The strength staff, they do a great job of trying to keep you on track with stuff like that.
Redshirt senior punter Billy Kinney
On how the special teams’ unit has improved this offseason
I think a lot of it has come with our confidence. I think just getting more reps in practice has brought the confidence up in everyone. We’re all syncing better together by getting more reps together in practice.
On how fatigue affects a specialist
A lot of problems with specialists are that we use our legs all the time, every day for practice. We really need to recover, take care of our legs and make sure that we’re not kicking too much, because they can go dead on you, and they lose a lot their power.
On how to manage fatigue
There’s not a specific count for how many times you should kick. It’s more of feeling based on how you’re feeling that day. It depends on what you did the day before. You’ll take that into account when you move on to the next day. You take from what you did the day before. If you’re sore that day, then you’ll cut back on it.
