Key points and notable quotes from today’s media availability with assistant coaches.
Morgan Scalley:
Focus for fall camp
•Shared the importance of replacing guys is every year deal that’s nothing new to them, the biggest thing they’re looking at at last year is injuries happen, particularly the schedule they played or any power four team or anything of that matter, you have to have depth, depth is a part of winning championships.
•He was grateful to see some of the young guys play last year, says it’s going to benefit them this year.
•Focused on creating depth in each position group, primarily the safety position and the linebacker position.
Depth of the defensive line
”With the exception of Jonah[Eliss] all returning starters, guys that have played, Conner O’Toole, Van Filinger guys last year played hurt, played injured, they’re all heathly this year. Logan Fano, coming back, you look at the leadership Junior Tafuna and Keanu Tanuvasa, add to that the guys we saw in spring Pepa, Vihami, Fotu — it’s a good group and we expect them to play well.”
Players excited he’s excited to watch play this season
•Kenan Johnson, transferred from Georgia tech, excited for some young defensive ends, maybe not newcomers but you didn’t see much of them last year. Lander Barton they need him back too, not a newcomer and the young freshmen, Hunter Andrews and Kana’i Lopes their athleticism and what they bring to the table.
Sharrieff Shah:
Projected starters at cornerback
“The two projected kids right now, Zemaiah Vaughn and the young man Kenan Johnson we just picked up from Georgia Tech are really starting to separate themselves. Not only the way they practice but their command of the defense and their ability to teach the young players and Smith Snowden, love him. You need that player with versatility, a Clark Philips type of player and Smith is cut in the same mold”
Things Shah like from Kenan Johnson
•He’s bought into the program
•Understands the defense
•Willing to put in the time and apply himself to the system here
•Great chemistry alongside Zemaiah on the outside
Freddy Whittingham:
“I think we have probably in the 9 years I’ve been the tight end coach the deepest room 1-6 on the roster. We always had good guys in the room in the league now like Cole Fotheringham, Thomas Yassmin and Dalton Kincaid but this year we’ve got six guys I feel comfortable putting in a lot of different situations.”
•Whittingham also noted that between the tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks they’re as deep and experienced as he’s seen coaching.
•There job as the coaching it is their job to get the right guys on the field and utilize their strength whatever their personal groups are.
Alvis Whitted:
•Guys have been working tremendously hard this summer
•Really great leaders in the group
•Mycah Pittman worked really good this summer
•Biggest thing is putting it all together and gelling.
Quinton Ganther:
•Focused on the guys being true contributors and not just talk about it.
•He wants the players to show him they’re serious about their role to help the running backs be a successful part of the team.
Luther Elliss:
•Because of what happened last year it’s provided a great opportunity for the depth of the group.
•The unfortunate injuries that’s plagued the team last year gave a lot of younger guys playing time and experience that will carry over to this year.
Andy Ludwig:
Priorities in fall camp
•Establishing the tailback position, the depth, developing more clarity there.
•Focused on developing the new wide receivers and keep Dorian Singer coming along
•Depth is another priority and establishing the starting offensive line.
•The battle for the number two quarterback position is another focal point that’s always a hot topic.
•Limit quarterback designed runs. Cam being a competitive player who wants to win their goal is to limit the hits he takes and look to create play calls and game plans to protect him at the QB position.
Morgan Scalley:
Focus for fall camp
•Shared the importance of replacing guys is every year deal that’s nothing new to them, the biggest thing they’re looking at at last year is injuries happen, particularly the schedule they played or any power four team or anything of that matter, you have to have depth, depth is a part of winning championships.
•He was grateful to see some of the young guys play last year, says it’s going to benefit them this year.
•Focused on creating depth in each position group, primarily the safety position and the linebacker position.
Depth of the defensive line
”With the exception of Jonah[Eliss] all returning starters, guys that have played, Conner O’Toole, Van Filinger guys last year played hurt, played injured, they’re all heathly this year. Logan Fano, coming back, you look at the leadership Junior Tafuna and Keanu Tanuvasa, add to that the guys we saw in spring Pepa, Vihami, Fotu — it’s a good group and we expect them to play well.”
Players excited he’s excited to watch play this season
•Kenan Johnson, transferred from Georgia tech, excited for some young defensive ends, maybe not newcomers but you didn’t see much of them last year. Lander Barton they need him back too, not a newcomer and the young freshmen, Hunter Andrews and Kana’i Lopes their athleticism and what they bring to the table.
Sharrieff Shah:
Projected starters at cornerback
“The two projected kids right now, Zemaiah Vaughn and the young man Kenan Johnson we just picked up from Georgia Tech are really starting to separate themselves. Not only the way they practice but their command of the defense and their ability to teach the young players and Smith Snowden, love him. You need that player with versatility, a Clark Philips type of player and Smith is cut in the same mold”
Things Shah like from Kenan Johnson
•He’s bought into the program
•Understands the defense
•Willing to put in the time and apply himself to the system here
•Great chemistry alongside Zemaiah on the outside
Freddy Whittingham:
“I think we have probably in the 9 years I’ve been the tight end coach the deepest room 1-6 on the roster. We always had good guys in the room in the league now like Cole Fotheringham, Thomas Yassmin and Dalton Kincaid but this year we’ve got six guys I feel comfortable putting in a lot of different situations.”
•Whittingham also noted that between the tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks they’re as deep and experienced as he’s seen coaching.
•There job as the coaching it is their job to get the right guys on the field and utilize their strength whatever their personal groups are.
Alvis Whitted:
•Guys have been working tremendously hard this summer
•Really great leaders in the group
•Mycah Pittman worked really good this summer
•Biggest thing is putting it all together and gelling.
Quinton Ganther:
•Focused on the guys being true contributors and not just talk about it.
•He wants the players to show him they’re serious about their role to help the running backs be a successful part of the team.
Luther Elliss:
•Because of what happened last year it’s provided a great opportunity for the depth of the group.
•The unfortunate injuries that’s plagued the team last year gave a lot of younger guys playing time and experience that will carry over to this year.
Andy Ludwig:
Priorities in fall camp
•Establishing the tailback position, the depth, developing more clarity there.
•Focused on developing the new wide receivers and keep Dorian Singer coming along
•Depth is another priority and establishing the starting offensive line.
•The battle for the number two quarterback position is another focal point that’s always a hot topic.
•Limit quarterback designed runs. Cam being a competitive player who wants to win their goal is to limit the hits he takes and look to create play calls and game plans to protect him at the QB position.
