The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Tracking the Longhorns: Midway through fall camp
08.18.2015 | Football
With half of the fall camp practices completed, head coach Charlie Strong and several players met with the media on Tuesday afternoon.
Video: Charlie Strong press conference [Aug. 18, 2015]
Video: Fall camp -- Day 12 [Aug. 18, 2015]
Head coach Charlie Strong
Opening Statement: Finally caught us a cool day today. But practice has been going very well. Scrimmage on Saturday, I think we ran somewhere in the neighborhood of 125 to 130 plays. I just like the way our attitude is right now and how guys are out competing. Offensively, we continue to get better. Defensively we are still putting it together. But putting the guys in the right place. Injury-wise, we were able to get some guys back and now that we are able to get them back, like Tank [DT Desmond Jackson and [DT Hassan] Ridgeway, we can start just on defense just putting them in the right place and just making sure that with less than two weeks away, we just want to make sure that we get the guys ready and they just continue to improve. Summer school ended on yesterday, so now that we have us a different schedule, we can get the guys and get more time with them.
On if anyone stood out in the scrimmage: Just you look at us on offense, a guy that really stood out was the two running backs, D'Onta Foreman and Chris Warren, really had a good day running the football, running downhill, running behind the pads. Just two big old backs. It's hard. Defensively they didn't want to tackle them as the scrimmage went on. But then [QB] Tyrone [Swoopes] made some really good throws. Even [QB] Jerrod [Heard] came in and was able to be very effective and receiver - you look at [John] Burt and the plays he made. And the guy at receiver that really had a good day was Daje [Johnson] - had a reverse for a touchdown, had a long throw for a touchdown and man, even caught one and did a double backwards flip.
On deciding which freshman will play: When you look at the freshmen, they are all out there competing. I look at the offensive side, [Patrick] Vahe is competing there in the offensive line, and you have Connor [Williams]. And Chris Warren at running back and you look at Burt outside at wide receiver - Burt and [Ryan] Newsome. And then you look on the defensive side, all three of the corners with Holton Hill, with Chris Boyd and also with Davante [Davis], they all are looking good at the corner. They all three are looking good. And then at linebacker, [Breckyn] Hager has a -- Saturday, nothing severe, just had a tweak of his shoulder but was really playing well. The thing about him, he has such a great attitude. Can find the football and runs downhill to go hit the ball. [Anthony] Wheeler is playing well inside and then been a surprise for us is [DE Charles] Omenihu, just his athletic ability had him on Saturday in the fox position. Guy didn't know if he could just drop in an open space, but a tall guy, can cover a lot of ground and has long arms. Just with those freshmen, you don't know how many we are going to play but a lot of them have the opportunity to.
On who is the best freshman that he's ever coached: That's just hard to say because I've been around some outstanding freshmen. I think back to that championship team at Florida, you had Percy [Harvin[, you had [Tim] Tebow, you had [Brandon] Spikes and those guys on defense. It's just hard to say which one is the best one I've ever been around. The thing about freshmen, they want to come in, they come in with a lot of excitement to them and a lot of enthusiasm and they work, and that's what we have right now. You have a group that are working.
On the offense right now and just the overall picture and the up-tempo: Just urprised on how well right now that we are functioning. The thing about it is that we are going out and each day we are getting better. We haven't taken a step back yet and just overall, just pleased with just [the way] we are running the ball. And I told our team, I said the thing we have to deal with if we want to win, we have to play great defense. So we are going to have to play great defense. We are going to have to run the bull. We are going to have to protect the quarterback and we are going to have to be really good on special teams and control the clock. If we those things happen for us, we have a chance.
On senior RB Johnathan Gray: No, J-Gray is just nicked up. The other day he had an ankle and I think yesterday maybe hurt an elbow, but he's fine though. It's fun just watching those other two guys run.
On freshman LB Malik Jefferson: Well, the thing about on defense, you're good up front right now. So I don't -- I told Malik, there's no pressure on him. He's just got to get out there and just go play like everyone else. But when you look the our defensive front, if Tank [Jackson] plays well and Ridgeway and then you have Shiro [Davis], you have a lot of bodies there. There's Poona [Ford], Bryce Cottrell is having a really good camp. Chris Nelson is thrown into that mix. And you look at the fox, you go Naashon [Hughes], you go Bluiett and Derek Roberson. Derek Roberson is one of those guys that's so athletic, he can put his hand on the ground and go rush the passer. We have a good mix at the defensive front. I was teasing [DL coach] Brick [Haley] the other day. I said, my God, we have 12 or 13 guys that can go in the game and play and be effective playing where they run out there. You don't say, "Oh, who are we putting in?"
On freshman DB Holton Hill: When we first started camp, he had a knee problem but then he's bounced back. You look at him, he looks so thin and I was teasing him the other day, and he says, "Coach, I weigh 197." I said, "No, way." So I put him on the scale and he weighed 197. But he's just long and athletic, a guy that can cover you up in coverage and run. We throw a lot of deep balls and you have to get one thrown up over his head. So athletic back there. Him and Chris [Boyd], all three of those guys, [Davante] Davis, they all three are three really good corners.
On the energy level in practices: A ton of energy. Last night we practiced and we practiced late in the evening and it's a lot of juice, a lot of energy. That's what I always talk about. It's a workday. You're going to come to work, because we are not going to take a day off. If you don't come out here with the right attitude, we are going to start practice all over again, and I'm going to get it in. So I'm going to get mine out of you. But they bounced back this morning and still had a lot of energy. But they know they just have one today so they have the rest of the day off so they can go rest some. I've been surprised about just how much energy we've had.
On freshman OL Patrick Vahe: He's big. You talk about running the ball downhill, can cover up a guy, can move him up the line of scrimmage. He's still learning. Something he needs to work on, just in the passing situations, being able to making sure that he can just protect the quarterback. But just big and strong and physical. And loves it. Comes out, smiles all the time, but just love his overall attitude.
On the quarterback competition: I don't know how big the separation is, but if you look at it, and only reason why, if you look at Tyrone, played a lot last year, so then he just came in, just really just controlling the offense, throwing the ball very well. Has not thrown many interceptions out there, and that's what I told him just the other day. It's been a surprise, you haven't thrown a bad ball, and he's put the ball in the right people's hands. Even with [Jerrod] Heard, he's doing the things we are asking him to do. I told them, the first game, I said, both of you are going to play. You're going to go in. I was teasing Heard today, I said, "Let me tell you right now, when you go in that game, and something happens and it isn't good, I'm just going to do that right there [points to the side] and that means you just keep going to the locker room." (laughter) He goes, "I'll show you, Coach. I'll show you." But that's what you want from him.
On if they have done any prep for Notre Dame: Right now if you go down stairs, we have the monitors down stairs, so the Notre Dame game has just been continuously running. Don't want to do anything just yet because we are still ourselves installing and making sure our players can learn our system both on offense and defense. Just try to get a little work in each and every day. We have a scout period and it's mostly dedicated to Notre Dame and just making sure that guys know how to fit blocks. These are the key plays and this is what we do on defense, so that's happening each and every day.
On sophomore S Jason Hall: Well, you look at him, he's a starter so he should do very well and you expect improvement from his first year to his second year. You know, the thing about it, Dylan Haines is back there and you have those two guys and a guy that – [Adrian] Colbert is very impressive right now. What happens, when you get freshmen and you get guys that can play -- and the upperclassmen, they know if you can play or not -- and then they step up their game and that's what has happened because those young guys are really making them step up their game. It's been fun to watch.
On quarterbacks coach Shawn Watson's personal investment in seeing the quarterbacks improve: He's put a lot into it. And that's the thing about him, he's such a good coach and the players, he's so detailed. It's all about just coaching the little things and that's where he does a great job. Their attitudes are totally different because Tyrone is more focused because now he knows that him and Jerrod are the quarterbacks so they know that in order for us to win, they have to play well. And plus, I think Tyrone has kind of got a chip on his shoulder because he wants to prove to everybody that he can play quarterback. But Shawn is doing an amazing job with both of those players.
On his comfort level now compared to this time last year: Well, I think what I have said is last year, and I keep saying it -- I thought when I walked in, I was just going to push a button and it was just going to go. But now, just being here, it's all about just players understanding and knowing who you are. And now they know that with our coaching staff, they know exactly who and what our expectations [are]. Now we go out to practice and it's not one of those, "What do we have now?" Blow the whistle, "Hey, guys, we are moving on to the next period." And they just go. Where last year, they were trying to figure it all out. "Okay, what does he want, what's his tempo, how fast does he want us to go." I don't have those questions now. It's been fun just going out there. And what's been amazing is just the seniors and just their leadership. [S] Duke [Thomas] has been great. Duke has been great coaching the young guys. But it's amazing how he has just taken over Boyd and Hill and Davis and they all watch Duke and they will tell you – "Well, if Duke did it wrong, then how can Coach yell at me?" But to watch Pete Jenkins work and then you go on offense with Sed[rick] Flowers] and Taylor [Doyle], it's amazing. Even [knocking on wood] my man Daje [Johnson] is different now. That's why you'd better hit it [laughter after knocking on table.] I tell you, it's been fun watching Daje. He comes out there and doesn't say a word, and every day, even after practice, he's standing out in practice catching balls. Him and Heard out there throwing balls after practice. Before practice, he picks up a rubber ball and tells the receiver, they're going down the field playing catch back and forth. I said to him, I said, "Wow, is this the guy I knew?" But it's just him and Marcus [Johnson], they both are doing an amazing job.
On who is going to be the punt/kick returner: You know, we are fortunate right now. It's a bunch of guys that can return. Not only Daje is looking good, but Chris Boyd is looking good; Newsome. Looking back there now, you were trying to find one guy just to catch the ball, don't worry about returning, just get it caught. Now you're looking back and you're trying to figure out who do you really want to put back there. And you want to make sure the ball is caught more than anything. Daje is one we are looking for and D'Onta Foreman, as big and strong as he is on kickoff return, and even J-Gray. We are sitting there the other day in the special teams meeting and I was going through the punt and J-Gray walks in and goes, "I want to be on special teams. Will you put me on the punt team?" Then you know what happened? Now everybody wants to be on the punt team because J-Gray walks in and says, "Hey, Coach." Now all of them say, "Hey, Coach, put me on the spot." I can't put everybody out there. I want to put the right guys. Just the attitude. Your starting running back and here he wants to go run down on the punt team and make a tackle. But that's the attitude that I'm talking about now that's just kind of creeping on to the team.
On the freshmen players' attitudes: I tell this freshmen group, I met with them in June, and I had a meeting with the freshmen group. I said, listen, so much is going to be said about you. But the thing I don't want you to do is just lose your confidence. You guys have a lot of confidence and I want you to have that confidence, because we are lacking right now. We need that. And it has not changed because you walk out there in practice, and you know, we play the music, and the only guys really dancing are the freshmen. I'm like, look at it, they have no idea -- but they haven't been in a game yet. Just overall, it's amazing just watching those young guys. Chris Boyd is the one that keeps them going. He has so much just liveliness to him. It's been fun.
On if it reminds him of the spark that that group in 2011 gave him at Louisville: It's similar to that group because you have a bunch of talent in this group. You look at Chris Boyd, you look at [Kirk] Johnson, the running back, Tristian [Houston.] You have three big running backs back there and then the guy that – [TE DeAndre] McNeal is one of those guys that you can play outside at wide receiver and you can put him inside at tight end and he can be your floater. But he is so -- you get him in open field, create a mismatch for him. But the thing about it, with this group of freshman, is they continue to push. No, they are not backing away, but the upperclassmen have brought them in. And that's what I think about, like last season, Sed asked me, I don't know if they really brought them in last year. This year, it's just totally different with that group of freshmen because they understand that they are going to need that group.
On signee TE Devonaire Clarington: What has happened is with Clarington, the NCAA is going to make a decision this week on his status. And that could be just any day. I hope it's today. He hopes it's today. Just as soon as they make that decision, because with the university, everything is good. But the NCAA, we are waiting on it to come from them.
On QB Tyrone Swoopes handling adversity: Sometimes when you've been knocked down, you can pick yourself up and I think he's been one of those guys that's been knocked down. If you can get knocked down and brush your shoulder off. But you have to have enough around you. And that's what I said to him and what I said to our staff. You don't want to just put it all in his hands. We have to play better up front. We have to be able to block people. If we can block people off the line of scrimmage and turn around and hand that ball off to J-Gray and those running backs and just create a seam, then it's going to make it better for Tyrone. And then you have guys that can make the catch with Marcus, with Daje, with Marcus, with Newsome, with all those guys out there. D'Onta Foreman who is having a really good camp. If those guys can make the catches and take the pressure off of Tyrone, then it's going to make it easier for him. Because you look at most quarterbacks, they have that and they have enough around them that makes them good.
On Swoopes' body language: It's totally different now. His body language, it's not one of those ones where he walks around with his head down. He can't do that anymore. I told him, there's none of that any more.
On if Swoopes is hit hard at Notre Dame: That's the question, will he get lit up? But can we mix it up enough on offense where we can help him, too. And it is, and I can tell you this, Notre Dame has a great defense. So there will be a time where he'll walk out there and it's bang, bang, bang and we are off the field. But it's more of him, can he handle it, and make sure that one bad play, he just doesn't create another bad play? And we're seeing that where you throw an interception and then the next play is an interception. And I told him, I said, if you think about it, Tyrone, you were playing well last season early and then late is when it kind of caved in on you. And so now, it's all about you getting your attitude back and bouncing back and making it happen. But so much has to happen and the whole team, it's more of the whole team is just getting it all together.
On his expectations for this season: We are a young team and it's still going to take a lot of work. It's going to take everybody doing their part and understanding that it's a team effort. And we don't need -- and we don't have individuals, but it's going to take the whole team to get it accomplished.
On sophomore WR Armanti Foreman's performance in camp: Really good. Armanti is a deep ball threat for us, caught a deep one there Saturday. But he's doing really good.
On if fall camp can give him a clear picture of how the team will perform: It's a good one, Roger, because you really don't know what that picture is going to be until you take the field. It looks good out there in practice where everything, all the parts are moving and you're kind of putting it all together. All of the sudden you walk into South Bend, and it's going to be a hostile environment for us. You think about it, Saturday night, very challenging schedule. But we are walking into -- against a really good football team. Now, how is our team, how are we going to be able to just come together and go play as a team and just fight through it? It's going to be some adversity. They are going to make plays. We are going to make plays, but you really don't know. Now when you step out there, can we play, not so much a penalty-free game but can we play smart and make the right decisions on offense and defense and the kicking game? You really don't know that until we strike it up and go out there and play.
Sophomore TE Andrew Beck
On how he likes the new offense as a tight end: It's been going really well. I think the system is set up for us really well. I think [Assistant Head for Offense/Quarterbacks] Coach [Shawn] Watson has found a really good way to use us. The speed definitely has an impact. I think it's taken a little bit to get used to in spring ball but now that we are into camp, I think it'll be a good thing.
On how often the tight end will be used: I believe so based on what we have done so far. Based on what Coach Watson and [Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator] Coach [Jeff] Traylor have told us, it'll be more tight end oriented. We talk about it all the time and we really play three positions. They've got us in the backfield playing fullback, they have us playing tight end, and then they can split us out at receiver every now and then.
On freshman TE DeAndre McNeal's play making ability: Coming from wide receiver, that's going to be a strength of his. His speed and what he can do with the ball. He's a smart kid too. He picks up quick and he's mature for his age.
On how does being a former linebacker help playing tight end: It's definitely been a positive thing for me. I know a little bit about defenses where I can tell what they are trying to do with leverage. Transition is going well.
On how much better the offense will be this season compared to last year: I don't think it'll be much of a comparison. I think we'll be a lot better. The speed is one thing that'll help us and the maturity of the guys that we got. Tyrone has come a long way, as has Jerrod. It's going to be a lot different and I'm excited to see where it goes.
Junior DT Paul Boyette Jr.
On how camp is different than last season: I think this year's camp is different because we came together more as a team. It's not just about "I". It's about "we". We take care of each other. We did a lot of things this offseason truly as a 'We.' We did a lot of extracurricular activities together and bonded as a family and a brotherhood.
On how good can the defensive line be: I think this front can be even better. We can motivate each other. Every day is more competition and that's something we didn't have last year. Don't get me wrong, we had an outstanding front last season but I feel it's a higher standard and we hold people more accountable.
On having the team over to his condo for team cookouts: I think that was my role this summer. Coach Strong and [Defensive Line] Coach [Brick] Haley always put that on me to be a more vocal leader and being the one to step up and get guys out of the dorms.
On freshman DT Chris Nelson: He brings a lot of versatility to the team up front. I think he's looking forward to getting better every day, especially in pass rush. He's a young guy that really is going to be a contender for us this year.
On redshirt freshman DT Jake McMillon: Jake is a good guy. He's come a long way. He switched from offense. He doesn't say much. He's going to put his head down and go to work. I feel like with the older guys leading him, he wants to have success just like us.
Senior FB/TE Alex De La Torre
On if he thinks this team can do something special: I do, personally. It started in the spring and continued in the offseason with the guys here. We really built on top of what we've done and the hard work. The freshmen came in and have done a really great job of coming in and just working hard. We've really melded together well. We put in a lot of work over the summer and rolled right into practice. Energy is high. We're competing. I have high hopes for this season.
On difference from last year to this year: I think we have a year of experience in knowing what the expectations are. We know within ourselves that we have a huge burden on our backs to get the train on the tracks and get this going the right way. This is my last year so my priority and job is to make this a great winning season and get Texas back to where we belong.
On the offensive transition: The transition is going to be good for us. We're in a conference that has fast offenses. I think we'll fit well. We have the talent and have the speed. We have the quarterbacks in both [junior QB] Tyrone [Swoopes] and [redshirt freshman QB] Jerrod [Heard] can do the job. I think it'll put us in a better position than year to win some games.
On how the transition has affected him: I'm still doing fullback stuff. The move I made to tight end helped me become a better player universally as a receiver, on the line, and in the fullback position. I think the change has been really good for me because I'll be able to compete and be out there longer than I would have the last few years. I think fall camp has gone well. [Sophomore TE Andrew] Beck and I have been pushing each other and we're going to need two tight ends in this offense. We're feeding off each other better.
On if the coaching staff is more comfortable with the team: I would say so. We've had a year together. We all know the expectations. We all know what we need to get done. They know exactly what they are working with. It's been a smoother process in my eyes.
Senior LB Peter Jinkens
On why he is ready to contribute senior year: I feel like I've learned more. I'm more aggressive now. I'm ready to take a role and be that leader on defense.
On his role in the defense: I feel like I can be that guy that can be the commander in the middle that makes all of the right calls and all of the right checks. I think I can be the playmaker that we need.
On freshman LB Malik Jefferson: He is good. He's a very good linebacker and very instinctive. I can't wait to see what he does this year.
On freshman LB Breckyn Hager: I was shocked with him the first few days. He's very instinctive. It's in his blood. I feel like he'll be a good linebacker here for years to come.
On what it's like to play for Defensive Coordinator Vance Bedford: He's by far one of the most energetic coaches I ever had in football. He is a coach that coaches real hard but at the end of the day, you know he cares for you and he wants the best for you.
Sophomore S Jason Hall
On how has the team gotten better with the freshmen class: We took them in and we all have been getting along. The energy as a whole has been great and practice has had a great atmosphere. It's been fun.
On how camp is different compared to freshman year: Freshman year, I didn't have as much knowledge as far as the game itself. Now this year, things are a little bit easier and slower. Last year, we didn't really know what to expect other than to work hard. Now that we know the expectation and know what to do, now we are on the road to completing our goal.
On what he worked on this summer: Just learning offensive concepts and anticipating certain plays so that I can make the plays.
On message to the freshman: When you come in as a freshman, you just have the mindset that you just want to come in and play. Over time, I realized that it's much bigger than that. It's a process for every freshman.
On what he has told to the freshmen: Just block all of the nonsense out and concentrate on what matters. Get your head in the playbook and just work every day.
Junior OG/OT Kent Perkins
On up-tempo offense: It's 1,000 times faster than last year. That's what we are going to try to beat teams with is speed.
On message to the offensive line: Right now, we are just trying to be as nasty as we can. We move fast and we are focusing on getting our assignments done, hitting, making contact and doing what we need to do.
On freshmen class pushing existing starters: I feel like when you have someone behind you that is going to push you and make you better, it makes you 1,000 times better.
On Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Joe Wickline: He's a character. He gives us compliments because he's more of a perfectionist. He's more of an NFL-level type coach. He's huge on the minor details. The littlest thing is the biggest thing to him. That's a good thing because it makes you better.
On potentially starting two freshmen on the offensive line at Notre Dame: Our job as the older class – [Sedrick Flowers, Taylor Doyle], me – our job is to bring them along with us and know what they are doing. We get them in the film room after practice, coach them up on little things, coach them up on things Notre Dame may be doing, and just making sure they know what they are doing. They are more than aggressive.
