Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coaches Corner: Glenn Spencer
August 11, 2010 | Cowboy Football
Aug. 11, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. - Okstate.com visited with Oklahoma State linebackers coach Glenn Spencer to talk about what he has seen from the Cowboy linebackers through the first six practices of fall camp. Here's what he had to say:
Regarding his general impressions of the linebackers at this early stage:
"We haven't had a full scrimmage yet, but up to now, I'm pleased with the effort. It's a younger group but a very hungry group, which is encouraging. I love my room. It's a room with a bunch of guys who are wanting to prove people wrong and improve themselves."
Regarding the Mike linebacker position:
"Orie Lemon is having a good camp. He's back to 100 percent. He's seeing things real well and closing to the ball fast. Tolu Moala is getting reps in a lot of situations and he's really having a good camp too. You can tell it's his third year here and he's caught on to the system and is playing fast."
Regarding the Will linebacker position:
"Justin Gent is having a real good camp. It's what I expected because I thought he had a great spring. He's one that nobody really talks about much, but he's played a lot of ball around here and he's a prime example of a guy who hasn't had the opportunity to show what he can do, but now he has that opportunity and is making the most of it."
"Behind him, we're playing LeRon Furr. LeRon is still learning. He's a redshirt freshman and is still learning how to play at the tempo that we play at, but he shows flashes that he's got a lot of ability. He just needs to be more consistent. He's one injury away from being the guy, so there needs to be a sense of urgency about him to learn and be ready."
"Kenny Alexander is a guy that we're playing at both positions inside, so he would be the next available. He's been around here long enough that he knows the Mike and the Will position, so we'll have him in a backup role in case of injury at both positions."
Regarding the Star linebacker position:
"James Thomas has got the edge now. He knows where to line up. He knows his assignments. He knows his technique and a lot of times at that position, there is so much to learn. He's really got the edge and he's worked at being more physical."
"Joe Mitchell and Shaun Lewis are really pushing for time. Shaun is just learning the position, but you can tell he's got that extra gear that you need to be effective at that position and Joe has gotten better from the spring. The good thing about that is that you have some good competition. That will make that position exponentially better because you have got three guys pushing each other."
Regarding Shaun Lewis:
"Shaun is very competitive and he wants to play early. He's just learning the little things you have to know. He's learning assignments. He's learning leverages. He's learning some technique work, but he's got really good closing speed. Until we get a full-speed scrimmage, it's hard to tell how these guys will finish a play. That's something that you miss until you really get after it. You've got to find who the guys are that can finish and make a tackle in the open field or make the big pass breakup. He's shown signs that he has ability. He's just going through a learning process right now."
Regarding what he has seen from the younger linebackers off the field:
"They're just trying to be on time to meetings. Our installation is more and more each day. Typically what happens is about now, things start running together for them and they tend to get overwhelmed. Right now, they're just trying to catch on and learn from the other guys. Between Orie and Gent, I think we'll get good leadership as far as making the young kids accountable and letting them know how we run things around here and what the expectations are. That's what you want is when your older guys can do that for you."
