Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Cowboys Hit the Halfway Point of Spring Practice
March 29, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team wrapped up the first half of spring practice Wednesday at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center, holding the eighth of 15 scheduled practices. Coach Mike Gundy and selected members of the Cowboy football team met with media at today's practice session to talk about how the team is shaping up this spring. Their comments:
Mike Gundy
On wide receiver Marcell Ateman:
"The adversity has been good for him. Sometimes when we have things taken from us that we don't really appreciate, all of us do that with certain things in our lives, he realized he actually missed being on our team, being around our guys, being able to practice, compete; essentially being a part of something. He's a true success story for college football."
On how the pass rush helps the cornerbacks:
"Last year, we were fortunate to play two groups up front and stay fresh. I think we're going to have that luxury (this year), knock on wood. If (Jordan) Brailford continues to progress and stay healthy, he could be quite an impact player for us on the pass rush. When we can keep a group of four fresh, we're going to be a much better team. That was something we lacked here for a number of years."
On Trey Carter:
"He's done great. We were just talking about him in the locker room. We talked about Ateman, and Tre is another success story. He was a late qualifier and came in here. We've essentially become his family away from home and he's put all of his money into it, his pride into it and his time into it. He's done very well. He's done well in class and is buying in. The team really likes him. He's got a great sense of humor and he's really fun to be around."
On who he's rooting for in the Final Four:
"Well, we're out of Big 12 schools, and I pulled for those guys all the way to the end. I just enjoy watching good games. Quite honestly, I'm enjoying Coach (Frank) Martin. I know him quite a bit and appreciate what he brings to the table. I'm happy for Mark (Few). I don't know Mark, but I'm happy for all the hard work and effort he's put in to get to the Final Four. And honestly, it's pretty cool for Oregon to be in the Final Four. They hadn't been there in 60 years or something. North Carolina is kind of old hat, but I just enjoy watching good games."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On the defense this spring:
"I love their passion. We don't have things installed right now, so typically what happens is a lot of mental errors at first and then by the middle of spring we get those worked out and can start seeing some real results."
On replacing the experience and leadership of departed players:
"It happens every year. Guys leave and then the next guys in line have to take over. We've got some guys with some good personality that will be able to do that. Chad Whitener, Trey Carter, Ramon Richards. We've got a core group of guys there that will be able to cover there for us."
On his urgency during spring practices:
"I'm working now. Players can sometimes get in their heads that they're not playing until September, but to me I want to go now. It's all about now for me. When fall practice comes around, that's when practice No. 16 starts for me. I don't want to start all over again."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On Marcell Ateman's return to the field:
"He looks good and healthy. He's doing really well and I'm glad to have him back. He's a really big target for me, a good dude and a good friend all rolled together. I'm excited to have him back out on the field with us."
On how Marcell Ateman handled his injury:
"Yeah it was rough... We were just getting some rust off and I guess he made a weird cut and that did it. It was similar to my break. It's a freak deal, but he handled it well and worked his butt off. He's running and catching the ball well and looks to be in great shape."
On the offense's "embarrassment of riches":
"On paper, we can be as good as you guys want us to be, but we've got to work every single day and come out here and make plays. I'm blessed to have a great group of receivers to throw the ball to and I'm just trying to spread it around. They're a competitive group of guys."
Offensive Lineman Larry Williams
On new offensive line coach Josh Henson:
"He's a really good coach. He's more of a technician and he comes in here with a good attitude and enthusiasm. He makes sure we come in here and bring our best every single day, so I think he's a really good coach that came in here and really tried to change things around."
On how the offensive linemen have changed under Henson:
"It's pretty different, but I still feel like we definitely are all bonding together and with him, his style of coaching and his approach to the game. I really feel like it's really beneficial for us because he brings a different attitude to it than we've had before."
On how the offensive line is performing to this point:
"I think we feel like we're getting more aggressive because that's something Coach Henson harps about to us all the time. He wants us to be physical and bring our A-game. Getting better with our technique is also helping us to be more physical, because as long as you're good with your technique, you can then go and be more physical. That's one that we focus on a lot."
Defensive Lineman Trey Carter
On how the decision was made to move him to inside:
"It got made when I got to 290. When I got to 290, they were like, 'OK you're putting on a lot of weight.' A defensive end I think typically weighs anywhere from 245 all the way to 275. Other than that, it was really just because I put on a lot of weight."
On if the weight was accidental:
"No, it was really just from eating healthy, working hard and working out with Coach Glass. My body just decided to grow."
On his frame is suited for a defensive lineman:
"Yes, my frame is definitely more for a defensive tackle. It's really good for a defensive end, defensive tackle or anything. I am just a big guy, and I think it was time for the move."
On the biggest adjustment he's had to make:
"Basically just learning the different types of nose guard positions. Just talking to guys like Darrion Daniels and Vincent Taylor and all the other guys."
On how Vincent Taylor and Darrion Daniels have helped him:
"When I first found out I was going to move inside, I just went to talk to them and asked what the biggest advice they could give me was. They just told me that coming off the ball I need to stay real low and just work through the double teams. I'm going to get double teamed so just working through it."
On if he could have more playing time after moving inside:
"Yes sir. I moved inside and now that Vincent and Mote (Maile) aren't here, it's definitely more playing time."
Defensive Tackle Darrion Daniels
On how it's different this spring after playing behind Vincent Taylor and Mote Maile:
"Not having them here is really different because they had unique personalities. I'm not going to say Vincent was serious, but he was definitely the hard guy on the defensive line. Mote was goofy, but he knew what he was doing and would correct people. It's different now not having that person to correct you and hype you up all the time, but we have new personalities on the D-line, so we are going to be OK."
On if he has guys coming to him and asking questions now:
"Yes, it's kind of awkward because I am used to being the new guy, and I'm used to people yelling at me for messing up. Now it's like I know and have a good feel for the defense and what to look forward to, so I can help people out now as much as I can."
On if he feels like an upperclassman yet:
"I don't. I'm young. I'm only 19, so I'm still considered one of the youngest on the team, so I don't think of myself as an upperclassman."
On how Vincent Taylor and Mote Maile helped him prepare for his role this year:
"Like I said with Vincent, it was a mentality thing to me. I've always had the confidence but Vincent was always like, 'I'm going to impose my will on them and let them know I'm the best,' so that's how Vincent helped me with my dog mentality. Mote helped me out with my technique and my fundamentals."
Mike Gundy
On wide receiver Marcell Ateman:
"The adversity has been good for him. Sometimes when we have things taken from us that we don't really appreciate, all of us do that with certain things in our lives, he realized he actually missed being on our team, being around our guys, being able to practice, compete; essentially being a part of something. He's a true success story for college football."
On how the pass rush helps the cornerbacks:
"Last year, we were fortunate to play two groups up front and stay fresh. I think we're going to have that luxury (this year), knock on wood. If (Jordan) Brailford continues to progress and stay healthy, he could be quite an impact player for us on the pass rush. When we can keep a group of four fresh, we're going to be a much better team. That was something we lacked here for a number of years."
On Trey Carter:
"He's done great. We were just talking about him in the locker room. We talked about Ateman, and Tre is another success story. He was a late qualifier and came in here. We've essentially become his family away from home and he's put all of his money into it, his pride into it and his time into it. He's done very well. He's done well in class and is buying in. The team really likes him. He's got a great sense of humor and he's really fun to be around."
On who he's rooting for in the Final Four:
"Well, we're out of Big 12 schools, and I pulled for those guys all the way to the end. I just enjoy watching good games. Quite honestly, I'm enjoying Coach (Frank) Martin. I know him quite a bit and appreciate what he brings to the table. I'm happy for Mark (Few). I don't know Mark, but I'm happy for all the hard work and effort he's put in to get to the Final Four. And honestly, it's pretty cool for Oregon to be in the Final Four. They hadn't been there in 60 years or something. North Carolina is kind of old hat, but I just enjoy watching good games."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On the defense this spring:
"I love their passion. We don't have things installed right now, so typically what happens is a lot of mental errors at first and then by the middle of spring we get those worked out and can start seeing some real results."
On replacing the experience and leadership of departed players:
"It happens every year. Guys leave and then the next guys in line have to take over. We've got some guys with some good personality that will be able to do that. Chad Whitener, Trey Carter, Ramon Richards. We've got a core group of guys there that will be able to cover there for us."
On his urgency during spring practices:
"I'm working now. Players can sometimes get in their heads that they're not playing until September, but to me I want to go now. It's all about now for me. When fall practice comes around, that's when practice No. 16 starts for me. I don't want to start all over again."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On Marcell Ateman's return to the field:
"He looks good and healthy. He's doing really well and I'm glad to have him back. He's a really big target for me, a good dude and a good friend all rolled together. I'm excited to have him back out on the field with us."
On how Marcell Ateman handled his injury:
"Yeah it was rough... We were just getting some rust off and I guess he made a weird cut and that did it. It was similar to my break. It's a freak deal, but he handled it well and worked his butt off. He's running and catching the ball well and looks to be in great shape."
On the offense's "embarrassment of riches":
"On paper, we can be as good as you guys want us to be, but we've got to work every single day and come out here and make plays. I'm blessed to have a great group of receivers to throw the ball to and I'm just trying to spread it around. They're a competitive group of guys."
Offensive Lineman Larry Williams
On new offensive line coach Josh Henson:
"He's a really good coach. He's more of a technician and he comes in here with a good attitude and enthusiasm. He makes sure we come in here and bring our best every single day, so I think he's a really good coach that came in here and really tried to change things around."
On how the offensive linemen have changed under Henson:
"It's pretty different, but I still feel like we definitely are all bonding together and with him, his style of coaching and his approach to the game. I really feel like it's really beneficial for us because he brings a different attitude to it than we've had before."
On how the offensive line is performing to this point:
"I think we feel like we're getting more aggressive because that's something Coach Henson harps about to us all the time. He wants us to be physical and bring our A-game. Getting better with our technique is also helping us to be more physical, because as long as you're good with your technique, you can then go and be more physical. That's one that we focus on a lot."
Defensive Lineman Trey Carter
On how the decision was made to move him to inside:
"It got made when I got to 290. When I got to 290, they were like, 'OK you're putting on a lot of weight.' A defensive end I think typically weighs anywhere from 245 all the way to 275. Other than that, it was really just because I put on a lot of weight."
On if the weight was accidental:
"No, it was really just from eating healthy, working hard and working out with Coach Glass. My body just decided to grow."
On his frame is suited for a defensive lineman:
"Yes, my frame is definitely more for a defensive tackle. It's really good for a defensive end, defensive tackle or anything. I am just a big guy, and I think it was time for the move."
On the biggest adjustment he's had to make:
"Basically just learning the different types of nose guard positions. Just talking to guys like Darrion Daniels and Vincent Taylor and all the other guys."
On how Vincent Taylor and Darrion Daniels have helped him:
"When I first found out I was going to move inside, I just went to talk to them and asked what the biggest advice they could give me was. They just told me that coming off the ball I need to stay real low and just work through the double teams. I'm going to get double teamed so just working through it."
On if he could have more playing time after moving inside:
"Yes sir. I moved inside and now that Vincent and Mote (Maile) aren't here, it's definitely more playing time."
Defensive Tackle Darrion Daniels
On how it's different this spring after playing behind Vincent Taylor and Mote Maile:
"Not having them here is really different because they had unique personalities. I'm not going to say Vincent was serious, but he was definitely the hard guy on the defensive line. Mote was goofy, but he knew what he was doing and would correct people. It's different now not having that person to correct you and hype you up all the time, but we have new personalities on the D-line, so we are going to be OK."
On if he has guys coming to him and asking questions now:
"Yes, it's kind of awkward because I am used to being the new guy, and I'm used to people yelling at me for messing up. Now it's like I know and have a good feel for the defense and what to look forward to, so I can help people out now as much as I can."
On if he feels like an upperclassman yet:
"I don't. I'm young. I'm only 19, so I'm still considered one of the youngest on the team, so I don't think of myself as an upperclassman."
On how Vincent Taylor and Mote Maile helped him prepare for his role this year:
"Like I said with Vincent, it was a mentality thing to me. I've always had the confidence but Vincent was always like, 'I'm going to impose my will on them and let them know I'm the best,' so that's how Vincent helped me with my dog mentality. Mote helped me out with my technique and my fundamentals."
Players Mentioned
WR
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DE
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DT
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S
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QB
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DT
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LB
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OL
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