Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Wraps Up First Week of Spring Practice
March 30, 2018 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team finished its first week of spring practice Friday, wrapping up a two-hour practice session at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center.
It marked the third practice of the spring and the first time the Cowboys have worn pads this year. After practice, coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboy players met with media to discuss practice thus far. Some of their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"It's just the third practice and the first day of pads. We had the normal group out here and had great effort. The guys are doing really well. But obviously, it's way too early to know much."
On his first impression of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles:
"He's doing really well. We don't know each other personally really well. I didn't have a relationship with coach prior to him coming here. I'm standing back and watching him work and he's enjoying the process of putting in his system and what he and the other guys on the defense believe can be the most successful in this league."
On the interview process for the defensive coordinator position:
"I interviewed a lot of really, really good candidates. There were seven of us who interviewed – I think seven different coaches. We were looking for certain qualities and he met the criteria, but I did not have a personal relationship with him. I scanned the Internet and looked for coaches who had success at schools that may not have had the same talent as other schools. He had been considerably successful for a number of years. He is a Cornell grad, a head coach in the Ivy League, been a Wall Street guy and very intelligent. I have found that smart people generally become very good coaches. After his interview, I was somewhat satisfied that he would be a quality defensive coordinator here."
On how much stock he puts in coaches' demeanor in practice:
"Coaches, teachers, parents, it's all the same. Everybody is different in their approach and there's different ways to be successful. As I said, today was the first day of pads, so you find out a lot more about a coach in pads than you do in shorts. From a distance, I've watched more defense practices than I have my last 13 years here. I like the way our guys are operating, but we have a lot of work ahead of us. We've got to find what positions certain guys fit in and how they can benefit our team the most on that side of the ball. You'd like to think after spring ball, we'd have a pretty good idea what direction to go as a team."
On if finding a defensive scheme that fit the Big 12 was the most important part of the process:
"Not really. I interviewed some three-down guys, some 4-3 guys, but not as much as looking for the right person. This league has had success in three-down and four-down, so I think it's more being able to implement your system and handling this league more so than the scheme, but Coach Knowles is a 4-2-5 guy and he's got a long history. His background is he's tied in a little bit with Gary Patterson, so you're looking at a very similar style of defense."
Running Back Justice Hill
On how the offseason is going:
"The offseason went great, it was a cool two months. It does feel like just yesterday we were out here preparing for Virginia Tech. Everything just moves fast and I'm ready for the season."
On how things are different after the 2018 senior class' departure:
"It's always different without those guys. They made a lot of plays for us. Just like everything, things change and we have a new team, new quarterbacks, new receivers, it's going to be fun seeing what those guys do in the spring."
On his leadership:
"You always want to be able to lead by example in whatever area. I just want to come out here and show the younger guys how we do things around here. Hopefully all those things lead to many wins this season."
Wide Receiver Jalen McCleskey
On being a player that is looked up to by younger receivers:
"If anyone has questions, just helping them out. If I see something that needs correction, just helping them out, just being a leader. We have a pretty young group but they're all great players. I feel like we're going to do just fine this year. We're going to be a really good receiving corps. It's just getting everybody acclimated."
On how the young receivers are acclimating:
"I feel like they're doing really well. Right now, it's just small stuff, technique wise. We have a great athletic receiving corps. It's just getting the technique stuff down."
On what he sees from the quarterback position:
"Just playmaking. Being able to read the coverages and know where to go with the ball. Then just moving us down the field."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On the start of spring practice:
"It's only the third day, but it's been fun. It's about re-learning the offense for the younger guys and working on the little things."
On facing a 4-2-5 defense:
"The defense is flying around. They're bringing a ton of energy, especially today. I think the first day of pads is helping out."
On what's different about seeing a 4-2-5 defense:
"There are different coverages and schemes, and it's my first time seeing it."
On handling pressure:
"I just try to not worry about the pressure and just compete every day."
Quarterback Keondre Wudtee
On what makes his third spring practice easier:
"It's been easier because I've been listening to what the coaches have to say. What they say can take you a long way."
On facing a 4-2-5 defense:
"It helps out a lot because it's something different from last year. It tests your mind and where you're at."
On how the 4-2-5 affects his play:
"You have to be precise and you can't be late. The ball can't be behind or it's a pick. It's the little things."
On what he's been hearing from offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich:
"He's just been telling me to keep learning and keep competing, but have fun while doing it."
Linebacker Justin Phillips
On new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles:
"Coach Jim Knowles is a great dude. He brings a lot of energy to the defense. He just lets us fly around, so of course all the guys are loving that. We're ready to get after it."
On practicing a 4-2-5 defense:
"Like I said, (Knowles) is going to give us opportunities to fly around and make plays for ourselves. So he's going to make it simple for us, for everybody on the defense to know what they have to do and make their responsibilities easy for them. He's going to let us go out there and play."
On being aggressive:
"He wants us to get in their face, make things happen and get the ball for our offense."
Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder
On the offseason:
"The offseason has been good. We've been grinding hard and working hard with Coach Glass. Guys are really getting better. We're developing our mental toughness and doing things that will help us down the line."
On Coach Knowles and a new system:
"Coach Knowles has been great. He's coming in with a brand new system and doing a great job with teaching us, and the guys are doing a great job of picking it up. It has been a great experience so far."
On the first day of full pads:
"First day in pads was great. It was just guys competing and getting after it. We're making each other better, and that's what you want as a football team, and that's what we're doing today."
On guys stepping in after the departure of last year's seniors:
"We handled it great. Guys have to step up and fill those spots and make plays. It's all about guys stepping up and being able to fill the shoes of previous players, and that's what we have."
Linebacker Calvin Bundage
On the first day in pads:
"It went real well. I think a lot of players made a lot of plays. This defense, I feel like, is going to force a lot of turnovers. I think it's a good thing for us."
On playing a slightly different linebacker position:
"It's going good. I like it. It puts me in a place to make plays, so it's really cool."
On Coach Knowles and the new system:
"He knows what he's doing. He's taught me a lot in the time that he's been here. I think it's a step in the right direction. The new system is good. These few practices we've forced so many turnovers and picks, so it's going good."
Offensive Lineman Shane Richards
On playing with a different quarterback than Mason Rudolph:
"We have always done the same thing. Your ones, your twos, especially in spring ball. We all do the same plays in and out. At the end of the day, you still have a job to do, regardless of which quarterback is behind you, so you just have to do your job. Just focus on your job and get it done."
On how his redshirt year prepared him for this year:
"It helped me mentally. I'm not going to lie. My first year, I came in and it was new to me coming from JUCO. The speed is a whole lot different. That redshirt year really helped me get stronger, for one. And for two, it helped me mentally. That's what I focused on last year. Making sure I knew the playbook inside and out, backwards, frontwards."
On what offensive line coach Josh Henson has had him focus on lately:
"We've done a lot of technique work. Technique has really been the biggest thing for us right now. You can see that with our outside zone. Today, that was our biggest focus. Working on our outside zone steps. That was my main focus today."
It marked the third practice of the spring and the first time the Cowboys have worn pads this year. After practice, coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboy players met with media to discuss practice thus far. Some of their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"It's just the third practice and the first day of pads. We had the normal group out here and had great effort. The guys are doing really well. But obviously, it's way too early to know much."
On his first impression of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles:
"He's doing really well. We don't know each other personally really well. I didn't have a relationship with coach prior to him coming here. I'm standing back and watching him work and he's enjoying the process of putting in his system and what he and the other guys on the defense believe can be the most successful in this league."
On the interview process for the defensive coordinator position:
"I interviewed a lot of really, really good candidates. There were seven of us who interviewed – I think seven different coaches. We were looking for certain qualities and he met the criteria, but I did not have a personal relationship with him. I scanned the Internet and looked for coaches who had success at schools that may not have had the same talent as other schools. He had been considerably successful for a number of years. He is a Cornell grad, a head coach in the Ivy League, been a Wall Street guy and very intelligent. I have found that smart people generally become very good coaches. After his interview, I was somewhat satisfied that he would be a quality defensive coordinator here."
On how much stock he puts in coaches' demeanor in practice:
"Coaches, teachers, parents, it's all the same. Everybody is different in their approach and there's different ways to be successful. As I said, today was the first day of pads, so you find out a lot more about a coach in pads than you do in shorts. From a distance, I've watched more defense practices than I have my last 13 years here. I like the way our guys are operating, but we have a lot of work ahead of us. We've got to find what positions certain guys fit in and how they can benefit our team the most on that side of the ball. You'd like to think after spring ball, we'd have a pretty good idea what direction to go as a team."
On if finding a defensive scheme that fit the Big 12 was the most important part of the process:
"Not really. I interviewed some three-down guys, some 4-3 guys, but not as much as looking for the right person. This league has had success in three-down and four-down, so I think it's more being able to implement your system and handling this league more so than the scheme, but Coach Knowles is a 4-2-5 guy and he's got a long history. His background is he's tied in a little bit with Gary Patterson, so you're looking at a very similar style of defense."
Running Back Justice Hill
On how the offseason is going:
"The offseason went great, it was a cool two months. It does feel like just yesterday we were out here preparing for Virginia Tech. Everything just moves fast and I'm ready for the season."
On how things are different after the 2018 senior class' departure:
"It's always different without those guys. They made a lot of plays for us. Just like everything, things change and we have a new team, new quarterbacks, new receivers, it's going to be fun seeing what those guys do in the spring."
On his leadership:
"You always want to be able to lead by example in whatever area. I just want to come out here and show the younger guys how we do things around here. Hopefully all those things lead to many wins this season."
Wide Receiver Jalen McCleskey
On being a player that is looked up to by younger receivers:
"If anyone has questions, just helping them out. If I see something that needs correction, just helping them out, just being a leader. We have a pretty young group but they're all great players. I feel like we're going to do just fine this year. We're going to be a really good receiving corps. It's just getting everybody acclimated."
On how the young receivers are acclimating:
"I feel like they're doing really well. Right now, it's just small stuff, technique wise. We have a great athletic receiving corps. It's just getting the technique stuff down."
On what he sees from the quarterback position:
"Just playmaking. Being able to read the coverages and know where to go with the ball. Then just moving us down the field."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On the start of spring practice:
"It's only the third day, but it's been fun. It's about re-learning the offense for the younger guys and working on the little things."
On facing a 4-2-5 defense:
"The defense is flying around. They're bringing a ton of energy, especially today. I think the first day of pads is helping out."
On what's different about seeing a 4-2-5 defense:
"There are different coverages and schemes, and it's my first time seeing it."
On handling pressure:
"I just try to not worry about the pressure and just compete every day."
Quarterback Keondre Wudtee
On what makes his third spring practice easier:
"It's been easier because I've been listening to what the coaches have to say. What they say can take you a long way."
On facing a 4-2-5 defense:
"It helps out a lot because it's something different from last year. It tests your mind and where you're at."
On how the 4-2-5 affects his play:
"You have to be precise and you can't be late. The ball can't be behind or it's a pick. It's the little things."
On what he's been hearing from offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich:
"He's just been telling me to keep learning and keep competing, but have fun while doing it."
Linebacker Justin Phillips
On new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles:
"Coach Jim Knowles is a great dude. He brings a lot of energy to the defense. He just lets us fly around, so of course all the guys are loving that. We're ready to get after it."
On practicing a 4-2-5 defense:
"Like I said, (Knowles) is going to give us opportunities to fly around and make plays for ourselves. So he's going to make it simple for us, for everybody on the defense to know what they have to do and make their responsibilities easy for them. He's going to let us go out there and play."
On being aggressive:
"He wants us to get in their face, make things happen and get the ball for our offense."
Linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder
On the offseason:
"The offseason has been good. We've been grinding hard and working hard with Coach Glass. Guys are really getting better. We're developing our mental toughness and doing things that will help us down the line."
On Coach Knowles and a new system:
"Coach Knowles has been great. He's coming in with a brand new system and doing a great job with teaching us, and the guys are doing a great job of picking it up. It has been a great experience so far."
On the first day of full pads:
"First day in pads was great. It was just guys competing and getting after it. We're making each other better, and that's what you want as a football team, and that's what we're doing today."
On guys stepping in after the departure of last year's seniors:
"We handled it great. Guys have to step up and fill those spots and make plays. It's all about guys stepping up and being able to fill the shoes of previous players, and that's what we have."
Linebacker Calvin Bundage
On the first day in pads:
"It went real well. I think a lot of players made a lot of plays. This defense, I feel like, is going to force a lot of turnovers. I think it's a good thing for us."
On playing a slightly different linebacker position:
"It's going good. I like it. It puts me in a place to make plays, so it's really cool."
On Coach Knowles and the new system:
"He knows what he's doing. He's taught me a lot in the time that he's been here. I think it's a step in the right direction. The new system is good. These few practices we've forced so many turnovers and picks, so it's going good."
Offensive Lineman Shane Richards
On playing with a different quarterback than Mason Rudolph:
"We have always done the same thing. Your ones, your twos, especially in spring ball. We all do the same plays in and out. At the end of the day, you still have a job to do, regardless of which quarterback is behind you, so you just have to do your job. Just focus on your job and get it done."
On how his redshirt year prepared him for this year:
"It helped me mentally. I'm not going to lie. My first year, I came in and it was new to me coming from JUCO. The speed is a whole lot different. That redshirt year really helped me get stronger, for one. And for two, it helped me mentally. That's what I focused on last year. Making sure I knew the playbook inside and out, backwards, frontwards."
On what offensive line coach Josh Henson has had him focus on lately:
"We've done a lot of technique work. Technique has really been the biggest thing for us right now. You can see that with our outside zone. Today, that was our biggest focus. Working on our outside zone steps. That was my main focus today."
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