Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet With Media
April 25, 2018 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team held its 14th practice of the spring Wednesday at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center, marking its final workout before Saturday's Spring Game, scheduled for 1 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboy players met with media before practice to discuss the spring thus far. Some of their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
On the format of the spring game:
"We have two quarterbacks for Saturday. (Keondre) Wudtee has got a bruised sternum or shoulder area, so he won't be able to go, so we're down to two quarterbacks. We're going to use it more as a scrimmage setting more so than dividing up teams and keeping score. Just for the reason that when you're down to two quarterbacks, you almost have to go offense and defense in more of a scrimmage setting."
On the fans' experience of the spring game:
"I know a lot of people like a game, but the setting we'll have will be very similar to what we've used on Fridays over the last two to three weeks, which is the offense and defense going against each other. We'll mix in a little bit of punt and probably just use a deep snapper, punter and a returner because there's no contact or attempt to block either way. Then we'll kick field goals and PATs and such."
On how much easier the Spring Game format will be for the linemen:
"We can manage the lines. That's why we really never say what direction we're going to go until the end of spring. Obviously, it depends on the health of our team. We're very young up front on offense, especially with Dylan (Galloway), No. 75 (Marcus Keyes) out and then maybe if we get Larry (Williams) back. There's three guys less on the offensive line. We could have managed that and we're actually leaning that way, but with Wudtee unavailable to go with his situation, it doesn't make sense to have an orange-and-white scrimmage with one quarterback. Then if one guy turns an ankle, the other guy has to play both teams. So it just makes the most sense to go out and get some quality work for us. It also gives the fans the best chance to see our players in a role that they would be playing in the fall."
On watching the NFL Draft:
"I'm excited for our players. My sons at home, my friends and people who are interested bring it up a lot. I just continue to think that with the guys we have, their stock goes up more each day based on their character, their durability and as productive as they have been throughout their careers. It really doesn't matter, we're proud of our players and what they represent, stand for and what they have accomplished. I think it's more this year than ever, if I was going to stick my neck out there and say the guys we have who are draft-able who everyone is talking about right now. I would put my money behind these guys to be in the NFL for a long period of time because they are the total package. With the direction the commissioner, NFL and owners are going with quality men in their program who can be productive, I don't think there is any question the pool of players we have in this draft are first class."
On the younger players seeing veterans get drafted:
"It's their dream. When we're young, we all have someone who we admire; a mentor or whoever interests us in our life. These guys will be tuned in to the TV tomorrow night and throughout the draft to figure out where their friends go. It's really neat to be able to have somebody you have a close relationship with, which with these young men would be texting and Instagram, or whatever form of communication they're using nowadays, who is going to be playing on Sunday with their heroes and Tom Brady's of the world. It's pretty cool to see that and I'm pretty sure they feel the same way."
On the progress of the offensive line:
"They're doing really well. Offensive line is the most difficult position to bring along, especially in the spring when you have young players competing. They're getting the same number of reps as our ones at a very fast pace, so I like our effort. They're developing and coming along, but they are a long ways away. I feel better now about the group we have on the offensive line than I have in a number of years. From this point on moving forward, it should get a little bit better each year."
Running Back Justice Hill
On his main focus from last year to this year:
"Just improving every single day, on the field, off the field."
On his leadership role this summer:
"We're going to come out here and work hard. We have a lot of workouts, a lot of different types of workouts and some team stuff we will do. So everybody will be taking leadership and improving every single practice we have."
On the product OSU will display Saturday:
"A lot of the young guys subbed in the first couple of practices and they were anxious. So after the spring and a couple scrimmages everybody will be able to settle down and just be able to play like they've been playing their whole life."
Cornerback Tyrell Alexander
On his experience at defensive back:
"I played my senior year of high school so I have some experience. I played it during the playoffs a lot and I got a couple of offers to play defensive back, so pretty experienced."
On the biggest learning curve:
"Just the technique. Coach (Knowles) has come in and done a good job with the defense and starting a new defense here. Just technique-wise and just getting my hands and feet right is what I've been working on in the spring."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On his role this summer:
"That's where I think it all starts. I mean obviously the spring is where we lay the foundation and then it continues into the summer for what we have to do for the next season."
On what he can contribute this summer:
"Working hard every day. Just showing up, being ready to go, bring the energy and showing up wanting to get better every day."
On having Justice Hill in the backfield with him:
"That guy is the real deal. All-American. I think he led the Big 12 in rushing last year. I don't know if that's for sure. You got a guy like that next to you it's always going to be comfortable."
Linebacker Justin Phillips
On the defense:
"Everybody likes to throw shade on the Big 12's defense, and it's all an offensive league, but I think we got a lot of good athletes out here and they'll be impressed with whatever they get. We're working hard and working on our craft, and when the time comes we'll be able to make plays."
On leadership:
"I've been taking on that leadership role this year. I'm just trying to make sure everybody's staying focused. We got our goal on task and every day we're working toward it."
Offensive Lineman Johnny Wilson
On the summer leading up to the season:
"Those workouts in the summer are really key for us as a team growing. You get to bring those freshmen in here and get them up to speed with everything. We have a lot of guys who like to work hard, and it's going to be awesome."
On the offensive line developing:
"(Zach) Crabtree and Brad (Lundblade) were really my guys I went to. They kind of passed it on to me. I think it's our responsibility as the older guys in the group to help them along and get them straight."
On Saturday's Spring Game:
"It's going to be fun. We've had the two scrimmages the past two weeks, and they were really fun and enjoyable. I think the Spring Game is going to be the same. Everyone's going to do what they can to show off a little bit and do what they can."
Wide Receiver Tyron Johnson
On the receivers for draft night:
"It's a big deal for us and our culture, and especially for me being with those guys and under them the whole season. It's a big day for them."
On the program rising:
"Our school has a history of putting receivers in the first round. Eventually that's where I want to be and that attracted me to this school. Just being around those guys helps me. They were pros before they were pros."
Coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboy players met with media before practice to discuss the spring thus far. Some of their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
On the format of the spring game:
"We have two quarterbacks for Saturday. (Keondre) Wudtee has got a bruised sternum or shoulder area, so he won't be able to go, so we're down to two quarterbacks. We're going to use it more as a scrimmage setting more so than dividing up teams and keeping score. Just for the reason that when you're down to two quarterbacks, you almost have to go offense and defense in more of a scrimmage setting."
On the fans' experience of the spring game:
"I know a lot of people like a game, but the setting we'll have will be very similar to what we've used on Fridays over the last two to three weeks, which is the offense and defense going against each other. We'll mix in a little bit of punt and probably just use a deep snapper, punter and a returner because there's no contact or attempt to block either way. Then we'll kick field goals and PATs and such."
On how much easier the Spring Game format will be for the linemen:
"We can manage the lines. That's why we really never say what direction we're going to go until the end of spring. Obviously, it depends on the health of our team. We're very young up front on offense, especially with Dylan (Galloway), No. 75 (Marcus Keyes) out and then maybe if we get Larry (Williams) back. There's three guys less on the offensive line. We could have managed that and we're actually leaning that way, but with Wudtee unavailable to go with his situation, it doesn't make sense to have an orange-and-white scrimmage with one quarterback. Then if one guy turns an ankle, the other guy has to play both teams. So it just makes the most sense to go out and get some quality work for us. It also gives the fans the best chance to see our players in a role that they would be playing in the fall."
On watching the NFL Draft:
"I'm excited for our players. My sons at home, my friends and people who are interested bring it up a lot. I just continue to think that with the guys we have, their stock goes up more each day based on their character, their durability and as productive as they have been throughout their careers. It really doesn't matter, we're proud of our players and what they represent, stand for and what they have accomplished. I think it's more this year than ever, if I was going to stick my neck out there and say the guys we have who are draft-able who everyone is talking about right now. I would put my money behind these guys to be in the NFL for a long period of time because they are the total package. With the direction the commissioner, NFL and owners are going with quality men in their program who can be productive, I don't think there is any question the pool of players we have in this draft are first class."
On the younger players seeing veterans get drafted:
"It's their dream. When we're young, we all have someone who we admire; a mentor or whoever interests us in our life. These guys will be tuned in to the TV tomorrow night and throughout the draft to figure out where their friends go. It's really neat to be able to have somebody you have a close relationship with, which with these young men would be texting and Instagram, or whatever form of communication they're using nowadays, who is going to be playing on Sunday with their heroes and Tom Brady's of the world. It's pretty cool to see that and I'm pretty sure they feel the same way."
On the progress of the offensive line:
"They're doing really well. Offensive line is the most difficult position to bring along, especially in the spring when you have young players competing. They're getting the same number of reps as our ones at a very fast pace, so I like our effort. They're developing and coming along, but they are a long ways away. I feel better now about the group we have on the offensive line than I have in a number of years. From this point on moving forward, it should get a little bit better each year."
Running Back Justice Hill
On his main focus from last year to this year:
"Just improving every single day, on the field, off the field."
On his leadership role this summer:
"We're going to come out here and work hard. We have a lot of workouts, a lot of different types of workouts and some team stuff we will do. So everybody will be taking leadership and improving every single practice we have."
On the product OSU will display Saturday:
"A lot of the young guys subbed in the first couple of practices and they were anxious. So after the spring and a couple scrimmages everybody will be able to settle down and just be able to play like they've been playing their whole life."
Cornerback Tyrell Alexander
On his experience at defensive back:
"I played my senior year of high school so I have some experience. I played it during the playoffs a lot and I got a couple of offers to play defensive back, so pretty experienced."
On the biggest learning curve:
"Just the technique. Coach (Knowles) has come in and done a good job with the defense and starting a new defense here. Just technique-wise and just getting my hands and feet right is what I've been working on in the spring."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On his role this summer:
"That's where I think it all starts. I mean obviously the spring is where we lay the foundation and then it continues into the summer for what we have to do for the next season."
On what he can contribute this summer:
"Working hard every day. Just showing up, being ready to go, bring the energy and showing up wanting to get better every day."
On having Justice Hill in the backfield with him:
"That guy is the real deal. All-American. I think he led the Big 12 in rushing last year. I don't know if that's for sure. You got a guy like that next to you it's always going to be comfortable."
Linebacker Justin Phillips
On the defense:
"Everybody likes to throw shade on the Big 12's defense, and it's all an offensive league, but I think we got a lot of good athletes out here and they'll be impressed with whatever they get. We're working hard and working on our craft, and when the time comes we'll be able to make plays."
On leadership:
"I've been taking on that leadership role this year. I'm just trying to make sure everybody's staying focused. We got our goal on task and every day we're working toward it."
Offensive Lineman Johnny Wilson
On the summer leading up to the season:
"Those workouts in the summer are really key for us as a team growing. You get to bring those freshmen in here and get them up to speed with everything. We have a lot of guys who like to work hard, and it's going to be awesome."
On the offensive line developing:
"(Zach) Crabtree and Brad (Lundblade) were really my guys I went to. They kind of passed it on to me. I think it's our responsibility as the older guys in the group to help them along and get them straight."
On Saturday's Spring Game:
"It's going to be fun. We've had the two scrimmages the past two weeks, and they were really fun and enjoyable. I think the Spring Game is going to be the same. Everyone's going to do what they can to show off a little bit and do what they can."
Wide Receiver Tyron Johnson
On the receivers for draft night:
"It's a big deal for us and our culture, and especially for me being with those guys and under them the whole season. It's a big day for them."
On the program rising:
"Our school has a history of putting receivers in the first round. Eventually that's where I want to be and that attracted me to this school. Just being around those guys helps me. They were pros before they were pros."
Tuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
