Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy Meets With Media Following Fifth Spring Practice
March 27, 2019 | Cowboy Football
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STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State football team held its fifth practice of the spring Wednesday afternoon, wrapping up a two-hour session at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. Coach Mike Gundy met with media after the workout to talk about the team's development. A few of his comments:
Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"So we finally got two in the books and in pads, which were really good and competitive practices. It's nice to get the pads on where we can get some quality work. I mentioned to the team that I really appreciate their efforts and their willingness to allow themselves to be coached. We asked our coaches to be really firm with accountability, discipline, structure and just little things that we felt like we didn't accomplish last year. It's been very competitive as I've mentioned. Guys are protecting each other but we are getting a lot of really quality work. Both quarterbacks are getting work and we are rotating those guys in. They are obviously making some mistakes but we are correcting them and we should be getting a little bit better every day. The guys that you wouldn't have expected to produce up to this point are doing a really nice job. I'm pleased at this point where we are with our offensive line. Trying to develop some physical toughness and I think we are getting there. Defensively, we are getting good plays out of the safeties that were young last year, got a lot of reps and thrown into the fire. We are working hard to try to develop some backup corners to try and take a little bit out of Rodarius William and A.J. Green. Linebacker-wise, it's new for us. Those guys that are in there didn't get a lot of reps last year so they are like the quarterbacks who are also learning on the run. We are rotating everybody on the defensive line. I'm excited about where we are at. Everything has been good up to this point. We've got a long way to go but I like where we are at and I feel comfortable with the progress we've made up to this point."
On if there is a change in coaching style on the offensive line:
"I don't know if there is a lot of difference. Josh (Henson) was a good teacher and somewhat to himself in his own world. I think Charlie Dickey is the same way. Neither are screamers. The drills that Charlie works are somewhat different than what Josh used. There is a transition there but I think it's going good. I've asked some of the guys and they feel like they are enjoying the process at this point."
On Sean Gleeson:
"I think he knows more than what he is leading on. We had a part of practice today where you call the plays with no scripts. I noticed the timing and the flow were somewhat normal so I think he has a good idea of what we are doing. His drills are different than Mike Yurcich's. That's one thing I've noticed. I've never had drills when I coached quarterbacks. I was always with somebody, that's just my flavor. He has done some different things with drills that work with footwork and hands. I think that transition is going fine."
On Israel Antwine's role:
"That'll be interesting to see once we get into four or five more practices. They'll see what he does in live situations, whether he'll play some end or what not. I know he'll play some inside, because he's 300 pounds, but he is a little quicker than what most guys are that are 300 pounds. Whether he can play some on the edge or not based on some of the things we do structure-wise is yet to be seen, but I wouldn't rule it out."
On guys that have impressed him so far:
"I'll tell you the one guy that's made a few plays, and it's an almost way-too-early top 25 thought, is (Devin) Harper's brother, Thomas. He has made a few plays out here that are really impressive for a high school player. He's supposed to be in high school, but he's competing out here and making some plays."
On Thomas Harper:
"I just know that when we got out here and started playing, he's been pretty competitive for a young player. You know it's not easy to be a high school kid to come out here and compete against these players that have been in this organization for four or five years. I don't see that he's really scared of anybody out here. His physical ability makes it seem like he's going to have a chance to compete earlier than other people. It's still way too early. We'll know more in a month."
STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State football team held its fifth practice of the spring Wednesday afternoon, wrapping up a two-hour session at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. Coach Mike Gundy met with media after the workout to talk about the team's development. A few of his comments:
Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"So we finally got two in the books and in pads, which were really good and competitive practices. It's nice to get the pads on where we can get some quality work. I mentioned to the team that I really appreciate their efforts and their willingness to allow themselves to be coached. We asked our coaches to be really firm with accountability, discipline, structure and just little things that we felt like we didn't accomplish last year. It's been very competitive as I've mentioned. Guys are protecting each other but we are getting a lot of really quality work. Both quarterbacks are getting work and we are rotating those guys in. They are obviously making some mistakes but we are correcting them and we should be getting a little bit better every day. The guys that you wouldn't have expected to produce up to this point are doing a really nice job. I'm pleased at this point where we are with our offensive line. Trying to develop some physical toughness and I think we are getting there. Defensively, we are getting good plays out of the safeties that were young last year, got a lot of reps and thrown into the fire. We are working hard to try to develop some backup corners to try and take a little bit out of Rodarius William and A.J. Green. Linebacker-wise, it's new for us. Those guys that are in there didn't get a lot of reps last year so they are like the quarterbacks who are also learning on the run. We are rotating everybody on the defensive line. I'm excited about where we are at. Everything has been good up to this point. We've got a long way to go but I like where we are at and I feel comfortable with the progress we've made up to this point."
On if there is a change in coaching style on the offensive line:
"I don't know if there is a lot of difference. Josh (Henson) was a good teacher and somewhat to himself in his own world. I think Charlie Dickey is the same way. Neither are screamers. The drills that Charlie works are somewhat different than what Josh used. There is a transition there but I think it's going good. I've asked some of the guys and they feel like they are enjoying the process at this point."
On Sean Gleeson:
"I think he knows more than what he is leading on. We had a part of practice today where you call the plays with no scripts. I noticed the timing and the flow were somewhat normal so I think he has a good idea of what we are doing. His drills are different than Mike Yurcich's. That's one thing I've noticed. I've never had drills when I coached quarterbacks. I was always with somebody, that's just my flavor. He has done some different things with drills that work with footwork and hands. I think that transition is going fine."
On Israel Antwine's role:
"That'll be interesting to see once we get into four or five more practices. They'll see what he does in live situations, whether he'll play some end or what not. I know he'll play some inside, because he's 300 pounds, but he is a little quicker than what most guys are that are 300 pounds. Whether he can play some on the edge or not based on some of the things we do structure-wise is yet to be seen, but I wouldn't rule it out."
On guys that have impressed him so far:
"I'll tell you the one guy that's made a few plays, and it's an almost way-too-early top 25 thought, is (Devin) Harper's brother, Thomas. He has made a few plays out here that are really impressive for a high school player. He's supposed to be in high school, but he's competing out here and making some plays."
On Thomas Harper:
"I just know that when we got out here and started playing, he's been pretty competitive for a young player. You know it's not easy to be a high school kid to come out here and compete against these players that have been in this organization for four or five years. I don't see that he's really scared of anybody out here. His physical ability makes it seem like he's going to have a chance to compete earlier than other people. It's still way too early. We'll know more in a month."
Players Mentioned
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
