Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Players Meet With Media Following Eighth Spring Practice
April 03, 2019 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State football team held its eighth practice of the spring Wednesday afternoon, wrapping up a two-hour session at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. Coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboy players met with media after the workout to talk about the team's development. A few of their comments:
Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"We are through practice eight and I just mentioned to the team I'm very excited about our coaching going on and the players. Typical coach talk, but really it has been guys are working hard. We are practicing at a really good clip, protecting each other. Quarterbacks continue to come along. They are still making mistakes, but overall they are three practices better than what we talked about at this time and so you're seeing that improvement. It's interesting, as I watch it from upstairs, first time in four years we've had a young quarterback. Taylor (Cornelius) was new last year, but he had five years of service, so he was able to jump in, but those guys are progressing. They are competing. They are doing good. They are sharing reps. Things we talked about last week that we want them to be able to distribute the ball to the guys that can make plays. We want to minimize mistakes and then let them learn to grow. Chuba (Hubbard) is doing good, looks really good. I like how Coach Dickey is working with the offensive line. We have a number of young guys on the twos, which is typical in the spring, who are continuing to get better. At the wideout spot we have the same guys that are making plays that you would know. (Patrick) McKaufman is coming along a little bit. Last week I mentioned he was a little slow with the knee, actually looked better this week. Defensively guys that should be improving and showing signs of being able to stabilize our defense, which are those safeties and corners, are making plays. Really working hard with Kemah (Siverand) and Bryce (Balous), trying to develop some backup corners. (Thomas Harper) continues to do good, making plays, Amen (Ogbongbemiga) has showed up and done well. It's time for him through his process. I like the big guys inside. Cameron Murray, Israel Antwine, Brock Martin and Mike Scott seem to be doing good on the edge. So, we are getting a lot of really good effort. Guys are showing signs of stepping up and trying to lead. We've got a long ways to go, but for the most part they are making strides. I don't think we are behind anywhere we should be and I feel like as we continue on I wish we had 20 more practices, but we don't. We are off to a good start to where we can take a little break here in the summer and let these guys workout on their own in June and July."
On Spencer Sanders and Dru Brown:
"He's got a fantastic arm and has the ability to make plays and run – all the things that allow you to win a lot of games in high school – and then he is making strides. He's better now than he was last Wednesday. He'll still do some things and makes mistakes, and he knows right after he does them. Dru (Brown) doesn't have as much of that because he's got more experience, so you're seeing him make more decisions mentally at this time than what Spencer does, but both of them are splitting reps and doing well."
On C.J. Moore's progression:
"He is much better than he was in October and he's playing outside, where we knew he would. He is kind of in that Marcell Ateman role. He is nowhere near where Ateman was when he finished. Has some of the skills Ateman had early in his career. Not as physical because he's still 15 pounds lighter, but that's the point and direction we want him to go and we need him to be there by October. That might be a push, but it's a nice goal for us."
Wide Receiver Tylan Wallace
On the younger players:
"Our young guys are stepping up and buying into the concept of how we run the offense. I think, so far, our receivers are having a good spring."
On leading with example and his work ethic:
"It's not fair for me to go out there and do things halfway. It's not fair for them and not fair for the team. I just try to go out there and do the best I can. Put all the effort out there and hopefully, other guys will do the same. That's one thing that we harp on offense, that everyone does their job and everything will work itself out."
On the quarterbacks:
"Our guys are looking good right now. They are starting to learn how the offense is run. They are putting the balls where they are supposed to be. I think every day they are getting better and better. It's looking pretty good for both of them."
Wide Receiver Dillon Stoner
On the quarterbacks:
"Obviously, (Taylor) Cornelius got all of the reps last year and got comfortable fairly quickly. They are both still figuring it out, doing a great job and just waiting to be completely comfortable."
On coach Sean Gleeson's offense:
"It's been pretty similar so far. He has tweaked some things for sure, but for the most part it's been pretty similar."
On coach Sean Gleeson:
"He is a very high-energy guy. I think he fits this offense and this community great."
Defensive Lineman Brock Martin
On how he wants to lead:
"Pretty much all of high school I was one of the more vocal guys I guess. Sometimes I just decide to lead by example but sometimes I need to speak up when we really needed it. I've kind of always had that inside of me I guess but in high school it was kind of just whenever we really needed it … Now I'm in the position to where I can say something and not feel like someone is going to shut me down."
On how the defensive line is coming together:
"We're meshing good I think. I think we're doing really well. Chemistry-wise we still got a lot of stuff to go. Everybody is new. Israel (Antwine) has transferred in. Me, Cam (Murray) and Brendan (Evers) played together last year, but not really a whole lot. We got a lot of shoes to fill. It's going to be tough but we gotta do it."
Linebacker Kevin Henry
On learning the defense this year compared to last year:
"I don't feel like there's much change. I just feel like everyone knows what they're doing now and everyone is playing as a group. Now that we have one year in the system everything will get more comfortable."
On how he feels heading into next season:
"I'm definitely ready to play with the guys. It's been a minute since I've been a hundred (percent) but I feel great to be out there with them."
Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"We are through practice eight and I just mentioned to the team I'm very excited about our coaching going on and the players. Typical coach talk, but really it has been guys are working hard. We are practicing at a really good clip, protecting each other. Quarterbacks continue to come along. They are still making mistakes, but overall they are three practices better than what we talked about at this time and so you're seeing that improvement. It's interesting, as I watch it from upstairs, first time in four years we've had a young quarterback. Taylor (Cornelius) was new last year, but he had five years of service, so he was able to jump in, but those guys are progressing. They are competing. They are doing good. They are sharing reps. Things we talked about last week that we want them to be able to distribute the ball to the guys that can make plays. We want to minimize mistakes and then let them learn to grow. Chuba (Hubbard) is doing good, looks really good. I like how Coach Dickey is working with the offensive line. We have a number of young guys on the twos, which is typical in the spring, who are continuing to get better. At the wideout spot we have the same guys that are making plays that you would know. (Patrick) McKaufman is coming along a little bit. Last week I mentioned he was a little slow with the knee, actually looked better this week. Defensively guys that should be improving and showing signs of being able to stabilize our defense, which are those safeties and corners, are making plays. Really working hard with Kemah (Siverand) and Bryce (Balous), trying to develop some backup corners. (Thomas Harper) continues to do good, making plays, Amen (Ogbongbemiga) has showed up and done well. It's time for him through his process. I like the big guys inside. Cameron Murray, Israel Antwine, Brock Martin and Mike Scott seem to be doing good on the edge. So, we are getting a lot of really good effort. Guys are showing signs of stepping up and trying to lead. We've got a long ways to go, but for the most part they are making strides. I don't think we are behind anywhere we should be and I feel like as we continue on I wish we had 20 more practices, but we don't. We are off to a good start to where we can take a little break here in the summer and let these guys workout on their own in June and July."
On Spencer Sanders and Dru Brown:
"He's got a fantastic arm and has the ability to make plays and run – all the things that allow you to win a lot of games in high school – and then he is making strides. He's better now than he was last Wednesday. He'll still do some things and makes mistakes, and he knows right after he does them. Dru (Brown) doesn't have as much of that because he's got more experience, so you're seeing him make more decisions mentally at this time than what Spencer does, but both of them are splitting reps and doing well."
On C.J. Moore's progression:
"He is much better than he was in October and he's playing outside, where we knew he would. He is kind of in that Marcell Ateman role. He is nowhere near where Ateman was when he finished. Has some of the skills Ateman had early in his career. Not as physical because he's still 15 pounds lighter, but that's the point and direction we want him to go and we need him to be there by October. That might be a push, but it's a nice goal for us."
Wide Receiver Tylan Wallace
On the younger players:
"Our young guys are stepping up and buying into the concept of how we run the offense. I think, so far, our receivers are having a good spring."
On leading with example and his work ethic:
"It's not fair for me to go out there and do things halfway. It's not fair for them and not fair for the team. I just try to go out there and do the best I can. Put all the effort out there and hopefully, other guys will do the same. That's one thing that we harp on offense, that everyone does their job and everything will work itself out."
On the quarterbacks:
"Our guys are looking good right now. They are starting to learn how the offense is run. They are putting the balls where they are supposed to be. I think every day they are getting better and better. It's looking pretty good for both of them."
Wide Receiver Dillon Stoner
On the quarterbacks:
"Obviously, (Taylor) Cornelius got all of the reps last year and got comfortable fairly quickly. They are both still figuring it out, doing a great job and just waiting to be completely comfortable."
On coach Sean Gleeson's offense:
"It's been pretty similar so far. He has tweaked some things for sure, but for the most part it's been pretty similar."
On coach Sean Gleeson:
"He is a very high-energy guy. I think he fits this offense and this community great."
Defensive Lineman Brock Martin
On how he wants to lead:
"Pretty much all of high school I was one of the more vocal guys I guess. Sometimes I just decide to lead by example but sometimes I need to speak up when we really needed it. I've kind of always had that inside of me I guess but in high school it was kind of just whenever we really needed it … Now I'm in the position to where I can say something and not feel like someone is going to shut me down."
On how the defensive line is coming together:
"We're meshing good I think. I think we're doing really well. Chemistry-wise we still got a lot of stuff to go. Everybody is new. Israel (Antwine) has transferred in. Me, Cam (Murray) and Brendan (Evers) played together last year, but not really a whole lot. We got a lot of shoes to fill. It's going to be tough but we gotta do it."
Linebacker Kevin Henry
On learning the defense this year compared to last year:
"I don't feel like there's much change. I just feel like everyone knows what they're doing now and everyone is playing as a group. Now that we have one year in the system everything will get more comfortable."
On how he feels heading into next season:
"I'm definitely ready to play with the guys. It's been a minute since I've been a hundred (percent) but I feel great to be out there with them."
Players Mentioned
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QB
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CB
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LB
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DE
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WR
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DT
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QB
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DE
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WR
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WR
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