Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Cowboy Players Preview Missouri State Matchup
August 31, 2021 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - A group of Oklahoma State football players met with media after practice Tuesday evening to preview the Cowboys' season-opening matchup against Missouri State. Here's some of what they had to say:
Defensive Tackle Sione Asi
On the differences of being a fifth-year senior:
"I'd say the speed of the game, just from learning from the guys ahead of me, what they learned and being able to break down the offenses and tendencies."
On having veterans around you:
"I'm not much of a talkative guy. I don't want to yell at guys, only if I need to, so it's good to have guys like Malcolm (Rodriguez) and vocal leaders like Kolby (Harvell-Peel) and even guys like Tyler Lacy and Brendon Evers. It's good to have guys vocalizing energy because we always need that."
On the depth of the defensive line:
"It gives me comfort because when I come off the field I'm not sitting on the sideline getting ready to go, like I have two more plays and I got to go. It's good to know that when the person behind me is going in, it gives me comfort to cheer them on and get ready to go back in. It's a huge element with our defensive line especially since it starts up front."
Cowboy Back Braden Cassity
On the Cowboy back position:
"Cowboy back is looking good. It's been awesome having Austin (Jarrard) and Logan (Carter). They're both great guys who bring great depth to the room. We consider ourselves one of the hardest-working groups on the team and we really take pride in that."
On his transition to Cowboy back from defensive line:
"It was a big transition for me and I wasn't really ready for it. After a year or a year-and-a-half, I got more comfortable with it, especially the route running. It definitely was a big change for me because I played defense my whole life. It's nice after that transition to recognize what a defense is going to do or a defensive end will do off their stance formation-wise and all of the above."
On the hardest part of the transition:
"The hardest part of the transition for me has been catching the ball and running routes. Being able to cut while moving at full speed is so different from the defensive line and trying to get under someone."
Wide Receiver Braydon Johnson
On moving back into the slot:
"It happened over the summer. I had a conversation with my coach. We felt like that would be the best position for me, speed-wise, matching up with safeties and linebackers."
On adding to his game:
"I'd say it's more mental for me. Just being in the film room and understanding the game more so everything slows down. At first it moved real fast, but now it feels slow and I can make better decisions."
On how the game slowing down has helped him:
"It allows me to focus more on technique so I can make those better decisions. When the ball is in the air I can slow it down and focus on it or put the defender in this position, and just work on my technique."
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez
On his leadership role being a fifth-year senior:
"Everyone makes us feel old, that's for sure. Everyone looks up to us and asks us questions. It's always reassuring them and keeping them on the right path and getting them to keep going."
On Devin Harper:
"He's a play maker. Devin's been in the system for a while. His time is here and every time you see him out there expect something special. "
On evolving at linebacker:
"When I first got to linebacker, I was going downhill hitting the gap. Now I can kind of read the play and let it play out. You can tell the maturity has come."
Defensive Tackle Sione Asi
On the differences of being a fifth-year senior:
"I'd say the speed of the game, just from learning from the guys ahead of me, what they learned and being able to break down the offenses and tendencies."
On having veterans around you:
"I'm not much of a talkative guy. I don't want to yell at guys, only if I need to, so it's good to have guys like Malcolm (Rodriguez) and vocal leaders like Kolby (Harvell-Peel) and even guys like Tyler Lacy and Brendon Evers. It's good to have guys vocalizing energy because we always need that."
On the depth of the defensive line:
"It gives me comfort because when I come off the field I'm not sitting on the sideline getting ready to go, like I have two more plays and I got to go. It's good to know that when the person behind me is going in, it gives me comfort to cheer them on and get ready to go back in. It's a huge element with our defensive line especially since it starts up front."
Cowboy Back Braden Cassity
On the Cowboy back position:
"Cowboy back is looking good. It's been awesome having Austin (Jarrard) and Logan (Carter). They're both great guys who bring great depth to the room. We consider ourselves one of the hardest-working groups on the team and we really take pride in that."
On his transition to Cowboy back from defensive line:
"It was a big transition for me and I wasn't really ready for it. After a year or a year-and-a-half, I got more comfortable with it, especially the route running. It definitely was a big change for me because I played defense my whole life. It's nice after that transition to recognize what a defense is going to do or a defensive end will do off their stance formation-wise and all of the above."
On the hardest part of the transition:
"The hardest part of the transition for me has been catching the ball and running routes. Being able to cut while moving at full speed is so different from the defensive line and trying to get under someone."
Wide Receiver Braydon Johnson
On moving back into the slot:
"It happened over the summer. I had a conversation with my coach. We felt like that would be the best position for me, speed-wise, matching up with safeties and linebackers."
On adding to his game:
"I'd say it's more mental for me. Just being in the film room and understanding the game more so everything slows down. At first it moved real fast, but now it feels slow and I can make better decisions."
On how the game slowing down has helped him:
"It allows me to focus more on technique so I can make those better decisions. When the ball is in the air I can slow it down and focus on it or put the defender in this position, and just work on my technique."
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez
On his leadership role being a fifth-year senior:
"Everyone makes us feel old, that's for sure. Everyone looks up to us and asks us questions. It's always reassuring them and keeping them on the right path and getting them to keep going."
On Devin Harper:
"He's a play maker. Devin's been in the system for a while. His time is here and every time you see him out there expect something special. "
On evolving at linebacker:
"When I first got to linebacker, I was going downhill hitting the gap. Now I can kind of read the play and let it play out. You can tell the maturity has come."
Players Mentioned
DT
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CW
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DT
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LB
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WR
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DE
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LB
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