On freshman wide receiver Joshua Moore:
“I think every day we challenge these guys to be more mature. And when I say mature, it’s not just age, it’s processes. It’s getting here earlier. It’s getting your activation done so your body can work better while you’re practicing. It’s coming in earlier for meetings and getting extra film time and walkthrough and catching some [on the] JUGS [Machine] or extra JUGS and then staying late to make sure that your mental game is on point.
“And then, making sure he’s repping against the frontline guys so he’s getting true, physical, knock-back, line-of-scrimmage, press-man coverage, off-man coverage, having to go in there and dig out safeties and be involved in the perimeter blocking game as well as catching the football. And Josh is a guy with a lot of pride and a lot of ability. He’s 215-pounds, on his way to 220 … he’s an awesome young man, awesome family. … We love pushing him. His progress is very real. His ability is off the charts and it’s our job to make sure that he impacts this football team sooner than later.”
On how the defensive backs have looked early in camp:
“I see a lot of competition back there. It’s very different. We’re longer. We’re more physical. I would say our ability to play multiple coverages has increased significantly. The level of intellect, of football IQ that has elevated a bunch, both by the type of player we brought in and also by, I would say, the coaching regimen of [defensive coordinator Corey] Hetherman, [defensive backs coach Zac] Etheridge, [safeties coach] Will Harris, coach [Terry] Jefferson, all those guys, they’re very demanding. They make guys versatile. You see guys playing different positions so they can learn it conceptually and then they keep the competition thick. Every day you’ve got to find your way and work your way above the line. You’re not going to be guaranteed that. And I think our guys are starting to understand that we just can’t do it with frontline players. We have to do it in numbers. We’ve got to be able to come in waves and guys are getting opportunities. So, I think those things make that a reality.”
Defensive back Jakobe Thomas
On how he’s felt through the first few days of camp:
“It’s fun. I’m having fun with football again. That was the biggest thing for me, so I’m just going in there every day trying to be the best version of myself. But I have a great coaching staff that…
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