The Football Brainiacs

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Coach Mike Stoops

– Coach Mike talked about the CB position and said that “Julian has done a really good job.” Then he talked about young Jordan Thomas and said, “he continues to show signs of really being a great player…so hopefully Julian can continue to play at the rate he’s playing and JT would probably be our next corner as it stands right now.” But said there is a long way to go. Said that the scrimmage on Thursday will really dictate the two-deep.

– More on Jordan Thomas, “he’s a terrific player…very smart player…great speed and quickness…a big long guy too”. Also said that he wasn’t really surprised that he emerged this quickly.

– Mike talked about how the experience Jordan Evans got last year will be critical this year. Said he probably played too early last year but it worked out for the best.

– In talking about the ILB depth Mike specifically mentioned Caleb Gastelum and freshman Tay Evans.

– In talking about Dom Alexander and Jordan Evans, “great Oklahoma kids that play hard and work hard. Those are two guys that really get after…are good to coach…they understand the importance of what they do and what they represent…were starting to see that physical and mental maturity develop on the football field”

– Talking about Geneo Grissom Mike said that “Geneo can do a lot of different things. We move him around. We move a lot of our players based on personnel…were multiple than we’ve been in the past and that’s where we’ve probably changed the most.”

– Mike was asked about Devante Bond and he said that Bond has improved but then he started talking about Obo and said that “he will be a big part of what we do”

– Mike talked about how the real transition for Devante Bond has been transitioning between playing with his hand in the dirt to playing standing up. Mike said he’s really come a long way since the spring.

– Said that Curtis Bolton is “still struggling as a freshman…has a ways to go…not as far along as Dominique was at this time but he’s getting a lot of good reps”

– On Tay Evans he just said “he’s doing a good job”

– Mike talked about transitioning guys from the DL to the LB position and said that it’s an expanding role where they have to understand how their responsibility changes in different situations. “There’s a lot more to process.”

– “We’ve adjusted this scheme to try to get a more physical team on the field.”

– On Charles Walker, “Charles has done ok. He’s getting better.”

– On who has impressed on the defensive line Mike said that all the starters look good and then said, “Matt Romar has done some good things…Charles, DJ…were developing that second group with Charles Walker, DJ, Matt Dimon, Romar…there’s a whole group of them fighting their way to get some playing time”

– On Jordan Phillips health Mike said, “Jordan has been terrific! He’s been healthy. If he sits out it’s precautionary. He doesn’t do two-a-days right now…but that’s just precautionary. His volume will increase when we get out of camp and take the natural reps he took last year will be the same…we’ll see if he can handle that volume or not.”

– Talking about the safety situation, “Four really good ones. Played well…all of them. Trying to figure out who’s gonna start at free safety. That’s kind of up in the air right now. Those guys are battling. They all do good things. They all need to learn how to be in better position and playmakers…but I’m given Steven and opportunity…Ahmad an opportunity…and Hatari. There is a lot of pressure out there I put on those guys to see who’s going to step up and be the guy”

– On whether the defense is simplified enough to where Parker can learn the safety position, “it’s hard…and I’m teaching him two positions so now it’s doubly hard…so yeah that’s difficult”

Coach Bob Stoops

– In talking about Sterling Sheppard as a punt returner he said that he’s got great speed and elusiveness but said that he’s stronger than someone like Jalen Saunders so he might be able to get through some arm tackles.

– On his expectations for Jordan Evans, “I’m expecting Jordan to have a great year. He’s a guy that’s really come on. He’s probably the biggest guy we’ve got. He’s all of 220, 222. He had a really good spring and summer…were expecting Jordan to really make a difference for us this year.”

– Coach Bob Stoops was asked about freshman CB, Jordan Thomas and said, “He (Jordan Thomas) and Steven Parker are as good a freshman players at corner and safety that we’ve ever recruited. It’s obvious…how strong they are…how physically they’re in a position to play…and how intelligent they are and natural it is for them. All of those things you don’t usually get all in one (player).”

– In talking about whether the safety position has been simplified to the point that a freshman can come in and play Bob said, “probably…in the last couple year in what we’re doing with the 50 front…it has simplified to a degree yes…and Mike’s style is that he’s been pretty adamant that he’s always going to try to do less…better…instead of more and more.”

– In talking about Steven Parker playing both spots Bob said, “safeties have to be interchangeable no matter what…so he’s working at strong and free…one safety can’t go do something without knowing what the other one’s doing…so in our mind the way we look at it, it isn’t any different.”

– In talking about Geneo, “he’s playing in the Jack position which makes us bigger…here’s a guy that’s used to going against tackles who is now going against TEs so it’s made us more physical…bigger out on the edge…taller, rangier…and we can still put him in pass rush positions when we need to.”

– Said that all the running backs “are doing well…they’re all much bigger…than what were used to…they’re more physical players.” He wouldn’t say whether one of them is standing out.

– Said that Tay Evans and Curtis Bolton are “good players…they just need a little more time to figure everything out”

– Said that Julian Wilson looks “fabulous…I’m elated about. He’s got natural great speed, he’s long, he’s tall, he’s got range…perfect…and again, he was recruited to play corner so it’s really working out great for him. And he’s so intelligent in the fact that’s played now for two years. He anticipates, he knows whats coming, he gets the game. He’s physical to tackle…so he’s been great!”

 Jordan Evans

– Jordan talked about his primary focus in the off-season was getting bigger and stronger. Said, “I’ve always had a hard time putting on weight” but said that the strength coaches have helped him in that regard tremendously. Also, said he’s been working on his pad level, positions, etc…technique in general.

– Said that camp is a “time to prove yourself…no one wants to be a sideline player”

– In other LBs that have stood out, “Obo has really stepped up this summer…and the two freshman…they’re really picking it up”

– When asked about Obo further Jordan said, “have you seen him lately?…He’s really been focused…extra work off the field. You see a drive in him where he wants to play and on the field he’s producing”

– Said that in this being his second year he sees himself as a veteran. Talked about how he now understands the defense and he can see a huge difference in who he and the other guys are in their second year.

– Said that his sickness was just a “one day deal…nothing big at all.” He also said it was just the flu. But did say he didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage. Said that Frank and Caleb Gastelum took most of the reps in the spring practice.

– Said that Frank Shannon seems extremely focused. Said that Frank really mentored him when he was young. Also, said that Frank takes a lot of the 1st team reps.

– In talking about Tay Evans “he’s a good athletic player…”. He said because of their length and ability to run and move people say that Tay reminds them of Jordan.

Geneo Grissom

– Talked about the defensive line, “Jordan (Phillips) looks good…he’s getting his strength back”.

– Also talked about Devante Bond, “he’s been looking real good. He’s got great feet. When he comes off that edge he’s got great pad level…I wouldn’t be surprised if he sees the field as well this year”

– Said that there are some LB elements that he’s going to have to learn on the fly in game situations…specifically coverages. Said he relies on his athleticism to make up for the things he still has yet to learn, “it (athleticism) makes me look a lot better on plays that I didnt do so well on”

– In talking about the Saturday scrimmage, “I could have been better…I’m probably one of my biggest critics…I didn’t play as well as I should have or as well as I could have.”

– When asked about Julian Wilson he said, “Julian looks good. You wouldn’t know that he played a different position last year. He’s picking it up…he’s gonna be a good cornerback”. Also when asked about Jordan Thomas, Geneo complimented his feet and quickness and said, “he’s gonna be a playmaker on special teams for sure”

– “Steven Parker looks good…he’s got great instincts…he’s gonna be a baller”

Julian Wilson

– Starting out by talking about peoples misconceptions about him and his lateral quickness…sounded a bit chippy (understandably). Said that most folks only give him credit for his straight line speed but he feels he has lateral quickness but said at the end of the day he can’t worry about what others think…what matters is what he and the coaches know and what he proves on the field.

– Julian, like others, praised Steven Parker.

– Talked about how he tries to help younger guys understand their responsibilities, especially at the nickel position. Interestingly he mentioned Eric Striker and Marcus Green as two guys he helps at that position. We all knew Eric is going to play nickel/OLB but it sounds like Marcus is getting reps outside and inside.

– On Jordan Thomas, “man, he’s making a lot of plays…a freshman coming in looking like he’s ready to step up and get on the field”.

– Said that despite the preseason hype, the defense still has a chip on their shoulder.