Berry-Stefanski-Judkins - From the Podium - 4.25.25

On this episode of From the Podium, hear from GM/EVP Andrew Berry, HC Kevin Stefanski, Assistant GMs Glenn Cook and Catherine Hickman, LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Quinshon Judkins, TE Harold Fannin Jr., and QB Dillon Gabriel.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to another NFL Draft edition of the From the
Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Klea. It was a very busy
night too for the Cleveland Browns, as they selected four
players over the course of rounds two and three. On
this loaded episode, you'll hear from assistant general manager Glenn Cook,
Assistant general manager Catherine Hickman, linebacker Carson Sweessinger, running back

(00:27):
Quinn Sewn Judkins, tight end Harold Fannin, junior quarterback Dylan Gabriel,
general manager Andrew Berry, and head coach Kevin Stefanski. Assistant
general manager Glenn Cook discussed the hard running style of
Quinn Sjown Judkins.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, so obviously with the move down yesterday, we felt
like we were in a pretty strong position coming in
today into today adding the additional pick on top of
what we had yesterday.

Speaker 3 (00:51):
So we felt like, and I.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
Think Andrew has addressed just just being really intentional about
adding impact players, guys who affect the short end long term.
So we feel like we had the two guys that
that do that, you know, two different stories. Quin Shawn
you know, he transferred, you know, up here in the
Buckeye County, Bluckeye State. He brings a brand of football

(01:15):
that we want. AFC North back, exceptionally strong, physical, tough, productive,
three down guy. I know, Uh, Deuce was extremely excited,
wanted to drive down and pick him up tonight. And
then Carson, I mean you talk about a guy who's
a walk on, and not only a walk on, but
you know, really a one year starter started you know,
three games into into this season and and just took

(01:38):
off and extremely productive, extremely smart, very versatile, kind of
fits exactly what the identity we want, you know, on defense.
So for us, it was really about maximizing these picks.

Speaker 4 (01:48):
You know.

Speaker 2 (01:49):
Obviously, I'm sure you guys will asked about trades and whatnot,
and you know, you guys know Andrew, he's gonna take calls.
You know, there's opportunities on the table, but we felt
like it was best to sit. So with that, I'll
open it up, Yeah, I think, you know again, it's
just you know, we work through the process, uh, evaluate
the players, and just really excited about his skill set

(02:10):
and how he fits into what we want to do.

Speaker 3 (02:12):
Like I mentioned, he's he's.

Speaker 2 (02:13):
Very very very tough, very physical, very strong, and he
just plays a brand of ball that we want. So
you know, look, both those guys are really talented. You know,
for us, it just came down to you know, preference
in this in this option, I wouldn't say it played

(02:37):
a significant amount. You know, it really came down to
just the value of the player. And it's funny, I
was thinking about it myself, you know, given our track
record quote unquote in which you you know, people may
think we think about positional value, you know, to walk
away with the running back in the linebacker. You know
you might be surprised. But again, it's really about maximizing
the impact of the players as opposed to just you know,

(02:58):
targeting positions are school athletes. But you know, I think
you take it on a case back case basis. You know,
you evaluate the player. There's talent on across the country.
We trust our scoffs to do the work. They really
put a lot of work in. You know, we we

(03:19):
can't say enough about how much time they put into
going across the country. And that's just scouring every inch
of inch of this uh of this land. So I
wouldn't say it's it's really specific to big school, small school.
It's it's really taking a bad case by case basis
and trusting your process.

Speaker 5 (03:38):
Glenn, I know you said a little bit ago just
the differences between Quinchon and Trayvon, But was there one
specific trait that separated Quincheon than Travion.

Speaker 2 (03:46):
Yeah, I don't want to make it a Travion versus
quench On. I was really answering in the question. You know,
for us, it's really just feeling good about what Quincheon
brings to our offense. You obviously know what we'll we'll
probably transition to, and so just his style of the ball,
the way he plays. Again, I want to focus mostly
on him and not to make it a you know,
a versus b or comparison conversation. So it's I wouldn't

(04:09):
say that's the the emphasis of the decision.

Speaker 3 (04:21):
We'll get with both of these kids.

Speaker 6 (04:24):
Do you do you view them as guys that will
step on the field and contribute immediately.

Speaker 2 (04:29):
Well, you know what, these guys all develop at different paces.
Like I said, it's it's a little bit about making
sure we impact a long term just as much as
the short term. So you know, I can't I can't
tell you if if we won't withhold their opportunity to
step on the field, if they're ready, So really it'll
just come down to how they progress, and you know,
we're not gonna put pressure on them to show up

(04:49):
they want and be be excellent. It's really about the
long term focus. But of course, if you know, if
they come in and Quinn Shock can carry it thirty times,
we're not going to prevent him from touching the football.

Speaker 7 (04:59):
So I know your linebackers can have to play every position.
Do you see Swessinger filling a specific role immediately?

Speaker 2 (05:11):
I mean we'll see kind of similar to that. You know,
I think if you would to ask what the vision
potentially could be. I mean, he's a really smart kid,
exceptionally great football IQ. I have no questions about his
ability to the green dot. If that's what we need
from him, you know, really step to go sports and
tarb in their group to figure out where to best
deploy him and kind of get the best three on

(05:32):
the field. Obviously we still have Jordan, who's a strong
VET for our team, a really great leader. So really
it's about getting the best combo out there, Tony. So
if it's him playing Sam will you know, coming in
and nickel whatever we need him to do. You know,
he's got a ton of versatility. That's probably what excited
us about him. So that's that's probably how we'll approach him.

Speaker 8 (05:55):
Quinch On shows the transfer and stay in school rather
than come out last year is his evaluation from it
all in terms of I mean, he was he produced
in the SEC, but then he went and played in
a totally different offense.

Speaker 2 (06:05):
So yeah, I mean it's possible, you know, it's it's possible.

Speaker 9 (06:10):
You know.

Speaker 2 (06:10):
I think it's it's a credit to him that he
could have come out. He put up some really big
numbers at Old Miss, honestly came in shared careers, you know,
with another really good player, so you know, credit to
him for for being a part of that. And obviously
he probably wanted to win to and they had a
really great team, so it only added to, you know,
the positives about him as opposed to anything else.

Speaker 4 (06:44):
These guys.

Speaker 2 (06:45):
I think it does add a different dynamic, right because
you know I don't and I'm not that old. But
if you say, back in the day, most kids stayed
at their school for three years at minimum, uh, and
the people that they were around every day really got
to ingratiate themselves into who this individual was. Saw the
progression from you know, freshman year to junior year, potentially
senior year, and now you're you know, you're possibly having

(07:06):
a guy who's transferred twice and not for any other
reason than maybe nil.

Speaker 4 (07:11):
Right, So.

Speaker 2 (07:13):
It's put a little bit of a different weight on
our scouts and people who reach out and do diligence
on the individuals and trying to really piece together who
we think they are because now you're kind of mapping
across different terrains as it relates to the individual because
he's only been a place maybe you know, sometimes not
even a full season or full year. So it does

(07:35):
add a different element, but you know, we've worked through it.
I think all teams have probably faced a similar challenge,
and we've probably had to learn a little bit from
some other sports in terms of how they've approached potentially
like the one year thing in the NBA and whatnot.
So it has putted an interesting element, but nothing that
I don't think we've been.

Speaker 10 (07:51):
Able to maneuver with Carson with his trajectory from you know,
being a starter last year and just the amount of
workload he's taken on, how does that shape the scouting
that you do from him? With that increased workload and
just kind of like that last season for him.

Speaker 2 (08:07):
Can you elaborate more when you say like increased workload,
are you referring to like him playing.

Speaker 10 (08:12):
More and playing more and just the evaluation of him
as a player in general.

Speaker 2 (08:16):
Yeah, it's definitely a unique evaluation, you know, just it's
really call it nine full plus games because he didn't
start off the season. But you know, when you have
a guy like him who just produced, if you look
at the production raw and somewhat more advanced, like he
was just so productive and even in his opportunities, there
is potentially even more meat on the bone in terms

(08:38):
of the development. We're excited about that. He's twenty two
years old. He's probably got, you know, some room to grow,
and there's obviously still things he can improve at. But
ultimately what he did show, you know, made us really
excited about what he could do for our defense.

Speaker 11 (08:55):
Just two things with Swash and your glunt. How much
does his value on special teams because he played that
a lot his first couple of years at U c
L A kind of up his value and is he
it seems like he's ant high IQ player too, with
the ability to read and react quickly.

Speaker 2 (09:12):
So yeah, like I said, really really smart. Yeah, like
I said, I don't think we will have any concerns
about his ability to pick up a playbook and potentially
direct the defense or just play multiple roles if we
need him to. And yeah, when you think about the
changes to you know, the kickoff and probably seeing more
of those plays and just you know, I think having

(09:33):
more guys who can do more things and be core
players on special teams, especially at a position like his
or backers, if they're not on the field on defense,
you definitely would love to have them be a part
of your core. He's definitely got all the makeup, the
physical talent to do that as well.

Speaker 5 (09:48):
With Queen schewan, what allowed him to be so productive
from a scoring touch or scoring standpoint forty five touchdowns
and then do you see him as a guy that
can be on the field for all three downs?

Speaker 2 (09:58):
Yeah, I think it's probably a little bit, a little
bit bit of a utilization thing. I mean, he's so big,
he's so strong. You think about when you get down
to the goal line, you know, the phil shrinks, and
you want a guy who can honestly just power through
tackles and change a line of scrimmage on his own.
Sometimes you just can't block it perfectly, the defense tries
to tighten up. So I think that's a component to it.
And also he's just really talented, you know, Like you

(10:20):
talk about a kid's five eleven to twenty squats over
six hundred pounds, runs under four or five. So there's
just honestly, he's just a very gifted individual. I can't
really tell you how he does it all the time,
you know, So like I think that's just things.

Speaker 3 (10:33):
That we're excited about. Like I said, you.

Speaker 2 (10:36):
Guys know, we're playing in Division where there's some really
good defenses that we're going to face and their mantras
to stop the run game and you know, get after
the quarterback. So when you can have someone who can
be just as physical as the guys he's going against,
it only helps Glenn.

Speaker 12 (10:51):
With Quinn Shawn, again, what about his ability to catch
passes out of the backfield and get involved in that
aspect of the game. What did you guys see in
that and what are.

Speaker 2 (10:59):
You envision Yeah, I think I think we envisioned him
probably having to develop a little bit in that area,
but but more so just given the opportunities he had.
He definitely capable of catching the football, just not to
guess she's just not been used much in in that phase. So, look,
none of these guys that we draft are already made
complete I should say players, and so that's probably whenever

(11:22):
he has developed. But we definitely saw the potential and
the ability to do so, so that will only add
to his ability to help us on all three downs.

Speaker 7 (11:30):
So, Glenn, your top two picks are defense, and they're
pretty premeditated. We know, the trades started two weeks ago
to trade down and now you had all night to
meditate on this this pick. So how do you explain
to people with the worst offense in the league last
year that you went defense defense?

Speaker 2 (11:48):
Yeah, I think Tonal, like I mentioned, it's about really
making sure we maximize the impact to the team, you know,
and I understand your question, but you know, we felt
like these two guys in terms of our long term
goal to build a competitive team consistently, we're the best choices,
you know. So I think, look, we still have two
picks today, you know, four picks in Day three. There's

(12:10):
still opportunities. There are still players to select on both
sides of the ball that will help us, you know,
be better and contribute and produce. So I wouldn't say
just because we took you know, two defensive players today
that we're not gonna you know, try to target players
on the other side of the ball, or you know
that we're not aware of, you know, some potential things

(12:31):
we need to add to our team. I would just
put it that way.

Speaker 1 (12:34):
Assistant general manager Catherine Hickman discussed the walk on to
All American path of linebacker Carson Swesseinger.

Speaker 6 (12:41):
Catherine, let's start with Carson. What did you like about
him and how does he fit within Jim Schwartz's linebacker
group there.

Speaker 13 (12:55):
Well, first off, Hi, everyone, good to see everybody.

Speaker 14 (12:59):
I mean, I have to start with Carson's journey like
off the field, even before going straight to your question,
because such an impressive journey walk on that mentality, what
he's going to bring to a program from a work
ethic and leadership standpoint, I think is invaluable.

Speaker 13 (13:18):
On the field.

Speaker 14 (13:19):
You're thinking of a very versatile, athletic, instinctive player with
good feel and that's something that Jim and coach tarf
but you know, premium on when.

Speaker 13 (13:30):
It comes to versatile versatility.

Speaker 14 (13:32):
It gives them pieces to interchange and you know, attack
offensive differently. So I think that's what he's going to bring.
Extremely productive in his last year, and also very productive
special teams player on his on his first two years
as well. So really just extremely excited to bring a
young man like Carson into a program.

Speaker 5 (13:54):
Hey, Katain, I know, Uhlene just said that. You know,
you're just trying to maximize the value the picks. But
are you sup prize that the first two picks you
made were both on defense given what looks like a
bunch of needs on offense.

Speaker 14 (14:07):
No, definitely not surprised because the way we approached the
draft is obviously to get better, you know, in the
near future.

Speaker 13 (14:14):
And long term.

Speaker 14 (14:15):
And when you have a player like Mason who who's
available in how disruptive he can be in this game,
he's helping this football team and and and I think
Carson can do the same thing.

Speaker 13 (14:27):
Oh I don't think. I know Carson will do the
same thing.

Speaker 14 (14:30):
So really it's about it's about getting this football team
better as a whole. And of course we'll continue to
add more players that are going to help on both
sides of the balls of the ball. But No, I'm
not surprised because these guys were just holistically had wonderful
profiles and will be really key contributors to to winning
football games.

Speaker 10 (14:50):
You mentioned Carson's off field stuff, uh and Journey. When
you are evaluating these guys Quinn, Sewn and even Mason
the guys to come, how what's the scale of how
much these guys impact you as people and the off
the field stuff versus obviously you want them to be
skilled on the on the field too.

Speaker 14 (15:09):
I mean I like to say we're building a team,
We're not just acquiring talents, and and by that like
the culture that we're trying to build, the type of
people we're trying to bring here is really important. We
want to play tough and competitive, we want.

Speaker 13 (15:23):
To work hard. That's what we're about.

Speaker 14 (15:26):
You have to be physical and tough to plan in
this division, So bring guys here that can play that.
That brand at football is really important to us, and
so far the guys we brought are embodying this.

Speaker 12 (15:40):
Catherine with Judkins, I mean, how important is it that
he produced stats wise and the SEC and the Big
ten and and can you just talk a little bit
about his his running style and why that sort of
violent style is appealing to you guys.

Speaker 13 (15:52):
Yeah. Huge.

Speaker 14 (15:53):
I mean again, a physical, physical, downhill player that's going
to again bring the physicality I just I just preferred,
but also someone that is going to be able to
contribute on third down, whether that's in pass pro He's
a dependable pass catcher. So really like a well rounded
prospect that's going to be able to help us and

(16:15):
play the type of football we want to play.

Speaker 15 (16:19):
Can you just talk about how Judkins will fit in
maybe with Jerome, how they might compliment each other, and
does he remind you of anybody in the NFL, any
comps that you've seen.

Speaker 14 (16:32):
I think when it comes to the first part of
your question, yes, there's definitely gonna be a great compliment
here with Jerome in terms. I mean both players are
well rounded, so so they can they can they can
both do everything, and I think that's the beauty of it. Now,
all of a sudden, it gives Tommy Duce Kevin options
and how they want to deploy uh and best use

(16:53):
their skill sets. Now, I mean, his physicality is contact balance,
the way he runs with strength is something I've seen
in Nick has an example, and those are things and

(17:14):
not to say I'm not saying that this is Nick
as Nick is just again what Nick means this organization
is beyond words. But what I'm saying here is this
style of play is just going to fit very nicely
with what we're trying to do.

Speaker 16 (17:27):
Catherine, how along those lines with Quinn Schawn him sort
of a stain for an extra year after he transferred,
but also split in a backfield last year and still
being as productive as he was. Just when you guys
are trying to figure out a role for him and
sort of picture what he looks like, how much does
that unselfishness and his ability to sort of improvise and
go with the flow, how much does that impact what

(17:48):
you guys kind of envisioned for him.

Speaker 13 (17:50):
Yeah, that's a great question. I think.

Speaker 14 (17:54):
Playing running back by committee is something I've seen quite
frequently throughout my career, whether that was in Billy when
I was there, or even the way we UH maximize
player's skill set and use them. So yes, for sure,
someone who who's not only done that in college, But
I think again it comes back to UH putting this
team in the best position to win. So in situations

(18:15):
where our coaches feel that you know, that's a good
situation for you know, quin Shawn's skill set or other
players we have on our roster, like I let that,
I let that to them to figure out how best
to use them. But most definitely like we're looking for
team players, guys that are wanting to to do what's
best for this team, team first, and quin Shawn's.

Speaker 13 (18:32):
Definitely shown that cut cut.

Speaker 9 (18:37):
Yep.

Speaker 13 (18:38):
So I'll say it again because it's just so important.
Like what Nick.

Speaker 14 (18:48):
Means to this organization is is is umongous and it
doesn't mean anything like at the end of the day,
like tonight is about bringing uh drafted play into this
organization and very excited to welcome Quinchean and yeah.

Speaker 11 (19:15):
To the Big Ten this past year. But also it
was kind of a coaching staff on the fly too
with the late change.

Speaker 13 (19:24):
Uh yeah, that's that's a that's a very valid point.
I think.

Speaker 14 (19:28):
Of course, you look at a player who's had like
tremendous production this past year, but it was it was
that one year. But you look at the totality of circumstances,
what happened throughout his career, what he's done before these
past this past year, and how he's produced before, and
we take all of that into consideration. But what he's done,

(19:49):
what he's done this past season is on the nibil
for sure.

Speaker 5 (19:53):
Is there a concern that it was only one season
of production and how do you balance that versus guys
that probably did it for long.

Speaker 13 (20:01):
Yes, it's.

Speaker 14 (20:03):
I'm not going to say a concern, but it's definitely
we we we weigh all information into into the decision
making process. So it's really looking at the entire body
of work, some of distancumstances that were there before this
past year, and then really really understanding also as we
got to know him through the process, like how he
navigated these years and what he's done throughout his three

(20:25):
years in UCLA, and ultimately we felt very comfortable with
the entirety of the profile and what he's done.

Speaker 1 (20:30):
Linebacker Carson Swesssinger talked about his conversations with linebackers coach
Jason Tarbor and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Speaker 12 (20:38):
Hey, Carson, this is Ashley Bastak from Cleveland dot Com.
I just wanted to ask about your former walk on status.
It seems to be something people talk a lot about
with you and something that's really informed you as a player.
So how do you think that chip on your shoulder
has carried you in college and are you still going
to have it as an NFL player?

Speaker 6 (20:57):
Yeah?

Speaker 17 (20:58):
I think you know this of of the walk on,
that chip on that shoulder has been something that's been there,
you know, since I was born, even going against my
older brother growing up, you know that competitive nature. But
definitely in in college it helped shape me. It gave
me the work ethic that I needed. And and you know,
the chip on the shoulder, once.

Speaker 9 (21:17):
You have it, it's never gonna leave.

Speaker 17 (21:19):
So so it's gonna be something that continues to drive
me throughout throughout my NFL career and and you know
I'm ready for it.

Speaker 6 (21:26):
Carson, how would you describe your playing style and what
have the Browns, most notably Jim Schwartz told you about
how he sees you fitting in here.

Speaker 18 (21:37):
Yeah.

Speaker 17 (21:37):
I think my place style is really what you're getting
is you're getting the linebacker who can who can do
whatever's needed in the defense. And I think that's a
place I fit in. Whether you know you need coverage,
you need stop on the run, or getting after the
getting after the quarterback, all three of those I think
I could do at a high level and and and
you know I'm ready to get to work and and help.

Speaker 10 (21:58):
Contribute Carson camraon justice to this five Cleveland here, Glenn
Cook was talking about how he was impressed with just
your trajectory from he said, the walk on to a
reserve to starting and being an Awards finalist and captain.
So for you your development, how do you envision maybe
taking another step in the NFL, especially here with the

(22:20):
Cleveland Browns kind of guiding the way for you?

Speaker 17 (22:22):
Yeah, I think for I think for me, I'm always
looking to take the next next step and you know,
trying to find any any small way that I can improve,
any big way that I can improve. And you know
that's that's exactly the mentality that I'm taking in into
this uh, into this next age. And you know, regardless
of of where I started, my goal is to get
better each day. And you know that eventually, when you know,

(22:47):
when you're willing to show up and outwork anybody else,
it's going to lead to success. And that's the mentality
and I'm continuing to take with me.

Speaker 19 (22:55):
And you sound exactly like the type player Jim towards
once what what is your interaction with him been in
this process?

Speaker 18 (23:04):
Oh, it was great.

Speaker 17 (23:04):
It was great just just hearing about the defense and
and where you know, where I fit and and and
what they envision and you know, just the toughness that
that the defense is going to have and that we're
going to bring and and that's something I'm excited for
and I'm ready to get to work and and you know,
help contribute to that.

Speaker 20 (23:21):
Carson, justin Cooper here, ESP and Cleveland. I was wondering
if any of the players on the defensive side of
the ball have reached out to you yet, and if so,
you know, what have they said said to you when
it's the messaging been.

Speaker 17 (23:33):
Yeah, I've had some of them reach out and it's
it's really just been supportive. Tell me to enjoy the
moment and then you know, be ready to get to
work and and you know, that's That's what I'm ready
to do. And so I'm I'm looking forward to it,
to meeting everybody in person and getting to work.

Speaker 11 (23:48):
Carson. Joe Radiot the Associated Press. How much did last
year just with the with the coaching change, but also
the move to a Big ten kind of you think
elevated your game and also just what just what effect
did Coach Mallow have on you?

Speaker 17 (24:04):
Yeah, I think all of that, you know, helped helped
grow my game and and get me better at football.

Speaker 9 (24:10):
I think, uh, coach mLOY.

Speaker 17 (24:12):
Specifically really get me my opportunity to play that I've
been waiting for. And I can't thank him enough for that.
You know, just having the belief and to be the
player that you knew I could be and you know, just.

Speaker 18 (24:24):
A Big ten.

Speaker 17 (24:24):
I mean that's a that's the toughest football you're going
to play in terms of you know, you got you
got it all in the Big ten and so I
think that really prepared you and just just ready to
bring that toughness to another level.

Speaker 5 (24:36):
Now, Hey, Carson, while you weren't playing a ton earlier
in your career, did you know you had that type
of season in you that you had last year? And
what if you did, why were you so confident?

Speaker 16 (24:48):
Yeah?

Speaker 17 (24:48):
I think you always got to have the confidence in
yourself when you step on the field. That's what's going
to allow you to play best and play type of football,
you know, and you know, for me, it was just
waiting until until I got the opportunity to prove it,
and you know, thankfully I was blessed to have that
opportunity this year. And you know, once once I got it,
I was I wasn't gonna let it get away from me.
And you know, when you have have that mentality that

(25:11):
you never know how many opportunities you get, so you
better be prepared for the one you're given, you know,
and and take advantage of it. And you know, I
was thankful enough to be able to get that opportunity
and run with it this year.

Speaker 21 (25:22):
Hey, Carson, cause you're so with the Cleveland Browns.

Speaker 13 (25:25):
I know you obviously got.

Speaker 21 (25:25):
To talk to coach Tarbor as well. What was that
conversation like and just his excitement level about adding you
to this room.

Speaker 17 (25:33):
Yeah, Yeah, talking with coach uh been amazing, even just
just the talk throughout the whole process. You know, both
you both UCLA guys who are bringing some of that
over California guys, and just just the level of detail
he has in his coaching and and you know, all
the answers he has is something that that I know

(25:53):
is going to be super beneficial and super excited to
be able to get to work with him and and hopefully,
you know, I'd assume it's unnce versus, but just really excited.

Speaker 1 (26:00):
Former Ohio State running back Quinn Shawn Judkins discussed his
angry running style.

Speaker 22 (26:05):
Hey, Quinn Schewn, wanted to ask you, Obviously, you're coming
to a franchise that has had a star running back
the last several years in Nick Chubb. Just wanted to
know how much you've watched Nick over the years and
how much do you see some similarities in at least
your style, the way you run and everything to what
Nick does.

Speaker 9 (26:25):
Definitely when you watch guys like Nick, he's had success
in college and his career and as far as what
he's done in the NFL as well, he's an older
guy in the league, and I feel like that's a
guy that you can always learn more from, and you know,
he has a lot of tools in his bag and
things that he could teach the young guys like me.

Speaker 16 (26:43):
Hey, Quinn Sewn, congratulations. Spencer Jermy with Cleveland Brown's on SI,
if you are uniquely you're you're sort of in a
unique situation where you played in both the SEC and
the Big Ten. Just how do you feel playing in
both the two best conferences in college football prepared you
for the NFL.

Speaker 9 (27:03):
Yeah, I feel like for myself that was positive for me.
Just having to play in the two hardest conferences in
college football and playing in two different environments. Well, I
feel like the SEC has a different style of play
and a big ten as well. They're just two different
but getting the opportunity to play both of them has
helped me excel and further my career and be better
as a player. But just playing with a lot of

(27:25):
great players, well, especially at my time at Ohio State.

Speaker 18 (27:27):
Gett to be.

Speaker 9 (27:28):
Around so many great guys and compete against them every
day also.

Speaker 11 (27:30):
Help me too.

Speaker 12 (27:32):
Hey, Quinn Shawn, this is Ashley Bastok from Cleveland dot Com.
Just what was the moment, like, quhen you got that
call from the Browns. It looks like on the feed
you had stepped out of the room maybe and your
mom answered your phone.

Speaker 18 (27:43):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (27:44):
I went to go get a drink.

Speaker 9 (27:45):
I went to go get a cup of eliminade, and
I came back and my mom was like, oh, like,
they're on the phone, And I was like what, So
I dropped the.

Speaker 4 (27:53):
Phone and there they were.

Speaker 9 (27:54):
They were on the phone. I was just so excited
and so.

Speaker 12 (27:56):
Thrilled to be a Brown How quick did you run
back in the room to grab it from her?

Speaker 4 (28:01):
Pretty fast?

Speaker 18 (28:01):
When they were here?

Speaker 9 (28:02):
My name?

Speaker 4 (28:03):
Pretty fast?

Speaker 9 (28:03):
I ran back really fast. I wasn't that far away.
I literally had just stepped away, and man, my phone
wrung so fast.

Speaker 23 (28:11):
Hey, Quinneawn. Obviously, the Browns drafted Mason Graham yesterday. I
got you're probably pretty familiar with having gone against him.
You probably know exactly what he brings to a defense.
So can you talk about that a little bit? And
then how excited are you to maybe match up with
him a little bit in camp?

Speaker 9 (28:27):
I definitely now I've played him, they are competitors. I
feel like in today again, that's what that's what you need.
A guy that plays with passion and I played him
before you. I feel like he's a guy that plays
with passion and he's very technical in what he does
and shoot, I look, I look forward to that. Man.

Speaker 10 (28:48):
How much success of last year's success with Ohio State
versus how much success you had, you know at Old
Miss last year, specifically, how much does that give you
the confidence to come into this league and hope to
make an immediate impact to the run game with the
Cleveland Browns.

Speaker 9 (29:06):
Just because I know what it takes to win and
to win a national championship. Like I said, I've won
in high school. I won a championship and to go
to the next level and win a championship in high school,
so I mean in college. But but I've always had
that leadership and I know what it takes, just a
tool that you have to bring in asart from the
physicality things that you bring to the game and athletically,

(29:26):
what does it actually take to win a national championship?
And you know, hopefully I can go and that's what
I plan on doing, is going to the next level
and winning the Super Bowl for this organization.

Speaker 6 (29:36):
Quin Schean, what was the pre draft process like with
the Browns? And I guess clearly you were taken by
surprise that they Pickture at thirty six, But did you
have an inkling that they were legitimately interested in bringing
into Cleveland?

Speaker 9 (29:51):
Definitely? I was supposed though. I was supposed to have
an upcoming visit with them, but I couldn't make it
because my mom had had surgery and my dad's birthday
he was coming up. He had this party, so I
couldn't make it. My mom had just had surgery, so
I couldn't make it to my visit with the Browns.
But throughout the draft process, I had a meeting with
them at the Combine and they went great. We talked
about ball, we talked about off the field things as

(30:13):
far as you know, what do I like it, and
about me as a person, and I felt like they
got to know me more and I left that meeting
feeling great.

Speaker 4 (30:20):
About the organization.

Speaker 24 (30:22):
Quinn Shawn Leo Doherty w oio. Can you compare the
emotions between winning a national championship and now getting drafted
by the Browns?

Speaker 9 (30:30):
I mean, each one gave me a different emotion of themselves.
Like winning the national championship, you get to see the
confetti fall, all everybody just running around. It's just like
so much adrenaline that's going through your body. And then
I would say, when you hear your name called on
national television to where you're going to play football for
a long time. So I think those two are are

(30:52):
just two different emotions in themselves. But I definitely felt
great about it, and I definitely enjoy each and every
one of those.

Speaker 25 (31:00):
Quin John Mark Schwab also woo you and your teammate
Travon Henderson were both right there in the draft order.
A lot of people wondered who would go first. He
win a couple of picks after you. What has this
process been like for the both of you to go
through this together, and obviously you're watching where each other
goes and who goes first.

Speaker 9 (31:19):
Right, I think really been and support of each other.

Speaker 7 (31:22):
Man.

Speaker 9 (31:22):
I think me and Trey have a great relationship, Like
I've said before, outside of football, me and him truly
want what's best for each other. And you know, whoever
went first in the draft, it didn't matter. I got
to ask this question before too, and they asked him
how would I feel if he was drafted? And you know, I, honestly, man,
I don't feel great about it. I think he's a
guy that deserves it. And no matter if I was drafted,
if I was to be drafted first or him be

(31:44):
drafted first, it wouldn't have mattered to either one of us, because,
like I said, I know what it takes to win
a national championship, and that's what it takes himselfish gods
who truly puts the program first, and that's who we
both are.

Speaker 7 (31:54):
On that note, I was just gonna ask did you
have a friendly butt with him who'd go first?

Speaker 9 (31:59):
No, we did not have a friendly bet. Honestly, throughout
this draft podcast, we were just in supported each other,
no asking how each other's business were going, and just
checking up with each other's mentally and making sure each
other we were both okay during good.

Speaker 26 (32:13):
Hey Quinnchean, do you know anything about Jerome Ford with
the Browns? And if so, how do you think you
guys can compliment each other?

Speaker 9 (32:22):
I feel like that those are those are areas that
you know, just me being a drafted organization, those are
things you can always learn and figure out. But I
mean just me being a part of this organization and
what I'll bring to it. I think I'll definitely have
a lot of success of who I am as a player,
what I bring to the game, and how I work
well with others. So a lot of great players around me,

(32:42):
and I think.

Speaker 4 (32:43):
We're gonna go really far.

Speaker 19 (32:44):
Hey quinnch On, you might be the first running back
in Brown's history. Too major in bio engineering?

Speaker 9 (32:52):
Uh?

Speaker 19 (32:52):
Could you talk about what your plans are then after football?

Speaker 22 (32:56):
Yeah?

Speaker 9 (32:57):
So, so I'll plan on I plan on going back
to school and get in that degree post football. That's
something that has always interested me. I have a degree
right now, I'm doing human resources, but that is something
else that I definitely want to get into post career.
I've always been interested in it, something I look forward to.

Speaker 27 (33:18):
Quinn John's John Table Fox say, you said you couldn't
make that visit because of your mom's surgery and yet
other obligations. When you realized you couldn't make that visit,
did you think the realization of being maybe taken by
the Browns could have been that would have ended it
from there?

Speaker 13 (33:33):
And were you surprised that they came back later?

Speaker 9 (33:36):
No, definitely not. Probably our great organization.

Speaker 17 (33:39):
They understood, you know, my situation.

Speaker 9 (33:41):
They understood you know, my mom, she had just had
a serious surgery and just a circumstance. So they were
very understanding, and you know, we tried to work them
out before that state of the sixteenth where you couldn't
take a last visit because I had just had a
visit with the Giants like a day before the last visit,
So it just was unfortun that I couldn't make it
out there.

Speaker 16 (34:02):
Hey, Quinja On this is special German again. I'm sure
through your conversations with the Browns. You did some you
had some talk on about Kevin Stefanski's offense, and I'm
sure you've watched some of that as well. Just how
do you feel that his system will maximize your skill
set and how you'll fit into this thing.

Speaker 4 (34:19):
I think I feel great in this offense.

Speaker 9 (34:20):
You know who I am as a player, the physicality,
the vision of lootiveness, the ability to be used outside
the tackles and being the spot and also being one
on one situation with linebackers, and that's why I feel
that that's why I am as a player, and that's
why I feel like I feel so great in this offense.
And this is such a great situation for me because
there's the offense that I sail in because those are

(34:41):
the things that I bring to the game. They'll be
passion as well and the great the things that you
can't coach. So that's why I definitely look forward to
for this year.

Speaker 16 (34:48):
And then as a follow up, I don't know how
much you interfaced with Douce Staley during the pre draft
process and your conversations with Cleveland, but how excited are
you to work with him and somebody who's obviously done
at a high level at the end the NFL.

Speaker 9 (35:01):
Man, I think you're always excited to learn from gods
like that that's done that at a high level and
being consistent as well. I always learned things from guys
like that. They always have knowledge, and uh, those are
the guys when you go into a locker room that
you you kind of bun to.

Speaker 5 (35:17):
Heyquation what allowed you to score as many touchdowns as
you did?

Speaker 9 (35:22):
Man, just just my coaches put me in a great position,
aside from you know, physically who I am as a
player and what I do on the field. You know,
coaches being very schematically smart put me in the right
position to go out there and execute. And also my
team as well, my old lineman, Uh, they do a
great job at executing. They work hard, and that's really
why I succeed so much I couldn't do with my
teenage and coaches.

Speaker 5 (35:42):
And Lebron desistant GM mentioned your contact balance while you're
still getting in that area.

Speaker 9 (35:47):
That's that's just who I am as a player.

Speaker 6 (35:49):
Man.

Speaker 4 (35:49):
It's something I always harped on.

Speaker 9 (35:53):
Really just trying to excel at it. I feel like
at disposition those are That's one of the most things
that that changed you and puts you in that one
percent that everyone else can't do. Have that contact balance
and still be able to run outside of gotten to
break tackles and do things of that nature.

Speaker 4 (36:07):
And those are the things that others can't do.

Speaker 9 (36:09):
And that's why I feel like I separate myself at
as well.

Speaker 22 (36:12):
Quinn schun A lot of people remember that final drivep
against Penn State, and just when you're in that moment,
how much do you just sort of feed off of that,
you know, getting the ball over and over and kind
of kind of taking the will away from feeling the
will going away from a defense as you as you're
just kind of pounding the ball against them.

Speaker 9 (36:32):
Yeah, man, I think I think as a competitor, that's
who I am. Like, I love to see the defense
wear down. I love to see them when I run
the ball and get fifteen yards. They're they're tired of hell,
and they don't they don't like that I'm getting the
ball again. I can see it in the highs. They
don't want me to get the ball again because they
don't want to They don't want to tackle me. Those
guys don't want to tackle, So it's like I look
forward to those moments when the it's crunch time in

(36:54):
the game and it's closing, you want to close the
game out or or whatever situation it is. I look
forward to being the player that has the ball and
going to make an impact.

Speaker 10 (37:03):
Gwen John, you got a taste of it in Columbus
with Ohio State, obviously, but this state of Ohio is
notorious for their passion for football. How much are you
looking forward to getting acclimated to the Dog Pound and
the fan base here with the Browns.

Speaker 9 (37:20):
I looked forward to it, definitely. I had a lot
of different events here throughout my draft process or before
my draft process actually, or I had to autograph sign
is and it just meet so many people from Ohio,
Like a lot of them are Cleveland fans, and the
way they embrace this culture of what it takes to
be you know, Cleveland Brown or Cleveland Brown fan, and

(37:41):
what it's like to be a part of this organization.
So I definitely look forward to it. I get to
stay home and do something special, so I'm super excited
and happy.

Speaker 24 (37:51):
Quinn Shawn, I was curious if you've heard from Ryan
Day yet and what he had to say about staying
in the state of Ohio.

Speaker 18 (37:57):
No, my phone.

Speaker 9 (37:58):
He probably my phone, like business, It's probably called me
as well. But I've definitely caught in the night and
we're talking the topics. If I talked to my opposition coach,
I've seen him call me. What that's I was drafted?

Speaker 3 (38:12):
You know.

Speaker 9 (38:12):
We were just so excited about the situation here and
what I can do and who I am as a
player and what I'll bring to this team.

Speaker 20 (38:19):
Quin Schawn justin Cooper here again, Hey, I was wondering
how you're a feeling about the Browns first round draft
pick Mason Graham. Was there going to be some beef
that needs to be squashed to start the season.

Speaker 4 (38:31):
Nah, there's no beef. Man.

Speaker 9 (38:33):
Like I said, it's one team. We all have one vision,
which is to win. And like I said, the guy,
I've been my whole career just putting team first and
doing what I can to help this.

Speaker 4 (38:43):
Organization with.

Speaker 12 (38:45):
Quinchan, just a quick one, where have you been watching
the draft currently? And like, how many family members friends
do you think you've had with you?

Speaker 9 (38:54):
So right now I'm watching the draft in Atlanta and Georgia.
I have any family in my house as I think
there's a lot of people.

Speaker 18 (39:02):
Can get off.

Speaker 3 (39:03):
Like my coaches.

Speaker 9 (39:06):
Trainer is just everyone that's big gett far.

Speaker 3 (39:09):
So that's who all tonight tight end.

Speaker 1 (39:12):
Harold fan and Jr. Expressed his excitement to be staying
in the Orange and Brown as a former bowling Green Falcon.

Speaker 8 (39:18):
Harold, are you in Canton right now? And what do
you think about getting to play in northeast Ohio?

Speaker 18 (39:23):
Yeah? Man, I'm camping right now this week. Uh, you know,
I mean growing up in there people A man, I'm
definitely excited, big big brown fami there else. You know,
they all excited a little good.

Speaker 3 (39:38):
Do you just really like Orange and Brown as your colors?

Speaker 18 (39:42):
Yeah? Yeah, got to let's well and greedy. Yeah.

Speaker 22 (39:49):
Hey, Harold, what did I ask you? Your best games
last season were against the biggest opponents Penn State, Texas,
A and M. How much kind of described just the
way you kind of hell evaded your game and how
much does that show kind of NFL scouts and the
Browns specifically, you know what you're capable of at this level?

Speaker 18 (40:10):
Yeah, I mean pretty much. You know, it's kind of
just shows I guess NFL teams that you know I
can I can do it against you know, bigger opponents.
You know, it ain't it ain't just like I'm just like,
you know, just doing against you know, smaller teams. I
can do it against the bigger things as well.

Speaker 10 (40:32):
Hey, Harold, you set so many school records and FBS
records and so many different areas. How do you feel
like your versatility is going to be able to translate
here with the Browns and in the NFL.

Speaker 18 (40:45):
Yeah, I feel like the way my play style is,
you know, maybe to move around a lot and do
a lot of different things kind of just really opened
the play book up a little bit, just because I'm
you know, I just had to play out of position
a little bit.

Speaker 12 (41:00):
Hey, Harold, just wondering how much time you've spent watching
David Njoku, what you think of his game, and what
you think about coming into a tight end room with him.

Speaker 18 (41:13):
Be honest, I've never really watched any guy in I've
never ever watched Dave with a Joe dude. You know,
I probably watched a few of his games here and there.
But you know, obviously I'm very excited to be in
the thing room. You know already know he does.

Speaker 26 (41:29):
Hey Harold, how did uh you know, playing in a
pro style system under uh, you know coach Loeffler help
prepare you for the NFL.

Speaker 18 (41:42):
Uh, I definitely say, uh, you know, just because coach
Leftward is like an NFL type type of guys. So
we kind of I kind of you know, already have
to feel for like the playing and stuff like that,
and uh, I feel like it should be okay, can
when it comes I guess plays and stuff like that,

(42:03):
and you know how you coaches things like that, and.

Speaker 26 (42:08):
How does your defensive background from from McKinley kind of
affect how you play tight end?

Speaker 3 (42:14):
How did how did it shape you? And what was
that transition?

Speaker 18 (42:17):
Like yeah, you know, like you said, I'll just play
defensive back. So I kind of got an idea, you
know how how you know, like I guess when I'm
running out to whatever. It's kind of just know like
where where what makes a dB feel uncomfortable and stuff
like that is because I didn't I didn't play it myself.

(42:40):
I don't obviously I know it makes me, uh feel uncomfortable.
So I kind of just take knowing that, you know,
basically knowing what what the DV don't want you to do.
I kind of like already you know how that feel.
And I kind of think about what if I was
guarding myself, like, how would I mean, you know when
it comes to rout running and.

Speaker 4 (42:57):
Stuff like that.

Speaker 5 (42:59):
Here, how do you reflect on it? And how special
was it to have a season that a lot of
people say, was, you know, the most the best in
the history of college football for a tight end.

Speaker 18 (43:11):
I mean I definitely say I'm very blessed, you know.
I mean, obviously I could have done it on my
teammates and stuff like that. My folks was sitting yet,
but yeah, I mean it definitely just blessed, and you know,
let's enough to do something like that.

Speaker 7 (43:24):
Harold, how much did your games against Texas Tech and
Penn State put you on the map?

Speaker 18 (43:29):
Do you think, oh I said that, Yeah, I guess
it really didn't put me on the match because, yeah,
I mean I was no rank you know, I mean,
I never was a you know, hike tilt guy. So
you know when I kind of had that like that
and put stuff like that on the face, you know,
it kind of really helped the open doors for me.

Speaker 6 (43:51):
Hey, Harold, you said you don't spend a lot of
time watching tight ends.

Speaker 3 (43:56):
I'm just kind of curious though.

Speaker 6 (43:59):
Is there somebody that you grew up admiring and wanting
to be like as a player?

Speaker 18 (44:07):
Yeah, if you know, being enough people of high on
my Velans actually stillage fan. So I used to watch
Le'Veon bell a lot, and you know that's back when
I was younger and I used to play running back.
But I mean that's who I pretty much grew up
watching art.

Speaker 13 (44:22):
How special is it to you too?

Speaker 10 (44:24):
At every level now call Ohio home, from college, high
school to college to to now in the NFL.

Speaker 18 (44:35):
Yeah, I mean it's definitely a blessing. I mean it's
kind of you know, close to home, but I guess
that's a blessed.

Speaker 6 (44:41):
Uh you know.

Speaker 18 (44:43):
I mean I've never really excited to be like this.
I would be at uh you know, and that's coming up.

Speaker 1 (44:50):
Quarterback Dylan Gabriel discussed his collegiate journey through three schools, UCF, Oklahoma,
and Oregon and discussed the opportunity to learn behind Joe
Flacco and Keddy Pickett.

Speaker 15 (45:01):
Hello, Dylan, just wondering about all of that quality time
that you spent with the Cleveland Browns heading into this process.
It really flew under the radar, but it seems like
you had a pretty good idea that you were coming
here to Cleveland and why is this a good fit
for you?

Speaker 4 (45:20):
Yeah, I think, you know, just starting out, had built
a true relationship with them, and I think naturally in
this process when you're around them, you know for quite
some time you're able to you know, talk through ball
and you know, get to know one another. And you know,
I truly felt like those relationships were built, and you know,
I'm so glad I'm a Brown. But two, you know,

(45:40):
I think just excited for for what to come. Know that,
you know, when we talk ball and have had conversations,
this is right where I need to be. And it's
perfect the way it played out. You know, it's kind
of all that that pageistry's done and now I'm a Brown,
So it's that's all that matters.

Speaker 19 (46:02):
And Dan, what do you well, ken benefit will be
for you to be able to learn from Joe Flacco.

Speaker 4 (46:10):
Yeah, I think that's huge. You know, I think as
a guy who's played a lot of ball myself, you know,
I obviously know there's still a lot for me to learn.
And then on another piast, you know, me being a
vet in college, I know how much I was able
to share knowledge in college with you know, some younger guys,
and you know, I'll be doing the same learning from Joe,
you know. I think it's a unique situation and having

(46:31):
a guy like him that uh has a lot of
knowledge and has played a lot of ball. He seem
more works and what doesn't. And I think, you know,
just being able to be a sponge and be around
him will definitely benefit.

Speaker 22 (46:42):
Me doing kind of off of that your own experience,
you know, six years in college, three different programs, so
I imagine you know, three somewhat different schemes. What can
you you know, what has that imparted on you and
what have you been able to How has it forced
you to sort of grow over that time.

Speaker 4 (47:04):
Yeah, naturally there's growth, you know, And I think the
ability to be around a bunch of different schemes, a
bunch of great coaches that have been you know, very
successful at the college level but also are respected at
the NFL level, and just being able to grow in
that way. Terminology, offensive scheme, just the amount of variations

(47:24):
that I've been accustomed to and have adapted too quickly. Naturally,
you just know more about ball and you know, I'm
very glad I had those experiences. They all built me
up to where I am today.

Speaker 18 (47:35):
But like I said, you.

Speaker 4 (47:37):
Know, there's more for me to learn and continue to grow,
and I look forward to bringing what I got to
the table. But then also you know that growth that
I'm gonna make.

Speaker 3 (47:47):
Hey, Dylan, congratulations. Brand's leadership has.

Speaker 26 (47:49):
Been talking about, you know, open competition for starting quarterback
with you know, veterans Joe Flacco. Can you Pickett here?
What are your expectations for how you might fit into that?

Speaker 18 (48:02):
Yeah?

Speaker 4 (48:02):
I think for me, you know, my definite expectation to
just creating value and creating impact, you know, and that's
wherever I've been. You know, I only know how to
be the starter, but I also know that, you know,
a healthy quarterback room is important, and being able to
compete day in and day out is naturally what happens
and part of what we do. But I look forward to,

(48:23):
you know, whatever I walk into and being able to
get around the guys and and like I said, creating
and that create value in anything in every way I can.

Speaker 10 (48:32):
Dylan, obviously, quarterback is a position of need for the
Cleveland Browns, and you talked about the competition with Joe Flacco?
Can you Pickett this summer? So for you, I mean
that that comes with some pressure. How do you anticipate
handling that and what makes you a good fit for
handling that kind of pressure.

Speaker 4 (48:52):
Yeah, I'm built for it. You know, I've done this
all my life. I've been playing quarterback from a young
age and has stepped into you know, top tier programs
that demand success, you know. So I'm built for this.
I'm ready for it. It's the new challenge. And although
there's unknown and it may be a first time for
me in terms of being in the NFL. You know,
I think just my ability to adapt in college and

(49:16):
be around a team and you know, different teams in
that way allows you to be able to adapt quickly
and know, you know, naturally when you walk into a building,
you got to be prepared. You get to earn daily
influence from your teammates, and then that allows you to
continue to challenge. So for me, Press there is a
lot of fun that's that you look forward to as
a competitor and you run towards it.

Speaker 5 (49:38):
Hey, John, I know you said this is it played
out perfectly you winding up with the Browns, But how
were the last couple of days like for you is
you watched everything on fold, didn't know where you're going
to go, and you and the rest of the quarterbacks,
obviously it's a huge talking point with the draft. What
are you thinking as all these pigs go off the board?

Speaker 4 (49:59):
Yeah? I think for me, I'm at peace knowing that
each situation is different and everyone's got their own journey,
And for me, I had trust in my journey. And
you know, I've been living this journey as a player
for myself, and there's consistent talks about who I am
as a player.

Speaker 18 (50:18):
How you know it'll.

Speaker 4 (50:19):
Translate in that sense, but I continue to prove it.
And for me, it's a production based business and producing
and getting results is my way of life. So I'm
excited to continue to prove it, you know. And whatever
was going to happen, and you know, obviously we're here now,
I was at piece of it, knowing that God's got

(50:39):
a plan, and I just want to stay close to
the path you have set up for me.

Speaker 15 (50:44):
Jillan, I remember talking to you at the Senior Bowl
and being really struck just by how incredibly confident you
are in your game and in yourself, and you know,
it's different than most rookies, it seems to me. But
my question is with you coming in here and competing

(51:05):
with not only Kenny, but with a Super Bowl MVP
who's heading into his eighteenth season and has played a
million games, just how do you approach that from a
confidence standpoint and not be rattled or let that moment
be too big for you?

Speaker 4 (51:26):
For sure? Well, Number one, they're my teammates now, you know,
and I've got a level of respect for my teammates
and being able to build that, and that's going to
happen from day one. You got to build that and
put time in and build trust. But two, I'm confident
in my abilities. You know, I know what my strengths are.
I know what I'm able to do. I know what
I bring to the table, and I'm confident in that.

(51:48):
But also know that I'm a sponge. I can learn
from anyone, you know, and that's Joe or another rookie
that's coming in with me. So in either way, I'm
just excited to learn. I'm excited to grow, but I'm
also excited to compete because, like I said, it's a
business about results and that's what I've been focused on
I want to win, and that's what I'm going to

(52:10):
continue pride myself on.

Speaker 5 (52:12):
Hey, Dan, are you bothered when people focus on your height?
And you know, Kevin Spansky said, it's not ideal, but
you've been able to overcome it and be really productive.

Speaker 3 (52:21):
How have you been able to do that?

Speaker 19 (52:23):
Yeah?

Speaker 18 (52:24):
You know, I think.

Speaker 4 (52:26):
This whole time, you know, my journey, everyone has.

Speaker 18 (52:29):
Focused on limitations.

Speaker 4 (52:30):
Naturally, people do that, you know, But that's why it's
a game of producing.

Speaker 18 (52:35):
It's my way of life.

Speaker 4 (52:37):
It's how I've had to live, which is producing on
a high level in order to make sure that, you know,
my play is respected on a certain level. And for me,
I'm playing against these first and second round, third round
picks that I'm seeing off the board, so I'm excited
to continue compete against them, but also knowing that I've
played against these guests, you know, and at the end

(52:59):
of the day.

Speaker 18 (52:59):
It's eleven on eleven.

Speaker 4 (53:01):
How decisive are you? You know? How can you steed
up your processing? Can you be deadly accurate? And that's
all stuff that translates to the NFL. So that's what
I'm focused on. And like I said, he's got to
continue to grow. It's a game of getting better as well,
and that's what I've continued to do at each stopped.

Speaker 1 (53:20):
Finally, general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski,
who discussed their four picks on night two.

Speaker 28 (53:27):
So busy Friday night for us this year. I'm really
excited about the four guys that we added to the
roster this evening. Maybe give you kind of a quick
hitter on each player. So first with Carson, I think
you guys know our history here is we haven't necessarily
invested a ton of resources, you know, in the off
the ball linebacker room, with really Jeremiah being the notable exception.

(53:49):
In twenty twenty one, we felt like Carson was a
pretty unique player at the position. Fast athletic, really good
in the passing game, he can blitz, and he's he's
super smart and aggressive. We felt like he was really
another modern day archetype at the position, and we really
felt like he could really elevate that position groom, you know,

(54:11):
if we can get into his potential at maturity. So
we really excited to add him to the team with
Q you know, rugged run style. I'm sure a lot
of people in this room have seen him at at
Ohio State this year. Really a bell cow, versatile runner
who can run through you, run by you, run around you.

(54:31):
We're really excited to have him available to us at
the thirty six pick with Harold. He's really kind of
the queen on the chessboard. He's a really good ball
in hand player, can separate as a pass catcher despite
being a little bit under size. He's really a good
movement style blocker, and he fits perfectly in terms of,
you know, what Kevin and Tommy want to do philosophically

(54:52):
on the offense.

Speaker 3 (54:54):
And then Dylan.

Speaker 28 (54:56):
You know, we spent a lot of time with Dylan
throughout this process. You know, brought him in right out
to the combine. You know, did obviously the private visit
and workouts out in Eugene. Decorated college career, very accurate,
very poised throws with the anticipation, good mobility. We just
thought he had a really well rounded game. And the
biggest negative that you can say about him is like

(55:16):
he doesn't have ideal hype. But that's not something that
we felt like showed up in his game or his
film at UCF Oklahoma, and certainly not at Oregon this year.
So we're really excited to add these these young guys
to the room and excuse me, to the roster.

Speaker 3 (55:30):
With that'll open up for questions.

Speaker 29 (55:32):
Andrew, you know, throughout this entire dat process, you've talked
about volume and maximizing the volume the picks. Yeah, you've
talked about this entire process about maximizing value. At ninety
four with Traudeur Sanders still on the board, a guy
that you spent a lot of time with, why was
the value not there to take him?

Speaker 3 (55:49):
And at quarterback take Dylan? Yeah.

Speaker 28 (55:52):
You know, like I said, we really felt strongly about uh,
you know, Dylan throughout this process. You think he's a
he's a he's a really strong, really really good prospect.

Speaker 22 (56:03):
You know.

Speaker 28 (56:03):
That's not to say that we didn't meet with other
quarterbacks that thought we thought were you know, really talented
players and good people. But you know, we felt wrong
about Dolan. We think he's an excellent player, and you know,
felt like he was the most supportriate player to pick, but.

Speaker 22 (56:16):
For both looking at Dylan's numbers, more than twenty career
passing attempts but only thirty two interceptions, kind of going
back kevinuntil you talking about taking care of the football.
How much of that when you looked at his game
and talking you know, how much of that you know
was was part of the evaluation with it.

Speaker 3 (56:37):
Yeah, I mean, like.

Speaker 30 (56:38):
Abe said, Chris, it's such a when you're looking at
any position, you're looking at so many things in total,
but certainly when you bring up those that amount of
attempts versus those interceptions, that's a speaks to the quarterbacks
decision making. So that's certainly one of the things that
you're excited about with watching Dylan, with being around him,
understanding how he thinks about the game and understands how

(56:58):
to take care of the football.

Speaker 15 (57:00):
Can maybe both of you address how much time you
guys spent with him at the Senior Bowl and you know,
having Jacques there coaching the team that he was on,
and also having Bubba there, how much did that give
you a little head start on on the email?

Speaker 28 (57:15):
Yeah, I'd say, you know, for really all of our projects,
we try and get as many touch points as possible.
I think I'd mentioned in my pre draft press are
just you know why we think with the quarterback position,
you know, the additional time, the additional in verse and
visits are important.

Speaker 3 (57:31):
So with Dylan obviously has a.

Speaker 28 (57:33):
Lot of college film in a in a number of
different environments, in different offensive systems. You see him for
the full week at the Senior Bowl where he's just
kind of thrown into the mixed new offense.

Speaker 3 (57:42):
See that he really passes that test.

Speaker 28 (57:45):
You see him, meet with him, you know, you know
at the combine, we bring him in the you know,
I guess what three days after the combine ends for
the top thirty visits, go out and see him in
Eugene and you know, do the private workout and visit
and everything.

Speaker 3 (57:59):
So we felt like we.

Speaker 28 (57:59):
Had a really strong feeling of what we believe to
be his strengths and weaknesses throughout the process and got
to know him really well, like a lot of the other.

Speaker 19 (58:08):
Quarterbacks in this classy Kevin, you get answer this when
you talk to these guys in these interviews. What kind
of read do you get on how receptive a player
will be to learning, like he'll have to be learning
under Joe and Kenny Pickett.

Speaker 30 (58:25):
I think every single one of our guys that we
bring in Jeff understand that they're rookies and they have
work to do. No different than any position. And I
think you know AaB's point just about these four guys
that we're bringing in tonight and at Mason from it
was that yesterday. These are good players, These are good people.

(58:46):
These are people that we want in our building. We
want them to we want to embrace them into what
we believe.

Speaker 3 (58:54):
But they are certainly made of the right stuff.

Speaker 30 (58:57):
And part of that, to your question, Jeff, being made
of a you know, having that makeup where they're not
finished products and they know they have a.

Speaker 3 (59:06):
Lot to learn.

Speaker 30 (59:07):
They'd be very very smart all these guys to learn
from these veterans in the building.

Speaker 5 (59:13):
I get one for each of you guys, Andrew, when
you're watching quarterbacks go off the board, like, was Dylan
a guy that you kind of targeted at this spot
the whole time? Or like, how did that kind of
play out as you're watching the other guys.

Speaker 3 (59:24):
Go Yeah, No, he was, you know, really really he was.

Speaker 28 (59:28):
He was among the shortlist of players that we were considering,
you know, well before the draft at this at this
potic Scott, Yeah.

Speaker 5 (59:34):
And Kevin, how do you evaluate the what Andrew called
the lack of ideal height for a quarterback in this league.

Speaker 3 (59:41):
It's a good question.

Speaker 30 (59:42):
Obviously, there's guys that have come before Dylan. There are
guys that come after him that don't have the quote
unquote ideal heights. But he's hasn't held him back in
his career. You know, he's been that hype for a
long time. He finds a way to get it done,
and you know that's so important. There's quarterbacks different shapes
and sizes. You have to be able to move in
the pocket, you have to feel the pocket, you have

(01:00:03):
to find throwing lanes, you have to change ourm angles.

Speaker 3 (01:00:06):
All that comes innately, I.

Speaker 30 (01:00:08):
Think to players based on how they've kind of played
the game their whole life.

Speaker 7 (01:00:15):
Than their Andrew. Just two things about Gabriel, First, just
coming and it seems an older player six years experienced,
twenty four years old coming under that. But also just
before him, Milroe went to Seattle totally different styles. Obviously
was Milroe among the considerations at that pick.

Speaker 28 (01:00:37):
So for your first ones, it probably goes back to
when you ask about the h thing before the draft,
like that's that's a that can be a factor in
a prospect's profile. But there's no single like eliminator, like
you know, every prospect is going to have strengths and
weaknesses in their profile. Probably age with quarterback, there's a
little bit more fluidity with that, honestly, Tony and I

(01:00:57):
think also the difference is, like you think of age
in the context of their college career. So like with Dylan,
the guys played football been a starting quarterback since he's
been eighteen years old. You know, in college football, this
is not a player who you know, it took several
years for him to become the starter, and you know,
didn't you know, didn't become the starter un till he
was was an older college senior.

Speaker 3 (01:01:18):
So we we did.

Speaker 28 (01:01:18):
We didn't feel like that was a major detriment in
terms of his in terms of his UH, in terms
of his profile, and in terms of jail And we
spent a lot of time with him obviously knew him
really well, know him really well from Tommy's experience in Alabama.
You're right, very different styles. But we've always said with
the quarterback position, like our view is, we want to
make sure that we build around that player according to

(01:01:42):
their strengths. So Jalen straints are very different than other prospects.

Speaker 3 (01:01:47):
In the class.

Speaker 28 (01:01:48):
Straints, you know, if we had selected him, you know,
we would have build a built an offense that we
thought was appropriate for his strengths, and you know, we
would do the same for for any quarterback.

Speaker 11 (01:01:56):
In the room.

Speaker 10 (01:01:58):
Speaking of building around him, this was a skill player's kind.

Speaker 13 (01:02:02):
Of day for you guys.

Speaker 10 (01:02:02):
You said Day two is a sweet spot for the draft.
So for you, what did you maybe like about what
this draft offered and how do you envision these editions
coming into what you hope is another revamped offense this year.

Speaker 28 (01:02:16):
Yeah, so I guess I'll go with the last part
of your question, Cam. You know, with with Q, we
feel like he's just a very well rounded back and
we've we've obviously been spoiled over the past couple of years,
you know, particularly with with Nick and Kareem, and we
feel like he is he is very much in that
mold in terms of skill set, not necessarily saying that

(01:02:37):
he's going to with certainty to develop into one of
those players.

Speaker 3 (01:02:40):
We certainly hope.

Speaker 28 (01:02:41):
That's the case, but we think that he can he
can be a bellcow runner that can can really carry
the load for us. And then Harold like he's he's
a mismatch piece for us. In terms of how you know,
defenses are going to have to account for, you know,
him and David on the field when we're in twelve
personnel and you know whether he he's split out, whether

(01:03:01):
he's in a traditional alignment, whether he's in the backfield.
Like he gives us that flexibility for Kevin and Tommy
to be really creative in terms of how they design
personnel packages, formations and ultimately scheme up the run and
pass game. And in terms of terms of Dylan, I
kind of touched on him already, but you know that's
how we would view it.

Speaker 6 (01:03:21):
A question for both first free Andrew and then I
have one for you to Kevin with Carson Andrew, did
Jim give you a bear hug when you drafted him
and you mentioned you're open, like you guys haven't spent
a lot of draft capital on that particular position. What
was it about him that you know had you using

(01:03:44):
that thirty third pick on him?

Speaker 28 (01:03:47):
Yeah, I think the biggest thing for us is guys
on the at the off the ball linebacker position. For
us to maybe go outside of the norm, we have
to project the to be able to do something you know,
special or well above average in.

Speaker 3 (01:04:03):
The passing game.

Speaker 28 (01:04:04):
And for Jeremiah that was really his ability as a blitzer.
Like he was a he was a great run defender
because he could you know, he could he can make
plays behind the line of scrimmage and everything. But he
was really special or is really specially I should say,
as a blitzer. With Carson, his profiles maybe a little
bit different in the fact that he showed himself to
be a really strong coverage player, you know, whether man

(01:04:25):
or his own. He very much like Jeremiah, He's very
you know, very good in the in the run game,
very instinctive, uh, you know, surefire tackler. But when we
look at that position and if we're going to invest,
you know, significant resources, it's hey, can this player contribute
above and beyond on third down?

Speaker 6 (01:04:43):
And and for Kevin, with adding Harold to your tight
end room, we know how I made your love tight ends.
He really seemed to stand out in the in the
big games against the bigger opponents. How much did that,
you know, catch your eye? And when when you're those highlights,
did that get you doing a little lobbying for form

(01:05:05):
with Andrew?

Speaker 30 (01:05:06):
No lobbying, Yeah, I mean I think with Harold that
the tape kind of speaks for itself. An extremely productive player.
We did a lot of work on Harold. Uh, can
I tell him?

Speaker 3 (01:05:16):
We went to do you get them? Where we where?

Speaker 30 (01:05:18):
We had the we had the lunch at Frickers, which
was lovely. No, So did a ton of work on Harold.
The tape jumps out like you said, I mean you
watched Penn State, watched Texas A and m uh, he's
a very productive player. Coach Loffler did an awesome job
with him at Bowling Green, moving him around the board
like a B said, like the Queen and chess and uh,

(01:05:41):
he's very versatile.

Speaker 3 (01:05:44):
He's a young man.

Speaker 30 (01:05:44):
I think he's just twenty years old, so there's a
lot of development there, but excited about the versatility that
he brings.

Speaker 3 (01:05:51):
And and it's on tape.

Speaker 30 (01:05:53):
He really lines up all over like he's a wildcat quarterback.
He's a that's a you know, he does a lot
for the football team. And it's a young player that
we feel like.

Speaker 28 (01:06:01):
In have you guys talked to Harold yet? It's just okay,
Well when he comes here, next time you talk to him,
ask him how he picked Frickers as the restaurant.

Speaker 3 (01:06:09):
Just ask him.

Speaker 12 (01:06:10):
Okay, Andrew, I had another Harold question actually along those
lines of what Kevin was talking about with him being
only twenty and that young, Like, was it similar to
David you guys were evaluating him back then to think, Hey,
this kid's not even going to be twenty one until
a few months.

Speaker 28 (01:06:23):
From No, it's a it's a good observation, actually, I
think so this maybe even kind of blends into your
questions about you know, age, Tony.

Speaker 3 (01:06:32):
I think if you think oftentimes about.

Speaker 28 (01:06:35):
The top of the draft, it's it's like age combined
with some form of early production and the physical characteristics
for that player to be able to get on the
field early enough to develop. And I think for Harold,
the way we looked at it is like, Okay, here
is a twenty year old pass catcher who's you know,

(01:06:55):
playing a playing at a midted major and he's the
guy that everybody knows how to has, knows how to
excuse me, knows that they have to stop. And you know,
whether he goes to college station or you know, at
at Penn State, and he's the best player on the
field like nobody, nobody at twenty years old, and he's
the one person going in that two of the top

(01:07:17):
defenses in college football have to stop. So like, yeah,
that way is heavily there are very few you know,
skill players that can do that at you know, later
in their cause career. And for him to be able
to do that, you know with you know, with uh
maybe not a dynamic supporting cast, you know, at twenty
years old, it's it's incredibly out a young twenty year
olds at that it's it's very impressive. Again, it's not

(01:07:38):
the end all be all, you know in terms of youth.
But I guess think about it this way, like for
him to do that at twenty you know, at Bowling Green,
whereas if you think about an individual athlete who did that,
what would have done that at twenty three at I
don't know, LSU, Like there is some important context there
in terms of, you know, the quality of the performance.

Speaker 3 (01:07:59):
So we do weigh that.

Speaker 28 (01:08:00):
It's not again it's not like it's the tonic shift
in terms of how we would view the valuation, but
it does mean something.

Speaker 11 (01:08:09):
This one's for you, Kevin.

Speaker 15 (01:08:11):
In talking to Dylan at the senior ball, he's obviously
very very confident. He's played a ton of football. Well,
he have a chance to come in here and compete
for the starting job, just as much as Kenny will
and just as much as Joe will.

Speaker 30 (01:08:25):
I think all of our players are competing for starting jobs,
I think. But the most important part for any player
walking into our building is really focusing on the work
that's it's going to entail, Mary Kay, Because as you know,
it's a lot coming at these guys early, so we'll
get our hands on them in a couple of weekends
at the Rookie Mini Camp, but we anticipate all of

(01:08:45):
our players to carve out a role, whether that's as
a starter, as a backup, And it's really no different here.

Speaker 15 (01:08:51):
And how will it? Will it present some challenges for
you to divide up the quarterback reps. You've never really
had to do that before quite.

Speaker 30 (01:08:58):
Like this, sure, I think gets over the course of
time been around, and Tommy and Bill have been around
examples where you have sometimes four guys, So there's there's
ways to maximize reps. I would be the best way
to put it. Let's go name then Tommy and Spencer
and Kelsey and then Scott. See if we can remember

(01:09:20):
that yuh.

Speaker 26 (01:09:34):
Hey, Andrew, I know that you know needs or perceived
needs don't necessarily drive you know, you're thinking in a draft,
but you know j Oka has an uncertain situation. Nick
Chubb's not under contract, and David Nijok who has one
year left on his deal. So to pick players on

(01:09:56):
on Day two and those positions, uh, does that set
you up for you know, however those situations may play out.
Is it is that you know, when you think of
one foot in the present one in the future. Is
that what we're talking about here?

Speaker 28 (01:10:11):
Yeah, look, Nate, I think that's a I think that's
a fair observation. Not to say that that's what drove
the decisions or the or the strategy, but you do
keep all those things in mind. I'd say it's less
from a Okay, this is where we ended up going
into the draft, but like holistically in the off season,
as you like, as you enter February and you think, Okay,
here's what we think we're gonna do in free agency.

Speaker 3 (01:10:31):
Here the strengths and the.

Speaker 28 (01:10:32):
Weaknesses of the draft class, how does that match up
with the short and long term you know of the roster? Like, okay,
no secret, this was gonna be a really strong running
back class, right, Like everybody heard that going into the draft.
You know, we thought it made sense for us to
take a young back. You know, whether it was you
had thirty six where we did, or you know later
on and where you are in that room, does you know,

(01:10:54):
does factor into it? Won't drive the decision, but it is.
It is a part of the calculus.

Speaker 3 (01:10:58):
And then.

Speaker 26 (01:11:00):
Just one for you, Kevin, if you if you're in
a situation where you're you're playing a rookie quarterback, just
the fact that he's left handed, how much goes into that?

Speaker 6 (01:11:10):
If?

Speaker 3 (01:11:10):
If anything? Yeah, not a ton Nate.

Speaker 30 (01:11:13):
Uh, there's you know, the ball spirals a little bit differently,
but you know there's been plenty of examples of guys
and that have have done.

Speaker 3 (01:11:24):
It at a high level.

Speaker 7 (01:11:26):
Okay, Andrew, it seems everybody in the country is surprised
what's happening to Shador except everybody in the NFL. So
is what's happening to him being undrafted at this point
coincide with your ranking of him?

Speaker 3 (01:11:40):
You know what I think it's I think it's.

Speaker 28 (01:11:43):
Unfair for me to to comment in in I guess,
you know, maybe on behalf of the industry. All I
can say is this you know, the time that we
spent with Shador, you know, and what he's done throughout
his college career is impressive. He's an impressive he's an
impressive young man. He's a really he's a really good quarterback.

(01:12:05):
You know, sometimes you know, fit comes into play. And
I'd also say this, you know, there are there are
four more rounds of the draft, and then maybe lastly
it's it's it's less about where you get picked and
what you do after you get picked. You know, that's
the most that's really the most important thing. And you know,
knowing getting to know him over the course of the spring, like,

(01:12:26):
you know, he has a ton of resolve and I
think he's.

Speaker 3 (01:12:29):
Gonna find himself in a really good spot. Kevin, this
is fring more for you.

Speaker 16 (01:12:33):
But with with Quinn Sewn, Glenn sort of mentioned, you know,
one part of his game where he maybe needs to
prove a little bit is catching past his third down
sort of being used that way as you kind of
think through what this backfield looks like with him, obviously
I have Jerome Ford on the roster already. How do
you sort of see his role? Is it more like
a first down, second down thing? Like how are you
kind of picturing that coming together?

Speaker 18 (01:12:54):
You know?

Speaker 30 (01:12:54):
I think again, I would point out that these guys
are young and it's our job to develop them, and
they're not finished products.

Speaker 3 (01:13:02):
He has a.

Speaker 30 (01:13:02):
Very legit skill set right now and a skill set
that we can use and when he has the ball
in his hands, whether we hand it to him or
throw it to him, you know, we want to use
him in a bunch of different ways. But that's something
that will always with all of our players, identify things
that we're going to help them get better at. And
that's what That's what Deuce is here for. That's what
I'm here for, to help our guys reach that potential

(01:13:23):
because we're drafting young men here that are that are
you know, that are just not finished products.

Speaker 28 (01:13:29):
Can I make one other point on that if you
guys remember when we took Nick in twenty eighteen. You know,
his rookie year, he had a strong rookie year. But
the thought going into is like, okay, well, he can't
play on third down because he doesn't know he doesn't
catch it well enough. Like okay, like what's he going
to be like as a protector? And he spent that
whole offseason that was his focus. He's like, look, I'm
just going to catch a ton of passes, touch you know,
a ton of balls off the drug machine. I'm going

(01:13:50):
to be great on pass pro and he became a
good third down player for us. So to Kevin's point
about development and these being young guys, like none of
these players are being in his finished products, but part
of our job is to help them improve and grow,
you know, both on the field and off of it.

Speaker 5 (01:14:09):
And you're following up on what what Nate asked you,
does a pick of Carson say anything about ja Oka's
recovery from the injury, Like, does that signal that he's
not going to be good to go Scott?

Speaker 28 (01:14:23):
It doesn't like it, and it's it's it's the right question.
I totally understand, Like that did not drive the decision
for Carson. I want, I want to be.

Speaker 5 (01:14:31):
Clear there were completely healthy, would Carson still be in play?

Speaker 3 (01:14:35):
Absolutely?

Speaker 11 (01:14:36):
Yeah, absolutely, Just falling up on Carson Andrew he he
had one great year as a linebacker. What's it? Is
there a concern about just the mott, the short sample
size and also just as versatility on specialty and sow

(01:14:58):
much is that a benefit at least in the short term.

Speaker 28 (01:15:00):
Yeah, no, so it is something we you know, we
we talked about, like, yeah, you'd love to have a
robust sample.

Speaker 3 (01:15:05):
I think, honestly, that's probably part.

Speaker 28 (01:15:07):
Of the reason it was discountant, because you know, his
year is outstanding and physically, mentally, subjectively, objectively pretty hard
to find, you know, holes in his game in terms
of the kicking game part of it. You know, his speed,
his instincts, his tackling ability. It'll play well, you know,

(01:15:27):
as he contributes in that phase. And obviously he has
some experience doing it from college. So uh, you know,
we think that there's a nice, uh, a nice short
term and long term role for him.

Speaker 13 (01:15:38):
For either of you.

Speaker 21 (01:15:39):
One of the things that Harold talked about at Senior
Bowl was wanting to show coaches and gms that he
can block as well, and so what did you what
have you seen on film from him that he can
be a blocker in that role at tight end and
that he can grow in that area as well.

Speaker 28 (01:15:56):
Honestly, I think people just look at his weight and
assume he can't block, and because he's such a good
pass catcher. But I just think that's totally incorrect. Like
he shows plenty of that on film. You know, certainly
how we use him as a blocker may be different
than how we would use David just because of their
body types. But I just honestly, I think that's a
bit of a lazy narrative.

Speaker 30 (01:16:16):
Yeah, I think Kelsey's really When you're talking about tight ends,
there's so many different jobs that go into it, and
some of them are the traditional inline hand in the dirt.
Got to cut off a two hundred and eighty pounds
six technique who became a seven technique and that's really
hard for Then there's also jobs you have to be

(01:16:36):
from the backfield, coming across the line of scrimmage to
block the defensive end, or inserting as a you know,
a rap blocker on a gap scheme. So there's so much,
so many different jobs that come from that room. And
to AB's point, it's our job to put him in
position to succeed and not you know, ask him to
do things that are are not within the scope of

(01:16:57):
what his skill set is.

Speaker 1 (01:16:58):
That'll do it for this episode of the I'm the
Podium podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe to the
show wherever you get your podcasts. Keep it locked to
Cleveland Browns daily each weekday, and follow the Browns on
social media for more coverage from the Cross Country Mortgage
Campus right here in Berea. I'm Gabe Klea. Thanks for
listening to the From the Podium podcast