Giants Huddle | Senior Bowl Prospects: Part II

On this episode of the Giants Huddle podcast, John Schmeelk chats with a second group of players at the Senior Bowl.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time to get inside the Giants hut. Let's go,
Let's go Giant, The Giants give me some job. Part
of the Giants Podcast Network. Let's roll. Welcome to another
edition of the Giants Total Podcast, brought to you by Citizens,
the official bank of the New York Football Giants. I
am John Schmelk. It is part two of our Senior
Bowl coverage down here in Mobile.

Speaker 2 (00:21):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (00:21):
They've done a great job getting us a lot of
sit down interviews with these players, so we've split them
up for you. This is part two of our interview
series A bunch of guys. There might even be a
part three. I had to see how many more guys
I get on on Thursday out here. So here are
interviews from Wednesday at the Senior Bowl Mobile after practice
number one. Thank you for being with us and let's

(00:41):
get wrong all right.

Speaker 3 (00:43):
Now.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
We're joined by University of Miami running back Damian Martinez. Damian,
what's up in.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
Thank you for having me?

Speaker 1 (00:48):
No, I appreciate you coming on, man, this is great.
So you spend your first two years at Oregon State
before going to Miami. Whytch you this side to transfer.

Speaker 4 (00:54):
Just you know them new coaches that have coming in
just decided, you know, have Like the springball just wasn't
probably the best spot for me to prove I'm the
best at.

Speaker 1 (01:00):
So and playing in Miami is not exactly a bad
thing either, right, It's a pretty good city. Yeah, no,
for sure, absolutely, all right, you're the model of consistency, man, Like,
first year nine hundred and eight two yards, seven touchdowns,
next year eleven hundred yards, nine touchdowns, then one thousand
yards ten touchdowns, over six yards per carry every single year?

(01:20):
What is it about your game and how you prepared
that allows you to be so consistent?

Speaker 4 (01:24):
Just watching the defense, you know, how they tackle, who
really wants to make a play, who's their leading tackler,
how they tackle if I can get him a transition.
I mean just really just being consistent in how I
prepare is kind of lack. I mean shows it on
the stats, I guess, but yeah, just finishing every run
hard and just it's kind of what everybody sees from me.

Speaker 1 (01:39):
So yeah, now you've measured in a two hundred and
twenty six pounds. You look at a lot of the
running backs coming out of college football. Now on ninety
eight two o five, you're two twenty six. Right, what
is it about your size that you think and the
way you use it allows you to stand apart for
maybe some of the other backs in the class.

Speaker 4 (01:53):
I think I just carry it well, you know, yeah,
I just carry it what I feel like.

Speaker 5 (01:57):
I move.

Speaker 4 (01:57):
I'm pretty fluid in my movement, you know. Just my
vision allows me also to help me, you know, use
my feed and my weight. So yeah, just finishing runs
with my weight too. Everybody feels that.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
I was excited to see you this year at Miami,
and I'm sitting there during there, I'm like, all right,
twelve carries, thirteen carries, Like, what are they gonna like
give Damian the ball like twenty three times? Just let
them grind the hell out of the defense. Were you
kind of like pushing the coaches? Like, you know, guys,
I can handle more. I can go twenty two carries.
I can like pound this thing all day.

Speaker 4 (02:24):
No, you know it's always like something I talked about
or whatever. But nah, I would never like pound them
like that.

Speaker 2 (02:29):
You know.

Speaker 4 (02:29):
We had Mark Fletcher over there, so yeah, short Fletcher
and Jordan you know, everybody in the running back room
get that. But no, I mean just being still being
efficient with not really taking as much workload coming from
Oregon State to hear, I wouldn't really looking for, you know,
same workload or anything like that, just still being efficient.

Speaker 1 (02:44):
Is that something on that NFL? When I'm sure you've
met with NFL teams out here already. You know, you
get a bigger back. You want someone that can you know,
take on a large amount of carries. Is that something
some of these NFL teams will talk to you about
a little bit.

Speaker 5 (02:56):
Nah, not so much.

Speaker 4 (02:56):
I mean, you know, like just talking pretty normal stuff,
you know, kind of person I am, just how I
join the team, what I bring to the team, not
so much just me being down power back for them.

Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yeah, so what do you want to get across to
them when you have those beatings about Damie Martinez as
a guy and how you approach the game.

Speaker 4 (03:13):
I just I told him, really, you know, like I'm
kind of simple, you know, I'm easy to handle, just
love to be coached, and I'm bringing one hundred and
ten percent to everything I do. So just wanted to
I love football. I wanted to be around the team
on the field all the time. It's just what I
love to do. So yeah, I mean nothing much too.
I'm pretty simple, laid back guy.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
And then when you hit the practice field this week,
what do you want to show them about Damian Martinez
as a player?

Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yeah?

Speaker 4 (03:34):
No, just me being a three down back, you know,
catching the ball at the backfield, pass protection, having good
feet and pad level.

Speaker 5 (03:39):
Just things you need to be able to do at
the next level, you.

Speaker 1 (03:42):
Know, because it's funny in the game. It's one thing
when you play over the weekend, but I think you
know the whole thing about being running back. You want
to stop people from tackling, right, You're right, guys are
trying to tackle you, trying to make a mix. No
one's trying to tack you in practice, right, So is
it hard in a practice scenario for a running back
to show the evaluators every thing you can do just
because of the nature of the way the practice goes.

Speaker 4 (04:05):
In a way, I guess you know, But you know,
you just got to take advantage of every opportunity. Just
you got just show them what you got. So yeah,
just at the second level, through the line, everything.

Speaker 1 (04:12):
Now, did you I was a little surprised. I'm Mike
caf gives your head coach, Right's our offensive coordinator.

Speaker 3 (04:17):
Okay, right.

Speaker 1 (04:18):
Yeah, So you know a lot of times the first
day of practice Senior Bowl, they kind of slowly work
you guys in. They put you guys right in full
contact nine and seven on the first practice for a
running back. Was that pretty cool to go in there
and getting a chance to be physical right away.

Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (04:31):
No, it was just you know, chance opportunity to learn
this new offense and get in with it, get in
with the rhythm with the offensive line.

Speaker 2 (04:38):
It was pretty smooth. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (04:39):
What has it been like trying to learn an NFL
offense at a span of like forty eight hours.

Speaker 4 (04:43):
It's been smooth for me just because, you know, coming
from Oregon State and then going to Miami, it was
two different offensive systems. You know, Oregon State is more
of a West Coast I'm just under center the type
of offense, and then going to Miami more spread numeric systems.

Speaker 3 (04:53):
So it's been pretty easier for me.

Speaker 4 (04:54):
Just hearing everything over the last three years, it's kind
of the same, just different terminology.

Speaker 1 (04:58):
So nice.

Speaker 5 (04:58):
All right.

Speaker 1 (04:58):
I want to ask you abou a couple of your teammates.
So Elijah Royo, who kind of blew up in his
final year at Miami and he's having a heck of
a first day here as well. Just talk about his
athleticism and how that translated to him as as a
weapon at tight end.

Speaker 4 (05:12):
He's a big dude that can move, you know, just
he's a good, fast, fluid in his movement. Too fast
for a linebacker, you'll be too slow, too big for
a dB. So I mean he's a mismatch in the
past game and then dominant in the run game blocking.

Speaker 1 (05:24):
And then you have Xavier Roscheppo, who you look at
him and it's not the deal where he's going to
run the you know, four three, eight and he's you know,
six to three. But the dude just gets open all
the time. What allows him to work his craft to
be such an effective receiver given maybe the traits are
not off the charts.

Speaker 3 (05:37):
Yeah, I mean he's shifty, he's a smart player.

Speaker 4 (05:39):
He knows what he's doing, you know, knows he watches
film too, watches how the DB's cover. He's he's a
smart player for one. And then just using his ability,
you know, he's he's god hearing.

Speaker 1 (05:48):
So yeah, I want one of your offensive linemans. I
had not watched Jalen Rivers until I got here, and
I watched one one on ones yesterday. I don't think
he got beat. He was great, played multiple positions. Talk
about him as a guy an offensive lineman running by him.

Speaker 4 (06:00):
I think the year before I got there, the year
the year I got the year before I got there,
the season before that, I think he was at tackle
and they moved him a guard this year. But yeah,
he's real versus on the line. He's smart to do everything.
He's got long arms, he gets a hold of year
it's over. But he's a big dude, So yeah, he's good.

Speaker 1 (06:14):
All right. Final question. We haven't seen cam Warden either
All Star Game, but he had a great year for
you guys. The trait that stood out to me, at
least I'm curious to see is a guy that was
in the huddle with him. Guy never looked stressed. He
rushers around him. He just glides around, never looks rushed.
Everything's at his pace. What is about his personality and
his approach specifically to that that makes him a special player.

Speaker 4 (06:37):
I think he's just confident in everything he does. You know,
he says it. He tells like he said, He tells
him stuff every day. He's you know when you know what.
So yeah, I mean you could see it when just
in the huddle and he's talking, bringing us.

Speaker 2 (06:48):
Up every every day.

Speaker 4 (06:50):
You know, he's a motivational speaker for us and just yeah,
brings confidence to everybody just the way he plays and
you know how he does.

Speaker 1 (06:55):
He thinks, what's his leadership style?

Speaker 2 (06:58):
So he's real vocal.

Speaker 5 (06:59):
I mean, like he leaves.

Speaker 4 (07:00):
He brings confidence to everybody on the field, off the field,
just practice.

Speaker 2 (07:03):
He wants everything to be right.

Speaker 1 (07:04):
So yeah, gave me and best luck to wrest of you.

Speaker 6 (07:06):
Man.

Speaker 1 (07:06):
I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Speaker 5 (07:08):
All right.

Speaker 1 (07:08):
Now we're joined by Ole Miss, defensive lineman Walter No
and Walter. How are you man?

Speaker 2 (07:12):
I'm doing pretty good. What about you?

Speaker 1 (07:13):
I'm doing great? Man. All right, So you've been knocked
with THEE and I think it's kind of ridiculous. He's
an undersized defensive tackle. Right. I'm sure you've heard that
a bunch and I'm sure it's annoying. But what I
loved in one on ones yesterday when I sat there
and I watched the tape later on the night, it
seems like you had it in your head. I'm gonna
try to do a little psycho analysis here, and you
tell me if I'm off. You just put your two

(07:34):
hands into those and all those first two reps into
those offensive lineman. I said, oh, you think I'm on
the size, I'm going to power these guys right into
the lap of the quarterback both times, and you just
really move them against their will. Was that part of
your mindset going into those first couple one on one, Joe,
just just trying to show off your power?

Speaker 7 (07:50):
Oh?

Speaker 8 (07:51):
Yes, saying though you know, I don't really try to
let other people say a FAGNI, but you know, just
hearing some people's saying they think I'm probably a low
weak but I'm under side. But I mean just line
up across from me. You gonna find out.

Speaker 1 (08:07):
Yeah, And I think they found out in those doing
one goes yesterday. You really move those guys. Did a
great job. When you sit down in meetings with NFL
scouts this week, you're gonna talk to you know, GMS people,
team personnel. What are you trying to get across? Know
about Walter Nolan as a person.

Speaker 8 (08:23):
Really just opening up, you know, just giving my side
so you know in this situation, you know they don't
they don't really know about you.

Speaker 2 (08:32):
They just know of you, you know, from other people.

Speaker 8 (08:34):
So just really just giving them my side and just
trying to open up and try to start building early relationships.

Speaker 1 (08:41):
Now you waiting six three two ninety three thirty three
inch arms? How do you use your length as a
rusher as an advantage? Because as a tackle thirty three
in charms, those are pretty long arms.

Speaker 8 (08:52):
Really, just you know, just trying to keep extension, you know,
keep them off. You know, the closer up off is
alignment on you is the hardest going to be to
get an offie.

Speaker 2 (09:02):
So just trying and keep you sensient.

Speaker 1 (09:03):
Yeah, absolutely, Uh you started off at Texas A and
M before transferring. Why did you transfer? And did your
expectations get met where you're happy with the move after
all of a sudden done.

Speaker 2 (09:12):
Uh.

Speaker 8 (09:12):
Yeah, the only thing that that I kind of missed
was the playoff situation.

Speaker 2 (09:16):
But it is what it is. You know.

Speaker 8 (09:20):
When I transferred, I just wanted to go have a
better season like on all shiling dudes, like on and
out the field, and I can't complain old miss of
me even become successful with them.

Speaker 1 (09:30):
Yeah, you had, you had seven sacks and you were
a great team around you. What was about that environment
that you think helped get the most out of you?

Speaker 8 (09:37):
Uh? Really just coming in and already seeing like the culture,
the foundation of the culture that they hardy built with
all the scene that was still there. And it's kind
of just me trying to come and add on.

Speaker 1 (09:48):
Honestly, what do you if I if I asked you
what your go to movies as the past rusher, how
would you answer that?

Speaker 6 (09:54):
Uh?

Speaker 2 (09:55):
Like, established some type of power move to counter.

Speaker 1 (09:58):
Off of how much in preparation for these games? And
I talked to Jared about this is studying your opponent
and learning their strengths and weakness so you know how
to attack them and kind of winning the mental part
of that game.

Speaker 2 (10:10):
And I feel like it's probably about sixty seventy of
the game.

Speaker 8 (10:14):
You know it's gonna if you can study your point,
if you can study your opponent, that make your job
easier when it comes to the game time.

Speaker 1 (10:21):
So I just like, yeah, yeah, absolutely, man, I think
that's a big part of it. What are some of
the things that you're kind of in the shop. Now
you're gonna leave here, You're gonna go train, get ready
for the combine What are some of the things that
you think you're really working on right now, trying to
get better at just.

Speaker 8 (10:37):
Really everything, for starting, like my technique and just kind
of just working on my pad level, trying to stay
low in some of those one on well not necessarily
one on one situations, but like in those rent situations.
Just working on being more solid in the ring game,
not losing my feet as much, and just overall just
becoming a better player.

Speaker 2 (10:57):
Where are you training Orange County?

Speaker 1 (11:00):
Out of you very good. I'm gonna ask you about
couple of your teammates. I Jared Ivy here, he had
really nice to say about you. And how about Jared
Ivy as a player. I mean, you know, yeah, he
podcast king right podcasting now.

Speaker 8 (11:13):
He he a pretty good, pretty cool dude. You know
a lot of people think he not physical, but you know,
I feel like he can. He can actually be one
of the most physical players in the league. I feel
like the reason they think he not so physical is
because he I feel like he wanted the smarter players
in the game, so he don't a lot of stuff
that we be doing he don't have to do just

(11:34):
because you don't, he don't figure it out. The way
around it. You know, I don't know, I just feel
like he's a very experienced player here. It's pretty uh.
He he very well coachable. He a great teammate in
the most part. He'll help you with anything. And I
really just feel like he want of those older guys
you kind of lean on if.

Speaker 1 (11:54):
You need something and then you're a princely luman Yalen.
He's one of your edge rushers, really fun guy to watch,
gets up field, very athletic. What makes him an effective player.

Speaker 8 (12:03):
Really just his being here. I mean, I like he
can be in the corner like like some of the best.
So watching him be in the corner all year, it's
been it's been pretty fun to watch, honestly.

Speaker 1 (12:14):
How about your Jpigeese.

Speaker 8 (12:16):
He just a doll he you know, we call him
the mayor just because you know, he from Oxford. You know,
he just he's just a good spirited person. He always
a good person.

Speaker 2 (12:25):
To have around.

Speaker 1 (12:26):
How about your one backer Chris Paul And you know.

Speaker 2 (12:30):
I don't know what child.

Speaker 8 (12:31):
I don't know if y'all know what a crash out is,
but that's Pool Paul and that that's really what you
need as a linebacker. Honestly, you know, it don't matter
what it is, Pool gonna go hit it for sure.

Speaker 2 (12:41):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (12:41):
The the quote Jared Ivy gave me on him is
that he's always talking. He's always talking, always communicating and
talking talking.

Speaker 2 (12:48):
Yeah, he always gonna talk. He might bring you into
little trouble.

Speaker 1 (12:53):
That's good.

Speaker 2 (12:54):
I like that.

Speaker 1 (12:55):
How about a couple of guys on offense, I want
to ask you about how about Trey Harris wide receiver?
What makes him a dynamic weapon?

Speaker 2 (13:02):
Really?

Speaker 8 (13:02):
Just I feel like it said mindset. You know, every
time he stepped on the field, he gonna tell you,
but can't nobody me, you know, I feel like he
showed it for the most part. Like, in my opinion,
he oneted the best receivers coming out right now. And
even if a lot of people don't see it right now,
they gonna see it when he gets to the league
for sure.

Speaker 6 (13:21):
No.

Speaker 1 (13:21):
Absolutely. And then I gotta sk about your leader, Jackson
dart on offense. Uh, what made him such an effective
leader and player for you guys over his career there?

Speaker 8 (13:29):
Uh? Really, I feel like this is that versus you know,
it's a quarterback. You're not really supposed to get hit
as much as Jackson Dart do. But you know he
never flinched, you know, every time he got back up.

Speaker 1 (13:41):
He's like a really cool customer.

Speaker 6 (13:43):
Right.

Speaker 8 (13:43):
Yeah, he'll do whatever for the team, honestly. Now, uh,
he hate to lose, which is really any any football player.
I feel like, you know, I feel like it's just competitive.
Is a quarterback you don't really find It's kind of
hard to find it in the quarterbacks sometimes.

Speaker 1 (14:00):
Awesome, Hey, Walter, this is great getting olia. Thank you
so much for the time, and good luck the rest
of the week.

Speaker 2 (14:04):
Right, thank you.

Speaker 5 (14:05):
All right.

Speaker 1 (14:05):
Now we're joined by Darian Porter, cornerback from Ioways. Say, Darian,
how are you man?

Speaker 5 (14:09):
Great man, honored to be here down in Mobile?

Speaker 1 (14:12):
All right, talk about it. How do you think your
first practice went on Tuesday? We're talking Wednesday morning.

Speaker 7 (14:17):
Yeah, it went well, obviously, you know, kind of trying
to get back into football mode.

Speaker 5 (14:21):
So getting back on the field.

Speaker 7 (14:23):
It felt great to be out there competing against you know,
all these high level guys. You know, some of the
best of the best in college football are here. So
you know, it's a lot of fun. It's a great honor.
But you know, I think it went, it went well,
so far.

Speaker 1 (14:34):
Did you have anything on the checklist that you wanted
to prove to NFL valuas that are here about your
game on the field when you have a chance to
get out there practice.

Speaker 7 (14:42):
Yeah, so I'm really what I want all the NFL
guys to see is a confident corner. You know, obviously
you could look at me, you see the physical traits.
You know, you see the potential, But you know, I
want to show that it's more than this potential. You
know that I belong out here competing against these guys.
You know that I could, I could take the ball away,
I could shut down a guy and I press and

(15:04):
you know, just be the shut down corner that they
envision it.

Speaker 1 (15:07):
Well, you measured in six two, one hundred ninety seven pounds.
You have good length, good size for a corner. How
do you utilize that that length and size in the
way you play the position?

Speaker 7 (15:16):
You know, obviously just getting close and trying to make
receivers as uncomfortable as possible, particularly impressed and all our
man coverages, you know, using that length at the line,
using it in the route, you know, trying to use
the physicality of weighing on hundred ninety seven pounds, you know,
trying to trying to make the receivers as uncomfortable as
possible by getting in their space and you know, trying

(15:37):
to disrupt the timing between them and the quarterback.

Speaker 1 (15:39):
So when you we talked about the field stuff, how
about when you get in front of these NFL decision
makers in the many meetings I'm sure you're having this week,
what are some of the things you want to get
across them about you as a guy in terms of
how you approach the game.

Speaker 5 (15:50):
Uh, you know that they're getting a competitor.

Speaker 7 (15:52):
You know, I think that the one thing about me
is like I want to be the best, and uh,
you know, I'm willing to do whatever it takes and
go up against anyone else to prove that I can be.
That's just kind of how I'm wired. So, you know,
fierce competitor, willing to do whatever. And uh, you know,
some some people are concerned about age and experience, but uh,
you know, I think just looking at the progression I've

(16:14):
made over the last couple of years at quarnerback, making
that transition from receiver to defensive back, you know, you
see great growth every.

Speaker 5 (16:20):
Year, and I think this game was just getting better
every single game.

Speaker 1 (16:24):
What do you think with the tough sports about making
that transition from receiver to defensive back and on the
other side of that, what skill do you think crossed
over and really helped you.

Speaker 7 (16:33):
Yeah, I think obviously switching from offense to defense, there's
a little bit of a mentality switch. You kind of
have to play with a bigger chip on your shoulder
on defense. It's physical and you got to go backwards too.

Speaker 2 (16:43):
Yeah.

Speaker 7 (16:44):
Yeah, but moving backwards is a little different from you know,
backpending with a guy running at you full speed is
a little different from being on the opposite side of that.
But uh, you know, that just took some time, took repetition.
But I think I'm in a great spot and I
feel very comfortable and confident in my ability now. But
some things, you know, you kind of learn take with
you from from the offense to the defensive side. It

(17:05):
kind of helps you out kind of knowing looking at formation,
looking at receiver splits, kind of get an idea of
what you know what might be coming, so you can
kind of already paint a picture pre snap of what
the offense might do based off down in distance based
off the situation of the game and stuff like that.

Speaker 1 (17:21):
You're more of a man guy and more of his
own guy. What do you like to play?

Speaker 5 (17:23):
I like to play man. I like man, but you
know I don't have a problem playing either one.

Speaker 1 (17:26):
Why do you like to play man?

Speaker 5 (17:28):
I think it just suits me.

Speaker 7 (17:29):
Like fast, long, physical, you know, can really can really
utilize my full traits in man coverage for.

Speaker 1 (17:37):
Sure, use your length and press and kind of get
them in a little bit.

Speaker 5 (17:39):
Absolutely awesome.

Speaker 1 (17:40):
I want to ask you about two your teammates looking
before you say goodbye to your former wide receiver buddies,
guys you get to cover and practice a little bit
very different types of receivers but also very effective. You
have Jilen Noel, who's kind of your really fast slotty
type guy. Then you have your bigger outside receiver, Jadena Higgins.
Give me the scattered report on those two.

Speaker 7 (17:56):
Yeah, so, I mean you kind of already hit it,
but you know Jalen's are lot receiver, fast as hell,
you know, great but great hands to match, and he's
physical and.

Speaker 1 (18:06):
Vertical slot like you who want like on these slot
guys are quicker than fast her.

Speaker 7 (18:11):
He's got the long speed you know, and you saw
a little bit of that, uh yesterday during one on ones.
But you know, not only physically gifted, but you know,
one of the hardest workers we have. He was a
team captain two years in a row. You know, really
looked up to on the football team and very well
respected and uh, you know, it was fun sharing the
receiver room with him for a year, but it was

(18:33):
even better being able to compete against him every day
at practice. And then Jaden, Yeah, he's your tall outside
XZ guy, very very sudden.

Speaker 5 (18:43):
You know, he's got great releases.

Speaker 7 (18:46):
You know, he's he doesn't I don't know if he
gets as much credit for this athleticism as he should.
You know, he people don't think he's gonna run super
fast the combine. I think he's gonna run great. He
runs great in game. He's got great hands, he's physical,
he's all every bit of his six four two fifteen frames.
So you know, he knows his body, knows how to
use it to his advantage and obviously saw that this year.

Speaker 5 (19:07):
Both of them had very productive seasons.

Speaker 1 (19:09):
It's funny sometimes with the taller guys on tape, they
have such long strides, they don't look fast, but they're moving.

Speaker 5 (19:16):
Yeah, for sure.

Speaker 7 (19:17):
I think that's definitely one of the things with Jaye two,
Like he's got tall, like you said, tall long strider,
but you know he gets going like he can he
can run for sure.

Speaker 5 (19:26):
Awesome.

Speaker 1 (19:26):
Hey, really nice getting to meet you, Darian. Thank you
so much and you good luck the rest of the week.

Speaker 5 (19:30):
Absolutely, thank you so much.

Speaker 1 (19:32):
The Giants Total Podcast is brought to you by Citizens,
the Official Bank of the Giants. From game day celebrations
to your everyday financial needs, Big Blue fans can get
the most out of every moment with Citizens. Learn more
at citizensbank dot com slash giants hoddle.

Speaker 3 (19:44):
Up, get in here.

Speaker 1 (19:46):
If you're lined up here, you gotta go over the
middle with at the score great.

Speaker 6 (19:50):
How do we make that happen?

Speaker 1 (19:52):
I don't know, but Citizens does. It makes sense of
your money with Citizens, Official Bank of Eli Manning. All right,
now we're joined by Ole Miss defensive lineman Jared Ivy.

Speaker 2 (20:02):
Jared.

Speaker 1 (20:02):
What's going on man?

Speaker 9 (20:04):
Not too much man, just having fun out heromobile and
ready to keep working.

Speaker 1 (20:07):
See you how some people I have to tell you know,
can you get a little bit closer to the mic
for me? But you're like a podcast pro. I don't
have to tell you about Mike Edi cant tell the
folks about what you know, your your Ivy League podcast.

Speaker 9 (20:16):
Yeah, host of the show with on three and the
Ole Missed Spirit called Ivy League that you know. I
brought my teammates on week by week and interviewed them
and kind of, you know, put them in front of
the fans and kind of gave face the name to
a lot of our teammates.

Speaker 1 (20:29):
Yeah, and we're going to talk about a lot of
your teammates. You have so many Ole Miss players heading
into the pros this year. Wanted to talk to you
about all those guys. So after two years you decided
to go from Georgia Tech to Ole Miss. Why'd you
decide to transfer and didn't meet all your expectations going there?

Speaker 2 (20:41):
Yeah?

Speaker 9 (20:41):
I wanted to, you know, put myself around the best competition.
Playing the SEC was kind of my main goal. And
then yeah, I just wanted to win. And you know,
we didn't do a lot of winning that Tech, and
and I wanted to be a part of a winning
culture in college and compete for a national championship.

Speaker 2 (20:55):
So I made the change.

Speaker 1 (20:56):
Yeah, and it certainly checked all those boxes. I think, right,
great competition. You guys a ton of games, and we
saw your production each year just kind of tick up
one from three and a half sacks, five and a
half sacks and close out with seven sacks. Where do
you think you saw the most improvement in your game
throughout your time? It all misses you grew as a player.

Speaker 9 (21:11):
Yeah, Russian, you know, is one thing, But I would
say the biggest improvement of my game is physicality and
just versatility, being able to play inside and outside.

Speaker 1 (21:20):
Where where are you most comfortable? If I told you
it's a big third and ten, you need to get
to the quarterback. Where do you want to line up?

Speaker 9 (21:27):
I'm mature, d end man. I love to Russian to tackle,
you know, play a five. But that question is is
so loaded because I've won so many times inside as well.

Speaker 1 (21:36):
Like That's why I asked the question.

Speaker 9 (21:37):
I love Russian from a three. I love rushing from
a five. I got to sack this year from a
two eye as well. My first year here or at
all miss I rushed from a zero nose at times,
so you know, just anywhere.

Speaker 1 (21:47):
And then I guess imagine going into these games and
you need to study all these linemen, right, and you
got to figure out all right, maybe against this guy
he doesn't handle power too well. This guy I got
to use more by quickness and speed. How much is
that studying part of your preparation? No, you can line
up against so many different guys over the course of
the game.

Speaker 2 (22:02):
Wow, that's a great question. You know.

Speaker 9 (22:05):
Wednesday is our is our pass rush study day where
we cut up all the offensive linemen, all the all
the subs and and kind of give them a rundown. Hey,
this guy he uses his hands like this. This guy
he has this type of change of direction. This guy
has this type of power to build a plan for
the entire offensive line. A lot of a lot of
guys on our defensive line have played in a lot
of different spots, and it's good to see every guy

(22:27):
at every position. And uh, you know what from your
bag is going to work against?

Speaker 2 (22:31):
What guy?

Speaker 1 (22:32):
What are your goals this week? You out there on
the field, you want to show or prove something to
NFL evaluators and coaches. What do you want to show them?

Speaker 9 (22:37):
I just want to keep playing super physical, choking guys out,
continuing to rush well and then yeah, really get into
the rocket and being a high motor high every guy.

Speaker 1 (22:47):
You know, you do a lot of one on one
pass rush shows. That's all the attention. But I imagine
for for a lot of defensive linemen it's it's the
run rolls that you want to kind of get involved
in it and really sink your teeth into you. Guys
said full contact nine on seven yesterday?

Speaker 2 (23:00):
Right, yes, sir?

Speaker 1 (23:00):
What was that like? You know, day one pads on
first practice. You know, maybe we're gonna try to slowly
get into this. No, no, no, no, full contact tackling
nine on seven drills.

Speaker 9 (23:09):
Yeah, the team periods were really nice. Being able to
open back up and run to the ball and get
to the ball, things like that, get out of get
out of the stack. Yeah, it was It was nice
to just play real football. You know, we haven't played
since you know, January tewod and Yeah, getting out there
and being able to not know if it's runner pass
like like it is in one on ones and be

(23:30):
able to use your intuition and instincts.

Speaker 2 (23:33):
Again, it's been a great feeling.

Speaker 1 (23:36):
National team did full nine on seven. American did not,
so I apologize for that.

Speaker 9 (23:39):
Yeah, we went straight team eleven and eleven.

Speaker 1 (23:42):
Yeah, absolutely, All right, let's talk about some of your teammates.
Walter Nolan. I thought he was dominant yesterday. What makes
him tech? What makes him special?

Speaker 9 (23:50):
They had a great day, really disruptive guy, like, you know,
unbelievable get off and twitch. Yeah, and then a crazy
amount of strength for his size, like you know, being
able to just affect plays immediately on the snop.

Speaker 1 (24:02):
You know, it's funny. I was watch him yesterday and
we're gonna have him later. I'm going to ask him this.
You know, he's been tagged with the undersized line of
two ninety whatever. I feel like in those one on
ones his first two reps, he's like, no, no, I'm
going to show him that undersize. He just put his
two hands on the defensive lineman and just push them
right back into the quarter pack. It's pretty impressive.

Speaker 2 (24:20):
Yeah.

Speaker 9 (24:20):
I know he's a stunt man, and I don't understand
the undersized comparisons and stuff like that. He seems like
a Holmo size interior defensive lineman to me. Crazy strength.
So you know, I understand the games evolving in length
and this and that, but guy's got arms the length
of light poles. So you know he's able to use

(24:41):
that strength and that length to be really really disruptive inside.

Speaker 1 (24:45):
Absolutely Prince prince Lyaman Mialen, who is one of your
outside rushers. What makes him a special outside edge rusher
that team should draft early this year.

Speaker 2 (24:54):
Yeah.

Speaker 9 (24:55):
And you know when you add that extreme length, sixty
six guy with unbelievable speed and quickness first step, yeah,
you get a really good prospect. He Yeah, he has
an unbelievable dip bend around the edge that that he
pairs really nicely with the with the spin as a
change up. So yeah, just an unbelievable rusher. H pretty

(25:17):
unblockable at times, and definitely has the ability to take
over games.

Speaker 1 (25:21):
So many guys I can't touch them all. How about
Chris Paul, your linebacker.

Speaker 9 (25:24):
Yeah, one of the most reliable guys I played with.
Hell of a communicator. The guy doesn't stop talking. He
wore the green Dove for us this year.

Speaker 3 (25:32):
Uh.

Speaker 9 (25:32):
You know, a guy that can get everybody lined up,
communicate to the front end, to the back end. So yeah,
just a really really smart player. But then when you
pair that with how hard he plays, how fast he is,
how strong he is, you get a really really good linebacker.

Speaker 1 (25:47):
And then how about JJ Pigeez, he's a guy that
I watched earlier in the week. Uh, just I think
not enough people talk about him. He's a pretty physical player.

Speaker 9 (25:55):
Yeah, he's definitely one of the one of the biggest
underrated guys in this draft class. Super physical, but with
the offensive background, Like he's got great feet, really smooth
as a rusher, and then really strong and sturdy in
the run game. Like guy really understands leverage and how
to play in attack blocks, his great block recognition inside.

(26:17):
So yeah, just another really disruptive guy that we had
in the interior this past year.

Speaker 1 (26:22):
And then Jackson Dort I want to ask about him.
You win against him in practice, obviously you've seen him
be super productive in a lot of games this year,
make a lot of big throws and throw a lot
of touchdowns for you guys. For NFL teams looking at him,
he's here at the Senior Bowl this week. If people
overreact to the first day with the quarterbacks, I don't
understand that the throw into these receivers for the first time.
I mean, what do you expect? But what makes him

(26:42):
a leader and someone NFL team should marry their franchise.

Speaker 9 (26:45):
Yeah. Man, Well, first of all, he's a gunslinger. You know,
you don't get to be a leader, you don't get
to be a guy. You don't get to be a
player without being an elite passer.

Speaker 5 (26:53):
Sure, you know.

Speaker 9 (26:54):
So he can make every throw up and down the
field and pairs that really well with a nice rushing attack.
He went for I think four hundred five hundred yards
this year.

Speaker 1 (27:05):
Yeah, he can move a little bit. Underrated as an athlete.

Speaker 9 (27:07):
Very underrated as an athlete. But as far as the
leader goes, you know, laid that guy real honest. You know,
he takes a friendly approach, you know, a best friend
kind of guy. You know a lot of a lot
of guys think probably he's their best friend. And yeah,
he's just just a cool cat man, you know, West
Coast guy.

Speaker 1 (27:26):
Awesome, Jared, Hey, good luck the rest of the league. Man,
we appreciate the time.

Speaker 2 (27:29):
Thank you. I appreciate you having me on.

Speaker 1 (27:31):
All right, we are back here and now we're joined
by Edge rusher Land and Jackson Lyndon.

Speaker 6 (27:35):
How are you man, really excited to be around the
guys and everything?

Speaker 1 (27:37):
That's terrific? How do you think the first day of
practice went for you.

Speaker 6 (27:40):
Definitely a lot to clean up, you know, I went
well though, it went well, kind of filed into the system,
kind of just learned it all and kind of got
got my feet back in the sand, you know, so
just getting back used to having pads on, running around,
being out there.

Speaker 1 (27:54):
What is that process like for you trying to absorb
an NFL defense in the span of like forty eight hours.

Speaker 6 (27:59):
It's actually not that rough because it's just kind of
the the basic, the just kind of the base. We're
not running a whole lot of pressure, a whole lot
of everything, so it's really not too rough. Only really
got two to three things I gotta do, so it's
not that bad at all.

Speaker 1 (28:10):
So how quickly did it? How long did it take
for you to kind of get into the groove and
feel natural again in pads going against some of the
best players in the country.

Speaker 6 (28:18):
Yeah, really, I guess towards the end of practice yesterday,
you know, so really trying to pick it up today
and tomorrow and have really dominant days.

Speaker 1 (28:25):
Yeah, and they ran those one on ones fairly early
in practice, right, So was that one of those deals
where you look back, all right now that I'm feeling
a little bit more. I feel like I could do
a little bit one on one.

Speaker 6 (28:34):
Yeah, just a lot of getting a feel from my
stance again, getting a lot getting the feel for just
going against another person again, you know, so really trying
to just go out there and have a dominant one
on one period a day.

Speaker 1 (28:44):
Yeah. I mean, though you are big, and you are tall,
and you're long, right, I think if I was to,
you know, summarize your traits, that's how I would do it.
How would you describe your game once you get on
the field and you try to utilize those traits?

Speaker 6 (28:55):
Yeah, I mean, definitely a mixture of all those, but
also just really try flying around making plays, you know,
being on the ball. So that's probably one of the
biggest things I prided myself on.

Speaker 1 (29:04):
What do you think is the kind of core of
your pass rush game that really makes you tick as
a guy that gets after the quarterback?

Speaker 6 (29:11):
Yeah, I mean I really I really use my I'm
real long livered, so I try to use my length
a lot, you know, and have a few counter moves
like a cross, chops stuff like that that I really
try to utilize as well.

Speaker 1 (29:21):
And then I think when when I watch you on tape,
and I know the pass rush in the sacks is
the sexy stuff, the stuff that everyone cares about, right,
But the way you set the edge in the run game,
it looks like that's something that you really take pride in.

Speaker 6 (29:32):
Oh yeah for sure, because I mean, going into college,
that's the only wea they're gonna put you on the
field is if you can you can set the edge
and stop the run. So that's something I really prouded
myself on as well early in my college career.

Speaker 1 (29:41):
Anything that you know, either you for from Scouts, Scouts
or you've seen on the internet, which who knows. I
mean what people say on there, it's crazy that you
want to go out there and prove people wrong these weeks.
Hey you don't think I can do that? No, no, no, no,
watch this, I can do that.

Speaker 2 (29:55):
Yeah.

Speaker 6 (29:55):
Really just go out there and dominate some one on
one reps. You know, I feel I feel like I
gotta I mean the sc out to know I'm I'm
really good with learning playbooks and they saw the film
and so I could play well, but really so that
I could play well under pressure and everything too. Just
kind of in this short span of time, not having
a whole lot of time to get prepped for it
and just so and I can go out there and

(30:15):
do it.

Speaker 1 (30:16):
Who are some of the toughest offensive linemen you went
up against in conference play this year?

Speaker 6 (30:21):
Yeah, I definitely say Will Campbell, Kelvin Banks, menbel from
Missouri is really talented as well, so that was a
good name.

Speaker 3 (30:29):
Yeah, definitely those three for sure.

Speaker 1 (30:30):
As soon as you happens when you play in that conference, man,
you get in the face of the best of the best,
right sure, How does that help honde you as a
player and make you a better football player?

Speaker 6 (30:39):
I think it definitely prepares you a lot for NFL,
you know. I mean you're going against multiple guys. You're
going against a guy every week that will most likely
be playing at the next level, So it definitely prepares
you for that. Obviously, it's not the same because I mean,
once you get there, this guy's only going to advance
so much more so, of course, but it's just just
knowing I could do it, just based off of being
able to do it in this So that's the biggest

(31:01):
thing that I think it kind of helps you with.

Speaker 1 (31:04):
When you get into the meetings you talk about the
on the field stuff. You have a lot of meetings
this week, gms with scouts and coaches and stuff like that.
What do you want to get across to them about
you as a person and how you approach the game.

Speaker 6 (31:15):
Yeah, really, you're you're not getting someone you're not gonna get.
I mean, I won't be somebody that'll ever be a
problem for the program, you know, a burden for the program.
I'm only my main goal is to go in early
and make an impact early, you know, make an impact
on other players. Really go in there and help out
any way. I can be dominant on defense, special teams
all that. So that's the biggest point I tried making

(31:36):
known to them.

Speaker 1 (31:38):
Do you prefer playing in a two point stance or
a three point stance?

Speaker 3 (31:41):
I definitely prefer three point stance.

Speaker 5 (31:43):
Why.

Speaker 6 (31:44):
I just feel like, I mean, I'm naturally really tall,
so tend to tend to get my pads high, and
I feel like out of the three point stance it's
able to keep my pads lower a little bit longer.

Speaker 1 (31:54):
Is that one of the things that that you're constantly
trying to fight giving your height, trying to make sure
you maintain your leverage.

Speaker 6 (31:58):
Oh yeah, That's something I've always had to worry about
my whole career, you know, because the moment, I mean,
with how long I am, moment you get a little
bit over over extended, you have no more power, just
stuff like that, you know. So really trying to just
really trying to stay low and stay together, you know,
because with my length, I get overextended. That's star leaning right,
weight spending my weights, my weights so unproportional. So yeah,

(32:21):
really just trying to, i mean, utilize my my length,
but not let it hurt me.

Speaker 1 (32:27):
So maybe you already answered the question what are you
kind of working on in the shop right now? When
you leave here, you go train, you're starting to get
ready for the league. What are some of the major
things that you're working on.

Speaker 6 (32:35):
Yeah, really my my pad level and then my strike
at the point of attech, you know, really kind of
shocking guys more something I'm really trying to develop more
and just consistently get better at really everything. Really nobody's
perfect in their game at at this time at all,
So really just trying to develop in every way possible.

Speaker 1 (32:55):
But we can't wait to see out there get another
run of those one on ones day lending thank you,
thank you. You have a good one all right now,
joined by UCF running back r J. Hart Harvey, RJ.
Horrey Man.

Speaker 3 (33:03):
I'm great.

Speaker 10 (33:04):
It's been a great experience here so far. It's blessed
to be here. You know, everybody doesn't get this opportunity.
I'm just soaking it all in right now.

Speaker 1 (33:11):
What are your goals this week in terms of on
and off the field, getting a chance to show off
for coaches.

Speaker 10 (33:15):
Yeah, just my goal is this week just taking in
as much as I can, learn as much as I can.
You know, this this system that we're running in this
office is it's a lot different than what we did
at UCF. So just trying to get used to the
pro style system and yeah, just take it all in,
go out there, do my best, win all my one
on ones. Uh you know, win all my one on

(33:36):
ones with the past protest drills that we'll do today
and uh yeah, that's that's basically it.

Speaker 1 (33:41):
Yeah, I want to fall up on two of those.
I'll start the pass protection as you brought that up
as a guy that's extremely dynamic, and we'll talk about
your game and a good receiver. How important is it
for you to show teams that you can be trusted
to be on the field to utilize those skills by
being able to protect the passer.

Speaker 3 (33:57):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's definitely important for me.

Speaker 10 (33:59):
You know, my goal, my dream in the in the
next level is to you know, be a be a
four down back, you know, I want to I want
to be a starter. I want to be a starter
one day and uh be a be a be one
of the best in the league. So it's very important,
you know, to be considered the best. You know, you
gotta be able to do everything. You know, you gotta
be able to catch the bar at the batfield, you

(34:20):
gotta be able to pass parte. You gotta be able
to run every scheme. So yeah, I just want to
you know, just learn, learn everything that I can and
get better at it.

Speaker 1 (34:28):
What are the things that are most challenging for pass
protection for you? Is it the mental part of it?
Is it the actual physical like taking on the block.
What are the things that you're really trying to fine
tune in that department, see you become a better pass protect.

Speaker 10 (34:40):
I'm definitely willing to uh pass protect. It's just my technique.
Got to clean up my technique, you know, keep my
hands inside. You know a lot of times my hands
will get outside the frame of linebackers and uh, defensive
backs and stuff like that. You know, just just got
to get my hands right technique wise.

Speaker 1 (34:55):
Absolutely, all right. You mentioned trying to learn a new
type of NFL offense. Well your coach, your offensive oinators,
Joel Thomas. Yeah, he's your OCA, he's all running backs coach.
He said he's trying this week not to put his
head in the running back for him too much? Does
the show is biased? What has it been like working
with him and trying to learn that offense from him
this week?

Speaker 3 (35:11):
Yeah? Uh, coach Tom, he's been he's been great. Learn
from him. He's he's very energetic. He is right, very energetic.

Speaker 10 (35:18):
You know, it's been great learn from him and uh
hearing his differently lingo and yeah, it's been great so far.

Speaker 1 (35:27):
So this is a stack running back class, right, It's
one of the better running back classes I've seen. I've
watched a bunch of they guys, and I be honest
with you, I'm just not not because you're sitting here.
You might have been my favorite guy to watch. You're explosive,
you get the ball in your hand, change direction, you accelerate,
you go from zero to sixteen. I feel like snap
of a finger really quickly. What is it about your
game that's allowed you? I mean twenty twenty three or
fourteen hundred rushing yards this year? Fifteen hundred rushing yards.

(35:50):
If you were to, if a team was to ask you,
what makes you tick as a player, what trait specifically
makes you a great running back? What would you tell them?

Speaker 3 (35:59):
First of all, I'm I'm an extreme competitor.

Speaker 6 (36:01):
You know.

Speaker 10 (36:01):
I want to go out there and just dominate every play.
I want to go you know, my mentality every every
run play is just go score. You know, I want
I want to hit a big one.

Speaker 3 (36:11):
And uh, you know, just I'm versatile, you know, I
feel like I can do everything.

Speaker 1 (36:18):
You know, Yeah, so you want to hit a big
one on every play. Look, we'd take one Barkley and
I think he had that same mentality. Right, He's trying
to run for sixty yards in every play? Is it
also a battle though? Sometimes to be willing to say,
all right, maybe I can't get sixty on his play,
but if I stick my nose in there instead of
losing to I might gain three. Is that something that
you're kind of fight with us sometimes not trying to

(36:39):
always make the big play and sometimes just take the
nerdy yards when they're there.

Speaker 10 (36:42):
Yeah, definitely, Yeah, that's definitely what I actually talked to
some of some disgusts that I talked to yesterday. I
definitely talked to them about that and told them that's
something I need to improve on. You know, sometimes I'm
looking for the big play instead of getting those two yards,
those three yards, And yeah, I'm definitely definitely when I
get to the league, I'll get my those dirt to
get in that pile and get those rough yards.

Speaker 1 (37:04):
What were some of your favorite games or moments in
your times that at UCF.

Speaker 10 (37:09):
Of favorite moments at UCF, I'll say scoring the game
winning touchdown against Cincinnati and twenty twenty two, going over
two hundred yards against Oklahoma State, and also just going
crazy against Arizona and Arizona State this past year.

Speaker 1 (37:27):
You're a few of those games, by the way, Yeah, Yeah,
I had a few.

Speaker 10 (37:29):
I had a few TCU as well. I went crazy
against TCU. That probably was my best game.

Speaker 3 (37:36):
Yeah, I got a lot. I got a lot.

Speaker 1 (37:38):
Did you final question? Did you ever consider transfer because
a lot of guys. Now, you're the UJF program, which
is it's a good program, but it's not a Power
five program right where you're in the SEC or Big
ten or something like that. Did you ever consider trying
to move up a level or what or did they
offer everything that you wanted?

Speaker 3 (37:54):
I definitely could have. I could have gotten a portal in.

Speaker 1 (37:58):
Oh I'm sure you could have coming off a sixteen touchdowns.
I'm sure people are calling you left and right.

Speaker 10 (38:03):
Yeah, I definitely could have. But no, I love UF.
You know, I'm from Orlando, like forty minutes from UCF
the campus, and you know, all the fans they love me.
I got along with all the coaches, you know, my
all of my family members. They could come out to
the games and just just want to stay lord to UCF.
I had a great experience there.

Speaker 1 (38:23):
I don't want you to set too high of a
standard there, but I'll ask you the question anyway, how
fast you think you'renna run? When you running forty at
the combine?

Speaker 3 (38:31):
You know, I really want to hit that for three,
But you think you can? I think I can.

Speaker 10 (38:36):
You know, the trainer that I'm training with right now,
he said, is a strong possibility and we don't. We
won't test again until probably like maybe a couple of
weeks before the combine.

Speaker 3 (38:49):
But I hit it, I know for sure. I'll hit
it for four for sure, for sure.

Speaker 1 (38:55):
Can't wait to see it. So it looks that way
and good stuff. Then good luck the rest of the
way and have fun this way.

Speaker 3 (38:59):
Thank you.

Speaker 11 (39:00):
You love turf, You're good.

Speaker 12 (39:02):
At it, So you start a turf z business grows,
your savings grow, become the most celebrated name in turf.

Speaker 11 (39:11):
Are you ready for all that life brings?

Speaker 8 (39:15):
All?

Speaker 2 (39:15):
Right?

Speaker 1 (39:15):
Now, we're joined by Maxwell Harston called Max from Kentucky.
Max out the first day of practice called for you, Man.

Speaker 11 (39:23):
First day of practice is good. It felt really nice
to be able to play football again. Just go out
there and compete and you know, be able to get
closer with the guys that's on my team.

Speaker 1 (39:30):
It's funny, you're not the first person to tell me
that it took a little while to kind of get
used to having the paths on a run around. When
did you start feeling comfortable getting out there on day one?

Speaker 11 (39:38):
Really after that indie, because it was kind of fast paced,
so like once I got my feet under me, man,
I I was up from there.

Speaker 1 (39:44):
And then you sort of knocking some passes away, right,
it looked like you had some good success in the
teams in the one on one. How did you think
you did?

Speaker 11 (39:51):
You know, I always run from improvement, but I think
I did, you know, come out with a confident kind
of demeanor the first day. I just want to build
off that day two and stacked days At this point.

Speaker 1 (40:01):
I feel like demeanor for a cornerback is important, right
because you know the receivers, they're they're on the offensive
and you're trying to stop these guys. What kind of
demeanor do you want to put out there on the
field when you line up against some of these you know,
some of the best athletes in the world wide receiver
and I.

Speaker 11 (40:15):
Just you know, every time I line up, you know,
it doesn't matter who's in front of me, that I'm
gonna compete. And you know, even if I do lose
a rep, I'm a type of player where I'm gonna
line back up and so you ain't gonn do it again.
So just carry that mindset with me and just keep
being competitive. Like I feel like my competitiveness is you know,
it got me all the way to this point, so
just you know, if it ain't broke, don't fix short memory.

Speaker 1 (40:33):
Right then a quarterback, you have to have a short memory.

Speaker 11 (40:35):
To have to no doubt. And you know next play
mentality too. That's just what I stand by.

Speaker 1 (40:40):
What do you want to show teams out there on
the field this week when you you know, have a
chance to go one on one and play press against
some of these really good wide receivers, Just show that.

Speaker 11 (40:47):
You know, I could be composed, play with poise and
just not a lot of receivers speed me up at
the line. You know, kind of rely on my technique
more than my athleticism.

Speaker 1 (40:56):
And they've reps out there, they're throwing flags. So there's
a line with the physicality that you actually be careful about.

Speaker 8 (41:02):
Right.

Speaker 1 (41:03):
Are you more of a guy that, all right, I'm
gonna maybe be a little bit more physical, I'll risk
the flag or are you going to try to pull
back a little bit to make sure it's clean.

Speaker 11 (41:10):
I mean, within them first five yards, I'm trying to
bully as much as I can and then you know,
get my hands off and at that point just mirror you.
But I'm the type of player where you know, I
know that I truly don't believe someone can just run
past me off the line, so I can be slower
in my technique and just really give a hands on.

Speaker 1 (41:25):
I'm assuming you're a man to man guy based on
how you're talking to me right now.

Speaker 11 (41:28):
I love man and man man. I let it compete.
But even in zones, I'm real savvy. I can really
bait the quarterback. You need to make some bad decisions.

Speaker 1 (41:34):
What's the technique of being a good press corner? People think,
oh long, physically, you just go up there and beat
somebody out. But what's the technical stuff handwise and feet
wise that you have to be good at in order
to be a good press corner.

Speaker 11 (41:43):
Yeah? Really, you have to be able to, first of all,
get your hand out there, but not leave it out there,
because you know, receivers they're smart too, they run counters,
they run you know, of course to release his type,
and they're physical too, so they use their hands as well.
So really just being able to mirror kickstep, you know,
play down the line if you want to, but just
really that kickstep, getting on front or getting on top
and then being able to throw that gym out like

(42:05):
it kind of throws them off.

Speaker 1 (42:06):
Who are some of the receivers that you had a
lot of fun covering in that first practice that gave
you some challenges.

Speaker 11 (42:11):
Yeah, Bru McCoy from Tennessee. It was a receiver from
TCU and then as well as Tedslor from Arkansas. Just
you know, going out there competing with physical guys. You
guys used to use their hands. You know, strong got
the catch point. You know, I got better guarding there.

Speaker 1 (42:25):
So anything on your checklist, specifically on the field that
you want to show NFL scouts this week, you just.

Speaker 11 (42:30):
Got to get that ball. You gotta get my hands
on the ball.

Speaker 1 (42:32):
Man.

Speaker 11 (42:32):
You know, I'm a natural ball hog. It's gonna find me.
So you know they too. I'm plying on that.

Speaker 1 (42:36):
And it's the tougher man demand though, because you got
to get your head around. You got to track the receiver,
get your head around, maintaining your speed.

Speaker 11 (42:41):
You know.

Speaker 1 (42:41):
Toe it's easier you got your eyes on the quarterback.

Speaker 11 (42:43):
Right, you know, but it's harder than man. But man
never impossible.

Speaker 3 (42:47):
So you know, it's a great attitude beat.

Speaker 11 (42:49):
You know, if they throw that ball up, it's fifty
to fifty. But at that point when the ball is
close to It's one hundred zero on me. So you know,
just when I get a chance to make a play
on the ball, you know I'm gonna take that.

Speaker 5 (42:59):
I love that.

Speaker 1 (42:59):
What do you want to show coaches when you get
him in meetings and kind of explain to them how
you take as a guy.

Speaker 11 (43:04):
Really just see to be myself. You know, I'm a
very happy, positive person, and you know, talking to these
coaches has been more fun than just you know, it
kind of feels like I'm playing mad in road to
glory right now. So you know, I'm just enjoying this process.

Speaker 1 (43:16):
That's great. Maxe's great talking to you, man, This is great.
Good luck the rest of the weekend. Cooling you guys
on an aisle. Man, you guys have the toughest job
this week. It's you guys in the offensive tackles. Nobody
is a tougher job than you guys. Really appreciate the time, man,
Thank you, appreciate you all. Right now we're joined by
defensive tackle out of Utah, Junior Tafuna Junior. How are you, man?

Speaker 2 (43:33):
Good? How are you so?

Speaker 1 (43:34):
You're in the national team this week? You being a
coach by a Giants offensive corner of Mike Cafie is
your head coach. What has it been like being in
meetings with him this week?

Speaker 13 (43:40):
He's been awesome, very energetic guy, very positive, very very
clear on what he wants to do and what he
wants his team to do. And you know, every every
morning's how we started meetings. You know, how we're going
to attack to day and so it's a it's a
it's a it's a great thing. It keeps keeps everyone
in a positive mood, and that's how you're an attack today.
So any lays out that point.

Speaker 1 (43:59):
Now, it's been a bit since you've been in pads
playing in a game, right, how long did it take
you to kind of get back into the mix here
and and kind of feel comfortable again playing football?

Speaker 2 (44:09):
Just yesterday?

Speaker 13 (44:11):
Yeah, I mean yeah, coming out and you know, doing
doing the drills again, I was like, I was like, man,
some of those DRIs never done before, but like you know,
getting loosely breaking off the rest and so yeah, it's
it's it's definitely all you know when you do a
skill and not for a little bit or you know,
we still work on those things when you come back
and play on the pads and do it it's like, yeah,
it's it's it's a little Russie.

Speaker 2 (44:30):
But now you just get used to it.

Speaker 1 (44:31):
Now you measured a round six three three h three.
That's all you measured in, right, You're a big defensive tackle.
You like to stop the run, sir? Did it kind
of get your juices flowing right away? When Kafka throws
you guys into a nine on seven full contact drill
to kind of get things started, I could have believeause
usually they kind of work you guys in slowly. They're
like no, no, no, no, no, deep end of the pool,
nine on seven, let's let's run.

Speaker 5 (44:52):
Yeah.

Speaker 13 (44:52):
Yeah, I absolutely love that drill just because you know,
it's it's a I would say it's a defensive drill
just because it's inside run and h that's as a
defensive tackle, interior line like you got to have, you know,
pride and stopping the run. And so that's that's our
calling card, is defensive tackles. You know, let alone the
pass russ you know, and the team later on.

Speaker 2 (45:10):
But yeah, I love that drill.

Speaker 1 (45:11):
If there is something that you think really makes your
game tech and is the center point of your game,
that's the best thing that you do what would you
say it is? Man?

Speaker 13 (45:19):
You know, when I'm not thinking, it's just getting off
that rock and going. You know, I'm a I'm a
I guess I consider myself a very smart defensive tackle,
and so I see keys, I see formations like you know,
but you know that's not my job. That's the linebacker's job.
And so it's just getting down, getting off that rock.
That's all you know, to be disruptive in that backfield.

Speaker 1 (45:36):
I know, when you guys talk to your agency, do
your training, you got kind of the checklist of what
you want to show these guys on the field of
practice this week. What are some of the things that
you want to prove that you can do.

Speaker 13 (45:44):
Yeah, it's just a consistent knock back like yesterday. That
was my main my main point that I wanted to do,
and I feel like I did that well, and you know,
obviously there's always time you get better and then in
the past rush just yeah, showing that I can win
and showing those moves that I have because I'm a
big power guy and so a lot of the guys,
you know, they're going the only way to stop powers,
you gotta get in front of it quickly and so
it's just you know, transitioning off of that. And so

(46:04):
that's why I want to show today it's a third
down day to day and you get to be able
to show that today.

Speaker 1 (46:09):
And in those one on ones, you have to have
some these guys are gonna be ready for your power, right,
So you have there's some counters in those ones, right, sure, yep.

Speaker 13 (46:15):
So you have those kinds like a bull snatch, you know,
off off a bull off bull forklift, you know, keeping
him off balance, you know, and raising one hand and.

Speaker 1 (46:24):
A little push poll maybe too, right, yeah.

Speaker 2 (46:26):
Exactly, push pull.

Speaker 13 (46:27):
So just all of those counters and those those are
those are moves that you know come off of my
power bullrush.

Speaker 1 (46:33):
So all right, we talk about you as a player,
how about you as a guy. When you meet these
these scouts, these coaches, these gems in these meetings, what
are you trying to get across about you thegue person.

Speaker 13 (46:42):
Yeah, it's just it's just my genuine self, you know,
it's showing them who I am, you know, not just
giving an answer to answer to answer, but to genuinely
be honest and just be myself because at the end
of the day, it has to be genuine Yeah. You know,
when you meet someone, it has to be of heart
and and purpose, and so that's that's why I try
to do and try to really show that's who I am.

Speaker 1 (47:05):
You and your good stuff, man, I appreciate the time.
Thanks so much, manank you app all Right Now, we're
joined by Boston College edge rusher Donovan as a Rocket.
Donovan Hawaii mean.

Speaker 5 (47:12):
I'm good, Thank you, Thank you for having me.

Speaker 1 (47:14):
I love watching on tape. Coming into this week, what
do you want to prove on the field to these
decision makers? Maybe you've heard or your agents told you,
you know, they're not sure if.

Speaker 3 (47:21):
You can do this.

Speaker 1 (47:23):
Well, I'm going to show them that I can do
this this week.

Speaker 2 (47:25):
Yeah, honestly that I'm a competitor.

Speaker 12 (47:27):
I feel like that's that's uh, that's not something that
I have improved already, but just you know, be in
front of uh, you know, scouts and coaches and general
managers and really show them.

Speaker 3 (47:36):
You know, they're seeing you face to face.

Speaker 2 (47:38):
I think that's very important to see.

Speaker 12 (47:39):
But also that you know that I'm a I'm a
complete defensive end, edge rusher and outside linebacker.

Speaker 5 (47:43):
You know I could do all three positions.

Speaker 1 (47:45):
So okay, It's funny you separated outside linebacker from edge rusher.
I want to talk about that difference, right, because during
one on ones, part of the one on ones, if
I remember right, yesterday, you were with the one on
one pass rush, right, and then were you doing some
stuff in space as well? No, everything was with one
of You were with the pass rush the whole time.
So what do you want to show in that one
on one pass rush when you get in there and
you have those one on reps against some of those

(48:07):
big OFFENSI attacks, Yeah.

Speaker 12 (48:08):
Kind of what I've shown all year. You know that
I have a deep bag, yes, but I could I
could just rush the passer, you know, you know, as
simple as that. You know, not you know, not trying
to overcomplicate it all, but in different ways that I can,
I can win versus you know, a tackle.

Speaker 1 (48:22):
So now you measured in six two two forty eight.
The thirty four and a half inch arms is kind
of what hit me a little bit because it's six
to two thirty four and a half in drops. Those
are really long arms for for for six two, right,
how do you utilize that length in how you rush
the pass or how do you use that length to
your advantage.

Speaker 12 (48:38):
Yeah, I think I have utilized it with like you know,
one arm, long arm stabs, whatever the case may be.
But I definitely think I can utilize it a lot more,
you know, I think that it can be. It is
a tool, and it's a weapon for me and just
working that into my game and that's you know, that's
what you know, offseason training is for you know, working
on those you know, the small details of pass rush.

Speaker 1 (48:57):
So what would you say your go to move is
a ass rushers right now?

Speaker 12 (49:01):
I would say go to moves like more like a
chopp club, like a like a yannigin got way, you know,
chop the arm down club them by flip the hips and.

Speaker 1 (49:08):
Then we'll flip tips a little move at the end
and you turn the corner. Right, What are some of
the counters that as you hit the shop now and
you're trying to develop more of your game and you're
trying to get better, what are some of the counters
you're trying to develop to that move?

Speaker 12 (49:21):
I think you know counters are more like like you know,
the inside chop club like more like inside moves for sure, Right.

Speaker 1 (49:29):
Did you try to do an inside spin on one
of your I.

Speaker 11 (49:33):
Didn't do it.

Speaker 12 (49:33):
I didn't do a good job of you know, setting
that whole thing up. But you know I'm thinking that
you know, you know I tackle to see me and say, oh, yeah,
he's gonna you know, jump back and you know, use
his speed. So I was kind of playing the mind
game that comes with pass rushing. But yeah, those are
those are the counters. But like I said, you have
to set those things up with speed first and you know,
do what you do first and foremost before you can
you know, work those counter moves.

Speaker 1 (49:54):
So now, you went to Boston College, you're a smart dude.
You went to business school. Is that correct? So how
much is that trying to figure out your opponent, what
they're good at, what they're thinking about, what you're going
to try to do, and that chess match that makes
you a good pass rusher.

Speaker 12 (50:08):
Yeah, it's it goes into you know study obviously, and
you know, preparation. I think that's why I was successful
this past year. Definitely, you know a lot more hours
in the film room, you know, watching you know, the
smaller details of offensive line play just to figure out
like rush plans. You know, obviously it's a senior ball
you don't have you know, all that you know, that
much time to really see your opponent or whatever the

(50:30):
case would be, unless you know, you checked out their
film from this past year.

Speaker 3 (50:32):
But you know, it's that those are the small things
that we look at.

Speaker 12 (50:35):
We look at you know, what their footwork is, you know,
how they you know, place their hands, if they're a
low hand striker or high hand striker or whatever.

Speaker 2 (50:42):
The case may be. That's, you know, so we could win.

Speaker 1 (50:44):
We talked about us a pass rusher, but use a
run stopper. What do you bring the game as a
run defender at an edgesetter?

Speaker 12 (50:49):
Yeah, I said earlier, you know, complete defensive end, outside
linebacker and edge.

Speaker 5 (50:53):
And I think I take pride in stopping.

Speaker 2 (50:55):
The run game.

Speaker 12 (50:55):
I understand that you can't you know, you can't pass
rush unless you stop the run on you know, maybe
for or second down. So I definitely understand that. And
I know, you know, uh, you know, that might be
some people might say that that I could be possibly
deficient in that area, which I definitely don't think so
at all.

Speaker 1 (51:10):
I agree with that, by the way.

Speaker 12 (51:11):
Yeah, you know, and and and I say that because
you know, I really do take pride in stopping the
run game, you know, and and I love when you know,
teams want to run the football at me and test
me and challenge me. And I think it's a very
it's a very good challenge. And I like to see
say that I'm a person that definitely steps up the challenges.

Speaker 1 (51:28):
Final question, how much were we asked dropping the coverage
and working zones and in space over the course of
Boston College.

Speaker 12 (51:33):
Not often, but I definitely, I would say there were
definitely some pressures and packages where I definitely had to drop.

Speaker 1 (51:40):
But then zone type stuff.

Speaker 12 (51:41):
Yeah, and as the season went on, and you know,
sometimes it might be third down, you know, coach Obriant said, no,
he's not dropping it. You know, he's not dropping anymore.
We need him to go rush the past or we
need him to help this team by doing what he
does best.

Speaker 1 (51:53):
I don't have your numbers in front of me. Was
it seventeen sixteen?

Speaker 2 (51:57):
She tried to give you.

Speaker 5 (51:58):
I had another hand.

Speaker 1 (51:58):
No, appreciate it, Donad. This is great man. I've enjoyed
watching you all year, and good luck this week and
we look forward to see where you go in the draft.

Speaker 2 (52:05):
Thank you so much.

Speaker 1 (52:06):
All right, that's Part two. Of our interview series on
the Giants title podcast, brought to you by Citizens, the
official bank of the New York Football Giants. Thank you
so much for being with us. We'll continue in coverage
of the Senior Bowl from down here Mobile. Stick with us.