July 29, 2025 • 8 mins
The QB of the Huskies gets an extra season of eligibility and looks to make the most of it with depth in the skilled positions
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Can you explain to us how you got the seven
two year with the particulars for that?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Yeah, I mean I was. I knew that'd be the
first question.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
I mean, I'll just say, you know, I mean, it
was a tough decision for sure, But then again, it
really wasn't once I got the call. If anybody's ever
played football, and trying to see how I can explain this, Like,
if anybody's ever played football and been a part of
a team and been around a group of guys, you
(00:29):
realize when you get the opportunity to come back, whether
however many years it is, I wasn't gonna give it up.
When I'm looking down the road, I'm not gonna be like, oh, man,
like I played one more year football?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Like what was I thinking? Like? So that was really
like it came.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Down and thank god I got good people in my life,
my family, teammates just talking it over, and then once
I got the phone call, and then from coach More
and some offensive coaches and then talking to guys on
the team, it was pretty simple decision that I was
gonna come back and play another year.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Coach said he didn't he didn't know. He was told
just before the game at Fenway year so he yeah,
you went into that game thinking it was last game.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, it was a weird experience because I remember I
remember there being little like conversations in the building about it,
but nothing serious. I was just getting prepared for North
Carolina and then I really didn't know what was happening
until about a week after North Carolina and then I,
you know, I had to make some decisions to make
if I wanted to pursue and try to do pro
(01:32):
day or come back.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
So what do you feel like you can get out
of this seventh year? Do you feel like you can
do something that may enhance your chances of continuing to
play after college.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, for sure, I think, Uh, you know, there's definitely
something that I thought about when when the opportunity presented itself.
But uh, you know, I appreciate questions about it guys,
and I'm gonna get I'll, you know, I answer him.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
But if we got anything for the team, like, that's
all I'd like to really share about it. Obviously, it
is a it's a big news, so.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
I knew it was gonna happen, but just out of
respect for the team, like I'll just keep talking about
the team and excited for this year with these.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Guys, you know, it's a different attitude and all come
into this year coming off a nine one season for sure.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
You know, anytime you can win a bowl game or
win that last game of the season, that definitely carries
momentum into into the program and you can kind of
feel the buzz. But again, like it doesn't you know,
we've had talks.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
For last year, doesn't mean anything. It's a whole new start.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
It's great to be able to look back. But at
this point right now, nobody's worried about last year. This
is a whole new team and we have something to prove.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Said he's excited about the wide receiver room.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Can you just talk about the guys you have there.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah, it's there's a lot of receivers out in that
receiver room that could make plays and be game changers.
You know, I mean to name a few. I mean
Skyler Belle obviously, you guys know samar Porter. We've had
some new guys in the transfer portal. So that's great
as a quarterback in our position, you know, you.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Look across the field, you see two three.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Guys that you think are gonna win one on one matchups,
and that should be in advantage for us.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
The one number that really jumps off that the sheet
is twenty touchdowns foreign eceptions. I know the line the receivers,
everyone around you has something to do with that.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
But how did you.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Grow you feel as a quarterback that allowed you to achieve.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Them just letting the game come to me?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
I think, I mean, taking care of the football is
always my main priority. And I know getting the ball
into Cam Edwards hands or Skyler Bell's hands or Melo
Brown's hands is a lot better than having it in
my hands. And I've seen a quote from Bill Belichick
field like Jay it was like Tom Brady, we can't
gain a yard until the ball's out of your hands,
And like that just kind of resonates with me because
(03:46):
it's like it's true, like I got to get the
ball to Cam, I got to get the ball to
all these playmakers that we have on this field to
be ordered to do anything.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Skylar was courted coach that by Michigan left a lot
of money on the table.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
What do I say about him coming back here?
Speaker 1 (03:58):
The loyalty to the program, to his teammates, and and
and trying to continue to build something here.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Yeah that's college football now, and uh, you know, I
think it speaks volumes of to who Skyler is, what
he sees in this team, and who is as a leader,
as a player, and what he's trying to get done.
We had talks in the offseason, so I was trying
to come back and he was trying to come back,
and he had his own thing, and then just hearing
(04:25):
his perspective and how excited he is for this year,
it's it's awesome to see because you know, a different
guy may have and oh, here's money, here's this, I'm
gonna go chase that. But that's just not who Skyler is.
He wants to win, he wants to he wants to
make plays, and you kind of give him that ability
and that's why he's back.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Was there? What were the player run practices?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Like, we're a little different than last season, even coming
off with success, because once you taste.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The I'm sure you want you want even more success though.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Yeah that's the that's the things. Success can go one
or two ways. You can be satisfied or like you said, you.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Could want more.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
And that was what a lot of guys on this
team wanted.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Thankfully.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
You know, we got that little taste and now we're
just hungry for more and we need to keep chasing that.
As far as PRPs went, player run practices, I mean
they were just as competitive as a regular practice. You know,
we try to keep it to you know, a certain
amount of plays, but there would be times at the
end we're like, all right, let's get one or two
more here, let's get this, let's go to the red zone,
let's do this.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So it was fun this.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Summer especially, you know, there's no coaches around, so it's
just kind of you know.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
The kind of like backyard football for a little bit.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
You know, it's just like old times. Guys are just
having fun and playing football.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
What makes you optimistic that this team can repeat what
it did last year, maybe take it even a level higher.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, we're not.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
We're not looking to repeat last year. Last year was great,
but you know we got our I satter way way
farther in the horizon.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
That's you know, it was.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
It was fun, But like I said, I mean last
year was last year. It's a whole new team.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
With all the experience. Now, seventh year, two different schools.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
What have you taken from those experiences at this time
of year to get yourself.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
What do you like about you know, training camp.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
And yeah, getting ready or if anything, and what do
you what do you want to do the same as
you've done over past and what do you want to
change to make this year?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
It's a good question. You know.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
We definitely get a lot of experience, that's for sure,
but I you know, there's I've learned so much just
from going through those times in twenty twenty. Obviously everybody
was doing that and getting the game taken away, like
taking away and then a couple of injuries, so you know,
I've had a different perspectives on you know, football and
what it's meant to me. And now going into this
(06:42):
you know, final year, I can really only focus on
what I can control. I notice Thatso I'm really just
gonna come out here and uh, you know, make every
day count. I've talked to you know, coaches, and it's
like it came back for a reason, and I got
to remind myself, you know, every day.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
It's like you know, cause day you know, nobody.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Could come out and day one a camp and be
like all right, let's go this is you know, but
then it's like day seven to like day fifteen is
where like real dogs come out.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Like that's the guys.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I really love football and so that got you.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
That's my PB coach. I lost my train of thought.
I lost my train of thought. Hey, what's it like
to work under Gordy as a as Ac like with
you too?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
It's awesome.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
He's he's an intense guy and he brings the juice
every day.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
He gives me a different perspective being an old lineman.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
That helps me a lot with protections. And he's just intense.
He expects everybody you know, to come into work and
strive for perfection and that brings out the best in everybody.
Is there a player or two that you're really excited
to see maybe take that next step? I mean, I
know you've got a lot of talent around you, but
is there somebody that that's really ready to take off and.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Join the join the gang. Uh, there's a lot of guys.
I don't want to.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
There's a couple of guys in the receiver room. There's
guys not the whole team. Honestly, I won't I won't
say one name because there's gonna be some guys for
sure that step up this year that you guys are
gonna realize and maybe you'll be like, oh, that's who
Joe was trying to reference.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
What's what's Tonte like as a coach, Just like.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
He is a player, come out of his shell, a shell,
he's he's always out.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
He's When I heard he was coming back, that was
that was great news.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
He brings the juice and he's awesome to have on
the field.
Can you explain to us how you got the seven
two year with the particulars for that?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Yeah, I mean I was. I knew that'd be the
first question.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
I mean, I'll just say, you know, I mean, it
was a tough decision for sure, But then again, it
really wasn't once I got the call. If anybody's ever
played football, and trying to see how I can explain this, Like,
if anybody's ever played football and been a part of
a team and been around a group of guys, you
(00:29):
realize when you get the opportunity to come back, whether
however many years it is, I wasn't gonna give it up.
When I'm looking down the road, I'm not gonna be like, oh, man,
like I played one more year football?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Like what was I thinking? Like? So that was really
like it came.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Down and thank god I got good people in my life,
my family, teammates just talking it over, and then once
I got the phone call, and then from coach More
and some offensive coaches and then talking to guys on
the team, it was pretty simple decision that I was
gonna come back and play another year.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Coach said he didn't he didn't know. He was told
just before the game at Fenway year so he yeah,
you went into that game thinking it was last game.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, it was a weird experience because I remember I
remember there being little like conversations in the building about it,
but nothing serious. I was just getting prepared for North
Carolina and then I really didn't know what was happening
until about a week after North Carolina and then I,
you know, I had to make some decisions to make
if I wanted to pursue and try to do pro
(01:32):
day or come back.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
So what do you feel like you can get out
of this seventh year? Do you feel like you can
do something that may enhance your chances of continuing to
play after college.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, for sure, I think, Uh, you know, there's definitely
something that I thought about when when the opportunity presented itself.
But uh, you know, I appreciate questions about it guys,
and I'm gonna get I'll, you know, I answer him.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
But if we got anything for the team, like, that's
all I'd like to really share about it. Obviously, it
is a it's a big news, so.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
I knew it was gonna happen, but just out of
respect for the team, like I'll just keep talking about
the team and excited for this year with these.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Guys, you know, it's a different attitude and all come
into this year coming off a nine one season for sure.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
You know, anytime you can win a bowl game or
win that last game of the season, that definitely carries
momentum into into the program and you can kind of
feel the buzz. But again, like it doesn't you know,
we've had talks.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
For last year, doesn't mean anything. It's a whole new start.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
It's great to be able to look back. But at
this point right now, nobody's worried about last year. This
is a whole new team and we have something to prove.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Said he's excited about the wide receiver room.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Can you just talk about the guys you have there.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah, it's there's a lot of receivers out in that
receiver room that could make plays and be game changers.
You know, I mean to name a few. I mean
Skyler Belle obviously, you guys know samar Porter. We've had
some new guys in the transfer portal. So that's great
as a quarterback in our position, you know, you.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Look across the field, you see two three.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Guys that you think are gonna win one on one matchups,
and that should be in advantage for us.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
The one number that really jumps off that the sheet
is twenty touchdowns foreign eceptions. I know the line the receivers,
everyone around you has something to do with that.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
But how did you.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Grow you feel as a quarterback that allowed you to achieve.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Them just letting the game come to me?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
I think, I mean, taking care of the football is
always my main priority. And I know getting the ball
into Cam Edwards hands or Skyler Bell's hands or Melo
Brown's hands is a lot better than having it in
my hands. And I've seen a quote from Bill Belichick
field like Jay it was like Tom Brady, we can't
gain a yard until the ball's out of your hands,
And like that just kind of resonates with me because
(03:46):
it's like it's true, like I got to get the
ball to Cam, I got to get the ball to
all these playmakers that we have on this field to
be ordered to do anything.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Skylar was courted coach that by Michigan left a lot
of money on the table.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
What do I say about him coming back here?
Speaker 1 (03:58):
The loyalty to the program, to his teammates, and and
and trying to continue to build something here.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Yeah that's college football now, and uh, you know, I
think it speaks volumes of to who Skyler is, what
he sees in this team, and who is as a leader,
as a player, and what he's trying to get done.
We had talks in the offseason, so I was trying
to come back and he was trying to come back,
and he had his own thing, and then just hearing
(04:25):
his perspective and how excited he is for this year,
it's it's awesome to see because you know, a different
guy may have and oh, here's money, here's this, I'm
gonna go chase that. But that's just not who Skyler is.
He wants to win, he wants to he wants to
make plays, and you kind of give him that ability
and that's why he's back.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Was there? What were the player run practices?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Like, we're a little different than last season, even coming
off with success, because once you taste.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The I'm sure you want you want even more success though.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Yeah that's the that's the things. Success can go one
or two ways. You can be satisfied or like you said, you.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Could want more.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
And that was what a lot of guys on this
team wanted.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Thankfully.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
You know, we got that little taste and now we're
just hungry for more and we need to keep chasing that.
As far as PRPs went, player run practices, I mean
they were just as competitive as a regular practice. You know,
we try to keep it to you know, a certain
amount of plays, but there would be times at the
end we're like, all right, let's get one or two
more here, let's get this, let's go to the red zone,
let's do this.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So it was fun this.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Summer especially, you know, there's no coaches around, so it's
just kind of you know.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
The kind of like backyard football for a little bit.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
You know, it's just like old times. Guys are just
having fun and playing football.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
What makes you optimistic that this team can repeat what
it did last year, maybe take it even a level higher.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, we're not.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
We're not looking to repeat last year. Last year was great,
but you know we got our I satter way way
farther in the horizon.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
That's you know, it was.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
It was fun, But like I said, I mean last
year was last year. It's a whole new team.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
With all the experience. Now, seventh year, two different schools.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
What have you taken from those experiences at this time
of year to get yourself.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
What do you like about you know, training camp.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
And yeah, getting ready or if anything, and what do
you what do you want to do the same as
you've done over past and what do you want to
change to make this year?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
It's a good question. You know.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
We definitely get a lot of experience, that's for sure,
but I you know, there's I've learned so much just
from going through those times in twenty twenty. Obviously everybody
was doing that and getting the game taken away, like
taking away and then a couple of injuries, so you know,
I've had a different perspectives on you know, football and
what it's meant to me. And now going into this
(06:42):
you know, final year, I can really only focus on
what I can control. I notice Thatso I'm really just
gonna come out here and uh, you know, make every
day count. I've talked to you know, coaches, and it's
like it came back for a reason, and I got
to remind myself, you know, every day.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
It's like you know, cause day you know, nobody.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Could come out and day one a camp and be
like all right, let's go this is you know, but
then it's like day seven to like day fifteen is
where like real dogs come out.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Like that's the guys.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I really love football and so that got you.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
That's my PB coach. I lost my train of thought.
I lost my train of thought. Hey, what's it like
to work under Gordy as a as Ac like with
you too?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
It's awesome.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
He's he's an intense guy and he brings the juice
every day.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
He gives me a different perspective being an old lineman.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
That helps me a lot with protections. And he's just intense.
He expects everybody you know, to come into work and
strive for perfection and that brings out the best in everybody.
Is there a player or two that you're really excited
to see maybe take that next step? I mean, I
know you've got a lot of talent around you, but
is there somebody that that's really ready to take off and.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Join the join the gang. Uh, there's a lot of guys.
I don't want to.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
There's a couple of guys in the receiver room. There's
guys not the whole team. Honestly, I won't I won't
say one name because there's gonna be some guys for
sure that step up this year that you guys are
gonna realize and maybe you'll be like, oh, that's who
Joe was trying to reference.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
What's what's Tonte like as a coach, Just like.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
He is a player, come out of his shell, a shell,
he's he's always out.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
He's When I heard he was coming back, that was
that was great news.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
He brings the juice and he's awesome to have on
the field.
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