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Players Media Session
August 01, 2017 03:32 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 1, 2017) - Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Kyle Bosch
On the coaches trying to find the right fit on the offensive line
It’s kind of like a carousel. It’s trying to find the right fit for each position. Some guys play right better than left and vice-versa. Some people are more geared towards center. It’s really (Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) coach (Joe) Wickline’s job, and his staff, to really hone in on what our strengths and weaknesses are and what position. For example, all spring I played left and now I play right. It’s just a juggling act and you just have to adapt on the fly.
On why players think they can play on one side of the offensive line better than the other
It’s one of those things, it’s where you feel comfortable. Some people play left tackle their whole career in high school and feel better at left guard and left tackle. Some people played right their whole career in high school and they feel better in right. It’s really just preference, it doesn’t really hurt or help you. It’s all mental, in my opinion. I think I play right guard better because I had a good season last year at right, but I started as a true freshman at Michigan playing left. It’s really just preference. Quite honestly I don’t really care what side I play.
On who has stepped up on the offensive line
Yeah, we are all pleasantly surprised with (redshirt junior offensive lineman) Yodny’s (Cajuste), mine, (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Grant’s (Lingafelter), (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Matt Jones and (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Coltin’s (McKivitz) progress. Coming in with a new o-line coach, it is one of those things where I’m the fifth-year and maybe it’s like old dogs can’t learn new tricks, but we all are starting to buy in and really understand the offense and what (Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) coach (Joe) Wickline’s vision is. We are moving in the right direction. It is pleasantly surprising on that front.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Yodny Cajuste
On how much the offense has changed under Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
It’s really the same, but it’s different because Jake came in. He’s a great coach. He wants us to perform our best at all times. It is the same, we just have to go out there and perform.
On if anything changes when the quarterback makes checks as opposed to the center
It’s the same. Whatever is called, we have to do it, no matter who calls it. We are all a unit. We have to do us.
On if it feels old that he is the older guy in the room
I knew this day would come. It feels normal, honestly.
Senior Running Back Justin Crawford
On where he wants to improve
Just protecting the ball to the best of my ability, finishing runs and pass protection. Those are the things I can work on. We’ll be just fine.
On working on ball security
I feel like turnovers, period, cost us some games. If we can take better care of the ball, then it’ll put us in a better position to win.
On the need to improve his pass protection
To play at the next level, you have to be able to pass block. That’s one of the biggest things that coaches look at. They know you can run the ball, but they also want to know if you can pass block and protect the quarterback. They have a number one pick quarterback and if you miss your assignment and get the quarterback hurt, then you’re liable to get fined most likely.
Junior receiver Gary Jennings
On newcomers at wide receiver
A lot of them are definitely doing the necessary things to be better and catch every ball. They’re catching up and catching on very fast to the new concepts. They’re all doing very well.
On the differences between playing inside receiver and outside receiver
The difference is just with different route concepts. I had to play inside last year, too, so, it’s not much different than last year. I got used to it and it definitely helped out a lot.
On what redshirt senior wide receiver Nate German brings to the offense
He’s got some strong hands, that’s for sure. He’s a competitor as well and he wants to learn. He also played quarterback from what I know before. So, he’s able to pick up on route concepts and other stuff very easily. He’s a very smart kid. He’s made a great transition.
Junior Receiver David Sills V
On difficulty of offseason workouts
Once you get into a groove with it, it’s not that bad. I really have seen a difference just from catching on the jugs all the time and doing all that. It has just become second nature and I don’t even think have to about it. It feels like there’s a sticky layer on your gloves or something now. He really did challenge us over the summer to get better and be the best that we can be. I think he did that and has us in a great spot for camp. (Junior quarterback) Will (Grier) really pushed us this summer as well. He had us out there almost every day just throwing and doing everything with him, which every quarterback should do. He’s just been great and put us in a really good position to be really good this year.
On creating rhythm with junior quarterback Will Grier
Really, we’d just have workouts at 9 (a.m.) and go until like 1:30 or 2 (p.m.). Working out, running routes and just always being together has created a bond. If you saw one of us, then you saw all of us. We were always together working out. Even if it was just getting lunch or something, we were always together. I really think creating that bond between us will put us in a great spot for the fall.
Redshirt Senior Receiver Ka’Raun White
On his chemistry with redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier
It’s been coming along. We were working a lot during the summer and as we got closer to camp to make sure the timing was right. We’re still a little off on a few things but it’s getting better. With camp starting, I’m sure everything will come along really well.
On working with redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier
He’s just getting used to my speed and when I’m breaking. I try to give him little signals as far as when I’m breaking on a route so he knows when to pull the trigger. It’s getting pretty good though – our communication.
On what redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier does well
He can put the ball on the money. I know that. He’s really smart and understanding. He knows the coverages and what the defense is in. So, he knows when and when not to throw the ball. I just find the open seams to get open and catch the ball.
Redshirt Junior Safety Dravon Askew-Henry
On defensive philosophy going into the new season
We’re pretty much running the same type of defense, but I would say we have more athletic guys out there now. We can do more, rotate more, things like that.
On what he brings to the defense
I’m going to bring energy, leadership, and when times get hard, I’m going to be the one to step up and make something happen.
Redshirt senior linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On his experience at Big 12 Media Days
It was cool. You get the opportunity to meet so many different people in the industry and see how everything goes. You can also see and think how it can be on the other side, being the guy doing the interviews. It was a great experience. It was cool to see how those days go and to see some of the processes that go into those interviews.
On his mood heading into his final season
I feel like I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in. I feel that I’m ready to help this team in more ways than I’ve ever been able to before and I’m ready to be a part of something great.
On defensive chemistry
I think we have a ways to go but everything has gotten a lot better since the Spring Game and our summer workouts. You’ve got a lot of guys that this year will be their first time playing in this defense. We’ve got some guys that this is their first time on campus and we need them to contribute. Everybody is getting on the same page, everybody is starting to understand everybody’s job, and how they can help the defense. We’ll only get better and better as camp goes on.
Redshirt Junior Safety Toyous Avery
On how the last year has been
A lot of learning, a lot of learning. When I first got here I had no idea what I was doing, I didn’t really know what was going on. I’m just glad now that I know what’s going on and I’m more comfortable.
On what he knows now that he didn’t prior
Alignments, the little things really. If someone were to line up on a certain part of the field now I know the route that is coming. It took a while because you have to learn so many things but now I know where to be, where everyone else will be at and it’s easier now.
On difficulty of moving around positions
At first it was difficult, now it’s simple, I know what’s going on and I like where I’m at now. I feel like I’m more of a hitter now and it is a lot less running than being a free safety.
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Reese Donahue
On his favorite memory so far
Every day, I love being around my family. I feel like these guys are my family, I feel like this is my home. Of course I am from the state but I feel like Morgantown is my home. I like every opportunity I get to be around these guys. I get to see their faces, I get to hang out with them, I love the coaches, and everybody here is great.
On his first time out on the field
I don’t even think my feet touched the turf until about the second quarter; I was floating the whole time. It was special, it’s special every time you take the field. It’s not just the first time, it’s every time, but I think it was extra special because I’ve been watching the game since I can remember. The first time I actually got to wear my jersey and step on the field it really opened my eyes.
On his favorite player
Owen Schmidt is my favorite WVU player thus far; I like what he’s done. I think he’s really tough, I like his pride and his effort and that you can see his passion. He would lay his life down for this team and I think that’s special.
Senior Safety Kyzir White
On if this season being his last feels different
I don’t really think it feels different; it’s still just football. I know it is my last go-around but I still have the same mindset I had last year.
On what he identified he needs to improve on
I want to improve my game all across the board; it’s not just one specific thing. Just all across the board I want to get better so I try to get better at something every day.
On what he hardest thing his position has to do
I think the hardest thing to do is try and guard slot receivers, they are really quick receivers and I think that can be challenging. Slot receivers can go left, right, and straight so I think that’s challenging.
On being more comfortable with the defense
I feel a lot more comfortable now, I even feel more comfortable now than I did in the spring. With play recognition I’m a lot quicker on my feet now, I know what’s coming before it happens and that comes with experience.
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