Players Media Session
June 21, 2018 04:45 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at the Milan Puskar Center.
Redshirt Senior Quarterback Will Grier
On what he wanted to improve on this offseason
In the spring, a lot of it was efficiency and getting us in the right play, high percentage plays. Individually, just working on different fundamental things. Doing little things right. Summer is a good time to fine-tune some things before camp gets going. Just a little bit of everything, trying to get better and go forward into camp.
On his thoughts on the Heisman campaign
It's great for the university. I'd love to bring a Heisman here to Morgantown, that would be awesome. The main thing that I am focused on is just trying to go 1-0 every week and win games. We have a special team and a special group of coaches. My main goal is to win and that stuff will take care of itself. Like I said, it would be great to bring a Heisman back to Morgantown.
On having a lot of his receiving corps back an keeping the chemistry
It's great. Just building off of what we did last year. The chemistry is obviously there when you have guys that are experienced and guys that you have played with that is always a good thing. I have a good group of guys. They are good people, they work hard, they are fun to be around, we enjoy getting better together. We push each other. That's a great group, it's really an awesome group to work with. So it's been fun.
On if he has been impressed with the newcomers at wide receiver
There are some young guys that came in that are impressive. A lot of guys right now. It's hard until you really get pads on and get out in camp and stuff like that. Some of these young guys at all positions are really going to be able to help us. I've been impressed with the freshman class as a whole. Obviously, we have gotten some good transfers in that have some experience. Those guys are going to be good. We are going to be able to tell in camp when the whole team is here moving forward with what we got. A lot of people are excited with what we have and I am really looking forward to it. Receiving wise in particular, It is nice to have more numbers out there just in these summer workouts. We went from probably, eight, nine, ten guys in the spring to four deep at every position. Just having more bodies out there is nice. Guys rotating in. I'm excited about that whole group. When you have guys like (senior wide receiver) David (Sills V), (senior wide receiver) Gary (Jennings Jr.), (junior wide receiver) Marcus (Simms) and (redshirt sophomore wide receiver) T.J. (Simmons), to watch, they have a good group of mentors and guys that can really play the position at a high level. They will learn quickly behind those guys so I'm excited about that group.
Senior Receiver David Sills V
On his expectations going into the new season
They haven't really changed. I have the same mentality going into every season playing football. This year, there's a bigger leadership role, I feel like. The biggest thing I want to help the team out with is connecting the team, having more of a family connection, having each other's back, having the trust when the offense needs a stop from the defense, they can trust the defense to get that. When we need to put some points on the board, the defense can trust us. We've been doing a lot of hanging out and bonding stuff outside of here, like having meals together and stuff like that, which really does go a long way. That's probably the only thing different that I'm taking out of this year.
On dealing with opposing teams focusing on him
I feel like we have enough weapons where it's tough for them to key in on one person because we have (senior receiver) Gary (Jennings Jr.), who had a tremendous season last year and has had a great offseason this year. He's ready to have another great year, so if I take coverage, then he's just going to have a huge game. If he has a huge game, then the coverage is going to go to him and we've got (junior receiver) Marcus (Simms) and (redshirt sophomore receiver) T.J. (Simmons) and a whole bunch of other guys. The young guys have come in and done a great job adapting and stuff like that. We feel confident with how we work as a receiver unit, and we're all confident in each other.
On helping younger teammates
We're just trying to show them the ropes. We want them to come in, and we want them to have the grind early. We tell them, 'OK, this is how we work.' You don't want them to get in and get on the wrong foot like not knowing what the standard is and how we hold everybody here. Everyday I'm asking them if they caught today, if they did what they needed to do, get on the jugs, all of that. They are doing a great job of it; they're doing a great job competing and conditioning and with the lifts and everything. I'm excited to see what they're going to do this year, and I think they're very talented just from what I've seen so far. I know we haven't put any pads on or anything but, just from what I've seen so far, they are pretty talented.
Senior Receiver Gary Jennings Jr.
On what made him feel comfortable to choose to play at WVU
That seems like years ago, but it's great to be here. I've learned a lot along the way and I just can't wait for the upcoming year.
On how he felt about teammates returning to school
Conversions were made, and we definitely figured out that if everyone came back, then it could be really special next year.
On what the offense could bring to the table this year
We're just putting in a lot of extra hard work and a lot of fine-tuning some things in order to be that much better. That's what our goal is.
On his personal expectations for the new year
I'm trying to be a different animal next year. I'm fine-tuning some things that I might not have necessary been as good at.
Redshirt Senior Safety Dravon Askew-Henry
On what this year being his last year means to him
It means a lot. I came here a boy and I'm going to leave a man so it means a lot. The state of West Virginia means a lot to me.
On what he has learned in his time at West Virginia
Growth. How to compete. If you are going through something, battle through it. I learned so much since I've been here. I'm just trying to be the leader now and influence the younger guys.
On if he remembers the first time he stepped on campus
I actually do. The first day out here we were warming up and coach ( Assistant Athletic Director for Strength and Conditioning) Mike (Joseph) said to jog and I was in a full blown out sprint and everybody was laughing at me. As I look back it's been a fun ride.
On if he has something to prove this year
Oh yeah, for sure. Coming out of the season that we had last year and just for myself, I always have something to prove. I'm coming into the season with a chip on my shoulder, it's my senior year, my last go-around with my brothers and I'm ready to put it all out there.
Redshirt Junior Linebacker David Long Jr.
On if he is anxious to get out on the field again
Of course. I can't wait until camp to get out there with these guys.
On what the summer has been like
It's just as hard like every other year. The grind has been real. The defense as a whole, we are starting to gel as it goes along. We have a few new guys and that is going to take time. I'm sure we will get it right.
On what his expectations for himself this year
Staying healthy is number one. Just going out there and doing what I know I can do. Just to bring the defense up. I'm one of the few older guys on the defense that has to get these guys together. I'm pretty sure we can get that done.
Senior Defensive Lineman Ezekiel Rose
On what he learned about himself last season
I didn't know I had that much strength and endurance in me until, I'd say, the Oklahoma game last year. It wasn't a very good game for us, but I feel like I brought more energy into that game than in any other game.
On how to improve on the defense's sack totals this season
We actually work on perfecting our craft – we know we can't get it perfect but we're going to get it almost there and try to get certain moves for certain people to work on. We call it the toolbox. We want to reach into our own toolbox and get our main tools out that we'll use all the time. I feel like just bringing more energy to meetings and competitions and everything we do will help us in the long run.
On realizing he could play at the Division I level
It was the first practice. We went out and I was like, 'They put their pants on one leg at a time just like me.' We did the first rep and I thought, 'Man, this isn't much different. I can do all this stuff.' I've seen guys stronger than me in certain parts, so I try to build on that part. I'm stronger in some parts than other people, so I try to give them pointers. I was just trying to build and help others build, too.
Redshirt Senior Quarterback Will Grier
On what he wanted to improve on this offseason
In the spring, a lot of it was efficiency and getting us in the right play, high percentage plays. Individually, just working on different fundamental things. Doing little things right. Summer is a good time to fine-tune some things before camp gets going. Just a little bit of everything, trying to get better and go forward into camp.
On his thoughts on the Heisman campaign
It's great for the university. I'd love to bring a Heisman here to Morgantown, that would be awesome. The main thing that I am focused on is just trying to go 1-0 every week and win games. We have a special team and a special group of coaches. My main goal is to win and that stuff will take care of itself. Like I said, it would be great to bring a Heisman back to Morgantown.
On having a lot of his receiving corps back an keeping the chemistry
It's great. Just building off of what we did last year. The chemistry is obviously there when you have guys that are experienced and guys that you have played with that is always a good thing. I have a good group of guys. They are good people, they work hard, they are fun to be around, we enjoy getting better together. We push each other. That's a great group, it's really an awesome group to work with. So it's been fun.
On if he has been impressed with the newcomers at wide receiver
There are some young guys that came in that are impressive. A lot of guys right now. It's hard until you really get pads on and get out in camp and stuff like that. Some of these young guys at all positions are really going to be able to help us. I've been impressed with the freshman class as a whole. Obviously, we have gotten some good transfers in that have some experience. Those guys are going to be good. We are going to be able to tell in camp when the whole team is here moving forward with what we got. A lot of people are excited with what we have and I am really looking forward to it. Receiving wise in particular, It is nice to have more numbers out there just in these summer workouts. We went from probably, eight, nine, ten guys in the spring to four deep at every position. Just having more bodies out there is nice. Guys rotating in. I'm excited about that whole group. When you have guys like (senior wide receiver) David (Sills V), (senior wide receiver) Gary (Jennings Jr.), (junior wide receiver) Marcus (Simms) and (redshirt sophomore wide receiver) T.J. (Simmons), to watch, they have a good group of mentors and guys that can really play the position at a high level. They will learn quickly behind those guys so I'm excited about that group.
Senior Receiver David Sills V
On his expectations going into the new season
They haven't really changed. I have the same mentality going into every season playing football. This year, there's a bigger leadership role, I feel like. The biggest thing I want to help the team out with is connecting the team, having more of a family connection, having each other's back, having the trust when the offense needs a stop from the defense, they can trust the defense to get that. When we need to put some points on the board, the defense can trust us. We've been doing a lot of hanging out and bonding stuff outside of here, like having meals together and stuff like that, which really does go a long way. That's probably the only thing different that I'm taking out of this year.
On dealing with opposing teams focusing on him
I feel like we have enough weapons where it's tough for them to key in on one person because we have (senior receiver) Gary (Jennings Jr.), who had a tremendous season last year and has had a great offseason this year. He's ready to have another great year, so if I take coverage, then he's just going to have a huge game. If he has a huge game, then the coverage is going to go to him and we've got (junior receiver) Marcus (Simms) and (redshirt sophomore receiver) T.J. (Simmons) and a whole bunch of other guys. The young guys have come in and done a great job adapting and stuff like that. We feel confident with how we work as a receiver unit, and we're all confident in each other.
On helping younger teammates
We're just trying to show them the ropes. We want them to come in, and we want them to have the grind early. We tell them, 'OK, this is how we work.' You don't want them to get in and get on the wrong foot like not knowing what the standard is and how we hold everybody here. Everyday I'm asking them if they caught today, if they did what they needed to do, get on the jugs, all of that. They are doing a great job of it; they're doing a great job competing and conditioning and with the lifts and everything. I'm excited to see what they're going to do this year, and I think they're very talented just from what I've seen so far. I know we haven't put any pads on or anything but, just from what I've seen so far, they are pretty talented.
Senior Receiver Gary Jennings Jr.
On what made him feel comfortable to choose to play at WVU
That seems like years ago, but it's great to be here. I've learned a lot along the way and I just can't wait for the upcoming year.
On how he felt about teammates returning to school
Conversions were made, and we definitely figured out that if everyone came back, then it could be really special next year.
On what the offense could bring to the table this year
We're just putting in a lot of extra hard work and a lot of fine-tuning some things in order to be that much better. That's what our goal is.
On his personal expectations for the new year
I'm trying to be a different animal next year. I'm fine-tuning some things that I might not have necessary been as good at.
Redshirt Senior Safety Dravon Askew-Henry
On what this year being his last year means to him
It means a lot. I came here a boy and I'm going to leave a man so it means a lot. The state of West Virginia means a lot to me.
On what he has learned in his time at West Virginia
Growth. How to compete. If you are going through something, battle through it. I learned so much since I've been here. I'm just trying to be the leader now and influence the younger guys.
On if he remembers the first time he stepped on campus
I actually do. The first day out here we were warming up and coach ( Assistant Athletic Director for Strength and Conditioning) Mike (Joseph) said to jog and I was in a full blown out sprint and everybody was laughing at me. As I look back it's been a fun ride.
On if he has something to prove this year
Oh yeah, for sure. Coming out of the season that we had last year and just for myself, I always have something to prove. I'm coming into the season with a chip on my shoulder, it's my senior year, my last go-around with my brothers and I'm ready to put it all out there.
Redshirt Junior Linebacker David Long Jr.
On if he is anxious to get out on the field again
Of course. I can't wait until camp to get out there with these guys.
On what the summer has been like
It's just as hard like every other year. The grind has been real. The defense as a whole, we are starting to gel as it goes along. We have a few new guys and that is going to take time. I'm sure we will get it right.
On what his expectations for himself this year
Staying healthy is number one. Just going out there and doing what I know I can do. Just to bring the defense up. I'm one of the few older guys on the defense that has to get these guys together. I'm pretty sure we can get that done.
Senior Defensive Lineman Ezekiel Rose
On what he learned about himself last season
I didn't know I had that much strength and endurance in me until, I'd say, the Oklahoma game last year. It wasn't a very good game for us, but I feel like I brought more energy into that game than in any other game.
On how to improve on the defense's sack totals this season
We actually work on perfecting our craft – we know we can't get it perfect but we're going to get it almost there and try to get certain moves for certain people to work on. We call it the toolbox. We want to reach into our own toolbox and get our main tools out that we'll use all the time. I feel like just bringing more energy to meetings and competitions and everything we do will help us in the long run.
On realizing he could play at the Division I level
It was the first practice. We went out and I was like, 'They put their pants on one leg at a time just like me.' We did the first rep and I thought, 'Man, this isn't much different. I can do all this stuff.' I've seen guys stronger than me in certain parts, so I try to build on that part. I'm stronger in some parts than other people, so I try to give them pointers. I was just trying to build and help others build, too.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ FootballGold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
