North Carolina
Brown: We feel like both QBs can play today
Mack Brown provides his post spring evaluations for the offense, defense and analyzes both quarterbacks performances from the spring game.
Good afternoon everybody and, uh, excited about spring. I like the team. It's a fun group. Chemistry was good. I, I really enjoyed our team two years ago that started nine and one and, and, uh, there were no expectations. I kind of feel like this spring's been the same expectations are lower. A lot of new faces. Uh, 30 new guys played in Kenan Stadium for the first time in the, in the spring game and in front of people. Uh, but they, they like each other. They've got a little chip on their shoulder and they've, they've worked really, really hard and they, they've worked hard to, to try to, um, just get better in every area and we haven't had issues with, uh, kids arguing at positions are, are, um, they know we're trying to, to develop more players and get too deep. Uh, so they, they've really worked toward that, um, and we'll just kind of work through here with, with each player and, and, um, talk to you about who we felt like did really well. Uh, coaching staff, the evaluation of, uh, excuse me, the offensive staff just continues to grow and their goals were to come in this spring and figure out what this team can do. You change quarterbacks? You, you, you lose Drake. Uh, what do you do? What do you do different? Um, your, your face is Omarian. Uh, you've got four new offensive linemen, you know, the tight ends weren't practicing. The, the, the first two, the top three or four receivers weren't practicing. Uh, so what do you do in spring practice to get where you need to get? Well, we said it's a great opportunity to teach young people uh how to compete and play and give them a better chance to play in the fall. So, um, and then you've got two quarterbacks that are competing uh at a high level. How do you separate them? What do you do? Uh how do you figure out what each one does best? And, and then when you're calling plays, don't call North Carolina plays, call Connor plays, call Max plays and, and make sure that you're emphasizing what you feel like they do best. And then you, um we, we were, they were competing every practice, so we actually had them practice the same number of plays with the blue team, which is our first team and the white team, which is the second team. We let them take every snap. And we said even though there's some inconsistency in the right running with really young receivers or, uh maybe even some walk ons were, were working with the, the white team at times, they both had the same opportunities and they both had to overcome some adversity and they both had to work through some things. They both had to feel some pressure because the second, uh, offensive line, the white offensive line was not, um, as well prepared and doesn't have as much ability right now as the, the blue offensive line. So, uh, uh, looking at all that, I, I felt like the offensive staff has done an outstanding job of trying to figure out a new identity. What are we gonna be? And that, that'll be a big part of what we will do now between now and the fall. Who are your best players? Who are your, your playmakers? Who are you gonna get the ball to, uh, and how are you going to do that? Who's going to win the game? And, and then, uh, again, trying to figure out in the offensive line, who are your best eight, uh, and, um, who are your best five? And then rotating, do you have a, a Senator that plays guard also? Do you who getting your best players involved, uh, defensively? You, you bring in Jeff Collins, you, you elevate Ted Montecino and then you still got Tommy Thick Pin, Jason Jones and, and, um, Charlton Warren, uh, and how does it mix? They've had great chemistry. Uh, that's one thing Jeff does. He brings everybody together. He's, uh, he's, he's like the Pied Piper. Everybody wants to follow him. He's fun. He's, uh, he's high energy. He's, uh, uh I've been impressed that he's all inclusive. Everybody in the room, he knows their name. He's gonna ask them questions and he's gonna get them involved. And, um, even he, he crosses over when the offense makes a great play. He'll sprint across field and chest bump a player just to say, man, you're, you're giving spits. I love that. I love it. It's on my team. Um And he's done what he told me he was going to do. He's looked complicated and he's been simple. So in talking to the, the, um Elijah Hussy at lunch and the Go Biggers who's come out to practice and talks to all the players just listening to press conferences. When you all ask the guys, they're all talking about how aggressive we are, but how simple we are and the communication is really good and, and that's what he told me he was gonna do. And now the, the next step of that was we're gonna play a lot of players and um, and I see that in his mindset, he, he's not worried about a guy going in, he's not a guy who's nervous about this guy. I'm, I'm afraid to put him in, he throws him out there and says, turn it loose and let it go. Um So in, in both of those areas, um I thought that he and and Ted have really stepped up and, and done a tremendous job in those areas and we'll talk some about that as, as we go through the players, um, let's start with the offense. Um, you start looking at quarterbacks, which is, is always a fan favorite to, to coach and talk about everybody loves that quarterback battle. Uh We're lucky that we feel like, uh, and this will sound like it's a press conference statement, but we feel like both of them can play today and, and, uh, that, that's a blessing and we feel like both of them can win today. Uh, they're two of the nicest young men I've ever been around. They both have outstanding families. They like each other a lot. They're pulling for each other a lot. There is no animosity in that room and, um, and they both have things that they do better than the other one. we've just got to figure out which one is going to be the most consistent who's going to lead the team the best. And that's partly what summers for when you get back at the end of summer, you ask the other players who, who worked the hardest, who, who's the most consistent in your mind and you got to guys you trust and they see them every day. We don't get to see them every day in the summer because we can't see them throw. And, uh, that really, really helps you when you, you come back and, and they have a feel it was Drake and Jacoby, uh, Krill were, even when we left. In fact, they both had great spring games. We came back in, in August and I said, went up and Jacoby had gotten hurt over the summer and he didn't get to work as much and Drake was winning every drill. So they said coach, I think Drake right now, uh, would be the guy. Jacoby is great, but right now Drake would be the guy and kind of the same with, with Sam Howell, uh when we first got here, uh, so the players can help you with that as, as you go forward. But, uh, they both can do similar things. They, they've got to both be consistent and, and they've got to be confident and they're, they're both really smart and they're both confident and I think that's why they can handle each other so well and, and I was impressed with Michael Medinger and some of the things he did, um when he walked in the other day, he's got a good army run. Uh He didn't get to do a lot this spring, but he, but he has a chance, uh running back. Uh We feel like the room's good. Uh Omarian Hampton is, is who he is and you saw he, he's definitely staying here. Uh So that's good moving forward. Uh But he is, uh he's one of the best backs in the country. Uh, Darwin Barlow has gotten better every day of spring. He looked really good in the spring game and he's a big body that, uh, we feel like can go in and play. We were very impressed with Davion Goss. Uh, he is, uh, he's played older this spring. He didn't do a whole lot the other day, but he, he's a good runner. He's got good ball security. He's £215. He's very physical. He pass protects better than most any, uh, young running backs I've seen coming in, he's got really good hands and, and he, uh, he plays older. Uh, Caleb Hood is really good. We all know that what we've got to do is make sure that Caleb does everything possible with the trainers and the strength coaches and the nutritionist between now and the fall to make sure we quit having pos, uh, just, he's had so much tough luck. Uh, it's, it's, uh, but if we can get him on track, he's really good and he's very talented and we've been impressed with Major Bird. We moved him over and, uh, he's a young guy that can catch him run. He's got good vision, um, and he gives you that fifth back. Um, so we're, we're not as aggressive in the transfer portal right now, running back as we were before he moved over because you, you got five backs, you got a chance to be good. Uh, So we're, we're in better shape there. We know JJ Jones, but Jordan ship, uh Barry Green and, and Alex Taylor really stepped up as a freshman and they got a lot of work. Lonnie Galloway has got a strong room too. These guys have done an amazing job of recruiting in, in each area. Uh, Nate mccollum is, is playing like the guy that we saw at the Minnesota game last year. He's played at a very high level. He's got his confidence and his quickness and his speed back, he's had a tremendous spring. Um And then you start looking at the, the, the guys that are out, Kobe Pesar will be back, Gavin Blackwell will be back. Um Christian Hamilton did some good things this spring. Uh Chris Culliver and Paul Billups uh did the same, they look like superstars at time and Chris didn't get to play Saturday but he's, he's got speed like Tez Walker and he's tall, he's got length and Paul Billups has had an outstanding spring so that there are a lot of wide receivers there that all can play. We got to figure out what six are, are going to get most of the reps and again, we need to start playing too deep with our receivers. Um, every starting wide receiver for Lonnie Galloway since he's been here is in the NFL and that's pretty powerful. So, uh, and most of the running backs that have started here in the NFL. So, uh, it's AAA great message to, to the, uh, recruits as they come in. Uh, Howard Sampson at left tackle is, has been, um, uh, a huge additions for us. I don't mean huge. 68, uh, I guess 325 is huge, but he's, uh, he's aggressive. He's got great feet. He played most of spring with a pool, uh, and he's tough. He wouldn't come out, he wouldn't miss practice. Um, and he'll just get better and better. He's got three years left. Um, Jenah Norwood is a young guy that, that we're talking to right now, but he'll probably stay on offense. He played both this spring and that's what we told him in recruiting because he played both in high school and, um, my deal is we let them play where they want to and then let them play both sides if they want to. And then we figure out what's best. Uh, but he played really, really well at offensive tackle and you, you've got Andrew Rosinski is another young guy that's going to be really good down the road. I thought Randy did an outstanding job of recruiting offensive linemen. Zach Greenberg was at the game the other day. Uh, he's, uh, £310 now, I think. Um, and he'll be a very interesting transition because he's played division three football and he'll come in and play Garden Center both. Um, and he's excited. He's been down to three different times and he's seen his practice and he's been in meetings and we're excited about him. Um, Aidan Banfield has had an outstanding spring for a freshman. There's no question that he can play in games next year. He's tough. He's smart. He's got great feet. He's about £300. Um So we're very, very impressed with him. Austin Blaskie. We're so blessed to have him. He can play all five spots. Um But he played center, he can play guard uh and a being interchangeable. Uh We feel again like Zach Greenberg can be a center. Uh Bo Burkes, a young walk on was really, really good for us this spring. Um But, and we appreciate all the hard work that be put in. Uh Willie Lamkin played Summit center this spring so he can go center and guard. Um And um he, he's just turned into a, a great leader and player, he's tough. Blaskie is tough. Those guys are leaders uh right next to each other. Malik mcgowan had a good spring. He started a lot of the spring and he is a guy that we can put in. He and uh Jonathan Adorno, uh both stepped up and did some good things. Trey Green played really good throughout the spring. He is uh he's coming into his own. He's, he's lost some weight. He's much more confident. He played well on Saturday. Uh and Jay left which uh will be here in a couple of weeks, he and Jeff Greenberg. So, uh, you've got, um, really about seven or eight guys there, uh, for the first time since we've been here that we feel like can all play and we want to keep fresh guys in there. So you've got to look at who your best five are. And would your backup tackle be the starting right guard or left guard? So you got to look at all that. That's what Randy and, and I, and, and Chip are doing right now. Uh, who are the best five, but who are the best seven? Who are the best eight? And, uh, how would they play? And how would we rotate them? And, and we haven't seen, uh, Zach Greenberg, excuse me or Jay left, which, even though Pat and Coach Collin saw him at Georgia Tech. So he, they know more about him than, uh, than Randy or I do right now, but that'll all, we'll all see that in the fall. Bryson Nesbitt and John Copenhaver two NFL prospects weren't out there this spring. Uh, but that really helped us work, Jake Johnson, Ryan Ward and, and we had two young guys, Deans May and Port Halsey, the young walk ons like Bo Burkes, uh, that stepped up and did a really good job for us, but that's, um, that room's got a heck of a chance. We got to figure out who the third one is. You've got Bryson and John that have played a lot. Jake did some great things this spring. Then. You've got Julian Randolph coming back off of the knee. You've got Ryan Ward who played all spring as a true freshman and did some good things and you've got Timmy Lawson who's coming off of the A knee. So a lot of those guys will get looks, uh, in the fall as well. Um, any questions on offense, uh, Zach's doing better. Uh, I, I've got this in front of me and going to all of them. We've got great competition right now at guard. You've got Zach, you've got adorno, you've got mcgowan, you've got Lamkin, um, and you've got Banfield and you've got Greenberg coming in. So we've had, we've got more good players at those positions than we've had since I've been here from the need to. Yes, he's really worked hard on, on his footwork and his hand placement and, and that's what he's got to. His trainer was down here the other day and he comes down some and just watches the video and, and helps him as well. Uh, but he's got a great attitude. He's tried really hard and he's made a lot of progress. Uh, no, he, he just, he had another operation. He had it tweaked again, so he's getting it fixed. Yeah, it's just, he had soreness, uh, from the other operation. So it's nothing big. So it was something to go in and relieve some pressure or something. So it wasn't a big deal. Uh, but he, uh, he'll be fine for summer workouts and should be back ready to go. Yeah. And it was sore and we, we just want him to, he's had a load on him with both the same bone in each of the 2 ft getting broken against air. He didn't touch anybody that's a load mentally. Um, so when he came back and he started running and it was still sore. We said let's go, sure. Make sure everything's, uh, well, so he, he just, they just cleaned it up but he should be good. No. Yeah, he'll, he'll get to work all summer. In fact, uh, everybody, um, see how to put this. Every, everybody on our team should be released and ready to go at this point for fall practice. We don't have anybody who should be limited and that's why they, they fixed, uh, um, came in Rucker's finger because they wanted him to get the lift, uh, earlier than not. So, we, we weren't gonna play him a whole lot the last two weeks of spring practice. So let's get him in there and get him fixed. Uh, Gavin got some drills late. JJ, got a few drills late but not much. No, none, none of those three receivers work pretty much. I do think the young ones got their attention so they'll, they'll get back out there pretty fast, like you said, like you said, uh, both quarterbacks could play today. Do you anticipate maybe in the fall that if they ever think it's all equal, that you might be playing both quarterbacks in games this year. Charlie, it's a, it's a great question. You know, we did that with Mike Thomas and Jason Stanis. We did that with, uh, um, some other guys late that were both really good players and it worked for us. We left the one with a hot hand in the game. So, uh, I haven't been in that situation with Chip before, so, and we, we've got such great quarterback people here. You, you, you start looking at, uh, Freddie kitchens and, and, uh, Clyde Christianson and, and Lonnie Galloway has played quarterback and then he got Chip, you got a lot of knowledge in that room. Uh, and I haven't even met with them after the spring game. We'll do that this afternoon at three. but it, it's, uh, um, it's definitely a possibility if we feel like that, neither one of them separates over the summer. Um, and, and right now, uh, I haven't talked to the guys, but both of them did really, really well and, and I, I do think that they, they felt like leaving Saturday when I was talking to him that, uh, both of them could, could step up and play right now. So I, I think that'll be a, that'll be an interesting conversation for the summer. It'll be good when we get the players back together at, at the end of summer to see what they think and then they'll, they'll have great competition and we're going to try to get another quarterback in the portal because we lost Tad Hudson. So you need four and a lot of people have five. We feel like you gotta have five running backs and Major Bird could be that fifth one now because he stepped up, but you've got to have four quarterbacks and most people have five. So we will, we will look for a quarterback even though we feel like these two are, are in a, in a good position to move forward. I know it doesn't, I know it doesn't benefit you to say someone's name right now in April, whatever the date is. But for you personally, when you guys have done in your spring game and you're sort of sorting it all out in your head. Do you have in your mind who you think is ahead in the quarterback competition again? Adam, it's a great question. I go back and forth. It's really interesting that and just being totally honest, I go one day, I'll walk off and say he was great. The other one struggled a little bit and then the, the, the next day I'll say that one had confidence. He had a hot hand, but I don't know. I don't know. Uh So that's the good and the bad of it. Uh, we just need to get one of us more consistent. You look at it. They were both throwing with, um, new tight ends, they were both throwing with new wide receivers and, and the offense changed for Connor some, but it's a whole new offense for, um, for Max as you look at him too. So, uh, I honestly have walked and I'd say to Clyde sometime, what do you think? It's, I don't know, I thought he was, this one was better today and I thought the other one was better coming into today. So, uh that's what we've got, we got, they both have to keep working and get more consistent. Uh, before one of them could take over those same line when you're reviewing the film of the spring game on Connor and Max, you have, are you judging it like you would in actual game or is it different because of some of the challenges you mentioned, it's different because in spring games, you don't have game plans. So you might see a blitz that would get to the quarterback and there would be a way for him to handle that in the fall. But we're totally looking at evaluation of personnel on Saturday. You don't even worry sometimes you've got some white team guys playing the blue team or got some gray team guys that are, that are around. Uh We don't even think about who's in there against who we, we try to look at the number of plays. We wanted to get the players that we're really evaluating and we told the guys we didn't even care about score. I don't even know what it was because we, we didn't even keep it. Uh, we had a number of plays. We didn't have a scoreboard to tell us how long we were gonna be out there. And I think it was like 73 plays or something. Uh, when you add the, the kicking opportunities to it. Uh, but no, the, the thing that, that we want to do is see, uh, how they handle pressure. Um, we, we didn't even check, you know, there might be a few simple checks. Jeff did very little on defense. I'm sure there were some people there watching that, that we'd rather not be there. Um, but it, it, uh, it was totally about evaluation of personnel on Saturday. Yes. There, there's certain throws that some of the players like better than others when they're, they're at quarterback. I, we went to Vince Young when we got to Texas and he was a young guy and he was a freshman and he was struggling some and I said, give me the five passes that you like the best and those are the ones he's going to complete more often and then you grow from that, give me the five runs that you like the best or, or, or movements as a quarterback, we're gonna move the quarterback some. What do you like the best? Do you, do you left? Do you like better to his left or Connor? Like it better to his right. Um And, and Max would say I'm good either way. Gotta turn my shoulders but, but it, it's totally trying to get them confident enough that we're in their head and we know what they want them fourth in and for, and like, sometimes we'd even ask Drake, we'd get down to fourth and three and say, here's two calls, which one do you want? And he might even say I'd rather have this one, which was a third one and, and you want to go with what he wants, what he feels like it is gonna be there and, and that's what we're doing with each of these guys right now. Chips really? Uh, um, uh, um, he's settled, he's calm. Uh, he can talk to him. He's not a yeller, he's not a screamer. Uh, but he can figure that out. And I think both quarterbacks started playing better when we let them have more input into their package. And that was something I felt after halfway through the spring, uh, they're working with the White team. Some that's pressure, uh, they're working in a different offense, some, let's see what they like. And also it's telling when they tell you what they like because your, so I hadn't thought about that, but that, and he, and then they'll say, why do you like that? And, and he goes with it. So, but they're more confident with things that they've completed the most obviously going through that for both players. What would you say? Cheeses than in respect to the converse? I wouldn't do that because we don't have time and I'd need video and I need to show you because there's not a lot of difference. I mean, both of them, they, they can both. I heard, uh I think you, you asked, uh power that after the scrimmage and, and power said they're both good. They both can run, they both can throw and he's really right. It sounded like a political answer. I laughed when I, when I heard him answer it. Uh, but Connor's faster than Max, but Max can run and, and for 642 30 he, he can move well enough to, to make some plays with his feet. Um, and they both really have big arms. It gets back to decision making and it gets back to accuracy with your throws. Those are gonna be the things that separate quarterbacks in the end and leadership tho those three things and a lot of that happens over the summer and it'll be easier for us to tell when Bryson's back out there and John Copenhaver is back out there and JJ Jones and Kobe and all those guys are back on the field, it's gonna be easier to see and this freshman will be, uh, more comfortable by then as well. Actually, this response was awful coming along those lines last week. Excuse me, last week, you mentioned it was a little bit open ended with, uh, looking for a quarterback because it would be a challenge to get someone to a, a accept 1/4 spot if you will, if they're leaving the fourth spot, how open ended is it? And if somebody that can be a starter called and wants to talk, do you guys listen? Yeah, it, it's very interesting, Andrew and we've had, it sounds like sometimes when you come in here, we're, we're trying to be politically correct with you all, not say anything. Uh, all those are discussions we have. Is it fair to, to Connor and, and max to bring in somebody right now? Uh, when they missed spring? How many reps can you give them because you gotta get the other two ready to play? Are you bringing in a guy that might be the start of the next year? Uh, you're bringing in a guy that might be the starter if somebody gets hurt or mid season. Uh, and that limits your choices. It's just like running back. There's not a whole lot of running backs that are excited about coming right now and I understand that completely. If it, uh, Adrian Peterson, one said one time I told him not to come. Well, what I did, he asked me am I a starter when I walk on campus and I said, Cedric Benson is the starter and he's really good and you'll get to work with him. You'll, you'll be rotating in and out. He wanted to be the starter. Well, with Omarian, it's kind of the same thing. Everybody knows Omarian. So first question you get when they come in. So, well, what about Omarian? I said he's really good and he's gonna play and he's gonna get a lot of touches. So, uh, same thing with quarterback, you can you, how many can you get ready? So that's kind of what we're looking at right now. We, we need 1/4 1. Uh, how does it fit? It's got to be the right mix. It's got to be right fit. It's gotta be who somebody who understands that the first day you get here, you're not going to be, uh, in that mix as a starter and, and that's just what you have to tell them. You have to tell them the truth. Now, what talks about, uh, you know, the other day, you know, congress, first two passes were, you know, 65 of course, you know, touchdowns, uh, was that, I guess, you know, one area you kind of, you know, and it seemed like generally speaking, he took more shots down the, you, you know, compared to me is that probably more a product of just him being working, you know, all generally speaking. And also like, was that something that you kind of identified as one of his primary strength stories? You know, we, we have uh talked to both quarterbacks about overthrown balls. We felt like both have overthrown too many balls this spring. And we say it's like a punt, it's a wasted play. Give him a chance. We got really good receivers. So we'd rather you under throw it than overthrow it. If you overthrow it, we got no chance if you under throw it, there may be pass interference. Guys are really talented, they can catch it but, but don't, so I was really proud that, that, that Connor hit two deep balls and I guess one of them was kind of a slant, a skinny post and, and the other one was deep and, and then Max missed one, I think Connor missed one of the deep balls as well. Uh But really, it, it just depends on the match up and who's in there and we, we don't have, we don't even work on who's going to match up against who in the spring game. Uh So it just happened more than anything else and the thing that you do, you try to balance plays. So when Connor goes in has three plays and Max has a 14 play drive, then you got to figure out when do you get Connor back out there? And people would say, well, you started Max, well, now they flip coins and I think, um Longo used to go rock paper scissors to see who got to start. So, uh there's a, there's no big answer and who walked out there first. That's just not, not part of it, but you, you really have to do a great job of trying to make sure you balance numbers. So you give them both fair chances and you want them to have the same number with the blues and the whites if you can. Uh So when you're making evaluations, you can say you all your, your test was the same, you, you were the same against the, the same group of people. A bit of a question. Just away from the acts. We were talking some with uh, Max and Connor about them going out and golfing together. I know Connor specifically mentioned, uh, golf. So yeah, we, when we built the house, there were a few things. We, if you're within a mile of your office, you can take unofficial visits to your house. I think it's crazy rule. But if you're more than a mile, you can't take them to your house. So Sally cut out all possible houses that were more than a mile away from office. So that's what she wanted to look at. And then, um, I don't get to play a lot of golf. So I like a simulator so I can go up and play Pebble beach at, at night if I want to and you can put on whatever you want. Uh, one night we were up there and we, we heard 1030 at night, we thought all the players were gone. We heard somebody upstairs and it was Drake and, and, uh, Sam, it was 1030 at night and, and they said we're on number 18 at Pebble Beach coach, give us a few more minutes. I said you gotta, um, so the players can come over and play anytime they want to and, and, and that's fun for us to watch them. No, no. Sally is a genius behind everything and I just, the only mistake she made was marrying me and, and I can't figure that out, but I'm a good recruiter. So that's it. Huh? Yeah, she was, uh, um, Sally got a, uh, architectural design degree from Cal Berkeley actually got a nursing degree and didn't like blood. So that didn't work very well. So she got an architectural design degree and then became a builder and then became a developer here. She's got, I think four neighborhoods in, in Chapel Hill that she developed. Um, and she's just got an amazing knack of, uh, she's so smart, but she's got an amazing knack of, of making things work. So she de she designed this building back 30 years ago, um, with some other architects that were friends of hers and now she's come in and just redone everything and she just, uh, she's absolutely incredible at what she does back. I'm sorry to get you off the rails on that. But you were, you were mentioning earlier about the wild eyes, like, I mean, if you're a guy like JJ Jones, an outside receiver, should you be concerned about Golden Ship? Because it seems like that guy is coming fast. Uh Yes and, and could he be the rare true freshman that actually gets on the field like, you know, at that position rather than specialty? Yes. Our whole focus. Adam has been trying to figure out how do we win the games at the end? That's the whole focus and, and one of those things is playing more players. So Lonnie is going to try to rotate six receivers at all times. So that means we're going to have really good players, uh, sometimes that are on the bench, but like we said, can you play, uh, 40 plays, uh, at a very high level as compared to 80 when you get tired and we think we're just worn out and, and our schedule is tougher at the end and we're worn out and that hadn't worked. So, uh, we are going to force ourselves to play, uh, too deep. We're just gonna force ourselves and, and I've told the guys that that's, that's coaching, if you don't trust him, that means you haven't coached him well enough because we got good enough players. So, come on, man, it's an excuse. Uh, so, uh, but absolutely Jordan ship has got as good a group of hands as, as just about anybody I've ever coached. I mean, I see him in practice and he grabs, just catches at one hand and he, and he loves to compete. And, uh, those three, Javari Green, very green was he, he started slow. He's come on at the end of spring and looked really good and he's so fast, you know, he ran 43 in a camp. I mean, he's fast. He looked real fast. Saturday. He did, he did. And then you, you've got Alex Taylor that makes another unbelievable catch that said he was out of bounds. Uh, but somebody was all over him and he still caught it and he's looked like that all spring. So those three guys are really special and we're not going to worry about age. We're, we're just gonna put them out there anything before I go to the defense real quick. Uh Chris, was it Jeremy would, uh, he was doing great. He caught a 60 yard pass the day before he got hurt or maybe the day he did get hurt and I mean, just outran everybody. Oh, were you? I think he can be really special. Uh, but he's fine. He, he'll, I think he bumped his head or something. It, it, it's not something that's going to keep him out tomorrow. Jeremy would, Jeremy would just say upper body. I think that would be it. OK? Defense ready TV is ready. Ok. Uh, Desmond Evans had by far his best spring. He is, uh, again, I'm, I'm so impressed with, uh, what Ted Montecino has been able to do and those, those guys want to play in the Pros, I hope some of the best players to ever play. So when he talks to them about things that it, it's, it's important. It listens Bo Atkinson would be another guy that could play on the blue team. He's had an outstanding spring and we're, we're looking at the number of, um, penalties that the pass rushers force. How many times were, were they forced to hold you? We're looking at the sacks, we're looking at tackles for loss and, and Bo and Dez are, are way up there. Uh, you've got Jacoby Cowan who did some individual drills at the end. That'll be well, and then we're very impressed with Daniel Anderson. They're, they're calling the old Jack position rush for you when you're talking about it. But Daniel Anderson's, uh, 240 plus pound freshman that had great grades and he's, he's been very impressive this spring and we feel like he could play either of the two spots. And then, uh, you, you start looking at, uh, the rush position, came and Rucker one of the best in the country. I think it was fourth most productive. And then Jay Brown Harvey, uh, got some things fixed in his lower body so he'll be full speed. He wasn't out there Saturday, Tyler Thompson's gaining weight. He's about 225 now and, and he's really been impressive. Uh, Curtis Simpson really got our attention some. So there are a lot of great young players at that position. Malachi Hamrick showed up Saturday. He can really run. Um, and then you say, well, you got a lot of people at that position. Uh, one of the things we've told the guys, if you're not in the too deep, you're gonna have to be on three special teams, that's gonna be your way to make the trip. And then if you, you're on the travel squad because of special teams, then you'll be able to, to earn your right, uh, at the position. But you're gonna have to be on special teams, uh, minimum two, hopefully all four. if you're not a guy who's in the, the two deep rotation and that should really help us on special teams get better then, uh, nose guard, defensive tackle, you got Kevin Hester and Kevin's played a lot of ball and he did some great things this spring. We said Travis Shaw looked like the Travis Shaw. We've been waiting on for, uh, all spring. He's, he's really stepped it up and been high energy. Joel Starlings has made some plays. He and, uh, Rodney Laura are young guys but, but, uh, uh, Joel is, uh, he's £320 he's 64 and he's just got to be more consistent, but he's, he's got a chance as we go through. Um And then you've got Javari Ritz, he had by far his best spring. He's quick. Uh Jeff's moving the guys a lot more. So he, that's, that's uh Java's game. Um And then we're, we're very excited about Peter Posy and uh Leroy Jackson coming in, defensive linemen can play as freshman if they're strong enough and both of those guys are really, really strong. Um, Leroy is a great baseball player. He's the fastest guy on his baseball team. He, he's hit some home runs. Uh, he's very athletic so we feel like those guys will have a chance. And then, uh, we've got another guy that we're planning on, uh, coming in at, at defensive tackle from the portal and, and, uh, I can't talk about him today because the paperwork is not done. Is that fair, Pat? Ok. Um, and then you go to linebacker, you, you've got the power echo, uh, who we were smart with this spring. We want him to coach and do a lot of things and, and help us, but he's, he's had enough hits. Uh, Amari Campbell has really been good. He has stepped up and he plays older than he is and, uh, he's gotten a lot of snaps this spring, but he's, uh, he's ready to go and then you've got this group of Ashton Woods, Michael Short, uh, Caleb Lavalle uh, and Kate Law who all really played well. Uh, we were impressed with all of them at one time. It's amazing that Cade Law was a baseball pitcher at Vanderbilt and he comes in and, and had never played linebacker. He played quarterback in high school and, uh, he's, he's doing a good job. He's got to tackle better, but he's, he's all over the place. Lavalle got well and he really had a great three weeks at the end. Uh, Michael Short keeps getting better and we were very impressed with Ashton Woods. Uh, he, he pulled up a little bit, uh, Thursday before the spring game. I wish you could have seen him. He's gonna be a real good player and I, I wish he could have been out there on Saturday because that would have been fun for you all to watch. And then you've got Evan Bennett and Cruz Law two, really talented young guys coming in. So you'll, you'll look at them and see where they are. So, uh, we've got to get a 3rd and 4th linebacker. We got enough folks, but we've got, uh, again, like the receivers, we got to separate some of them have to be special teams. In fact, all of the backup linebackers will probably be on special teams, but who's number three and who's number four and that'll be something that we, we have to, uh, finalize when we get to the fall. Uh, Marcus Allen is a great corner for us. He went out there this spring. Uh but it forced us to look at uh Tyrann Stewart. And when you're all talking to him, I think I mentioned it to you. But his nickname's Doley. And I asked him why. And he said, grandmother called me that and I said, is there a reason she called you that? And he said, no, she just started calling me Dooley. So, so we call him Dooley because that's easier than Tyrann. Um And then you've, uh, I got Khalil Connelly who, who played star, he played, um, corner, he played some safety. He played all over the place. Uh Stick lane. Really stepped up. You saw his hit on Saturday. He's been doing that all spring and the truth is stick didn't come in until June, then he pulled his hamstring so he didn't get to play, uh, healthy until probably 3rd, 4th game. So he's, he's really had a good spring. Deandre Boykins will, will work at star and safety. Both. He was out there doing some drills this spring. He, he didn't get any contact, but he actually got to do enough drill work that his, his knee looks fine. Uh Will Hardy had an outstanding spring. Um You've got Jaylen Thompson and Jaden Patterson, um, and Malcolm Ziegler, all young safeties that can really run. Malcolm probably played the most out of that group. Uh, but they're all, all really fast, talented guys Um and then Jem Harris has really impressed us. He and Will Hardy were in yellow jerseys all spring because of their injuries. Uh but their hitters sticks a hitter. So it's gonna be a very physical group at safety. Uh and then Elijah Hussey um is, is who he is. He didn't play a lot Saturday but he's really talented. We, we like him at the corner so hopefully he can stay there. Now we've got enough depth at, at uh star. We, we lost everything last year when we, we had to move him to star and then he got hurt at star. So it just depleted us because he's one of the better players around Ty Adams has stepped up this spring. We're really impressed with him. He uh he had more interceptions than anybody early. He's an outstanding athlete and John Ferguson is going to be really good. He's tall, can run. Um So, so those guys got a lot of work at, uh, at, at corner as well. Uh Caleb cost only was out there for three practices because he had baseball and we said you only have 20 hours a week. So you can't, you, you've got to be able to make sure you stay within NCAA rules about how many hours you can work per week. Uh But when he was out there, he was very impressive and he's excited and, and he'll be back now. I'm full speed ahead. We move Trey Miller basically to star and he's done really well there. That's, uh, he's a hitter, um, and, and a good pass cover and then Ty White is a lot like Trey Miller. He, he's athletic and active. Uh, so we feel like we've got more numbers on defense. We've got more guys to play and now we've got to have the confidence to, to put them all out there. Um, special teams, Liam Boyd did a good job of kicking off, so we feel good there. We were inconsistent with our punts and we were inconsistent with our field goals and that's a concern that, that, uh, we, we've got to address, um, and something else we're looking at, uh, in the portal. Spencer triplet's a, a really good snapper and, uh, he's been that since he's been here. So he'll take Di Little's place and, and we feel good about him moving forward. Um, any questions on defense before I, I finish up here with a few things you talk about the star, you know, Trey Miller there, you know, you play a lot of those snacks, uh, on Saturday just like in what way that, you know, uh, that position specifically. Have you seen things that, yes, you've, you've got to have a hitter there. It's very physical, but you've got to have a guy can cover on the pass because everybody wants to get your four wideouts now and spread them out and get the safety on one of your best receivers and he's a cover guy. Uh Caleb cost is a cover guy. Ty White can cover. So that's what we're looking at at that position and, and we feel like all three of those guys can do that, the leader in the club house, so to speak, in terms of like a first team. Uh It would be a fight between he and uh Caleb cost when Caleb gets back, Caleb, when he gets through with baseball will be through, he'll be football all summer and then all fall. Our agreement was that Scott can have him in baseball season and we can bar him when he's got days off. Uh, but we didn't hit him, we made sure he was healthy for baseball. Uh, but we, we think he has a chance to be really special. A lot of baseball, a lot of baseball guys, we, we have the potential to have three. Barry Green is a really good baseball player. Timmy Lawson was a top draft choice possibly. Um So, so all those guys could be playing baseball next spring choices is better help. So I think it's just easier to play both because it's not, it's not too physical sports. Uh, you've got a little time between the end of football and when baseball starts, when we had Julius Peppers, he'd go from bowl game to immediately go to basketball the next day. Uh, and it's the wear and tear. Not only on your body. But emotionally and we've told the guys and until it affects you emotionally and, or until it affects your grades, you can play both sports. But if at any time, either one of those, if you're worn out and you're not doing well, you're not having fun, then you shouldn't play anything else with the 3rd and 4th linebackers. Do you also want to play that 3rd and 4th linebacker more? I feel like last year, but there's so much riding on that. Yes, I think it's one of the real mistakes that we've made. We just haven't played enough players in the offensive line at linebacker. Uh, that, that's why for us to get where we need to get, we've got to have enough depth that we can play too deep for sure. At Texas, we have three deep and we just rotate them that makes you better for the next year. Morale is better. They're not all wanting to get in the transfer portal because they're playing, uh, and you, you have a chance to stay healthier. We've had too many injuries and I think it's with some guys are just worn out. So, uh, we're, we're working hard to figure out, um, a system where we will definitely put them in and, and put them in early in games and play them. We're, we're not, we're not gonna have linebackers playing 900 plays anymore. He was off, is he more suit for both because like the, yes, yeah, we're gonna play more four man front some and, and he'd just be a pass rusher, which he does that really well. And that guy's got to take on the, the, um, the big guys coming at him. So at 2 42 45 he's more equipped to do that than some of the 210 guys. Um, Jayron Harvey's 245 now. I think he's gotten a lot of weight. He's gotten a lot bigger. Uh So, so Malachi and, and um uh Curtis and, and Tyler Thompson all have to gain some weight because, uh coach Collins talked to us a week and a half ago. He mentioned something about Dez and, and be also played the rush. So it looks like those two positions are more in sync now than I, I think that's fair. They still drop some but, but you, that you need to be able to rush past her and take on the, the run as well back between now and August, what does Travis Shaw have to do to continue this sense of positive momentum that he's got working? I think. Uh the number one, you gotta figure out your goals, you gotta always watch your weight. He's done that he's really working hard. We've, we've got a tremendous nutrition staff. Um and, and they're working really hard with a plan for each kid. Uh And then the second thing he's got to do is just get so he can push himself. He got a little tired Saturday at the end and, and, um, but he stayed out there, he went back out there and in the past he wouldn't have no. So, uh, the, everybody's pulling for him, the kids are pulling for him. I'm so happy for him. Um, he, he practiced every practice all spring and he hadn't done that for two years. Uh, so I think it's just confidence in, in himself and confidence that he can do it. And uh he is such a force. He, he ran over Willie just ran right over him once and he can do that. Um And he's, he's seeing that and uh Ted pushes him now, he pushes them hard. So he's, he is all over him but he loves them and, and they, they appreciate that. I think so. I'm, I'm really excited about him moving forward. He could, he could be a difference for us on defense. We've got competition at quarterback. You all are in competition. Does that does that? Yeah, in instead with the defensive line, I know you cannot, you say you can't talk about the guy you got yesterday, but now that that is happening there looks like you have four, maybe 42 inside spots. Do you think you're done in the portal at D tackle or would you, will you keep looking in the portal for more D tackles? H what you do is you look for the best players available. And if somebody comes in the portal, that's really, really good that likes us and it's at that position, you look at it but that, that's just what you do. It's uh um the the portal is expensive now with players. Um So it's everybody says, why don't they get that one? They'll give us more money. Yeah, check, check your nil budget that you're, you're spending and you can second guess me more. Um But, but I think that's the, uh that's the biggest thing. We're, we're if we see a great player at just about any position that's interested in us and it would usually have to be somebody from around here. It would usually have to be somebody we recruited. Um because we're not gonna get that guy that, that looks at the five that are spending all the money every time it's coming up. I always look to see who they're looking at and I said no, not us. Um But, but that's the truth. It's facts and, and that's ok, that's what we're doing. Um But I, I do feel like that we'll, we'll keep looking. I think the two coming in are really good and, and the two young ones that played Saturday are getting better and better. So I, I think we're gonna be fine regarding Ted. Uh Some of the guys have expressed an appreciation for transparency that he has a way of telling the truth without Yes. He, he's been, he's, he's what everybody needs. He's perfect for me because he'll tell me, I think we should be doing this this way instead of this way and he can do it without making you mad or making you feel like you're, he's yelling at you. Uh, he's high energy. He's a lot like Jeff, they're very similar to each other. Uh He's very positive he's gonna be all over him about every little thing from being on time to sitting up straight in a chair to uh answering questions, direct to being more confident. Uh And they know that he's gonna help them get to the NFL. He said, I sat in 16 draft meetings. I went to 16 combines. So if you wanna go, listen, man, I know what it takes to get you there. Um So he's, he's got a, a resume that just uh Uzi is out to them that says, I, I got you. I want to go there and he says, then show me, I don't want to hear it, don't tell me. And, and this team's been that way. We, we've told this team, I don't, I don't wanna hear you say you wanna win. I don't want everybody wants to win. I don't wanna hear you say you wanna go to the NFL. Everybody wants to go to the NFL. Show me, man. Show me be on time, do everything right? Uh Bust your tail during practice, make plays and we've graded every practice to see who's making plays and, and then Jeff puts it up on the board on defense. Here's the guy with the force, the penalties, here's the guy with the tackles for loss. Here are the guys that had the sacks and if you're not in that group, you're not doing your job. So it's been very, very, uh, evident with all of them and that's why they've appreciated Travis because he's shown up every day on that list back. One of the things that you said it several times now about having a feeling like it kind of feels like a 2022 team. What are the things other than, you know, you said nobody's talking about this? But like, are there things that have happened in practice or around this building where you've been like a ha that remind me of, of two years ago? Yes. Uh They've, they practiced really hard ever practice. Number one, we, we haven't had to motivate them to practice the every and they've, they've been competitive and they've really taken it to heart if, if they weren't doing well, they on their side of the ball, they picked it up and there was great leadership. The second thing is they have fun with each other and we eat lunch with them every day. So the whole staff's down there every day to see them and they're cutting up and picking at each other and, and that's fun. They, they don't have animosity. They're not mad. They're, uh, and then I walk in the, uh, the, the pregame meeting on Saturday and it was a buzz man. They were so excited about a spring game where a lot of people, it's like pulling teeth. What are we doing this far? And I gotta get through this and not get hurt. And uh another hour and I'm through for spring, they were singing that they had started a dance contest before I got in there and they were grading them. Um, I mean, it was, it was fun just to walk in there and see, uh, kids with a tremendous amount of pressure they have on them. Uh, in, in this sport right now, there is more pressure than ever before. There's more, more drugs out there. There's more alcohol out there. There's, there's more, uh, mental health issues out there, uh, with the transfer portal and with the nil and who's ever, what, what they make? And weren't you paying me more? And they've, they've got, it's a great time for them, but they've got more on them than any of us ever had when we were in school and, and these kids are happy they're handling. I met with the parents and all the coaches met with the parents on Saturday and we told him the truth. If your son's playing well enough to play, we're gonna play him, but we've got to win games. We love all your sons. We'll take care of them off the field equally on the field. We got to play the ones that, that play the best and you're a parent, you, you can't decide that you love your son enough. You want him happy? I got it. I got grandkids. I won't play them. I mean, that's just what it is. I don't like the coach for not playing. I never met him. Uh, so it's just part of the deal. You want your kids happy, you want your grandkids happy, but we gotta win. So we've got a lot of really smart, good people in this building that are looking at making a decision on who should play and who shouldn't and who we should recruit and who shouldn't. And, uh, and I trust them and they're doing a great job with it, Matt. Uh, uh, can you talk about, uh, your new addition, Brian Simmons? What addition to I know you can't coach on the field or anything but what, in addition to him being an ear and the player here and Charlie, he's going to come down and talk to you after me. So let me make one more, uh, two more statements here and then I'll, I'll address Brian, um, recruiting is going really well. I, I'm so excited about the, the guys that we're getting to commit. Um, and, and there's some more coming. Um, um, uh, this is starting to be a great recruiting class, not just a good one. So we're, we're excited about that. Uh, the portal we've addressed, we're, we're looking at, uh, a few positions, uh, specifically quarterback, uh, but we'll take the best available at any of the other positions. If, if, if something pops up that, that we like, and he's interested in, um, the upcoming off season schedule for the players, they're in a discretionary period right now, which means that we can't, uh, work them out. They get to do what they want for a couple of weeks. That's a NCAA rule. And this is the time of the year they do that. Um, they are having their exit meetings with their coaches. Uh, would we have somebody else go on the portal? We might, after a coach tells him where he stands and I've told the coaches to be very, very direct and honest with every player and let him know exactly. Here's where you fit, here's where you are on special teams. Here's how much we think you're going to play at this time. It could change. Uh, but so somebody could feel like they're not gonna have a fair chance to play and, and they could leave. We, we, we don't anticipate that, but that could happen today, could happen tomorrow. It's just the world we're living in, um, quality control and analyst. Uh, we feel like it should be approved for the, for the fall. We think it's going to be approved for the fall, uh, and that would be a huge asset to us because we've got so many great coaches that, that could, uh, really give input. Um, and, and, uh, I'm, I'm hoping that happens because they also need to be coaching because it'll help them get jobs when they get out of here. And then, uh, we just talked about, uh, Brian Simmons. Uh I love Brian Simmons. He, he was a tremendous player for us here. He was an all American, a first round draft choice. He was really good in the NFL. He has always been such a quality person and now he's an outstanding father and husband and, and um he has meant so much to this program already. Coach Moody did a great job. What Brian's got that the rest of us don't have is uh he played, he's been where the players wanna go. He, he's that guy. He, he's got a great life uh but he earned it uh was a running back in high school at New Bern when we signed him and he came in here and red shirted so he can sit and tell every player. Um Here's what's gonna happen to you. Um If, if you want to get where you gotta go, that's not good enough. You're a second team player here and you think you're gonna be in the NFL. Not gonna happen, man. Wake up, wake up, uh You're gonna be late. Uh You're you're gonna loaf and practice. I, I'm a scout, I'm, I'm marking you down. I, I'm not, I'm not gonna draft you, period. So he has really gotten in their, in their ears. Um, and, and they listen, I've been so impressed with what he's been able to do in a short period of time. The other thing he's done and then I'll, I'll turn it over to him. Is he, um, he and Freddie kitchens and Ted Montecino, uh got on a Zoom call the other day with all of our draftable players and they were able to tell him here's what's gonna happen. Here's what's happening with the media that's positive. Here's what's happening with the big media that's negative. Here's what's gonna happen to you between now and the draft and, and here's what's gonna happen on, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and, uh coach, what if I get a call as a free agent and they don't offer me any money? Um You, you gotta figure out what are the teams that need you the most? It's about making the team. It's not about your free agent money. Uh Coach, when do I go after I'm drafted? Um If you're a first round draft choice, you'll be there that day, next day. If not, it may be two weeks, maybe 10 days to two weeks. What do I wear? Where do I stay? Well, so Brian and these guys can help him? What happens in that room? On game day. What are on draft day? What should I do during the draft? Should I go play golf? Should I sit at my home? Should I have a party? What, what do I do? What I do all day while I wait. Um, and then those guys along with our other coaches are going to have uh availability for them any time this week for the draft, but also during the draft. So they have said we are on call, we're, we're your consultants. So if something comes up, you got a question, uh, you call us and ask us immediately. It was funny. They said, um, um, I think it's Freddie that said if they call you and you don't answer, they're not calling back. So you watch that phone, man, you, you sit there with it when it gets to be your turn, when you're down to your, your, but they're moving on, they go, they're gonna take that free agent that, that answers. So don't miss it. So just talking to geo bigger and, and British and some of the guys the other day, they said coach, that's unbelievable how much better I feel now that I've got a better feel of, of what's happening. I should have done it for years, but we're, we're doing it this year and, and, uh, they're gonna have another Zoom call with them on Wednesday right before the draft. So they can just answer any other questions. Uh, But with that is Brian here with that. Yes. Just since we're kind of on the draft a little bit. I mean, that's coming up, um, for you with Drake and this is a guy you've known since he was little, you know, and it's about to be a first round pick. I mean, just what are your thoughts as he, you know, he said to, to be a high draft pick on Thursday night and just the, the journey that he has made, uh you know, since you, since, you know, yeah, the, the getting a college scholarship is a dream for young people. So that's a, a next chapter. And I told guys that even committed to us this weekend, you don't realize how few people in America get scholarships and then to get a scholarship where you want to go, that's really, really unusual. So you've earned the right and when you've earned that right, you should be very, very proud of it. Um Going to the NFL is a dream. We tell our guys, we want you to have fun, we want you to all graduate. We want to win every game. We want you to better prepare for life after football. Those are the goals here. Your dream is the NFL. Your dream is to have a great family and your dream is to have enough money you can spend what you want to, but you can't get to your dreams before you get to your goals. So now these guys this week, they're, they're working on dreams and, and it's, it's, uh, Drake's accomplished everything that you could expect him to in two years. I can't even imagine what would happen if he stayed. Four. I can't even imagine. But he's too good. He can't stay and somebody's gonna be really, really lucky to get him and I wish I could be there. Uh, we have our charity in Austin this week, which is always the case when it comes up. But, um, I'm excited about all these guys and, and I've told them that and the good thing about them, they've all got their degrees. So if it doesn't work out for them now or if they don't make that 90 man roster, uh, they're gonna be good. I'll never forget Jonathan Perry called me from, uh, preseason camp with the, uh, Tampa Bay Bucks and he just called me out of the blue and he said, coach, thank you. And I said, what, what part bud? He said, I'm gonna get cut. I'm not gonna make it, but there's a lot of my buddies that are gonna get cut and none of them have degrees. And I've already got a job at a law firm. So he said, I'm good. I, I'm not worried about it. I'm, I'm not gonna make it, but that's ok. I'm, I'm ready to start my life and, and without North Carolina, my degree, I wouldn't be doing that. So, uh I'm proud of these guys. I'm excited for them. I was talking to Mark May Friday night at the Table event, which they raised a whole bunch of money for kids to eat in, in Orange County, which is so cool. It's one of the great things that Nils brought forth for, for us to all learn. Uh, and sitting there talking to Mark, uh they're all nervous uh because they're uncertain. And I said, you know what? Being nervous of doing good, be anxious, be excited, but you, you've earned the right. So, uh it'll take you where you wanna go, then you gotta make a team and, and then it all starts over again and that's what Brian can talk to you about now. OK, Brian Simmons, thanks. Thank you back. Thank you guys.