I wrote a couple of full stories from Big 12 Media Days last week, but I also had a few quotes from each of the players that I couldn't fit into those stories specifically that I think still need to be read, so here they are.
Jah'Shawn Johnson
On Coach Kingsbury being on the hot seat, how that affects their mentality: “There’s not much we can control about that. We just have to go out there and play. Coach Kingsbury does a great job of preparing us, and he always has a great gameplan every single week. We’ve just got to go out and execute, go out and fly around and make plays, let the score take care of itself.”
On sophomore defensive backs Doug Coleman and Des Smith: “They’ve definitely grown a lot. Both of them. It was kind of hard for them to take coaching at one point, and I’ve just been in their ear about it, letting them know that it’s all love at the end of the day. The coaches just want the best for us. They’ve both matured so much, and they’ve done a great job of helping to lead the young guys as well, so I’m just expecting great things from them as well.”
On the defensive line and their mentality heading into the fall: “They know it starts with them, and they know they can’t be the ones that create the holes that make it hard on the backend guys. Broderick has done a great job with pushing them, holding them accountable for staying in their gaps and doing the right thing. They listen to him, they respect him, and Coach Jamison has come in and done a great job as well. They like playing for him and they like playing for Coach Gibbs, so like I said, they know the play starts with them, and they don’t want to be the guys that cause things to go wrong.”
Dylan Cantrell
On his expectations for the defense: "I truly believe our defense is getting so much better with the additions and guys that are just continuing to gain experience to get better each day. I really think we'll be a more complete all around team this next year."
On Coach Kingsbury, hot seat, etc.: "Coach Kingsbury, in my opinion, and I'm a little biased, but he's the best coach out there. We couldn't even imagine any other guy at Texas Tech as the head coach leading this team. He is Texas Tech. We're going to approach it like we do every single year, and our focus is to do everything we can and prepare as well as we can to win every game. That's what we're going to do."
More on Kingsbury: "I think one of the positive things about Coach Kingsbury is that he does relate to his players so well. One thing, and I don't think it comes from being younger or anything like that, I just think he really takes the time to get to know each and every single player. That's one thing I've always admired about him that I've noticed since I've been here. Whether you're a four year starter or just walked on, he knows everyone's name, gets to know what their family is like, and really takes pride in developing a personal relationship with his players. He really takes pride in knowing all his players," he said. "I think the media just makes him out to be the cool coach, which he is, but that's just his personality, and he's not trying to be. He doesn't get caught up in any of that at all. He's the most humble guy ever. He'll talk to anyone, doesn't matter who you are, what your status is. He'll sit down and have a conversation with you and get to know you. That's what I noticed when I was getting recruited. I haven't seen that in a whole lot guys. They just don't do that."
On growing older with Cam Batson, KeKe Coutee, growing into an old and experienced receiving group: “It’s been fun to watch those guys grow as players, but it’s been awesome to get to build those relationships for a lifetime. Cam and I are going into our last year, but Keke has a few more left. We’re just going to try and go out there and make plays like we’ve always done. We’ve got more experience now at receiver than since I’ve been here, on the outside at least. I could name everyone in our room, me, Derrick, Quan, Antoine, T.J., as all getting a whole lot better. We’re excited about this year, and we’re not afraid of pressure. We want that on our shoulders, because we want to go out there and make plays.”
On how the summer workouts have gone overall: "We've been getting after it. Coach Whit and his staff, they're never ever going to give us an easy day. That's one thing I've learned to expect. I mentally prepare for the worst, and that usually makes it okay," he smiled. "But, you're going to have to put in the work every single day. Our team is doing that now more than ever. We have a whole lot of guys that have committed to the same goal and are putting in the extra work. There are guys going up there on their own, doing their own drills and fieldwork, and we're doing a better job of that than we ever have before."
On strength and conditioning coach Scott Salwasser, who specializes in speed training, and what he's done for him so far: "Him coming here last spring, I sat down with him, and that was one of his goals for me. He told me he was going to get me faster and more explosive, so we sat down, get some extra work in two or three times a week, and it's made all the difference. He's so knowledgeable about his field as far as speed and direction aspects of it, so it's a big advantage having him here. We get after it on the speed days, compete, and it's one of my favorite days to work out. He's not only helped me out but everyone on this team."
Cam Batson
On when he thinks this team decided to change mentally: "It most definitely started right after the season. You have to sit there all December and January, watch other teams play on TV, so that's the hardest thing. You know you should be out there grinding with your brothers during that time, and instead you're at home eating popcorn and getting fat because you didn't make a bowl game. I think that's when things really changed."
Jah'Shawn Johnson
On Coach Kingsbury being on the hot seat, how that affects their mentality: “There’s not much we can control about that. We just have to go out there and play. Coach Kingsbury does a great job of preparing us, and he always has a great gameplan every single week. We’ve just got to go out and execute, go out and fly around and make plays, let the score take care of itself.”
On sophomore defensive backs Doug Coleman and Des Smith: “They’ve definitely grown a lot. Both of them. It was kind of hard for them to take coaching at one point, and I’ve just been in their ear about it, letting them know that it’s all love at the end of the day. The coaches just want the best for us. They’ve both matured so much, and they’ve done a great job of helping to lead the young guys as well, so I’m just expecting great things from them as well.”
On the defensive line and their mentality heading into the fall: “They know it starts with them, and they know they can’t be the ones that create the holes that make it hard on the backend guys. Broderick has done a great job with pushing them, holding them accountable for staying in their gaps and doing the right thing. They listen to him, they respect him, and Coach Jamison has come in and done a great job as well. They like playing for him and they like playing for Coach Gibbs, so like I said, they know the play starts with them, and they don’t want to be the guys that cause things to go wrong.”
Dylan Cantrell
On his expectations for the defense: "I truly believe our defense is getting so much better with the additions and guys that are just continuing to gain experience to get better each day. I really think we'll be a more complete all around team this next year."
On Coach Kingsbury, hot seat, etc.: "Coach Kingsbury, in my opinion, and I'm a little biased, but he's the best coach out there. We couldn't even imagine any other guy at Texas Tech as the head coach leading this team. He is Texas Tech. We're going to approach it like we do every single year, and our focus is to do everything we can and prepare as well as we can to win every game. That's what we're going to do."
More on Kingsbury: "I think one of the positive things about Coach Kingsbury is that he does relate to his players so well. One thing, and I don't think it comes from being younger or anything like that, I just think he really takes the time to get to know each and every single player. That's one thing I've always admired about him that I've noticed since I've been here. Whether you're a four year starter or just walked on, he knows everyone's name, gets to know what their family is like, and really takes pride in developing a personal relationship with his players. He really takes pride in knowing all his players," he said. "I think the media just makes him out to be the cool coach, which he is, but that's just his personality, and he's not trying to be. He doesn't get caught up in any of that at all. He's the most humble guy ever. He'll talk to anyone, doesn't matter who you are, what your status is. He'll sit down and have a conversation with you and get to know you. That's what I noticed when I was getting recruited. I haven't seen that in a whole lot guys. They just don't do that."
On growing older with Cam Batson, KeKe Coutee, growing into an old and experienced receiving group: “It’s been fun to watch those guys grow as players, but it’s been awesome to get to build those relationships for a lifetime. Cam and I are going into our last year, but Keke has a few more left. We’re just going to try and go out there and make plays like we’ve always done. We’ve got more experience now at receiver than since I’ve been here, on the outside at least. I could name everyone in our room, me, Derrick, Quan, Antoine, T.J., as all getting a whole lot better. We’re excited about this year, and we’re not afraid of pressure. We want that on our shoulders, because we want to go out there and make plays.”
On how the summer workouts have gone overall: "We've been getting after it. Coach Whit and his staff, they're never ever going to give us an easy day. That's one thing I've learned to expect. I mentally prepare for the worst, and that usually makes it okay," he smiled. "But, you're going to have to put in the work every single day. Our team is doing that now more than ever. We have a whole lot of guys that have committed to the same goal and are putting in the extra work. There are guys going up there on their own, doing their own drills and fieldwork, and we're doing a better job of that than we ever have before."
On strength and conditioning coach Scott Salwasser, who specializes in speed training, and what he's done for him so far: "Him coming here last spring, I sat down with him, and that was one of his goals for me. He told me he was going to get me faster and more explosive, so we sat down, get some extra work in two or three times a week, and it's made all the difference. He's so knowledgeable about his field as far as speed and direction aspects of it, so it's a big advantage having him here. We get after it on the speed days, compete, and it's one of my favorite days to work out. He's not only helped me out but everyone on this team."
Cam Batson
On when he thinks this team decided to change mentally: "It most definitely started right after the season. You have to sit there all December and January, watch other teams play on TV, so that's the hardest thing. You know you should be out there grinding with your brothers during that time, and instead you're at home eating popcorn and getting fat because you didn't make a bowl game. I think that's when things really changed."
