I sat down for the majority of Kliff Kingsbury's breakout session this afternoon, and the following stuck out to me from his time with the media today.
*Coach Kingsbury was asked right out of the gate about cost of attendance and the extra bit of cash that each player will be receiving beginning this fall.
"I'm always for that if we can give the athletes more, the better. My only concern is, where are the funds going to go exactly? Are they going to use them as intended, for food, housing, and clothing, bettering their experience as a college student athlete and not on frivolous things? I think there's going to be some give and take on things the first year to see if we're getting what we want out of it, whether they have to invest it or put it in a trust down the line, but initially, whatever we can give them to improve their experience, the better."
*Kliff doesn't believe that cost of attendance stipends will really be much of a recruiting tool for anyone unless there's some big discrepancy with different schools.
*When talking about Mahomes, Kingsbury said his biggest strength was keeping his eyes downfield while also moving around well.
"His biggest strength right now is his ability to extend plays, keep his eyes downfield. He feels the rush very well, steps up, moves around. He doesn't necessarily take off 50 yards, but he finds guys downfield, and he's a very accurate passer."
*He's wired to lead others, too, according to the head coach.
"He's a very natural leader. He's not so much a rah-rah guy. but he's one of those guys who kind of has that swag, and he's good at everything he does. Basketball, baseball, ping pong. He's a natural leader, and guys gravitate towards him."
*Kliff noted that both QBs are competing with each other very well, noting that Davis is battling, is working tirelessly right now. Webb weighs 227 now.
*Kingsbury continues to hammer home the point that the QB who protects the ball the best will win the job. He also noted that while he might not name a starter publicly, they'll know early on in fall camp which quarterback they'll go with.
*He noted that the defense has really changed their tune with Coach Gibbs in charge, and there is a big group of seniors that have really stepped up in the spring and summer.
"It's a group that wasn't happy with the way last season went. It's a bunch of seniors, especially in that front four, and with Coach Gibbs coming in, they feel a new sense of confidence, a new sense of being able to accomplish their goals, so that's exciting for me. I've seen a great shift in leadership from just having it on offense to having it on defense as well."
*Kliff talked about Dylan Cantrell and Pat Mahomes a bit, noting that they give them a bit of a ribbing about being buddy-buddy since playing together in high school.
"I always give them a hard time, cause it feels like anytime they're on the field together, the ball is going his way. But, Dylan is probably our most sure-handed wide receiver. From year one to year three, he's probably our most confident receiver and should be a big target for us this year."
*As for things at right tackle, Kliff said they're going to let a big group of players compete there, both young and old, see how things shake out.
"We're going to throw a bunch of bodies in there and see how it shakes out. In the spring, Justin Murphy had a bunch of reps there, but we've brought in Paul Starwarz, Madison (Akamnonu), Conner Dyer, Terence Steele, there's a bunch of bodies that we're going to rep through there and go from there."
*Two true freshmen have really stuck out to Kliff so far: WR Tony Brown and OT Terence Steele.
"I think Tony Brown, having come in late with his graduation out in LA a bit different, he's a guy who came in in great shape, has really impressed the strength coaches and quarterbacks with his route running and endurance, and then I think Terence Steele from Steele high school. Underrated as a recruit, but big and strong, came in in great shape, and he's been doing really well in workouts."
*Kliff was asked about Reginald Davis' arrest in the spring, said they're handling things internally still. He'll practice, but depending on how they feel about the situation heading into the season, playing time could be in question.
*Kingsbury also noted that Le'Raven Clark has really become a vocal leader in the locker room. He's stepped up, and so have a big group of other seniors.
"Yeah, he has. Le'Raven is a guy that, as you know, he's not a real talkative man. But, he knows this is his last go around, and he knows he wants to leave a legacy, and all those seniors do. They've all been through two coaches, they've all had some losing seasons, and they don't want to go out known as that, and you can see that in their attitude with Le'Raven, Pete, B-Jack, all those guys. They definitely have all stepped up."
*The head coach is also very pleased with the growth and development of his wide receivers this spring and summer, especially being physical in man coverage against DBs.
"They've all come a long way. That's been one of the most pleasant things for me, because last year about mid-way, I didn't know if they'd ever - if the light would ever turn on. Then the last three to four games, I started to see some confidence, and they carried that over into the spring," he said. "All those guys, this spring was a huge confidence booster, and this spring they all looked like different players. Time will tell, and we'll see come this fall, but it looks like an entirely different group."
*But, he also expects the true freshman receivers to push the older guys.
"No doubt, and we've made it known that they're coming in to try and take jobs, to make people better, and all those guys are guys that come in with great resumes from high school, and hopefully they can all transition quickly to be given that option."
*The freshmen receivers are currently playing these positions: Donte Thompson and Tony Brown at X, KeKe Coutee and Quan Shorts at H, and Jonathan Giles at Y.
*Thompson was originally slated to play Y, but he's been moved to X to add size and depth behind Lauderdale. Thompson could move back to Y as well. Shorts was slated to play X or Z, but they like his size to be a change of pace at H for right now.
*Kliff had this to say about Shorts.
"He's very physically gifted. He's 200 pounds already, 6-3, 210. He picks up football fast, and he seems like a guy who won't be afraid of it early on."
*When asked about what the Big 12's motto should be, he answered this: You Better Be Able To Score
"I've been in another conference where you get stopped a couple of times, you're still in the game. You get stopped in this one, get stopped a couple times and you're down by 21. You better be able to score."
*I asked Kliff about the big number of commits they already have, fifth in the country in fact. He said the coaches have built great relationships with prospects, and he's proud of how hard they've worked on the recruiting trail. The cards have really just fallen their way in the cycle so far.
*D-line and O-line bodies are the biggest focus remaining in the class according to Kliff.
*JJ Gaines and JahShawn Johnson will be fully cleared when they start fall camp, might just limit JJ's contact in the fall since they already know what he is as a safety.
*The head coach is also excited about both Jamile Johnson and Christian Taylor in the secondary this fall, how they'll push some of the older safeties.
*He thinks the defensive backs could be a strength for this 2015 team, too.
"I hope so. I think those guys got better last year, a lot of them were thrown in the fire," he said. "It's a group now that's played a little bit and should be confident going into the fall."
*We've already covered how well the freshmen offensive line class has been playing, but Kingsbury reiterated and solidified that, noting that they work hard.
"Very hard working. I'd say that's the first thing that jumps out. You can go out there and watch them work out, and they're really pushing each other and competing. That's really exciting to see. It's unprompted, they have that going for themselves, and that's always a positive sign."
*Coach Kingsbury was asked right out of the gate about cost of attendance and the extra bit of cash that each player will be receiving beginning this fall.
"I'm always for that if we can give the athletes more, the better. My only concern is, where are the funds going to go exactly? Are they going to use them as intended, for food, housing, and clothing, bettering their experience as a college student athlete and not on frivolous things? I think there's going to be some give and take on things the first year to see if we're getting what we want out of it, whether they have to invest it or put it in a trust down the line, but initially, whatever we can give them to improve their experience, the better."
*Kliff doesn't believe that cost of attendance stipends will really be much of a recruiting tool for anyone unless there's some big discrepancy with different schools.
*When talking about Mahomes, Kingsbury said his biggest strength was keeping his eyes downfield while also moving around well.
"His biggest strength right now is his ability to extend plays, keep his eyes downfield. He feels the rush very well, steps up, moves around. He doesn't necessarily take off 50 yards, but he finds guys downfield, and he's a very accurate passer."
*He's wired to lead others, too, according to the head coach.
"He's a very natural leader. He's not so much a rah-rah guy. but he's one of those guys who kind of has that swag, and he's good at everything he does. Basketball, baseball, ping pong. He's a natural leader, and guys gravitate towards him."
*Kliff noted that both QBs are competing with each other very well, noting that Davis is battling, is working tirelessly right now. Webb weighs 227 now.
*Kingsbury continues to hammer home the point that the QB who protects the ball the best will win the job. He also noted that while he might not name a starter publicly, they'll know early on in fall camp which quarterback they'll go with.
*He noted that the defense has really changed their tune with Coach Gibbs in charge, and there is a big group of seniors that have really stepped up in the spring and summer.
"It's a group that wasn't happy with the way last season went. It's a bunch of seniors, especially in that front four, and with Coach Gibbs coming in, they feel a new sense of confidence, a new sense of being able to accomplish their goals, so that's exciting for me. I've seen a great shift in leadership from just having it on offense to having it on defense as well."
*Kliff talked about Dylan Cantrell and Pat Mahomes a bit, noting that they give them a bit of a ribbing about being buddy-buddy since playing together in high school.
"I always give them a hard time, cause it feels like anytime they're on the field together, the ball is going his way. But, Dylan is probably our most sure-handed wide receiver. From year one to year three, he's probably our most confident receiver and should be a big target for us this year."
*As for things at right tackle, Kliff said they're going to let a big group of players compete there, both young and old, see how things shake out.
"We're going to throw a bunch of bodies in there and see how it shakes out. In the spring, Justin Murphy had a bunch of reps there, but we've brought in Paul Starwarz, Madison (Akamnonu), Conner Dyer, Terence Steele, there's a bunch of bodies that we're going to rep through there and go from there."
*Two true freshmen have really stuck out to Kliff so far: WR Tony Brown and OT Terence Steele.
"I think Tony Brown, having come in late with his graduation out in LA a bit different, he's a guy who came in in great shape, has really impressed the strength coaches and quarterbacks with his route running and endurance, and then I think Terence Steele from Steele high school. Underrated as a recruit, but big and strong, came in in great shape, and he's been doing really well in workouts."
*Kliff was asked about Reginald Davis' arrest in the spring, said they're handling things internally still. He'll practice, but depending on how they feel about the situation heading into the season, playing time could be in question.
*Kingsbury also noted that Le'Raven Clark has really become a vocal leader in the locker room. He's stepped up, and so have a big group of other seniors.
"Yeah, he has. Le'Raven is a guy that, as you know, he's not a real talkative man. But, he knows this is his last go around, and he knows he wants to leave a legacy, and all those seniors do. They've all been through two coaches, they've all had some losing seasons, and they don't want to go out known as that, and you can see that in their attitude with Le'Raven, Pete, B-Jack, all those guys. They definitely have all stepped up."
*The head coach is also very pleased with the growth and development of his wide receivers this spring and summer, especially being physical in man coverage against DBs.
"They've all come a long way. That's been one of the most pleasant things for me, because last year about mid-way, I didn't know if they'd ever - if the light would ever turn on. Then the last three to four games, I started to see some confidence, and they carried that over into the spring," he said. "All those guys, this spring was a huge confidence booster, and this spring they all looked like different players. Time will tell, and we'll see come this fall, but it looks like an entirely different group."
*But, he also expects the true freshman receivers to push the older guys.
"No doubt, and we've made it known that they're coming in to try and take jobs, to make people better, and all those guys are guys that come in with great resumes from high school, and hopefully they can all transition quickly to be given that option."
*The freshmen receivers are currently playing these positions: Donte Thompson and Tony Brown at X, KeKe Coutee and Quan Shorts at H, and Jonathan Giles at Y.
*Thompson was originally slated to play Y, but he's been moved to X to add size and depth behind Lauderdale. Thompson could move back to Y as well. Shorts was slated to play X or Z, but they like his size to be a change of pace at H for right now.
*Kliff had this to say about Shorts.
"He's very physically gifted. He's 200 pounds already, 6-3, 210. He picks up football fast, and he seems like a guy who won't be afraid of it early on."
*When asked about what the Big 12's motto should be, he answered this: You Better Be Able To Score
"I've been in another conference where you get stopped a couple of times, you're still in the game. You get stopped in this one, get stopped a couple times and you're down by 21. You better be able to score."
*I asked Kliff about the big number of commits they already have, fifth in the country in fact. He said the coaches have built great relationships with prospects, and he's proud of how hard they've worked on the recruiting trail. The cards have really just fallen their way in the cycle so far.
*D-line and O-line bodies are the biggest focus remaining in the class according to Kliff.
*JJ Gaines and JahShawn Johnson will be fully cleared when they start fall camp, might just limit JJ's contact in the fall since they already know what he is as a safety.
*The head coach is also excited about both Jamile Johnson and Christian Taylor in the secondary this fall, how they'll push some of the older safeties.
*He thinks the defensive backs could be a strength for this 2015 team, too.
"I hope so. I think those guys got better last year, a lot of them were thrown in the fire," he said. "It's a group now that's played a little bit and should be confident going into the fall."
*We've already covered how well the freshmen offensive line class has been playing, but Kingsbury reiterated and solidified that, noting that they work hard.
"Very hard working. I'd say that's the first thing that jumps out. You can go out there and watch them work out, and they're really pushing each other and competing. That's really exciting to see. It's unprompted, they have that going for themselves, and that's always a positive sign."
