Mark Stoops, Brock Vandagriff, and JJ Weaver on summer scrimmage | Kentucky FB

I was very pleased uh W with the scrimmage you all know um the situation in the spring we got a little thin at certain positions and it uh limited the the full contact that we've had so we knew heading into this Camp how important it would be um just to to you know play physical get some live reps in and um we've been practicing that way obviously not not live but but trying to have some really physical uh parts of practice throughout camp and then today cut it Loose with a full full scrimmage everything but except the quarterback's life and um it was really good uh to see us out there I think we came out of there clean there's one one that I'm concerned about uh we'll see I'll update you next week um but but overall pretty good and we needed it you know we needed it we got a lot of snaps um I felt very good about the operation with the the communication with the quarterbacks and and on defense and with being able to communicate with those guys and um you know and and the iPads we even used the iPads to you know view things and again I don't know if you guys are aware of that but we were one of the teams we experimented with that in the bowl game so the coaches that were here were used to it to some extent some of the new offense coaches hadn't used it that way in college so um even you know practice all that and use that today and there's some things we need to continue to work with on and on that end and will um but just overall we got a lot of work done we needed it um pretty clean um as far as not having full live reps uh defensively really pretty clean uh position on the football and tackling offensively uh again pretty clean I think we had one that I could remember maybe maybe one pre- snap penalty and uh the ball was on the ground just once late in the in the scrimmage and uh and the same person recovered it so just the basics you know we made the routine look routine is what we're looking for and uh just got a lot of work done so overall just pleased and ready to get keep it going you's progress when spring yeah I I I like his progress you know he's he's just a worker you know he lives it he loves it and and is always uh working at it and so doesn't surprise us but you like to see the full like you like to see it as as as close to a game like situation as you can and it was it was good you know it was a good operation and Brock and JJ will be our two players today is there an area right now that you want to focus on and say we got to get better here you know I mean you you know I'm going to say all you know what I mean so you probably know know my answer before it came out I think you know clearly we have to be you know more more physical than we've been on the offensive side in particular you know what I mean at running the ball I think is an area that I've seen growth you know and so I feel like we're gaining some depth at the o line position I feel like they're playing you know with the with the with the pad level pad level we're looking for and the physicality we're looking for and and it's a start we're not there yet we're too inconsistent uh but I think that's an area that we we definitely need to get better at and uh you know and feel like we're growing and and and protection goes right along with that right you know just giving the quarterback some time um you know I really like what coach uh ham does and and the way he calls plays and you know can can you know protect them you know in different ways and so um you know we we have a lot of work to do but I feel like it's a good start as I told the players we're like right in the middle of it you know we still have couple weeks of of camp and so we've got some work to do the first live action how the special teams look out there today good yeah we we're good uh we didn't do all all all special teams um but um you know we we did some live field goals to get the pressure and to make sure we secure that at times you know we needed to improve in that area last year and so we did some really you know physical work in there in the stadium and uh had good protection uh the the kickers have been kicking really good just Alex kicked today uh in the stadium and uh you know he he he did just okay for him he missed he missed a few you know which is which is not like him you know so uh we'll continue to work talk about the one thing that you might want to work on the most what have you been most pleased with so far in Camp I I think just the attitude of the players they the the willingness to take coaching and to to understand the Improvement that's necessary and to come in with a good mindset each and every day um you know I think for the most part we've been pretty consistent in in our attitude and coming in ready to work how do you feel about those Corner options know opposite yeah um yeah I think where uh Waller wasn't able to play today he has slight injury should be back early this week just uh got hurt yesterday late I think yesterday after practice doing some extra work um but nothing major um but you know I think that's an area where we still need to grow you know we got to figure that out and have some guys step up we have we have options I like the options I feel like we have some depth and some ability you know we just got to get it out of them talk to you since the announc last week was your reaction to the to the revolution yeah I mean you know obviously you know I really can't say much and I'm not trying to to dodge it but I mean you know you you're you're disappointed you know because the people did a lot of hard work you know to get to that place and obviously you know 3 years ago to now things have changed dramatically uh but you know still doesn't make it okay and uh um you know Mitch and and and Dr capalo have commented on that and and the NCAA has asked me not to say uh anything about it I'm not dodging it and heck it was three years ago I'm really worried about right now you know what I mean and uh uh but we you know work tirelessly to educate our kids and to make sure they're doing things right and have worked really hard we're far from perfect but we work at it you know and we try to try to do the best we can and you know I know the compliance in general at this University is is uh very diligent and uh you know is is uh you know so we again we we work at it and you know we're not perfect and certainly in today's world we wouldn't be having these conversations you could just flat give them to you know so well I shouldn't say that you got you got to send a tweet to get a million dollars but you know if that if you call that work so a little different men the physicality a minute ago what have you seen from the running back now you got see him live it was you know a little hard to tell yeah it's still that's a position again we got to continue you know to look at it and do it by committee um and and uh you know we'll we'll see I have confidence in that group but uh I don't think any any of them are just popping off the chart at you right now what about your pass you I I was I was I was pleased you know I thought thought they did a really good job you know the the uh Trayvon was not there today and so again limited us a little bit with some depth but you know I feel really good you know if you look at our defense you look at some of those guys you know a lot of them have played some snaps and so we feel really good with that but then we have some really young guys you know so there's it's kind of drastic you know I mean one way or the other the older guys front line guys have seen a lot of football played a lot of football are very physical and uh did a good job with pass rush but we got to make sure we continue to develop guys you got any the guys that red shirted that have shown like significant growth from the spring and now into this camp and started to push yeah we'll we'll see you know what I mean we'll see I don't think anybody you know right off the top of my head jumps out at me and you know we I'll let you know but you know I I can't think of anybody that just I mean I I like our young guys in general you know I like our young players um that's why it's important to go in there and be as game likee as possible just to see all the actions right you know what I mean you're moving you know you mix in the boots and the play action and the runs and and you know live tackling and see what guys rise a little bit and so I think we'll continue to see that as Camp goes on but I like our young players they just they do need a lot of these reps kind back back up their pass rush it seems like JJ's kind of SL under the radar Camp what have you seen from here and just how much an impact can he had this year yeah I think it's important for we need it you know for and and I've seen that out of him I've seen him work working really hard he showed up today um and uh you know I think you're going to see a guy that you know plays with the consistency that you would expect from a guy that's been around for a while and the talent that he has so I I like I like what I'm seeing there see like from a couple of people that watched there was some Buzz about your punter today is that an impact already You' seen it yeah I think you know it we again consistency you know you know even the last time we played in the bowl game the inconsistency of the kickoffs you know we' been we were pretty strong there all year and the kickoffs hurt us you know I feel like we have some guys this year that we didn't do kickoff today but we did it yesterday and I like the legs we have and I think in punting you know we got to make sure we get more consistent there as well because you know when you talk about special teams you know coach bware does a phenomenal job and our players really behind and really have done a good job when big plays happen like that usually it comes down to a bad kick you know and I mean heck you know you know bar on he's the only I think he's you know he I think they told me a stat he was it was the 17th in the history of college football with with return yardage last year I mean that's pretty impressive you know and so uh you know we do some good things but you know to be more consistent we do have to have good kicks you know cuz we got some guys that could cover and work at it but you know they they have some special guys we play against too you know that can make some people miss so hey folks thank you very much thank you guys the first scrimmage go uh first was pretty solid uh overall um some good plays made on offense some good plays made on defense it was good to see us going out there attacking to the ground being competitive uh operations on both sides look pretty smooth uh good communication with the headsets you don't have the new iPads out there was pretty cool uh getting getting uh used to that operation was good so overall I think it was a pretty solid day JJ mentioned this might be one of the better offensive line we've had in recent years what have you seen from them yes sir the O Line's been been doing really well recently uh they've had a good fall Camp uh the best thing with Eline is all just chemistry and stuff and making sure they're working together on uh some of the different stuff that the dline brings and brings on us and make sure they're on the same page so just building that chemistry with them has been great with them coach Wolf's been on them uh that's good and the O Line's been having a good fall camp and we're look looking forward to this season with him Ro Mo was talking to said it work a extra you reild that chemistry since he wasn't available spring just how is that relationship developing uh jamori me and jam Mor's relationship's good uh really good off and on the field which is something that you never complain with uh with those guys on the locker and making sure you're just hanging out with those dudes watching an extra film with them and uh me and J Mor had to do a little extra um because obviously he didn't play this spring but making sure I'm on the same page he had a couple clutch grabs today which was good to see and uh just making sure he went match ups one-on-one we talk about different ways to win uh against different looks and then find the open area in z so been seeing some good stuff out of him you mentioned the helmet communication just how much of an impact is that going have and kind can you maybe talk about that a little bit more in depth oh yeah so the helmet communication basically I can get the whole play whatever I'm going have to look to the sideline so I'm getting it till the o line the play and I can go ahead and do my pre- snap whatever my little routine is whatever one high two High man Z on Blitz coming yes or no stuff like that and um being able to see that I don't even have to give my eyes to the sideline those are basically just for the skin guys um so I hear it bam tell them to play and it just gives me a lot more extra time at the line while other guys are getting lined up and stuff and then uh if we have any like cans or checks plays um obviously it cuts out at I think 15 or 16 seconds but if we get it in and we get on the ball before that then obviously being able to have some extra set eyes up top of help them with those checks and stuff so that's really good but uh at the end of the day I got to know the checks and the cans and stuff like that uh for if it's after 15 seconds with Tempo kind of being such a hot subject this past off season season do you think the helmet communication will help with that oh yes sir I think the helmet communication will just I think it'll help Tempo across college football cuz when you think about it like even the quarterback doesn't have to look to the sideline now uh so basically he's been able to get on the ball and stuff and uh I mentioned the checks a little earlier those are those are one things that we'll be able to see extra set of eyes up top being able to help with that and that happens so much faster if you have extra set of eyes maybe they can see leverage a little better this guy's up or if this guy back but being able to just check really fast if it's a non if it's an unfavorable look for a certain play check get in and out of stuff really fast is something we've been working on and uh we executed pretty well today basically third down man's on whatever getting to another check another play if we if we like a certain play against a certain look and being able to get lined up and get the ball off is is is pretty important to us is there a certain player or moment that kind of stands out from today's scrimmage for you um no I think the whole offense had a had a pretty solid day um the white outs they did their jobs um um being able to spread the ball out to those guys um they did a great job when they didn't have the ball in their hands blocking um being being an unselfish teammate running backs had a great day tied end tied end room they did their job o line room did their job so uh I think uh obviously um it it was a good day overall pretty solid day the quarterbacks had a great day as well back to the hel communication for for a second is there a sweet spot between getting like too much information uh being told to you as opposed to too little information you all had to work on that with Coach yes sir definitely uh I've talked with like Carson and stuff like that and they uh he said it was kind of a happy medium just finding that with uh the coaches there and obviously it's been the same thing here with coach hampon and uh I'm not sure if it's different with each quarterback but with me like basically say the play maybe a quick reminder about the play and then basically just kind of let me think do my stuff cuz at the end of the day like you're you're out there on the field like you got to make play you got to see stuff and uh like you can't be in your three step dropping him and telling you hey you're throwing a curl cuz it it cuts out so obviously you got to know your stuff and there is a happy meaning for that the coach H's done a great job of of knowing what each quarterback likes and making sure that's unique for them maybe maybe one quarterback likes less maybe one quarter quarterback likes more but he's done a great job at finding that happy medium you mentioned Co how much is he how much um help has he been just kind of getting you ready for this maybe any advice from him that he's giv you uh obviously right now is a busy time for the both of us uh being in Fall camp and stuff but uh we still talk pretty much every day and stuff just just I mean were friends at the end of the day so yeah talk about that Don always talk about ball but being able to watch him over the past couple years in ston as well has been really influential to my game and uh making sure I take bits and pieces from other quarterbacks I backed up in the past to to to put in my toolbox and hopefully become a good quarterback myself we heard a lot about Hardley back in the spring not so much yet here in Camp but has he carried that over into oh yeah absolutely Hardley he's he's done a great job this ball Camp he uh he had he had a good catch today probably 30 40 yard ball and uh just him him being able to come in as a freshman he's a really young kid uh learning The Playbook really well lining up never never says too much out there on the field he just goes out there and does his job and uh for a freshman to be able to come out there and learn the Playbook as fast as he did and be able to to impact the team as fast as he did is really important has has this B been a little bit of little weird or different experience for you since you're higher up the dep Shar uh no sir I wouldn't say it's been like too big of a a different experience just uh cuz as a two or a three in the past couple years whatever you're doing like you're always prepping for being the guy and uh at the end of the day like that's that's that was important to me um that's what my team they they they needed to know that if I went in that obviously the offense wasn't going to go downhill and stuff like that so being able to to prepare as if you're the guy cuz at the quarterback position really any position like you're one ankle away and uh that's that's your responsibility to the team to make sure you're ready if your numbers called and uh that was always kind of my mindset coach kind of mentioned there hasn't been a running back that's really stuck out just yet what is kind of your thoughts on that and just the running back room as a whole he kind of mentioned more of like a committee approach do you also see that so far yes sir uh the running back rim is really solid overall uh just a bunch of good backs I think that's why maybe no one's really stood out cuz they've all had a pretty solid fall Camp so far and uh each of the backs bring a little something different to the table obviously you got chip bigger dude um just really physical Runner stuff like that and then Demi like maybe he runs routes a little better like he played some some wide out from what I heard a little bit last year some slot obviously he's good catching the ball stuff like that routes and then uh our two younger guys jpat and Mar they've been they've had a great fall camar actually had a really good day today and uh we're all kind of loving on him just because he's he's that younger dude and we're making sure that he's he's on the same page learning the plays cuz the running backs um with this offense it's really fast and making sure that they're on the same page as the o line because there's not a lot of time for communication so those dudes are doing a really good job this fall camp and U hopefully it'll be definitely like you said a committee uh effort this season because we we could use all of them we heard a couple good things about Fred this week in a practice we saw he stood out with the tubes how much are you got to work with him what do you like oh yeah Fred Fred has had a great fall Camp uh coach hamon actually uh uh mentioned him after the I think it was the third or fourth practice just basically saying like we need more guys like Fred like he's just he's a dude that comes in he does his job doesn't really say too much um great kid off the field great kid on the field uh a really good dude you won the locker room um he he does his job he knows exactly what he's doing on every play and uh I've definitely had some experience with him working I mean he he gets in there with the ones a bunch and uh when he gets in there there's no drop off at all um obviously he knows exactly what he's going to do um I believe he had a touchdown today as well but uh he just does his job he wins his one-on ones and uh he's a great kid everybody good all right thank you much thank you JJ how do you think the first scrimmage went good competitive both sides competitive uh offense show us a lot we did see and we show a lot they did see so great competitive day for both sides how do you feel like the pass brush overall is coming along oh man we we got after today uh just taking a day by day yesterday I in know watching Josh Allen Josh watching Josh Allen f the whole outside L back so motivated us just good just keep motivating us there any young guys on your side of the ball impressed you so far maybe we haven't seen much shoot Ty fur get along nor Matthew is getting along um sa Soul's getting getting good Caleb Jacob they just get along they they getting there JJ it seems like you kind of flown under the radar of this ball Camp how's that how has it been for you and just maybe what's something you're working on heading into this season uh that's what I wanted you know I've been going through a lot of pressure Through The Years so this is what I wanted just no pressure no nothing just mindset clean just playing fast and free that's what I wanted so I like being Underdog right now obviously you've been around the block uh for a while what do you kind of tell the young guys heading into their first scrimmage and second scrimmage heading into their first year man it just be competitive show Coach white show Coach us office coordinate what y'all can do just be competitive play Fast play physical everything else going to take place if you messed up at least you did it fast this is only the first scrimmage so next week we actually erasing names and putting names on the board so how's the offensive line looking there any match ups there you like going up against in the office line I man you know Marcus Marcus uh CU he's a great I think he's the least good second rounder for sure M he's working on it off in line working on it I think this one of our best online we have that's good any other questions shout out to pop man you know pop my brother for Life man to pop man I really appreciate [Music]