Football Fall Camp: In Full Pads for First Time, Kansas Completes Fifth Practice
Kansas players donned full pads for the first time Monday as the team conducted its fifth practice on the fields outside Memorial Stadium. Prior to practice, Kansas participated in a Big 12 initative designed to improve tackling and reduce concussions and had linebackers coach Clint Bowen demonstrate proper form. Earlier in the day Charlie Weis made this year’s group of incoming junior college transfers available to the media at the Anderson Football Complex. Selected quotes from those players are listed below.
Quoteables
Darrian Miller, So., Halfback
On if there is much difference in the offense from the last time he was here…
“It’s a lot different terminology and we use a lot of different concepts, but other than that, the position I play you have to get it and go. Right now I’m just learning the plays and getting comfortable with it so I can be on the field playing instead of thinking.”
On his work with coach Holsopple…
“I got here at the beginning of the summer and went through the whole summer program with the team. Coach Holsopple did a great job with everyone. Everyone has made a lot of big strides. I think I improved on speed and power, which are things I needed to do. I feel right now I’m at a good place where I want to be playing. His credentials say a lot being from the University of Florida and everything he has done for them. The one thing I really buy into with his workouts is he has a concept and how it correlates to each thing. You aren’t just running to be running. We are running these to translate to the field and all the lifting we do translates to the field as well. He makes it fun. He is an enthusiastic person. I think he is a great strength coach and I am looking forward to working with him more.”
On the depth at running back…
“It’s a good thing to have. The competition brings out the best in everybody. I look to the older guys for support and they look to me when it comes to my strong points. Me and James (Sims) talk about fronts and when he’s in, he lets me know how the flows going and when I’m in, I let him know what I’m seeing. I think we are a strong knit group, there are really no attitudes or anything and we are all pulling for each other right now. That’s the best thing about it.”
Rodriguez Coleman, Jr., Wide Receiver
On what he can bring to the receiving corp…
“I feel I can become the deep threat and make plays when the ball is in my hands.”
On who will lead the offense this year…
“Jake Heaps is the point guard of the offense. He tells everybody what to do and knows everyone’s positions.”
Andrew Bolton, Jr., Defensive Lineman
On his experience at Kansas so far…
“It has been a good experience meeting all of the players and coaches. Everyone is respectful from the top down, starting with Coach Weis.”
On his defensive expectations…
“I just want to have fun with the 10 other guys out there on defense and everything will come together.”
Marquel Combs, Jr., Defensive Lineman
On his defensive role…
“I am here to play my role and do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
On his experience at KU so far…
“It has been a hard transition from junior college and playing in a new defense. I have progressed since the start of camp, and will continue to do so.”
Samson Faifili, Jr., Linebacker
On the focus of the defense…
“We’re looking to improve just like all of the other facets of our game. Right now we’re looking at building up on the players that came in with myself and everyone else, and we are just trying to improve on every single aspect that’s going in to our game as a defense.”
On meshing the new players and the returners…
For anybody, junior college or freshman, we always have to respect those who were there before us. So all the guys that were here, even if they’re a sophomore, if they were there before us you look to them to help lead us. Right now I feel like we are doing real well with that too. Just respecting the seniority of everyone else that was here, and looking to them for leadership and to teach us what we don’t know yet.”
Zach Fondal, Jr., Offensive Line
What do you look forward to most throughout the season as you look going forward…
“Just progressing, coming together as a team, and shocking the world.”
On the difficulty of playing both tackle positions…
“Both positions they come naturally to me, the only thing that’s pretty difficult to me is learning a whole new playbook.”
Nick Harwell, Sr., Wide Receiver
On the opportunity to play at Kansas…
“I was in Houston all summer working out when I found out I was coming to Kansas. I worked out harder so that I could try to contribute to the team. This opportunity means a lot to me, and allows me to continue to pursue my dreams.”
On his goals for this second chance…
“Mostly what I want to do is graduate, and go to the NFL and play. Coach Weis giving me this opportunity helps me do that. What happened was a minor setback, but I feel like it all happened for a reason.”
Pearce Slater, So., Offensive Lineman
On arriving at KU…
“It’s very different coming from a junior college and coming to this level. I think in the two days I have been here, I have adapted.”
On sticking with KU over Oklahoma…
“It was very hard, because I was being pulled in a very different situation. I just had to sit down and make the right decision for me. I felt very comfortable at Kansas. I had good relationships with everyone on staff and I was speaking to them about the plans they had for me coming in and how they thought I could compete right away. That was something that really got me. That was something that I really wanted to do.”
Michael Mesh, Jr., Kicker
On being at Kansas so far…
“I love it here. I love the coaching staff, I love the players, they welcomed me in and I’m already really comfortable. I’m looking forward to the future and our success here.”
On the importance of field goals…
“I feel like if the coach can rely on the field goal kicker to make those crucial and clutch field goals, then we have a better chance of winning the game.”
Mark Thomas, Jr., Wide Receiver
On what made Kansas appealing…
“The whole college atmosphere and obviously Coach Weis is an offensive genius and I love the playbook he has. His relationship with the team is great and the opportunity he gave me to play here.”
On what he knew about Coach Weis…
“I knew he coached in the NFL and won championships. Things like that and the experience he has attracted me.”
Marcus Jenkins-Moore, Jr., Buck
On his injury…
“I’m disappointed that it happened, there was nothing that I could do about it. I don’t question God. It went down how it went down, so that’s just how it’s going to be.”
On the transition to being at Kansas…
“It was pretty hard at first because I’m on crutches and I’m not moving as fast. But as each day goes by I’m moving more smooth, and I’m about to get off the crutches. I’m adjusting well though.”
Brandon Holloman, So., Cornerback
On team expectations for the season…
“Just get better as a whole. We brought in a lot of players, everybody needs to get better, that’s why we’re in camp now working. Everybody’s goals and expectations have risen, we expect to be better this year.”
On the upcoming season in the Big 12…
“Every game is going to be a big game, it’s another opportunity. I’m not looking forward to any game particularly. I’m just looking forward to the whole season and us becoming a better team.”
Isiah Johnson, So., Safety
On his transition to KU…
“It’s been great, I’ve been learning a lot from coach [Dave] Campo, coach [Scott] Vestal, they’ve done a great job. Coach [Clint] Bowen, he’s been teaching everything well. It’s been a good transition for me so far.”
On his impressions of the defense and the secondary…
“I think that’s a good defense. I know we have a great chance for interceptions, and to make a lot of plays on the field.”
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Looking Ahead
On Friday, Kansas Athletics and the KU Alumni Association will join forces to host the family-friendly KU Kickoff pep rally presented by First National Bank at Corinth Square (83rd & Mission Road in Prairie Village, Kan.). Starting at 6 p.m., Kansas football head coach Charlie Weis, women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson and track and field coach Stanley Redwine, who was recently named National Coach of the Year, will each address the crowd.
Kansas will open the 2013 football season by hosting South Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Memorial Stadium. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by contacting the Kansas Ticket Office at 1-800-34-HAWKS or via the web at KUAthletics.com.
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