Highlights from our latest coach and player interviews...
JuJu Smith-Schuster
--He's making it a point to be physical more than “ever before.”
"After watching film of Dez Bryant and these big dudes, Calvin Johnson, it just makes me realize we’re big for a reason. This is our gift. We’re not the fastest one on the field, but we have the most strength and the most power. That’s what I’m doing, My stiff arm is more lethal and my blocking is more lethal too. And also, just going up the ball, coming down hard, and just being physical."
--The coaches want him at 205 but he feels comfortable where’s at right now, at 215.
--He’s having a big fall camp, like he did a year ago. The difference for him is being a leader.
"It’s a big role on my shoulder right now. With Nelson not here, it changes my mind on how I have to approach stuff. I’m more vocal, encouraging the guys, what to do and what not to do, that’s the big difference. Last year I was more of a follower and watched Nelson. This year I’m more of a teacher."
--He agrees that Darreus Rogers seems to have taken a leap and the arrival of Isaac Whitney and De’Quan Hampton probably has a big part in that.
"Watching him last year to this year he rose up a lot and he’s working his butt off. What is this, his junior year? It’s his time. When people say it’s your time, like Steven Mitchell, it’s his time. These are breakout guys. Me pushing him so hard, we’re competing every day, nobody’s spot is safe. When Isaac progressed, Darreus has to go another level. That’s why Coach Tee (Martin) put those guys behind us, to work harder. If I’m slacking and De’Quan steps up, I can lose my spot."
Jalen Greene
--The biggest challenge in his transition from quarterback to receiver has been knowing the different splits.
“I know the routes, I know the (receiver) positions, I know the formations, I know where I need to be. It’s knowing the exact splits because that affects the way the defense plays me.”
--He hasn’t played receiver since eighth grade.
“I kind of have a feel for the zones on the field. I see the defense before they do something so I know where I need to be.
--Moving to receiver was Greene’s idea.
“It was totally my decision. I know the coaches were probably throwing it around in meeting rooms, but it was totally my decision. I feel like I can do more as an athlete and help the team more. They just gave me the opportunity to do it and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”
--He actually wanted to be a receiver and QB before college.
“Of course at Serra, I was a quarterback. But I wanted to play a little more and step outside of my role. But that was the role I had and I had to I fulfill it and I feel I did.”
--He says Coach Martin has encouraged him to improve his alignment, route running and the speed in which he finishes plays.
“I ask a million questions, so I think he likes that part.”
--He treats his body differently now.
“A lot of stretching, I’ve been doing a lot of stretching. Early on I had a hamstring injury but I’ve been nursing that and I’m back now. I’ve been doing everything I can to take care of it. I’ve done a lot more with taking care of my body.”
--Greene sees this as a permanent move.
“I do plan to stay at receiver, but Coach did express to me he wants me to play both, so I’m ready for whatever he throws at me. I want to learn as much as I can at the position I’m at right now.”
Leon McQuay
--He said he has a good grasp of the scheme but has sometimes lacked confidence.
“It never was a problem with understanding, it was just doubting myself. I always knew the stuff, it was just, wait, am I right or can something be different. I’ve pretty much eliminated that. I know what I know and I’m playing fast. I feel great, I’m just out here trying to make plays.”
--He stopped doubting himself after the Holiday Bowl.
“That was just me playing. I had to make those plays and I knew what I had to do. Now it’s just fully set in.”
--He’s not concerned with living up to the hype he arrived with.
“All that stuff is out the window, I’m just playing, playing fast, trying to make plays and doing what I know how to do. I don’t worry about other people. I want to prove myself to me, really. I could care less about what anyone else has to say. I know what I can do, I have to live up to that. I just want to go all out, have no regrets and just do what I know I can do, play how I know I can instead of holding back.”
Su’a Cravens
--He is helping on punt and kickoff returns, as the adjuster and an intermediate ball-catcher.
"I’m back there with Adoree’. At one point we could have two returners back there, we could have me just blocking for him and have me on kickoff return as well. I just think they need a pair of secure hands back there. We have a lot of teams that like to rugby, so we’re going to need two returners. They’ll just have me back there to fair-catch it, if they need me to. I just take on the first MDM — most dangerous man — and I also take on the shanked punts."
--How big of an impact would the return of Bryce Dixon have on this team?
"A big one, Bryce is a very good tight end, very good player, and he means a lot to our team."
Greg Townsend
--He’s ready to play.
“I feel 100-percent healthy, I feel the best I’ve been since I’ve been here. I feel really good, I feel ready to play. They’ll notice a more explosive person, a more explosive person that’s getting his pass rush ready, a person that’s getting himself in the backfield, making plays and sacks.”
--The fifth-year senior just wants to contribute.
“My goal is to be put in the best position for this team. It doesn’t matter if it’s starting, if its as a backup. I just want to be a good role player for this team.”
--He doesn’t anticipate being used much as a stand-up rusher.
“That’s different packages. If we got four down, I’m going to play a little bit end. If we have three down, I’m going to play four technique. That’s just a different package.”
--The defensive line still believes in itself, sans Leonard Williams.
“We have five, strong seniors. We’re big up front, we’re smart, we’re strong, we’re talented, we know what we’re doing and we got experience. That’s what I see out of our defensive line. We have Antwaun Woods, one of the best nose tackles in the country. He’s anchoring us and being our leader.”
--He said going against Chad Wheeler and Zach Banner has helped him grow.
--He’s at 270 pounds but will gain weight if he’s asked to.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
--He's making it a point to be physical more than “ever before.”
"After watching film of Dez Bryant and these big dudes, Calvin Johnson, it just makes me realize we’re big for a reason. This is our gift. We’re not the fastest one on the field, but we have the most strength and the most power. That’s what I’m doing, My stiff arm is more lethal and my blocking is more lethal too. And also, just going up the ball, coming down hard, and just being physical."
--The coaches want him at 205 but he feels comfortable where’s at right now, at 215.
--He’s having a big fall camp, like he did a year ago. The difference for him is being a leader.
"It’s a big role on my shoulder right now. With Nelson not here, it changes my mind on how I have to approach stuff. I’m more vocal, encouraging the guys, what to do and what not to do, that’s the big difference. Last year I was more of a follower and watched Nelson. This year I’m more of a teacher."
--He agrees that Darreus Rogers seems to have taken a leap and the arrival of Isaac Whitney and De’Quan Hampton probably has a big part in that.
"Watching him last year to this year he rose up a lot and he’s working his butt off. What is this, his junior year? It’s his time. When people say it’s your time, like Steven Mitchell, it’s his time. These are breakout guys. Me pushing him so hard, we’re competing every day, nobody’s spot is safe. When Isaac progressed, Darreus has to go another level. That’s why Coach Tee (Martin) put those guys behind us, to work harder. If I’m slacking and De’Quan steps up, I can lose my spot."
Jalen Greene
--The biggest challenge in his transition from quarterback to receiver has been knowing the different splits.
“I know the routes, I know the (receiver) positions, I know the formations, I know where I need to be. It’s knowing the exact splits because that affects the way the defense plays me.”
--He hasn’t played receiver since eighth grade.
“I kind of have a feel for the zones on the field. I see the defense before they do something so I know where I need to be.
--Moving to receiver was Greene’s idea.
“It was totally my decision. I know the coaches were probably throwing it around in meeting rooms, but it was totally my decision. I feel like I can do more as an athlete and help the team more. They just gave me the opportunity to do it and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”
--He actually wanted to be a receiver and QB before college.
“Of course at Serra, I was a quarterback. But I wanted to play a little more and step outside of my role. But that was the role I had and I had to I fulfill it and I feel I did.”
--He says Coach Martin has encouraged him to improve his alignment, route running and the speed in which he finishes plays.
“I ask a million questions, so I think he likes that part.”
--He treats his body differently now.
“A lot of stretching, I’ve been doing a lot of stretching. Early on I had a hamstring injury but I’ve been nursing that and I’m back now. I’ve been doing everything I can to take care of it. I’ve done a lot more with taking care of my body.”
--Greene sees this as a permanent move.
“I do plan to stay at receiver, but Coach did express to me he wants me to play both, so I’m ready for whatever he throws at me. I want to learn as much as I can at the position I’m at right now.”
Leon McQuay
--He said he has a good grasp of the scheme but has sometimes lacked confidence.
“It never was a problem with understanding, it was just doubting myself. I always knew the stuff, it was just, wait, am I right or can something be different. I’ve pretty much eliminated that. I know what I know and I’m playing fast. I feel great, I’m just out here trying to make plays.”
--He stopped doubting himself after the Holiday Bowl.
“That was just me playing. I had to make those plays and I knew what I had to do. Now it’s just fully set in.”
--He’s not concerned with living up to the hype he arrived with.
“All that stuff is out the window, I’m just playing, playing fast, trying to make plays and doing what I know how to do. I don’t worry about other people. I want to prove myself to me, really. I could care less about what anyone else has to say. I know what I can do, I have to live up to that. I just want to go all out, have no regrets and just do what I know I can do, play how I know I can instead of holding back.”
Su’a Cravens
--He is helping on punt and kickoff returns, as the adjuster and an intermediate ball-catcher.
"I’m back there with Adoree’. At one point we could have two returners back there, we could have me just blocking for him and have me on kickoff return as well. I just think they need a pair of secure hands back there. We have a lot of teams that like to rugby, so we’re going to need two returners. They’ll just have me back there to fair-catch it, if they need me to. I just take on the first MDM — most dangerous man — and I also take on the shanked punts."
--How big of an impact would the return of Bryce Dixon have on this team?
"A big one, Bryce is a very good tight end, very good player, and he means a lot to our team."
Greg Townsend
--He’s ready to play.
“I feel 100-percent healthy, I feel the best I’ve been since I’ve been here. I feel really good, I feel ready to play. They’ll notice a more explosive person, a more explosive person that’s getting his pass rush ready, a person that’s getting himself in the backfield, making plays and sacks.”
--The fifth-year senior just wants to contribute.
“My goal is to be put in the best position for this team. It doesn’t matter if it’s starting, if its as a backup. I just want to be a good role player for this team.”
--He doesn’t anticipate being used much as a stand-up rusher.
“That’s different packages. If we got four down, I’m going to play a little bit end. If we have three down, I’m going to play four technique. That’s just a different package.”
--The defensive line still believes in itself, sans Leonard Williams.
“We have five, strong seniors. We’re big up front, we’re smart, we’re strong, we’re talented, we know what we’re doing and we got experience. That’s what I see out of our defensive line. We have Antwaun Woods, one of the best nose tackles in the country. He’s anchoring us and being our leader.”
--He said going against Chad Wheeler and Zach Banner has helped him grow.
--He’s at 270 pounds but will gain weight if he’s asked to.
