Highlights from our latest coach and player interviews ...
Keith Heyward
--He’s been impressed with Biggie Marshall’s coverage ability and physicality and is looking to improve his alignments. He said he picked up the defense quickly.
“What he’s learning now is how to practice every day and coming to practice every day to get better, so that it can translate to a game. He was a highly-recruited guy for a reason. He came in just as we see him today in the games. It’s just a matter of learning that transition of how to practice and then translate that into playing.”
--When asked whether Biggie’s ready to start, if necessary, Heyward said, “He’s ready.”
--He wants Marvell Tell to play more physical.
“He’s wearing No. 7. There’s been some pretty good guys that wore that number here, playing that position. From what he did in high school, I need him to play more physical. He’s a smart kid and he’s going to pick up the adjustments and alignments. It’s just a matter of time.”
--He appreciates Isaiah Langley’s drive.
“He’s really competitive, really competitive. He cares. He has a big, big pride in him. When he goes out there, if he makes a mistake or does something wrong, he’s just still out there competing.”
--The focus this week has been more on self than Stanford.
“I’m not worried about their passing game. I’m worried about teaching my guys and my guys being discipline and doing their job. That’s all that matters. Because when we do what we’re supposed to do, we’ll be perfectly fine versus anybody. Stanford’s a good team. They got good, big receivers, good quarterback. Even when they bring (running back Christian) McCaffrey outside to receiver, he’s good too. But it really just comes down to us being disciplined and playing our coverage and technique.”
Ronald Jones II
--He downplayed being homesick during training camp.
“It was just missing my favorite spots. The Texas burgers and Hutchins BBQ, things like that. Y’all probably never heard of them.”
--He said having five tailbacks competing for reps brings out the best in each of them.
--He’s spending extra time to work on catching the ball.
“I just finished up with Coach Nansen because I had too many drops during practice, but in the game I’m going to catch it.”
--He’s not endorsing the comparisons being made to him and other great tailbacks.
“I think it’s way too soon. I heard the Reggie Bush thing. He’s the best, the greatest in my opinion, so it’s way too soon for all that. It’s an honor to even be in the same category as him.”
--The veteran running backs have been helping him get up to speed in pass protection,
“They tell me to use my hips and bring my hips because I keep getting beat. That’s definitely something I have to work on.”
--He’s expecting a good challenge from Stanford.
“I know they are a very solid defense and like to do a lot of tricks and loops, so I’m definitely going to have to be patient and make my reads.”
--He’s been a bit surprised by his early success.
“I think that’s a credit to my O-line and all the coaches here. They definitely made the adjustment easier than I thought it would be. … I have the best coaches in America helping me prepare, so I’m getting adjusted a lot more quickly than I thought I would be."
--He’s still in the learning phase of running inside, in part because he’s not accustomed to doing it.
“I actually like to take it outside because that’s where the smaller guys are. I didn’t have such great blocking in high school, but now I’m only having to make one defender miss which is great.”
--He had just one concern when he de-committed from Oklahoma State.
“I knew I was going to be further away from my family, so that was the only thing that really concerned me. I knew overall this would be the greatest school for me to go to, both academically and athletically.”
Adoree’ Jackson
--He doesn’t know yet whether the potential absence of Kevon Seymour will cut into his playing time on offense.
“I don’t think it would affect me at all. I feel like if I have to go on offense, I’m going to keep wanting to go in hungry for the ball. And if I need a breather, then I’m going to take a short break and I know I have to go back in there on defense. So I don’t think it will affect me. But if the coaches want to limit me on offense, then I understand.
--He’s not anxious about what has been a limited role on offense thus far.
“The six plays I was in (last week), I caught the ball four times. That was decent enough for me. If I get six plays again and get the opportunity to catch four or five balls, I just got to make plays with it. Ultimately I would like more but I’m happy with the reps I’m getting.”
--He’s been impressed with Langley’s progress.
“He’s a good competitor, plays great on the ball, I just remember seeing all the hard work and dedication, and not just only when I’m at service or on offense or kickoff. He’s trying to make plays and get on the field. You just see that competition in a guy and if he makes a mistake, he’s going at it 100%, he’s going full speed and I feel like he’s just going to keep gunning and progressing and get ready. …
“I just tell him to be comfortable, when we was in PRPs he was looking great out there and just being in the zone. And that’s what I tell him, just picture that you’re out here just playing ball with your friends and not trying to do too much outside of your job, I think that’s one of the things: you think you need to impress the coaches a lot by making this type of play or that type of play, but just go out there and play ball.”
Justin Wilcox
--The front seven sometimes hasn’t been able to finish what it’s started in the backfield.
“Believe me, I want more sacks because you get them behind the chains. We’re hitting them. We need to get there a count sooner and when we have chances to get them on the ground, which we did, we need to finish them. We need to get them on the ground.”
Keith Heyward
--He’s been impressed with Biggie Marshall’s coverage ability and physicality and is looking to improve his alignments. He said he picked up the defense quickly.
“What he’s learning now is how to practice every day and coming to practice every day to get better, so that it can translate to a game. He was a highly-recruited guy for a reason. He came in just as we see him today in the games. It’s just a matter of learning that transition of how to practice and then translate that into playing.”
--When asked whether Biggie’s ready to start, if necessary, Heyward said, “He’s ready.”
--He wants Marvell Tell to play more physical.
“He’s wearing No. 7. There’s been some pretty good guys that wore that number here, playing that position. From what he did in high school, I need him to play more physical. He’s a smart kid and he’s going to pick up the adjustments and alignments. It’s just a matter of time.”
--He appreciates Isaiah Langley’s drive.
“He’s really competitive, really competitive. He cares. He has a big, big pride in him. When he goes out there, if he makes a mistake or does something wrong, he’s just still out there competing.”
--The focus this week has been more on self than Stanford.
“I’m not worried about their passing game. I’m worried about teaching my guys and my guys being discipline and doing their job. That’s all that matters. Because when we do what we’re supposed to do, we’ll be perfectly fine versus anybody. Stanford’s a good team. They got good, big receivers, good quarterback. Even when they bring (running back Christian) McCaffrey outside to receiver, he’s good too. But it really just comes down to us being disciplined and playing our coverage and technique.”
Ronald Jones II
--He downplayed being homesick during training camp.
“It was just missing my favorite spots. The Texas burgers and Hutchins BBQ, things like that. Y’all probably never heard of them.”
--He said having five tailbacks competing for reps brings out the best in each of them.
--He’s spending extra time to work on catching the ball.
“I just finished up with Coach Nansen because I had too many drops during practice, but in the game I’m going to catch it.”
--He’s not endorsing the comparisons being made to him and other great tailbacks.
“I think it’s way too soon. I heard the Reggie Bush thing. He’s the best, the greatest in my opinion, so it’s way too soon for all that. It’s an honor to even be in the same category as him.”
--The veteran running backs have been helping him get up to speed in pass protection,
“They tell me to use my hips and bring my hips because I keep getting beat. That’s definitely something I have to work on.”
--He’s expecting a good challenge from Stanford.
“I know they are a very solid defense and like to do a lot of tricks and loops, so I’m definitely going to have to be patient and make my reads.”
--He’s been a bit surprised by his early success.
“I think that’s a credit to my O-line and all the coaches here. They definitely made the adjustment easier than I thought it would be. … I have the best coaches in America helping me prepare, so I’m getting adjusted a lot more quickly than I thought I would be."
--He’s still in the learning phase of running inside, in part because he’s not accustomed to doing it.
“I actually like to take it outside because that’s where the smaller guys are. I didn’t have such great blocking in high school, but now I’m only having to make one defender miss which is great.”
--He had just one concern when he de-committed from Oklahoma State.
“I knew I was going to be further away from my family, so that was the only thing that really concerned me. I knew overall this would be the greatest school for me to go to, both academically and athletically.”
Adoree’ Jackson
--He doesn’t know yet whether the potential absence of Kevon Seymour will cut into his playing time on offense.
“I don’t think it would affect me at all. I feel like if I have to go on offense, I’m going to keep wanting to go in hungry for the ball. And if I need a breather, then I’m going to take a short break and I know I have to go back in there on defense. So I don’t think it will affect me. But if the coaches want to limit me on offense, then I understand.
--He’s not anxious about what has been a limited role on offense thus far.
“The six plays I was in (last week), I caught the ball four times. That was decent enough for me. If I get six plays again and get the opportunity to catch four or five balls, I just got to make plays with it. Ultimately I would like more but I’m happy with the reps I’m getting.”
--He’s been impressed with Langley’s progress.
“He’s a good competitor, plays great on the ball, I just remember seeing all the hard work and dedication, and not just only when I’m at service or on offense or kickoff. He’s trying to make plays and get on the field. You just see that competition in a guy and if he makes a mistake, he’s going at it 100%, he’s going full speed and I feel like he’s just going to keep gunning and progressing and get ready. …
“I just tell him to be comfortable, when we was in PRPs he was looking great out there and just being in the zone. And that’s what I tell him, just picture that you’re out here just playing ball with your friends and not trying to do too much outside of your job, I think that’s one of the things: you think you need to impress the coaches a lot by making this type of play or that type of play, but just go out there and play ball.”
Justin Wilcox
--The front seven sometimes hasn’t been able to finish what it’s started in the backfield.
“Believe me, I want more sacks because you get them behind the chains. We’re hitting them. We need to get there a count sooner and when we have chances to get them on the ground, which we did, we need to finish them. We need to get them on the ground.”
