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The schedule for today’s press conference is that players will be up first followed by Coach Frost. The words in quotes are my best attempt to capture what was being said in real time. I didn’t listen back to make sure they were verbatim.
NEW NUMBERS
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) March 5, 2019
Brant Banks 99
Darrion Daniels 79
Nick Henrich 42
Chris Hickman 87
Cam Jurgens 51
Luke McCaffrey 7
Jamie Nance 3
Garrett Nelson 44
Wan'Dale Robinson 1
Cam Taylor 5#Huskers
Lamar Jackson
“It is my first year to play for the same DC for two years in a row...”
“This year we knew going in that practice was going to be fast...it was a lot better than last year”
Nebraska CB Lamar Jackson says the #Huskers have a new policy - no phones in the meeting room.
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) March 5, 2019
No more "sneak texting," says Lamar
Jackson said of his position coach @CoachTFisher that he “woke up the competition” among the DBs #huskers
— 1400 KLIN (@KLINRadio) March 5, 2019
Lamar Jackson talks really fast. He said a lot of good things, but I couldn’t keep up.
Adrian Martinez
“I feel like as a team, we’re in a different place...knowing the offense...we’re able to move a lot quicker.”
On whether being in the second year is helpful “I think knowing the offense, knowing what to expect...has helped me make strides as a leader.”
Adrian Martinez says seeing his name on Heisman projects is humbling but not his primary focus. Wants team to win more. "That's what matters."
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) March 5, 2019
He indicated he was impressed with the new guys (receivers) and is helping them get their feet as fast as possible.
“I can’t promise I won’t make a mistake, but I’ll try not to make the same mistake twice.”
On Luke MacCaffrey, “Real good dude. He fits in well in the quarterback room. He’s real fast, he’s going to be a real good quarterback.”
On what he’d take back from last year. “The Colorado injury to be honest. They way it came about...I made a decision and I got hurt...”
“I believe leadership is performance and performance is leadership...”
Martinez says he’s given @wanda1erobinson some pointers, but says Robinson has a “good head on his shoulders” #huskers
— 1400 KLIN (@KLINRadio) March 5, 2019
On Nebraska’s never ending winter...”I just hope this weather gets better soon...”
We all do Adrian. We all do.
DiCaprio Bootle
He also expressed how helpful it is that they don’t have coaching turnover.
The word “attack” kept coming up over and over when the players were asked about conditioning and practice. Bootle also used that word in talking about conditioning.
On Cam Taylor “High energy guy...we love him”
“Personally I just want to be the best I can be for the team, get more takeaways for the team, be a positive role model for the team, just help anybody in need really.”
On Lamar Jackson...Bootle indicated that he was really proud of how Jackson handled criticism and continues to be himself.
Mohamed Barry
On what he’s seen so far. “Consistency. That’s what I’ve seen. We came out and attacked...” (there’s that word again) Barry used ‘attack’ more than the other players, but I think we’ve already picked up on the theme of Husker spring ball.
On the team mentality, “There’s not a lot of selfish people, they understand where they’re at and strive to be better...when they’re criticized, they take it and want to get better, they want to fix those problems.”
“Technique allows us to win one-on-one battles”
“They younger part of our group is comfortable making calls, like quarterbacks...technique-wise we have a better starting point than last year but we have to get better every day.”
“If we can play fast and physical versus any team, that’s a recipe for success...how fast and physical can I be on each play?”
On the defensive backs, “I just love seeing how bought in as a collective group, from top to bottom...the leadership is where it needs to be.”
“I put on some weight. I was at 225 and now I’m at 232. I feel more explosive...” (On the live stream, he looked the part of the rocked-up explosive linebacker)
Mo Barry says Darrion Daniels hasn't been shy about being vocal with the defense early. Says he's pushing his brother, Damion, and the rest of the d-line right now. #Huskers
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) March 5, 2019
Ben Stille
On the new coach “Yeah, Coach T’s been good. We had out first meeting last week...awesome energy guy...brings new techniques and ideas.”
Ben Stille didn’t miss any lifts. pic.twitter.com/k2TthQhQS9
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) March 5, 2019
On whether the weight training has changed him...”I was the smallest one playing d-line..”
For reference, take a look at Stille’s 247 sports profile page. He was listed at 235 lbs coming out of high school.
Ben Stille says offseason was "big" because he needed to gain weight to hold his own ground in the trenches. #huskers
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) March 5, 2019
Stille says he’s now 288.
On Darrion Daniels, “He’s big and he moves well...he brings maturity and knowledge...”
Stille says sitting a defensive line meeting with two sets of brothers is a "once in a lifetime experience." #huskers
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) March 5, 2019
Question to Ben Stille: What about Darrion Daniels’ personality has helped him fit in quickly?
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) March 5, 2019
Stille: “Have you met his brother?”
Ben Stille says the emphasis from the d-line this winter has been getting bigger. Says they wanted more knock-back.
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) March 5, 2019
He feels good about where he's at now. Says he's at 288. Looks noticeably bigger than last year. #Huskers
When asked about the newcomers, he mentioned Wan’dale Robinson, “He did really well on Monday...he hits the hole really fast. I didn’t get a chance to watch any of the others [early enrollees]”.
Head Coach Scott Frost
On Maurice Washington, “Maurice will be a limited participant in practice this spring...I’m troubled anytime someone takes actions that shed poor light on our team...university...state...”
“anyone who takes negative actions puts their status for playing time or with the team in jeopardy...that decision isn’t made by me, that is made in conjunction with others including administration”
On any perception handling of Maurice Washington case last fall was done with purpose to keep him on field, Frost says, "That's completely not true." #Huskers
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) March 5, 2019
“I knew very little about this in the fall...the extent of what we knew is that a member of our staff was contacted for an interview by the Attorney General of Nebraska...at that time we had a relationship with the former Attorney General and we asked him to represent him...I don’t know what anybody could have done any differently.”
“I don’t think it is my place to do investigations, as a matter of fact, that’s where people get in trouble.”
Frost: This will run its course and justice will be served but I don’t think anybody could have done anything different last fall.
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) March 5, 2019
On if they got off to a faster start...”Yeah, we didn’t have to teach them where to go, where to line up...we didn’t have to teach them the names of the plays...”
GAINZ
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) March 5, 2019
- close to 10 pounds per guy of lean muscle
- about 100 pounds per guy in squat weight
- 50 pounds per guy upper body weight lifting
Frost says guys are stronger and can run faster. #Huskers
Nebraska @coach_frost said that Wandale Robinson & M. Jones both took some reps at RB yesterday. Said it will be thin in the spring
— Damon Benning (@damonbenning) March 5, 2019
"We just felt like Tony was the best fit," Frost says regarding the hire of new DL coach Tony Tuioti. A good technician and a good man to fit in with the staff.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) March 5, 2019
“We’re not as deep as I’d like at some spots and won’t be until we get the freshman in here...even then there’s a few positions that will be thin...”
He did single out the defensive backs as a position group where the depth and leadership has improved.
Frost: "The DB group has come a long way since we got to Nebraska."
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) March 5, 2019
Says Lamar Jackson could possibly play more than one spot. Cam Taylor said he could work at S as well as CB. Same, Frost says, for Cam Jones and Dicaprio Bootle. #Huskers
On Adrian Martinez as a leader...”Adrian has to be the leader of the team, he can’t back into that.”
He said he talked to a group of players he expects to be leaders, “Any team is stronger when the loudest voices are the voices in the locker room...the more problems get fixed before they get to the coaching staff, the better.”
Frost mentions a group of potential leaders emerging on the team this year. Includes Adrian Martinez, Damian Jackson, the Davis twins, Dicaprio Bootle, Matt Farniok, Boe Wilson and Jack Stoll specifically.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) March 5, 2019
Frost says Will Honas will be limited this spring, coming back from a knee injury last year. #Huskers
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) March 5, 2019
Inside linebacker was one position that Frost mentioned needs more depth. He’s hopeful some of the young guys can step up.
JoJo Domann played primarily outside linebacker on Day 1 of spring ball. #Huskers
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) March 5, 2019
On JoJo, “We saw it last year, when he came off the edge, we got sacks, fumbles...we saw it again yesterday...he’s a guy that can play”
Just like the players kept using the word “attack”, Coach Frost kept bringing up Cam Jones’ name - even when not prompted.
Among guys retuning from injury: Frost says Cam Jones was a bright spot in Day 1.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) March 5, 2019
Tate Wildeman back in a limited capacity. Casey Rogers was back.
Will Honas was back in a limited capacity. CJ Smith isn't back yet.
“Luke McCaffrey had about as good a first day as a guy could have...Matt Masker did some good things...we have a lot more depth and I feel more comfortable there than last fall”
Frost wants Martinez to "fast-track" his leadership. Bullish on that.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) March 5, 2019
Adrian “has the type of personality people gravitate toward,” which helps him as a leader, Frost said.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) March 5, 2019
On the O-line, “we’re going to be young, one of the guards and center will be new players.” Hixon and Farniok were mentioned by the coach as working at center.
Frost on Jurgens: "He's not 100% healthy yet" but participated in practice yesterday. Said they're going to take things slow with him. #Huskers
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) March 5, 2019
On the receivers, “Losing Stanley Morgan was a big hit for us...he was one of my favorite players to work with...it is great having JD back...we got a ton of talent around JD. I don’t need those guys to be All-Americans overnight, I just need them to improve....that’s one of the jobs that’s wide open.”
Frost: "I'm as big of a Bill Moos fan as you can find."
— Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) March 5, 2019
“It was important to me before I came to Nebraska that there was an athletic director that was going to give football...and all the sports...what they need to succeed...I might not be here if it wasn’t for him” (I especially paraphrased that last part - don’t take that as an exact quote AT ALL)
On Jovan DeWitt, “He’s certainly fighting a fight that’s going to be bigger than any game we play this fall.”
Frost says Erik Chinander and Jack Cooper will help cover any time that Jovan Dewitt misses this spring as he battles a form of throat cancer. #Huskers
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) March 5, 2019