Photo by: Natalie Wright
Football Position Preview: Defensive Line
8/22/2023 10:48:00 AM | Football
Q&A with Defensive Line Coach Nick Holt
What's your impression of the group so far?
Well, you know what I really like the group. We're a young group. It's a very interesting dynamic. We have a bunch of young guys that don't have a lot of experience, and then we have two, three guys that are older, that are kind of leading the group. So, it's interesting. They keep me on my toes. But we're extremely young; not a lot of guys with a lot of playing experience, but a lot of kids that have a lot of 'want to'. It's exciting to coach. And I look forward to seeing how well and how much they progress this fall.
What are the returners bringing to the table this year?
Well, we only have a couple of returners because we're so new. We have two guys that are transfers that I think will provide immediate help and that's Jordan Butler, K-O (Kayode Oladele). Those two guys have played a lot of football at some other universities. We also have Damion Hart and Colby Warkentin, who have played some football for us. They do a great job. Those four guys along with David Oke who redshirted last year are going to provide our leadership. You can include in that group Syncere Massey who is a very big strong young man who is a redshirt freshman. Those guys provide the leadership.
There are a lot of youngsters on the roster. How are they adapting?
We've got a lot of true freshmen who are going to develop into good players over time. I like the room. They're very willing to learn. Certainly, the young guys over here are getting better every day, it's kind of exciting. We've got a special group when it's all said and done when we learn how to practice and we learn how to put in our work every day – well I think it could be a pretty special group.
Any other newcomers we should keep an eye on?
Yes, our other true freshmen really flashed last week, going into the second week. Jerry Lawson has a chance to be special when it's all said and done. And then Luke Gambs. Those two guys have flashed, and they've, they've done a heck of a job and they're going be good players. Chris Herpin missed some time in the first week and he's just now coming back right now at full speed. We'll have to wait and see. But I think that those three freshmen d-linemen; they have talent and that fires me up.
What are a few things you've been emphasizing in camp so far?
Get-off. We want to be the best get-off team in the country. That means we're going forward fast, playing fast, playing aggressive, playing smarter. We really emphasize our get-off – using our hands, violence and running into the ball and making a forward effort. That's the big thing – just playing with great effort.
How have the guys adjusted to you? Well, I kind of process.
It's a process. I think they're adjusting pretty well and getting to know each other.
NEXT UP: Julian Wilson talks about the cornerbacks.
Well, you know what I really like the group. We're a young group. It's a very interesting dynamic. We have a bunch of young guys that don't have a lot of experience, and then we have two, three guys that are older, that are kind of leading the group. So, it's interesting. They keep me on my toes. But we're extremely young; not a lot of guys with a lot of playing experience, but a lot of kids that have a lot of 'want to'. It's exciting to coach. And I look forward to seeing how well and how much they progress this fall.
What are the returners bringing to the table this year?
Well, we only have a couple of returners because we're so new. We have two guys that are transfers that I think will provide immediate help and that's Jordan Butler, K-O (Kayode Oladele). Those two guys have played a lot of football at some other universities. We also have Damion Hart and Colby Warkentin, who have played some football for us. They do a great job. Those four guys along with David Oke who redshirted last year are going to provide our leadership. You can include in that group Syncere Massey who is a very big strong young man who is a redshirt freshman. Those guys provide the leadership.
There are a lot of youngsters on the roster. How are they adapting?
We've got a lot of true freshmen who are going to develop into good players over time. I like the room. They're very willing to learn. Certainly, the young guys over here are getting better every day, it's kind of exciting. We've got a special group when it's all said and done when we learn how to practice and we learn how to put in our work every day – well I think it could be a pretty special group.
Any other newcomers we should keep an eye on?
Yes, our other true freshmen really flashed last week, going into the second week. Jerry Lawson has a chance to be special when it's all said and done. And then Luke Gambs. Those two guys have flashed, and they've, they've done a heck of a job and they're going be good players. Chris Herpin missed some time in the first week and he's just now coming back right now at full speed. We'll have to wait and see. But I think that those three freshmen d-linemen; they have talent and that fires me up.
What are a few things you've been emphasizing in camp so far?
Get-off. We want to be the best get-off team in the country. That means we're going forward fast, playing fast, playing aggressive, playing smarter. We really emphasize our get-off – using our hands, violence and running into the ball and making a forward effort. That's the big thing – just playing with great effort.
How have the guys adjusted to you? Well, I kind of process.
It's a process. I think they're adjusting pretty well and getting to know each other.
NEXT UP: Julian Wilson talks about the cornerbacks.
Players Mentioned
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