Arkansas Razorbacks wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton on how group of new faces have developed in fall camp and coming up with answers to numerous questions.
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00:00 Just curious overall, biggest differences with your room right now versus where you
00:04 guys were in the spring and the new offense and everything.
00:07 Yeah.
00:08 Big difference.
00:09 Big difference.
00:10 You know, spring I think we all were trying to figure each other out, you know, trying
00:12 to figure out the offense, see exactly what we're supposed to be doing out there, where
00:17 we fit in and the competitive nature throughout the room, kind of learning each other, to
00:22 be honest, you know, learning my coaching style, learning what gets to each guy, what
00:26 may get a guy going, you know, learn when a guy is, you know, on his best job and when
00:31 he's not and how can I get him going, you know.
00:33 So I think now we've made the 180 to where we all know each other.
00:36 We're all in there competing.
00:39 It's a competitive room and everyone's just in everyone's best at the moment.
00:44 Feels like I could name like eight guys that could potentially start out there.
00:48 I mean, how difficult is it going to be to whittle that down?
00:51 Obviously you're going to have a rotation, but you know, it obviously means something
00:54 also to start.
00:55 Yeah, not too difficult, honestly, man.
00:57 I mean, we we live by certain things in our rooms and we all know what it is, you know,
01:02 and we are going to come back, evaluate ourselves day in, day out.
01:06 We'll evaluate ourselves over a week span, over two weeks span, over a fall camp span.
01:11 And excuse me, sorry about that.
01:13 And when the time comes, everyone will know, hey, these are the three rolling that's starting.
01:16 But at the end of the day, guys are going to play.
01:18 We're going to get a chance to rotate and show what you can do.
01:21 And I always tell them, playing time is up to you, man.
01:24 It's up to you.
01:25 It's all about production and execution.
01:28 Brodin had the injury in the spring, but it seems like he's healthy now.
01:32 What have you seen from him this fall?
01:33 Yes, two guys that I'm proud of is Brodin and Wilson, both of them, you know, two guys
01:37 that, you know, unfortunately missed a bunch of spring.
01:41 Obviously Brodin wasn't here before that spring, so we didn't really know exactly who he was.
01:46 And to see who he is right now has been really, really awesome.
01:49 You know, we always talk about it.
01:51 He's a 6'7" guy who moves like he's 6'2", you know, and it's really good to see his
01:57 competitive nature come out.
01:58 A guy that, you know, has been through a lot just in his time being with us.
02:03 And you can tell he wears that on his sleeve and uses it as motivation.
02:08 And it's showing right now.
02:10 With Isaiah Cetania, where have you seen him grow the most from last year to this point
02:15 right now?
02:16 Oh, maturity.
02:17 Maturity.
02:18 I mean, that's an easy one for me on Isaiah.
02:19 Isaiah is a great athlete.
02:22 He knows who he is.
02:25 And he's smart.
02:26 He's very, very smart.
02:28 So he knows what we're trying to get done on the field.
02:31 And it's funny, we had a bowl game where he got a chance to play.
02:34 And at halftime, I kind of got after him a little bit, like, "Hey, man, you went on the
02:38 middle school route."
02:39 Things of that nature.
02:40 And now we don't have those conversations anymore.
02:43 He's matured to a point where I think we really, really can count on him.
02:47 And I think he knows that and he'll excel with everything that we throw in front of
02:51 him.
02:52 When you bring back so few catches from your receiving corps the year before, what's your
02:56 anxiety level, like, up front about that?
02:59 And how do you feel about it now?
03:01 Yes.
03:02 I mean, it's really big in January.
03:04 You know, honestly, it is.
03:06 It's really big.
03:07 And then you get in spring ball, you learn what you got.
03:09 Like I say, we kind of learn each other.
03:11 And you know, you still got some freshmen coming in.
03:14 You kind of evaluate over summer workouts.
03:16 Now you get chances to do OTAs with them.
03:18 And you know, the further and further you go, the more ease you start to get into it.
03:23 And so I don't know if I'll ever be fully eased until we win some games.
03:27 But right now I'm feeling good.
03:29 I love the competitive nature in our room.
03:31 You can tell.
03:32 It's -- everything's up for grabs.
03:34 And so we have plenty of guys competing their butts off in order to go beat those three
03:39 starters.
03:40 But they also know when our time -- when your time comes to shine, better be ready for it.
03:44 >> Armstrong and Tesla, both of them came along during the spring and looked to be,
03:50 you know, high up in the rotation.
03:51 What would you say about those two in particular?
03:53 >> I just think theirs happened a bunch quicker because those two guys came in.
03:59 Obviously they're older guys who've been in college for a while.
04:02 And then they got a chance to learn the offense, learn how a new place practices.
04:07 I'm pretty sure our speed is a little different.
04:10 And it's crazy you say that.
04:12 I talked to both in the middle of the spring and told them, I can tell, man, you're getting
04:15 a little comfortable.
04:16 You know, you're starting to settle in.
04:18 And now that -- and they come back from fall camp after summer workouts and being around
04:23 the team, now you start to see the leadership in those older guys that's been in college
04:27 come out.
04:28 And so it's been awesome to see their progression.
04:31 Looking forward to see how, you know, fall camp unfolds with those guys.
04:36 >> Bryce Stevens is one of the guys that does have experience in the play.
04:40 And he's back.
04:41 Talk about how he's progressed.
04:42 And is the competition for playing time helping him?
04:47 >> Yes, for sure.
04:48 I think it's something that's helping the room as a whole because, you know, you can't
04:53 take a step off.
04:54 You can't take a playoff.
04:55 You can't take a ripoff.
04:56 You know, if you do, you know, the next man behind you is -- I mean, he's coming to take
05:00 his spot.
05:01 He's coming to try to be that starter.
05:03 And so same with Bryce.
05:04 You know, Bryce is competing his butt off, keeping his head up, staying positive, and
05:08 trying his best to just go out there and do his best.
05:10 And that's what -- it's all we ask from every guy.
05:13 Allow us to coach you, and we'll put you in situations to succeed.
05:17 And go succeed, go execute.
05:18 >> Wanted to get a little rock today to play Western Carolina.
05:19 How many receivers were put out?
05:20 >> Oh, we used -- we're going to go about nine to ten.
05:26 Nine to ten, B. So -- and I'm thinking maybe those later guys better be some really good
05:34 special teams guys, and those top six be ready to play.
05:37 Let's roll.
05:38 >> Okay.
05:39 How many of those nine or ten would play special teams?
05:41 >> Honestly, I ask all of them to play something.
05:45 Starting three, they need to be on two of them.
05:47 You know, the rest, they need to be on three.
05:50 And then those last seven, eight, nine, ten guys need to be fighting fall forward.
05:56 >> Coach, you had, you know, last year, two transfers come into a room.
06:00 What kind of lessons did you learn from last year's experience integrating those guys and,
06:04 you know, a kind of a fresh room that you're kind of taking over to this year with kind
06:08 of some similar challenges?
06:09 >> Man, that's an awesome question, man.
06:10 I learned a lot, man.
06:11 You know, college football landscape kind of changed a bit in the last two, three years.
06:19 And I think we're all kind of learning, you know.
06:21 And I made some mistakes last year with some things, and I vowed to myself and my players
06:27 and my coach and other coaches that I wouldn't do those same things.
06:31 And I think it's happened the right way this year.
06:33 And I think it's kept a lot of mindsets really involved to where they understand what competing
06:39 is and how to compete.
06:43 And I think it's helped us all so much more.
06:45 And I'm just, I'm proud of the group so far.
06:47 I mean, I know we're only five, four days in, five days in, but I'm just proud of the
06:52 mindset that they came in with and the want to, the effort and everything else that comes
06:57 with it.
06:58 >> Davion's definitely flashed a little bit in what we've seen.
07:01 You know, how impressive is he as a freshman coming in?
07:05 And you know, is he a guy that you think can, you know, make an impact on Saturdays, even
07:09 with all the kind of the experience and transfers you have?
07:12 >> Yeah, very excited about those young guys that came in, man.
07:14 We had a few come in and not just Davion Dozier, you got Dazmond James, you got Kaelin Morris,
07:21 you got guys that came in and man, they're learning right now.
07:25 They're in that process of, you know, trying to learn what's going on, how we practice,
07:28 things of that nature.
07:29 But like you say, you just see flashes of what you know, when they figure it out, there'll
07:33 be some really good players.
07:34 And it's hard to speak right now after five practices on, you know, if those guys will
07:39 really have a chance to go in there and impact the game right now.
07:43 I just want to keep coaching them and help them get to the point where they don't need
07:48 help when they see a signal.
07:49 You know what I mean?
07:50 Just to be able to go play freely, because they're not playing freely unless they know
07:54 exactly what they're doing.
07:55 And it's easy to see, you know, and it's easy to see that's when they flash, when they know
08:00 exactly what they're doing.
08:01 So just keep bringing them along.
08:04 And that's where I think the leadership in our room from spring to now has changed.
08:08 Well, we got older guys trying to help those guys out and bring them along.
08:13 >> We heard last week that Andrew Armstrong is one of the five guys that's hit 22 miles
08:18 per hour in the summer.
08:19 We can understand he's fast.
08:21 DBs have said that too.
08:22 Is there anything like technical about his game that, you know, makes him or helps him
08:27 excel?
08:28 >> It's funny you say that, man.
08:29 I always say I feel Andrew all the time.
08:31 He's just savvy, man.
08:32 He's savvy.
08:33 He knows how to get open, knows how to create space, knows how to create separation, knows
08:39 zone coverages where the hole is going to be.
08:41 And he's just sneaky fast, honestly.
08:44 He's a long strider guy.
08:46 So at times he knows how to be deceptive.
08:48 The way he sets up his speed.
08:50 And to be honest with you, Coach Gatton probably didn't know if he was going to run 22.
08:54 So seeing that, it was like awesome.
08:56 Like, okay, this dude can run.
08:57 So he's done some special things.
09:01 Looking forward to the year that he'll have.
09:03 So very, very, very excited about that guy.
09:06 >> Your guys are going against the DBs all the time in practice.
09:10 I was wondering what your thoughts were on Dwight McLaughlin in particular, and maybe
09:14 just the DBs in general.
09:15 I'd love for you to say something about your thoughts on Dwight.
09:18 >> Man, big time, these DBs right now, I mean, it is eye and sharpened eye.
09:24 I mean, it is.
09:25 We're going to work in everything we do.
09:27 I mean, first thing we do, I mean, to start group work.
09:30 I mean, we're doing two on two, one on one, taff line pass.
09:33 And I mean, you just feel it.
09:34 It gets, the competitive nature just turns up right away.
09:38 And guys are going at it.
09:40 You know, and it's not about a bunch of talking either.
09:42 It's just guys going to work.
09:44 Guys getting better through reps.
09:45 And you know, we win some, we lose some.
09:48 And I love it that way because we got to understand that we want them to be good on that other
09:52 side as well.
09:53 Dwight, Nudy, I tell the guys all the time, he's just a smart guy, man.
09:58 He is, he understands the game.
10:00 I mean, he sees a certain split, and he's like, okay, these are two or three routes
10:04 you can run from that split.
10:06 He sees you looking inside, looking around, alert motion, alert motion.
10:10 It's like, Nudy, I knew that was coming.
10:12 But he's just one of those kind of guys that just understands the game and very instinctive,
10:17 very instinctive.
10:18 And I'm excited to see these DBs as well because, like I say, every day, man, I'm teaching how
10:23 to come back what they're doing, and they come back with something different.
10:28 And so every day, it's like a chess match where we're going back and forth.
10:31 And you can see the growth in those guys from spring ball, the new guys that's in there,
10:36 you can see what they bring to the table.
10:40 And it's just, it's a different field.
10:42 It's a different field.
10:43 - You got some guys from some smaller schools like Hillsdale and Texas.
10:49 - Commerce.
10:50 - Yeah.
10:51 And, but they're showing they can play on this level.
10:53 What do you think about them stepping up from a lower division?
10:56 Also do you get a sense how hungry they are because they're not used to all the bells
11:01 and whistles an SEC program has?
11:03 - Well, I was gonna say the exact words you said.
11:05 It's easy to see the hunger in those guys and the gratitude that they come with.
11:09 Like I say, both of them, they came from smaller places and Tyrone from Bowling Green.
11:15 Those guys just, they come with a certain level of gratitude.
11:19 They know that they're having a chance to show what they can do against some of the
11:22 best competition in the world.
11:24 And they come out every day with that on their face.
11:27 You can tell that they're excited to be here.
11:30 They love being here.
11:31 They're excited to learn every day.
11:33 They're excited to compete every day.
11:35 And it's easy to see.
11:38 That smile, I may walk in and not be in the best of moods and seeing their faces and everyone
11:44 face in the wide-eye room period just, it lights you up and gets you ready for your
11:48 day to roll.
11:49 - Just based on some of the things we're seeing in practice, are you expecting to see more
11:53 screen gain with wide receivers this year and also maybe challenge in the middle of
11:57 the field more too?
12:01 - You know, I expect to see what's working.
12:04 You know what I mean?
12:05 Whatever they're giving up, we're gonna take it.
12:07 And we just wanna put the players in the best situations to succeed.
12:11 I think Coach Enos is a great play caller, great OC, knows what he wants, and he knows
12:18 how to coach it.
12:19 You know, and we're all gonna ride behind him, and his play call is gonna be the best
12:23 play call that we got for that moment.
12:26 And we're gonna trust it and go out there and run it and go execute.
12:30 And I just think we're gonna take whatever they give us, you know?
12:33 - A couple of players we hadn't asked about, Jaden Wilson, who was banged up a little bit
12:37 in the spring.
12:38 How's he come along?
12:39 And also Sam Vaque.
12:40 - Yep, same deal.
12:41 Jaden, kind of same as Tyrone.
12:42 The difference with Jaden is he's been here for two years before, so we kind of know who
12:47 he is and everything.
12:48 But man, I feel like he's gotten a lot stronger in his body.
12:53 And he's just such a natural route runner.
12:56 He's catching the ball smoother.
12:57 I think the move we made with him going inside, it made him work in space more.
13:02 It's really, really been really good for him.
13:05 And it's been awesome to see his progression.
13:08 His first few days of fall camp has been awesome.
13:11 And like I said, just competitive nature has been great.
13:13 Sam Vaque, same deal.
13:15 I mean, he's just, everybody knows what Sam is gonna give you.
13:18 I mean, he's gonna give you 100 miles per hour, 100% effort, everything he does.
13:24 And at times you gotta slow him down.
13:25 And that's how I would love to coach players.
13:27 So just keeping him in the right frame of mind, it will be the next step.
13:32 And he's gonna be another one that's just easy to throw in there and know what you're
13:36 getting.
13:37 >> Another one of your 22 mile an hour guys.
13:39 I'm wondering, we've seen the y'all are scheming up again the ball.
13:42 Can you maybe talk about how he's risen in your eyes to do that?
13:46 And also as a kick returner, you expect him to maybe be the guy there?
13:50 >> Yes, for sure.
13:51 It kind of goes into play we talked about earlier with Isaiah.
13:55 His maturity level and how much he's grown from last fall to spring ball to now.
14:02 I mean, it's just it's a big jump.
14:04 It's a big jump.
14:05 And so he's a guy that understands what we wanna get done when you make a play call.
14:09 And so he's able to go out and execute.
14:11 I always tell him, man, you know what to do and you know the why.
14:15 I mean, now you just go play freely and let your athletic ability take over.
14:19 You can tell he's in that point.
14:21 So we'd love to just keep seeing him grow.
14:23 >> So I was charting your two on twos in period four today and I had you 11 for 26.
14:29 What was the rest of practice like?
14:30 Did y'all bounce back from that?
14:31 >> [LAUGH] >> What do you think?
14:33 >> Yeah, two on two wasn't great today.
14:36 And it goes into play.
14:37 I mean, like I said, the DVs are gonna bring it every day.
14:40 And today they got us and it's crazy.
14:42 The next period, we go to point and I got some DVs in the positions I'm coaching.
14:47 And they go up and I said, man, y'all give me teach tape.
14:50 I see DVs came to practice today.
14:52 But we got better through our practice and
14:54 we actually finished it a lot better in two minutes today.
14:57 But yeah, you're right, two on two didn't go so great.
15:01 And we're gonna go watch it and learn why and come back tomorrow and be better.
15:05 >> From a competitive standpoint, where does this group that you have this year
15:10 compare to the other groups that you've had here in Fayetteville?
15:12 >> I mean, up there at the top with them.
15:17 I mean, those last two groups were very, very competitive as well.
15:21 And the difference is I think we got maybe a few more numbers of competitive
15:25 guys that can go in there and really get the job done.
15:28 Not probably, it wasn't as much last year and then a year before.
15:33 I mean, obviously you got Burks, a talent that's just different.
15:37 And then you had some guys around him that were really good as well.
15:39 But I just think it's a little more, few more guys maybe in the room.
15:44 They should be competitive throughout the room to kind of keep the,
15:48 I don't wanna say pressure on those guys that may be starters.
15:51 But just kinda keep them on their toes, keep them working.
15:54 >> I know it's only been five practices, but just the connection from the
15:58 quarterbacks and the guys, specifically KJ and the receivers.
16:02 How do you think that's going?
16:03 >> Man, it's been the coolest thing to see, honestly, with the leadership in KJ.
16:10 The leadership in him, watching him grow through his last three years and
16:14 seeing who he wants to be in this year.
16:17 And knowing that, I mean, basically he's throwing all new guys.
16:21 And he's taken that role on and really been a leader.
16:25 And it's easy to see who he's gonna be this year, I can't wait to see.
16:29 >> I was gonna ask you about KJ, but have you commented on Teslall yet?
16:35 >> No, I haven't said anything about my guy.
16:37 >> Let's talk about Teslall now.
16:38 >> Man, that's messed up, sorry Isaac.
16:40 Awesome dude, man.
16:43 I mean, just one of those guys you never have to worry about,
16:48 does he know what's going on?
16:50 I mean, just another one, I was talking about Isaiah earlier.
16:53 He knows what to do, know why we're making a play call,
16:56 know where he needs to end up on the play.
16:58 And when that ball's in the air and it's around number four,
17:02 expect the play to be made.
17:04 He's one of those kind of guys where I call it contact and bank catches.
17:08 We gotta put him in the bank and he's making deposits at the moment.
17:13 And he's not the only one, there's quite a few, but he's one of those guys, man.
17:18 Ball around that wing span, he's coming down with it.
17:21 And once again, sorry, Isaac.
17:23 >> From a recruiting standpoint, you've obviously got ties in Texas.
17:28 And what areas do you kind of focus on?
17:32 And just with managing the transfer portal and recruiting,
17:35 what is your approach to both of those?
17:37 >> Yeah. >> What makes you a good recruiter?
17:40 >> Texas, honestly, that's where I'm from and everything.
17:42 Texas always had some ties in Louisiana, been right next door and
17:47 spent a little time in Louisiana Tech.
17:49 But Texas, Louisiana, and then obviously being in Arkansas now,
17:54 got a chance to recruit for state.
17:55 But how I look at it is I'm always trying to get my numbers back to wherever we
17:59 wanna keep the numbers for wide outs.
18:01 Trying to get that with high school guys.
18:04 I kinda don't start worrying about portal until kinda middle of the year.
18:08 You start figuring out, man, this guy may be out, this guy here.
18:12 Whatever it is, and then you start figuring out, all right,
18:14 we got these high school guys in.
18:16 I better be able to get it back to the numbers of what I need to.
18:19 So it's a little fluid deal that, I mean, you can ask today what we need.
18:23 And we got three high school guys committed and nobody leaving.
18:29 So you ask in a week somebody I can feel like about to take off,
18:32 I may need to go get someone.
18:33 So it's just a fluid deal right now.
18:35 And like I say, it's a world and we're all learning.
18:38 It's a new world in NCAA football.
18:40 So just every day we're gonna keep moving forward.
18:45 >> What kind of your pitch to Brody Armstrong,
18:49 that's why I wasn't here, how did that happen?
18:52 >> Look at the room and he started coming back.
18:54 Really no seniority,
18:59 nobody in the room that's caught any balls yet in live action.
19:05 And I was very honest with all three of them.
19:08 I do have a great young talent, some young talent that's coming up,
19:12 just have no experience.
19:14 So I wanted some guys with some college experience,
19:16 make the room competitive and let's go from there.
19:21 And once they saw the numbers in the scholarships, it's like, hold on,
19:24 I get a chance to play in the NCC and it's all you got on scholarships, let's go to work.
19:28 >> You mentioned Danny, just a minute ago, just wondering how you've been with Dan for
19:34 a while, but what's happened like and just kind of what do you think he brings back
19:37 to the staff because obviously he was here with Sam before?
19:40 >> Yeah, just a smart guy, you can tell who's seasoned,
19:43 been through it before, knows what to expect,
19:47 knows what first day mistakes are going to happen.
19:51 He knows what's gonna happen before it happens.
19:53 And so just one of those coaches to learn from because he is a vet.
19:57 And man, I mean, he knows the answers for everything before it happens.
20:04 And that's one of those things that I'm trying to learn as a guy that played
20:08 quarterback coaching wideouts now.
20:10 And I just wanna know those answers because he'll know once we get guys with
20:16 one play, their answer is gonna be this, so we come back with this.
20:19 And it's like so cool to learn because it's like he sees it already happening.
20:25 And just an awesome guy to learn from, knows what he wants.
20:32 And I mean, he wants it to the teeth and he keeps us on our toes to every day.
20:36 Always go over the little details and not skip over anything.
20:40 >> With so many new faces in the room, you talked about leadership.
20:45 Who has stepped up and been kind of a leader for this group?
20:49 Or is it kind of lead by committee?
20:52 >> The main guy to step up has been Andrew Armstrong.
20:54 I mean, he's been a guy that, like I say, even though he's been here since January,
20:59 he's been in college.
21:00 He's an older guy, he understands it.
21:03 He knows what it takes to be great.
21:05 And so when he sees it not happening, he steps up and he's vocal about it.
21:10 Teslaw Ozzie, he's one of those guys as well.
21:13 He'll do it by example more often, but he'll also speak up.
21:16 But he's gonna be more of the guy that kind of comes to you one on one,
21:21 kind of just lead by example kind of guy.
21:24 But it's crazy, it's two guys that just came in January, but
21:27 it goes back to say we're young rooms.
21:30 We're young room where older guys came in and they're able to step up and
21:34 kind of lead these guys through experiences.
21:37 And say, hey, I may not have been on at this school, but at the end of the day,
21:42 this is what I've been through.
21:43 And I can probably help you through this emotion that you're going through.
21:47 >> Just kind of a specific one, but Chris Rhodes, I think he was a DB in Juco.
21:53 Did you guys recruit him as a wide receiver?
21:55 >> Honestly, we didn't.
21:56 We recruited him as an athlete and it was DB.
22:00 And we told him, hey man, we got some numbers that wide out,
22:04 you wanna come over and help out?
22:05 And he was all in, he was all in and he's a pretty good addition.
22:10 A guy that goes hard, tough, physical, and
22:13 just trying to learn right now at the moment.
22:15 It's kind of learning like those young guys that just got in.
22:18 But once he gets it down, he can tell you, he'll be a guy that we can count on.
22:22 And I'm hoping he'll be one of those guys that we can get on those special teams
22:26 because he has that grit, tough nature about him now.