Arkansas Razorbacks tight ends coach Morgan Turner on fitting in with new team and coaches after Monday morning's practice on the outdoor fields in Fayetteville.
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00:00 >> Yeah, Coach, I was curious about Barkey's guns, how he's coming along.
00:03 He's obviously enrolled late.
00:05 Is he picking up everything and how we're working out for him?
00:08 >> He's picking up really well.
00:10 The guys, I mean, they worked really hard over the summer.
00:13 The player led practices and you can really see that paying off.
00:17 When they're jumping in and start a fall camp and he's hit the ground running.
00:22 It's no day one learning.
00:24 It's going.
00:25 >> Okay, him and Luke has, I mean, they're both 6'3", 2'4".
00:29 They look almost identical size wise.
00:31 Are they similar players to you?
00:32 Do you think they can bring the same kind of stuff as they do?
00:35 >> I think they can bring some of the same things.
00:37 They have different traits, different, I mean, physical abilities.
00:39 Key's, he's been in college a little longer.
00:42 So he's got a little more time in the weight room, but Luke's doing a nice job
00:44 in all that stuff too.
00:46 And they're both really versatile.
00:48 We could use both of them a lot of ways.
00:49 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:52 >> It's third and eighth as potential players that the quarterback's looking for
00:57 is guys with reliable hands that can get them to third and eighth.
01:02 >> Yeah, I mean, they've shown they've understood what we're trying to do
01:04 offensively and some of the concepts and doing a good job of doing what we need and
01:08 getting open, getting separation at the top too.
01:10 And they've both done well.
01:11 >> Coach, tomorrow Eastern played every sport down there and got here late.
01:17 So I guess it's fine, weight room down there.
01:19 But just how's he doing for you and how quickly is he adjusting to get here late?
01:25 >> He's doing great.
01:26 It's been fun to watch him grow, and really spend that time in the weight room.
01:30 He's coming out in great attitude every single day of practice, and
01:33 he's taking big jumps.
01:35 It's been fun working with him.
01:36 >> Luke and Brayden really seem to get better with every practice.
01:42 And then is that pretty much carried over into the fall?
01:45 >> I think the whole group is really, they're growing and
01:48 learning from each practice, not making the same mistakes twice.
01:51 And just every day is taking another step.
01:54 >> What was it like for you going through spring with one batch and
01:59 then you get double the amount of scholarship guys over summer?
02:02 What that was like for you, trying to get them going?
02:05 >> A lot of credit to the guys that were here in spring.
02:08 I mean, they could have taken it one way, but they embraced them and
02:12 really helped them out over the summer where it's not, all right,
02:16 I'm starting from scratch and they don't know a thing.
02:17 They've done a nice job.
02:19 They worked hard over the summer.
02:21 And the older, the guys that were here really helped them.
02:23 >> I'm not sure how long Bax will be out, but in his absence, guys,
02:27 maybe moving up to one, getting more reps.
02:29 I know you mix it around, but what's that been like for you?
02:32 >> It's mixing around.
02:34 I mean, it's nothing set right now.
02:36 We're still working.
02:37 I have no scrimmage to go.
02:38 So I mean, every day, go out, show your best, and we'll figure it out down the road.
02:44 >> Coach, with the addition of Francis, just what have you seen from him so far?
02:48 And on paper, people look at that and they don't think anything of it,
02:51 because he didn't catch a lot of passes.
02:54 But I feel like he's gonna bring a lot to you guys this year.
02:56 >> Yeah, and he probably played a lot more than people think.
02:58 Does a nice job in line, in the run game, understanding things.
03:02 I mean, he's a veteran guy going into his fifth year in football.
03:05 So he's seen a lot and played a lot, and we see that paying off.
03:09 >> With Luke, you've coached a lot of really talented tight ends, but
03:13 we see him at practice every day, and he's really impressive.
03:16 Maybe could you speak a little bit more about him?
03:19 >> Yeah, he just comes to work every day.
03:21 Works hard, I mean, works on his route running,
03:23 try to build that relationship with KJ.
03:26 And then we'll compete, go up and get balls, and
03:28 just make plays when they're available to me.
03:30 >> I'll turn it off to that question.
03:33 I think one thing that stands out when we watch Luke is his blocking.
03:36 Is he a little further along than maybe some freshmen you've had in the past with
03:40 all the NFL guys you've produced?
03:42 >> I don't wanna try to compare him to anybody there, but
03:45 you could tell it means something to him.
03:47 And that says a lot, that does a lot for you.
03:50 He's aggressive with it, he's not afraid.
03:53 He's able to put his face in there and builds a nice shot.
03:57 >> Obviously, coming over from Stanford where the tight ends got a lot of run,
04:00 I mean, how exciting is it now here working in an Enos offense,
04:04 a lot of 12 personnel and such like that?
04:07 >> It's fun cuz it's challenging.
04:09 The guys are getting the taste of it now, moving on different spots.
04:12 Like there are one spot with one play, and hey, flip here, go there.
04:17 It's challenging.
04:18 So every day you gotta come in and be focused and
04:21 really embrace the mental side of it.
04:23 I mean, I think they've done a nice job with it.
04:26 >> A couple times, well, the person that came in here and said Tyrus has been
04:29 making some catches, we got to get an open.
04:31 So what do you think from him in camp and how much can he help you guys?
04:36 >> Yeah, I think he's taken a big jump since spring.
04:38 He's come every day, focused, locked in, and not worried about anything else.
04:43 And when the ball comes his way, he's making plays.
04:45 And that's all we need to do, take advantage of the opportunity you have.
04:48 So good job.
04:51 >> And not either, you know, he red shirt, but you play a little bit and
04:54 he had a big touchdown, catching the Liberty Bowl.
04:56 How much do you think that helped him making a big play like that in the bowl
05:00 being, you know, caring for.
05:02 >> I think it gives you some confidence, excitement.
05:05 I mean, embracing like, all right, I played a big part in this team right here.
05:09 Even though he did all season, it's another thing when you score that
05:12 touchdown, and I'm sure it gave him a bunch of confidence.
05:16 >> So the other day, it was one of the positions that he had, you know,
05:21 some reservations about, has some concerns about, but
05:24 after the scrimmage, it sounded like he felt a lot better.
05:27 Did you have some concerns or how do you talk to scrimmage going to you guys and
05:30 do you feel better after that?
05:33 >> I mean, the scrimmage, I mean, you're always gonna think, all right,
05:35 we're gonna, we gotta get better.
05:36 We gotta get better from it.
05:37 But I was proud, it was good.
05:39 We worked hard, played a whole bunch, there was a bunch of reps.
05:43 And not many mental stuff, we were just out there, we're playing hard and
05:46 things are correct, but I like where we're at right now.
05:49 >> Ty and Luke, maybe some others split out a good bit in fastballs.
05:55 How much is that gonna play into the offense this year?
05:59 >> Don't wanna dig in the scheme too much, but
06:01 we're ready to line up anywhere on the field.
06:02 And we've been there and that's part of that mental challenge of it,
06:07 we gotta know all spots.
06:09 >> When he's healthy, what's he giving you?
06:14 >> He's doing a nice job in the run game, does a nice job in pass protection.
06:17 Still getting throwing in the passing game, but
06:20 doing a nice job catching everything thrown his way.
06:22 And he gives a ton of veteran leadership too.
06:24 He's the old guy in the room, he's been there a lot.
06:27 Guys look up to him, he's gonna help him.
06:28 I'll shoot out a question in the meetings.
06:32 All right, Bax, you don't answer.
06:33 Get the other guys with it and then Bax will help him out after that.
06:38 He's done a great job.
06:39 >> So how many times do you think will travel this year and just play the game?
06:45 >> I'm not sure, haven't gone through that.
06:48 I don't know how we do that.
06:50 >> [LAUGH] >> You feel like all these guys,
06:56 like five or six, I think you got six or seven,
06:58 they all bring some difference to the table.
07:00 I mean, I'll give you a little bit, one or two points, maybe two or three there.
07:04 >> Yeah, they all definitely bring something different.
07:07 And trying to maximize what they bring.
07:09 All the tight ends I've had through the years, people always try to, hey,
07:12 who's this one?
07:13 Like, no, they all are completely different.
07:15 And you gotta just find what they're best at and embrace what they're best at and
07:19 use it.
07:19 >> Your approach as a recruiter, what do you think makes a good recruiter?
07:25 And also from a territorial standpoint,
07:27 have you kind of ironed out your areas and what you're asking for?
07:34 >> Yeah, it's building relationships, building relationships,
07:37 letting the kids see who you really are.
07:40 I'm not big on all the rah-rah hype stuff.
07:43 I want them to get to know me, who I am, what I believe, and how I teach and
07:47 things like that.
07:48 And then when they get on campus, and I've learned it since I've been here,
07:51 like, all right, it surprises me.
07:53 It's a special place.
07:55 I think we've got two guys back here, the two transfers, like, all right,
07:59 they were a little surprised when they got here.
08:01 So it's getting them on campus, and it'll be wild when they go from there.
08:05 >> You are evaluating and looking at transfer portal.
08:07 I mean, what kind of stuff are you looking for?
08:09 I mean, obviously, we can catch this here.
08:12 But what are you looking for?
08:15 >> Every situation is gonna be different, but big things, I want them to be smart.
08:18 I have a high football IQ, love the game.
08:22 They have to love it.
08:22 The work we put in, you don't love it, it's really, really hard.
08:26 And then they gotta be tough with this.
08:28 You can't turn it down, you gotta be able to embrace the physicality of the sport.
08:33 >> And show it, naming off all the NFL side energy things.
08:37 >> I don't know, can you go there?
08:38 [LAUGH]
08:39 [BLANK_AUDIO]
08:41 >> He obviously is really productive in the passing game,
08:44 and 30 plus catches last year at North Texas.
08:46 What do you see him bringing here,
08:48 I was passing him, can we have that kind of production on this level?
08:52 >> Yeah, I think so.
08:53 We're not there detailed with the game plan on how we're gonna use guys and
08:57 certain things.
08:58 But I mean, he's at the point we're gonna trust him.
09:00 I mean, he's got good hands, gets open, so
09:02 there's lots of things we're gonna be able to do with him.
09:05 >> You're an S&C guy now all that, but you're in the Pac-12 for a long time.
09:09 And it's like, League, unfortunately, getting raided and falling apart.
09:13 Nobody really knows what's bad, but some of those things.
09:15 Just wondering with your history there, just, and
09:18 what are your thoughts on what's happened out there?
09:21 >> It's tough, I'm just really just rooting for the guys.
09:24 All the guys that I know there that I spent time with, all the people I worked
09:28 with there, hoping it all works out and plays out for the best one.