Razorbacks After Tuesday Afternoon's Practice

All Hogs
All Hogs
  • last year
Arkansas Razorbacks' offensive lineman Patrick Kutas, defensive lineman John Morgan and defensive back Jaheim Singletary on preparations for season opener.
Transcript
00:00 You two guys transfers, just curious how Arkansas is treating you.
00:04 You've been here a little bit longer, you've been here a little bit shorter.
00:06 Just what are your impressions so far?
00:08 >> Everything's been great.
00:11 I love everything about Arkansas, the changes and the school and
00:15 everything's been great.
00:15 >> It's just smooth, like you said, I mean, coming in January and
00:20 said, I'm gonna be in the pro soccer stuff like that.
00:22 And then we became a teammate of a senior transition.
00:25 Being an older guy, kind of like the way I work.
00:27 So, it's coming straight in the spring ball, I don't wanna work out.
00:30 I don't miss a beat.
00:32 They didn't really give me much credit, I'm gonna work harder, work harder,
00:34 work harder to work.
00:35 >> How did things play out for you with being from Georgia and
00:41 Arkansas obviously got some connections on the staff from Georgia.
00:44 Did that stuff play into it and how did it unfold?
00:47 >> I wanna say not necessarily.
00:50 It's just I've been in contact with the DB's coach for a minute since high school.
00:54 So we already had a connection, the portal and all that when it opened.
00:58 We've already connected.
00:59 [INAUDIBLE]
01:05 >> I mean, I've known Coach Vince since I was in high school.
01:08 When he was at UNC, he was a coach at the door.
01:11 And him and my dad are great friends.
01:13 So as soon as I decided to go in there, he was like the first thing to contact me.
01:17 And then they set up a building to come down to the house.
01:18 They brought Coach Fitman, and that's what I was doing after that.
01:21 [INAUDIBLE]
01:28 >> John, I know you don't go up against Patrick every day, but
01:31 what have you seen from him when you are going up against him and
01:34 the rest of the offensive line as well?
01:36 >> I mean, we've been playing football for a long time.
01:38 Like I said, I've seen him on the fair show all the time.
01:41 I mean, with Patrick and just the whole office life,
01:43 it's really pure of my rotation and they all have their multiple positions.
01:47 And you probably know, you've seen Patrick play tackle, draw, center,
01:49 stuff like that.
01:50 I feel like that's good to have versatility because you don't know how to
01:53 see the goals and you get all those side of the ball spots.
01:55 I mean, it's tough slow coming from the ACC,
01:58 now from the SEC, bigger, faster, stronger tackles.
02:01 I mean, you can play them fast.
02:03 >> Patrick, kind of the same question for you in reverse.
02:06 Not only about John, but it seems like there's so
02:08 many guys on the defensive line who's kind of sticking out to you so far.
02:12 >> Definitely some of the guys like Traever DeFoe, John here, Landon Jackson.
02:17 It's just a different type of player.
02:21 I mean, being on the edge, you're on an island and these guys just,
02:25 they can go power, they can go speed, so you gotta be ready for everything.
02:29 [BLANK_AUDIO]
02:32 >> I wanna talk to you about the tackle.
02:34 I get asked a lot about how are Kudas and Manuel gonna hold up?
02:38 I mean, what's the curve been like for you two, new starters?
02:42 >> There was a curve there definitely, but I think with Coach Kennedy and
02:46 Coach Goodman just always there for us, always getting us in the film room,
02:51 technique on the field, just your own little thing.
02:55 It's been smooth, and with the older guys, a lot of experience on the inside.
03:00 So they've definitely made that transition smoothly, too.
03:03 >> And you mentioned your dad knows Deke, what's the connection?
03:06 How does it go back?
03:07 >> I mean, my dad was a college coach growing up, but
03:11 he coached all throughout the D2 level, HBC level.
03:14 So I guess we had a great time, we got coaching connections,
03:17 that's kinda how they created a relationship.
03:19 And I mean, me and him, some big somewhere in the same team, so
03:22 we were going through that process just like we got a team,
03:25 we always see each other.
03:27 So it was, like I said, it was a time convention.
03:29 So as soon as they said they were interested in me,
03:31 I kinda just went on there and it worked.
03:34 >> [INAUDIBLE]
03:37 >> Yeah.
03:37 >> No, I didn't have to say, I mean, coming from Pittsburgh,
03:41 I always played with a deep, deep in his mind.
03:43 I feel like that is something that's been needed in these top conferences.
03:45 You can't really go in with, obviously,
03:47 the atmosphere is gonna work out, but the energy is happening.
03:49 I mean, I think that's the biggest thing for us, and
03:51 knowing how to get us lined up, we're gonna have a great season.
03:54 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Yeah.
03:56 >> Mike, what do you think maybe you show the coaches so
03:59 far in camp that allowed you to get up with the one?
04:01 >> Just basically taking advantage of every opportunity I get,
04:05 just going out there working hard every day and just giving it my all.
04:09 There's no plays off.
04:10 >> [INAUDIBLE]
04:14 You're 19, right?
04:16 We're talking to Jeff about, I think he's 23.
04:19 That's a pretty big age difference.
04:20 So maybe it's different if somebody's 45 or 49, but 19, 23, it's pretty big.
04:25 What's the key to maybe holding your own against older guys that are really
04:28 good players?
04:29 >> I just think I would fall back on the roots of me playing.
04:35 I got size, athletic ability, and I just need to go to my band.
04:40 >> The coaches, all I see is he came out today and
04:43 Latham and Limer on that everybody feels pretty good about those guys.
04:47 Those kids are your guys.
04:48 You're obviously a new guy and the other tackles are pretty new too.
04:51 Do you feel like you'll have something to prove or
04:53 do you have a little chip on your shoulder?
04:55 I mean, I don't think people are being critical, but they're just, well,
04:57 we don't know what these guys can do because they haven't had a chance to play
04:59 yet. >> Definitely,
05:00 I do think we have something to prove.
05:01 >> [INAUDIBLE]
05:05 >> I mean, we're just a young group
05:07 on the outside.
05:08 We don't have any experience guys, just tell a lot that they don't move
05:13 the older guys out, they trust us, the young guys to play out there.
05:17 >> Happy belated, by the way.
05:21 I mean, there are freshmen on this team that are older than you are.
05:24 And a lot of times you see August birthday stuff,
05:28 parents will hold them back a little bit.
05:30 But I'm guessing you were always probably pretty big for your age.
05:32 Is that kind of always how it's been for you?
05:36 >> I'd say so.
05:36 I mean, I was always pretty tall, but I was always tall and lengthy.
05:40 >> I mean, you're 600 plus in the squad,
05:45 your weight room numbers are very impressive.
05:47 So it doesn't seem like that's something that's holding you back at all.
05:49 >> No, not anymore.
05:52 >> Yaneen, what would you say are your best attributes?
05:55 What do you bring to the table?
05:55 Obviously, you've got some height and some quickness and stuff.
05:57 But what do you think you bring to the table back to the position?
06:00 >> Power, skills, physicality, and discipline.
06:04 I think my coach is taking that plan and giving it to me every day.
06:08 >> But you're not the tallest defensive end, you don't fit that 6'6" mold or
06:14 anything like that.
06:15 But obviously, you got some quickness and stuff and
06:17 have racked up a lot of sacks in your career.
06:19 What about you makes you good in position?
06:22 >> I mean, I feel like me personally, I think I'm a savannah outside the game.
06:26 I don't feel like I've always been a king of watching that pick and
06:30 pick and double play stuff on the field.
06:33 I like to work best against him.
06:35 I'm not just about stature.
06:37 I'm really good at being able to slip past guys.
06:39 I have a huge range to my advantage stuff like that.
06:42 So I feel like that's where I work.
06:43 >> So as a part of 38 new players on this team, including freshmen and
06:48 transfer, so that's a lot.
06:49 You used to be 25, the coach was talking about that today.
06:51 How is this team meshed, come together?
06:55 I mean, that's obviously a short time for you guys to get bonded.
06:59 And that's very important for the team.
07:00 >> I go first.
07:04 I mean, I feel like we mesh great, coming from the team I play with,
07:08 it was like I won a championship.
07:09 So I know what it takes to be at that type of level and
07:12 playing New York City Bulls, that's something that you want to aspire to be.
07:15 I mean, I feel like I'm one of the best mentees I've probably been around in my
07:18 career.
07:19 I mean, obviously, there was no drop off guys coming in the field,
07:21 there was no animosity.
07:23 No guys like you brought me here, take my spot.
07:25 But I bet anybody spotting that midget, I don't know, rolling himself a whip.
07:28 And I worked hard to learn from this guy or this guy, we all come together.
07:33 >> Yeah, with me, I would say, I leave it up to the coaches too,
07:36 because they trust in us so much.
07:38 This team is so player-led.
07:40 And the way we do things, we together all the time.
07:44 So from there, we just bond and go from there.
07:48 >> Yeah, I agree.
07:50 I mean, being here, along with these guys, I mean, when they came in,
07:56 when all the guys came in, it seemed like a smooth transition.
07:59 There was no, like Don said, animosity.
08:03 Everybody was just smooth rolling, everybody got along great.
08:06 And we all just worked together.
08:08 I mean, I think we just have one thing in common, we all just want to prove
08:13 something this year.
08:14 >> For either of the transfers, Kelby was up here yesterday and
08:19 he talked about the resources that Arkansas has for you guys.
08:22 What is kind of some of the stuff that has surprised you since you guys have
08:25 got up here?
08:26 >> At least for me, I mean, once I finished playing, I wanted to be in you guys.
08:31 She was doing the broadcast and stuff like that.
08:34 And I mean, one of the first things they told me when I got here was they were
08:36 giving an internship opportunity with the Ravensback Sports Network.
08:39 I felt like going through my five years at school at Pittsburgh,
08:41 I would never get to do something like that.
08:43 So that was something that was big in my recruitment,
08:45 it being a big pass footballer.
08:47 That was the only thing that they appreciated me and they held true to me.
08:49 They didn't lie or anything like that.
08:51 They told me exactly what I was going to do when I got here,
08:53 exactly what it was.
08:54 So that was something I really appreciated.
08:55 >> You're the first player to ever say the word Savant in this room.
09:01 >> [LAUGH] >> So you got that good.
09:03 Jaheim, I wanted to ask about the other cornerbacks.
09:06 At the start of camp, Sam Pittman told us we need to find five and
09:10 if we can do that, snacks might go to nickel.
09:13 And that has happened.
09:15 Can you talk about the strengths maybe of the other guys in the cornerback room?
09:20 >> We all great.
09:20 The coaches just want the best five on the field at the same time.
09:24 But the other strengths, like Nudy, he's a very good corner.
09:29 He's older, so I get a lot of knowledge from him.
09:31 It's all around from snacks.
09:35 Snacks can teach me a lot too.
09:37 Well, for him moving the hog, it's just a lot.
09:39 We all rotate for like, I wouldn't really call out their strengths.
09:45 I would just say all of them good because coaches, they believe in trusting us.
09:49 They put the five best on the field at a time.
09:52 >> I believe you've practiced more at guard last year.
09:57 So when the first scrimmage this spring was held,
10:02 the word we got was the defensive end feasted that day.
10:05 And then you're a tackle the next day.
10:06 I wonder what that's been like for you kind of having to accelerate your spot.
10:11 >> Yeah, it was an odd transition.
10:14 You're so used to interior having help from everybody.
10:17 Not being on the island that you are the offensive tackle.
10:21 So that was definitely hard to get used to.
10:23 Just footwork, hands, eyes, communication.
10:28 I mean, you're the ones in the play call.
10:30 You gotta echo it down the whole line.
10:32 So I mean, you're kind of the head of everything besides the center.
10:35 >> A lot of football now, this is your entering your sixth season.
10:40 Just kind of how do you think that you've changed from year one to now as far as
10:45 just how you're approaching the season and everything?
10:47 >> I mean, I take it day by day.
10:49 I'm an early bird, I wake up early in the morning,
10:52 try to get all my rehab and stuff out before I try to get to practice.
10:55 I mean, the body is what makes everything run.
10:57 You gotta take care of your body.
10:58 I learned that throughout the year, playing with guys that have played in the NFL.
11:02 Now they've always given me knowledge about that saying you wanna take care of
11:04 your body and always be a broken and prevalent.
11:07 You got to step on this and that's where you can make plays and watch a film.
11:10 But when you're going to play like that, period, long range,
11:13 there's a lot of players that just come to watch a film.
11:14 You'll see those plays in the nose, you see those over and over again.
11:17 You know, the 12 sacks and everything, how'd you get there?
11:21 That was the only thing we saw.
11:22 We'd be ahead of time as we watched the film.
11:24 I think we'd still actually be trying to be prepared for that.
11:26 [BLANK_AUDIO]
11:30 >> I'm curious how that conversation went with you moving to tackle.
11:33 Was it Coach Kennedy or Coach Pittman or both of them?
11:35 Or how did they present it to you and
11:38 just kind of walk us through that conversation?
11:41 >> It was both of them and really wasn't much of a conversation.
11:45 It was more of an opportunity for me.
11:48 And obviously, I attacked that opportunity.
11:52 I mean, it's an opportunity to run with the ones, get the play, so
11:56 there's no question.
11:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]
11:59 >> I thought some people in Georgia about you and they were like, he's good,
12:03 he's talented, he's tall, he's kind of skinny.
12:04 A lot of people fight forever to put on weight and
12:08 you were listed I think like 177, I think you're about 188 now, is that right?
12:12 >> Yeah, yeah. >> What did you do to put on that weight?
12:14 And I mean, you don't look skinny anymore.
12:17 >> Just start to coach out of weight room routine.
12:20 Every morning I just woke up, grinded every day, got on a lot of protein too.
12:25 A lot of protein, fat, fate and Brooks.
12:27 Well, that's just about it.
12:28 >> Like keeping your eye on all the time, getting on the scales?
12:33 >> Yeah, weight, yeah, weight.
12:35 I always believed that my weight needed to gain.
12:37 So I paid a lot of attention to it this summer.
12:39 >> It changed anything for you, like slows you down or
12:43 makes you stronger, or you notice any difference?
12:45 >> It was my physicality, it raised, it got higher, because of my weight.
12:49 >> Some guys have gotten here and spoke about the Breakfast Club.
12:54 Are you a part of that?
12:55 >> Nope, not a part of Breakfast Club.
12:57 >> All on your own.
12:58 And I'm just curious,
13:00 John mentioned winning a championship at his previous program.
13:03 You've got some experience with that.
13:05 Are there any lessons from your one year at Georgia that maybe you're carrying with
13:09 you every year that obviously that's some aspirations that you guys as a program
13:13 will have?
13:14 >> Yeah, just like the standard, just every day just going out there grinding,
13:17 just know what we're grinding for at the end of the day.
13:19 Like I'm sure everyone on the team has the same goal, like winning the Natty or
13:24 whatever it may be, but just every day going out there and
13:26 giving it your all every day, just knowing the standard.
13:28 >> John, what do you wanna do for the Razorback Sports Network?
13:33 Do you wanna announce games?
13:35 Do you wanna be a reporter?
13:36 Do you have anything in mind yet?
13:37 >> I mean, the goal is to announce.
13:39 I know I gotta work my way up the ladder, but
13:41 I feel like I have a great voice for the game.
13:43 I mean, watching guys on TV, I feel like it'll be an easy 50 minutes.
13:47 I've always been a film junkie, so I kinda just, on my free time,
13:49 I kinda just watch football as much as I can.
13:51 So I feel like, whether it be any sport, really, I feel like I'll be good for it.
13:55 >> Civic sports other than football, obviously you're playing.
13:59 >> I mean, if I had to choose one, I'd probably say MMA or something like that.
14:02 I feel like it's a little more exciting.
14:03 I kinda can really lash out and be myself, you know what I'm saying?
14:06 It's not really a strict script.
14:09 So what you gotta say, you kinda just live it and whatever.
14:11 I got fans really like that stuff, so I think I'll be good for that.
14:14 [BLANK_AUDIO]
14:20 >> Yeah, I'm just wondering, being a man, what do you think of the fan club?
14:24 >> I mean, like I said, I mean, coming from ACC is like their biggest
14:27 strong of fashion, I mean, going against coolness, Chambly, Big Dev.
14:31 I mean, they're all long arm, strong.
14:33 I mean, Posada's been putting in the best position to be top tackle in ACC.
14:37 I mean, I was talking to Jeff over the day saying,
14:39 ACC is full of edge rushers, that's the premier position coming out of the ACC.
14:43 And I feel like them going against us every single day is gonna put them in
14:46 the best position that we're gonna hold up on Saturdays.
14:48 [BLANK_AUDIO]
14:53 >> Oh, even the tackle.
14:54 >> That was a good answer.
14:56 >> No, I mean, even the tackles too.
14:57 I mean, playing with those guys, I mean, you got Big Tank,
15:00 Keevy, Cannonball, I mean, those guys are 300 plus.
15:03 I mean, if they can hold double teams, let Crook and
15:06 Chris Paul run around all day and they turn their gear around and run down.
15:08 I guess it's gonna be a hard day for
15:09 opposed offense because I mean, we got six or seven in the back, but
15:12 I don't think they will be the top ACC one defense in the country.
15:14 >> You know, it's on Cigar, I already had a lot of issues with pass
15:19 defense last year, Sam, I'm waiting for the student engagement today.
15:23 What you're feeling on what you guys can do to improve that passing thing?
15:28 >> Really, it starts with the D line.
15:33 I love those guys, those guys make my job way easier every day in practice.
15:37 I rarely have to cover more than three, four seconds.
15:40 So it really starts with the D line.
15:42 So that's really about it.