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00:00 >> Question for Coach Johnson.
00:05 >> Two scrimmages deep, feels maybe a different kind of level of urgency to
00:09 practice today or is it just another work day for you again?
00:11 >> It's always a sense of urgency.
00:13 Thank you, it was big for us to get back out here today.
00:16 I think the guys did a really good job and
00:17 they were eager to get back out to kind of get this work in.
00:20 >> You talk about we own fries and you're running backs folks on their job.
00:24 How's your job gonna be to get all these guys involved at such different skill
00:27 sets and have you guys kind of figured out what you wanna do with these guys?
00:30 >> Yeah, it always takes care of itself.
00:32 You know, as long as people doing what they're supposed to do,
00:34 definitely doing their job.
00:35 And that's what we kind of emphasize in our running back room.
00:38 That's our biggest thing.
00:39 We own fries, making sure you just do your job.
00:42 Don't worry about whatever else is going on, but
00:43 make sure you're doing the things that you need to do.
00:46 >> You know you got Trey, but is it kind of trying to figure out what you got with
00:50 Lawrence and Kazaya and Rodney?
00:53 Is that the bigger question mark for you guys?
00:55 >> No, I kind of know exactly what we have with LTL.
00:58 He's played a lot of football.
00:59 Zion's actually played a lot of football and he's gonna be ready this year.
01:03 And Rodney's doing a really good job.
01:05 He's coming back off a little angle, but Rodney's been really good.
01:09 He understand the offense a little more and Trey is kind of chomping at the bit.
01:13 >> I got a question, coach.
01:15 >> Yes, sir. >> How do you get your mind right to start
01:17 the day?
01:18 >> Best thing you do is, man, you always be thankful.
01:20 First thing you do in the morning, man, you make sure you're thankful.
01:23 Just to have opportunities, because we only get two things.
01:25 We get a chance and we get a choice.
01:27 So you always be thankful and like I tell you all the time, get your mind right.
01:30 >> Yes, sir, I'm getting my mind right.
01:31 I got it.
01:32 >> How hard is Trey working?
01:36 >> That was one of his main focus, that and protection.
01:38 And we're able to put him outside as a receiver and
01:42 he's feel comfortable with that now.
01:44 Last year was a little different for him and that's what we push.
01:47 Those are the things that we want him to improve on and
01:49 that's gonna help him get to the next level with this program and
01:52 kind of put us in the best position.
01:54 >> You had him transferring last year, he red carded his way, but
01:59 what kind of impact did it have for him to be here last year?
02:02 To know the playbook and to know everything this year?
02:04 >> I think the biggest thing is understanding the coach and our team.
02:08 He was committed, even on scouting.
02:10 One thing about our guys, we're gonna take every rep.
02:13 Before Kaza, same thing CJ did the year before.
02:15 They understand it's about the work.
02:17 Right now, he's kind of chomping at the bit.
02:19 He understands what's going on with the offense.
02:22 He's really small player and he's strong.
02:24 He keep arguing about he's fast and he trade bats and I said we'll see.
02:27 >> Sam is known for his speed, but even in the blocking drills and
02:31 stuff like that, there's some toughness to him, right?
02:33 >> Yes, he's a lot tougher than you realize.
02:35 And actually, Sam is like 200 pounds.
02:37 So Sam is doing a good job.
02:39 He wants to continue to learn.
02:41 He's in that room with those guys.
02:42 They're doing a good job of kind of taking him along and
02:45 he understands the process.
02:46 And he's gonna continue to work, but I've really been pleased with Sam.
02:50 >> You had a chance to work with the punt returners before practice or
02:53 early part of practice.
02:53 What have you seen from Keon specifically in that?
02:55 >> He's special.
02:56 Keon Coleman is different.
02:58 I've been working, I've seen a lot of players over the years.
03:01 But just his mindset and how he approached, not just practice, but
03:07 meetings and everything, he is a true pro.
03:09 And he's ready to kind of take that on, being one to return, the same thing with
03:14 LT, so those guys, they come every day wanting to be challenged and
03:17 wanting to be coached.
03:19 >> How long have you known about Keon, since what age?
03:22 >> Well, since probably like the 10th, 11th grade, he actually played AAU basketball.
03:27 One of my close friends was his coach, Randy Livingston actually coached him in
03:31 AAU, and they've been talking about just his mindset, even with basketball.
03:35 He was just that type of kid, he was tough.
03:37 He was sending videos all the time during COVID in the backyard,
03:40 running on his own.
03:42 Nobody's throwing him the ball, he's just trying to find ways to get better.
03:45 >> So when you guys were talking about maybe bringing him in,
03:48 you could vouch for maybe some of the, even off the field, that he's a good guy.
03:53 >> Yeah, definitely.
03:54 I knew surrounding people around him, and that's one thing everybody kept saying,
03:58 how hard of a worker he was, and the mindset that he had.
04:02 That was the only way he was gonna be able to survive here with Coach Novell.
04:04 He had to have the right mindset.
04:05 >> You've been watching Justin Dill for a long time too,
04:09 with this playoff, did you maybe expect him to be able to acclimate this quicker?
04:14 >> I thought, that's what's gonna do a good job.
04:17 I know how hard he worked, I know what high school he came from.
04:19 There's no gray area there.
04:22 Either you're working hard or you're not gonna be able to play for him.
04:24 So when Fav got a chance to get here, he's gonna be ready.
04:27 He's gonna take him some time to kinda get in shape.
04:29 But he's another one, he's gonna be special.
04:32 He works extremely hard, and he wants to be coached hard.
04:35 Because he wants to ultimately get to the next level, and
04:38 that's what we're gonna do, we're gonna continue to push him.
04:40 >> Why do we call him Fav?
04:42 >> Cuz I hold my weight like a fat boy.
04:44 >> He definitely hold his weight like a fat boy, but they call him fantastic.
04:48 So he's doing a good job, we're proud of him.
04:50 >> You guys talk about how Florida State's not for everybody.
04:53 How do you guys tell prospects that this might not be for you?
04:56 Like how do you, the ones who it's not gonna work out?
04:59 >> You tell them, hey, this might not be the place for you.
05:01 You're real honest with them.
05:03 We always have hot conversations with recruits, honest, open, and transparent.
05:07 And that's what guys and parents like.
05:09 So at the end of the day, this is not a place for everybody.
05:12 And even our guys who are on the team, when they go out and
05:14 host these guys, they'll let us know, hey, it's not the place for them.
05:18 So let's kinda move on.
05:19 >> Can you talk about some of the past block you've hosted over the weekend,
05:22 since you've had on some of that?
05:24 And how some of the past block might affect the plan of time going forward?
05:27 >> I think that's one of the biggest things.
05:28 You gotta keep 13 upright.
05:30 That's our main focus, making sure he stays healthy, because as he goes, we go.
05:35 And I think today, being in power, kinda getting on the strength, and
05:39 trying to get Bate, Trey Bessner really shoot his hand,
05:41 trying to do the same thing with LT.
05:43 And they really approach those little things, they understand that.
05:47 And they're really intense about everything they do.
05:50 >> Coach said Jordan's day today was exceptional.
05:52 I mean, you feel pretty good you're gonna get 12 weeks out of him like that.
05:56 I mean, what kind of confidence does that give you guys as an overall team,
05:59 to have that guy playing like that?
06:00 >> Well, it gives us a lot of confidence.
06:02 And one thing about Jordan, he comes to work every day.
06:06 He's intense, he understands exactly what's going on, and
06:08 he's helping the younger guys around him.
06:10 So he understands right now, we have a small window, so
06:12 we have to take advantage of every opportunity.
06:14 I mean, walk-throughs, whatever we do in meetings, and
06:17 he's approaching it like a pro.
06:19 >> I know you don't work with him every day, but
06:20 can you notice how much he's changed in three years?
06:23 I've seen him interview two years ago, and
06:25 it just seems like he went from being 13 to 25 overnight.
06:29 >> That's because the work, and the work is in the confidence.
06:31 And I think he does a great job of preparing.
06:34 He never stopped working, regardless of what was going on around him.
06:37 And that's one thing, that's why we follow him.
06:40 He's been through it.
06:41 And one thing we can all say, he's continuing to work,
06:44 continuing to get better, and that's how he approach every day, every practice.
06:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]