TCU quarterback Chandler Morris talks about preparation for Colorado and the opportunity he's ready to seize.
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00:00 >> Everything that happened last season, just how excited are you to have this
00:04 one and get this first start again and of course you're gonna be on the national
00:07 stage?
00:08 >> I'm super excited, I mean, I've been waiting on it.
00:10 Obviously as a competitor, it's all you wanna do is just get out there and
00:14 compete with your teammates.
00:16 So it's been a long time coming, I've learned a lot and I'm very excited.
00:21 >> What are some of those lessons you learned when you knew you were going into
00:25 the season earlier last year and then you get hurt and
00:27 then you don't regain that spot?
00:29 >> Just not taking the day for granted.
00:32 I mean, showing up each practice, falling in love with your job and
00:37 encouraging your teammates.
00:38 There's something to be said about that, just showing up each day like it's day
00:43 one and like it's your last day.
00:45 >> Chandler, you put in your time in preparation for this opportunity.
00:52 That journey though was rough at times.
00:54 Who'd you talk to through that?
00:55 Was there somebody you could call and say, man, when's this gonna happen?
01:00 >> Definitely my dad, I mean, I definitely lean on him a lot.
01:05 He's been there for me, I mean, every day, every night,
01:09 long nights, he's definitely my dad.
01:13 >> How much of those conversations, dad and
01:16 how much of those conversations, coach, has been through?
01:21 >> He definitely, he knows the balance between dad and coach.
01:25 Anytime I wanna talk football, he'll definitely help me on the coach side.
01:29 But a lot of the game is mental and he'll help me on that part,
01:35 just kinda when I'm struggling a little bit and he'll know to be dad and
01:39 he'll help out a ton.
01:41 >> Has it been maybe more challenging than usual preparing for Colorado?
01:45 Cuz you gotta look and see where this defensive coordinator was,
01:48 where this player was.
01:49 >> Yeah, I mean, it's definitely challenging.
01:52 I mean, it's similar to last year and just kind of that first game,
01:57 it's kinda difficult to really study, especially with the new coaching staff and
02:02 86 new players on the roster.
02:03 So kinda bringing down Bama, watching a little bit of Alabama,
02:09 since their coordinator was from there.
02:12 Personnel wise, you're gonna have to watch probably 37 different games just
02:17 to get a little bit of personnel input on that.
02:20 So really, you're just kinda focusing on yourself though.
02:24 That's really what it's about, especially that first game.
02:27 Going out there and executing, doing the things that you're good at and
02:31 doing them at a high level.
02:33 >> You guys obviously lost Quinton and Tay and Darius that receiver, but
02:36 Sonny's talked about it, Coach Ross has talked about it.
02:40 You guys talked about maybe more talented than last year.
02:43 What are your thoughts on y'all's receiver core right now?
02:45 >> I agree, I mean, it's a deep room inside and outside.
02:50 They're performing well, they're doing their job,
02:54 they're doing it at a high level, and they do everything that we ask.
02:57 And if the ball's around them, I tell them all the time, I mean,
03:01 I'm just gonna put the ball around you, you go make plays, and
03:03 that's what you wanna hear, is there a receiver.
03:05 And that shows I have confidence in them and they have a ton of confidence in me.
03:11 >> When you look at this offense and
03:12 how it's developed over the last seven months under Kendall Bryles,
03:15 what are the strengths to this offense in your opinion?
03:19 >> A lot of speed, I mean, we've got a lot of speed all over the board, but
03:23 also line wise, I mean, we're physical.
03:25 And our receivers are doing a great job of being great without the football.
03:30 And we put a big emphasis on that.
03:31 What are you like without the ball?
03:34 And they're doing a good job of that.
03:36 And then definitely just trying to get the ball on the perimeter and
03:39 get it to my guys in space, I mean, that's my job.
03:41 And just trying to get the ball to them and protect the football.
03:47 >> How do you feel the offensive line has shaped up this fall camp?
03:51 >> I think they've done a good job.
03:52 I mean, there's new pieces a little bit, but there's also a lot of old faces.
03:57 And they're meshing very well.
04:00 New system, but it's very similar for them.
04:05 I mean, it's not much different than last year and they're picking it up well.
04:10 And like I said, I mean, we've got a lot of experienced guys up there.
04:15 >> How much do you think Coach Bryce kind of helped you grow the last over training
04:20 camp even in the off season?
04:22 >> A lot, I mean, he's helped me kind of my footwork in the pocket.
04:28 Just not getting too much depth and he's done a good job of that.
04:32 Coaching me on that and definitely my progressions.
04:35 I mean, recognizing the coverage a little quicker and
04:39 getting my eyes in the right spot faster.
04:42 >> How old were you when you lived at Stephenville?
04:46 >> I think I was about one until kindergarten.
04:50 So about one until seven years old.
04:51 >> So you remember much about it?
04:54 >> No, sir, not much.
04:56 >> Other than Steve.
04:57 >> I remember Jevin, he babysat my sister and I, so I definitely, I remember that.
05:02 >> And that's what led to the jersey switch?
05:06 >> Yes, sir.
05:06 I've worn number four all my life and
05:09 that was kind of my dad's first quarterback that he coached that
05:14 definitely I fell in love with and he had a big impact in my life.
05:18 Obviously, babysitting my sister and I, like I said,
05:21 that was, I've always tried to be a number four.
05:24 >> Chandler, where do you hope to see yourself by the end of the season?
05:28 Do you have any individual goals for yourself?
05:31 >> Yeah, I mean, I just definitely have individual goals and
05:35 they're understood around the building.
05:37 And, but I just, I wanna go out there and be the best I can possibly be.
05:41 I wanna take it one day at a time.
05:43 I wanna take it one play at a time and just be in the moment,
05:46 be right here where my feet are and be the best teammate that I can be.
05:49 >> Anything else for Chandler?
05:53 >> Chandler, you were on the Andy Staples podcast earlier this week and
05:55 you talked about how you think you have the best hands on the team.
05:58 Can you give us a little bit more insight into that and
06:00 have you ever been challenged on that?
06:01 >> No, to this day, I still haven't been challenged on it, but
06:05 I claim it all the time.
06:07 And like I said, I mean, my receivers, they strongly disagree.
06:10 But I think I catch every single snap that's snapped to me so far.
06:16 I don't wanna jinx it, but I mean, my drops, I don't have too many of them.
06:20 >> Okay.
06:21 Thanks.