Arkansas Razorbacks running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders, quarterback KJ Jefferson and defensive lineman Zach Williams after Tuesday's practice ahead of opener.
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00:00 - How you doing?
00:01 - I'm good, give me a quick.
00:02 I guess for each of you,
00:03 maybe Rocket could take it
00:06 and then you guys work your way across.
00:08 Just how, you know, I know it's been a long camp,
00:10 long summer, spring, all that stuff.
00:12 Just how anxious are you guys to play a game?
00:15 - I can't hear you.
00:16 You gotta say that one more time.
00:18 - Yeah, I guess, you know,
00:19 it's been a long winter and spring and summer
00:22 and camp and everything.
00:23 Just how anxious are you guys to play a game?
00:25 Maybe each of you could take that,
00:26 starting with Rocket and then you work your way across.
00:29 - Yeah, well, it's gonna feel definitely different
00:32 and way better since I don't gotta go
00:33 against the defense every day.
00:35 - Oh yeah, I'm looking forward to it, man.
00:38 Looking forward to it.
00:40 Excited, I mean, just doing that thing with my teammates
00:42 and seeing, being around the fans and the atmosphere
00:46 and game day feel and just the mindset
00:48 and really seeing my teammates play ball.
00:51 So, I mean, I'm excited, I'm looking forward to it.
00:54 - Yeah, me too, excited.
00:55 I just, I'm ready to play against somebody else
00:57 and see the same people every day.
00:58 So, you know, I'm just, you know,
01:00 like KJ said, the atmosphere,
01:02 there's nothing that can just compare it to it.
01:04 When you have all them people just yelling at you,
01:06 wanting you to succeed and stuff like that.
01:07 So I'm just ready for it.
01:10 - Zach, we hadn't talked to you during camp yet.
01:12 Just how do you feel going into this season?
01:14 You're obviously a veteran player,
01:16 just kind of what's your mindset
01:19 and getting to play back home too?
01:21 - Yeah, I know I do good.
01:23 I mean, I do better every year.
01:24 So I'm just, you know,
01:25 trying to do better than the last year.
01:27 You know, going to World Memorial
01:28 is the last time I'm going to ever play there.
01:30 'Cause you know, I played there since I was, you know,
01:31 peewee, middle school, high school,
01:33 and college now, and it's the last time.
01:34 So, you know, I got to make some shape,
01:36 do some good, leave some memorable on the field.
01:39 - Hey, thanks guys.
01:41 I might have another one,
01:42 but I'll let Oliver work his way around.
01:45 - Dre?
01:46 - Yeah, Zach, I was wondering what you could tell me
01:53 just about Western Carolina offense,
01:55 what you see from those guys generally?
01:57 - Yeah, the O-linemen, they're pretty big.
02:01 I know they like to do a lot of stretch,
02:05 so we need to work on that.
02:06 You know, they're all talented.
02:08 And no matter who you go against,
02:10 as you do on football,
02:10 they're all going to be big, talented, strong.
02:12 So you just have to put as much effort into it
02:14 as you would with Alabama or LSU
02:16 or some other team like that.
02:18 - Is it surprising to see an SES team
02:20 with such a big offensive line?
02:21 I mean, they got six, eight, six, six guys up there.
02:25 - Yeah, I was surprised.
02:25 Like the first time they put up the scout report
02:29 and the roster and stuff like that,
02:29 I was like, "Dang."
02:31 I was like, "What?
02:32 "The six, eight, 300-something pounds?
02:34 "Okay."
02:35 But yeah, I mean, you got to make it do what it do,
02:37 and play them like you play Alabama, LSU,
02:40 stuff like that.
02:41 - KJ, just kind of on the flip side,
02:45 when you look at this defense,
02:46 what do they like to do?
02:47 - I mean, from a standpoint, they play very hard.
02:52 I mean, they play as a unit.
02:54 They are real tough, tough guys on this side of the ball,
02:57 skilled athletes.
02:59 They like to pressure a lot,
03:00 but I mean, hey, it's football,
03:02 so we just got to come up schematically-wise
03:04 and outsmart them and be more disciplined than them.
03:08 They're a disciplined football team as well
03:09 on the defense side of the ball.
03:10 So, I mean, just coming in,
03:12 I mean, it's all going to be about us.
03:14 I mean, we got to focus on us
03:15 and go out there and execute our game plan
03:17 at a very high level.
03:18 - What does that mean exactly for focusing on you guys?
03:21 I mean, you look at Missouri State last year,
03:23 you guys didn't play very inspired starting off.
03:25 You had to kind of get it together there.
03:27 I think like nine minutes ago,
03:29 they had the lead on you guys.
03:30 How do you avoid that kind of stuff
03:32 when you are looking at an FCS program
03:34 and just kind of getting over that?
03:35 It's got to be a bit of a hurdle.
03:37 - Nah, I mean, just coming out, I mean, just starting fast.
03:42 I mean, that's the main thing is starting fast,
03:44 getting out, jump on them early,
03:46 keep that hope early.
03:48 I mean, don't keep all that momentum.
03:50 Try not to let them gain momentum or build confidence
03:53 and knowing that they can play around with us
03:54 or be in the game.
03:55 So try to keep the hope early, jump on them quick.
03:57 And when we say focus on ourself,
04:00 I mean, the main thing is doing the little details right,
04:02 lining up, executing the plays,
04:04 understanding what's going on,
04:05 understanding down and distance,
04:06 different intangibles within the game
04:08 that we got to be able to focus on and worry about it.
04:11 So that's what we mean when we say
04:13 we got to focus on Arkansas football.
04:14 - Thanks, KJ.
04:17 - Tom.
04:19 - Hey guys, I've got a few.
04:20 Hey, Rocket, the efficiency of this offense.
04:23 What do you expect from an efficiency standpoint
04:25 in this new offense going into this season?
04:27 - I know last year it wasn't a come out,
04:31 you know, first half type team.
04:33 So I feel like what Coach E knows,
04:35 we're going to have to plan for third downs
04:37 and, you know, just last minutes,
04:41 last minute offense or two minutes, like stuff like that.
04:43 So I definitely feel like he can down the road
04:46 and starting with this first game,
04:48 just come out fast with some plays we can execute.
04:51 - Yeah, hey, same question, KJ.
04:53 Sam Pittman talked to us all off season
04:55 about third down efficiency, goal to go stuff.
04:59 How efficient maybe do you feel like
05:00 you guys can be this season and change that around?
05:04 - Very efficient, man.
05:05 Like I said earlier, I mean, just focus on ourself,
05:08 on just being able to execute the game plan.
05:10 I mean, everybody get in,
05:12 understand what we're going to run,
05:13 the plays that we're going to call,
05:14 the plays that Coach E knows is going to call
05:16 and certain situations and down the distance,
05:19 what plays are we maybe thinking and stuff like that.
05:21 So, I mean, just being able to just understand the game plan
05:24 and me and Coach E knows on the same page
05:26 and knowing that's what he's going to call,
05:28 is going to benefit and help the team
05:29 and keep the offense on the field.
05:32 - Hey, Zach, this is the second year in a row
05:34 you guys have had a lot of transfer portal guys on defense
05:37 and probably playing some important roles.
05:39 What's the unity level been like
05:42 in ingraining those guys into the system
05:46 and having everybody, you know, go in one direction?
05:50 - Yeah, I mean, it's been pretty smooth.
05:52 Like you said, it's not the first time.
05:54 So, you know, everybody's kind of pretty much used to it.
05:55 We know what to do, know what to say,
05:57 how to integrate them into the defense,
05:59 integrate them into the D-line.
06:00 So it really isn't that hard, you know,
06:03 with everybody leaving,
06:04 there's always new personalities to fill in their spots,
06:06 even though you miss them from the past.
06:08 But, you know, I feel like we meshed pretty well as a D-line.
06:11 We have a lot of depth.
06:12 We all like each other.
06:13 So, you know, when you like each other,
06:15 you want to see each other succeed and stuff like that.
06:17 So I feel like I'm just really excited for this year
06:19 and what we all have to offer.
06:21 - Okay, and just real quick, roster building in the,
06:24 since you guys have been in school has been so different.
06:27 It's because of the transfer portal,
06:29 because of NIL and everything.
06:30 And then you had the COVID year.
06:32 How do you think Sam Pittman and his staff, KJ,
06:35 have dealt with all this curve balls
06:37 that he's had as a head coach?
06:40 - I feel like they have kept a pretty good steady mindset
06:42 about everything as a staff and as our coaches.
06:45 I mean, they want what's best for us, player-led teams.
06:48 So I feel like he brought in a staff
06:50 that's willing to sacrifice a lot
06:53 for us to be able to be the best that we can be
06:55 on the field and when it's off the field
06:57 and teaching us how to be young men.
06:59 So I feel like with all the roster building,
07:02 all the different changes,
07:03 I feel like they kept a steady mindset
07:05 on knowing what pieces are valuable to us
07:07 and pieces that we need to be able to succeed
07:09 in the football season.
07:10 So I feel like they did a really good job.
07:13 - Thanks, KJ.
07:14 Hey, Rocket, could you address that,
07:15 what you've thought of roster building
07:17 the last couple of years, how that's gone?
07:19 - Oh, actually, I feel like it was good.
07:22 You know, defense side of the ball
07:24 and offense side of the ball with the receivers,
07:26 you know, the running backs,
07:27 that's in the chains with that.
07:29 But just from my freshman year to now,
07:31 I feel like myself, I'm not used to new.
07:34 And with, you know, sometimes when it comes down
07:37 to having new can benefit you.
07:39 And I feel like that's benefiting us
07:41 and just, you know, new personalities.
07:43 And with me being a leader
07:45 and teaching the younger guys in my room
07:47 and outside of my room as well.
07:49 So I feel like the transfer portal was pretty good
07:52 with the new guys coming in.
07:53 Thanks.
07:55 - Jackson.
07:57 - Hey guys, all three of you, I think,
08:01 can answer this question.
08:02 I'd like to hear your thoughts, just, you know,
08:04 the season is here now.
08:06 Do you guys feel, the three of you feel a little bit
08:09 any more added pressure this year
08:10 compared to previous seasons?
08:12 Just knowing that, I mean, there's a chance
08:14 this is the final season for all three of you guys
08:16 with the Arkansas football program.
08:18 - I don't feel like there's no pressure at all.
08:21 I mean, as long as we go out there
08:22 and execute at a very high level, I mean,
08:25 and then just be able to just, I mean,
08:26 it's a game we love.
08:27 I mean, we've been playing this game since we were little.
08:29 So I mean, there's no added pressure,
08:31 no pressure upon us.
08:32 I mean, I just feel like we just got to go out there,
08:34 have fun and then just let it loose.
08:35 I mean, just play ball at the end of the day,
08:37 it's football, it's what you love to do.
08:39 Just go out there and let it hang.
08:41 - Zach, what do you think
08:45 when you take a thought back to last year
08:48 and then the roster that you guys have this year,
08:50 what's the biggest case of optimism
08:52 for the defense improving?
08:54 What's the specific thing where you can look at it and say,
08:57 oh, we're going to be a lot better here
08:58 and that's going to make a huge difference?
09:00 - Like I said, we have more depth.
09:03 I feel like there's a lot more reliable people.
09:06 I wouldn't say, you know, last year they weren't reliable,
09:09 but you always want to move forward
09:10 and have better reliability.
09:12 So I feel like that's something.
09:15 Coach T. Will, he's an awesome spirit.
09:18 He gets you fired up.
09:19 He always has something right to say.
09:22 I guess he is a little younger.
09:24 And so like he always knows how to talk to us kind of.
09:27 And I feel like it just hits a different spot.
09:29 The coaches too.
09:32 You can see the coaches, they just,
09:33 they have something about them, I guess,
09:35 because of T. Will or something,
09:36 they just, they're a little fiery, but I like that.
09:39 And that's what you need for a good defense.
09:41 - And lastly for me, Raheem,
09:44 I know we talked about this with you a little bit
09:47 when we spoke in camp, but I'm just curious
09:49 if you had a number in mind for your weight goal
09:52 this off season, I know you're at 242 now.
09:55 Was that kind of the plan or was there a number
09:57 and you had to adjust before you kind of got
10:00 into the off season weight training thing?
10:03 - I really didn't have a plan onto the weight thing,
10:06 but me and Coach Souders talked about it
10:09 and he want me around the 235, 240 range
10:12 because whenever I was at 246,
10:17 I wasn't as moving as best, as I felt.
10:20 And I feel like just starting with fall camp,
10:23 it helped me to lose a little bit of weight
10:25 and stay at that 240 to down to 235 range.
10:28 And I feel way more comfortable with speed wise
10:31 and just not being too much, like too tired or whatnot.
10:34 - And I know you guys don't try to probably stay away
10:38 from any negativity on social media,
10:40 but Raheem, have you seen any of the like rumblings
10:42 about people asking if you can maintain your speed
10:45 from last year with some new weight or anything
10:48 and just what are your thoughts on that?
10:50 - Nah, people always going to have stuff to say,
10:52 but that's not something I'm looking forward to.
10:55 I'm definitely looking forward to this season.
10:56 I'm not worried about what nobody else say
10:58 'cause at the end of the day, they won't have negative
10:59 and good thoughts about me and my teammates.
11:02 So I don't really look into that.
11:04 - Appreciate it guys.
11:07 - Mitrius.
11:09 - Yeah, this is for Aubrey.
11:11 I just wanted to get y'all takes on the captains
11:14 and what each captain brings to the table.
11:16 - So I'll start it off.
11:20 So Rocket, I mean, like he said,
11:23 I mean, very poised guy, passionate about football,
11:25 love football.
11:26 He loves to see his teammates, I mean,
11:28 just win and just succeed in every phase of life.
11:31 I mean, whether it's academically, off the field,
11:33 on the field, I mean, he just always passionate,
11:36 always willing to give advice if he can
11:38 on anything that's going on in your life.
11:40 I mean, you got Jeff Coe,
11:42 who's a very passionate guy as well,
11:43 very hungry, bringing the competitive edge
11:45 and competitive spirit to everybody.
11:48 And then you got Landon Jackson, who just,
11:49 he leads by example.
11:51 I mean, he's one of the guys
11:51 who just put his head down to work.
11:53 I mean, he's always doing things correct.
11:55 I mean, he's always, I mean, even when he's wrong,
11:58 I mean, he still want to help guys
12:00 in the effort standpoint and leading and great attitude
12:02 and bringing a great mindset to the practice
12:04 or to the field or to the fan rooms, things like that.
12:07 And then you got Brady, who's a veteran guy
12:09 who's been around, who knows what it takes,
12:11 who knows what the trenches are like in the SEC.
12:13 And the one of those guys that's always giving advice
12:16 and showing great leadership.
12:17 And then you got Cam Lewis as well.
12:19 I mean, Cam, man, everybody loves Cam.
12:21 I mean, just his attitude, he brings his personality.
12:24 He's also a work grinder.
12:27 He's always trying to do what's best for the team
12:29 and make sure everybody's on one accord
12:31 and everybody's happy.
12:32 So, I mean, of the captains that we picked,
12:34 I mean, I'm truly blessed and honored to be a captain
12:37 and be a part of that group with those guys.
12:39 And I'm really looking forward to the season.
12:41 - [Moderator] Otis.
12:45 - Yeah, my question's for Zach real quick.
12:47 Zach, there's been a lot of changes on defense,
12:49 but usually the line, I mean,
12:52 defensive back coach or defensive line coach,
12:54 this year, Coach Adams is back.
12:56 How pleased were you to have the same coach back again?
12:59 And also, how do you like this new defense?
13:01 I mean, with Coach Williams
13:03 and just the overall philosophy of the defense this year,
13:06 you know, but getting Deke back for another year
13:09 for a change, you get to keep your coach.
13:11 - Yeah, I was happy 'cause, you know,
13:14 ever since I've been a freshman,
13:16 I've had to, you know, learn a new coach
13:18 and a new coach and stuff.
13:19 Also going into my first year, you know, with another,
13:24 well, I mean, with the same coach for the second year,
13:25 like, it's just, I was happy, I was fortunate
13:29 'cause, you know, when you start winning a little bit,
13:31 ain't no reason to switch out to D-line coach.
13:33 And we, the D-line, we did really good last year
13:35 and we aim to do better, but yeah, like I said,
13:38 I was really happy and that was something
13:40 I didn't have to worry about.
13:41 But like you said, the defense and the new direction,
13:44 I feel like, I mean, the new direction is going good
13:48 'cause, you know, like with every new defensive coordinator,
13:50 the defense is gonna change regardless,
13:52 even if they're the same players.
13:53 But I feel like he's really learning how to,
13:57 accustomed to all of us instead of trying to get us
13:59 and force us to do something that, you know,
14:01 each of us aren't really good at.
14:03 He knows how to put people in the right spot
14:04 in the right area to make plays.
14:06 And so, you know, I'm happy and fortunate about that.
14:08 Can't wait to see what happens for this year.
14:11 - Hey guys, thanks for your time.
14:13 - Ethan.
14:14 - Yeah, Rocky, coach Bell for Western Carolina,
14:19 he said that he heavily recruits Florida
14:21 and actually knows your high school coach.
14:23 I was wondering if you know anybody on that team
14:25 over there at Western Carolina?
14:27 - No, I don't.
14:29 - Okay, and I guess only other thing I wanted to ask is,
14:34 I heard the word urgency got brought up a lot
14:36 in practice today.
14:37 How important is it, you know,
14:38 whenever you're playing a team like Western Carolina
14:41 that some people could sleep on to bring that urgency still?
14:44 - I feel like, like I always say,
14:46 last year I feel like we wasn't a first, first quarter,
14:49 first half type team.
14:50 So I'm just, you know, not playing down to their level
14:52 and, you know, just worrying about ourself
14:54 and executing as a team and just doing the things
14:57 that we'll do against Alabama, LSU, stuff like that.
15:00 So really just coming out
15:01 and just worrying about ourself and executing.
15:04 And I feel like that's going to get us to the dub.
15:07 - Dawg.
15:10 - Hey, I got two quick ones.
15:14 Zach, somebody batted down the first pass of fastballs
15:18 and we thought it might be you, but I was blocked.
15:20 Who got that?
15:21 - Oh, no, I don't think that was me.
15:23 But honestly, I don't even know.
15:25 I'm about to watch the film and see.
15:26 I didn't even, I didn't even know that.
15:28 - KJ, who got it?
15:29 Did you see?
15:30 Morgan?
15:31 - Jaden Johnson.
15:33 - Oh, Jaden Johnson got it.
15:34 Okay, thanks.
15:35 And Zach, historically, you're going to be playing
15:39 on the first defensive staff at Arkansas
15:41 that is all African-American coaches.
15:43 I just wonder just your thoughts about being part of that.
15:47 - Yeah, that was, that was amazing.
15:50 Honestly, I didn't even realize
15:51 until people said something like a few weeks ago.
15:55 I was like, what?
15:56 Like I was, I said, dang, we looking all black.
15:58 Well, you know, I mean, you're making history,
16:00 so I'm glad to be a part of it,
16:02 but I was definitely surprised
16:04 'cause I didn't even notice, like I said.
16:07 - Cool, thanks guys.
16:08 - All right, Bob, close it out.
16:10 - Okay, I was wanting to ask all y'all about,
16:14 that's a good Southern term, about Patrick Kudas,
16:18 I guess, first KJ, how do you feel how he's done at tackle?
16:21 How good do you feel?
16:23 He's obviously a young guy, first time starter.
16:26 How do you feel about having him out there
16:27 at tackle protecting you?
16:29 - Extremely confident in PK.
16:31 I mean, he's came out each and every day,
16:33 he's learning, he's eager to learn.
16:35 He's brought a competitive edge to himself
16:38 that he wants to get better.
16:39 I mean, he knows that some areas that he can improve on,
16:42 so he loves to focus on those areas where he's weak at
16:46 to help strengthen them up
16:47 and going against guys like Zach and Jeff Cote
16:50 and that D line that we have is just iron strapping to iron
16:53 and just helping him build his game and his confidence up.
16:56 So, extremely proud of him, extremely confident in PK
16:59 and just really see what he do Saturday.
17:02 - Irakka, what do you think about Patrick?
17:04 - You know, with him, I feel like he's definitely a guy
17:08 that definitely a go-getter.
17:10 Just, I feel like whenever he pulling
17:13 or whenever he blocking for a screen or whatnot
17:15 is like the intensity he have.
17:18 And not even just on the field, but off the field,
17:20 he a funny guy and what we're having on our offensive line
17:23 is a blessing 'cause he a crazy guy off the line as well.
17:26 And I'm always got to have somebody that's crazy
17:28 on the offensive line when it come down to blocking
17:30 and wanting to block.
17:32 - And Zach, I don't know how much you've gone against Patrick
17:35 in practice, but what have been your thoughts
17:37 going against him?
17:39 - Well, he has quick feet, quick hands, he's strong.
17:42 He doesn't act his age, he acts like a senior,
17:47 like he's been there.
17:47 So, that's really good, especially going against him.
17:51 That's pretty much all I have to say.
17:52 I mean, he's doing really good.
17:54 I'm really proud of him, to be honest.
17:56 - Yeah, one more, KJ, this was in Arkansas's notes,
17:59 you know, about the captains.
18:00 You're the second captain, you know,
18:04 to be a three-time captain.
18:05 And the other guy was, I think his name was Herbert Fishback,
18:09 1895 to 1897.
18:13 So, even I know, I think that's 126 years ago.
18:16 What do you think about that?
18:17 - 19, he's 18.
18:19 It's a blessing, I mean, it's a blessing.
18:22 I mean, that's all I can say.
18:23 I mean, it's a blessing to be able to be a captain
18:26 three years in a row.
18:27 So, I mean, just my teammates, I mean,
18:29 they think very highly of me,
18:30 and I don't take being a captain lightly at all.
18:33 I embrace each and every day of it.
18:35 I embrace the moment, live in the moment as well.
18:37 And like I said, just a blessing, I mean,
18:40 that's all I can say.
18:42 - And that was 1895 to '97, not '19, but '18.
18:47 - I got you.
18:48 - I'm good, thanks, guys.