It's early, but what linebacker Brad Spence, defensive lineman Landon Jackson and wide receiver Andrew Armstrong have seen in practice and off-season practices from players, new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
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00:00 >> General question for all of you, what did you think about the first day out
00:04 there and what do you think about how everything went?
00:06 >> I enjoyed it.
00:09 It was a lot of fun.
00:11 Both sides, I felt like we're flying around, going full speed, looking good.
00:15 So, I mean, I really like our defensive scheme this season.
00:18 It's a lot like last year's with a few changes.
00:21 And our offense looked real nice too.
00:23 I just really enjoyed practice day overall.
00:25 >> Andrew, what do you think about the offense with Bobby Petrino?
00:28 What do you think about him kind of running things out there on the offensive
00:31 side of the ball?
00:32 >> I mean, everything just feels smooth.
00:34 Everything feels right.
00:35 With the O-line, with the receivers, the quarterbacks,
00:38 it's a battle with everybody.
00:40 The O-line, it just looked beautiful.
00:42 It looked beautiful right now.
00:43 So I love the way everybody came to work throughout the winter workouts.
00:48 Everybody was bought in to the team.
00:50 So I got this thing called Embrace the Hogs, so
00:52 I feel like that's what everybody's doing right now.
00:54 >> Go ahead, Brad.
00:55 >> Yeah, just to pick up on the day how it was, it was a good day.
00:59 A bunch of young guys in, taking that leadership role today.
01:02 So it was a good experience for the defense.
01:06 See what Bobby Petrino's scheming, I like our offense, so
01:08 I'm pretty confident in the Razorbacks this year.
01:10 >> Brad, I think this is your first time in here with us.
01:12 And also with the first group, I mean, you were a guy that contributed some last
01:16 year, but first day right out there with the first bunch.
01:19 What do you think about kind of your, I guess, accelerated path right now?
01:22 >> Yeah, so going to this year,
01:23 my mindset really is just taking that leadership role for the young guys.
01:26 I had to step up this year, step up to the plate.
01:29 T-Will was echoing this to this in the meeting, so all our young guys,
01:32 it's time for them to step up to the plate.
01:34 It's a blessing for me to be where I'm at right now in this position.
01:36 >> Andrews, how you like this quarterbacks this year throwing balls different?
01:43 KJ's not there anymore, but talk about the quarterbacks, I'm sorry.
01:47 >> It's been great.
01:48 We've been throwing all winter break.
01:50 After workouts, before workouts, getting up there early and
01:54 things like that, trying to get our timing right.
01:56 So I feel like the battle right now is going.
01:59 So I'm pretty sure by the end of spring, they'll probably have a sort of idea, but
02:03 right now it's all up in the air right now.
02:05 >> Sam said Tuesday, I guess it was, when we played, I think it was Tuesday.
02:08 He said 7 on 7, playing a lot of 7 on 7.
02:11 How much does that help you?
02:13 >> It helps, it helps crazy, cuz you gotta think about the plays.
02:17 We go over the plays and things like that.
02:18 So with us doing that, it just helps us understand the plays better,
02:22 knowing the depth of routes, when the quarterback would throw it,
02:25 when he knows we're gonna break, it all just helps with connection.
02:28 >> How hard a decision was for you to come back this year?
02:34 Or was it a hard decision?
02:36 >> It was hard initially, but the more I thought on it,
02:39 I knew where my head was at.
02:40 And growing up from a young age, my goal was to always play SEC football,
02:46 which now my goal is obviously to play in the NFL.
02:48 But at a young age, I always grew up watching, I mean, the Arkansas A&M,
02:53 LSU, Bama, always wanting to play in the SEC.
02:56 And I really just didn't feel right, finished going out on a 4-8 season.
03:00 So that was a big decision that played with me coming back.
03:03 And I'm really glad I made that decision, and I'm ready to keep this year going.
03:07 >> Brad, what's it been like working with with Sori so far, obviously as a newcomer,
03:14 and how are you guys kind of feeling each other out as a linebacker partnership
03:19 right now?
03:20 >> Yeah, so with Sori coming in, he gave me a lot of new tips.
03:23 As an older guy that's been in the game for a while, he didn't show me and
03:26 told me a few things, the tips or reminders that I could take on my game.
03:29 So yeah, it's good having him in the room with me and
03:32 other guys, just a bunch of learning.
03:34 >> Do you feel like linebackers' position is often a leader of the defense?
03:38 Do you feel like that's something that you are comfortable with and
03:42 wanted to maybe add to your kind of repertoire right now and
03:45 being kind of a voice for the entire defense?
03:48 >> Yeah, so as a linebacker,
03:49 I feel like we should take the role as being the quarterback of the defense.
03:52 So for us to be getting everybody in line,
03:55 know what's going on with everybody else's job, your job.
03:57 So it takes a big role for a young guy for me to do that.
04:00 So that's my goal for step up to the plate and do.
04:02 >> Andrew, you're back this year.
04:06 What's maybe, you had a good year last year.
04:07 What are some of the biggest focuses for you?
04:10 Self improvement of what you can do to kind of better yourself here and for
04:13 a potential future.
04:14 >> I think one of the major things is becoming a leader this year.
04:19 Because I feel like if I bring everyone else around me and
04:21 things like that, everyone can have, everyone can be, you know what I'm saying?
04:24 Great, good, do whatever they can do on the field to the highest ability that they
04:28 can because I feel like there's no leadership in the room.
04:31 Everybody just goes out there and just do what they do, you know what I'm saying?
04:34 So I feel like being a leader is one of the biggest things that I feel I need to
04:39 bring into my game this year.
04:41 >> I guess for the two defensive guys, what is what is sorry his game look like?
04:45 Just kind of what skill set does he bring to the table?
04:49 >> Yes, he's a good, he very mobile in a box, me and him.
04:53 We got a little connection going on.
04:55 So we got that little connection in the box.
04:57 So he's a pretty good, he's a pretty good backer to me.
04:59 >> Line depth, where do you feel like that is?
05:03 And just what are your expectations for the group?
05:05 >> It's looking great.
05:06 We got a, I mean, we got an older group now.
05:08 And I mean, I love the way we've been working.
05:11 It's a brotherhood for sure.
05:12 And we've lost a few guys, but we brought a few guys in.
05:17 The young guys looked real good today, especially in pass rush and
05:20 two minute drill.
05:22 So it was really great watching Charlie Collins,
05:26 cool watching Anton, KV on as well.
05:31 And I mean, I think it's gonna be a really good year.
05:33 I feel like we're gonna have all the older guys playing that were playing
05:37 previously.
05:38 And then this is a year where I feel like we definitely will use some of our younger
05:41 guys as well, especially in third down situations.
05:43 So I'm ready to keep it going and see how everybody progresses.
05:47 >> Andrew, we heard from Landon, how he came back.
05:52 Just what about you?
05:53 Was it an easy decision?
05:54 Did you consider trying to test the NFL?
05:56 Or just what was that like?
05:57 >> It was easy to say.
05:58 I feel like last year was just my first year in the NFL.
06:01 I mean, I say NFL.
06:02 First year in the SEC.
06:04 I'm trying to speak into existence, but it's first year in the SEC.
06:07 So I feel like I was just getting my feet wet and I'm way more confident now.
06:11 Like last year I was confident.
06:12 Throughout the season I got more confident, things like that.
06:14 But now I'm just like 100% confident.
06:16 So I feel like me coming back not only would help me, but I would help the team.
06:20 Like I said, becoming a leader for the young guys like CJ.
06:24 Speaking of CJ, first of all, he's a great receiver.
06:29 He's a freshman coming in early.
06:31 He's crazy.
06:33 Like his releases, all those things.
06:35 Davion, everybody.
06:36 All the young guys, they're doing their thing.
06:38 But I feel like I just had to come back.
06:40 Like it was just right for me to come back.
06:42 >> And we know about Malachi and Jacoby.
06:44 But with Taylin coming in,
06:45 how has he embraced maybe the leadership aspect of the quarterback room?
06:49 >> Man, he's trying to get everybody going.
06:51 He's reaching out, trying to get people to come up there and throw.
06:54 You know what I'm saying?
06:55 With the quarterbacks, everybody's trying to come in and learn their plays.
06:58 Having a group discussion about it, things like that.
07:00 So he's definitely filling in that role of trying to be a leader.
07:03 >> And Landon, you mentioned Anton a second ago.
07:06 Just making the jump up from the FCS.
07:08 Does he look the part of an SEC guy?
07:10 Like what have you been- >> Yeah, for sure.
07:12 This is something we've all just talked about.
07:14 I mean, it doesn't matter who you are.
07:16 I mean, if you're having 15 sacks in high school football,
07:19 you're a dominant player.
07:20 So I mean, he had 15 in the FCS.
07:22 And I mean, he came from FCS and you saw how good he was.
07:25 So I mean, there's a difference overall as a team within conferences.
07:30 But if a player could do that in FCS, I mean,
07:33 I could promise you he could play at this level as well.
07:34 >> Andrew, I was gonna build off the question about the quarterbacks and
07:40 just building that chemistry with these guys as they're also battling for jobs.
07:44 Kind of what's that like?
07:45 And then maybe some of the differences that you're seeing of those guys.
07:50 >> I mean, it's fun.
07:51 Like it's fun watching them battle, watching them discuss,
07:55 have the discussion with us on the timing of the routes,
07:58 like our routes or comebacks or a phase, you know what I'm saying?
08:01 So I feel like it's just overall fun.
08:04 Everybody got their different things.
08:07 Malachi, he can throw a deep, he can run.
08:11 They all can run, they all can throw.
08:13 It's not really the point I could just make for each one.
08:15 I feel like they're all just great.
08:17 >> Hey, Andrew, Coach Pittman told us that Tyrone Brodin made a really big leap.
08:23 What did you see from him in the winter?
08:25 >> Everything.
08:26 He comes for everything that he feel like he deserves.
08:29 So I feel like Tyrone is really locked in.
08:32 He's locked in, like I said, that's my roommate.
08:33 So we always talking about, hey, it's this year, we got to do it this year.
08:37 So I feel like it's gonna be one of those years that people talk about forever.
08:42 >> There's an abbreviated version of it.
08:43 What's the key principles of a Patrino offense?
08:46 Like what have you made of the structure of it and
08:48 how y'all are trying to implement?
08:49 >> Just go, go, go, go.
08:54 Just do everything fast, make sure you where you are.
08:59 Make sure you got your plays down, make sure you're in the playbook.
09:02 He won't yell at you as much as you think he does.
09:05 He won't yell at you, he'll just make sure you got the plays going,
09:08 things like that.
09:08 So I feel like, cuz Patrino has came in and done an absolute,
09:12 astonishing job with us as helping us learn plays and things like that.
09:16 >> Have you guys talked about any of the potential rules stuff,
09:20 like technology on the sidelines or earpieces and stuff?
09:24 >> I've heard, I saw something about it on Twitter, but no,
09:29 I ain't heard nothing in the locker room about anything.
09:32 >> Nobody's talked about who should get the earpiece on defense?
09:34 >> No.
09:35 >> [LAUGH] >> No, we tested it out today,
09:37 they told us about it.
09:38 So not really.
09:40 >> It'll probably be linebackers, I'd say.
09:41 >> Yeah, yeah, man.
09:42 >> What do you think about Anton?
09:44 What do you think about what he's done just individually for
09:47 the winter workouts and just today?
09:50 >> He's a real hard worker, and
09:52 I think that's what got him to this level that he's at now.
09:56 I mean, he just works real hard, always wants to compete with everybody, and
10:00 real strong as well.
10:01 He's real dominant in the run game.
10:03 I saw in inside run period today, he made a really good play.
10:07 So I think he'll really help us in the run, and his pass rush is good as well.
10:11 >> Do you think there's a possibility for any of the freshmen to help you guys?
10:15 >> I do, I do.
10:16 I really think, I mean, I don't know who will be out of KV on and Charlie, but
10:19 I mean, Charlie's real twitchy and real good with side to side movement.
10:26 And then KV on is real smart.
10:28 So it really, I mean, honestly, both of them good.
10:31 So I really don't know this, I guess, in coach Adam's question, but
10:35 I mean, I think they could both definitely help us.
10:39 >> When you guys look on the other side of the ball at Taylor Green,
10:41 what are the challenges that he presents?
10:44 And if you wanna answer that too.
10:45 >> His speed, his speed, that dude can move.
10:49 He has a great arm, but
10:50 I feel like he really could dominate you with running the ball.
10:53 I mean, there was times where I had him out leveraged whenever I was surfing, and
10:58 I had him out leveraged, and he'll still pull it and still get outside.
11:02 So when it comes down to it, I mean, if he really needs to,
11:04 he's gonna use his feet and get those yards.
11:07 >> The three new offensive linemen, the guys that transferred in, I mean,
11:12 can you sense, going up against that group, that maybe some added juice just with
11:16 those newcomers and building confidence there?
11:18 >> Yeah, I could tell with the offensive line this season,
11:20 they're really trying to build a brotherhood.
11:23 I mean, I really don't know how they were before, but
11:25 I could tell this year that they're really making an emphasis to be more together.
11:30 And in my opinion, I do feel like that's some of those transfers coming in,
11:33 kind of setting that tone.
11:35 And I mean, just from going against, I was going against Fernando today, and
11:40 I was telling him right over here, he's probably one of the best offensive linemen
11:43 I've went up against in my college career.
11:45 And I really think he's gonna make me a better player, and
11:48 I feel like I'll make him even better of a player.
11:50 >> Andrew, maybe could you follow up on that?
11:51 Cuz you're in the huddle with those guys.
11:53 Where are you maybe sensing from the offensive line as they kind of turned
11:56 the page on last season?
11:58 >> It's more like you said, it's more like they're more talkative in the huddle.
12:01 Like they're, get here, get here, get here, like huddle up, huddle up.
12:04 Like they're making sure, putting emphasis on what Coach Petrino is putting
12:08 emphasis on, so Coach Petrino won't have to say that.
12:10 So it's more like not one leader, but the whole O-line is a leadership.
12:15 So I feel like that's the biggest thing they could do this winter.
12:18 >> Andrew, I wanted to ask you about Jordan Anthony.
12:24 And I guess he went through some workouts now, and
12:26 he's running track, going to Nationals this weekend.
12:28 Just what are you seeing from him, and what would you say about his speed?
12:31 And if any other guys have any thoughts on that, I'd be curious.
12:34 >> Jordan Anthony, no, he was here earlier before he even went track,
12:39 but he's fast.
12:40 I mean, I don't know what else to say about that.
12:43 Yeah, he's fast, that's why he's at track right now.
12:46 So when he come back, I feel like he'll help us a lot with slot work,
12:50 with speed, and things like that.
12:51 >> Hey Brad, y'all lost a lot of snaps and
12:55 starts through the portal at linebacker.
12:58 How do you feel about maybe rising up the depth that you guys might be able to have?
13:03 >> It was a lot of spots that opened when that happened, so it was a surprise.
13:09 But as linebackers, it's time for us to step up.
13:12 It took a change in the room, young guys time to step up,
13:16 like Alex, Carson Dean, Henley, Kate and Henley, both.
13:20 It's time for us to guys step up.
13:21 >> And then I was gonna ask you about Nico.
13:26 What have you seen from him in the,
13:28 I think he got some pressure in fastballs really early.
13:31 >> Yeah, no, I mean, since Nico first got here,
13:34 we've always known he was gonna eventually shine.
13:39 And he played quite a bit this past season as a true sophomore,
13:44 which is really good.
13:45 And I mean, this offseason, his goal is to really have a dominant season and
13:51 do all he can to help the defense.
13:52 And I think it's really good having another dominant player on the other side
13:57 of me, it reminds me a lot of last year with Tree on the other side of me.
14:01 So I mean, I really like playing with Nico and
14:04 I feel like he's gonna constantly get better every day.
14:06 And I mean, I'm ready for the season.
14:09 >> Andrew, I know you're on the other side of the ball, but
14:13 you did make the jump from the FCS last year.
14:15 Have you talked to Anton at all about the differences of what y'all came from and
14:19 what you're gonna see this coming year?
14:21 >> No, cuz I ain't really talked to him about jumping from the FCS to the SEC
14:26 cuz like I said last year, a lot like his football.
14:29 So if he wanna line up and go against SEC,
14:35 Olami, that's what he came here for.
14:39 So I feel like a discussion with him about that, I feel like he just is want to,
14:44 is more of a want to than me trying to discuss him and explain it to him how it
14:48 is, so I feel like if he wanna go out there and he wanna dominate,
14:51 he's gonna go out there and dominate.
14:52 So I feel like that's what it comes to.
14:56 >> This is for all three of you and Landon, you can start, but
14:58 Sam's gonna open up scrimmages and some practices to fans.
15:01 And you guys are gonna have to perform in front of people.
15:03 And so looking at that, what are your feelings about having fans come and
15:06 see, kind of win them over this spring as you guys show off what you can do?
15:10 >> I personally love it.
15:12 I feel like that gives us a more realistic feel.
15:16 So instead of, I mean, it kind of gives us that, I mean, that urge for game day.
15:21 Cuz that's one thing I always disliked about spring ball is we're practicing,
15:25 but we don't ever have nothing to look forward to at the end of the week.
15:29 We don't get to play for our fans.
15:30 So that's something I'm really happy about, cuz it's basically, yeah,
15:34 we're gonna have a game every Saturday and treat that as our game.
15:36 And I feel like it's gonna be, I mean, we basically get three spring games.
15:40 So I'm excited for it and I think it'll be real exciting for
15:44 the fans to be able to see what they're looking forward to.
15:47 Be able to watch the new transfers and
15:50 really see how Coach Petrino's running the new offense and everything.
15:53 And I think it'll be good for, I mean, not just us, but the fans as well.
15:56 >> Andrew?
15:57 >> He stole everything I was gonna say.
15:59 >> [LAUGH] I don't know what to respond, but yeah, man,
16:02 it's just gonna give us a more of a better experience throughout spring.
16:06 Like he said, having fans up there is gonna be fun, screaming your name and
16:10 things like that when you go make a great play and things like that.
16:12 I feel like it's gonna be fun, I love it.
16:14 >> I mean, Brad, you gotta perform, that's kind of what Sam Pimmons said.
16:17 Yeah, we're gonna have a little pressure, you gotta perform for these guys.
16:19 >> Yeah, just to pick up, it's gonna be fun.
16:21 I mean, I do want the fans to come in and see what we're doing, so
16:24 raise it back as a family, so that's it.