Sooners' defensive back and Bethany (OK) product Jocelyn Malaska speaks to reporters on March 6, 2024.
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00:00 So, obviously you're from the Oklahoma City area originally, you get to come back, how
00:03 does that feel?
00:04 It feels amazing, back at home.
00:07 And did that factor into your decision at all or kind of what went into that?
00:10 Oh yeah, it definitely did.
00:11 I wanted to come back home, being able to spend more time with my family, so that was
00:15 definitely a big reason why.
00:17 And you know, Coach Vandible's obviously been a defensive coach, did that mean anything
00:21 to you?
00:22 Um, it definitely did, just because I know his mindset, he's mainly defense, and also
00:27 winning so that was a big reason why.
00:31 What do you think, some of the skills you learned at your old school, how do you think
00:34 that will help you and kind of translate here to OU?
00:37 I feel like overall I've learned a lot because coming out of high school, I didn't really
00:41 like know much just because I didn't get like the best coaching out of high school, so going
00:45 to like a program like Utah where like it's developed, developed, developed, it helped
00:49 me a lot, just like knowing myself as a person but also as a football player.
00:54 So after that development, you know, from your perspective, what do you think you bring
00:57 to Oklahoma's defense, that secondary?
00:59 I feel like I bring speed, competitive, just overall just coming to compete and helping
01:08 the group to get better.
01:10 Have you gotten to build a relationship with any of the other guys in that room?
01:13 Like in the corner room?
01:14 Yeah.
01:15 We're all pretty close, like we all be joking around and stuff, play basketball together,
01:19 so it's been really nice.
01:21 And what about the coaching staff, how's your relationship grown with them since you got
01:24 here?
01:25 It's been good.
01:26 I haven't got to spend much time with my coach outside of film session, but overall it's
01:31 going really good.
01:32 And, you know, what about Coach Schmidt, obviously people outside of the program hear about some
01:37 of the rumors, how tough that is, is it lived up to the hype?
01:40 Yeah, it's no joke, it's no joke, I'm not going to lie.
01:43 What's the hardest thing you've had to do so far?
01:46 Probably fourth quarters, because you know how spring goes, spring is like one of the
01:50 hardest times for football players around the country, so fourth quarters was a challenge.
01:57 Are you excited to play in the SEC?
01:58 Oh yeah, I'm ready, yes sir.
02:00 Is there any specific games you have circled on the schedule?
02:03 Honestly all of them, just going out there and showing the world that Oklahoma can get
02:08 it done.
02:09 Are you excited for spring ball?
02:10 Yes sir, ready to compete.
02:11 I think Coach, I think you mentioned last week that during winter workouts you've been
02:12 among the tops in all the testing, what's that been like for you, seeing how you stack
02:24 up against all these other talented guys?
02:26 Yeah, it's been really good, I'm just going out there and giving it my best and see how
02:30 everything goes, that's all.
02:32 So just going out there and competing.
02:33 What kind of numbers do you put out, like in vertical, how fast did it clock you?
02:39 Vertical is about 37, 38, I believe it was 10.8, 10.9 and I'm going to full throw in
02:47 the 40.
02:48 Do you anticipate playing on special teams at all, or how do you think you can help the
02:54 team in that aspect?
02:55 Whatever the team needs, I'm willing to do it, so anywhere I can add values, I'm willing
03:00 to do it, it don't matter which way, it's just adding values for me, whatever the team
03:05 needs.
03:06 Do you have experience playing special teams in the past at Utah?
03:09 Yes sir, I did.
03:10 Yes sir.
03:11 [BLANK_AUDIO]