Arkansas Razorbacks Fernando Carmona, Eric Gregory and Luke Hasz with the media after spring practice Tuesday morning on new coaches, progress made in the off-season.
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00:00 Just general guys, how's the first few days of practice?
00:03 Well, four days of practice.
00:04 How's it been out there?
00:05 It's been good.
00:06 It's been physical, a lot of competition,
00:08 good reps on both sides of the ball.
00:10 I mean, it's been great.
00:12 I'd say competitive, man.
00:13 That's been the biggest thing.
00:14 I think the joy of playing the ball right now.
00:16 I feel like everybody's been kind of had this built up,
00:19 I don't want to say anger, but just excitement to play football.
00:22 We were lifting for seven weeks,
00:23 and once we were done with those seven weeks,
00:25 it's like, all right, we turned it up that next year,
00:27 and it's time to go.
00:28 And you really feel that right now.
00:30 I'd say for me, just being around him, for instance,
00:33 like a new offensive line and especially tackle,
00:36 it's been a blessing.
00:38 Just like --
01:05 And Luke, how's it been on offense,
01:07 working with Bobby Petrino and just the differences,
01:10 I guess, from last year to this year?
01:12 I mean, it's been awesome.
01:14 It's been really exciting just to learn from his perspective
01:18 what he's going to do with the tight ends,
01:20 but just the offense in general.
01:21 And just having Keys back and Andreas come is going to be really good for us.
01:26 And, no, he's been great.
01:28 I think he's going to be really good for the tight ends,
01:31 but also just for the team.
01:33 Fernando, talk about what it's like working with Eric Mateos.
01:36 How's he been?
01:37 How's it been with him?
01:38 Oh, it's been amazing.
01:40 The standard's up here, and it's like every day you're trying to reach it,
01:43 and it just feels like you can't really reach it because it's just so high.
01:46 But that's what you want as an offensive lineman.
01:47 You really want somebody that's going to push you to your max every single day,
01:50 and he does that.
01:51 He brings the energy, and he works us hard.
01:53 And I'm truly blessed to have him as my coach.
01:56 You talk about changing the culture.
01:58 Can you expand on that?
01:59 What do you mean by changing the culture
02:01 and kind of with the offensive line room?
02:03 You know, I feel like as an offensive line,
02:05 you kind of have to be the catalyst for the offense.
02:07 And I feel like -- and I'm not really sure I wasn't here.
02:10 I wasn't here.
02:14 [ Silence ]
02:18 [ Silence ]
02:43 -- day at practice, and as a player and a teammate,
02:47 that's all I can ask for, and he gives that to me every day.
02:49 He's an awesome dude outside the field, even in the field.
02:52 You know, we're trying to take care of each other,
02:54 but at the same time, we're going at it.
02:55 And so being able to go up against a competitor that good, I'm truly blessed.
02:59 I can't ask for anything more.
03:01 Eric, for a while, it was a revolving door defensive line coach.
03:05 You got Deke, I think it's his third year in a row.
03:07 What does it mean to not have to be learning new terminology,
03:10 new defensive line coach every year?
03:13 How much has that benefited you guys?
03:15 It's huge, man.
03:16 Just like you said, we had a lot of defensive line coaches here.
03:19 And just to get them back, it's like we kind of -- we don't take no step back.
03:24 It's kind of like ongoing because we know what to expect from them,
03:27 and we know what he wants from us.
03:29 So, I mean, it's been huge getting them back.
03:31 Luke, how tough was that, man?
03:33 You got hurt at A&M.
03:34 You were having a great season.
03:35 You get hurt at A&M, didn't get to play the rest of the season.
03:38 How tough was that?
03:39 And just how did you turn it into a positive?
03:42 I would say, I mean, it was obviously tough
03:44 just because I wasn't able to be out there with my teammates.
03:46 But I'd say I benefited from it, like, becoming a mature ringer
03:50 and to be like a man with, like, my loved ones, my teammates.
03:54 And just I took that perspective into my injury.
03:57 And I think it's definitely going to elevate my game this year.
04:00 If something goes -- not saying it is, but if something happens like that,
04:04 I'll be totally fine.
04:06 Eric, question about today.
04:08 What did you like about what you saw from the defense today?
04:10 I thought we brought energy from the beginning to the end.
04:15 Everybody actually -- everybody had energy coming in.
04:17 And I feel like we started fast and we finished fast.
04:21 I feel like the energy level we brought into practice,
04:23 it followed throughout the whole practice.
04:25 Building from last year, the defensive numbers were better last year.
04:29 Where do you feel like y'all can go this year?
04:31 What are the areas, you know, areas of improvement?
04:34 It's the second year under Coach Traver.
04:36 I mean, I feel like we can be way better than we was last year
04:39 with just our pass coverage, our run stopping,
04:42 and getting to the quarterback.
04:44 I feel like we can improve that tremendously this year.
04:48 Eric, what are you seeing from, like, the injured forward?
04:51 How much has he progressed from his freshman year?
04:54 And also outside with Quincy Rhodes,
04:56 because those guys are going to play a pretty big role with y'all.
04:58 I feel like we see a lot of maturity.
05:00 They're taking the criticism,
05:02 stuff they're getting for feedback throughout film,
05:05 and then you see them apply the next day at practice.
05:08 And I feel like that's a huge step from their freshman year into now.
05:12 Because before, we would see they're getting ahead a lot.
05:16 But now they're actually taking the coaching
05:18 and they're applying it to the field.
05:20 And Luke, have you dropped weight from last year?
05:22 Yes, but I would say this year, I mean, I'm obviously going to end up –
05:27 my goal weight is 242,
05:29 and right now I feel like I'm at a healthier, more lean weight.
05:32 So I feel like that's a better start for me.
05:34 And then working up to the season, I'll be up to 242.
05:37 So that was just kind of a cut it down and then build it back up?
05:39 Yes, and most of it was due to my injury,
05:42 but most of the weight I've gained back is mostly muscle.
05:45 What have you thought about Varkey's – I mean, from where he was last year,
05:48 obviously a guy with a lot of talent,
05:50 but seemed a little maybe timid at times last year
05:52 and seems a lot more comfortable.
05:53 Yes, he's a whole different person.
05:55 I'm not saying he wasn't good last year.
05:57 He was obviously really good last year.
05:59 But this year, it's a whole different Varkey's.
06:01 And you can just tell he's more confident,
06:03 and he's not getting down on himself when things don't go his way.
06:07 And I feel like just the tight end room in general is a lot closer this year.
06:10 Do you feel like you guys are going to do a lot of two-touch sets?
06:13 Yes, whatever Coach Petrino wants us to do, we'll do it.
06:17 Fernando, I think you've been playing alongside Patrick Kudas.
06:20 Just what have you seen from him making the transition from tackle to guard?
06:24 Man, he's a tough guy, tough son of a gun right there.
06:26 And playing next to him, he's a joy.
06:29 If you know him outside the football, he's just a goofball, awesome dude to be around.
06:33 But playing next to him, he's been really communicating well with me.
06:36 And obviously, he was here last year, so he has a little bit of experience.
06:40 And just kind of him moving inside is nice because that tackle, he's athletic,
06:44 he can move well, and on top of that, he's really strong.
06:47 So those two things together, that's all I can ask for as a tackle.
06:52 In your one-on-three transfers in at the offensive line,
06:54 just how have you all kind of meshed with the returning guys?
06:57 And how do you think they've kind of accepted you on it?
06:59 Man, it's been seamless.
07:01 Those guys have really accepted us in.
07:03 And then I think for all the transfers too,
07:05 we were willing to just kind of open our minds up to try to be as friendly as possible
07:10 and just also realize, hey, we're all different.
07:13 We're coming from different scenarios, but this is going to be our unit,
07:16 and we have to blend together, and we've done that right now.
07:20 Speaking of transfers, Luke, Taylor Green is the quarterback now, not KJ.
07:25 Talk about what your thoughts are on Taylor Green and how he has looked.
07:30 Yes. I mean, I get the privilege.
07:32 He's in my locker room, so just being able to hear him,
07:35 not even being -- he's obviously a leader on the field, but also in the locker room.
07:39 He's very vocal, and we're just talking about each other's lives.
07:42 And I just think his leadership is tremendous compared to any other quarterback that I've had.
07:49 And I just love everything about him.
07:53 Eric and Fernando, I was wondering maybe what have you guys seen from the Petrino offense so far,
07:58 Eric going against it and from Fernando maybe just coming in with the offensive line?
08:03 They're throwing a lot, man.
08:04 They're throwing a lot at us, so we have to stay on our game.
08:07 And it's something new every day, so we have to --
08:09 we can't just be focused on what they did the day before,
08:12 that they throw something in and new the next day.
08:14 So we've got to be on our toes, man.
08:16 It's really helping us a lot.
08:17 Yeah, like you said, there's a lot of stuff in.
08:19 And as an offensive guy, you know, there's a lot to process,
08:22 but it makes it kind of easier on you because they're trying to guess on what we're doing.
08:26 But we have -- it feels like almost like a million things going on at one time.
08:29 But, you know, it's really fun to be a part of because there's so much going on.
08:33 And then he just kind of lets us play as offensive linemen, just run, get going,
08:37 and then just be physical at the same time.
08:38 So it's been a lot of fun.
08:40 Fernando, you've kind of hinted at like what you've heard of maybe the struggles of last year.
08:45 How much has maybe Josh and Patrick talked about it with you guys about maybe it's wanting to get things right,
08:51 to turn it around, or has it been a flush it and let's move on to this year?
08:55 It's mainly a flush thing.
08:56 And it's actually funny enough, a lot of the people that are like talking about it would be like the people on different positions.
09:01 So it's like the wide receivers, but it's all positive.
09:04 They're all like, man, dude, like the way you guys are talking this year, the way you guys are bonding together,
09:08 it's more of like the other people like kind of noticing what we're doing and how we're changing.
09:13 And I just think in the offensive linemen, we're just kind of flush and not really think about it.
09:16 And this is a whole new group of guys and we're rolling with these guys.
09:20 And that's all that matters right now.
09:22 Luke, you had such a good freshman year.
09:24 I mean, is there anything like specific you're really thinking I've got to not have to get better,
09:29 but what you're looking to improve this year to maybe take the next step?
09:32 I would say for sure, round blocking.
09:35 That's going to be a big part.
09:36 But I feel like with Coach Turner, he's the best of the best.
09:39 And just being with him, even when I wasn't playing, being able to learn from him on like my footwork and technique
09:45 has been a huge deal for me.
09:47 And just going into this spring ball, I've been able to notice that pay off a little bit.
09:52 So it's been good.
09:53 And what was it like, the success that you had last year?
09:57 I know it was only the early part of the season, but was it maybe just coming in and having that impact a little surprising at all
10:03 or something that, you know, maybe you kind of expected and knew you had that in you?
10:08 I would say I wasn't sure if I was expecting it or not, but God just definitely put me in the right spot to be able to perform at a high level.
10:17 And I just tried my best, gave my best, and it all turned out really well.
10:21 And I was thankful for Coach Turner, Coach Pittman in the tight end room just trusting me to go out there and play.
10:28 Fernando, aside from being the new guy, I guess, what's been the biggest differences that you've noticed from coming from San Jose State
10:35 to what you see at Arkansas now?
10:37 I'd probably say just not winning every rep.
10:39 It's different, man.
10:41 When you're going up against Landon Jackson, like I had a really rough day two days ago, and it's just, it's good, though.
10:47 You need those rough days to become great.
10:49 And that's just been the biggest thing, man, the speed, the competition I'm going up against is all I could really ask for.
10:55 And that's kind of the reason why I transferred.
10:56 I wanted to get good reps at practice.
10:58 And I'm getting that right now with guys like EG, guys like Landon.
11:03 And there's a bunch of different guys on that defense that really bring it in every day and make it challenging.
11:08 Anything culturally or environmentally?
11:10 No, man.
11:11 I think just kind of the group of guys are kind of the same.
11:14 It's a little bit different being out here in the South.
11:16 They talk a little bit different.
11:17 But other than that, you know, it's about the same.
11:20 Eric, you're one of the oldest heads on the whole program, and you're hearing a guy who's fresh to the program talking about a new spirit.
11:27 What's your take on, like, where the program is after last season?
11:31 I think we evolve every year.
11:34 We learn something new from the past year, every year.
11:37 And just kind of like what Fernando's saying, like, I see a lot of difference on offense.
11:40 I see energy on the offense line, like, every single day from the jump.
11:43 They're bringing energy, and they're pushing us to screen even harder.
11:47 So I feel like that's really huge for the defense line and offense line to take that next step to be even better.
11:52 Might have been behind you, but Jalen Braxton had a pick today, and it looked like he had a couple of breakups.
11:58 What are you made of the DBs, and particularly a guy like Braxton who might be moving into a starting role?
12:03 Yeah, I feel like they're learning the system better.
12:05 I feel like everybody that's came back is learning the system better.
12:07 They know where they're supposed to be, how they're supposed to fit, and I feel like that's just helping improve the whole defense.
12:13 And if you could, on Nico, he's been with the ones, he's been making plays.
12:18 Can you maybe talk about what advancement you've seen from him?
12:21 You can just see it just looking at him.
12:23 He's got stronger, and he's more confident in his ability to stop the run and to get after the quarterback.
12:29 And we see that, and we've been seeing it offseason, and from the first day that we started practice, we've seen it.
12:35 Fernando, I forgot to ask this to you, but we've seen Coach Pittman really, really work with you guys a lot.
12:44 When we come out to practice, it feels like heavily, heavily he's working with you guys.
12:48 How have you seen him, his influence there over on the offensive line?
12:52 It's been huge. Obviously, as you know, he was an offensive line coach, and that was kind of the main reason why I wanted to come here.
12:58 He told me that he was going to be with the offensive line more, and he's really stuck to that word.
13:03 And he's just been giving over there, just giving us some gold nuggets to really take with us.
13:07 Obviously, you got Eric as our, Eric Mattel as our line coach, but he's coming over there, and he's kind of bringing in his own little ideas.
13:14 And just kind of having those two, it's like having two offensive line coaches, and it's tremendous,
13:18 because you're always learning something, and you have four eyes on you at all times, so you can't really complain.
13:23 You can't really mess up.
13:25 On Taylon, what's your just take on his leadership with the first unit? What's he been like?
13:33 He's a great guy, and I think he's really pushed a lot of football onto a lot of people.
13:38 He wants to bring people in to watch film all the time.
13:40 And then on top of that, he's just going around the locker room, just trying to really get everybody involved.
13:46 And I think that's kind of the biggest thing. It's just how friendly he is and how much of a true teammate he is.
13:52 And as a quarterback, that's all you can really ask for.
13:55 Eric, how is Anton kind of adjusting to the SEC speed and all that kind of stuff you see?
14:01 Well, yeah, first getting in, you kind of see a little bit where he can improve in basically just at the speed of the game.
14:07 But I feel like, due practice, I feel like he's gotten a lot better from day one.
14:11 We see the natural strength he has and the bend he has. I feel like he's coming together now.
14:17 now.