Bob Stoops Post-Practice Quotes

Head coach Bob Stoops
April 6, 2015

On team's improvement from the first to the second scrimmage:
“It was a lot better. I thought assignments on both sides were a lot better. The effort and all of that was really good. And we went live so you could see a little bit more, maybe right around 70 plays live. The biggest injury we had was a minor sprained ankle and he practiced with us today.”

On players getting a lot of playing time in the spring game:
“I don't know; we'll see. I'll be honest, I'm not real keen on seeing Samaje (Perine) running a whole bunch. So we'll talk about that. It's just one of those things I've got to try and balance. Same with Sterling (Shepard) I don't think he's going to be out there much. So things will look a little different here and there depending on some guys that you may hold out a little bit.”

On offensive line:
“I think they're doing a really good job. Coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh has been pleased with their day to day progress. They're coming around pretty well with assignments and techniques. They're doing a good job.”

On offensive tackles:
“Josiah St. John is really having a good spring, Derrick Farniok looks good, Keyon Frison also. The young guys are coming on. Orlando Brown's coming on. Christian (Daimler) and (Sam) Grant both those guys are getting better. They're all making steady progress as you expect.”

On the effect of fewer opened scrimmages on recruiting:
“I don't think that has anything to do with recruiting. We had a junior day for one of our practices and we had 20 offers here. In fact, that's the most we've ever had and they came for a practice. That was awesome. If I could open practice to everybody and they could recruit for us, I'd open it in a minute. If they're allowed, but from what I understand, they aren't allowed to have any contact with anybody that is here. So if they change that rule, I'd open it up to everybody and they can help us recruit. As far as I know they aren't allowed to, and at this point in the spring we've had more offer recruits on campus than we've ever had. I think we had 15 that day and I think we're up to about 25 and we've never had that many here on campus at this time before.”

On if a nighttime spring game is more beneficial for recruiting:
“No, I'm not disclaiming that; maybe we should have the spring game 'Friday night lights'. Saturday we'll have our spring game, but instead of being under the lights we're doing it a 2 (p.m.). So I don't know may be we need to push it to when it's dark at 8 (p.m.) and the lights come on and maybe that's a better deal. We've got all our recruits invited this week. It's a game atmosphere like that would be. It's just not under the lights, it's at 2'o'clock. We'll do all the things that you're legally allowed to do in recruiting.”

On having student open practice this week:
“(It'll be) Friday. I believe you guys (media) are invited, as well. See, wide open.”

On reason that they have the most offers visiting this year as compared to previous years:
“It's just worked out for them to be able to come and our coaches have done a good job getting to everybody and getting all of it together. The dates have worked out because with our proximity and state population most of our people have to travel a little further. But it's worked out pretty well.”

On spring game being bigger recruiting tool now versus 10 years ago:
“I don't think so. We've always worked hard to get our recruits here. We worked as hard 16 years ago as we are now to get them here. You're here all day and you've got fans coming. We've always worked hard to get people here.”

On competing with other programs to get recruits to spring games:
“It's the same with us even with our junior days, if it's the same day as somebody else. You're always just trying to compete to get everybody here. It's always been that way. Spring games have always been in about the same two or three-week period.”

On Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon getting reps:
“Today they rotated equally because we weren't tackling and going to the ground. But like Saturday, Samaje wasn't hurt he had a migraine-headache so we held him out, which was positive. And the other guys got more snaps. These other days though, when we're not tackling, they're all out there doing the same thing.”

On Daniel Brooks' spring performance:
“It's been good. Daniel has a unique ability with his quickness and speed. And I think with what we're doing (offensively) we'll find some good pockets and plays for him with what he can do. He does a great job. He's always working hard and hustling. He makes some plays with that quickness and speed almost every day.”

On RB Joe Mixon:
“He's a smart player in understanding what we're doing and executing well. He's understanding where he needs to be in the passing game as well. He catches the ball well. He's been pretty consistent with all of it.”

On if quarterbacks will get equal reps in spring game:
“We'll see. I'll let Coach (Lincoln) Riley work through that and see where it goes by Saturday.”

On people predicting the starting quarterbacks based on performance in spring game:
“People need to be careful with that when they watch. Like I said certain guys are going to be held out defensively. With all the incoming freshman here, there'll be certain guys that won't be playing come next year, who will be out there on defense and offense. Just be careful with too much of it. But, it matters if there are plays there. Can you make it? If there's a play there and you throw it in the dirt or overthrow it that matters to us regardless of who may be out there. I don't mean to discount what you're saying, but one guy may have an advantage over the other just the way it falls sometimes depending on what receivers are there with what DB or what not, but that's ok.”

On not deciding quarterback competition in spring:
“I've believed that especially where we're at, that it has to be decided right now. There's such a long period of time during the summer, and double the number of practices you get in the spring come fall. There's plenty of time then to figure that out.”

On if QBs get tackled during scrimmages and if they should:
“No. There's a case for that (going live can help you analyze each of them more) and knowing who can protect the ball. Sometimes when they know they're not being hit, they'll wait a little longer to get a ball off when you know in the game, who knows where that ball is going to be? But, we're not going to tackle them. You don't get to go any other ones.”

On offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's new offense:
“It's exactly what I envisioned and wanted and it's working out that way. He's very organized and deliberate on what he wants to do with the offense and with every position. He's an excellent leader and communicator in getting everybody – coaches and players – on the same page. He's very detailed and organized, but very fiery and really strong leader.

On the importance of receivers' performances in spring game:
“I've seen them already. I equate it back to our first year here. We had a player quit the team since we put him on second team. Everyone was in an uproar that 'oh my gosh we lost a receiver', who caught six balls the year before and Brandon Daniels caught eight or 10 in the first game. We've got guys catching the ball and doing some really good things-quite a few of them. Again, I equate it to these guys are doing a great job in incorporating all of them (receivers) and getting them what they're able to do. And I think this offense allows those kind of guys to make plays and they're doing it. I've been pleased with the way they're all progressing.”

Players Mentioned

Daniel Brooks

Daniel Brooks

Orlando Brown

Orlando Brown

Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon

Samaje Perine

Samaje Perine

Josiah St. John

Josiah St. John

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics