Four Downs: Two-A-Days Underway

NORMAN – The University of Oklahoma football team is scheduled to have its first set of two-a-day practices Tuesday. The team was on the field early in the morning to practice in full pads. After the day's first practice session, sophomore wide receiver Jeffery Mead, senior offensive tackle Josiah St. John and defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks stopped to talk about the team's progress in camp.

SOPHOMORE WIDE RECEIVER JEFFERY MEAD

1. What did you think about all the attention your catch got on social media on Monday?
“I thought it was cool. I didn't know it would blow up like that. I got a lot of texts, and I think it's really cool that people appreciate stuff like that. My hands are something that I have worked on. I am about to challenge Odell (Beckham Jr.), so we'll see how it goes.”

2. Do you have to be in better physical condition than normal to run the new offense?
“With this offense, most definitely. We are averaging about 7,000 yards of running and sprinting per practice. The first few days of camp I was pretty tired. The later into camp we get the less tired I am so that's good.”

3. What part of your game have you improved on the most?
“Speed, strength and learning how to use my body. I can put corners where I want them to be without touching them, and then touch them and put them where I want them even more. That helps out a lot.”

4. What is your favorite portion of practice?
"It's either 1-on-1, team or 7-on-7. It really doesn't matter to me, I just like competition. That is the most fun. I really like going against Jordan Thomas. He has great technique. He doesn't hold. He uses his hands and his body well. It is really fun to go against him."

REDSHIRT SENIOR OFFENSIVE TACKLE JOSIAH ST. JOHN

1. Is there something specifically you are focusing on improving at camp right now?
“I've been trying to lead more. I'm not really that vocal of a person, but just I've been doing it by setting a good example for the younger ones. I've been trying to go hard in practice, listen to coach, say 'yes sir' when I have to, just to let the (younger players) know what's expected of them and how to act when they're at OU.”

2. Do you feel that you are getting into 'football shape'?
“The most difficult part has been adjusting to the heat and adjusting to getting back into the pads. Just to have all these practices — because we haven't been practicing for a while like that — has been an adjustment. Working-out conditioning and practice conditioning are very different, so we're getting adjusted to it again.”

3. What area of your game have you improved the most since last season?
“We're improving technique. Our line is getting way better at technique, and it's not going to be as sloppy as it was in the spring. We're getting better and know exactly what to do at the right time.”

4. How are you and the other offensive linemen progressing in the new offense?
“Practice has been pretty good and we're getting better every day. We know the plays already, but it's getting sharper. We've been going into more details with what we have to do.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH KERRY COOKS

1. Now that we're a few days into camp, how would you say things have gone?
“I think it's been up and down. I think that the overall competition level has been really good. The overall understanding of the defense has been good. I'd like to see our communication get better. I think those young guys we've brought in have really infused some competition with the veterans. So overall after these last five days I'm pleased with where we are, but I know we have a long way to go and that's the beauty of why we practice and why camp is here.”

2. How would you assess the secondary unit as a whole?
“When I first got here things were a little choppy. Guys were in this little group here and that little group there, so one of the things I emphasized in the spring was that if they wanted to be a great secondary they need to love and care and spend time with one another. And not just here on the football field; it's got to be away from football. You have to know everything about each other because when you build that bond and you go to battle then you won't let your brother suffer. It's going to give you a little more of that fight. I've seen those guys always around each other, just laughing and joking, and those were things I didn't necessarily see in the spring. You have to have that chemistry and that's what we're working on right now.”

3. Which players have stood out to you?
“Obviously, Zack (Sanchez); I love the way that he works. Sometimes you get a guy who competes at a high level who thinks he knows it all and gets lazy with techniques, but Zack is like the complete opposite. He comes out here and he grinds and works. He gets [angry] when he sees young guys not doing what they're supposed to do or not paying attention or lollygagging around. Ahmad (Thomas) is a solid player. I love the way he gets the defense lined up and everyone adjusted. J.T. (Jordan Thomas) has been really impressive. I think the things he's learned from last year, the mistakes that he made, he's coming to camp with a different edge and attitude. He's definitely moving his game forward. And I'm very impressed with all those young freshmen we brought in. I think all of those guys are going to be really good players. Right now you're at a point with them where you can't see their athleticism because they're out there just trying to get lined up, but they're special. Kahlil (Haughton) really stands out. He has some unique abilities to be a 6'1 or 6'2 safety who can run, jump and cover.”

4. For fans who may not be as familiar with you, what are your core principles for secondary play?
“I believe that we have to count on each other, so I'm always saying, 'Count on me.' You've got to count on me as a coach, you've got to count on the safety and the safeties have to count on the corners. Communication is huge, and then just doing your job. I believe if you just do your job and don't overcompensate, just focus on your assignment, then we're going to be fine. I think if we can tackle well in the secondary and not give up balls behind our head I believe we'll win every game. And I would say that if I was in high school or coaching little league. I believe that secondary is key to being a great defense. I'm just trying to harp on presets to those guys the little things. Don't look at the big picture, just pay attention to detail. It's that initial footwork, it's where your eyes are and then from there working through your progression each and every play. How long can you do that for? Can you do it for five plays? Can you do it for 50? 85? How long can you stay focused?”

Bonus Question: Going up against OU's big wide receivers every day, how do you combat that size?
“I think having great players, one. But it's an awesome thing for us because we're going to see that in the league. We're seeing it every day so what I'm hoping is that these guys come out here and keep competing against the young guys, the A.D. Millers, the Dahu Greens, guys like Sterling (Shepard) and Dede (Westbrook); so you've got speed and height, everything you're going to see in the Big 12. I just tell them to keep competing. They're going to win their share and we're going to win our share, but hopefully what it does is build confidence because they've already seen it from our team during the day. So when they step on that field against whoever — Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State — everyone has great wide receivers. But so do we so we. We face that every day, so let's do our thing.”

SOPHOMORE WIDE RECEIVER JEFFERY MEAD

REDSHIRT SENIOR OFFENSIVE TACKLE JOSIAH ST. JOHN

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH KERRY COOKS

Players Mentioned

Nila Kasitati

Jeffery Mead

A.D. Miller

Samaje Perine

Josiah St. John

Charles Tapper

Jordan Thomas

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics