Sideline-to-Sideline: Steven Parker

NORMAN — Safety Steven Parker is going through spring camp a little differently from a year ago. He's now a starter with a returning coach.

Other position battles may be going on during the spring, but Parker and Ahmad Thomas have the safety positions locked down. With motivation from the CFP loss, Thomas and the secondary are ready and focused under second-year coach Kerry Cooks.

Q: Coming off the loss in the playoff, what were winter workouts like? Did players seem extra motivated?

A: “I think we had a great winter workout. We didn't have anybody falling out. Everybody was ready to work. Everybody was up and excited. I feel like we got some really good work in. We had some great gains. I gained four pounds of muscle myself, so that is something I was happy about. Just get stronger in the weight room.”

Q: What areas of your game are you focusing on this spring?

A: “This spring I'm focusing on being an all-round football player, being a leader and really just working. Trying to get in and out of my breaks as fast as possible.”

Q: When you say all-around football player, is there anything more specific that you're trying to do?

A: “Just being able to tackle. Being able to cover like a corner. Like I said, just having that leadership role. Taking control over the defense when it's time. Really just being an all-around player.”

Q: This would be your second year as a starter, and Ahmad Thomas is entering his third year as a starter. What comfort does that give you knowing how much experience you two bring to the safety position?

A: “I was blessed to get some playing time my freshman year and start last year. The bond that Ahmad and I have is just unbreakable. It's one of those things where it's we kind of read each other's minds. We're like brothers on and off the field, and that's somebody I count on and he counts on me. That's somebody I depend on every play and he depends on me.”

Steven Parker

Q: At this time last year, you were just getting introduced to Coach (Kerry) Cooks. How much different is this second spring under him?

A: “It's very different because, me and him, our bond is so different from last year. Last year, he was getting here trying to get comfortable with us; we were trying to get comfortable with him. Now that we've had a year, I can call him and he's like a second dad to me. He's that type of coach and someone you definitely want to play for. Definitely someone you want to be on your side.”

Q: One of the main areas for the secondary this year is to replace Zack Sanchez. What do you guys need to do as a unit to help that person, whomever it ends up being?

A: “Basically encourage him. He might get beat once or twice but basically were trying to install that mentality, that dog mentality of 'You're not going to beat me. I'm going to beat you every play and that's it, there's no way around it.' Basically, were just trying to install that kind of judgment in his head and really just make him play. Make him free. Really encourage him to do the best he can do.”

Q: One of the areas on defense that probably lost the most was at the linebacker spot. What have you seen from that unit so far?

A: “Linebackers are looking good. We have Tay Evans and Curtis (Bolton) in there. Tay is doing a spectacular job. He's really filling the role. He knows what he has to do. He's basically just trying to make it his job and I can definitely see it in his eyes that he really wants it. Curtis is doing the same thing. I think they are both doing a great job.”

Q: I know were just a week or so into camp but how would you say the defense, as a whole, has looked so far?

A: “The defense has looked pretty good, I mean we're molding together. We have a lot of experience. Coming back, we've lost three players so it's easier to bounce back than usual. Basically we're just trying to mold together again and just trying to get that defensive relationship back together just like we were last season.”

Q: What have been your impressions of the offense so far?

A: “The offense has looked spectacular. The first day we came out and gave it to them. The second day, they may have got us a little bit, but Tuesday I think it was kind of evenly matched. We gave them some work, they gave us some work so you know we're definitely complementing each other well and hopefully we can just keep on with that type of practice.”

Q: You're getting to practice inside the stadium and you're seeing the construction up close. What do you think about the renovations so far?

A: “I'm honestly loving it. I was talking to Mark Andrews about this two days ago, about this year being live! We were just thinking about how it will look with the fans in here. It will be an exciting atmosphere and we are definitely ready to play in it.”