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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Between the Hashmarks: Volume 3
August 11, 2016 | Football
The first scrimmage of fall camp took place Wednesday so SoonerSports.com talked with sophomore offensive lineman Dru Samia, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Neville Gallimore and assistant head coach, director of recruiting and running backs coach Cale Gundy to get their thoughts on how it went and many more topics.
SOPHOMORE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN DRU SAMIA
What have you seen from the offensive line so far in camp?
“This is a very talented group. Everyone is getting better at picking up on plays and pretty much knowing everything assignment wise. We're obviously really young, but we're getting that technique down and we'll get that game experience once the season gets here.”
Who is stepping up to take the leadership roles that Ty Darlington and Nila Kasitati provided last season?
“(Jonathan) Alvarez and Orlando (Brown) are doing a great job stepping up as vocal leaders on the team. Obviously the oldest guys have the most game experiences, so they've done a great job filling the void of a very smart Ty and a very strong Nila.”
You've been splitting time between right guard and right tackle. Do you prefer one over the other?
“I really don't have a preference at all. I'll play anywhere. The way they have me rotating is one series at guard, one series at tackle and one series out, so it's pretty even overall. It's going to be whoever steps up in those positions.”
What are your personal goals for camp?
“My personal goals for camp are to get better overall with my technique. I was young last year, and I could see on the film that I had some pretty bad technical errors that I needed to get figured out. I want to work hard every day and not get lackadaisical thinking I've been here before and can chill out. I'm making sure I'm working every day.”
What's one thing you've gotten better at in the offseason?
“Reading the defense. Last year I felt like I played blind almost every play. I knew what was happening inside the box but outside I wasn't sure. Now, not just me but the whole team is better at picking up where the safeties are and reading blitzes before they come.”
Who is someone on the team you've been impressed with so far?
“Bobby Evans. He's very patient with his pass set. He's very athletic, and he's done a good job stepping up. He redshirted last year, but he was still going up against Charles Tapper every day in practice and that's showing now. He's good with his hands and his feet, he's just got to get that game experience.”
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN NEVILLE GALLIMORE
How do you think you've performed in fall camp so far?
“In all honesty I have to pick it up. I have to continue to fight and be stronger mentally. At the end of the day it's a mental game. I have to be more prepared and stay disciplined so I can help my teammates out, especially on the D-line.”
What improvements have you made in the offseason?
“My stamina and strength have improved; my ability to move around and be more of an asset for the team. I'm in good shape, but there is always an opportunity to get in better shape. All the attributes — bigger, faster, stronger, pushing my weight around to the best of my abilities.”
What's your take on the defensive line unit?
“We have a great group of guys, and we are all in it for the same reason. There is not a lot of selfishness on the D-line. We want to make each other better, and we want to win a championship. We want to be a threat on the D-line so we do our best to hold each other accountable.”
What is your favorite part of practice?
“Everything in individuals; when we get a chance in one-on-ones at our position to improve our craft. Really everything that gives you a chance to go against the veterans who know what it's like play in a hostile environment and be a big part of this program.”
Who is the toughest player to face on the offensive line?
“They all have something they bring to the table. Guys like Dru Samia, Bobby Evans and Cody Ford, a couple of those guys are in my class so it's good to see them rise because we all came in together. We all had the same common goal so it's good to see us improve and get the opportunity to go up against each other. I feel like we're all getting better, so anytime you do get a win or beat them one-on-one it's definitely a hard-fought battle. It is never easy.”
Is there any NFL lineman you model your game after?
“I have a lot of respect for J.J. Watt and Ndamukong Suh because they play very aggressive and they open your eyes to the position. You see the benefits of the position when you play it the right way and you play it aggressively. I can just hope as my years go on here at OU that I could put myself in their shoes and be even better.”
What was it like to scrimmage in the stadium Wednesday?
“The anticipation, as well as the expectations, are high. This is Oklahoma Football, so you are going to get the best of the best. It doesn't take too much to motivate our guys. Playing out here in this environment gives us a little taste of what it is going to be like. Obviously there are no fans around, but the criteria that has to be met here — this is an opportunity to show who is a player, who is ready to improve and just all in all see who's ready to play football.”
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH, DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING, INSIDE RECEIVERS COACH CALE GUNDY
What have you thought about the first few days of camp so far for the inside receivers?
“It's going good; guys are working hard and competing. Never where we need to be, though; we need more consistency. Guys will occasionally have two or three good days and then all of a sudden will have a day where they have a drop or a penalty or something. That's stuff you have to eliminate. You've got to be a consistent player and someone we can count and trust.”
Wednesday was the team's first scrimmage; how do you think it went?
“I think offensively we moved the ball and did some decent things. My guys inside made a few catches out there. I thought we blocked pretty well on the perimeter. We had one guy have a drop and one guy had a penalty. We played basically half of a game right there, and again, it goes back to what we were talking about; in preseason camp those are things you have to eliminate.”
One of the big tasks is replacing Sterling Shepard. How has it been trying to replace his production?
“Well again, we're not there yet. We've got some guys who have some solid days and make some terrific plays at times, but we just need more consistency. That's what made Sterling Shepard such a great player; he was consistent and you could count on him. When you can do those things you become really good players.”
It's been mentioned that the receiving corps may be better as a whole this year. Do you think it will?
“I think so. I think the ball will definitely be spread around more. Again, we have some young guys in the system who have a year to a year and a half under their belt now, so it's time for guys to start stepping up and becoming 'that guy.' There's a lot of talent out there. We'll definitely be better as a whole than we were last year because of the youth that we had behind our starters last year. These guys who are second-year players need to come on.”
One guy fans may not know who has been getting praise is Nick Basquine. What have you seen from him?
“Nick had a great spring and performed at a really good level. He's someone who has a huge heart. It's extremely important to him and when you have characteristics like that and you work hard, typically good things happen. He's got a great story of growing up here in the state and turning down other offers to come to school here. He's going to end up helping us this year.”
As the team's director of recruiting, what's behind all the momentum right now with your 2017 and 2018 classes?
“We've got a bunch of guys on the staff who are working their butt off. We have some youth on the staff; I'm the oldest guy on the offensive side of the ball now at 44 years old. You've got guys who take it upon themselves to do their job and work hard, and we do a great job as a group working together. And good things happen. When you win football games and help with facilities, it's just a great combination of things.”
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