Between the Hashmarks: Volume 1

August 05, 2016 | Football

By: Athletics Communications

The Oklahoma football team is now two practices into 2016 Fall Camp as it preps for the upcoming season. In the first installment of "Between the Hashmarks," read about early impressions and goals from junior quarterback Baker Mayfield, junior safety Steven Parker and Offensive Coordinator Lincoln Riley.

JUNIOR QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

How much better of a quarterback are you now than this time last year?
"It's completely different. Not only is my knowledge of the game better, but my mindset coming into this year allows me to kind of cut it loose, whereas last year I was a little up tight with the battle. So now I can just be myself. And knowing the game better in year two of Coach (Lincoln) Riley's offense, I have more of a relaxed feeling going out there, doing my job and helping everybody else."

You lost two starters on the offensive line, including your center. What's your prediction for that group this year?
"Yeah, we did lose some key leadership in Nila (Kasitati) and Ty (Darlington), but those three guys coming back (Jonathan Alvarez, Orlando Brown and Dru Samia) have a lot of experience. They know what to expect and they were there playing almost every game last year. I think they're going to be better than last year; bigger in size, stronger, more physical. So I expect a lot more."

How is your role different this training camp compared to last year's camp?
"I was always a vocal guy and was always a leader last year, but now I take on a bigger leadership role with the whole team. You lose keys guys on defense like Charles Tapper, Eric Striker and Zack Sanchez — they were very vocal on defense — and now I kind of have to take a little bit more of that responsibility to show everyone how it's done and how we should hold each other to a high standard."

It's early, but who are some guys you think will have a significantly elevated offensive role this year?
"Jordan Smallwood, Nick Basquine, Jarvis Baxter, Jeff Mead and A.D. Miller are some of the names that immediately come to mind."

Who do you think will surprise on defense?
"I think 'Obo' (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo). It's kind of his first opportunity to be the main pass rusher. I'm interested to see how the corners play. I know Dakota Austin's over there playing the opposite side of Jordan Thomas right now. And inside, Tay Evans at linebacker I think is going to be a name people learn pretty quickly."

Now that Striker and Sanchez are gone, who are your main trash-talking targets going to be in practice?
"I'll be talking to Jordan Thomas, Ahmad Thomas, Steven Parker and Jordan Evans. And every once in a while Matt Dimon loves to get into it, so I'll have to give it back to him. Doing that just elevates the competition, and you always want to compete when you're coming out here good-on-good. You're trying to make it more like a game situation; you want to practice like you play."

JUNIOR SAFETY STEVEN PARKER

Steven Parker

Do you feel your leadership role has changed now that you're an upperclassman?
"I have more of a leadership role, and I'm trying to take it upon myself to be more of a leader and more vocal with the defense."

What's one thing you really tried to improve upon during the offseason?
"I've always been in good shape but I've really worked on staying in shape and being more of a vocal leader. That's been the biggest thing throughout winter and spring. I'm focusing on my stance and trying to get ready for this year."

What's your biggest personal goal during camp?
"My biggest goal for camp is working on that leadership role and getting our defense to play as a unit. I just want to be an all-around leader on and off the field for the team and be one with the team to make sure we're all on the same page."

Who is someone new that you expect to make a big impact this year?
"A lot of people have seen Will Johnson before, but I really think he's going to have a tremendous year along with our secondary. Another guy is Tay Evans. He's kind of new filling up that linebacker role, but I think Tay is going to have a spectacular year as well."

Who do you see stepping up to replace Zack Sanchez?
"J.T. (Jordan Thomas) will definitely be the one to step into that role that Zack played. He's switched over from right to left so he'll be quarterback side for the most part. I think he's really going to take on that role, and I know he's taking it on himself to be a better player and to get better every day. I've seen him put it on himself to lead the pack and be a vocal leader for the corners like Zack was for the secondary. He's really just trying to take on that leadership role and be the guy for all the younger guys."

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR LINCOLN RILEY

What were your thoughts on the opening day of training camp?
"I thought it was good. They were in good shape; you could tell they had a good summer. They flew around and we got a ton of reps. Good energy, which you would expect on the first day; a lot of excitement. Some new guys showed some flashes, so it was a good first day."

As an offensive coordinator, what are you focusing on during these first few days of camp?
"Fundamentals and getting the base package installed. And then also trying to get to the point with these young guys where we can start to evaluate if they're going to be ready to help us this year. And then obviously with our older guys, who's made the biggest improvements in the summer? Like Orlando Brown and some of those other guys last summer, who had a great summer and has really taken some big steps from spring ball?"

How much different is the start of camp this year versus the start of camp last year when you had to install a whole new offense?
"It's a little smoother. We're further ahead certainly in the scheme; guys are a little bit more comfortable with signals and terminology. There are not nearly as many busts. But still when you come back on the first day there are some bad habits that develop over the summer when we're not there watching. There are things to clean up, so we're just doing our best to mold the group together. It's a good starting point, though, that's for sure."

Is there anything with the offense that you'd like to expand from last year to this year?
"You may expand some, you may not. It depends on how the personnel shakes out and what we become. We'll evolve like we did last year, but yeah, we do expect to be more consistent. We've shown the ability to be explosive and play good ball at times, but the x-factor for us will be how consistent we get. That's what we're really pushing the guys on."

What is it going to take for someone to replace the void left by Sterling Shepard and Durron Neal?
"Well I don't know if it's going to be one person. It's going to take the group as a whole to be productive. We don't really care how many guys it takes; we know last year Shep got a good share of them. But the key is at the end we're more productive as a group than the group was last year. That's what we're focusing on. Not just one guy, but everyone has to pick their game up and we have to be stronger across the board."

What have you seen so far from the offensive line that had to replace key guys?
"They're good; like everybody they're further ahead. We've got some experienced guys now who have played in the system a little bit and are leading the charge. I like our newcomers. I like Ben Powers, Cody Ford, Ashton Julious. Erick Wren is not a newcomer but he's really done a nice job for us. Quinn Mittermeier is another guy who I think is starting to step up. Bobby Evans is another guy we're anticipating will have a good camp. I like the guys that we have filling in the pieces, and we'll get some good leadership from those three guys that played a lot last year."