Head Coach Todd Graham
Opening Statement:
"We have had a great summer in the weight room, running, and developing our guys. The last couple of weeks we have been locked down as a staff. We have just had a great two weeks as a staff preparing for the season and working to get ready for camp. Excited to go back up to Camp T, excited to be starting up there. That is going to be awesome for us first thing out of the bat. Really focusing on our team unity and what Camp T brings is really special. Our guys have worked extremely hard. It is an awfully exciting time when you look outside and see the field go in. I got an opportunity to talk to the construction workers yesterday. Some awesome things happening out there and a lot of excitement around our program. I am really excited about our players. We have had a great summer of work and I am excited to get started and put all the pieces together."
On what realizations he came about the program during the offseason:
"It is pretty easy in this profession, it is W's and L's. That is how it works. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last four years. We haven't met the standards that we set for ourselves, but we have done some pretty special things. You look at what our guys have done on and off the field and in the classroom. We had our four best years academically in school history. A 990 APR for the year, the best GPA in school history. 34 wins in four years is one of the best periods ever. We access all the things that are positive. I spend more time on the things that we didn't do and how to get better. People are what makes an organization and I feel good because we are going into year five. Our guys have a better understanding of our values in our program and what we are about. Understanding our schematics and how we are doing things. I am really excited about our staff. We have had a great two weeks of what we call hide-a-way. Lock it down, no cell phones or any of that and we just talk ball. We don't go eat lunch, we have everything brought in. It has been good to spend that time. We did a lot of accessing, reevaluating and doing all the things to try and constantly get better at everything that we are doing. A lot of things to be proud of, a lot of things to be excited about. In our business it is obviously wins and losses that you are going to be evaluated on. Here at Arizona State it is more important how we go about doing things and I am really proud of what we have been able to establish as a program. The values and success of the guys that are leaving our program."
On the transition with the new members of the coaching staff:
"We are going to have a new quarterback and four new offensive lineman. On the same hand we have a lot of talented young men that have worked extremely hard. We have a veteran receiving corps, running backs, and tight ends. We are deeper than we have probably ever been at almost every position, but there is also some inexperience there. It really speaks volumes about our program and how people think of our program with the guys we have been able to attract the guys we have attracted here. Coach Lindsey, Coach Norvell, Coach Simon, the new guys on offense have created a seamless transition with Coach Thomsen, Coach Alexander and Coach Martin there. I am really excited about the leadership. On defense having Coach Seumalo, Coach Rushing, and Conrad Hamilton who has really provided as an analyst which has been really impressive so far. Staff wise has been awesome. Coach Patterson has taken an elevated role defensively. Coach Slocum and his special teams as well. The staff has been fun. There is a little bit of excitement and a little bit of energy. I am excited to see us get out there and go. There is no substitute for experience. What we are trying to do as much as we can is be as complex as we can in our organization to make simplistic for operations when it gets to game time. We have spent a lot of time together and I know one thing, I have enjoyed the men that I brought on our staff as well as the guys that have been here and we have great staff synergy and I think that is really key. The guys like each other."
On the leadership qualities of his players:
"We talk to our players a lot about what we say and do. I want guys to be genuinely who they are and I think last year was just an exception. Last year, Jordan Simone, you are not going Coach a guy like that very often. A tremendous young man and Mike (Bercovici). D.J. (Foster) didn't say as much. Different people lead in different ways. Some of our leaders on our team like Laiu (Moeakiola) are guys that are naturally quiet. The personality of our team is a little less external. Our guys will be genuinely who they are. Are goals are pretty much written on the wall. Our goals are what they are and it doesn't bother me that our guys aren't out there writing letters. I talk to our players a lot about our fans. We wouldn't be here if we didn't have fans that bought tickets and people that support our program. We represent them. We are going to do it with class, character, and integrity. That is what we emphasize to our guys every year. I don't try to make them subdued, I just want them to be genuinely who they are. That is how we approach that. We got knocked on our can, we better get back up and get back at it. Lots of positive things as far as that goes. I look at the leaders on the team, you don't have a returning quarterback so that impacts that a little. Our guys are just a little bit quieter. Some of them we have to twist their arm to come in and talk to you guys."
On the factors that resulted in giving up big plays…
"It depends on the situation and what game you're looking at. We did not have many big issues with it until the end of the season. I think injuries really contributed to it and what happens with the injuries is about how you adapt to it. Depth and personnel play a lot into it and the main thing is being adaptive to the guys that we have and what we can do with their skills and talents. It's a really explosive league and there are going to be some bombs going down the field and you have to be able to knock those down and not let those things happen."
On Kareem Orr moving from safety to corner…
"When we recruit our defensive backs, a lot of those guys can play corner and safety. (Kareem) Orr played safety last year and he did a solid job for us as a freshman. We really like some of the things we see in him at corner and right now that's where we feel like we are going to look at him. It is a clean slate right now and we will figure it out further as we go through camp. Getting our guys in the right positions is really critical to us, and the offensive line and the secondary will have the most newcomers. We feel good about the guys we have, we just need to get them in the right spots"
On needing to simplify things this season…
"I think that is probably one of the biggest things we need to adapt to. We are going to have four new offensive linemen. So we need to figure out that line of being able to execute but still keeping things simple. We had to deal with injuries last year, and that hurts you but you have to be able to plan for those things. It will depend on our players but we have a lot of veterans in different areas. The offensive line and the secondary will definitely has the least experience. We have to adapt to what we are doing and we have to draw that line to figure out what we will be doing. Our main goal is to coaching these guys from the heart, mind and body. At the end of the day, what is important, is to design a scheme that fits your players. I like the energy of our players, their attitude and I like the brotherhood that they have. We are going into year five and that's really positive because I like the synergy we have and I really feel good about where we are as a coaching staff. It's going to be exciting."
On what he looks for in assessing the potential quarterbacks…
"I had Taylor (Kelly) in here yesterday and we were talking about that. Obviously, Coach Lindsey and all of our talented coaches on offense will have a big input in that. Performance will have a lot to do with it, but at the end of the day, it comes down to the guy who will be able to elevate the other ten guys on the field. It will be the guy who can take his team down and score. I'm excited that I have been able to see how each one has progressed over the summer. Taylor and I have talked about how hard he has worked and how much he has improved over the summer. The number one factor going into who will quarterback our team, will be the guy who can activate the others on the team and lead them. That is something you can see visually and you can see the respect. That is not something that is built in one day or one scrimmage. It is collectively what you do in your entire body of work. That is why I have a lot of confidence. I think the grown men we have at that position are very well respected because of their work ethic, and their character on and off the field. It is going to be fun to watch. Four days into camp with Taylor is when he really started to separate. When he moved, he really moved up. We gave him four days to max out his reps. He improved all summer long, not only in those four days. Performance is important, but we really want a guy who can elevate the performance of the other ten guys on the field. The guy will have what I call the "It factor" and the intangibles to lead our team."
On drawing similarities from 2012…
"If you're not learning, you're moving backwards. We pride ourselves on always improving on everything and we have great self-awareness. To be honest, I don't think too much about 2012 or 2013. Tim and I reflect a little bit on where we are right. I would have liked to win the championship in 2013 but there are always going to be things that you would want to be better. Yes, we are going to have a new quarterback but coming to work every day is nothing like it was in 2012. Most of the guys who were here would tell you the same thing. Back then, they didn't know me and they tried to get used to the way I talked and the way we would do things. Things are completely different. I like our guys' attitudes. We have spent a lot of on our relationships. I stand up here at this time of year and I say we are going to be in a lot of close football games and we have to win those close football games. We have been accustomed to winning those and we have to get back to winning those."
On the inexperience of the defensive and the complexity, and Laiu Moeakiola moving back into the secondary…
"He's a very smart player, very instinctive player. He has done a great job for us. Character smart and discipline tough is what we're looking for from our guys. Kareem (Orr) has solid experience back there; (Armand) Perry has solid experience, James (Johnson), Chad Adams. We have quite a few guys with experience in the secondary. We have some new comers were excited about, and they are very talented. Laiu is an example of what our program is all about. Young men that I know when he moves forward I know what he is going to do. He's going to win every day. I'm not talking about scoring points or winning contests, but how he lives his life. What an example. We have a lot of strong examples on our team this year, which is the difference, not like we didn't have it before. There is nothing new what we are doing and we established some values. When I think about Laiu I think about our values and how blessed I am to be coaching."
On maturing of offensive and defensive line and people who redshirted..
"Yeah, there is quite a few guys. If you're talking about the offensive line, we have quite a few guys. Steve miller is a guy we are excited about his progress. Other guys like Cody, Mason, and Zack. So, we have quite a few. Redshirt wise, George is a guy on the defensive line. Renell Wren that had limiting playing time that we are excited about, Jalen Bates as well so there is quite a few."
On Chris Thompson and the offensive line…
"The biggest thing that gives me confidence is that he is on the finest people I have ever been around. I tell people including pastors he would be in the top three best people I know on this planet. That's what I think of him. You have to be around him to understand what I'm talking about. He's a master teacher. Who he's the most like, It would be Tom Landry. He doesn't get very animated very often; he just does a tremendous job. He and his wife, we love doing this. It is a blessing it is to do what we do. He really fosters a family, and offensive line is a unique possession. How he develops those guys, it amazes me because he goes about it in such a different way. He's the guy when I want to go watch someone I go watch him because I'm fascinated by how he does it. He can just look at them and he can get a lot of response from them. He's not a scary guy or opposing guy, I think they just respect him that much. He is just a guy that you have a lot of respect for. Anyone I know in coaching I have more respect for then him."
On the coaching staff seamless transition…
"That was one of the things that was important. We wanted to go into year five and not starting over in year one. I think that the more we can be on the same terminology helps. But overall as a person, when you go to put together a staff, you are really looking at diversity and talents. And what we need. We needed a coordinator that was obviously a great developer of quarterbacks. We believe in the teaching model, and we wanted a guy that loved our players and we take a certain approach on how we do that. We have one vision and one way how we do that. That's been really great for our players. I think that's been seamless, but I think that chip as well as jay and john have really brought a lot to the table that improve what we had. Chip has coached quarterbacks and developed quarterbacks his whole career. That's something we thought was very important. He learned in our family. Jay Norvell, we have a history, he was with Coach Cassidy in Nebraska, and jus the background and the place he has been. He is a dynamic leader. John is familiar with our scheme because he worked with Coach Lindsay. And T.J. his familiarities been here, and we kind of groomed him so that's been pretty smooth. You want to hire people you know and first and foremost great men and great teachers. I do think that there are things that you look through there and build on the things you have and improve on things and I think we have done that. We obviously will see and see how it works."
On areas of the team that are strengths…
"I like the speed of our team in the skill positions. Every year I say pretty much the same thing. I like our team, I like their attitude, and I like the edge they have about them. They know that we underachieved and they are a little bit PO'd about it. I come to work and I like where we are at. We have some talented guys. Our running backs are an area of strength. The improvement and the depth we have added and what we have done at tight end. At running back it's not just our top tier guys, but the development of guys like Nick Ralston. I am excited to really take a look at what Gump (Hayes) brings at that position as well. Our freshman class is really good. Top to bottom is just as good as or probably better than anyone we have had. I am excited to see those new freshman. We have some pretty talented guys at receiving corps. We are excited about that group. I have confidence in our guys. What I am making sure of is that we are doing the things that we need to be doing as a staff. There is no substitute for experience. If you don't have any experience then you give the talk about how experience doesn't matter. Experience matters. We have a very experienced staff, we just haven't worked together. We are making sure we have all of that down. Everybody understands how we do it and the uniqueness of what we do. I think our players know that. I think they are anxious and excited to get rolling. The thing I like is that they have a little edge about them. These guys care about each other they want to do what we set out to do here. I like the defensive line, I think 2013 was the last time we had the capabilities of really impacting the quarterback but we've done it in different ways. I like that group, (Tashon) Smallwood, JoJo (Wicker), Ami (Latu). I can go on and on about the guys behind them. I am excited about Koron Crump. Koron Crump may be as fast as any guy we have. That is pretty exciting. I like the veteran guys like Salamo (Fiso) and Laiu (Moeakiola). I am excited about our special teams. I went back and looked at our special teams, we had a turn over or two and one big return or so. We have a lot of guys with quality experience. I like this senior bunch because they have seen it turn, they came in and where apart of turning it, they've gotten real close and tasted it, and they've been knocked down. Our mental maturity is really good. I like our team, I like their focus. They have an edge about what they are doing and how they are going about doing it, and they want to be great."
On rumblings of eliminating kickoffs in college football due to injuries…
"I don't make the rules. I let them make the rules. One of the things we focus a lot on is the safety of our players, and it is important how we go about teaching the game. I think that is something that is very important to us. On the same hand I don't worry about things that I can't control. They make the rules. I am somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to the game, but I am not a traditionalist in doing something that hurts our players. This is a very physical and tough sport. I am for anything that can make it safer for our players and preserve what I think is the greatest game on earth. One of the coaches asked that me the other day about it, and I said if they make that a rule I will go by it. Ultimately we will see what happens with that."
On Coach Graham's thoughts on Camp Tontozona…
"Obviously academically is one of the reasons why because of where the calendar ends. I think we are going to have technology up there. I hope we don't have technology up there. We need to do our school work so hopefully we have that worked out. I would have probably always preferred to start there. I love getting away and getting out of here and getting those guys up there. I just like it being us up there working in the mountain. I wish we could spend two weeks up there. We are a ways from being able to do that. In this day in age I think it's a great tradition and something that we should honor. I love the fans and Saturday. It is just one of the most unique settings I have ever seen. For them not have their phones or any electronics, while sitting around the campfire singing the fight song is something special. I think going up there is just something very unique. When we are walking up Mount Kush and I always talk to them about all the great men who have walked up that mountain since 1960. It is something that's pretty cool. I think our guys really like it. It is going to be more vital this year. It is just a neat time. I wish we could spend more time up there because it really allows you to focus and lock everything out. I love Camp Tontozona, and that is why we are starting up there. It is out of preference really."
Opening Statement:
"We have had a great summer in the weight room, running, and developing our guys. The last couple of weeks we have been locked down as a staff. We have just had a great two weeks as a staff preparing for the season and working to get ready for camp. Excited to go back up to Camp T, excited to be starting up there. That is going to be awesome for us first thing out of the bat. Really focusing on our team unity and what Camp T brings is really special. Our guys have worked extremely hard. It is an awfully exciting time when you look outside and see the field go in. I got an opportunity to talk to the construction workers yesterday. Some awesome things happening out there and a lot of excitement around our program. I am really excited about our players. We have had a great summer of work and I am excited to get started and put all the pieces together."
On what realizations he came about the program during the offseason:
"It is pretty easy in this profession, it is W's and L's. That is how it works. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last four years. We haven't met the standards that we set for ourselves, but we have done some pretty special things. You look at what our guys have done on and off the field and in the classroom. We had our four best years academically in school history. A 990 APR for the year, the best GPA in school history. 34 wins in four years is one of the best periods ever. We access all the things that are positive. I spend more time on the things that we didn't do and how to get better. People are what makes an organization and I feel good because we are going into year five. Our guys have a better understanding of our values in our program and what we are about. Understanding our schematics and how we are doing things. I am really excited about our staff. We have had a great two weeks of what we call hide-a-way. Lock it down, no cell phones or any of that and we just talk ball. We don't go eat lunch, we have everything brought in. It has been good to spend that time. We did a lot of accessing, reevaluating and doing all the things to try and constantly get better at everything that we are doing. A lot of things to be proud of, a lot of things to be excited about. In our business it is obviously wins and losses that you are going to be evaluated on. Here at Arizona State it is more important how we go about doing things and I am really proud of what we have been able to establish as a program. The values and success of the guys that are leaving our program."
On the transition with the new members of the coaching staff:
"We are going to have a new quarterback and four new offensive lineman. On the same hand we have a lot of talented young men that have worked extremely hard. We have a veteran receiving corps, running backs, and tight ends. We are deeper than we have probably ever been at almost every position, but there is also some inexperience there. It really speaks volumes about our program and how people think of our program with the guys we have been able to attract the guys we have attracted here. Coach Lindsey, Coach Norvell, Coach Simon, the new guys on offense have created a seamless transition with Coach Thomsen, Coach Alexander and Coach Martin there. I am really excited about the leadership. On defense having Coach Seumalo, Coach Rushing, and Conrad Hamilton who has really provided as an analyst which has been really impressive so far. Staff wise has been awesome. Coach Patterson has taken an elevated role defensively. Coach Slocum and his special teams as well. The staff has been fun. There is a little bit of excitement and a little bit of energy. I am excited to see us get out there and go. There is no substitute for experience. What we are trying to do as much as we can is be as complex as we can in our organization to make simplistic for operations when it gets to game time. We have spent a lot of time together and I know one thing, I have enjoyed the men that I brought on our staff as well as the guys that have been here and we have great staff synergy and I think that is really key. The guys like each other."
On the leadership qualities of his players:
"We talk to our players a lot about what we say and do. I want guys to be genuinely who they are and I think last year was just an exception. Last year, Jordan Simone, you are not going Coach a guy like that very often. A tremendous young man and Mike (Bercovici). D.J. (Foster) didn't say as much. Different people lead in different ways. Some of our leaders on our team like Laiu (Moeakiola) are guys that are naturally quiet. The personality of our team is a little less external. Our guys will be genuinely who they are. Are goals are pretty much written on the wall. Our goals are what they are and it doesn't bother me that our guys aren't out there writing letters. I talk to our players a lot about our fans. We wouldn't be here if we didn't have fans that bought tickets and people that support our program. We represent them. We are going to do it with class, character, and integrity. That is what we emphasize to our guys every year. I don't try to make them subdued, I just want them to be genuinely who they are. That is how we approach that. We got knocked on our can, we better get back up and get back at it. Lots of positive things as far as that goes. I look at the leaders on the team, you don't have a returning quarterback so that impacts that a little. Our guys are just a little bit quieter. Some of them we have to twist their arm to come in and talk to you guys."
On the factors that resulted in giving up big plays…
"It depends on the situation and what game you're looking at. We did not have many big issues with it until the end of the season. I think injuries really contributed to it and what happens with the injuries is about how you adapt to it. Depth and personnel play a lot into it and the main thing is being adaptive to the guys that we have and what we can do with their skills and talents. It's a really explosive league and there are going to be some bombs going down the field and you have to be able to knock those down and not let those things happen."
On Kareem Orr moving from safety to corner…
"When we recruit our defensive backs, a lot of those guys can play corner and safety. (Kareem) Orr played safety last year and he did a solid job for us as a freshman. We really like some of the things we see in him at corner and right now that's where we feel like we are going to look at him. It is a clean slate right now and we will figure it out further as we go through camp. Getting our guys in the right positions is really critical to us, and the offensive line and the secondary will have the most newcomers. We feel good about the guys we have, we just need to get them in the right spots"
On needing to simplify things this season…
"I think that is probably one of the biggest things we need to adapt to. We are going to have four new offensive linemen. So we need to figure out that line of being able to execute but still keeping things simple. We had to deal with injuries last year, and that hurts you but you have to be able to plan for those things. It will depend on our players but we have a lot of veterans in different areas. The offensive line and the secondary will definitely has the least experience. We have to adapt to what we are doing and we have to draw that line to figure out what we will be doing. Our main goal is to coaching these guys from the heart, mind and body. At the end of the day, what is important, is to design a scheme that fits your players. I like the energy of our players, their attitude and I like the brotherhood that they have. We are going into year five and that's really positive because I like the synergy we have and I really feel good about where we are as a coaching staff. It's going to be exciting."
On what he looks for in assessing the potential quarterbacks…
"I had Taylor (Kelly) in here yesterday and we were talking about that. Obviously, Coach Lindsey and all of our talented coaches on offense will have a big input in that. Performance will have a lot to do with it, but at the end of the day, it comes down to the guy who will be able to elevate the other ten guys on the field. It will be the guy who can take his team down and score. I'm excited that I have been able to see how each one has progressed over the summer. Taylor and I have talked about how hard he has worked and how much he has improved over the summer. The number one factor going into who will quarterback our team, will be the guy who can activate the others on the team and lead them. That is something you can see visually and you can see the respect. That is not something that is built in one day or one scrimmage. It is collectively what you do in your entire body of work. That is why I have a lot of confidence. I think the grown men we have at that position are very well respected because of their work ethic, and their character on and off the field. It is going to be fun to watch. Four days into camp with Taylor is when he really started to separate. When he moved, he really moved up. We gave him four days to max out his reps. He improved all summer long, not only in those four days. Performance is important, but we really want a guy who can elevate the performance of the other ten guys on the field. The guy will have what I call the "It factor" and the intangibles to lead our team."
On drawing similarities from 2012…
"If you're not learning, you're moving backwards. We pride ourselves on always improving on everything and we have great self-awareness. To be honest, I don't think too much about 2012 or 2013. Tim and I reflect a little bit on where we are right. I would have liked to win the championship in 2013 but there are always going to be things that you would want to be better. Yes, we are going to have a new quarterback but coming to work every day is nothing like it was in 2012. Most of the guys who were here would tell you the same thing. Back then, they didn't know me and they tried to get used to the way I talked and the way we would do things. Things are completely different. I like our guys' attitudes. We have spent a lot of on our relationships. I stand up here at this time of year and I say we are going to be in a lot of close football games and we have to win those close football games. We have been accustomed to winning those and we have to get back to winning those."
On the inexperience of the defensive and the complexity, and Laiu Moeakiola moving back into the secondary…
"He's a very smart player, very instinctive player. He has done a great job for us. Character smart and discipline tough is what we're looking for from our guys. Kareem (Orr) has solid experience back there; (Armand) Perry has solid experience, James (Johnson), Chad Adams. We have quite a few guys with experience in the secondary. We have some new comers were excited about, and they are very talented. Laiu is an example of what our program is all about. Young men that I know when he moves forward I know what he is going to do. He's going to win every day. I'm not talking about scoring points or winning contests, but how he lives his life. What an example. We have a lot of strong examples on our team this year, which is the difference, not like we didn't have it before. There is nothing new what we are doing and we established some values. When I think about Laiu I think about our values and how blessed I am to be coaching."
On maturing of offensive and defensive line and people who redshirted..
"Yeah, there is quite a few guys. If you're talking about the offensive line, we have quite a few guys. Steve miller is a guy we are excited about his progress. Other guys like Cody, Mason, and Zack. So, we have quite a few. Redshirt wise, George is a guy on the defensive line. Renell Wren that had limiting playing time that we are excited about, Jalen Bates as well so there is quite a few."
On Chris Thompson and the offensive line…
"The biggest thing that gives me confidence is that he is on the finest people I have ever been around. I tell people including pastors he would be in the top three best people I know on this planet. That's what I think of him. You have to be around him to understand what I'm talking about. He's a master teacher. Who he's the most like, It would be Tom Landry. He doesn't get very animated very often; he just does a tremendous job. He and his wife, we love doing this. It is a blessing it is to do what we do. He really fosters a family, and offensive line is a unique possession. How he develops those guys, it amazes me because he goes about it in such a different way. He's the guy when I want to go watch someone I go watch him because I'm fascinated by how he does it. He can just look at them and he can get a lot of response from them. He's not a scary guy or opposing guy, I think they just respect him that much. He is just a guy that you have a lot of respect for. Anyone I know in coaching I have more respect for then him."
On the coaching staff seamless transition…
"That was one of the things that was important. We wanted to go into year five and not starting over in year one. I think that the more we can be on the same terminology helps. But overall as a person, when you go to put together a staff, you are really looking at diversity and talents. And what we need. We needed a coordinator that was obviously a great developer of quarterbacks. We believe in the teaching model, and we wanted a guy that loved our players and we take a certain approach on how we do that. We have one vision and one way how we do that. That's been really great for our players. I think that's been seamless, but I think that chip as well as jay and john have really brought a lot to the table that improve what we had. Chip has coached quarterbacks and developed quarterbacks his whole career. That's something we thought was very important. He learned in our family. Jay Norvell, we have a history, he was with Coach Cassidy in Nebraska, and jus the background and the place he has been. He is a dynamic leader. John is familiar with our scheme because he worked with Coach Lindsay. And T.J. his familiarities been here, and we kind of groomed him so that's been pretty smooth. You want to hire people you know and first and foremost great men and great teachers. I do think that there are things that you look through there and build on the things you have and improve on things and I think we have done that. We obviously will see and see how it works."
On areas of the team that are strengths…
"I like the speed of our team in the skill positions. Every year I say pretty much the same thing. I like our team, I like their attitude, and I like the edge they have about them. They know that we underachieved and they are a little bit PO'd about it. I come to work and I like where we are at. We have some talented guys. Our running backs are an area of strength. The improvement and the depth we have added and what we have done at tight end. At running back it's not just our top tier guys, but the development of guys like Nick Ralston. I am excited to really take a look at what Gump (Hayes) brings at that position as well. Our freshman class is really good. Top to bottom is just as good as or probably better than anyone we have had. I am excited to see those new freshman. We have some pretty talented guys at receiving corps. We are excited about that group. I have confidence in our guys. What I am making sure of is that we are doing the things that we need to be doing as a staff. There is no substitute for experience. If you don't have any experience then you give the talk about how experience doesn't matter. Experience matters. We have a very experienced staff, we just haven't worked together. We are making sure we have all of that down. Everybody understands how we do it and the uniqueness of what we do. I think our players know that. I think they are anxious and excited to get rolling. The thing I like is that they have a little edge about them. These guys care about each other they want to do what we set out to do here. I like the defensive line, I think 2013 was the last time we had the capabilities of really impacting the quarterback but we've done it in different ways. I like that group, (Tashon) Smallwood, JoJo (Wicker), Ami (Latu). I can go on and on about the guys behind them. I am excited about Koron Crump. Koron Crump may be as fast as any guy we have. That is pretty exciting. I like the veteran guys like Salamo (Fiso) and Laiu (Moeakiola). I am excited about our special teams. I went back and looked at our special teams, we had a turn over or two and one big return or so. We have a lot of guys with quality experience. I like this senior bunch because they have seen it turn, they came in and where apart of turning it, they've gotten real close and tasted it, and they've been knocked down. Our mental maturity is really good. I like our team, I like their focus. They have an edge about what they are doing and how they are going about doing it, and they want to be great."
On rumblings of eliminating kickoffs in college football due to injuries…
"I don't make the rules. I let them make the rules. One of the things we focus a lot on is the safety of our players, and it is important how we go about teaching the game. I think that is something that is very important to us. On the same hand I don't worry about things that I can't control. They make the rules. I am somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to the game, but I am not a traditionalist in doing something that hurts our players. This is a very physical and tough sport. I am for anything that can make it safer for our players and preserve what I think is the greatest game on earth. One of the coaches asked that me the other day about it, and I said if they make that a rule I will go by it. Ultimately we will see what happens with that."
On Coach Graham's thoughts on Camp Tontozona…
"Obviously academically is one of the reasons why because of where the calendar ends. I think we are going to have technology up there. I hope we don't have technology up there. We need to do our school work so hopefully we have that worked out. I would have probably always preferred to start there. I love getting away and getting out of here and getting those guys up there. I just like it being us up there working in the mountain. I wish we could spend two weeks up there. We are a ways from being able to do that. In this day in age I think it's a great tradition and something that we should honor. I love the fans and Saturday. It is just one of the most unique settings I have ever seen. For them not have their phones or any electronics, while sitting around the campfire singing the fight song is something special. I think going up there is just something very unique. When we are walking up Mount Kush and I always talk to them about all the great men who have walked up that mountain since 1960. It is something that's pretty cool. I think our guys really like it. It is going to be more vital this year. It is just a neat time. I wish we could spend more time up there because it really allows you to focus and lock everything out. I love Camp Tontozona, and that is why we are starting up there. It is out of preference really."