PROVO, Utah – On Monday the BYU football team started its second week of spring ball outside on the practice field.
The following are quotes from the postpractice media availability.
Head Coach Kalani Sitake | video
On the quarterbacks this year
I like the competition. I like that they all have a high sense of confidence and that's because they've worked hard. Now, we’ve got this great competition going on and we're seeing the best out of them every day. So, I think their job is to make it really hard on us as far as who to choose. So far, they're doing a good job at it. It’s just nice to have a bunch of guys that can play at a lot of different positions. It definitely helps out when they're playing quarterback. So, we'll keep it rolling. I'm just proud of those guys and the professionalism that they have around each other and around the team, and the high competitiveness that they have. It's been a good example for the rest of the guys that are competing for spots right now too.
On Mick Hill’s retirement
It’s just going to be really hard to say goodbye to Mick. He was here when I was a player. So, I'm really thankful that I got to be the head coach, and that he was in the equipment room with us. It just goes to show that the type of people that are around our players, and how much of an impact they have on our lives. And so, all these great mentors that we've had, that I've been able to have, as player, and seeing them impact other's lives, and specifically with our football players, it's just a great sight to see. I’m really thankful for the things that Mick has done in all his years of service, decades of service. We're going to miss him. He's always welcome back here. It’s his home. We're thankful for all the work that he's done, the sacrifice and the lives that he's influenced here.
On what makes BYU special
You have the opportunity to grow and learn. The fact that BYU is hard is the key. It's a difficult place as far as academics; it’ll test you in academics. Obviously, we're going to put you in an uncomfortable position in football and try to get the most out of you in football. And then you have to commit to a lifestyle that's unique and different than anywhere else out there in the country. So, I think we hang our hat on the fact this is going to be a tough go at it, but you're going to learn a lot of great things about yourself.
It's very similar to what you do on a mission. We loved our missions, those that serve missions, because it was hard and because there's so much growth that took place in those two years. I think there's an opportunity for these young men here, whether you're here for four-five years or two years or even one year as a transfer. It’s a great opportunity for them to grow and get better. And we feel like our culture is built on love and learning. I think you can really thrive for those guys who are looking for a way to test themselves and get better.
Defensive Back Malik Moore | video
On what he’s seen so far at camp
I’ve seen all great things really. The team is for sure coming together. There are a lot of big spots to fill but it's not an issue really. Everybody is getting his assignments down and we are looking really good.
On having Coach Ed Lamb with the safeties
It's been great. He knows what he's talking about. He’s a guy that focuses on getting your alignment assignment flawless. Just like we had Preston Hadley last year as our safeties coach, it's not really a big difference. They both preach alignment assignment and the little things. So it’s always the little things that matter the most with them. But it's been great. I'm learning a whole lot. Right now, especially my pad level. My pad level was an issue. So just those little things make me 10 times better. I’m glad that he focuses on those other things and wants you to get better, each and every day.
On what he’s worked on in the offseason
Me personally, I worked on a lot of footwork, a lot of footwork drills. You know, cutting and being able to open up my hips. I noticed my hips are a little tight. So, I'm just working on being able to open up quicker, my pad level and working on cuts. Of course, alignment assignments so there's no breakage and learning every single position on the field as well.
That's, I think, the most important right now for me is learning every single position. Knowing what everyone's doing so that our defense can do a whole lot more than what they can do right now. And just being a contributor. If nickel goes down, I'm gonna go in. If the corner goes down, I can go in. Just being versatile and getting those other things right.
Quarterback Jacob Conover | video
On what this spring has been like for him
You know this spring has been so exciting. It’s my first time in competition with the other quarterbacks and it's just been so excited to be finally into it. You know last year I was getting home from my mission, working on the scout team, and that was a blast. I enjoyed every moment. But now, it's time to shine, and just rock and roll.
I think we have a really good quarterback unit, as a whole. Every person brings their own talents and abilities. What I really like is we learn from each other, and there's open feedback. No one's closed off from one another. So, it's a super healthy competition, even though obviously everyone wants to be the guy. So, everyone’s got that in the back of their head, but it's a really healthy competition right now.
On what it means to be at BYU
I think sometimes I take for granted that I get to wake up every day and do something I love. To be here finally at the university and with the education and the football, it's literally living a dream that I've planned out since I was just a young kid. It’s funny, my dad and I look back and since like third grade, we had every year mapped out all the way up to now. It’s just cool to finally be here and to make dreams become a reality.
On his experience last year
It was pretty crazy getting here two days before school started, in the fall semester, and just getting thrown into the fire. What was awesome for me was to learn under Zach Wilson. Obviously, he's doing something right. He's gonna be a first-round draft pick. So just being able to learn from him, and just dive into the playbook. I know a lot of kids who graduated in my class are just getting here now, and they're learning now, but I had a full season to learn from Baylor Romney, from Jaren Hall, from Zach, from coach Aaron Roderick, and just really take advantage of the opportunity to learn. I was able to dive into the playbook. So, it's almost now like I'm coming in as a veteran.