Aug. 28, 2012
DT Chris Whaley
On switching from running back to defensive tackle: I probably would have told you that wouldn't have happened. I had my mind set on playing running back, never thought that I would change and play defense.
On if coaches ever mentioned former DT Henry Melton when he switched: None of the coaches did, but I had a lot of the players tease me. When I first came in a lot of the players teased me that I was just like Henry Melton in changing from running back to defensive end and now he is making starting for the Chicago Bears. So I had a lot of comparisons to him, and they would always tease me about it and then I was moving to defense.
On how he feels at the tackle position: I actually feel real comfortable. [Defensive tackles] Coach Bo Davis took me in and treated me the same as the other guys. I get the same amount of reps as the other guys get, and this is such a wonderful opportunity to go over and be able to play.
On if the transition was difficult: Not really. The guys took me in and helped me out a lot. I had Kheeston Randall, he was an upper classman when I first moved over, and he took me in and taught me everything. Coach Davis is a great coach and also taught me how to do everything. So I never felt out of place and always just felt at home.
On this move opening future doors: I had one coach mention that to me, and he just said that this is a great opportunity for me and to keep working hard. And that is all I really just want to do. Keep working hard and hopefully I can do the same thing.
On what his reaction was when coaches mentioned changing positions: Actually none of the coaches ever said anything to me about playing defensive line. It just happened that I went to go talk to Coach Brown about it. We talked about it for a little bit and then tried it out. It was really a little bit of my idea and also strength and conditioning coach Jeff Madden.
|
|
 |
RB Malcolm BrownOn if they're excited to go against a team other than Texas: We're all excited to go against another team. Do what we've been working on all summer and all of fall camp.
On who will take the first snap at running back: There's not really a set starter. It's more of a rotation. You can put any of us in, it just depends on what the play is for who technically starts the game. So it's not really a set starter.
On if there is a set rotation: It really doesn't matter. Just maybe if a guy gets in the rhythm, then he'll stay in. Once he gets tired, other guys will jump in. Keep going like that. If the second guy gets into a rhythm, he'll stay in. When he's a little tired, then on to the next one.
On how many plays it takes to get in rhythm: I really don't even know. It's just something that kind of gets on you during the game. Maybe about two or three plays, then you start feeling yourself a little bit. Feeling that offensive line. Connecting with them.
On the responsibility of the running backs when they are on the sideline: Just stay close to the coaches. Watching out for your teammates. Seeing if he's getting a little sluggish or anything like that. Then just waiting on [co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach Major] Applewhite to roll us in. That's pretty much it.
RB Joe Bergeron
On if he feels the running backs as a group can rush for 1000 yards: I do. You don't really see a lot of backfields with not just three, but actually four when you include Jeremy [Hills], with four good running backs that can acutally tote the ball like that so ... it's going to be a hassle to prepare for all of us because each of us brings something different to the table. We all have different styles. I am more of a power back. Malcolm [Brown] is a power with speed, he has good cuts. J[ohnathan] Gray, you know, he has speed, he has cuts and Jeremy is the same way. We are all powerful, and we can all read. If we couldn't, we wouldn't be here. So, that is a little difficult to plan for. You have no idea who they are going to throw out in different packages. So us getting 1000 yards, I say will be pretty easy.
On how close the running back group is outside of football: We are pretty close. Everyone has each other's numbers. We are always in everyone's dorm room or apartments and we go out to eat all the time. We laugh and joke and you have to because that is your teammate. That is who is going to be next to you on the field on Saturday nights. You don't want to be standing out there with a stranger that you don't really know.
On RB Johnathan Gray: He has been really impressive. It is easy for a freshman to come in and get lost in all the hype with playing in front of 100,000 [people] and the speed of the game. It is easy to get caught up and fall behind everyone else, but he has picked it up pretty good. I see a lot of potential in him.
