We are set to speak with Jarquez Hunter, Malcolm Johnson Jr., Zion Puckett and Cam Riley here momentarily. Follow along for all your updates. Happy Friday!
ZION PUCKETT
- Says he feels comfortable adjusting to being a leader now in the secondary.
- Identifying coverages, assignments and going live is what he's looking forward to tomorrow's scrimmage.
- On Caleb Wooden: They have a good relationship. He's helping him adjust to college.
- Playing weight is around 215 right now. He's dropped 7-8 pounds.
- On being healthy: "I feel good. I feel like I got what needed to be fixed done." Can go out and not worry about injury.
- On Kaufman: "He's someone that comes in day in and day out and works hard." It's also Zion's roommate.
- On Etheridge: "He feels like a big brother. I go to him for anything ... being able to talk about things other than football."
- He feels like being all over the field has helped him a lot. Says it has helped with knowledge of the game.
- He loves the responsibility of getting people lined up. One of the captains of the whole team.
- Takes pride in keeping up the tradition of good players in Auburn's secondary.
- On learning about himself playing linebacker: "That COVID year was hard on everybody. I was down at the beginning of the season a little bit ... but it was a blessing to have the coaches believe in me that I can play in different part of the field."
- Expects it to be a very unique group. You can put the 3 groups and they love to compete.
Malcolm Johnson Jr.
- On transition and progression: Being out in the fire and having to adapt has really helped him a lot because he's had to learn a lot faster.
- On preseason competition: "It's definitely challenging. We also learn a lot from our receiver coach (Ike). It's a fun competition."
- Says Ike never raises his voice.
- On learning from Ike: "He's taught us a lot about leverage. Seeing coverages. The concept of plays. There's just so much we've learned and have to learn."
- Says he has learned a lot about playing wide receiver this year.
- On giving up senior season and enrolling early: "Since that year didn't count, I didn't think I had anything to lose." - Real tough adjustment.
- On playing with different QBs: "I think they are all really talented. They are competing right now so we are getting the best from each of them."
Jarquez Hunter
- Biggest adjustment is that he knows he will play a lot more this year. Means he has to pay more attention to detail.
- On goals for season: "I want to make my practice habits like I'm playing in a game." Make sure you are accountable.
- On skills working on: "My balance."
- Says he will be using him and Tank more in different situations.
- Says he is in same situation as his coach (Cadillac) because the running back room is full of talent.
- On Sean Jackson: "His footwork is good."
- On Damari Alston: "His cuts in and out. He's a physical player." Thinks he is ready to contribute.
- Mentions the team is coming closer together than last year.
- On early success: "I was ready to get the ball. I wanted to get it."
- On running backs catching the ball: "It's going to be a big part. Gets us one-on-one with linebackers."
- On Tank: "He makes sure we do things right on the offensive side of the ball."
Cam Riley
- On being 230-235 and playing linebacker: "It feels good." Says he feels more beefy. Feels different, bigger.
- On tackling Tank: "He's a powerful back. It helps me out." Says he's the best back in the country. Has all the attributes you want a back to help.
- On being a backup and now a starter: "It helped me out in the long run being behind Zakoby. You know he's a legend." Says he learned a lot from McClain.
- Says playing in bowl game was valuable.
- What is C-Rob like playing for? "He focuses on technique and fundamentals. He's cleaned up my footwork, eyes and hands."
- On Donovan Kaufman: "He's just a freak overall. He just shows up in every play."
- On having Owen in the room: "It feels good to have someone like him. He's a student of the game. He's going to make sure we know everything. Spends time with us studying."
- On becoming a student of the game: "It's changed. I have no choice (as a starter) but to know the playbook."
And that's it for the players.
ZION PUCKETT
- Says he feels comfortable adjusting to being a leader now in the secondary.
- Identifying coverages, assignments and going live is what he's looking forward to tomorrow's scrimmage.
- On Caleb Wooden: They have a good relationship. He's helping him adjust to college.
- Playing weight is around 215 right now. He's dropped 7-8 pounds.
- On being healthy: "I feel good. I feel like I got what needed to be fixed done." Can go out and not worry about injury.
- On Kaufman: "He's someone that comes in day in and day out and works hard." It's also Zion's roommate.
- On Etheridge: "He feels like a big brother. I go to him for anything ... being able to talk about things other than football."
- He feels like being all over the field has helped him a lot. Says it has helped with knowledge of the game.
- He loves the responsibility of getting people lined up. One of the captains of the whole team.
- Takes pride in keeping up the tradition of good players in Auburn's secondary.
- On learning about himself playing linebacker: "That COVID year was hard on everybody. I was down at the beginning of the season a little bit ... but it was a blessing to have the coaches believe in me that I can play in different part of the field."
- Expects it to be a very unique group. You can put the 3 groups and they love to compete.
Malcolm Johnson Jr.
- On transition and progression: Being out in the fire and having to adapt has really helped him a lot because he's had to learn a lot faster.
- On preseason competition: "It's definitely challenging. We also learn a lot from our receiver coach (Ike). It's a fun competition."
- Says Ike never raises his voice.
- On learning from Ike: "He's taught us a lot about leverage. Seeing coverages. The concept of plays. There's just so much we've learned and have to learn."
- Says he has learned a lot about playing wide receiver this year.
- On giving up senior season and enrolling early: "Since that year didn't count, I didn't think I had anything to lose." - Real tough adjustment.
- On playing with different QBs: "I think they are all really talented. They are competing right now so we are getting the best from each of them."
Jarquez Hunter
- Biggest adjustment is that he knows he will play a lot more this year. Means he has to pay more attention to detail.
- On goals for season: "I want to make my practice habits like I'm playing in a game." Make sure you are accountable.
- On skills working on: "My balance."
- Says he will be using him and Tank more in different situations.
- Says he is in same situation as his coach (Cadillac) because the running back room is full of talent.
- On Sean Jackson: "His footwork is good."
- On Damari Alston: "His cuts in and out. He's a physical player." Thinks he is ready to contribute.
- Mentions the team is coming closer together than last year.
- On early success: "I was ready to get the ball. I wanted to get it."
- On running backs catching the ball: "It's going to be a big part. Gets us one-on-one with linebackers."
- On Tank: "He makes sure we do things right on the offensive side of the ball."
Cam Riley
- On being 230-235 and playing linebacker: "It feels good." Says he feels more beefy. Feels different, bigger.
- On tackling Tank: "He's a powerful back. It helps me out." Says he's the best back in the country. Has all the attributes you want a back to help.
- On being a backup and now a starter: "It helped me out in the long run being behind Zakoby. You know he's a legend." Says he learned a lot from McClain.
- Says playing in bowl game was valuable.
- What is C-Rob like playing for? "He focuses on technique and fundamentals. He's cleaned up my footwork, eyes and hands."
- On Donovan Kaufman: "He's just a freak overall. He just shows up in every play."
- On having Owen in the room: "It feels good to have someone like him. He's a student of the game. He's going to make sure we know everything. Spends time with us studying."
- On becoming a student of the game: "It's changed. I have no choice (as a starter) but to know the playbook."
And that's it for the players.
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