We are set to speak with Eku Leota, Ja'Varrius Johnson and Oscar Chapman here in a few moments. Follow along for all of your updates.
Ja'Varrius Johnson
- On what's camp been like for wide receivers under Ike: "We are just trying to find our rhythm. Trying to find who will be ready to play."
- On receiver group: "I think it has improved a lot." We've got some new guys (transfers and newcomers) that have stepped up. Mentions Tar'Varish Dawson has stepped up.
- On decision to come back: It was about back building a relationship with the team. To come back physically and mentally ready. He stands with Harsin.
- On Koy Moore: "He can really catch the ball. You can put him anywhere and he's going to be very good." Very good route runner.
- On progression of Finley: "He's become more of a leader, vocal leader. He's taken his game a lot farther by being a leader."
- On steps to become productive: "Next step is to find my role and be able to improve." Says he has been working on being a better route runner and know all of the defensive coverages he might face.
- On Harsin's comments about he could have been more productive last season: "I just take it day by day. He said there was room for improvement."
- Thinks it is pretty cool to get catches from different quarterbacks while they are competing.
- Again on Ike Hilliard: "He really knows the game. He's been there. He's done it."
- On true freshman receivers: "They all came ready to go." Mentions Camden has been working. "He's legit." Omari Kelly is also brought up, someone he played against in high school.
- On him and Ike both being laid back, says it kind of helps the relationship having same personality.
- Said he entered the transfer portal the first time because he had a hard time going on, talking it through with his family.
- On receivers making more big plays: "Each of us have it in us."
- It's a very big difference coming from a small town to a big university.
Eku Leota
- On transition from first year to second year: "It's been great. I feel like, this offseason, I have really mastered the scheme." Said he is playing a lot faster. Got to build chemistry with his teammates.
- On where he could improve from last season: "
- "They both do a good amount of coaching". - on Derick Hall and Roc
- On Roc: "He knows how to bring the intensity."
- "They can't double team everybody." - On Derick's comments that he expects more double teams this season.
- On Joko working with EDGEs: "He's doing really well. Always in the meeting room asking questions. I think it it starting to click with him."
- On new chop block rule: "It's good to have a rule that helps the defense. You don't have to worry about getting chop blocked outside of the box."
- On adding Marcus Bragg to the room: "I was actually the one who hosted Marcus. He's a smart player. He works hard. Adds another veteran to the room which helps." Says he leads by example. He's still learning the scheme but you will see that pay off.
- On working against Zierer and Troxell: "They look good. Troxell was the player of the scrimmage (Friday)." Kilian is getting a lot more comfortable and he's gained some weight, so it has been harder to bull rush him.
- On team's potential to rush quarterbacks: "We are going to have a lot of sacks, a lot of pressures." Mentions secondary can lock people up to give them more time. Says chemistry on defense is really good this year.
- He felt like he was more of a finesse pass rusher going into camp and Roc has helped him with speed and power.
- On having Owen back: "He's one of the smartest guys I've ever played with. He's the quarterback of our defense."
- Marcus' confidence has gone up a lot. He's strong. He's going to hold a lot of double teams. Allows Owen and Cam to fill the gap. Front seven looks really good.
- On what he has seen from the QBs: "I can see why it's a hard decision, because all of them can play. They all have their own strengths."
Oscar Chapman
- On goals for offseason: "Biggest thing for me was to continue to get consistency." Mentions he wants to get the Ray Guy Award.
- On being named to All-SEC team from coaches: "It's exciting. To get second to another Australian guy is tough. I know him very well."
- On getting acclimated: He said when he got here he really didn't understand anything. Chatted with former Australian punters.
- Said wow moment was the Penn State game and Bama game last year.
- On biggest factor for his success last season: "Team chemistry." - Said other players helping put him at ease, the rest of the punt team "busting their ass." Mentions Shed always being down there.
- On Shed: "He's just a leader."
- Familiar with American football before he got here? Not really. It was massive to learn the rules and what goes on. Said teammates helped him understand the rules.
- Big group chat with the players that was in the punting camp with him.
- "It's a competition. You always want to beat the other guy." - On facing another Australian
- Says the kicking camp is pretty brutal. All you do is kick. Worked 5 am to 5 pm 3-4 times a week.
- Says he misses the physicality of Aussie Rules football, but that rugby was too crazy for him.
- Has started to enjoy southern BBQ, collard greens. "I don't know what it is but I guess I will eat it."
- Best mustache on team? "I know mine is pretty bad..."
- Special teams has always been a big part (everyone participating) since Harsin arrived.
That is it for the three players. Have a great day, not just a good one! (I despise Tik Tok so much.)
Ja'Varrius Johnson
- On what's camp been like for wide receivers under Ike: "We are just trying to find our rhythm. Trying to find who will be ready to play."
- On receiver group: "I think it has improved a lot." We've got some new guys (transfers and newcomers) that have stepped up. Mentions Tar'Varish Dawson has stepped up.
- On decision to come back: It was about back building a relationship with the team. To come back physically and mentally ready. He stands with Harsin.
- On Koy Moore: "He can really catch the ball. You can put him anywhere and he's going to be very good." Very good route runner.
- On progression of Finley: "He's become more of a leader, vocal leader. He's taken his game a lot farther by being a leader."
- On steps to become productive: "Next step is to find my role and be able to improve." Says he has been working on being a better route runner and know all of the defensive coverages he might face.
- On Harsin's comments about he could have been more productive last season: "I just take it day by day. He said there was room for improvement."
- Thinks it is pretty cool to get catches from different quarterbacks while they are competing.
- Again on Ike Hilliard: "He really knows the game. He's been there. He's done it."
- On true freshman receivers: "They all came ready to go." Mentions Camden has been working. "He's legit." Omari Kelly is also brought up, someone he played against in high school.
- On him and Ike both being laid back, says it kind of helps the relationship having same personality.
- Said he entered the transfer portal the first time because he had a hard time going on, talking it through with his family.
- On receivers making more big plays: "Each of us have it in us."
- It's a very big difference coming from a small town to a big university.
Eku Leota
- On transition from first year to second year: "It's been great. I feel like, this offseason, I have really mastered the scheme." Said he is playing a lot faster. Got to build chemistry with his teammates.
- On where he could improve from last season: "
- "They both do a good amount of coaching". - on Derick Hall and Roc
- On Roc: "He knows how to bring the intensity."
- "They can't double team everybody." - On Derick's comments that he expects more double teams this season.
- On Joko working with EDGEs: "He's doing really well. Always in the meeting room asking questions. I think it it starting to click with him."
- On new chop block rule: "It's good to have a rule that helps the defense. You don't have to worry about getting chop blocked outside of the box."
- On adding Marcus Bragg to the room: "I was actually the one who hosted Marcus. He's a smart player. He works hard. Adds another veteran to the room which helps." Says he leads by example. He's still learning the scheme but you will see that pay off.
- On working against Zierer and Troxell: "They look good. Troxell was the player of the scrimmage (Friday)." Kilian is getting a lot more comfortable and he's gained some weight, so it has been harder to bull rush him.
- On team's potential to rush quarterbacks: "We are going to have a lot of sacks, a lot of pressures." Mentions secondary can lock people up to give them more time. Says chemistry on defense is really good this year.
- He felt like he was more of a finesse pass rusher going into camp and Roc has helped him with speed and power.
- On having Owen back: "He's one of the smartest guys I've ever played with. He's the quarterback of our defense."
- Marcus' confidence has gone up a lot. He's strong. He's going to hold a lot of double teams. Allows Owen and Cam to fill the gap. Front seven looks really good.
- On what he has seen from the QBs: "I can see why it's a hard decision, because all of them can play. They all have their own strengths."
Oscar Chapman
- On goals for offseason: "Biggest thing for me was to continue to get consistency." Mentions he wants to get the Ray Guy Award.
- On being named to All-SEC team from coaches: "It's exciting. To get second to another Australian guy is tough. I know him very well."
- On getting acclimated: He said when he got here he really didn't understand anything. Chatted with former Australian punters.
- Said wow moment was the Penn State game and Bama game last year.
- On biggest factor for his success last season: "Team chemistry." - Said other players helping put him at ease, the rest of the punt team "busting their ass." Mentions Shed always being down there.
- On Shed: "He's just a leader."
- Familiar with American football before he got here? Not really. It was massive to learn the rules and what goes on. Said teammates helped him understand the rules.
- Big group chat with the players that was in the punting camp with him.
- "It's a competition. You always want to beat the other guy." - On facing another Australian
- Says the kicking camp is pretty brutal. All you do is kick. Worked 5 am to 5 pm 3-4 times a week.
- Says he misses the physicality of Aussie Rules football, but that rugby was too crazy for him.
- Has started to enjoy southern BBQ, collard greens. "I don't know what it is but I guess I will eat it."
- Best mustache on team? "I know mine is pretty bad..."
- Special teams has always been a big part (everyone participating) since Harsin arrived.
That is it for the three players. Have a great day, not just a good one! (I despise Tik Tok so much.)
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