Oklahoma State Cowboys College Football Pregame Quote, 12/28/2021

I wanted to ask, since Coach [Jim] Knowles has left, I know you’ve worked closely with Tim Duffie for a while. What has it been like working with him in practice, and how have you seen him step up since Knowles has been gone?

I mean, he stayed the same. He expected a lot of us. He’s been the same all year. He’s raised the standard this year, I believe. I just feel like he’s more locked in and more focused because he knows that we don’t have Knowles. So we’re expecting him to lead us in a big way.

Brock [Martin] had mentioned that Joe Bob Clements has stepped into a play-calling role during practice. Is that how it’s been most of the time, or has it switched off? How has that gone with the coaches in practices?

I mean, it’s been like how Brock said. It’s been him kind of leading, but other guys have put their input in and we’ve just been going that way.

The same question I just asked about the closeness of your two losses, an inch or two here or there in those two games, and you guys are unbeaten. Do you beat yourself up about that? Are you able to put it behind you? How do you mentally deal with coming so close in those two games?

Now, I mean, it’s kind of behind us. There’s nothing we can do. But in the moment, yeah, we were hurt. We wanted the game ‚Äì well, both of them, for sure. It’s just something you’ve got to deal with and keep going and move on, and you can’t sit and dwell on it because life is going to keep going.

Back to Coach [Tim] Duffie and the way the defense has gone, one thing I’ve noticed about him at practice throughout is how much of a stickler he is for details. Talk about his coaching style and how that’s made you a better player.

I think, like you said, he focuses on details a lot. And I feel like that’s really helped me elevate my game, because I feel like the details are important. Because if you miss the details, then you’re not going to get the big picture. And Coach Duffie always tells us to focus and make the small things the big things so that you’ll have success.

So I feel like he’s really helped me in that way and he’s a great coach. And he develops his players by the small details, and I think that’s what is key.

When you pack your stuff and leave the stadium Saturday night, the season is over. What are you going to miss most about this particular team?

The chemistry, for sure. I’m going to miss how close we are and how much we blend together outside of football and on the field. I feel like this year I built a lot of relationships with guys that I usually don’t talk to. So I’m definitely going to miss that for sure.

I assume most teams have that chemistry going for them, but was there a unique level of that? Did you have a unique feel for that with this particular squad?

Yes, sir, I do. I feel like this is the most close-knit team that I’ve been a part here in my four years. I feel like it’s really helped us be successful.

You’re one of only two student-athletes at OSU in the pre-vet program to become a veterinarian. How difficult is it to balance both school and having a football career, with OSU going to Fiesta Bowl?

It’s pretty difficult. I’m not going to lie. It’s very challenging, but our staff here helps us and makes things easier on both the academic side and the football side. So working with them, it’s been a challenge, but it’s also been ‚Äì not a breeze, but it’s been kind of slight, I should say. So thanks to our staff on both sides.

You have the opportunity to return, should you choose. Have you made that decision yet? And if not, what will kind of go into it?

I haven’t made my decision yet. I’ve been focused on Notre Dame and going out here to give my all for my teammates this one last game. But after that, I’m just going to talk to my family, friends, and go from there and make the best decision for myself.