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

So we talked a lot with Coach [Mike] Gundy and just now can with Coach [Joe Bob] Clements about the defense and who is calling plays and all that. In what ways does that have an impact on you guys on game day? Or by that point, is whoever is calling plays kind of secondary? No pun intended.

Game days is a little more secondary. And the lead-up so far has just kind of been ‚Äì practice has been a little bit different without Coach [Jim] Knowles. He’s such a vocal guy. So we’ve had to really rally around each other and put faith in the coaches.

But as far as play-calling goes, they created a system for us, and the same plays that we have been running all year are the same plays they are going to call. So as players, you just try to go out and execute the calls the best way you can.

Kolby, when you are in practice like that, I know you mentioned how Coach [Jim] Knowles was so vocal. Is there one of the coaches or somebody who kind of steps in and takes that vocal role at all during these practices?

To this point, it’s been kind of more whatever position room you are in, that coach kind of just takes control of his group. It’s not somebody that stepped up and really led vocally.

I think we got ‚Äì Joe Bob [Clements] alluded to it. I think we have a lot of leaders on this team. I’m pretty loud at practice. Malcolm [Rodriguez] comes in and his energy is always great at practice. We have got a group that really enjoys being around each other, and it’s made going out there and practicing easier and it’s made it more fun. I think we are going to be ready to go on Saturday.

As a follow-up, I know Jason Taylor mentioned last week you as one of those guys who brings that energy in practice. How are you taking responsibility to keep that up without Coach [Jim] Knowles?

Just trying to have fun and playing music out there, trying to dance, trying to keep guys energetic. You framed that question nicely. I heard somebody ask: Is Kolby always talking? (chuckles.) And the answer is, yeah, man, I really enjoy being out there.

I enjoy the group of guys that I’m around. These are my friends. And when you are having fun, playing the games, it’s a lot easier and everybody makes more plays. And I just try to step up and be that vocal leader without Coach Knowles here.

Back home, your basketball team is getting waylaid by COVID. A couple of games have been affected. Other bowl games have been affected. Just curious, are you going to be relieved to actually be on the field and get this game in this weekend, given everything that’s going on again with this deal?

With the season we had, I think we put ourselves in a position that me personally I haven’t been in since I been here to play in a bowl game, New Year’s Six bowl game.

But I think, yeah, with COVID and everything that’s going on, we are here trying to take the precautions in order to get to Saturday. I hope we play on Saturday ‚Äì I think that’s when we play, on Saturday, right? If I am going to keep saying that. I don’t want to sound stupid (chuckles).

Yeah, we are taking the precautions to try to get to Saturday. Ultimately, playing in the game is the payoff for all the hard work we put in. And to go out there and play a great team like Notre Dame, it will be fun. Playing is why we all here. All of this is nice, but playing is why we are all here. Ultimately we have to get there.

You saw this with Iowa State and multiple tight ends. What is different for you when you play a team, an offense, that the tight end is their go-to guy as their number one receiver?

I think when you play against a really good tight end ‚Äì and 87 [Michael Mayer] for them, he’s really good in the pass game. He’s also really good in the run game. He’s a great blocker.

They bring an edge to the offense that when a team runs a lot of spreads, you can kind of hone in on the pass and try to make sure that you cover well in the backend. When you add that element of a tight end that can catch passes well as well, they are just versatile and it makes you have to always know where he’s at and always account for him on the field.

Kolby, COVID has made eligibility a weird deal. Have you decided if this is going to be your last game at Oklahoma State or not? And what would go into that decision, if you haven’t?

I still have yet to decide. I’ve been more focused on just trying to get to the game and enjoying this time with my brothers.

And when I go into it, I will talk with friends and family and ultimately make my decision sometime here pretty soon, whether it’s after the bowl or within the next couple of days.

And then what did it mean to you to be named an AP All-American –

That means a lot. I grew up a huge college football fan and a big NCAA 14 fan, and playing that road to glory. You always want to be an All-American. You always want to win the Heisman. I didn’t win the Heisman while I was here. But being All-American is a great honor, and I’m glad I was able to check something off my list that I wanted to do while I was at college.

I was going to ask about your future, but you answered that. Tanner [McCalister] and Jayden [Jernigan] entered the (transfer) portal and are kind of figuring out their future. Do you become kind of a recruiter again to maybe keep them there, or what do you talk to them about?

No, I just kind of support them in whatever decision they are going to make. They are my brothers before they are my teammates. For whatever reason they want to be in the portal, I’m going to support whatever decision they make.

So there’s not been too much talk about whether they should leave or whether they should stay. I have just been kind of going through this whole process enjoying my time with them. If they happen to leave, I am going to enjoy my time with them while they are here.

It was less than a year ago when you withdrew your name from the NFL draft. And now you are sitting here as Oklahoma State’s leader in interceptions and have helped guide them to a New Year’s Six bowl appearance. Looking back, how tough was that decision? And now how rewarding is it to make that decision and be where you are today?

It was tough at the time. After I made the decision, I felt like I had a weight come off my shoulders. And then I was just able to lock in on playing ball at Oklahoma State again. I went through this whole process, went through this whole season, enjoy the season.

Feel like in the end, coming back paid off. Got to have a great season. And moving forward, obviously I have another decision to make. But I’m glad that I came back. I could spend more time with my teammates and this coaching staff I have grown to love. Ultimately, I’m glad I made the decision I did.