Buckeyes Talk With Media Ahead of Michigan State Matchup
11/9/2023 9:42:00 AM | Football
On his competitive drive
"It's just in me. Since I was a kid, I've always hated to lose. So I just try my best and try to win in everything I do."
On how valuable playing time is as a freshman
"It's very valuable. It's big for any freshman to get on the field and get to see some time, especially when you've got veterans in front of you that have been playing their whole career."
On playing in his first night game at home
"I can't wait to wear the [alternate] jerseys. I'm super excited. It's just like any other game though, just taking it play-by-play."
On his injury..
“I'm proud of the way I handled this injury and I'm thankful for the people who are in my corner during it. You could ask anyone in the facility, I would be here at 7 a.m. and I would leave at 9 p.m. and I wasn't doing anything physical, I was all just doing rehab on my ankle. I was so determined to play for Penn State, I knew I wouldn't make it back for Purdue, but I knew Penn State I had a shot, and a shot was really all I could ask for. Coach Hartline felt like Carnell and Xavier Johnson are nothing short of amazing players who are more than capable of stepping in and having a huge impact. They've done a great job over this over this last month and they're going to continue to be able to do a great job and I know they're a special part of this offense and we're going to get them involved in any way that we can.”
On having to miss games and his experience from the sidelines..
“I'm grateful to be here and I'm grateful to be playing again. Football is probably my biggest passion. It really put a lot of stuff into perspective. What was harder than all the hours in the rehab was having to watch from the sideline. I was doing my best to be the supportive teammate that they needed. I was trying to produce a ton of energy on the sideline and just be engaged in that way.”
On the matchup vs Michigan State
“They’re going to go out there and fight. It’s not going to be an easy game and they're going to throw everything at us. As long as we just stay within the game plan and trust our technique and do what we know, I think we will be good.”
On playing with Jack Sawyer
“Jack goes hard every play. He brings the energy and I can feed off of it.”
On the connection on the defensive line
“It all comes from how much we love each other as a brotherhood. And it shows out there. Brotherhood is the stronghold of this team and you can see we have so much fun out there and we just love playing with each other.”
On the play of TE Patrick Gurd…
“It starts with just showing up every day with no expectations other than trying to get better. And this is somebody who came in with no scholarship and he's earned his way on the field. When you're in a walk-on situation, you have to earn everything you get and he's done that and he's earned the respect of the guys on the team. He's a physical guy, he's a tough guy, and no nonsense. And when you play that position, it takes time to learn all the job descriptions and its good to see him on the field and good to see him participating, and certainly making an impact on the offense.”
On DE Jack Sawyer…
“There's a physicality that's being brought and a mentality that's being brought every day. This is an Ohio guy who understands what it means to be a Buckeye. I think he might have been the first recruit that committed in that whole class. And he knows what it means and he knows how special this place is, and he embodies everything that this program is about and you just see that on a daily basis and in his attitude every day when he comes in. He works hard and you're seeing him play that way.”
On WR Emeka Egbuka…
“He's worked hard to get back into the lineup and we want him playing his best football here in November. He was ahead of schedule and you can see that. He wanted to get back a few weeks ago and it’s great to have him back and we're gonna keep trying to figure out ways to have him back into the lineup.”
On getting a chance to play as a freshman
“I feel like I put myself in that position. I worked hard to get there and then when I got to the moment, I didn’t play as well as I thought I should have. Coach Knowles thought he did what was best in that situation and what was best for the team in that moment.”
On how comfortable he feels now in comparison to his first game
“I think I kind of settled in, being in the game environment a lot more. That was the first home game I got to see the fans. I just started to acclimate and get used to it and the guys support me and they trust me so that’s a big factor.”
On teammate and fellow freshman Jermaine Matthews
“I love Jermaine. He brings the energy. I’m a little more calm and he’s a little more flashy but that’s my brother from Cincinnati. He is a great player and he’s going to continue to be a great player. We didn’t talk a lot in Cincinnati but when we got here we were roommates, we butted heads a little bit at first but that comes with being roommates.”
On Patrick Gurd getting a chance to make plays
“It’s awesome. Me and Pat are pretty good buddies too off of the field and just to see him keep working and keep his trust in God throughout the past couple of years and finally get a shot to play is amazing. He’s the type of guy who I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a scholarship after this season so I think he’s earned everything. He’s a great guy and I’m just super happy for him.”
On the importance of setting the edge
“It’s huge. If you don’t have an edge set then that’s when explosives happen, that’s when the ball starts running 10, 15, 20 yards down the field before you can make a tackle. It’s really important to set edges, not only at the defensive end but to set edges at the three technique or if you’re a linebacker filling a gap. I think it’s pivotal on the defensive side of the ball to set edges.”
On talking to his dad and now having a bigger role
“He’s excited for me, definitely proud as well. But being able to talk about schemes more and everything, it’s just getting another viewpoint, especially with him having the defensive side.”
On difficulty in his journey
“Definitely freshman year [the 2020 COVID season]. I know that was difficult for a lot of people as well, but just kind of getting everything below my feet and getting started. But this team made me into who I am today and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
On TE coach Keenan Bailey
“Keenan’s mindset has definitely helped me a lot. I enjoy coming in and being able to talk with him just about little things whether that’s the footwork or hands striking or past concepts and understanding where the linebackers could be and how that can affect the overall defensive scheme.”
