Offensive coaches and players talk Spring practice
4/5/2023 2:01:00 PM | Football
Ohio State coaches Tim Walton and players spoke to the media on Thursday to discuss team progress through Spring practices.
On Dallan Hayden’s growth:
“I think the Dallan’s grown. This is still his first spring. He’s never been through that. He played some in the fall but he’s still maturing, he’s changing his body. He’s finally learning the game and I think he’s starting to understand just how important it is to study the game.”
On Chip Trayanum’s speed:
“At first we were, but not now, we’ve been seeing it now but the kid can run. He’s got good top end speed and he’s 230 pounds, whatever it is. But Chip’s a competitive kid and excited to have him in a room.”
On Dallan Hayden putting on weight and power:
“That’s what you want. That’s what you’re hoping for and I still think it can be better and he knows that. Just his leg strength, lower body strength, and running through contact, and running through tackles, but it’s gotten better. It’s not where it needs to be yet, but we’re also not playing yet, so that’ll continue to grow as he and the strength staff continue to build that.”
On making players versatile:
“By the end of spring, I told the guys I want to know what value each guy can bring. Today we challenged them to be versatile. Everyone knows Cade as a big dominant blocker physical leader. When he came back, I told him you don’t grow when you’re comfortable. Using him as an example, how many times can I make him uncomfortable this spring, put him in positions he hasn’t played, give them drills he’s never done, and techniques he hasn’t used before.”
On Jelani’s habits:
“The best hing he’s done is his off the field habits. Jelani and Carnell Tate are two of the first guys in here every day. At the end of the night, Jelani is in there with our GA Sean Binks, who’s one heck of a coach, and they’re going over tomorrow’s script, or they’re watching film, learning new things. So yes, he’s a big physical athletic dude and he loves football, but the best thing Jelani’s been doing is off the field habits.”
On the running back depth and addition of Chip Trayanum:
“It doesn’t faze me at all. I tell Coach Alford that I don’t care who he brings in. I want him to bring in the best competition because that’s not going to do anything but bring out the best in everyone else.”
On his attitude through his injury:
“I didn’t want to make it seem like I’m soft because that’s never the question. I’ll play for anything, I’ll do anything to be on the field with my team. I’ve been doing everything I could possibly to be on my team all last season. Whatever the outsiders say, that really means nothing to me.”
On his goals for next season:
“This year, I just want to play up to my standard again. I feel like I’m back to myself. I’m ready whenever the coaches fill me in and the trainers let me free. I’m going to do whatever I can.”
On his comfort at tight end:
“I love playing tight end. That feels like it’s home for me… I like playing there, I feel good playing there, I feel comfortable playing there now, so I’m excited to see what this year will hold for us as a team.”
On the quarterback race:
“They’re playing great right now. I trust whoever’s going to be throwing me the ball.”
On his catches at tight end last season:
“That’s a credit to the guy throwing the ball, that’s a credit to the other three guys that allow me to work single coverage. With as good of opportunities as we have and as good of players as we have, it was awesome to have the opportunity to make plays. When you fall short sometimes, that’s what you sign up for. You take it with a grain of salt and you keep going.”
On Coach Bailey:
“He’s great, he’s been good. He’s actually shocked me initially coming into it I didn’t necessarily know what to expect. But he came over and from the jump his work ethic is outmatched. He’s humble enough to ask questions. It’s not about pride. It’s about what’s best to bring the best unit out and put our best foot forward to have a great season.”
On building confidence:
“Every stepping stone that you do and making plays like that with emotion and confidence, you almost reassure yourself like man, I belong out here. This is where I’m supposed to be. I’m out here playing the game I love, gaining confidence here, and grabbing little nuggets of confidence here and there.”
