Coach Frye + OL Talk Fall Camp
8/15/2023 1:00:00 PM | General, Football
On the offensive line mixing it up and facing strong competition
"The good news is they're running with ones and running with twos. We've got really good defensive ends here too, so we can actually get a really good taste and feel of how they can handle those guys."
On players rising up the depth chart before the season starts
"It's starting to shake itself out and guys are rising. Guys just separate at all positions, on both sides of the ball. We're competing all over, and we're getting closer."
On handling transfer players coming to the team
"They've known college football. So even with some of those younger guys that came mid year, they're really still just first year guys. So I think the speed of the game is a little slower."
On the offensive line heading into the season
“I think the overall atmosphere in the offensive line room is competition. Everyday you’ve got to give your best. Everyone is going as hard as they can and to me everybody has a great knowledge of what to do so I don’t feel a difference if one guy is next to me compared to another guy.”
On the difference of SDSU transfer Josh Simmons
“He’s made a great difference. A lot of people don’t know who strong he is. When he gets off the ball he moves people, as an offensive lineman that’s a great attribute to have, so I’m very excited to have him in this unit.”
On how different he is compared to last year
“I feel like I’m a lot more detailed in my performance. I’m not just a when in doubt, fire out type of lineman, I'm a lot more focused on aiming points and where the linebackers are.”
On facing great competition in camp
"I think it's been good. I think I'm doing well. Going against JT, Jack, Kenyatta and all those guys are getting me better every day."
On switching positions this season
"Well for me, I played right last year, so I don't think it's that big of a change. I'm comfortable there."
On SDSU transfer Josh Simmons
“He has freaky athleticism. It's kind of scary how he moves. I saw him go up against a linebacker and I thought, "that guy can move.”
On his mentality of potentially starting at left tackle
“There’s a lot of expectations. I take it with a grain of salt. I’m trying to make more progress right now and work to get better at my position.”
On who helps him through tough moments
“It’s a collective thing the entire offensive line unit helps me. That brotherhood is a real thing and we all try to help each other.”
On the adjustment of moving from right to left tackle
“It’s a pretty big adjustment. You’re going against the best defensive lineman in college football so you have to lock in to do a good job.”
On how different his body is now
“I haven’t been in a program like this. I feel like I’ve gotten bigger faster and stronger to a level I didn’t even know I could reach. Last year I was around 290lb now I’m pushing 298-300lb and it’s good weight too - more muscle.”
On what his biggest challenge was moving from left tackle to center
“Just getting in the mindset of playing on the inside instead of being on the island that tackles have. I had to get used to the physicality again. I have to block bigger bodies instead of the leaner, faster guys.”
On what he envisions his role will be this season
“It’s still not exactly 100% set yet, but I want to help this team in as many different ways as I can. Anywhere I feel like I'm needed and I want to be able to be the guy that can step in and make the switch from here to there.”
On what is different about him now from this time last year
“I'm competing like l've never competed before. I'm just coming in here every day trying to get better. I want to be the best tackle in the Big 10.”
