Press Conference: Jimbo Fisher and a trio of A&M players speak to the media

The Aggies are rolling strong through fall camp as they continue to prepare for the 2020 season. On Thursday afternoon, Jimbo Fisher, Carson Green, Isaiah Spiller and Ainias Smith each addressed the media during week two of camp.

Videos courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.

The following are live, paraphrased notes from head coach Jimbo Fisher's press conference on Thursday.

• The first thing about it being the third year under Elko’s system is that we’ve recruited a couple of classes. Hopefully, they fit in. Two, your older guys have learned how to fit in better. It creates a lot more continuity. You see that on the field. There’s maturity, and guys know what to do. Guys know where to fit in. They know the calls, the checks. In today’s game, there is a lot of movement and hurry-up offenses. This allows for continuity. We have a saying on our team, “We’re fighting for the inches.” If the offenses can get you out of position, they can win those battles. Hopefully, we can find those inches.
   
• I like where we’re going at running back. Isaiah Spiller is coming back. With Ainias Smith, he had a great bowl game. Those two bring back experience. The young guys are jumping in there. Devon Achane runs strong. Connor Blumrick has moved over there. Earnest Crownover is a big back. Darvon Hubbard has a lot of power and a lot of skill. Deondre Jackson is the same way. I’ve been impressed with their learning curve so far. I like that group. We have more guys back there, but the scholarship guys have done an excellent job. They’ve taken advantage of the practices.
   
• Camron Buckley suffered a season-ending ACL injury. He had surgery yesterday. Everything was clean in there. He will miss the year. He was a guy he knew the offense and was a great leader for his team.
   
• At receiver, we’re doing an excellent job. Our young guys are coming on. We have a good group in there now. I’ve been very pleased — the ability to run and make plays have been terrific. We will mix in tight end sets. That’s something I like to do, and it creates mismatches all over the place. We have guys who can catch and can block.
   
• On the defensive line, the guys have done more than flash. DeMarvin Leal can do everything on the inside and on the outside. The young guys with McKinnley Jackson, Isaiah Raikes and Dallas Walker; we’re pleased with all of them. We think they’re all going to be good football players. I’ve very pleased our staff recruited those guys.
   
• I’ve balanced the carries and had a feature back. We had guys like Dalvin Cook and Trayveon Williams. Other times, like when we won the national championship, we had three backs. It all depends on what the game plan dictates and their skillsets. It’s better to have a lot of guys, especially at that position, because injuries occur. This is going to be a tough, physical season with ten SEC games.
   
• Giving guys more carries doesn’t make them less attractive to the NFL. There are so many guys. Dalvin is a pro and fixing to have another huge contract. You can’t stereotype everyone because they’re all different. I want one that plays really, really good. The NFL probably wants one that’s really, really good.
   
• The knowledge of recognition and understanding calls is growing. For Isaiah Spiller, it was his first year in the system last year. He had a tough time deciphering through the calls. They get it now. It allows them to know who their assignment is and pick them up closer to the line. Their technique gets better too. Knowledge and the ability to keep learning has helped a lot.
   
• The offensive line is doing a solid job. They’ve had their moments against a strong defensive line. As a coach, you want them to win every time, but you also want them to get beat in practice because it means the defensive line is doing a good job. They’re doing their jobs. We have some good young players here. I think all the guys we signed are going to be good players. Blake Trainor and Layden Robinson are both big and physical. I think they can be good down the road. I’ve been pleased with Luke Matthews’ progress. He’s been very good at center and makes the right calls. That’s a tough position. That’s great. Kenyon Green, Smart Chibuzo and Josh Bankhead have been good as well.
   
• We got married here in town. It was a big ceremony: It was her, I and the preacher. We had a COVID wedding. I’m very blessed to have a great bride in Courtney.
   
• Myles Jones has led the corners. He’s running well and in great shape. Travon Fuller, Clifford Chattman and Elijah Blades have been great. I’m happy with the guys we signed. Brian George has been good. Josh Moten does a good job of competing. They’re all competing — a lot of contested balls and battles. At safety, Keldrick Carper and Leon O’neal are playing well. Erick Young is playing well at both corner and safety as well as nickel. I’ve been pleased, and the competition has been good. They can play multiple positions. We have work to do because we have new guys in there. The new guys can’t handle all of the checks, but we’re mixing them in. I love the athleticism and ball skills. We have a lot of chances to get interceptions and recover fumbles. A lot of times we overlook ball skills on defensive.
   
• Micheal Clemons has been outstanding. Physical, big. Tyree Johnson and DeMarvin Leal have been outstanding. Donell Harris has burst and has gained about 20 pounds since he got here. Fadil Diggs is strong and heavy-handed. Braedon Mowry as well. We have moved them. We can speed rush you and power rush you. It’s a good group.
   
• For the kids playing in high school, there’s not a purer thing in the world. It means so much in this state too. I’m glad those kids get to play and fulfill their dreams. I’m very excited for the kids to have this season. I’m excited to watch it. We’re moving in the right direction, and I believe college football kicks off this weekend. That’s a great sign that we’re heading in the right direction.
• Our players are very aware of what’s going on. We have conversations about what’s going on. We have had discussions. The kids are aware of things, and we all want equality for everybody. That’s what we all want for ourselves, for our children, for our players and for everyone in this world.