Press Conference: Wiggins, Hemphill react to A&M's first five fall practices

The following are live, paraphrased notes from Tuesday’s media availability:

Holmon Wiggins

• Any good coach will tailor everything to the players and personnel they have. We have really good pieces and are starting to figure some things out.
   
• Terry Bussey came in with a lot of praise from Timpson and was the Gatorade Player of the Year. The biggest handcuff has been injuries. He was figuring out how to play WR and has a hamstring injury. He brings a different dimension to what we want to do. He is picking up exactly what we are trying to do.
   
• Rueben Owens II cares. He doesn't feel like he played to his standard. He has built his body and body balance. This spring, this summer, and in fall camp, he has put himself in a good spot.
   
• There is competition all over the place, and we talk about running the ball consistently. The OL has done a great job taking on the stress.
   
• For us, it's important that you can change the launch points because we play some animals in this league. We are taking back the advantage.
   
• Coen Echols is a smart player. He is a high-try guy. It’s been great to see Coen manifest some of the things he wants to do here.
   
• The stable, as a collective, is a tremendous group. Owens has grabbed the bull by the horns. Jamarrion Morrow is quick, fast, and tough. Tiger Riden is a guy who shocked me when he came in. He has injuries, and now you've seen him. He gives us change as a big back. KJ Edwards has been healthy and has gained weight. He is lighting a bottle. Carysn Baker has done a phenomenal job.
   
• Marcel Reed has stayed steady. He is studying and getting extra film. We are trying to tailor everything to his skillset. He is taking command because that comes with experience and time on the job.
   
• Coach Nick Saban used to say it's hard to be a great coach if you don't have great players. We have to put in the best 11 out of different packages. We will find ways to get playmakers on the field. 
   
• Calling plays in spring games has helped. I did so at Alabama one year, and I was running the ball a lot. Saban said, “You are calling plays like an OL coach.”
   
• We knew Madden Williams had elite traits. Aaron Gregory has positional flexibility. Jayden Warren is playing more powerfully. I'm excited about that young group of wideouts.
   
• Houston Thomas is a big athletic pass-catching TE that can double in the run game. He has done a great job of building his body to be in this league. He is a great guy who gives us a threat in the pass-catching and in the run game.
   
• I want to make sure I'm present. Know and see what the guys are doing. We have really good clay. We have a QB with SEC experience and an OL with SEC experience.
   
• Having Joey Lynch has been great. He has been a coordinator in this league and with QBs. You see Reed’s growth. He knows the offense will go as he goes.

Lyle Hemphill

• Linebackers have improved. I didn't know how physical Noah Mikhail would be, and he has had a physical camp.
   
• Ray Coney is everything I thought he would be. He is a loose, athletic and thumper. He is going to be a hell of a player.
   
• We have havoc makers up front. Just take thinking off their plate and just let those guys go.
   
• Anto Saka is a physical kid. He can run fast, and he is violent. He is playing both sides. I am really pleased with his progress.
   
• At nickel, we have a 3-4-guy competition. Jordan Shaw played a lot late in the year. Bravion Rogers and Bryce Anderson have played there for us and are doing a lot so far.
   
• We have a good problem run. Julio Humphrey has gotten more confident. Dezz Ricks is back and doing well. Throw Rickey Gibson III in the mix, and young guys are in the mix. 
   
• Daymion Sanford is a grown man. He has been a complete pro about this. He stays locked in. He is not getting all the reps he wants to yet. He is getting really close to 100 percent.
   
• Right now, I am neck-deep in it, trying to get these guys as good as they can. How do you take a step in trying to meet our goal? All eyes on the mission.
   
• We have worked on... We caught more balls this offseason than last. We have worked tirelessly at that. We have amped that up so much. We are seeing the results of our work.
   
• DJ Hicks had a really good season last year. He is one of the better DTs I've seen. We brought in a couple of transfers. We have some competition and good depth there. We are in a pretty good situation there.