Spring Day 4: Sumlin, Beaty, Kennedy talk development

Kevin Sumlin

On how pleased he was with the energy level…

“It was good. It was warm today. It was probably 80-something degrees when we started. That’s a heck of a transition with a week off. Who knows what they did on Spring Break. Probably what everybody did as college students.

"I thought it went well. We were out there a little bit longer than usual today. Probably two hours and fifteen or twenty minutes, which I thought was good for us. We’ll go Thursday about the same and we’ll scrimmage Saturday.”

On their evaluations from over the break…

“We looked a little bit. We did a little live work, actually, Thursday before we left. Just a little bit and just to get guys a little taste of it and see what they could do. The next couple of days, we have to make sure guys have a good foundation. We've got a lot of role players moving into roles where they have to be, every down players. We've got some young guys that are thrown in there right now.

"What we would like to do is get a foundation for them to make sure they know what they’re doing for Saturday and then let them play and get the coaches off the field and see how they react in the stadium.”

On Malcolm Kennedy’s development late last year…

“I think that, just like a lot of people on our team that played last year, he’s a guy that continued to get better every week. That’s kind of indicative of last year’s team. Those guys that have been in those types of ballgames got better, obviously. His experience is going to be big for us. I think Johnny’s obviously comfortable with him. He’s comfortable with the offense.

"We look for him to continue to progress through the spring and be a leader for us. Not just on the field, but in the offseason when the coaches aren’t around and those guys are doing their own drills and he’s kind of running things with the quarterbacks, to be able to take us through the offseason and continue to progress.”

On what he looks to get out of the first scrimmage…

“Just get better. At this point, it’s really the first real scrimmage. We’ve got some new players in new positions all over the field. It’s hard to establish continuity right away. We’ll have five practices before the scrimmage. Really, what I want to do is make sure these guys have a good foundation and have a good variety of things that they’re going to have to adjust on their own on the field defensively and offensively. Then, let them play and be able to evaluate guys’ progress since day one. Stay healthy, too.”

On whether Saturday’s scrimmage is open to the fans...

“Yeah, Saturday’s scrimmage is open to the fans. It’s a busy week. We’ve got our high school clinic Thursday. A number of high school coaches are in to speak. Our staff is speaking Thursday night. Then, they’ll be at practice. Then, we’re going to scrimmage Saturday, that’ll be open to the public.

"We’ll also have the Aggie Youth Experience following it. There’s a lot of things surrounding it. We’re going to have a lot of coaches in this week and a lot of our young coaches in after the scrimmage and during the scrimmage.”

On the early returns of Floyd Raven at safety…

“He’s a very, very gifted athlete. He is extremely aggressive. I think he’s got real tools that can help us. He’s got to be able to understand the defense back there as a safety. There’s a reason why they call it 'safety.' You’re the last line of defense. I think sometimes he forgets that. He likes to mix it up. If he can continue to develop — which has always been the issue with Floyd; Floyd is a guy who ‘want-to’ is not an issue; talent is not an issue — just his ability to play within the structure of the defense has really held him back.

"He was a great special teams player for us last year because, obviously, that ball is in the air and he’s going to get it, which is a positive. That’s what this time is about. It’s about practicing and putting people in positions that we think can help us win. Right now, he’s playing pretty good.

"Now, that’s why the ability to get coaches off the field — and he’s not the only one — get coaches off the field to play and have to communicate on your own, play-to-play, down and distance, and do all those types of things ... that’s why situations like Saturday become important for development. Not just for him, but there’s a number of guys in that group.”

On whether any mid-termers have grasped the system early…

“No. It’s hard. Those guys have been out there four times. Like I said, those guys, three or four of them, should be going to prom next month instead of out here running into Jake Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi. Poor Jordan Points is in there wrestling around with guys who played in the SEC, and, like I said, he should be picking up his date for the prom here in about three weeks.

"That’s a tough deal, but I’m glad those guys are here. They’re holding their own and I’m looking for them to continue to get better. He and Reggie (Chevis), I think Tommy (Sanders) being here early has helped him. JaQuay (Williams), obviously, those are older guys, but the high school guys that are here, it’s tough duty in there because you’re in the two-deep. That would be the case just about anywhere in the spring because of depth.

"It’s a real advantage to them and our message to the players today — and not just today, but all the time — is to take advantage of spring because it’s your chance to get a leg up on guys who are coming in here in the fall. You’re going to look up and after Saturday, we’ll be almost halfway done. You can’t let this time pass by without utilizing it and those guys are doing a good job of that.”

David Beaty

On what he has seen due to a lot of turnover in the receiving corps…

“There’s a lot of new guys out there, obviously. We lost three starters from last year and some guys that played part time are back with us. So there’s a lot of youth in there getting valuable reps. This is valuable for us. It's exactly what spring ball is for. You get to evaluate new guys, guys that haven’t got to play a lot. So it’s a good opportunity for us to see what those guys that didn’t play a lot last year, how they have developed.

"And for guys that did get to play, those guys move into new roles. Not only do they get to play a lot more, but they also start moving into leadership roles. People like Malcolm Kennedy stepping up and Mike Evans. Not only are they going to be asked to go out there and play but they’re going to be asked to kind of lead that group.”

On Edward Pope…

“He’s like the rest of those guys, he’s a young guy. A lot of the buzz is because he can run, and that’s true. The guy can run. He’s got a lot to work on when it comes to actual learning how to run routes, getting in and out of breaks, creating his own space, being able to make plays in traffic. There’s a lot to be said for that. Things kind of go unnoticed to the naked eye, but once you study it on film, you know where they have to go.

"So he’s got a long way to go, but he understands that. He’s working on the fundamentals that are required to be able to get those things done. But there’s no doubt he’s a talent along with the rest of them. It’s just a matter of teaching intricacies of the position that will help him be successful in the SEC.”

On the progress of Malcolm Kennedy since last fall…

“He’s a guy that literally, from last fall, probably would be the most improved player on our team, in my opinion, but definitely in our group. He’s a guy that is exactly what you want as a coach. He does everything right. He’s never on a list, takes care of his business off the field, and he works his rear end off. He never misses anything, he does extra. He keeps his mouth quiet and he just works, and his teammates respect him as a result of that.

"So he’s really improved in his route running and that’s an area he really needed to improve on. He’s a very physical kid. The sky is the limit for him, he just has to make sure he takes care of his body and stays healthy.”

On JUCO transfer WR Ja'Quay Williams…

“Too early to tell. Very talented guy, but a lot of times when you have brand new guys here, he’s much like a freshman. It’s kind of paralysis by analysis a little bit just trying to figure out what he’s doing out there. We’re going so dadgum fast. It’s not that we do a lot, it’s just that we do it really, really fast. And I think that’s something that takes him a little time to transition into. They can’t simulate that on their own when they’re going through 7-on-7.

"So this has been really good for him, but I am pleased with his work ethic and his actual dedication. He’s got some talent, there’s no doubt about it. We just have to keep him healthy and get him taught.”

On the benefits of having a returning starter in Mike Evans…

“It’s great. You’d like to have more than one. We just happened to have three really, really good seniors last year. But you’d like to have a guy that has obviously played like Mike has. Like I said earlier, Mike is going to have to move into a bit of a different role even though he is still a young guy. He’s going to have to have to be the voice of that room. He and Malcolm Kennedy have to be the leaders. They have to take over for Swope and Kenric and for EZ from last year. So it’s nice to have him back, absolutely.”

“Very talented player. One of the largest humans I have ever seen in my life. For a guy that is that big, he moves around extremely well. He is very committed. The guy is an early morning, late night guy, will study. Cam Clear will play here and have a fine career here, is my projection. I like that kid a lot.”

On the future expectations and potential of Evans…

“He can get a lot better. There are a lot of things that he has to do, and we’ve talked about that to round his game out as we move forward. He can become a better route runner, he can become a better blocker even though he is a pretty good blocker, he can play with lower pad level. And he is going to have to do those things if he plans on being an all-SEC guy.

"And if he ever plans on playing at that next level, which we know that’s all these kids’ dreams, he’s going to have to improve in those areas to be able to do what he wants to do. And he knows that — that’s the great thing about Mike. He’s a very humble guy. He takes coaching. He’ll tell you I get after him every day, there’s no complacency with that. Because of that, I’ve promised him ‘I’m not going to let you regress. That’s not going to happen.’

"We kind of have our tiffs every now and then, but he understands that we’re trying to make him better. And that’s the challenge is to not let a guy like that become complacent, because that’s the enemy of having a good season, complacency next year.”

On replacing production of a guy like former WR Ryan Swope…

“The train keeps moving. That’s hard to do. That’s one of the best players arguably to ever play at this university. Very, very talented guy. But the train keeps moving, and you find new guys that move in and they have to find their niche and their role and I’m looking forward to seeing who the next Ryan Swope type of guy will be.”

On whether that guy will be Kennedy…

“He’s got a real good chance. I like Malcolm a lot. He’s got to stay healthy and he’s got to take care of his body, but he’s got a chance at it. We’ll see.”

On working with new QB coach Jake Spavital…

“It’s been great. I’ve known Jake for a long time. When this position came available, I was hoping there was a way that we could lure him away from West Virginia. The guy has an unbelievable amount of knowledge when it comes to this offense, probably one of the more knowledgable guys about this offense in the country. So he was very valuable.

"Not only that, but you can’t argue with the production of the quarterbacks he has worked with over the last few years. He’s just a great asset to our offensive room and a great asset for our team. The way he communicates with kids, the way he motivates, he’s second to none. He’s another guy that has been on a fast track that will continue to be, because he is a great coach.”

Malcome Kennedy

On what he needs to do to improve from last year...

“I got to practice hard, play hard, and get used to being a starter. It’s pretty much a cohesive thing, being (on the field) with Johnny. Experience, you know, and just coming together. That’s it.”

On how the younger guys are coming along...

“Everybody’s doing good, especially Ja'Quay (Williams). Ed Pope is looking real good, Sabo (Sabian Holmes) is looking good at the H (position), and he’s real fast, interchangeable. He played outside last year, so everybody is looking good. Especially the young guys.”

On how prepared he feels for the additional role of being a starter in the fall...

“I’m ready. I’ve always been ready, if Swope or Kenric (McNeal) ever went down, I know both the Y and the H (positions), it’s just been a physical thing and that’s part of being a football player.”

On how tough coming back to practice was after being off for a week...

“I wasn’t too bad, I did a little a bit of training over the break. I’m not sure about everybody else, but as Coach Sumlin just said, the tempo was better and we've just got to pick it up and do things better as a team.”

On the difference between spring ball a year ago compared to now in the receiving corps...

“Yeah, the receivers pretty much know we’re a major part, pretty much the backbone of the team. As fast as we go, that’s how fast the team goes. It also prepares the defense for anything. You know, fast offenses, so as we go, the team goes.”

On his role as a vocal leader because of the departure of so many receivers...

“Well, I like to lead by example, but when things get crucial and it’s time for someone to step up then I’ll talk a little bit. I like to lead by example.”

“Mike Evans has been stepping up and talking. Also, Sabo (Sabian Holmes) has been talking a lot. Everyone is fighting for that leader position, which is good.”

On what stands out about Ja'Quay Williams...

“He’s a stronger receiver. He’s real good with the deep ball as far as I’ve seen. That’s what we need, to stretch defenses. That’s the good thing about him.”

On how much his life has changed since the TD catch against Bama...

“Everybody else might say it’s changed, but it’s been the same for me. I’ve just been a part of this team, I want to be a part of a team that wins, so it’s been the same for me.”

On the most famous person to ever come out of Cayuga, TX (his hometown)...

“(Laughs) I couldn’t tell you. I wouldn’t say me, but I couldn’t tell you honestly.”

On how daunting it is to replace the production of Ryan Swope...

“To me, it’s not daunting at all. It’s just something that happens in football. Somebody leaves and some one always steps up. It’s crazy that it can’t happen immediately, while he’s here, but that’s just football. He’s leaving, and I’ll step up definitely.”

On whether Swope has given him advice to get to the next level...

“Yes, he has. He’s a great receiver, he’s a great leader. I’ve been behind him ever since I came here. He’s been someone that I enjoy watching, and enjoy modeling my play after. He’s left some big shoes to fill.”

On what the competition looks like among the receivers...

“You know, in spring ball it’s always a surprise, it’s always a jump. But as far as it goes, there’s always competition with the receivers, just because of everyone’s athletic ability, but it’s not too bad.”

On what he hopes to get out of the upcoming scrimmage...

“I hope to see some continuity with the offense. I really hope to just see everybody catching balls. That’s basically it, it’s what we need.”