UC LB Jonathan Thompson Training Camp Interview
UC LB Jonathan Thompson Training Camp Interview
Video Transcript
So Demaine Wilson, I feel like didn't see him a lot in spring.
Um, and he's been the first team, taking a lot of snaps so far in the fall .
What's his best trait that you've seen through 4 practices?
Um, he's very, very, very, very physical.
Um, whenever he sees the ball, he's going to attack it.
Um, he's in a lot with me, so we're commu communicating a lot, um, calling out plays, so I think his best trade is for him is like pulling his trigger and going to meet a running back for sure.
Any other new guys that can move in?
Oh yeah, yeah, for, um, Phillip, Sim, of course, Monte, of course.
And , uh, George has been balling too.
He, uh, transferred from long snapper to linebacker early in the spring, and he's just been balling ever since.
So I, I feel like we got 6 to 7 guys who can really go.
Do you guys kind of use any bulletin board material on the doubt for this team coming into this season with how difficult the schedule's perceived to be, stuff like that, um.
I don't think we really worry too much about the noise because we always believe in each other.
We work so hard that we feel like it's just gonna pay off regardless of what people say, regardless of who we play.
But, um, having a hard schedule is amazing because you get to go against good teams every week and, uh, prove yourself.
So I don't think we use that as bullet board material.
Um, we're just motivated in general.
So you succeeded in last year's defense.
Why, why is this year's gonna be better?
Um, there's a lot of different things going on.
Like I had a play today where I was covering number one receiver all the way down the field.
I didn't do that last year, so it's just showing versatility in my game and, um, being able to blitz off the edge, blitz the AK, um, add to the quarterback, just doing different things in the scheme of the defense, I think will help me make more plays ultimately.
What's been the biggest adjustment for you, both being a man physically out there in this defense, um.
Just making sure I check, check the defense.
Um, I'm kind of in control when it comes to checking the call, whether I see a formation, um, so I've just been studying a lot and making sure I get everybody on the same page because it changes up for the front four guys and the back end.
So just making sure everybody's on the same page for real.
It seems like there's been a lot of plays where you guys are kind of running two halves in front of.
An peek at the dog and he's rushing the passer .
Is it weird to see him rushing the passer, or are you kind of accustomed to him being that physical?
It was weird the first day because I was like, man, but he's, he's doing pretty good at it.
Um, he's matched up a lot with Joe Cotton, so I just think that's a great work for him because Joe's a great player.
Um, but seeing that is exciting because Pete can affect the game in all types of ways, and he's closer to the ball, so it, it's been weird at first, but now I'm used to it.
Good
