Hogs' Lorando Johnson, Isaac Tesla After Practice
Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Lorando "Snaxx" Johnson and tight end Isaac TeSla after practice Thursday morning on fall camp, continuing to develop.
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00:00 pads on is not big, more big of a deal.
00:02 >> Yeah, I mean, I say once we throw the pads on there,
00:05 we can let the physicality show.
00:07 But I feel like even without the pads, everyone's got the mentality that they're
00:11 gonna go out there and in the run game, we're gonna make blocks.
00:14 In the pass game, we're gonna be physical and win our routes.
00:16 >> I was about to say, that's a standard not for the defense, but for the offense.
00:23 I see it from the offense as well.
00:25 Whether they're blocking against a nice level with the O-line,
00:29 everything, the physicality is there.
00:31 And that's the standard we're gonna keep in our approach.
00:35 >> I think y'all needed a real muggy day.
00:38 What did y'all think of that span of mornings in a row that were misty and
00:42 light and cooler?
00:44 What did you think?
00:45 >> I enjoyed practicing in the morning.
00:47 I mean, that's all I can really say, but I enjoyed it because I feel like you're
00:51 waking up, you're getting straight into it, you have a lot of energy.
00:54 And then the rest of the day, you're getting corrections and
00:58 everything that goes with that thing.
01:00 >> What would you say you bring to the secondary and
01:03 what's your time at Arkansas been like to respond?
01:06 >> My time in Arkansas has been amazing.
01:11 Every single person, including you guys, has been amazing.
01:13 So I just wanna say I appreciate you guys for that standpoint.
01:18 What I think I could bring to the defense is a leadership role because I am
01:22 an older guy.
01:23 I understand what it looks like and what it is gonna be like on the game.
01:26 So the younger guys, they have everything, all the mechanics,
01:30 the tools, everything.
01:32 So just fixing the little things, which is very important.
01:35 Fixing the little things will help us in game.
01:40 And I just like from our first practice, we were doing a bubble gym.
01:47 And I just wanted to set the tone to show the defense,
01:49 this is how we're gonna be, this is how physical we're gonna be.
01:52 >> Yeah, and I can back that.
01:54 I mean, he's a real leader both in the way that he plays, but
01:57 also both in the way he's doing very much in the way.
02:00 >> More on Al, his play, experiencing, I guess maybe if you guys have gone
02:04 against each other in practice, what have you thought of him?
02:09 >> Yeah, I mean, actually on my official visit, I was here with Al.
02:11 So I got to know him a little bit on my official visit.
02:13 We exchanged highlights and watched each other.
02:15 So we've had that connection since day one.
02:18 >> I know y'all see each other all the time.
02:20 And it happens in practice too.
02:21 I don't know, I'm just really excited about this season.
02:26 But I know we have to take it day at a time, each practice,
02:29 every time, each minute at a time.
02:31 And I don't like to live far into the season, but man, I'm really excited.
02:37 Yeah, I'm a lot excited.
02:40 >> The other defensive backs, there's a lot of new faces in that room.
02:44 Can you maybe go through any guys that have stood out to you,
02:46 just going against them in practice?
02:49 >> Yeah, I mean, Snacks brings it every day.
02:51 He's one of those guys that, like you talked about, corners not being physical.
02:55 They're kind of scared of putting their nose in on the run game.
02:57 But he's a guy that's gonna go put his shoulder down and make some tackles, but
03:00 also someone that can stack up with any receiver in the SEC.
03:04 [BLANK_AUDIO]
03:06 >> Good.
03:08 >> Asked Andrew yesterday kind of what was the biggest change from going from
03:11 a smaller school to the SEC, said that the seats in Razorback Stadium.
03:15 For you, what's kind of been the biggest wow moment on your plan in the SEC?
03:20 >> Yeah, I mean, just the skill level of the DBs and just how smart and
03:24 physical they are is something I never really faced in the D2 level.
03:27 Obviously, that's more of a tribute to the SEC than it is like a knockout D2,
03:32 because there's obviously a ton of good players where I was before.
03:36 But definitely just the physicality, and
03:38 I didn't face a lot of man to man back at Hillsdale.
03:41 So here, learning how to get off man to man and press and stuff like that,
03:45 something I need to adjust to.
03:46 >> Off the field specific that stood out?
03:51 >> Man, I just love the community here.
03:52 My first time ever coming to Arkansas was on my visit, and
03:57 you never know what to expect when you're visiting somewhere that
04:00 many people don't know about.
04:01 So coming here to Fayetteville, it's just the atmosphere, the fans here, and
04:05 just the people in the community.
04:07 I feel like it's been incredible.
04:08 >> Anyone?
04:09 >> Do you have, pick Pippen say prefers you a safety, but
04:14 you may have to play some hog, nickel, whatever.
04:17 Do you have a preference between those two, or does it make you any difference?
04:19 >> It doesn't make any, I love being on the field, whether it's a corner,
04:22 linebacker, if I could play D and I would.
04:25 But in a DB room, Coach Wilson does a great job of having us
04:30 learn each and every spot because whether Jalou is playing a hog,
04:35 he still has to learn the free safety and boundary safety because we might
04:40 want to rotate each other, all of us in there, so it doesn't matter to me.
04:44 >> Very good luck for you, but Coach said you made up some time in the summer.
04:51 Do you feel like you're no quarter to play both?
04:53 I mean, you feel pretty comfortable in the defense now?
04:56 >> Yeah, most definitely.
04:58 Even in the spring, when I was out, I was still in those, in the playbook and
05:03 meetings and stuff, still trying to lead off the field.
05:06 Although it is kind of hard on the field not understanding where they're going
05:11 throughout there with the plays and stuff, but just trying to lead in that way.
05:16 And yeah, I think that.
05:19 >> This guy said the other day, he was in here, he said about,
05:21 I think he said nine, see if he could travel or something.
05:24 But all of you play special teams.
05:26 Just talk about how it's been for you,
05:29 Broden and Armstrong coming in as transfers and adjustments and everything and
05:34 working on special teams and in the rotation period.
05:37 >> Yeah, obviously coming into a new situation, we never know what to expect.
05:41 But you said me, Broden, Armstrong, I feel like we have really adjusted to,
05:45 we've had a practice style that we have, the offense that we have with Coach Enos.
05:49 And then just in the receiver room with Guyton, I feel like he's a real leader and
05:53 he knows how to get us right and really motivates us in the field room and
05:57 also on the field as well.
05:59 >> Good question to both you guys.
06:02 Isaac, specifically, Vaque, what have you seen from him?
06:06 It seems like he just keeps showing up.
06:09 And if you've got any thoughts on him also from a defensive back standpoint.
06:13 >> From what I see from the screen for now,
06:18 I believe his route running ability to try to stack up a DD and
06:24 get in and out of the breaks, that's what I'm seeing from him.
06:27 And then he's become more of a leader, although he's younger,
06:31 but he's becoming more of a leader as well from what I'm seeing.
06:35 >> Yeah, he was talking about the details.
06:36 I feel like he's really been on the field, figuring out the details of what
06:40 a receiver, but also he's just kind of a time over guy.
06:43 He's gonna be 110% every single play no matter what.
06:46 >> What are your thoughts on on KJ from a defensive standpoint and offensive?
06:53 >> Yeah, I mean, I feel bad for the defense, honestly.
06:55 I mean, how do you handle someone like that that can throw the ball and
07:00 be such a threat in the running game as well?
07:03 >> It's KJ Jefferson, you know what I mean?
07:06 A leader, you know what I'm saying, all around.
07:11 And then you got a great offense to complement a great defense.
07:14 It's something I do, I believe that, truly believe that.
07:20 >> It seems like every day before today, and
07:22 obviously Andrew Armstrong's been mentioned today.
07:24 But it seems like every other day, he's getting a shout out for making a play or
07:28 moving.
07:29 And sometimes guidance, and he was pretty savvy yesterday.
07:32 What do you all see from Andrew?
07:35 >> Yeah, I mean, I feel like I'm running around and I look over my shoulder and
07:39 I say, the ball's going down to Andrew.
07:41 60 yard touchdown every other play.
07:43 I mean, that dude, he's just, I mean, for how big he is, his size and
07:48 speed and savviness is just crazy.
07:51 How good he is at getting in and out of breaks and stuff like that.
07:56 But also being able to just burn by a DB, he's a real dog.
08:00 >> I know it sounds redundant on my part, but like I said,
08:03 these guys making plays, play after play after play.
08:06 And like I said in my interview before, tall, fast, do whatever you need.
08:12 And just, dude, he's gonna go get the ball.
08:14 He's gonna come out, hit the breaks the right way.
08:16 He's gonna block anything you need, he can or will do.
08:20 I mean, I think that's what I'm most excited about.
08:24 >> You guys are looking for a scrimmage on Saturday,
08:26 I guess it'll be your first major scrimmage of the camp.
08:29 >> Yeah, I mean, I'm always excited to, we get to wear pads every day.
08:35 But to be able to actually go full contact and go to the ground and
08:38 stuff like that.
08:39 I feel like that's when you can really see the true colors of the offense and
08:42 the defense.
08:42 When they're able to shed a tackle or
08:45 the defenders are able to bring the guy to the ground.
08:47 I feel like that really brings out some energy, but
08:51 also it shows you where you're at as an offense and the defense.
08:56 >> I agree with that.
08:57 On my part, personally, I like to tackle a lot.
09:00 I like to be physical, so I'm ready for that.
09:02 To bring some guys to the ground and see the offense do their part.
09:08 I will.
09:08 >> I just wonder what your take is on Danny.
09:11 You went through spring, it's his second time around here.
09:15 But just wondering what your take is on him and you guys are both Michigan guys.
09:19 >> Yeah, that was a cool connection we had at the beginning there.
09:22 But he's just, I mean, he's an offensive genius.
09:25 I feel like everything that a defense brings, we have an answer to.
09:29 And he knows how to move guys around and put the offense in a great spot where
09:34 we're gonna be able to go and have an answer to anything the defense brings
09:39 against them.
09:39 >> Like you said, put the offense in a great spot, whether it be motion,
09:42 say scheme, say scheme.
09:44 It's wonderful, you know what I'm saying?
09:46 To see it as a defense, he makes the defense better, you know what I'm saying?
09:49 We have to adjust to certain motions and things that you're probably not expecting.
09:54 So you're gonna have to communicate.
09:55 We're gonna have to communicate on the back end and
09:57 in the front to answer to those types of things.
10:01 >> You said you like to tackle.
10:04 I think SEC Network had AJ, or Rocket is the number two person, SEC player.
10:11 He doesn't wanna tackle, I think it was Takaya, Spikes or something.
10:13 KJ number four, are you excited to tackle those guys?
10:16 I mean, what's it like gonna be trying to bring down 242 pound Rocket Sanders?
10:19 >> I think it's amazing.
10:23 I'm very happy that he's on our team.
10:25 I don't wanna say that, cuz in the game, I'm sure it's probably way different.
10:27 He's trying to protect this as well.
10:30 But I mean, I think it's gonna be good.
10:31 It's gonna really set me up for the games, you know what I'm saying?
10:34 Cuz I'm gonna have to compete and go against guys maybe not even get
10:39 a Rocket, but you know what I'm saying, they're gonna be talented and very good.
10:44 So I gotta be prepared to go against these big titans and
10:46 bring them on the back, quarterbacks as well.
10:48 >> Just real quick, I don't mean any disrespect to this.
10:53 What's up with the capital S?
10:55 Is there something like your background and your family?
10:58 I mean, where does that last name come from?
11:00 >> Supposedly it's French.
11:01 My family's very Dutch.
11:03 I don't know where the capital S came from, but I mean,
11:05 it helps with pronunciation.
11:06 Everyone thinks it's Tesla, but it's Tesla.
11:09 So I don't know where it comes from, but I think it's pretty neat.
11:11 >> Coach Sauter said the other day that he called you a freak show
11:16 in the weight room.
11:17 Just what are some of the areas as far as in the weight room body transformation
11:22 you feel like you've made the biggest strides since you got here?
11:25 >> Yeah, you're right, a freak show.
11:27 I'm watching it, bro.
11:28 I'm like, what the heck?
11:30 As a receiver, you know what I'm saying?
11:31 No, I'm a pretty strong guy as well, but watch everybody.
11:34 You clean, bench, squat.
11:36 That's gonna be a foul.
11:40 >> Yeah, the weight room is something I've always clung to, and
11:43 I feel like that's somewhere where you don't need talent to go and
11:48 put the work into the weight room.
11:49 So that's somewhere I feel like where if I can get bigger, stronger,
11:53 more physical, then that's something I'm gonna do.
11:55 And that's something that I've always done.
11:56 So when I got here, I just wanted to come in every day and
11:59 make sure I was out working every day.
12:01 That was my goal.
12:02 [BLANK_AUDIO]
12:06 >> I mean, it does every day, but it seemed like today really isn't everything.
12:10 Talk about what you guys have seen from Jacoby.
12:12 >> Yeah, Jacoby's a real, I mean, he's an athlete and a quarterback.
12:15 So he's gonna be able to move in the pocket, but
12:17 also make throws outside of the pocket.
12:19 And he honestly throws one of the best balls I've ever seen from any quarterback.
12:23 That thing, I mean, it's got some zip on it, and he can throw a catch on it.
12:26 I feel like he's just an all around very solid quarterback.
12:29 He's able to make throws wherever, inside the pocket, outside the pocket.
12:33 He's able to do just about anything.
12:35 >> He can definitely put me in a tight spot.
12:37 I experienced when he put me in a tight spot.
12:39 That's all I have to say.
12:41 Very good, very talented, getting better each and
12:44 every day from summer to now.
12:48 Very good, I can't wait to see that as well.
12:50 [BLANK_AUDIO]