Hogs' Var'Keyes Gumms, Ty Washington, Luke Hasz
Arkansas Razorbacks transfer tight ends Var'Keyes Gumms, Ty Washington and Luke Hasz after Monday morning's practice on how position is developing under new offensive coordinator Dan Enos.
Transcript
00:00 Marquise and Francis, both of you guys,
00:01 just how have things been adjusting coming in,
00:04 I guess, a little bit later, but how things have been adjusting?
00:06 Where do you think they're going?
00:10 Me coming in, I just came in ready to work,
00:13 came in ready to adapt.
00:15 It's been good, as in coming in during the summertime,
00:18 got some good work, so I can learn the offense
00:21 and not going to fall camps,
00:23 going over to the Minnesota game
00:24 and still learning through here and getting better every day.
00:30 I mean, my adjustment has been a little bit different
00:32 because I had Coach Souders all last summer,
00:34 so I kind of knew what to expect there.
00:37 But other than that, it was a little bit frustrating,
00:40 kind of being a fifth-year guy,
00:42 having known the offense for the last four years
00:44 and going into summer,
00:45 kind of just focusing on the physical side of it.
00:49 And the summer has been very mentally challenging
00:51 trying to learn this offense.
00:53 But, I mean, I think, I don't know how,
00:56 but Coach Turner somehow got me to fall in love
00:57 with the Xs and the Os side of football.
01:00 And I'm really, I think, for the first time
01:01 in my football career, like, enjoying that part of it.
01:04 So, I mean, it's been a great transition.
01:08 In your touchdown in the bowl game,
01:11 kind of a springboard, I guess, maybe, for you into the spring.
01:14 How have you come along?
01:16 I know that, like I said, springboard you a lot in spring,
01:18 but how, since the spring,
01:20 where have been your biggest areas of development?
01:24 Since that touchdown, I think, really,
01:25 it was a confident booster.
01:27 But, really, I've been trying to, like,
01:28 get it in the past, got to move to the future.
01:32 And right now, I've just been focusing on finishing catches,
01:34 finishing blocks, putting people on the ground,
01:37 and just being more physical and leading the way for other guys
01:39 and being a better leader all around for transfers,
01:42 freshmen, whoever's here, just trying to be a leader.
01:45 Backs here right now, but back going to be here next year.
01:47 I'm trying to be that guy for the guys when they're not here.
01:51 Cyrus, for you, I mean, Coach Turner, it's his first year.
01:54 What have you picked up from him
01:56 that maybe has been a little bit different
01:57 from what you learned last year?
01:59 A lot of more details.
02:00 I think details are very, like, big in the game.
02:03 Like, I know our last offense,
02:04 they'll tell you, like, go get that guy.
02:07 But, like, this one, they'll tell you how to get to that guy,
02:09 how to combo to that guy,
02:10 or, like, help you tackle and get to that guy.
02:13 It's just a lot of more small details
02:14 that he knows about the game that helps,
02:16 like, makes it easier and helps the offense better
02:18 and helps everyone else better.
02:20 And then last year, you kind of had an interesting situation
02:23 with the red shirt,
02:24 where you were able to play in the bowl game.
02:26 What was that situation like,
02:28 where you asked for the red shirt,
02:29 and then when you found out,
02:30 you were going to get to play in the bowl game?
02:32 I think I was happy.
02:33 I actually called my mom and told her, like,
02:35 after I was done playing the game,
02:36 and Pittman was talking to me up in the waiting room
02:38 and stuff about it.
02:39 And then he told Morgan that I could play,
02:41 and Morgan and I lit up.
02:42 And then it was just a great moment,
02:44 knowing I could showcase what I could do.
02:47 Martiz and Francis, Morgan was just here saying
02:50 that you guys kind of fell in love
02:51 or this place surprised you.
02:53 What was it that surprised you when you got here
02:55 and made you want to come?
02:57 I mean, have you ever interacted with Coach Pittman?
03:00 Yeah, there you go.
03:03 Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
03:04 Coach Pittman and just -- I had just saw the offense,
03:07 and I was like, yeah, this has got to be the place for tight ends.
03:10 And it fit tight ends well.
03:12 And Morgan also said something about the returning guys,
03:17 when these two and Luke comes in and Shamar,
03:21 that you guys welcomed.
03:22 Maybe talk about what your mentality was on --
03:24 [inaudible]
03:27 I think big, big, just focus on myself,
03:30 because I don't like --
03:32 a lot of people get caught up in who's coming in
03:33 or whatever that.
03:35 Just focus on yourself and most likely
03:36 to help the team better, to be honest.
03:38 Like, they coming in, you got to help them.
03:39 Either way, it can't just be two tight ends on the field.
03:42 We run a lot of 12 personnel,
03:43 so we're going to rotate either way.
03:45 So how I feel about it, they focus on themselves.
03:48 If they need help, I got them, or I help them.
03:50 Anyway, it's just a brotherhood.
03:52 So I'm really nice.
03:54 Hi.
03:55 [inaudible]
03:58 I'm talking about the passing game.
04:00 Is that something you're looking forward to
04:01 with that whole screw now?
04:02 Most definitely. Most definitely.
04:04 Like to see the ball a little bit more?
04:06 Oh, yeah, most definitely. Most definitely.
04:07 I think every tight end likes to get one take
04:09 at least a little bit, you know.
04:10 So it should be great.
04:11 This offense, I think it's going to be great
04:13 to start in blocking and passing.
04:16 Marquise, yesterday, KJ was in here Saturday.
04:19 He praised you.
04:20 He talked about you.
04:21 He can tell you played a lot of football,
04:23 you know, and stuff.
04:24 Talk about KJ as a quarterback,
04:26 how it's been catching passes from him.
04:29 KJ, he's real accurate with the ball.
04:33 So he's like, he can see the whole field
04:35 because he's like six foot.
04:36 So he can see the whole field,
04:38 real accurate with the ball.
04:40 I'm just getting in, just keep trying to learn the offense
04:43 and keep learning the offense, getting better every day.
04:47 What's KJ like to wear on?
04:48 He's weird seeing a quarterback bigger than me.
04:51 I mean, that's the first thing.
04:52 But I mean, you can just tell he knows what he's doing.
04:55 And then, I mean, earlier on in summer,
04:57 I didn't really know what I was doing.
04:58 And every time I asked him, he told me easily what to do.
05:01 He knew exactly what to do.
05:02 And he wasn't like demeaning about it.
05:05 He kind of understood that, hey, I've been here
05:06 for a week and a half and I don't really know anybody.
05:08 But he was always very eager to help
05:11 and kind of take that extra mile.
05:14 Francis, I'm curious how or in what ways Coach Turner
05:20 kind of helped you fall in love with the X's
05:22 and O's of the offense.
05:24 And what would you kind of classify your strengths as?
05:28 I mean, I'm pretty sure like Coach Pittman has said
05:31 that they brought me here to block
05:33 and kind of do what I've done a lot of in the past
05:35 and kind of help these guys and show them
05:38 how to kind of get nasty down there in the trenches.
05:40 But I mean, I honestly don't know how Coach Turner did it.
05:43 I think it's just the way that he teaches
05:46 and he goes from like such small details
05:48 to the point where all of a sudden it's like light bulb
05:50 goes off and you see the whole picture for gap scheme,
05:52 zone scheme, whatever it is.
05:54 And I've kind of just - I guess I've just fallen in love with it.
05:58 And it's not like the meetings where you sit through
06:01 and they drag on and they drag on.
06:02 All of a sudden the horn goes off and I'm like,
06:04 oh, wow, and I'll reach the top.
06:06 And it's - I mean, I think the other guys will vouch for that.
06:08 And it's been a good camp so far in that regard.
06:12 Mark, you were very productive catching the ball at North Tech.
06:17 Do you feel like it's realistic to put up similar numbers here?
06:20 How do you feel about that?
06:22 Yes, sir.
06:23 I feel like I can put away more numbers than I did
06:25 on the Texas Chiefs coach.
06:26 The way Coach Eno's called the game plan
06:29 and the way this offense is made around tight end,
06:31 I can see myself going to the late-inning.
06:35 What's financial difficulty for freshmen?
06:39 Maybe if each of you - maybe you can start.
06:42 Frank, what's your take on Luke,
06:44 what he brings to the room, how he's doing?
06:49 I don't know that I've ever seen a freshman,
06:51 let alone a tight end, with just like the talent that Luke has.
06:55 So, I mean, I don't know.
06:57 He's obviously the best freshman tight end I've ever seen.
07:00 And he may very well likely be the best tight end
07:03 in general that I've ever seen.
07:04 I think the sky's the limit for that kid.
07:06 And he brings it every day with his work ethic.
07:08 And I think it would be really easy for a kid
07:10 with as much natural talent as him
07:11 to kind of take a step back in the weight room
07:14 or maybe not be responsible outside of here.
07:16 And he's - he's got the mentality of a fifth-year.
07:20 So, I think the sky really is the limit for him.
07:23 Me and Luke are - Luke's special.
07:25 He real special.
07:27 He the first - the first, like, freshman that I saw
07:31 that really just goes out there and gives his best
07:35 and looks like he's, like, he's been in this for, like,
07:38 three years or four years.
07:40 Like, he looks comfortable out there.
07:42 I say that every time, like, every day I say,
07:45 see, Luke, he's special, real special.
07:47 And he sure is, like, having a big year this year.
07:50 We'll take it back off on that.
07:52 But if it falls in the air, he's going to go get it,
07:54 regardless, and if it's one-on-one, he's going to win.
07:58 Is Devin on his brother much in practice?
08:00 And if so, what's - what's your take on Devin?
08:03 If you haven't faced him, don't worry about it.
08:05 He's a physical dude.
08:07 Like, he's - he's smaller than Mike.
08:08 Like, he brings a punch to him, for real.
08:10 And I know him and Luke, you know,
08:11 went after him in practice a lot when they, like,
08:13 see each other, like, a brother thing.
08:15 It's funny.
08:16 But Dylan - Dylan's getting there.
08:18 He's a real dog.
08:20 Dylan with a broken hand.
08:22 Yeah.
08:23 What'd you think about that?
08:24 He used that club a lot.
08:27 He used that club to get off and block and stab.
08:30 Whatever he had to do, he used it.
08:32 He was doing his thing with it.
08:34 He used your advantage.
08:36 And, Francis, I know you didn't catch a lot of balls
08:38 at Louisville.
08:40 You just talked about your team here
08:42 to get masked in the trenches.
08:43 But you think maybe you could be -
08:45 maybe an underage receiver,
08:46 maybe surprising folks with your - with your passing game?
08:49 Oh, 100 percent.
08:50 I do think I'm a lot more athletic
08:51 than I've showcased in the past.
08:53 And I think that these coaches are -
08:57 have been kind of surprised at what I've been able
08:59 to do in the passing game because, I mean,
09:01 there's not much of it on film.
09:02 But I do look forward to, if they call for it,
09:06 me getting the ball in my hands.
09:07 But, I mean, I'm just going to do whatever they ask me to.
09:12 Connor's kind of resume speaks for itself a little bit.
09:14 But what were some of your -
09:15 y'all's first impressions of him when you met him?
09:17 And was there, like, kind of an immediate respect factor
09:21 just with the guys that he's kind of put into the league?
09:26 Yes, I like to say when I first met him,
09:28 actually sat in his office,
09:29 and I asked him, because he personally -
09:31 I like when coaches - I get coaches yell a lot.
09:34 And, like, they're trying to coach you hard.
09:35 But, like, to a certain extent,
09:37 where they need to just get the message across.
09:39 And he told me, he was like, I don't yell.
09:40 He was like, I'm going to just tell you what to do and do it.
09:43 If you can't do it, you can't do it.
09:44 If you can't, you can't. And I respect that.
09:46 That's just big to me.
09:47 Like, me personally, I feel like you can yell.
09:50 But, like, sometimes you just need to -
09:52 all players are different.
09:53 So sometimes you just need to actually just communicate
09:54 and talk normally.
09:56 And he's that. He's great. I love him.
09:58 I love him.
09:59 Yeah, and piggybacking on what Ty said,
10:01 he's more of a teacher instead of a yeller.
10:04 He teaches first.
10:05 He don't do too much yelling, too.
10:07 When he teaches, too, you should get it,
10:10 by then you shouldn't make the same mistake again.
10:13 You were one of the higher-ranked guys in the portal.
10:18 Just what sold you on Arkansas?
10:20 What sold me on Arkansas was - it was a lot.
10:23 Coming out of high school,
10:25 I had some big offense that they pulled away from
10:29 that I panned on seeing during the season.
10:35 So, and then, as we begin,
10:37 his offense is just perfect for tight end.
10:40 And then it kind of fit the offense that I came from
10:42 with at North Texas,
10:45 with Stephon Charles, with the two tight end sets.
10:49 Tyrus, you were here in the spring when you got to see Luke.
10:53 I think he's put on some weight.
10:54 Where have you seen him grow the most since the spring?
10:58 I like to say passing guys,
10:59 they're just like, they're good now.
11:02 When he runs the route, they kind of bounce off.
11:03 If he, like, gets more wins or something,
11:05 he can actually, like, get more throws
11:07 and look a little bit more better.
11:08 Which just helps him to be better,
11:09 to get open and catch balls.
11:11 It just makes him better.
11:13 Any defense, like, can't beat the work.
11:14 We're going to put it to him regardless.
11:18 Ty, what have you seen from the revamped secondary right now?
11:22 Obviously, a lot of newcomers there.
11:24 I know you guys might not go directly against them
11:26 as tight ends, but what are you seeing
11:28 from their development right now?
11:31 Say, that secondary offense, the scrimmage there,
11:35 they can go. They're real. I think they're deadly, for real.
11:38 But I see guys flying around.
11:40 They rotate guys a lot.
11:41 It's just, we didn't have that last year.
11:43 Yeah, if somebody went down,
11:45 it was hard to, like, put somebody in
11:47 that could do the same thing this year.
11:49 It's like you got somebody else coming in
11:50 that just is really better, to be honest.
11:52 So I think we're going to be, either way,
11:55 the defense is going to be,
11:56 and I think they're going to be real good.
11:58 They know it.
12:00 Jenkins, I'm curious, the nasty streak side of your game,
12:03 or part of your game, where did that come from?
12:05 Or has it just kind of always been a part of you?
12:08 I mean, probably my junior and senior year,
12:10 I sit on my bed crying that nobody
12:12 wanted to give me an opportunity.
12:14 So, I mean, I think I go out there every time
12:16 with a little bit of a chip in my shoulder.
12:19 And kind of, like Keith said, I got some stuff
12:23 that I want to be able to cross off on the list
12:25 and kind of make people regret a lot of decisions they made.
12:28 And, I mean, I'm in the SEC West now,
12:31 and there's no better place to do it.
12:32 When you got in the portal, by two schools,
12:36 was there a new team?
12:38 A lot more schools than I thought.
12:40 I mean, I think I'll just leave it at that.
12:42 I think it was a good time to be a tight end
12:43 and get in the portal.
12:45 But, I mean, Coach Pitman called me to change the system,
12:48 and that's kind of how it went from there.
12:51 I guess, I mean, and some tight ends
12:52 are kind of on our offensive line.
12:54 I know you guys want to catch fast,
12:55 but what's your take on the offensive line
12:59 through the two camps so far?
13:02 I know we got one young guy, Kudas.
13:06 He is doing his-- I think he just turned 19 last weekend.
13:11 Yeah, he turned 19, he's been 18 playing like that.
13:14 He's a big kid, and that's wild to me.
13:17 And then the older guys are helping lead the way
13:18 for the like twos coming in.
13:20 And it's just going to be great, I think,
13:22 with the two we got experience also.
13:24 I think the O-line is going to be solid all around.