Jeff Lebby Interview 8-22-23
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby speaks to the media following Sooners' practice on Tuesday.
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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:03 >> Jeff, how's the offense looking in scrimmage?
00:06 What you've seen there?
00:08 >> Yeah, there's been a lot of good.
00:10 There's been plenty that we're continuing to work through and fix and
00:13 just continuing to try to create depth at every single position.
00:18 I do like where we're at, I like our guys' attitude and their effort and
00:21 their toughness.
00:22 We gotta continue to get better.
00:23 I think our guys understand that as we work towards next Saturday.
00:27 >> Specifically the wide receiver.
00:29 Where do you feel like they stand here two weeks before the first game?
00:32 >> I think we're gonna be able to play multiple guys.
00:34 I think that's the best part of that group right now is that I think you got
00:37 a chance to see six or seven guys, which that wasn't necessarily the case last year.
00:42 So feel good about the depth of that room.
00:44 Guys gotta go make plays next Saturday.
00:47 >> How's the depth behind Stockard, tight end cover?
00:49 >> Yeah, Blake's done a good job and then we're continuing to work.
00:52 Josh and Kate and some other guys there to create that depth.
00:55 We're not where we wanna be.
00:58 That's something that we're continuing to work on and
01:00 focus on as we're moving towards next weekend.
01:03 >> How's Llewellyn, is he been healthy this spring?
01:05 >> Yeah, Jason's healthy this fall and he's done well.
01:09 He'll continue to get reps and get work as we get closer.
01:12 >> The stuff that Dylan talked about this offseason,
01:15 wanting to improve situational stuff and the efficiency.
01:20 Has that played out in the scrimmages as you go?
01:22 >> Yeah, it has.
01:23 It's still a work in progress.
01:24 I think as you stand here right now and we're ten days away from game day,
01:28 you still, you always want more.
01:30 I think that's the natural part of coaching.
01:33 But at the same time, there has been real growth.
01:36 Timing has been good with the receivers, with that entire group and
01:41 things like that.
01:41 So again, we're at a good spot.
01:43 We gotta get better every single day as we move forward.
01:46 >> How is he looking for on September 2nd?
01:48 I mean, the numbers will tell us some part of the story.
01:51 But what will you wanna see there with Dylan?
01:52 >> We wanna see great balance.
01:54 We wanna see us being able to run the football at will and
01:57 being able to protect and throw it around.
01:59 So that's who we're always gonna be.
02:02 That's who we wanna be.
02:03 We wanna have incredible balance.
02:05 And that's the goal for that Saturday.
02:07 >> Specifically with Dylan.
02:08 >> Yeah. >> In those offseason things,
02:10 are there things you'll be looking for that day?
02:12 >> Yeah, we wanna be efficient.
02:14 If we're in those situations, we wanna see us be able to make plays,
02:17 do a great job in the pocket, be in the right protections, and pitch and catch.
02:21 >> How's Savion come along so far?
02:22 It sounds like he's put on the right amount of weight that you guys want.
02:25 >> Yeah, Savion's done a nice job.
02:27 He's continuing to mature, obviously, physically.
02:29 He's a difference maker at that position inside.
02:33 He's gotta continue to mature and
02:35 understand what we're doing inside of every game plan.
02:38 But proud of how he's worked himself into being a real guy at left guard.
02:44 So again, just like everybody else, just like myself,
02:47 we gotta get a heck of a lot better before next Saturday.
02:50 >> What do you think about that overall group in the offensive line,
02:53 how it's coming together?
02:54 You do have some veterans up there.
02:55 >> Yeah, we've got guys that have played a lot of football, so
02:58 that's been a huge part of it.
02:59 There's experience inside that group.
03:01 There's a couple guys that haven't necessarily played a lot of ball,
03:05 that are incredibly capable.
03:07 So we feel good about that group, and we do.
03:09 Now it's time to continue to tune it up and get ready for showtime next Saturday.
03:15 >> What about Tyler Guy?
03:16 How much different of a player is he now than he was maybe going back to
03:20 the cheese and boy?
03:21 >> Yeah, again, he's just another year into it.
03:24 This is a guy that hadn't played the position for a long time,
03:27 has had limited starts at the position.
03:29 So he's continuing to get better every day.
03:32 I think we all are aware of what he can be, but he's gotta go be it.
03:37 And he's got the right mindset about it.
03:39 He's been incredibly tough and eager to get better every day.
03:43 And he's gotta continue that trend to get where he wants to be and
03:46 where we wanna be.
03:47 >> How different is the role or the mindset for someone like Marcus Major?
03:51 >> Yeah, Marcus, he's a guy that's had 14 good practices and
03:55 a guy that's had a really good toughness in the room.
03:58 He's had really good leadership.
04:00 So again, we're looking for big things out of Marcus, continuing to keep him
04:04 healthy and get him to the field every Saturday.
04:07 >> Along those lines, Jeff, that running back room you said before fall camp
04:10 started, you feel like you've got options there.
04:12 But after a couple weeks, how is that room shaping up?
04:14 >> Yeah, I feel the same way.
04:15 I think you got a chance to see multiple guys get carries next Saturday,
04:19 which is a great thing.
04:20 Got a chance to keep guys fresh and healthy.
04:23 I think everybody understands how we wanna run the football.
04:26 That won't change.
04:27 You got a chance to do it by committee, which is huge.
04:29 >> Julian Gibson talked yesterday a lot about the mental side of the game and
04:32 growing his confidence.
04:33 Have you seen that so far?
04:35 >> Yeah, I think Jaden, the young man that he is today compared to a year ago or
04:40 16 months ago was completely different.
04:42 I think he'd say the same thing.
04:43 So appreciate him and just him sticking to it and trusting the plan and
04:48 understanding he's created a really good amount of trust with us as a staff and
04:53 look forward to what he's gonna do for us.
04:55 >> Jeff, if things go to plan, Jackson will play probably the least football he's
04:58 played since his sophomore year of high school.
05:01 What will that look like for him in terms of his day to day,
05:03 the things he'll be doing?
05:04 >> Yeah, I think Jackson is concerned about doing a really good job every single rep.
05:09 He is focused on the right things and is being detailed inside of every single rep,
05:14 every single day to give himself a chance.
05:16 So whenever that opportunity does appear, he's gonna be ready for it.
05:20 So his mindset is really good.
05:22 He needs to continue that, he will.
05:24 Dylan's been an incredible mentor for him, leader for him,
05:27 which has been huge for his growth.
05:29 But that's his plan and that's what he'll do.
05:32 >> Guys you've seen in that spot before, what have they done to excel?
05:35 It's a new sort of place for him to be.
05:37 >> As lame as it may sound, it is literally about getting every single rep,
05:43 whether it's mental or physical, every single day in practice,
05:45 getting every single rep, regardless of who I'm coaching in the film room.
05:49 And it is truly that simple, and it's monotonous.
05:52 But again, he's a guy that understands that.
05:55 And it's natural for him to wanna get better and to be very dialed into the detail.
06:00 And he's gotta continue that, but again, he will.
06:02 >> Jeff, do you talk more about your approach with your quarterback when you
06:06 have a guy that's established, and probably in his last year, and
06:09 also have a young, talented guy that you wanna try and
06:13 find him a way to get some experience?
06:15 >> Yeah, as we get into it, I think the biggest thing is making sure that we're
06:19 rolling offensively and making sure that we're in great rhythm,
06:22 we're having great success, we've got great balance.
06:24 And we're doing the things that we need to do to be dominant and
06:27 go win a football game and put our defense in great position.
06:29 So that's where my mind is right now.
06:32 We'll see how it goes as we move forward.
06:34 >> So if Dylan comes out, plays really well, the offense goes well,
06:37 then maybe you start thinking about it.
06:38 >> Yeah, well, as we get into it, I think you think about it as you're in
06:42 the situation a little bit more.
06:44 But the focus is starting fast, playing really well, and going from there.
06:47 >> We know you wanna be dominant in the run game.
06:49 Do you want Dylan to play a much bigger role this year?
06:51 Are you comfortable with how it played out last year?
06:53 >> I feel like we got great backs in the room.
06:55 I really do.
06:56 So those guys are running backs, our quarterbacks are quarterback.
06:59 And that's just kinda how we're rolling right now.
07:03 >> How would you describe kinda what you've seen out of Jalil right now as
07:07 kind of a go-to, not a go-to is the right word, but
07:09 a guy that's got the most experience now at Dylan?
07:11 >> Just seeing maturity and consistency.
07:13 Drake's been an incredible leader in that group, inside that room every single day.
07:18 His toughness, his attitude, his effort, his attention to detail,
07:22 that's really helped Jalil as he's seen that.
07:26 So again, Jalil's created consistency, which was huge for him.
07:30 Expect him to do big things as we move forward in the fall.
07:33 >> Has Gabriel had a good time with the receivers?
07:38 They've had a good time this whole thing?
07:40 >> Yeah, he really has.
07:41 They had a lot of work, obviously, in the spring, and
07:43 then with these guys this summer.
07:45 So spent a lot of time together.
07:47 And then obviously all the reps that we've gotten in fall camp.
07:50 He feels good with the entire group right now, which is huge.
07:54 >> I know the receivers have talked a lot about player-led practices over the summer.
07:57 Have you seen the difference with those guys coming in every spring?
08:00 >> You just see the difference in it being year two, and
08:04 there being true understanding inside the scheme.
08:06 Some things that were having to be coached every single day,
08:08 all day this time last year.
08:10 Those guys understand it, so you're able to coach maybe a little more detail.
08:14 Or you're able to coach the next guy a little bit harder,
08:16 because guys understand exactly what you're asking them to do, which has been good.
08:20 >> Jeff, you're about a week and a half from your opener.
08:22 Will you wanna be offensively?
08:24 I mean, do you have any major concerns or anything?
08:26 >> I think that'll be a little easier to answer after next Saturday,
08:31 after we go play for real.
08:32 Again, today, as we get off the practice field,
08:36 we wanna do a lot of things a lot better.
08:38 I got a feeling next Saturday will be the same thing.
08:40 It's not gonna be a game of perfect, but I feel really good about our guys' intent.
08:44 Feel really good about our guys' toughness and attitude and want to and
08:48 playing the way we need them to play every single Saturday.
08:51 So that's been great to see.
08:53 >> What kind of camp spell do you have?
08:55 >> Yeah, he's a guy that's just created value for
08:57 himself because there's a ton of trust.
08:59 He can play inside, he can play outside.
09:01 At any point in time, a guy could be anywhere on the field and
09:04 he knows exactly what to do.
09:05 And so he's found ways to create value for himself and
09:08 create trust with me, with Coach Jones, and that's been fun to watch.
09:12 >> Jeff, Gavin Freeman, it's a guy we've heard a lot about.
09:14 Maybe just through a couple weeks, what kind of role is he carving out?
09:18 >> Yeah, I think you got a chance to see Gavin a bunch.
09:21 Again, he's a guy that had an incredible spring, had a great summer,
09:24 has had a really good fall camp.
09:26 And the last two days has been really good.
09:28 So again, this is a guy that's electric with it in his hands, but
09:32 he's incredibly tough, blocking on the perimeter,
09:34 doing all the dirty work that you want him to do as well.
09:36 So expect a lot from him.
09:39 >> As a former offensive lineman, a former assistant there at that position,
09:43 student assistant.
09:44 >> Yeah. >> Does that ever really leave you,
09:46 are you always kind of interested in how your offensive line's looking, or
09:48 do you almost want to have some input there at times?
09:51 >> No, I mean, we're gonna go as the big boys go.
09:53 This game is one in the trenches, and if you're on the wrong side of it,
09:58 there's probably some issues in the trenches.
09:59 So I'm fully aware that being dominant up front and
10:04 leaning on people and doing what we need to do offensively is gonna start and
10:09 stop with those guys.
10:10 So that won't ever leave me, no.
10:12 >> I mean, there's not a lot of guys with that history.
10:15 Kevin Wilson was a guy that was here that had that offensive line.
10:18 Does that give you guys an advantage over some offensive coordinators?
10:22 >> I don't know.
10:23 I think, again, we wanna have great balance, we wanna run the football,
10:26 we wanna be explosive, we wanna take care of the rock, and again,
10:29 put our defense in great shape every single time they're on the field.
10:32 So that's kinda how I'm looking at it as we get into it.
10:36 >> Jeff, I know you're focused on the offensive side of things, but
10:38 maybe through these scrimmages, a couple weeks of practice,
10:40 what have you seen from that defensive line compared to last year?
10:43 >> Yeah, guys that know what to do and are committed to being physical.
10:46 Guys that are flying around and there's depth on the other side.
10:50 And again, we've got some really good leaders for the football team on that
10:54 side of the ball that have done a really good job as we've moved into it.
10:58 >> What do you see out of the guys, like Brennan Thompson,
11:01 the quality of his football?
11:02 >> Yeah, just trying to get Brennan all the way back healthy,