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00:00 >> Coach, what's the spring been like for your guys, for your group?
00:05 And a couple of new faces, but
00:07 some guys that are back as well that have some experience.
00:10 >> Yeah, I think they're working really hard.
00:13 The guys that have been here for a couple of years,
00:18 the guys that played for us last year, are a step ahead, which they should be.
00:22 Because when you come back from the off season, you reinstall the whole offense.
00:29 You treat it as if no one knows anything.
00:32 So the guys that played for us last year, they're a step ahead.
00:35 They're playing a little faster.
00:37 So Chris and Jimmy and Jayden, they look faster and more aggressive.
00:43 But Collin Lacy has really gotten better.
00:47 He can run with the ball, he's a strong runner.
00:50 But in regards to his route running and playing at our pace and
00:55 speed that we wanna play with, he's really developed over spring ball.
00:59 And then DeCorey's not doing much, he's doing individual.
01:01 So we've seen him run routes and work, and he looks really impressive.
01:04 But they're doing good, they're working hard.
01:08 He's trying to master the fundamentals techniques, master the scheme.
01:11 >> I guess what's that like with such a deep group and
01:15 trying to get those rotations and
01:16 see where everybody's at right now as far as in those practices?
01:21 >> Yeah, well, we're not really trying to decide on our rotation now.
01:24 We're just practicing, trying to learn, trying to develop fundamentally.
01:30 When we get to training camp, we'll start thinking about the personnel groupings and
01:34 how the rotations work.
01:35 But right now, everybody's just trying to get a little bit better.
01:38 >> When you bring in so many guys, I mean, they're new faces, but
01:41 they're veterans as well.
01:43 Is it easier for that group to mesh and
01:45 to come together because of the college experience that they all have?
01:47 >> Well, I don't know, cuz this transfer thing just started, you know what I mean?
01:53 But I know that they've done a really good job as a group,
01:58 getting to know each other, embracing J'Corey, Colin, and Antonio.
02:03 We got JoJo here also that's new.
02:07 They've done a really good job of embracing those guys and
02:11 teaching them the way and the way we go about our business in the meeting room.
02:14 And Thrash is in the meeting room a lot nowadays, so
02:18 they're really on those guys about how we're gonna act and
02:22 how we believe in doing things in our building.
02:25 >> You mentioned he's around, man,
02:26 how valuable is to have a guy like that around in your meetings?
02:29 >> It's really good.
02:30 When he first got back from the combine, he was able to come in there and
02:33 tell them what it's like to be at the combine and the questions that he gets asked.
02:37 And he was able to say that some of those questions, man,
02:40 I really did learn in this room.
02:42 The way this offense is set up,
02:45 the certain formations that we run are the same exact terms that these NFL guys were
02:50 looking for, and he was able to say that to the group.
02:54 When they were asking him questions about coverage, he was able to say,
02:59 the way they're teaching it here is exactly what they were wanting me to say
03:02 at the combine, so just really good, just a good kid, and he's good to be around.
03:07 >> I know the personnel is just a little bit different, but how far along do you
03:11 think the wide receiver room is now compared to this time last year?
03:16 >> We're further along because we got some guys that have been in the system for
03:19 the second year, even guys that didn't play.
03:22 I mean, Hicks, we call him Blue, so if I ever say Blue, I'm talking about Hicks.
03:26 I don't wanna say his first name cuz I screw it up all the time,
03:29 we just call him Blue.
03:31 But even him, he's been in the system for a full season now.
03:36 He hadn't played, but so they're further along,
03:39 cuz when we got here last year, no one had been in the system.
03:42 >> Gary, for you, just not only what your experience is as an offensive coordinator,
03:47 quarterback coach as well, what have you seen from Tyler?
03:50 Just how is that relationship grown with wide receivers and
03:53 him bringing in a new quarterback?
03:54 >> I like him a lot.
03:56 He's a natural leader.
03:58 It's like he doesn't have to try to lead, just the way he goes about his business.
04:04 I like the way that he communicates with the guys around him.
04:08 He's gonna push them, but at the same time,
04:12 he accepts the responsibilities sometimes.
04:15 I like him a lot.
04:16 I think he's an advantage.
04:17 Some of the things that he's doing on the practice field is very impressive,
04:21 considering he's just got in the offense.
04:24 He has a way to throw the ball with different arm angles.
04:27 So if they're rushing him, he can get it out underneath, he can get it out on top.
04:32 Our guys love him.
04:33 I like that guy a lot.
04:35 I think he's gonna be a major advantage for us.
04:38 >> What do you, the next, I guess, step for Chris in his game,
04:44 as far as from what you saw last year, and now this spring moving forward?
04:49 >> Yeah, well, Chris, his first year, he didn't play much, right?
04:56 Last year, he was a full-time player, so that was his first time being out there.
05:00 And understanding the day-to-day preparations that go into the season and
05:07 winning games, how you take care of your body, how you study things.
05:11 And then ultimately, how you have to go compete, control your emotions.
05:16 Now he's a third-year player, but a second-year full-time player.
05:21 So we can see his maturity.
05:23 I mean, he's a leader.
05:24 He's not wondering, he doesn't have thrashing,
05:29 Amari guys that he looked up to.
05:30 He's the big dog now.
05:33 And we can see that with the way he handles himself.
05:37 He's still a work in progress when it comes to handle himself emotionally.
05:42 He could get mad if someone hits him the wrong way.
05:45 He could get mad and start playing a very violent style of football.
05:51 But he's a leader now.
05:53 He's not an underclassman.
05:54 He's a junior now.
05:56 And we see it.
05:56 His route running, he's much quicker.
05:59 [COUGH] His hands are better.
06:01 He just has a better understanding of what we're doing.
06:03 And he's a leader now.
06:05 >> Can you bring something different because of the physicality doesn't
06:07 add to that, to your room?
06:09 >> Well, I think he's a different type of athlete because he's big and
06:13 strong and physical, but he's just as fast as the little guys.
06:17 So he's just a different athlete.
06:19 >> You mentioned just gearing up for the spring game.
06:21 From this point on till the spring game,
06:23 it's what you wanna see from this group.
06:25 And what will that game do for this group, especially with those new bases?
06:28 >> Yeah, well, we just wanna get one day better.
06:32 I mean, it's how our program's set up.
06:35 Just wanna get a little bit better today and try to win the day.
06:39 That's it.
06:40 And that's all we wanna see.
06:41 We wanna see them take every practice serious.
06:44 Not get in a mode where we're winding down because they're gonna start hearing
06:49 a lot of in these last few days type of questions.
06:53 And we don't want that.
06:54 We just want you to go out every day and win the day.
06:57 Get a little bit better today.
06:58 >> When you were recruiting Antonio Meeks out of the portal,
07:00 what stood out to you about his performance and how has he kind of acclimated so far?
07:04 >> He's doing a good job.
07:05 We're trying to figure out where to use him.
07:07 He's an outside receiver.
07:08 He's something.
07:10 Because his hands, he's just a natural catcher of the football.
07:15 He understands how to move his body.
07:17 Now that he's learning more and more about the offense,
07:21 he doesn't have to think so much.
07:22 You can see his speed come to life.
07:24 But he's a solid receiver that's really gonna help us.
07:28 He's gonna convert a lot of third downs for us, I bet on him.
07:31 >> You mentioned how some of those wide receivers being in the system for
07:35 a second year is a reason why the room as a whole has kind of progressed further along
07:39 than this time last year.
07:41 How have those guys like Jaden, Jimmy, and Chris, are they serving as a leader
07:45 in this room considering they have that experience?
07:48 >> Yeah, they are.
07:49 They know me very well.
07:51 So they know when certain things are going on in the meeting room.
07:54 They know what I would say before I even get in there so
07:58 they can clean some of the stuff up.
07:59 They understand what Coach Brom expects from the receivers.
08:05 So they're able to share that with the kids also.
08:08 So they're doing a really good, not only are they second year players,
08:11 they're upper classmen.
08:12 So they should know what's going on around here and they do.
08:17 >> What do you have with Blue?
08:19 I've seen in practice, and we've seen him make some plays and do some things.
08:24 What do you like about him and what can he add?
08:27 >> He has a personality that's fearless.
08:30 He can make catches and he has a stride that,
08:37 now there's gonna be an argument in the locker room if we bring this up,
08:41 that he's one of the fastest guys we have for sure.
08:45 Now, there's a lot of guys in there that's gonna argue that point.
08:48 But he's fast, he can catch the ball, and he's fearless.
08:54 And he's got one of the best personalities we've ever seen.
08:57 >> JoJo was a guy who's kind of a highly rated guy as a senior, but
09:01 didn't get to play much.
09:02 What have you seen for him?
09:03 Obviously coming in spring is quite valuable for a true freshman, but
09:06 what have you seen?
09:07 >> Yeah, JoJo's a good player.
09:09 He had the ankle injury that he got dealt with before he got here.
09:13 We had to rehab it up and get it right.
09:14 So he's still getting his speed back to where it should be, but he's doing good.
09:19 There's a lot to learn for a kid that really could still be in high school right
09:24 now, and he's on campus competing against these guys.
09:27 And he's in class, he's in study hall, and he's learning a complex system.
09:32 So we understand that, and we'll expect him in training camp to settle in.
09:36 He'll know what's going on, and then I think we'll see him play really fast.
09:39 But he's doing a good job, he's a good player.
09:41 >> With all the additions that have been made on offense,
09:43 the offensive line has depth and size.
09:45 Tyler Shooks looked good as QB, and there's some additional options that tied
09:49 in, when you're watching some of these seven on seven and 11-11 practice periods,
09:52 are you seeing that because of the added depth and added options in the passing
09:56 game, that some of the wide receivers are maybe having a little bit of an easier
09:59 time getting separation, making plays than maybe this time last year?
10:03 >> No, cuz Quincy Riley is out there.
10:05 Those guys, Corey Thornton,
10:08 we got some defensive backs that know how to play also.
10:12 So no, it's never easy.
10:14 If you don't do what you're supposed to do and
10:16 do it exactly the way you're supposed to do it,
10:19 you're not gonna beat Quincy Riley ever.
10:21 That's my answer.
10:24 >> Fair.
10:25 >> Kirk, you guys, you were here before, you know this program.
10:30 You talked about it last year, about when this thing is going good,
10:34 what it can be, you guys won ten games.
10:37 Have you seen a difference, when you call a recruit,
10:39 when you're talking to a recruit, have you seen a difference as far as the perception
10:43 after year one as you guys head into year two?
10:46 >> Not necessarily.
10:50 I mean, because as the recruiter,
10:53 I think this place is a big time program that should compete
10:59 one week at a time for championships.
11:04 It's not just we go compete for championships.
11:08 No, we gotta have great practices.
11:10 We gotta have great performances on game day.
11:12 And we feel like we can do it each week, and we can recruit the guys to do it.
11:16 But I thought that the last time I was here, so the message is still the same.
11:20 This is Louisville.
11:21 We have certain expectations, and our fans have certain expectations of us.
11:27 And we have everything set up that we need.
11:29 There's not many teams with nicer things than we have.
11:33 So the message to the recruits is the same.
11:37 We expect to go after it one day at a time.
11:41 >> Going back to Antonio real quick,
11:44 how much does that versatility just help you guys in different situations?
11:49 >> Yeah, well, it's always good to have guys that can play multiple spots so
11:53 that during the season, if you were to have an injury somewhere,
11:56 you can plug guys in to certain spots.
11:58 And when you understand the inside slot and the outside,
12:04 then you understand how to fit into the concept wherever you are.
12:07 You understand it's not just about me running a route.
12:10 It's a whole concept versus a coverage.
12:12 So that's why it's good to have guys that can play multiple spots.
12:17 >> Talking about leadership and just big time program,
12:20 having Ja'Cory come over from Alabama.
12:22 What kind of presence does he bring to this team?
12:24 And knowing that he's been with the best of the best,
12:26 that he's been to the highest matchups in the end games as well?
12:29 >> He's doing a good job.
12:35 But because we are Louisville, just because you went to a certain school,
12:41 doesn't mean you come in here and we say you're the great.
12:45 We don't, this is about what you're doing on the practice field every day.
12:50 How you carry yourself in the meeting, and he's doing a good job.
12:53 But him being from a certain school doesn't hold any clout in this building.
12:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]