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00:00 >> Jamari, I guess let's go back.
00:03 What was the transition like for you?
00:06 How difficult was it for you the first year and
00:11 getting to see and getting to make a couple plays, but knowing that you had
00:15 a lot of work to do to get used to college and how different are you?
00:20 >> I'll say back a year ago, it was a long journey, man.
00:26 It was, I had to learn the plays first, but then after I learned the plays,
00:32 then me making plays came along.
00:35 But I feel like it was really me getting to know the plays and
00:40 getting used to playing against these older guys and stuff like that.
00:42 And I feel like that's catching up me,
00:46 like I'm starting to get in the groove and stuff like that.
00:49 So it's going pretty good as of right now.
00:51 >> I remember talking, you were talking about, I mean,
00:53 you didn't play really a tight end position at all.
00:55 You were a quarterback and you were a receiver.
00:57 Was that even maybe a bigger adjustment for you?
01:02 >> Yeah, from going to quarterback to tight end was a huge adjustment,
01:08 but it was the best for me.
01:12 So when my coach in high school, he told me that,
01:16 he basically told me I was too fat to play quarterback.
01:19 So I was like, I'm gonna listen to you, I'm gonna trust you.
01:22 And things went pretty good.
01:24 >> What do you feel like this spring?
01:26 How do you feel out there?
01:27 >> I feel like everything's going good, me and Lee.
01:32 But the new tight ends coming in, they're pretty good.
01:36 And I just feel like we should be a pretty good team this year.
01:39 >> Going from quarterback to tight end, quarterbacks don't block much.
01:42 How's that part of your game progressing for you?
01:45 >> Well, that's one of my weaknesses as of right now.
01:48 Cuz going from quarterback to tight end is a big transformation, but
01:53 I'm getting there.
01:54 I would say it's gonna take me a little bit longer to get that blocking down and
01:59 stuff, but it's getting there.
02:01 >> Nate, coach was talking about, you made a big jump last spring.
02:04 And then we saw your production throughout the season.
02:07 Do you feel like you've done that again this year?
02:10 You know what I mean?
02:10 Springs a time when you do make those kind of jumps.
02:13 Do you feel like you've done it this year and in what way?
02:14 >> Yeah, definitely.
02:15 I remember, like Jamari said last spring, it was a whole new offense.
02:18 This offense is very complex.
02:20 So just having a year under our belt, really knowing it, and
02:22 being able to just get more reps with it, get more comfortable with it.
02:25 I would definitely say this spring, I can see myself and Jamari even too,
02:29 just being way more comfortable out there.
02:31 Not thinking so much, and just playing a lot faster, so.
02:33 >> For both of you, you played in it for a year.
02:34 You've learned it.
02:35 You've also probably seen or heard the tight ends that they've produced,
02:39 that this offense has produced.
02:41 I mean, this offense is a tight end offense, is it not?
02:44 And does that kind of make you even more excited being in that room?
02:48 >> For sure, our playbook is so big.
02:50 We have so many plays that are specifically for us.
02:53 And just on a game play, it can be called, and
02:56 our number will be called, and we can play, so.
02:58 >> I think that's exactly what he said.
03:01 It's Coach Brown, each tricky play, and it's an explosive offense.
03:07 It's really, you gotta be a really good tight end to play in this offense.
03:13 >> The experience that you two picked up last year,
03:16 obviously they've added some more to the depth chart.
03:19 So on paper, it looks like you guys are gonna get the ball a lot more.
03:22 What can that do to the offense when the defense is gonna have to start worrying
03:25 about the tight end even more so this year than we did last year?
03:29 >> I definitely think that the more guys that get out there and make plays,
03:31 the more that the defense can get back on their heels.
03:33 Because we have playmakers everywhere, and even one or two tight ends, or
03:37 even three, are getting the ball every game.
03:39 They're not gonna know what to do.
03:40 Cuz you gotta guard him, you gotta guard him.
03:43 It's just really good that we have more depth and
03:45 that everybody can go out there and do their job, so.
03:48 >> You guys and other players have all mentioned on how complex learning at
03:51 Jeff Brom offense is.
03:53 At one point in time, whether it be last spring, summer, even during the fall,
03:57 when did you think it really clicked for either one of you guys?
04:00 >> For me, I would say probably a couple weeks ago.
04:04 >> [LAUGH] >> Cuz that offense is crazy, man.
04:08 But once you get to, I would say doing it on the field and
04:13 getting reps, repetition, keep going over and over, I think you'll get it.
04:17 >> I would say definitely just last fall during the season,
04:19 cuz that was my first year playing, actually playing.
04:21 So just getting more game reps underneath my belt really just helped me be more
04:26 comfortable out there, so.
04:27 >> How thick is that plate, look?
04:28 >> It's a lot, yeah.
04:30 >> [LAUGH] >> It's probably like that big.
04:35 >> Damn.
04:36 >> Jamari, I think you told me back a couple years ago,
04:41 I mean, you're always gonna be a big guy.
04:43 You said your coach told you, but it looks different now.
04:47 Are you about the same weight, or where, I guess, where are you?
04:51 And are you in that good of shape right now?
04:54 >> I'm in way better shape than I was last spring or last,
04:58 Nate could tell you, I was like, what, 280, 290?
05:02 And now I'm about 265.
05:05 So it's transforming, and Reno on my tail about it, but-
05:09 >> I was gonna say, is that where Reno was?
05:10 Is that kinda the target?
05:12 >> Yeah, that's 265, and I don't know if he's gonna have me stay at that weight or
05:17 go lower, so we'll see.
05:20 >> Jamari, I remember watching you at the All-American Bowl practice, and
05:22 you were making all these crazy catches and stuff.
05:24 And the coach was just sitting here saying,
05:26 you're kinda doing the same thing in practice, but they're trying to teach you
05:29 use both hands.
05:30 How's that coming across?
05:31 >> Yeah, Coach Reeder, the Coderat Coach, he would come up to me every practice.
05:35 He got them both.
05:37 I was like, yeah, Coach, I got them both right here.
05:39 So they're just trying to help me catch better and
05:44 really focus on catching it and bringing it in and just being safe.
05:48 >> Nick, with all the additions, how much better can this offense,
05:52 not just because of the tight end or whatever, but with Tyler and
05:55 guys that are new up front, how much more advanced, maybe, or
06:00 better can this offense be this season?
06:02 >> I think as long as everybody, we talked about the playbook,
06:05 as long as all the new guys we got really understand the playbook and
06:08 go out there and execute it, I think we can be as good as we wanna be and
06:11 as good as we can be.
06:12 It's just a matter of if we put in the work and
06:14 really go out there and show what we can do.
06:17 >> Jamari, Coach said you always remind them that you can throw the ball.
06:19 Is that, it's gonna be something always in your back pocket, isn't it?
06:22 >> Yeah, man.
06:23 I'm saying I might have to come out of retirement and
06:25 re-wrestle with all that.
06:26 >> [LAUGH] >> I guess also, too,
06:30 is there just an added level of comfort having those guys like Isaiah and
06:34 Jaleel that have that experience playing tight end where you guys are still
06:37 all kind of learning together, especially with the playbook?
06:40 >> Yeah, I'll say they're starting to get the playbook a little bit more.
06:46 And obviously we help them if they need help,
06:48 like knowing the player, knowing the signals and stuff.
06:51 So everything's coming together pretty well.
06:53 >> Yeah, I would just tag along with that, just saying, yeah,
06:56 we really help them out if they don't know something on play.
06:58 And they're getting way more comfortable with it.
07:00 >> Competition's always a big thing to help drive everybody to get together, but
07:03 you're also teammates as well.
07:05 How do you compete and I guess cheer on your fellow tight ends at the same time?
07:10 >> I mean, whenever I'm not in for a ref, I'm cheering for him.
07:12 And I'm sure he's doing the same for me.
07:13 We all, if I'm making play at practice, he's hype, he makes a play, I'm hype.
07:17 It's just all love out there.
07:18 It's just football at the end of the day, it's just a game.
07:20 So you gotta do what you can do when you're out there.
07:22 If you're not out there, you just gotta support your brothers.
07:25 >> For either one of you guys, who do you think is someone on this offense that's
07:27 been standing out in spring ball that hasn't been getting enough attention?
07:31 >> On offense or defense?
07:32 >> Either or.
07:34 >> It's a lot of guys, man.
07:38 A lot of guys have stepped up this spring.
07:40 [BLANK_AUDIO]
07:46 Who do you think?
07:46 >> I'm trying to think right now.
07:48 Yeah, I definitely could answer it, but now that I'm on the spot,
07:50 I think about it.
07:51 I'm getting all cloudy, but.
07:53 [BLANK_AUDIO]
07:56 >> Our quarterback, Ty, he's been doing really good in this spring.
07:59 >> Yeah. >> He's been doing pretty good.
08:02 Who else, man?
08:05 >> Defense, I would say maybe Antonio Watts.
08:07 I mean, everybody knows Antonio.
08:09 He played really well last year, but he's- >> Antonio been making plays since
08:13 last spring.
08:14 >> Yeah. >> He's been doing pretty good.
08:15 >> You guys, as spring wraps up, do you look forward to getting in the stadium and
08:23 getting out there in front of the fans just to kind of show people where you've come?
08:27 >> Yeah, most definitely, man.
08:30 I know it's a couple of fans that support me in the stands and
08:35 stuff, and I appreciate them.
08:37 But I'm just really,
08:44 really happy to just go out there and just show everybody what I can do as a player.
08:49 >> Yeah, same here.
08:49 It's just a lot different being in practice than actually going out and
08:53 having a game.
08:54 So it's just fun, and excited to go out there and
08:56 just play in front of my family and friends.
08:59 >> Impressions on the defense?
09:00 >> You mean by how they're doing?
09:04 >> Yeah, how they're doing.
09:05 They're doing well against you guys?
09:06 >> Yeah, they're doing pretty good.
09:07 Yeah, we go back and forth every day, man, talking trash, playing football.
09:11 I mean, it's great, yeah.
09:13 Good.
09:16 >> Thanks, guys.
09:16 >> Appreciate it.
09:17 >> Thanks, guys.