Football practice report
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas football team continued practice Tuesday as the Razorbacks worked out inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Following the practice, both UA defensive coordinator Willy Robinson and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee spoke to the media:
Willy Robinson On Darius Winsto:"I think he’s made great strides these last four or five weeks. I think he’s got a lot of confidence in what he’s doing and he understands the defensive scheme of things. I’ve seen a lot of improvement technique wise and assignment wise. He’s really done a nice job these last couple of weeks. Obviously, it is a lot longer than a high school season. Sometimes during the course of a year, you can kind of feel that when it happens. You can see him pushing through that as have the rest."
On Caleb Evans:A guy that has caught our eye is Caleb Evans. He’s really starting to focus and understand our defense and he’ll play a role for us. He’s really understanding our technique and how to line up. What his stance is and his assignment the play calls for. I think he’s made great strides for us as well."
On Rudell Crim:"Rudell has had a good first year for us. As a junior college players coming in at the time he did, he’s only gotten stronger and better. He’s playing with a lot more confidence and he’s picked up the system really well. He really understands things."
On the last few weeks:"Very organized and very structured. There is no cut off as far as the demand. The kids have responded well and given us great effort."
Garrick McGeeOn practice:"Our guys have really shown up with a great attitude. They worked hard in preparing and I think our young guys have grinded to get into a position for spring ball to compete for a starting job. I think we’ve been impressed, mostly with the attitude. Our seniors have done a good job leading, and the young guys have done a good job of preparing to get better every day."
On being offensive coordinator:"It’s a lot different (than being quarterbacks coach). It is a lot more responsibility just preparing in the office the logistics of practice, the scripts, the timing of the practice making sure things are running the right way and motivating all the kids. The last couple of years I’ve been motivating the quarterbacks and making sure they are prepared to go out on the field."
On the break:"It will be a really good weekend for us. As a coaching staff, we really haven’t spent a lot of time with our families. We’ve been grinding with bowl preparation and recruiting. It will be good to spend some time with the family.
On the running backs:"They are doing well and they practice with a lot of energy. One guy is Brandon Barnett. You don’t see him playing a lot on game day, but he’s a guy our kids look up to. When Michael went down, Brandon was already one of the leaders of the group. He’s done a good job of keeping the energy going in practice and keeping the young running backs focused during practice and preparing the right way. He doesn’t get a lot of playing time, but his attitude is great and he does a good job of keeping our guys going out there."
