NORMAN, Okla. — The Sooners’ defensive position may have fairly the problem forward of them dealing with the Florida State offensive line and the complete offensive unit as an entire. Clearly, they will need to be as much as the duty.
This week, D-linemen Ethan Downs and Reggie Grimes talked about simply that. OUInsider.com brings you the dialogue.
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Downs:
How issues change on the defensive position with out the fellows which have opted out and/or transferred: “Yeah, both. More rotations because guys get winded. But yeah, younger guys started stepping in that role since we’ve had some guys opt out to the draft. And it’s awesome to have that growth. Even right now, that late in the season, to see that maturity finally hit, peak when it needs to in our last game, yeah, it’s really nice.”
If there are any particular younger guys he thinks may make an impression: “Yeah, Gracen Halton. He’s a beast. He’s super fast, super strong. And, man, he’s just got a motor that never stops. He’s a huge energy ball. I mean, if you talk to him a little bit, he’s all about it. R Mason, R Mason Thomas, he is the fastest D-end we’ve got, the most athletic D-end we’ve got. He can bend, super flexible. He’s smart with the game. Both of our young guys, especially them two, are top tier, been on the radar for a lot of people.”
If he obtained his dwelling scenario discovered: “I did. I did. I actually moved in very near Barry Switzer, right next to him. Yeah, it’s awesome.”
If he’s advised Switzer he’s coming over: “I need to. That house is amazing. Yeah, it’s kind of behind, off hidden behind the campus. And it’s really cool.”
What it could do for them to finish the season on a excessive observe: “I’d say it’d set us up great for Team 129. Not looking too far ahead, though. We’ve got to control today and what we can do today. So, our ultimate goal is to win that game and to prove everybody wrong and to give motivation, inspiration to Sooner fans and people all around the world who count out somebody who’s gone through the rough of it, and overcome the adversity when everybody’s bet against them. And persevered and really, really been at their best when they needed to. So, that’s what it means for us. [It’s] more than just a win, more than just being 7-6 because it looks a lot better than 6-7. But, [it’s] really meeting one of our team goals, one of the last ones, coming out with a bang and sending out the seniors here with a win.”
On the rallying cry that individuals are counting them out: “Yeah. We love it, too. We’re feeding off of it. Not that we needed a fire or not that we needed any fuel to grow a fire, but it definitely contributed to how hard we’re working. And we’ve got something to prove. We’ve got something to prove to a lot of people. And we’re fired up to do that.”
What the largest problem is dealing with Florida State: “Their quarterback [Jordan Travis] is super talented. Their O-line has a lot of accolades for how well they’re doing this year. And it’ll probably be the most, one of the most talented offenses we’ve seen all year. And just watching the film, man, that quarterback, he can see a lot, does a lot. He’s got a lot of praise. People are saying a lot of praise about him. So, it’ll be a good challenge for us to be more disciplined, to be at our peak performance, and all-out. But as hard as it’s going to be, as hard as practices are right now, we’ve got to learn to have fun with it. It’s definitely way too hard to not have fun.”
If the surprising is a enjoyable a part of the bowl expertise: “I would say the fun is with each other. You know, when we’re doing stuff, playing at our best and straining across the field in practice, that’s when the fun comes in. When we put everything on the line, the gas tank is running out in practice and we’re making plays on low fuel, that’s when the fun starts happening.”
Grimes:
What he sees out of Florida State: “Fundamentally, they’re great. Technique-wise, they’re great. And then they play really, really hard.”
What discipline looks like for them offensively and what he means by that: “Just the little things. So like, are they taking the right steps? Are they taking false steps? How like they run their routes, how they block you, how they don’t block you, some of their schemes, some of their concepts, stuff like that.”
How he enjoys hosting recruits: “I love it. I mean, honestly it’s time to connect with another group of guys that you want to come here. And I’m like, well, I had a player [that] committed here, so it’s a chance to connect with some of the guys who are gonna be in your locker room next year. I had [another key player] a few weeks ago, a kid from my area. So, you’ve got guys who you’re reconnecting with as far as that’s concerned. But man, I love it.”
If he enjoys being a spokesman for this system: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, again, I haven’t [shied away from the truth]. Like, I’ll tell them how it is. I have nothing to hide from anyone. You know what I mean? If we want you here, that they’re putting you with me, that means we want you here. So, I take you out, have a good time and kind of show you why Oklahoma is Oklahoma, why we are the way that we are.”
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