Messingham, Players Speak with Media on Monday
Aug 16, 2021 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham along with four players – running back Joe Ervin, quarterback Skylar Thompson, offensive lineman Noah Johnson and tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe – met with members of the media after practice on Monday. Above are links to each video, and below is a complete transcript.
COURTNEY MESSINGHAM, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/WIDE RECEIVERS
On what the offense needs from the wide receivers early in the season...
"Well, just to continually show that they can make plays. We have to be a threat down the field and a threat to make big plays. We had Kevin Lockett come and speak to our program, our team, and he talked about wideouts being able to make big plays. That's something we have to be able to show we can do every game."
On if more of the offense is unlocked because of returning experience...
"Yeah, I believe so and much of it ends up being Skylar (Thompson) and Will's (Howard) understanding and operation of the offense. It really helps also having so many players up front that have that, you know, a year ago we had no returning starters with exception of Josh Rivas having some starts but not true, every single game starter. So, the offensive line's ability to truly run what we run has been really good for us so far."
On an offensive lineman that has exceeded early expectations...
"No, I wouldn't say exceeded but very happy with Cooper Beebe and Noah Johnson, but we kind of felt like those would be two guys that should be able to step up and be kind of the bell cows for us."
On Noah Johnson's leadership...
"Well, I think he has understand that, which is kind of crazy, but he has to understand it doesn't matter if it's a DB, a wide receiver, a specialist, they all respect him. So, his ability to impact all of them not just the o-line is truly there. He has the platform, so go use it."
On freshman offensive lineman Andrew Leingang…
"Well, two things. The first is, I don't know what it is, somewhere in the 30s from an ACT standpoint. So, cerebrally he's really, really good. Then he's about 290 (pounds) already, but yet has a good 290, and that's part of it. You have to be an athlete, you have to be able to move, but in our system, you have to have it upstairs where I can pick it up. He's done a good job to this point."
On how often they can utilize running back Deuce Vaughn…
"Well, I think we have to use him even if it's not always handing it to him, or not always throwing it to him. Everybody knows that, from a skill standpoint on our offense, he has the skill set to pretty much do everything. So, if we motion him out to an outside receiver, they have to use a good player to cover him. They can't just say, 'Oh, take your mike backer out there and cover it,' because that's a great matchup for us if they do that. So, even if we're not handing it to him or throwing it to him, he can still be a guy they have to defend, and that helps us."
On how much wide receiver Tyrone Howell will play...
"Totally a work in progress. Expect that he's going to play. We're only 10 practices in, so we're not yet there saying, 'Yeah you're in this spot or this spot,' as far as a depth chart. Chabastin Taylor is a work in progress from his obviously returning. But we have to find five, six or seven wide receivers that can play and travel every week. I expect Tyrone to be in that mix."
On the leaders in the wide receiver room...
"Malik (Knowles) probably is a little bit more outgoing than a Phillip Brooks, but I would say that Phillip Brooks and really Landry Weber are more of the, quote, what you would say is a leader. Even Eric Hommel, who's a little bit older, been here a while. Guys that want to say things in a meeting room, they want to say things when we get done with practice. Malik (Knowles) does as well, but I'd say those other three guys are probably more in that role."
On Malik Knowles...
"The biggest thing is, nine practices through, he has his nine practices played. That's the biggest thing from my standpoint with all of the wideouts is for the quarterbacks to truly trust you and be on the same page, not always a trust factor, but on the same page of reading body language. You got to have as many plays and practices as you can have in a row."
On the chemistry between Skylar Thompson and Noah Johnson…
"I really believe that it's not just those two, but the entire team having a true summer where they led each other has bonded them where they have much more understanding and understanding where that person's coming from. In today's deal with the way, our situation is, I need to understand as an individual that, 'Hey you got some different things maybe that I have going on in my life. Do I have empathy for it? Yes, but I still have to hold you to a standard.' We feel much more comfortable now as players and coaches saying, 'I hear you, I understand it, but this is still the standard that we have to play at.'"
On the impact Malik Knowles can make on the offense…
"Oh, I think he can make a huge positive impact both carrying it and going down the field and making explosives. You say, 'Well what do you mean? Are you going to hand it to him a bunch of times?' No, but it's pretty easy to think back to Baylor where we went from being down to one play later now it's a tie ballgame. Those are the types of plays that he can make."
On the blocking of tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe…
"He's done a nice job blocking. Even though he's not a big, thick, what you'd say prototypical tight end from a hand in the dirt, but when you look at him if he walked up here and you guys were interviewing him, you'd say, 'Boy, he only weighs 238 (pounds) or 242?' because he's so long. So, his ability to block at the point of attack, I've been very happy with."
On the most difficult defensive player to block…
"On the other side of the ball, Timmy Horne has done a phenomenal job, interiorly. Eli Huggins has played well. Those two guys stick out to me. Now on the edge, obviously, Khalid Duke is on his own level of quick twitch and ability to create havoc. Those three guys, and there's more, but those three guys all can really create havoc up front. Not just for us, I think for anybody."
On tight end Sammy Wheeler...
"Well it's funny, we're watching some of our install stuff from a wide receiver's perspective, we're watching it and it's like, see that wideout running that over route or see that wideout running whatever, and then all sudden as you go through, it's like, 'Oh wait a minute, that's 19.' And that's the thing that he does do. He can play as a backside tight end, probably not the point of attack guy, but he definitely can take that size and run down the field. I go all the way back to our first year here, him making a big play for us against Oklahoma State. That was all about his ability to speed and his ball skills."
On the offense benefiting from his switch to wide receivers coach...
"I feel good with where we're at with it. I think the key will end up being as we get to Saturdays how productive are we as an offense, not just any one position group but as an offense. It doesn't matter where we're at as coaches, we have to make sure we give our players the best chance when Saturday comes."
JOE ERVIN, SOPHOMORE RUNNING BACK
On what if feels like being back…
"It has been great. Bonding with my teammates, they opened me back with welcome arms. Just everything, the coaches, just showing me love."
On what it was like last season after opting out…
"I'd say it was kind of hard, not being around my teammates. That's the most part."
On what his teammates said to him when he returned…
"Welcome back from vacation. Time to get to work."
On if he would make the same decision again…
"No."
On if he thought about not returning to K-State…
"It was always the purpose for me to return. Just being around Coach (Chris) Klieman, he's a great head coach. Coach (Van) Malone, they are very supportive."
On watching Deuce Vaughn last season...
"He's like a little action figure. He can do it all. He good, he good."
On how him and Deuce Vaughn complement each other in the backfield…
"Yeah we both are well balance. We can shed tackles. We can do it all."
On the improvement of the offensive line...
"I would just say since they are seniors, they have a lot of experience. They are just ready to go. They're on track."
On if the offense has improved…
"Yes sir. I feel like the team is more bonded. Everybody is on the same page now. Everybody is playing for the team. There are no selfish players."
On Jacardia Wright…
"Oh he looks great. He's bigger, he's faster, he's learning as well."
On how long it took him to get his legs back under him…
"I would say it took all spring. I was just working on getting my confidence back and going. Now I'm just ready to roll."
On his speed…
"Coach Tru (Trumain Carroll) built me up over the past seven months. Now I feel healthy, I'm running better, I'm ready, I'm rolling."
On how he stayed in shape in his off year…
"Well really when I opted out, I was still up here. I was just working out every time they practiced."
On the versatility of the running back room…
"Very, versatile. Deuce (Vaughn) can do it all. Jacardia (Wright) comes in with stronger planks. Me, I can do whatever I'm asked for."
SKYLAR THOMPSON, SENIOR QUARTERBACK
On if he prefers Coach Messingham's mustache or beard...
"Mustache. He said he's had that mustache ever since he has had hair on his face. So, mustache. Mustache Mess is the only way to go."
On how the team is coming along...
"I'll tell you what, it's been the most enjoyable fall camp in my time here. We're a week and a half through it, but I feel like guys have been engaged. There's been high energy, fighting through adversity. This time is where you find out what your team is made of. We're sore, you're tired, it's just turning into a grind. We're past the honeymoon stage of it just starting, so this is where you find out what you're made of. Who's going to rise to the occasion? How are we going to respond to adversity and what not? I thought today was our best practice in fall camp so far. The defense is making plays, the offense is making plays. But through it all, I felt like on both sides of the ball people stayed poised. We didn't start griping at each other or pointing fingers or nothing. It was, 'Hey, reel it back in, take a deep breath, focus on one play at a time. Let's put a drive together here.' Guys came together and we worked through it. I thought we did a really good job today of doing that. We just have to continue to build on that moving forward."
On more of the offense being unlocked because of experienced players returning…
"Yes, I definitely think we moved through install a little bit quicker than the past couple years because of that. In a way, that was a little challenging because it's a lot being thrown at us all at once. Our defense is installing so much, so the looks are all changing, but we're to the point now where everything's installed and it's time to go play football. We have to take what the defense gives us, don't force anything, take care of the football. Go play and have fun."
On if this offensive line is one of the best he's had…
"100 percent. I think our offensive line is doing a tremendous job. Truly just getting better every single day. When you have guys that have all started games, all played together, it's big time. The biggest key to that puzzle up there is having that continuity and being able to gel together, just being able to work with one another and having so many reps built up as a group as a unit. They're led by Noah Johnson. He's truly one of the best leaders I've ever been a part of. So, having him up in center and commanding that thing up front, helping me out. Him and I are on the same page. He's always thinking what I'm thinking, I'm thinking what he's thinking, and we're able to bounce off of each other in the huddle as far as like, 'Hey, we're struggling here. Let's take a deep breath, let's go, let's pick it up.' I don't feel like I have to shoulder all that weight leadership-wise. So, we're doing a great job. It has to keep moving forward."
On the return of running back Joe Ervin...
"Huge asset. Joe has been tremendous, and from day one, since Joe's gotten here, I'm like, 'This this kid can run the football.' And I feel like this fall camp you can really just tell the game is slowing down for him, especially just learning the plays and understanding the offense. He's more reacting instead of thinking, which has made him play faster. I think his acceleration, that burst that he has, when he gets the ball and hits a hole I mean, he hits it, and he runs hard. On top of that, he's a tremendous person, tremendous teammate. Joe has gotten more comfortable and speaking. His personality has shined a lot here recently, and it's been a lot of fun to be around him. I enjoy Joe, and I'm looking forward to seeing what this season has in store for him."
On his chemistry with wide receiver Malik Knowles…
"Yes, me and Malik, we spent a lot of time this offseason together. In the film room, extra throwing even just trying to build our relationship off the field. Him texting me, me texting him. Him and I have faced some similar things in life, and I think that is brought us together, really closely. We just have grown that relationship tremendously. The key to that trust and continuity with a receiver or anybody on the team, you have to have a relationship outside of football. I know what he's gone through, he knows what I've gone through, and I just feel like that mentally just connects us. That's helped us a lot, and I truly think Malik has had a great fall camp. He's taking command of that receivers room. He's bringing it every single day, working hard, and that entire receivers group has been doing tremendous. We have to continue to improve."
On what Daniel Imatorbhebhe brings to the offense...
"Daniel is a good football player, but like I said, he's even a better person. He's a great asset to our football team as far as bringing in experience and game reps in big-time games that you can't really simulate. This whole offense is new to him. He had a spring session to learn it, and you could tell kind of early on that Daniel, he's a really deep thinker. He's really intentional with his thinking and understanding of stuff. So, you can tell at first he was thinking too much. I think really over the past couple days, especially, you could tell he started to understand things and, 'Hey, I know what I'm doing, let's go play football.' But like I said, he's a tremendous asset to that tight ends room and has been a great leader for us."
On the offensive chemistry…
"Like I said this is the most unselfish football team that I've been a part of here. We all want to be successful. We want to be the best, and that's why you do this thing, you want to be the best. If not, then get out of here. That's our approach and that's something that Noah (Johnson) and I talk about, Malik, all of us, Deuce. Our expectation is to go out there and be the best every single day and understanding that we're not going to be perfect. There's going to be mistakes, whatever the case may be, but that's our mentality. That's how we're going to attack practice every day. I feel like that has really helped our mindset. When I'm throwing an under route, 'Phillip Brooks, when you catch this thing, it's a kickoff return.' That's our mindset is we're making a guy miss, we're going to go score. Same for me – if I'm running that thing, I want to make a guy miss, turning a five-yard run play into 15 or 20. That's our mindset as an offense. We just have to continue to build and grow."
On any younger guys who have stepped up…
"Yeah, DJ (Giddens), our running back from Junction city, true freshmen. He's done a tremendous job. He is a really good football player. DJ and RJ Garcia has been doing really well, also, but both of those two players you can tell have a natural feel for the game. They just have certain characteristics that you can't really teach someone. When you're watching somebody like, 'Oh that dude gets it.' I feel like both those guys are like that. The biggest thing for them now is learning the playbook, playing fast. That's the biggest thing is our offense is pretty complex, we're a pro-style system. There are a lot of moving parts. So, once you understand that, you can play fast, watch out. So, I'm really looking forward to working with those guys moving forward. They're great kids, I say kids, great guys. My age, I don't know. But no, I'm looking forward to the future for sure."
NOAH JOHNSON, SENIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
On the 'Revenge Tour"...
"I think I started saying it at Butler (CC) my sophomore season. It's just a way to make stuff, for fall camp at least, a little bit more fun. But, at the end of the day, we are on a tour of revenge of sorts. We didn't have a great year last year. We're aiming for a lot bigger stuff this year, so it's just what we're going with. It's just some to make fall camp and make the make the whole process this season, the grinding, just a little bit more fun. It's a great way to build team chemistry."
On having the entire offensive line back this season...
"It's been super helpful. A lot of us have really been playing together now for going on our third year. Then you've got new editions that have come in. It's going well. There are different guys mixing and matching. I feel really comfortable at our depth at all five positions right now. I've said it before, but it takes a whole offensive line playing together to be successful. We can't have one, two or three good players. You have to have five good players that know what each other are doing, know the scheme of the offense and just playing together and playing hard. That's still the goal that we're trying to get to. We have a lot of room to improve, and that's what we're working for."
On taking on defensive tackle Timmy Horne in practice…
"Tim is super hard to block, man. He's just a great, great guy. He's just an awesome, unbelievable human being, and it's just such a blessing for our program to have a guy like him come in. His maturity, just his personality, and then physically the guy's a freak. He's huge, long arms, fast, twitchy. He does all the little things right. He's not one of those guys who's just very blessed naturally and kind of forgets about the little things. No, he's an incredibly hard worker, plays unbelievably hard, communicates well. We're very blessed to have him on the team. I'm really lucky to get to go against him every day."
On the culture in the locker room this year compared to the end of 2020...
"There's a huge difference. I am a person who always tries to think positively. Even last year in some of our some of our toughest times, the base of having a great culture and a great program was still there. Our coaches were still given us the right messages, and we still had, I believe, the right group of guys together. Just building the right culture takes maturity, and you have to go through some stuff. You have to gain some perspective. A lot of the great teams that you see very rarely are they just one year immediately a great team. You have to go through your trials and your tribulations to learn and to grow. I think that's what last year really did for us. That was tough. Everyone on our team looked in the mirror and said, 'I have to fix some stuff,' and just came back as soon as we got back this winter and just started pushing. Everyone is pushing the right direction. I couldn't be happier or more blessed to be a part of it."
On if there is a revenge factor for the offensive line…
"It's just kind of how it goes with the whole team. We're very motivated because there were glimpses last season of us being a great offensive line, and there were glimpses from us last season of us being a below average offensive line or an average offensive line. So, we're aiming for greatness. We're striving for greatness. I think we've had a great fall camp up front, but there's still been days, there's still been periods, there's still been plays that isn't great. If you want greatness, it's consistency, and that's what we have to have to keep working for."
On which one of his fellow offensive linemen have flashed since last season…
"It's tough for me to single any one person out. Taylor Poitier, he's one of my best friends. He matured so much this offseason. Cooper Beebe, he's just straight up stud and a guy who's a pretty young kid, but he's really growing up right before everyone's eyes. KT Leveston. Christian Duffie. Josh Rivas, Ben Adler, Hayden Gillum, Marshall Kellner, Hadley Panzer, Carver Willis, Logan Long. We have a great group of guys, and Coach (Conor) Riley is an incredible coach. He recruits the right people. He preaches the right messages, and he knows what's going on. He knows what he's talking about. Kingsley (Ugwu), I can't pronounce his last name but KO. He's a new guy, a JUCO guy like myself. Dawson Delforge. We have just a great, great group of guys, and it started starts with Coach Riley. Like I said, I'm just lucky and blessed to be a part of it."
DANIEL IMATORBHEBHE, SENIOR TIGHT END
On the differences between this fall camp and his other schools…
"Man, we're putting in the work. So, a lot of sweat equity, I feel like. I think we do more team here than any other training camps I've had. The only thing I have the reference, honestly, is the camps we had at USC because last year I think we got two days into camp and then the Big 10 cut off their season. So, when we got back, it wasn't really like grinded out camp, camp. I think we do a lot of team. The double reps are new to me. We walk through things. I think we're really into the details here, which has been awesome. I've learned a lot."
On his first impressions of quarterback Skylar Thompson…
"It's been fun. We got to hoop a little bit in the offseason, and you can kind of tell the type of basketball player he is, he's fun to play with. There's this kind of sixth sense that you have in the game I feel like if you play long enough. Basketball is my first sport, I think it was his as well. That kind of translates to the field, so I think it's been awesome. Skylar is such a fiery competitor. He hates losing, he hates not doing things with a spirit of excellence, and I'm kind of the same way. So, we bounce off each other, we feed off each other, we lift each other up. Getting to play with him has been fun, and we both have this mindset like, 'Man, we're trying to finish this thing the right way, affect the team in this way that puts us over the top.' So, I think we're excited for where we're going."
On his reaction if someone told him how his college career would go...
"I would have been shocked to hear. Honestly, I think things have played out the way they have for a reason. You know my faith, my trust, my hope, it's in God. So, if you would have told me when I was a freshman, walking around in my dream school USC that things are going to happen in these ways. For those that know my story of how I got to USC, like things are so specific. And so, nonetheless I'm grateful for it all. I think it's been such an enriching cultural experience for me. I'm here talking to Tyrone Taleni and Reed (Godinet) and young Damien (Ilalio). I'm used to having all types of Polynesian teammates at USC, and I didn't know anyone when I was back in North Gwinnett. So, getting to be around guys from different regions of the country, different values, it's been awesome. So, I would've been shocked for real. But it's not so bad now that we're here."
On if K-State's playbook is similar to any he's been in before...
"No, not at all. It's interesting because learning a playbook for me has just been translating it through what I already know. So, I'm like, 'Alright, this play is actually this play.' I told you guys earlier I've never been in a huddle offense before. I've never had cadences. It's different, a lot of the shifts and the motions and the trades and stuff. So, going from spread offense in high school, to West Coast, no huddle at USC with Coach Sark's (Steve Sarkisian) offense. I was telling Skylar (Thompson) this, but I'm used to processing plays in this visual way. You see the boards, you see the formations, you see the play, and here everything is audible. You get into the huddle, and it's, 'Right pro strong 67, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.' So, it's two totally different ways of processing what you have to do so. I think that's probably the most different part. But, at the end of day, it's still ball. The plays are more or less the same, it's just a different way of getting to it."
On how the offense suits his skills…
"Yeah, I think any tight end would love to play in this offense because we move a lot. We play a lot of tight ends. We're able to stretch the field. We do stuff in the intermediate game. We're able to provide relief for the quarterbacks in the flat."
On the most difficult part of transition into a new offense…
"I think it would be what I just said. Just processing things audibly instead of visually because I'm so used to just looking to the side, 'Okay, we're going two-by-two. We're going this concept, boundary, field.' Now I have to really be paying attention. Am I the Y? Am I the F? Gun right pro, zip strong, whatever. Pay attention to what I'm doing, and then also hearing the snap count as well. So, I think that's been the biggest thing, but I think I'm starting to get it"
On how close he has come to tapping into his full potential…
"I don't really feel like anybody other than the people really closest to me have gotten to see fully what I can do. I started playing football in 10th grade. I played basketball my whole life. So, it's been this rapid growth in a short time. So, I definitely feel like I have a ways to go. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can. I'm trying to turn weaknesses into strengths. But, to answer your question, I definitely feel like the sky's the limit. That's at least how I'm going to operate. Work as hard as I can and not be content with where I'm at."
COURTNEY MESSINGHAM, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/WIDE RECEIVERS
On what the offense needs from the wide receivers early in the season...
"Well, just to continually show that they can make plays. We have to be a threat down the field and a threat to make big plays. We had Kevin Lockett come and speak to our program, our team, and he talked about wideouts being able to make big plays. That's something we have to be able to show we can do every game."
On if more of the offense is unlocked because of returning experience...
"Yeah, I believe so and much of it ends up being Skylar (Thompson) and Will's (Howard) understanding and operation of the offense. It really helps also having so many players up front that have that, you know, a year ago we had no returning starters with exception of Josh Rivas having some starts but not true, every single game starter. So, the offensive line's ability to truly run what we run has been really good for us so far."
On an offensive lineman that has exceeded early expectations...
"No, I wouldn't say exceeded but very happy with Cooper Beebe and Noah Johnson, but we kind of felt like those would be two guys that should be able to step up and be kind of the bell cows for us."
On Noah Johnson's leadership...
"Well, I think he has understand that, which is kind of crazy, but he has to understand it doesn't matter if it's a DB, a wide receiver, a specialist, they all respect him. So, his ability to impact all of them not just the o-line is truly there. He has the platform, so go use it."
On freshman offensive lineman Andrew Leingang…
"Well, two things. The first is, I don't know what it is, somewhere in the 30s from an ACT standpoint. So, cerebrally he's really, really good. Then he's about 290 (pounds) already, but yet has a good 290, and that's part of it. You have to be an athlete, you have to be able to move, but in our system, you have to have it upstairs where I can pick it up. He's done a good job to this point."
On how often they can utilize running back Deuce Vaughn…
"Well, I think we have to use him even if it's not always handing it to him, or not always throwing it to him. Everybody knows that, from a skill standpoint on our offense, he has the skill set to pretty much do everything. So, if we motion him out to an outside receiver, they have to use a good player to cover him. They can't just say, 'Oh, take your mike backer out there and cover it,' because that's a great matchup for us if they do that. So, even if we're not handing it to him or throwing it to him, he can still be a guy they have to defend, and that helps us."
On how much wide receiver Tyrone Howell will play...
"Totally a work in progress. Expect that he's going to play. We're only 10 practices in, so we're not yet there saying, 'Yeah you're in this spot or this spot,' as far as a depth chart. Chabastin Taylor is a work in progress from his obviously returning. But we have to find five, six or seven wide receivers that can play and travel every week. I expect Tyrone to be in that mix."
On the leaders in the wide receiver room...
"Malik (Knowles) probably is a little bit more outgoing than a Phillip Brooks, but I would say that Phillip Brooks and really Landry Weber are more of the, quote, what you would say is a leader. Even Eric Hommel, who's a little bit older, been here a while. Guys that want to say things in a meeting room, they want to say things when we get done with practice. Malik (Knowles) does as well, but I'd say those other three guys are probably more in that role."
On Malik Knowles...
"The biggest thing is, nine practices through, he has his nine practices played. That's the biggest thing from my standpoint with all of the wideouts is for the quarterbacks to truly trust you and be on the same page, not always a trust factor, but on the same page of reading body language. You got to have as many plays and practices as you can have in a row."
On the chemistry between Skylar Thompson and Noah Johnson…
"I really believe that it's not just those two, but the entire team having a true summer where they led each other has bonded them where they have much more understanding and understanding where that person's coming from. In today's deal with the way, our situation is, I need to understand as an individual that, 'Hey you got some different things maybe that I have going on in my life. Do I have empathy for it? Yes, but I still have to hold you to a standard.' We feel much more comfortable now as players and coaches saying, 'I hear you, I understand it, but this is still the standard that we have to play at.'"
On the impact Malik Knowles can make on the offense…
"Oh, I think he can make a huge positive impact both carrying it and going down the field and making explosives. You say, 'Well what do you mean? Are you going to hand it to him a bunch of times?' No, but it's pretty easy to think back to Baylor where we went from being down to one play later now it's a tie ballgame. Those are the types of plays that he can make."
On the blocking of tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe…
"He's done a nice job blocking. Even though he's not a big, thick, what you'd say prototypical tight end from a hand in the dirt, but when you look at him if he walked up here and you guys were interviewing him, you'd say, 'Boy, he only weighs 238 (pounds) or 242?' because he's so long. So, his ability to block at the point of attack, I've been very happy with."
On the most difficult defensive player to block…
"On the other side of the ball, Timmy Horne has done a phenomenal job, interiorly. Eli Huggins has played well. Those two guys stick out to me. Now on the edge, obviously, Khalid Duke is on his own level of quick twitch and ability to create havoc. Those three guys, and there's more, but those three guys all can really create havoc up front. Not just for us, I think for anybody."
On tight end Sammy Wheeler...
"Well it's funny, we're watching some of our install stuff from a wide receiver's perspective, we're watching it and it's like, see that wideout running that over route or see that wideout running whatever, and then all sudden as you go through, it's like, 'Oh wait a minute, that's 19.' And that's the thing that he does do. He can play as a backside tight end, probably not the point of attack guy, but he definitely can take that size and run down the field. I go all the way back to our first year here, him making a big play for us against Oklahoma State. That was all about his ability to speed and his ball skills."
On the offense benefiting from his switch to wide receivers coach...
"I feel good with where we're at with it. I think the key will end up being as we get to Saturdays how productive are we as an offense, not just any one position group but as an offense. It doesn't matter where we're at as coaches, we have to make sure we give our players the best chance when Saturday comes."
JOE ERVIN, SOPHOMORE RUNNING BACK
On what if feels like being back…
"It has been great. Bonding with my teammates, they opened me back with welcome arms. Just everything, the coaches, just showing me love."
On what it was like last season after opting out…
"I'd say it was kind of hard, not being around my teammates. That's the most part."
On what his teammates said to him when he returned…
"Welcome back from vacation. Time to get to work."
On if he would make the same decision again…
"No."
On if he thought about not returning to K-State…
"It was always the purpose for me to return. Just being around Coach (Chris) Klieman, he's a great head coach. Coach (Van) Malone, they are very supportive."
On watching Deuce Vaughn last season...
"He's like a little action figure. He can do it all. He good, he good."
On how him and Deuce Vaughn complement each other in the backfield…
"Yeah we both are well balance. We can shed tackles. We can do it all."
On the improvement of the offensive line...
"I would just say since they are seniors, they have a lot of experience. They are just ready to go. They're on track."
On if the offense has improved…
"Yes sir. I feel like the team is more bonded. Everybody is on the same page now. Everybody is playing for the team. There are no selfish players."
On Jacardia Wright…
"Oh he looks great. He's bigger, he's faster, he's learning as well."
On how long it took him to get his legs back under him…
"I would say it took all spring. I was just working on getting my confidence back and going. Now I'm just ready to roll."
On his speed…
"Coach Tru (Trumain Carroll) built me up over the past seven months. Now I feel healthy, I'm running better, I'm ready, I'm rolling."
On how he stayed in shape in his off year…
"Well really when I opted out, I was still up here. I was just working out every time they practiced."
On the versatility of the running back room…
"Very, versatile. Deuce (Vaughn) can do it all. Jacardia (Wright) comes in with stronger planks. Me, I can do whatever I'm asked for."
SKYLAR THOMPSON, SENIOR QUARTERBACK
On if he prefers Coach Messingham's mustache or beard...
"Mustache. He said he's had that mustache ever since he has had hair on his face. So, mustache. Mustache Mess is the only way to go."
On how the team is coming along...
"I'll tell you what, it's been the most enjoyable fall camp in my time here. We're a week and a half through it, but I feel like guys have been engaged. There's been high energy, fighting through adversity. This time is where you find out what your team is made of. We're sore, you're tired, it's just turning into a grind. We're past the honeymoon stage of it just starting, so this is where you find out what you're made of. Who's going to rise to the occasion? How are we going to respond to adversity and what not? I thought today was our best practice in fall camp so far. The defense is making plays, the offense is making plays. But through it all, I felt like on both sides of the ball people stayed poised. We didn't start griping at each other or pointing fingers or nothing. It was, 'Hey, reel it back in, take a deep breath, focus on one play at a time. Let's put a drive together here.' Guys came together and we worked through it. I thought we did a really good job today of doing that. We just have to continue to build on that moving forward."
On more of the offense being unlocked because of experienced players returning…
"Yes, I definitely think we moved through install a little bit quicker than the past couple years because of that. In a way, that was a little challenging because it's a lot being thrown at us all at once. Our defense is installing so much, so the looks are all changing, but we're to the point now where everything's installed and it's time to go play football. We have to take what the defense gives us, don't force anything, take care of the football. Go play and have fun."
On if this offensive line is one of the best he's had…
"100 percent. I think our offensive line is doing a tremendous job. Truly just getting better every single day. When you have guys that have all started games, all played together, it's big time. The biggest key to that puzzle up there is having that continuity and being able to gel together, just being able to work with one another and having so many reps built up as a group as a unit. They're led by Noah Johnson. He's truly one of the best leaders I've ever been a part of. So, having him up in center and commanding that thing up front, helping me out. Him and I are on the same page. He's always thinking what I'm thinking, I'm thinking what he's thinking, and we're able to bounce off of each other in the huddle as far as like, 'Hey, we're struggling here. Let's take a deep breath, let's go, let's pick it up.' I don't feel like I have to shoulder all that weight leadership-wise. So, we're doing a great job. It has to keep moving forward."
On the return of running back Joe Ervin...
"Huge asset. Joe has been tremendous, and from day one, since Joe's gotten here, I'm like, 'This this kid can run the football.' And I feel like this fall camp you can really just tell the game is slowing down for him, especially just learning the plays and understanding the offense. He's more reacting instead of thinking, which has made him play faster. I think his acceleration, that burst that he has, when he gets the ball and hits a hole I mean, he hits it, and he runs hard. On top of that, he's a tremendous person, tremendous teammate. Joe has gotten more comfortable and speaking. His personality has shined a lot here recently, and it's been a lot of fun to be around him. I enjoy Joe, and I'm looking forward to seeing what this season has in store for him."
On his chemistry with wide receiver Malik Knowles…
"Yes, me and Malik, we spent a lot of time this offseason together. In the film room, extra throwing even just trying to build our relationship off the field. Him texting me, me texting him. Him and I have faced some similar things in life, and I think that is brought us together, really closely. We just have grown that relationship tremendously. The key to that trust and continuity with a receiver or anybody on the team, you have to have a relationship outside of football. I know what he's gone through, he knows what I've gone through, and I just feel like that mentally just connects us. That's helped us a lot, and I truly think Malik has had a great fall camp. He's taking command of that receivers room. He's bringing it every single day, working hard, and that entire receivers group has been doing tremendous. We have to continue to improve."
On what Daniel Imatorbhebhe brings to the offense...
"Daniel is a good football player, but like I said, he's even a better person. He's a great asset to our football team as far as bringing in experience and game reps in big-time games that you can't really simulate. This whole offense is new to him. He had a spring session to learn it, and you could tell kind of early on that Daniel, he's a really deep thinker. He's really intentional with his thinking and understanding of stuff. So, you can tell at first he was thinking too much. I think really over the past couple days, especially, you could tell he started to understand things and, 'Hey, I know what I'm doing, let's go play football.' But like I said, he's a tremendous asset to that tight ends room and has been a great leader for us."
On the offensive chemistry…
"Like I said this is the most unselfish football team that I've been a part of here. We all want to be successful. We want to be the best, and that's why you do this thing, you want to be the best. If not, then get out of here. That's our approach and that's something that Noah (Johnson) and I talk about, Malik, all of us, Deuce. Our expectation is to go out there and be the best every single day and understanding that we're not going to be perfect. There's going to be mistakes, whatever the case may be, but that's our mentality. That's how we're going to attack practice every day. I feel like that has really helped our mindset. When I'm throwing an under route, 'Phillip Brooks, when you catch this thing, it's a kickoff return.' That's our mindset is we're making a guy miss, we're going to go score. Same for me – if I'm running that thing, I want to make a guy miss, turning a five-yard run play into 15 or 20. That's our mindset as an offense. We just have to continue to build and grow."
On any younger guys who have stepped up…
"Yeah, DJ (Giddens), our running back from Junction city, true freshmen. He's done a tremendous job. He is a really good football player. DJ and RJ Garcia has been doing really well, also, but both of those two players you can tell have a natural feel for the game. They just have certain characteristics that you can't really teach someone. When you're watching somebody like, 'Oh that dude gets it.' I feel like both those guys are like that. The biggest thing for them now is learning the playbook, playing fast. That's the biggest thing is our offense is pretty complex, we're a pro-style system. There are a lot of moving parts. So, once you understand that, you can play fast, watch out. So, I'm really looking forward to working with those guys moving forward. They're great kids, I say kids, great guys. My age, I don't know. But no, I'm looking forward to the future for sure."
NOAH JOHNSON, SENIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
On the 'Revenge Tour"...
"I think I started saying it at Butler (CC) my sophomore season. It's just a way to make stuff, for fall camp at least, a little bit more fun. But, at the end of the day, we are on a tour of revenge of sorts. We didn't have a great year last year. We're aiming for a lot bigger stuff this year, so it's just what we're going with. It's just some to make fall camp and make the make the whole process this season, the grinding, just a little bit more fun. It's a great way to build team chemistry."
On having the entire offensive line back this season...
"It's been super helpful. A lot of us have really been playing together now for going on our third year. Then you've got new editions that have come in. It's going well. There are different guys mixing and matching. I feel really comfortable at our depth at all five positions right now. I've said it before, but it takes a whole offensive line playing together to be successful. We can't have one, two or three good players. You have to have five good players that know what each other are doing, know the scheme of the offense and just playing together and playing hard. That's still the goal that we're trying to get to. We have a lot of room to improve, and that's what we're working for."
On taking on defensive tackle Timmy Horne in practice…
"Tim is super hard to block, man. He's just a great, great guy. He's just an awesome, unbelievable human being, and it's just such a blessing for our program to have a guy like him come in. His maturity, just his personality, and then physically the guy's a freak. He's huge, long arms, fast, twitchy. He does all the little things right. He's not one of those guys who's just very blessed naturally and kind of forgets about the little things. No, he's an incredibly hard worker, plays unbelievably hard, communicates well. We're very blessed to have him on the team. I'm really lucky to get to go against him every day."
On the culture in the locker room this year compared to the end of 2020...
"There's a huge difference. I am a person who always tries to think positively. Even last year in some of our some of our toughest times, the base of having a great culture and a great program was still there. Our coaches were still given us the right messages, and we still had, I believe, the right group of guys together. Just building the right culture takes maturity, and you have to go through some stuff. You have to gain some perspective. A lot of the great teams that you see very rarely are they just one year immediately a great team. You have to go through your trials and your tribulations to learn and to grow. I think that's what last year really did for us. That was tough. Everyone on our team looked in the mirror and said, 'I have to fix some stuff,' and just came back as soon as we got back this winter and just started pushing. Everyone is pushing the right direction. I couldn't be happier or more blessed to be a part of it."
On if there is a revenge factor for the offensive line…
"It's just kind of how it goes with the whole team. We're very motivated because there were glimpses last season of us being a great offensive line, and there were glimpses from us last season of us being a below average offensive line or an average offensive line. So, we're aiming for greatness. We're striving for greatness. I think we've had a great fall camp up front, but there's still been days, there's still been periods, there's still been plays that isn't great. If you want greatness, it's consistency, and that's what we have to have to keep working for."
On which one of his fellow offensive linemen have flashed since last season…
"It's tough for me to single any one person out. Taylor Poitier, he's one of my best friends. He matured so much this offseason. Cooper Beebe, he's just straight up stud and a guy who's a pretty young kid, but he's really growing up right before everyone's eyes. KT Leveston. Christian Duffie. Josh Rivas, Ben Adler, Hayden Gillum, Marshall Kellner, Hadley Panzer, Carver Willis, Logan Long. We have a great group of guys, and Coach (Conor) Riley is an incredible coach. He recruits the right people. He preaches the right messages, and he knows what's going on. He knows what he's talking about. Kingsley (Ugwu), I can't pronounce his last name but KO. He's a new guy, a JUCO guy like myself. Dawson Delforge. We have just a great, great group of guys, and it started starts with Coach Riley. Like I said, I'm just lucky and blessed to be a part of it."
DANIEL IMATORBHEBHE, SENIOR TIGHT END
On the differences between this fall camp and his other schools…
"Man, we're putting in the work. So, a lot of sweat equity, I feel like. I think we do more team here than any other training camps I've had. The only thing I have the reference, honestly, is the camps we had at USC because last year I think we got two days into camp and then the Big 10 cut off their season. So, when we got back, it wasn't really like grinded out camp, camp. I think we do a lot of team. The double reps are new to me. We walk through things. I think we're really into the details here, which has been awesome. I've learned a lot."
On his first impressions of quarterback Skylar Thompson…
"It's been fun. We got to hoop a little bit in the offseason, and you can kind of tell the type of basketball player he is, he's fun to play with. There's this kind of sixth sense that you have in the game I feel like if you play long enough. Basketball is my first sport, I think it was his as well. That kind of translates to the field, so I think it's been awesome. Skylar is such a fiery competitor. He hates losing, he hates not doing things with a spirit of excellence, and I'm kind of the same way. So, we bounce off each other, we feed off each other, we lift each other up. Getting to play with him has been fun, and we both have this mindset like, 'Man, we're trying to finish this thing the right way, affect the team in this way that puts us over the top.' So, I think we're excited for where we're going."
On his reaction if someone told him how his college career would go...
"I would have been shocked to hear. Honestly, I think things have played out the way they have for a reason. You know my faith, my trust, my hope, it's in God. So, if you would have told me when I was a freshman, walking around in my dream school USC that things are going to happen in these ways. For those that know my story of how I got to USC, like things are so specific. And so, nonetheless I'm grateful for it all. I think it's been such an enriching cultural experience for me. I'm here talking to Tyrone Taleni and Reed (Godinet) and young Damien (Ilalio). I'm used to having all types of Polynesian teammates at USC, and I didn't know anyone when I was back in North Gwinnett. So, getting to be around guys from different regions of the country, different values, it's been awesome. So, I would've been shocked for real. But it's not so bad now that we're here."
On if K-State's playbook is similar to any he's been in before...
"No, not at all. It's interesting because learning a playbook for me has just been translating it through what I already know. So, I'm like, 'Alright, this play is actually this play.' I told you guys earlier I've never been in a huddle offense before. I've never had cadences. It's different, a lot of the shifts and the motions and the trades and stuff. So, going from spread offense in high school, to West Coast, no huddle at USC with Coach Sark's (Steve Sarkisian) offense. I was telling Skylar (Thompson) this, but I'm used to processing plays in this visual way. You see the boards, you see the formations, you see the play, and here everything is audible. You get into the huddle, and it's, 'Right pro strong 67, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.' So, it's two totally different ways of processing what you have to do so. I think that's probably the most different part. But, at the end of day, it's still ball. The plays are more or less the same, it's just a different way of getting to it."
On how the offense suits his skills…
"Yeah, I think any tight end would love to play in this offense because we move a lot. We play a lot of tight ends. We're able to stretch the field. We do stuff in the intermediate game. We're able to provide relief for the quarterbacks in the flat."
On the most difficult part of transition into a new offense…
"I think it would be what I just said. Just processing things audibly instead of visually because I'm so used to just looking to the side, 'Okay, we're going two-by-two. We're going this concept, boundary, field.' Now I have to really be paying attention. Am I the Y? Am I the F? Gun right pro, zip strong, whatever. Pay attention to what I'm doing, and then also hearing the snap count as well. So, I think that's been the biggest thing, but I think I'm starting to get it"
On how close he has come to tapping into his full potential…
"I don't really feel like anybody other than the people really closest to me have gotten to see fully what I can do. I started playing football in 10th grade. I played basketball my whole life. So, it's been this rapid growth in a short time. So, I definitely feel like I have a ways to go. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can. I'm trying to turn weaknesses into strengths. But, to answer your question, I definitely feel like the sky's the limit. That's at least how I'm going to operate. Work as hard as I can and not be content with where I'm at."
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DT
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DT
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ FootballK-State FB | Welcome back Collin Klein
Monday, December 08
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Radio Interview
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Official Introductory Event
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Thank You Coach Klieman
Wednesday, December 03
