Here are the highlights of the media availability with Texas players after Tuesday’s practice:
Linebacker Breckyn Hager
- Hager said his mindset this season has been to make the most of his limited snaps. Since he could get into a flow against Oklahoma State, Hager said he was able to be himself.
- Hager on how it felt to put his hands on the ground as a defensive end and rush the passer again: “It felt really good. I missed using my first step.”
- In addition, Hager said he wanted to show the staff if they gave him an opportunity, he would excel.
- Hager on if it was hard waiting to receive extended playing time: “It’s the hardest thing I’ve been through.” Hager's father told him “football has a funny way of working itself out,” when he had a limited role, and the linebacker said he always fell back on that. His goal was to keep working hard, trust the system, coaches, and Hager said he is not going to look back.
Linebacker Malik Jefferson
- Jefferson said Baylor has something to play for on Saturday. He also said Baylor’s record does not show how good the team really is. Jefferson believes the Longhorns need to approach this game like every other contest.
- Jefferson’s response when asked if his confidence is growing each week: “It has to. I think, especially being a leader on the defense, I have to grow in confidence, and I have to grow with the team and the defensive confidence as well, and then transition that to the team. We’re working hard and trying to get better every week. We take a lot of pride in what we do, and trying to transition that to the whole team aspect.”
- Texas has faced USC’s Sam Darnold, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph this season, and Jefferson said they tried to minimize what each quarterback does well and make them one-dimensional. The defensive goal against Oklahoma State was to stop the run and make that team one-dimensional.
- Jefferson on his very questionable late hit call against Oklahoma State: “I don’t know what my reaction was afterwards. I hope it wasn’t too dramatic. It’s football. I could have done worse. I was actually being kind of nice. It’s whatever. I just go out there and make the next play. That actually was a big play because they ended up scoring on that drive. Tried to make up for it, but it is what it is.”
Guard Patrick Vahe
- Vahe had an illness on Saturday, but said he had soup from his mother and is doing a lot better.
- Here is Vahe’s assessment of the offensive line: “Just like any other game, we had some good things happening, and then we had some bad things happening. At the same time, it’s like what I say every week, we have to look at the film. We always have something to fix, whether it be techniques, assignment, whatever. Making sure everyone knows what they've got to do. Then playing as a unit, playing together.”
Guard Jake McMillon
The offensive lineman described his injured hand as “good” when asked about it on Tuesday.
Linebacker Breckyn Hager
- Hager said his mindset this season has been to make the most of his limited snaps. Since he could get into a flow against Oklahoma State, Hager said he was able to be himself.
- Hager on how it felt to put his hands on the ground as a defensive end and rush the passer again: “It felt really good. I missed using my first step.”
- In addition, Hager said he wanted to show the staff if they gave him an opportunity, he would excel.
- Hager on if it was hard waiting to receive extended playing time: “It’s the hardest thing I’ve been through.” Hager's father told him “football has a funny way of working itself out,” when he had a limited role, and the linebacker said he always fell back on that. His goal was to keep working hard, trust the system, coaches, and Hager said he is not going to look back.
Linebacker Malik Jefferson
- Jefferson said Baylor has something to play for on Saturday. He also said Baylor’s record does not show how good the team really is. Jefferson believes the Longhorns need to approach this game like every other contest.
- Jefferson’s response when asked if his confidence is growing each week: “It has to. I think, especially being a leader on the defense, I have to grow in confidence, and I have to grow with the team and the defensive confidence as well, and then transition that to the team. We’re working hard and trying to get better every week. We take a lot of pride in what we do, and trying to transition that to the whole team aspect.”
- Texas has faced USC’s Sam Darnold, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph this season, and Jefferson said they tried to minimize what each quarterback does well and make them one-dimensional. The defensive goal against Oklahoma State was to stop the run and make that team one-dimensional.
- Jefferson on his very questionable late hit call against Oklahoma State: “I don’t know what my reaction was afterwards. I hope it wasn’t too dramatic. It’s football. I could have done worse. I was actually being kind of nice. It’s whatever. I just go out there and make the next play. That actually was a big play because they ended up scoring on that drive. Tried to make up for it, but it is what it is.”
Guard Patrick Vahe
- Vahe had an illness on Saturday, but said he had soup from his mother and is doing a lot better.
- Here is Vahe’s assessment of the offensive line: “Just like any other game, we had some good things happening, and then we had some bad things happening. At the same time, it’s like what I say every week, we have to look at the film. We always have something to fix, whether it be techniques, assignment, whatever. Making sure everyone knows what they've got to do. Then playing as a unit, playing together.”
Guard Jake McMillon
The offensive lineman described his injured hand as “good” when asked about it on Tuesday.
