Texas offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert addressed the media during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. Gilbert spoke for nearly 13 minutes, and here are the highlights from his media availability:
- He was asked about center Zach Shackelford’s health, but Gilbert said they would see how the week goes.
- Gilbert said freshman quarterback Shane Buechele has shown him steady growth and development. With a young quarterback, Gilbert said those are the goals every day. Each game and practice rep helps his growth.
- In addition, Gilbert praised Buechele for staying calm during games. He said that is huge for a player Buechele’s age.
-When asked to assess running back D’Onta Foreman, and if he can do more, Gilbert said, “Absolutely. I believe his ceiling is still high. You've just got to think that he’s still early in this offense, and still growing and understanding our schemes, knowing how to run, and utilizing tempo to be able to excel and be able to do what he does on Saturday. He’s a guy that continues to take care of his body, continues to be great in the weight room, and grow in that aspect, and just be a complete football player as a running back, as a blocker, as a guy who can catch a football out of the backfield as well. There’s plenty of room for improvement for him. The thing about him is he’s driven and determined to do those things.”
- Foreman is carrying a heavier workload with Chris Warren out, but Gilbert said he is aware of the increased carries for his running backs. Overworking Foreman does not appear to be part of Gilbert’s plan.
- Gilbert said Lil’Jordan Humphrey is very, very talented. He can be utilized different ways with his skill set. However, Gilbert did not disclose when he intended to implement Humphrey into his game plan.
- Here is Gilbert on Jean Delance and Denzel Okafor: “Those guys have gotten better. They haven’t got a ton of reps, but those guys have gotten better throughout the season. That’s the thing with those guys. Coach (Matt) Mattox is on those guys, and he’s teaching those guys, and coaching those guys, just like starters. It’s just about development with those guys. Those guys understand, and (they are) doing a great job. It’s hard when you’re a backup at any age, or grade level, much less when you’re a true freshman, understanding all of this, and understanding how to prepare week in and week out as a young guy when you’re not getting much playing time. That’s an area that both of those guys have grown in, and still understanding. Understanding how to practice. Understanding how to prepare every week when I’m not the starter. The ceiling for those two guys is really, really high. We’re really excited about where they are going to be in a few years.”
- Gilbert said the reason why the offensive line has played well after sustaining injuries – and a one-game suspension by Kent Perkins – is due to the amount of reps each player receives in practice. He said it prepares the second guy to step in and play.
- The reason Devin Duvernay has been able to contribute right away is because he is a “sharp kid," according to Gilbert.
- Gilbert described Kansas State’s defense as stingy. He said they are good up front, have a great rush defense and the unit is fundamentally sound.
- Here is Gilbert’s response when asked about his calm sideline demeanor: “I guess I’m fortunate that by playing quarterback, that’s kind of how I’ve always been. I’m highly, highly competitive, but when you’re coaching, you’re not playing anymore. Your role is a little bit different. When you’re coaching the quarterbacks and calling plays, I think your demeanor has to be felt and has to be that kind of way, no matter how the game is going. Our slogan in our room is never too high, never too low, always in the middle. That’s how I try to be as a coach. That’s one positive about Shane. My demeanor and Shane’s demeanor are pretty similar. That’s a positive, but our guys understand and know what we've got to get done, and what we've got to get accomplished. I just try to stay steady throughout a game. Really, no matter what’s going on, try to always put us in a situation to be successful.”
- He was asked about center Zach Shackelford’s health, but Gilbert said they would see how the week goes.
- Gilbert said freshman quarterback Shane Buechele has shown him steady growth and development. With a young quarterback, Gilbert said those are the goals every day. Each game and practice rep helps his growth.
- In addition, Gilbert praised Buechele for staying calm during games. He said that is huge for a player Buechele’s age.
-When asked to assess running back D’Onta Foreman, and if he can do more, Gilbert said, “Absolutely. I believe his ceiling is still high. You've just got to think that he’s still early in this offense, and still growing and understanding our schemes, knowing how to run, and utilizing tempo to be able to excel and be able to do what he does on Saturday. He’s a guy that continues to take care of his body, continues to be great in the weight room, and grow in that aspect, and just be a complete football player as a running back, as a blocker, as a guy who can catch a football out of the backfield as well. There’s plenty of room for improvement for him. The thing about him is he’s driven and determined to do those things.”
- Foreman is carrying a heavier workload with Chris Warren out, but Gilbert said he is aware of the increased carries for his running backs. Overworking Foreman does not appear to be part of Gilbert’s plan.
- Gilbert said Lil’Jordan Humphrey is very, very talented. He can be utilized different ways with his skill set. However, Gilbert did not disclose when he intended to implement Humphrey into his game plan.
- Here is Gilbert on Jean Delance and Denzel Okafor: “Those guys have gotten better. They haven’t got a ton of reps, but those guys have gotten better throughout the season. That’s the thing with those guys. Coach (Matt) Mattox is on those guys, and he’s teaching those guys, and coaching those guys, just like starters. It’s just about development with those guys. Those guys understand, and (they are) doing a great job. It’s hard when you’re a backup at any age, or grade level, much less when you’re a true freshman, understanding all of this, and understanding how to prepare week in and week out as a young guy when you’re not getting much playing time. That’s an area that both of those guys have grown in, and still understanding. Understanding how to practice. Understanding how to prepare every week when I’m not the starter. The ceiling for those two guys is really, really high. We’re really excited about where they are going to be in a few years.”
- Gilbert said the reason why the offensive line has played well after sustaining injuries – and a one-game suspension by Kent Perkins – is due to the amount of reps each player receives in practice. He said it prepares the second guy to step in and play.
- The reason Devin Duvernay has been able to contribute right away is because he is a “sharp kid," according to Gilbert.
- Gilbert described Kansas State’s defense as stingy. He said they are good up front, have a great rush defense and the unit is fundamentally sound.
- Here is Gilbert’s response when asked about his calm sideline demeanor: “I guess I’m fortunate that by playing quarterback, that’s kind of how I’ve always been. I’m highly, highly competitive, but when you’re coaching, you’re not playing anymore. Your role is a little bit different. When you’re coaching the quarterbacks and calling plays, I think your demeanor has to be felt and has to be that kind of way, no matter how the game is going. Our slogan in our room is never too high, never too low, always in the middle. That’s how I try to be as a coach. That’s one positive about Shane. My demeanor and Shane’s demeanor are pretty similar. That’s a positive, but our guys understand and know what we've got to get done, and what we've got to get accomplished. I just try to stay steady throughout a game. Really, no matter what’s going on, try to always put us in a situation to be successful.”
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