 So how would you describe how maybe the first couple of days we're going for you here with the Titans? Fun. First time playing ball in a long time. It's the game we all love, so the opportunity to come out here and just play and learn. It's just been a lot of fun and getting to know the guys, getting to know the coaches, getting to know the offense. A lot of work to do, but got a lot of good work in the last few days. Is that ultimately like the part of this that's most comfortable, just getting back into the routine of going through the process and getting ready for another football season? I think we all thrive on routines and stuff, you know? Obviously in the off season we have a routine, but when you're in the building all day long in a camp environment like this, I feel like you got to just be that much more locked in. You got to be that much more in tune with everything that's going on. And I think because of that, we're all able to learn so much in such a short amount of time. I'm just so proud of all the guys, all the new guys in here who've handled it and have just gone out there and done their best and executed at a high level. Did you maybe finish on the high note? Yeah, yeah, it was good. Any time you can end practice on completion, let alone one in a well-placed ball like that when a guy like Josh, who has been awesome to get to know, a fellow draft pick to just go up there and grab it, feels good and I always want to end on completion. How has everything been for you operation-wise getting in and out of the huddle, being able to in the huddle, regurgitate the plate on it? Good, yeah. Yesterday was the first time I'd ever heard that. I didn't play in a senior goal or anything, so I'd never had the mic in the helmet. So I mean, it goes to the preparation. It goes to the night before. Going through all the potential players that could be called and reciting it, reading it as if you'd been recited to you and then remembering it and then saying it back to a huddle. That's what all the walk-throughs are for. And at this point, I'm definitely more comfortable than I was before I got here in that and just got to keep getting better at it, but we were really smooth with operation and out of the huddle the last couple of days, I thought. This is just the start of your journey, but what kind of went through your mind at the start of this about wanting to make a good impression on coaches, teammates, everybody around you? I mean, I just was focused on getting better. I mean, I didn't know anything getting in here, you know? So I mean, I'm just trying to do whatever I can to do what's asked of me, to do my job and to do anything I can to help the team and just play quarterback. Peter was talking about the connection that your families have. Wonder if that's helped you guys get off through a quick start here. Yeah, yeah, it was funny. My grandfather coached Peter and also when, after even Peter's dad was on a team, anytime my grandfather would go to the Chicago area to go recruit, he'd stay at Peter's house. And, or Peter's father's house, sorry. And when we were going through this process, like pre-combine, like during draft prep training, my family had the Skaranskis to kind of lean on and to ask questions about how things were going with them. Coincidentally, we signed with the same agency. So we had a lot of the same conversations with the same people there. And I mean, they wanted to draft when Peter went there and they chewled around and I was like, how funny, how quits and oh would be if I end up on the same team and here we are. So it's pretty funny how all those things come together. Truly feel everything happens for a reason. Well, you get to know these people a little bit pre-draft process, but now that you've been able to be here and around everybody, anything you've learned new or exciting about these people that you, it's different? I mean, I've just seen how much all these dudes love ball is the most exciting thing to me. That was probably the thing I was most excited for. You know, getting to this level, getting into an environment, getting into a building where, you know, everyone's a professional, everyone has an, no one has an excuse to not know what's going on, to not know their assignment and to just be focused just on ball. They don't got an exam, they got to worry about tomorrow. They don't got all these other social life things they got to worry about, especially right now in a rookie mini-camp environment. These are the best players, they're the best. That's why they're here. And I think we all thrive in an environment like that and I've just been loving it. Was there anything mechanical? So far working with Tim Kelly, Charles London, was that back and forth in Mike and what have you maybe picked up from them in the early going? It's been great. Coach London is especially, he's been in the game for a long time for a good reason. He's a great coach, he's a great leader of men. I think that, I mean, we have a good dynamic and he's able to explain things in a way that I'm able to easily understand it and I'm able to take the coaching that we talk about in the meeting room onto the field and coach Kelly too. I mean, I just feel like we got a great group of there, group in there. And these last couple of days, I feel like I've been able to, you know, excel a lot in that room or not excel, but learn a lot and to, you know, take the teachings that they've given me and how to transfer on the field well. Is there anything mechanically or footwork-wise that you've gone over so far that you've said to yourself, well, that's gonna be an adjustment that feels a little different. I'm gonna really have to concentrate on that and make a change there. No, I mean, really just focused on, you know, the operation, the play and I'm sure we'll get more into the specifics of that later, but I mean, it is good that, I mean, I played in a similar offense in college to a lot of the track points and a lot of the footwork in the run game and the play action is stuff that I'm familiar with, but it's my first time in a football team environment like this with all pieces going around, so being able to marry your feet with your eyes and getting through progressions, it's the first time doing that in a while, so it's just fun to get out there and to be doing that stuff. So most everything feels natural? Yeah, I mean, I'm continuing to get working and I can improve in all areas of my game, but just I think my previous experience definitely helped me, but looking to just keep working, keep improving. From a translation standpoint, you were operated in a pro-style system in Kentucky that's similar to an NFL outfit. How much of that has kind of carried out before you're here in the early portion? Good amount, a good amount. I mean, it's, there's some, you can get, you can fall into the traps of, this is what we call it this at Kentucky, so that's what I wanna call it in my mind, you know? You gotta erase that. You gotta erase everything in the past and you gotta put it in the language of how we call it. So I mean, that's been the biggest thing for me, you know, some of the formations, like they might call it one thing and I might think of it as one thing and then I gotta be like, no, it's not that, it's not what it was, this is what it is. So just keep your work on that, keep pounding everything and just keep mastering the offense. So which aspects of the offense are transferable at this point? A lot. A lot, a lot. Once the dust settled and you landed here, a lot of draft analysts, they said, you know, your match with Mike Brable is ideal. Your interaction with them just through the whole process and actually coming here, how has that been? It's been great. I mean, it's been great to get to know coach. I'm just doing everything I can at this moment to gain his trust and to gain the trust of my teammates. But I mean, like I've said, when I got asked to come here, I mean, I knew that I was gonna really enjoy playing for coach and just looking forward to continuing our relationship and continue to keep working from. It was said that you guys, you know, went through some of the turnovers and obviously each one has his own story but you got the opportunity to explain that. Is that something that was unique to the process for you as far as meeting with coaches? Yeah, definitely. I mean, that's the most fun part about the whole process is when they pull up the tape of your mistakes, you know? But it's always fun talking through those things. I mean, obviously gonna tell them the truth, whether it was my fault or if there's other things that played into it. But hey, at the end of the day, it's always on the quarterback. And I know that regardless of what happens, the only way I can gain the trust of him, of my teammates, of the fans is just how I perform on the field. I'm just looking to keep improving there. You may be wrong on this. Did you meet Rabil back when you were a kid going to Patriots training camp? And how cool is it now that he's your crazy, is it he's now your head coach? Yeah, we used to live up in North Adalboro, Massachusetts, moved till I was seven. So pretty much since I could walk for those few years, I was going to Patriots training camp every year, watching those Patriots teams, watching coach for Rabil and then practice and had a little sign football from him actually. So I told him that story, it's kind of funny. But yeah, being a Patriots fan growing up, that just one of the little wrinkles and all of that, that's pretty cool. You still have that ball? We actually had a house fire a few years back and did not make it, unfortunately. But yeah, it's pretty fine. Did he got no riding help? Tan Hill, yeah, he texted me and after I'd get drafted and he reached out and he just wished me luck and he told me that he was there. If I needed something, I haven't been able to meet him in person yet. I came in here on Friday and I missed him as I think he left the locker room before I can, but really looking forward to working with him and to just keep improving. And he's a great example for me. Guy has had an excellent decade long career and has been able to make things happen at this level. So I think there's a lot of things I can take from him and learn from him. Brian, dropping in here and learning stuff that's new, you think you're transfer from Penn State to Kentucky and kind of learning a new environment there as well, might give you a little heads up and just adjusting to the transformation here? For sure, yeah. I mean, I had essentially four different offensive coordinators in college too. So I think being able to learn different offenses, being able to deal with adversity, being able to deal with transition and just changes in players and coaching staffs and people, it's not easy. And I think that those experiences definitely help me for this transition. Well, is that kind of what has helped you your mentality and how you carry yourself and kind of free the adversity you've been through, even with the draft and everything that happens there? I mean, or has that just always been a part of you? I mean, I think it's nature and nurture. I think it's just who I am, but it's also a product of one, the people I didn't have a choice to surround myself with my family and the way that they raised me, but I guess also just the people in my life that I've trusted and put around me. Everyone, all your friends, all your people around you, truly an extension of yourself. And I think if you, as long as you choose those right people, and I feel that in this building, every person that I've talked to, every person I've talked to, I've realized that they can all make me a better person and a better leader. So I definitely think it's part of who I am, but just keep looking to just keep using the people around me to lean on them to keep getting better. Is it easy for you to like block out the noise? Yeah, yeah. Especially? Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't say like I block it out. Like you can't not see like the stuff that people say, but you got to take it from what it is, which is meaningless, you know, you focus on what matters, you focus on what you can control, and you kind of just say screw it to everything else, you know, so just, you know, focus on myself, focus on my craft, focus on the people in this building, and just working. A lot of people have talked about you as a leader, saying that you have natural leadership. Is that something that you learned, or is that something you were born with? Yeah, I feel like that question is pretty similar, but it was definitely, I feel like how I was born, but also just the product of the people that helped me get here. Well, where do you look at the big picture? When you look at the big picture, are you going into this with the mindset that you're competing to be the starter? How do you approach this? Approach this to just get better every day, just get it and learn. I haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg of what's to be needed to know here as a quarterback. Regardless of how today and yesterday went, I got to just keep improving every day, putting the past behind me, learning from my mistakes, and just continuing to just get better and be the best leader I can be and the best person for this team to help us win as many games as we can. What do you think about number eight? It's a cool number, it's the only reason I picked it. I've never had a firm association to any number, but I was given a few options, and I was like, it's pretty cool. But yeah, that's all I could say about it. Anybody else for any other significance behind that? Anybody else for that number that you admire? The one couple cool comparisons actually that when I picked the number that I kind of connected to, thinking about very successful number eights in the past, I remember actually Coach Franklin in my early days at Penn State, he just thought, like I think he said that just how I threw the ball a little bit kind of reminded me of Troy Aikman. So I mean, being a multi Super Bowl champion, like that's pretty cool. And then also I'm from Connecticut, best quarterback from Connecticut all time, Steve Young, he was number eight. So I mean, that's pretty cool, but no real reason behind it. I just thought those were two kind of cool connections. And of course, the bond that comes in with the rookie class, this draft class, these rookies that are here now, is there a special bond as you guys kind of start this journey together? For sure, yeah. I mean, right now we're all looking to use each other to do whatever we can to help each other, earn a spot on this team, earn a role on this team as well as all the other dudes for tryouts here and the undrafted free agents. But I've been able to spend some time with the other rookies. I really love the group that we have here. Rand definitely had a process for who we wanted to bring in here, not just as players, but as people. And I feel like all of us make a good group and we're going to assimilate really well into this building. Thank you guys. Good, it's been a lot. Obviously just kind of learning, learning the Titans organization and how to be a Titan, whether it be the practice or meetings or scheme, just trying to adjust this organization, the way they do things. But it's been good. It's been a lot, but I'm joining it. You know, you can get work in a couple of places. You've been a guard so far. Yeah, yeah, I've been working in multiple positions on the inside and the outside. Overall, I'm just trying to learn schematically and learn our schemes overall. So I think that helps me for just being able to change around positions and try to help the team over a position that works. You mentioned that learning scheme overall, but obviously it's different guard and tackle. How much do you think you're playing an experience or are you going to embrace that? Yeah, obviously, you know, I have to be, you know, willing to learn new techniques from Coach Haas and everybody and just adjusting the new positions and new things that I haven't done yet. So just a matter of getting reps and just getting time working at that. You know, how much are you enjoying getting to meet all these people and just kind of getting to know them better and everything too? Yeah, it's been really cool just familiarizing myself with the organization. Obviously the vets haven't been here yet, but getting around the rookies and, you know, meeting the coaching staff and getting around them and just really enjoying everybody so far. So that's been awesome. How has it been to 77? And did you talk to Tiger, I guess, to give his blessing on that? Yes, I did. Yeah, I see that he did give me the blessing. Obviously I wore 77 in college, so obviously nice to keep it consistent. And obviously big shoes to fill with Taylor haven't been such a great player for this franchise. So just, yeah. What did he say about it when you asked him? He just said he was obviously really nice about it. He said he didn't, you know, just felt obviously an easy yes for him. So it was, he was very nice about it and cool. And obviously he did a great thing for another number 77. So is it tough on all of you? I mean, you play tackle so much in college. And as you mentioned, kind of moving back and forth it, is it hard kind of learning two spots in a new scheme, you know, as you go to the NFL? Yeah, I think that's why you kind of have to learn things conceptually and from a big picture standpoint in terms of what we're trying to do in general on a play. And that helps you be able to just sort of move out and then simultaneously, especially with just schematic stuff and then technique stuff, you just have to drill it and get the reps and you'll get a feel of the language like in regards to the offense and such and compared to what we had in college. Yeah, obviously it's totally different and you know, everyone's got different terminology, obviously, and so that's obviously a challenging thing, just kind of memorizing it and kind of rewinding your brain to fire on certain things and know what the code words mean. So just a matter of just getting memorized. You know, I think, you know, as Coach Fribble said, everyone is sort of equal once we get here. And I don't think, you know, draft position really means something once you step on that field, you've got to earn it just like everyone else does. So, you know, I can't say I'm a leader without doing what I need to do on off the field. So I think that's just my biggest priority right now is just earning the respect of my teammates on the field and off the field. Yeah, I'll just sort of reiterate what I said. I mean, just earning the respect of my teammates by doing everything I need to do, you know, in the meeting room on the field, off the field. So I think I just kind of have to earn my way just like anyone else. Yeah, yeah, Will's been great. Obviously, we've connected so far. We have a family connection. Obviously, just for me, just having been here only two days has just been a lot of just working with O-line and stuff, but obviously being great to be around Will and you can tell he works really hard and is really prepared. So I'm really impressed with him. So his grandfather, same as Dave Kelly, was my dad's defensive line coach when he played at Yale. When people would talk about you ahead of the draft about, he's a good tackle, but he'd be a better guard when you had played tackle in college. Yeah, you know, I think at some point that may have bothered me, but you know, now that I'm on a team, I'm really just trying to help a team in any way I can. And I think I said that from the beginning in terms of I'll play wherever anyone needs me to play. And obviously, I think I can be a versatile in that sense with tackle and guard, but you know, now that I'm tight and I'm just really trying to help the team. Do you ever get to the fact that as far as the NFL is concerned, tackles are usually valued higher than guards? Yeah, I think that's been kind of a narrative. Obviously, I don't think it's fair to say that guard is like an easy position. Obviously, there's a lot of really, really good interior players out there and guards difficult too. So in terms of difficulty level, I can't say that maybe one's greater than the other, but I know obviously there's a value discrepancy there, but we're also a value, though, that you can play both whenever you need to. Yeah, I think for anyone on a team, Coach Rabel preaches versatility. I think especially on a one, that's obviously super value with fundamentals. So just trying to be versatile. I think there's always value in that even on any position on a team. Appreciate it. Good. Thanks guys. In the workouts, that kind of put an explanation for all things, what do you think the question is? I mean, I'm just trying to do all the right thing, you know, be in the right spots at the right times and you know, try to make the quarterback look good. That's all I can ask for. Just show a great effort and yeah, so. How was the ball placement? It was pretty darn good outside. It was pretty cool. He came down and celebrated with me. That was pretty cool. You like Will and how cool is it to start to build that chemistry here right out of the game? Yeah, it's pretty cool. You know, all the rookies here, everybody here, we're just trying to work together, you know, build relationships, you know, and try to have something that'll last a long time. So. How would you describe for the last couple of days? Yeah. Coach Rebs, you know, he always says like, you have so many things to worry about, you know, install and doing the right things and everything, but getting to know one another. That's the biggest thing. And like I said, just build those relationships. How excited are you to have the opportunity? Because, you know, they stress versatility here, but to be used in so many different ways. Listen, I'm just going to do, I'm going to try to do everything that coaches ask for and try to find a role, you know, on special teams and anywhere I can on offense. But is it exciting to know that, you know, they have you in mind to have so many different roles on the team? Of course, yeah, it's exciting. I'm just going to try to contribute any way I can. How much H-back slash full-back stuff did you do since then? That's something I really got into my last season there, kind of in the I-formation. I feel pretty comfortable with it. I just got to get my pads down. So I'm taller, but yeah, I feel pretty comfortable. So you've had a challenge before, you've had just simplified that you are 6'6", 6'7", you've been able to get it done? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, that's just something I always have to think of for sure. Has it been kind of nice with your coach as since then, when the pickle and the Braves have that connection in prior knowing a little bit about Coach Brable and what he expects out of his players? Yeah, obviously they both stress a lot on effort and attitude. And I've said this many times in the past already, but it was a comfortable feeling knowing that they believe in the same things and coming in. I knew I was going to have some challenges and they've gotten on me plenty of times. But just showing great effort, that's my biggest thing right now. There's a lot of mistakes happening from myself and I'm just showing them that I'm finishing to the ball and everything. Have you guys been on the field in a long time? And what's it been like getting the pace, getting the conditioning back and how you feel like it to see you guys have done it? Has it been a lot early? I think we've been doing pretty good for me. I sweat like a pig. And I was running a bunch beforehand, but it's hard to get in football shape without playing football. So yeah, it's been fun. What's the conversation like in the locker room? You come back in there and like you said, you're sweating. Probably a lot of the guys working up a pretty good sweat here early on. Getting the trainer room, man. You got to have healthy bodies, you know what I mean? Not for tomorrow, but for three weeks from now. What comes to the offense, how different is it for you? Yeah, football is football at the end of the day. But like you said, it's terminology. It's different words and it's the right words. You know, they don't want to hear something that, the terminology I use that you see, they don't want to hear what they say. So it's been a little bit of a challenge, but that's every rookie across the league. What have your impressions been so far of Will, just kind of getting to know him, what kind of guy he's like? He's a pretty good dude. I like him a lot. We're just going to keep building that chemistry throughout rookie minicamp, OTAs, and then so on. Do you know him at all, coming in here? Nope, just not him. You got to get through rookie camp first. Guys, anxious to start practicing with the veterans next week, and have you met some guys and have they welcomed you to town? Yeah, I'm going to a couple guys. Rigg and Thomas are in there, and I'm at Shig and all the guys in my room. I'm excited to get to work with them, but like you said, one day at a time. That's just what we've got to focus on for now. With your coach and staff, your coach, Tony Dewes, he played the position at the same one that you played. How has that been? This is his first year coaching the tight end. Yeah, it's been good. Stress is a lot on the details, and that's something. I had a coaching change at UC in my fifth year there, and my second coach, he was really big on the details, and like I've been saying, knowing the right wording. So yeah, it's been good. It's been fun. I like him a lot. So looking forward to what the future holds. Josh, that's a pretty young room in there. Does it feel like there's plenty of opportunity for those who step up and sees it? Of course, but I mean, you have to earn it. And like I said earlier, I'm just going to try to come in every day, work my butt off, and hopefully on Sundays, I can contribute. Appreciate you. Thank you, Josh. It felt good, but you know, you got to give all the credit to O-line. The big boys is blocking for you. So it felt good, though. How do you feel when the first couple of days have gone, and what kind of refreshing you'll make here right out of game? It's just a blessing to be a part of the team, and it feels good to be coming for what I come from. I'm on the NFL team now, so I'm super excited. It's not a lot of time, but what's it been like to get to know your fellow rookies in the tryout? That was a good one. All the guys that I came encounter with, they are great. I saw every coach. They demand a lot out of you, but it's a great organization. Great people. What do you think when you saw Saints Week 1 in New Orleans? That's so far away. So I just got to, you know, I'm just taking one day at a time. Towsley, can you maybe like clear up? I know we probably asked you about the knee before, but that unusual report that said you actually maybe didn't have an ACL on one knee, is that actually true? And how do you deal with that, I guess? I was out there, I did everything, so I feel perfectly fine. I'm not wrong with me. I'm healthy. Is it a situation where you just compensate with the strength of everything else around the knee? No, I'm healthy. You're healthy, but do you have an ACL in that knee? I am healthy. You're on this team now, but when you first got here, did you peek around the locker room, see where guys' lockers are? Did you see Derek's? Yeah, man, Derek, we actually are a locker maze. He's like right to the, I'm on the, he on the right side of me. So yeah, we locker maze. I can't wait till you get here so we can meet each other. Talked to him at all? No, I didn't. How'd you, what's the language been like in regards to learning a new offense compared to what you learned in college? It's a learning process, of course, but just take a lot of times with myself and with my coach, just going over everything. So it's been, it's been smooth, pretty smooth. You're coming to the league feeling like everybody that you got something to prove and that kind of has what driven you throughout your playing career? I just want to make the most out of my opportunity however it come. This is about like taking what you get and also just living in the moment, taking, making the most out of the opportunity. You know, through these couple of days where you've done something, you're like, yeah, that's why I'm here. I really can't think about it. Then it's early, it's super early. Super early. Is there a frustration level with how much people ask you about your youth, even though you were helping last season as far as playing? You know, I guess that's the question that's gonna always pop up. But like I said, man, I'm here. And like, they had a lot of faith in me to give me where they got me at. So like, I'm healthy and they know I'm healthy and I, you know, did a well these last past two days. I did, so look, I kind of knew them but I knew he went to Tulane. I had reached out to him probably like a few months ago. But yeah, I reached out to him. We was talking, you know, he took the big brother role. He gave me some advice over the phone and stuff like that. So I think he a great guy. I just, I never seen him in person. Like right here, I never like reacted with, just talked to him in person. Anything that you can tell us that he kind of gave you advice on? Just anything basic? Just taking the next step and you know, the dudes in the dance and stuff like that. Like your career too long, you've had all your injuries. And then you have the senior year that you have. You guys went all those games and we all know how the season finished. What's the whole process like? It was rough at first, but we got it on board at the end. And also the biggest thing about that is, like the relationships I built and also the memories that I built. Like all those games at the end of the day, they matter because they matter to the program. We're gonna forever be in history, but like those relationships and like I said, the memories that'll never leave. Like when we come back like 25 years from now, we're gonna have a whole bunch to talk about. How much did your performance in bowl games with Southern Cal kind of put you on the map in terms of being a prospect? It did a lot, but I'm not in their minds, so I don't really know. How nice is it for you to have this experience now, like not focused on college, not focused on a draft, no schoolwork, just football all the time? Like lately I've been praying a lot. I've been praying and in the main thing, I try to start and I finish with just like how thankful I am for being here, being a part of an NFL organization. Because I can think back like two people, three people from where I'm from only got that opportunity and like I'm probably like the four-foot, but the second one, they got it. So like I'm super blessed and I'm super appreciative. Watching your highlights, it seems like your ability to glide and then bounce is what kind of makes you unique. You feel like that's kind of an accurate way to put it? Not because it's just like whatever I see and whatever I feel at the time. This program is big on versatility, so like at two learning, I ain't get that much, but like I'm getting comfortable with it, taking one day at a time. So you're not going to have to work on to get comfortable there? Everything, we ain't trying to be average, we ain't trying to be good, we trying to be great. What was the senior ball week like for you? You go down there and just show out. Great for your confidence, great for everything, right? Yeah, you hit it on the head. Great for your confidence, great for everything. Like I said, I'd be like trying to live in the moment because it's a lot of things that my people ain't experienced that I'm experiencing. So like I'll just be trying to live in the moment, make the most out of my opportunity. Were you able to build your relationships there with coaches? How old London was there? Obviously, Bryant was there. Charles London and also Pete. I mean Pat, I'm sorry, Pat, he was with the Jets. Yeah, those relationships, and I seen Coach Charles, he was smiling, like yeah, so we built a good relationship over there. How did you reference getting to experience things people haven't experienced before? I'm sorry, I said to you. You say you referenced getting to experience things before you from had it, before you from had it. So yeah, it's like, everybody don't get the opportunity. It's like, it got a lot of people that play sports, but they didn't take it to the college level. They didn't take it to the NFL level. I'm like, I'm just here living out my dream and also their dreams, too. Do you always feel like you were? To be honest, I don't need to be thinking that far. I just be, I never really thought that far. So that's why I'm like, I'm super, super excited. When did you think this could be a possibility then? Uh, the NFL. The NFL. I remember I did like this running in high school. Like I broke like five tacos. I'm like, man, I want to go to the league. And like, it's so like fast forward. Now I'm here. So like, it's amazing. How old were you then? Ooh, 14, 15, what about 15? About 15 to 16? No older than that probably, yeah, 15, 16. So the same for your team growing up, right? Who is the running back that you look up to? You know, my favorite running back. I bet you know who I said it was. Anybody know? There we go. There we go. Yeah, he's playing the same. Yeah, yeah, Reggie Bush. So I got my first year of little league. I was number 25. He was my favorite running back. What do you like about his style? Like how he can move and you know, set people up and score touchdowns. Everybody doing good? Yep. Everybody doing good? Good to see you. Yes, sir. So how's it been getting through these first couple days on the inside and getting to see everything from this side of the building? It's been it's been awesome. I've had a really good time, you know, being able to dive completely into football and not have to worry about, you know, classes or something else, you know, coming up. I'm not even have to worry about where I'm going to eat at. I mean, we eat right in there. So it is kind of it's really awesome to see the level of professionalism that can come with playing this game. And I've had a great time. So let's just stay at home for this. And if so, how is the community doing? No, sir. No, sir. We're staying in a hotel out here right down the street. I'm not sure when I'll be able to stay at home. But when I came up here, it wasn't that bad about 20 minutes, 25 minutes. So you take a little spill on the ladders there. What happened and would you hear from Frapes? You know, my body was moving faster than my mind. I had a lot of adrenaline going. And I'd be lying if I said that was the first time I've ever done that. And I'm sure it's not going to be the last time. But it's a great thing that I can look at and know that I'm not where I need to be at yet. And I can keep getting better, looking at doing things like that. I can just keep getting better. What about Coach Ray? Coach Ray Bull, he just kind of looked at me and he just moved on because he knows it happens. I'm a rookie. So it is what it is. He just moved on. What is your relationship with the coaches so far? Have you settled in and gotten to know the guys pretty well? Yes, sir. I've got to know, especially the receivers, coaches really well. Mr. Rob Moore, Coach Rob Moore and KB, I'm really meshing with them guys. And it's cool to see Coach Ray Bull and the way he builds relationships with it. He wants us as players to build relationships with everybody in the building. And yeah, it's really cool. We're all meshing pretty well. And there have been no problems. What's the relationship that's been working with? Will Leviss and you guys getting to know each other, not only his people, but his quarterback receiver combo? Definitely. Will's a great dude. I'm actually rooming with him in the hotel. And I'm kind of scared to touch the remote because he was the first one in there. And he was just looking at his iPad and he was studying plays. And our remote hasn't moved. He's a very intense guy. And he really wants to make the most out of this opportunity he's been giving. So far, when you guys are in the room, have you gone over different things with him? Or is he mostly studying on his own? Definitely. No, the first night we were in the hotel was me, him, and Josh Wiley at the tight end. We were up there going through plays. If we had questions, we'd ask him. And just kind of back and forth banter over the playbook and everything like that. A number of people from UT Martin have found yourself in this situation. Do you feel like you have something to prove now that you're in the NFL? Yes, sir. And it's not necessarily because I'm from UT Martin. Let me backtrack. Yeah, yes. Definitely being from UT Martin has made me think that I have something to prove. And putting UT Martin on the map is one of my biggest goals. And bringing a lot of, how do I put this? Putting a spotlight on small schools and letting people see that we have talent too is a huge goal for me. And it's really what drives me right now. So yes. A big response from all the people locally here in Lebanon. How special has that been for you to kind of see all the people supporting you? It's been awesome. I've said it a couple of times. But when you're wanted and when you're supported by people you don't even know, it's really great. And I cherish that. And it's really a blessing to have that in my life right now. Because I know just as quick as it came, it can leave. And I'm just thankful for that. And I'm really enjoying it. Has there been a big difference? Colton, I know, as you said, you played at a smaller school in UT Martin. I mean, has there been a moment of like, wow, these guys are a little bit different so far? Or do you feel pretty comfortable? Yeah, there's definitely a higher level of athleticism. But the type of guy I am at practice and the type of program that Coach Simp had, it was highly intensive. It was a high intense, I'm stumped right now. Yeah, high intensity practices in Martin. And I go hard every day. And I try to get the most out of not only me, but my teammates as well. So yes, there's a difference in athleticism, of course, because it's professional. The way that we go about it, it's been the same. Your little boy in you, not at an NFL camp, but what was that little boy from 15 years ago or so thinking about you being here? I'd like to say he'd be happy. And he'd realize that this is a dream come true. And this is just a start. And I want to continue to make that younger self happy as I keep going. Anxiety level like coming here for the first time, meeting new teammates, meeting coaches, wanting to make a good impression, trying to learn to play book. And is it overwhelming sometimes at points? It's not too overwhelming. The coaches, Coach Vrable and our coordinator, Tim Kelly, they've done a really good job about scheduling meeting times and just being open and honest with us and answering questions. So they've taken the anxiety level and they brought it down to, you know, because they know we're humans and they know we're going to make mistakes and it's going to take us a little bit as rookies to really grasp the concepts that they're throwing at us. So they've kind of, they really helped us, you know, learn. And it hasn't been too anxiety-ridden. You mentioned mistakes, but you were, you know, after the fall early, you came back later and with that nice catch from well, and he came down to celebrate with you. How nice to be able to respond in the same practice like that? Definitely, I have a coach that helped me out and Martin, I used to be a perfectionist. And he came up with this thing called One Snap and Clear. So whatever it is you do in the past, you just got to let it go and the next play is the next play. And that's what you're focused on. You're not really thinking about, you know, that trip or that drop or, you know, that good play, you know, it's in the past and make another one, you know? What is your size and your speed? Is that what you're trying to showcase being here kind of, what you bring to the table? Yes, sir, I think I bring that to the table but I'm just trying to, you know, carve out, carve out, you know, my position on this team through hard work and just trusting the coach's plans for me, you know, being available to them, being able to be versatile and move in and out wherever they need me. So I definitely like to showcase that but at the same time, I'm just, I'm here to help this team get better and help this team win game. There was a picture of you guys, some of you guys at Topgolf, who's got the best golf swing? Ooh, it's definitely between Will and Josh. Josh can freaking smoke a golf ball. Yeah, he gets all six, seven of them into a golf ball. He freaking, he can rope a golf ball but I'd say the most consistent, you know, this might give me a trouble but it'd probably be Josh, he was smoking the ball, you know? I was impressed with him. It definitely wasn't me, I sliced the ball a lot. Anytime I put a driver in my hand, the golf ball just instantly goes, you know, to the right. So, but now Topgolf was a fun, it was a good outing. Thank y'all, thank you guys. How'd they do, Teresa? Who? All right, guys, you just got done talking to me. They don't sound like rookie, so they came in prepared. We spent a lot of time on media development. I appreciate that. Colton showed personality, you'll hate it. And you need to get, well, love us a new signed ball. You just asked him about the bad plays and not all the good ones he had either. Go ahead, Teresa. Well, I asked him about the good play, so I'll ask you. How do you like the way the seventh round rookie, he trips early but comes back and makes a nice catch? Yeah, I mean, tell me anybody that hasn't fallen in football or going through a drill or a ladder, it's, you know, I think that there's, you know, what our coaches do, and I was explaining that on that drill is, you know, we don't have so much time on individual. And so as a coach, you're trying to combine skills, right, in different positions to try to get as much time out of the, you know, schedule that I allocate for individual. And that's an example of just combining drills where, you know, they're trying to drop step, you know, catch the ball, drop step, you know, work some foot movement, you know, take on a defender essentially that maybe working that you wouldn't want to work a stiff arm, you know, the ball security, you know, from the other side and then coming off the end of the ladder and then just being able to burst and, you know, make a move. So I think that that was a situation where Colton, you know, probably just got caught up, you know, going too fast. And that's the thing I explained to the coaches is when, when you are combining different, you know, skills or fundamentals is that you make sure that the player understands that, you know, you're not in a big rush. Well, we do a lot of that throughout the different, you know, positions. How would you like to play that ended it, Mike, with two of your key guys kind of leaving and finishing everything on a nice note? Well, I would tell you that that probably, you know, again, the result was good and there was a lot of great decisions, which we ask our quarterback to be able to do. But, you know, that may not end as well with some other players when the veterans come and OTA. So again, it was great by Josh to be able to go. I think we'll just tell Will that, you know, we got to be careful when we throw it into a team meeting. But it was a great job by Josh being able to track it. And, you know, ultimately end up with catch. How's the group able to atmosphere the schedule? Yeah, I think, I think good, you know what I mean? I think that they, you know, our coaches did a nice job of having the draft guys ready, you know, being able to communicate with them through Zoom and the guys that we had signed, you know, those guys that we drafted to communicate with them, bringing them in here, getting them ready, practice. You know, we were able to function. You know, we had the one football on the ground on the first play. Happy to report that in your absence, there wasn't any yesterday. You'll have to take my word for it, which is good. You know what I mean? The offensive, the receivers are getting lined up for the most part. You know, they're not having a flip flop and go to the wrong side. A lot of cool communication from defense. So those are the things that I think are important just in a shorter amount of time. And then the development and, you know, progression and the techniques will start to come. When you look at a guy like Caleb Murphy, you know, so productive at Ferris State, but he may not have gotten that detailed coaching, like how do you weigh out where you think he's going to be and just measure his progress each day? Well, I don't think that any of us want to try to predict where he may be. I think we try to have a vision of where they can work and what they can handle and what they can do on, you know, fourth down. You know, as a young player, especially an undrafted one that's a, you know, an edge rusher or outside linebacker, inside linebacker, safety, tight end running back, you know, the first place for you to make an impact on this football team is going to be special teams. And, you know, he's working hard at that and as well as, you know, Thomas Rush, you know, so that's something that we'll certainly have to evaluate is where they can help us on special teams and how quickly, you know, they develop it outside linebacker. What did you like about Murphy, you know, to bring him in here? Well, he's a highly productive player and you're looking for, you know, some length and some production, you know, skill set that could potentially translate, you know, to plan on the edge of national footballing. We'll send the building blocks of things you try to establish with the group when they come in here for the first week, you know. I think that's the biggest thing is that they understand, you know, how we want to do things and how we, you know, want to function from a conditioning level. I think that's the biggest thing. Also, you know, being willing to make mistakes and study but the ability for them to communicate with their coaches, their teammates. And this is a long process. You know, we believe in making connections and allow us to coach these guys and figure out what's best. And so I think we're off to a good start. You know, we want them to be respectful of the people in the building. We want them to be accountable to where they're supposed to be. We want them to be accountable to their teammates that they know what to do or at least are putting the effort in to know what to do. Those are things I think are important. Will said that a lot of what he ran at Kentucky even though it may be called something different here translates pretty well. How much can that help accelerate the learning curve for a quarterback coming in? I think everything's different. The defenses are going to be much different. So if there's, you know, a lot of the plays when you look throughout the league, you look in college, the plays are similar. You know, there's going to be some teams, you know every team is going to have some things that are a little different and there may be some scheme plays or personnel that are different. But there's a lot of carryover from offenses and defenses, like for a quarterback, a young quarterback it's going to be the defensive looks. It's going to be the disguises. It's going to be the different rolled coverages. Some of the different fronts that you're going to have to handle. So he may have somewhat of a working knowledge of the concept of the play. Pretty sure it's going to be called something different here. But then the defenses that he'll be going against will be much different than some of the looks that he got in college. What's the clock for him and for these guys on terminology? I think he said, when are they back? Three weeks? The clock? When do you want them to like have it down? What's next? As soon as possible, right? As soon as possible, knowing that that's going to be different for each position. You know, there's a lot more on the quarterbacks plate. There's a lot more on the center's plate as opposed to, you know, other positions. Defensively, there's a lot more on a safety plate and inside linebackers plate than there would be on an interior. You know, talking about TK or, you know, Chiquelle. But these guys will be right in here with our vets on Monday. We try to have a plan together for them, a meeting schedule where there's some time where they do meet with the vets so that we can continue to, you know, go where we were with the installation with our veteran players. But then in the afternoons, there'll be some time for just the rookies to get caught up. Is there an order for Will? Like he'd go first down, first down, second down, terminology first? Well, I think for any player, that's not going to change whether for Will. It's going to be the offense. It's going to be where we're coming out, you know, where we are when we come out of this, this three day camp, where our veterans are, which is going to be two weeks ahead of that. And then where you pick up back with the rookie. So, you know, like we tell them, we'll give them as much as they can handle. And if they're able to process that information, then we'll move along quicker. But, you know, it's based on the individual. How about the first shot when you got the kicker that you signed as an after three agent, and how did you think he looked in the last two days kicking the ball? Well, I thought there were some swings that were pretty good. I thought he rushed the second one and then was able to recover nicely. The one thing, and I probably didn't realize this before, but there's a operation to going out there. And these guys have just met each other from the snap to the hold to the kick. And so when they're practicing it, they're practicing it in the tempo that it's going to be required to go out there in the game. Not snap it, catch it, spin the laces, step up and kick. So there is a little bit of leeway for new guys. And I think having talked to some kickers, it's like, man, current was the holder for so long and it was just natural. And then the work that Stoney put in, you know, last year just to get proficient at that. So it's hard to evaluate a kicker's performance and he missed some today, Trey missed some today, but at least they're pushing the envelope of getting the timing, the operation and making sure that it's not just going through the motions and that he can probably be, you know, more accurate. And I appreciate that. So if you being somebody who's played just a short time ago, do you- It wasn't that recent ago, Kelly. So you kind of sit down with these guys before camp starts and I know a lot of these guys probably overwhelmed, especially coming from maybe some of the smaller schools and just kind of have a chat with them about that and how to embrace this. There were some, Thursday night, there were some faces that looked like they were going to take on the world. I said, guys, we need to all take a deep breath and we need to relax and we need to tell some jokes and we need to just get to know each other. So we had a group introduction. I told them to take a couple of minutes and learn everybody in their position, learn something about their coach and then we had a contest and each position group got up and introduced another player or introduced a position coach as fate would have it, the specialist won. They knew the most information and I said, you know why? Because they don't have a playbook. They're not worried about plays. They're not worried about where to line up, where to go and cover three or where to throw the ball or which way to run. So apparently they just have a lot of time to get to know each other and it's a good reminder that you have to figure out what's important and I think right now, getting to know your teammates, getting to know your coaches, getting to know the staff in this building is probably more important than where Will Leviss is and his understanding of our offense. What's up? They're having a good joke. They have, I think the jokes are good. The biggest thing is the delivery. So they get up and they're nervous and it's like, because I'm getting ready. Part of this is my job is to prepare them for when the veterans get here and they have to stand up and say where they're from and the signing bonus. And I reminded them that my signing bonus was $286,000 in 1997 and times have changed clearly from some of the numbers but they had to tell a joke. So we have them practice in front of the rookies because when the vets get here that's all the stuff that they're gonna have to do. What's it like finding where Peter Scrofti is most comfortable and maybe what do you see from him just right out of the gate as far as how he moves? Yeah, good mover, thick, sturdy. You know, I think that he can handle the installation he's been able to handle more than one position. And if we didn't feel like he could handle that then we wouldn't do it. But certainly I wouldn't have a problem working them at either guard or tackle spot and we'll see where he progresses and see how he looks when everybody else gets here. It's hard to evaluate that about a guy like Peter who's a rookie when they don't practice like they did when you played with all the pads and the practices and the hitting and all that kind of stuff. We've talked about our ability to, the biggest thing for offensive linemen in the spring is gonna be their conditioning level to play the manner in which we wanna play. You know what I mean? We're asking these guys to finish longer than the guy with the ball. So that's a big change and some of the techniques that are gonna be different. It's hard to evaluate overall performance of an offensive or defensive linemen in the spring without the pads. But what we can do is we can evaluate their conditioning and their ability to change things in their set or to determine the way that we wanna run off the football or do different things like that. So that's what we can try to focus on as an offensive or defensive lineman. What's up with Kieris? Just working through some things, we'll see where he's at and then our ability to continue to try to add him to our roster. How satisfied have you been with the progression that Colton has shown in the last two days? Well, I think all of them, you know, and it was good to see Colton finish the team bureau or seven on seven drill strong. We fought through some contact. And the one thing that was nice with that, you know, in breaking route, it wasn't that he cut it off short. He got contacted, was still able to fight through some contact, get to his depth and which allowed the timing of the route to develop where the quarterback could hit him. And he also caught the ball out in front of his body, which we know is so critical with contested catches and the technique. And that's something that we asked some of these guys to do after yesterday was instead of letting it get into our body and live in this comfort zone as to get out of their comfort zone, start fighting to catch the ball out in front of your body because it's contested and the closer we let it get to our body, the more chance that it has to be incomplete or worse volleyball off the shoulder pad into safety that's standing there. So that was good to see him be able to do some of those things we talked about and trying to make it so where these guys we're gonna coach mistakes and we're gonna demand effort, right? Mistakes are gonna happen. Can we coach them through the mistake? Can they make a mistake? Take the coaching, correct it, come back. Those are all the things that we evaluate. And then are they in condition or are they willing to play hard and play up to the standard that we expect? How has Lev's been with us? How do you think Will has performed in terms of the intangibles? Get the players called, get the guys lined up, that kind of thing. Just fine, just fine. How has Lev's been from that perspective just as far as like taking your coaching and your one-on-one work with you? Again, the ball went to where we're supposed to go most of the time, did it, you know, we'll continue to coach. We explained to these guys, we gotta coach the action and not the result. Sometimes that's hard for any player to understand, like, oh man, I ended up, you know, making a play there, but it may not be what we want. So we're gonna continue to coach the action. We'll coach him, we'll coach everybody else tonight, tomorrow, and get him some rest. Hopefully they can reach out to everybody that, you know, all those females that they, that are in their life that have helped them get to this point tomorrow. We'll remind them of that. Let them have the afternoon to go do that and then come back with our guys on Monday. Yeah, you mentioned, you know, as a boy, you signed an autographed football form. What did you think? Isn't it nice of me? Yeah, I'm saying to me. Must have caught me on a good day, Will, that's what I told him. Make me feel old, no. I mean, I guess just having kids that are 22 and 21 and a body that feels like crap probably makes me feel old, but that is, that's what I think you love is, you know, professional athletes that have to have a training camp where fans can come out, you know, that to have the kids, I've told you this before, pictures of Tyler, you know, walking off the field with Teddy's, you know, Bruceke's kids, wearing Tom's shoulder pads and carrying it. And, you know, love seeing our coaches bring their kids to practice. And, you know, Craig Orcerman's kids were here today and everybody else's kids are gonna be coming through here in the spring or in training camp. So, you know how much that means and how important that is. We lost that ball in a house fire. You give them a replacement? That's actually costing them. Now, price has gone up since then. Those aren't free anymore. Obviously, I've approved of being a kind of no-nonsense coach. Well, I don't know what that's that mean. I just try, I mean, I try to explain things. I try to be as honest with them as I possibly can. And I try to tell them exactly what they're gonna need to do to help their situation which will help the team and it'll help everybody involved. And I think I've gotten feedback that has been positive in the five years that I've been here is trying to be honest with them, trying to be direct with them, not BS them, but then also find the time to let loose and not take myself too seriously. And if they wanna give me crap, they can give me crap. And that's what this thing's about. I guess I was leaning to that. That's okay. Are you the same guy with the rookies on week one as first patients goes as then you are with guys that they've been here for? I would say that my patients level is probably improved over the years, Jimmy. Would you agree? I think that, yes. I just said that to stretch earlier. I was like, I don't know. Maybe it's just haven't done it a few years and I explained to him it's the lineman's gonna go the wrong way and he's gonna run into somebody and we're gonna be running to the right and you're gonna go to the left. We're gonna fumble a snap. We're gonna drop a pass. The coverage is gonna be screwed up. I just, those are things that when I wake up in the morning for rookie mini camp, I know they're gonna happen. And just like they're happening at 31 other rookie mini camps. Mike, you've got to know Peter and will especially a little bit pre-draft now that they've been here for a couple of days and you've had conversations with them with anything new that you've learned about either one of them? Um, I'm trying to think what Peter's fun fact was. I think Peter said he fell or something. He had to go, that he got picked up in the fire truck or something. I think he fell when he was like four. I think they said that the other night. No, I mean, this is just a process, man. I just, I try to fit in where I can through these meetings and come in. And again, I want to challenge myself to be able to go into each and every meeting room and tell a player something that may help them. And the things that I try to tell them are just much more holistic than maybe their coach. Like they're gonna get into, their coach is gonna get into a lot, a lot of details. And I'm trying to look at it from a 30,000 foot view of something that could help them. Thanks guys.