Texas A&M's spring football drills are underway after Monday's opening workout inside the McFerrin Athletic Center.
Photos and press conference video are available through the links to the left.
- Day 1 energy was good. Been good. Changed up the offseason a bit and done some things differently this year. Youth seems to understand what needs to be done to get better. Anytime you have new blood as players and three new coaches, always will be some new energy.
- Dave Christensen always been a guy who has been adaptable. Ran a really effective open scheme at Missouri. A little bit different at Wyoming and Utah. Well-versed in offensive football and line play. Been efficient in all styles of moving the football. We're looking to get better – no doubt his experience schematically and physically will help us. He brings a lot of experience to the offense and a different way to look at things, which is always good.
- A bunch of guys limited due to injuries and surgeries. Have guys that are out completely for spring. For us the timing of spring ball gave us 7 or 8 weeks of lifting and be around our guys, get things going. We stretch out spring ball as long as we can. Chance to get a guy with something minor back. Mike Matthews, Otaro Alaka a few of the guys who are out whole spring. What that does gives us ability to put other guys in there and see who can be backups, or what rotation is. Josh Reynolds is another who had shoulder surgery. Played all last year with a hurt shoulder. He elected to do it after season. Played all season with it—and you saw what he can do. Gives younger guys more reps of playing wide receiver.
- Kyle Allen not built that way to just “go through motions” of spring. He wants to get better. Him ending season as MVP of bowl game is good for him. Way he's wired, he's not going to just sit around and be there. He wants to be great. What made him one of the top guys coming out of high school. Done a lot of explosive work, a lot of quickness work in offseason. Taking next step in being able to think conceptually. This process started with him when he got back.
- primary contenders at tackle, Germain Ifedi will get shot at it. Avery Gennesy, one of the reasons we brought him here. Those two are the top guys right now. Koda Martin will eventually be great player here, he's still a freshman though. A lot of things he can do. Will be a great spring for him. Have a number of guys we feel good about. Have ability to move guys around. Jermaine Eluemunor mostly working at guard, big strong guy. We'll see what happens. We'll see who left tackle is and see if they can block Myles Garrett every now and then.
- Koda Martin working at center a little bit. He's athletic enough. He's a team guy. 290 something, runs like the wind. Coach's kid. I'm not saying that's what he's going to do, have a number of guys in there.
- Real good energy from Aaron Moorehead. Were looking for a guy that was first a technician. Wanted guy who could help our guys take next step from a technique standpoint. I don't think you can get a better guy for that. He displays work ethic. Guys know he's one who worked his way to be a Super Bowl champion and understands what it takes to play at next level. That gives you instant credibility. Players understand that. He gets that open ear right away from them. All 3 coaches have been great additions.
- John Chavis been excited since he's been here. He was looking around at the white helmets and told me Coach, I can't tell you how excited I am for today. And I said I can't tell you how excited I am too. It's good. We're just trying to get better as a team. Think there are some things fundamentally that we're doing that makes sense. He brings a lot of experience not just in this league but overall. Think right now it's one of those situations where guys are learning. It's a new defense. Few days before we scrimmage. We'll see where we are but I'm real pleased with the energy right now.