Ausbon, Small Discuss Fall Camp

Photo by: Craig Bisacre/Texas A&M Athletics

Aug 20, 2020 | Football

By: Texas A&M Athletics/12th Man Productions

Senior wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon and junior kicker Seth Small were next up on Thursday to meet the media as Texas A&M continues its Fall Camp workouts this week. The Aggies will don full pads for the first time on Saturday evening.

Video of the press conference is available below. 12thMan.com's coverage of Fall Camp is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Some quick notes from Ausbon's media session:

Taking it day by day this fall. Expecting big things from this offense. One thing I learned from last year is not putting too many expectations above our heads. Just take it day by day.
Big focus this offseason for me has been finding more ways for guys to buy in to culture.
Have a biased mentality regarding senior leadership because I’ve been trying to be leader since I’ve been here. Number of seniors we have is huge though. The more seniors we have, seems like the more common ground we have on mentality and what kind of team we want to be. Been fun to have a lot of guys with same mindset and mentality as you. Seen guys come together a lot more than normal and buying in even more. Been fun to see us grow up from freshmen. Guys are like-minded. Very beneficial for this team.
As far as 10-game SEC schedule, personally I would rather get straight to it. Every year it’s coming, us playing a 10-game conference schedule is everything you can ask for. Every game is tight, close, hard-nosed football. Ready to get to it. I just see more opportunity on the board for us.
In offseason, I took it out of football and made it a life thing. In life you can’t control a lot of things, decisions, rules, etc. Do same thing here, take it day by day and control what you can control. Attitude, mentality, what you do in workouts. That’s what you try and fill your head with and focus on that. Other things will drive you crazy. With that, have been seeing success.
I think you have to watch out for our whole receiver corps. One thing I want people to understand, no one knew who Kendrick (Rogers) and Quartney (Davis) were before they played. These guys are all great, mean that wholeheartedly. It’s a matter of being displayed on Saturdays. Up to coaches who gets on the field. We’re all working for spots, but we all know we’re capable. There’s a lot of young, fast, explosive talent. Just being reminded of the youth we have and how good it feels to be young.
This offseason for Kellen has been big step in his growth. He just turned 21, you’re seeing him become a man. Had to come in and play his freshman year. Saw this offseason he’s finding out more and more who he is and what he stands for. That’s translating on field, leading guys and this team. Showing guys how to stand up for what you believe in and to never be scared in what you believe in. There’s good and bad with everything. There are a lot of good people out there in the world, I won’t let the bad pollute the mentality I have. Proud of what he did.
From what I understand think Kellen has worked heavily this offseason looking at his past three years. He doesn’t feel like he has been as decisive as he should have been. His highs are when he’s most decisive and most comfortable. That’s what he’d probably say himself. Just being sure in what you want to do as a quarterback helps you to play faster.
Immediate impression of Demond Demas is he’s very smart. Like a sponge. Always wants to learn. You have so much attention on what you do nowadays, I tell him all the time you’ve seen where you’ve been able to take yourself all these years. Don’t try and change who you are. Have fun with the process. You only have one college experience. Don’t worry too much, take it one step at a time. Lot of times I see guys overcomplicate college and it can take a toll on you. He’ll be fine. He’s a great guy. He does backflips and front flips. Freak of nature. Amazing kid to be around. These guys have been so much fun. It’s the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here. Really looking forward to this season.
This offseason has been longer than we’d expected obviously. With that, been watching all the big games since I’ve been here, whether we won or lost, trying to find out what the reason why was. To be honest, noticed when you’re in moment you’re never aware of how important each decision you make is. In games you act off of muscle memory. That starts in practice and workouts. Been trying to emphasize paying attention to each rep in drills and make it feel game like. Create pressure in your mind. When it comes to gamedays it’s who will be mentally stable that will make the play. Do not let crowd or whatever get into your head. Sometimes in big games you get engulfed in moment and you won’t make a play you’ve made 1,000 times. Comes down to making it as real as you can in practice so it translates to game.
The pandemic showed me that when the world stops all you have is what you made your mark on. Been talking to those young guys a bunch and trying to make them understand you don’t have to feel like you’re what the world wants you to be. I want them to be kids. Enjoy th moment. Don’t rush. Name, image and likeness will create a bunch of individual mentalities, but I want those guys to stay together and go along this process together. At end of the day, our senior group is who we came in with, Hez (Jones), Keldrick (Carper), Kellen (Mond) – we’ve been friends forever. I want them to get close. The closest teams win.
Don’t know much about NCAA eligibility discussions, that’s out of my hands. Just focused on this season and blessed to have the opportunity I have right now.

Some quick notes from Small's media session:

Excited about the 10-game league schedule. This is why you come to the SEC. We think we’re one of top teams in country and want to prove that every week. We just get more opportunities to do that this year. There’s always a sense of urgency, doesn’t matter who we play. Just happy fall camp is here.
Love the attitude of this team and the energy. Lot of pent-up energy especially not having spring ball. Love the attitude the defense has brought first couple of days, led by Micheal Clemons. Of course, Jhamon’s and Kellen’s leadership offensively. I’m excited.
Need to make my kicks, no matter the distance. Feel confident anywhere inside 60 yards, with no wind.
Holder makes a huge difference. Didn’t have to worry about Braden (Mann) last year. That builds trust. Confident in Colton (Taylor) and Nik (Constantinou), no matter who we go with.
Kellen has earned so much respect from this team. We follow him and trust he will lead us wherever he wants to take us.
Right now kickoffs are a 3-way competition between myself, Caden (Davis) and Drew (Riethman). We’ll see who wins it. Excited to compete with them and whoever earns it, earns it.
Kick against Arkansas was a fun one. Live for last-second game winners, but that’s about closest thing you can get to that. Was a confidence boost, not just for myself, but for team and for specialists operational unit too.
Unsure what right decision on NCAA eligibility this fall is. People In NCAA office take as much info in as they can before making decision, they have much more info than myself. I trust their decision. For me I just want to play football.
Nik (Constantinou) is absolutely hilarious. 100 percent pure Australian. We’ve tried to brainwash him into being an American. Love him. Great punter. Natural when he punts the ball. Excited to see what he does this year.
Don’t really care about being on preseason watch lists, as long as my name shows up on postseason lists. Think I’m one of best in nation, but I have to go out and prove that every week.
Haven’t really thought less fans in stands. At end of day it’s same 100 yards and uprights. Just have to go do my job. Will be a little weird without as many fans but just excited about opportunity to go out and play some football.