Student-Athlete Interviews - Spring Practice
March 25, 2009
Donte Davis, Junior, Wide Receiver
On the offensive style for the upcoming season:
“Based on practice, it looks like we’re going to passing a lot.”
On having Mike Williams back:
“He’s a deep threat. Mike can go up and get it. He spreads the defense out and everyone else can then work underneath.”
On his hopes for the upcoming season:
“Expectations are definitely high from coaches and players. The coaches demand so much from us and that’s what they’re going to receive. By the time the season comes around, we’re going to be on track.”
Doug Hogue, Junior, Linebacker
On his move to linebacker:
“It is definitely good news. If it’s going to help the team, I am going to do whatever it takes to help the team. If he (Coach Marrone) tells me to play running back, I’ll play running back. If he (Coach Marrone) asks me to kick, I’ll do whatever it is to help the team.Everything was going to play out no matter if I was on offense or defense. The best man is going to play. That’s the thing I respect about these coaches. They are really into playing the best people for the program to develop and be something good.”
On his goals for the upcoming season:
“It is definitely a goal to start. The guys who were there before me were a lot smarter than me, as far as the linebacker position. I’m going to have to get into my books and do what I have to do.”
Derrell Smith, Junior, Linebacker
On his move to inside linebacker:
“It feels very good right now. I have a lot of speed and can play sideline to sideline. Hopefully, it turns out well.”
On Doug Hogue moving to defense:
“He handled it very well. We actually went over a little film before practice and when he got out on the field he reacted and played. Doug is a good athlete. He did what he had to do and followed the instructions to play.”
On also making the transition Doug Hogue is now making (Smith was a running back as a freshman and moved to linebacker prior to his redshirt freshman year):
“I’m going to try to take him under my wing. I’m going to try to talk to him about it. I remember when I first moved from tailback to linebacker, it was a little tough. Tailback is the ultimate position on the football field, other than quarterback, but linebacker is a lot of fun. He gets to fly around now and hit.”
