FB Johnny Stanton IV (8.22.21)
On getting reps on offense today:
“It is always fun to have your number called. They told me this week that I was going to be at tight end and I said, ‘Alright, let’s do it.’ I am willing to do whatever it takes to make this team. For them to be able to get me the ball on a couple of plays I have at tight end gets me excited.”
On the difficulty of transitioning to TE:
“They prepared me well this week. I knew it was coming. They do a good job of prepping the guys who are getting the most reps. (TE) Jordan Franks and (TE) Connor Davis who got twice as many reps as I did, those guys were battling through it and they did a great job today. I did not get as many reps as them, but I try to make it count when I get those plays in practice and it transferred out there.”
On the type of QB he was at UNLV:
“I was a dual-threat guy, but I was not running around anybody at 250 lbs. When I had the ball in my hands, I would be trying to run through you and try to make some plays in the backfield, as well.”
On his experience learning to be a blocker:
“It took a big transition. You are transferring from wanting to stay away from the tacklers to heading straight towards them and being able to influence them to come to you. It was a big transition. I am in my fourth year of doing it, and I am still learning every day. I feel like I am at a point right now where I am proud to have gotten to this point, but I know I have a long way to go.”
On if his experience as a QB helps him find gaps in the defense:
“Being in that position and having to know the whole offense gives me a better chance to learn the whole offense now. This offense is a lot more complex than anything else I have ever been in before, but being in my second year, I am able to master it better and get the chance to show my knowledge of it more. Even last year, the coaches would ask me to make sure I knew the second tight end spot, but it was not until this year that they said ‘OK, now you have to know it.’ I did not get many reps last year so I am making my way through it and am still learning every day.”
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