SEC Media Days: Steve Sarkisian, Quinn Ewers, Kalen DeBoer & extra

DALLAS — We’ve crossed the midway level of SEC Media Days! And, with superior probability, Wednesday in the end presented some solutions to questions state big-time methods like Alabama and Texas. 

The Red Wave’s unused chief, Kalen DeBoer, spoke first on Date 3, speaking about what it’s love to betaking over for mythical tutor Nick Saban, who retired following the Red Wave’s CFP semi-final loss to Michigan. 

And Steve Sarkisian and his Texas Longhorns additionally made an look Wednesday, introducing themselves to the SEC media as the most recent youngsters at the cancel.

Learn up on Date 3’s complete festivities under.

For a Date 1 recap, seek advice from right here.

For a Date 2 recap, seek advice from right here.  

Deboer used to be requested about what the method has been like getting acclimated to Alabama’s program and its lengthy historical past of dominance. 

“I actually took notes and I’m still taking notes — these guys have been here longer than I have,” Deboer stated.

He discussed that in lieu of looking to do excess, he needs to concentrate on the paintings they’re doing presently and now not get too tie up in looking to fill the footwear of the former head tutor. 

“There’s only one Coach Saban, there’ll only ever be one Nick Saban,” DeBoer stated. 

The unused Red Wave head tutor additionally touched on how a lot his staff recognizes each and every alternative and the college.

“That’s again a credit to Coach Saban and everyone that’s coached the program before,” DeBoer stated. “These guys, they know they need each other to reach the goals that we have as a program. And then I think they also really respect the goals they have each individually.”

Milroe mentioned tactics he needs to give a boost to as a quarterback and the place it’s that he would critique himself. 

“I think for me, I’m not a finished product,” Milroe stated. “I think for me, the day I stop getting better, the day I feel is I need to retire. So with that, I can always seek information and try to be a sponge at the position, whether it’s situation awareness, whether it’s protection, whether it’s coverages. There’s a multitude of things that as a quarterback, to play at a high level, you have to master that aspect.”

The redshirt young stated that the majority society consider the bodily side of the sport being probably the most remarkable, however the psychological aspect is an section he wish to give a boost to. 

“So I think mentally being stronger in the game and you’re ready for all situations that occur. So you can be the strongest player you can be on the football field.”

Milroe emphasised that he has the correct environment for this enlargement to happen along with his unused head tutor’s arrival. 

“It’s all about being around guys that’s gonna push me and uplift me and hold me to a standard of playing at a high level,” Milroe stated. “And I have that with Coach DeBoer and Coach Sheridan and I’m so super excited about.”

Lebby began his cope with by means of shouting out Dallas Cowboys QB and Mississippi Condition alumn Dak Prescott. 

The primary month head tutor used to be requested concerning the unused layout of the School Soccer Playoff and what it way for groups which can be perhaps out of doors the manage of the SEC. 

“There’s nothing but good coming from the expanded playoff. You have the opportunity to not be perfect in the regular season,” Lebby stated. “It opens a door — it creates a door.” 

Lebby stated that the switch portal performed a profusion position in having the ability to get this staff up and in a position to collision the garden operating in coaching camp. 

“We’re talking about the starting quarterback, three to five starting O-linemen, two receivers, starting running back,” Lebby stated. “And on the defensive side, we’ll have three starters from the portal as well.”

Shapen transferred over from Baylor previous this offseason and he says there’s been some issues he’s needed to modify to and be told — from an offensive point of view. 

“I think for me, a big thing was footwork,” Shapen stated. “You know, obviously in Coach Lebby’s offense, like, the footwork’s a little bit different than the offense I was in previously. With RPO footwork, quick game footwork, things like that. So, being able to master those things has been — has been a process.”

Shapen additionally shared that Dak Prescott labored out with him a few occasions this offseason, serving to him all the way through his transition over to Mississippi Condition. 

“It’s really cool being around Dak, he’s a great dude,” Shapen stated. “Anytime you can take information from a guy like that, that’s played in a lot of big-time football games in the NFL, it’s pretty special.”

Nearest praising Commissioner Sankey for his paintings to get the SEC within the place that it’s in presently, Napier got into his staff’s management and the way it’s serving to poised a superior base. 

“We have credible leadership,” Napier stated. “The discipline and accountability we have on this team is at an all-time high.” 

Napier used to be requested concerning the Gators’ time table and what would represent a a hit season for them. 

“I think you have to get consumed with the process, not the outcome to some degree,” Napier stated. “The thing that I would say with conviction is we have been very close, we play in a lot of close games. We’ve got to learn how to close those games out and I think that’s where the leadership and experience of this team.” 

The Gators head tutor talked concerning the expanded School Soccer Playoff and defined how there’s a dozen extra alternative for groups with one, two or even 3 losses. 

“So many more teams have hope when you get into weeks six, seven, eight, nine,” Napier stated. 

Some of the questions Mertz says he’s been requested a dozen chief as much as this season is concerning the Gators’ time table, which options an array of difficult combatants. 

“For us it’s, look, we got one game against Miami — it’s the first game of the season,” Mertz stated. “That’s all we’re focused on, just one game at a time, one opportunity at a time and maximizing those opportunities. “

The Gators QB dove deeper, explaining the way it’s now not a excellent observe to seem forward at after matchups when you’ve got one proper in entrance of you. 

“If you already make assumptions that we’re gonna win this many games, we’re gonna lose this many — you’re probably gonna lose a few more,” Mertz stated. 

We requested Mertz, who transferred from Wisconsin previous to terminating season, concerning the variations he’s skilled between the SEC and the Large 10. 

“Across the board, you think of all these universities in the SEC and their fanbases are so passionate,” Mertz stated. “Everywhere you go, you can feel that passion. You’ll feel those rivalries ten times more when you go see these places.”

Sarkisian and the Longhorns are going into their first season within the SEC and he says it’s one thing he feels lucky to be part of. 

“I think the key word is respect. We have a ton of respect for this conference,” Sarkisian stated. “This is the elite conference in college football.”

The Longhorns tutor says he feels assured on this staff’s talents as they face a more difficult time table within the SEC. 

“This is the deepest team we’ve had — probably the most talented football team we’ve had,” Sarkisian stated. 

Regardless of what some might say concerning the Longhorns’ probabilities within the SEC, Schoolmaster Sarkisian says they simply gained the Large 12 Convention Championship and that expectation doesn’t exchange in a distinct convention. 

“Our goal is to come into this conference and compete for a conference championship,” Sarkisian stated. 

Sarkisian used to be requested concerning the Purple River Competition between Texas and Oklahoma and the way it compares to the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. 

“This is the most unique game, for sure, that I’ve ever been a part of,” Sarkisian stated. “Half of the game is a home game, the other half of the game is a road game… Both teams play as hard as they possibly can.”

The young quarterback used to be requested about his courting with Schoolmaster Sarkisian and the way it’s advanced over month. 

“Over three years we’ve really gotten to know each other,” Ewers stated. “He’s gotten vulnerable, not just with me, but with the entirety of the team.”

Relating to how Ewers feels about his tutor, he made positive to say sort phrases about Sarkisian’s private construction. 

“I think he’s only grown as a player caller and, you know, as a head coach — as a person in general,” Ewers stated. “I’ve only seen him become a better man.”

With the addition of the Longhorns to the SEC, worn rivalries are being introduced again to occasion, together with the Lonestar Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M. 

“I’m excited to have that game back,” Ewers stated. “It’s going to be cool, especially going to Kyle Field Thanksgiving weekend and that place is going to be rockin’. We’re all fired up for it.”

When requested about his determination to go back to Texas for yet another season, regardless of being eligible for the NFL Draft, Ewers stated he sought after to get extra enjoy and be somebody who leaves a legacy in the back of. 

“I just kinda wanted to give myself a better chance to have a long and successful career in the NFL.” Ewers stated. “I don’t want to be a guy that just comes and goes. I want to be somebody who is remembered.” 

See all of the SEC Media Days time table right here.