Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
Spartan Football Update: Defensive Line Coach Ron Burton Media Teleconference Transcript
4/22/2020 5:27:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State defensive line coach Ron Burton answered questions from reporters on a media teleconference on Wednesday afternoon. Burton shared his thoughts on working with the defensive staff, replacing three multi-year starters on the defensive line, and the emergence of senior defensive end Jacub Panasiuk as a leader in the position room.
A transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Defensive Line Coach Ron Burton
On Coach Tucker's recruiting style and his energy…
Very enjoyable, keeps you on your toes. It's just like shaving, you've got to do it every day or you don't have an opportunity to be your best. I've really enjoyed learning more of the different aspects of the recruiting trail and how we go about it in this fashion. What I love about it is every day, it's all day and I've really enjoyed it because it's consistent and yes, the energy is there. Just knowing more and more about other ways of doing things. It's been very, very honest and it's been very straightforward and I've enjoyed it.
On being part of a different coaching staff now and the decision to stay at MSU…
It's great to be a Spartan. I've been here seven years. When the opportunity was asked by me to stay, I wanted to be on the staff with Mel Tucker. It's just been something that when you enjoy where you are, you want to continue it; you want to make it even better than what it is. He presented that to me and my family and we wholeheartedly wanted to stay.
On returning back to coaching the entire defensive line and if it's a big change…
No, sir. Defense is knowing where your help is. I'm looking at it all the time and I started out my first four years here having the whole defensive line and have always been that way. It's what it's all about; the front four. Not a big transition, I do have help from our graduate assistant and our DC Scottie Hazelton, we're all a part of it. This has been terrific and not much of a change for me because you're looking at it totally the same.
On having to replace three of the four up front this season…
Well you answered your question; experience is the true teacher. Those guys that were in front, that are graduating and have an opportunity to play in the National Football League, will leave a life lesson. They were great teachers and those kids behind that had 200-plus snaps are going to have opportunity to play up front. Me understanding that is crucial, but those guys will have a great opportunity because of the guys that came before them. They were great teachers; Kenny Willekes, Raequan Williams and Mike Panasiuk, they taught the guys behind them so we shouldn't have a drop off but it's strong to know that knowledge and those guys that had that chance to be on the field. We look forward to no drop off and those guys taking advantage of it.
On Jacub Panasiuk taking over a leadership role as one of the more experienced guys…
No doubt about it. With him being the guy who's had the most snaps, he's been a leader in the room. He's been helping the young guys understand the game and the fundamentals; that's the key to us up front. As a senior defensive end, you're kind of taking the bull by the horns as an assistant coach and understanding the nuances of what's going on. That really allows our guys to be prepared along with us. Him having the success of the last two years has been a great example …and getting answers to some of the questions that the younger guys have. It keeps us on task and keeps us ahead of the game, but he will be an integral part and has played an integral part during these meetings. We expect to get behind him, Drew Beesley, he's a kid that's going to help us a lot – he's a senior also. Then we'll have guys behind him, Jack Camper, and just a young guy, Michael Fletcher. Those are the guys that have the key positions right now up front to carry forward.
On updates on Jack Camper and Michael Fletcher and visions for them…
Well, we expect them to be co-starters and on the field a lot. Those guys, number one, have to understand and consistently plan being on the field every time. You mentioned Jack Camper with the injury that he's had; he's gotten stronger, gotten better and understands the position. A young Fletcher who has not had that many snaps just getting stronger; understanding what to do and what not to do; long player out there, asks great questions and we expect a lot from him. The guy on the other side, Drew Beesley, he's had a lot of snaps and he's going to be battling for that starting position. I think he's going to have an opportunity to help us a lot because he's had to play and he is a true teacher on the other side also. Very smart player and we expect a lot out of him. Going forward, time will tell, but those guys in the classroom have done a great job. In the discussions that I've had with them, they ask the right questions but they understand where we're trying to go.
On Naquan Jones returning with the most experience and leadership among the guys in the middle…
Well you mentioned them right there; you know what you're talking about. Those guys are the guys up front. Naquan Jones has been an experienced player for the last four years with an opportunity to really flourish with multiple more starts. He has been a great person in the classroom with the guys. He has been more vocal; he's very energetic. He'll double his snaps but he is a leader right now in the defensive tackle room.
Jacob Slade, who had 200-plus snaps last year, has really come on at the end of the season last year. We expect him to be a force inside. Then young guys inside starting with Dashaun Mallory, who is a redshirt sophomore coming up this fall; very strong at the point of attack, expecting to see him on the field. Then the young man Jalen Hunt shows quickness and movement and destructive in the backfield. Those are the top four guys that we expect to help us this fall.
On Zach Slade…
He's a defensive end. He's about 250 pounds and he has progressed (was out the entire 2019 season with a knee injury).
On the defensive meetings with the coaching staff experience…
Without a doubt. Very stimulating with the group in there starting with Scottie Hazelton; he presents opportunity. We all become lifelong learners in that room. We have a lot of knowledge and every one is an open forum and I just enjoy it. It's just like going to graduate school and you're heading toward your PhD, I'm telling you, in football. These guys have a lot of knowledge. Coach Hazelton has allowed us to be a part of putting this big puzzle together and having those guys with that knowledge in the front end and the back end. It's just been enjoyable to me. From the graduate assistants to the analysts; everyone is involved and it starts with Coach Hazelton allowing to have that open forum where he's willing to adjust to get us where we need to go. It's been a pleasure. I tell you, everyday, I mean I've got two notebooks already from the stuff that we talked about and making the adjustments and the terms of things that we want to do. It's been unbelievable and it's a joy to get up and talk football with such a group that has so much experience so it's been a pleasure for me.
On the challenges as a coach to keep up with strength and conditioning during these times…
Well the challenges are there but with today's technology and ability to have different ways of doing things, I think that our strength coach, Coach Novak, has done a tremendous job daily of giving our kids exactly what they need and our guys going out and executing it. It takes maturity to do that because of what we have and being able to do different types of conditioning and lifting with different types of things, you've probably seen that out there. These kids have just gravitated toward finding a way to get better but it has not been a problem; the kids are hungry and their adjustment has some good. Time will tell and just from my standpoint and where we see it, they're busting their butt trying to find a way to get it done on a daily basis. Hats off to them, and hats off to our strength and conditioning staff setting that protocol daily.
On the new coaches relying on the previous coaches for insight on players…
Well there's no doubt about that; being around the guys and being able to adjust. The film doesn't lie so you're able to see it and we'll be able to answer the questions of the other guys that they have; the questions of the technique that you think these guys can handle, how much capacity mentally can they handle; what is the carryover in what they have done that can help us spring forward. That is a plus for us but it's always what have you done for us lately. We enjoy just to get those questions and being able to answer to the best of our ability because we have been around. There is no doubt about it; that's a part of it too. We're all growing together and finding ways to get our kids to get where they need to go. It's the 2020 football team.
On what he sees from Jalen Hunt and Dashaun Mallory...
Well time will tell on both of those kids for one. They both traveled at the end of the year, they were both on scout team. That's what they worked with for the majority of the year. They were very aggressive and very destructive as scout team players and they traveled with us so we're looking to see what they can do as we go forward with the minimum time not having spring ball. They were well away to having opportunities to be on the field. Those were the guys at camp last fall, they ended up traveling. We look forward to seeing what they're going to do this year when the opportunity presents itself, but right now those kids that traveled but did not play as much.
On if he will still be recruiting in the Chicago area…
We recruit all over the country and I'm enjoying every bit of it; that's for sure. Yeah, I'll be a part of it but we'll have primary areas and we'll work through there. As we go forward we'll be able to do a little bit of both, so yes.
On what he saw from Michael Fletcher in year one…
Well year one he was down on the scout field and he had some injuries early so the book is still out on him as far as from last fall but time will tell as he goes forward. This offseason he was moving very good and he showed the strength that he's improved at and his understanding of what we want him to do, mentally he handles it. Now we just have to have the opportunity to get him on the field and let that long body work. Still, the jury is out on him.
On Jack Camper…
There's no doubt about that. He's coming back in much more healthier here and he was ready to go, yes. He'll be ready to go. He was stronger, moving, running. He's on track to be where he needs to be. We expect him to challenge for a starting job.
A transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Defensive Line Coach Ron Burton
On Coach Tucker's recruiting style and his energy…
Very enjoyable, keeps you on your toes. It's just like shaving, you've got to do it every day or you don't have an opportunity to be your best. I've really enjoyed learning more of the different aspects of the recruiting trail and how we go about it in this fashion. What I love about it is every day, it's all day and I've really enjoyed it because it's consistent and yes, the energy is there. Just knowing more and more about other ways of doing things. It's been very, very honest and it's been very straightforward and I've enjoyed it.
On being part of a different coaching staff now and the decision to stay at MSU…
It's great to be a Spartan. I've been here seven years. When the opportunity was asked by me to stay, I wanted to be on the staff with Mel Tucker. It's just been something that when you enjoy where you are, you want to continue it; you want to make it even better than what it is. He presented that to me and my family and we wholeheartedly wanted to stay.
On returning back to coaching the entire defensive line and if it's a big change…
No, sir. Defense is knowing where your help is. I'm looking at it all the time and I started out my first four years here having the whole defensive line and have always been that way. It's what it's all about; the front four. Not a big transition, I do have help from our graduate assistant and our DC Scottie Hazelton, we're all a part of it. This has been terrific and not much of a change for me because you're looking at it totally the same.
On having to replace three of the four up front this season…
Well you answered your question; experience is the true teacher. Those guys that were in front, that are graduating and have an opportunity to play in the National Football League, will leave a life lesson. They were great teachers and those kids behind that had 200-plus snaps are going to have opportunity to play up front. Me understanding that is crucial, but those guys will have a great opportunity because of the guys that came before them. They were great teachers; Kenny Willekes, Raequan Williams and Mike Panasiuk, they taught the guys behind them so we shouldn't have a drop off but it's strong to know that knowledge and those guys that had that chance to be on the field. We look forward to no drop off and those guys taking advantage of it.
On Jacub Panasiuk taking over a leadership role as one of the more experienced guys…
No doubt about it. With him being the guy who's had the most snaps, he's been a leader in the room. He's been helping the young guys understand the game and the fundamentals; that's the key to us up front. As a senior defensive end, you're kind of taking the bull by the horns as an assistant coach and understanding the nuances of what's going on. That really allows our guys to be prepared along with us. Him having the success of the last two years has been a great example …and getting answers to some of the questions that the younger guys have. It keeps us on task and keeps us ahead of the game, but he will be an integral part and has played an integral part during these meetings. We expect to get behind him, Drew Beesley, he's a kid that's going to help us a lot – he's a senior also. Then we'll have guys behind him, Jack Camper, and just a young guy, Michael Fletcher. Those are the guys that have the key positions right now up front to carry forward.
On updates on Jack Camper and Michael Fletcher and visions for them…
Well, we expect them to be co-starters and on the field a lot. Those guys, number one, have to understand and consistently plan being on the field every time. You mentioned Jack Camper with the injury that he's had; he's gotten stronger, gotten better and understands the position. A young Fletcher who has not had that many snaps just getting stronger; understanding what to do and what not to do; long player out there, asks great questions and we expect a lot from him. The guy on the other side, Drew Beesley, he's had a lot of snaps and he's going to be battling for that starting position. I think he's going to have an opportunity to help us a lot because he's had to play and he is a true teacher on the other side also. Very smart player and we expect a lot out of him. Going forward, time will tell, but those guys in the classroom have done a great job. In the discussions that I've had with them, they ask the right questions but they understand where we're trying to go.
On Naquan Jones returning with the most experience and leadership among the guys in the middle…
Well you mentioned them right there; you know what you're talking about. Those guys are the guys up front. Naquan Jones has been an experienced player for the last four years with an opportunity to really flourish with multiple more starts. He has been a great person in the classroom with the guys. He has been more vocal; he's very energetic. He'll double his snaps but he is a leader right now in the defensive tackle room.
Jacob Slade, who had 200-plus snaps last year, has really come on at the end of the season last year. We expect him to be a force inside. Then young guys inside starting with Dashaun Mallory, who is a redshirt sophomore coming up this fall; very strong at the point of attack, expecting to see him on the field. Then the young man Jalen Hunt shows quickness and movement and destructive in the backfield. Those are the top four guys that we expect to help us this fall.
On Zach Slade…
He's a defensive end. He's about 250 pounds and he has progressed (was out the entire 2019 season with a knee injury).
On the defensive meetings with the coaching staff experience…
Without a doubt. Very stimulating with the group in there starting with Scottie Hazelton; he presents opportunity. We all become lifelong learners in that room. We have a lot of knowledge and every one is an open forum and I just enjoy it. It's just like going to graduate school and you're heading toward your PhD, I'm telling you, in football. These guys have a lot of knowledge. Coach Hazelton has allowed us to be a part of putting this big puzzle together and having those guys with that knowledge in the front end and the back end. It's just been enjoyable to me. From the graduate assistants to the analysts; everyone is involved and it starts with Coach Hazelton allowing to have that open forum where he's willing to adjust to get us where we need to go. It's been a pleasure. I tell you, everyday, I mean I've got two notebooks already from the stuff that we talked about and making the adjustments and the terms of things that we want to do. It's been unbelievable and it's a joy to get up and talk football with such a group that has so much experience so it's been a pleasure for me.
On the challenges as a coach to keep up with strength and conditioning during these times…
Well the challenges are there but with today's technology and ability to have different ways of doing things, I think that our strength coach, Coach Novak, has done a tremendous job daily of giving our kids exactly what they need and our guys going out and executing it. It takes maturity to do that because of what we have and being able to do different types of conditioning and lifting with different types of things, you've probably seen that out there. These kids have just gravitated toward finding a way to get better but it has not been a problem; the kids are hungry and their adjustment has some good. Time will tell and just from my standpoint and where we see it, they're busting their butt trying to find a way to get it done on a daily basis. Hats off to them, and hats off to our strength and conditioning staff setting that protocol daily.
On the new coaches relying on the previous coaches for insight on players…
Well there's no doubt about that; being around the guys and being able to adjust. The film doesn't lie so you're able to see it and we'll be able to answer the questions of the other guys that they have; the questions of the technique that you think these guys can handle, how much capacity mentally can they handle; what is the carryover in what they have done that can help us spring forward. That is a plus for us but it's always what have you done for us lately. We enjoy just to get those questions and being able to answer to the best of our ability because we have been around. There is no doubt about it; that's a part of it too. We're all growing together and finding ways to get our kids to get where they need to go. It's the 2020 football team.
On what he sees from Jalen Hunt and Dashaun Mallory...
Well time will tell on both of those kids for one. They both traveled at the end of the year, they were both on scout team. That's what they worked with for the majority of the year. They were very aggressive and very destructive as scout team players and they traveled with us so we're looking to see what they can do as we go forward with the minimum time not having spring ball. They were well away to having opportunities to be on the field. Those were the guys at camp last fall, they ended up traveling. We look forward to seeing what they're going to do this year when the opportunity presents itself, but right now those kids that traveled but did not play as much.
On if he will still be recruiting in the Chicago area…
We recruit all over the country and I'm enjoying every bit of it; that's for sure. Yeah, I'll be a part of it but we'll have primary areas and we'll work through there. As we go forward we'll be able to do a little bit of both, so yes.
On what he saw from Michael Fletcher in year one…
Well year one he was down on the scout field and he had some injuries early so the book is still out on him as far as from last fall but time will tell as he goes forward. This offseason he was moving very good and he showed the strength that he's improved at and his understanding of what we want him to do, mentally he handles it. Now we just have to have the opportunity to get him on the field and let that long body work. Still, the jury is out on him.
On Jack Camper…
There's no doubt about that. He's coming back in much more healthier here and he was ready to go, yes. He'll be ready to go. He was stronger, moving, running. He's on track to be where he needs to be. We expect him to challenge for a starting job.
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