Preseason Camp Update: Spartans Preparing for Second Scrimmage

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football team is preparing for its second scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday.

Several assistant coaches and players met with the media during the third week of camp to give an update on the Spartans.

Defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa:

On what stands out from this year compared to last season…
I think the biggest thing is the confidence we have in this defense, and in this room. I think there was a lot of question marks a year ago, in terms of what we can and can't do, not just the players, but the coaches were learning a new system. Fast forward a year, and we've been together for a year now. We've got a great group of coaches that we work together with. We know what's in our rooms and we know the job description. Obviously, because we know the job description, we know what we need to attack to make sure these guys are going to be successful on Saturday. So, the comfort level and the confidence in our ability to be able to build the best defense we can. I think we have the tools going into fall camp and before fall camp, as opposed to last year still having those question marks about what we can and can't do.

On whom has improved as a pass rusher…
So, that was a point of emphasis…We felt like that was one area we didn't do very well. We started off 'okay' in the beginning of the season, but then as the season went on, we didn't do a very good job as coaches and as players developing those pass rushers as the season went on. So, at the end of the season, we identified that. We tried to have some answers and some plans to be able to develop those things. So, in in terms of who's improving, I think the unit itself, and I think the defense as a whole has improved the pass rush. I thought we showed that a little bit in spring. So, I really like where our interior rush guys are. They're doing a lot of good things inside, and that has to do with the package and some of the things we're doing, putting them in positions to win, and to be able to utilize the skill sets that that some of our players have. So overall, I think that's something that we put an emphasis on. We kind of attacked it in spring, kind of took what we like, and then we went into fall camp. In the first scrimmage, we liked a lot of good things that showed up.

On the depth of the interior defensive line…
Yeah, we're pretty fortunate right now.  I think we're in a really, really good position in terms of having the numbers inside. I mean, it's a good place to be at. Now, I always tell the guys give me a reason to rotate you. They're working really well. They're traveling together really well. But this is separation week, I want to see who's going to carry the heavy lifting. I don't want to go into a game saying, hey, 'I have to play everybody because I don't know who the top two guys are.' I want to be able to come out of this fall camp, say, hey, 'these are the two guys we're going to do the heavy lifting with.' And then these guys here need to give me a reason why you need to play.

On the ideal number of snaps each defensive lineman plays…
No, not necessarily going into a game. I think we have the mindset that the guys that are going to start off the game are the guys that are going to start off the game. We got a group of guys that we feel like are above the line, that's going to help us or not going to help us win football games. And so, ideally, you'd like to take the guys that are doing the heavy lifting. They're going to play until we got a chance to be able to rotate other guys in. I think over the course of the season, because we do got a deep group here that's going to naturally happen because, again, guys are going to get tired, or if it's on three, four plays, well, that guy's fifth play is probably not as good as this guy's first play, in terms of type of energy he's going to play with, type of effort you're going to play with. So, that's the decision we got to be able to make. And I think we're in a really, really good place right now to where we got that situation going for us. Now, I tell the guys that I want to see how much gas you got in the tank. That was a big thing going into scrimmages is how many plays can we get out of you before I have to sub you. And so, in terms of numbers of snaps, no, I don't want to play guys seven, eight, nine plays, we're not built that way. Our lungs aren't built that way.  The size doesn't give us a chance to do that. But I do want to know what's the capacity of somebody who's playing and when we can start rotating guys.

On the defense building confidence…
Well, I think it started off of last year, and this is just for me, but the fact that you go back to the tape, we were a five-win team last year, and then you go through the tape, and obviously us as coaches, we evaluate, and we dissect the tape here. We didn't believe, or I didn't believe that it felt like, well, that was a five-win team on the field. There's a lot of things we could've got done better. I think those are all fixable things that we can do culturally and technique wise, call wise being in the league now, knowing the system a little bit better as a as a coaching staff. That confidence started there knowing that, 'hey, we have something here.' Now, what can we do to make it better in the off season and give us a year to go around it? So that confidence started in that fact, now there's a long way to go. I think I said this before after spring, when these guys came back in January, the amount of effort these guys put in, the energy, the strength coaches and what they've done with these guys since the spring. And then you fast forward to spring ball, what they did in spring ball, it was just accumulations of events that happened that, 'hey, we are confident.' And then the action of these guys made us even more confident on what we can be in this unit. Fall camp started off pretty good for us. Now, there's a long way to go in terms of consistently playing winning football. But I think that's part of the process here. We have got to know what we're good at. We have to make sure at times when the offense has the best of us, we didn't win every practice as a defense. And when we didn't, what happened? What do we need to get fixed to make sure that we move on to the next one?

On how the defense benefits from facing a mobile quarterback all camp…
Yeah, that's one of the traits now that we face every day. So whenever you face a mobile quarterback, I think it's always beneficial for the defensive front knowing that, 'hey, we got to take our contain rush a little bit higher.' Obviously, if we got a pressure knowing that this guy can bail and he can beat you with his feet, he's going to extend plays. So that's always in the mindset in terms of these guys when they're playing. Now they don't think about it, hopefully, right? It's just not something that they react knowing that, 'hey, Aidan's going to probably bust and get out the pocket here a little bit and will try to extend and use athleticism here.' So just putting ourselves in position. He's also exposed our defense, and we use it as a chance to say, 'hey, if you take a bad angle, shoot, he's going to extend the play, and he can hurt us on a long throw.' So those things, those little cuts that happened through the course of the season, I think it helped ingrain what we need to ingrain in these guys in terms of, 'hey, the details against that deep shoulder.' The details of knowing, 'hey, we got a running quarterback as opposed to a quarterback that sits in the pocket.' So, our angles have got to be a little bit different. We have got to be disciplined and knowing where our help is, and where that next guy is. If I miss, knowing which way I can't miss to because, 'hey, I can get him to my nearest help.'

On the growth he has seen from defensive edge rusher, Jalen Thompson…
I mean, from last season, I think the growth that really started with him. I think it was really intrinsic in the fact that I think he knew he was a better football player than what he put on tape last year, and I think he knew it. He felt it. So, it started there. And then now, obviously, for us as coaches, we know what you're feeling. This is where we need to continue to get better at, and then building an action plan, in terms of how to get him better in the strength room, in the film room, and obviously, on the field. Then trying to utilize his skill set. He's got a skill set where he's got position flexibility that he can do a lot of things upfront, and at the same time, not overwhelming them to where, it's too much and he starts to play slow. But I think he's growing in the confidence and the fact that I think he believes he can be one of the best players in the country at that position, and I think he's starting to put the work behind him.

On freshman interior defensive lineman, Derrick Simmons…
Well, I think when we talk about freshmen, I think Derrick Simmons is not your normal freshman. Does that mean that he's better than the guys we have in our system now? No. This just means that he's a freshman that's come here with a college ready body, physically. He's able to do the things that we need to get done, which is different than most freshmen. So, yeah, he's different in that way. I think his approach to things, like, he's big, he's strong, he's smart. I think he's really hungry. We have got to develop him fundamentally, in terms of how to strike things and in certain reactions. Things are a little bit faster here and guys a little bit bigger here at this level. But as a freshman coming in and some of the tools he already possesses, I mean, not giving him a step ahead than rest of the freshman, but most don't come in that way.

On his observation of scrimmage No. 1…
So, number one is, when we go into scrimmage, I want to see their natural reactions. Like, after 10 days of practices, what do we need to get better at? So, first things first is, like, 'hey, I want you to play fast, play ball out there.' Then we want to be able to identify things that we need to continue to get better at. So, coming out of that scrimmage, I thought with the front, the two things that I emphasized a lot was we have got to be able to get our blocks consistently, and then we have got to be able to put ourselves in good physical tackling postures. We got some hats on the ball in the front, but I thought those runs started falling out. We got some big backs, but those runs, those extra yards that come in when they were running the ball. We have got to do a better job of detaching and putting ourselves in a physical position to drive that ball carrier back. Now, going into the scrimmage, I felt like we played with really good effort. I know we talked about being in the system for a year, and I think these guys are really comfortable with the system, in terms of the defensive system. I think we got some really physical guys up front. I think we have the ability to be really stout in the run game. And then I liked our fact that that we were able to disrupt the pass game when we needed to at times. Obviously, as coaches, nothing's perfect. We felt like we could do some more in that area. But coming out, the big thing is we got a lot of playable guys. Obviously, we got some things that we have got to identify to continue to get better at. Number two is that, obviously, I think the system, in terms of their confidence in the system, their confidence in the detail of the system is going to give us a chance to be successful.

Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Rush Ends Coach Chad Wilt:
On how the team is progressing through fall camp with any players separating themselves at the rush end position…
Great question; don't have a great answer. There's some good things about that and bad things about that. That right now is the challenge of the guys to separate themselves. Within the room, how are we separating ourselves? How are you separating yourself to earn a job? And the biggest thing for a lot of those guys, I think, within the team, really, so many guys have shown flashes of why they're here. Now, let's go be consistent in the performance of details and doing your job, to go earn the job. And that's really the challenge for how guys can separate themselves right now. It's not that we know that you can't do it, these guys are here because we know they can. It's the consistency of performing and executing with details. And then, again, how you do it. The standard that coach (Joe) Rossi talks about all the time. Just absolute elite extreme effort.

On preseason All-American punter Ryan Eckley…
I think for him, it's just in a lot of the situational things. What type of punt do we want? Is this a flip the field punt? Is this a hang time situation? Obviously, you get into your pin territories. Or is this a location day. I think that's the kind of the next step for him. It's just what types of kicks. And we're practicing that even on our scripts. Like, we'll give him, 'hey, we got this call and we're working this kick. We want this type. We're kicking this direction, but we want this type of kick.' So, it's that mental game for him. And (assistant special teams coordinator) Joe Begnal is doing a great job with him and some game situation stuff. They're working as specialists, just putting them in game situations. So, when the moment arises, the moment's not too big for them. And they've gone through all those mental processes.

On keeping the guys disciplined going against a mobile quarterback…
Yeah, that's right, we've talked about this before. Every week is a unique rush plan. We played (Thomas) Castellanos from Boston College (last year). It was a different rush plan, similar to the (QB) that was at Florida Atlantic compared to the (QB) at Rutgers. Different rush plans for those guys. So, with Aidan (Chiles) you have to have some of that rush mentality and rushing four as one, for sure. Am I able to counter at depth or those things…But it's a great thing for our guys in camp and be able to have that rush discipline for sure.

On the defense taking the sack numbers from last season personally…
I take it personal, I'll tell you that much. And, Coach (Joe) Rossi, I know I talked about a few things. One, is personnel. The room turned over a little bit. Anelu Lafaele, I mean, this kid's got juice. He's got juice, and I'm excited to watch him, and how we build, right, and work with him through the season. But, Anelu's (Lafaele) going to rush differently than Isaac (Smith) and Cam (Williams). Right now, I spent time in camp, grabbing all these guys after the walk throughs at night and write with each one of them. Let's sit for 30 minutes. Watch and build your individual plan. Even today in the individual period. I had a period today, and it was 'you call it' period. What are you working on?  And we work in different situations because, (David) Santiago's going to rush different than Gilly (Tyler Gillison) and Gilly's (Tyler Gillison) is going to rush different than Cam (Williams). And so, those are two different tools in the tool belt, but they have got to be able to build for what their strength is as a pass rusher.

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Gavin Broscious:

On opening lanes for the running backs…
The best thing that I can definitely say is that Coach Michalczik has definitely drilled in our heads, 'if you have to do it, move the man an extra six inches, four inches, two inches, just move your man, and everything will it'll take care of itself.' So, that's pretty much how our mentality has been since coming into camp.

On facing the defensive tackles in camp…
I mean, the guys that we go against every single day are some of the top tier guys, like, 55, Big Worm, Ben Roberts. He is the best guy that we can go against day in, day out. He is working us. He makes us better. We're making him better. He's a hard guy to move, but it's definitely helping us for when we get to season.

On the emphasis of the importance of the offensive line…
I mean, I think that goes for every program, every NFL team. It starts with the offensive line. We're the heart and soul of the team. If we're not doing our job, the team can't do their job. We have to be set in stone. We have to be on our stuff every single day. We have to be the energy of the team. That's one thing that we've been talking about is having energy every single practice, every single rep. Guys just coming out there with a purpose, willing to do whatever it takes.

On his individual responsibility for this team…
My responsibility is there's a lot of new guys, and we have some guys from different schools. We got guys where we have to show them what it means to be a Spartan. I've been here for four years. Ashton's (Lepo) been here for four years. Dooley's (Kristian Phillips) been here for four years. So, I think it really falls on us to really drill into these guys like, 'hey, this is what it means to be a Spartan. I know you were at a different school before, but you're here now. This is what it means to play in East Lansing.'

On last season…
I mean, last year was our first year altogether. There was some stuff that we struggled with. And just looking at it, the only thing that I could say is we definitely needed more depth than the line. I mean, we definitely have that. Now we have the guys. That's why we're doing all this rotation stuff. Any guy can play any position.

On his development process throughout his career…
I mean, I've had a lot of talks with a lot of different people. My dad being one of the most helpful guys I can go to, he said just take it one day at a time, one rep at a time. Just make sure I'm going full speed every single time. You can't look too far ahead into the future. You have to go every single day, one step, one rep. That's just how it has to go.

On Kristian Phillips and his own journeys through battling injuries…
It definitely gets us closer, man. More like brothers, we play it all the time. We'll argue and bicker to each other, but we both understand it's all out of love. Like, it's just I push him, he pushes me. It's a blessing every time we keep going. Just knowing that we're all there now, it's just, yeah, it's a blessing and we have to appreciate what we have right now.

Fifth-year senior defensive lineman Grady Kelly:

On heading into separation week…
I think that, yes, there's that added level of kicking into the high gear, where you have got to separate. We have got to pull away and bring the group with us as we're trying to pull away. But it's really just hunker down into a process, and into a routine. It's separation week, but you have to come every single day from day one of camp when it's not separation week, working as hard as you actually can because you're trying to separate constantly, but there's definitely that added level in the back of your mind. This is the week that I really need to strive to pull apart. We want us all to be together moving in that same direction.

On keeping guys level headed and confident…
For sure. I think that it really just comes down to, when you have that implemented process, when you have that, yes, this isn't the end all be all, we know what we're working toward, and what we're working toward is greater. We're making this big push here, but we can continue as a group to make this big push the whole way through. That just starts with being competitive with guys in the room. I mean, there can't be any complacency in the room at all.

On defensive line coach, Legi Suiaunoa…
Well, one, he's just a family-oriented guy. He's really just genuinely a great person. As far as coaching wise, he's just so detailed, and he won't skip over anyone. Everyone's getting that same detailed, high energy, loving coach, every single practice, every rep possible. When we get into the film room, he just breaks it down. He's very meticulous with how he breaks stuff down, stuff that I may not have seen in the past. He gets to open my eyes up to that, and he's just goes very deep.

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Kristian Phillips:

On managing the excitement of the new season…
Just going out there and being with the guys. Just being with the guys, just knowing that, we got a job to do. And, that that's really our motivation. Obviously, last year wasn't what we expected, but that's in the past. So, we just worry about the right now.

On what he is individually working on…
It's really just my mentality. That's what I'm carrying over, my mentality don't change. Still going out there trying to be a dog, and I'm trying to carry that over with my team, as well as with the offensive line. So, hopefully, that's what carries over. So, that's my mentality right there.

On the recovery process from last season's injury…
Well, definitely a struggle. That was my first major injury, so it was horrible. The process was long, but I was able to get through it with the support that I have from this team. So, the process was very long. It was very hard on me mentally, so I'm just ready to get back out there and play.

On what the tougher part of the injury was – the physical or mental toll it takes…
The psychological, for sure. I've dealt with that as soon when I got hurt. As soon as I found out about the injury, it was all up here (points to his head) from the start because I had never dealt with it before.

On how he handled the mental toll the injury took on him…
Really, just rehab and being here with the guys, honestly. That's my honest opinion. These guys made me really just take my mind off the injury. Watching them go out there and play and just practice, and them just being around me and supporting me, that's really all I needed.

Senior defensive lineman Jalen Satchell:

On the coaches emphasizing separation week…
I mean, they've been harping it in just every day. It's work every day; it's a competitive room. So, that separation is just more so keeping us on our heels, just trying to work every day and not get complacent.

On balancing individual goals with team goals…
I always keep about the room; I always start there first. I'm not a selfish player. So, if one of us makes a good play, I'm always there for them just as they would be for me. So, I feel like that's all I can think about right now.

On if he has noticed an improvement from the defensive line this year…
Yeah, we're harping in on basic fundamentals this year...This year, I feel like we took a different step. So, even bringing guys in like Grady (Kelly). Rue (Ru'Quan Buckley). Derrick Simmons, he's doing his thing too. So, I feel like us just being around each other, that's just going to be natural.

On if it will be harder to play more this year…
I'll say over the years, it slowed down. Every year, it slows down. I also come to studying film and just take care of your body too. Even taking care of your body is a big part. So, I feel like just working on that, and everything else will fall in place. Work ethic will come into play.

On how he is more comfortable with the coaching staff this year…
Today, we worked on getting off blocks. Each and every day is just something new, even from the scrimmage. They took stuff from the scrimmage, and we put it in practice today. So, every day, we're working on something new to keep harping on our technique and just keep going forward every day.

Redshirt junior defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren:

On the importance of depth…
Teams, the best defensive lines, they rotate. You have got to keep that fresh. When you're taking on double teams, you're taking on scoop blocks and all these two on one blocks. I mean, you look around at the best defensive lines, they rotate, and I think that's a huge benefit to have guys that I know, if I'm next to whoever you put next to me, I know what they're going to be on, and they know what I'm going to be on. We can be able to build that trust and that bond.

On his observation of the defense…
There has really been a huge emphasis throughout the whole camp. We're trying to harass and put all the pressure that we can on the quarterback…And at times, we didn't do that last year. So, we've realized that it's something that we need to get better at, and throughout this whole off season, we stacked. We stacked, and we're getting to the point now where it's time to showcase it.

On if he feels like the 'old man' in the room…
Not an old man, but I have been here my whole career, and that's something I take pride in. A lot of guys bounce around and stuff like that. I've seen the old staff and the new staff. So, I definitely feel the need to educate the newer guys on the history of Michigan State and what certain things mean. So definitely in that aspect, yeah.

On defensive line coach, Legi Suiaunoa…
Coach Legi (Suiaunoa) man, he's great. His energy and how clear his coaching is, and the job that he wants you to get done. I've been through a lot of defensive line coaches, but the buy in from the guys to him is phenomenal. Guys have a connection with him. I mean, we were just out to dinner last night, he had us over to his home. There's a bond and there's a connection with him, and we want to play hard for him and for each other.

On why he started playing defensive line…
I mean, I don't really think I chose this. I think it chose me. I was a running back before in high school, and then I think this position kind of chose me.