2025 ACC Kickoff Day 1 Roundup

ACC Media Days kicked off today with an interview with ACC commissioner Jim Phillips.

The commissioner highlighted some of the accomplishments of the ACC in the last year.

“Before I look ahead, it's important to reflect on the past year and what was accomplished both within the ACC and nationally. Beginning last July, and throughout the year, we seamlessly integrated our three newest league members. Our national footprint present in each of the five most populated states and having four of the ten largest television markets will continue to serve the ACC well.

“During the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris, athletes from ACC institutions combined to win 102 total medals, the most of any conference, including the highest number of golds. Current and former student-athletes from a total of 13 different schools won at least one medal, and Stanford athletes led all NCAA schools with a school record 39.

“The partnership with Disney and ESPN was only further strengthened this past year. Last summer we celebrated the fifth anniversary of ACC Network with a series of media interviews and events in Bristol. Following the celebration on ESPN's campus, many of us were on the same flight to Ireland for the Aer Lingus Classic, featuring Florida State and Georgia Tech. It was an incredible atmosphere, and having ESPN's College GameDay, as well as ACC Huddle broadcasting live for the first time outside the United States was absolutely tremendous.

“It was also the most watched Week 0 college football game since 2019, and the top game on cable this past season.

“Sponsorships were enhanced as two additional partners were secured, including Geico as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 ACC Football Championship Game, and as part of a multiyear agreement through 2027, T. Rowe Price became an official partner of the ACC and as the exclusive title sponsor of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.

“At the end of January, in conjunction with ESPN, we announced an extension of our long-term partnership through the 2035-36 academic year. The renewed commitment demonstrated ESPN's ongoing dedication to the ACC and has accelerated our creative and innovative efforts to drive additional value.

“Following the ACC Board of Directors' endorsement of a competitive success initiative program back in May of 2023, this past year marked the first implementation of the progressive and forward-thinking approach that rewards schools for their competitive success in football and in basketball.

“When the initiative was first approved, only football and men's basketball revenues from national postseason competition were included. However, I applaud our leadership in being proactive by ensuring women's basketball would be effortlessly integrated when the NCAA D-I membership approved implementation of units back in January.

“The legal disputes within the conference were brought to resolution at the beginning of March. The ACC Board of Directors was amazing in its leadership, dedication, and patience through a challenging process. The settlement provides long-term stability for the league with the potential for all members to benefit from additional revenue opportunities.

“Leading in the distribution of revenue based on success, and now with an additional revenue distribution model that is based on viewership, the ACC has been innovative in its approach to conference revenues. As part of the modernization of college athletics, these new models allow us to maintain distributions for all ACC members that are above most other conferences while also providing flexibility for competition at the highest level of revenue.

“On the playing fields and in the classrooms, our student-athletes and programs continue to shine. The ACC won six NCAA titles this past year and has amassed 29 in the last four years. In that span, no conference has won more NCAA titles in league-sponsored sports. Amazingly, there have been 17 occasions that an ACC team defeated another ACC team in either the NCAA semifinals or the championship over the last four years. Let me just say, this is a killer for the commissioner. It's the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat all in the same moment.

“In addition to our NCAA titles, 12 teams finished their seasons ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in their respective national polls. Earlier this month, we announced Virginia's Gretchen Walsh and Duke's Cooper Flagg were chosen by a select media panel as the top female and male ACC athletes for the 2024-25 academic year. Walsh earned her second consecutive Mary Garber Award as the most outstanding female athlete, a week after winning the Honda Cup as the 2025 Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

“Flagg, the consensus Men's National Player of the Year and the top pick in June's NBA Draft, earned the Anthony J. Kevlin Award as the Premier Male Athlete.

“The nominees for these top league awards were remarkable, especially when you consider the national award winners and Olympic medalists who are on that list. And as many of you noted at the time, this was only the sixth time in history that the No. 1 draft picks from the NFL and NBA hailed from the same conference, ACC's Cam Ward of Miami and Cooper Flagg.

“Beyond athletics, our member institutions remain national leaders in academic metrics, including U.S. News & World Report's best colleges, NCAA graduation success rates, and academic progress rates. Let me be clear, to the ACC, academics and graduation, continue to be cornerstones in a significant point of differentiation.

“Financially, as most recently reported, we were one of only two power conferences to show a revenue increase in 2023-24. We had the highest gross revenue ever reported for the league at over $711 million. Over the last five years, our overall revenue is up 56 percent, and has more than tripled in the last 13. We delivered an average of $45 million to each school, also a league record. Once again, we are in the top three in both overall revenues generated and per school distribution, and we fully expect that to continue as we look ahead.”

Phillips next highlighted the upcoming season.

“As I begin my remarks about the upcoming ACC Football season, I want to announce two specific conference policies that will be implemented this fall. In the sports of football and men's and women's basketball, our conference has elevated its expectations around court and field safety. Members are required to continue developing event security plans, which will now include a review by a third-party independently, and to ensure that only participants, coaches, officials, and authorized personnel are allowed in the competition area before, during, and at the conclusion of any competition.

“The plan may allow spectators to access the competition area following a contest, but only after the visiting team and officials have safely exited the area.

“With the elevated safety expectations, there's critical importance to ensure that adequate time for all members of the visiting team to safely lead the field of play.

“In addition to these elevated expectations, there's a corresponding fine structure in place should a school have a breach in this new policy.

“Similarly in the sports of football, men's and women's basketball, as well as baseball, the ACC will implement a player availability reporting policy for each conference game. In football, an institution will submit an availability report two days before each league game with updates one day before and on game day. All submitted reports will be publicly available on theACC.com. This decision is directly connected to our ongoing commitment to best protect our student-athletes and our multi-faceted approach to addressing the effects of sports wagering.

“In this case, it would alleviate pressure from entities or individuals who are involved in sports wagering that attempt to obtain inside information about availability from players, coaches, and other staff. Safety has always been taken seriously by this league, and I applaud our schools for further enhancing and formalizing these important measures.

“We are now 32 days away from Week 0 in the start of the 2025 ACC Football season, and 37 days from arguably the most compelling Week 1 in college football history -- in ACC Football history, that is. Last spring we welcomed three new coaches in North Carolina's Bill Belichick, Stanford's Frank Reich, and Wake Forest's Jake Dickert. Collectively this is a veteran group of coaches with multiple National Championships and Super Bowl rings, and I'll look forward to watching all 17 lead their respective teams this season.

“Once again, our programs have separated themselves in both scheduling and attracting preeminent players. We applaud the national conversation around the importance of strength of schedule and elevating and evaluating teams for the College Football Playoff. The ACC continues to embrace this challenge with our teams being intentional and strategic about the nonconference scheduling to ensure a competitive and meaningful slate of games to complement the challenging league schedule.

“ACC Football has the strongest nonconference schedule in the country with 26 nonconference games against Power 4 opponents, including Notre Dame, which is eight more than any other league. Whether looking at the nonconference games against teams ranked in the final 2024 CFP rankings or ESPN's 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25, our league is leading the way.

“ACC Football demands excellence every week from every team. Our league is as deep as any, and we witnessed that last season, as for the first time in conference history, four different ACC teams won at least 10 games, plus a league record and nation leading 13 bowl eligible teams. That's not an anomaly, it's the new standard, and we expect nothing less this year.

“What makes our league great is the exceptional talent. The ACC, once again, stands out as the conference of quarterbacks, and the numbers speak for themselves. This year's group is as deep and talented as we've seen in years, with elite signal callers, many here with us this week. But it's not just about quarterbacks. This league is loaded with explosive play-makers on offense, game-changers on defense, and we all know the value of special teams in this league.

“There's not enough time to outline all the meaningful games and rivalry that will take place this season. However, there's no question all eyes will once again be on this conference. During Week 1, we are the only league to compete across five days, Thursday through Monday, and we will once again anchor Labor Day weekend on Monday night, with North Carolina playing host to TCU. Our teams will also play nation leading seven Power 4 opponents in Week 1, all of which who have won at least nine games this past season.

“Throughout the regular season, ACC Football is set to dominate Friday nights. A league record, a nation leading 12 games are scheduled and will feature 12 of our 17 programs. Fans will never miss a minute of action as our ESPN, ACC Network, and CW partners will once again cover our teams throughout the entire season.

“Starting next week, ACCN will embark on a three-week Road Trip, previewing all 17 ACC programs, with 60 minute shows that air in primetime each weekday. As I said before, being one of only three conferences with its own network is a differentiator. In this case, Road Trip is unique to the ACC as it's the only college network to have this preseason programming.

“ACC Huddle continues to be another quality initiative, which since 2001 has traveled to the site of the ACC and primetime game. Beginning this season, we are thrilled to announce that ACC Huddle will now travel to the marquee ACC game each week, beginning with No. 6 LSU at No. 2 Clemson in Week 1.”

Next up was Miami with head coach Mario Christobal, QB Carson Beck, OT Francis Mauigoa and DL Akheem Mesidor.

All four fielded questions from the media.

Q. You've had some teams in Miami over the last couple years that started the season really strong with some signature victories. Towards the end of the season we've seen things start to fizzle out toward the end of the year. Is that something you've focused on and talked about, and what are the keys to starting strong and finishing well, as well?

MARIO CRISTOBAL: “No doubt, it's how you finish. We've made a lot of progress over the last three years. Year one, our roster was not really built to take on Power 4 football, and those were some lopsided games and those were tough. Year two, everything was competitive and we won a couple more.

“Then last year we had a chance to win every single game, but we didn't. The bottom line is we didn't get it done. And it's more than -- I know we pointed out the defense a little bit earlier, but you know what also what fell apart at the end, ball security. If you turn the ball over, you subject yourself to some not so positive outcomes. Without a doubt, finishing is a mentality. Finishing is a work ethic that comes with the off-season.

“We've always invested a ton of effort in those areas, and we've invested even more this off-season, and it will be a big part of training camp, as well.”

Q. You guys have had a good bit of turnover at the skill positions on offense coming into the season, but you have some talent there and you also brought in some guys from the portal. What have you seen from that group coming into this season?

MARIO CRISTOBAL: “Well, I've seen a lot of talent and I've seen guys that also have a work ethic that is a little bit different in a positive way. We've always had hard workers on our football team. These guys seem to take the extra work to a different level. I think Coach Beard has done a very good job, so has Coach Varner, but I think that some of the seniors, some of the older guys like CJ Daniels have taken a leadership role in bringing the guys in before and after the mandatory sessions and getting some extra work in in the form of the film room, in the form of route running and catching the football. And I see a group with a chip on its shoulder and a lot to prove. We see a lot of stuff in practice that you can't really gloat about out here because you haven't seen it, and there's no value in claiming certain things in the off-season.

“But we do feel very confident that that group is up to the task, and not only to maintain the standard but to elevate it at some point in time. We're excited about those guys. We push them hard, and we push them to be just as involved in the running game as they are in the passing game.”

Q. You're having to replace Heisman Trophy winner No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward. You brought in Carson Beck from University of Georgia. This is a two-parter for you. One, how is the offense going to shift to more accommodate for Carson based on moving from Cam? And then could you give us an update on Carson's injury and how he's progressing and what is his outlook for you guys in the fall?

MARIO CRISTOBAL: “Well, we're thrilled to have had Cam and we're thrilled to have Carson here now. We never look for the next -- like, when we had Justin Herbert out west, we didn't look for the next Justin Herbert. We were looking for the first Cam Ward, and now we're looking for the first and best version of Carson Beck. Carson has as good of experience as a quarterback as you can have. He's played in monster games, and he's played at a high level.

“He is ultra competitive, and his football IQ is off the charts. It didn't take long to realize that he's a team player, and that his work ethic is also through the roof.

“Even though he missed spring practice, his participation was in a limited manner, but soon after he's been cleared and he's been participating and doing everything with our team for several weeks, and that's a lot of opportunities. Nowadays in college football, guys run their own practices and whatnot, and they get almost like an entire spring session on their own off to the side.

“But what we see is, like I mentioned, a high-level elite competitor that has played at a high level, and this is what I think is the best part, that is hungry and driven, not just to establish himself as one of the premier players in the country; he, like Akheem, like Sisi, like Wes, their interest is to make Miami better, to go win.

“I think when you combine those things and you combine an offensive line that really prides itself on working hard and protecting and running the ball well and a lot of pieces around it and an improved defense, this is the right place. This is the right time, and these are the right people. I think his relationship with Shannon Dawson and the rest of the offensive staff, particularly the offensive line coach, Coach Mirabal, it's a tremendous partnership. So we're looking forward to getting on the field and making it work.”

Q. In terms of you and your history as a player, you know what it's like to win a championship, multiple championships at Miami, and as a coach it's been a while and it's been something that's kind of been since before your time. Miami has had the talent, it's had the opportunities, but it just seems like a little bit of can't-get-right-itis, or something like that that is preventative. How does this team take that next step to returning to that glory?

MARIO CRISTOBAL: “First of all, I'd say I disagree with you. Miami has had the talent. We got here in 2022, and I remember watching film and saying we've got a lot of work to do. And I think this is the best way to put it, to summarize it: We were on a tarmac and we asked the pilot to delay, this is a flight during recruiting and fundraising, where Miami was on the verge of not having a player drafted for the first time in I don't know how many decades, and the then finally late in the seventh round, a player was selected. So to that statement, to me, Miami did not have the talent and Miami did not recruit to the level that Miami is supposed to recruit. Now you fast forward three years later, Miami is coming off a 10-win season. Now Miami is sixth in the country in players drafted with double digit combine invites, with double digit wins, and with the No. 1 pick overall.

“The steady progress and trajectory is a product of a lot of people, players, coaches, staff members working really hard to get Miami to where it needs to be, and one of the biggest reasons, if not the biggest reason, why I chose to leave my place on the West Coast to come back and do Miami the way Miami should be done. That's what we've been doing.

“I think it's evident in the players we have here today. It's evident in the progression of our football team. It's evident in the talent acquisition and the development of those players and the way that things are progressing for our program in general, on and off the field. I hope that makes sense, but I think it's important to paint the picture, because if you want to tell a story, let's make sure we tell the story from the starting point of what it looked like so we have an accurate depiction for what that story really is.”

Q. Carson, what can you say about why the transfer portal when you had different roads you could have taken and why Miami, ultimately reflecting on that hindsight 20/20?

CARSON BECK: “Yeah, I think the biggest thing for me, obviously, was the offensive fit. As a quarterback, the OC, the scheme, the talent and guys that you're going to have around you is huge to the success and ultimately the future, A, of a quarterback, but of me. This is my future, and I think that this decision is one of the better decisions I've made, and since I've been here in January, developing the relationships and building the chemistry between me, the wide receivers, the running backs, the tight ends, the O-line, and just trying to develop those relationships and that camaraderie, it's just reinforced my decision in a positive way.

“I'm really excited to continue to keep working with these guys. Obviously, the spring, it was a little slow for me. I tried to take care of a coaching role, a coaching aspect. Being behind every single play, trying to help the other quarterbacks that were in there getting reps, picking out one singular receiver at practice and watching every single one of his reps and then going in and watching the film with him after and teaching him certain things, certain intricacies and routes and concepts and trying to teach everybody the way I see the game so that we're all on the same page.

Ultimately the decision, I feel like, has really paid off, and this off-season has been really good and full of good work.”

Q. Do you feel any pressure following Cam Ward? Obviously he was the No. 1 pick, broke some program records. Do you feel any pressure following in his footsteps?

CARSON BECK: “No, not really. Obviously his success is undeniable. Obviously I don't really know him very well. I've been able to meet him a couple times, but obviously very -- I don't want to say proud. I don't know the kid. But what he was able to do is undeniable.

“The last school I was at I followed up the two-time national champion, so I didn't really feel any pressure there. It's a game; I've played football my whole life. I've played quarterback since I was seven years old, and it's something that I love to do and I've got a lot of good talent around me and really good coaches in position to not only help me not only achieve my goals, but be really successful.

Again, really just looking forward to the opportunity, and again, have the opportunity to go out and play football again. I haven't done it in a while, so looking forward to it.”

Q. You have had some success against ACC defenses in your career, 4-0, 10 touchdowns, one interception. What is it you see is maybe a difference between some of the SEC defenses you've faced and the opportunities you've had to play against ACC defenses?

CARSON BECK: “Yeah, I mean, football is football, at the end of the day. I think from team to team, you're going to get different defensive coordinators with different philosophies.

“I don't think it's as much of an ACC versus SEC thing. I think it's just a team to team thing. South Carolina is going to look different than Duke, as Wake Forest is going to look different than Washington State or Oregon. I'm just naming random teams now. But I think it's more of a defensive coordinator thing, and game to game we will watch that film and ultimately put together a good plan that we think will be successful against that and then go out on the film and hopefully execute that.”

Q. Sisi, you have come in from day one and been an absolute stalwart at the right tackle position. Traditionally when we see somebody dominate there, there's normally a move to left tackle. What's going on with your decision to stay at right tackle or is that what the team needs and is best for the team?

FRANCIS MAUIGOA: “Yeah, Coach Mirabal has done a great job with us practicing at all five positions, and I feel like for me it's just whatever you need me to play. I'm more of a team player more than anything. I'll play whatever position you want me to play in just for the team to succeed.”

Q. The O-line has been special throughout the years, but what makes the O-line so special this year?

FRANCIS MAUIGOA: “Like Coach Cristobal touched on, we're a team that likes to hard work, and for the O-line, we like to set the tone for the whole team. We like to set the standard, as Coach Mirabal always pounds on us every day to set the standard for the team, and we're the type of guys that go out there and try to dominate everybody, even on our D-line side. That's how -- iron sharpens iron.”

Q. It's been evident that your family has played a major role in your football career and had a major impact, including your brother transferring to Miami to suit up with you guys. How important has that aspect been to you on and off the field?

FRANCIS MAUIGOA: “You know, it's very special because me and my brother has been together for the rest of my whole childhood. We've been together since back home, coming from home to my freshman year in high school to San Bernardino, California. We've been together basically my whole career.

“To be able to get that time to play again, it's very special because we live together, and having that bond on the field, we push each other to be the best that we can. Him playing on the defensive side, me playing on the offensive side, I see some stuff that he needs to work on, he sees some stuff that I need to work on, and that's what we talk about every day when we get back to the house.

So yeah, it's very special to me.”

Q. Have you had a chance to get Carson kind of up to date with the big-time rivalry between Miami and Florida State?

FRANCIS MAUIGOA: “I think he already knew. I think he already knew. He comes ready every practice that we have. He's very open minded. He's very out there. He's a very special guy, just like Cam Ward last year. I feel the same energy with Carson Beck.”

Q. With Carson now at the helm, what differences do you expect there to be between him and Cam Ward, and what kind of adjustment to his play style will look like for you, if any?

FRANCIS MAUIGOA: “Shoot, there's no difference to me. I do my job to the best that I can. If I've got to block this guy 10 seconds for him to make a play, I'll do that, just like the same as last year. I'll do whatever it takes for us to succeed. That's the mentality not for me but the whole O-lineman group.”

Q. Total offense last year, top in the country. How does this offense of Miami get even better in your opinion for the season?

FRANCIS MAUIGOA: “For me, we strive to get better every year. Every season -- every off-season we work to get better at something. We practice hard every time that we get a chance to. We're just trying to be the best that we can be. The stats don't even matter to us. It's being able to be out there and being able to be the best you can be, not only as a player but as a character as well. So yeah.”

Q. Your name doesn't give us the indication that your nickname would be Sisi, so where does Sisi come from?

FRANCIS MAUIGOA: “Sisi is my Samoan name, so my full Samoan name is Falangisisi, which shortens to Sisi. Most of my family and friends call my Sisi, but at school teachers call me Francis. I feel at home, so I try to make everybody call me Sisi.”

Q. Akheem, you guys struggled defensively down the stretch last year. What do you think you can improve on this year to not have that happen again?

AKHEEM MESIDOR: “Well, the biggest thing we've been emphasizing this off-season is communication. If you don't communicate, your defense is going to get just torched, right? Obviously we have a bunch of new additions, but communication is the biggest thing for us.”

Q. You guys have a new defensive coordinator this year. What have you seen from Coach Hetherman so far and how do you like his new defense?

AKHEEM MESIDOR: “I love Coach Hetherman. He's a great teacher. He's just an aggressive guy, as you guys can see in his interviews. But he really just gets it down to the point. He's a technician; anything you have, he'll probably answer your question before you ask it. But he's an amazing person, a great coach, and he just lets us play free, play fast, and I can't wait to play football.”

Q. Coach Cristobal, what it is about his leadership, his leadership style that speaks to not only you personally but to the Hurricanes and why it works in Miami?

AKHEEM MESIDOR: “Well, Coach Cristobal is a powerful leader and he doesn't stop working. He works day and night. The biggest thing for him that he tells us is elite teams are in elite shape, so what we do this off-season is we run, we run like crazy. We're trying to get in -- just having amazing conditioning. After that, you have to play hard. Play fast, play hard, and just dominate every snap of the game.

‘Coach Cristobal is an amazing coach, best I've been around, and I love being a part of this team.”

Q. You are in a very talented and deep defensive line room, and yet two out of the last three years you've led Miami in sacks. As the elder statesman and as a guy that's been hyper productive from the pass rushing standpoint, how do you set the tone vocally and be a leader in a room where multiple guys are expected to play on Sundays, including yourself, but multiple guys expecting to play on Sundays and maybe even a few going in the first round?

AKHEEM MESIDOR: “A big step I've been trying to take this off-season is obviously the leadership role. I think I'm the oldest guy in the room, but just I want to lead by example but also I want to be more vocal. This off-season I've been bringing guys along with extra work. I just want to get to know everybody, and I want everybody else to get to know me, know my story, know my why. We have a deep room, and we have a bunch of guys who can play. We need to work together as we've been. We need to get together and just establish our identity in that room and just dominate.”

Q. You speak about your why, your story. Given your background culturally growing up in Canada, how has that affected how you've matured as an individual and as a football player?

AKHEEM MESIDOR: “Growing up in Canada, it's difficult to get recruited out here in the States. Nothing is given to you. You have to go out and grab everybody. I grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, in a five-children household, and then my mom took care of all of us on her own. My dad comes from a Haitian background, so I speak English and French, so I grew up in a diverse community, diverse place.

“But football-wise, nothing was given. I had to work for everything. I had to travel back and forth to Ohio, back and forth to Indiana, Michigan, a bunch of different spots in order to gain recognition because just traditionally people looked down against Canadian competition, Canadian talent. I really had to prove myself more than I feel like many or most, and I always carry that mentality even now. Nothing is going to be given to me. I need to go out and take everything. That's why I work as hard as I do, because I really need the game of football to bless me and my family.”

Following Miami, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee, QB Kevin Jennings, safety Isaiah Nwokobia and OG Logan Parr.

Q. To speak on the expansion of the College Football Playoff, being it expanding to 12 or staying at 14 or 16, why do you believe the ACC should be a multi-bid? We got to see that with you and Clemson. Why should it continue to be a multi-bid conference?

RHETT LASHLEE: “I don't think it's up for discussion, it should be 16. More is better -- I don't think you've got to go crazy over that because it is football. We saw last year what the Playoff can do. On campus games, fantastic, everything it does for our game. More exposure, more access, creates more fan bases and more people involved in the season throughout the year and more conferences.

“When it comes to our league, it should be easy. I just shed some light. There's only three leagues to win a National Championship that have teams in their league since 1990. All the teams that have won a National Championship since 1990 are SEC, ACC, or Big Ten. Since I mentioned in the last 15 years, we're tied for the second most championships with three with the Big Ten. I don't know why that's not talked about more. We have national brands. We've won championships. The revenue is almost double who's fourth. We have our own network, the competition, the investment. I just think it speaks for itself.

“Most people want to see things decided on the field, so let's let it happen that way. I don't think there's any question that if it stayed at 12, we're every year a multi-bid league. Miami should have been last year at 10-2. There's no question they were one of the top 12 teams in America. But it does get tough, especially when you have a human committee making decisions. It's a hard job. It's set up for failure. They're great people. They do the best they can. The NFL doesn't do that. The NBA doesn't do that. High school football, FIFA World Cup. Let's take that out of that and let it be decided on the field with a different process, in my opinion.

“When it comes to the ACC, I think the experience and the results speak for itself.”

Q. You were talking about tandems, and of course you guys had two transfers come in in Chris Johnson Jr. and TJ Harden. What is the road that you see these guys taking next year on the field and the carries that they'll be splitting up?

RHETT LASHLEE: “That's a great question. Obviously we lost Brashard Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs, had almost 2,000 yards, set the school record for all-purpose last year. He was a big part of our success.

“Competition, healthy competition is a big part of what we do in our program, and that will play out over the next four to six weeks, really. We feel like we have four really talented players at running back. Derrick McFall returns for his true sophomore year, similar style player to what Brashard is. He can catch the ball, run between the tackles, he's explosive. A year of experience, I think he's poised to have a good season for us.

“You mentioned Chris Johnson, similar style player, fast, explosive, can catch the ball, good in space. So those guys give you that versatility.

“TJ's coming over from UCLA, where he led the school in rushing. He's a big back, physical, he can run and has speed.

“And we've got a freshman in Reed, who was a recruited All-American. One of the highest recruited players to ever come to SMU. He's big, he's physical, he's explosive.

“I think we've got four guys. I don't know if it will be a tandem, one guy will raise the bar, but I feel like we have four really good options that's all have different strengths that will help play within our offense.”

Q. You talked about recruiting is at an all-time high. Currently you guys rank 31st nationally with five four-star recruits. That's also a school high. How are you leveraging the school's ACC and Texas location to attract top talent, and what's your vision for the roster going forward?

RHETT LASHLEE:” One year in, it's a great partnership for us and the ACC. We hoped that would happen. Grateful to the commissioners and the others for allowing us to join the league. We felt we would bring value to the league, and we did that last year by making the College Football Playoff.

“Also, the league has helped us. We're in the city of Dallas. It's arguably the best country in America -- I mean the best city in America. Could be considered a country at times. It's the best city in America, but it deserves a big-time college football team, and Dallas loves winners, and our guys have given the city that the past couple years, and the city has embraced that.

“Arguably year in and year out, the best high school talent comes out of the Metroplex. So for us to be positioned there as the only school within 30 miles of downtown Dallas is a huge advantage for us. A lot of those kids, some of them are sitting right up here, Kevin and Isaiah and Nwokobia can speak to that. They're from the city. Kids want to stay in Dallas, they want to stay and play in Texas, we just had to give them a reason. They want to play on the biggest stage, play in that championship game against a Clemson, play in the College Football Playoff. So being in the ACC has allowed us to do that and put our program back on the national stage where we feel like we belong. That, plus winning, has been huge for our recruiting efforts.

“We're going to continue to recruit Dallas in the state of Texas at a high level. The ACC allows us to do that more like we want to. To your point of this recruiting class and the last recruiting class, that's our formula for sustained success. In Texas, the Texas high school football players are the best. They're the best coached, the best talented. All four of the players that we brought here to represent SMU are great college football players that played great high school football in Texas. That's going to continue to be our formula.”

THE MODERATOR: We'll start with Kevin Jennings.

Q. Kevin, you went from a backup, somewhat unheralded, to now leading a team to an ACC Championship game appearance, College Football Playoff, and now you're a Heisman dark horse. How do you stay levelheaded, humble, and hungry throughout that type of meteoric rise?

KEVIN JENNINGS: “I just remember where I came from. At one point I was known as a nobody, just out there playing. Now I'm working my way up. It's honestly a blessing. I just try to stay levelheaded, just have my teammates check me if I ever get too cocky or whatever, have my family check me and all that stuff. I just try to stay levelheaded all the time.”

Q. You obviously had a fantastic season last year, but struggled against Penn State on the road in CFP. What can you take away about handling that hostile environment, and how will you put that into action when you all go to Clemson this season?

KEVIN JENNINGS: “I took a lot from that game. I tell myself all the time, honestly, I needed that game. I needed a bad game like that to bounce back and come back in and remind myself that I can play at this level, I can do all the things I'm capable of doing.

“Just taking that game and going to the Clemson game, it's going to be kind of the same environment. Just looking forward to heading to Clemson.

Q. In the college football landscape that is constantly changing, you come back to SMU with a coaching staff that remains exactly the same. How much did that help you in this off-season just -- and will help you pick up where you left off?

KEVIN JENNINGS: “It definitely helped me a lot, just coming in the building. I've got the same coach, same offense, just things like that, not me having to think too much of I've got to remember this, I've got to learn this, and all that type of stuff.

“It's really a big help having a great coaching staff around me. They coach me each and every day to get better, and just trying to uplift that trust.”

Q. Nick Saban called you one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country last season. You guys made it into the ACC Championship the first year of y'all's entrance into the conference. Many people would consider that a successful season. What would you consider a successful season for this upcoming season?

KEVIN JENNINGS: “Big shoutout to Nick Saban for mentioning that. I think we had a really good season last year. It didn't end how we wanted it to end, but I think this upcoming year, our end goal is to win it all, win the conference championship. That would be a good season for me.”

Q. You had a very, very successful 2024 season. You were able to do a little bit of everything, in the air, on the ground, but heading into the 2025 season, what have you been the most focused on improving in your overall game as a leader, et cetera? What are you most excited to showcase in this upcoming season?

KEVIN JENNINGS: “The things I've been working on, just working on the little things, taking that very seriously. Being a better leader, being a more vocal leader at that, and also just decision-making. That kind of cost me a little bit last year. I think heading into this year, I think I'm doing way better decision-making and making the right reads and all that.

“Just looking forward to seeing my team play this year, honestly. That's what I'm more excited about.”

Q. I wanted to know, can you point to moments throughout this off-season where you and your teammates, you and your coach got closer and you felt it? Like, for the media, we don't get a chance to see all the time, those moments, but can you point those moments to us so we can have some tidbits?

KEVIN JENNINGS: “I think it's everyday things, honestly. Just sharing the locker room with those guys, living together, running together and all that. It builds courage for our team. Everybody is going through the same struggle on the field. We're out there conditioning days, we're out there dying, killing us and all that, and we're able to lean on each other for help and all of that. I think that's able to make our brotherhood so tight.”

Q. One of your big starts, one of your first times starting back two years ago in the Fenway Bowl, you played Boston College and since then have played them another time, and you're going to go back up to Boston to visit BC this year. Just tell me about kind of your take on the initial series history with BC and what it was like visiting Boston for the first time.

KEVIN JENNINGS: “I got asked that question earlier about the rivalry of Boston College and SMU. I think it's a really good rivalry that's coming along in the ACC. I'm looking forward to head up there to Boston and play Boston College. It's a really good football team.

The first initial thought going up there to Boston, weather was kind of crazy. It was pretty cold, wet and all that. Yeah, they're a really good team. So I'm excited to head back up there and get that rivalry started.”THE MODERATOR: We'll go to Isaiah now.

Q. This season you came back, you're leading a defensive backfield that's going to face 4,000-yard passer in Josh Hoover, Sawyer Robertson is getting a bunch of preseason love, Syracuse had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards. They're probably going to be winging it. You've got Cade Klubnik. What went into you coming back and just sort of your mindset of this is a bunch of special quarterbacks we're going to be facing this year and you're kind of in charge of that unit?

ISAIAH NWOKOBIA: “Obviously we had a great year as a team last year and we had a good season. Coming back, the challenges we can face, how much better we can get as a team, that I know I can get as a player. Hearing all those quarterbacks you named who are highly recognized, I'm just ready to embrace that chance and go at them. I'm excited, man, for sure.”

Q. I am a huge fan of your film. You were one of a handful of players last year in the nation that finished with 100 tackles and three or more interceptions. You talk about improving. How do you improve your game after coming off a season like that where you showed so much versatility to do almost everything you could ask of a safety, slash, linebacker, slash, rover, slash, whatever position you would call yourself.

ISAIAH NWOKOBIA: “First, I appreciate the high praise. That means a lot. Thank you.

“I think the biggest thing I've been trying to focus on this off-season is just film study and being able to apply that to the game on the field. I think the faster you can play, especially on defense, the ability you can have to not have to think so much, to be able to just react, be able to just go out there and play free. I think that comes from film study and just going out there and playing and having fun with the game.

“I think me being able to just apply that and being able to play fast is the biggest thing I'll focus on this off-season.

Q. You spoke on all the success that you had last season as a team. How does this team excel and get better, in your opinion, through the spring, into the summer, and heading into the fall? What have you seen as those little elements that maybe people will not see that are going to push SMU even farther?

ISAIAH NWOKOBIA: “I think us focusing on keeping the main thing the main thing. We show up every day to put in the work, ready to go 110 percent. We compete in everything we do, whether it be conditioning or speed work or the weight room, we make sure we compete. Healthy competition, I think, is extremely important.

“What makes us really different is our brotherhood. With college football today, obviously every year is almost a new team with all the new transfers, but I think Coach Lashlee does a great job just focusing us, having that brotherhood, making sure we gel. Both on and off the field, we're doing stuff, paintball, things like that, just to make sure we stay together and build that chemistry, because we know that's what's going to take us far, more than anything else, that brotherhood.”

Q. Earlier this year, there was a lot of discussion between Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, and Asante Samuel regarding the T-step technique as opposed to the bicycle technique on close-outs. As a defensive back, do you have any preference on that?

ISAIAH NWOKOBIA: “Me personally, I'm a T-step guy. It helps me get out of my break. I think it's served me pretty well, so I'm going to keep doing that.”

THE MODERATOR: Now we'll spend a few minutes with an O-lineman, and we'll get through as much as we can with Logan.

Q. Logan, when people talk about the move up and any type of going from D-II to D-I or group of 5 to Power 4, people talk about the trenches being the difference and normally expecting that to be the weak point that lags behind. Instead it turned out to be the strength of the team, ushering in a 1,000-yard rusher, being the third least sacked team in the conference, and you personally finishing as an All-ACC guy. What does that say about who you are as a player and the offensive line as a whole?

LOGAN PARR: “I think we had a chip on our shoulder going into it. A lot of us last year were bounce-back guys coming from Power 4 teams transferring into the AAC and then eventually the ACC, so getting that opportunity to go in and show we can do it on an elite level together and kind of push the guys behind us is something I was very thankful for.”

Q. I want to know what the current state of the offensive line room is heading into 2025, part 1. Then how has your relationship grown with Coach Lashlee since when you got here?

LOGAN PARR: “We got a couple transfers along with a lot of guys who have played a bunch of football. We do a good job outside of football building that culture, hanging out, all that kind of stuff that I think we're going to have a great unit moving forward.

“Coach Lashlee, I'm just thankful that he gave me the opportunity to be at SMU. I kind of got ran out of my last school, and coming here and being the player that I am now here at Media Day is just unfathomable. So I'm really thankful for that.”

Q. You spoke about your appreciation for Coach Lashlee giving you new life in college football. Just to reflect on that a little bit deeper, what you learned from the adversity that you had and why SMU truly was the reimagining and the evolution of you as a player?

LOGAN PARR: “I was a highly recruited kid out of high school, got a lot of offers, and eventually went to Texas. I didn't get the opportunity to show what I thought I had at that level as a player.

“I'm just so thankful that this staff gave me the opportunity to come in, play in my fourth year, but come in, put some film together, and put some good film out there.”

Q. I want to know, when you're going against elite ACC defensive line, what is your mindset?

LOGAN PARR: “I've been in college a long time, and I've gone against a lot of guys. This is about to be my sixth year. I've gone against a lot of guys at Texas, a lot of guys at SMU that are in the pros where I got that level in practice where I was going against the best guy in the country.

“In the ACC, I'm going against that same kind of talent. I'm just thankful every single day in practice I get that same kind of look.”

Q. I know you started your collegiate career in the Big 12, but you also played in the American last year with SMU. Talking to coaches and players, they say the difference between the G-5 and P-4 level is in the trenches. Do you believe that to be true based on your experience?

LOGAN PARR: “I think the talent level is at the same point level to level. It's the size. I wasn't going against 6'5", 330 guys when I was in the AAC, and you kind of see that reflected as you go on.”

Q. You've just mentioned the number of years you've been in the game and your age. Do they call you Grandpa in the locker room? What's your role?

LOGAN PARR: “My nickname is Professor. I've got three degrees. In three years, I got my corporate communication degree at Texas, I got my Masters in business management and my Masters in sports management. I've got a little bit of a degree wall going.”

Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?

LOGAN PARR: “Still figuring that out. I'm going to be a football player first, and then from there we'll figure it out.”

Q. How personal do you as an offensive line take it to protect Kevin each play? I know that sacks are something that offensive linemen hate. Is that something personal that your offensive line worries about to make sure to protect him?

LOGAN PARR: “We love Kevin. Kevin is one of my best friends. I would hate to see anything happen to Kevin. Kevin can stand back there for 12 seconds and make eight guys miss if he wants to, but being there and protecting him is something that I take personally.”

Next up on the stage was Stanford with head coach Frank Reich, TE Sam Roush, LB Tevarua Tafiti and safety Collin Wright.

FRANK REICH: “Now we're here for the 2025 season and really looking forward to that. We really believe coming into this 2025 season that under new GM Andrew Luck, that the Stanford football program is about to enter a new era of football and you're going to see a new brand of football under his vision and leadership. I'm really excited to be a part of that for the unique opportunity that I have to be the interim head coach for the 2025 season.

“I think, after having been there for three months, the reason I'm most excited, besides working with Andrew, is getting to know guys like these four guys sitting right up here, along with many of their other teammates, especially the more veteran, older guys, who are really going to be the foundation to turn this program around as we enter this new era. We could not be more excited for the year ahead.

“It's a unique year. We've got a lot of change, a change with me coming in as the interim head coach, 17 transfers, more than ever in Stanford history, but it really all starts with player leadership, with Sam Roush, Collin Wright, Tevarua Tafiti and Simi Pale, as well. These guys are true leaders, along with the other guys, and we're excited to compete here in the ACC. We look forward to competing against many worthy opponents in this 2025 season in our quest to be ACC champions this year.”

Q. Coach, like you said, being interim coach for this season and working with Andrew Luck, for you, what are the foundational pillars for a successful program that you're going to live by throughout the season, and why was it right for you at this point in your career to take on this opportunity at Stanford?

FRANK REICH: “Life is full of many journeys and experiences. That's what we're looking for, to grow all the time. When Andrew called and said, would you help us out this year, first I was a little bit hesitant, but then when I came out and I just realized, listen, I've experienced a lot of things in life in the football world, but I get an opportunity to coach Stanford? I mean, this is a unique place. I've been there for three months, and I've drank the Kool-Aid, and it is different. It is different in the best of ways.

“The culture there is different. The people. It's really a unique place. Really where, for me, it was about the experience of coaching the student-athlete, the Stanford student-athlete, guys like who are sitting right over here to my left, that I knew would make my better, make me a better coach, a better person. The other reason I said yes to Andrew is I know I've got something to offer. I've got something to offer to help Andrew, I've got something to offer to help these guys.

“As we come in to kind of kick this new era of football off, we kind of started with, we put up here's the standards that we're going to live by and we're going to play by. We've got to all commit to these, and we've got to put our brand of football out there and let people see what that's going to be. We'll let our talk on the field show what it's going to be. I'm extremely optimistic about the progress we're going to make in the 2025 season.”

Q. As an interim coach, how are you balancing short-term goals like winning with planting seeds for Stanford's long-term success?

FRANK REICH: “That's a great question, and I don't -- I think those two can go together, right? I think they always do go together. We do have goals for this season, and they're clear to each one of us what those goals are, but we also understand the way you plant seeds for long term success is get the process right and get the people right.

“Like I said, we have the right people, starting with these guys and some transfers we got in and the rest of the team that was there, and now it becomes a question of us together, players and coaches, committing to a process that can be the foundation for long-term success.

“You've got to create a championship culture before you can really win the championships. So sometimes the results, you see the results right away, and sometimes times they lag. There's no given. There's no absolutes in this world as far as you can't be promised that you're going to see those right away, but what makes me feel like we're going to see the results this year is because of the right kind of people who have laid the foundation, how hard these players have worked this off-season. I've seen that. I've watched it. I've seen the progress we've made in the weight room in every way possible off the football field.

“Then as far as putting in new schemes and preparing for the season in that way, in the short time we've had, I've just seen an incredible amount of progress and I'm excited to start competing against some other people.

Q. You mentioned a new era. What does that look like for you as far as Stanford football is concerned? And the connection between you and Andrew Luck, what does that look like for you guys this season?

FRANK REICH: “We have a very similar philosophy and belief. When Andrew and I were together in 2018, I think we had an incredible season together. We both resonate with it starts with the process. These guys will joke, and hear about me saying and Andrew saying, hey, it's all about getting 1 percent better every day, going 1-0 every day. That's the way you build success. It's a commitment to that.

“It's a combination of confidence and humility. That's what I saw in Andrew Luck that was so special. This extreme confidence, but also this great humility. To know that you can get better every day, to know that you can get better every day.

“That's going to be our approach. We're going to make a lot of progress because we're going to put in the right systems and we've got the right people, and we're just going to work hard at getting better all the time.”

Q. When you look at some coaching changes around the country the last few years, you look at last year, Curt Cignetti had one of the most crazy turnarounds for Indiana of all time. What's it take to have a turnaround like that in year one for you?

FRANK REICH: “Player leadership. I think as coaches you can come in and provide some structure. You can provide new schemes that will bring a little bit of life and hope to the program, and I think that's really what Andrew and I have been trying to do is just provide a framework and a culture that can give our team hope.

“But I think our team knows the responsibility -- this is a player's game, and it's up to them to make the plays on the field. I think that's how it's done, and I think that's what we'll see this year.”

Q. Personally I see a few similarities between the two programs, Boston College and Stanford, being great academic institutions and then having head coaches with NFL experience. Just tell me, how do you kind of harness the academic side of the program while also keeping the football strong? I know that's something that Bill O'Brien has harped on consistently.

FRANK REICH: “There's no question. I mean, how you do anything is how you do everything. Everything matters. A better man makes a better player. You can only compartmentalize your life so far. For those who try to say, hey, football is a separate deal and I have a different approach, it just is short-lived.

“You find the people and the players and the coaches who understand that there's a certain way of doing things. Whether that's in the academic world or in the athletic realm or at home as a father or husband or brother, whatever the case may be, there's certain principles and standards that you live by in life that help us to win and create a winning culture and really create an opportunity to elevate your own game and elevate other people around you.”

“That's really what we're trying to do, just build that kind of mentality. So excited to get to work doing that.”

Q. I was wondering, you've been in the NFL since 1985. What were some of the challenges and differences with coming back down to the college level? It's been so long since you've been here.

FRANK REICH: “Great question. Football is football. So on a schematic level, there were no challenges. Obviously at Stanford, we've got high quality student-athletes who are very physically talented but also mentally can grasp the things in the pro style schemes that we're going to run.

“I think the biggest challenge is the amount of time that you get with the athlete, where in the NFL you're with these guys all day every day and you can stay as long as you want. In college there's just a different deal.

“You have to really pick and choose what you want to do and how much you want to put in and how far you can go with certain things. Then it's incumbent upon the players to really take ownership of that. Good news for us, we've got the right kind of players to do that, but that is the biggest challenge is the time spent because, to be able to sit and talk football 24/7, you put yourself in that environment, you're just going to get better.

“In college you have to count on the players doing that for themselves and doing that amongst each other, and I believe we've got that kind of leadership.”

Q. Quick question about Stanford. I think more than any program I can think of over the past decades, offensively at least, when Stanford has been rolling, it's really had a distinct identity. Back to Coach Ralston, when he had Plunkett and could throw the ball, Coach Christiansen did the same thing, Coach Walsh, very progressive, and then Dennis Green's teams were very physical. Coach Harbaugh's teams, David Shaw's teams, again, that pounding run game, even though, Andrew Luck spanned both of them. But there was always that real identity. I think Stanford lost that the last few years. What do you see the identity, at least offensively, that you're trying to establish on the farm?

FRANK REICH: “I'm glad you asked that question, and it is the question, the most important question not only offensively but really as a defense. I've talked a lot about this with the coaches and want to make sure that we, as a coaching staff, know what the answer to that question is, which we do.

“However, being a, quote, unquote, new coaching staff, since I'm new and there's some question of, well, what Stanford's going to do on offense? Are they going to go back and do what Andrew and Frank did back with the Colts, or is it going to be when Frank was with the Eagles, where? But I was so late that I got the same coaches from last year. So there's still a little mystery to what we're going to do on offense, and honestly I just want to keep it that way, you know what I mean?

“At least for the first few games of the season, that's a mystery. The truth is we're going to be a hybrid of a bunch of different things, or at least that's what we want everybody to think and let people figure it out as we go. So don't really want to provide too much information there.

“But you did hit on one keynote that I'm willing to talk about, and that is physicality. I don't care if you're throwing it or running it, you can't win if you're not physical, and if you don't play with great effort and great intensity. That has to be part of the identity, and then how the rest of it plays out, you'll see as it unfolds. If it's not physical, then we haven't really achieved what we were shooting for.”

THE MODERATOR: Coach, thank you. You can switch spots with Sam Roush.

Q. To look at the long line of tight ends at Stanford, when you look at Fleener and Hooper and Ertz and Dalton Schultz and so on and so forth, just what that means to you to carry that tradition and to know of that long line of success that has come not only at Stanford, but also in the NFL?

SAM ROUSH: “It means a lot. Those are the guys that I look up to. We talk about that consistently in the tight end room. Zach Ertz, Austin Hooper, Coby Fleener, Colby Parkinson, all those dudes, they come back and visit, give us advice. We get to talk to them. They talk about how their journey was, how it's different than college, how it is in the pros.

“That's a legacy I want to continue, and I would like to be a part of that. Those are kind of the heroes of that story.”

Q. Sam, your family, your bloodline has a lot of legends in it, has some Hall-of-Famers, has a dad that played in the ACC at Duke, as well. Did that situation where you're coming from a family that has high athletic standards prepare you to be in the tight end room for a place that for a while was considered a tight end U of sorts?

SAM ROUSH: “Yes, sir. I would say that it's still considered a tight end U. Yeah, I grew up playing pretty much every sport. It wasn't something that my parents forced on me. They just wanted me to go out there and have fun. Didn't play football until I got to high school, but kind of always knew that was something I was going to do and be good at.

“I'm really appreciative of my parents doing a great job kind of introducing me to the sport and allowing me to make my own decisions. I'm glad that it's worked out thus far.”

Q. A bit of a devil's advocate question. Being a native of Tennessee, why travel almost the length of the country to attend Stanford?

SAM ROUSH: “Something you might not know is I actually lived in San Jose for about four years through high school. My uncle played at Stanford. He kind of put that idea in my head. Then the second I got the offer, I kind of decided internally I was going to go there.

“A month later, I called up the old tight end coach, Coach Turner, and asked if my offer was committable, and he said yes. That was kind of the end of that story.”

Q. What specific skill areas have you focused on during the off-season to be the best you can be this season?

SAM ROUSH: “Yes, sir. I'd say two main areas of skill, first, route thoughts. I think the most important thing you can do as a route running tight end is separation at the top of your routes. That's something that Zach Ertz does really well. Some of the greats, George Kittle, Sam LaPorta, they're excellent at the top. If you can get that little bit of separation and have trust with the quarterback, you can do a lot for the team.

“Secondly, blocking. That's something I've always been really passionate about. Coach Byham is extremely passionate about blocking as a tight end. He was very, very good at that. I feel like I've been good in the past, but I'd like to continue to build that consistency and resume. So when Coach Reich is calling the plays, he can count on me to get the job done at the point of attack on a power run scheme or duo or anything.”

THE MODERATOR: Sam, you can switch spots with Tevarua.

Q. Tevarua, you started off as a special teams specialist, as a guy who was one of the leaders on the special teams unit, and you developed yourself into one of the better linebackers in the ACC. How has that happened, and is that mentality of that kind of all out, face first special teams helped out with being a great linebacker?

TEVARUA TAFITI: “Starting with special teams, I feel like that builds character and that builds a player. I feel like I've always been the underdog, and I feel like coming throughout, I've really digged in and become the player I am today.”

Q. Prior to enrolling into Stanford, you said that you wanted to get better as a coverage linebacker or coverage backer. Now that you're entering your senior season, how do you feel how you've accomplished that goal, and is there anything else you're looking to improve on this year?

TEVARUA TAFITI: “During the off-season, I spent a lot of time with Coach April and Coach Joe. We talked about a lot of coverage and different spacings. One other thing that we worked on a lot was my pass rush moves and just a lot of hands and get-offs and stands.”

Q. Bobby April III, just what you can say about working with him and what he's done to bring out the best in you. Some of his leadership style and the decisions he makes?

TEVARUA TAFITI: “He's a very smart guy. He's been in the NFL. His dad has been a special teams coach in the NFL, too. He brings a lot of knowledge with us. He also brings a lot of connections. He coached people in the NFL. One player in mind is Nick Herbig. He was from Hawaii, and he introduced me to him, and I gained a lot of knowledge. So just the connections with him and connecting to other people.”

Q. Everyone likes to make a lot about the departures, whether it's coaches or people in the transfer portal. There's over a dozen guys that have come in. What's your role in terms of someone who's been with the team for so long, in terms of meshing the old with the new and creating whatever the new kind of brand is for Stanford football now that Coach Reich has come in?

TEVARUA TAFITI: “I think my role is just welcoming everybody, welcoming the 17 transfers we got in. The guys that stayed, just stay by them throughout the season.”

Q. You described yourself as a longtime underdog. Why have you been an underdog?

TEVARUA TAFITI: “I feel like I had to earn my spot. I've been behind people pretty much through college, and I felt like, when I'm at my best, I'm competing.”

THE MODERATOR: We'll spend a few minutes with the power cornerback, Collin Wright.

Q. Can you describe the importance of disrupting the receivers on their release and/or their stem, and what sort of techniques do you utilize to do so?

COLLIN WRIGHT: “First off, I just think a big part of that comes from being physical, as Coach talked about as a defensive unit, as a defense. We want to be extremely physical, and that starts up front. That starts with us on the back end. That starts with our linebackers. I think physicality and disrupting time. Obviously for us it helps guys like Teva be able to make plays on the ball, get sacks, get strip sacks, all of that.

“I think just being physical is a big part of that, and I think that's something we've tried to embody as a team as something we're going to embody. Can't wait to see it in camp. Can't wait to get going and make sure all those plays show up on Saturday.”

Q. Collin, you talked about at the beginning of play and kind of disrupting what guys want to do early in their routes. You have a unique ability to play the ball totally in the most interceptions in the season that we've seen at Stanford in the last five years. What is it that allows you to be so calm in that moment of truth where a lot of defensive backs panic and get bad PIs and things like that, as opposed to you who was able to have your career high in pass breakups and interceptions last year?

COLLIN WRIGHT: “I think it's something we do as a unit. Coach Williams, which is my cornerback coach, is a guy that hones in on finishing plays and playing the ball. A lot of that happens in the off-season, not just with me, a lot of things we do with our teammates. We kind of have to train like we're receivers. We have to catch the ball just as much as they do, so when the ball is in the air, as much as it's the receiver's ball, it's my ball, as well.

“I think that big aspect of being able to finish plays and being able to make plays on the ball is something that changes the game. Those opportunities don't come. So when they do come, we have to take advantage of them. I think that's something that we do a lot.”

Q. Having Frank Reich as your head coach now and all that NFL experience, everything that he's seen and the knowledge and wisdom gained, how have you been a sponge to that, and what can you say to the team embracing Frank this season?

COLLIN WRIGHT: “Just what Coach said, being 1 percent better each day, I think that mindset just helps us so much. It helps us attack things we do on the field, things we do off the field, the way we interact with people on a day-to-day basis. I think a lot of the lessons we've learned from Coach not only impacts us as players, but also as humans, which is one of the best aspects and one of the best things you can have in a leader is someone who cares for you outside of what you do.

“I think that's something I've definitely picked up on and something that a lot of our team has picked up on. I think that's what value Coach brings, what Andrew brings, is just that renewed aspect of expectations that no matter who you are as an athlete, it just means less if you aren't a good person. So I think in that way it's helped a lot, and all the football stuff will take care of itself.”

Q. With having three trips to the East Coast, what are some things that you all are going to do to get your bodies acclimated to the time change and the travel?

COLLIN WRIGHT: “I think for us just being smart about it. We have so many resources, different things we use on the plane and to keep our body moving, keep our blood flowing. I think we have a great support staff that gives us all those resources.

“Also, for games that we truly do have to travel on the plane for six hours, we leave a day earlier so our bodies can acclimate to wherever we're playing. I don't think it's too big of a deal. Definitely something that we had to deal with last year, but we have so much support that it makes those things easy for us.”

Q. You said a little while ago you can't wait to see how the season unfolds. Sort of how you said it. When people say they can't wait, sometimes that's just a casual thing they say. Are you a patient person?

COLLIN WRIGHT: “I think I'm a very patient person, but also love to compete and I love to compete with groups of guys that also love to compete. I think a lot of those things that we want to do, all the things we did to train nine months out of the year for 12 weeks is an experience like no other.

“When you think about it, we've dreamed of playing at these high stages since we were kids. We don't take for granted our spot. So can't wait to get ready for the season, can't wait to go out and ball out with the guys sitting on the left of me, all the guys that are in our locker room each day putting the work in and so adamant about being successful this year.”

After Cal, who we’ll feature in a separate story, came the final team today, Virginia, with HC Tony Elliott, QB Chandler Morris, OG Noah Josey and DL Jahmeer Carter.

Tony Elliot: “Speaking of the staff, we're one of only six Power Four programs to return our entire staff. This off-season we added 54 new players. 32 of those through the transfer portal and 22 of those being high school signees. I'd also like to add that our staff has gone about building to this point, and we've done it the right way. Three years ago on the front end we made a decision to honor the commitments of the young men that were committed to the previous staff. We also decided to honor the commitments of the young men that were currently on the roster, to embrace them and work alongside them until graduation.

“Our current roster is very balanced. 46 percent of our players are upperclassmen and 54 percent are underclassmen. With the addition of the players that we added in the transfer portal, we added 850 games of college football experience.

“We held a lead in nine of our 12 games last season, and we're hopeful that the added depth and experience will help us in working towards closing out games in which we have a lead.

“Chandler Morris and Mitchell Melton joined our program in the spring and have brought instant character, leadership and swagger to our program. Their football pedigrees speak for themselves, and I'm most excited about their championship experience that they will be bringing to our locker room.”

Q. You talked a little bit about your staff continuity this season. Can you describe what value that brings to the team having the same voices in the room for these players?

TONY ELLIOTT: “Continuity is big for me, and I've been very intentional with creating an environment where I can earn the trust and loyalty of the staff by their belief in the vision that we have and then also the environment that creates a good space for work/life balance. But I think it's important for the student-athletes to hear a consistent voice. Changeover in this environment, with all the change around them, the last thing they need is a change in the meeting rooms.

“Then also it brings stability, also it allows us to not have to start over every single year. So when we hit the practice field running, especially when we're bringing in 54 new guys, we know where we're going, we know what we're doing, and that also instills confidence in the guys because they can see the cohesion, the chemistry. In order for us to have a great team in the locker room, we first have to have a great team in the staff, and for us to have a great team, we've got to have time spent together so that there's trust, there's cohesion, there's chemistry. So it's critical and very important to me and I'm very intentional in making sure that we maintain continuity with our staff.

Q. On the other side of that, you did talk about how there are 54 new players, probably 30 of them are in the secondary at this point. I know that was a big emphasis for you. What's the role of both the incoming guys and the guys that have been returning to make that cohesion on and off the field? And from an evaluation standpoint, how difficult is it when you're trying to basically evaluate an entirely new slate of guys across 11 different positions on two different sides of the ball?

TONY ELLIOTT: “Great question. I talked about Jahmeer. I talked about Noah. It's really, really important to have these guys' complete buy in so when we bring the new guys into the fold, they quickly can let them know these are the expectations, these are the ways that we do things.

“They've done an exceptional job of welcoming the new guys in with open arms and embracing them. These guys, Jahmeer and Noah in particular, have endured a lot over the last three years. Speaking for them, I think I can say, they want to win. They want to win badly. They had opportunities to leave, but they believed that what we're building, we're on the verge of doing something special.

“So it's critical for the guys that are in the program to let the guys know that when we go in the weight room, we tuck our shirts in, or these are the socks that we wear, this is how we finish through the line. Then for the new guys, their role is really to infuse talent, to infuse the culture from a winning standpoint that they're coming from because we were very intentional in evaluating guys that we felt like would fit the University of Virginia.

“Now, evaluation, we were able to do some of that in the spring, but we also brought in 13 additional guys in the spring portal. So now we're going to have to go back to work, in particular on the back end and the secondary. That was the biggest area of need in the spring portal window, and that's what we'll do over the 25 practices. We were able to get a little bit of a head start with about six structured workouts, but we're not in pads so we can't see the actual true football aspect of it, but I've been very pleased with the upgrade in the length, the speed, the athleticism that we've been able to add to our roster.”

Q. You're an offensive player from your playing days. You've always had a big interest in obviously how offense functions in college football. Speak to your new offense this year with your new quarterback, three new offensive linemen. Way more depth now at wide receiver and so forth. Dakota Twitty at tight end. Can you help us get a view of your new offense?

TONY ELLIOTT: “Yes, I am an offensive guy. What I do know is, the most important thing with offensive football is chemistry. So with all of those guys that you highlighted, the biggest thing is creating chemistry, because you can be very talented, but if they're not a cohesive unit then you're not going to be efficient, and ultimately you're not going to be productive. But I'm excited about where we are.

“What I do know, offensive football is won in the trenches. Even though I'm a receiver at heart and coached skill guys my whole life, you win up front. And that's why the biggest area that we addressed was the offensive line and adding depth to the offensive line.

“Probably the one position that we've been playing catch up the most over the last three years, but with the addition of the seven guys that we brought in this off-season, I think we're in a space now where we can have competitive depth, which creates for competitive practice, which allows us to create that chemistry. I think as we figure out kind of the strengths, the weaknesses and get the guys in the right seats, then we can start to build towards Chandler's strengths as a quarterback. He knows a ton of football, and the beautiful thing about offensive football is we like to say we're geniuses and gurus, but we're not reinventing anything. We're just ripping off from each other and stealing stuff and changing the name.

“So the biggest thing for him is to figure out how to get the terminology to where he's comfortable with it and then play to his strengths. That's what we'll do, and when we have a tight end that you mentioned, like Dakota Twitty and Sage Ennis and some of the younger guys that are developing, you have the glue that holds it together. So now we can play an 11 personnel, be an uptempo team when we need to, and then we can huddle. We can run the ball out of presentations where we're in 10 personnel and quickly get to 11 personnel, but then also in 3rd down, we don't have to change personnels and tip what we're getting ready to do and we have a passing threat.

“So I'm excited about the addition of Jahmal Edrine to our room, JT Thomas, a couple guys coming in at receiver to kind of bolster the group that we already had in place to get Chandler some weapons.

“So I'm excited about the potential. Now we have to bring it all together, and you'll be able to hear a little bit more from Chandler about how he feels about where we are, but it's not -- it may look a little bit different, but then there also may be some components that are the same, and it'll be dependent upon these 25 practices coming up in fall camp to determine exactly what the identity of this group of young men is. But I know we're better up front, and Josey and his boys are going to lead the way and we're going to kind of ride those guys as far as they'll take us.”

Q. Coach, talk a little bit about your off-season transition. You lose the game to Virginia Tech and you have a couple weeks, you get some NIL funds and a big, big transfer portal quarterback change. Talk about the transition, how that's been, and what you're excited for.

TONY ELLIOTT: “Appreciate that question there. Truly grateful to the individuals that decided to support the efforts this off-season and provide the resources for us to be able to go be aggressive and productive in the transfer portal.

“We knew that we were coming off a year where we would have a very, very large senior class, and I referenced that in my opening statement about the decisions that we made three years ago that we were building to this point to where we were going to have a chance to really transition the roster.

“So there's really no downtime, and you go right to work trying to figure out how you're going to position yourself before the dead period hits. You've got to get the high school guys signed that first week in December, and then you've got about a two-week window of craziness where you're just trying to get guys to come see you, and every team in the country has the same problem.

“I thought Tyler Jones and Justin Speros did a great job of identifying the guys that we felt like would fit the needs that we had open, and the staff just did a great job of working the phones, trying to build relationships as quick as possible. Then we got them in for spring practice and got the guys moving around, got them through about eight weeks of winter training and then hit the grass for 15 practices. Then we also were evaluating where additional needs were and that's what led to the direction we took in the spring portal window.”

Q. Chandler, you've had a journey. You've had a road of going to a lot of different places and trying to find that right fit. Why is Virginia the place for you to have this portion, this chapter of your career? What do you see in this program and moving it forward?

CHANDLER MORRIS: “Yeah, going back to my relationship with Coach Elliott, I've known him since I was about 11, 12 years old through my dad. I remember being out there at practices with my dad and just enjoying being around Coach Elliott and just the respect my family has for him and me, as well, for him, that was a big factor into it.

“It's my last season. I've been through a roller coaster of a career. My main thing, I wrote down pros and cons and what do I truly want? At the end of the day, what does Chandler Morris want? And it was to be around good people. That was something very important to me. I know Coach Elliott is a great person. I knew he was going to have great people on his staff. I wasn't too familiar with many people on his staff. I got to come up on a visit, and it was phenomenal.

“Then also, too, the community and kind of the fan base. The fan base of Virginia, they're hungry. I knew that the whole program has poured into this program and want to get it right, and the coaches have done a great job going out and getting the pieces that we need, and at the end of the day it's going to come down to us, and go out and execute.

Q. A great season at North Texas last season. You're now on to your fourth school in your career. What's been the key to adapting to so many different environments while also staying at the highest level that you are at?

CHANDLER MORRIS: “That's a good question. I think being at different stops and being around many different teammates has really helped me. And I think my experience, not just the success but also the adversity that I've faced, I've been able to really connect more with my teammates.

“Football, it can be ugly at times. The game won't love you back at times. I've learned that the hard way. Just being able to connect with my teammates that way and really building relationships with everyone, but also, too -- and I give so much credit to my teammates, I came in -- I'm just a Texas boy. I've been around home for a while, come up to Virginia, I'm not sure if I've ever been in the state of Virginia before I'd gotten on a visit at UVA.

“But teammates, I came in in January, and they welcomed me with open arms. That's Jah and Josey, just to name a few on our team that have been here for a while. That speaks volumes.

“I'm very appreciative of them, and that's really helped with my transition and being able to kind of take that next step as a leader and fill that role and what the team needs.”

Q. You come into Virginia after being at North Texas but also Oklahoma and TCU. You're coming to a program that has struggled to find its footing over the last several years. What do you think you bring to the table that's going to allow Virginia to take that next step and have a winning season and to move forward?

CHANDLER MORRIS: “Yeah, I think it's my experience. I think I've played a lot of snaps in college. I've got a good grasp of it, and I've always said, you can't coach experience.

“I really believe that, and as a young player, I actually got to sit behind Max Duggan for a little bit and kind of learning from him. He played a lot of snaps. I won the job. I get hurt first game, it wasn't meant to be, and then Max steps in and he goes and he finishes second in the Heisman. No one ever would have guessed that. We go to the National Championship.

“It was something to be said about playing snaps, and I'd sit down with Max and he would just say, man, you can't -- it's all about the experience. You're going to get there at some point and have all these snaps under your belt.

“Then at that point the game slows down for you.

“I think that's where I'm going to be able to help us out, is coming in, and I think my game is exciting. I think I can take a bad play and turn it into positive yards. I think I can use my feet and escape pressure and everything like that, and I know I've got a great squad around me. I've got great pieces around me that the coaches have brought in and we're all meshing it together. And I just think it's going to be a lot of fun for us as a unit on the offense and then us as a team with all the pieces that we've brought in.”

Q. What type of leadership style do you think you command, both in the locker room and on the sideline and then the huddle?

CHANDLER MORRIS: “Yeah, I think I do a little bit of both. I think vocal and then also, too, leading by example.

“I'm not the one who's always going to step up and say something. I think I'm going to get out there and sweat with my guys and show that I'm there by their side through it all.

“But also, too, in the huddle, that's when I'm going to step up and I'm going to really say something and really break it down and command the best out of my guys around me. They do a great job of that to me, too, is we've got older guys that -- we don't just have one or four guys that are true leaders. We've got a bunch, we've got a group of 12 of us that really command everyone's best and show up every single day and do that.

“I think it's a great balance. I think I've got a lot of help on this team leadership-wise, and I just came in and kind of felt it out, and I really learned that quickly, that we've got a lot of guys that are going to be able to help out with the leadership roles.”

Q. Noah, a couple returning offensive linemen from last year, but a lot of guys out of the portal coming to join you guys. How has the relationship been with that offensive line? It's the most set that's ever been there in your time at UVA. How have the relationships been and how have you been meshing together?

NOAH JOSEY: “Thanks for the question. A lot of praise to this staff this off-season for the types of guys they've brought in. Meeting with them in December, it was clear that the key for guys coming in was for them to be good-character guys, guys who want to win games, and I feel like that's the guys we've brought in.

“Coming together as a unit hasn't been hard. There's going to be a lot of competition at all five spots during fall camp, which is huge. Having that competitive depth that Coach E talks about is going to be big, and along with stability we've got a strong group that can play 12, 15, 17 games, whatever we need.”

Q. You're one of the last holdovers from the players who know what it's like at UVA to experience a bowl game at UVA. How do you lead the room and kind of galvanize them to, hey, that is a big-time goal or are there bigger aspirations and goals for this team, because Coach Elliott said this team will go as far as you lead them. Where is the offensive line looking to take this team, like this would be a great season for us?

NOAH JOSEY: “Yeah, I think the sky is the limit for this team. I think with the talent we have and the resources we have, we can do whatever we put our minds to, and I believe championships are not out of the question for us.”

Q. You've played multiple positions on the offensive line in your career. How do you approach playing those different positions from mentality-wise and scheme-wise and how do you feel that can help your team succeed this season?

NOAH JOSEY: “Yeah, I feel like every week you go in watching film and thinking about how would you approach a certain play a ton of different ways, and I think that helps going into different positions. I think the coaches do a good job, too, of moving guys around, whether it be during spring ball or during camp or even during the season, just getting you snaps at center, at guard, at tackle, wherever you may be. They do a good job preparing you so when you do need to change positions in that moment, you're ready.”

Q. Fans don't follow the offensive line like they follow other skilled positions. With all of the changes that you've had to go through, what would fans be surprised to learn about these transitions?

NOAH JOSEY: “Fans would be surprised to learn how hungry these guys are. There's a lot of guys in our room who are coming here because this is a great opportunity for them and they're hungry and they're willing to do whatever it takes to put their best product on the field.”

Q. Jahmeer, I have watched you very carefully for a number of years now, and it seems to me, number one, you seem leaner right now. What did you do in the off-season getting ready for the new season? Number two, what are your personal goals in addition to leading the defense?

JAHMEER CARTER: “Yeah, so the first question, my playing weight right now is between 305 and 310. I've dropped my body composition a lot, so I believe I dropped four percent body fat since January. That was a big goal for me this off-season.

“A big goal for me going into this season is just being as disruptive as possible, however that looks. I know stats are always a big indicator of that, but for me, I just want to see how disruptive I can be at the line, if I can shed blocks quicker or pressure the quarterback.”

Q. Jahmeer, you've been with this squad for so long now, really experienced. A lot of new guys coming into the room just like the offensive line, but also some returners, Jason Hammond, Anthony Britton, and guys like Hunter Osborne coming in, it seems like a loaded line. Talk about the position battles and how you're making each other better.

JAHMEER CARTER: “Yeah, this off-season has been awesome. We have so much talent from the guys that we're returning and the guys we have brought in. Every day we know it's a competition, so that's helping us get better.

“There's never a day where there's always a starter or there's always one that knows they got a starting spot. Like I said, that drives our performance to achieve great things.”

Q. I spoke with Brennan Armstrong, former quarterback at Virginia, and he spoke with Tony Elliott being the right guy to be a leader of men. Why do you agree with that statement?

JAHMEER CARTER: “I think back to when Coach Elliott first got here. Like many of us, we had a decision to make if we wanted to stay or if we wanted to transfer elsewhere, but the thing about Coach Elliott is he cares about you outside of football. I think that's very important because, in this day and age, it's hard to find a coach that truly cares about their players like he does. For me it was a no-brainer that he's a leader of men and he cares about your development.”

Q. Jahmeer, in terms of your development, what is one big thing that you are looking to do better than last year?

JAHMEER CARTER: “Yeah, I think for me, at this point in my life, it's really just expanding my pass rushing ability. I think I've demonstrated well that I can stop the run, but obviously the game is always changing, which means I have to change, and air raids and all the passing quarterbacks we play in this league, it's important to work on that. So that's something I'm striving for this off-season.”

Q. Are you a vocal leader or do you lead by example?

JAHMEER CARTER: “I think naturally I lead by example, but this off-season, my defensive tackles coach, Coach Downing, he really challenged me to be more vocal. That's something I took to heart. It's not necessarily in my comfort zone, but if it's going to get us to a National Championship and an ACC Championship, I'm going to do it.”

Q. How does one practice being a vocal leader? Is it repetitions in front of the mirror? What do you do?

JAHMEER CARTER: “I think really just -- there's a saying called seizing the moment, and what that means is let's say we're in practice and we're not starting off great. I address that, where I say something or I'm not afraid to say -- call someone out or tell them to pick it up a little bit.”

Stay tuned for more from Cal’s appearance today at the ACC Kickoff.