Imagine showing up to your first day of college football practice and finding out you weren't going to play the position for which you thought you were being recruited.
If you're Adley Eshraghipour and you're reading this blog (let me first say, 'Welcome'), then you already know what I'm talking about.
For all of those who aren't Eshraghipour, this is what he had to say at Texas State's 2010 Media Day.
On being recognized as a member of the Preseason All-SLC Second Team: "It feels great, I'm not going to lie, but it surprised me. I didn't expect it and to be honest, when I got here, I didn't expect to play defense. I started rolling with it and being All-Conference is awesome."
On his reaction to the coaches telling him he'd play defense after spending 99 percent of his high school career on the offensive side of the ball: "I got up here and asked if that bald guy (Bobcats assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Ben Norton) was going to be my coach and he looked at the defensive line coach looked at me and said, 'No, I'm your coach.' It caught me by surprise because I hadn't been told and I just got to the school, but it was fine."
On the biggest difference between an offensive and defensive mindset: "I'm not focused on keeping someone from getting to the ball any more. Right now, I'm trying to take the ball from the other team. It took me a few days to get used to it my first year, but now it's a lot of fun."
On the defensive line in 2010: "We had a lot of people graduate or transfer, but those guys who are still here and their backups are just as good, if not better. Our D-line is set and we're excited."
On the team's potential in 2010: "We're all hungry and ready to turn that potential into something. We had a little meeting, all of the leaders, and one thing we talked about was we have two back-to-back winning seasons, but that's not enough. We want to go back-to-back-to-back."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature Preseason All-SLC Second Team LB/DB Marcus Clark.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
College Football: Quotables from Media Day (D.J. Hall)
Road grader. 2010 Preaseason All-American Offensive Lineman. Avid reader.
Believe it or not, all of those phrases apply to Texas State junior D.J. Hall.
Read on to find out what Hall had to say at the Bobcats' 2010 Media Day.
On being recognized by several publications as one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS: "It feels good, but at the same time, you can't focus on it. You have to think about your teammates. You have to put them first because if the whole team does well, then you look good."
On what he's improved on since his first start to now: "I've definitely gotten more physical. I also know the offense way better than my first year. I'm a lot more confident."
On how important it is to him to be physical: "It all starts with us. If we're soft, we're not going to be able to run the ball nor will the quarterback have enough time to throw a pass or anything. We set the tempo."
On if he's worried about how the offensive line will mesh with a few new faces: "We're strong and solid. We meshed really well in the spring and it's definitely going to carry over into the season."
On where his mind is going into this season: "I'm thinking about the University of Houston. That's where my focus is. My long-term goal is to win every game and be conference champion, but my short-term goal is to focus on the next game. I know — and I'm sure my teammates feel the same way — that we're ready to knock someone into place who thinks they're better than us."
On his passion outside of football: "Reading. I have an entire bookshelf full of books I read back at my house."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature Preseason All-SLC Second-Team DL Adley Eshraghipour.
Believe it or not, all of those phrases apply to Texas State junior D.J. Hall.
Read on to find out what Hall had to say at the Bobcats' 2010 Media Day.
On being recognized by several publications as one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS: "It feels good, but at the same time, you can't focus on it. You have to think about your teammates. You have to put them first because if the whole team does well, then you look good."
On what he's improved on since his first start to now: "I've definitely gotten more physical. I also know the offense way better than my first year. I'm a lot more confident."
On how important it is to him to be physical: "It all starts with us. If we're soft, we're not going to be able to run the ball nor will the quarterback have enough time to throw a pass or anything. We set the tempo."
On if he's worried about how the offensive line will mesh with a few new faces: "We're strong and solid. We meshed really well in the spring and it's definitely going to carry over into the season."
On where his mind is going into this season: "I'm thinking about the University of Houston. That's where my focus is. My long-term goal is to win every game and be conference champion, but my short-term goal is to focus on the next game. I know — and I'm sure my teammates feel the same way — that we're ready to knock someone into place who thinks they're better than us."
On his passion outside of football: "Reading. I have an entire bookshelf full of books I read back at my house."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature Preseason All-SLC Second-Team DL Adley Eshraghipour.
College Football: Texas State gets ready for the upcoming season (VIDEO)
Texas State held its third fall practice Tuesday morning as the offense and defense went head-to-head for the first time since spring.
Monday, August 9, 2010
College Football: Quotables from Media Day (Darryl Morris)
Other than wide receiver, another position coaches at Texas State are excited about in 2010 is the secondary. The Bobcats return 10 defensive backs including Iowa State transfer Drenard Williams who sat out 2009 due to a shoulder injury.
In Williams' place last year, it was crucial another cornerback stepped up for Texas State. Well, that's where Darryl Morris found his niche.
It wasn't easy for Morris, as he was tested early and often in games. Morris didn't back down as he amassed 26 solo tackles (40 total) and led the team with six pass break-ups.
The Bobcats hope Morris continues to blossom into the role of a shut-down defensive back. Here is what Morris had to say at the 2010 Texas State Media Day.
On the Bobcats' first game of the season against Houston: "We know U of H is going to throw it around, but we're going to be ready. I know our coaches are going to have a good scheme, we're going to watch plenty of film and it's just going to come down to us going out there and executing."
On what it means to face Case Kennum, a Heisman-worthy quarterback so early in the season: "It's more than you can ask for. I don't want to go out there and play against the worst. We're not scared of anybody, no matter how good a team is. We'll go out there and play with the best of them. Not one of these guys [Morris points around the room] are scared. We're just ready to have some fun."
On seeing all of the improvements to Bobcat Stadium (West Side Expansion and new FieldTurf): "It means that we're only going up as a program and we have people believing it too. When I'm back home in San Antonio, I see more and more stickers and stuff on the back of cars that say 'Texas State' or 'Texas State Alumni' and that's good."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature preseason All-America offensive lineman D.J. Hall.
In Williams' place last year, it was crucial another cornerback stepped up for Texas State. Well, that's where Darryl Morris found his niche.
It wasn't easy for Morris, as he was tested early and often in games. Morris didn't back down as he amassed 26 solo tackles (40 total) and led the team with six pass break-ups.
The Bobcats hope Morris continues to blossom into the role of a shut-down defensive back. Here is what Morris had to say at the 2010 Texas State Media Day.
On the Bobcats' first game of the season against Houston: "We know U of H is going to throw it around, but we're going to be ready. I know our coaches are going to have a good scheme, we're going to watch plenty of film and it's just going to come down to us going out there and executing."
On what it means to face Case Kennum, a Heisman-worthy quarterback so early in the season: "It's more than you can ask for. I don't want to go out there and play against the worst. We're not scared of anybody, no matter how good a team is. We'll go out there and play with the best of them. Not one of these guys [Morris points around the room] are scared. We're just ready to have some fun."
On seeing all of the improvements to Bobcat Stadium (West Side Expansion and new FieldTurf): "It means that we're only going up as a program and we have people believing it too. When I'm back home in San Antonio, I see more and more stickers and stuff on the back of cars that say 'Texas State' or 'Texas State Alumni' and that's good."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature preseason All-America offensive lineman D.J. Hall.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
College Football: Quotables from Media Day (Daren Dillard)
Texas State wide receiver Daren Dillard has slowly put together a strong collegiate career.
As a redshirt freshman, Dillard was former quarterback Bradley George's third option behind Cameron Luke and Mishak Rivas. Dillard hauled in 25 passes for 433 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2009, after Luke graduated and Rivas was hampered by injuries, Dillard stepped up to become George's red-zone target. Four of Dillard's six touchdowns last season were from inside the 20-yard line as George often looked his way when the second-year wide receiver was matched up against a smaller defensive back.
Now, a year later, Dillard is an established veteran for the Bobcats and will be looked at to help break in a new quarterback.
Here is what Dillard had to say at Texas State's 2010 Football Media Day...
On what quarterback impressed him during the summer: "Tim Hawkins did. He got a lot better with his reads and accuracy than in the past. I'm not saying it was bad before, but he got a lot better. A lot of people think Tim just has his feet, but if he continues to step up his reading game and accuracy, he's going to be a good quarterback."
On what he needs to improve to be the go-to receiver: "A lot of people think all I can do is catch the deep ball, so I need to work on my short routes a little bit."
On what he'd give up if he could be promised today Texas State would win the National Championship: "Sleeping. I love to sleep, but if we could get that ring, I'd be out at the field every single day at 4 a.m. catching passes and working out."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature defensive back Darryl Morris.
As a redshirt freshman, Dillard was former quarterback Bradley George's third option behind Cameron Luke and Mishak Rivas. Dillard hauled in 25 passes for 433 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2009, after Luke graduated and Rivas was hampered by injuries, Dillard stepped up to become George's red-zone target. Four of Dillard's six touchdowns last season were from inside the 20-yard line as George often looked his way when the second-year wide receiver was matched up against a smaller defensive back.
Now, a year later, Dillard is an established veteran for the Bobcats and will be looked at to help break in a new quarterback.
Here is what Dillard had to say at Texas State's 2010 Football Media Day...
On what quarterback impressed him during the summer: "Tim Hawkins did. He got a lot better with his reads and accuracy than in the past. I'm not saying it was bad before, but he got a lot better. A lot of people think Tim just has his feet, but if he continues to step up his reading game and accuracy, he's going to be a good quarterback."
On what he needs to improve to be the go-to receiver: "A lot of people think all I can do is catch the deep ball, so I need to work on my short routes a little bit."
On what he'd give up if he could be promised today Texas State would win the National Championship: "Sleeping. I love to sleep, but if we could get that ring, I'd be out at the field every single day at 4 a.m. catching passes and working out."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature defensive back Darryl Morris.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
College Football: Quotables from Media Day (Frank Reddic)
Texas State sophomore running back Frank Reddic didn't know he'd be called upon so much last season. Reddic, who planned to redshirt, was fourth on the depth chart at the beginning of fall camp and then moved up to third by the start of 2009.
Once Karrington Bush went down with an injury in the first game of the season, former Bobcats co-offensive coordinator Travis Bush told Reddic it was time to get his feet wet.
Reddic scored a touchdown against Angelo State and went on to reach pay dirt five more times in 2009. He carried the ball 53 times for 206 yards with a long of 24.
In 2010, Reddic will be one of the featured running backs in the Texas State offense.
On seeing his name at the top of the depth chart: "It feels great. I didn't take a look at it before, but knowing how much the coaches respect me gives me a lot of confidence."
On how playing as a true freshman last season will help him in 2010: "It made the transition a little easier and got the worry out of my mind if I was ready to play. Now I know the speed of the game and how to read defenses. Overall, it's another year of football knowledge in my head."
On the team being picked third or fourth in the Southland Conference: "To us, that really doesn't matter. What matters is what we do on the field on Saturdays and how we show up. At the end of the season and when the playoffs come around, they'll know about us."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature wide receiver Daren Dillard.
Once Karrington Bush went down with an injury in the first game of the season, former Bobcats co-offensive coordinator Travis Bush told Reddic it was time to get his feet wet.
Reddic scored a touchdown against Angelo State and went on to reach pay dirt five more times in 2009. He carried the ball 53 times for 206 yards with a long of 24.
In 2010, Reddic will be one of the featured running backs in the Texas State offense.
On seeing his name at the top of the depth chart: "It feels great. I didn't take a look at it before, but knowing how much the coaches respect me gives me a lot of confidence."
On how playing as a true freshman last season will help him in 2010: "It made the transition a little easier and got the worry out of my mind if I was ready to play. Now I know the speed of the game and how to read defenses. Overall, it's another year of football knowledge in my head."
On the team being picked third or fourth in the Southland Conference: "To us, that really doesn't matter. What matters is what we do on the field on Saturdays and how we show up. At the end of the season and when the playoffs come around, they'll know about us."
Check back in tomorrow for more quotes from Texas State Media Day. Tomorrow, the Cats' Cradle will feature wide receiver Daren Dillard.
College Football: Take a look at the Texas State preseason two-deeps
Without further ado, here are the 2010 Texas State Football Fall Preseason Two-Deeps as released by the Bobcats Saturday afternoon at their annual Media Day luncheon.
A few interesting notes — Tim Hawkins is the No. 1 QB, Frank Reddic is the No. 1 RB and Prestin Brown assumes the role as No. 1 NT.
Click on the link below to download and view the roster.
2010 Texas State Football Fall Preseason Two-Deeps
A few interesting notes — Tim Hawkins is the No. 1 QB, Frank Reddic is the No. 1 RB and Prestin Brown assumes the role as No. 1 NT.
Click on the link below to download and view the roster.
2010 Texas State Football Fall Preseason Two-Deeps
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