Matt Jones Media Availability November 15, 2023
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00:00 >> Are you still repping that at all this week?
00:04 >> Yeah.
00:05 >> What's the biggest change for you if you have to do this?
00:07 Like, I'm considering, is it a mindset change?
00:09 I guess, obviously, you know, make all the different decisions.
00:12 >> Like Coach always says, it's all about the fundamentals and basics, no?
00:15 Just like, you all do the drills together, but you also, not only looking at your
00:19 position, but also looking at the other person's position of footwork technique.
00:23 And just take it in, cuz you don't know what will happen if, no,
00:27 they need you at that position, you just gotta be ready for anything.
00:30 And that's just a mindset I have every time.
00:31 >> How comfortable would you be if you had to slide down in the game to do that,
00:34 and you're in a big spot?
00:36 >> I feel like I'd be very comfortable doing it.
00:39 I'm just ready to be thrown anywhere, just to help out the team.
00:43 >> Not everybody throws five-yard pass between their legs.
00:46 >> Yeah. >> How often do you actually rep that,
00:47 Matt?
00:50 >> Like twice a week.
00:51 Here and there, yeah.
00:52 >> Extended?
00:52 I mean, for an extended period?
00:54 I mean.
00:56 >> Just one period or two.
00:57 >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
00:58 >> Yeah, I mean, I'm at numbers of times.
01:00 I mean, you know what I mean?
01:03 >> I wish I could give you the exact number, but-
01:04 >> Do you feel comfortable?
01:05 >> Yeah, I feel comfortable.
01:06 >> Yeah, you came here, you were gonna be the next great All-American center when
01:08 you showed up here, right?
01:09 >> Yeah. >> I mean,
01:09 quite a twist and turn career.
01:14 When did you feel good at guard?
01:15 >> I'm a person, I get adjusted to things.
01:20 It went from right guard, left guard, it doesn't matter, center.
01:22 Just embrace the discomfort and just go with it, and so you just don't know.
01:27 >> Yeah. >> And that's how it is.
01:29 >> How does moving around with information kind of help you play center?
01:32 Do you kind of know it in different checks and know where guys are supposed to be?
01:35 >> It helped me a lot, cuz not only you look, you focus on your position,
01:38 you also focus on the center.
01:40 Center's basically like a quarterback, you know what I'm saying?
01:43 You also have to lead the offensive line to do what they have to do.
01:48 And that's just something that I've taken in.
01:50 Also looking at Carson and seeing the footwork and
01:53 the technique that's needed to do such and such play.
01:56 And I also take that in just to train my mind to learn more.
01:59 >> Where have you seen questions for the moves from any of the other two?
02:02 What about this game?
02:03 What was the biggest issue?
02:05 >> Just him, communication, you know what I'm saying?
02:08 He's demonstrative and just knowing what he's doing, you know what I'm saying?
02:12 The more he knows what he's doing and the confidence he brings to the offensive line,
02:16 it also helps us, you know what I'm saying?
02:18 So I felt like it was a major improvement, him running off the ball,
02:21 with confidence, ID and helping the team out.
02:26 >> I mean, how big of a challenge is that for a younger player being in his second
02:29 year in the program, making calls, having the confidence to make those checks,
02:32 make those calls?
02:33 How big of a deal is that for him to do that?
02:35 >> That's a very big step, especially as a young center, just being in the environment
02:40 and just to block out the noise and take on the responsibility.
02:44 It's something very, very large of a step and
02:48 I'm just happy that he's comfortable in doing what he's doing.