Perry Eliano Media Availability November 15, 2023
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00:00 guys in and out of the lineup.
00:00 What have you seen from the depth there that's stepped up over these past few weeks?
00:05 >> Just the maturity, guys are locked in, focused,
00:09 understanding the system, understanding the job description, and just stepping up.
00:13 And I've been pleased with what we've been doing to this point.
00:17 >> And with Sonny specifically, he jumped around to a couple of different spots
00:20 here, what have you seen from him and his growth this season?
00:22 Has he, a lot's been put on him?
00:24 >> For us, we're a safety driven defense, so
00:28 the expectation is as we continue to grow that you know what to do at multiple spots.
00:33 That's the fun thing about football.
00:35 The more you can do, the more you understand, the faster you play, and so
00:39 that's what you've been seeing with him.
00:40 >> Here, I have a quick, how quickly did you know Malik Harper was a guy that
00:44 could probably contribute this year?
00:45 When did you know that?
00:46 When did you see that coming?
00:48 >> He showed flashes in the spring, just by his maturation and
00:53 being in the classroom and being able to talk football.
00:56 And then he transitioned into the summer and he did some good things.
00:59 And then really in fall camp, he was able to get his hands on balls.
01:04 He was always around the ball and just was able to handle the workload and
01:09 handle the pressure of, hey, you gotta step up and play.
01:12 And that's how I kinda had an idea.
01:16 >> How's the league been in the last couple weeks?
01:19 And you probably have to watch at least a couple more weeks here.
01:24 >> Sure, the competitive side obviously is difficult cuz he's the ultra competitor.
01:29 He's fierce, he loves what he does, but at the same point in time,
01:33 he's been a great leader.
01:35 He's been great for the room, he's been great for this team.
01:37 And like I told him, we need your spirit, man, and he's done that.
01:42 >> You mentioned Sonny, you and Ryan talked about him playing fast.
01:46 What's the balance between kind of bringing a guy along and not giving him too much,
01:49 but also wanting him to play, with the speed that he can play out?
01:52 >> Just understanding who he is, and I'm with him day in and day out.
01:56 So I'm in the classroom with him, I know what he does as far as his preparation,
02:00 know the conversations that we have.
02:02 And just being able to truly, truly understand what we're expecting of him and
02:07 understand the scheme.
02:08 And all you see is kind of the maturation of, hey,
02:13 he's playing fast because he just understands what's expected of him more and
02:18 more. >> What kind of things have you seen
02:19 in his film, picking up defenses, picking up levels, and trying to do it?
02:23 >> Really being able to talk more,
02:25 really being able to diagnose the play before it actually happens.
02:30 And just being able to really, really just hone in and practice.
02:34 And you see him making plays, and that's what's exciting to me.
02:37 >> Harry, when Josh Proctor told you he was gonna come back here in six years,
02:41 did you expect the kind of gift that he's had?
02:44 >> Yes, it was never an ability thing with Proctor,
02:47 it was just more so of a mindset thing.
02:50 And for him, just being able to really lock in and focus and be a pro each and
02:54 every day, and take care of his business, and
02:56 really attack this game of football like he was capable of doing.
02:59 So no, it doesn't shock me at all.
03:01 >> What do you think it is that's clicked for him this year,
03:03 that maybe didn't before this year?
03:05 >> I can't speak on the past cuz I wasn't with him, but I can just speak on last
03:10 year, just taking this game serious, understanding that every moment is,
03:17 you gotta cherish it, you gotta cherish the opportunity that you have.
03:19 Because we're competing, and we compete every day.
03:22 So for me, just to see him really lock in and take this game serious, and
03:26 take his preparation serious, that's what I would say.
03:31 >> What have you seen from Kai Stokes this year?
03:34 He's finally got some playing time here in the last couple of weeks.
03:36 What's his development been like?
03:38 >> It's been good.
03:39 Obviously, you come in as a freshman and you wanna play right away, and
03:42 sometimes that doesn't happen.
03:44 And then you come back the next year, and it may start off slow, but
03:48 you just gotta stick with it.
03:49 And we always talk about competitive excellence, and
03:53 that's being ready when your number's called, and he's done that to this point.
03:57 >> How confident do you feel in whether it be Jihad or Malik, if you guys wanna
04:01 move Sonny around, that someone else can get him there in strong safety,
04:05 or in the late game?
04:08 >> It's with everybody.
04:09 It's just not with Sonny.
04:10 Sonny's been the most that we've moved around, but at the same point in time,
04:13 we have flexibility within our room.
04:15 And it's just more so what can guys handle and
04:19 play at a high level skill and not play slow.