BSB TV: OSU’s Campbell, Prince, Jones At B1G Media Days
CHICAGO — Along with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, three players were available to the press Tuesday afternoon at Big Ten Media Days.
Fifth-year senior H-back Parris Campbell, senior offensive tackle Isaiah Prince and junior defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones fielded a variety of questions before the Buckeyes break for training camp.
Fifth-year senior H-back Parris Campbell
On how he reacted to the firing of wide receivers coach Zach Smith…
“I don’t know the entirety of the story, I don’t. No details or anything like that. I’ve been away. I’ve been on the road. I haven’t really gotten to sit down and talk about or discuss it. But as far as I know, the person that Coach Smith was to me, was a great person, great guy and coach. So that’s all I know.”
On where he has seen sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins improve this offseason…
“In the weight room, on the field, he’s just a different dude in his work. He was always a kind of guy — joked around a little bit at funny times in the locker room. You don’t see that as often anymore. When we’re in the weight room, you can tell that he’s working hard, giving it his all. He’s coming out of his shell, trying to be that leader that we want him to be.”
On why he passed on the NFL draft and returned to Ohio State for a fifth year…
“For me, personally, I feel like I have some personal goals that I didn’t obtain. I think, ultimately, if I would have left last year, I would’ve cheated myself on a lot of things. No. 1, I felt like I want to leave a legacy at Ohio State. If I would’ve left last year, then I would’ve cheated myself on that. Second, I feel like I have so much more things to polish up on to show these NFL scouts that I am a polished receiver.”
Senior offensive tackle Isaiah Prince
On his position at offensive tackle between right and left throughout spring camp…
“I’d say it was a hard transition at the beginning of the spring. It was extremely frustrating for me because I went from having all of this confidence and being a dominant right tackle to not being as good as left tackle and I’m like, ‘Here we are, starting over again.’ But as the spring went on, I got a lot better at it.”
On what he thinks his attendance at Big Ten Media Days says about him as a leader…
“I think I’m extremely happy and blessed that Coach Meyer has made the decision to bring me here. So I’m just thankful of the opportunity and I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities he’s given me. Coach Meyer’s a great coach. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
On what he has seen from freshmen offensive linemen like Nicholas Petit-Frere…
“One thing I’ve noticed about those guys is they work hard, that they put their heads down and they grind. That’s what I love about them. I don’t like freshmen that come in and are boastful and talk a lot. I like guys that come in and just do what’s asked of you, work as hard as you can. That’s what I’ve really noticed about the freshmen. At the end of the day, they’re extremely hard workers.”
Junior defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones
On what he thinks of the defensive line’s depth despite three players drafted to the NFL…
“We’re looking good right now. Our old heads, we’re running with the legacy of our past guys. We’re still going to do our ‘rushmen’ ways. We’re still going to work as hard as we ever did. We’re still going to be teaching the young guys how to adapt to our culture.”
On how he physically prepared himself to be a lean 6-3 and 286 pounds for the season…
“I just developed a new routine. I had to learn how to put more of a professional (approach on), instead of just … lounging around. I have to realize I can’t just eat whatever I want because it won’t sit right and I won’t perform well.
“I didn’t attack the weight room like I was supposed to early in my career and I wasn’t eating right. So that’s really what’s changed for me over the years.”
On the likelihood of more snaps and his involvement in third-down packages…
“I can pass rush, for sure. I’m not worried about it. I’m not stressed out or anything about a third-down package. I’m ready to be in it.
“I want to be on the field. I mean, I love seeing my brothers go to work. But at the same time, I want to be on the field. So I’m very excited.
“Of course it makes me excited. I’m playing football. That’s all I want to do. If I hear more snaps, I’m not going to say no. I would never want to do that.”
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