With Josh Gattis, obviously you hired him for a reason. Now that you’ve had a chance to work with him more through spring drills, what new impressions do you have based on being around him day-to-day?

“All positive. Tremendous teacher. A lot of energy. Brings a lot of energy to meetings, the practice field. I mean, he’s coaching a lot of people every play so I think that’s been a good thing for all of our coaches. They’ve really been engaged and coaching really well. Our players are picking it up, I think, as it relates to the offense. We’re pretty far along after seven practices with the new system. That’s a credit to Josh and the staff.”

Being satisfied with the new system so far, do you ever stop and say ‘Why didn’t I do this a year or two earlier?’ Do you look back and have second thoughts on previously if this stuff is as good as you think it is so far?

“Um, I think things sometimes change as you go along and you’re open to new ideas and different factors that make it beneficial, but I’ve never been one to ever do things just because that’s the way they’ve always been done. Always taken the approach that if it helps us when then we’re gonna do it or at least try it, so that’s always been my mindset.”

You talked about the corners yesterday on your podcast. What’s Lavert’s [Hill] status right now?

“Lavert’s coming along well. He had a procedure done in the offseason that he’s rehabbing from and really coming along well. It’ll be close to whether he’s able to make it back for some part of spring ball or not, but the rehab’s going extremely well.”

And then Don Brown talked about Vince Gray—

“Yeah, so the corner, it’s been a healthy position for us this spring. With Lavert rehabbing, Vince Gray starting at left corner right now and Ambry Thomas starting at right corner. Hunter Reyolds is backing up along with Jaylen Kelly-Powell. Jaylen Kelly-Powell’s also backing up at the nickel. Myles Sims, Gemon Green have also been in the mix and they’re coming along good so far this spring, so that’s been a good, healthy position for us. Jalen Perry has also worked in and he’s on the depth chart along with Jared Davis and then John Baty, who is a student tryout that’s done a nice job. All indications are that he’s making the football team, so it’s been a good position.

“The nickel position, Brad Hawkins is the starter there. He’s doing an excellent job. He’s also backing up at both safety positions, both the Rover and the Free. Right now Josh Metellus and J’Marick Woods are the two starting safeties. Louis Grodman is backing up Brad and so is Sammy Faustin. Gemon Green, Tyler Cochran are also in the mix along with Quinn Rothman. That’s also been another position of good health for us.”

What’s the situation at kicker? Is Quinn [Nordin] the guy or is that a competition between him and Jake [Moody]?

“It’s neck and neck right now. Charting all the kicks, it’s extremely close. Quinn’s like maybe 15-of-17 or 16-of-17. Jake Moody is like 15-of-16 or 15-of-17. They’re right there, neck and neck. So it’s a good competition going on at kicker.”

[After THE JUMP: a single answer that's as long as some pressers bears a depth chart]

You’ve mentioned Ben VanSumeren a few times at running back. Is he a running back or is he one of the hybrid backs?

“Yeah, tailback but he can also—I would call it a hybrid in the sense that a tailback can also be an H-back. But he is definitely cemented in in the running back rotation as well. Right now Tru Wilson is the starter. Julian Garrett’s backing up or, uh, Ben VanSumeren’s the backup tailback right now, second team, then Julian. Nick Capatina is a person who tried out who’s in school here and tried out and looks like he’s making the team.

“Christian Turner is—I think we’ll have Christian back either this Sunday or by the following Friday practice, so Christian should make it back for four or five practices. He had a soft tissue, hamstring, early on in practice, like day two. But he’s progressing well. Hassan Haskins has also been limited this spring. He has a prior meniscus that’s—trying to get through what he can in spring ball, and so far it’s been a couple practices. May make it back for some practices toward the end but I think he’s gonna need a procedure when spring football practice is over. Zach Charbonnet is coming along really well. He had an existing injury coming out of high school that was fixed when he got here in January. Not going to be able to do any spring ball this session but he’ll be back and will do fine. Jared Char has been out all spring ball but hopefully he gets back for some work this spring. He had a hamstring from winter conditioning. Lucas Andrighetto unfortunately tore his ACL in our last practice and it was just…makes me physically sick. He was doing so well. He switched positions from safety to running back and was doing great. I mean, he was up high on the depth chart, right in there with VanSumeren. But he’ll be back. He’ll have his surgery here in a week or two when the swelling goes down. Phenomenal young man from my neck of the woods out there in California. He went to St. Francis high school out there. Won a state championship. Had an interception in the state championship game and also threw a two-point conversion on a muffed field goal. That was a tough break, but his attitude is great and he’ll be back. So that’s where we are at running back.

“Been really healthy on the offensive line. That’s been a position of strength for us the entire spring. Ben Bredeson, left guard. Center is Cesar Ruiz. Michael Onwenu’s the starting right guard. Jon Runyan’s the left tackle and too close to call who the right tackle is right now. Andrew Steuber and Jalen Mayfield; it’s neck and neck there, but they’re progressing well. Chuck Filiaga is backing up Ben Bredeson. Steve Spanellis is backing up Cesar Ruiz. Ryan Hayes is backing up at left tackle and Robinson and Jokisch are playing both left and right tackle.

“We’ve got a lot of good depth there as well. Joel Honigford is at right guard backing up and Griffin Korican is having a really good spring. Really happy with him. Andrew Vastardis is playing all positions, center and guard. And Jess Speight is the number-three center right now.

“It’s a group that every day they’re out there, every day they’re practicing and every day you can count on that group, so that’s been a real source of strength for the team.

“Can really say that about the defensive line as well. Aidan Hutchinson is having a great spring. He’s becoming a dominant player. He’s elevated his game. Played in all 13 games as a true freshman and he’s just doing an incredible job. Donovan Jeter’s our starting 3-tech right now. He continues to be an ascending player. He’s just…he appears hellbent on being the starting defensive tackle. Kwity Paye also, nothing but good there. Doing a tremendous job. And Carlo Kemp, talked about him before, extremely strong. He’s our starting nose.

“And then the backups, you know, there’s been some fluctuation there. Luiji Vilain has come on at defensive end. He’s backing up Kwity. Mazi Smith’s backing up Carlo right now, and Ben Mason is in that rotation be it starter or rotation but he’s all the way up at least backing up both those positions right now on our defensive line and coming on like gangbusters every single day. Julius Welschof’s made a move. He’s backing up Aidan Hutchinson right now. Taylor Upshaw’s also rising on the depth chart, and Gabe Newburg. Ron Johnson’s been slowed with some soft tissue but hopefully he’ll be back for the weekend. Dane Drobocky’s having a very good spring. And David Ojabo, all signs are that, all indications that once he really learns the game and understands that part of it, he’s going to be a tremendous player. Exceptional in terms of heavy hands and being able to knock back an offensive lineman and also has real speed. He was a 100-meter guy in high school. When it all comes together—he’s only had seven practices. Was limited as a football player as a youngster and in high school. Really played one full season in high school but played four other sports during his high school career. I have good things to say about him. Joey George is doing well. Carl Myers has been out all spring with a shoulder surgery, but that injury is progressing extremely well.

“And then the linebackers. Devin Gil has missed a couple practices with illness but should be back for this weekend and when he is he’s been taking the starting reps at Will. And Mike backer is—was Josh Ross early but then Josh had a hamstring strain. Hopefully he’ll be back this Sunday. If not this Sunday then by next Friday. But he was doing really well, having a great winter and he was starting. Now it’s Jordan Anthony along with Cam McGrone. They’re all interchangeable at that Mike/Will position. And Jordan Glasgow, he plays Viper, he plays Mike, he plays Will, he plays ‘em all in there. And Shibley and Fakih have both been really steady, good players for us the entire spring and they keep elevating their game. So that’s the group right there.

“Hudson has been fabulous all spring. Khaleke Hudson, having an excellent spring. So is Josh Uche, and Michael Barrett’s doing a really good job as a Viper and a Sam. I’d put him behind Glasgow right now in those areas, but really probably the backup Sam backer right now to Josh Uche. And he’s also, as I said, playing Viper. So that’s a real in-depth look at the defense.

“Wide receiver-wise, the starters are Mike Sainristil as the H, Oliver Martin’s starting at X, and Tarik Black is the Z. Ronnie Bell, he’s hot on the heels of those three guys. Erick All has been really good this spring and he’s playing some receiver, he’s playing some tight end, but he’s got a lot of talent. Jake McCurry unfortunately was also high on the depth chart, he was in the top three [or] four on the roster, but he had an injury to his foot in our practice before last. Looks like it’s a Lisfranc fracture. Had surgery on it yesterday. Surgery went really well. He has a great attitude and looks like he’ll be back by the start of August. If not August by our first game. Other receivers of note: Nate Schoenle has also been slowed by soft-tissue injury. Hopefully he’ll be back Sunday and if not Sunday by Friday. Jake Martin, steady. Always doing a good job there. Jack Young has made quite a bit of improvement. Local player doing a really good job.

“And tight ends. Sean McKeon has been outstanding. Nick Eubanks is the other starter at tight end. Erick All we talked about. Mustapha Muhammad, Luke Schoonmaker, both right in there as a two or a three at tight end. And Joey Files continues to do his incredible job as a player, coach, Go Blue guy all the way. Doing fantastic.

“Quaterbacks are Shea, Dylan, Joe. That’s been steady all spring. They’re doing really well.

“And I think that covers most everybody in terms of depth chart. And also injury, two guys: Donovan Peoples-Jones [and] Michael Dwumfour. Looks like, by all indications, they have more serious injuries than we previously thought. Both have not participated very much in any practice or all winter and concern is that, and the worry really, is that it’s more serious—that if they can get back to their previous form and level.”

How about Nico Collins?

“Nico’s doing really well. Nico is progressing. Watched him run yesterday. So he had a surgery, Nico Collins had a surgery before spring practice and watching him run yesterday, he is right on track in his rehab.”

Just to follow up on Donovan and Dwumfour, are they injuries that could keep them out of the season? When you say serious, what does that mean exactly?

“It could. I’ve always been kind of just… as a coach but also when I played, I put a lot of stock in what a player, how their body feels, how they respond. So that’s the feedback. All indication we’re getting is that they really can’t do much at all. You always hope for the best.”

Are they injuries that require surgery?

“No, no. Donovan’s has been a soft-tissue injury, a groin injury. And Michael had a torn plantar fascia right before the bowl game. You start to worry when injuries linger longer than previously thought or longer than the time it usually takes, but I think nobody knows their body better than the actual person or athlete.”

MGoOpeThatJustGotAnswered: -

Ed Warinner said that this offense is tailor-made—his word—for Shea Patterson. How have you seen that marriage work between Shea and this offense?

“Yeah, Shea in particular, when the new system came in it takes some time. Thought there was some indecisiveness—natural indecisiveness. The last two practices he’s been very decisive going through his reads and knowing where all 11 are on the field and making good decisions and being quick with his decisions and accurate. He’s really doing well. Last two practices are showing that.

“Dylan’s also picked it up extremely fast and doing well. Little mistakes here and there but they have to get a feel for the reads and decisions that they make. I would say really all are progressing well in that area.”

With the open practice and the spring game, how much will we and fans see the real offense or do you keep that under wraps for competitive purposes?

“Uh, the plan right now is to run the offense and run the defenses.”

Mike Sainristil in high school was really quick-twitch and explosive. Has that translated? Have you seen that sort of—you’re smiling now. He’s been as advertised, I suppose?

“Yes. He’s been really good. Yeah, he has a level of quickness, change of direction, speed that has been really eye opening and really good for the team, but he’s also tough. He’s blocking. There’s probably three examples where you can really just see him second, third, fourth effort down the field, sometimes twenty, thirty, forty yards downfield blocking for whoever does have the ball. If you don’t have the ball then you become a blocker. He’s been really good and can’t say enough good things about him. He’s one of our midyear guys that have been great. They get to class, they get there on time, they get there early, they’re kicking down the door to get in the weight room. He’s doing everything right and I’d say that about Mazi Smith, I could say that about Erick All and Zach Charbonnet. Every single one of our midyear guys is really doing well. Gabe Newburg, David Ojabo, all of them doing a great job. Mikey, just keep doing what he’s doing. He has an intensity about him when he’s practicing, when he’s in meetings. Really hungry and doing a great job. All compliments to Mike Sainristil as long as he takes that flattery and, as they say, don’t inhale, should be good.”

What’s it like for a guy like him who played multiple positions in high school to have a more clearly defined role and learn that?

“Yeah, he’s got the ability really to do both. The defensive coaches would be fighting to have Mike as a corner, as a nickel for sure, and there’s potential for him to be a two-way player but that’s kind of further down the line. But it means a lot to the team. You’ve got guys, that next guy up who steps in and does really well. Mike Sainristil, exclamation point there. Donovan Jeter, Ben Mason; they’ve really done that for our team, and they’ve gone a long way to cementing their roles as starters in the fall.”

To that point with Sainristil, you mentioned on the podcast how he’s made a case for being the backup punt returner and kick returner. What’s enabled him to do that on top of what he’s doing at receiver?

“Yeah, at punt returner Ronnie Bell’s the starter—kick returner and starting punt returner right now. Mike is the backup punt returner. Ambry Thomas is the backup kick returner. Oliver Martin’s third punt returner. Mike Barrett’s third kick returner. Mike Sainristil’s fourth kick returner right now and Mike Barrett’s fourth punt returner.

“It’s just fun. It’s just awesome to see the enthusiasm that he brings to practice. I mean, he’s out there every day, he’s hellbent on learning what everything he can and he’s excited for every drill and every rep he can get. Still a little bit like Erick All; needs more time on task to really understand everything but they’re both just so on fire to do that, you know. To be good and help make the team good.”

You mentioned a lot of injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Is there any worry that it might slow the install of this new offense with so many guys sitting out?

“Everybody is taking mental reps that hasn’t been in there. Even Lucas Andrighetto in the meeting literally two days after he found out he had an ACL was asking questions: ‘How do I know if I’m getting the ball or the receiver’s getting the ball on the fly sweep?’ Was adamant about knowing, and I could say that for just about every player we have on the team. They’ve been engaged. When it comes to walkthroughs or meetings, guys that haven’t been taking the reps are still up in the front row absorbing the information. So I have no issue with that whatsoever.”

I’m curious what you feeling is on the transfer portal not just in your sport but in basketball. Players don’t seem to have to sit out as much as they have in the past. Is this good for the game, good for the kids, and how has it affected you as coaches?

“Um, I don’t know. I don’t know that I really have an opinion on the question you’re asking other than that the NCAA needs to decide, can you have a one-time transfer to any school for any reason or are we under the same rules that we have been under that are in the rulebook, because we’re in an abyss in terms of that right now.

“The other thing that I would say, because it can affect a lot of players, [is] the new rule of being able to play in four games and still being able to have a redshirt, there should be a retroactive for those players that are juniors, seniors, and possible fifth-years because right now I believe there’s a hard line on them even though you have a new rule. If a player only played in one game or two games or played toward the end of the season but now they’re a junior or a senior, that year shouldn’t be—they should be under the same eligibility as—“

Should be grandfathered in.

“It should be grandfathered in like those are that played this past season. Hopefully people come to the logic of that.”

Just off that question, the transfer portal: is that something you actively have to look at now as a coach to see what players go in there and maybe if there’s someone you want?
”Um, no, not actively looking at it daily.”

Don mentioned the other day that this defense is fast. He said even faster than last year, which he thought was the fastest. How are you seeing that manifest? Are you seeing the defense look that much quicker?

“Yeah, that’s a great observation. The thing that’s hit me from day one with our entire team is that they move around really well, and then they move around really well all practice. There’s no drop-off toward the end of practice. I mean, our practices even crescendo toward the end with the conditioning and the speed with which the guys are playing. That’s been evident every single practices on all sides of the ball: offense, defense, and special teams. Hungry. Hungry and in shape, and the team is strong and it moves well and that’s showing up on a consistently good basis every day.”

In different shape because of this offense? Is Herbert having to do some different things to make them prepared for maybe more snaps in a game?

“Yeah, the whole winter conditioning program once we got on the field the first day, second, and right through practice seven, you could see that our team was in shape, really moving around well the entire practice and even had some juice at the end where it even rose as opposed to practices that dip toward the end and fall off. I haven’t seen that in one of our practices. They’ve been very competitive, very sharp from a conditioning and strength standpoint.”