Canes Camp Report: Aug. 6
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Hurricanes were back in action on the Greentree Practice Fields on Wednesday as they continue making their way through preseason camp.
After practice, tight ends coach Cody Woodiel and tight ends Alex Bauman, Luka Gilbert, Elija Lofton and Brock Schott all shared their thoughts on the day’s session.
Here are some of their best quotes after Wednesday’s practice as Miami moves one step closer to its Aug. 31 season opener against Notre Dame.
Tight ends coach Cody Woodiel
On how the tight ends group has progressed early in camp:
“It’s been awesome. Because, obviously, that knowledge of what they gained in the spring, it’s allowing them to be competitive early. So, from the older guys to the younger guys, I couldn’t be more ecstatic because I mean, those dudes are working. They’re working hard and they’re earning the stripes and we’ve got a big opportunity this year to fill some huge roles, obviously, and they’re excited for the opportunity.”
On sophomore tight end Elija Lofton stepping into a bigger role this season:
“Obviously, he had a small sample size of what he could do last year with the room we had, but he’s taken that role [now] and he’s embraced it, as a leader and he knows that it’s his opportunity to really take that next step and he’s excited for it. He’s put in the necessary preparation. I believe it won’t fail him in the end. He’s showing up every day on Greentree. That’s where, as coaches, you want to see [it], because that’s going to be your reality on game day. I tell him every single day: ‘What’s your preparation and your practice performance? That’s going to be your reality on game day.’ And I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes out there and … he could be a dominant football player.”
On transfer tight end Alex Bauman:
“He’s done an unbelievable job. Al’s come in and he’s put his head down every single day and his progression that he’s made here physically, what he’s done for his body … he’s up about 10, 12 pounds of where he played last year. He’s done an unbelievable job for us, and I could not be happier that he’s here with us and the way he’s performing. He’s showing up every day like a veteran, what you would expect. He’s doing exactly what you expect him to do.”
On quarterback Carson Beck’s appreciation for the tight ends group:
“A hundred percent. He’s obviously a veteran guy and, like you alluded to, has been around some very high-level guys at that position, right? His appreciation for what we do and his knowledge – you’ve probably heard every coach come through here [talking] about Carson’s base and knowledge that he has is at a very high volume – his appreciation of what we do in pass protection or the run game, to what we have to do pass-game wise, again, it’s tight end, you’re going to be asked to do everything, right? So, his appreciation for it is high. We’ve had some good conversations and he’s got some good wrinkles for us I’m excited to see, too. You know, we’ll be able to utilize his brain as well. So, I’m looking forward to it.”
Tight end Alex Bauman
On sophomore tight end Elija Lofton:
“He’s a weapon, I mean, that’s the easiest way to put it, right? He does absolutely everything fast, quick. He knows how to win one-on-ones, beat man coverage, settle in zones, catch the ball, run, break tackles. He’s got shiftiness in him, power. I mean, he’s really one of a kind. He’s a great player.”
On freshmen tight ends Luka Gilbert and Brock Schott:
“We’ll start with Luka. I mean, as you can see, he’s a big dude, right? And I think the biggest thing for him was getting his body right and throughout spring and summer, he’s really done that. Focused on going hard in the weight room, technique-wise, also working with Coach Woodiel, individual drills. He’s been doing really good and believe it or not, he can run routes in the passing game, too. He’s got some great hands. He’s made plays in fall camp so far, too. He’s coming along really well.
“And then Brock…Brock, he’s fast and strong. I think he squatted 560 pounds, broke a record or something. Great player. I mean, those two, they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with and come next year, as they develop, and this year too, as they keep developing and going through fall camp, getting up to game speed … that’s what me and Elija and the older kids have been doing, helping them become the players they can be and unlocking their potential.”
Tight end Luka Gilbert
On what it’s been like navigating his first preseason camp at Miami:
“It’s fun. I love football, so it’s a lot of fun and [I’m] getting to learn a lot. This is my first camp, obviously, but it’s awesome. I mean, the meetings, from the practices, I’m just learning a lot. I’m trying to take it all in and just get better any way I can.”
On how veteran tight ends like Elija Lofton and Alex Bauman are mentoring him and fellow freshman tight end Brock Schott:
“It’s awesome. They’re really helping us out, bringing us up to speed. You know, me and Brock are freshmen, just getting here and they’re telling us what to expect with camp. We haven’t even put on pads yet, so there’s still a lot to go, but they’re helping us a lot with mentoring and telling us little [things] about the game that me and Brock didn’t know coming out of high school. They’re a huge help. They’re both great players. They’ll be great this year.”
On how he feels he’s improved since arriving at Miami:
“I’m trying to improve on everything, but I think the big thing that I’ve improved on so far is my route running, not [so] far as route running, but analyzing the defense and stuff that you don’t look at in high school. I mean, high school ball is kind of like, you run this route and you’re running that route, whereas you’ve got to read a lot of stuff here. … I’ve learned a lot. They’ve taught me a lot. That’s where I’ve improved the most.”
Tight end Elija Lofton
On the sense of urgency he feels in training camp:
“Urgency is a big thing in our room. We want us to play fast and play smart. We want to do everything fast so we can line up fast, see the defense fast. That’s what we mean by urgency. So, pick up the urgency. We want to read everything fast, do our job fast and be able to just play football fast.”
On what he learned from veteran tight end Elijah Arroyo last year:
“He was like my big brother. I still talk to him to this day. I still call him and I’m like, ‘Hey, how are you doing out there? What’s going on? Any advice you want to give to me?’ And just learning from him and [former tight end] Cam [McCormick]…[they] really taught me a lot of things, a lot about football, a lot about defenses, a lot about blocks, route-running, a lot of things, even off the field. They taught me a lot of things.”
On building chemistry with quarterback Carson Beck:
“I’ve got good chemistry with him. We hang out off the field, on the field. We’ve already got chemistry. We’re just going to keep working and attacking day-by-day. … He’s a dog. He wants to win. He wants to go out there and play ball and that’s what I love about him.”
On what the Hurricanes learned about how last season ended:
“We still remember that moment from last year. We just want to go out there, put our best foot forward and go win. That’s all we can really do. Can’t cry about it. Can’t do [anything] about it. All we’ve got to do now is keep working, keep attacking it day by day, play by play, and go out there and put our best foot forward and try to win.”
Tight end Brock Schott
On the relationship he’s built with fellow freshman tight end Luka Gilbert:
“[We] definitely started getting to know each other when we committed. Like, he committed and then I committed shortly after, so kind of getting to know him after that. Coming down here on an official visit with him and getting to know him since we got here. Me and him are roommates right now, so I mean, getting to know each other pretty well. Coming in here, watching film together, like anything we can do together to try and build some chemistry between us, we get it done.”
On building relationships with his fellow tight ends, even as they’re competing on Greentree:
“I mean, you definitely want to support each other. You never want to tear your own teammates down. I mean, that’s just bad for the team. So, I mean, anytime someone makes a good play, you’re going to congratulate then. But obviously, you’re still trying to compete against each other. It’s a good competitive environment in the tight end room. It’s been pretty exciting so far.”
On how the veteran tight ends like Elija Lofton and Alex Bauman have helped him adjust to college football:
“They’ve been a huge help, especially Elija. Him being here last year, right when we first got here, he was the biggest help. When we first learned the offense, he was helping us really learn it better. Hearing it from a guy who’s been through it already is really, really helpful. So, I mean, him and Alex just being able to be good leaders for us have been really helpful so far.”
On how much it’s helped to learn from a veteran quarterback like Carson Beck:
“He’s a big help. My locker’s near him in the locker room, so, I mean just being able to come to him with any questions, stuff like that; him talking about his college football experiences, so I can know what to expect at games and stuff like that. He’s making us feel pretty excited about what it’s like and what’s in store for us to be a college football player. He’s been a huge help for us for sure.”
