Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Ethan Downs interview
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00:00But just how did it feel to get back on the field?
00:02It was really good.
00:02We've been working really hard this offseason, so to get back on the field,
00:06play for the fans, feel that excitement again, hear the music again,
00:09all of it is really great.
00:11How important is today for some of those younger guys,
00:13particularly on the defensive line, just to be in the stadium,
00:16be on the field, be in front of fans?
00:17It's huge, because it feels like a game, the scenario, the atmosphere,
00:21everything feels way more intense than just a practice.
00:24And so the mistakes are more intense.
00:26And Coach Chavis, the defensive coach, has done a great job.
00:29Even during the scrimmage to show like, hey, you missed that play.
00:34That's a game-losing touchdown, and really make it impactful.
00:38Make guys emotional and say, this is a spring game.
00:42Now, this is gonna replicate what it's like in a real game.
00:46So trying to replicate all those raw emotions really gets guys fired up.
00:49And it's really good for
00:51the young guys to see how intense it is and how real it is.
00:55Like I've learned many times myself.
00:56So it's also a great perspective on my part.
00:59I've been through those highs and lows and being able to see that.
01:02So I can go to a young guy, comfort him, give him perspective.
01:05So, man, it's so good.
01:08It's so good to have a spring game.
01:09The focus going into the fall will be largely on the defensive line,
01:12people wanting to see how it holds up.
01:15How do you feel right now?
01:17Good, we gotta continue to grow, get stronger, bigger, faster.
01:20Man, our game's been looking a lot better.
01:22What I mean by our game's our stunts.
01:24And we got really good chemistry across the D line.
01:27I've earned their trust and they look up to me.
01:30So a lot of that's gonna be on my shoulders as far as how I hold them
01:33accountable and how we go into this offseason, our mentality and everything.
01:36And how we lead, even in our sprints and our summer workouts, all of it.
01:40The D line taking initiative to step forward,
01:42just like we're gonna need to be during the season.
01:45Big game, it's on the line.
01:46D line's gotta step up, make a play.
01:48So we're gonna have that mentality starting, I think, this Monday.
01:53Yeah, after this weekend.
01:54Well, do you think any of those young kids will be able to just step in
01:57immediately and play?
01:59Yes, absolutely.
02:00David Stone, Jaden Jackson, they are on it, really talented,
02:05really disciplined, and coming from IMG,
02:09they are very familiar with the schedule that we have here at OU.
02:13And the game plan, they played at a high level there.
02:16So they've adjusted really quickly and they're playing really good ball,
02:18especially Jaden Jackson.
02:20Our D-ins, freshman D-ins, like Nigel, Nigel Smith, Danny Coyier,
02:26they're super talented, uber talented, not learning as quickly as the other two,
02:30D tackles, but man, they're gonna be just fine.
02:33And our transfers that have come in, they've adjusted really well.
02:36Kaden Woolard's really stepped up, competing for a starting position.
02:39So the D line's looking really good.
02:40Good, sir, your impressions of Zach Alley?
02:44Coach Alley?
02:44Yeah.
02:45Man, he's a mini-Coach V.
02:47I know you've heard that many times probably now.
02:48But Coach Roof, nothing against him, really good coach,
02:53the previous defensive coordinator.
02:54But Coach Alley brought in a whole new, fresh, relationship-oriented.
03:00And he loves to be more personal with us and to simplify the game for us.
03:06And he knows how to speak our language.
03:08Coming from Jacksonville, where he was at,
03:11his relationship with the players was day in, day out, 24-7.
03:15He's looking out for them, cares so much about them.
03:17And he brought that same energy here.
03:19So Coach Alley, I already have a lot of respect for him.
03:21He's earned the trust, the whole defense.
03:23We look up to him, and he's simplified the game, helping us play faster and
03:26smarter.
03:27Sounds like you've been here a while.
03:28Sounds like you mentioned a lot of guys' defensive line.
03:31That competitive depth is there, where you really gotta perform to get-