Transcript: Florida Gators Brian Johnson on Kyle Trask, Emory Jones and the Gators Future
Florida Gators Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson met with local media from Gainesville and Oklahoma to preview the No. 7 Gators upcoming matchup against with No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners.
As a valued subscriber, we are offering this transcript in full.
What has Dan Mullen meant to you?
“You know, I’ve known Coach for a really long time, since I was 16 years old, and I don't know if I could put into words the amount of respect that I have for him, not only as a football coach but as a person. I've learned a tremendous amount from him, not just about football, just about life in general. I'm just really appreciative of everything that he's done for me throughout the course of my time as a player and throughout the course of my career as a coach, and I can't say enough great things about Coach and what he means as a person to me specifically and to our program overall.”
With Kyle Pitts and possibly others opting out, what kind of opportunity does that present for your young skill-position players?
“It's another opportunity to go out there and compete at a really high level. We were without Kyle for a couple games this year, and Kemore and Zipperer, they both did a nice job of filling in in his absence and just another opportunity for those guys to continue their development and go get reps on a big stage against a great Oklahoma team.”
What have you seen from Oklahoma’s defense so far?
“They're very active defensively. I think on the front end, they do a great job of pursuing the football and shedding blocks, not staying blocked long and making plays in the back field. And in the secondary, I think particularly at corner, they have great ball skills. They play with great patience. They’ve got great footwork, and they make plays on the ball when it's in the air. Definitely a huge challenge for us. You know, our guys are excited for the opportunity to go out there and compete on the big stage.”
How much of this game plan is about sending Kyle Trask out on a high note versus seeing what Emory Jones can do, and could the offense’s potential next season keep you at Florida?
“I think, first and foremost, the object of the game plan is to give us the best opportunity to go win the football game. Make no mistake about it – in a bowl game, we’re there for one reason, and that's to win the game. We'll put together a great plan that highlights all of our players’ talents and put them in a position to go be successful when they get out there on the field. Make no mistake about it, job one, first and foremost, is to go out there and give yourself a chance to go win the game.”
How much do the players want to play for Mullen?
“If you know Coach Mullen on a very personal level, I mean, he’s extremely down to earth. You can talk to him about most things other than football. He likes to have fun, and when it's time to work, he works. So, I just can't say enough great things about him. The players love playing for him. He's got a great personality. He really connects with people from all different backgrounds, and he's been doing this a really long time now. So, he knows exactly what he's doing.”
How excited are you for a game like the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic?
“Yeah, it’s an unbelievable opportunity to get our chance to go play in our third New Year’s Six bowl. Our players are excited for that challenge and that opportunity. For me personally, this is my first time getting the chance to play in the Cotton Bowl. I grew up in Texas, so I was always around the old Cotton Bowl before it moved to Jerry World. I’m excited for the opportunity, this is my first time to get to play Oklahoma, another blueblood program that’s had a ton of success. I can’t say enough good things about how Coach Riley runs their program. He’s a fantastic coach and they have fantastic players. We’re looking forward to getting out there and going to compete at a very high level.”
What has been the foundation in quick turnaround with three New Year’s Six bowls in three years?
“The players. They bought into what we tried to accomplish from Day 1. Make no mistake about it, football is about having great players and putting those guys in positions to make plays. I can’t say enough about the group of guys that we’ve gotten to coach in the three years here. I’m just really proud of all of their accomplishments and I know the younger guys in the program were excited to get some opportunities moving forward and continue to build the program to a level where Gator Nation is extremely proud.”
Who is someone on this offense that we are not talking about now who we will be at this time next year?
“I mean, we have a lot of great players on offense. It’s hard to single anybody out. The guy who hasn’t played as much, obviously, is Emory [Jones]. I can’t say enough about what he’s meant to me for the last three years, the chance to get to work with him every single day in practice and see how much better he gets each and every year. I’m really excited for him. I’m really excited for Anthony. Those two guys specifically in my room, I think they got an opportunity to learn a lot by watching Kyle this year, how he prepares and how he performs and the habits he has throughout the week to get himself ready to play. You know, we’ve got a lot of good young players here that are eager for an opportunity to get out on the field and show what they can do.”
Considering your Utah team that went 13-0 and beat Alabama, do you have a different perspective when it comes to the Power 5/Group of 5 Playoff debate in relation to this year when a 9-0 Cincinnati team got left out for instance?
“Yeah, I’ve been on both sides of that coin. It’s a really, really good question. You know, ultimately you can only play who’s on your schedule, so as a player, you’re just worried about the next opponent on the schedule. I do think the totality of playing 11 SEC games is a huge accomplishment in itself. Not only the physical strain but the mental strain to continually get ready to play a big-time game each and every week where the talent is evenly matched. It’s very similar to the National Football League. You watch last week, I think the Jets, who hadn’t won, they beat somebody, who did they beat, the Rams, right? So, you’ve got to go and get yourself ready to play at a high level each and every week. If you don’t play well, teams are capable of beating you.”
What do you say to those who need convincing Kyle Trask has put together the best season in country by a quarterback?
“I would tell them that I have some oceanfront property in Idaho to sell. I mean, what Kyle has done this season is absolutely remarkable, the amount of information that we put on him and his ability to play at a really consistent level throughout the course of a season has been exceptional. I can’t say enough about just how proud I am of him as a player, but even more so as a person. He’s just a great example for not only for the quarterback room in general, but just our program and how he has worked for his opportunity and made the most of it when he got it. Obviously, we have nothing to do with how people vote or what kind of accolades you get, but from my perspective, he’s been nothing short of amazing all season long.”
More pressure on offenses these days to score?
“The biggest thing is you can’t waste plays. You have to have your best stuff ready at all times. To me, it’s just become more about players than plays and how can you get the ball to people who can make explosive players, and how can you do a great job of managing and masking your situation whether it’s two minute before the end of the half, whether it’s third down, whether it’s red zone, things of that nature, especially when you’re playing a team that’s pretty evenly matched you got to take care and manage situations and do a great job. And you have to do a great job as a staff, not only scheming plays that work against a particular defense that you’re getting, but putting guys in the right spot to where they can highlight their abilities, as well, and we’re giving ourselves the best chance each and every drive.”
Memories of the lighter side of Kyle Trask?
“There’s been a ton. The past three years just getting a chance to know Kyle and getting his personality and sense of humor. He’s a special human being, I can’t say enough good things about him. But yeah, we’ve grown really, really close over the last three years. I’m really proud of everything he’s been able to accomplish at this point. I know he’s going to be successful at whatever he does.”
What’s Kyle Trask’s sense of humor?
“His sense of humor: he’s a funny guy. Once you get a chance to know him, he’s very, very serious and always says the right things publicly. But he has a great sense of humor. He can take a joke. He can give a joke. Can’t say enough good things about him. Love him to death, really proud of him, just how he’s developed over the last three seasons with us. He’s definitely got a bright future.”
When realize Kadarius Toney was special?
“Umm, I think we gave him a reverse in the ‘18 Tennessee game and he made some ridiculous game and broke a bunch of tackles and he scored. And, you know, even heading into last season before he got hurt, I think he was really on his way to developing as a player. What people don’t realize about Kadarius is he’s an extremely intelligent football player. He understands the game and he’s an ultimate competitor. He really works at it, he works at his craft. Coach Gonzales does a great job of helping him develop and really hone his skills in. Once he settled in and got the reps that he needed it was no surprise that he took off and was one of the best players in America.”
Comments