Training Camp Q&A: Caleb Okechukwu
Syracuse veteran defensive lineman Caleb Okechukwu spoke to the media after a recent training camp practice.
Q: What's it like to put the pads on for the first time?
Okechukwu: "It's fun, really. A lot of competing, a lot of trash talking. Guys were flying around hitting today even though we weren't in full pads. They had to kind of calm us down a little bit. It's just fun to be hitting and things like that. So it's been fun."
Q: Is there anything coach Long has shown you about the defense that you haven't seen yet?
Okechukwu: "He's really talked about being conditioned. I think that's made a big difference in the last two days. We've really emphasized that. I know see all of us really pushing to run to the ball every single down. Playing hardest the longest. That's his message. If we play hardest the longest we'll be fine. I'm taking that really personal.
Q: How different has it been this fall with the playbook?
Okechukwu: "His atmosphere, in the spring he was getting to know us. Now it's like an expectation because at the end of the day we want to win games. That's what he's about. It's been fun learning from him over the last six months. As we go deeper into the season, I'm looking forward to learning from him more."
Q: Is there anything in particular you've learned from Rocky so far?
Okechukwu: "Again, just playing hard longer. You can talk about technique and all that all day. At the end of the day it's running to the ball, being relentless, playing with that heart, effort. I like that message every day. Me being a leader and captain, I want to focus on that."
Q: What's the expectation for the season?
Okechukwu: "I want to win, first. I can sit up here and get upset with last year, talk about what I want to do personally. At the end of the day, I don't really care about that. I want to win games. That's what keeps this program going. Getting to a bowl game, a great bowl game, winning more than eight, nine games, stuff like that."
Q: How do you see your role evolving?
Okechukwu: "I think my role evolves in a great way. Last year I think I came on the scene as a leader, but it's known now. There's more expectations on me to come out each and every day. Can't really have a bad day. I take that expectation personally."
Q: What can this defense improve upon to be even better than last year?
Okechukwu: "Like I said earlier about coach Long, running to the ball, finishing. Playing the hardest the longest. I think that's his message since the first few days. Obviously you saw us playing. Our goal was never to be the best defense in the conference. We want to be the best defense in the country. That comes from playing together, playing hard, playing the hardest the longest. I know if we do that, we'll be fine."
Q: How did the defense do against the first team offense?
Okechukwu: "I think we did really well. The energy (was there) from the first play. Guys were being honest with each other. Letting people know, 'you need to go harder' or 'pull back a little bit.' We're not afraid to be honest with each other. I think that's what makes us special. That's why I love playing with my guys on this team. It's going to be really fun to watch."
Q: Anybody new that's stood out to you?
Okechukwu: "I think some young guys are stepping up and they're getting more confident. Especially on the d-line. Young guys like Kevin Jobity, Denis Jaquez, stuff like that. I think those guys are really stepping into another role. Those guys have experience, they've played. That makes it really fun to see because I don't have to hold them by the leash anymore. Just kind of let them be free. Now we're talking more technique and stuff like that."
Q: How have you and guys like Marlowe Wax, Justin Barron rallied around being leaders of this team?
Okechukwu: "The thing about being leaders and captains on the team, there's expectations. If I see Marlowe taking a step back, I'm on him. If he sees me, he's on me. We don't take it personally because we know what we expect from each other. That goes beyond the field too. Just being a leader, following the rules in the building, on and off the field. Not being afraid to let them know because there's a certain standard that we do things to and they have to see us hold each other to that standard. When they see us doing that, they're going to follow."
Q: What's been the biggest difference between Rocky Long and Tony White?
Okechukwu: "Obviously they're different people, but it's the same defense. I think coach Long is more old school. He's a relatable coach though. When you first see him, you might think he's about to get on our head. But he's really a players coach. He'll talk to me and ask me what am I seeing. We're building that relationship, building that trust early. It actually (started) as soon as he first got here which was really cool to see. Getting a feel for what he likes, how he sees things, he will ask me what I'm seeing. Whenever you have a coach like that in the same scheme, you're going to have success."
Q: Is there pressure to get back to a bowl game entering Dino Babers’ eighth season?
Okechukwu: “I don’t really think coach Babers feels pressure. We don’t feel pressure. At the end of the day, we just want to win games. All the media stuff we see out there, we don’t worry about that. We can’t worry about that. Honestly, I don’t think it would be good for the team to focus on that. He understands that he’s perfect for the job. We believe in him and he believes in us. That relationship, I think it’s just going to carry us above it. Just like last year everybody else will be surprised but not us.”
Q: Have you seen any change in coach Babers?
Okechukwu: “I know for me, I’m blessed to have the same head coach for my whole career. I know some of my high school teammates, they have had a new head coach every other year. You don’t really get to grow like that as a player or a person. Coach Babers has seen me grow since my first game, high rank, injury, and the player I am now. It’s a blessing to have the same guy as my head coach. I’ve always wanted him here. I think it’s been cool to have that and our relationship goes beyond Syracuse.”
SUPPORT ALL SYRACUSE
SUBSCRIBE TO ALLSYRACUSE.COM NOW TO GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE INSIDER CONTENT
FREE ALL SYRACUSE NEWSLETTER TO GET THE LATEST ORANGE UPDATES SENT TO YOUR INBOX
JOIN THE ALL SYRACUSE FORUMS FOR FREE AND DISCUSS THE ORANGE WITH OTHER FANS AND OUR STAFF
