Camp Q&A

DENTON - The Mean Green are a few days into fall camp, presented by Rhino Steel Buildings, and MeanGreenSports.com spent some time speaking with a few Mean Green student-athletes about their return to the practice field in an unconventional setting given the CoVID-19 pandemic. Senior RB DeAndre Torrey and redshirt senior LB Joe Ozougwu weighed in on their experience since their return to practice.

MGS: How has it felt to get back onto the field this past week or so with practice?

DeAndre Torrey: "It's been a feeling of relief just getting back out there. I've been so anxious to play football again and us actually being able to practice gives us a sense of hope that it's going to happen.

Joe Ozougwu: "It feels great to be back out here with my family playing ball. Since we missed spring football, we have been waiting for this moment for a while."

MGS: This has been an unprecedented offseason to say the least – how would you say you feel the group has stayed ready during these challenging times?

DT: "I think the group looks a lot better than expected for having so much time off. Sure a couple guys had to knock some rust off because everybody didn't have access to weights and a field during the summer, but I think we came back pretty close to who we want to be."

JO: "All of us have been here every day this summer. Staying in shape with [strength and conditioning coach Zack] Womack's workouts, we didn't miss a day. And it also made us much closer as a core group."

MGS: How has the transition been with some of the new coaches who have come in and not being able to go through a normal offseason program?

DT: "The transition has been pretty smooth mostly because both sides are understanding and willing to learn and adapt to each other. At first we were unsure how they were as coaches just as they were unsure how we were as players, but we're all adapting collectively because we that is so important."

JO: "It's unfortunate to not have a spring, but we only can control what we can control. The transition has been smooth, we have a really fun DC in coach [Clint] Bowen, who is helping us learn the game of football on a whole new level. And I'm really thankful we have Coach [Galen] Scott here with us again, he really guides us to get better everyday on and off the field. Even with the negativity going on in the world."

MGS: Who has stood out among your position group so far since you have been back?

DT: "Being the older guy in the [running back] group now, it's always exciting to watch the newcomers come in. Isaiah [Johnson] has been doing pretty well picking up the offense and has good, natural vision. I'm excited to watch him develop as the season goes on."

JO: " I would say everyone is getting better in our linebacker corps, but a guy that has stood out to me since we've been back is Gabriel [Murphy], he gained weight, got stronger, and came in hungry to learn."

MGS: How have you adjusted to going through these workouts with masks on and following all of the new protocols

DT: "It's definitely different learning how to adjust to breathing and just remembering to keep yourself covered, but me and my team are willing to do whatever it takes to have a season. So if you ask me, the masks aren't a problem."

JO: "We've been following protocols since we got back in June. Sanitizing what we touch, and social distancing when we're off the field, so it has been a smooth process, along with us getting tested frequently.".

MGS: What are you most excited about being back in camp?

DT: "I think that I am most excited at the thought of getting into the pads again! We didn't get a chance to get a single spring practice, so it's been a while. I'm just ready to finally fly around full speed with the team."

JO: "I'm just happy to be back, doing what I love with some of my life-long brothers."

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Joe Ozougwu

DeAndre Torrey

Upcoming Events

University of North Texas Athletics

Camp Q&A

Related News

Players Mentioned

Joe Ozougwu

DeAndre Torrey

Related Videos