University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Luke Della
Roundtable: JUCO Additions
8/21/2020 9:00:00 AM | Football
DENTON - The Mean Green added a trio of talented junior college transfers in its 2020 signing class - defensive end Davontae McCrae (East Mississippi Community College), offensive lineman Anterrious Gray (Northwest Mississippi Community College) and offensive lineman Teeshaun Turpin (Long Beach City College). MeanGreenSports.com had the opportunity to speak with the three newcomers about a couple of topics regarding their experience in junior college, how their transition to their time in Denton has gone thus far and their goals for the 2020 campaign.
MeanGreenSports.com: What has your experience been so far in your transition from junior college to our program?
Davontae McCrae: "My transition from Juco to UNT has been real nice! The entire team is like a brotherhood here, for real. All of the guys have been easy to get along with and all of my coaches are genuine and very caring of us as more than just ball players. I'm very comfortable and happy at UNT."
Anterrious Gray:Â "My experience has been great. I'm loving the new experiences in the new environment, even though they've been limited because of the CoVID-19Â situation."
Teeshaun Turpin: "My transition from junior college to UNT is a work in progress. When I [first] came in, I was out of shape and didn't have much strength. Now, as I'm here week after week, I'm progressing and getting better which I knew I had to do."
MGS:Â What is the biggest difference between your experience in JUCOÂ compared to what you've seen so far here in Denton?
DM: "In Juco it's all about getting it for yourself, but here is really a family atmosphere coaches and players."
AG: "I think the biggest difference is the speed of everything here - from practice to highway traffic, everything moves fast."
TT: "The biggest difference to me so far is how serious it is - meaning multiple meetings per day, grinding early mornings and late nights. I thought my junior college played fast, but here? It's a different type of fast, and it took a while to get used to. Last but not least, the weather was the hardest thing when I got here, But after three weeks I started getting used to it and it became a non-factor."
MGS:Â What are your individual goals for the 2020 season?
DM: "My goal for the 2020 season is to be recognized nationally as a top defensive end in college football when the season is done."
AG: "My biggest goal for this season is to show everybody that I belong here, that I am very talented and [that I] deserve to play on this level and the next."
TT: "My season goals are to compete for a spot, be the best teammate I can be to help out my new family and to be the best I can be."
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MeanGreenSports.com: What has your experience been so far in your transition from junior college to our program?
Davontae McCrae: "My transition from Juco to UNT has been real nice! The entire team is like a brotherhood here, for real. All of the guys have been easy to get along with and all of my coaches are genuine and very caring of us as more than just ball players. I'm very comfortable and happy at UNT."
Anterrious Gray:Â "My experience has been great. I'm loving the new experiences in the new environment, even though they've been limited because of the CoVID-19Â situation."
Teeshaun Turpin: "My transition from junior college to UNT is a work in progress. When I [first] came in, I was out of shape and didn't have much strength. Now, as I'm here week after week, I'm progressing and getting better which I knew I had to do."
MGS:Â What is the biggest difference between your experience in JUCOÂ compared to what you've seen so far here in Denton?
DM: "In Juco it's all about getting it for yourself, but here is really a family atmosphere coaches and players."
AG: "I think the biggest difference is the speed of everything here - from practice to highway traffic, everything moves fast."
TT: "The biggest difference to me so far is how serious it is - meaning multiple meetings per day, grinding early mornings and late nights. I thought my junior college played fast, but here? It's a different type of fast, and it took a while to get used to. Last but not least, the weather was the hardest thing when I got here, But after three weeks I started getting used to it and it became a non-factor."
MGS:Â What are your individual goals for the 2020 season?
DM: "My goal for the 2020 season is to be recognized nationally as a top defensive end in college football when the season is done."
AG: "My biggest goal for this season is to show everybody that I belong here, that I am very talented and [that I] deserve to play on this level and the next."
TT: "My season goals are to compete for a spot, be the best teammate I can be to help out my new family and to be the best I can be."
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Players Mentioned
Saturday, April 18
Wednesday, April 15
Wednesday, April 08
Wednesday, April 01