Noel Mazzone echoed what Kevin Sumlin has said about Khalil Tate: The goal is to transform him from an athlete playing quarterback to a quarterback who happens to be an amazing athlete.
No one on the 蜜柚直播 Wildcats coaching staff will play a bigger role in that process than Mazzone, the veteran QB guru and offensive coordinator whom Sumlin imported from Texas A&M.
Mazzone, who has worked with numerous standout quarterbacks over the course of his long coaching career, began working with Tate in the spring. Mazzone inherited a player who burst onto the national scene last season but still has room for growth and refinement.
Mazzone talked about all seven quarterbacks in his room after 蜜柚直播鈥檚 second training-camp practice Saturday night. What follows is what Mazzone had to say about Tate, the junior who could be a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. The Q&A session with the media has been lightly edited for clarity and context.
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蜜柚直播 head coach Kevin Sumlin, foreground, brought Mazzone with him from Texas A&M. Mazzone is widely known as a quarterback guru and started working with Tate in the spring.
How much better has Khalil gotten over the summer?
A: 鈥淲e鈥檒l kind of wait and see. He鈥檚 done a good job the first two days. But like any quarterback, you look for some consistency. He鈥檚 shown that so far, but it鈥檚 only been two days. I鈥檓 excited where he鈥檚 at 鈥 the starting point where we鈥檙e at with him.鈥
Has there been too much hype for Khalil? He had one great month, yet a lot of people are talking about him for the Heisman.
A: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know. I know he鈥檚 a pretty grounded kid. I know he knows where he鈥檚 at with this football team, his career. I think he just comes out every day to get better and help this football team win.鈥
Where do you expect him to make the quickest gains in the passing game?
A: 鈥淪ome of this stuff鈥檚 a little bit new for him. Obviously, it鈥檚 a new offense. Right now, he鈥檚 kind of going through the process of learning about progression reads, about learning coverages and doing those type of things. I think the summer really helped him. He鈥檚 a little bit further along than I anticipated, so I鈥檓 kind of excited about moving forward.鈥
What have you learned about him since you started working with him?
A: 鈥淭hat it鈥檚 important to him. I think it鈥檚 been a great experience for him. He went to the Manning camp (the Manning Passing Academy, run by the Manning family), got involved with (other) quarterbacks. In my estimation, he鈥檚 realized that that he鈥檚 a quarterback and (that) quarterbacks have to act like quarterbacks. I think he鈥檚 done a good job with that.鈥
Is there a 鈥渨ow鈥 factor with Khalil when you see him up close?
A: 鈥淎 hundred percent. Am I going to coach him to be (more) dynamic as a runner? No, that鈥檚 who he is. He鈥檚 a dynamic runner. What he鈥檚 trying to do now is become a rounded quarterback and play the position the other way, in the pocket. That鈥檚 what I think he鈥檚 been working hard on.鈥
He mentioned there being more pocket concepts. But obviously you want to take advantage of his running ability. Is there an ideal number of carries per game for him?
A: 鈥淣o. It just kind of happens. Our best play might be when I call a pass play, everybody鈥檚 covered and he decides to run. We鈥檙e not going to build our running attack around Khalil. We鈥檝e got J.J. (Taylor), we鈥檝e got (Gary) Brightwell, we鈥檝e got some good running backs. I think he feeds off of that.鈥
What鈥檚 your philosophy about how quarterbacks should protect themselves?
A: 鈥淭hey should slide, right? So we鈥檝e gotta work on sliding. They take enough hits in the pocket.
鈥(But) he鈥檚 a special guy. He鈥檚 such a dynamic runner, as you guys know, that you don鈥檛 want to bridle him too much. But then you also want him to be smart and protect himself.鈥
Extra points
- Mazzone praised Brightwell, who might have the inside track to be the No. 2 tailback behind Taylor, the projected starter. Brightwell, a sophomore, primarily played on special teams as a freshman.
- Linebacker Santino Marchiol, who transferred from Texas A&M, is practicing with the team. He鈥檚 wearing No. 32 and working at the 鈥淢ike鈥 position with the second unit. There鈥檚 no word yet on whether he鈥檒l be eligible for 2018.
- Center Nathan Eldridge is wearing black neoprene sleeves on both knees. Eldridge missed time in spring because of knee soreness.
- Veteran players not spotted on the field during the open portion of practice: offensive lineman Alex Kosinski, defensive tackle Kurtis Brown and linebacker Jacob Colacion.
- Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Marcel Yates spent time with his group working on pass-rush moves. The defense as a whole worked on stripping ball-carriers and scooping up fumbles.
- Saturday鈥檚 twist to punt-return drills: players trying to field punts with a ball 鈥 or two 鈥 already tucked into their arms. Shun Brown was among those able to snare three in a row.
- The catch of the day during individual drills was made by redshirt junior Cedric Peterson, who made a tumbling grab near the sideline after appearing to lose his footing.
- About halfway through practice, the team moved from the grass fields next to the C.A.T.S. Academics Center into 蜜柚直播 Stadium. The lights at the practice field aren鈥檛 yet operational.
- A scout from the New York Jets attended practice.
- The Wildcats have the day off Sunday. They resume workouts Monday evening.
Photos: Kevin Sumlin, 蜜柚直播 Wildcats open fall camp
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Linebacker Santino Marchiol shoves his way around a blocking sled on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone keeps a close eye on quarterback Khalil Tate on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Linebacker Rexx Tessler tosses the blocking sled aside on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Running back Darrius Smith scrambles around obstacles while working out on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Head coach Kevin Sumlin watches the Wildcats run through drills on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Running back Nathan Tilford tracks down a throw while working out with the quarterbacks on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Khalil Tate heaves the ball downfield in front of his fellow quarterbacks on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Running back Gary Brightwell stretches up to haul in a pass on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Running back Darrius Smith looks to grab the ball while running routes on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Offensive linemen Layth Friekh, left, and Steven Bailey tussle while running blocking drills on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone tries to get his point across on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Offensive linemen Layth Friekh and Nathan Eldridge clash while drilling on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Offensive linemen Donovan Laie, left, and Bryson Cain get locked up while working on their blocking on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Linebacker Jalen Harris, left, and safety Troy Young practice a strip drill on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Safety Christian Young tracks a "rabbit" during pursuit work on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Safety Dayven Coleman keeps his eye on the "rabbit" while working on pursuit skill during day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Dante Blissit, left, strips Kylan Wilborn of the ball during a drill on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Linebacker Isaiah Johnson muscles his way around a blocking sled on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Offensive lineman Tshiyombu Lukusa, right, crashes the line on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Quarterback Kevin Doyle deals a throw, honing his route reading on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Linebacker Rexx Tessler works against a blocking sled on day two of pre-season practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 4, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Quarterback Khalil Tate gets coached up a little by offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Quarterback Khalil Tate cocks and fires running drills with the receivers at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

蜜柚直播 coach Kevin Sumlin watches his Wildcats run through their opening practice Friday.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

The Wildcats get limbered up as the team gets ready for the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Wide receiver Stanley Berryhill III hauls in a catch running routes at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Defensive lineman Name Sulunga swats his way past a pad running drills at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Wide receiver Thomas Marcus juggles the ball while trying to haul in a catch running route drills at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Receiver Tre Adams stretches but can't get to a high throw as he runs route drills at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Devauighn Cooper makes a twisting one-handed grab on his route at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Shawn Poindexter fights his way through a pad while running routes at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Wildcat quarterback K'Hari Lane draws a bead on a receiver while working out at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Defensive lineman PJ Johnson grabs a breather between drills at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Tight end Zach Williams stretches out as the Wildcats get limbered up for the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Kylan Wilborn hits the dummies while working with the defensive line at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Thomas Reid III gets his hand to the ball while hauling in throws at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Defensive lineman Mykee Irving fights his way around a coach while running drills at the first day of practice for 蜜柚直播 on Aug. 3, 2018.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Head coach Kevin Sumlin watches his players run routes at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Running back Branden Leon takes the handoff as the offensive unit works out at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
University of 蜜柚直播 football

Brice Vooletich keeps his eye on the ball running routes at the first day of practice for the University of 蜜柚直播, Friday, August 3, 2018, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.