Missouri player quotes from 2018 SEC Media Days
Barry Odom was joined in Atlanta with three of his players — Drew Lock, Terry Beckner, Jr. and Terez Hall to help represent the Missouri football team at SEC Media Days.
Here are some highlights of the quotes provided by the players on the Missouri roster:
Senior quarterback Drew Lock
On building a new offense with Offensive Coordinator Derek Dooley…
“We’re building something more. We’re going to keep some of the aspects of the offense, but we’re definitely building something more. Coach Dooley knows a lot about the NFL game, being with the Dallas Cowboys for five years. He’s definitely bringing more of that into play, which I am really excited about. It’s one of the things he talked to me about before we hired him and before I made my decision to come back to the University. It really appealed to me, and it made me want to come back even more.”
On being from Missouri and playing for the University of Missouri…
“My dad played right tackle for Mizzou, my grandpa also played for Mizzou. It’s just been a legacy of Lock’s that have gone to the University of Missouri. Being able to be to say I am a quarterback and a face of a program that I grew up loving, it means the world to me. I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder, because we’re from the Midwest. We’re not from Florida, we’re not from California, we’re not from Texas. We still do play good football here in the state of Missouri. That’s what I’m trying to get across to people here.”
On teammates Terez Hall and Cale Garrett…
“Those two guys are pretty crafty at what they do. Cale is kind of sneaky fast and is not afraid to stick his head into any sort of contact, even with some quarterbacks in practice at times. Those guys are great linebackers. I think you saw Cale really perform well in the Georgia game last year. I think, I mean I could go on for days about those two guys, just how much their leadership means to that defense. They really, truly help the secondary out as well.”
Senior defensive lineman Terry Beckner, Jr.
On overcoming multiple knee injuries…
“I just wanted to get back in. With an injury like that, I knew it would try to take me down mentally, but you can’t let it do that to you. You do that and you’re not going to get back right. I just really attacked rehab, both times. The first time was a little harder for me, but the second experience was a piece of cake, because I already had been through it. It was a pretty good experience for me.”
On progressing through the offseason without injury…
“It’s been a tremendous help to me right now, because I really can actually grind, get stronger, get faster. As far as what happened to my knee, I have to build everything around it, but it’s great because I haven’t felt like this since I’ve been in high school. So right now, it’s good for me.”
On the impact of Ryan Walters’ new position as defensive coordinator…
“I don’t think it will affect us at all. He had been with us ever since Coach Odom had been our defensive coordinator since our freshman year, so he knows the defense in and out. He’s a great coach, great dude to be around, always trying to make you better. It’s going to be a great experience for him, and I know he’s going to do a great job.”
On his decision to delay his NFL Draft opportunity to return for his senior season…
“I made that decision pretty early. As far as my decision, as far as how my body was feeling, I just knew that the next level wasn’t ready for me, and I wasn’t ready for it. So I told myself I have to come back, and especially, I had to get my college degree.”
On his decision to commit to Missouri and build a legacy…
“Really to be close to home because I’m a big family person. Without my family, I really wouldn’t be here. It was really just for them, just to make sure they come to my games. They can come to see me anytime that they can. Really because it’s a home state school and where are you most loved, where are you most appreciated at and that’s where I followed my heart.”
Senior linebacker Terez Hall
On how playing alongside junior linebacker Cale Garrett has made him better…
“Me and Garret – he got that sideline mentality, me I’m more straight down. We have that crazy kind of bond. We feed off each other, me, him [Cale Garret] and [Rashad] Brandon. There’s no us without Brandon, like go to five guys or wherever. We watch film together, so we are all on the same page, basically that’s it.”
On the six-game winning streak and the reactions to that…
“You know, people are always going to find a reason to hate when you are winning. You just have to go with it and not look too much into it. That’s how I take it to when you are winning, someone is always going to hate on you. You cannot look into it. That’s just how I deal with it. I choose to not pay any attention to it.”
On how he thinks that he has grown as a player…
“Freshman year, I was more selfish coming into college, only caring about the NFL. When you start growing up and meeting more people, you have a different respect for things. I got to meet Charles Harris my freshman year. That helped me change my mind on the game. Then Rod Winters helped with my connection with God. It helped me move to the next level. Even just talking and emailing with my advisor, these things have all helped.”