Everything Henry To'oTo'o said on Friday ahead of second fall camp practice

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama is holding its second practice of fall camp on Friday afternoon. Prior to that practice getting underway, senior linebacker Henry To’oTo’o had a chance to speak with the media for the first time this fall.

After a 112-tackle season during his first year in Tuscaloosa, the former Tennessee transfer is ready to build on that in 2022. Below, we’ve included everything To’oTo’o said during his press conference on Friday.

On linebacker Jaylen Moody…

“He’s so eager to learn. Really eager. He had the ??? spring. You like to have a guy like him next to me. Him and the whole inside linebacker (group) do a great job together. And learn off each other and feed off each other, and from the coaches. We have been doing a great job together.”

On integrating himself in the locker room as a transfer…

“I don’t consider myself a transfer anymore. Getting a degree from the University of Alabama, I’m super excited about that, being a part of the family. The bonding have on this team – defense, offense, the whole entire team. Something you have to face. You have to perform how you want to perform.”

On last season being labeled as a “rebuilding” year…

“Rebuilding is different everywhere. I’m definitely looking forward to next year [This Year?]. The Alabama standard is a different level too. Competing every day, giving championship effort every day. Something you take from last year and you focus on this year. We’re excited about this year. We have a lot of players who played some key parts.”

On his comfort level compared to last season…

“Schematically, I feel great. The bond I have with the players. Every single player on this team would do anything for anybody. That’s something that when you come here you create identity every day – the practices, the hard work, fall camp. Being able to be there every single day.”

On covering Jahmyr Gibbs…

“Jahmyr’s been doing great. So fast, so elusive. Gets in and out of his cuts so quick. I’ve never guarded a [running] back like him before. So being able to see that for me has been so helpful to me because it lets me know how I can work on my game. But Jahmyr’s been great. Our whole entire running back room’s been great. We’re really deep in that room. So being able to have guys like that, back-to-back punches, is going to be huge for us.”

On if there was a culture shock when he first got to Alabama…

“Yes, definitely. Nobody works as hard as we do and that’s something you have to embrace. That’s something that Coach Saban has built here that we’re going to work on every day; we’re going to outwork our opponent no matter if watching the film, fourth quarter program, spring ball, or fall camp. So that’s something I had to adjust to, but it’s a culture that’s mine now and it’s my responsibility to teach young guys so they keep that lesson going.”

On if he helps new transfers…

“We have to teach them the standard, what is expected of them when they come in. One thing I told them is being able to learn Coach Saban’s ways, learn the Alabama standard, One thing that helped me was to learn that standard and respect it.”

On the effect of losing last year’s championship game…

“We just had a guest speaker yesterday who said your front mirror is bigger than your rearview mirror. Last year is last year. Fall camp started yesterday, first practice is exciting. We’re got a lot of things to work on, but we’re super excited about the players we have, the opportunities that we have to live the Alabama standard and create identities that we want.”

On watching the title game from last season and how he’s using that this year…

“I did a lot of scouting myself, figuring out ways I can be better, where I can help the team out, and kind of as a defense as a whole, figuring out what we can do better – fly to the ball, get the ball out, creating turnovers, do things for us…a lot of little things I think we could have done better.”

On how the leadership is coming along…

“Leadership plays a huge role on the team, and believe me, being a leader is hard. Doing the right things, trying to bring guys along with you. But I think the leadership group has been doing a great job of setting a standard for the guys. Little things are going to matter. Tuck your shirt in, wear the right socks, the right shoes. I think the leadership group has been doing a good job, and I think the guys have embraced that. Seeing little things changing throughout spring, summer, and going into fall camp now I think everyone has embraced that.”

On working on his pass rush skills…

“That was one thing I wanted to work on was my pass rush, my blitzing ability. So that was one area I honed in on, focused on. Hopefully I get some sacks this year.”