Full player quotes from Alabama's offensive media availability at Rose Bowl
LOS ANGELES – Five Alabama players accompanied offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles on Thursday morning for the Crimson Tide’s Rose Bowl offensive media availability. The player reps were Isaiah Bond, Tyler Booker, JC Latham, Jase McClellan and Jalen Milroe. Below are quotes from their times in the print media room.
ISAIAH BOND
Q. What’s it like being in the underdog role as far as in this situation? You guys aren’t the underdog very often.
ISAIAH BOND: I feel like it’s a great way to go out there and show why we’re not the underdog, being the underdog.
So I feel like, like in the Georgia game, saying Georgia is going to beat us even though we didn’t think that was going to happen. But it does add some fire to the chamber.
Q. Does it help that the Texas and USF game were super challenging for you guys in terms of getting the outcomes you wanted? Was that like the turning point, you think, for you guys?
ISAIAH BOND: I guess you could say that. I definitely told the guys after the Texas game, because I knew the type of team we had, and I was very disappointed. So I definitely told the guys, like, listen, I know this game, we lost this game, but the season’s not over.
We shouldn’t lose no more games this season. We really wasn’t supposed to lose this game. So I told the guys, c’mon, settle down, strap down, I could see the talent in the room. I know what everybody can do. We’ll be able to get this done. Them believing in that and in the byproduct, that’s why we’re here.
Q. With the NIL and just with the Grave Digger T-shirts, can you just kind of describe how quickly that I guess all that sort of came together? I don’t know if people reached out to you or — Jalen’s idea?
ISAIAH BOND: The Grave Digger, I had like people from Alabama reach out to me about the Grave Digger. Because obviously it was a legendary player. We didn’t want people getting out with the idea before me, so we trademarked that and dropped some T-shirts. We didn’t want other people making money out of it. That’s why we dropped it so quick.
Q. Is that something, like, I guess where you’re working with them to do those things in different areas?
ISAIAH BOND: Yeah, I’m definitely working with people. It’s not all 100 percent just me. Definitely have a team behind me working with the shirts as well.
Q. With Michigan, sign stealing investigation, are you guys putting in any safeguards or trying to find ways around it to keep it top secret?
ISAIAH BOND: I mean, we already — being at the University of Alabama, we’re going to have teams that just do whatever they kind of do to get a little edge. So stealing signs it’s not the first time it’s ever happened before. We change our signs almost every game, just knowing the fact that people will go back and watch TV, copy us and steal the signs.
It’s us going out there. They’ll have to play us on the field. We’ll see what happens when you’re on the field.
Q. Have you done anything specific to kind of keep your stuff under lock and key?
ISAIAH BOND: Like I said, we change our signs. We don’t keep the same signs every game, especially if we go through like coaches that have been through the program before because they might already know the signals. We’ll change it up for that game. Yeah, we definitely — it’s going to be something they never seen before.
Q. Do you guys joke about going back to huddling and sending in plays with players or any of that stuff just to really shake it up?
ISAIAH BOND: No, we’re just going to go out there and just play ball like how we normally play. And it’s going to be on them to stop it.
Q. When that stuff was front-page news back in October, what did you think about it. It was all over, wasn’t it?
ISAIAH BOND: It was. I’m going to say no comment on that. I don’t want to go out there and say my truth on that. I’m going to say no comment.
Q. With the way Alabama’s, the NIL and marketing people are helping you now, has it always been like that or has this been — this was a new industry that didn’t exist three years ago. Have you seen an evolution at the school?
ISAIAH BOND: Definitely because I came in with the class, where NIL was kind of transitioning into college. It wasn’t like really up front. It was kind of like when you get to college, you play, be on the field, you get paid.
Honestly, with that, I like it. It’s good for the players. We work so many hours of the week. So I feel like, honestly, it’s the least they could do is at least pay us a little bit for how many hours you’re putting in.
At the end of the day it’s almost compared to work but we’re walking around some days we’re 85. And we’re 19, 20 years old. It’s a lot of tax on our body. The money definitely helps a little bit.
Q. Have you seen the way Alabama’s collective or Yea Alabama, that’s kind of a new thing. Have you seen an evolution in how kind of the school helps the players facilitate things?
ISAIAH BOND: Yeah, most definitely. I could definitely say in my scenario, my collective, definitely gone up even since when I got here. So it’s obviously, like I said, going back to getting on the field, you show them your value.
Like Coach said when we first came here, you show your value, you’re going to get paid your value. So them going out and believing that I have great value for the team, it’s a great feeling.
Q. Coach Harbaugh has said a couple times, he’s spoken extensively there needs to be revenue sharing.
Have you seen that at all?
ISAIAH BOND: I have not. I have not recalled — I don’t really watch too much TV. I don’t know what goes on on TV or the press or anything like that, unless it comes up on my social media. But TV, I don’t watch too much of that.
Q. How helpful is it for players to have coaches who obviously benefit very much in this system speak out for there should be more of this money should be shared with the players? How helpful is it, do you think, that coaches who are benefitting very much
from this, they’re making a ton, 10 million a year in some cases, that they’re out front saying, hey, this money needs to be shared more with the players?
ISAIAH BOND: I mean, that’s obviously a great feeling, a great feeling to hear especially coming as an athlete, and especially from a head coach like Nick Saban. A lot of people will listen to Coach Saban. It’s great to hear a legendary coach like that saying the players deserve it.
Q. It was Harbaugh who said that.
ISAIAH BOND: He’s another great coach as well, not taking nothing away from him. He’s a great coach. Coaches like that speaking their truth, and they want their players, honestly, to be better in life because at the end of the day money/happiness, bring happiness. The two of them go together.
Q. How much since you’ve been at Alabama, are there things where you saw firsthand how much money gets generated for the programs? I don’t know if it’s like whether it’s just —
ISAIAH BOND: Definitely a lot. Definitely it a lot. (Laughter).
Q. When did that first kind of hit you, where maybe you’re like in high school and you’re, like, this is really fun to play in front of a big crowd, but maybe you see things, like what ticket prices are?
ISAIAH BOND: I mean, I never really realized how much schools are making until NIL came around. And it was breaking down the basics, because I was very new.
I remember when they were talking about how much these schools are making. I was, like, whoa, I didn’t know they were making that much.
I know football is making a lot of money but I didn’t know it was on that type of scale. Obviously I feel what they’re contributing back, it’s nothing contributed compared to what they’re making, but it’s something that helps. So I’m appreciative.
Q. When you watch film on the Michigan secondary, what do you see?
ISAIAH BOND: I see a great defense. I see a well-coached defense. Guys are, they’re going to be in their spots. They’re great athletes as well.
Q. How has that play changed your life, in the weeks since then, the fourth-down-and-31?
ISAIAH BOND: My life has definitely changed a lot since that play. I’ll give you an example. I was at a basketball game. And I had to leave —
Q. Where?
ISAIAH BOND: Bama game. I had to leave. I was on the court, too. It was running down, like, trying to take pictures of me. I had to get up out of there. That was like my first, I would say, big-time moment.
But I don’t be going out there anymore especially (indiscernible), because everybody be trying to — I’m more reserved, to-myself type of person. I’m not really too social. I really like to chill myself. So I don’t like attention, stuff like that. But it’s good to have, but I don’t know. It don’t really impress me too much.
Q. You had to leave because you were inundated?
ISAIAH BOND: Yes, because it was interrupting the game. The game going on, it’s like a hundred people in line trying
to take a picture. And I’m on the court. It was kind of distracting to the game. I’m going to get out of here before it gets bigger.
Q. The Alabama secondary you guys have, some really talented guys. What have you seen from that group — obviously you get to go against them in practice — that makes them the group that they are?
ISAIAH BOND: Honestly, a great secondary. I think we have the best secondary in the country. I’ll say that first. But them going against us every single day, one of the best receiver groups in the country — iron sharpens iron. When you go against the best you’ll get the best.
Q. I realize Robinson doesn’t coach your position, but you get to see him in practice. How do you describe what you see from him in terms of the kind of coach he has?
ISAIAH BOND: T-Rob, he’s a great, phenomenal coach. We have a great relationship even though I’m on opposite side of the ball. I love what he’s doing with the DBs just love everything he’s doing for the team.
Q. Your relationship, you telling him about that, how do you build that, because he doesn’t coach your position?
ISAIAH BOND: Coming out of high school, I was an athlete, so I played DB as well. So they wanted me to play DB at first, but I ended up making that switch to offense
He recruited me. That’s why we have a good relationship. We talked even before I committed to Bama. We always talked.
Q. How often do you think you could still play DB?
ISAIAH BOND: Most def. DB is kind of a natural thing. It’s natural to guard somebody. You either got it or you don’t. Not everybody can guard somebody. It’s not that easy to go out there and just guard a nationally talented and gifted human from Jesus, you know what I’m saying? You have to stick with him all the way down the field. It’s not that easy.
You have to have the skills and the right tool set. And I’ve been training for DB longer than receiver. It’s not like I’m just out there. I’ve got DB. I know, like, the DB techniques.
Q. What’s the transition like from coming in, them wanting you to play defense to now playing receiver?
ISAIAH BOND: I felt like honestly it helped me a lot. Just knowing really what a DB, what goes in their head because I was a DB, what coverages is, what a DB might do in a situation. I feel like all that background knowledge does actually help me at receiver as well.
Q. What was the competition with coaches when you make the switch?
ISAIAH BOND: I made it in high school. So actually I didn’t make a switch. I played both and I got to college and I was, like, I told the coaches I wanted to play receiver. I was, like, because I had offers for receiver and DB. So they wanted me, you could either play both.
But I told coaches I don’t want to play DB. If you want me I’ll play on the offensive side of the ball. It was all gravy from there. No coach had a problem with that. I kind of could choose what side of the ball I wanted to go to.
Q. It was probably tempting to play DB, right, because (indiscernible) special teams?
ISAIAH BOND: I’m not going to say it was tempting, but it’s also tempting to be on offense as well. (Laughter). It’s also tempting to be on offense as well because you’ll be on the TV. You’re going to be on ESPN regardless. So I think that’s why a major reason I picked receiver, to be in the spotlight.
Q. Did you see the video of when Michigan found out they were playing you guys in the playoffs?
ISAIAH BOND: Yeah, I seen it.
Q. What did you make of that?
ISAIAH BOND: It was funny. It was really funny. You see people true emotions when you see all the cameras around. When they seen that, they probably looked back at it and coaches probably had a whole talk with them as well.
But they’re definitely going to be ready to play us on the first though. We’re not worried about their reaction. They’ll be fired up to play us. And they going to give us their best shot. We’ll come out and give our best shot.
Q. I guess it’s human nature?
ISAIAH BOND: Yeah, most def, it’s human nature. You’re going to want, I’m not going to say the less likely team that you want to play. And you didn’t get that team, so that was their natural emotions coming up.
Q. What were your first thoughts when you heard the Link over the spring and summer, what did you do when you found out what it meant?
ISAIAH BOND: The Link, it was kind of like — it was actually after that South Florida game, and it was in Tampa, Jalen in town, it was like we all had a big talk. Actually the Texas game. Had a big talk, everybody in the locker room. It was like we’re going to live and die with this Link term.
Because, like I said earlier, I seen the type of team we had. That Texas loss, I knew everybody was going to judge us out there.
I knew the type of team we had. We didn’t play our best game on the field. I knew we left a lot on the table. I knew if we polished a lot of things we’ll be able to do get it done. You see why we’re here now.
Q. The things that happened with Michigan with the sign stealing scandal, did you do anything differently to approach this game?
ISAIAH BOND: Normally we change our signals, too. Like if we have a coach on coaching staff going to another school, we change a signal. Changing signals, this is another game for us, just gotta adjust to it. Add new plays regardless anyway. There’s always something to learn. It’s being a quick learner will help you adjust.
Q. Is film study at all different?
ISAIAH BOND: Film study is the same. It’s in a big team room with the receivers, just watching film. We still put the same amount of hours in. Still watching film.
Q. Does this bowl prep feel the same as it was in previous trips, or does it feel different being in the playoff against Michigan?
ISAIAH BOND: I mean, I could say it feels, honestly, the same. It’s the same thing we do every single week we’re about to face a new opponent. Watched film on them. It’s often the fact we can’t watch ourselves, but we still getting hours in.
Q. Do you get with Jalen and talk to him a little more this week just because you’re not able to have that more individual study, I guess, that you want?
ISAIAH BOND: Me and Jalen, we have a great relationship. We always talk. Obviously you want to have a great relationship with the quarterback and receiver. Us is talking every single day, just telling me — I told him I believe in him all the time. I believe in trust. You have to trust somebody. Not only will you trust them, but they’ll play better themselves because if you have no trust or confidence, if you’re not going to go out there, feel like yourself. So I think trust and confidence is a big thing on that field.
Q. How would you describe his path through this season?
ISAIAH BOND: I would describe his path as resilience. Could have been a lot of points in the season where a regular person could have showed different sides of themselves. He stayed the same leader, same passion about football. Went out there every single day still loving it. I will say I just show true respect for the way he handled the situation as well.
Q. You’re his most targeted receiver this year. Is that a product like the chemistry and trust, play calling, what led to all these opportunities?
ISAIAH BOND: Yes, definitely a product of chemistry and trust. I’ve gone to college and realized you’re going to practice how you play. So I go 100 percent in practice. When I go out in the game, it’s the same thing. We practice four, five days a week, and it’s only one game. I’ll probably say our practice is harder than the game. Get to the game, it’s like it’s another day out there, honestly.
Q. Part of that maturity element?
ISAIAH BOND: I wouldn’t say it’s a relief, but it’s kind of like a relief on game day because (inaudible) Saturday, just gotta go out and execute.
Q. Going back to what you were talking about you playing DB. Did you ever hear the stories of DeVonta Smith, how he cross-trained while he was at Alabama playing DB?
ISAIAH BOND: I did hear that. I’ve heard he was one of the best DBs in the room, even when he was at receiver. I think great receivers playing DB, I think that was — hopefully maybe one day, next season, I get on the defensive side of the ball too in practice. We’ll see.
Q. It’s obviously not a priority for you, but do you think you could be one of Alabama teammates if you were to make that switch?
ISAIAH BOND: Yes, definitely. I’m a great competitor. I feel like every time I’m on the field, I’m the best player on the field, no matter who is out there. Just me having that mindset and that training, it will be a byproduct of that.
Q. When you make a really famous play, do you feel an impulse to — Ringo at Georgia made a really famous play. He said this last year, “I don’t want that to be the only thing that people remember me for.” Do you feel that now that you’ve made a really famous play?
ISAIAH BOND: I know I made a very famous play at this point. The cheer factor, social media we have nowadays. Obviously I know everybody seen it. Like I said I’m the next guy, next type of play. I want people to remember me for more stuff (inaudible). But definitely now more moments to remember me by before I get done with my college career.
Q. What did that football look like as it came toward you?
ISAIAH BOND: It looked like money. Looked like money, for sure. When I seen it in the air I knew I was going to catch it even before…
Q. And like you didn’t have a single doubt? (Inaudible)?
ISAIAH BOND: I knew I was going to catch it.
Q. No questions?
ISAIAH BOND: No question.
Q. Did it look big? The ball, did it look big?
ISAIAH BOND: Looked regular size. It was in the air. I was saying God blessed me with some good eyeballs. Seen the ball, I seen where it was tracking. I knew where I had to get on the field, kind of set him up, step back on him. Seen it.
Q. Looked green as it went through the air.
ISAIAH BOND: Yeah, great throw.
Q. So when it hit your hands, you felt it. Did it hurt?
ISAIAH BOND: No, it was a regular catch.
TYLER BOOKER
Q. What is your best Terrion story?
TYLER BOOKER: Oh, my gosh. Right before USF, we’re all in the training room getting a little bit of treatment. I forget who is the primary returner at the time, Kendrick. He said, Man, I’m going to go back there and I’m going to take it back. I’m like, Yeah, right. Terrion take it back during USF. He made a few like that this year. After he did that the first time, Let’s see him doing it again.
He’s been a great player, role model in his position room, great role model for everybody on the team as well. Proud of the way he’s been performing.
Q. Did he find you after that?
TYLER BOOKER: I found him after that. Actually got called back. That was the worst part. He still did it.
Terrion, you told me. I told you, I told you. He was really hyped up about it.
Q. Favorite Isaiah Bond story.
TYLER BOOKER: Fourth and 31. I don’t think there’s a better Isaiah story. You know what I mean?
Q. How do you think this offense has evolved over the course of the year?
TYLER BOOKER: We’ve grown so much, done a lot better executing. What I mean by that is trusting Coach Rees’ play calls. I’m not saying we didn’t trust them earlier on, but really fully buying in. Once we did that, we run the ball, pass the ball, run the ball. It became more balanced. Really keeps the defense on their toes.
Then we have a quarterback like Jalen that is a third threat. Hard to account for everybody.
Q. How have you seen Coach Rees evolve?
TYLER BOOKER: He’s grown so much. I feel like it was just going to take its own process. If you look at us, we have a whole bunch of new starters, new coordinator. Of course, there are going to be growing pains. I’m glad we got over them pretty quick.
We built another level of comfortability with one another. We all really mesh and grew. Coach Rees found what we like to do as an offensive line earlier on in the game. He’s finding tendencies. He’s doing his best to break tendencies so the defense can’t tee off on us.
He’s really smart. He’s perfect for the job.
Q. In terms of adversity you had to get through this season, was the low point the Texas loss, the USF game?
TYLER BOOKER: Probably USF game. We don’t want to disrespect one opponent. We don’t want to take an opponent lightly. I feel like we did that going into that game. After that game, everybody looked at themselves individually, How do we want this season to end? There’s only up from here. We were at the bottom. How are we going to rise? What are we going to do in order to rise, to get to where we want to get to?
Q. As an offensive starter, how much were you aware of who is going to start, what you’re seeing in practice? How much in the know were you?
TYLER BOOKER: We’re not really in the know for any of that. You know what I mean? Our job is to dominate our box, what we’re supposed to do. All that is Coach Saban’s decision. Our job is to dominate our box, but at the same time support whoever is back there, give them their full support like we got you, let’s go ball, let’s go win.
Q. Kadyn Proctor, did he have a light bulb moment at any point when he started playing a lot better?
TYLER BOOKER: I’m not sure if it was a light bulb moment. I think it was gradual success, him gradually getting better, him being committed to getting better week by week.
I feel like the bye week was crucial for him. We were able to slow a lot of things down for him, go into depth on technique, what he needs to do in order to become the player he is today and continue to get better.
I feel like his approach taking it one week at a time, one day at a time, is what allow him to have so much success late in the season.
Q. What was the big technical point he had to change?
TYLER BOOKER: I don’t think it was one big technical point. It was just really him focusing on technique and being consistent with it.
Day in and day out during practice, some plays, he’s gotten a lot more consistent. I’m very proud of him for that. See how he progresses his career. The sky’s the limit for him. He has all the physical intangibles. Great guy. Really smart. It just takes time. Some things take time.
Q. Adding headsets and tablets on the sideline, how do you think that will affect communication?
TYLER BOOKER: I think it will help a lot. You know what I mean? I was kind of surprised when I got to Alabama that we didn’t have iPads because we had ’em in high school when I was at IMG. Being able to watch the players on the sideline was so beneficial for us even as a high school team being able to break down what we’re seeing. When he’s in this alignment, expect this. I feel like that will be a great advantage for everybody.
Q. You had big TVs on the sideline in high school?
TYLER BOOKER: No, we just had the iPads. Each position group had the iPads.
Q. Did you have to relearn some things in college?
TYLER BOOKER: It’s not that I had to relearn things, it’s I had to have a lot better play recall. Also somebody on the sideline taking notes of which play was which on the sideline, as well.
Q. How much of a priority was that for you guys this year, to reset the standard?
TYLER BOOKER: It was a big priority this year because we knew people counted us out after losing Bryce, Will, Jahmyr, people really were like, Oh, my gosh, what is this Alabama team going to look like? They already counted us out before the Texas loss and the USF game.
Now being back to where we are, we just got to finish that job of proving that we’re the standard. Have to do everything in our power to win this week, focus on that.
Being the standard, it really means a lot because that’s why I came to Alabama, for the standard. To hear somebody challenge that on national TV, you’re going to take that personally as a competitor. To go out and win that Georgia game, it meant a lot for me, but everybody in the program as well.
Q. You reestablished Alabama as the standard?
TYLER BOOKER: For sure. We have to continue to prove that, live up to that this Monday. We’re going to do that by playing Alabama football.
Q. How do you try to balance not letting external factors impact you, but using that as motivation?
TYLER BOOKER: Usually have to find a good balance between it all. You have to find what is going to motivate you, what is going to distract you. You know what I mean?
I saw that during the national championship last year when I was sitting at home, had a lot of time to reflect, to look at external factors when I was sitting at home not playing. Just remembering that, let that drive me. It’s all about how you process and channel what you let come to you.
Q. You’re at home watching, David saying that right next to Coach Saban’s face. How did you react?
TYLER BOOKER: Okay, we’ll see (laughter). I think as a team we definitely came out and performed and showed that we are the standard during the SEC championship. You know what I mean? Georgia is a great football team. One of the best in the nation. In order for us to beat them essentially at home, how far from Athens, hour and a half, essentially at home, meant a lot.
Q. During the season are you going on Twitter to look at that stuff?
TYLER BOOKER: No. I’m trying to not. I’m on Instagram and TikTok because it is funny stuff to get away from it. When that stuff does pop up, you see it, but it’s knowing about how to filter it out, what are you going to let take up your mental space.
I believe as people, you have only so much to give your energy to. Like, am I really going to give this my energy or scroll and keep having a good time on TikTok.
Q. Jalen, the tattoo that says Angel, is that new?
TYLER BOOKER: I believe so. I haven’t asked him about it. I saw it. Jalen is flooded with tattoos. It’s kind of hard to keep up.
Q. This week or…
TYLER BOOKER: I couldn’t tell you.
Q. It just appeared?
TYLER BOOKER: Yeah.
Q. What about the relationship you built with JC?
TYLER BOOKER: Building a relationship with JC was a very crucial point in my life. JC is a brother of mine. My parents consider him a son. That’s how close we are.
I was going through the IMG. It looks pretty good on the outside, but it’s a pretty tough place to be. It’s the Alabama of high school football. I say that because there’s not much to do around there. You just really have to be built different in order to sustain and be away from your family, really just grow up in order to be a college student at 14, 15 years old. That’s major.
Me and JC having that in common, seeing he came to Alabama and how much he matured, that was another reason of mine coming to ‘Bama. Even on the offensive line now, we were brought up with some of the same core values of offensive line play and how football players are supposed to play, how the game of football is supposed to be played. Having that in common with him, that’s just crucial to the relationship that we have. Also being leaders on this team. I’m very blessed to be playing with my brother.
Q. Was the personality click instant?
TYLER BOOKER: It was instant. As soon as I got there, me and JC, we were always together. You know what I mean? To be able to play with him now… It’s really three of us, me, JC and Greg Crippen, offensive lineman for Michigan.
Man, it’s a dream come true. I remember running sprints before practice just to get better. It’s really great that we’ve all made it here. I’m really excited to see Greg on Monday, but most importantly I’m excited to ball out with JC and his game.
Q. Trash talk this week?
TYLER BOOKER: No. Greg and I were roommates actually. It’s a mutual respect.
Q. And JC blocking for you?
TYLER BOOKER: JC Latham is the worst fullback of all time. I’ll send you guys the clip. We were playing in Ravenwood, Tennessee. This is a funny story. We were playing in Tennessee. (Indiscernible) was the formation. It was just inside going to the right. All JC have to do is block somebody. He where I was. The person he was supposed to block is junior college. Funny that you bring that up.
J.J. handed me the ball. J.J. was the quarterback. That’s a funny little story for you guys to talk about.
Q. Did junior get you?
TYLER BOOKER: Yeah, because JC whiffed.
Q. Do you maintain a relationship with J.J.?
TYLER BOOKER: We talk every now and then. I talked to him briefly when the Playoff was announced. Let’s go compete, let’s go ball out. We kind of left it at that.
Very excited to see him after the game.
Q. What do you remember about him from his time at IMG?
TYLER BOOKER: He’s the ultimate leader. He’s one of my favorite teammates of all time. He really taught me how to lead. There was one game where I was all hyped up, rah-rah. I ended up cramping because I was so hyped up.
He was like, Book, you can be like that, but you also have to balance it out, level it out.
Learning how to do that, learning how to balance and control my emotions, I kind of learned that from him. That’s a life lesson from him. I’ve taught that to other people as well.
Having him in my life was very important. Grateful to have the time with him I did at IMG.
Q. Is there a funny story about J.J.?
TYLER BOOKER: One day when we got out of practice during fall camp. I remember J.J. dancing. He was dancing. I forgot how it even started. We always had a great time with J.J. Being on the IMG team, it was a whole lot of fun.
Q. Is he a good dancer?
TYLER BOOKER: It was pretty funny.
Q. Funny doesn’t mean good.
TYLER BOOKER: (Laughter).
Q. Are you guys enjoying you get a little bit of a different experience, didn’t go to the Sugar Bowl, being in an historic game like this?
TYLER BOOKER: It’s a very historic game. A blessing to be able to play in the Rose Bowl. My dad is a college football fanatic. He always dreamed of me playing in the Rose Bowl. So to be able to live this dream with him is very great.
One thing, something else I’m grateful for is that I don’t have to drive out here. I saw the gas prices. That’s insane. 4.39.
Q. 5 some places.
TYLER BOOKER: Traffic is bad. Oh, my God. I’m having a great time here, but I have a newfound appreciation for Tuscaloosa (laughter).
Q. Chase was saying there’s fewer eruptions from Coach Saban this year. He listens more to players. Is he a different coach than he was when you first got here?
TYLER BOOKER: He’s been the same since I’ve been here. You have to ask one of the older players. You have to ask them because this is the only Coach Saban I’ve known.
He’s still Coach Saban. He’ll still turn up on you, but probably not as much as the old days.
Q. What do you feel like has softened him?
TYLER BOOKER: I don’t feel like it’s softening him. I feel like he’s becoming wiser in a sense and finding different ways to communicate with players because as time goes on, people change. There’s not a lot of those old school ‘Bama players that eat dirt, chew glass (laughter). Not a lot of us left around.
He just has to learn how to communicate with people differently. I feel like he’s done a great job of evolving as a coach. I don’t see him getting soft, I see it as him growing and finding different ways to communicate with him.
Q. What is a favorite story the older players told you of how it was back then?
TYLER BOOKER: That’s family business right there (laughter).
Q. Aside from the personal connection, what did you think when you found out you were playing Michigan?
TYLER BOOKER: I was very excited because I knew what kind of defense Michigan had. You know what I mean? Statistically they’re the number one defense in the nation. They present a lot of exotic blitzes on third down. Most importantly, they have a great defensive front. Top to bottom, they’re very technically sound, athletically gifted and move really well. It’s going to be a challenge for us. We’re excited to go towards it.
Q. Is that a motivation, number one defense?
TYLER BOOKER: Definitely, it’s motivation just to go out and perform against them. It’s always great to get a gauge of where you are as an offense or who you really are as a team. You really get those gut checks, those heart checks when you play a team like Michigan.
That’s why you come to a school like Alabama, to play in these high-level games.
Q. Bigger isn’t always better. You are certainly bigger and often better than the other team. When you have a front five that’s as solid as you are, does that change how you play?
TYLER BOOKER: It doesn’t really change how we play. We still want to come out and have that same mindset. It’s not like we’re running the ball more because we can’t pass it.
I attribute that to our strength and conditioning staff because they’ve prepared us. We’ve gotten so much stronger in the off-season, put on so much muscle. That’s why the weight has gone up.
It’s great to go out there and ball and have all this new strength. Shout out to the strength and conditioning staff.
Q. Was that a focus that Coach Saban and the strength staff said we need to hit hard in the off-season?
TYLER BOOKER: I don’t think it was an emphasis that
Coach Saban put on it. I feel like it was an emphasis that we as an offensive line put on it. We have to be the biggest offensive line in the country. We did that by challenging with each other, competing with each other every day during summer workouts. Everything we did was a competition.
Q. Does Michigan’s defense remind you of anybody you played this season?
TYLER BOOKER: Not really. I don’t like to get into comparing one team to another because then you fall into the trap of, Michigan is going to do this, this team going to do this.
Like I said, they’re the number one defense in the nation for a reason. We have to go out, perform, not waste time comparing them to anybody else.
Q. What is one thing that really popped when you watched them?
TYLER BOOKER: How technically sound their defensive front is, all the blitzes they bring. They bring a lot of exotic blitzes. You have to stay on your toes, stay strict to your rules, communicate.
One of our offensive line plays is being able to communicate. The more you communicate, the better you’re able to pick up what they throw at you.
Q. (No microphone.)
TYLER BOOKER: It doesn’t change anything really. We just have to go to a different location to watch the film. We’re all still watching the film as we would before a game.
JC LATHAM
Q. When did you realize this kid might be pretty good?
JC LATHAM: He made a second visit to ‘Bama, I forget when. But seeing a guy with that mentality, just find his way home coming to ‘Bama, he came in the summer and then he made a second trip down here, and seeing that, I realized that, yeah, he had the potential to be really good. Because his mindset is this is what he want to be at, and his potential is limitless. Just being around guys like that, being in a system like this and being coached by Coach Saban would definitely propel his future forward.
Q. In terms of his physical skill set, have you seen his body evolve over the course of this first year?
JC LATHAM: I mean, yes and no. He came in as a physical specimen already. It was hard to evolve what was already top-notch but he’s definitely cut back on some fat and increased muscle mass. He’s definitely gotten stronger, more explosive, and yeah, he’s gotten bigger.
But he already came in a freak of nature.
Q. How do you think he’s improved in terms of his ability to handle speed rush?
JC LATHAM: Greatly. That was something he obviously struggled with the beginning part of the year and being consistent, being understanding of what he has to do to continuously get better and continue to try to strain through it, he’s definitely done a great job of that.
Q. What are things for him to get better at, like more muscle, but what has he do that’s helped him against faster guys?
JC LATHAM: He shadowed guys like me and Book just to understand the game, so we understand how to be successful and how to be great. And then on a consistent basis understanding that yeah, you can win, one, two, three reps but doesn’t matter if you get the quarterback sacked eventually. He understands that he has to be consistent and strained throughout practice.
So holding himself to a higher standard and being able to try to do better every single day is a way that he find to get better.
Q. A couple Michigan players were talking about how they feel you guys are favorites coming into the game regardless of the ranking. How do you guys have that mindset of how perception has changed over the last couple months?
JC LATHAM: I feel like we’ve been underdogs no matter who we play, whether it’s the regular season, conference championship playoffs, no matter who we play, guys always tend to favor the other team. Our success is short-lived, and people say that it was kind of a one-off, kind of a one-time thing.
So yeah, I mean, I find that to just be a little funny but I don’t think too many people are saying that we’re the favorites going in. I think no matter what we do against any team, we always say we are the underdog because of the team.
Q. They have a “Michigan Versus Everybody” rallying cry for their shirts. What can that do for a team to have that kind of one phrase?
JC LATHAM: It brings everybody together. You really sit down and look at the guys who are on the field, the coaches and the fans, and that’s really all you have. I mean, you know, a lot of other teams have a whole bunch of different communities supporting them, and you look at us and we just got each other. So just bringing all of us together to understand, like this is all we got and this is all we need, is what we’ve been saying all year long. That’s really what creates that bond that once you have that bond and that chemistry with your team, you become pretty hard to beat.
Q. Do you remember how Jalen and Terrion approached you guys with LANK? What was your reaction when you first heard that?
JC LATHAM: I remember he said in the spring. He said in the spring. At first I was like — he doesn’t say what it meant. I was like, what y’all talking about?
Then one of my teammates, Ferguson was saying, oh, LANK means this. I was like, okay, I can get behind that. I respect it. And especially coming from Terrion, I think he’s always had a pretty bright future. But for Jalen, a lot of guys kind of wrote him off especially after the A&M game and the situation that he was in with the quarterback brought up through the spring and the summer and then being benched, for him to have that motto and spread it through the team kind of means a lot. He never is a guy that you never hear him, oh, I don’t want to be here, oh, this and that. It’s LANK and he’s been saying that through all of the adversity he’s been saying, he’s been persistent. That definitely played a big part in like just the rally for the team.
Q. At what point do you think everyone was on board with it and knew what it was?
JC LATHAM: Everybody probably found out all at different times. So it just depends on — I found out in the spring. I know some guys didn’t find out until the summer. It wasn’t like he was going around telling. But when it came to the situation, he’s like, team, I’m good-on-good, he’ll be like, all right, LANK and guys will be around asking what it meant. It slowly but surely came around. When fall camp came and we had our Saturday scrimmages, that’s when everybody really started to understand what it really is, and we went into the season, everybody was on the same page.
Q. Were there a couple other ones that lost out?
JC LATHAM: Everybody was bought in. I mean, because it’s the motto that all naysayers know. So when you hear that, you can’t think, no, I don’t want to do that. This is Alabama. We all came to ‘Bama to prove we are the best and to be the best and chase that standard and raise the standard.
So that motto fits perfect to the ‘Bama standard, and we all here because we want to be in that standard so we all believe in the motto as well.
Q. Talking to Bobby from IMG about how you and Tyler, he was able to see your relationship grow from there. How has that been able to help you guys and
JC LATHAM: It meant a lot. Like I said, I’ve known him for seven years, since he was a freshman in high school and I was a sophomore and we played D-line at the time.
So just seeing the transition. He was one of the few guys to transition with me to O-line from D-line, and just seeing us grow exponentially from sophomore year all the way to now, a junior in college, just means a lot, when we going through the same things.
It wasn’t like he played O-line for two extra years and it wasn’t like I played for two extra years. We started off at level zero and we just climbed the starts and I kept trying to get better. We all faced the same adversity together and we all faced the same trials and tribulations. It’s been a great seven years.
Q. Have you enjoyed embracing the underdog role for Alabama? It’s a different role for you guys.
JC LATHAM: Yeah, just looking at my life when I was at Catholic Memorial before I went to IMG, my I appreciate man year, they had a really good team. I didn’t play sophomore year, although guys left, and underdog role again, we ended up winning state. I get to IMG and meet guys like Book.
And that year, Evan, Trey Sanders, Noah Cain, Smith, all those guys just left, so they are saying the same thing. IMG is not going to be good; they are going to be X, Y and Z, and my senior year, we ended up winning the National Championship Game.
It’s the same thing here. You get to Alabama game and you have guys like Anderson and Young and a whole bunch of other guys that are amazing players as well and they are saying the same thing, we are underdogs. I’ve been in this situation before and I know how to handle it before, and being in the situation with guys like Book as well, another leader on the team, we all know how to handle and be persistent and persevere through all the adversity that’s going on.
Q. What have the young guys been like? You had a couple early enrollees. How have you been breaking them in?
JC LATHAM: I mean, I let them get their feet wet a little bit so they can understand that’s what college is about.
You’re not really holding somebody’s hand. I definitely let them know I’m here for them whenever they need me to be here for them. When I see them stuck on something I try to help them out but when it comes to the developmental process of them doing it, I mean, the best teacher is experience. So sometimes you’ve got to let somebody just mess up for them to understand what they are really doing, so you can’t hold their hand through everything. But I definitely try to let them know, like I’m here for you and if they are struggling, I’ll walk them through how I did to get over that adversity when I was a young guy, too.
Q. Have you learned any of their names yet?
JC LATHAM: Yeah, Casey Poe — I just forgot — we only got three here right now. But I’m not that – Casey Poe and I can’t remember, I think — I want to say, Jonah or Joe. I can’t remember the third guy. But yeah, I’m terrible with names, yeah. That’s something I’ve got to work on. But all of those guys are pretty good guys, though.
Q. Talking about how you guys have to watch film as a team together, watching individually, what was that about?
JC LATHAM: Just understanding that we are just trying to increase the bond with one another. So I mean we all watch film together regardless but we are all locking in to make sure we understand the tendency and breaking down the scheme of what’s going on.
Q. It was explained to us it had something to do with Michigan’s tendency.
JC LATHAM: You just didn’t want to take no chances. Really big game. I think we all got a really great film staff, guys who make sure our film is pretty secure. We are just taking another precaution to make sure we are all good.
Q. An extra level of security?
JC LATHAM: Yeah, basically.
Q. Some people, you guys haven’t have it on your individual iPads?
JC LATHAM: Uh-huh.
Q. What’s the worry?
JC LATHAM: You just want to be in a situation that might cost you down the line.
Q. How has that affected you guys?
JC LATHAM: It has not at all. If anything it’s brought us together closer. Last night we got out of practice, I forget what time but guys wanted to go downtown and get some food and we all made sure we watched another game
before we left. We are all doing it together. We all watch film differently and in different ways, but if we are watching it at the same time, we go over, hey, I see this guy doing this, when they go here, they do this. So we are all on the same page now. So if anything, it’s bringing us closer together.
Q. Is there a game you’ve watched so far that you’ve played in that you think might be most comparable to what you’re going to see with Michigan?
JC LATHAM: No, I think Michigan has an amazing defense. I think they fly around to the ball. I think they are really physical. I think teams that we play has a little bit of that. A lot of teams in the SEC, almost every team in the SEC is physical no matter how good you are or how bad you are, they are all physical. But just seeing the way that Michigan makes plays, it’s the reason why they are No. 1. So yeah, if we play a team like that, it doesn’t really hold value to the No. 1 ranking.
Q. A lot has been made on Michigan’s side, the goal to contain Jalen Milroe. Every time you are asked about what he’s able to do, they say we want to get to him and make sure he can’t get out of the pocket. How do you break him free and get out?
JC LATHAM: That’s not really something that we can really do. We just have to get him time in the pocket to protect and keep the lanes open, take advantage of gap integrity when they get outside of their gaps and let Jalen make the plays.
Q. When things weren’t clicking so well for the offense early in the season, those couple games, what mental toughness it you see from Coach Rees?
JC LATHAM: Extremely. He held himself accountable before anybody else. He told everyone it’s his fault and he should do better and we as a player can rally behind somebody like that. We all know we can do better as well. When you watch the film intricately, you understand the things that we were messing up on wasn’t like just like bad play calling. Like it will be open or the holes will be there but the one guy missed the block. I might miss a block or the receiver might run the route a little too deep or a little too shallow or whatever it may be. We all can find areas to improve in our game. Once we figured out how to do that, that’s when the offense started clicking.
Q. Did you see him change his approach during that time?
JC LATHAM: To a certain way. He just kind of put a little collection of plays to where, you know, he showed us like, say, Texas, for example, when we scored with Amare on the 40-yard touchdown and we got the holding call.
Like, I mean, it looks like we didn’t score at all at the end of the game. Looks like we didn’t put no points up but you look back at that, we had a holding call for a big play; that was a touchdown.
I remember we played Ole Miss and we had counter and I was supposed to get the backer and the backer slipped under me and I never got slipped under, it’s usually over the top. So he slipped under and he ended up making the play. You look at film it looks like, oh, it was a bad play call but I messed up on the play. Had I would have got that guy, the next closest guy was 20 yards down the field and I like to take out running back in a situation like that.
But I should have made that play and I didn’t, so he just showed us, like, hey, we are one guy away from these plays turning into explosive plays. And once we started doing that, yeah, it went from, yeah, we got the explosive plays now, and let’s put it together for 60 minutes. That’s been our motto all year just being persistent and going through it.
Q. How has watching or not watching certain film changed your preparation and prepare you for potential sign stealing from Michigan?
JC LATHAM: We watch them on the film same amount, same situations. We all do it together, so it’s not really — we can’t watch this. We watch it together.
Q. You said the coaches don’t want you watching stuff by yourselves then?
JC LATHAM: Yeah, we just don’t do that. But I mean, whatever it is that we are watching, whether it’s like situational or just games, we just do it together instead of on our own.
Q. What was it like in September, October, when you guys were getting criticized and doubted in a way that Alabama teams typically don’t?
JC LATHAM: I mean, it was different obviously. We knew we would face that eventually with the loss of so many guys if we weren’t playing up to the standard. I mean, Alabama has a standard, National Championship or bust. At that time, guys couldn’t see us making it to this point right now.
So yeah, that was a pretty big deal. But I mean, like I said, it was all of us together. It was a community of us who rallied together and told each other what we needed to do to be better. We weren’t focused on the outside noise. You can’t win a National Championship in week two. So we were not focused on the necessity end result after that loss. We were mainly focused on how we can get better. It showed us in what areas how we can get better. Saban said it was a test and we passed in some areas but we failed in more, which is why we lost the game.
Q. You said you can’t win it in week two but you can lose it in some ways. When you look back on the season, how many kind of close games and situations you guys got out of, and to put on the performance you had against Georgia, why did it look so different?
JC LATHAM: Like I was just saying earlier, when it came down to the offensive side, defense, I tip my hat to. They played amazing all year. I think that’s one of the best defenses in the country.
As far as an offensive standpoint goes earlier, like I said with Rees, he took accountability and he showed us the areas; the play that I missed against Ole Miss. He showed us like, hey, we start making these plays, our offense becomes very dangerous. It wasn’t like a bad play call where we are running into where and they are unblocked, whatever the case may be. We are just one guy away from making that play.
As an offense, you’ve got to have 11 guys doing the right thing, because if one guy does something wrong, case in point, that play, the play won’t work.
It wasn’t like we just randomly flipped the switch. We just all had to buy in and worry about doing our job and doing it at a high level consistently.
Q. How has the NIL program at Alabama changed in your three years?
JC LATHAM: I think it changed — I mean, I really can’t say changed necessarily because when I got there, it started. But I mean, Saban definitely looks to help guys make — or take advantage of the opportunity at hand. A lot of us play for our families and a lot of us try to just be allowed to really just help our families out financially. So Saban is not one to say no to that. He definitely wants us to — I mean, we are all in college. We are all young. He wants us to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor that we worked so hard and help our families and benefit our families through NIL. It definitely became more of just another branch at Alabama that looks to help everybody out.
Q. How much of an emphasis was there to guard your practice play stuff? Von said you were not allowed to take your tablets home.
JC LATHAM: Yeah, just taking extra precaution to make sure that we are all good. We still watch film as a group together. We do it before we do anything that we want to do, like prioritize, like I said before, we go out and get some food, we make sure we get some film in. It’s just a different way to watch film. It’s like not necessarily we can’t watch at home.
Q. How much did you normally watch at home? How much did it change it up?
JC LATHAM: So I knew, if anything, I watch it more intricately now because I know I can’t later. But at home, I would just, you know, if I’m chilling on my game or if I’m getting some recovery in, I pop on some film and do 30 minutes at a time, 45 minutes at a time, whatever it might be, when I wake up or before I start school or before I eat breakfast or while I’m eating breakfast, watch some film. Changed the way I watch it but I definitely watch it more in-depth now because I can’t watch it at home.
Q. You’re doing it for a reason, is there frustration that Michigan made you?
JC LATHAM: No, I control my emotions. So whatever the coaches say that we have to do, we’ll do it and we’ll get the job done.
Q. Did the coaches explicitly say because of sign stealing?
JC LATHAM: No, they just told us we want to take an extra precaution.
Q. When the whole thing broke in October — did you have to pay attention —
JC LATHAM: It was probably front page of a lot of — on different social media outlets, but we were really just focused on ourselves, so we weren’t really paying attention to it.
Q. Do you have an opinion on the scandal?
JC LATHAM: No. I mean, I play football.
JASE McCLELLAN
JASE McCLELLAN: I feel great with this time together, just get ready, get some time and just get back ready. So I feel good.
I have a foot injury, banged up. Gave us some time off.
Q. (No microphone.)
JASE McCLELLAN: There was no way. I was trying not to miss the SEC championship game. They told me it was the best idea just to miss it.
Q. How hard was it not playing in that game?
JASE McCLELLAN: It was hard seeing my team out there, watching my team out there without me. Not being able to play with them, that was hard.
Q. (No microphone.)
JASE McCLELLAN: That was a great feeling. That’s what we harp on in our running back room, have the next-man-up mentality, no dropoff, next person goes in.
Q. Michigan was one of the top ranked run defenses. What have you seen from them on tape? What makes them so difficult?
JASE McCLELLAN: We talked about that. That’s a great challenge for us, running the football. Those guys move up front, move around, they swim, loop a lot. The linebackers come in and plug a lot. That’s going to be a great challenge for us.
Q. Coming off a foot injury, is it good for you that this game is on grass instead of turf or…
JASE McCLELLAN: Either way you want to see it. With grass, it’s kind of slippery. With turf, you can play better.
Q. Do you feel 100%?
JASE McCLELLAN: I feel 100%. Still getting time, so a couple more days to game time. It’s even better.
Q. What did you feel when you got back on the field?
JASE McCLELLAN: I was getting used to playing with the pain. I’m still working with that.
Q. What are your thoughts on possibly introducing the headsets on the sidelines in college football?
JASE McCLELLAN: I think it would be a great idea just for us to get a visual of what we seen. Last play, some guys can’t remember what happened last play. Kind of a great idea for it.
Q. What are some of the other challenges in communication?
JASE McCLELLAN: When we come to the sideline, coach ask us from what we remember a couple plays back in the drive. Just to pull it up on a tablet, that would be a great idea.
Q. Michigan has been in the national headlines for good and bad reasons this year. The sign stealing scandal, is that something you thought about going into this game at all?
JASE McCLELLAN: I don’t know how to answer. Not as players, but probably coaches have thought about it. Probably change stuff around, field marks, yeah.
Q. Do you feel healthier aside from the foot, having the break, getting a month off basically?
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, a month off for us changed the way we practiced. Kind of no contact. Good for us just to get a rest for our body, a break.
Q. You feel more refreshed?
JASE McCLELLAN: Kind of like a reset.
Q. How hard is it to get back in rhythm after time off?
JASE McCLELLAN: I wouldn’t say it was kind of hard. It’s just what we do, play football. Alabama, we focus on that. Focus on staying where we at.
Q. How do you think your offensive line has progressed this year?
JASE McCLELLAN: I think it’s been great progression. Couple young guys on the offensive line, especially freshmen, Kadyn. Just seeing his development and seeing them as a whole. It was great for them.
Q. The size of the offensive line, as a running back, is playing behind people that big, is that useful for you?
JASE McCLELLAN: It is very useful. Big guys take up more than one person, just creating holes, moving people. That’s great for them.
Q. On a personal level, it’s the Rose Bowl, a lot of history. Has being able to be a part of that…
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, it’s been something to think about. Rose Bowl one of the first great games. Just taking part in history. We can create history in this game. It’s great.
Q. When you watch Michigan’s running backs, what do you see?
JASE McCLELLAN: I see same thing we harp on in our running back room: toughness, physicalness. Those guys push downhill, shift, making space moves. Something we seen.
Q. Do you have a favorite Terrion story?
JASE McCLELLAN: Man, Terrion got a story every day. Yeah, team comedian. He got a story every day.
Q. Team comedian?
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, team comedian. He has a story every day, something he did. I ain’t got a favorite one, but all of ’em funny.
Q. Do you have an example of him being funny, though?
JASE McCLELLAN: Let’s see. Yesterday what did he do? Like Monday, we had a walk-through practice. He blogging on his camera. He came in, said something. He said something. Like, (Indiscernible) go against the defense. It was funny, man. Just be in the moment, pretty funny.
Q. He’s got like his phone, holding it up blogging?
JASE McCLELLAN: His own personal camera down here.
Q. He’s been bringing it everywhere?
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, he been bringing it every day.
Q. Your foot, how is it feeling?
JASE McCLELLAN: It’s feeling great with the time we had off, the treatment. It feels great.
Q. Do you feel 100%?
JASE McCLELLAN: I feel close to 100%.
Q. What is it going to take for you guys to be consistent, make sure that you can leave those bad plays behind?
JASE McCLELLAN: Focus and attention to detail. Remember why we’re running some plays, what everybody’s job is on each play. That’s going to build consistency.
Q. Any changes with the film routine this week with your iPads?
JASE McCLELLAN: Those guys upstairs, we got to watch film like a whole running back room. Something we adjusted to.
Q. What was behind that?
JASE McCLELLAN: Just what Michigan known for, what they have out there, just with the play call stealing.
Q. Is it an adjustment to change the way you have to do things?
JASE McCLELLAN: Not a real adjustment. We still watch film.
Q. (Question about the slogan.)
JASE McCLELLAN: No, just the meaning behind it, just building us as a brotherhood, closing our bond. Everybody just taking part in the meaning behind it, just keeping it going.
Q. Do you know what your reaction was when you first heard it?
JASE McCLELLAN: It was back in the summer, first said it. What you mean? Keep saying it. Then he finally told us, like, what it meant behind, the definition. Keep it around.
Q. How are you guys preparing differently because of the Michigan sign stealing scandal that came out this year?
JASE McCLELLAN: Only preparation we changed doing that is just film. Had to change up how we shared it. That’s probably a change.
Q. How you guys shared it amongst each other?
JASE McCLELLAN: Shared amongst each other, how we watch it.
Q. How different is that compared to what you usually do?
JASE McCLELLAN: It’s not much different. It’s just that we don’t get straight to our iPads, the practice film straight to our iPads. Only the coaches get it.
Q. Did you ever see the video when Michigan found out they were playing you guys? Did you ever see that video from their party?
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, the watch party. I’ve seen the video.
Q. Did you have any reaction to that? They seemed surprised.
JASE McCLELLAN: Everybody was surprised that we got in.
Q. From other teams’ perspective, do you think seeing that A up there is a little intimidating, people don’t want to play you guys right now?
JASE McCLELLAN: I think probably know it’s going to be a challenge to play us, the team we are, we’re known for. Probably that.
Q. What has it been like this year to be on an Alabama team that has been doubted? Not typical.
JASE McCLELLAN: It’s been a challenge for us. Just starting from the beginning week two, week three, everybody hung us out after that loss. But we all had our
backs, knew what we had to do, bought into the process to get where we are today.
Q. Did you guys deserve some of that criticism or…
JASE McCLELLAN: I believe it was still early. I believe all the criticism we got, it was just ’cause of what we did in that game. So if they feel like we deserved it, what we did now…
Q. We’ve reached a point now where you guys probably don’t remember Reggie Bush… What’s the first Rose Bowl that comes to mind that you remember?
JASE McCLELLAN: First Rose Bowl, I can kind of remember being the first one I played was when T.C. played.
Q. 2010, Wisconsin.
JASE McCLELLAN: T.C. played. That’s probably the memory. I had some family.
Q. Weird transition where there’s the bowls, four-team Playoff, but next year it will be 12 teams. That will be the post-season. Are you looking forward to the expanded Playoff?
JASE McCLELLAN: I think it will be a great adventure into it. Make sure that the best teams have an opportunity to play for the championship. Kind of the thing we had going on this year, people getting left out. Just showing everybody who really deserves it.
Q. When the matchup was unveiled, what did you think about Michigan? Did you know much about them?
JASE McCLELLAN: I was thinking just basically thinking about the matchup. They’re known for their defense. Harped on them being physical, solid up front. Just thinking about that. What is our challenge going to be as a running back. Just thinking about that, yeah.
Q. What have you learned about the defense as you’ve watched them?
JASE McCLELLAN: I’ve seen those guys on film, see that they move a lot up front. Linebackers are solid and firm. They plug gaps, come in hard. Just seeing that all around as a running back, I see it’s going to be a challenge for us. They lead the nation in yards.
Q. When it comes to their size up front, is there an SEC defense you can compare that to?
JASE McCLELLAN: I would say similar size, compare to Tennessee, A&M.
Q. (No microphone.)
JASE McCLELLAN: Basically seeing him, like, get vision as a runner, true vision. Those plays we call for him, actually seeing where to go with the ball, following the blockers. As a running back, too, seeing him running the ball, open up the plays for us. Great to see that.
Q. What kind of challenge does he present to the opposing defense?
JASE McCLELLAN: Trying to contain him… If you lose an extra play, just try to stop him from running. When you drop that extra play, it opens up lanes for him. That’s a challenge.
Q. Has he become more patient as a passer over the course of the year?
JASE McCLELLAN: I feel like that’s something they worked on in the quarterback room, just him going through his progressions. Something we harped on. Especially with running backs…
Q. The sign stealing stuff from Michigan, how much of that did you pay attention to?
JASE McCLELLAN: It’s something guys upstairs, coaches and stuff, took care of. We didn’t really very much worry about it.
Q. Has it changed your prep at all for the game?
JASE McCLELLAN: Not too much. Just changed the way we see film. The players don’t get film for practice. That’s the only thing.
Q. How is this week different?
JASE McCLELLAN: We watched film as a whole, all the running backs watched film together. We don’t get it individually. Just send it to one computer.
Q. Typically you get it on your iPad?
JASE McCLELLAN: Typically we get it individually. Not this week.
Q. (Question about the sign stealing.)
JASE McCLELLAN: They didn’t so much explain. We just adjusted to it.
Q. You haven’t done that at all this year?
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, kind of first time.
Q. Has it changed for you at all? Instead of looking at it individually, you have to look at it as a group? Does that change your prep at all?
JASE McCLELLAN: We do it daily on our own team. We just come all together and watch.
Q. Disadvantage not to have the freedom to do it on your own?
JASE McCLELLAN: I don’t see it as a disadvantage. Most weeks we watch film, yeah.
Q. Has it increased the time you watch film together?
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, we spend more time watching film together, so…
Q. Coach Saban is old enough to be a grandpa. Seems to connect to players. How?
JASE McCLELLAN: Coach Saban, he’s still in his youth a little bit. He jokes and stuff. His connection with us. I feel like he’s truly trying to connect with us, just being our team, listening to us more, just seeing what we feel like. He actually, like, listens. He tells us stuff, then he listens what we want from him, what we want to see.
Q. When you first got here, it was more it’s going to be my way?
JASE McCLELLAN: More like the guys in the leadership taking his word and giving it to the team. He was the true message. This year it’s kind of equal.
Q. Spread the message as opposed to contribute to the message?
JASE McCLELLAN: Pretty much.
Q. People talked about how he has an ability to adapt.
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah.
Q. Anything else that showed the ability to grow or evolve?
JASE McCLELLAN: I would say, like, ability to grow from him, from Coach Saban?
Q. Yes.
JASE McCLELLAN: Probably like his coaching style. People who know him, seeing the video clips of him being tense in practice pretty much. He hasn’t been kind of like that this year. Been falling back on that part, his progression.
Q. Was it a surprise to see him a little bit more mellow?
JASE McCLELLAN: Yeah, it was pretty much a surprise. When I first got here, he was like almost every day aggressive Coach Saban, seeing that.
Q. What is the impact on players to have him a little bit looser?
JASE McCLELLAN: Probably he says this all the time, They don’t make ’em like they used to. That’s probably what he meant by that.
JALEN MILROE
Q. Coach Saban is old enough to be your grandfather; how does he do it at your age? Do you feel kinship with him?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, it’s funny, since the time I stepped foot on campus, he’s been the same person every single day, the same person since I’ve been here.
I don’t know what it is. I think some secret formula that he built up to allowed him to be the person that he is to this day. I don’t know what that secret formula is, but he’s something different, and he’s separated himself from other coaches, for sure.
Q. Mack Brown of North Carolina, saw tape of him dancing with his players. Could you imagine Coach Saban doing that? Have you tried to drag him into the locker room after a victory?
JALEN MILROE: Since I’ve been here I have not seen him like that excited after no win at all. Like he just like — I don’t know, we’ll have a good win, I’m talking about we’re excited after the game, we’re happy. We get to the locker room, he’s just like ready to leave.
I’m like, man, we just won. You know what it took to win? He’s a unique guy. But that’s what makes Coach Saban.
Q. He said he had some moves after the SEC Championship game. Do you remember what those were?
JALEN MILROE: He did? I missed it.
Q. He said he did a little dance but he didn’t tell us what it was.
JALEN MILROE: Man, I should have videotaped it. I missed it.
Q. The student manager for the quarterbacks, from our area, what kind of guy is he and what does he mean to you?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, no doubt. I think the biggest thing we’ve got to do is appreciate everyone within the building, and that’s someone I do appreciate, because for our team, everyone matters. We’re a team.
That goes for everyone a part of our staff, equipment, our football staff, medical staff. Everyone is important because it takes a village to be successful.
I’m appreciative of him.
Q. Did you see the video of Michigan finding out that they were playing you guys?
JALEN MILROE: No, I didn’t see it.
Q. They were surprised. It seemed like they thought they were going to be playing Florida State. Do you think you guys still have some intimidation factor over teams that don’t play you regularly?
JALEN MILROE: A hundred percent. This A means a lot to people. We take a lot of pride in wearing the A.
What it comes to opponents, it’s a hard task to beat down Alabama. It’s a credit to Coach Saban, how well he coaches, the supporting cast he has with his coaching staff and his medical staff and everyone that’s all a part of it, his recruiting staff, as well.
It’s a lot of contributing factors that allow a team to be successful, and then when it comes to playing another opponent, like I said, it’s a hard task to take down Alabama, so it definitely is intimidating.
Q. When you found out you were playing Michigan, what went through your mind?
JALEN MILROE: Really when I first found out, it didn’t really click for me because I was trying to figure out some things I needed to improve from the Georgia game and being where my feet are, because at the end of the day we didn’t play them until January 1st.
So it was all about cleaning up some little details, and then we had a lot of time to improve. That was a big time for me to improve fundamentals, reads, little things like that. I took it as a time to look in the mirror and try to be the best leader I can be and also physically be better for my team.
Q. What have you learned about Michigan?
JALEN MILROE: They’re a physical team, play really hard, have a veteran group that play well together because they have great chemistry. There’s a reason why they’re undefeated. They force a lot of turnovers. They play disciplined. They’re fast to the football.
They have a lot of components to them that makes them successful, and statistically you see that, and it’s evident when you put on the tape.
Q. I wanted to learn more about how your role has maybe expanded, grown at Alabama. When you were getting recruited, was it different than what you eventually came into with the offense this year?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, prior to coming to college, I wanted to be an SEC quarterback. I wanted to start in the SEC. I wanted to be the best version of myself once I touched foot on campus, and it’s been a journey to be where I’m at today.
But to speak about your question, I try to do all that’s asked of me. Playing quarterback here at Alabama. Alabama was the best fit for me when it came to choosing the right school.
But there’s not a certain type of play I try to play, whether it’s running, throwing. I try to do all that’s asked of me when it comes to game planning because I talked about it before, in the off-season I do zero running. All I do is throw the ball. That’s something that I train to do.
It’s a credit to my dad, the work we’ve done growing up, and it got me honestly to where I’m at today because it was all about beating on your craft and sacrificing things now at the time when I was younger to be where I’m at in my future, which is right now.
Q. How has your relationship with Coach Rees evolved from the beginning of the year until now?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, this is the first time I had an OC that played the position, that played the quarterback position. I see quarterback in the lens of him as a play caller.
I think I’m very receptive of his coaching because he played the position, played at a high level at Notre Dame, and now that he’s coaching. He’s able to coach the position, and I’m able to absorb it as much as possible. It’s been great. It’s been great having Coach Rees here.
Honestly I’m trying to build as much as possible and be the best quarterback I can be.
Q. Is there anything you’ve noticed Michigan does to cause turnovers?
JALEN MILROE: Got to start up front. Up front they have really good defensive line, good edge rushers on the outside. Their interior D-line play really hard, physical. They do a lot of stunts, do a lot of picks up front, which is something that we’re trying to prepare as much as possible for that circumstance because they do a really good job forcing pressure on the quarterback, making him throw the ball and affect him as much as possible.
That is something we have to prepare for, and they’re really good at it.
Q. Where do you feel like you’ve improved personally from week one of the season?
JALEN MILROE: I think the biggest thing was embracing hard. For a quarterback to strive in the SEC and to play at an elite level you have to hard, because there are a lot of uncertainties while you play the position, and with that, you have to have the right proper mindset.
So I think that’s the biggest thing is having the right mental to approach the games, approach the week, and approach everything that goes on with being a starting quarterback, especially in the SEC.
I think that’s the biggest thing, trying to learn as much as possible.
Q. Coming off the Texas loss being told you weren’t going to play, how did you approach that week and get back on the horse when you were reinstated to starter the next week?
JALEN MILROE: God makes no mistakes. Biggest thing for me is follow through with God’s plan and lean on him, not on my own understanding. That is something that I truly took to heart, and I have a great support system around me that will lift me through anything.
During that situation it was big for me to lean on my Lord and Savior and also my family, and that was something that got me through that situation.
But also I took it as a learning moment, looked in the mirror, figured out some things I need to improve on. At the end of the day it’s all about being the right teammate, being the best teammate I can be.
I lean on the family acronym Forget About Me, I Love You. That was critical when I went into that week. No matter who was in, I prepared the same way, but at the end of the day, when it was an opportunity for someone else to play, I was just trying to be the best teammate I can be.
Q. Teams use their bye weeks differently, and it seemed like the bye week for you guys was really pivotal in helping this offense gel around you, and finally you have a chance to look at what you’re going to do as a team. Can you walk us through what you worked on during the bye week and how that helped lead to the surge at the end of the season?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, the bye week was very great for our football team. Number one, especially playing in the SEC, every week is a hard task. Playing in the SEC I think is the best conference in the country without a doubt, because every single week you have great competition. With that, you put your body through a lot of things.
Mentally and physically it’s a lot playing an SEC schedule and playing in the season, no matter what conference you’re in, football in general. There’s a lot that goes on. Then to have a bye week is very important for a football team.
For us, we try to soak it up as much as possible and enjoy that, meaning taking some time away physically maybe by not playing on Saturday, but also mentally maybe getting ahead with some film, try to register and fix some things from the last game, from the previous week.
I took it as a positive to have bye weeks because there’s a lot of takeaways that you can have from a bye week.
For us, it was very good for us to have the bye week and also mentally and physically get ready.
Q. (Indiscernible) …said that you guys are not watching film on your individual iPads right now as of the last week because of the Michigan sign stealing stuff. How has your changed your prep?
JALEN MILROE: Well, I watch film all day. That’s something that I’ve done, because the biggest thing was to try to be most prepared for all situations in the game. So
I’m watching film as much as possible. I can’t really speak on that.
But for me, I’m preparing as much as possible.
Q. What are your thoughts on adding headsets and tablets to the sidelines in the college football, kind of going off that a little bit?
JALEN MILROE: Well, that is a key resource. That would be great for teams to have, especially seeing in the league how beneficial it is for them using iPads and seeing some things that they missed throughout the game.
Because at the end of the day during the game it’s more lip service when you’re communicating with your coach on the sideline, but to actually see it on the iPad or whatever, that would be really helpful.
But that would be great to have for sure.
Q. How important is it to you to be considered a true passer?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, when you look at me, you don’t think I play quarterback. You think I play DB, tight end. You don’t think I played quarterback. Growing up when I went to camp they labeled me as a receiver or they saw me as not playing the quarterback position.
With that, I beat all odds by playing quarterback, and that is something I try to do as much as possible, be an efficient quarterback, be the best version of myself playing the position, because at the end of the day I want to be the best that I’m doing right now.
I think passing is the biggest thing, because as a quarterback, it’s a lot of elements of your game that you need to be clicking. Number one is playing quarterback is throwing the football because the ball can get there quicker than my legs can.
That’s something that I emphasize when it comes to the off-season is to get me to where I’m at now because that is very important, a very important piece of an efficient offense to move in the right direction.
Q. With some of the merchandise like the T-shirts and the grave digger things, how does that work with kind of getting your sign-off and — I don’t know if you can describe sort of the infrastructure to make something like that come to be in pretty short order?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, LANK was a model that we came with through the off-seasons. It was good for our team. But we have a great support system around me, like I talked about earlier, because our marketing team does a really good job marketing it.
All we do is pitch our ideas and they take it off and push it to different outlets and allow us to build a brand off of it. They do a really good job off of that. And that goes for the LANK and also Grave Digger, as well.
Our marketing team does a really good job with that, and they do a good job just allowing us to focus on football, and they do all the marketing pieces for us.
Q. Is that through the NIL people or is that through the athletic department?
JALEN MILROE: More of the NIL.
Q. The Learfield —
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, the NIL department.
Q. You spoke about the fear factor. Michigan had a beat Georgia drill going into the season. I guess their assumption was maybe facing Georgia later down the line. How much was Alabama having to get back that fear factor, especially after the Texas loss earlier this year and then the USF game?
JALEN MILROE: Well, everything is a learning experience, so throughout the whole season we took it as a chance to learn. Each game that went by, whether it’s a win or a lose, we took it as a time to build and grow as a football team. The biggest thing is you want to turn all weaknesses into strengths and make all strengths stronger.
That is something we emphasize as we prepare and that is something that is going to allow us to grow.
No matter the opponent, we try to prepare as much as possible and also have singular focus, singular focus meaning focusing on the task at hand and whatever opponent it is, put our all into that opponent.
No matter who the opponent is we prepare the same way, and that is the emphasis. That is something that we take a lot of pride in and that is something that we’re going to do.
Q. Was this season about getting Alabama back to that position in that sense, kind of viewed in the same way they’ve been viewed pretty much throughout Coach Saban’s tenure?
JALEN MILROE: Alabama is the standard of college
football, so if you want to learn what true football is, you look to Alabama.
Q. (Indiscernible) same page with them.
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, they’re a key resource for our offense. We have a really good core within our receiving group. Coach Wiggins does a really good job with those guys. With them we have a lot of playmakers within the whole room, and they do a really good job preparing and do a really good job getting their body in physical shape, and they’re a key resource for our offense to continually move in the path we want to go, and they do a really good job for us, and I love to see their development throughout the whole season.
Q. You’ve been with this team a few years and seen how the offense has changed this season, and one thing that seems prominent about the team is the ball is spread around, there’s not a 1,000–yard rusher or receiver. Have you noticed that as a person that’s in charge of running the ball and running the offense that you’re spreading it a bit more?
JALEN MILROE: I didn’t realize it until you said that. Shoot, I don’t know, that’s a good thing that’s going on. The biggest thing Coach Saban told me earlier in the year was just be a point guard with the ball and get the ball to playmakers to allow explosive plays.
When you simplify football and a quarterback does that, just distribute the ball to the playmakers, allow them to do some good things with the ball.
If it’s spread it around to multiple guys, that’s what I’m going to try to do as much as possible. But the biggest thing is just continuously move in the right direction as an offense.
Q. You mentioned some of the stunts and twists that they do up front. For a guy that can escape the pocket the way you can, is it enticing when a team is willing to loop guys around and expose gaps in different ways?
JALEN MILROE: Well, that’s for them to game plan. I don’t care what their defense look like, just going to have to do whatever they think they can stop our offense. That’s for them to think and prepare as much as possible, because they have a hard task stopping us.
Q. How different a quarterback are you from week one?
JALEN MILROE: The biggest thing is just learn, learning as much as possible and just try to be better each and every day I try to step foot in the facility. With playing the position, no one is perfect.
You can look at the NFL, you can look at college, you can look at high school. You’re going to make mistakes. Mistakes is common. The biggest thing you have to do is rise from it and not dwell on it or linger on a past mistake. Everything is a learning experience.
Even now I’m still learning because I’m not a finished product, so the biggest thing for me is continuously grow and try to look in the mirror and figure out some things I need to improve on. Coaches do a really good job with me, putting me in position to be successful, so now it’s all about just mastering the game plan and being the best version I can be for my teammates.
Q. Isaiah and JC were talking about how they can’t watch film on the iPads. What’s that been like as a coordinator?
JALEN MILROE: Well, for me, I’m going to watch film.
Q. Do you have your iPad?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah. I watch tape. Like I watch tape all over the building. That’s what I’m doing right now. I’m going to be prepared for the game.
Q. With the catapult system…
JALEN MILROE: Yeah.
Q. Do you still have your own iPad?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, no doubt.
Q. What’s been the most impressive part about Isaiah Bond’s progression this season?
JALEN MILROE: He’s constantly willing to grow. When you have a player like that, that is something that’s hard to beat, because he’s continuously trying to grow. He’s continuously trying to be the best teammate he can be. He’s continuously trying to be the better version of himself when he hits the practice field because practice would allow you to be successful in a game.
He’s done a really good job preparing. He does a really good job physically getting his body in shape, and so I’m just proud of his development because he’s constantly willing to grow.
Q. He’s your most targeted receiver this year. Is that a product of play calling, chemistry? Why do you think that is?
JALEN MILROE: I think it’s a product of how he practices. When you have a guy that practices really good, he’s going to have some plays for him within the system, within the game plan, and with him, he’s a consistent receiver. He does a really good job at practice. That allows him to make plays an Saturdays.
Q. How cool has it been to see him come through in a lot of big moments this year?
JALEN MILROE: Yeah, no doubt. As a quarterback, to have a playmaker like that is great. For him to come through in those type of plays and those type of things, it’s really good for us, and I’m just proud of him, and I’m happy to have him as a teammate.
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