Spring game Q&A with SMU DC Scott Symons
SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons spoke ahead of Friday night’s spring game. Here’s what he had to say.
On spring game expectations
“No. 1 healthy, injury free. I think just playing hard, communication, just execution of base calls, being able to play within the framework for the defense. A lot of guys get a lot of snaps just to be able to really kind of a final evaluation of where guys are at. I think it’ll be competitive, good energy. I’m excited that we’re going to kind of have teams this year, which I think will be good. Overall just excited to see the guys compete and kind of the accumulation of the spring and it’s what you look for to to cap it off.”
On who stood out this spring
“I think the obvious ones guys have performed last year. The Elijah Roberts of the world, Ahmad Walker, Kobe Wilson, those guys have consistently performed at a pretty high level. Collectively, as a group, there’s been guys that are learning new positions like a Brandon Crossley and Ahmaad Moses, some of those those guys that we’re asking to do multiple things now. Not the athletic ability to play those positions, but more the mental component that you’re putting on those guys to be able to learn and I think that cross training those guys creates some depth within the defense.
“Up front, Tank Booker‘s been a guy that’s a really, really big D-tackle, hard to move and has flashed at times this spring. I think all of our edge guys have really flashed to me from Isaiah (Smith). I thought he’s put together more consistent practices. He’s out right now with strep, I believe. Jahfari (Harvey) has come along and shown some ability. Cam (Robertson) can play end and Bandit, he’s shown us a lot of ability there. So excited about the depth that we have. Really feel like we’ve got a chance to have a really good two-deep up front.
“Corner-wise, I think AJ Davis has had the best spring of any corner we’ve had, most consistent by far. And that’s been awesome to see because AJ was a guy, for his first two years, he’s been just kind of waiting. Last year, felt like we were seeing a little bit more out of him, but for whatever reason it didn’t come together. But his practice habits have gotten so much better and I think when your habits improve, your production improves. I’m really proud of how he’s approached this spring. He’s been probably the biggest bright spot in that cornerback room and I couldn’t be more proud of him just for sticking with it and where he’s at right now.”
On Justin Medlock
“I think (Medlock’s) got athletic ability, which is, that’s the first thing for that position. Still growing day to day, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint for him. So these 15 practices, I think, are crucial. I think Coach (Maurice) Crum did a great job getting him reps and being able to sit some of those older guys at times for Justin’s growth and development. We feel like from a consistency standpoint, I think Ahmad, Kobe and Kilgore are definitely kind of the pinnacle where we’re at with wanting the consistency, play standpoint at linebacker. But I think Justin is really coming along and is going to add a lot of value to our defense.”
On work to be done after spring
“I think we’ve got to continue to tackle better. That’s something that we’ve worked on a bunch last spring, a bunch this spring to continue to improve in those areas. When you’re talking about tackling, overall better skill guys in space. That’s where the games play nowadays. So I think there, I think just finishing on the ball better. We led the country in defensive touchdowns, but we also had a lot of missed opportunities for takeaways. So that’s something that we’ve tried to stress just fundamentally, holistically as a defense this spring.”
