1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, It's Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks and this 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:10,119 Speaker 1: is Sam Donald three sixty. Donald usc touchdown one time again. 3 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: Sam Darnald preseason high smood favorite, could be the number 4 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 1: one pick in the draft. Donald keeps it a lot, 5 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:20,480 Speaker 1: another beautiful troll. He's a phenomenal bootball players some think 6 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: the best in the country. All right, Bucket's finally here 7 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: the Sam Donald three sixty podcast, the final podcast and 8 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 1: this year's three sixties series. Been looking forward to this one. 9 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,920 Speaker 1: Buck an entire podcast all about Sam Donald. We're gonna 10 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 1: get a chance to break down his game, talk about 11 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 1: some potential NFL fits, and we're gonna talk to everybody 12 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: around Sam Donald. On this podcast, we talked to his 13 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: high school coach and college coaches, quarterback guru Trent Dilfer, 14 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: and a whole cast of others, plus demand himself. Sam 15 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: Donald would join the program before we get there, buck 16 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: Let's breakdown Sam Donald. What we see when we study 17 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: his game. I'll give you the floor first athletic unslinger, 18 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 1: a guy who you've talked about being fearless, courageous, He's 19 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:07,959 Speaker 1: clutched um, he can make plays in the pocket, outside 20 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: the pocket, he's a big game performer. When I look 21 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: at Sam Donald and how his ceiling could evolve to 22 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,679 Speaker 1: the next level, I think he's a guy that plays 23 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 1: the game in a fashion that is like Jamis Winston. 24 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: But I think he's going to be an even better 25 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: player when I think about some of my concerns. Obviously, 26 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 1: he comes back to the turnovers, comes back to the 27 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: fumbles in the pocket, and will he be a guy 28 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,560 Speaker 1: that can manage some of the risk taking that he 29 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: exhibits on tape. But at the end of the day, 30 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:37,199 Speaker 1: the guy is a winner. He's a blue collar player. 31 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:40,319 Speaker 1: He is someone that strikes me as the epitome of 32 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: a franchise quarterback at the next level. Yeah, I just 33 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: think the toughness at the quarterback position is so undervalued. 34 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 1: I think it's a huge component there, and he has 35 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:50,720 Speaker 1: that not only the physical toughness to stand in there 36 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: and take ys, but he has that mental toughness to 37 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: be able to back to UH, to be able to 38 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: come back from a poor series of poor throw He 39 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 1: has that ability to to be able to shut that 40 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,560 Speaker 1: down and move forwards. So his toughness, to me is 41 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: one of the things I love. I remember going and 42 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 1: seeing him. I was at the Rose Bowl when he 43 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,799 Speaker 1: tore up Penn State that epic comeback game. Was there 44 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 1: for that one. I remember the moments when you you 45 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: watch him against Washington that year against the top team, 46 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 1: and how he performed in that game. And then this 47 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 1: year was there when they played Utah there down he 48 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: brings him back Texas chance to study that game on tap. 49 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: He has a lot of moments when you study him 50 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,600 Speaker 1: where he clearly established himself and really kind of took 51 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: the game over. And then see, that's the biggest thing 52 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: when we talked about evaluating a quarterback, evaluating an elite prospect, 53 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:34,679 Speaker 1: there have there have to be plenty of instances where 54 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 1: you feel him take the game over, you feel his 55 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 1: dominance pop up on tape. I have that with Sam Donald. 56 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: It's not always the prettiest tape. It's not always clean, 57 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 1: but I have enough instances in big games against high 58 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 1: level competition where I felt like Sam Donald was the 59 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 1: best gown to feel. So because of that, I didn 60 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 1: feel comfortable saying, Okay, this is a top five talent 61 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 1: that I'm looking at on tape. Yeah, I've compared him 62 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: to Tony Romo just he's kind of built like Tony Romo. 63 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 1: He can make some of those magical off schedule throws. 64 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: And I know Romo is kind of a polarizing player 65 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 1: for folks out there. Tony Romo played at a high 66 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: level for an extended period of time, and that's the 67 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: kind of career I view Sam Donald haven't do. I 68 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: not necessarily think he's gonna be a top two or 69 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 1: three quarterback in the league, but I don't think he's 70 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 1: gonna be a bottom half starter either. I think he 71 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 1: could be in that seven to twelve range and kind 72 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 1: of settle in and have that type of a career, 73 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:22,080 Speaker 1: which would be outstanding. The comparison that you make to 74 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: Tony Romo is interesting to me because for years we 75 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: can say whatever you want to about Tony Romo, but 76 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 1: Tony Romo's ability to put the offense on his back 77 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:32,080 Speaker 1: really masked a lot of the flaws that the Dallas 78 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 1: Cowboys had. He was the reason why they were very, 79 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 1: very competitive. I think in Sam Donald, you're getting a 80 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 1: similar guy. Look, we've talked about his game not necessarily 81 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: being pretty or clean, but we have seen him kind 82 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: of be the truck, as we kind of say it 83 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 1: in our parlance. He is a guy that certainly can 84 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: put the team on his back and find a way 85 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: to get him to the winner circle, no matter how 86 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: ugly it looks like. This is one of the things 87 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: I like to remind folks about Sam Donald is that 88 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: on draft that he'll be two years and four months. 89 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 1: I believe young than Carson Wentz was when he entered 90 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: the league. So even if he had to take a 91 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: red shirt year this year sitting behind a starter, maybe 92 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 1: it's Tyrod Taylor one who knows, but get a chance 93 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: to sit and learn. He's still got plenty of time 94 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: as a twenty year old uh to develop in his 95 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: best football is yet ahead of him. I think you're 96 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 1: gonna enjoy the conversations we have during this podcast with 97 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 1: guys that that know him and can talk about where 98 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 1: he is but also give us a glimpse of where 99 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:23,919 Speaker 1: they think he can be. Buck, you touched on the 100 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 1: negatives with Sam. I'm with you. To me, it's the fumbles. 101 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 1: The interceptions I don't even doesn't even really bother me 102 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: as much, but the fumbles inside the pocket. I do think, 103 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 1: you know, just keeping your off hand on the ball 104 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 1: will help him in that area. But it's always something 105 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 1: he needs to focus on and concentrate on. We'll have 106 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: a chance to visit with Trent Dilf for a little 107 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,280 Speaker 1: later on in the episode and get his thoughts on 108 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:44,840 Speaker 1: that and if that can be corrected. So a lot 109 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: of ground to cover on the Sam Donald three sixty. 110 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: Let's not let's not wait any longer. Let's jump right 111 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: in here. This first interview was with Himie Ortiz, the 112 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,160 Speaker 1: head coach at San Clementi High School, Sam Donald's high 113 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 1: school coach. Coach, How are you doing today? Doing great? 114 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 1: How are you guys doing or do and great? I 115 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 1: want to start back at the beginning here because those 116 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: I think they've been paying attention to know that Sam 117 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 1: did not start early in his high school career because 118 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 1: you had another pretty good option there on campus. Can 119 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 1: you fill us in on on what the what the 120 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: background was on Sam when he first got to high school. 121 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: When Sam was a freshman, you know, he was our 122 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 1: freshman quarterback, did a great job leading that team. And 123 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: then uh, his sophomore year we had Sam as a sophomore, 124 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 1: we had a senior. It was kind of the air 125 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,279 Speaker 1: apparent and early on we made a decision that you know, 126 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,039 Speaker 1: Sam was such a great athlete that at that point 127 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: in time, we needed him on both sides of the ball, 128 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: and so Sam was a starting outside linebacker. He was 129 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: also a starting wide receiver and UM, as that year 130 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: went on, our quarterback end up getting hurt and Sam 131 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 1: jumped in week nine the season, did a great job 132 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 1: leading us to a victory in the last forty seconds 133 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: of a game, and and after that the rest is history. 134 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 1: Where Sam went on to do some great things on 135 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: our campus and on the basketball court and also the 136 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 1: football field. You know, a sophomore year, he was All 137 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,159 Speaker 1: league as a linebacker. Uh, you know, could have been 138 00:05:57,160 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: a wide receiver as well. And it's also the league 139 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:01,599 Speaker 1: mvping basket of all and he definitely made his presence 140 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:05,119 Speaker 1: known on our campus and in our area as well. Coach, 141 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 1: that's a remarkable story. And we gotta play linebacker play 142 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: multiple sports. A lot of stuff that we hear about 143 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: Sam is that he has a blue collar demeanor. UM, 144 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 1: going back to high school, what was his work ethic 145 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 1: and tangibles like I think you hit the nail on 146 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: the head, you know, very blue collar. I remember when 147 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: he was being recruited, he wasn't on Twitter he wasn't 148 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:28,480 Speaker 1: on Facebook, and college coaches got a little frustrate because 149 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: they didn't get ahold of them. Um, Sam didn't really 150 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 1: believe in all the stars and all the seven on 151 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 1: seven stuff. You know, he got asked numerous times to 152 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 1: UH play in the seven on seven tournaments, and his 153 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 1: response was, I'd rather work at the high school with 154 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 1: my players and my teammates and just get better. And 155 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 1: that's the way it's kind of, in my opinion, started 156 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:48,480 Speaker 1: home with his parents. You know, his parents. His mom's 157 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: a middle school pea teacher. The dad's works in the 158 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 1: plumbing industry, and that's where they've kind of always approached things. 159 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: Is very blue collar. And I had a perfect example. 160 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 1: He's kind of an old soul, you know, he's an 161 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: old school throwback or back, and UH a guy that 162 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:03,480 Speaker 1: lets his actions do the talk, and he's not big 163 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: on posting about me and who I am. You know. 164 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: A perfect example for me was after the pack Wolve 165 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 1: championship game his past season. He was up on the 166 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: podium with his teammates all around him, and he got 167 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 1: uh was awarded the m v P of the Pack 168 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 1: Wolve Championship Game. And if you watch the bo. You 169 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 1: see him grab the trophy and he takes it and 170 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 1: he tries to hand his offensive lineman and they hold 171 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: it for two seconds, they throw it back at him. 172 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 1: And to me, that's a good a testament to Sam 173 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: that you know, it's never about me, it's about the team. 174 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 1: And Uh, he wanted to recognize those linemen and they 175 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 1: wanted to make sure it got back to him. And nowadays, 176 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: most kids would probably host that trophy up and take 177 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: pictures and put on Instagram and Facebook and Twitter and Snapchat. 178 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 1: And that's not really Sam nature at all. And I 179 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 1: think that's what you know, people gravitate towards him. He 180 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: has a unique ability to make everybody around him better 181 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 1: and uh has done some great things at our high 182 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 1: school and also at USC. One of the words that 183 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: comes up, you know, Bucky mentioned blue collar. The word 184 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 1: that comes up the most when I talk to people 185 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: about Sam's toughness is there is there an example of 186 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: a story maybe from his time in high school that's 187 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 1: they will just show us what what this is all about, 188 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 1: what the Sam Donald toughness is all about. I think 189 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:09,679 Speaker 1: an example would be, you know, his junior year, his career, 190 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: got that season, got cut short because he broke his foot. 191 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 1: And I remember we were playing Danny Hills High School 192 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 1: and it's right before halftime, whether it's about two minutes 193 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 1: left to go in the half, and and uh, I 194 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 1: saw him kind of get up kind of gingerly. I'm thinking, like, 195 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: something's wrong with Sam, And I thought maybe was a 196 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 1: sprained ankle or something happened. And he finished out that 197 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: series actually with a touchdown pass with about thirty minutes 198 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: or thirty seconds left to go in the half. It 199 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 1: was a bootleg passed by the thirty yard pass he 200 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: completed for a touchdown and he comes out the field 201 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: and he and he sits down on the grass and 202 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: so as I saw him sit down the grass, and 203 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:42,559 Speaker 1: I'm like, something's wrong with Sam. And ended up being 204 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 1: where he ended freshing his foot. He was out the 205 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 1: rest of the season, and uh, you know, to me, 206 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 1: it was a good a testament to hey, he knew 207 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: he was hurt, but he wanted to finish out the 208 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,439 Speaker 1: series and try and get us a touchdown right for 209 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: half and get us back in contention to that game, 210 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,319 Speaker 1: and and he wanted to come back. You know, he's 211 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 1: able to potentially come back week eight week nine the season, 212 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 1: and I told him, you know, we at that point 213 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: we were to know with Sam, and we end up 214 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 1: going to and eight without him. And he was so 215 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: you know, wanted to be back and helped the team, 216 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 1: but I told him that, you know, you have a 217 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 1: bright future in front of you and and we're gonna, 218 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 1: you know, basically put you to Bay for a little 219 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:15,679 Speaker 1: bit and and senior year, be ready to rock and roll. 220 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:17,599 Speaker 1: In that senior year, we went twelve and two with 221 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:21,040 Speaker 1: Sam is our quarterback. I think that's an incredible story. 222 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 1: I think he speaks volumes about his ability to sacrifice. 223 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: UM coach, obviously you've been around him the most. Why 224 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:29,720 Speaker 1: should Sam be the number one pick in the draft. 225 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 1: I just think he has the tangible. It's on and 226 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 1: off the field, the leader program. UM. You know, as 227 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 1: a starter at USC, he was twenty and four, you know, 228 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 1: San CLEMANI he was fifteen in four. And I think 229 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: he's the type of player that you know, at the 230 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 1: top of the board, he's a guy that's going to 231 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: change that any NFL franchise around. He's gonna lead by 232 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: example on and off the field. I think he'll be 233 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: a leader in the locker room, and he's a guy 234 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: that let's just play to do the talking. And you 235 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: know the thing that I think that brings the Sam 236 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 1: brings the table leadership. I think he brings his ability 237 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: to make plays. But most of all, I think he's 238 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 1: a guy that makes everybody around him better. And he's 239 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 1: shown that here at Sinking High School and also at 240 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:07,040 Speaker 1: USC and I think he could do the same thing 241 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: in the NFL as well. All Right, coaches, the last 242 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:11,199 Speaker 1: question for me, and I'm hoping you've never been asked 243 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 1: this because I have not heard this been asked about 244 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: about Sam donaldth to this whole process. Does he have 245 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:18,319 Speaker 1: a sense of humor? Because he's so quiet, I want 246 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 1: to does he have a sense of humor? And can 247 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:21,959 Speaker 1: you give me an example one time Sam Donald made 248 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: you laugh? Uh. You know, he's very stoic. I think 249 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 1: he's he's uh. I remember when he was being recruited, 250 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:30,680 Speaker 1: a lot of recruiters called him a poker player because 251 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,560 Speaker 1: he's just very serious. But on the on the bright 252 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 1: side with Sam and you remember the example of when 253 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: the Rose Bowl two years ago, during the entire game, 254 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 1: he didn't let his emotion show. And then once they 255 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 1: kicked that field. All he saw him running the field 256 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: smiling and laughing and uh, and he's kind of sneaky. 257 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 1: It does have a sneaky sense of humor. I'm trying 258 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:48,599 Speaker 1: to think of a time where, you know, where he 259 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,959 Speaker 1: made me laugh. He's very Uh, he has a dry 260 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 1: sense of humor. He can be sarcastic at times, but 261 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,439 Speaker 1: I can't think of one situation where he made me laugh. 262 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,200 Speaker 1: But I do know that, Uh, he's definitely opened up 263 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 1: a lot more, you know, when into the USC being 264 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:03,800 Speaker 1: the leader of that program and basically being the king 265 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: of l A, He's he's learned to talk more and 266 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: and being that leadership role from a from a speaking standpoint, 267 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 1: I know he's now doing speaking engagements and stuff that 268 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: you know, you got to realize he's only twenty years old. 269 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 1: He's not even twenty one yet, and he's living in 270 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 1: his dream and having a great time doing that. Well, 271 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:21,559 Speaker 1: the guy's grandpa is the Marlborough Man. So that's a 272 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 1: I mean, that should be enough. You get a good 273 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:25,200 Speaker 1: laugh out of that going in the conversation, I think 274 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: at some point time, right, Yeah, that's that's a good 275 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 1: ice breaker. And I know, for for a lot of 276 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: a lot of a lot of people out there in 277 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 1: the Twitter universe and social media. That's a that's a 278 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 1: that's a deal breaker that he's for sure number one 279 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 1: due to that. There you go, Hey, coach, thank you 280 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: so much for taking some time. Best of luck to 281 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: your team this year. You've been turning out the quarterbacks 282 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 1: lately and hopefully you keep that pipeline flowing now. I 283 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:47,200 Speaker 1: appreciate that very much, and thanks for all you guys doing, 284 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,040 Speaker 1: and thanks for having me on coach ortiz Buck giving 285 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: us a great glimpse into Sam Donald, not only the player, 286 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:55,199 Speaker 1: but the person. I mean, anyone who knows that program 287 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 1: down in Santa Clemini has a tremendous amount of respect 288 00:11:57,600 --> 00:11:59,839 Speaker 1: for it. They pride themselves and being a family and 289 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 1: having kind of blue collar workers, and I think Sam 290 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 1: Donald kind of reflects that. I think when he continues 291 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:07,839 Speaker 1: to talk about how he's a blue collar work it 292 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: doesn't really care about the fan for it just kind 293 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 1: of goes to work. I think a lot of people 294 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,719 Speaker 1: find that appealing with that kind of guy potentially being 295 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: in your face of your franchise. It's amazing to me 296 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: just the different personalities you have at this position in 297 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: this particular draft class. You go listen to the Baker 298 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: Mayfield three sixty podcast. We talked to his high school coach. 299 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: There's more of that kind of I get up, for 300 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:29,079 Speaker 1: lack of a better word, the swag or yeah, a 301 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:31,559 Speaker 1: little more sizzle, a little more sizzle. With Sam, he's 302 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 1: just hey, I'm gonna meet potatoes guy. Come and get 303 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 1: your work done, take care of business. Just a different personality, 304 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: absolutely different. All right, that's that's a great conversation there 305 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 1: with coach Ortiz. Let's go from high school to college. 306 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: Here's our visit with Clay Hilton. I've been a part 307 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 1: of this program going on way back to two thousand 308 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 1: and ten, seeing some big time quarterback play there. But 309 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:50,960 Speaker 1: I'd say none better than the one that just left. 310 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,200 Speaker 1: And Sam Donald and wing a chance to to visit 311 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: a little bit about Mr Donald. Coach Helton, how are 312 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: you doing today? Doing great? Guys? Thanks for having me. 313 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:01,320 Speaker 1: I want to go back to the recruiting trail. Uh 314 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: with Sam. We've talked about this before, but uh, just 315 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:07,600 Speaker 1: the first time you were aware of of another quarterback 316 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: coming out of Saint Clementy. Well, the the you know, 317 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: in Sam's case, it was one of the stranger recruiting 318 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 1: UH areas we've ever been in because Sam was not 319 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: playing quarterback his junior year. He was injured and so 320 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: he was not extremely well known. And if you remember, 321 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,640 Speaker 1: prior to him was Travis Wilson who went into Utah 322 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 1: and had a good career also, so Sam had been 323 00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:34,839 Speaker 1: a linebacker tight end. He finally gets his opportunities junior year, 324 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 1: he gets hurt um early and so there's not not 325 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:40,719 Speaker 1: a ton of film on him. Um and went out 326 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: in the spring and got a chance to watch him throw, 327 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:46,320 Speaker 1: and you go, WHOA invited him to spring to our 328 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: summer camps and he just absolutely put on a show, 329 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: and um, thank goodness. Coach Sark that year decided, you 330 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: know what, we've got one young man committed, but there's 331 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 1: no way we can pass up on this type of 332 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 1: talent and Sam Donald to have the ability to have 333 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: Sam talked to him and him not be scared a 334 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: competition or who's on campus, just saying, hey, coach, if 335 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 1: there's a chance to compete, I want that opportunity. Man. 336 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 1: That's that's special for a young man. And then got 337 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:17,440 Speaker 1: to see him in the fall, Uh go do his saying, 338 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: you only get one fall evaluation. So went out and 339 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 1: watched him play, and in the first half he goes 340 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: to third team for thirteen for five touchdowns, and I'm 341 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: sending there, going, yep, that's our guy. So he's just 342 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: a special kid that you know. It was a strange 343 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 1: recruiting process and evaluation because there wasn't a ton out there, 344 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: but you had to trust your judgment of a young 345 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: man as a person, the intangibles he brought to the table, 346 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: plus his talent, and one of the better evaluations done 347 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 1: in a credit Coach sark And and our staff for 348 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: getting him here. Hey, co speak to that, expand on 349 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 1: that that the special qualities and intangibles and competitiveness because 350 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: he didn't come in as a guy that was annointed 351 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: to be the next great USC quarter back. He had 352 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 1: to earn the right to be the starter. What did 353 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 1: you learn from watch learn about him from watching him 354 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 1: go through the process of earning the starting quarterback job 355 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: over those first two years of SC. Yeah, I think 356 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: anytime you have that quarterback position, you look at the 357 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 1: intangibles because the quarterback position is supposed to lift up 358 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 1: the entire organization. I've never seen a great quarterback on 359 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:26,120 Speaker 1: a bad football team. I mean they they lift everybody 360 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: else up. And that's what Sam does. I mean when 361 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: he walks into the building, he shows you what it's 362 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 1: like to be a pro um with his work ethic, 363 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:35,720 Speaker 1: him trying to be a student of the game, him 364 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 1: a master of his craft, just the way he handles 365 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: himself on and off the field, how he's so integrated 366 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: in the team's success over any individual success. I mean, 367 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:49,080 Speaker 1: he's the he's the model of what you want at 368 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: the position. That not necessarily from a talent standpoint. Everybody 369 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 1: knows he's talented, but from all the little intangible things 370 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 1: that come with the leadership qualities that you have to 371 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 1: have at the quarterback position, especially like a place at 372 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: SC that everybody in the world's watching you, and I 373 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: just thought, you know, what an unbelievable example he was 374 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 1: for us, And wherever he gets the opportunity to go to, 375 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: he's gonna do the same thing for that organization. Coach, 376 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: I want to go back to the year before and 377 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: talk about a game, and not the one you've been 378 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 1: asked I'm sure a million times about that Rose bowled 379 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 1: epic Rose Bowl over Penn State, I want to go 380 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 1: back to the game against Washington on the road with 381 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 1: a secondary littered with NFL players, You've got a defensive 382 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,360 Speaker 1: linement's gonna be probably a top ten pick this year. 383 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:32,560 Speaker 1: Vida a loaded group up there, and I think people 384 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: forget at that time, Washington, I believe, was undefeated, top 385 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 1: five in the country. You lost a couple of games 386 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 1: coming up there. Not many folks expected you to go 387 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: up there and win. And I thought Sam that was 388 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: that was maybe the most impressive tape that I watched 389 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: of Sam uh And that would be right. That team 390 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 1: in Washington was a great defensive football team and I 391 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: and I thought Sam played by far, maybe his best 392 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: game of the year, very close to the Rose Bowl 393 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: because of the atmosphere, which was electric, and the importance 394 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:07,520 Speaker 1: of the game UM for both squads. UM you had 395 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: to play very high level of football, and that's what 396 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:13,159 Speaker 1: Sam did. And it's it's always neat to see a 397 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 1: kid's eyes. You always could walk in that that first 398 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:17,919 Speaker 1: time you walk in the huddle and you're calling the 399 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:21,119 Speaker 1: first play and you're getting ready to send your offense 400 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 1: out to the field, and you look at your quarterbacks 401 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:25,120 Speaker 1: eyes and they're either deer in the headlights or it's 402 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:27,480 Speaker 1: like they've been out there a hundred billion times. What 403 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 1: was Sam? It was like we were at practice. I mean, 404 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 1: he was just so comfortable in the environment, so looking 405 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 1: forward to that opportunity, Um, and then went out there 406 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:39,000 Speaker 1: and did it, and the kids just you know, anytime 407 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:42,119 Speaker 1: Sam was out there, it gave our kids great hope 408 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: that we were going to be successful on that day. 409 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: And what a game he had. I thought, you know, 410 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,239 Speaker 1: maybe other than the Rose Bowl by far, his his 411 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,439 Speaker 1: best game as a Trojan, you know, because I'm I 412 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:56,399 Speaker 1: wrote down to quote that you just said, no great 413 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 1: quarterbacks on bad football teams, and it just sticks with me, Um, 414 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 1: for whatever reason. And Sam Donald you've talked about he 415 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,639 Speaker 1: offers hope, he inspires his teammates. What is the best 416 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 1: quality that you see from Sam Donald in those critical situations? 417 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:14,640 Speaker 1: What allows him to be so successful time after time 418 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: when the game was on the line the ball is 419 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 1: in his hands. Yeah, you know I've said this a 420 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:21,439 Speaker 1: bunch of times, but I truly believe that, you know, 421 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: he's like that great picture or that great golfer that 422 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 1: you know that that golfer takes one swing and whether 423 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 1: it was good or bad, he moves on to the 424 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 1: next shot or that that picture throws, whether it's a 425 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,480 Speaker 1: ball or a strike, he moves on to the next pitch. 426 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 1: I've seen so many kids that from that eighteen to 427 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 1: twenty one year old that they have a bad play 428 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:44,880 Speaker 1: and they can't get to the next play. It takes 429 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:46,880 Speaker 1: him three four plays. Maybe they go in the tank 430 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,680 Speaker 1: the rest of the game. Whether Sam has a good 431 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 1: play or a bad play, he immediately clicks into the 432 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:56,199 Speaker 1: next situation. What's the downard distance, Where are we on 433 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: the field? What do I need to get accomplished here? 434 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 1: His emotions don't at the best of him. He just 435 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:03,880 Speaker 1: moves on to that next play in the next situation 436 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 1: so he can help his team be successful. And it 437 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 1: shows just the poise that he has and the air 438 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:13,439 Speaker 1: of confidence then s he has just spreads over the 439 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 1: rest of the team. And that's what he did here 440 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 1: for the past two years. Coach, I look at the 441 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: just look at the numbers, the raw numbers. Early in 442 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 1: the season, I think Sam had like six picks in 443 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: the first three games, and after that he kind of 444 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 1: got under control. I think he has seven the whole 445 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:28,439 Speaker 1: rest of the season. There interception wise, What did you 446 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 1: attribute the early season turnovers too, and what correction was 447 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:35,359 Speaker 1: made there? Well, I think anytime that you have some 448 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: young wine Outs. If you remember, we lost two really 449 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 1: really good players in Jujuice Smith Schuster and Darius Rodgers, 450 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:45,640 Speaker 1: and you know, we had some young players that were 451 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:47,719 Speaker 1: out there and getting on the same page with them 452 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,320 Speaker 1: a little bit and had had maybe an unforeced error 453 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:54,960 Speaker 1: or two ball that maybe Sam would love to have back. Um. 454 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,080 Speaker 1: But then there were times that all of a sudden, 455 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,800 Speaker 1: we're playing Texas and he throws the perfect dig oute 456 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:02,159 Speaker 1: to young white out and the dang bounces off his 457 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 1: hands and goes to the safety, and that happens. You know, 458 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 1: you throw the perfect ball, perfect raed and and it 459 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: ends up into being a pick. And those are the 460 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,159 Speaker 1: things you got to look at. Sometimes the numbers hide 461 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:14,960 Speaker 1: some of those and uh, some of the things going 462 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 1: around you like some young white Outs and developing a chemistry. 463 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,320 Speaker 1: But I thought, as as our younger players grew, so 464 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:25,719 Speaker 1: did Sam. You know, so did the numbers for Sam. 465 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 1: Sam never changed anything from his sophomore to junior year. 466 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,359 Speaker 1: I thought he played at the same level. Um, it 467 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 1: was just us developing some young kids and getting them better. 468 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:36,439 Speaker 1: I'm glad you said that because you go back in 469 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:38,879 Speaker 1: the Texas interception your reference there. I go back to 470 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: the Western Michigan game where he's given somebody a chance 471 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 1: on a fifty fifty ball that the year before you 472 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 1: had Darius Rodgers come down with a bunch of those, 473 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 1: and in that time it ends up a resulting interception. 474 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:50,920 Speaker 1: There's a reason for several of those. But I want 475 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 1: to get to the playing the position. You've played the position, 476 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: You've coached a position forever. One of the things on 477 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: the scouting side that that we've seen over the last 478 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:02,159 Speaker 1: few years, especially with the proliferation of the spread, is 479 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:04,440 Speaker 1: so much of the game is played on the perimeter. Coach. 480 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:06,120 Speaker 1: One of the things that stood out to me about 481 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:09,159 Speaker 1: Sam is I don't think it's reckless. I put it 482 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:11,639 Speaker 1: down more it's fearless. He works in the middle of 483 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 1: the field more than just about any college quarterback. I've 484 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,919 Speaker 1: seen it quite some time. How difficult is it to 485 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: get guys to work in that muddy area when the 486 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 1: college game is just it's just so easy to just 487 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 1: stay out there on the perimeter. Yeah, you know, being 488 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,440 Speaker 1: a pro style offense especially in our drop back passing game. 489 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:30,880 Speaker 1: You know, we have multi progression reads that he has 490 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:34,000 Speaker 1: to go through, sometimes five man progressions or you know, 491 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,680 Speaker 1: you you you break the field and half and you're 492 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 1: working this half of the field on one coverage and 493 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:41,360 Speaker 1: the other half on the other. Um plus, he he 494 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 1: was exceptional in two areas. He was great at finding 495 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: his one on one matchups. And if that was a 496 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:49,399 Speaker 1: tight end down the middle of the field matched up 497 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:52,239 Speaker 1: on a mic linebacker, he was taking the shot, you know. 498 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: Or if it was out outside on the deep ball 499 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:56,880 Speaker 1: and he just liked the matchup, he was gonna take 500 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 1: the one on one shote, just like you said at 501 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:01,159 Speaker 1: the Western Michigan game. You know, he he would, doesn't 502 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: he would. He had the great ability to find the 503 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 1: one on one and get there. But then he had something, 504 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:07,800 Speaker 1: I swear to God. I think it's from him being 505 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 1: a point guard in basketball in high school. His vision 506 00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:15,120 Speaker 1: is unique to be able to find open receivers when 507 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,720 Speaker 1: the pocket breaks down a little bit, and a lot 508 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 1: of those times that's over the middle. All of a sudden, 509 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:23,240 Speaker 1: you gotta shallow out that dragged the linebacker away. You 510 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: had to step up in the pocket. There comes a 511 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:29,040 Speaker 1: digging behind it, and he's able to manipulate his body 512 00:22:29,119 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 1: because his core is so strong. He didn't have to 513 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:33,960 Speaker 1: have the perfect mechanics to be able to get the 514 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 1: ball there. Um. He had such great arm strength, such 515 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 1: great different arm angles to get the ball out that 516 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,480 Speaker 1: he felt confident putting the ball over the middle time 517 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: after time. But great vision, great vision and great ability 518 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 1: to find the one on one matchups is what he does, 519 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:50,560 Speaker 1: you know, coach. Obviously, Sam has been the face of 520 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:54,119 Speaker 1: the franchise UH for the last couple of years at USC. 521 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 1: Why is Sam worthy of being the number one overall 522 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:00,480 Speaker 1: pick in the draft? Um? I think what he's going 523 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 1: to bring to the table everybody knows talent wise, but 524 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 1: what he brings to your team as far as a 525 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:10,880 Speaker 1: day to day professionalism. Um, to show everybody else what 526 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 1: it means to have great work ethic, to study the game, 527 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:17,640 Speaker 1: be a master of your craft, a student of the game, um, 528 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,640 Speaker 1: and then make the place, make the plays when it's 529 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:22,199 Speaker 1: time to make the plays. You know, at the end 530 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:25,119 Speaker 1: of the at the end of the day, great quarterbacks 531 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:29,480 Speaker 1: win games. You know, you can say completion ratio, touchdown 532 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 1: interception ratio at the end of the day, they win 533 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,160 Speaker 1: and they produce wins, Um, and that's what Sam did 534 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:37,159 Speaker 1: for us. You know, we were one in three before 535 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,600 Speaker 1: he was a starter, and then all of a sudden 536 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: we end up winning a Rose Bowl. You know, we 537 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,640 Speaker 1: haven't want to pack twelve titles since two thousand and eight. 538 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 1: He leads us to our first one since then. So 539 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,159 Speaker 1: he's he's that type of guy. He's got the it 540 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:53,640 Speaker 1: factor that UM you want at the position, and he's 541 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: got the leadership capabilities to lead everybody in the franchise. 542 00:23:57,520 --> 00:23:59,960 Speaker 1: Last question for me, coach Um, when we look at 543 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:03,200 Speaker 1: the great quarterbacks at the NFL level, UM, I always 544 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:05,439 Speaker 1: just use the word extra. It's not a nine to 545 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 1: five profession. As you know, you gotta be able to 546 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 1: do extra. Is there a story, maybe an example you 547 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:13,399 Speaker 1: can give us about Sam something during his time at 548 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:15,760 Speaker 1: USC where he want a little above and beyond what 549 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 1: was what was called of him. Yeah, I'll give you 550 00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: one right now. He's he's last last week that here's 551 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:24,680 Speaker 1: a guy getting ready to be drafted, possible first round 552 00:24:25,160 --> 00:24:28,280 Speaker 1: first pick taken in the draft, and and I show 553 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:31,159 Speaker 1: up at Dan six thirty am in the morning and 554 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:33,400 Speaker 1: he's already down there working out in our turf room 555 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:35,760 Speaker 1: and I said, what are you doing? But he said, Coach, 556 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:39,000 Speaker 1: it's every day now, it's every day. I said, uh, 557 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:42,399 Speaker 1: he goes and I look and he's working with our guys. 558 00:24:42,440 --> 00:24:46,119 Speaker 1: Are are our strengthen conditioning coaches, and you know, just 559 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:48,600 Speaker 1: he could have any any trainer in the world be 560 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 1: able to help him. He's right here just being blue 561 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 1: collar and ding and working just like he's known to 562 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:56,719 Speaker 1: do his whole life and nothing. That's the beauty of 563 00:24:56,720 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: who that guy is. And that's what I told him. 564 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 1: I said, man, you never check aimes and that's what 565 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:03,400 Speaker 1: makes you so special. You know, the whole world's watching 566 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:05,920 Speaker 1: you and you're still keeping the great and the best 567 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 1: blue collar mentality there is, so you can be great 568 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: and so, uh, he's a special, special dude. Well, I 569 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:13,760 Speaker 1: asked for an example, and you gave me one within 570 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 1: the last week. That's a big time, coach. Thank you 571 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:18,359 Speaker 1: so much for taking some time for us today. We 572 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:21,879 Speaker 1: really appreciate it. Alrighty guys, y'all take care buck. One 573 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:23,919 Speaker 1: of the things that Coach Helton mentioned there, you know, 574 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 1: from his time at USC with Sam Narld that stood 575 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:28,159 Speaker 1: out to me. It's just he's the same guy. You 576 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,040 Speaker 1: know exactly what you're buying and on on an evaluation. 577 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:34,200 Speaker 1: When you're the personnel business, there's nothing helps you sleep 578 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:36,320 Speaker 1: better at night more than knowing you're buying something with 579 00:25:36,359 --> 00:25:38,919 Speaker 1: clear packaging. I know exactly what I'm buying. I know 580 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:41,480 Speaker 1: the good, I know the bad, but there's no surprises. Yeah, 581 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 1: because it's easy to build a team around that guy. 582 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 1: The guy that is consistent wherever that consistent level is 583 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 1: is easy to build a team around that because you 584 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:53,080 Speaker 1: know how to support him, how to compliment him, how 585 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:55,360 Speaker 1: to elevate his play. I think the other thing that 586 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:58,879 Speaker 1: Clay Helton talked about, Sam Donald gives his teammates hope. 587 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 1: Anytime you have a franchise quarterback does a level of 588 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:05,440 Speaker 1: optimism that exists in permeas throughout the team. Sam Donald 589 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:08,840 Speaker 1: brings that to the field because they have enough examples 590 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:11,240 Speaker 1: of him bringing them back and so the team always 591 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:13,399 Speaker 1: believes and they are a rally behind the guy that 592 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:15,639 Speaker 1: has proven that he can get it done. That's a 593 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:17,560 Speaker 1: powerful four letter word there of the word hope, and 594 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:20,080 Speaker 1: that's that's definitely what Sam Donald has given USC over 595 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:22,840 Speaker 1: the last couple of years. UH one of the people 596 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:25,360 Speaker 1: we're gonna talk to here is maybe not as big 597 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:28,400 Speaker 1: of a fan of of Sam Donald as coach Helton. 598 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:30,200 Speaker 1: That's because he had to go up against him twice 599 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:32,520 Speaker 1: over the last two years. That's the rival school U 600 00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:35,120 Speaker 1: c l A have their own quarterback there in Josh Rosen, 601 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:37,639 Speaker 1: which you can hear Coach Mora give his thoughts on 602 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:39,480 Speaker 1: the u c l A signal caller on the Josh 603 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: Rosen three sixty. But right now I've got a chance 604 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:43,320 Speaker 1: to catch up with him and ask him about his 605 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:46,920 Speaker 1: adversary across town. Sam Donald, You've faced so many great 606 00:26:46,960 --> 00:26:49,680 Speaker 1: quarterbacks throughout your career in the NFL and your time 607 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,240 Speaker 1: in college. One of the ones that we expect to 608 00:26:52,280 --> 00:26:55,080 Speaker 1: be high pick in this upcoming draft is Sam Donald. 609 00:26:55,320 --> 00:26:57,359 Speaker 1: First of all, just you remember the first time you 610 00:26:57,400 --> 00:26:59,359 Speaker 1: went up against him and the challenge that he presented 611 00:26:59,359 --> 00:27:02,240 Speaker 1: in a game. Plans standpoint, Yeah, I do, yeah, very much. 612 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:05,399 Speaker 1: So you know, uh, a couple of years ago it 613 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 1: was in the Rose Bowl and uh, you know, you're 614 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:10,800 Speaker 1: seeing this this young man that has uh the tremendous 615 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:13,119 Speaker 1: ability to keep a play alive. And there was so 616 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:15,159 Speaker 1: many times and it was a close game for a while, 617 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:17,359 Speaker 1: and there were so many times that we felt like, 618 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:20,320 Speaker 1: you know, we had him, we have him corraled, and 619 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden, he slips out and he 620 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:24,040 Speaker 1: makes a throw down the field for a first down. 621 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 1: Or it's third and four and you're playing man coverage 622 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:28,240 Speaker 1: and you're locking him up and you're in pretty good 623 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:30,240 Speaker 1: shape and you feel like the rush is about to 624 00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 1: get there, and then he goes for five yards and 625 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:35,160 Speaker 1: they moved the sticks, and I can remember just being 626 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:38,479 Speaker 1: terribly frustrated during that game. I can remember, you know, 627 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,359 Speaker 1: going into that game thinking, you know, we're not gonna 628 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 1: spy him. I don't like that, we're gonna cover him. 629 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:46,719 Speaker 1: We're gonna sign a defensive back to actually cover the quarterback. 630 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:49,879 Speaker 1: And and yet he would still make those plays because 631 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 1: he was gifted enough, and he was agile enough, and 632 00:27:52,840 --> 00:27:55,240 Speaker 1: he was I think aware enough, and his vision was 633 00:27:55,320 --> 00:27:57,640 Speaker 1: such that he could go find the opening to get 634 00:27:57,640 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 1: the first down. Quarterbacks are like super heroes, and Sam 635 00:28:01,359 --> 00:28:05,440 Speaker 1: Donald is a little bit like Superman. As the defensive coordinator, 636 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:08,440 Speaker 1: what would you say his kryptonite is when you're mapping 637 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 1: up a game plan, probably at this point, at this 638 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:14,239 Speaker 1: point right now, if you make him throw from the 639 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:17,480 Speaker 1: pocket as a pure pocket passer and put it right 640 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:20,040 Speaker 1: on the money. That's probably what it is. But I 641 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:23,240 Speaker 1: also think that's something that he will work through. Anybody 642 00:28:23,240 --> 00:28:25,000 Speaker 1: that he reminds you of over the years haven't gone 643 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 1: up against it, you see, maybe from a from a 644 00:28:27,640 --> 00:28:32,280 Speaker 1: playmaking standpoint or stylistically. I've thrown out the Tony Romo comparison. 645 00:28:32,359 --> 00:28:33,879 Speaker 1: Is who he reminds me of. He's kind of built 646 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:35,680 Speaker 1: like Tony. I can see that some of that kind 647 00:28:35,680 --> 00:28:37,960 Speaker 1: of Romo magic when the play breaks, I can see 648 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:39,920 Speaker 1: that I can see a little Brett Farve without the 649 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 1: heat on the ball, you know, his ability to kind 650 00:28:42,360 --> 00:28:47,200 Speaker 1: of improvise. But I do like the Tony Romo comparison. Um, 651 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:49,160 Speaker 1: But I think he's unique. You know, he's a very 652 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:51,240 Speaker 1: serious young man. I've gotten to be to spend some 653 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 1: time with him, and I'm very impressed with it with 654 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:55,080 Speaker 1: him and his character. Do you remember him going back 655 00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:56,959 Speaker 1: to high school at Saint Clementi High School? I know, 656 00:28:57,200 --> 00:28:59,320 Speaker 1: but you had Josh in the bag, so that was done. 657 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:01,880 Speaker 1: I mean that you had the top quarterback in the country, 658 00:29:01,920 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 1: so I don't imagine you spend much time recruiting Sam 659 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:05,560 Speaker 1: du Well. I think Sam, you know, it was an 660 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:08,680 Speaker 1: early commit to USC. You know, San clemented guy and 661 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:10,920 Speaker 1: and committed to them, and we were, you know, in 662 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:14,320 Speaker 1: pretty heavy with Josh and so um. You know, we 663 00:29:14,360 --> 00:29:17,040 Speaker 1: didn't spend a ton of time on Sam. It just 664 00:29:17,080 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 1: felt like, you know, he was going to go to USC, 665 00:29:18,920 --> 00:29:20,880 Speaker 1: and we were very very hopeful that Josh was gonna 666 00:29:20,920 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 1: come to U c. L A. And uh, you know, 667 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:25,720 Speaker 1: I think this will be a rivalry between these two 668 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:27,360 Speaker 1: guys that will go on for a long time. Would 669 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,440 Speaker 1: be fun to watch. Who knows, it might end up 670 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:31,080 Speaker 1: in New York, might have the Jets and the Giants, 671 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:32,760 Speaker 1: at least two guys in the same city, just on 672 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: the opposite side of the country. Hey, thank you so much, coach, 673 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 1: appreciate your time, my pleasure. Yeah, you can even tell 674 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:40,600 Speaker 1: just just talking to coach more there. I think he 675 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:42,400 Speaker 1: likes Sam Donald a lot. I don't think he liked 676 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:44,720 Speaker 1: playing against him. No, it's a challenge. He talked about 677 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 1: how challenging he is to defend because the guy can 678 00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: make plays not only on schedule, but all schedule, those 679 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: off platform throws, those second reaction plays that he's able 680 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:55,920 Speaker 1: to make outside of the pocket that really stresses the defense, 681 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:58,040 Speaker 1: and so he has your ministed amount of respect for 682 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:00,120 Speaker 1: the player, but also the guy that he is is 683 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:04,000 Speaker 1: he just appears to be kind of dead blue collar 684 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:06,080 Speaker 1: worker that you wanted to position. All right. I called 685 00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:08,920 Speaker 1: this next guest the Caretaker of Quarterbacks. Trent Dilfer has 686 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:11,400 Speaker 1: been running the Elite eleven show for a while. Now 687 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:13,640 Speaker 1: you work with him, Buck, He's got unique insight into 688 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:16,600 Speaker 1: these quarterbacks and had some real fascinating things to say 689 00:30:16,720 --> 00:30:20,480 Speaker 1: about Sam Donald sixth overall pick the Night Draft. But 690 00:30:20,560 --> 00:30:22,840 Speaker 1: really he's kind of the caretaker of quarterbacks. Is the 691 00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: official title that I'm giving him here. Trent. How you doing, man, 692 00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 1: I'm doing great, guys. Fun to be with both of you. Well, 693 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:32,080 Speaker 1: we we're looking forward to this conversation. I want to 694 00:30:32,120 --> 00:30:34,840 Speaker 1: first at the top here somebody going through that process 695 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 1: when you first became familiar with him. I know he 696 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 1: was kind of a late bloomer, having played another position 697 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:42,040 Speaker 1: there at Saint Clementi before moving to quarterback. But how 698 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:44,160 Speaker 1: about him? You talked about being able to learn about 699 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:46,720 Speaker 1: them as as sixteen seventeen year olds, how they think, 700 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:49,520 Speaker 1: how they interact, how they lead, are they grinders, What 701 00:30:49,560 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: did you learn about the young version of Sam Donald 702 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:56,560 Speaker 1: natural and everything that he does. The first tape I 703 00:30:56,560 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 1: ever saw on Sam was in football tape. It was 704 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:02,000 Speaker 1: high school basketball. They he had broken his ankle three 705 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:05,400 Speaker 1: games into his junior year at San Clemente, and Uh, 706 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:07,479 Speaker 1: there wasn't a lot of junior football tape on him. 707 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:10,240 Speaker 1: He played a different position the year before. Uh. And 708 00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:12,440 Speaker 1: then Joey Roberts, who both of you know very well, 709 00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:17,160 Speaker 1: our director scouting the lead eleven um, had set me 710 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:20,760 Speaker 1: one night, late one night, a link to his basketball 711 00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:23,440 Speaker 1: huddle film and he said, hey, you gotta check this 712 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:26,520 Speaker 1: get out. And at the time Sam, I don't think 713 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:28,440 Speaker 1: Sam had any offers. You can check with him, but 714 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:30,640 Speaker 1: I don't think he had any offers. He was really 715 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:33,360 Speaker 1: low on a lot of people's radar. And I watched 716 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:36,120 Speaker 1: him play basketball and I said, whoa, this is a 717 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:39,000 Speaker 1: And again it wasn't. It's not like I was watching 718 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:42,560 Speaker 1: Michael Jordan's play. But for what my eye was looking for, 719 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 1: the natural body movement, the body controlled, the competitiveness, the 720 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:49,120 Speaker 1: sacrifice for his team. He covered the point, he covered 721 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:51,680 Speaker 1: the post, He dribble a cross over, step back, he 722 00:31:51,720 --> 00:31:54,640 Speaker 1: took into the hole, he dished, he ran the floor. 723 00:31:55,360 --> 00:32:00,040 Speaker 1: He truly was everything you're looking for UM as a 724 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:03,320 Speaker 1: competitor as well as an athlete. Uh. And I said, hey, 725 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:05,720 Speaker 1: if if this kid can throw it at all, and 726 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,000 Speaker 1: if he's coachable, and this is what we're looking for. 727 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 1: And as we went through the spring and end up 728 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:13,800 Speaker 1: trying out in May and in Oakland, it was obvious 729 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:16,080 Speaker 1: after about five balls that he threw that this was 730 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:19,080 Speaker 1: going to be a special prospect. Because remember you're looking 731 00:32:19,120 --> 00:32:22,440 Speaker 1: for kids. The kids that have high ceilings are the 732 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:25,760 Speaker 1: ones that haven't been overtrained at sixteen, seventeen years old, 733 00:32:25,800 --> 00:32:27,480 Speaker 1: so you can kind of get a fuel for their 734 00:32:27,600 --> 00:32:30,960 Speaker 1: raw traits UM. But also you could say, wow, this 735 00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:32,600 Speaker 1: is a great piece of clay, and if you could 736 00:32:32,680 --> 00:32:37,080 Speaker 1: mold this kid the right way, the ceiling is exponentially high. 737 00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:39,360 Speaker 1: And that's how we felt about Sam. Now, he hadn't 738 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:41,160 Speaker 1: played a lot of football, He did not have the 739 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:45,440 Speaker 1: greatest elite eleven UM experienced. Well, he had a great experience, 740 00:32:45,440 --> 00:32:48,880 Speaker 1: didn't have the greatest of lead level performance we've ever seen, UM, 741 00:32:48,880 --> 00:32:52,480 Speaker 1: but he grew every rep he took the coaching. I mean, 742 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:55,040 Speaker 1: that's when him and Jordan Palmer really developed this special 743 00:32:55,080 --> 00:32:59,160 Speaker 1: relationship that exists today is is JP saw the same 744 00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:00,840 Speaker 1: thing we all did it and kind of took him 745 00:33:00,920 --> 00:33:03,880 Speaker 1: under his wing. And and uh, you can just and 746 00:33:03,920 --> 00:33:06,320 Speaker 1: I still see the growth that's there, Like he hasn't 747 00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:09,720 Speaker 1: even come close to tapping into his potential. That's why 748 00:33:09,720 --> 00:33:11,680 Speaker 1: I really believe he's kind of a I've used this 749 00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:15,320 Speaker 1: term of transcendent type talent, you know, training list, continue 750 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:17,840 Speaker 1: to build upon day. Because you're right, he hasn't played 751 00:33:17,840 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 1: a lot of football. He's only played four or five 752 00:33:19,760 --> 00:33:24,320 Speaker 1: years of real quarterbacking. And so when you're kind of 753 00:33:24,360 --> 00:33:27,320 Speaker 1: gambling on Sam Donald, you're gambling more on the guy. 754 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:29,720 Speaker 1: Tell us a little bit more about the guy that 755 00:33:29,840 --> 00:33:33,400 Speaker 1: Sam Donald is. Yeah, and that's probably the biggest thing 756 00:33:33,440 --> 00:33:38,760 Speaker 1: about him. Um, he's got that California cool vibe to 757 00:33:38,880 --> 00:33:42,240 Speaker 1: him that both you guys can appreciate that kind of 758 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:46,400 Speaker 1: makes everybody feel better and play better. Uh, he's got 759 00:33:46,440 --> 00:33:50,560 Speaker 1: this calming effect. Nothing is ever too big, uh, And 760 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:53,800 Speaker 1: nothing is too big. So as you forecast that out 761 00:33:53,840 --> 00:33:56,640 Speaker 1: to the NFL and you're talking massive markets and huge 762 00:33:56,640 --> 00:34:00,440 Speaker 1: media attention and pressure and scrutiny, that kind of stuff 763 00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:04,640 Speaker 1: doesn't really change him at all, But the lows aren't 764 00:34:04,640 --> 00:34:07,320 Speaker 1: low either. He has this great ability to kind of 765 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:12,840 Speaker 1: brush off whatever bad happens um and move forward and 766 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:16,719 Speaker 1: uses a teaching opportunity. I think he's got a term 767 00:34:16,760 --> 00:34:19,600 Speaker 1: what we use a lot with the younger guys is 768 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:23,120 Speaker 1: he has a quiet mind. The mind is never going 769 00:34:23,239 --> 00:34:26,160 Speaker 1: so fast that he gets out ahead of himself. He's 770 00:34:26,239 --> 00:34:29,360 Speaker 1: kind of in the moment um. He's able to process 771 00:34:29,480 --> 00:34:32,760 Speaker 1: things as they come. Uh. He's a very gifted leader. 772 00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:35,240 Speaker 1: Go back to when he was a freshman. He stepped 773 00:34:35,239 --> 00:34:37,880 Speaker 1: on USC's campus and they had two really good quarterbacks 774 00:34:37,920 --> 00:34:41,440 Speaker 1: on campus. Yet everything you ever heard about was about 775 00:34:41,520 --> 00:34:45,560 Speaker 1: Sam Donald. Because the team, which as we know, is 776 00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:48,760 Speaker 1: made up of a bunch of different people from a 777 00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:52,280 Speaker 1: bunch of different cultural backgrounds, a bunch of different belief systems. 778 00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:55,440 Speaker 1: It's hard to go in and immediately have everybody on 779 00:34:55,480 --> 00:34:59,040 Speaker 1: your team gravitate towards you. Well, he was that guy 780 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:01,720 Speaker 1: at eighteen year is old. So he has that natural 781 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:06,120 Speaker 1: leadership ability. Um, and I think he's got an incredible 782 00:35:06,160 --> 00:35:08,799 Speaker 1: first to learn. I don't think his football i Q 783 00:35:09,160 --> 00:35:12,000 Speaker 1: right now is exceptional. I think he would tell you that, 784 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:15,640 Speaker 1: but he has the capacity to have an exceptional football 785 00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:18,719 Speaker 1: I q because of his ability to learn. I know 786 00:35:18,760 --> 00:35:21,240 Speaker 1: what Jordan's done with him in this pre draft process 787 00:35:21,239 --> 00:35:23,600 Speaker 1: and how much he's challenged him, and how much Sam 788 00:35:23,640 --> 00:35:26,640 Speaker 1: has bought into it. I know the little that I spent, 789 00:35:26,760 --> 00:35:28,600 Speaker 1: the time I spent with him and challenged him to 790 00:35:28,680 --> 00:35:32,400 Speaker 1: learn some stuff. Uh. He really um grabbed whole of 791 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:35,799 Speaker 1: it and embraced it. Uh. And that's that's why I 792 00:35:35,840 --> 00:35:38,000 Speaker 1: think his ceiling is so high, because he's gonna be 793 00:35:38,120 --> 00:35:42,279 Speaker 1: a guy that continues to improve every single week in 794 00:35:42,320 --> 00:35:44,759 Speaker 1: the midst of an NFL season, and what you get 795 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:46,880 Speaker 1: day one when you draft him is gonna be very 796 00:35:46,920 --> 00:35:49,759 Speaker 1: different than what you have two years later. Trent. Look, 797 00:35:49,800 --> 00:35:51,200 Speaker 1: I've been on wreck for a long time. I think 798 00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:52,719 Speaker 1: he's the best one in this draft. But there are 799 00:35:52,760 --> 00:35:55,080 Speaker 1: no perfect prospects. As you know, everybody has things they 800 00:35:55,120 --> 00:35:57,959 Speaker 1: continue to work on. Uh. Interceptions I don't really care about. 801 00:35:58,000 --> 00:35:59,799 Speaker 1: That doesn't bother me. He functions more in the middle 802 00:35:59,800 --> 00:36:01,279 Speaker 1: of the field, and a lot of these quarterbacks that 803 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:03,440 Speaker 1: you study at the college level. The fumbels, on the 804 00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:06,200 Speaker 1: other hand, are are a legitimate concern and a legitimate issue. 805 00:36:06,239 --> 00:36:08,839 Speaker 1: Are you with me on that one? Yeah? They're driving 806 00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:12,400 Speaker 1: me crazy. Um, it's really the only thing. And he 807 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:15,280 Speaker 1: hasn't fixed it, which bothers me. Um, And I actually 808 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:17,760 Speaker 1: got worse. He's careless with the ball in the pocket, 809 00:36:18,239 --> 00:36:20,319 Speaker 1: he takes two, he takes his hands off of it, 810 00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:23,359 Speaker 1: he does the old damn Marino you know, lifted up 811 00:36:23,360 --> 00:36:29,280 Speaker 1: over defenders thing. Um, he's got to fix it. But again, 812 00:36:30,040 --> 00:36:33,600 Speaker 1: that wouldn't stop me from trusting that I'm going to 813 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:37,160 Speaker 1: get a unique quarterback prospect. Also, I think it's a 814 00:36:37,360 --> 00:36:41,440 Speaker 1: it's a topic of conversation. It's a real one. Um. 815 00:36:41,480 --> 00:36:44,320 Speaker 1: But if you take up the thirty layers of quarterbacking, 816 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:48,160 Speaker 1: it's one of the few columns he has a minus in. Um. 817 00:36:48,200 --> 00:36:50,239 Speaker 1: It's something he needs to be very, very aware of. 818 00:36:50,320 --> 00:36:52,680 Speaker 1: If I was his coach, it would be the first 819 00:36:52,760 --> 00:36:56,560 Speaker 1: thing I started harping on. How do you drill that? 820 00:36:57,160 --> 00:36:58,680 Speaker 1: How do you drill it? How do you drill that? 821 00:36:59,719 --> 00:37:01,800 Speaker 1: Is very easy to drill? Actually, I mean it's this 822 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:04,440 Speaker 1: conscious you know, you have a coach. That's why we 823 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:07,160 Speaker 1: have quarterback coaches, right that they're not the ones developing 824 00:37:07,200 --> 00:37:09,520 Speaker 1: the game plans. They're not calling the plays. They're there 825 00:37:09,560 --> 00:37:13,640 Speaker 1: to develop the quarterback. And you put those eyes on 826 00:37:14,080 --> 00:37:17,759 Speaker 1: Sam every snap he takes, and you remind him every 827 00:37:17,760 --> 00:37:20,600 Speaker 1: time he takes his left hand off the ball. Uh, 828 00:37:20,680 --> 00:37:22,720 Speaker 1: there are drills that you can do where you start, 829 00:37:22,760 --> 00:37:25,080 Speaker 1: and I can show it because we're here. A lot 830 00:37:25,120 --> 00:37:27,240 Speaker 1: of what quarterbacks do is when they move in the pocket, 831 00:37:27,239 --> 00:37:29,440 Speaker 1: they get what we call the quarterback death position, where 832 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:31,719 Speaker 1: they face the line of scrimmage and they take their 833 00:37:31,719 --> 00:37:34,200 Speaker 1: hands off the ball. So everybody watching this goes, oh, yeah, 834 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:37,560 Speaker 1: I've seen my quarterback do that. That's the quarterback death position. 835 00:37:38,440 --> 00:37:41,160 Speaker 1: What we've really stolen. I've stole this because I was 836 00:37:41,239 --> 00:37:44,360 Speaker 1: terrible at it from Tom Brady especially, and some of 837 00:37:44,360 --> 00:37:46,799 Speaker 1: the grades of the game have incorporated. As you start 838 00:37:46,960 --> 00:37:49,640 Speaker 1: using your chest to protect the ball, so as you 839 00:37:49,719 --> 00:37:53,440 Speaker 1: move in the pocket, you dip your shoulders and use 840 00:37:53,480 --> 00:37:57,000 Speaker 1: your shoulders to protect the football, so you never get 841 00:37:57,000 --> 00:38:00,879 Speaker 1: into this position. You're constantly moving in the pocket, in 842 00:38:00,920 --> 00:38:06,120 Speaker 1: this position where you're bobbing and weaving using your big muscles, 843 00:38:06,160 --> 00:38:09,319 Speaker 1: your shoulders, your paths to protect that football. It also 844 00:38:09,360 --> 00:38:11,719 Speaker 1: allows you to be more accurate too, because now when 845 00:38:11,760 --> 00:38:14,440 Speaker 1: you reset and you go to throw, you're in that 846 00:38:14,520 --> 00:38:17,640 Speaker 1: presentation position, that position you want to be in. So 847 00:38:17,760 --> 00:38:20,600 Speaker 1: the ball can load properly, where if you're like this 848 00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:23,839 Speaker 1: and you're playing around or you're taking your hands on well, 849 00:38:23,880 --> 00:38:25,640 Speaker 1: now you got to bring it back to the ball, 850 00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:29,000 Speaker 1: load the ball and throw, which takes more time. So 851 00:38:29,520 --> 00:38:31,680 Speaker 1: that's where I was starting. I'd be throwing, you know, 852 00:38:32,440 --> 00:38:36,319 Speaker 1: pool noodles at them, and swift balls and anything that 853 00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:39,080 Speaker 1: my owner allowed me to throw them, I'd throw at him. 854 00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:42,120 Speaker 1: I'd have people swiping at the ball. I'd have you know, 855 00:38:42,160 --> 00:38:44,480 Speaker 1: he'd be carrying a ball in the hallways. I mean, 856 00:38:44,520 --> 00:38:46,839 Speaker 1: I'm crazy with this stuff, so I'd be It would 857 00:38:46,880 --> 00:38:49,239 Speaker 1: be the first thing he thought about when he woke 858 00:38:49,360 --> 00:38:51,799 Speaker 1: up and the last thing he thought about before I 859 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:54,000 Speaker 1: went to bed. He Trent, I want to ask you 860 00:38:54,040 --> 00:38:57,239 Speaker 1: one last question on Donald because you have the unique perspective, 861 00:38:57,320 --> 00:38:59,880 Speaker 1: because a lot of what I see in Sam Donald's 862 00:38:59,840 --> 00:39:02,680 Speaker 1: aim is he's super competitive and he doesn't know when 863 00:39:02,719 --> 00:39:04,600 Speaker 1: to give up on a play, and he kind of 864 00:39:04,640 --> 00:39:06,880 Speaker 1: reminds me of another guy that we had at Elite eleven, 865 00:39:07,040 --> 00:39:10,719 Speaker 1: Jamis Winston, in terms of like when they go for it, 866 00:39:10,760 --> 00:39:13,200 Speaker 1: they go and they're feeless and they don't back down 867 00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:17,640 Speaker 1: whatever you've coached. Both guys are there some unique similarities 868 00:39:17,680 --> 00:39:19,640 Speaker 1: in terms of the way they approached the game or 869 00:39:19,640 --> 00:39:23,080 Speaker 1: the way they go about their business. So Buck, just 870 00:39:23,120 --> 00:39:25,080 Speaker 1: so DJ knows this and the people listening to this, 871 00:39:25,280 --> 00:39:30,520 Speaker 1: we've never had this conversation. No, never a h agree 872 00:39:30,560 --> 00:39:33,319 Speaker 1: with you. They're the same makeup of all the guy. 873 00:39:33,400 --> 00:39:35,440 Speaker 1: If I were to take two guys are most alike 874 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:37,440 Speaker 1: over the eight years we've been doing this from a 875 00:39:37,480 --> 00:39:41,319 Speaker 1: competitive makeup standpoint, would be Jamis and Sam, and I 876 00:39:41,360 --> 00:39:46,920 Speaker 1: would say that of their makeup is awesome that you're 877 00:39:46,960 --> 00:39:50,080 Speaker 1: talking about that. I will never quit, i will never stop. 878 00:39:50,160 --> 00:39:52,520 Speaker 1: I'm relentless, i will run through the wall. I'll do 879 00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:55,640 Speaker 1: anything for my team. Like I said, a lot of 880 00:39:55,640 --> 00:39:58,080 Speaker 1: that is good. A lot of that ends up being 881 00:39:58,719 --> 00:40:06,280 Speaker 1: turns into add plays. Brett Farve, Dan Marino, John Elway, Uh, 882 00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:12,239 Speaker 1: Drew brees Is younger days at San Diego, um Uh, 883 00:40:12,320 --> 00:40:15,640 Speaker 1: Peyton Manning. I mean just basically, go the Hall of 884 00:40:15,640 --> 00:40:18,520 Speaker 1: Fame and most of the guys had to say makeup 885 00:40:18,920 --> 00:40:24,120 Speaker 1: early on, and that's where coaching all these conversations and 886 00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:27,440 Speaker 1: go back to coaching. That is the burden of the 887 00:40:27,520 --> 00:40:32,120 Speaker 1: coach to take this. And Mike Hombrun was the best 888 00:40:32,120 --> 00:40:35,400 Speaker 1: in my opinion at this and be patient with it early. 889 00:40:36,239 --> 00:40:39,760 Speaker 1: But make sure that quarterback understands that you better fix 890 00:40:39,840 --> 00:40:43,680 Speaker 1: this because there's jobs in this building, the secretaries, all 891 00:40:43,719 --> 00:40:47,919 Speaker 1: the coaches, the equipment guys, the training staff, everybody that's 892 00:40:47,960 --> 00:40:52,000 Speaker 1: depending on you fixing this stuff. Eventually you're harnessing this 893 00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:55,520 Speaker 1: competitive temperament um. But boys, did a good problem to 894 00:40:55,600 --> 00:40:58,799 Speaker 1: having dur an organization that you're only dealing with of 895 00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:02,279 Speaker 1: chaos instead of Hey, trying and we know you're busy, man, 896 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:04,480 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for taking some time. We can 897 00:41:04,520 --> 00:41:07,680 Speaker 1: do this for another hour and a half. Easy, always 898 00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:10,879 Speaker 1: fun to be with you guys. Well there you have it, buck, 899 00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:13,239 Speaker 1: really good stuff there from Trent Dilferd. And look, we 900 00:41:13,239 --> 00:41:15,440 Speaker 1: could talk to him for hours and hours and hours 901 00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:17,680 Speaker 1: just about the fundamentals of the game. But he's he's 902 00:41:17,680 --> 00:41:19,640 Speaker 1: got a front row seat for these quarterbacks at a 903 00:41:19,719 --> 00:41:21,719 Speaker 1: very young age and has a great insight, does a 904 00:41:21,719 --> 00:41:23,640 Speaker 1: great job, does a great job of working with young 905 00:41:23,719 --> 00:41:26,040 Speaker 1: quarterbacks and really filling them with the right stuff. I 906 00:41:26,080 --> 00:41:29,479 Speaker 1: think his insight and perspective on Sam Donald is really 907 00:41:29,480 --> 00:41:32,719 Speaker 1: really unique. He was able to see a guy who 908 00:41:32,760 --> 00:41:34,960 Speaker 1: hadn't played a lot of football at quarterback, and then 909 00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:36,760 Speaker 1: they were able to elevate him, give Hi an opportunity 910 00:41:36,800 --> 00:41:38,280 Speaker 1: to go to a leader love and by all accounts, 911 00:41:38,320 --> 00:41:40,640 Speaker 1: he didn't perform well on that stage, but he's continued 912 00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:42,600 Speaker 1: to maintain that relationship and a lot of what he 913 00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:46,960 Speaker 1: speaks to about Sam Donald is his ability to just 914 00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:49,759 Speaker 1: believe in the guy, and I think in everything. When 915 00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:52,319 Speaker 1: you're a personnel guy, sometimes the guy that is sitting 916 00:41:52,360 --> 00:41:54,360 Speaker 1: across you just want to lick in his eyes and 917 00:41:54,400 --> 00:41:55,960 Speaker 1: just kind of get a sense that, look, this dude's 918 00:41:55,960 --> 00:41:58,719 Speaker 1: gonna do everything. If he can't get it done, it's 919 00:41:58,760 --> 00:42:01,839 Speaker 1: gonna because he just tries and it just doesn't work. 920 00:42:01,880 --> 00:42:04,279 Speaker 1: It's not because he's not gonna put at all. I 921 00:42:04,320 --> 00:42:07,320 Speaker 1: think when you hear people continue to talk about Sam Donald, 922 00:42:07,480 --> 00:42:09,160 Speaker 1: you get this instead. This guy is going to be 923 00:42:09,200 --> 00:42:10,759 Speaker 1: an all the nothing guy. He's gonna be all in 924 00:42:11,120 --> 00:42:12,960 Speaker 1: and if it doesn't work, is not going to be 925 00:42:13,080 --> 00:42:15,360 Speaker 1: due to a lack of effort. To kind of paraphrase it, 926 00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:17,879 Speaker 1: wired the right way. Absolutely, what you talked to says 927 00:42:17,920 --> 00:42:20,160 Speaker 1: this guy is wired the right way. And in that 928 00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:23,560 Speaker 1: interview there, Trent Dilford did mention JP, that's Jordan Palmer 929 00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:26,719 Speaker 1: who spent a lot of time training Sam Donald only 930 00:42:26,719 --> 00:42:29,120 Speaker 1: for the Combine, even prior to that in last offseason, 931 00:42:29,160 --> 00:42:30,960 Speaker 1: spent some time working with him, really took him under 932 00:42:30,960 --> 00:42:33,320 Speaker 1: his wing and a great person to talk to about 933 00:42:33,320 --> 00:42:36,720 Speaker 1: the USC quarterback. Alright, Bucky, I'm excited to be joined 934 00:42:36,719 --> 00:42:39,279 Speaker 1: by Jordan Palmer, seven years in the NFL as a 935 00:42:39,360 --> 00:42:42,080 Speaker 1: quarterback six round pick coming out of UTEP. I've threatened 936 00:42:42,120 --> 00:42:44,719 Speaker 1: him that I will release the report that I wrote 937 00:42:45,320 --> 00:42:47,600 Speaker 1: a scout at some point in time. But no, no, 938 00:42:47,719 --> 00:42:49,360 Speaker 1: he isn't shaking his head now. He doesn't want that. 939 00:42:49,840 --> 00:42:51,760 Speaker 1: It wasn't It wouldn't be as bad as my report 940 00:42:51,760 --> 00:42:55,719 Speaker 1: would have been. JP. Hey, thank you so much for 941 00:42:55,719 --> 00:42:57,760 Speaker 1: taking some time. You're training two of the top quarterbacks 942 00:42:57,760 --> 00:43:01,000 Speaker 1: in this draft class, and Josh Allen and Sam Donald. 943 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:03,920 Speaker 1: Let's start first with Sam. Here. The first time that 944 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:06,040 Speaker 1: you saw Sam I know you guys kind of live 945 00:43:06,080 --> 00:43:07,400 Speaker 1: or grew up in the same area. What was the 946 00:43:07,440 --> 00:43:10,640 Speaker 1: first time you were even aware of Sam Donald? Well, 947 00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:12,919 Speaker 1: you know it was It was actually at the camp 948 00:43:13,120 --> 00:43:15,120 Speaker 1: um of a guy I used to train with, Bob Bazenco, 949 00:43:15,280 --> 00:43:17,000 Speaker 1: and I was playing in the league at the time, 950 00:43:17,040 --> 00:43:18,719 Speaker 1: and so I you know, I'd go back and throw 951 00:43:18,760 --> 00:43:20,719 Speaker 1: all the time at any you know, anybody had a 952 00:43:20,719 --> 00:43:22,200 Speaker 1: camp going on. I go throw at the high school 953 00:43:22,239 --> 00:43:24,160 Speaker 1: kids and hop in. It was fun and it was 954 00:43:24,160 --> 00:43:26,840 Speaker 1: funny because I saw Sam and the coach I was 955 00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:28,680 Speaker 1: with he grew up around Carson and I when we 956 00:43:28,680 --> 00:43:31,359 Speaker 1: were little, and I'm like, that dude over there looks 957 00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:34,360 Speaker 1: exactly like Carson at that age. Not talent wise, I 958 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:36,279 Speaker 1: wasn't saying I saw it at an early age, just 959 00:43:36,360 --> 00:43:38,279 Speaker 1: literally he looked like him, he walked like him, he 960 00:43:38,440 --> 00:43:41,719 Speaker 1: was wearing like scrubby basketball gear like my brother did. 961 00:43:42,440 --> 00:43:44,240 Speaker 1: And then two years later he's in the Elite eleven 962 00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:47,120 Speaker 1: and it's like, man, this I totally still looks like Carson, 963 00:43:47,200 --> 00:43:49,239 Speaker 1: acts like Carson. And then all of a sudden he 964 00:43:49,280 --> 00:43:51,000 Speaker 1: goes to sc and and he's positioned to be the 965 00:43:51,080 --> 00:43:53,600 Speaker 1: number one pick. So it's been really ironic, but it's 966 00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:55,360 Speaker 1: also been really fun to be a part of his journey. 967 00:43:55,760 --> 00:43:57,359 Speaker 1: You know. Speaking of that journey, he was a guy 968 00:43:57,400 --> 00:44:00,600 Speaker 1: that played other positions before moving to quarterback. What is 969 00:44:00,640 --> 00:44:03,480 Speaker 1: the biggest challenge of kind of growing into position when 970 00:44:03,480 --> 00:44:06,840 Speaker 1: you haven't been I guess a lifelong quarterback, you know, 971 00:44:06,880 --> 00:44:10,400 Speaker 1: with Sam playing other positions and actually other sports, because 972 00:44:10,400 --> 00:44:12,320 Speaker 1: he was a really really good basketball player in high school. 973 00:44:12,880 --> 00:44:14,640 Speaker 1: I think what it does is it contributes to just 974 00:44:14,680 --> 00:44:17,719 Speaker 1: the foundation of your competitive temperament. You know, when you 975 00:44:17,719 --> 00:44:20,200 Speaker 1: have to to beat people at not just quarterback, you 976 00:44:20,200 --> 00:44:22,600 Speaker 1: have to beat people in other positions, other sports. I 977 00:44:22,600 --> 00:44:24,480 Speaker 1: think it rounds you out. And you know, there's a 978 00:44:24,560 --> 00:44:27,120 Speaker 1: kid who's just incredibly competitive. He's cool and he's calm, 979 00:44:27,160 --> 00:44:30,200 Speaker 1: he's a nice guy, and his friends like him. But 980 00:44:30,280 --> 00:44:32,520 Speaker 1: when this duds on the field, I mean he's I mean, 981 00:44:32,520 --> 00:44:35,120 Speaker 1: he's looking to take people's lunch and um, and he's 982 00:44:35,160 --> 00:44:37,200 Speaker 1: just been that way since high school. Uh, and then 983 00:44:37,239 --> 00:44:40,080 Speaker 1: the last two years getting an opportunity to play early. Um, 984 00:44:40,160 --> 00:44:42,319 Speaker 1: now getting an opportunity to leave early and play in 985 00:44:42,320 --> 00:44:45,200 Speaker 1: the NFL at a very young age. That competitive temperament 986 00:44:45,320 --> 00:44:47,040 Speaker 1: is going to be a really important foundation for him 987 00:44:47,080 --> 00:44:48,719 Speaker 1: to have. And and I think playing other sports but 988 00:44:48,760 --> 00:44:50,239 Speaker 1: another positions was the way that he was able to 989 00:44:50,239 --> 00:44:53,560 Speaker 1: develop it. Obviously, because your brother, you know what it's 990 00:44:53,560 --> 00:44:57,360 Speaker 1: like playing that fish bowl as the quarterback of USC, especially, 991 00:44:57,719 --> 00:44:59,400 Speaker 1: you know when the NFL not being here. Now the 992 00:44:59,480 --> 00:45:01,799 Speaker 1: NFL has come back, but even so USC has kind 993 00:45:01,800 --> 00:45:05,439 Speaker 1: of always been identified as as Southern California's professional football team. 994 00:45:05,760 --> 00:45:08,359 Speaker 1: For those that don't know just how much pressure was 995 00:45:08,400 --> 00:45:10,600 Speaker 1: on Sam coming off of a Rose Bowl went over 996 00:45:10,640 --> 00:45:12,799 Speaker 1: Penn State and what he played in the Fish Bowl, 997 00:45:12,840 --> 00:45:16,359 Speaker 1: so to speak. This year, Yeah, you know, it's really Uh, 998 00:45:16,440 --> 00:45:18,960 Speaker 1: this is my second year doing this. When I say this, 999 00:45:19,080 --> 00:45:22,680 Speaker 1: I mean training the dude that's the face of college football. 1000 00:45:22,960 --> 00:45:24,839 Speaker 1: Not the face of all the starters, of the face 1001 00:45:24,840 --> 00:45:27,440 Speaker 1: of the program. That's fine, um, But two years ago 1002 00:45:27,480 --> 00:45:30,120 Speaker 1: to Seawan after the national championship loss, he was the 1003 00:45:30,160 --> 00:45:33,200 Speaker 1: face of college football. This past year, Sam was the 1004 00:45:33,200 --> 00:45:36,719 Speaker 1: face of college football. What ends up happening is unrealistic 1005 00:45:36,760 --> 00:45:39,399 Speaker 1: expectations to get placed on these guys. Where if Sam 1006 00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:43,040 Speaker 1: would have had the most historic year and in USC history, 1007 00:45:43,760 --> 00:45:46,000 Speaker 1: we'd still talk about that pick that he threw and 1008 00:45:46,040 --> 00:45:48,160 Speaker 1: that fumble that he had and that drive that they 1009 00:45:48,200 --> 00:45:51,120 Speaker 1: still sputtered out on and it's just unrealistic. You know, 1010 00:45:51,440 --> 00:45:53,640 Speaker 1: Deshaun people are talking about how he's struggling going into 1011 00:45:53,640 --> 00:45:55,680 Speaker 1: his junior year. I mean, the dude almost won the 1012 00:45:55,719 --> 00:45:58,640 Speaker 1: Heisman and one a national championship. Sam, you know, the 1013 00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:00,719 Speaker 1: other way, what about this? What about uh? He threw 1014 00:46:00,760 --> 00:46:03,399 Speaker 1: from more yards and us than anybody in USC history, 1015 00:46:03,480 --> 00:46:05,880 Speaker 1: I mean in a great year. And so it's the 1016 00:46:05,960 --> 00:46:08,719 Speaker 1: expectations get so high. And then with l A, it's 1017 00:46:08,760 --> 00:46:10,160 Speaker 1: just like I live out here, this is like the 1018 00:46:10,160 --> 00:46:13,440 Speaker 1: bandwagon city and you know they didn't even sell out 1019 00:46:13,480 --> 00:46:16,960 Speaker 1: games this year, and you know, the expectations get so 1020 00:46:17,080 --> 00:46:19,120 Speaker 1: high that it's great for me to go through this 1021 00:46:19,160 --> 00:46:21,319 Speaker 1: experience with these guys because it'll be Jared stead Up 1022 00:46:21,360 --> 00:46:24,759 Speaker 1: next year. Um, where you just cannot worry about that 1023 00:46:24,800 --> 00:46:28,799 Speaker 1: stuff and whate that's valuable is when you get picked hie, 1024 00:46:29,360 --> 00:46:31,360 Speaker 1: it's gonna be the same thing. It's gonna be unrealistic, 1025 00:46:31,760 --> 00:46:35,040 Speaker 1: unrealistic expectations. So the fact that Sam got a whole 1026 00:46:35,120 --> 00:46:37,840 Speaker 1: last offseason of everybody putting them on every magazine and 1027 00:46:37,880 --> 00:46:41,160 Speaker 1: every podcast and every show talking about how greaty like, 1028 00:46:41,480 --> 00:46:43,440 Speaker 1: it was great for him to have to go through that, 1029 00:46:43,880 --> 00:46:46,359 Speaker 1: learned that it doesn't matter and just focus on the ball. 1030 00:46:46,840 --> 00:46:49,319 Speaker 1: You have a unique perspective because your brother was at 1031 00:46:49,400 --> 00:46:51,799 Speaker 1: number one overall pick uh, he had to deal with 1032 00:46:51,800 --> 00:46:54,640 Speaker 1: those expectations coming out of USC and having to be 1033 00:46:54,680 --> 00:46:57,200 Speaker 1: the face of the franchise. Eventually, he was in a 1034 00:46:57,239 --> 00:46:59,399 Speaker 1: situation where you got a chance to sit four years 1035 00:46:59,400 --> 00:47:02,920 Speaker 1: behind Jack getting before he played. Would it be beneficial 1036 00:47:03,000 --> 00:47:05,320 Speaker 1: for Sam to have a similar situation where he doesn't 1037 00:47:05,320 --> 00:47:08,160 Speaker 1: have to jump in right away and play and then 1038 00:47:08,200 --> 00:47:11,600 Speaker 1: become the face of the franchise in year two. Yeah, 1039 00:47:11,719 --> 00:47:14,320 Speaker 1: for sure. And and honestly, my answer to this question 1040 00:47:14,400 --> 00:47:16,640 Speaker 1: is for every single rookie quarterback for the rest of 1041 00:47:16,680 --> 00:47:20,719 Speaker 1: them their lives. Like, I always think it's beneficial to sit. Um. 1042 00:47:20,760 --> 00:47:23,719 Speaker 1: There's not enough programs in college football who run the 1043 00:47:23,800 --> 00:47:26,359 Speaker 1: same stuff. I mean, I think there's like one or two. 1044 00:47:27,200 --> 00:47:28,799 Speaker 1: I mean, Bucky, we see this at the opening all 1045 00:47:28,800 --> 00:47:30,319 Speaker 1: the time. The guys and you know and college guys 1046 00:47:30,360 --> 00:47:32,520 Speaker 1: come back and you have a conversation, You're like, man, 1047 00:47:32,560 --> 00:47:34,520 Speaker 1: that's the best running back in college football. I can't 1048 00:47:34,560 --> 00:47:37,759 Speaker 1: believe how much he doesn't know. So with this, like 1049 00:47:37,840 --> 00:47:40,040 Speaker 1: I always think it's beneficial. I think Pat Mahomes is 1050 00:47:40,080 --> 00:47:43,440 Speaker 1: in a great spot now. The cool thing about the uh, 1051 00:47:43,480 --> 00:47:45,839 Speaker 1: you know, Sam and Josh is I think these guys 1052 00:47:45,840 --> 00:47:49,040 Speaker 1: are talented enough and they're poised enough where if they 1053 00:47:49,040 --> 00:47:51,400 Speaker 1: have to play early, they'll probably play well. So I 1054 00:47:51,440 --> 00:47:53,200 Speaker 1: felt the same way about Shaun Watson last year, you know, 1055 00:47:53,239 --> 00:47:55,799 Speaker 1: and En they're playing great. UM. But I always think 1056 00:47:55,840 --> 00:47:57,799 Speaker 1: it's beneficial. You know, you get to sit and you 1057 00:47:57,840 --> 00:48:01,560 Speaker 1: can learn from other people's mistakes. UM. And so depending 1058 00:48:01,560 --> 00:48:03,400 Speaker 1: on what Cleveland does, the other teams and wherever it's 1059 00:48:03,400 --> 00:48:05,359 Speaker 1: Sam and Josh end Up UM. You know, if they're 1060 00:48:05,360 --> 00:48:07,160 Speaker 1: in a position where they can sit and watch and 1061 00:48:07,239 --> 00:48:10,920 Speaker 1: learn on someone else's behalf UM, and it's always beneficial 1062 00:48:10,960 --> 00:48:13,040 Speaker 1: I think to sit. With that being said, you know, 1063 00:48:13,080 --> 00:48:15,040 Speaker 1: I'm trying to get them ready to play. When you 1064 00:48:15,040 --> 00:48:18,240 Speaker 1: watch Sam mechanically, what was the checklist you put together 1065 00:48:18,360 --> 00:48:20,080 Speaker 1: for when he showed up to start training to get 1066 00:48:20,080 --> 00:48:23,480 Speaker 1: ready for the draft? Were starting to focus on well, 1067 00:48:23,480 --> 00:48:26,319 Speaker 1: you know, last offseason we focused on that loop UM 1068 00:48:26,600 --> 00:48:28,960 Speaker 1: him dropping the ball down low, and we determined that 1069 00:48:29,040 --> 00:48:32,640 Speaker 1: really about thirty two thirty five yards when he's driving it, Uh, 1070 00:48:32,640 --> 00:48:35,440 Speaker 1: he'll drop that ball a little lower. UM. And it's psychological. 1071 00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:37,359 Speaker 1: It's because there's something in you that makes you feel 1072 00:48:37,360 --> 00:48:40,200 Speaker 1: like I have to do this. And we were able 1073 00:48:40,239 --> 00:48:42,320 Speaker 1: to to be able to figure out a way for 1074 00:48:42,440 --> 00:48:43,880 Speaker 1: him to to not have to worry about that, So 1075 00:48:43,920 --> 00:48:46,759 Speaker 1: that loop got a little smaller last offseason. I also 1076 00:48:46,760 --> 00:48:49,120 Speaker 1: talked to enough teams and enough experts like Trent Dilford 1077 00:48:49,560 --> 00:48:53,200 Speaker 1: where it doesn't bother anybody. This offseason, because he made 1078 00:48:53,200 --> 00:48:55,640 Speaker 1: so many off schedule throws, he would have a tendency 1079 00:48:55,680 --> 00:48:58,319 Speaker 1: to get hunched in his shoulders. And that may not 1080 00:48:58,360 --> 00:48:59,879 Speaker 1: seem like a big deal, but when you get hunched 1081 00:49:00,000 --> 00:49:03,120 Speaker 1: your shoulders, you end up not using your pack muscles. 1082 00:49:03,640 --> 00:49:05,080 Speaker 1: So when you go to throw, you end up not 1083 00:49:05,160 --> 00:49:07,560 Speaker 1: recruiting all those chest muscles, which means you're gonna be 1084 00:49:07,560 --> 00:49:09,160 Speaker 1: throwing with more of your arm than you need to. 1085 00:49:09,880 --> 00:49:12,560 Speaker 1: And so by relaxing his traps and working on his posture, 1086 00:49:13,120 --> 00:49:14,799 Speaker 1: he's been able to recruit the muscles on the front 1087 00:49:14,800 --> 00:49:17,080 Speaker 1: half of his body, which means he's using less of 1088 00:49:17,080 --> 00:49:19,800 Speaker 1: his arms. That was one. The other thing is um, 1089 00:49:19,840 --> 00:49:22,120 Speaker 1: it's just the footwork. You know, they did a lot 1090 00:49:22,160 --> 00:49:26,040 Speaker 1: of different drops at sc UM, but they're they're pretty casual. 1091 00:49:26,280 --> 00:49:28,080 Speaker 1: You know, he was able to be pretty casual because 1092 00:49:28,080 --> 00:49:29,880 Speaker 1: he was had a lot of lightnment hurt. You know, 1093 00:49:29,920 --> 00:49:31,920 Speaker 1: he had to move around a lot. When you do that, 1094 00:49:32,120 --> 00:49:34,839 Speaker 1: you end up getting pretty inconsistent with your drops, which 1095 00:49:34,840 --> 00:49:37,759 Speaker 1: is David something we've talked about um and and so 1096 00:49:37,800 --> 00:49:40,000 Speaker 1: going through that process, those two things is what we've 1097 00:49:40,040 --> 00:49:42,120 Speaker 1: been hammering. This is the last one from me here, JP. 1098 00:49:42,320 --> 00:49:44,880 Speaker 1: Let's let's go best case scenario five years from now. 1099 00:49:44,920 --> 00:49:47,920 Speaker 1: What does that look like? You know, it's hard for 1100 00:49:47,960 --> 00:49:50,359 Speaker 1: me to sit here and compare where these guys are 1101 00:49:50,360 --> 00:49:53,799 Speaker 1: gonna be because it totally depends on the organization they 1102 00:49:53,840 --> 00:49:58,719 Speaker 1: go to. Right, I haven't seen a guy I mean, 1103 00:49:59,840 --> 00:50:01,560 Speaker 1: or I've seen guys like to show maybe last year 1104 00:50:01,600 --> 00:50:04,080 Speaker 1: we're like, were these teammates where I go, hey, what 1105 00:50:04,080 --> 00:50:05,600 Speaker 1: do you think of Sam? And they need to pause 1106 00:50:05,640 --> 00:50:08,480 Speaker 1: and they go, listen, this is my guy. There's a 1107 00:50:08,480 --> 00:50:11,200 Speaker 1: guy who can rally a locker room and he's twenty 1108 00:50:11,320 --> 00:50:13,840 Speaker 1: so that's gonna be important. You know, he's a young dude, 1109 00:50:14,600 --> 00:50:16,560 Speaker 1: and and that's gonna be important. And this is gonna 1110 00:50:16,560 --> 00:50:19,080 Speaker 1: be a guy for the next five years. Who um 1111 00:50:19,280 --> 00:50:21,640 Speaker 1: is a highlight reel because he's so good off schedule, 1112 00:50:21,680 --> 00:50:24,919 Speaker 1: he's so accurate, he's so consistent off schedule, moving around, 1113 00:50:24,960 --> 00:50:27,480 Speaker 1: buying time in the pocket. Dude ran a four eight 1114 00:50:27,480 --> 00:50:29,080 Speaker 1: and it's just he doesn't run a four It on 1115 00:50:29,120 --> 00:50:31,920 Speaker 1: tape in the pocket. And this is gonna be a 1116 00:50:31,920 --> 00:50:34,040 Speaker 1: guy who's who's just in those moments. And we saw 1117 00:50:34,120 --> 00:50:35,840 Speaker 1: in the Rods. But we saw in the Big Games, 1118 00:50:36,239 --> 00:50:38,919 Speaker 1: even Texas coming back at the end. He's just gonna 1119 00:50:38,920 --> 00:50:40,920 Speaker 1: be one of those guys. I think his reputation and 1120 00:50:40,920 --> 00:50:43,200 Speaker 1: this is we're recording this, so this is perfect. His 1121 00:50:43,280 --> 00:50:45,719 Speaker 1: reputation is going to be that big moment, that big 1122 00:50:45,760 --> 00:50:49,480 Speaker 1: game guy where he always comes through UM, and he's 1123 00:50:49,480 --> 00:50:50,839 Speaker 1: gonna do it in a way. But he's just gonna 1124 00:50:50,840 --> 00:50:52,839 Speaker 1: be an easy guy to be a fan of. I 1125 00:50:52,880 --> 00:50:55,080 Speaker 1: love it. Hey, I know you're busy, man. Thank you 1126 00:50:55,120 --> 00:50:57,239 Speaker 1: so much for taking some time. Let's let's catch up 1127 00:50:57,239 --> 00:50:59,880 Speaker 1: again here before we get to the draft. My pleasure 1128 00:51:00,080 --> 00:51:04,160 Speaker 1: us guys. Alright, Black Jordan Palmer JP some great insight 1129 00:51:04,239 --> 00:51:06,560 Speaker 1: there on Sam Doin. If you haven't listened to the 1130 00:51:06,640 --> 00:51:08,600 Speaker 1: Josh Allen three six, he had some great things to 1131 00:51:08,640 --> 00:51:10,440 Speaker 1: say on Josh Allen as well. Yeah, JP has a 1132 00:51:10,520 --> 00:51:13,080 Speaker 1: unique perspective. UM. A lot of times he ends up 1133 00:51:13,080 --> 00:51:15,600 Speaker 1: beating these guys along the way on the Elite eleven tour, 1134 00:51:15,680 --> 00:51:19,240 Speaker 1: and so his insight in terms of really really annoying 1135 00:51:19,280 --> 00:51:21,760 Speaker 1: the kid is a little deeper than some other guys. 1136 00:51:21,760 --> 00:51:24,040 Speaker 1: And I think with Sam, he really has a great 1137 00:51:24,080 --> 00:51:26,480 Speaker 1: connection on him, and I think he has done a 1138 00:51:26,520 --> 00:51:29,440 Speaker 1: really really good job of trying to bring out all 1139 00:51:29,480 --> 00:51:31,440 Speaker 1: of this stuff that he needs to have to be 1140 00:51:31,480 --> 00:51:33,279 Speaker 1: a franchise quarter man, trying to find a way just 1141 00:51:33,400 --> 00:51:36,040 Speaker 1: unlock that potential that Sam Donald has. But great insight 1142 00:51:36,120 --> 00:51:38,799 Speaker 1: not only on the player, but the person there from JP. 1143 00:51:39,040 --> 00:51:42,200 Speaker 1: Really appreciate him joining the show here. Well, let's not 1144 00:51:42,239 --> 00:51:44,880 Speaker 1: waste any more time. Let's get to our conversation with 1145 00:51:44,920 --> 00:51:48,440 Speaker 1: the man himself. Here's our chat with Sam Donald. Sam, 1146 00:51:48,520 --> 00:51:51,040 Speaker 1: first question, I want to ask you because we put 1147 00:51:51,040 --> 00:51:54,719 Speaker 1: out a video of some of your basketball Uh, I 1148 00:51:54,719 --> 00:51:56,520 Speaker 1: would say exploits. Yeah, we'll go ahead and throw that 1149 00:51:56,560 --> 00:51:58,799 Speaker 1: out there. I need you to grade yourself as a 1150 00:51:58,800 --> 00:52:03,880 Speaker 1: basketball player. We'll get to the football stuff in a minute. Um, 1151 00:52:03,920 --> 00:52:06,799 Speaker 1: on what scale, because no, it could bury based on 1152 00:52:06,800 --> 00:52:09,560 Speaker 1: what scale we're judging off. Well, let's go off of 1153 00:52:09,600 --> 00:52:14,600 Speaker 1: the good high school basketball player skill. Okay, I would 1154 00:52:14,640 --> 00:52:18,880 Speaker 1: say I was above average. Um, you know, I'm definitely 1155 00:52:19,560 --> 00:52:21,839 Speaker 1: I had some looks. Actually my sophomore year, I had 1156 00:52:21,880 --> 00:52:24,960 Speaker 1: some looks locally here. Um, and they were going to 1157 00:52:25,040 --> 00:52:28,080 Speaker 1: offer you some scholarship. But um, you know, once I 1158 00:52:28,120 --> 00:52:32,120 Speaker 1: got hurt in football and I gained some weight. Uh once, 1159 00:52:32,160 --> 00:52:35,040 Speaker 1: but I broke my foot and decided that football is 1160 00:52:35,280 --> 00:52:37,440 Speaker 1: you know, going to be the route for me. And uh, 1161 00:52:37,520 --> 00:52:40,239 Speaker 1: that's when you know, I I still I continued to 1162 00:52:40,239 --> 00:52:43,200 Speaker 1: play basketball, but I think my best year playing was 1163 00:52:43,320 --> 00:52:46,160 Speaker 1: my sophomore year in high school. You know, Sam, is 1164 00:52:46,560 --> 00:52:49,360 Speaker 1: unique that you played multiple sports as a quarterback. What 1165 00:52:49,480 --> 00:52:51,880 Speaker 1: did you learn from playing basketball? Did it say do 1166 00:52:51,960 --> 00:52:56,440 Speaker 1: you play quarterback? Um? I would just say all the 1167 00:52:56,480 --> 00:53:00,760 Speaker 1: functional movement just and also I mean to be honest 1168 00:53:00,800 --> 00:53:02,680 Speaker 1: with you guys, that and not that I was ever 1169 00:53:02,719 --> 00:53:04,960 Speaker 1: going to burn out on football, but it was just 1170 00:53:05,000 --> 00:53:08,280 Speaker 1: a nice break. Um. It was good for my body 1171 00:53:08,320 --> 00:53:11,120 Speaker 1: as well to just be in basketball shape because obviously 1172 00:53:11,160 --> 00:53:13,879 Speaker 1: as a quarterback you're not running around a ton during 1173 00:53:13,880 --> 00:53:17,439 Speaker 1: practice or during the game. So it was nice during 1174 00:53:17,440 --> 00:53:19,920 Speaker 1: that offseason to kind of play basketball and get in 1175 00:53:20,000 --> 00:53:23,040 Speaker 1: that shape that I need to be into. Um, be 1176 00:53:23,160 --> 00:53:25,440 Speaker 1: a be a you know, a good athlete and an 1177 00:53:25,440 --> 00:53:29,320 Speaker 1: athlete that I wanted to be for for football. So uh, 1178 00:53:29,560 --> 00:53:32,000 Speaker 1: I think you know, any any time you're able to 1179 00:53:32,040 --> 00:53:36,080 Speaker 1: play different sports, whether it's you know, basketball, baseball, um, 1180 00:53:36,160 --> 00:53:39,400 Speaker 1: even sports like golf. I mean, just all the different movements, 1181 00:53:39,640 --> 00:53:43,080 Speaker 1: UM help you out as an athlete. In my opinion, well, 1182 00:53:43,080 --> 00:53:45,440 Speaker 1: what much was talked about during your recruiting process and 1183 00:53:45,480 --> 00:53:47,680 Speaker 1: you kind of came up late in the process. We 1184 00:53:47,719 --> 00:53:51,000 Speaker 1: had Trent Dilferran and talk to Trent about your journey 1185 00:53:51,000 --> 00:53:53,600 Speaker 1: and your experience there at the Elite eleven. But what 1186 00:53:53,719 --> 00:53:56,439 Speaker 1: went into your recruiting there? How hot was it early? 1187 00:53:56,480 --> 00:53:58,120 Speaker 1: When did it pick up? And when did you know 1188 00:53:58,360 --> 00:54:03,480 Speaker 1: you're gonna go to USC. Yeah. So, so my sophomore year, 1189 00:54:03,480 --> 00:54:06,719 Speaker 1: I played linebacker and receiver for eight games and then 1190 00:54:07,280 --> 00:54:10,319 Speaker 1: the last two games actually, so the seventh game of 1191 00:54:10,320 --> 00:54:13,680 Speaker 1: the season or the eighth game of the season, the 1192 00:54:13,840 --> 00:54:17,520 Speaker 1: senior quarterback ends up breaking his collar bone, and so 1193 00:54:17,560 --> 00:54:19,400 Speaker 1: I had to go in there and play quarterbacks for 1194 00:54:19,440 --> 00:54:21,839 Speaker 1: the last two games of the season, and UM ended 1195 00:54:21,920 --> 00:54:24,399 Speaker 1: up doing pretty well. We won one, we lost one, 1196 00:54:24,640 --> 00:54:27,960 Speaker 1: and uh didn't make any any type of playoffs or anything. 1197 00:54:28,000 --> 00:54:31,640 Speaker 1: But off of that film and then off of you know, 1198 00:54:31,680 --> 00:54:34,080 Speaker 1: the practice that they came and watched, Utah offered me 1199 00:54:34,080 --> 00:54:37,000 Speaker 1: a scholarship UM and that was the only scholarship that 1200 00:54:37,000 --> 00:54:39,919 Speaker 1: I had for a while. That was the summer going 1201 00:54:39,960 --> 00:54:44,000 Speaker 1: into my junior year, and then junior year, I was 1202 00:54:44,000 --> 00:54:46,280 Speaker 1: looking to have a breakout year, you know, starting starting 1203 00:54:46,320 --> 00:54:50,360 Speaker 1: at quarterback and all that stuff and ended up breaking 1204 00:54:50,360 --> 00:54:54,480 Speaker 1: my foot the third game of my junior season, and 1205 00:54:55,040 --> 00:54:57,839 Speaker 1: you know, it was just it was something I had 1206 00:54:57,880 --> 00:54:59,960 Speaker 1: to deal with and you know, some adversity that I've 1207 00:55:00,040 --> 00:55:02,719 Speaker 1: never dealt with in my life. And it really taught me. 1208 00:55:03,160 --> 00:55:05,640 Speaker 1: Um taught me a lot about myself. And I learned 1209 00:55:05,640 --> 00:55:08,239 Speaker 1: a lot about myself that I but I don't think 1210 00:55:08,239 --> 00:55:12,000 Speaker 1: I would have learned otherwise. So UM, after that, you know, 1211 00:55:12,040 --> 00:55:13,880 Speaker 1: I knew that I didn't have any tape. You know, 1212 00:55:13,960 --> 00:55:17,080 Speaker 1: colleges they only had two games worth the tape on me, 1213 00:55:17,600 --> 00:55:19,799 Speaker 1: and I knew that wasn't gonna be enough. So I 1214 00:55:19,880 --> 00:55:23,640 Speaker 1: ended up going to a regional in Oakland for Lead eleven. 1215 00:55:23,880 --> 00:55:26,960 Speaker 1: And going to camps was never really my thing. Uh. 1216 00:55:27,000 --> 00:55:29,680 Speaker 1: I never really wanted to go to camps because I 1217 00:55:29,719 --> 00:55:31,719 Speaker 1: knew that was going to take time away from the 1218 00:55:31,760 --> 00:55:35,520 Speaker 1: basketball season, uh or the summer basketball training that I 1219 00:55:35,600 --> 00:55:38,000 Speaker 1: that I was gonna do this. So I ended up 1220 00:55:38,040 --> 00:55:41,239 Speaker 1: going to this camp and ELDE eleven not really expecting anything. Uh, 1221 00:55:41,440 --> 00:55:44,759 Speaker 1: it wasn't really that high profile at all, and on 1222 00:55:44,800 --> 00:55:47,480 Speaker 1: the spot just got the Elite eleven invite and I'm 1223 00:55:47,520 --> 00:55:50,279 Speaker 1: not even kidding you. I think the day after that, 1224 00:55:50,560 --> 00:55:54,600 Speaker 1: I got I think like five scholarship offers, um, just 1225 00:55:54,600 --> 00:55:56,799 Speaker 1: just from being invited to a lead eleven. So it 1226 00:55:56,840 --> 00:56:00,399 Speaker 1: really changed my life. UM, and I'm very ank full 1227 00:56:00,440 --> 00:56:03,759 Speaker 1: of obviously Jordan's the guys like Trent Dilford as well 1228 00:56:03,800 --> 00:56:06,919 Speaker 1: for for inviting me to Relate eleven because it really 1229 00:56:06,920 --> 00:56:08,960 Speaker 1: did change my life and it picked up my recruiting 1230 00:56:09,680 --> 00:56:14,000 Speaker 1: UM a lot. And then late, you know, late that summer, 1231 00:56:14,040 --> 00:56:17,920 Speaker 1: I end up getting offered by USC, and obviously you know, 1232 00:56:18,160 --> 00:56:20,600 Speaker 1: the rest is kind of history from there. You know, Sam, 1233 00:56:20,640 --> 00:56:23,080 Speaker 1: I think what's unique about your situation at USC. You 1234 00:56:23,120 --> 00:56:24,800 Speaker 1: went there and there were some guys that were highly 1235 00:56:24,840 --> 00:56:28,680 Speaker 1: touted ahead of you. Um. Can you discuss this situation 1236 00:56:28,719 --> 00:56:31,399 Speaker 1: in terms of just kind of put stick your nose 1237 00:56:31,480 --> 00:56:34,640 Speaker 1: to the grindstone and just out working everybody to finally 1238 00:56:34,680 --> 00:56:38,040 Speaker 1: get your opportunity to start a SC Yeah, I mean 1239 00:56:38,080 --> 00:56:40,440 Speaker 1: I think it goes back to knowing that I was 1240 00:56:40,480 --> 00:56:42,160 Speaker 1: going to have to compete no matter where I went. 1241 00:56:42,760 --> 00:56:45,800 Speaker 1: H You know it was I knew that there was 1242 00:56:45,840 --> 00:56:49,920 Speaker 1: another quarterback committed in my same class, and you know, 1243 00:56:49,960 --> 00:56:53,160 Speaker 1: I went to AL eleven and um, you know I 1244 00:56:53,160 --> 00:56:55,600 Speaker 1: was watching all these quarterbacks throw and I really told myself, 1245 00:56:55,640 --> 00:56:58,200 Speaker 1: you know, I think I can compete with all of them. UM. 1246 00:56:58,239 --> 00:56:59,719 Speaker 1: I thought I was just as good or better than 1247 00:56:59,800 --> 00:57:03,160 Speaker 1: all them. UM. And I had that you know, kind 1248 00:57:03,160 --> 00:57:06,120 Speaker 1: of quiet confidence about myself. And I knew that wherever 1249 00:57:06,160 --> 00:57:08,160 Speaker 1: I went, I was going to have an opportunity to start. 1250 00:57:08,280 --> 00:57:10,600 Speaker 1: Maybe not right away. I mean at SC, I knew 1251 00:57:10,600 --> 00:57:12,560 Speaker 1: that I was going to have to sit behind Cody 1252 00:57:12,600 --> 00:57:15,840 Speaker 1: the first year, which I was perfectly fine with. UM 1253 00:57:15,840 --> 00:57:18,400 Speaker 1: that actually that allowed me to play my senior year 1254 00:57:19,000 --> 00:57:21,840 Speaker 1: basketball season. Uh, I was able to stay and I 1255 00:57:21,840 --> 00:57:25,040 Speaker 1: actually just entered. I didn't enter in the spring. I 1256 00:57:25,080 --> 00:57:29,120 Speaker 1: actually just entered regularly as a as an incoming freshman 1257 00:57:29,120 --> 00:57:32,640 Speaker 1: in the summer. So and then I read shirted, and 1258 00:57:33,200 --> 00:57:35,040 Speaker 1: you know, I ended up sitting behind Max Brown for 1259 00:57:35,080 --> 00:57:36,960 Speaker 1: a few games and then took over as a starter, 1260 00:57:37,680 --> 00:57:40,480 Speaker 1: and we're able to rattle off some some wins, which was, 1261 00:57:40,880 --> 00:57:44,760 Speaker 1: you know, kind of the turning point recently in my career. 1262 00:57:44,880 --> 00:57:47,280 Speaker 1: And it's been awesome ever since. I want to go 1263 00:57:47,320 --> 00:57:49,680 Speaker 1: back to that first start at Utah. I believe was 1264 00:57:49,760 --> 00:57:52,640 Speaker 1: pouring rain there for your first start there at SC. 1265 00:57:53,080 --> 00:57:56,000 Speaker 1: What was was there a time were you addressed the 1266 00:57:56,000 --> 00:57:58,240 Speaker 1: team and it's kind of awkward, right, You've got Max 1267 00:57:58,320 --> 00:58:00,360 Speaker 1: is there, now you're going to replace him as a 1268 00:58:00,400 --> 00:58:02,880 Speaker 1: starter early on in the season. You're going into that 1269 00:58:02,920 --> 00:58:05,800 Speaker 1: start against Utah. Did you ever address the offense as 1270 00:58:05,840 --> 00:58:07,880 Speaker 1: a whole prior to that game or and what was 1271 00:58:07,920 --> 00:58:10,000 Speaker 1: that experience like stepping on the turf as a starter 1272 00:58:10,040 --> 00:58:13,960 Speaker 1: for the first time in college. No. Um, Now, I 1273 00:58:14,040 --> 00:58:16,720 Speaker 1: never addressed the you know, the offense of a whole. 1274 00:58:16,760 --> 00:58:20,360 Speaker 1: But I remember going out there as my you know, 1275 00:58:20,440 --> 00:58:22,800 Speaker 1: with my the first drive before the game. I think 1276 00:58:22,840 --> 00:58:25,960 Speaker 1: we we ended up receiving the kickoff, and you know, 1277 00:58:26,040 --> 00:58:28,200 Speaker 1: we were the first kind of team to go out there, 1278 00:58:28,240 --> 00:58:32,000 Speaker 1: and um, I just told the offense. I was like, hey, guys, 1279 00:58:32,400 --> 00:58:34,000 Speaker 1: you know, this is what we gotta do. Gave him 1280 00:58:34,000 --> 00:58:36,440 Speaker 1: to play and we were ready to roll. And in 1281 00:58:36,520 --> 00:58:39,840 Speaker 1: pract I had a really good week of practice that week. Um, 1282 00:58:40,800 --> 00:58:44,400 Speaker 1: and I think the guys just, you know, they understood 1283 00:58:44,400 --> 00:58:47,440 Speaker 1: that we needed something new. Um we needed you know, 1284 00:58:47,480 --> 00:58:50,080 Speaker 1: a little spark or whatever you want to call it. 1285 00:58:50,160 --> 00:58:53,360 Speaker 1: But um, I thought I provided it. Uh. You know, 1286 00:58:53,440 --> 00:58:55,880 Speaker 1: we saw some touchdowns, we moved the ball a lot 1287 00:58:55,880 --> 00:58:59,840 Speaker 1: against Utah. Unfortunately, we lost that game. Um. But I 1288 00:59:00,000 --> 00:59:02,280 Speaker 1: think you could just kind of feel it. You just 1289 00:59:02,360 --> 00:59:04,960 Speaker 1: kind of felt um, And it wasn't just me. I mean, 1290 00:59:04,960 --> 00:59:07,080 Speaker 1: it was it was all the players around me, um, 1291 00:59:07,400 --> 00:59:10,720 Speaker 1: making plays and doing their assignment. And I knew after 1292 00:59:10,760 --> 00:59:13,439 Speaker 1: that game that I could play at the collegiate level. Um. 1293 00:59:13,480 --> 00:59:16,320 Speaker 1: That really gave me confidence, Uh, to be able to 1294 00:59:16,400 --> 00:59:19,280 Speaker 1: go out there and play with confidence and you know, 1295 00:59:19,320 --> 00:59:21,920 Speaker 1: trust my teammates as well, that they were gonna do 1296 00:59:21,960 --> 00:59:25,520 Speaker 1: what they needed to do every single play. And you know, 1297 00:59:25,560 --> 00:59:29,080 Speaker 1: I think knowing that and really trusting my teammates and 1298 00:59:29,120 --> 00:59:32,400 Speaker 1: knowing that they had my back was really the main 1299 00:59:32,440 --> 00:59:34,960 Speaker 1: thing that gave me confidence to go out, you know, 1300 00:59:35,000 --> 00:59:37,440 Speaker 1: the rest of the year and not lose any games. 1301 00:59:38,280 --> 00:59:41,280 Speaker 1: You know, Sam, one of the things your coach talks 1302 00:59:41,280 --> 00:59:44,120 Speaker 1: about is how you inspire your teammates. You give them hope, 1303 00:59:44,360 --> 00:59:46,800 Speaker 1: You kind of bring an optimistic view to the team, 1304 00:59:46,840 --> 00:59:50,600 Speaker 1: particularly and clutch moments. Where does that confidence come from 1305 00:59:50,600 --> 00:59:51,960 Speaker 1: when the game is on the line and you have 1306 00:59:52,080 --> 00:59:54,800 Speaker 1: the ball in your hands that you can lead your 1307 00:59:54,880 --> 00:59:59,960 Speaker 1: team for score to win a game. Um. I really 1308 01:00:00,080 --> 01:00:03,160 Speaker 1: just I honestly believe that, you know, ever since I 1309 01:00:03,240 --> 01:00:06,640 Speaker 1: kind of grew up playing football and basketball, baseball, these 1310 01:00:06,680 --> 01:00:09,160 Speaker 1: sports and even playing in the backyard with my friends 1311 01:00:09,160 --> 01:00:13,160 Speaker 1: and um, you know, even during recess when I was 1312 01:00:13,160 --> 01:00:17,240 Speaker 1: playing you know, touch football. Um, it was just no 1313 01:00:17,280 --> 01:00:19,920 Speaker 1: matter what the score was, I always wanted to score 1314 01:00:20,000 --> 01:00:22,960 Speaker 1: touchdowns and drive the ball down the field, and no 1315 01:00:22,960 --> 01:00:24,800 Speaker 1: matter what the score was. And I think that kind 1316 01:00:24,800 --> 01:00:28,120 Speaker 1: of carries onto, you know, that kind of carried onto 1317 01:00:28,120 --> 01:00:31,160 Speaker 1: my collegiate career, and I think it's definitely gonna carry 1318 01:00:31,200 --> 01:00:35,320 Speaker 1: on in the NFL, where I don't you know, it's 1319 01:00:35,360 --> 01:00:38,160 Speaker 1: it's important to be ahead in the game, but if 1320 01:00:38,200 --> 01:00:40,640 Speaker 1: you're down in the game, you can't make excuses for yourself. 1321 01:00:40,640 --> 01:00:42,840 Speaker 1: You gotta just go out there and continue to play 1322 01:00:42,880 --> 01:00:46,000 Speaker 1: the game, play the game that you love. Um, you know, 1323 01:00:46,080 --> 01:00:48,600 Speaker 1: I just, you know, kind of I always talked about 1324 01:00:48,680 --> 01:00:50,720 Speaker 1: Kobe too. I think Kobe is such a great example 1325 01:00:50,760 --> 01:00:54,280 Speaker 1: because you know, of all the tape that you watch him, 1326 01:00:54,320 --> 01:00:57,240 Speaker 1: he probably tries harder when he's up by twenty or 1327 01:00:57,240 --> 01:00:59,600 Speaker 1: when he's down by twenty, more than any other athlete 1328 01:00:59,600 --> 01:01:02,480 Speaker 1: that I've have are scene. Um, it's just that kind 1329 01:01:02,520 --> 01:01:05,040 Speaker 1: of mentality. Um, I guess you can call it the 1330 01:01:05,080 --> 01:01:09,240 Speaker 1: mom of mentality. But it's just no matter what situation 1331 01:01:09,280 --> 01:01:11,560 Speaker 1: you're in, always trying your hardest, and I think for me, 1332 01:01:11,640 --> 01:01:16,240 Speaker 1: it's about respecting the game more than anything. So last 1333 01:01:16,280 --> 01:01:18,240 Speaker 1: question from me, and this is just I've been curious 1334 01:01:18,240 --> 01:01:21,080 Speaker 1: because you're so stock. I remember being there at the 1335 01:01:21,200 --> 01:01:24,120 Speaker 1: Rose Bowl when you you make the incredible comeback against 1336 01:01:24,120 --> 01:01:26,240 Speaker 1: Penn State, and I think after the kick went through, 1337 01:01:26,520 --> 01:01:28,280 Speaker 1: he didn't run around on the field a little bit. 1338 01:01:28,560 --> 01:01:31,160 Speaker 1: But you rarely let your emotions show at all. Do 1339 01:01:31,240 --> 01:01:34,680 Speaker 1: you ever watch Baker Mayfield do what he does after 1340 01:01:34,720 --> 01:01:37,440 Speaker 1: touchdowns and put his hands on go crazy, sprint to 1341 01:01:37,480 --> 01:01:39,840 Speaker 1: the sideline, kind of look up at the crowd. Have 1342 01:01:39,920 --> 01:01:42,880 Speaker 1: you ever thought of that, about adding that to your repertoire. 1343 01:01:44,080 --> 01:01:46,160 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, you know, I think about it all 1344 01:01:46,200 --> 01:01:49,960 Speaker 1: the time. Uh, it's just you know, it's it's just 1345 01:01:50,000 --> 01:01:52,840 Speaker 1: not who I am. Uh. And you know, for Baker 1346 01:01:52,880 --> 01:01:54,920 Speaker 1: to do that, that's who he is, and that's awesome. 1347 01:01:55,000 --> 01:01:56,920 Speaker 1: You know, I have a kind of respect for Baker 1348 01:01:56,960 --> 01:01:59,320 Speaker 1: and all these other quarterbacks in the draft. You know, 1349 01:01:59,400 --> 01:02:02,160 Speaker 1: Josh us to run around two and you guys know 1350 01:02:02,200 --> 01:02:04,200 Speaker 1: how close me and Josh has gotten over the past 1351 01:02:04,240 --> 01:02:07,760 Speaker 1: you know a few months, and um, it's just you know, guys, 1352 01:02:07,800 --> 01:02:11,520 Speaker 1: are gonna play the game differently, and I think you know, 1353 01:02:11,720 --> 01:02:14,680 Speaker 1: I think it's fair to say that I get more excited. Uh. 1354 01:02:14,760 --> 01:02:17,160 Speaker 1: You know, I think than any of these other quarterbacks 1355 01:02:17,160 --> 01:02:19,840 Speaker 1: when I score a touchdown. But I like to celebrate, 1356 01:02:20,080 --> 01:02:22,920 Speaker 1: you know, the way I do. And UM, I'm not 1357 01:02:22,960 --> 01:02:25,200 Speaker 1: going to change that. Um. I think if I ended 1358 01:02:25,280 --> 01:02:27,680 Speaker 1: up running around, I would think I would embarrass myself. 1359 01:02:27,760 --> 01:02:28,960 Speaker 1: You know, I think I take it as a good 1360 01:02:29,000 --> 01:02:32,080 Speaker 1: job of it. Um, So you know I'm not I'm 1361 01:02:32,120 --> 01:02:35,040 Speaker 1: just gonna continue to be myself. And uh, that's that's 1362 01:02:35,040 --> 01:02:36,280 Speaker 1: how I go about it. You know. That's how I 1363 01:02:36,360 --> 01:02:39,240 Speaker 1: was kind of raised, is to just um and I've 1364 01:02:39,360 --> 01:02:42,120 Speaker 1: been talking, you know about it for a while now. 1365 01:02:42,160 --> 01:02:44,680 Speaker 1: But I grew up more reserves. Um. I was more 1366 01:02:44,720 --> 01:02:47,160 Speaker 1: of like a shy kid growing up obviously, you know, 1367 01:02:47,280 --> 01:02:50,360 Speaker 1: being being the quarterback at USC and you know, going 1368 01:02:50,400 --> 01:02:54,360 Speaker 1: into the NFL draft as a potential you know, top pick, 1369 01:02:54,480 --> 01:02:57,400 Speaker 1: it's it's you know, I'm in the limelight a little 1370 01:02:57,440 --> 01:02:59,760 Speaker 1: bit more. But you know, my parents and my close 1371 01:02:59,800 --> 01:03:03,360 Speaker 1: friend of mine, I've really kept me grounded. And you 1372 01:03:03,400 --> 01:03:06,120 Speaker 1: know that's something that I think shows up in my 1373 01:03:06,200 --> 01:03:09,280 Speaker 1: game as well. You know, whenever I score a touchdown. Um, 1374 01:03:09,480 --> 01:03:11,760 Speaker 1: I understand that. You know, the other team has a 1375 01:03:11,800 --> 01:03:13,840 Speaker 1: potential to go down there and score two. You know, 1376 01:03:13,960 --> 01:03:17,440 Speaker 1: it's just going out there and really, just for me, 1377 01:03:17,480 --> 01:03:21,160 Speaker 1: it's about again respecting the game and understanding the position 1378 01:03:21,200 --> 01:03:24,000 Speaker 1: I'm in. And you know, obviously I'll let my emotions 1379 01:03:24,000 --> 01:03:26,240 Speaker 1: show if we're tied on the Rose Bowl and the 1380 01:03:26,280 --> 01:03:29,360 Speaker 1: game winning kick goes through the uprights. But um no, 1381 01:03:29,440 --> 01:03:31,560 Speaker 1: I'm just going to continue to be myself and respect 1382 01:03:31,600 --> 01:03:33,640 Speaker 1: the game as much as I can. Hey, I love 1383 01:03:33,680 --> 01:03:36,800 Speaker 1: that answer. I have one final question. Uh, this year 1384 01:03:36,960 --> 01:03:39,640 Speaker 1: was a little different from you and than previous years 1385 01:03:39,640 --> 01:03:41,960 Speaker 1: because you kind of came in as the face of 1386 01:03:42,000 --> 01:03:45,280 Speaker 1: college football, as the face of USC and all the 1387 01:03:45,280 --> 01:03:48,760 Speaker 1: expectations that went along with that. What were what are 1388 01:03:48,760 --> 01:03:51,640 Speaker 1: you able to take from this year being kind of 1389 01:03:51,680 --> 01:03:54,960 Speaker 1: celebrated and anointed as the face of college football to 1390 01:03:55,080 --> 01:03:58,000 Speaker 1: prepare you to be potentially the number one pick in 1391 01:03:58,040 --> 01:04:01,360 Speaker 1: the NFL. Yeah, I learned a lot, um, I think, 1392 01:04:01,640 --> 01:04:03,760 Speaker 1: you know, being the face of college football, like you said, 1393 01:04:03,840 --> 01:04:08,000 Speaker 1: and um, you know all the things, you know, being 1394 01:04:08,040 --> 01:04:12,080 Speaker 1: the starting quarterback at USC, which has its own um, 1395 01:04:12,120 --> 01:04:15,520 Speaker 1: its own kind of you know, I guess title to 1396 01:04:15,640 --> 01:04:18,400 Speaker 1: it and everything and all that that comes along with it. 1397 01:04:18,440 --> 01:04:21,240 Speaker 1: But um, like I said, I mean, I'm just going 1398 01:04:21,280 --> 01:04:25,000 Speaker 1: to continue in myself. Um. You know, sometimes it's hard 1399 01:04:25,040 --> 01:04:27,280 Speaker 1: to you know, find the time in the day to 1400 01:04:27,280 --> 01:04:30,959 Speaker 1: really reflect on everything, and um, reflect on the people 1401 01:04:30,960 --> 01:04:33,920 Speaker 1: who have bright of this moment. And uh, you know, 1402 01:04:33,960 --> 01:04:35,800 Speaker 1: I look back and think of all the people like 1403 01:04:35,880 --> 01:04:38,240 Speaker 1: my friends and my family who have helped me along 1404 01:04:38,240 --> 01:04:40,439 Speaker 1: in the way, my teammates, all the coaches that I've had, 1405 01:04:40,520 --> 01:04:43,320 Speaker 1: and um, I think they would all say the same 1406 01:04:43,320 --> 01:04:46,480 Speaker 1: thing about me. It's just no matter what, you know, 1407 01:04:46,520 --> 01:04:50,280 Speaker 1: the circumstances, whether I'm in the NFL, um but face 1408 01:04:50,360 --> 01:04:52,520 Speaker 1: of college football, or if I'm just you know, a 1409 01:04:52,560 --> 01:04:55,320 Speaker 1: high school kid out there playing the game. I've I've 1410 01:04:55,360 --> 01:04:59,240 Speaker 1: never really changed and I don't I don't plan on it. Um, 1411 01:04:59,280 --> 01:05:03,120 Speaker 1: obviously I've I've you know, you need to handle the 1412 01:05:03,160 --> 01:05:06,880 Speaker 1: media differently. Um. Then sometimes you know, a kid from 1413 01:05:07,320 --> 01:05:10,080 Speaker 1: Saint Lamani High School would when you're you know, a 1414 01:05:10,120 --> 01:05:14,560 Speaker 1: potential top pick. So um. But you know that as 1415 01:05:14,640 --> 01:05:17,919 Speaker 1: those moments kind of come and go, you learn from them, UM, 1416 01:05:17,960 --> 01:05:20,320 Speaker 1: and you just move on. So that's kind of the 1417 01:05:20,360 --> 01:05:24,000 Speaker 1: mindset that I've had throughout this whole process. But um, 1418 01:05:24,040 --> 01:05:26,200 Speaker 1: you know, I wouldn't be here without the help of 1419 01:05:26,240 --> 01:05:29,960 Speaker 1: my family, uh, teammates, close friends, and all the coaches 1420 01:05:29,960 --> 01:05:32,920 Speaker 1: along the way. So UM, I don't you know, I 1421 01:05:32,960 --> 01:05:34,760 Speaker 1: don't have enough words to be able to thank those 1422 01:05:34,800 --> 01:05:37,360 Speaker 1: people that have helped me. That's well said, Sam, And 1423 01:05:37,760 --> 01:05:39,560 Speaker 1: free of charge, Bucky and I are going to give 1424 01:05:39,560 --> 01:05:41,800 Speaker 1: you one piece of advice. Uh. And this is the 1425 01:05:41,880 --> 01:05:44,400 Speaker 1: this is the most important thing you've got Cleveland picking one. 1426 01:05:44,480 --> 01:05:47,600 Speaker 1: You've got the Giants to the Jets, three, the Broncos 1427 01:05:47,720 --> 01:05:50,600 Speaker 1: five as two guys that live in southern California, you 1428 01:05:50,640 --> 01:05:58,440 Speaker 1: better go buy a jacket. Dude. Yeah, I'm way of you. Hey, Sam, 1429 01:05:58,440 --> 01:06:00,560 Speaker 1: thanks so much for the time. Did we appreciate it? Him? 1430 01:06:00,680 --> 01:06:04,600 Speaker 1: Appreciate it? Thanks guys, Well Buck, There's nothing better than 1431 01:06:04,680 --> 01:06:06,600 Speaker 1: than getting the man himself on here, Sam Donald, to 1432 01:06:06,640 --> 01:06:08,800 Speaker 1: hear from him directly, get a chance to talk to 1433 01:06:08,840 --> 01:06:10,760 Speaker 1: his coaches and people that have been around him and 1434 01:06:10,760 --> 01:06:13,280 Speaker 1: know him well. But there's nothing like talking to the 1435 01:06:13,280 --> 01:06:16,600 Speaker 1: man himself. Not nothing like it. And I think, if anything, 1436 01:06:16,720 --> 01:06:19,320 Speaker 1: you understand why teams are clamoring for this guy to 1437 01:06:19,320 --> 01:06:23,000 Speaker 1: be their franchise quarterback, regardless of whatever physical things and 1438 01:06:23,240 --> 01:06:26,000 Speaker 1: deficiencies that may exist in his game. The person is 1439 01:06:26,040 --> 01:06:29,520 Speaker 1: what you're willing to trust, and when you listen to him, 1440 01:06:29,640 --> 01:06:32,000 Speaker 1: you can trust that he's going to do everything within 1441 01:06:32,040 --> 01:06:34,320 Speaker 1: his power to live up to the expectations of being 1442 01:06:34,600 --> 01:06:37,480 Speaker 1: a franchise quarterback as a blue college kid, a kid 1443 01:06:37,520 --> 01:06:40,840 Speaker 1: that is really about the work. Um, I think it's 1444 01:06:41,000 --> 01:06:44,320 Speaker 1: easy in an evaluation with others to say that I 1445 01:06:44,360 --> 01:06:46,520 Speaker 1: would bank on him because I trust that he's going 1446 01:06:46,560 --> 01:06:49,120 Speaker 1: to maximize whatever his potential is as opposed to some 1447 01:06:49,160 --> 01:06:50,680 Speaker 1: of the other quarterbacks in his class. You know, the 1448 01:06:50,720 --> 01:06:53,200 Speaker 1: one word you don't often use with quarterbacks in an 1449 01:06:53,240 --> 01:06:55,720 Speaker 1: evaluation just comes to mind when I listened to Sam talk, 1450 01:06:55,800 --> 01:06:58,680 Speaker 1: that's stability. Just it comes across as a very stoic 1451 01:06:58,760 --> 01:07:01,640 Speaker 1: stable dude. Yeah, I mean I think you know exactly 1452 01:07:01,640 --> 01:07:03,960 Speaker 1: what you're getting, and we've talked about it. Um. Yeah, 1453 01:07:04,040 --> 01:07:05,320 Speaker 1: Sometimes you can go out and you can hit a 1454 01:07:05,400 --> 01:07:07,080 Speaker 1: home run, but you can win a lot of games 1455 01:07:07,120 --> 01:07:09,800 Speaker 1: hitting doubles. And I think with Sam Donald, he is 1456 01:07:09,840 --> 01:07:12,880 Speaker 1: a double. He is hitting it right in between center 1457 01:07:12,880 --> 01:07:15,040 Speaker 1: field and left field, It bounces over defense. You know 1458 01:07:15,160 --> 01:07:17,919 Speaker 1: exactly what you're gonna get day in day out, And 1459 01:07:18,160 --> 01:07:20,480 Speaker 1: not only that, I think it's also easy for his 1460 01:07:20,600 --> 01:07:23,640 Speaker 1: teammates to relate. And sometimes we've been around guys who 1461 01:07:23,920 --> 01:07:27,000 Speaker 1: just have the ability to elevate the play of others. 1462 01:07:27,120 --> 01:07:28,720 Speaker 1: I think he has the right personality to do that, 1463 01:07:28,800 --> 01:07:30,440 Speaker 1: and I want a lot of football games there for 1464 01:07:30,480 --> 01:07:32,680 Speaker 1: the USC Trojans will see what he does at the 1465 01:07:32,720 --> 01:07:35,560 Speaker 1: next level. Let's get to uh a couple of fits 1466 01:07:35,600 --> 01:07:37,400 Speaker 1: here where you think. I think Sam Donald is one 1467 01:07:37,400 --> 01:07:38,440 Speaker 1: of those guys you can plug me in a lot 1468 01:07:38,440 --> 01:07:40,360 Speaker 1: of different places. Cleveland, to me, is the best fit. 1469 01:07:40,400 --> 01:07:41,920 Speaker 1: They got the first pick. To me, it makes the 1470 01:07:41,960 --> 01:07:44,720 Speaker 1: most sense. I think he's he's the right guy for them. 1471 01:07:44,720 --> 01:07:46,760 Speaker 1: But outside of Cleveland, is there another team you think 1472 01:07:46,760 --> 01:07:48,240 Speaker 1: would be a great fit for Sam. I think he's 1473 01:07:48,240 --> 01:07:50,280 Speaker 1: one of the rare quarterbacks that can go anywhere um 1474 01:07:50,320 --> 01:07:52,160 Speaker 1: and I think the reason he can play anywhere is 1475 01:07:52,160 --> 01:07:54,760 Speaker 1: because his personality lends itself to be a fit in 1476 01:07:54,800 --> 01:07:57,800 Speaker 1: the locker room, his athleticism, his armtael and all those 1477 01:07:57,800 --> 01:07:59,880 Speaker 1: things like look, he checks off all the boxes. But 1478 01:08:00,000 --> 01:08:03,240 Speaker 1: more importantly, the intangibles are right. And so if I 1479 01:08:03,280 --> 01:08:04,880 Speaker 1: had to say some other teams, I'll say he could 1480 01:08:04,880 --> 01:08:06,680 Speaker 1: play for the Jets. He could play for the Broncos, 1481 01:08:06,720 --> 01:08:08,560 Speaker 1: he could play for the Bills and the Cardinals. Whoever, 1482 01:08:08,760 --> 01:08:10,800 Speaker 1: wherever he goes, he can be a fit. I just 1483 01:08:10,880 --> 01:08:14,200 Speaker 1: think it's really really important that whoever takes him try 1484 01:08:14,240 --> 01:08:16,000 Speaker 1: to put him in the comfort zone. Do you want 1485 01:08:16,000 --> 01:08:18,360 Speaker 1: to see him a year? I would say maybe, But 1486 01:08:18,400 --> 01:08:19,760 Speaker 1: then there's a part of me and said, look, he 1487 01:08:19,800 --> 01:08:22,280 Speaker 1: can play, He'll figure it out. And so I don't 1488 01:08:22,320 --> 01:08:25,800 Speaker 1: think he is a guy that is um fragile, where 1489 01:08:25,800 --> 01:08:27,160 Speaker 1: if you did put him out there, and you put 1490 01:08:27,240 --> 01:08:29,360 Speaker 1: him out there early and he didn't have success right away, 1491 01:08:29,520 --> 01:08:32,240 Speaker 1: that it would crush him. I think he is wired 1492 01:08:32,680 --> 01:08:34,439 Speaker 1: the right way where he would bounce back. He would 1493 01:08:34,439 --> 01:08:36,559 Speaker 1: be regilian. He's gritty enough and gutty enough to be 1494 01:08:36,560 --> 01:08:38,040 Speaker 1: able to kind of find a way to figure it out. 1495 01:08:38,240 --> 01:08:39,600 Speaker 1: I'm with you on that. When I look at the 1496 01:08:39,680 --> 01:08:41,200 Speaker 1: range of where he could go, I think obviously he 1497 01:08:41,240 --> 01:08:44,120 Speaker 1: started pick number one. Um. I would think if he 1498 01:08:44,160 --> 01:08:46,320 Speaker 1: was still around there, the Jets take him at three. 1499 01:08:46,320 --> 01:08:48,160 Speaker 1: If the Jets didn't take him at three, I would 1500 01:08:48,160 --> 01:08:50,080 Speaker 1: say either Denver would take him, or there would be 1501 01:08:50,080 --> 01:08:51,760 Speaker 1: such a hot market for him they'd be able to 1502 01:08:51,760 --> 01:08:53,639 Speaker 1: get out of that pick. So to me, the range 1503 01:08:53,680 --> 01:08:56,320 Speaker 1: is really one to number five. But the question I 1504 01:08:56,360 --> 01:08:58,800 Speaker 1: have for you is, let's fast forward five years from now. 1505 01:08:58,880 --> 01:09:00,360 Speaker 1: It's tough to do when you don't know where a 1506 01:09:00,360 --> 01:09:02,960 Speaker 1: guy's gonna get picked. What do you envisioned Sam Donald 1507 01:09:03,000 --> 01:09:05,360 Speaker 1: being five years down the road. I think he will 1508 01:09:05,400 --> 01:09:07,439 Speaker 1: work his way into being a Pro Bowl caliber player. 1509 01:09:07,600 --> 01:09:09,360 Speaker 1: I think he'd be in contention for the Pro Bowl 1510 01:09:09,400 --> 01:09:11,720 Speaker 1: every year. I think he'll find a way to have 1511 01:09:11,840 --> 01:09:15,160 Speaker 1: a team winning at a high level, competing for division 1512 01:09:15,240 --> 01:09:17,840 Speaker 1: championships and maybe more. And then I think he will 1513 01:09:17,880 --> 01:09:20,559 Speaker 1: continue to study at climb. I think he would go 1514 01:09:20,600 --> 01:09:23,160 Speaker 1: from being kind of a bit of a caretaker to 1515 01:09:23,240 --> 01:09:24,800 Speaker 1: being a guy that kind of his sins and his 1516 01:09:24,880 --> 01:09:27,880 Speaker 1: the franchise player. If I could kind of track his ascension, 1517 01:09:28,160 --> 01:09:29,960 Speaker 1: I think he probably could follow the path of Ben 1518 01:09:30,040 --> 01:09:32,479 Speaker 1: Roethlisberger early in his career, being went with a good 1519 01:09:32,479 --> 01:09:35,040 Speaker 1: team that kind of ran it. He eventually kind of 1520 01:09:35,479 --> 01:09:38,600 Speaker 1: became the guy that moved from game manager to playmaker. 1521 01:09:38,640 --> 01:09:40,880 Speaker 1: I think Sam Donald will do the same. That's a 1522 01:09:40,960 --> 01:09:43,000 Speaker 1: that's a great way to look at it. There, Uh, 1523 01:09:43,040 --> 01:09:45,680 Speaker 1: real quick, before we get out of here. USC quarterbacks 1524 01:09:45,680 --> 01:09:47,439 Speaker 1: and he's probably gotta go back to Carson Palmer to 1525 01:09:47,439 --> 01:09:49,000 Speaker 1: find one that's been a hit. Does that worry you 1526 01:09:49,040 --> 01:09:51,479 Speaker 1: at all? It doesn't because I'm not scouting to hell. 1527 01:09:51,560 --> 01:09:53,120 Speaker 1: And I think the big thing with Sam Donald, I 1528 01:09:53,120 --> 01:09:57,280 Speaker 1: think his talent, his level, his intangibles are a little different. 1529 01:09:57,280 --> 01:09:59,719 Speaker 1: And even when you bring up Carson Palmer, Carson Palmer 1530 01:09:59,760 --> 01:10:01,960 Speaker 1: would be the goal standard for sc football, I think 1531 01:10:01,960 --> 01:10:04,800 Speaker 1: Sam Donald can surpass at in terms of what he's 1532 01:10:04,840 --> 01:10:06,439 Speaker 1: able to do at the next level. All right, well, 1533 01:10:06,479 --> 01:10:08,160 Speaker 1: there you have it. We've had a chance to visit 1534 01:10:08,160 --> 01:10:10,360 Speaker 1: with some very interesting folks. Hopefully you've learned a little 1535 01:10:10,400 --> 01:10:13,200 Speaker 1: something about Sam Donald you did not know before checking 1536 01:10:13,200 --> 01:10:15,920 Speaker 1: out the Sam Donald three sixty podcast. If this is 1537 01:10:15,960 --> 01:10:19,080 Speaker 1: the first three sixty episode you're checking out, though, trust me, 1538 01:10:19,200 --> 01:10:20,840 Speaker 1: you're gonna want to go check out the rest in 1539 01:10:20,840 --> 01:10:23,800 Speaker 1: the series. We have six other episodes. Uh, it's a 1540 01:10:23,880 --> 01:10:25,920 Speaker 1: favorite thing we get to do here each and every year. Buck, 1541 01:10:25,960 --> 01:10:27,760 Speaker 1: I think this is our best work on this year's 1542 01:10:27,800 --> 01:10:29,800 Speaker 1: three sixty series, and hopefully the folks got a chance 1543 01:10:29,840 --> 01:10:32,400 Speaker 1: to enjoy it. Yeah. I think it's phenomenal. I think 1544 01:10:32,439 --> 01:10:35,040 Speaker 1: it's great insight, great perspective. I think you and I 1545 01:10:35,080 --> 01:10:36,840 Speaker 1: both learned a lot by talking to all the guys 1546 01:10:36,840 --> 01:10:38,680 Speaker 1: that have been really, really close to these players, and 1547 01:10:38,720 --> 01:10:41,679 Speaker 1: so it's been a nice job to go and get 1548 01:10:41,720 --> 01:10:44,040 Speaker 1: seven top two's to be able to break them down 1549 01:10:44,240 --> 01:10:46,200 Speaker 1: and talk about all the stuff that makes them great. Yeah, 1550 01:10:46,200 --> 01:10:47,760 Speaker 1: and dig a little bit deeper. That's what we tried 1551 01:10:47,800 --> 01:10:49,680 Speaker 1: to do here on Move the Sticks in general, And 1552 01:10:49,720 --> 01:10:52,080 Speaker 1: if you just checking out the podcast for the first time, 1553 01:10:52,160 --> 01:10:53,840 Speaker 1: go ahead and do us a favorite. Subscribe to this 1554 01:10:53,840 --> 01:10:56,200 Speaker 1: bad boy. We've got so much information for you. During 1555 01:10:56,240 --> 01:10:58,639 Speaker 1: draft season, it's all about the draft, and then we'll 1556 01:10:58,680 --> 01:11:00,679 Speaker 1: transition in the summer. We'll start are getting you fired 1557 01:11:00,760 --> 01:11:02,320 Speaker 1: up for the college football season as well as the 1558 01:11:02,439 --> 01:11:06,240 Speaker 1: NFL season. We cover both sports extensively here on Move 1559 01:11:06,320 --> 01:11:08,120 Speaker 1: the Sticks. We got all your needs covered. You can 1560 01:11:08,120 --> 01:11:10,479 Speaker 1: go to NFL dot com Slash podcast check that out. 1561 01:11:10,520 --> 01:11:12,560 Speaker 1: You can also check it out on Apple Podcasts, and 1562 01:11:12,600 --> 01:11:14,559 Speaker 1: you check out all of our video content go to 1563 01:11:14,680 --> 01:11:19,800 Speaker 1: NFL dot com Slash mts video. The Draft is finally here, 1564 01:11:20,280 --> 01:11:22,840 Speaker 1: DJ Bucky thank you guys for listening. I'll catch you 1565 01:11:22,880 --> 01:11:27,040 Speaker 1: next time. Thanks for downloading Move the Sticks with Daniel 1566 01:11:27,160 --> 01:11:32,120 Speaker 1: Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks. For more, go to nfl dot 1567 01:11:32,160 --> 01:11:34,120 Speaker 1: com slash podcasts,