Terry Smith | Assistant Head Coach/Cornerbacks
Q: Lamont Wade hasn't established himself as a starter. Where do you see him now and in the future?
A: Lamont [Wade] continues to get better. He's a major factor on special teams for us, both as a freshman and a sophomore. He's given us great depth this year in the secondary and continues to grow. Obviously, with the departure of Nick Scott, we're looking for Lamont to step up [next year].
Q: How's the trip been so far?
A: The trip's been fantastic. We're in shorts. We haven't seen shorts in a few months. We're really, really appreciative to be down here in Orlando. It's been a great gift for us to come to the Citrus Bowl and we're enjoying the moment. Our team is just getting ready day-by-day.
Q: What type of season do you think Amani [Oruwariye] had?
A: Amani [Oruwariye] had an outstanding season. I thought he was well-deserving to be first-team All-Big Ten. Obviously, he helped his draft stock. Coming into the season, they were saying he was probably a late-round draft pick. I would imagine he's moved up. Some people have him going late in the first round or as late as the third round. He's had a great season. He's been a great leader, a great teammate in the locker room, he's been a great guy for our room as cornerbacks. He's worked really hard and he's reaping the rewards of that hard work.
Q: What would it mean to the program to have a very high draft pick as a cornerback?
A: We haven't had a first-rounder. God willing, obviously it would be a blessing for Amani and his family. It would be a blessing for us as Penn State. We're trying to build DB nation here. We've got seven or eight guys in the league right now that we've coached over the last five years. This thing is growing and growing fast. We're trying to get the best guys in and develop those guys. Amani would be a huge step for the program.
Q: Where is the depth at DB now compared to when you came into the program?
A: We have a lot of depth at the secondary position. Every now and then, a freshman will come in and contribute, like a few years back, John Reid came in and started his first game of freshman year. Now we don't have to require a guy to come and step in right away unless he's blessed and talented that way. We have a lot of depth. Amani [Oruwariye] will step out, Tariq [Castro-Fields] will step right in. We have more freshmen coming in and some guys already in the program. There's quite a lot of depth, even at the safety position. We're in a much better position than five years ago.
Q: How special of a person is Nick Scott? What does he bring to the team besides his play?
A: Nick [Scott]'s really special to us. He's a guy that's played on both sides of the ball. He's been a special teams captain for us, a defensive captain for us. When you talk about having a player that's an extension of the coaching staff in the locker room, between him and Trace McSorley, those guys really send a message into the locker room. It allows us as coaches to not have to police the locker room, because we have two great leaders like that. Nick has been awesome for us as a coaching staff. It's been awesome to have him around. Obviously, on the field, he's been very, very productive.
Q: Who are some guys we haven't seen that you're getting a longer look at in the bowl practices?
A: In the secondary, obviously, Garrett [Taylor] is already playing. Lamont Wade we've already talked about. He's going to get a shot. At the cornerback position, we have Donovan Johnson. He's going to get an opportunity to play. Zechariah McPhearson will get an opportunity. Trent Gordon will get an opportunity. Jonathan Sutherland will get a shot at the safety position. Then, who knows which of those freshmen will come in and be a little more mature and be mentality and physically more equipped.
Q: What can you tell us about Kentucky's receivers?
A: Obviously, their slots are their top receiver targets. Their starter [Lynn Bowden Jr.] is a Youngstown kid. He's really talented, super-fast, super-quick. He's their leading receiver. His backup [David Bouvier] is the second-leading receiver on the team. They try to get those guys the ball in space. Their outside guys, they don't do a lot with the underneath stuff, but they'll take shots down the field. With Kentucky, it starts with the run game. They have a talented running back and their quarterback is a dual-threat guy. We have to contain those guys first and make sure No. 1 [Bowden] in the slot doesn't get loose. Just wrap him up and contain him.
Miles Sanders | RB | Jr./Jr.
Q: Getting back out on a high school field, does it bring back any memories?
A: My stadium was a little bigger than this, it didn't have a track, but it's fine. It was a good practice today. We got some speed work, some good-on-good and got a head start on Kentucky.
Q: How do you assess the season from a personal perspective? Were you satisfied with your play?
A: Personally, I'm satisfied. I believe I came in every day, every practice and every Saturday, and put my all out. I'm pretty confident and satisfied with what I did this season. Most importantly, I did whatever I could to help the team win.
Q: What are some areas you need to improve in during these bowl practices?
A: Everything. Every day I come and try to get better at everything. The main things are ball security, catching the ball, my vision, seeing what the D-Line and linebackers are doing and seeing the whole defense in our game plan for the week. I come to work every day to try to get better.
Q: How do you get better at ball security at this time of the year?
A: We have a ball security circuit and then individual drills with our running backs coach [Ja'Juan Seider]. I stay after practice or use before practice to do extra stuff.
Q: What are you looking forward to showing people in this game?
A: What I've been doing all season. Doing whatever I can to help the team win and come out with a win for the seniors.
Q: What can you tell us about the Kentucky defense?
A: They're tough. They have a Defensive Player of the Year at defensive end [Josh Allen]. Their linebackers are good, DBs are good. They're front seven, overall, is good. It's going to be a challenge and we're up for it. They're a very good team.