Phil Galiano | Special Teams Coordinator
Q: How do you think KJ has done after moving into a big role in the kick and punt return game?
A: I think KJ [Hamler] has done a phenomenal job in the kick return. Being able to get him and DeAndre [Thompkins] in punt returns, I think that gives us two huge threats that can score anytime they touch the ball. That makes opposing teams have to be aware of punting the ball to us, because they know we can score any time we touch it.
Q: Kentucky has given up some big returns. Is there anything you've seen on tape that you can take advantage of?
A: Sometimes stats can be skewed. I know they had a couple big returns against them, which will skew the stats. I know they've done a really good job in some other opportunities. I think just our returners, getting the ball in their hands, and giving them some space and our blockers allows big returns to get started. Our guys can make guys miss and the key to a big return is break one tackle or make one guy miss and you have an opportunity to score.
Q: How do you balance being aggressive and smart in the kick return game?
A: I think it's a couple things. As KJ [Hamler] talked about, it was him getting into college football, maturing, and understanding our decision-making process. We want him to have the ball in his hands every opportunity we can. We think he can score every time he touches the ball, but we also know we have to make good decisions for the outcome of the team. For example, on kick return, it's not always how deep the ball is kicked, but how much hang time was there and the location of the catch. Any chance we get where we feel we can get a positive return and a good play, we want him to bring the ball out. There's other times where in the best interest, whether it's a score situation or we have something designed that if we want to take a knee or save time, we communicate that. Make no doubt about it, when we can get the ball in his hands, we want him to get it and go score.
Q: When you talk about developing players, how much does having an experience like this help in that development?
A: I think it's a great learning and teaching moment today. It's not about us and Kentucky right now. It's about us having an influence on these young kids' lives and giving them a chance to have a really fun day. That's important for our guys to see the impact they have on it. We, as the coaching staff, try to do that. We have a mature football team and they've done a phenomenal job. When it's time to have fun, our guys are able to go and have fun. When it's time to work, when its in meetings or on the practice field, they flip the switch and it's time to go to work. We're extremely proud of them, they've handled this very well.
Blake Gillikin | P | Jr./Jr.
Q: How much do you guys think about the impact you can have on kids?
A: I remember back to being a kid and looking up to college football players, older guys and always valued the time they spent to come and hang out with me. My family and my brother used to go to events in Atlanta. We have a place like this in Atlanta. I always enjoyed going there. I'm really looking forward to spending time we these kids.
Q: Do you watch film of return teams? What do you get out of that?
A: I try to watch as much film as I can, both of their coverage and return units, so I can help out Coach Galiano and our coaching staff as much as I can. Just getting a feel of what they like to run. Obviously, it's not my job to worry about scheme and stuff like that, but it's nice to be comfortable with what they like to do, both with returns and coverage units.
Q: Are you a big amusement park guy? Any rides you're looking forward to going on?
A: I love amusement parks. The 3D rides are not for me. I went on the Spider-Man ride at Universal and it was a little too much for me. Rollercoaster's are great. I'm going to get on this wooden rollercoaster in a little bit.
KJ Hamler | WR | So./Fr.
Q: How much do you guys think about the impact you can have on kids?
A: I never really had college football players around to go to parks and stuff like that. I guess we're just being good to them and having fun with them. We're going to have a good day.
Q: Outside of the Appalachian State game, what was your favorite play this year?
A: The slant against Ohio State. That's my most tiring play, but my favorite one. Didn't really see it coming, but it just happened. It's all instincts, I didn't really know that would happen.
Q: How would you describe your season? What surprised you?
A: I learned the game is way faster than high school. I really had to mature as a player and person and step up to a big role. We still have a lot of work to do. We still have one more game. I'm focused on Kentucky right now.
Q: How big is your role in the return game? How do you balance trying to make a big play and being smart with the return?
A: I think it's pretty big. Every time I touch the ball, I try to score. I also have to be smart with the decisions I make, but also be aggressive at the same time. Any chance I get to help the team get a spark in the game, I'm going to take it.
Q: Are you a big amusement park guy? Any rides you're looking forward to going on?
A: I'm not a big amusement park guy, but I'm a rollercoaster guy. I like rollercoasters. I don't like the other rides when you're spinning, especially after you eat something. I've had plenty of experiences like that.
Q: KJ, you're a guy that likes to have fun. How do you balance having fun and focusing on the game?
A: We're on curfew, so there's really not much we can do. We have 11 p.m. curfew. Most of the time, I just spend time with family. My family's here. I know a lot of our families are here, so we get as much time as we can with them. That's most of what we do. I don't really like to go out, there's no reason to. We have a big game, so just focus on that.
Q: You guys get to spend the morning with some of the Kentucky players. How excited are you to hang out with them?
A: It's going to be cool. I know a couple guys from Detroit on there. I'm cool with those guys. It's not really a game right now, we're just out here for the kids. We're not focused on that, mostly on the kids and having fun today.
Q: Are there any Kentucky players you're looking forward to meeting?
A: I don't think so. I know Lynn Bowden, my boy Quan [Marquan McCall], my boy Square [DeAndre Square]. I know four or five of them, so I'm just going to chill out with them.
Q: What are you looking to improve as you go into next year?
A: Probably just get by body right. I want to be a certain weight going into next year, at least 180-185. I'm 175 right now, so 10 pounds is going to be hard, at least a little bit for me. Other than that, focus on contested catches and getting my hands stronger.
