LaTrell Bumphus, Sr. DL
On what the defensive line needs to improve on and how they work with each other…
“One thing we have to work on would be our details at the point of attack and knowing what play we’re going to get (depending) on where the running back is. Coach (Jimmy) Brumbaugh and all the other coaches are doing a great job, making sure that we understand that by doing extra things. We always try to lean on each other and give words of encouragement because sometimes everybody has a bad day here and there. We always try to be positive.”
On his comfort with the defense and his goals for the season…
“I’m a whole lot more comfortable, but I’m still not where I want to be. But, each day I keep working and strive to get where I am at. I do think with all of the help around here, I will reach my goal. As a d-lineman, I’d like us to be top five in the whole NCAA and be the No. 1 in SEC football.”
On how he’s helped the newcomers…
“Really, meeting extra. We got to come in early in June. We worked like four or five days each week and doing all of that extra work and communicated back and forth. We try to talk to each other on a daily basis and ask each other what you need help with. Anything they need help with, just try to guide in the right direction.”
On his journey to becoming a defensive lineman…
“The first two years I was at tight end and then Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt pulled me to the side and he thought for my best would be to go to the defensive line. So really, I just trusted him and been there ever since.”
On how it will be going up against South Carolina…
“I think it will be high intensity because we all just take it as another game. Coach Brumbaugh will have us prepared the best way we can be and I do believe we’ll be up to par.”
On how he measures success…
“We want to go out today and not mess up on the things we did yesterday. Find a new mistake to make and not just keep making the same one over and over again.”
On his leadership role…
“I like to lead by example, because a lot of times I’m not always the most vocal person. Here lately, I’ve been trying to work on speaking up and picking others up. Not saying anything, a lot of times, people don’t really know what your trying to get across. This year, I’ve been working on speaking up and becoming a better leader.”
On what was the biggest part of the challenge of being at home during most of the spring because of the pandemic…
“The biggest part was probably getting work because some areas not a lot of gyms were open. Luckily, where I was at the gyms were open. I didn’t really have anybody to work with on the techniques or the fundamentals so I was just lifting weights. So from a football aspect, it was technique and just getting ball in. We got it in mentally by meeting (on Zoom) every day, so that helped a lot too.
“The biggest challenge was when we were away, getting in field work. I could go to the field, but I didn’t have anybody there to walk me through things. I could watch film, but I think doing stuff in person, you learn a whole lot better that way.”
On how’s he’s grown as a player…
“I think I’ve grown a lot because now I understand the runs and stuff so that makes me play faster and definitely play the runs better. Back then (last year), I wasn’t really sure. I guess you can say, I was kind of guessing, but now I have a better idea and now I can play at full speed.”
-UT Athletics
