"Will Campbell left spring at 342 pounds and came in at 316, 319," he said. "Just watching him move around and do those things, you can see that. That's a commitment. A commitment is always important - he showed his teammates he's made a commitment.
"Will loves people and he's a tremendous kid. In his defense, you play defense, you play offense, come back to defense - that's hard. You never get your feet planted in the ground. I enjoy him. I remember working camp when he was being recruited and spending time with him. I think he's moving in the right direction."
"[Redshirt sophomore left tackle] Taylor Lewan gained some weight he needed to gain. I could go through the whole roster and there were guys that needed to get bigger, more physical [and did]," he said. "Strength is an important part, and playing with endurance is an important part."
"We're ahead of where we were in the spring. I still think we're spoon-feeding it a little bit," Hoke said. "I always believed as a coach you have to have three things you have to hang your hat on. One of them ? the power play. We've got to hang our hat on the play pass, the power pass off that, and whatever may be in a two-minute situation."
"Defensively you've got to have three calls you think guys are going to execute at a fast level, playing fast and physical. There's no question in their minds what they're supposed to do. We made some strides in what we have in, but we don't have in nearly what we will."
"[Cornerbacks] Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd are full speed," he said. "We're pretty doggone healthy."
Other news and notes:
- Kickers will work a lot at kicking in the Big House, not just in the practice facility.
- Coaches were happy with the energy and how in shape players were Day 1 and they had a good team meeting.
- It was obviously a good day with the first day of practice and Ondre Pipkins committing to the 2012 class.
- I have heard this a couple of times that the new Strength and Conditioning guy is really good. They say that Baris trained guys to be fast but not powerful. Aaron Wellman is preparing them for Big Ten Play.
