This is from a Zoom interview the media had with Gillespie last week.
Q: Can you break down the running back room going into next season?
GILLESPIE: “Definitely excited to be bringing back the guys that played last year, they bring a lot of maturity and experience to the group and I’m fortunate to be going on my third year working with Mike (Carter) and Javonte. So, that gives me as a position coach a little bit of confidence knowing that I’ve got a group of guys that knows what to expect, especially in a time like this with all the uncertainty of how we’ve had to prepare, have meetings on Zoom and all those things. So, it’s been good to have those guys coming back. But, obviously having Mike Carter, who sat down at the end of the year and had to make a decision and decided he wanted to come back and continue to build on the success that he’s had and also the success we had as an offense and as a program. So, it’s good that he’s coming back and obviously he brings an explosiveness to the group as a guy that can do a lot of different things.
“And then, Javonte, built on a really good sophomore season, kind of built some confidence and became a more outspoken guy in the locker room and on the field. So, just to have him back, I think he and Mike bring a great one-two punch and did a great job leading a young guy in Josh Henderson who had a couple chances in some games later in the season and made some plays and really got his shine on special teams units.
“But this spring obviously would have been his time to kind of separate himself and show what he can do on the offensive side of the ball and unfortunate that he didn’t get that opportunity. But, from a knowledge standpoint, he’s probably grown, probably taken the biggest leap out of the group from and x’s and o’s standpoint. So, those are the three guys that are returning, minus talking about British Brooks who’s a guy who’s a walk-on but a very, very valuable guy on special teams. So, all of those guys have done a really good job.
“And then DJ Jones, like you talked about, is one of the freshmen that came in early and unfortunate for him again. He’s a kid that bust his tale to graduate early and didn’t get a chance to go in the spring and compete. But, he still was able to come in and learn the offense and all those things, so I think he’s way ahead of the curve and he’s excited to be back and get a chance to start practicing and getting with the guys.
“And then, Elijah Green, another kid that’s come in early that did a really good job for his high school, two-time state champion, going to be a really good football player. But, like I said, DJ and Elijah are guys that, once we start practicing here real soon with the walkthroughs and some of those things, I’ll get a chance to get a feel for them a little bit more.”
Q: What did you like about DJ and Elijah in recruiting them?
GILLESPIE: “Both of those kids are very smart kids, love football and that’s one of the things I try to do. I try to talk to those guys about what they like about football. Tell me some of the things you like, tell me some of the football players you’ve padded your game after, tell me some of the old school football guys you like because, to me, that kind of tells me what kind of mentality they’re going to have. Because, at the running back position, you can see the things that obviously show up on film but you’ve got to be a tough guy. You’ve got to be able to take yourself mentally to a nasty place sometimes playing the position.
“So, just getting to know those guys, I could tell they were tough, they were very competitive. A guy like Elijah Green, two-time state champion, really good competitor in a high level of football in the state of Georgia, dad played in the NFL, so we could just tell he had good blood and he’s a guy that knows how to train and compete. And then DJ Jones is a kid, military family, mom and dad are both military, kid’s kind of got a chip on his shoulder, kind of feel like he was under-recruited. So, I like those guys. I like the guys that’ve got an edge to them, some of the things you can’t evaluate. So, I think both of those kids are going to come in and compete really hard.”
Q: How important is it for running backs in your offense to be able to consistently catch the ball and how would you say Michael and Javonte have grown in that role?
GILLESPIE: “The game of football has changed a lot, it’s not just about handing the ball off 30 to 40 times anymore, it’s about touches. If you look at the top backs in the NFL, McCaffery, Alvin Kamara, which I was able to coach at the last stop I was at, Saquon, all those guys are guys that you have to figure out how you can get those guys touches and get them in space, and that’s one thing I like about the offense that Phil (Longo) brings. He’s always done a really good job of finding ways to get playmakers in space and create touches and that’s one thing that, in our offense because we don’t huddle, I tell the guys all the time, ‘you’ve got to be guy that can do it all because I’m not gonna be able to swap you out when we get to this play or get you back in, you’ve got to be a guy that can do it all.’
“So, obviously, Mike is a guy that you can put in space, run between the tackles, block, he can do it all. And I think Javonte opened up a lot of people’s eyes because he’s a guy that’s got some of the best hands on the team. Just because he’s a bigger guy, a lot of times it may be in your mind that you have to be a smaller guy to catch the ball but he catches it really well and that’s one of the things we look for in recruiting. We have to go get guys that can not only run the ball between the tackles but they’re comfortable lining up in an empty formation, comfortable running quick-gain routes.
“So, those guys really have fun with the offense because every week you don’t know what to expect, it’s not just an offense where we’re just going to hand you the ball, but you’re going to be a guy that does all the things that gets you prepared for the next level, which is getting the ball to those guys in space. I’m fortunate that all these guys have pretty good hands.”
Q: How did you see Javonte’s confidence grow last season and was there a moment that really stands out to you?
GILLESPIE: “There’s a moment. This summer we did something really cool, we did clinics with the high school coaches all around the country, a lot of the high school coaches in the state of North Carolina tuned in and, on one of my clips, I said, ‘this is the play that I think he changed’ and it was the first game against South Carolina. We threw him a swing pass, this is probably when we were behind by 14 points and we’re going down to score on the first 90-yard drive, and he caught a swing pass toward our sideline and he just ran over the safety and, when he got up, he got up and, Javonte’s a quiet guy, he’s never really expressed himself a lot, but he got up and he kind of flexed at the sideline and the sideline went crazy.
“And I remember that moment being on the sideline and, in my mind, I said, ‘he’s ready.’ Because, his freshman year, he was just trying to find a place to fit in, but that moment in that game, I’ll never forget it, was the moment I said he’s ready. And that’s what you saw from him, you saw his confidence get better and, I’ll tell you this, his confidence has gotten a whole lot better. If you look at, freshman year, kind of a kid trying to feel his way around, sophomore year, gained a lot of confidence, the sky’s the limit for what he can do his junior year because I think he understands he fits what we do offensively, his teammates respect him and I think he knows he’s good enough to dominate at this level.”
Q: What kind of steps are you hoping to see Michael and Javonte continue to make to improve even more?
GILLESPIE: “I thought they did a really good job of staying healthy. A lot of that comes from, I think they understand, yes, one guy could have stayed in the game and ran for 1800 yards, 1900 yards, but I think they respect the fact that their durability and ability to stay healthy was based off having those guys fresh. And I know a lot of people will leave one guy in but, for the longevity of our season and for us to be able to stay healthy and just get these guys throughout the season, I think the way we spread those guys out and play them together, I think they understood that was the best thing for them in the long run.
“So, I think the ability for those guys to get back here, workout with coach Hess, get back in shape. I say all the time, ‘the best ability in a running back is durability.’ So the fact they can take care of their bodies and get back with our nutritional staff and get stronger. If those guys can both stay strong and stay healthy and we can still find ways for both of those guys to get involved in the game, shoot, I’d like to find another guy that we can get involved. So, if we can do those things, I think Mike and Javonte and the rest of the group will be able to have some success this season.”
Q: Can you break down the running back room going into next season?
GILLESPIE: “Definitely excited to be bringing back the guys that played last year, they bring a lot of maturity and experience to the group and I’m fortunate to be going on my third year working with Mike (Carter) and Javonte. So, that gives me as a position coach a little bit of confidence knowing that I’ve got a group of guys that knows what to expect, especially in a time like this with all the uncertainty of how we’ve had to prepare, have meetings on Zoom and all those things. So, it’s been good to have those guys coming back. But, obviously having Mike Carter, who sat down at the end of the year and had to make a decision and decided he wanted to come back and continue to build on the success that he’s had and also the success we had as an offense and as a program. So, it’s good that he’s coming back and obviously he brings an explosiveness to the group as a guy that can do a lot of different things.
“And then, Javonte, built on a really good sophomore season, kind of built some confidence and became a more outspoken guy in the locker room and on the field. So, just to have him back, I think he and Mike bring a great one-two punch and did a great job leading a young guy in Josh Henderson who had a couple chances in some games later in the season and made some plays and really got his shine on special teams units.
“But this spring obviously would have been his time to kind of separate himself and show what he can do on the offensive side of the ball and unfortunate that he didn’t get that opportunity. But, from a knowledge standpoint, he’s probably grown, probably taken the biggest leap out of the group from and x’s and o’s standpoint. So, those are the three guys that are returning, minus talking about British Brooks who’s a guy who’s a walk-on but a very, very valuable guy on special teams. So, all of those guys have done a really good job.
“And then DJ Jones, like you talked about, is one of the freshmen that came in early and unfortunate for him again. He’s a kid that bust his tale to graduate early and didn’t get a chance to go in the spring and compete. But, he still was able to come in and learn the offense and all those things, so I think he’s way ahead of the curve and he’s excited to be back and get a chance to start practicing and getting with the guys.
“And then, Elijah Green, another kid that’s come in early that did a really good job for his high school, two-time state champion, going to be a really good football player. But, like I said, DJ and Elijah are guys that, once we start practicing here real soon with the walkthroughs and some of those things, I’ll get a chance to get a feel for them a little bit more.”
Q: What did you like about DJ and Elijah in recruiting them?
GILLESPIE: “Both of those kids are very smart kids, love football and that’s one of the things I try to do. I try to talk to those guys about what they like about football. Tell me some of the things you like, tell me some of the football players you’ve padded your game after, tell me some of the old school football guys you like because, to me, that kind of tells me what kind of mentality they’re going to have. Because, at the running back position, you can see the things that obviously show up on film but you’ve got to be a tough guy. You’ve got to be able to take yourself mentally to a nasty place sometimes playing the position.
“So, just getting to know those guys, I could tell they were tough, they were very competitive. A guy like Elijah Green, two-time state champion, really good competitor in a high level of football in the state of Georgia, dad played in the NFL, so we could just tell he had good blood and he’s a guy that knows how to train and compete. And then DJ Jones is a kid, military family, mom and dad are both military, kid’s kind of got a chip on his shoulder, kind of feel like he was under-recruited. So, I like those guys. I like the guys that’ve got an edge to them, some of the things you can’t evaluate. So, I think both of those kids are going to come in and compete really hard.”
Q: How important is it for running backs in your offense to be able to consistently catch the ball and how would you say Michael and Javonte have grown in that role?
GILLESPIE: “The game of football has changed a lot, it’s not just about handing the ball off 30 to 40 times anymore, it’s about touches. If you look at the top backs in the NFL, McCaffery, Alvin Kamara, which I was able to coach at the last stop I was at, Saquon, all those guys are guys that you have to figure out how you can get those guys touches and get them in space, and that’s one thing I like about the offense that Phil (Longo) brings. He’s always done a really good job of finding ways to get playmakers in space and create touches and that’s one thing that, in our offense because we don’t huddle, I tell the guys all the time, ‘you’ve got to be guy that can do it all because I’m not gonna be able to swap you out when we get to this play or get you back in, you’ve got to be a guy that can do it all.’
“So, obviously, Mike is a guy that you can put in space, run between the tackles, block, he can do it all. And I think Javonte opened up a lot of people’s eyes because he’s a guy that’s got some of the best hands on the team. Just because he’s a bigger guy, a lot of times it may be in your mind that you have to be a smaller guy to catch the ball but he catches it really well and that’s one of the things we look for in recruiting. We have to go get guys that can not only run the ball between the tackles but they’re comfortable lining up in an empty formation, comfortable running quick-gain routes.
“So, those guys really have fun with the offense because every week you don’t know what to expect, it’s not just an offense where we’re just going to hand you the ball, but you’re going to be a guy that does all the things that gets you prepared for the next level, which is getting the ball to those guys in space. I’m fortunate that all these guys have pretty good hands.”
Q: How did you see Javonte’s confidence grow last season and was there a moment that really stands out to you?
GILLESPIE: “There’s a moment. This summer we did something really cool, we did clinics with the high school coaches all around the country, a lot of the high school coaches in the state of North Carolina tuned in and, on one of my clips, I said, ‘this is the play that I think he changed’ and it was the first game against South Carolina. We threw him a swing pass, this is probably when we were behind by 14 points and we’re going down to score on the first 90-yard drive, and he caught a swing pass toward our sideline and he just ran over the safety and, when he got up, he got up and, Javonte’s a quiet guy, he’s never really expressed himself a lot, but he got up and he kind of flexed at the sideline and the sideline went crazy.
“And I remember that moment being on the sideline and, in my mind, I said, ‘he’s ready.’ Because, his freshman year, he was just trying to find a place to fit in, but that moment in that game, I’ll never forget it, was the moment I said he’s ready. And that’s what you saw from him, you saw his confidence get better and, I’ll tell you this, his confidence has gotten a whole lot better. If you look at, freshman year, kind of a kid trying to feel his way around, sophomore year, gained a lot of confidence, the sky’s the limit for what he can do his junior year because I think he understands he fits what we do offensively, his teammates respect him and I think he knows he’s good enough to dominate at this level.”
Q: What kind of steps are you hoping to see Michael and Javonte continue to make to improve even more?
GILLESPIE: “I thought they did a really good job of staying healthy. A lot of that comes from, I think they understand, yes, one guy could have stayed in the game and ran for 1800 yards, 1900 yards, but I think they respect the fact that their durability and ability to stay healthy was based off having those guys fresh. And I know a lot of people will leave one guy in but, for the longevity of our season and for us to be able to stay healthy and just get these guys throughout the season, I think the way we spread those guys out and play them together, I think they understood that was the best thing for them in the long run.
“So, I think the ability for those guys to get back here, workout with coach Hess, get back in shape. I say all the time, ‘the best ability in a running back is durability.’ So the fact they can take care of their bodies and get back with our nutritional staff and get stronger. If those guys can both stay strong and stay healthy and we can still find ways for both of those guys to get involved in the game, shoot, I’d like to find another guy that we can get involved. So, if we can do those things, I think Mike and Javonte and the rest of the group will be able to have some success this season.”
