Summer Football Press Conference – Maurice Freeman, David Holloman, & Cooper Jones
6/23/2021 1:56:00 PM | Football
Below are partial transcriptions of Zoom press conferences with Indiana linebacker Maurice Freeman, running back David Holloman and defensive lineman Cooper Jones on Wednesday, June 23.
LB Maurice Freeman
Q. On playing spring football in Virginia…
FREEMAN: We played our football season in the spring in Virginia, and I tried not to get hurt. We ended up winning the class 6A state championship. It was hard to get into a routine because nothing was open in Virginia. They shut everything down, so we did not get to practice. We were not in the weight room that much. Right before the season we had only four weeks to practice. We had Zoom meetings every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with our position groups, so that is how we stayed close when everything was shut down. I was also trying not to get hurt, so I was trying to be in the position I was supposed to be every play.
Q. On winning a state championship…
FREEMAN: It meant a lot because I really wanted that ring before I left. That is what we worked hard for during the whole COVID season. We did what we had to do, so it was meaningful for all the seniors that were there this past season and we got it done.
RB David Holloman
Q. On what he liked about Deland McCullough as a coach…
HOLLOMAN: What I like about Coach McCullough, he is a real dude. I feel like I can learn a lot from him. During his time here, him coaching me up, I've learned a lot of things I haven't learned from high school. It is really a good experience, and I'm enjoying my time here and the process.
Q. On being a part of the passing game and pass protection…
HOLLOMAN: There is a lot to learn. It is something that I'm starting to get familiar with. Coach McCullough is a great teacher. I feel like I can grasp that quickly because he is a really good coach and he can teach those things pretty well.
Q. On his running style …
HOLLOMAN: How I see my running style is as an all-around type of guy. I catch the ball. I like to make cuts and go north. I feel like that is all the aspects for a running back to have and also read protection and read between the lines. I think Coach McCullough would love that from me.
DL Cooper Jones
Q. On how playing basketball in high school can help you in your football career and overall athleticism …
JONES: My dad and I used to say that basketball is probably the most fun way to improve your agility. Instead of having the offseason in the winter and just lifting weights and running is good. I have played basketball ever since I was little, so it is a good to be able to compete, keep your agility up, and also compete outside of football. It is a little cross-train and make sure you don't get hurt. I just love basketball. It's fun and it helps with the agility, speed, and explosiveness.
Q. On what you have noticed about athleticism at this level…
JONES: I would say it's just another level, another notch for sure. All those guys are men, and they are moving fast. It is definitely a process and it's going to take some time to get used to it, but I feel like I am already starting to adjust a little bit. The conditioning has been good. I feel like where I started the first workout until now, I have definitely improved. It is going to be a constant improvement. For sure there is another level that some of those guys are at. As long as I keep working hard, I feel pretty confident that I will be able to hit that level.
Q. On if your mom, who was a softball pitcher 25 years ago at IU, shared any stories with you about being an athlete at IU, and if that influenced your decision…
JONES: She said it was a great time and a great campus, obviously. It influenced my decision a little bit because I knew she had a great time here and that it was a great experience for her inside and outside of athletics. It was nice to have a little inside information about what to expect. Obviously a lot of stuff has changed, like facility-wise. It is a lot nicer than when she was here. She was like it is a great place, and I am proud that you picked it.
Players Mentioned
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