Yale coach Tom Williams . . .
Graduated 35 seniors before first year and for past couple of years been building a team. First time I can say this is "our" football team. Finished second rectg cycle. Got some returning players with our mindset.
8 starters back on offense including Patrick Witt. Most assumed coming from Nebraska that he would be even better. Had growing pains but now has developed.
OL has some experience. Most of offensive skill players back except TE. Lot of experience at skill slots.
Def. also has 8 starters back. Haynes one of top tacklers in league. Guys have played a lot of snaps. Three of four starters back in secondary.
Special teams might be most exciting. Both P/K were first-time starters and are back. LS is also back. Bodes well for this fall.
Need to do do get over hump? Formula is pretty simple. Play better. Execute at crunch time. Now have guys who have been in that situation with us before. Take care of football.
Parity in league: Starts with Qb who touches ball on every snap. Starts with no turning ball over. If our guy doesn't turn it over and manages game way we want we'll have a chance to win.
Witt get NFL interest in the spring? Certainly put self on map. Has intangibles but also ht, wt and speed and arm strength. Got a lot of people who came through to watch video and ask questions about him.
Haynes and defense: Jordan was a freshman when we got here. Drank kool-aid right away. Understands what needs to be done and is capable of providing leadership on and off the field and to make plays.
KOR Chris Smith: another kid in our first class. A player since Day One. Excelled in kicking but also an excellent receiver. We led nation last year in KOR. Nice to have a guy you can trust handling the ball in that position.
On TB Alex Thomas: a young guy we inherited. Probably best offseason, up 12 pounds. Confident. Understands. Capable of big year. Mordecai Cargill a little bigger at 225 lbs. Nice change of pace from Thomas' drastic cuts. 1-2 punch give us chance to be effective running the ball.
Goals for Witt after last season: Continuing to be patient. Don't have to make a big play every time. Throwing ball away isn't such a bad thing. Done it in fits and starts and stops but needs to be more consistent.
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