With Miami lacking depth at the CB position, all eyes are on talented sophomore Robert Stafford. The Melbourne, FL product met with reporters after spring practice to discuss his progress:
On what he learned from his freshman year: The biggest lesson is that it's not about athleticism no more. When you get to this level, it's all about your mind. You’ve got to think before you play. It's more mental than physical.
In high school, I just lived off athleticism. I never got in a film room before. So when I got here, it was crazy to me to read the offenses, the personnel. Being here taught me a lot.
On his speed: I'm pretty fast, so I haven't really seen too many receivers much faster than me. When I see one, though, I gotta be on my toes. Because here at the college level, you might see a 6'3 receiver that runs a 4.4 or 4.3.
On his health and size: I feel good now. I feel 100%. I got bigger. I gained 20 pounds. My mind’s right. Everything is right.
On new CB coach Chevis Jackson: He's funny, but he can get serious, too. He drives me every day to get better because he can see the potential in me. He tells me that every day in the film room. I love Coach Chevis.
On Cam Ward: We’re basically playing an NFL quarterback. He’s gonna get the ball there. So as a DB, you just gotta make sure that you're in position more than what you normally are. Because if you're not in position, he’s gonna get it there every time. It's gonna be a completion. So as a DB, it's a tougher task. But it's fun playing against him. He makes us better DBs every day.
On the challenges of covering JoJo Trader: He's not a small receiver. He’s pretty quick. He's got good, strong hands. He's going to be a good receiver for us.
On Ny Carr, RayRay Joseph and Robby Washington: Those guys are real fast, real explosive, and they get the job done. They can play a lot of positions.
On what he learned from his freshman year: The biggest lesson is that it's not about athleticism no more. When you get to this level, it's all about your mind. You’ve got to think before you play. It's more mental than physical.
In high school, I just lived off athleticism. I never got in a film room before. So when I got here, it was crazy to me to read the offenses, the personnel. Being here taught me a lot.
On his speed: I'm pretty fast, so I haven't really seen too many receivers much faster than me. When I see one, though, I gotta be on my toes. Because here at the college level, you might see a 6'3 receiver that runs a 4.4 or 4.3.
On his health and size: I feel good now. I feel 100%. I got bigger. I gained 20 pounds. My mind’s right. Everything is right.
On new CB coach Chevis Jackson: He's funny, but he can get serious, too. He drives me every day to get better because he can see the potential in me. He tells me that every day in the film room. I love Coach Chevis.
On Cam Ward: We’re basically playing an NFL quarterback. He’s gonna get the ball there. So as a DB, you just gotta make sure that you're in position more than what you normally are. Because if you're not in position, he’s gonna get it there every time. It's gonna be a completion. So as a DB, it's a tougher task. But it's fun playing against him. He makes us better DBs every day.
On the challenges of covering JoJo Trader: He's not a small receiver. He’s pretty quick. He's got good, strong hands. He's going to be a good receiver for us.
On Ny Carr, RayRay Joseph and Robby Washington: Those guys are real fast, real explosive, and they get the job done. They can play a lot of positions.
