Spring Day 6: McKinney, James White talk run game

Clarence McKinney

On the running backs’ progress this spring…

"So far, they’re doing pretty good. Brandon’s been in the offense for quite some time now, so he understands everything that we’re asking him. James White is doing a really good job. He has a much better understanding of our offense. He’s more mature. He’s more confident in what he’s doing. He had a pretty decent scrimmage last week too."

On James White’s skill set…

"James can do it all. He’s a big, strong, physical runner who has really good ball skills. So, he’s a guy that we don’t have to take out of the game for any reason. He’s good in protection. He can carry the ball. He can catch it out of the backfield. He’s a guy that you want back there on any down."

On whether or not White gets special teams reps…

"Oh, no doubt. He’s definitely going to be a contributor. All of those guys, the running backs, are very crucial to our special teams game, so we try to incorporate all of those running backs on special teams."

On White’s emergence in light of Tra Carson’s injury…

"He’s getting a lot more reps, and it’s really helping him out. By Tra Carson not being out here, James is getting not only his reps, but Tra’s reps as well, and he’s producing."

On Brandon Williams’ mindset…

"Brandon’s on a mission. He’s transformed his body. He’s gained a few pounds. He’s much better as far as protection goes, now. He’s working on his ball skills every day, so his ball skills have really gotten a lot better. This could be his year."

On Williams’ reaction to his bowl game performance…

"The bowl game has been his motivation. He’s looked at what happened in the bowl game with (Carson and Trey Williams) having really good games, and he was the odd man out. That’s his motivation to have a really good season."

On Williams’ refusal to talk to the media after practice…

"He’s not a guy who wants to be in front of the cameras. It’s nothing against you guys. He likes to keep to himself. He has fun with the guys in the room, and he’s kind of an introvert."

On working with Dave Christensen…

"As far as who goes in (the game) with the running backs, those guys decide that. Whoever the best guys are, those guys are going to play. As far as Christensen goes, we’re just learning each other. He has some ideas that are new to us, and the things that we’ve done are new to him. We’re just trying to find a happy medium right now.

"Being around him so far, he’s a great guy. We get a chance to get in there and learn some protections, as well as some run plays. He has some great ideas. He’s receptive to our ideas. We’re just trying to figure out what’s going to fit best with our offense."

On the evolution of Kevin Sumlin’s offense…

"The offense has definitely evolved, but the things that Coach Sumlin does with the program, he does it to make it better. We trust his decisions. He made a change, and we’re trying to make our offense better."

On whether or not A&M will run any zone read in 2015…

"Not to give away what we’re doing, we’ll see a little bit more running. I don’t know if it’ll be zone read or not, but we’ll see some guys running the ball."

On new signees Jay Bradford and Kendall Bussey…

"Very excited about those guys. I just read where Jay Bradford ran a 10.5 in a track meet last week. Kendall Bussey came in here and he’s weighing right at 200 pounds. So he’s bigger than some of the guys we played last year. So we’re excited about those two guys coming in."

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James White

On Trey Williams leaving…

“It doesn’t really affect us too much, you know. During the season when he would get hurt, somebody would come in, so it’s not that big of a change or anything like that.”

On more opportunities...

 “I’m just going to do what they ask me to do.”

On Tra Carson being out...

 “A guy goes down, another guy has to come in, so that’s how I’m looking at it right now.”

On changes in the run game...

 “They changed up how the line gets down, I’m guessing. Some calls are different and everything — but not a whole lot different from my standpoint.”

On playing special teams...

 “Just the same role as last year. I’m just doing everything that they ask me to do.”

On what he needs to improve on...

 “Just pass protection, mostly.”

On Brandon Williams...

“That cat’s really good. He goes 100 every time and I love watching him play; I get to learn from him. He’s gaining a little bit of weight, he has.”

On any change in his weight...

 “My weight hasn’t really fluctuated or anything. I’m about 220 now.”

On the toughness of pass protection...

 “Just getting the points and everything right, just being able to get to the spot in time, and being where I’m supposed to be.”

On his assessment of Kyle Allen...

“He’s looking really good. He’s looking really good. He’s a really good dude — he’s pretty good.”

On his offseason training...

“Footwork, pass protection, trying to get the feel.”