Xavier Restrepo: "If we were whooping the defense every day, there'd be something wrong"
Xavier Restrepo is no longer sneaking up on anybody. The consensus All-ACC receiver met with the media to discuss the offense a few days into camp:
On how the offense is progressing: Exactly how I expected. We're a super explosive offense. Everyone is doing really well. When guys are down or whatever, we have depth. Like even our walk-ons, Nick Thomas, Luna, Marty, I mean all those guys. Those guys are busting their tails every single day. Any opportunity they get, they're taking advantage of it.
On battles with the defense: We're going back and forth. It's a couple of plays here and there that just ruin our entire offensive motto for the day. But then we jump right back on it. We have short-term memory. If we were whooping the defense every single day, there'd be something wrong. We have great guys all over the field, great guys on the sideline as well, including the coaches. We have a big year loading.
On Sam Brown: He's a full receiver. He can make 50-50 catches. He can burn a defense off. He has great hands, great routes, great, great athlete.
On the leadership council: Our leadership council actually meets with Dr. Elko. He is a great, great, great leadership guy. He came from a whole bunch of prestigious colleges, and he basically put this thing in and said, “Match me.” So that's really what I'm bringing to the table every single day, “Match me.”
I came out here a little excited today, we have pads on. I said, “I'm gonna be the thermostat, everybody match me.” Our receivers kicked butt today, our offense kicked butt today, defense kicked butt today. Everyone is just super high intensity, super high effort. Even a special teams period is where you could tell a team's DNA. I make sure I'm the first one in line. Leading by example, basically. Just setting the tone and being that thermostat.
On the leadership council: There's about eight to 10. We want the whole team to be a leadership council. Even Nick Thomas, one of the walk-ons in the slot. Today, I had my helmet off during walkthrough. He said, “Hey, X, put your helmet on.” “Of course, let's do it.” I have total respect for that guy. Coming in, knowing that I'm the guy at the slot right now, him to be able to tell me that takes some courage. I have unlimited respect for the kid.
On how the offense is progressing: Exactly how I expected. We're a super explosive offense. Everyone is doing really well. When guys are down or whatever, we have depth. Like even our walk-ons, Nick Thomas, Luna, Marty, I mean all those guys. Those guys are busting their tails every single day. Any opportunity they get, they're taking advantage of it.
On battles with the defense: We're going back and forth. It's a couple of plays here and there that just ruin our entire offensive motto for the day. But then we jump right back on it. We have short-term memory. If we were whooping the defense every single day, there'd be something wrong. We have great guys all over the field, great guys on the sideline as well, including the coaches. We have a big year loading.
On Sam Brown: He's a full receiver. He can make 50-50 catches. He can burn a defense off. He has great hands, great routes, great, great athlete.
On the leadership council: Our leadership council actually meets with Dr. Elko. He is a great, great, great leadership guy. He came from a whole bunch of prestigious colleges, and he basically put this thing in and said, “Match me.” So that's really what I'm bringing to the table every single day, “Match me.”
I came out here a little excited today, we have pads on. I said, “I'm gonna be the thermostat, everybody match me.” Our receivers kicked butt today, our offense kicked butt today, defense kicked butt today. Everyone is just super high intensity, super high effort. Even a special teams period is where you could tell a team's DNA. I make sure I'm the first one in line. Leading by example, basically. Just setting the tone and being that thermostat.
On the leadership council: There's about eight to 10. We want the whole team to be a leadership council. Even Nick Thomas, one of the walk-ons in the slot. Today, I had my helmet off during walkthrough. He said, “Hey, X, put your helmet on.” “Of course, let's do it.” I have total respect for that guy. Coming in, knowing that I'm the guy at the slot right now, him to be able to tell me that takes some courage. I have unlimited respect for the kid.
. Despite all of his physical limitations he still finds a way to make play after play
