McCay making an impact in spring football
Wide receiver Justin McCay is making a lot of noise so far in spring football. The redshirt freshman was one of the most highly recruited players in the class of 2009 and he's starting to show that potential on the field. SoonerScoop.com's Carey Murdock caught up with McCay after a recent practice.
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Justin, you're getting a lot of reps because guys have been dinged up in front of you. How much better is this making you and how much more fun is it right now?
Oh man, I came a long way from watching film when I first got here to watching film today and yesterday. It's a big step, a real big step.
What's the biggest step if you could just explain it? Why are you doing so much better now than you were last year?
I'd just say that I pay more attention. I've learned and I've matured a lot. When I first got here I was redshirting and it kind of grew on me that it was a learning year but then people talked to me about how you mature doing that and stuff like that.
Physically it looks like you went through a transformation. Being a former linebacker in high school you've kind of slimmed down. Has that been a challenge for you?
Oh yes, because I'm still on a weight, slim, gain weight deal. I came in and I was 190 and then I got to 220 and I got to 225 and then I went down to 210, so it's just how I'm eating and how I want to be at a good, attainable weight.
The way you train maybe? Is that been the bigger part of it and the things you're working on? The speed and quickness?
Yes. Flexibility is my biggest thing. I'm so big and this weight thing is kind of making me go up and down. I'm trying to keep the speed that I have and I'm not a burner guy or nothing.
What do you envision being your role in this offense? Are you a guy that's going to make big plays down the field? Are you a guy that wants to make big plays over the middle?
I don't know yet. I just want to make plays when the ball comes my way and do what I can to do what I can do and help the team out.
Tell me about the scrimmage on Saturday. What was your favorite part of it? What did you take from it that stood out to you?
Just being out there was new for me. I haven't had a football game in almost a year. With the redshirt you don't play a lot of games. That was new for me, just being out there with the guys and flying around was just great, I loved it.
Are there a lot of emotions running around in your head this spring because not only are you competing but you're probably having more fun than you had last year and there's probably a little bit more pressure on you knowing you're trying to win a job?
Yes. It's a lot of pressure but you just take it day-by-day. You can't let one day's mistakes be the next and next and next, so you just go every day and learn something and take what the coaches are telling you and put it in your game.