Catching up with K Jimmy Stevens
Place-kicker Jimmy Stevens is trying to hold off Tress Way to keep his starting job. Later, he’ll also have to hold off walk-on Bryce Easley.
But Stevens said he’s more confident this year and looking forward to showing everyone that he’s a better kicker.
Stevens spoke with me after Monday’s practice:
On the competition
The competition’s going real good. Tress and I are both kicking the ball real good right now and we’re just getting things fine-tuned.
On the rotation
Easley’s not here yet. We’re all just competing. I don’t really know the specifics of the positions yet but we’re all competing against each other.
On this spring
This year I actually am competing for a job and last year I felt like I had the spot. This year I’m having to work harder for the position
On gaining confidence with experience
Yeah, definitely. Getting the whole year under my belt makes you feel a whole lot better. I have more experience and experience helps.
On getting better late last year
Yeah, I would say that. The end of the season and how I did helps a lot. My confidence is way up and that helps a lot.
On Tress as a punter
He’s hitting the ball real hard. He’s got a big ole’ leg on it.
On coaches’ confidence in him by giving him a shot at a 49-yarder against Florida
They have a lot of confidence in me, which is nice. Florida had some 6-8 guys up in the middle who blocked it, but other than that I’m glad they had confidence in me.
On summer work
This summer I’ll definitely be working on leg strength. I’ll do a lot of stretching and hip-flexor exercises and really just getting stronger and more accurate is going to be my goal for the summer.
On Easley
Tress has been pushing me every day in practice, so Easley will push me even more. But Tress has been pushing me ever since I’ve been here.
By Jake Trotter
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hello sooners,goodluck and good wishes for the coming
season. Let`s make the 2009 year “the Trophy Year”
2009 N C #8