Second on the team in tackles and sacks behind two graduated seniors last season, Ohio linebacker Dennis Chukwuemeka emerged as one of the Ohio football team's defensive cornerstones. A junior heading into his third season with the Bobcats, Chukwuemeka talked with The Post's Joe Arnold about the ins and outs of spring practice.
The Post: What is a typical spring practice day like?
Chukwuemeka: We start at 2:15 (p.m.) at our special teams meeting and then we go to our position meeting for about an hour. Then we come out and practice for two hours. Occasionally we'll watch more film after practice.
The Post: How is actual practice run?
Chukwuemeka: We'll start off with a little individual drills. We get with our position coach and go through what they saw earlier in the day (in film). I'll go through the basic run fits, pass drops and technique work. Then we start pass (skeleton), which is seven on seven without the linemen. Then we go to inside run drills. Then we end up with team - offense versus defense.
The Post: Is there a lot of anticipation heading into spring practice?
Chukwuemeka: Definitely. I'm trying to get a little more physical this year. I wasn't as physical as my coaches would have liked me to be. So, we're working on that.
The Post: At what point in the off-season did you get that itch to put the pads on?
Chukwuemeka: It's about two weeks after the season ended. With all the bowl games, you start watching them and you're like, 'Man, we could still be playing right now.' That's when it really starts setting in that we messed up last season, and we got to get back in the weight room and do whatever we need to do.
The Post: What is the hardest part of spring ball?
Chukwuemeka: The hardest part would be the contact. For a freshman, though, it would be installing all the new stuff. During the season, the freshmen usually don't get all that much time with the coach. But spring ball is a fresh, brand-new start for everybody.
The Post: What is the easiest part of spring practice?
Chukwuemeka: The easiest is being a veteran and already basically knowing all the concepts to the defense. We don't have to learn much. We just have to get better at what we're doing.
The Post: Is spring practice easier than the grind of the regular season?
Chukwuemeka: No. Spring ball is definitely not easier. It's more physical in the spring. During the season, we'll probably go full-go one day of the week, and then the rest of the time is lighter work.
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Dennis Chukwuemeka
