What J’Mond Tapp said ahead of the first game of the season
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Memphis defensive lineman J’Mond Tapp met with the media ahead of the Week Zero game against UNLV. Tapp followed Huff and the staff from Southern Miss, and he sounds like an extension of the head coach, which can help his leadership qualities on the field.
Tapp has received a to of preseason accolades and recognition, and he has the opportunity to be one of the best defensive players in on the team and in the conference.
Here’s what he said ahead of Saturday’s game.
Where the team is at and how to keep guys grounded ahead of the first game:
Tapp was asked about how the team is preparing for the first game of the season and where the teams’ mindset is just a few days away from a massive road game. Tapp said the team was taking it day-by-day and were ready for the challenge.
“I think that we focus on taking it day-by-day and winning day-by-day,” Tapp said. “I think the team as a whole, to be honest, we feel like we’re connected, and we’re just ready to go to battle.”
He was asked a follow up question about being one of the older guys and keeping the team grounded before the first game.
“Remain consistent and harp on the same things you’ve been focusing on since day one will keep your head straight and stay levelheaded,” Tapp said.
Preparing for UNLV’s offense:
Like the Tigers’ UNLV’s offense is unknown, mainly because head coach Dan Mullen has yet to announce a starting quarterback. The defensive lineman was asked about how the process was different having to prepare for two quarterbacks.
“It matters a lot because you never know what what they can do,” Tapp said. “It gives a lot of variations to their offense, so just having appropriate fear and just being prepared for either or. You don’t know who will come into the game, so be prepared for both.”
Tapp was also asked about stopping the run with the Rebels returning a few running backs, including Jai’Den Thomas, who ran for 1,036 yards last year. Tapp emphasized what Huff said about having to earn the right to rush the quarterback and added that UNLV will “run the ball down our throats” if they can’t stop it early.
“You’ve got to earn the right to rush,” Tapp said. “So, basically, they’re going to run the ball down our throats if we don’t stop the run because the running backs that they have is a good duo. They have a good power back, and then number nine, he’s basically a power back that’s elusive.”
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