Jack Stoll Quotes

Nebraska Football
Preseason Press Conference
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Aug. 1, 2019

Jack Stoll, Tight End 

On offense’s confidence

“It’s definitely a great feeling where you can focus on your craft a little bit more, especially knowing the offense going into it, like you said, 'you are not as worried about learning it, you’re more worried about perfecting it.' It’s something that is going to help us confidence-wise, knowing the play book. It kind of helps you go out there with a little more swagger. You can focus on reading the defense a little bit more or learning what the other team’s defense is doing versus learning the play book a little bit more.”

On players becoming leaders

“A lot of things have been player-led versus a lot of coaches telling people to do things. I think as soon as coaches start telling people to do things, not everyone will be as bought in, but as soon as some of the leaders step up and start saying, 'hey we have to do this,' and everyone starts buying in. I think that’s when you get a great team. That’s something this summer we’ve seen a lot of. Everyone just being willing to show up and give it their all every single day. That’s one big thing. Everyone just keeps grinding in the weight room from the offensive line to the defensive line, quarterbacks, tight ends, wide receivers, everyone has just been grinding and you can see it. From the beginning of the summer to the end of the summer, Coach (Zach) Duval did an unbelievable job at just grooming us up.”

On pursuing a Big Ten Championship

“I would say our expectations are definitely to win that Big Ten Championship. I know that was our expectation last year, but unfortunately that didn’t end up happening. With all the work we’ve put in, seeing that tail end of the season, you can tell that’s a goal that’s very attainable, and I know everyone has been working toward it. Coach Frost has been preaching that. We’re going to embrace it. I didn’t come here to go 4-8 as I said before. I came here to put a ring on my finger. I want to win the Big Ten. That’s just personally how I feel and why I came to Nebraska. That’s how a lot of other people feel too.”

On players holding each other accountable

“Basically, if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to, there will be a punishment led by the players. That’s something we have embraced and held people accountable and to make sure everyone is bought in. Especially this year, a lot of people are bought in, versus last year you could see some people weren’t 100 percent bought in. Those people are gone, so that’s something else that’s exciting because if you’re not going to be bought in, not going to give it your all, then I don’t want you on this football team. I know everyone on this roster is willing to give it their all. If Coach Frost and his staff believe that, I’m 100 percent with him. Let’s just ride and win some games.”

On transfer Travis Vokolek

“Travis [Vokolek] is an unbelievable guy. This summer I tried to get out on the golf course, but unfortunately that did not end up happening. He’s an unbelievable kid. I’ve only known him for a few weeks so he’s def someone that has gelled with the tight-end room. From everything I’ve heard from everything he’s done at Rutgers; he sounds like an unbelievable player. I just can’t wait to see what he’s got, what he can bring to the table this Fall Camp.”

On Adrian Martinez

“Off the field, I know Adrian [Martinez] is a class act. That’s something we do not have to worry about. He’s an unbelievable kid, great guy to be around. That’s something he’s going to continue to do. On the field, he’s going to be a great ball player. He’s going to do an unbelievable job and just be a great leader for us. He’s just one of those guys we can all rely on. I’m just looking forward to seeing that this year.”

On stepping out of comfort zone

“I’ve been trying do as much as I can for the team. If that means I must get on someone to make sure their doing the right thing, that’s fine I'll do it. I definitely had to end up being a little more vocal than I think I’ve been comfortable with in the past. I don’t ever want to be too comfortable. I’d rather be uncomfortable, keep growing as a man, a football player, especially a leader. I’m going to do what the coaches ask for of me, I’m going to be willing to do it. Even if it makes me a little uncomfortable, that’s what makes me totally fine. I will just learn from it. This summer, I got a lot more comfortable about being more vocal and a leader. I just look forward to keeping that trend going.”

On summer workouts

“I think some of those workouts where you’re out in the 100 degree heat out at the stadium at three o’clock and having everyone give it their all and having no one quit. Something in past years occasionally you’d see a guy tap out. I never really saw that this year. That just shows you we are gaining a lot of toughness. We’re really excited to see how it translates to Fall Camp. We’ve had a tough team before, but I think we’ll be the toughest team in the Big Ten, no doubt.”

On offensive identity

“We want to be known as one of the toughest offenses, just running the plays as fast as we can. We want to be able to go out there and be known as some hard-hitting football players. We want to look across the ball and see the defense completely gassed and to just know that puts a smile on our faces and to be able to do whatever we want to the defense.”