* We will have video of the press conference posted here shortly.
Some of the takeaways:
* The energy and enthusiasm of that guy is palpable, and probably contagious.
* The team is in Day 4 of Week 6 of the Spartan Training Program. The program lasts seven weeks. It began on Jan. 18, as they work toward spring football.
* He said the players are understandably much further along this year, with it being the team's second full season of winter training within the program. "Xavier Henderson finishes my sentences for me now," Novak said, indicating the leadership that is taking hold in the conditioning sessions.
* He said Ameer Speed came to Michigan State fresh off of a National Championship game, only two weeks after Georgia's season ended. So he said Speed was already in in-season shape when the program started. He didn't have to regain anything.
* He said Jayden Reed is in great shape, so now they are fine-tuning some of his force or burst measureables. He said Reed squats 500 and there is no need, for his position, to try to get him up to 515. He benches 335, and there is no need to chase 350, so it's about maximizing other areas with that particular player.
* He said Kenneth Walker III never lost a training rep during his time at Michigan State. Not one. Novak said he has posted Walker's strength and conditioning progress sheets on the walls of the weight room so that people can see how a great one got it done. Novak said this is what he told NFL scouts when they came through the building recently.
* I asked about Dashaun Mallory. He said Mallory kind of fell in love with the way he was starting to look "in a bathing suit" last summer, and the coaches did want him to add back a few more pounds during fall camp. Novak said Mallory has grown into his new body well and he expects good things from him this year. He said Mallory is an excellent cook and Mallory actually conducts cooking classes for other players within Amber Rinestine's nutritional guidelines.
* Novak said the transfers and freshmen have filled in nicely. He feels good about where they are. He didn't mention anyone specifically.
Some of the takeaways:
* The energy and enthusiasm of that guy is palpable, and probably contagious.
* The team is in Day 4 of Week 6 of the Spartan Training Program. The program lasts seven weeks. It began on Jan. 18, as they work toward spring football.
* He said the players are understandably much further along this year, with it being the team's second full season of winter training within the program. "Xavier Henderson finishes my sentences for me now," Novak said, indicating the leadership that is taking hold in the conditioning sessions.
* He said Ameer Speed came to Michigan State fresh off of a National Championship game, only two weeks after Georgia's season ended. So he said Speed was already in in-season shape when the program started. He didn't have to regain anything.
* He said Jayden Reed is in great shape, so now they are fine-tuning some of his force or burst measureables. He said Reed squats 500 and there is no need, for his position, to try to get him up to 515. He benches 335, and there is no need to chase 350, so it's about maximizing other areas with that particular player.
* He said Kenneth Walker III never lost a training rep during his time at Michigan State. Not one. Novak said he has posted Walker's strength and conditioning progress sheets on the walls of the weight room so that people can see how a great one got it done. Novak said this is what he told NFL scouts when they came through the building recently.
* I asked about Dashaun Mallory. He said Mallory kind of fell in love with the way he was starting to look "in a bathing suit" last summer, and the coaches did want him to add back a few more pounds during fall camp. Novak said Mallory has grown into his new body well and he expects good things from him this year. He said Mallory is an excellent cook and Mallory actually conducts cooking classes for other players within Amber Rinestine's nutritional guidelines.
* Novak said the transfers and freshmen have filled in nicely. He feels good about where they are. He didn't mention anyone specifically.
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