‘Over-worked, under-appreciated;’ Coach Adrian Klemm discusses progress on OL during fall camp
The outlook for the Oregon Ducks’ offensive line is certainly positive. With a handful of veteran players returning for one more season, offensive line coach Adrian Klemm had reason for wanting to leave a job with the Pittsburgh Steelers to come back to the college ranks and take over a group that could be among the very best in the Pac-12 this season.
Klemm has also made an early mark in the recruiting world as well, helping to land 5-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly back in the spring. Conerly was ranked as the No. 1 OT in the 2022 class, and Klemm helped push the Ducks over the USC Trojans in the end.
With fall camp now well underway, we got a chance to talk to Klemm after the Ducks’ 6th practice of the year, the first one in full pads. Here are some of the best quotes from the day:
Health of the O-Line
Question: The team is largely healthy, but how have you dealt with some of the injuries to the offensive line in camp thus far?
Klemm: “It’s a good opportunity for the young guys that just got here and to see the guys that haven’t had opportunities in the past to really show what they can do and kind of learn on the run.”
Veteran OL
Q: How beneficial has it been for you to have a veteran OL when you are trying to learn a new offense and get into the schemes in camp?
Klemm: “It’s been good, we were able to make some gains in the spring. They had a foundation to build upon and you know, some of the things that we’re doing obviously are different, but it’s a mature group and they take pride in what they do and some of them have different goals you know. They’re trying to do some things and play beyond this, so there’s a good sense of urgency in the room and the guys are just trying to do the best they can do every day and push themselves.”
Rotating Players
Q: What is your philosophy on rotating players throughout the offensive line and how does that help you?
Klemm: “We have a good idea on, you know, what position best suits them. But there’s always a positive outcome when you have position flexibility when you have some mobility. You know, it’s not something I like to do within a game, but it’s comforting, especially for the offensive coordinator to know that guys are capable of doing certain things. And you never want to throw a guy in there during the game that hasn’t taken any reps at that position. And they kind of blame the kid and say, ‘Oh, he’s not doing a good job.’ If you haven’t given him an opportunity to kind of hone his craft, and to do that, you know, in practice, then you can’t expect them to have success in the game. So this is one of those things which has been in the past. Just keep them fresh for that but my goal is not to do that throughout a game.”
Josh Conerly
Q: What’s been your impression of Josh Conerly thus far in camp?
Klemm: “Just a lot of poise. You know, he’s making some mistakes and he’s a young guy, there’s a lot on his plate and we’re going kind of fast. You know, we’re gonna overload him initially, throw him in the fire, just build up a little bit of mental toughness. But he’s a guy that’s up for it. And just, he’s energized by the moment, you know, and he’s been pushing through it.”
Dave Iuli and Kawika Rogers
Q: What about Dave Iuli and Kawika Rogers?
Klemm: “Those guys are really pushing themselves. They’re trying to do the best that they can. They’re all working. The older guys that we have in our group are really good with that in terms of kind of putting an arm around them and just talking about, you know, the little things like in terms of having a routine and off the field keeping your body fresh and all that and so those guys are kind of taking to that. They’re a good group of kids.
Pads On
Q: Was there a difference in the sound of practice with pads on today?
Klemm: “No it was the same for us — over-worked and under-appreciated. The offensive line, even when we don’t have pads on guys are throwing hands. You know like when they tell them to calm down both sides of the ball guys are competitive and you know, in close quarters, just an aggressive group, and sometimes when it gets a little hot and things get turned up and it gets a little frustrating. Guys have been working really hard, and Coach Lanning’s got them fired up, pushing them each day the right way, and guys have been responding well.”
Kenny Dillingham
Q: What’s it been like working with Kenny Dillingham and helping build this offense?
Klemm: “That’s been great. I think Kenny is really open to everything, he has ideas on certain things and he has some principles that are kind of concrete. But he’s allowed us some say in that, and he’s allowed us to bring in some of our own ideas. And he maybe doesn’t use everything, but he’s open to anything. And just, you know, he’s a guy that his door is always open and, you know, you know how Kenny is. He’s a nice, easy-going guy in our meetings. It’s unique, but he’s demanding at the same time and he wants fresh ideas and if you ask questions, you better have answers so as long as you have that then he’s willing to utilize everything that you have to bring to the table.”
Carlos Locklyn
Q: How about working with Carlos Locklyn?
Klemm: “It’s been great, we have the same mindset and same ideals in terms of aiming points of the backs and what the lines are supposed to do and how you fit combos and stuff like that. It was pretty easy. So along those lines, we’re on the same wavelength. So been a fairly easy transition.”
