DALLAS — We've crossed the halfway point of SEC Media Days! And, with great anticipation, Wednesday finally offered some answers to questions surrounding big-time programs like Alabama and Texas.
The Crimson Tide's new leader, Kalen DeBoer, spoke first on Day 3, talking about what it's like to betaking over for legendary coach Nick Saban, who retired following the Crimson Tide's CFP semi-final loss to Michigan.
And Steve Sarkisian and his Texas Longhorns also made an appearance Wednesday, introducing themselves to the SEC media as the newest kids on the block.
Read up on Day 3's full festivities below.
For a Day 1 recap, visit here.
For a Day 2 recap, visit here.
SEC Media Days | Wednesday, July 17
Alabama Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
Deboer was asked about what the process has been like getting acclimated to Alabama's program and its long history of dominance.
"I actually took notes and I'm still taking notes -- these guys have been here longer than I have," Deboer said.
He mentioned that instead of trying to do too much, he wants to focus on the work they are doing right now and not get too tied up in trying to fill the shoes of the previous head coach.
"There's only one Coach Saban, there'll only ever be one Nick Saban," DeBoer said.
The new Crimson Tide head coach also touched on how much his team respects each other and the school.
"That's again a credit to Coach Saban and everyone that's coached the program before," DeBoer said. "These guys, they know they need each other to reach the goals that we have as a program. And then I think they also really respect the goals they have each individually."
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
Milroe talked about ways he wants to improve as a quarterback and where it is that he would critique himself.
"I think for me, I'm not a finished product," Milroe said. "I think for me, the day I stop getting better, the day I feel is I need to retire. So with that, I can always seek information and try to be a sponge at the position, whether it's situation awareness, whether it's protection, whether it's coverages. There's a multitude of things that as a quarterback, to play at a high level, you have to master that aspect."
The redshirt junior said that most people think about the physical aspect of the game being the most important, but the mental side is an area he would like to improve.
"So I think mentally being stronger in the game and you're ready for all situations that occur. So you can be the strongest player you can be on the football field."
Milroe emphasized that he has the right surroundings for this growth to occur with his new head coach's arrival.
"It's all about being around guys that's gonna push me and uplift me and hold me to a standard of playing at a high level," Milroe said. "And I have that with Coach DeBoer and Coach Sheridan and I'm so super excited about."
Mississippi State Head Coach Jeff Lebby
Lebby started his address by shouting out Dallas Cowboys QB and Mississippi State alumn Dak Prescott.
The first time head coach was asked about the new format of the College Football Playoff and what it means for teams that are maybe outside the top of the SEC.
"There's nothing but good coming from the expanded playoff. You have the opportunity to not be perfect in the regular season," Lebby said. "It opens a door -- it creates a door."
Lebby said that the transfer portal played a huge role in being able to get this team up and ready to hit the ground running in training camp.
"We're talking about the starting quarterback, three to five starting O-linemen, two receivers, starting running back," Lebby said. "And on the defensive side, we'll have three starters from the portal as well."
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen
Shapen transferred over from Baylor earlier this offseason and he says there's been some things he's had to adjust to and learn -- from an offensive standpoint.
"I think for me, a big thing was footwork," Shapen said. "You know, obviously in Coach Lebby's offense, like, the footwork's a little bit different than the offense I was in previously. With RPO footwork, quick game footwork, things like that. So, being able to master those things has been -- has been a process."
Shapen also shared that Dak Prescott worked out with him a couple of times this offseason, helping him during his transition over to Mississippi State.
"It's really cool being around Dak, he's a great dude," Shapen said. "Anytime you can take information from a guy like that, that's played in a lot of big-time football games in the NFL, it's pretty special."
Florida Head Coach Billy Napier
After praising Commissioner Sankey for his work to get the SEC in the position that it's in right now, Napier went into his team's leadership and how it's helping set a great foundation.
"We have credible leadership," Napier said. "The discipline and accountability we have on this team is at an all-time high."
Napier was asked about the Gators' schedule and what would constitute a successful season for them.
"I think you have to get consumed with the process, not the outcome to some degree," Napier said. "The thing that I would say with conviction is we have been very close, we play in a lot of close games. We've got to learn how to close those games out and I think that's where the leadership and experience of this team."
The Gators head coach talked about the expanded College Football Playoff and explained how there's a lot more opportunity for teams with one, two and even three losses.
"So many more teams have hope when you get into weeks six, seven, eight, nine," Napier said.
Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz
One of the questions Mertz says he's been asked a lot leading up to this season is about the Gators' schedule, which features an array of tough opponents.
"For us it's, look, we got one game against Miami -- it's the first game of the season," Mertz said. "That's all we're focused on, just one game at a time, one opportunity at a time and maximizing those opportunities. "
The Gators QB dove deeper, explaining how it's not a good practice to look ahead at upcoming matchups when you have one right in front of you.
"If you already make assumptions that we're gonna win this many games, we're gonna lose this many -- you're probably gonna lose a few more," Mertz said.
We asked Mertz, who transferred from Wisconsin prior to last season, about the differences he's experienced between the SEC and the Big 10.
"Across the board, you think of all these universities in the SEC and their fanbases are so passionate," Mertz said. "Everywhere you go, you can feel that passion. You'll feel those rivalries ten times more when you go see these places."
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian
Sarkisian and the Longhorns are going into their first season in the SEC and he says it's something he feels fortunate to be a part of.
"I think the key word is respect. We have a ton of respect for this conference," Sarkisian said. "This is the elite conference in college football."
The Longhorns coach says he feels confident in this team's abilities as they face a tougher schedule in the SEC.
"This is the deepest team we've had -- probably the most talented football team we've had," Sarkisian said.
Despite what some may say about the Longhorns' chances in the SEC, Coach Sarkisian says they just won the Big 12 Conference Championship and that expectation doesn't change in a different conference.
"Our goal is to come into this conference and compete for a conference championship," Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian was asked about the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma and how it compares to the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn.
"This is the most unique game, for sure, that I've ever been a part of," Sarkisian said. "Half of the game is a home game, the other half of the game is a road game... Both teams play as hard as they possibly can."
Texas QB Quinn Ewers
The junior quarterback was asked about his relationship with Coach Sarkisian and how it's developed over time.
"Over three years we've really gotten to know each other," Ewers said. "He's gotten vulnerable, not just with me, but with the entirety of the team."
When it comes to how Ewers feels about his coach, he made sure to mention kind words about Sarkisian's personal development.
"I think he's only grown as a player caller and, you know, as a head coach -- as a person in general," Ewers said. "I've only seen him become a better man."
With the addition of the Longhorns to the SEC, old rivalries are being brought back to life, including the Lonestar Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M.
"I'm excited to have that game back," Ewers said. "It's going to be cool, especially going to Kyle Field Thanksgiving weekend and that place is going to be rockin'. We're all fired up for it."
When asked about his decision to return to Texas for one more season, despite being eligible for the NFL Draft, Ewers said he wanted to get more experience and be someone who leaves a legacy behind.
"I just kinda wanted to give myself a better chance to have a long and successful career in the NFL." Ewers said. "I don't want to be a guy that just comes and goes. I want to be somebody who is remembered."
SEC Media Days Schedule
See the entire SEC Media Days schedule here.