Training Camp Q&A: Derek McDonald

Syracuse football's starting linebacker discusses the latest from camp.

Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald spoke to the media after a recent training camp practice. 

Q: What are you trying to accomplish between now and game week?

McDonald: "I think it's just cleaning things up stuff now. We've come a pretty long way throughout camp so far. The defense is feeling good so I think it's just cleaning up the little things and getting to where we need to be before the first game is the most important thing right now."

Q: Do you think the defense has made progress in the first three weeks?

McDonald: "I definitely do. I think we started in a good place just because we had so much experience. But we're starting to play better together and getting a little more technical. Then it'll be the game plan stuff. Just the little things that'll help us be the best defense we can be. We've made a lot of progress and I think it'll continue that way." 

Q: What have you seen from Stefon Thompson?

McDonald: "It's great having Stef back. He's looking good. We've seen it the whole summer, he's looking good. He was just making sure he was ready to go. I think come season time we'll be ready to role and glad to have him back." 

Q: How do you believe coach Long will use the linebackers this season?

McDonald: "I think that's the biggest part of this defense is that all of us can play anywhere on the field. We're all pretty versatile including myself, I like to say. It's just being able to move around and play all three linebacker positions will help us be an even better defense than we could possibly be." 

Q: How much can Stefon Thompson help you progress?

McDonald: "Stef knows a lot about football. He's a really smart player. I think Stef, along with Marlowe, it's all of us. We love to talk about football, so he helps me with little things, I help him with little things. It's kind of a give and take relationship for all of us. That's what makes this room so special is that we're all so close and we can help each other out." 

Q: Is there anyone you've gone up against offensively that has stood out or impressed you?

McDonald: "I think the o-line is definitely coming around. Enrique Cruz, he played some last year, we go against each other every day. Since freshmen year we've been going against each other. So I'd say him because he's left tackle and I'm usually right linebacker. He's getting better and hopefully I'm getting better too. It's just that give and take relationship with competing with each other. Making each other better every day." 

Q: How much are you looking forward to seeing someone in a different colored jersey?

McDonald: "I'm really looking forward to that first game. It gets a little bit old. Especially, I mean, this is the third year going up against Cruz so it's always great to see someone in a different jersey. Someone I don't have to protect as much. I can just go at them and try to make as many plays as I can. It'll be a lot of fun." 

Q: What will you and the linebackers do between now and the first game to prepare yourselves?

McDonald: "I think it's just starting to turn our eyes towards Colgate. We've been focusing on ourselves, trying to get this defense better, which we will continue to do. But starting to game plan for that a little bit, what calls we're going to have in that game. How we need to win that, attack that." 

Q: How do you feel entering this camp with starts under your belt as opposed to previous years?

McDonald: "I definitely feel more comfortable. Last year I was coming in and trying to prove myself. I'm still trying to prove myself but now I know what I can do and the things I really have to improve him. So it's just finding more to improve on and making myself the best player possible."

Q: How do you see your evolution as a pass rusher?

McDonald: "Pass rush is something I've been trying to work on. I played d-end in high school so pass rush wasn't the biggest step for me. It was really dropping in coverage. That was something I really focused on when I first got here. Now I've gotten better dropping in coverage so I'm moving back to becoming a better pass rusher and kind of working on that part of my game. So it's just constantly developing and constantly evolving and getting better at every step of my game." 

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