For years, Lokahi Pauole felt like one of the younger guys and he can hardly believe he's getting ready to play his senior season. Pauole, who has started the last two seasons on the offensive line, caught up with the media following Tuesday's scrimmage.
What's the consensus following the first two weeks of spring practice?
"It's been really exciting," Pauole said. "I like the competition. Offensive line has been great, bringing in the new guys that transferred in like Tylan (Grable) and Ryan (Swoboda). We've been trying to fill in where we miss Cole (Schneider) and Marcus (Tatum) from last year. It's been great. It's been a good spring so far. We're going to keep it rolling."
And how did the first scrimmage go?
"I think for the most part we did fairly okay," Pauole said. "We scored a couple times, starting off early. One thing we could work on as an offensive line is finishing and straining blocks. Get more than three scores. Try to go for five or six. Try to be the best we can be as an offense."
Have any players stood out to him in the early going?
"I love watching the young guys," Pauole said. "Tommy (Castellanos) did some amazing things. I see a little flash of KZ in him. It's surprising me. He's got some development to do, don't get me wrong, but seeing him break loose for a couple runs and making the right reads on some throws was exciting. It's something to look forward to.
Sam Jackson is the veteran of the group about to embark on his sixth year in Orlando.
"He's like the dad of the offensive line for years now," Pauole said. "If we've got anything, we can talk to Sam. He's our big brother in there. Having him in our room for another year returning, it's something special. He loves this place. He puts his heart into this place. It shows on the field. He helps us out as a unit. He's a good leader."
If Sam is the dad, Lokahi could be the younger uncle.
"That's really the next step for me, changing my perspective on the team," Pauole said. "I used to be the young guy and I'm going into my fourth year. I'm really an old dude and Sam is still here which is crazy because he was already here when I got here. Learning from Sam, trying to be a leader for the team. Just helping out guys where they need it."
How are the offensive tackle transfers - Tylan Grable and Ryan Swoboda - integrating themselves within the unit?
"It's fun. I like the fact we have quality guys. Last year you saw a majority of five or six guys on the offensive line, so bringing in people like Ryan and Tylan is better for us. We're only going to get better. Instead of only having five or six great guys, why not have 10? Tylan and Ryan are great additions for us on the edges."
What does the offense need to continue to work on?
"One thing I think we can work on is straining and finishing as a unit," Pauole said. "It's not just offensive linemen that block. Wide receivers block on the edges too. When we get down to the red zone, you want to see us score touchdowns. Everybody wants to score touchdowns and not field goals. That's how we win games."
How is quarterback Mikey Keene different or better since last season?
"Mikey, it's like it's his fourth year already," Pauole said. "He's like a veteran. He's one of us. He's running the offense, keeping us on pace. He's getting better by the day. I'm excited to see what Mikey can do in his career here."
And how is John Rhys Plumlee fitting in?
"It's exciting watching J.R. play," Pauole said. "It's two different play styles between J.R. and Mikey. You get different perspectives. It's fun watching J.R. do his thing. He was a wide receiver at Ole Miss, so when he pulls the ball it's exciting to watch him make some moves. Also when he throws the ball, he makes some nice plays. It's a good competition. It's good having both of them in the back field."
How is the defense challenging him?
"Most of the time we're going against the defensive linemen," Pauole said. "I like Ricky Barber and (Anthony) Montalvo. I think both of those guys have been giving us good work. Iron sharpens iron. Ricky has been making plays, getting us better up front. It's been good competition."
Pauole is bullish about their outlooks this and also offered an interesting take about the transfer portal.
"You can already tell we're light years ahead from last year," Pauole said. "Our team looks really good. I'm not just saying this to hype it up. This is my fourth year here and I think this is the best spring I've been a part of. At least on the offensive side and the defensive side. We look like a real good team.
"I think with the whole transfer portal thing, you've got guys who really want to be here. You've got guys who want to stay. The guys who want to be here stayed. And the guys who didn't want to be here left. That's just how it is. The guys who came in transferred here for a reason. Really this year is different than others because of the transfer portal. I'm happy about it. Everybody on this team right now wants to be here and wants to win. They want to do something good."
