5 things Paul Johnson said after the first day of spring practice

On a shortage of players in the spring on the offensive line:

“It’s going to be mix and match up there. I think we can put together two groups to practice with, have two teams. But that’s always going to be an issue. We should have plenty of guys, enough to practice in fall camp. I think right now, we’ve got 14 of 15 out there, so we’ve got enough to play.”

On his goals for quarterback Matthew Jordan:

“Well, for him to solidify the job as the starting quarterback, I guess. Like everybody, to get better each day. He needs to come out there with some things he’s going to improve on every day and work to get better, just like all the guys.”

On the competition at B-back:

“In the spring, the big thing is to try to decide who’s going to come out of spring No. 2, KirVonte (Benson) or Quaide (Weimerskirch). I want to get those guys most of the reps. I don’t know how many reps Dedrick (Mills) will get – he’ll get some – but I kind of know what he can do. It’s not as big a deal in the spring for him as those other two. You’d like to separate them and then when the two freshmen come in (Jerry Howard and Jordan Ponchez-Mason), let them compete with that guy to see who’s going to be the backup.”

On starting spring practice after a nine-win season as opposed to a three-win season:

“I don’t know that there’s any difference. When you’ve coaches as long as I have, you kind of have your way of doing things and the way you do them. I don’t think anybody’s happy with where we finished last year. Our goal was to try to win our division and be in the ACC championship game, and we didn’t get there, so we fell short of what we wanted. I don’t see a big difference.”