Oregon Cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. Opens Up About Chris Hampton Promotion

"Obviously being a DB, you get excited to have your DB coach as your DC. It has been a little different and the meetings have been a little different, but coach Hamp has done a great translating the message that he wants, and giving it to us. I feel like he's really motivated the defense to get to that next step. E.B.T. Execution, Basis, and Technique. He doesn't run our meetings no more as a back end, but we got coach (Kyle) Cogan. He does a good job, too," Finney Jr. said.

What Changed During His First Full Offseason:

"Having a full offseason is great. I get to actually build a foundation. It started with getting faster, actually, changing how I run and whatnot. I mean, I feel like a way faster and way more agile player and a more physical player. But also, I have been growing spiritually and getting closer to God this offseason," Finney Jr. said.

How He's Went About Working on How He Runs:

"I am taking full advantage of my resources here at Oregon. Coach (Kyle) Bolton (Director of Speed and Performance) is the greatest in the business. He's just been great at helping me. I have been working and watching film with him throughout winter ball, and I feel way better," Finney Jr. said.

What He's Seen From Defensive Back Dorian Brew:

"I have seen tremendous growth, mentally, from Dorian. And I feel like people don't understand how good of a player he is, even though he wasn't really on the field last year. I feel like he's definitely going to be on the field this year, and I feel like he's a great corner," Finney Jr. said.

The Evolution The Defense Has Taken Since Arriving in Eugene:

"I feel like this defense is definitely different, but it's going to be dominant. I feel like we're already connected. There's people making plays, there's people taking steps and making progress from last year. So, I'm really looking forward to what our defense does this year," Finney Jr. said.

On Reacting to Outside Praise:

"I'm not really on social media, to be honest. But I have been focused on what I'm not good at, and kind of just building on my weaknesses, or getting rid of my weaknesses, and just building up my confidence. Like I said, I feel like I really had to change how I was running, because at some points during the season I felt like I shouldn't be running long stride, I should really be having a shoulder stride, so I focused on that, and then just being more physical, and I have felt like I have displayed that this spring," Finney Jr. said.

If Defensive Back Carl Williams IV is Flying Under the Radar:

"I don't really feel like Carl should be under the radar at all. I feel like he's a guy who is about his work, and he is going to get the job done, for sure. He's going to be good, and I am looking forward to getting on the field with him," Finney Jr. said.

On What He Wishes He Knew As a Freshman But Knows Now:

"I feel like having that winter portion. That winter workout portion is very significant to a freshman's development, because looking back at it, I didn't know much about the defense as I do know, at all. So, having those winter workouts would have been beneficial," Finney Jr. said.

On His Impressions of Freshman Safety Jett Washington:

"Jett is definitely a kid who is focused. He is a kid who is going to give his best out on the field, and he is a really smart kid, too. I feel like all of the younger guys have really displayed that. Like DB Davon (Benjamin), he's been doing a great job. Xavier Lherisse, he's been doing a great job. DJ (Devin Jackson), he's been doing a great job. All of the young DBs have been doing really good," Finney Jr. said.

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