Feature stories on David Veikune

Praising left DE David Veikune (who played in 81 of their 86 defensive plays against Oregon State), Mack said:
"He's a special guy, and a big-time football player. "I've coached guys with motors — Ray Lewis, (Jeff) Ulbrich, Warren Sapp; I can go through it — but he's got as big a motor as anybody I've ever coached." (HA)

About how he rotated at DE last season, playing about half the snaps, Veikune said that back then:
"I couldn't go three plays (in a row) without gasping and having to come out." (HA)

About being on the field for 81 plays against Oregon State, Veikune said:
"It didn't seem like that many plays. But 81 plays, that's crazy. I never would have thought in my college career I'd be in that many plays." (HSB)

About how this year's conditioning drills has improved his stamina, Veikune said:
"All of this running got us in shape." (HA)

About how the Sugar Bowl loss motivated him all summer, Veikune said:
"I was tired (after the Oregon State game), but it's not as tiring as conditioning over the summer. I think I was more dead during those times, so I think the summer really helped. This is the best shape I've been in in my life. I didn't take a day off (in the summer). Since it was my senior season it really pushed me and the loss to Georgia (in the Sugar Bowl) really pushed a lot of the team to work hard in the offseason." (HSB)

Crediting DL coach Dave Aranda for improving Veikune's rush defense, Mack said:
"I give credit to Dave Aranda. "He's a technique wizard. He really taught these guys their pass rushing better. They're doing a great job against the run. (Veikune) has become a complete player," McMackin added. "And he's a smart football player. I think Dave Aranda has helped him with his technique. He's very coachable. He doesn't make mistakes. And technically, he's getting real sound." (HA)

HA Note: "The keys are technique — turning his hips more — and strengthening his legs. Veikune did a lot of squat-lifts this summer."

Praising Veikune's play against Oregon State (he had a career-high 10 tackles), Mack said:
"That was one of the best individual efforts I've ever seen from a player, pro or college. He had 81 plays and he didn't take one snap off. ... Last year we (substituted) for him because he went so hard. Now he can go 81 plays full speed and he goes with reckless abandon." (HSB)

About how Veikune plays hard and is a great teammate, Sol said:
"He's not the loudest guy, he's really reserved, but his play is loud. He makes a lot of tackles, he makes a lot of plays in the backfield, and he's just a great teammate to be around. He plays hard and plays with emotion and that's something we feed off of and that's something we need." (HSB)

About how DEs in their defense need to have speed, Veikune said:
"Defensive ends now, we're basically like linebackers. Back 10 years ago defensive ends could be those big guys, now it's more speed. Coach said we're a swarming, attacking defense, so I just play as hard as I can every single play and leave everything on the field." (HSB)