TIGHT END/FULLBACK DAVID SCHAEFER

• You're known as a big right-wing guy, right? "I'm pretty conservative. You could say that. I hope (talking about it) won't affect my ability to get into any medical schools in the future. I'm really pretty outspoken about a lot of stuff - guns, abortion, stuff like that, just basic hard-line conservative views. See, I'm all for Texas seceding from the Union if Hillary Clinton gets elected president. That's an idea I've run across (Mike) Leach, and he thought it was a pretty good idea. My brother is probably going to run for office one day, and he's going to have some problems with his crazy brother.''

• Were you raised that way or did you develop your views on your own? "A little of both. I'm a Bill O'Reilly fan. I listen to a lot of talk radio. G. Gordon Liddy. Rush Limbaugh. Sean Hannity. I like G. Gordon Liddy. I got Leach that Stacked and Packed Calendar. G. Gordon Liddy puts out this calendar. It's women in bathing suits holding guns. He talked about it; I figured he'd want it. Maybe that's why he put me on scholarship.''

• *ave you ever thought about running for office? "No. That's not me. My brother is. He's the lawyer, and worked with Phil Gramm for a few years. He'll probably run for something eventually.''

Schaefer

• How many guns do you have? "That's classified information. (Smiles) An undisclosed number of firearms.''

• Do guys on the team give you much guff about your views? "I pretty much tell them what I think if they want to know. Coach Setencich and I have some pretty in-depth discussions about foreign policy and political stuff. I wouldn't characterize him as a liberal. I'd characterize him as a moderate. Leach would be a moderate, too. Now, coach Bill, coach Bedenbaugh, he was a liberal.''

• You're a biochemistry major ... and your GPA is? "It's like a 3.7. Could be better. Med schools (admission boards) look for well-rounded individuals, and I'm hoping that playing football for four years shows that I'm a good time manager and I have the ability to multitask and juggle a lot of things at the same time - not cave in to stress or pressure.''

Position Battle

BACKUP MIDDLE LINEBACKER

Hunter Hale

• The skinny: Brock Stratton's decision to give up his final year of eligibility opened it up for senior Paul Williams to start at middle linebacker. The backups have to be ready, though, because Williams would change positions if strong-side linebacker Kellen Tillman went down. Victor Hunter is the second-string MLB right now, using the experience he gained by playing in 11 games last year. But fellow sophomore Ryan Hale isn't backing off. Hale was credited with a team-high five tackles in Saturday's scrimmage, two for lost yardage.

• Quotable: "Hale's done some nice things the last two or three (practices), but right now Victor would be the guy. Victor's very physical. Hale's very smart, makes a lot of plays just because he understands the game of football." - Defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich.

Quick hits

• Who's hot: CB Brent Nickerson was outstanding in Monday's workout with a couple of pass interceptions, a pass breakup and a tackle during the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 team periods.

• Who not: The receivers. Graham Harrell was bitten by six dropped passes in Saturday's scrimmage. During Monday's 7-on-7 and team periods, there were five drops with Adrian Reese, L.A. Reed and Lyle Leong all having a concentration lapse.

• Next practice: 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Compiled by Don Williams and Jeff Walker