Pretty good turn out for scrimmage this morning at TCF Bank Stadium. Probably around 700-800 people for the 30 degree morning.
A lot of coaching staff's around Minnesota were there as the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MCFA) conference is this weekend and Kill spoke there last night, so many coaches were there. Iowa QB Joe Hess and Minnesota OL Kayode Awosika were also at practice today.
Scrimmage probably went for 90 minutes or so as well.
Notes:
The quarterbacks didn't get a lot of help from their receivers today as there were a few drops on key downs and just overall sloppiness. Miscommunication on routes, sloppy routes and drops. Maybe it was them not getting acclimated to the cold, but just not a good day for them.
That being said, a guy who I got to see a lot more of today was Isaiah Gentry and he had an up and down day. He burned Craig James on post and Chris Streveler put it right on the money in stride, but it bounced off his hands, back over his head to a waiting Craig James for an INT. Gentry did make some hay on bubbles or hitches as he made the first man miss consistently to get a few extra yards. He's definitely a guy the quarterbacks wanted to get the ball too.
The running backs were on full display today and each got an equal amount of carries. Rodrick Williams got the start and bull dozed his way like he always does. Rodney Smith always got consistent positive yardage and still reminds me of a young David Cobb after each practice. He's not as big weight wise as Cobb yet, but has his patient and gets positive yardage. Berkley Edwards broke off a 67 yard touchdown run for the only offensive touchdown of the day. Took a zone play left side and turned on the jets. Still is the home run threat every play and his pass blocking has been night and day better than last fall.
Jeff Jones got time early on in the slot exclusively and then later on he was at running back, so again the staff is trying use Jeff like Wisconsin used Melvin Gordon his sophomore year. He looked good both at running back and in the slot as he knows how to set guys up for jump cuts and got extra yards in both situations. He runs high though still so he is very susceptible to getting hit, but the coaches were pleased with his effort today.
On defense, the guy who I thought had his best day yet was sophomore linebacker Cody Poock. He was always making plays from the middle linebacker position. Whether it was deflecting balls in the passing lane or shooting the gap to meet the back, he was all over the place. I think there's no way you can keep him off the field if you're the Gophers staff.
Jonathan Celestin also caused a fumble on Rodney Smith with nice helmet placement in a one on one tackle in space. Briean Boddy-Calhoun had two sacks blitzing from his corner spot and he timed the snap count perfectly to beat the tackle off the edge. Damarius Travis and Duke McGhee also provided some hard hits as well.
Now to questions.
2) Mayes got work at LT with the 2nd and 3rd units today and is still recovering strength from shoulder surgery.
Matt Leidner got work at 3rd string center, but it stuck behind Bobek, Christenson and Connor Mayes.
Fahning has been getting work at LT with the 2nd unit while Mayes recovers.
Weyler and Rasmussen have been on the 3rd team (LG and RT).
Oldenkamp at RG 3rd team.
3) Travis and Johnson
Rogers and McGhee
Ayinde and Huff
Keith is the biggest I've seen him look weight-wise and has been getting reps with the 2nd DL. He'll definitely be rotating in this fall with Elmore at DE.
Cockran still looks skinny, but I just think at this point his frame won't let him put any more weight or else he'd have it. Uses his length well to get the edge and disengage.
Elmore and Stelter both look like they've put on 15 pounds and that's very good. Stelter has been the starting DT along side Richardson and he's done well clogging the lanes. Elmore is still getting the moves down at DE with the 2nd team behind Ekpe, but really like his discipline in today's scrimmage. Knew his assignments and made plays because of that. Moore has gotten trimmed up with better weight and been more consistent of late.
Timms is a guy I can see looking for other opportunities after the spring elsewhere.
Kafo definitely has the size and looks like a B1G DE. Technique is still raw and is still getting used to the speed of the game.
Huff looks like a young Antonio Johnson to me.
Laster has only gotten work at OLB.
Moore will have every opportunity to compete at one of the guard spots this fall. I expect him to be in the running yes.
KJ Maye will start with Drew.
Yes.
OL going like this.
Lauer - Bjorklund - Bobek - Campion - Pirsig
Fahning - Hayes - Mayes - Moore - Bush
Cody Poock and Everett Williams plus Jonathan Celestin and De'Vondre Campbell are really battling it out.
I think that GI should elect a leader of recommendations, comprise a list and I'd hand it to Limegrover whom ever. I think it'd be funny.
I'm sure there were some GI members at practice today, so please give your thoughts below. Any questions or comments as well!
A lot of coaching staff's around Minnesota were there as the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MCFA) conference is this weekend and Kill spoke there last night, so many coaches were there. Iowa QB Joe Hess and Minnesota OL Kayode Awosika were also at practice today.
Scrimmage probably went for 90 minutes or so as well.
Notes:
The quarterbacks didn't get a lot of help from their receivers today as there were a few drops on key downs and just overall sloppiness. Miscommunication on routes, sloppy routes and drops. Maybe it was them not getting acclimated to the cold, but just not a good day for them.
That being said, a guy who I got to see a lot more of today was Isaiah Gentry and he had an up and down day. He burned Craig James on post and Chris Streveler put it right on the money in stride, but it bounced off his hands, back over his head to a waiting Craig James for an INT. Gentry did make some hay on bubbles or hitches as he made the first man miss consistently to get a few extra yards. He's definitely a guy the quarterbacks wanted to get the ball too.
The running backs were on full display today and each got an equal amount of carries. Rodrick Williams got the start and bull dozed his way like he always does. Rodney Smith always got consistent positive yardage and still reminds me of a young David Cobb after each practice. He's not as big weight wise as Cobb yet, but has his patient and gets positive yardage. Berkley Edwards broke off a 67 yard touchdown run for the only offensive touchdown of the day. Took a zone play left side and turned on the jets. Still is the home run threat every play and his pass blocking has been night and day better than last fall.
Jeff Jones got time early on in the slot exclusively and then later on he was at running back, so again the staff is trying use Jeff like Wisconsin used Melvin Gordon his sophomore year. He looked good both at running back and in the slot as he knows how to set guys up for jump cuts and got extra yards in both situations. He runs high though still so he is very susceptible to getting hit, but the coaches were pleased with his effort today.
On defense, the guy who I thought had his best day yet was sophomore linebacker Cody Poock. He was always making plays from the middle linebacker position. Whether it was deflecting balls in the passing lane or shooting the gap to meet the back, he was all over the place. I think there's no way you can keep him off the field if you're the Gophers staff.
Jonathan Celestin also caused a fumble on Rodney Smith with nice helmet placement in a one on one tackle in space. Briean Boddy-Calhoun had two sacks blitzing from his corner spot and he timed the snap count perfectly to beat the tackle off the edge. Damarius Travis and Duke McGhee also provided some hard hits as well.
Now to questions.
1) Plsek is the dominant blocking tight end. Anyanwu has Maxx's shoes to fill. Gibson is more out in the slot than the others, but is probably the back-up to Anyanwu. Lingen was behind Plsek, and Wozniak has seen reps with Anyanwu, but Nick Hart and Noah Scarver have filled in (Scarver has been hurt Thursday and today at practice).
2) Mayes got work at LT with the 2nd and 3rd units today and is still recovering strength from shoulder surgery.
Matt Leidner got work at 3rd string center, but it stuck behind Bobek, Christenson and Connor Mayes.
Fahning has been getting work at LT with the 2nd unit while Mayes recovers.
Weyler and Rasmussen have been on the 3rd team (LG and RT).
Oldenkamp at RG 3rd team.
3) Travis and Johnson
Rogers and McGhee
Ayinde and Huff
With Hank Ekpe yes I have. I've noted that in my reports. He's finally healthy after battling numerous health issues in the last year and it's shown.
Keith is the biggest I've seen him look weight-wise and has been getting reps with the 2nd DL. He'll definitely be rotating in this fall with Elmore at DE.
Cockran still looks skinny, but I just think at this point his frame won't let him put any more weight or else he'd have it. Uses his length well to get the edge and disengage.
Elmore and Stelter both look like they've put on 15 pounds and that's very good. Stelter has been the starting DT along side Richardson and he's done well clogging the lanes. Elmore is still getting the moves down at DE with the 2nd team behind Ekpe, but really like his discipline in today's scrimmage. Knew his assignments and made plays because of that. Moore has gotten trimmed up with better weight and been more consistent of late.
Timms is a guy I can see looking for other opportunities after the spring elsewhere.
Kafo definitely has the size and looks like a B1G DE. Technique is still raw and is still getting used to the speed of the game.
Lauer and Pirsig have not been consistent in doing so and that concerns me a little right now. Leidner needs to stay clean this fall. Bush and Fahning haven't been great doing so either. Limegrover did make a comment on Thursday that his back up LT "isn't even on campus right now", so I'd expect that to be Quinn Oseland.
Faux competition to me right now.
Huff looks like a young Antonio Johnson to me.
Laster has only gotten work at OLB.
Moore will have every opportunity to compete at one of the guard spots this fall. I expect him to be in the running yes.
KJ Maye will start with Drew.
Yes.
Yes.
OL going like this.
Lauer - Bjorklund - Bobek - Campion - Pirsig
Fahning - Hayes - Mayes - Moore - Bush
I think linebacker is very intriguing. Jack Lynn to me in the only one locked in to start.
Cody Poock and Everett Williams plus Jonathan Celestin and De'Vondre Campbell are really battling it out.
I think that GI should elect a leader of recommendations, comprise a list and I'd hand it to Limegrover whom ever. I think it'd be funny.
I'm sure there were some GI members at practice today, so please give your thoughts below. Any questions or comments as well!
