Recruits at practice today were new commitment Phillip Howard, Chaska OL Matt Kegel and former East Ridge wide receiver Kjetil Cline.
Also will note that the practice was in pro-pads after a long scrimmage on Saturday, so not a lot of hitting at all. There was a lot of install going in the offense and defense as well as a good amount of special teams. There was some team at the end of practice, but with offensive and defensive line only going about 70%, it's tough to say much about the outcome of the play.
Notes:
I spent a lot of time watching the wide receivers today and I came away that yes there's more talent at the position from last year, but expectations still need to be tempered. KJ Maye and Drew Wolitarsky are very likely going to be the starting receivers heading into the fall. Maye seems to really know the position now and is just a confident player out there. He'll be the only receiver jawing with the defense. Wolitarsky will be the guy getting the tough yards in the middle of the field and he's done a good job of that this spring. Behind those two, the guy I'm really getting a sense of that the staff wants to step up into a bigger role is freshman Isaiah Gentry. Gentry really has had the quarterbacks attention the last few practices and it's almost been like they've been force feeding him balls at all. He's got a lot of ability, but is still a freshman. Other guys that I think can play this fall are Eric Carter and Melvin Holland. Carter got a lot of reps with the first team this past Saturday and did well. Holland is one of the best route runners on the team and has a lot of talent, but his hands haven't been great these past few weeks. Desmond Gant has been hurt the last three practices and he's unfortunately missing out of valuable reps as I think he can be used this fall as well.
From watching the walk-ons guys of Brian Smith, Michael Conway, Jeff Borchardt and E.J. Sardinha, I don't think any will be serious contributors this fall. Big bodied guys that work their tails off, but the others have some more talent.
I'd think WR's go something like this into fall camp.
Maye/Wolitarsky
Holland/Carter and Gentry
Gant and the freshman WR's in the mix.
A couple defensive linemen who stood out today were Gary Moore and Gaelin Elmore. Moore has been more and more consistent in each practice with getting penetration into the backfield and getting off blocks and getting to the ball carrier. His first step has been explosive, but his back level still needs work. Gaelin did a very good job today on his speed rush around the edge with either getting skinny or disengaging the tackles hands. I count two "sacks" off the edge today.
Guys that got interceptions included Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Cody Poock and Jacob Huff. Boddy's came on a deep ball between him and Wolirarsky (I think) and Boddy just played the ball to the middle of field better and went up and got it. Cody's came in zone coverage and he jumped in front of the receiver and Huff's read the eyes of the QB and jumped the route.
Mayes and Moore have been getting 2nd team reps all spring. Moore has the meanest and nastiest streak of the offensive linemen on the team. Mayes has shifted to center and I almost expect him to start there next year after Bobek and Christenson graduate.
Different tempos, but same plays overall.
He's definitely still more comfortable outside of hashes, but is gaining more confidence in the middle. Deep ball accuaracy and intermediate across the middle is still a work in progress.
Tyler Hartmann backs up Miles.
Leidner has been working at center. I'll give it to him that he works extremely hard, but I don't see him beating out any of the scholarship guys like Mayes or Moore going forward. Fahning probably has the best chance of the walk-on OL's to potentially contribute. Like his frame and what's he done with the 2nd team. That being said, I think the incoming OL and freshman OL will have something to say as well.
Rasmussen is also in the conversation at long snapper. He's been staying after to get extra work. Needs to continue to put good weight on his frame as his foot speed and athleticism is good enough to contribute.
DL - Timms has been stuck on the depth chart with the third stringers. Has had a tough time this spring. Kafo looks every part of a B1G DE, but just needs to keep learning the game and techniques.
LB - All are getting reps with the third team. A lot of depth ahead of them.
DB - Kunle Ayinde could contribute in the next year or two. Cavonte Johnson has looked better than last spring and Josh Parks has looked good at DB since spring break.
Specialists - No new guys really. But man, Ryan Santoso could both punt and kick at Minnesota. He was absolutely booming kicks today. More than Mortell.
Any questions or comments, please leave below.
This post was edited on 3/31 8:45 PM by Ryan Burns
Also will note that the practice was in pro-pads after a long scrimmage on Saturday, so not a lot of hitting at all. There was a lot of install going in the offense and defense as well as a good amount of special teams. There was some team at the end of practice, but with offensive and defensive line only going about 70%, it's tough to say much about the outcome of the play.
Notes:
I spent a lot of time watching the wide receivers today and I came away that yes there's more talent at the position from last year, but expectations still need to be tempered. KJ Maye and Drew Wolitarsky are very likely going to be the starting receivers heading into the fall. Maye seems to really know the position now and is just a confident player out there. He'll be the only receiver jawing with the defense. Wolitarsky will be the guy getting the tough yards in the middle of the field and he's done a good job of that this spring. Behind those two, the guy I'm really getting a sense of that the staff wants to step up into a bigger role is freshman Isaiah Gentry. Gentry really has had the quarterbacks attention the last few practices and it's almost been like they've been force feeding him balls at all. He's got a lot of ability, but is still a freshman. Other guys that I think can play this fall are Eric Carter and Melvin Holland. Carter got a lot of reps with the first team this past Saturday and did well. Holland is one of the best route runners on the team and has a lot of talent, but his hands haven't been great these past few weeks. Desmond Gant has been hurt the last three practices and he's unfortunately missing out of valuable reps as I think he can be used this fall as well.
From watching the walk-ons guys of Brian Smith, Michael Conway, Jeff Borchardt and E.J. Sardinha, I don't think any will be serious contributors this fall. Big bodied guys that work their tails off, but the others have some more talent.
I'd think WR's go something like this into fall camp.
Maye/Wolitarsky
Holland/Carter and Gentry
Gant and the freshman WR's in the mix.
A couple defensive linemen who stood out today were Gary Moore and Gaelin Elmore. Moore has been more and more consistent in each practice with getting penetration into the backfield and getting off blocks and getting to the ball carrier. His first step has been explosive, but his back level still needs work. Gaelin did a very good job today on his speed rush around the edge with either getting skinny or disengaging the tackles hands. I count two "sacks" off the edge today.
Guys that got interceptions included Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Cody Poock and Jacob Huff. Boddy's came on a deep ball between him and Wolirarsky (I think) and Boddy just played the ball to the middle of field better and went up and got it. Cody's came in zone coverage and he jumped in front of the receiver and Huff's read the eyes of the QB and jumped the route.
Talked about Moore and Elmore today.
Mayes and Moore have been getting 2nd team reps all spring. Moore has the meanest and nastiest streak of the offensive linemen on the team. Mayes has shifted to center and I almost expect him to start there next year after Bobek and Christenson graduate.
No Loafers jerseys, but players have stayed after to get conditioning.
Looks to be getting more fluid, agile and faster with each practice. Definitely will be starting along side Plsek in my opinion.
Ride him as much as everyone else. Doesn't get a free pass.
Different tempos, but same plays overall.
He's definitely still more comfortable outside of hashes, but is gaining more confidence in the middle. Deep ball accuaracy and intermediate across the middle is still a work in progress.
Good. Just stuck behind two NFL corners. Breaks very well and reminds me a lot of the way Boddy plays. Myrick is also working with James and I expect him to be securely in the mix for the nickel spot starter. Reminder that Minnesota played nickel more than any other base defense last year.
Talked about the WR's. Best of the bunch to me are Brian Smith and Mike Conway.
Tyler Hartmann backs up Miles.
Leidner has been working at center. I'll give it to him that he works extremely hard, but I don't see him beating out any of the scholarship guys like Mayes or Moore going forward. Fahning probably has the best chance of the walk-on OL's to potentially contribute. Like his frame and what's he done with the 2nd team. That being said, I think the incoming OL and freshman OL will have something to say as well.
Rasmussen is also in the conversation at long snapper. He's been staying after to get extra work. Needs to continue to put good weight on his frame as his foot speed and athleticism is good enough to contribute.
DL - Timms has been stuck on the depth chart with the third stringers. Has had a tough time this spring. Kafo looks every part of a B1G DE, but just needs to keep learning the game and techniques.
LB - All are getting reps with the third team. A lot of depth ahead of them.
DB - Kunle Ayinde could contribute in the next year or two. Cavonte Johnson has looked better than last spring and Josh Parks has looked good at DB since spring break.
Specialists - No new guys really. But man, Ryan Santoso could both punt and kick at Minnesota. He was absolutely booming kicks today. More than Mortell.
Any questions or comments, please leave below.
This post was edited on 3/31 8:45 PM by Ryan Burns
