Today marks the last practice report of the year as tomorrow's "practice" is a closed walk-through and Saturday the spring game. Guys upgraded from orange jerseys today were Desmond Gant (concussion) and De'Niro Laster (finger) into green ones where they were non-contact and participated in most drills. Scott Ekpe was also in green doing non-contact. DT Gary Moore was orange as he's got a club on his right hand now and I don't believe the staff wants to risk him in the spring game. QB Jacques Perra was in orange and is not likely to participate in the spring game with a thumb injury.
Both Moore and Perra will miss the spring game.
Recruits that were there were 2016 OL Sam Schlueter, 2015 DB signees Ray Buford and Dior Johnson, 2015 OL signee Nick Connelly, 2016 commit Carter Coughlin, 2016 QB Kamal Martin and 2017 OL Eric Rousemiller.
Guys were in full pads, but no tackling. A lot of 3rd down and long situational things today between the offense and defense.
I was very pleasantly surprised on how much success the offense had on these 3rd and longs as they converted around 50% most likely. Leidner and the receivers were on the same page near the sidelines and there was some nice pitch and catch in there. Guys like KJ Maye and Eric Carter were key.
Was also impressed with all the freshmen receivers today. That's Melvin Holland, Isaiah Gentry, Jeff Jones and Desmond Gant. Holland is going to be key this fall in the short to intermediate game as his routes are among the crispest in the receiving core, which means he's getting open and the quarterbacks are finding him the ball. Gentry will be the deep threat and he was back doing everything after some missed time. He's deceptively fast with his long strides and made a beautiful catch from Leidner on a long crossing route across the middle right in between the safety and corner for a nice gain. He's definitely seeing the field this fall as the deep threat guy along with Desmond Gant. This was Gant's first practice in about two weeks as he was recovering from a concussion and he was impressive in one on ones. He gets to top speed so quickly and uses his plant foot well to get separation from the DB's. He worked Boddy on a double move and had multiple defenders on the sideline impressed. Jeff Jones worked in the slot and outside receiver exclusively today and there's no doubt in my mind he'll be playing this fall and most likely at receiver. He's picked up the position very well and I don't think I've seen him drop an easy ball. He's weapon that these receivers need and with the log jam of talent at running back this fall, I'd expect him out wide more than often.
Safety Duke McGhee absolutely lit up WR Louis Tuszynski coming down from his safety spot that drew some "oohs" from the sidelines.
After seeing a majority of spring practices, here's my projected two-deep depth chart come TCU.
QB: Mitch Leidner and Chris Streveler
RB: Rodrick Williams, Rodney Smith/Berkley Edwards
FB: Miles Thomas and Tyler Hartmann/Colton Beebe
TE: Lincoln Plsek and Duke Anyanwu / Brandon Lingen and Nate Wozniak
WR: KJ Maye and Jeff Jones
WR: Drew Wolitarsky and Eric Carter/Melvin Holland/Isaiah Gentry
LT: Ben Lauer and Foster Bush
LG: Jon Christenson and Joe Bjorklund
C: Brian Bobek and Conner Mayes
RG: Josh Campion and Tyler Moore
RT: Jonah Pirsig and Foster Bush/Quinn Oseland
DE: Hank Ekpe and Gaelin Elmore
DT: Steven Richardson and Robert Ndondo-Lay/Gary Moore
DT: Scott Ekpe and Andrew Stelter
DE: Theiren Cockran and Alex Keith
OLB: Jack Lynn and De'Niro Laster/Julian Huff
ILB: Cody Poock and Everett Williams
OLB: De'Vondre Campbell and Jonathan Celestin
CB: Eric Murray and Jalen Myrick
S: Damarious Travis and Ace Rogers
S: Antonio Johnson and Duke McGhee
CB: Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Craig James
K: Ryan Santoso
P: Peter Mortell
Explanation:
I think Rodrick Williams/Rodney Smith/Berkley Edwards will all get touches at running back, I listed all three.
I know the the staff is expecting Quinn Oseland big things out of this fall and it wouldn't be surprising to see him travel with the team at tackle. There is a depth issue at tackle with Alex Mayes recovering from injury and Luke Rasmussen being a year or two away from contributing yet.
I've heard a lot of good things about Tyler Moore and think he'll definitely be in the conversation to start next year somewhere on the interior of the offensive line.
De'Vondre will probably start against TCU for with his length and speed, but wouldn't be surprised if Celestin plays much more as the season goes on. I also have seen enough of Julian Huff to believe that he'll be competing for playing time at linebacker or at the very least on special teams.
Any questions or comments, please leave below.
Both Moore and Perra will miss the spring game.
Recruits that were there were 2016 OL Sam Schlueter, 2015 DB signees Ray Buford and Dior Johnson, 2015 OL signee Nick Connelly, 2016 commit Carter Coughlin, 2016 QB Kamal Martin and 2017 OL Eric Rousemiller.
Guys were in full pads, but no tackling. A lot of 3rd down and long situational things today between the offense and defense.
I was very pleasantly surprised on how much success the offense had on these 3rd and longs as they converted around 50% most likely. Leidner and the receivers were on the same page near the sidelines and there was some nice pitch and catch in there. Guys like KJ Maye and Eric Carter were key.
Was also impressed with all the freshmen receivers today. That's Melvin Holland, Isaiah Gentry, Jeff Jones and Desmond Gant. Holland is going to be key this fall in the short to intermediate game as his routes are among the crispest in the receiving core, which means he's getting open and the quarterbacks are finding him the ball. Gentry will be the deep threat and he was back doing everything after some missed time. He's deceptively fast with his long strides and made a beautiful catch from Leidner on a long crossing route across the middle right in between the safety and corner for a nice gain. He's definitely seeing the field this fall as the deep threat guy along with Desmond Gant. This was Gant's first practice in about two weeks as he was recovering from a concussion and he was impressive in one on ones. He gets to top speed so quickly and uses his plant foot well to get separation from the DB's. He worked Boddy on a double move and had multiple defenders on the sideline impressed. Jeff Jones worked in the slot and outside receiver exclusively today and there's no doubt in my mind he'll be playing this fall and most likely at receiver. He's picked up the position very well and I don't think I've seen him drop an easy ball. He's weapon that these receivers need and with the log jam of talent at running back this fall, I'd expect him out wide more than often.
Safety Duke McGhee absolutely lit up WR Louis Tuszynski coming down from his safety spot that drew some "oohs" from the sidelines.
After seeing a majority of spring practices, here's my projected two-deep depth chart come TCU.
QB: Mitch Leidner and Chris Streveler
RB: Rodrick Williams, Rodney Smith/Berkley Edwards
FB: Miles Thomas and Tyler Hartmann/Colton Beebe
TE: Lincoln Plsek and Duke Anyanwu / Brandon Lingen and Nate Wozniak
WR: KJ Maye and Jeff Jones
WR: Drew Wolitarsky and Eric Carter/Melvin Holland/Isaiah Gentry
LT: Ben Lauer and Foster Bush
LG: Jon Christenson and Joe Bjorklund
C: Brian Bobek and Conner Mayes
RG: Josh Campion and Tyler Moore
RT: Jonah Pirsig and Foster Bush/Quinn Oseland
DE: Hank Ekpe and Gaelin Elmore
DT: Steven Richardson and Robert Ndondo-Lay/Gary Moore
DT: Scott Ekpe and Andrew Stelter
DE: Theiren Cockran and Alex Keith
OLB: Jack Lynn and De'Niro Laster/Julian Huff
ILB: Cody Poock and Everett Williams
OLB: De'Vondre Campbell and Jonathan Celestin
CB: Eric Murray and Jalen Myrick
S: Damarious Travis and Ace Rogers
S: Antonio Johnson and Duke McGhee
CB: Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Craig James
K: Ryan Santoso
P: Peter Mortell
Explanation:
I think Rodrick Williams/Rodney Smith/Berkley Edwards will all get touches at running back, I listed all three.
I know the the staff is expecting Quinn Oseland big things out of this fall and it wouldn't be surprising to see him travel with the team at tackle. There is a depth issue at tackle with Alex Mayes recovering from injury and Luke Rasmussen being a year or two away from contributing yet.
I've heard a lot of good things about Tyler Moore and think he'll definitely be in the conversation to start next year somewhere on the interior of the offensive line.
De'Vondre will probably start against TCU for with his length and speed, but wouldn't be surprised if Celestin plays much more as the season goes on. I also have seen enough of Julian Huff to believe that he'll be competing for playing time at linebacker or at the very least on special teams.
Any questions or comments, please leave below.
