Let’s start with what you’ve all been waiting for. Coach Fleck was wearing a maroon pullover jacket, black shorts, and white Nike shoes.
Quarterback Battle:
Tanner Morgan and Zack Annexstad both got first-team reps throughout practice, but if I had to guess I would say Morgan got a bit more. Maybe around the 55% range but can’t be exact of course. First throws of the day came to the running backs on wheel routes out of the backfield. Both Morgan and Annexstad showed good touch on these throws. Short throws came next, quick in, slant, dig, etc. and both were accurate here as well. Deep balls I’m going to give the edge to Morgan. He had several nice deep balls today that ended in completions, during 1-on-1’s, 7-on-7, and team all included there. Annexstad had some good throws as well on these balls but had more than a couple drift to the sideline and close to, or out of bounds when they should have been straight up the numbers. Morgan also missed a few throws short on deep balls and that could have easily been picked off, and that was a bit concerning, but he had several more throws that were on target than underthrown so the verdict isn’t close to being out. The two have very different styles of playing quarterback. Tanner, very exact and although not mechanical with his movement, I’ll use consistent as a better word here. Zack, much more relaxed, free-flowing and smooth. If I had to pick a winner today, I would choose Morgan. The timing he has with the receivers is better, as he has had more time with all of them besides the true freshmen. I will say, I am very impressed with both quarterbacks and their ability to move on to the next play after making a mistake. Neither showed many signs of being upset with themselves after missing a pass they thought they should have made, or not making the right read. Annexstad definitely not out of the race.
Running backs:
Rodney Smith the leader of the group, of course. He had a big catch on a wheel route over his defender during team drills. Mo Ibrahim is most likely going to be the number two. I was impressed with his hands out of the backfield and he looks better built and ready right now than the freshmen backs. Bryce Williams impressed me with his quickness and burst as soon as he got the ball in his hands. He looks explosive and might be the most ready to come in and play right away out of him and Edmonds. Nolan Edmonds had a drop early on and looks a little awkward with his hands right now, but Coach Burns was working with him actively on that when the running backs were working with the quarterbacks. Edmonds has good size and initial burst off the line. I think Ibrahim starts as the number two back but Williams and Edmonds look like they could potentially surpass him as soon as this season if they get comfortable.
Wide Receiver:
Tyler Johnson got bigger and maybe a little bit quicker. He was tough to guard and consistently beat guys in 1-on-1’s off the line. Chris Autman-Bell impressed me a lot with his route running and potential YAC ability. We said it last fall too, but if he stays healthy I’m expecting him to be the number two right behind TJ in terms of who the QB will look to in the offense. Demetrius Douglas had a good day as well. One play, in particular, stood out where he beat his man on a route up the sideline, leaped and reached with one hand over the outstretched arms of his defender and reeled the ball in while falling to the ground. Rashod Bateman up next, and I’m not sure I can say that Minnesota as recruited a talent like him in quite some time. He’s so quick and smooth with his routes and just seems to understand the game. I don’t see a scenario where he’s a redshirt. Philip Howard looks improved as well, but I think I can confidently put him fifth behind those four guys.
Defensive Backs:
Jacob Huff and Antoine Winfield Jr. holding down the safety spots as expected. The first group was Kiondre Thomas, Antonio Shenault, and Justus Harris. I was impressed with Chris Williamson today. He looks to be in better playing shape, and I would like to see him work his way into that spot on an island opposite Thomas. Coney Durr looks better than last season in terms of shape and confidence in his leg. He had one play in particular where he read a screen pass all the way, burst through his block, and made a play on the receiver, stopping him behind the line. Rey Estes had a decent day as well but isn’t as solid and consistent in man coverage as some of the others with more experience. He had a pick today. Maybe needs a bit more time learning the position for it to click for him, but I think he will see time over the next four years and has the potential to grow into that. Aune was with the second group of the defense at safety. His man cover skills need to improve, but he looked solid for the most part. Terrell Smith and his speed helped him get back into plays when he would initially get beat on occasion. He’s a great athlete but it should take some time and experience for him to get all the technical stuff down. C.J. Smith looks solid and should get some time, he played only corner and I don’t recall seeing him at safety at all.
Line play is a little tough to guage and is something I'm going to look at more in the next practices that are open to the public. Offensive line struggled a bit at times it seemed. Starting group was Greene, Olsen, Weyler, Andries, and Schlueter.
Returning kicks were Rodney Smith, Tyler Johnson, Bryce Williams, Terrell Smith, Phillip Howard and Nolan Edmonds. Punts were Demetrius Douglas, CAB, Antoine Winfield Jr.. Rashod Bateman, Antonio Shenault, Clay Geary, and Matt Morse.
Alex was there as well so expect another report, let me know of any questions you guys have and I’ll do my best to answer. Also can't wait to hear what those in attendance have to say.
Quarterback Battle:
Tanner Morgan and Zack Annexstad both got first-team reps throughout practice, but if I had to guess I would say Morgan got a bit more. Maybe around the 55% range but can’t be exact of course. First throws of the day came to the running backs on wheel routes out of the backfield. Both Morgan and Annexstad showed good touch on these throws. Short throws came next, quick in, slant, dig, etc. and both were accurate here as well. Deep balls I’m going to give the edge to Morgan. He had several nice deep balls today that ended in completions, during 1-on-1’s, 7-on-7, and team all included there. Annexstad had some good throws as well on these balls but had more than a couple drift to the sideline and close to, or out of bounds when they should have been straight up the numbers. Morgan also missed a few throws short on deep balls and that could have easily been picked off, and that was a bit concerning, but he had several more throws that were on target than underthrown so the verdict isn’t close to being out. The two have very different styles of playing quarterback. Tanner, very exact and although not mechanical with his movement, I’ll use consistent as a better word here. Zack, much more relaxed, free-flowing and smooth. If I had to pick a winner today, I would choose Morgan. The timing he has with the receivers is better, as he has had more time with all of them besides the true freshmen. I will say, I am very impressed with both quarterbacks and their ability to move on to the next play after making a mistake. Neither showed many signs of being upset with themselves after missing a pass they thought they should have made, or not making the right read. Annexstad definitely not out of the race.
Running backs:
Rodney Smith the leader of the group, of course. He had a big catch on a wheel route over his defender during team drills. Mo Ibrahim is most likely going to be the number two. I was impressed with his hands out of the backfield and he looks better built and ready right now than the freshmen backs. Bryce Williams impressed me with his quickness and burst as soon as he got the ball in his hands. He looks explosive and might be the most ready to come in and play right away out of him and Edmonds. Nolan Edmonds had a drop early on and looks a little awkward with his hands right now, but Coach Burns was working with him actively on that when the running backs were working with the quarterbacks. Edmonds has good size and initial burst off the line. I think Ibrahim starts as the number two back but Williams and Edmonds look like they could potentially surpass him as soon as this season if they get comfortable.
Wide Receiver:
Tyler Johnson got bigger and maybe a little bit quicker. He was tough to guard and consistently beat guys in 1-on-1’s off the line. Chris Autman-Bell impressed me a lot with his route running and potential YAC ability. We said it last fall too, but if he stays healthy I’m expecting him to be the number two right behind TJ in terms of who the QB will look to in the offense. Demetrius Douglas had a good day as well. One play, in particular, stood out where he beat his man on a route up the sideline, leaped and reached with one hand over the outstretched arms of his defender and reeled the ball in while falling to the ground. Rashod Bateman up next, and I’m not sure I can say that Minnesota as recruited a talent like him in quite some time. He’s so quick and smooth with his routes and just seems to understand the game. I don’t see a scenario where he’s a redshirt. Philip Howard looks improved as well, but I think I can confidently put him fifth behind those four guys.
Defensive Backs:
Jacob Huff and Antoine Winfield Jr. holding down the safety spots as expected. The first group was Kiondre Thomas, Antonio Shenault, and Justus Harris. I was impressed with Chris Williamson today. He looks to be in better playing shape, and I would like to see him work his way into that spot on an island opposite Thomas. Coney Durr looks better than last season in terms of shape and confidence in his leg. He had one play in particular where he read a screen pass all the way, burst through his block, and made a play on the receiver, stopping him behind the line. Rey Estes had a decent day as well but isn’t as solid and consistent in man coverage as some of the others with more experience. He had a pick today. Maybe needs a bit more time learning the position for it to click for him, but I think he will see time over the next four years and has the potential to grow into that. Aune was with the second group of the defense at safety. His man cover skills need to improve, but he looked solid for the most part. Terrell Smith and his speed helped him get back into plays when he would initially get beat on occasion. He’s a great athlete but it should take some time and experience for him to get all the technical stuff down. C.J. Smith looks solid and should get some time, he played only corner and I don’t recall seeing him at safety at all.
Line play is a little tough to guage and is something I'm going to look at more in the next practices that are open to the public. Offensive line struggled a bit at times it seemed. Starting group was Greene, Olsen, Weyler, Andries, and Schlueter.
Returning kicks were Rodney Smith, Tyler Johnson, Bryce Williams, Terrell Smith, Phillip Howard and Nolan Edmonds. Punts were Demetrius Douglas, CAB, Antoine Winfield Jr.. Rashod Bateman, Antonio Shenault, Clay Geary, and Matt Morse.
Alex was there as well so expect another report, let me know of any questions you guys have and I’ll do my best to answer. Also can't wait to hear what those in attendance have to say.
