More Practice Notes

The first thing I heard as I walked on to the practice field, along with the first players Thursday, was defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat’s booming voice, “It’s big boys pads today!”  Although they actually wore full pads for the first time Wednesday, they ramped up the hitting and had a lot of physical drills on the second day of full contact, including an intense session of Oklahoma, where one-one-one blocking is highlighted with the whole team spread out watching four lines.  The QBs and wide receivers did some specific “tip drill” practice. In general, I am still really impressed how much everyone moves around, how efficient they are, and how hard the coaches work.  The head coach himself was throwing some pretty nice deep balls in a CB drill and then picking up pads and to clear the field for 11-on-11s. I also headed up for part of the second afternoon practice on Saturday which was much more low key in shells only, more guys standing around watching, especially on the special teams semi-live walk throughs.

The gold uncommon jerseys were broken out Thursday for the first time, with RB Christian Powell and LBs Ryan Severson and Hunter Shaw sporting them for their play in practice Wednesday.  Last August, coaches watched film and awarded to the players who made the biggest hustle plays; if someone was awarded it more than once, they wore for the rest of camp.  Friday’s choices for the gold top with a giant U on front and “Uncommon” on the back nameplate were DBs Ken Crawley and Marques Mosley, as well as OG Sully Wiefels, who I guess made a block at the line of scrimmage on a screen and then made another 60 yards downfield.  Crawley has looked very good in camp and I think  might have solidified his starting spot over JC transfer and spring game star Akehllo Witherspoon, who has been much less consistent in the practice sessions I have seen.   Crawley has been repeatedly praised by coaches, was called “most improved DB” by nickel back Chido Awuzie, and most importantly, I have not seen him called out and running like I have just about every other CB. Likewise, Mosley might also be growing up and with Bell out, has gotten some extra reps with the first group.  No one wore the Uncommon jerseys in the afternoon Saturday session.

Although the Buffs are hoping to play less true freshmen this year, there a few who will probably still find their way onto the field. Coach MacIntyre said he won’t discuss any true frosh until after the first game, but I will.  DE Michael Mathewes has really impressed everyone at the fields and he seems to be “getting it” more than his fellow rookie linemates. S Evan White looks very imposing and has also been getting reps with the one/two group and has held his own; it would be nice to redshirt him, let him put on some weight and learn, but I think it will be hard to keep him off the field, as he will be an asset on special teams.  CB Jaisen Sanchez has great size, and has turned some heads, but I think they will try and redshirt him and he may eventually end up at safety or even linebacker once he fills out.  Everyone is expecting four-star recruit WR Shay Fields to earn his way onto the field, and I would be flabbergasted if he redshirted, but fellow freshmen wideouts Lee Walker and Donovan Lee (could play some RB but have seen mostly at WR) are also getting a lot of reps with the ones/twos also and although this is a deep group.  They will likely use a lot of guys and wide receiver combinations to keep everyone fresh but also to take advantage of different strengths.  TE Hayden Jones looks the part, although he is raw and needs to put on some weight, with Keeney injured, he might be forced into action.  Lastly, to tell you the truth, QB Cade Apsay does not look like he is ready to grab any playing time as he still often looks lost, and is likely headed for a redshirt, although his arm does look great.

Some veterans who have looked good include WR Tyler McCulloch, whose height should be a huge advantage and has always been a practice monster, but he has had a lot trouble on contested balls in games; he has to step it up now in his last year against a very deep group.  RB Malcolm Creer is finally healthy and has looked great, although he is stuck with the backups group and remains 5^th on depth chart. R-Fr. RB Phillip Lindsay, who is running with the first group, is unbelievably quick-MacIntyre calls him the “Tasmanian Devil”-and I have twice seen him leave a defensive teammate flat-footed; he will be very hard to keep off the field, taking snaps away from Creer and Tony Jones, who has not looked bad at all, but just is not as talented. Connor Center looks like a tight end and will likely get on the field with his size for red zone and third downs, but is still very raw.  DT Josh Tupou has trimmed down but is toned, still huge but very cut, and will be a beast inside.  I can’t say that I am a judge of offensive line technique or anything like that, but R-Fr. Jonathon Huckins has been getting a lot of reps with the first team line at center and seems to be in line for at least the backup spot there.  QB Jaleel Awini looks great-strong arm, great legs and big body-but he will be the main scout team QB as he sits out his transfer year.  The players that MacIntyre said have stuck out for him were Tupou, CBs Henderson and Crawley, LBs Olugbode and Severson, center Alex Kelley and both Irwins.

There was some special teams work both days, although no live returns.  The guys I noticed catching punts (no run backs, although sometimes a player running at them) were: WR Nelson Spruce, CB Greg Henderson, WR Shay Fields, RB Tony Jones, one or maybe both of Donovan Lee or Lee Walker, and even little Jay MacIntyre.  They also ran some basically live FGs, with two groups out there at a time, one setting up while the other is kicking so it is ready to go and they can pack in a bunch of attempts with a little “pressure”.  I don’t think anyone has practiced a punt except Darragh O’Neill, so I hope he stays healthy.

The injuries are starting to mount as the physicality of practice increases.  There are no major injuries yet, but a couple of guys will be out for a few weeks.  It turns out that R-Fr. DE Markeis Reed, who has been jogging around the fields the last few days does have a hernia, and will have surgery that will sideline him a month or so.  T-Fr. TE Dylan Keeney’s injury (first mentioned here) is a minor MCL that will keep him out a couple of weeks but will not require surgery.  R-Fr. DE Tim Coleman had a scare with some neck pain and was taken to hospital for precaution in ambulance, but was reported to be fine and was back in practice Saturday afternoon.  Anyone who is not concussed and is able, is set up on “Muscle Beach”, over in the corner of the third field, doing conditioning work.  DE Tyler Henington is still out with his ankle. Safety Jered Bell’s elbow “tweak” was more like a hyperextension and he is now practicing with an elbow brace and blue penny.  CB John Walker was also sporting a blue injury penny Saturday afternoon and Deaysean Rippy was also not doing drills but jogging with Markeis Reed. 

Facilities upgrades:  Here’s the latest cam link where they have added a second view: http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=209458799

Sunday was an off day, with two-a-days scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week.  Next Saturday, August 16, will be a scrimmage at 9AM in Folsom and will be the last practice session open to the public before the team starts specifically preparing for the lambies. I am going to try and hit one more practice this week if I can squeeze it in and will definitely be up at the scrimmage.

Go Buffs!