The team held a spirited practice in its return from spring break on Monday. Here are 10 observations from inside the Mollenkopf Center. Enjoy!
1. There was a special visitor at practice today: David Bell. The Gatorade Indiana High School Player of the Year watched the action with his mother. He and Rondale Moore exchanged pleasantries after practice. Imagine watching those two next fall lining up together. Bell headlines a boffo group of incoming WRs that also includes Milton Wright, TJ Sheffield and Mershawn Rice. Also: Talked to an imposing 6-4, 245-pound DE from Benet Academy (Frank Kaminsky's school) in Lisle, Ill., named Jacob Snell, a 2020 prospect. Looked like several recruits were on hand.
2. Another practice missed for Viktor Beach. The burly sophomore center hasn't practiced since the first week. Not a good sign for a squad that's counting on Beach to be the No. 1 center. He came out near the end of practice in T-shirt and shorts and did some shotgun snaps that also had him firing out and hitting a sled.
3. Also of note: LB Jaylan Alexander, DT Anthony Watts, QB Nick Sipe, RB Evan Anderson and DL Jack Sullivan weren't suited up. Alexander appeared to hurt an ankle in the practice prior to spring break. Watts was out for the final practice before spring break with what is believed to be an ankle issue. Sipe has been dealing with a back issue that has kept him sidelined a while. Anderson is home dealing with a family death; he's expected back on Friday. Not sure what Sullivan's status is. In case anyone was wondering, sophomore CB Jacob Abrams has been out this spring wearing a protective boot.
DT Anthony Watts
4. "Leo" Derrick Barnes was in shoulder pads and helmet, going through some conditioning drills at one end of the field. The junior has yet to be full-go this spring as he comes back from thumb surgery and a hamstring issue.
5. Even RB coach Chris Barclay is dealing with rehab, as he had a knee operated on during spring break. "Just some clean-up stuff," said the former Wake Forest star running back.
6. The LB unit is VERY thin with Markus Bailey, Cornel Jones and Jaylan Alexander all out. Today, Nick Holt had a mishmash of players led by Jack Smith and Semisi Fakasiieiki. Byron Hubbard, Jonah Williams and Alexander Meredith also took turns. Who? Exactly.
7. It was fun to watch the offensive linemen and defensive linemen battle in a one-on-one pass-block/pass-rush drill. Redshirt freshman Willie Lane looked very good. The 6-3, 265-pound Lane is quick and strong. A handful to block. George Karlaftis had his moments battling Matt McCann. Nowhere to hide in this drill.
8. The position groups finish practice by running conditioning drills. Tight ends Brycen Hopkins, Darius Pittman and Payne Durham execute a nifty three-man weave with a football as they sprint across the field. Matt Painter would approve.
9. The first-team offensive line was the same as it was when the team broke for spring drills: LT Grant Hermanns; LG Jimmy McKenna; C Sam Garvin; RG Mark Stickford; RT Matt McCann.
The second team was LT Eric Miller; LG Alex Criddle; C Bryce Brown; RG DJ Washington; RT Will Bramel.
10. Fifth-year senior RB Tario Fuller was a standout today. Could he be the No. 1 RB? The affable Fuller has fought back from surgery on three different parts of his lower body the last 18 months. Oh, and he also has become a first-time father to a daughter. Easy to cheer for Fuller, one of the "good guys" who never has given up and always battles. Remember: He began 2017 as the No. 1 RB for the first three games before injury ruined his season.
Tario Fuller
Thanks for reading!!
1. There was a special visitor at practice today: David Bell. The Gatorade Indiana High School Player of the Year watched the action with his mother. He and Rondale Moore exchanged pleasantries after practice. Imagine watching those two next fall lining up together. Bell headlines a boffo group of incoming WRs that also includes Milton Wright, TJ Sheffield and Mershawn Rice. Also: Talked to an imposing 6-4, 245-pound DE from Benet Academy (Frank Kaminsky's school) in Lisle, Ill., named Jacob Snell, a 2020 prospect. Looked like several recruits were on hand.
2. Another practice missed for Viktor Beach. The burly sophomore center hasn't practiced since the first week. Not a good sign for a squad that's counting on Beach to be the No. 1 center. He came out near the end of practice in T-shirt and shorts and did some shotgun snaps that also had him firing out and hitting a sled.
3. Also of note: LB Jaylan Alexander, DT Anthony Watts, QB Nick Sipe, RB Evan Anderson and DL Jack Sullivan weren't suited up. Alexander appeared to hurt an ankle in the practice prior to spring break. Watts was out for the final practice before spring break with what is believed to be an ankle issue. Sipe has been dealing with a back issue that has kept him sidelined a while. Anderson is home dealing with a family death; he's expected back on Friday. Not sure what Sullivan's status is. In case anyone was wondering, sophomore CB Jacob Abrams has been out this spring wearing a protective boot.
DT Anthony Watts
4. "Leo" Derrick Barnes was in shoulder pads and helmet, going through some conditioning drills at one end of the field. The junior has yet to be full-go this spring as he comes back from thumb surgery and a hamstring issue.
5. Even RB coach Chris Barclay is dealing with rehab, as he had a knee operated on during spring break. "Just some clean-up stuff," said the former Wake Forest star running back.
6. The LB unit is VERY thin with Markus Bailey, Cornel Jones and Jaylan Alexander all out. Today, Nick Holt had a mishmash of players led by Jack Smith and Semisi Fakasiieiki. Byron Hubbard, Jonah Williams and Alexander Meredith also took turns. Who? Exactly.
7. It was fun to watch the offensive linemen and defensive linemen battle in a one-on-one pass-block/pass-rush drill. Redshirt freshman Willie Lane looked very good. The 6-3, 265-pound Lane is quick and strong. A handful to block. George Karlaftis had his moments battling Matt McCann. Nowhere to hide in this drill.
8. The position groups finish practice by running conditioning drills. Tight ends Brycen Hopkins, Darius Pittman and Payne Durham execute a nifty three-man weave with a football as they sprint across the field. Matt Painter would approve.
9. The first-team offensive line was the same as it was when the team broke for spring drills: LT Grant Hermanns; LG Jimmy McKenna; C Sam Garvin; RG Mark Stickford; RT Matt McCann.
The second team was LT Eric Miller; LG Alex Criddle; C Bryce Brown; RG DJ Washington; RT Will Bramel.
10. Fifth-year senior RB Tario Fuller was a standout today. Could he be the No. 1 RB? The affable Fuller has fought back from surgery on three different parts of his lower body the last 18 months. Oh, and he also has become a first-time father to a daughter. Easy to cheer for Fuller, one of the "good guys" who never has given up and always battles. Remember: He began 2017 as the No. 1 RB for the first three games before injury ruined his season.
Tario Fuller
Thanks for reading!!
