Nate Bell
By Matt Moscona and Hunt Palmer
Week Two of spring practice is underway.
The media got it usual 20-minute look at some no-contact 11-on-11 scripts and individual drills.
HUNT’S VIEW
Because we looked at the same set of drills we’ve seen a handful of times now, I did things a little differently. Instead of taking attendance and noting alignments, I just looked for some players who stood out going through drills.
Some did.
At wide receiver, Jayce Brown from Kansas State is smooth has silk running through routes. He also made a slick one-handed grab on a fade route that was notable. Brown’s production precedes him. He was the fastest Kansas State Wildcat to 1,000 career yards and set the sophomore receiving record in Manhattan. He’s a players.
Matt Moscona noted that Tre Wilson from Florida looked explosive as well.
We get a very good look at the running backs because of where they work out. Of the group, position coach Kevin Smith is the most impressive looking. Since he’s out of eligibility, maybe a note on the current roster is preferable. Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones is noticeably the most physically imposing. He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 211 pounds. That’s almost 25 pounds more than Harlem Berry and more than 10 bigger than Caden Durham who is two inches shorter. Speaking of Durham, Smith told the junior back that “I’m trying to fix your pad level” which was interesting considering that Durham is already a short back.
We don’t have any idea what type of rotation Smith wants to employ, but Jones makes a lot of sense as a power back.
LEAVITT’S LEGS
We continue to keep an eye on Sam Leavitt and his progress. The signal caller did every drill except for one — the quarterback run drill. When they worked on the read option mesh point handoffs, Leavitt was in there running first. That transitioned to a snap to the quarterback while the running back turning into a lead blocker off left tackle. Leavitt didn’t participate in that portion.
Running will be one of the last hurdles to climb. Cutting will follow. Right now, Leavitt isn’t doing either.
11-ON-11
We saw six 11-on-11 plays that were light thudding. No tackling. Just to get the players moving a little bit.
- QB lead off left tackle by Landon Clark
- QB draw for Clark that saw the proverbial defensive seas part
- A shallow cross to Pitt transfer Malachi Thomas (Trey’Dez Green was in a black jersey)
- Clark rolled and fired for Jackson Harris who was covered up by DJ Pickett for an incompletion
- Quick pass to Jayce Brown
- Landon Clark scramble due to coverage
In that period, we saw LSU go to Dime as Davhon Keys came off the field for Ja’Keem Jackson who went to the boundary corner opposite Pickett. PJ Woodland kicked inside to the slot. Dashawn Spears played Dime. Tamarcus Cooley and Ty Benefield were the safeties.
Deuce Geralds continues to work with the first team. The true freshman was joined by Dominick McKinley inside up from. Jordan Ross and Princewill Umanmielen continue to play the edges.
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