Today’s practice was from about 10:30 to 12:30, temperature was 84 when practice ended, and it was one of those days that was humid enough that you’d sweat just by standing in the sun. They’re still just in jerseys and shorts so there aren’t a lot of huge things to take away so far.
I had the pleasure to meet former Commodores Ken Hammond, Tyler Unzicker and David Cathey today. All were at practice; I know it’s a real point of emphasis for coach Clark Lea to have former players.
To that, I spoke to former Commodore Corey Chavous by phone by a while yesterday and he mentioned he’s coming up for a few practices next week, and so I think we’re shooting to do a podcast or two together.
High school visitors that I saw—there were others, I just couldn’t figure out who all were—included Ethan Crisp (LB commit), Malachi Toliver (2024 OL), John Michael Ward (2023 OL), Oryend Fisher (2023 DE) and Spencer Mermans (2023 OL).
QB
I focused my attention elsewhere most of today but did note that both Mike Wright and Ken Seals were pretty good with the ball today and I didn’t notice a lot of mistakes from either when I watched.
RB
Not much to note today but again, Ray Davis looks good and healthy and that’s great news.
WR/TE
Quincy Skinner sat out all or most of practice today (I didn’t spot an injury, he was stretching out a lot so it may have been cramps) and that left a little more time for others. Maybe the most productive guy over two days has been Devin Boddie. Logan Kyle made a really nice play today too and so did Gamarion Carter.
Unfortunately, Ezra McAllister is sidelined and while we’re not allowed to report on specifics of injures, it looks to me like he’ll be out a while.
OL
Not gonna name names here, but a couple of the younger guys struggled today in OL/DL drills, as you’d expect to see with younger guys.
As far as the rest, we aren’t allowed to comment on who’s running with what team but they had the same five guys out there first today as yesterday.
DL/star
The most interesting positional battle might be at star, where Elijah McAllister, Michael Owusu and Miles Capers are competing. (I think Osusu was sitting out today but not 100% sure). Capers has a shot to make things really interesting; I remember watching him in conditioning drills a year ago and he was well ahead of most of the upperclassmen LB/DL. We interviewed McAllister after practice; he’s really a massive physical specimen, tall and cut and really thick through the upper arms.
The guy who really stood out in drills was Ylianan Outtara. They’re drills, some of the reps were coming against younger guys and I have no idea what the time frame is on making up the experience gap but my goodness, I can’t remember a DL they’re gotten with his physical gifts in a long, long time. There were several snaps in drills in which he was a real problem to block.
Devin Lee, Christian James and Daevion Davis are all still out, and likely out for a while, though all were there watching.
LB/anchor
Didn’t focus a lot here today but Kane Patterson was not in a red jersey today and I think was at full speed.
DB
The player of the day may have been CB Tyson Russell. He had several nice plays and while I did not have him on the preseason two-deep, I’ll be very surprised if he’s not there.
Freshman Gumbo Gaskins also had a nice play in drills but was not participating late in practice. Again, I think this was a Skinner situation where there was no obvious injury and it could have been cramps or overheating or something like that.
ST
For the second day in a row, I was really, really impressed with P Matt Hayball. He’s looking like a difference-maker.
One thing occurred to me today: They really need to get a kicker in this freshman or transfer class, because Joseph Bulovas is gone after this year and the drop to the other guys looks fairly significant.
I had the pleasure to meet former Commodores Ken Hammond, Tyler Unzicker and David Cathey today. All were at practice; I know it’s a real point of emphasis for coach Clark Lea to have former players.
To that, I spoke to former Commodore Corey Chavous by phone by a while yesterday and he mentioned he’s coming up for a few practices next week, and so I think we’re shooting to do a podcast or two together.
High school visitors that I saw—there were others, I just couldn’t figure out who all were—included Ethan Crisp (LB commit), Malachi Toliver (2024 OL), John Michael Ward (2023 OL), Oryend Fisher (2023 DE) and Spencer Mermans (2023 OL).
QB
I focused my attention elsewhere most of today but did note that both Mike Wright and Ken Seals were pretty good with the ball today and I didn’t notice a lot of mistakes from either when I watched.
RB
Not much to note today but again, Ray Davis looks good and healthy and that’s great news.
WR/TE
Quincy Skinner sat out all or most of practice today (I didn’t spot an injury, he was stretching out a lot so it may have been cramps) and that left a little more time for others. Maybe the most productive guy over two days has been Devin Boddie. Logan Kyle made a really nice play today too and so did Gamarion Carter.
Unfortunately, Ezra McAllister is sidelined and while we’re not allowed to report on specifics of injures, it looks to me like he’ll be out a while.
OL
Not gonna name names here, but a couple of the younger guys struggled today in OL/DL drills, as you’d expect to see with younger guys.
As far as the rest, we aren’t allowed to comment on who’s running with what team but they had the same five guys out there first today as yesterday.
DL/star
The most interesting positional battle might be at star, where Elijah McAllister, Michael Owusu and Miles Capers are competing. (I think Osusu was sitting out today but not 100% sure). Capers has a shot to make things really interesting; I remember watching him in conditioning drills a year ago and he was well ahead of most of the upperclassmen LB/DL. We interviewed McAllister after practice; he’s really a massive physical specimen, tall and cut and really thick through the upper arms.
The guy who really stood out in drills was Ylianan Outtara. They’re drills, some of the reps were coming against younger guys and I have no idea what the time frame is on making up the experience gap but my goodness, I can’t remember a DL they’re gotten with his physical gifts in a long, long time. There were several snaps in drills in which he was a real problem to block.
Devin Lee, Christian James and Daevion Davis are all still out, and likely out for a while, though all were there watching.
LB/anchor
Didn’t focus a lot here today but Kane Patterson was not in a red jersey today and I think was at full speed.
DB
The player of the day may have been CB Tyson Russell. He had several nice plays and while I did not have him on the preseason two-deep, I’ll be very surprised if he’s not there.
Freshman Gumbo Gaskins also had a nice play in drills but was not participating late in practice. Again, I think this was a Skinner situation where there was no obvious injury and it could have been cramps or overheating or something like that.
ST
For the second day in a row, I was really, really impressed with P Matt Hayball. He’s looking like a difference-maker.
One thing occurred to me today: They really need to get a kicker in this freshman or transfer class, because Joseph Bulovas is gone after this year and the drop to the other guys looks fairly significant.
