Practice (8/5/17) notes and observations

[PonyPride]

• Saturday's practice was attended by several SMU football alumni, including All-America DB Russell Carter, OL Blake McJunkin, WR Erwin Wilburn, WR Tony Newsome, DB Jay Harvey, DE Andy McCleneghen, LB Carlos Carroll.

• Head coach Chad Morris said Tuesday that QB Ben Hicks has lost about 15 pounds since last year, and there's no reason to disbelieve Morris — Hicks looks completely different. It's hard to tell with the naked eye, but he looks a step quicker, especially when rolling to his left, when he showed the ability to get to the perimeter and then stop more quickly to set his feet and get a throw away.

• QB D.J. Gillins got a lot of reps, which makes sense considering Hicks is entering his third season and QB Rafe Peavey was in practice and meetings during the 2016 season, although had to learn opposing offenses each week while running the scout team. Gillins showed off a strong arm, firing strikes on mostly short and intermediate passes.

• The early part of practice included a running drill in which a running back lined up behind three blockers who were across from three defenders in a contained space less than 10 yards wide. Very simple drill: blockers trying to open running lanes, while the defenders tried to shut down the play. A lot of players rotated through, but among those who stood out were RB Kayce Medlock and S Michael Clark. Clark made several tackles, while Medlock showed the burst of acceleration Morris raved about when Medlock was recruited ; even lined up against DBs, nobody was going to catch Medlock once he got through a gap. One of the most impressive plays came when DTs Ken McLaurin and Pono Davis teamed up to drive three blockers back into the ball carrier to end the play.

• Among those wearing yellow (out) jerseys were WR James Proché, DT Mason Gentry, DL Jordan Gipson, RB Xavier Jones and TE Corey Rau. Among those wearing green (limited) jerseys were S Rodney Clemons, DT J.T. Williams, LB R.C. Cox, CB Christian Davis and G Jerry Saena.

• Morris talked during the spring and at the beginning of camp about the improved depth, and it's clearly evident. Not only has recruiting improved in terms of pure talent, but there are several young players who can play multiple positions. Demerick Gary can play DE or slide inside to DT. Harrison Barton, Hayden Howerton, and Jacob Todora can move around and play multiple positions on the offensive line. As Morris said Tuesday, freshman Elijah McQueen might get a look at linebacker in some situations. Such flexibility and depth, of course, allows the coaches to shuttle fresh players in and out of the lineup.

• DE Dimarya Mixon, the Mesquite, Texas native who transferred from Tennessee, definitely looked the part, and drew raves from the coaching staff after several plays. It's still too early to determine exactly where he fits in the rotation, but he appears intent upon forcing his way into the rotation ... probably soon.

• Several players were tried at kickoff returner, including S Kevin Johnson, WR Tyler Page and CB Justin Guy-Robinson.

• Speaking of Page, it's too early to determine how he will be used this year, but he sure doesn't move like a guy who suffered a season-ending knee injury in November while playing quarterback at Friendswood High School. He is showing good speed and stopping ability, and seems to be cutting and changing directions pretty smoothly. If he sat out any reps, I didn't see it.

• JUCO transfer K Kevin Robledo got in some kickoffs. Most of the ones I saw came down very near the goal line, give or take a couple of yards, and he seems to get really good height on his kicks.

• Some "live" (11 on 11) drills were run with a football soaked in water. For good measure, some players got hosed down while lining up before plays, too. It had to be a test, as far as playing through the distraction of rain ... and it was hot enough that nobody objected.

• The defensive front looked strong in one short-yardage drill, giving up very little ground and getting good penetration at the line of scrimmage to make multiple tackles in the offensive backfield.

• One of the rituals at the start of every camp is identifying players, like Hicks, who clearly have worked hard to change their bodies in preparation for the upcoming season. One player who looks visibly different is DE Hunter Thedford, who has added more than 20 pounds since the start of last season. He seems to carry the 266 pounds well on his 6-7 frame, at one point knifing through the offensive line and chasing Hicks down from behind for a sack.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Thanks for the update.

Interesting to see Hicks is slimmer this season it certainly might open up the playbook a bit early in the season.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Mixon was backing up Delonte Scott on the right defensive end spot. I predict he will be able to help us a lot this year, should be quite a battle with he and Scott for the starting position. On several kick returns, Mixon was absolutely planting would be tacklers.

[leopold]

The defensive line is sounding better and better.

[Hilltopper]

Exactly what I was going to say - nice to see good defensive line news

[Charleston Pony]

Looks like the roster has been updated to include transfers and walk-ons

http://www.smumustangs.com/roster.aspx?path=football

[78pony]

Nice job, PonyPride. Great review!

[ojaipony]

With Mixon, just imagine if Richard Moore could also get on the field this year. I'd upgrade our defense quite a bit. I really hope guys like Onu and Spears step it up and can be big time players for us this year. That might be the difference between a bowl or not. Arky State, Tulsa, UConn, and even Cincy will all be make or break games. Need to win 3 if not all 4 of those. How our defense plays will determine that (I feel very good that our offense will be able to score quite a bit on these teams, not sure about the defense).

[JoeKidd]

Thanks for the great reporting as usual PP. Hope to hear some positives about the LB position soon.....this is still the group that has me the most concerned/has the most to prove.

[RedRiverPony]

Nice to see a mention of Clark. Safeties are going to be young this year, so its good to have options/depth

[BUS]

Oklahoma drill.
Great hitting drill.

To step it up... everyone on the ground face up.
Blow whistle and get it.

[leopold]

Had the chance to watch a little bit of practice today.

Medlock is as quick as advertised. I saw him split two defenders in his way to the end zone. There will be a log jam in the coming year or two at RB.

Saw Tyler Page go up and beat two defenders for a deep ball. Also watched Honey beat Lancaster for a ball. Another athlete that our departing WRs were going to have to compete with - not surprising about the transfers.

Much of my time was spent trying to identify the redshirt FR - LOTS of new faces this season. We are going to be deeper than I thought.

Gillian's arm is as strong as advertised. The throws I saw were on a rope.

Lots of fun. Looking forward to the season.

[ALEX LIFESON]

I was impressed with DJ gillins as well, no way does he stay on the bench this season.

[mustangfan4life]

Nice to see a mention of Clark. Safeties are going to be young this year, so its good to have options/depth

Kevin Johnson at 163 pounds we are going to need some options/depth. Is anybody over 2 bills?

[PonyPride]

According to the roster, only two DBs crack the 200-pound barrier:

Mikial Onu: 200
Delano Robinson: 209