Practice (Aug. 5) observations

[PonyPride]

The Mustangs practiced Saturday on Pettus Practice Field, under the watchful eyes of PonyFans who showed up for the team's "Fan Day." It's very early, so some things — starting roles, even who fills which specific roles in some cases — will change between now and the season opener against Louisiana Tech. That said, some observations:

• Among those taking reps fielding punts: WR Jordan Kerley, WR Roderick Daniels, WR Jake Bailey, RB Jaylan Knighton and WR Jaxson Lavender.

• Head coach Rhett Lashlee and OC/TEs coach Casey Woods both said they wanted TE R.J. Maryland to bulk up and get stronger ... and he has. A year ago, Maryland was listed at 217 pounds — he's now listed at 233, and he might be even bigger than that — he looks vastly different than he did a year ago, when he was largely a big wide receiver. Along with the added size, Maryland also has become a far more willing and capable blocker — not an overwhelming "road grader" just yet, but there were plenty of times Saturday the the ball was thrown to one of his teammates and Maryland easily turned safeties and defenders away from the receiver.

• There has been some talk about the fact that no matter how talented QBs Preston Stone and Kevin Jennings are — and they are — the Mustangs will have to replace the veteran leadership lost with the departure of former SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai. That's a fair concern — no coach can teach instant maturity — but both Stone and Jennings look visibly bigger than they did a year ago, and both seem to have added some arm strength, snapping darts on short and intermediate passes, and firing deeper long balls — or more of them — than they did a year ago. Lashlee has said he would like to call more deep balls this year, and he appears to have at least two passers capable of pushing the ball downfield.

• A storyline that started during the spring was the revelation that DL Elijah Chatman also could get some time on offense in 2023, leading the way in the running game as a fullback. During the spring, Woods cited Chatman's power, while defensive coordinator Scott Symons lamented the thought of the players on his defensive front having to tangle with one of the strongest players in all of college football. But it's clear Woods is not relying solely on Chatman's strength to make him an effective blocker: the two spent extensive one-on-one time together Saturday, talking about blocking technique. Chatman appears to be impressing the Mustangs' running backs: L.J. Johnson said Friday that the RBs know that following Chatman will be a roadmap for some success, if not necessarily the end zone. "I know there's going to be a hole (in the opposing defense" every time ... You get behind him, ain't nobody going to touch you."

• The offensive line is not yet finalized, although it appears Marcus Bryant and Hyrin White are the favorites — big favorites — to start at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, and Branson Hickman, who Stone called "probably the toughest, nastiest dude on our team" is back at center. What was notable Saturday was the play of guards Justin Osborne and Logan Parr. Osborne went in and out of the lineup late last year, but looked quick and explosive, as did Parr. Both got out quickly to pull on some running plays and erased would-be defenders. Now picture one of those guys pulling with Chatman running beside/behind him, and see how many opposing defenders struggle to get to the ball carrier. There were times when it looked like Parr can use some refinement in his timing with the guys on either side of him, but that comes in time. Whether he wins the job remains to be seen, but his quickness was impressive.

• The offensive line did several things well, but there were an unusually high number of low snaps from Hickman and Cam Ervin; at one point, Jennings looked like a shortstop fielding short-hop grounders.

• DE Elijah Roberts has dealt with cramps during camp — Symons said that can be chalked up to how hard Roberts plays. After leaving practice a little early Friday, he was back at it Saturday.

• One of the best catches of the day was turned in during the time between drills, when players were on the move from one part of the field to another. A pass was floated over the shoulder and hauled in with one hand by ... Preston Stone. It wasn't part of a drill or a called play or anything that even resembled football — but it was an impressive grab.

• WRs caught several deep balls — Moochie Dixon and Key'Shawn Smith caught several downfield, sometimes in double coverage, but the DBs also made plays, too: Jordan Hudson tried to make a one-handed grab on a high pass by Jennings toward the sideline, but only knocked it straight up in the air, where CB Jahari Rogers snagged it. A little while later, a Stone pass glanced off Maryland's fingertips, allowing S Ahmad Brooks to dive and snatch it just above the grass.

• Practice included a few scuffles, the most extensive of which included WR Carter Campbell and CB KD Hall. Maybe it was the heat that fueled it, but it was enough that Lashlee called the whole together for a chat about it.

[PNW_Stang]

Always good to get your reports!

Now we need one from JasonB.

[giacfsp]

Interesting note about Stone's view of Hickman. I never saw it that way, but I also spent most of my time watching Rashee Rice in the end zone, not the interior offensive line.