Notes from MONDAY's practice

[PonyPride]

The SMU football team reconvened Monday on the Pettus practice field for its second preseason practice. Few observations:

• Immediate impression: Several of the new defensive backs looked good in position drills. In one drill, when secondary coach Derrick Odum simulated the quarterback taking a snap and then lobbing high passes over his players, several of the 2010 arrivals looked very smooth and athletic. Freshman Chris parks made a nice play when he backpedaled and jumped as he turned, tipped the pass and made the interception. Moments later, JUCO transfer safety Justin Sorrell stood out, leaping as he twisted out of his backpedal to make a nice, over-the-shoulder two-handed interception.

• Familiar face: Among those in attendance at practice was injured offensive lineman Joey Fontana, who is back in school and rehabbing his injured knee.

• Catch of the day: The team still hasn’t done seven-on-seven or 11-on-11 drills, but in skeleton passing drills (against no defense), freshman walk-on wide receiver — a converted former linebacker — Jordan Miller (of Marietta, Ga.) headed upfield, and despite leaning forward over his left shoulder, twisted back and dove to the right, hauling in a nice, one-handed reception. True — it wasn’t against a live defense, but it was impressive, nonetheless.

• Just a number: Sophomore wide receiver Ryan Walker has changed his jersey number from 85 to 9.

• Another missing nose: Including the graduation of Chris Parham, the Mustangs now are without four players who were part of the 2009 rotation at nose tackle after the NCAA denied Jesse Andrew an extra year of eligibility.

• Also missing: Even after being declared academically ineligible, guard Josh LeRibeus was expected to practice with the scout team, but he has not been at practice and is not on the roster. Meanwhile, wide receiver De’Von Bailey did not return to SMU this semester.

• Minor bumps and bruises: A couple of players came up hobbling during special teams drills Tuesday. Freshman wide receiver Keenan Holman came up limping a little while covering, and moments later, redshirt freshman Jay Scott hobbled for a minute after colliding with freshman cornerback Chris Parks. Holman and Scott both shook off their injuries quickly and returned to drills.

• Junior line: The decision to move redshirt freshman Jordan Favreau to defense to bolster the nose tackle position and LeRibeus’s departure have forced offensive line coach Adrian Klemm to juggle his lineup a little. Tackles Kelvin Beachum, Jr., and J.T. Brooks are locks on the left and right sides, respectively, and 2009 backup Kelly Turner seems entrenched at right guard. But Bryce Tennison, who reportedly was headed from right guard to center, worked with the first-team offensive line Tuesday at left guard, with Blake McJunkin working as the first-team center. All five are juniors.

[mrydel]

How are Fontana's spirits? Is he back to being upbeat or still a little depressed? Hopefully he will get back to his old self mentally soon. That will help him physically as much as anything else.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Can't surprise anyone with Josh LeRibeus being AWOL.

[Charleston Pony]

nice to see an OL with all upperclassmen; how long has it been since we've seen that? Probably not since the SWC days. But...how many 1st and 2nd year guys will end up in the 2 deep? We are still at least a year away from being where we need to be.

[mavsrage311]

I was really hoping Devon Bailey would stick around, one way or another.

[cutter]

Can't surprise anyone with Josh LeRibeus being AWOL.

so.... a possible transfer or...?
will he likely not be available for next year?

[Scoops]

I believe Josh is eligible to re-enroll in January, isn't he?

[Get_Some_Ponies]

Some of the other posts had said he would be practicing which I assumed meant he was still on campus but just not eligible. Wish him luck figuring out his major or goals. That's great news about JF. Would love an interview to hear how things are working out.

[PonyFan]

So the NCAA basically penalized Jesse Andrew for delaying college while serving in the military?
Classy.

[that's great raplh]

I was really hoping Devon Bailey would stick around, one way or another.

Me too