Tuesday (7/9/13) optional workout notes

[PonyPride]

The Mustangs are back out on the field for an optional workout, and word is today will be the first day with the incoming freshmen taking part. (The notes are limited, as much of the day was spent on conditioning runs and teaching some of the simplest basics to the incoming freshmen...)

• First out on the field: Ks Chase Hover and Cody Rademacher, who are kicking field goals. So far, Hover was good on his kicks out to about 35 yards (he didn't kick from longer distance than that while I watched) and Rademacher just connected from 42 (and each clearly has distance to spare). Hover also just hit a punt 54 yards...

• About 80 (rough estimate) players just emerged, including some new faces. I don't recognize all of the newcomers yet (sorry, guys) but I do see WR Nate Halverson, RB Traylon Shead, WR Deion Sanders, ATH J'Marcus Rhodes, CB Jesse Montgomery, DE Zelt Minor, OT Jerry Saena, WR JaBryce Taylor, LB Carlos Carroll, S Myles Crosby, G Daniel McCarty, G Travis Fister, NT Spencer Hollie, DE Mason Gentry, DE Justin Lawler, DB Trey Washington, LB Nick Horton, TE Jeremiah Gaines, WR Cedric Lancaster, QB Cayman Carter, DB Darrion Richardson. Again, the other incoming freshmen might have been there, but either I didn't pick them out of the crowd or didn't recognize them...

• Workout is starting with a lot of conditioning runs. RB Ronnell Sims, who missed the latter part of spring drills because of an ankle sprain, is running with his teammates.

• Time for seven-on-seven passing drills, if these guys have any legs left after the running they just did...

• As is normally the case when the new players first arrive, drills are starting with all veterans running the plays, newcomers watching and learning and waiting their turn.

• First standout defensive play of the day: interception by OLB Jarvis Pruitt, who jumped in front of a receiver to make the pick. Moments later, CB Horace Richardson — who missed much of his trus freshman season after tearing his ACL — climbed the ladder for a leaping interception.

• QB Garrett Gilbert just fired a 50-yard strike to WR Keenan Holman, who beat his man on a straight fly route and then created extra separation with a couple of subtle fakes. The throw was a fastball, right on the money, and Holman caught it in stride as he strolled across the goal line.

• Freshmen are now getting their chance, which means there basically are two players at every position — a freshman with a veteran standing beside him telling him where to line up, what to look for, etc. The teaching process has begun.

• Nice touch pass from QB Garrett Krstich, about 30 yards to TE Jeremiah Gaines, who made the catch between three defenders and cruised into the end zone.

[AusTxPony]

Curious...how often do these optional workouts occur?

[PonyPride]

Two or three times a week.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

That's cool J'Marcus Rhodes is Around The Hilltop.

[JoeKidd]

Good to hear so many Freshman are on campus already getting ready for camp. It should pay dividends for the young receivers to pick-up the offense quickly-we may needs some of them to contribute this season.

[ojaipony]

Good to hear so many Freshman are on campus already getting ready for camp. It should pay dividends for the young receivers to pick-up the offense quickly-we may needs some of them to contribute this season.

I foresee Minor and Gaines getting plenty of PT. We'll see.

[PonyPlayer4]

80 kids for optional summer workouts sounds like a win.

[East Coast Mustang]

Looking forward to hearing how Minor looks this summer. If he can be a regular contributor on the DL this season, that would be a much-needed boost

[dirtysouthpony]

80 kids for optional summer workouts sounds like a win.

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