10 Observations From Practice Yesterday
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 8:21 am1) Practice is going to be an event under this coaching staff. There is an energy and passion that is palpable from the moment the players get on the field. It's more than just the live DJ its the overall vibe of practice.
2) We might not be overly talented, but these kids will be in outstanding physical condition. Players are expected to be engaged in some form of activity at all times. What a contrast from the start/stop of the June Jones era.
3) Courtland Sutton is going to be my pick for breakout player next season. He's a good 6'4 or 6'5 and easily 220 pounds with really good hands. He was a real physical presence on the field and has the look of a guy that could be a really outstanding player.
4) Ben Hicks will be our starting QB by midseason. He has a big time arm and fit the ball into some tight windows. The kid doesn't look like a true freshmen trying to figure things out in his head. He's decisive with the football and it gets there in a hurry.
5) I'm not sure what to make of Daniel Gresham. You can definitely see the talent but it seems like the coaches are still trying to figure out just how to use him. There were a few formations where was a fullback and others where he was playing the H Back spot. Either way he's got the kind of ability we need on the field and he'll certainly be a big part of the offense next year.
6) Zelt Minor is going to be a force at DT and looks like he's found his passion for football. The new staff seems to have really lit a fire under him.
7) The freshmen wideouts can't get here fast enough. Castille, Thomas, Proche, and Honey will all be instant contributors. Other than Sutton and Gaines I wasn't very impressed with any of the returning receivers. Rhyheem Malone has a good burst and Shelby Walker has some nice skill but neither are separating themselves from the pack.
8 Shaq Randolph looks the part as well. Really impressive athlete that can cover some ground in a hurry.
9) Had a great time! I saw an old high school coach of mine who now is the head coach of a major DFW program that said it was his first time being invited to SMU in his coaching career. He couldn't stop raving about how these coaches are going out of their way to make the HS coaches feel important and feel like they have ownership in the development of the SMU program. There were probably 50-75 coaches watching practice.
10) Don't expect too much in year one. There is no question the arrow is pointed way, way up but we are going to be physically overmatched up front. I think we'll get better as the year goes on but I think the early part of the season is going to be tough. If we can get a couple of wins against JMU and UNT then we'll be headed in the right direction and I can see us getting to 4 or 5 wins.
2) We might not be overly talented, but these kids will be in outstanding physical condition. Players are expected to be engaged in some form of activity at all times. What a contrast from the start/stop of the June Jones era.
3) Courtland Sutton is going to be my pick for breakout player next season. He's a good 6'4 or 6'5 and easily 220 pounds with really good hands. He was a real physical presence on the field and has the look of a guy that could be a really outstanding player.
4) Ben Hicks will be our starting QB by midseason. He has a big time arm and fit the ball into some tight windows. The kid doesn't look like a true freshmen trying to figure things out in his head. He's decisive with the football and it gets there in a hurry.
5) I'm not sure what to make of Daniel Gresham. You can definitely see the talent but it seems like the coaches are still trying to figure out just how to use him. There were a few formations where was a fullback and others where he was playing the H Back spot. Either way he's got the kind of ability we need on the field and he'll certainly be a big part of the offense next year.
6) Zelt Minor is going to be a force at DT and looks like he's found his passion for football. The new staff seems to have really lit a fire under him.
7) The freshmen wideouts can't get here fast enough. Castille, Thomas, Proche, and Honey will all be instant contributors. Other than Sutton and Gaines I wasn't very impressed with any of the returning receivers. Rhyheem Malone has a good burst and Shelby Walker has some nice skill but neither are separating themselves from the pack.
8 Shaq Randolph looks the part as well. Really impressive athlete that can cover some ground in a hurry.
9) Had a great time! I saw an old high school coach of mine who now is the head coach of a major DFW program that said it was his first time being invited to SMU in his coaching career. He couldn't stop raving about how these coaches are going out of their way to make the HS coaches feel important and feel like they have ownership in the development of the SMU program. There were probably 50-75 coaches watching practice.
10) Don't expect too much in year one. There is no question the arrow is pointed way, way up but we are going to be physically overmatched up front. I think we'll get better as the year goes on but I think the early part of the season is going to be tough. If we can get a couple of wins against JMU and UNT then we'll be headed in the right direction and I can see us getting to 4 or 5 wins.