Practice (Aug. 4) observations
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 4:41 pmThe Mustangs held their first practice of the season that was open to the media Saturday. Some observations:
• Far fewer watching in street clothes or green (limited) or yellow (out) jerseys. Didn't see CB Jordan Wyatt. Among those observing: OT Levon Livingston and transfer DL Jake Hall, who had a brace on his left knee.
• Head coach Sonny Dykes said after practice that WR Reggie Roberson, who transferred from West Virginia, is eligible immediately after receiving a waiver from the NCAA.
• Roberson made a lot of plays in the practice (much of which was conducted at less than full speed as the teaching continues for veteran players and begins for newcomers), getting behind the defense on several deep throws in team (11 on 11) drills.
• Other transfers included former Cal DE Noah Westerfield[/url], former Illinois safety Patrick Nelson, Hall, former Rice WR Kyle Granson and former Baylor DB Jourdan Blake[/url].
• The offensive line looked familiar: [b]LT Chad Pursley, LG Nick Natour, C Hayden Howerton, RG Nick Dennis, RT Bryce Wilds. In team drills, they regularly opened wide running lanes for Xavier Jones and the SMU RBs.
• Quarterback crew didn't look so familiar: Ben Hicks, not surprisingly, guided the first team. But D.J. Gillins transferred, and Rafe Peavey was nowhere to be seen ... and RB Ke'Mon Freeman was wearing the No. 2 jersey Peavey wore last year. Behind Hicks, the QB rotation included redshirt freshman Austin Upshaw, true freshman William Brown and true freshman walk-ons Derek Green and Jacob Oehrlein.
• First injury: while covering a running back on a screen pass in the flat, OLB Jordan Ward slid awkwardly and went down, grabbing his right knee and ultimately being helped off the field. No update.
• DL Demerick Gary also went down with an apparent knee injury but returned to drills after sitting out a few plays. OT Bryce Wilds slid awkwardly during team drills and got up slowly; when he started to line up for the next play, he was directed toward the sideline by a trainer and replaced by Kadarius Smith.
• Freeman made several nice catches on throws out of the backfield and looked visibly more comfortable running routes.
• Richard Moore and Trevor Denbow ran with the first-team defense all day, with several players alternating at the third LB position. Among them: William Jeanlys, who moved from DB to LB during the spring.
• No longer listed on roster: WR Alex Honey, DB Kayce Medlock, LB Matt McNew
• Several players took turns fielding kickoffs, including WR James Proché, RB Braeden West, WR C.J. Sanders, WR Tyler Page and Roberson.
• Far fewer watching in street clothes or green (limited) or yellow (out) jerseys. Didn't see CB Jordan Wyatt. Among those observing: OT Levon Livingston and transfer DL Jake Hall, who had a brace on his left knee.
• Head coach Sonny Dykes said after practice that WR Reggie Roberson, who transferred from West Virginia, is eligible immediately after receiving a waiver from the NCAA.
• Roberson made a lot of plays in the practice (much of which was conducted at less than full speed as the teaching continues for veteran players and begins for newcomers), getting behind the defense on several deep throws in team (11 on 11) drills.
• Other transfers included former Cal DE Noah Westerfield[/url], former Illinois safety Patrick Nelson, Hall, former Rice WR Kyle Granson and former Baylor DB Jourdan Blake[/url].
• The offensive line looked familiar: [b]LT Chad Pursley, LG Nick Natour, C Hayden Howerton, RG Nick Dennis, RT Bryce Wilds. In team drills, they regularly opened wide running lanes for Xavier Jones and the SMU RBs.
• Quarterback crew didn't look so familiar: Ben Hicks, not surprisingly, guided the first team. But D.J. Gillins transferred, and Rafe Peavey was nowhere to be seen ... and RB Ke'Mon Freeman was wearing the No. 2 jersey Peavey wore last year. Behind Hicks, the QB rotation included redshirt freshman Austin Upshaw, true freshman William Brown and true freshman walk-ons Derek Green and Jacob Oehrlein.
• First injury: while covering a running back on a screen pass in the flat, OLB Jordan Ward slid awkwardly and went down, grabbing his right knee and ultimately being helped off the field. No update.
• DL Demerick Gary also went down with an apparent knee injury but returned to drills after sitting out a few plays. OT Bryce Wilds slid awkwardly during team drills and got up slowly; when he started to line up for the next play, he was directed toward the sideline by a trainer and replaced by Kadarius Smith.
• Freeman made several nice catches on throws out of the backfield and looked visibly more comfortable running routes.
• Richard Moore and Trevor Denbow ran with the first-team defense all day, with several players alternating at the third LB position. Among them: William Jeanlys, who moved from DB to LB during the spring.
• No longer listed on roster: WR Alex Honey, DB Kayce Medlock, LB Matt McNew
• Several players took turns fielding kickoffs, including WR James Proché, RB Braeden West, WR C.J. Sanders, WR Tyler Page and Roberson.