Observations from scrimmage (8/13/16)

[PonyPride]

The 2016 SMU football team held its first scrimmage Saturday. I wasn’t able to be there, but our friend JasonB was, and he took extensive notes, which he was nice enough to share. What follows are his thoughts and observations:

• There were 12 players in yellow (out) and two players in green (limited) jerseys. Among those in the yellow were LT Chad Pursley and DT Mason Gentry.

• With Pursley sidelined, Nick Natour took his place as the first-team left tackle, on a line that also included LG Daniel McCarty, C Evan Brown, RG Jerry Saena and RT Chauncey Briggs.

• First-team WRs were Shelby Walker, Xavier Castille and Courtland Sutton, with Jeremiah Gaines at TE.

• With Gentry watching, the starting defensive line was DE Justin Lawler, DT Zelt Minor, DT Deon Green and DE Nick Horton, who appears to have clear edge on competition at RDE at this point; DTs Chris Biggurs and Terry Ayeni also got some snaps with the first team. LBs running with the first team were Jackson Mitchell, Anthony Rhone and (someone else). CBs were Horace Richardson and Jordan Wyatt, safeties were Darrion Millines and Kevin Johnson.

• The defensive line got the better of the offensive line, especially when it came to knocking down passes.

• QBs Ben Hicks and Darrel Colbert each got some work with second-team offense. Of the three QBs (including Matt Davis), Colbert probably was the sharpest. Hicks sometimes held the ball too long and took several sacks.

• K Michael Armstrong got first reps, hitting short field goal (with distance to spare) and then missing from 47. He later tried a 49-yarder that fell short. Kickoffs reached about the 5-yard line. Josh Williams also made several, including a 47-yarder that had distance to spare. Williams hit a 47-yard field goal to “win” the scrimmage.

• S Kevin Johnson’s speed is evident, as a kick returner and on defense.

• Despite adding weight over the offseason, RB Xavier Jones looks really quick. He and Braeden West both looked really good. Ke’Mon Freeman and Jordan Carmouche both are big and powerful, far more adept at running through defenders than creating enough shake to make people miss.

• Defensive line had a good day, batting down numerous passes, including several by starting QB Matt Davis.

• S Darrion Millines had two huge hits on West — great plays. Millines looks fast and strong, like an all-conference player.

• Defense presented multiple looks, with three-man front and four-man front — more variety than in the spring.

• Freshman RBs Ke’Mon Freeman and Jordan Carmouche are both powerful runners. Fellow freshman RB Aphonso Thomas scored three touchdowns.

• WR Courtland Sutton looks stronger. At one point, he caught a pass from Davis (who was standing in his own end zone) — it took three defenders bring him down.

• Got our first look at Jamie Sackville, the left-footed (sometimes rugby-style) punter from Australia.

• Backup OTs Karadius Smith and Bryce Wilds still need to get stronger, but they already have two key tools needed to become effective blockers: size and mobility.

• Since the day Chad Morris was hired, we have heard about tempo, how he wants the offense to play fast. Apparently, that applies to the defense, as well. He yelled at the defense about not running on and off the field quickly enough, and eventually charged the defense a timeout because of it.

• Based on body language and talk between players, it looks like the defensive backs think freshman CB Christian Davis can play.

• One indication that Morris and his staff are improving the depth of the team: the willingness to use players counted on to play significant roles — Braeden West, Kevin Johnson, James Proché, Kevin Thomas, etc. — in the return game.

• LB Jackson Mitchell made several nice tackles in the open field. He is a physical player with good size. He might not chase down the fastest runners, but he seems to be around the ball a lot and makes plays.

• The secondary looks significantly better than a year ago. Darrion Millines is fast and confident. Kevin Johnson is extremely fast and looks comfortable against the run and the pass.

• Freshman LB Blake Carlisle is impressive. There are times when he looks like a freshman, a little lost. But he’s tall and lanky, runs well and makes plays. He has a chance to be really good.

• CB Jordan Wyatt was my MVP of the scrimmage. His highlights included nice open-field tackles and an interception of a Davis pass during the final drive.

[leopold]

Thanks for the news.

I'm curious: is the D-line better or is it because the O-line is struggling?

Thanks.

[JasonB]

Thanks for the news.

I'm curious: is the D-line better or is it because the O-line is struggling?

Thanks.

There were times last year where the oline would just get blown away. That wasn't happening. I do think the o-line is a little better than it was. Saenna and Brown are both physical and aggressive, which is what Morris is looking for and none of the o-line had that last year.

But the d-line has definitely improved. Much more size across the board than in the past. I wish we had an outstanding player opposite lawler to free him up, but that isn't there yet. That said, I do think Horton and M Scott are going to be more effective than McCleneghan. Gentry didn't play yesterday, but Minor, Green, and Biggers are better than last year and 97 from Iowa State is a nice add as well. We have moved past the "warm body" situation at DL. None of the frosh are players in the DLine mix yet. Neither is JT Williams.

I can't stress enough how good 15 Wyatt was yesterday. 2 picks and a couple of really nice plays on screens. Not afraid to get physical and make a tackle, very aggressive. H Richardson wasn't thrown at very much but he made a really nice tackle for a loss on a run blitz. Looks like a different player physically than he was two years ago.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Thank you JasonB!

[Hilltopper]

Good stuff! Thank you.

[Mustangsabu]

Great to read. Thanks. Just ready for Denton


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[Digetydog]

Thanks for the news.

I'm curious: is the D-line better or is it because the O-line is struggling?

Thanks.

When I saw the team practice earlier in the week, the most stunning revelation was the DL. The combination of our weight program and better recruiting has resulted in a DL that is bigger (no fat kids), looks stronger (S&C is clearly working) and with more depth. If we don't suffer too many injuries, I am confident that we can put together an "ACC Average" or better DL from the players we have.

Better yet, we might be able to field a decent DL without having to burn RS's on some of our True Freshman. D. Gary looked fantastic, but I would love to see him get a RS Year.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

It's Day 1 again! I hope we continue to make a lot of progress this week in practice. Pony Up!

[78pony]

Thank you, Jason B. Appreciated and great job.

[JoeKidd]

Great notes, thanks JasonB and PP for posting. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction....except maybe the O-Line? I am going to the scrimmage this weekend and hope the O-Line plays better than the reports have been thus far.

[JasonB]

Feel free to come by and say hi. The multiple looks on defense are another really positive change from last year to keep your eye on.

Gary makes plays at times, but he actually looks like he can put on quite a bit of weight. Really excited about that frame.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Looking forward to watching Day 1 Saturday!

[PakiMustang_91]

Did Kevin Thomas not play?

[JasonB]

He played. Didn't have a huge impact. Neither did Proche, which was a surprise.

Thomas did spend time on both KR and PR and had a really nice long KR.