The Ponies returned to the Pettus practice field for their second practice of the season Monday morning. Some notable items:
Settled in? Freshman Deonte McDade was recruited as an "athlete," but has worked exclusively at slot receiver through two practices.
Making the most of a mistake: In a practice that didn't have any extraordinary receptions in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills, the "catch of the day" award could go to freshman CB Keivon Gamble. The DBs were working with secondary coach Derrick Odum, who had his players go through a series of twists and sharp cuts before turning to field a pass from Odum. Gamble went through his cuts and turned toward Odum, whose pass clanged off Gamble's hands. Gamble recovered, though, tipping the ball up twice before hauling it in.
Catch of the day — honorable mention: Although there was no eye-popping catch of the day, the honorable mention has to go to WR Zach Zimmernan. Late in the morning practice, Zimmerman made a lunging catch of an underthrown pass across the middle.
Hold on: True, camp just started, but Kellis Cunningham is working as the holder on placekicks.
Line up: It's far too early to suggest that a depth chart has been determined, but there were a couple of players of note working with the offensive line. The first-team unit consisted of LT Kelvin Beachum, Jr., LG Kelly Turner, C Mitch Enright, RG Bryce Tennison and RT J.T. Brooks; the second unit consisted of LT Josh Emshoff, LG Jordan Free, C Blake McJunkin, RG Jordan Favreau and RT Zach Boyd.
Catching on: There was a slight change in the WR rotation Monday, as sophomore Cole Loftin joined Emmanuel Sanders, Aldrick Robinson and Terrance Wilkerson on the first team.
Offensive defense: During 7-on-7 drills, QB Bo Levi Mitchell welcomed a couple of his freshman teammates to the college game by suckering them into jumping offside with his staggered cadence at the line. Freshmen Joey Fontana and Bryan Collins, imitating defensive linemen, were lured into jumping offside when Mitchell changed up the cadence and volume of his calls. Mitchell got Collins to bite so hard he literally fell to the ground before he scrambled back to the line.