Optional conditioning workout / 7-on-7 notes (6/28/12)

Post by **PonyPride** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:36 pm

The Mustangs gathered Thursday for another round of optional seven-on-seven drills.

• Among those going through drills: former SMU FS Chris Banjo and former SMU CB Richard Crawford, who is sporting his team-issued Washington Redskins workout shorts.

• There are two players on the field going through drills that I don't recognize. Incoming freshmen? One is lining up with the DBs, the other with the WRs. The WR doesn't look like a freshman (he's pretty big) - I obviously don't know all of the incoming freshmen yet, but this guy isn't Colin Lagasse or Gehrig Dieter (who enrolled in January and is on the field with his teammates) or Daijuan Stewart. The mystery DB doesn't look like the pictures of the Mustangs' incoming freshmen, either.

• So far, the players are going through passing routes with QBs Garrett Gilbert, Garrett Krstich and Conner Preston - some with DBs chasing the WRs, some without. Other than QBs, WRs and DBs, the only players on the field at the moment (seven-on-seven isn't supposed to start for another 20 minutes) are centers Blake McJunkin and Taylor Lasecki.

• There haven't been many SMU QBs in recent memory who can throw an intermediate out route (20 yards) with as much zip and accuracy as Garrett Gilbert. No, that doesn't mean he automatically gets the starting job, but his arm is very impressive and doesn't look like an arm belonging to someone who had shoulder surgery less than a year ago.

• Word is OLB Rob Seals has put on a solid 20-25 pounds since he showed up last year as a slender freshman. Sure looks like the reports are not exaggerated.

• Another player who obviously has put in considerable work in the weight room is WR Jeremy Johnson. Remember how skinny he was when he arrived as a freshman? Doesn't look like the same guy.

• Coaches want big WRs to use their size to shield passes from would-be defenders, a concept freshman Gehrig Dieter clearly understands. Dieter just ran a quick crossing route, turned his body in front of CB Richard Crawford as if boxing out on a basketball court and hauled in the pass from QB Conner Preston... Later in the session, Dieter hip-checked CB J.R. Richardson out of the way to snag a touchdown pass from Preston on a post route.

• Moments later, Preston found WR Kyle Guinyard over the middle on a post route. Preston's pass was slightly long, until Guinyard reached out and snatched the back end of the ball as he entered the end zone.

• Accuracy isn't only for fastballs. WR Keenan Holman just got a step on CB Lazarri Middleton down the right sideline and barely had to move his hands at all when he got to the end zone as a soft 40-yard pass from QB Garrett Krstich fell right in his lap.

• So much of the attention in seven-on-seven drills goes to those who throw and catch, but the defense makes plays, too. QB Conner Preston just watched WR Keenan Holman blow past a CB and lofted a 30-yard pass toward the goal line ... only to watch SS Jay Scott race across the field to knock it away at the last second.

• RB K.C. Nlemchi has solid hands as a receiver out of the backfield. He has had several short passes thrown his way, and after watching the ball all the way in, he turns upfield and accelerates very quickly. (As soon as that's written, of course, Nlemchi just assigned himself a few punishment push-ups after letting a pass from QB Conner Preston whistle through his hands on the left sideline.)

• Some of the 2012 freshmen showed up to watch for a while. The group included QB Neal Burcham, OLs Chase Walling and Christian Chamagua, LB Damien Neroes, CB Ajee Montes and WRs Colin Lagasse and Daijuan Stewart. Two other players were there: one, I think, is OL Chauncey Briggs. The other ... I'm not sure.

SmooBoy · Post by **SmooBoy** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:59 pm

These reports are great, PP. If only they were practicing in the new IPF.

Digetydog · Post by **Digetydog** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:57 pm

SmooBoy wrote:These reports are great, PP. If only they were practicing in the new IPF.

Why weren't any of the incoming freshman playing? Is there a rule against it?

Post by **PonyPride** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:26 pm

Most of the freshmen report next week in time for the second session of summer school. But based on years past, it's not unusual for the young guys to not be playing much, as it's common practice for the older guys to be mentors who teach their new teammates where to line up, how to position their feet, what to look for in opposing offenses and defenses, etc. When the freshmen are out on the field, they'll spend a lot of time watching their older teammates.

ALEX LIFESON · Post by **ALEX LIFESON** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:34 pm

Good to hear Lazarri Middleton was out there, hope things work out. Thanks for the report!

Vitale · Post by **Vitale** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:47 pm

THanks for the report. Nobody covers the Ponies like you guys do!

Glad to hear about the freshmen showing up. I just re-read the Recruiting Roundup, and I'm more fired up about the season. Hopefully most of the freshmen redshirt, but I think there's a lot of talent in this class. How did they look? Did they look like they're in shape?

BleedingRed+Blue · Post by **BleedingRed+Blue** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:21 am

The coaches and players have been raving about Seals -- glad to hear he's been hitting the weights.

No Quarter · Post by **No Quarter** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:25 am

PonyPride - Please tell us who the "unknowns" were when you find out...

Post by **PonyPride** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:09 pm

Will do!

westexSMU · Post by **westexSMU** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 11:38 am

Maybe the WR "unknown" is the Sr.transfer from Virginia Tech. If true, I think his last name is Fuller and like Garrett Gilbert, I think he has already graduated so he can play this year also.

ojaipony · Post by **ojaipony** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 11:57 am

I am very excited about the prospects of a healthy Dieter. I know high school dominance doesn't always translate into college success but I think he has the physical tools, smarts, work ethic and drive to be a great one.

A man amongst boys in this highlight reel ...
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/645504/highlights/3550375

With DJ and JJ in the slots, our running game (with Line of course and Nlemchi that not many are talking about along with Wimbley providing fresh legs and blocking), and Thompson on the outside, Dieter could see a lot of 1on1 matchups and very few will be able to compete with that size (and his legs can stay fresh with rotating in Holman and perhaps Holleman). From those in the know, he hasn't seen 1on1 coverage since Pop Warner and STILL broke all those Indiana state records.

With our defense, all of us should expect this team to be scary (GOOD scary for a change) this year. We can go 4-0 non-conference and quite frankly we should all be expecting that and demanding that of this team (send them all that cartoon to get them fired up). CUSA champs and top 25!

Pony up!!

whitwiki · Post by **whitwiki** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 5:28 pm

4-0 non conference? Give me some of that Kool aid

DanFreibergerForHeisman · Sun Jul 01, 2012 5:47 pm

whitwiki wrote:4-0 non conference? Give me some of that Kool aid

Shouldn't need much. Baylor is certainly a challenge on the road but TCU and A&M should be winnable at home.

leopold · Post by **leopold** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 7:29 pm

Is the DB you don't recognize the transfer from Nebraska? I forget his name but was wondering if anybody had any info on him.

ClickClack · Post by **ClickClack** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 7:53 pm

westexSMU wrote:Maybe the WR "unknown" is the Sr.transfer from Virginia Tech. If true, I think his last name is Fuller and like Garrett Gilbert, I think he has already graduated so he can play this year also.

I believe Fuller sat out last year so he is good to go this year.