Practice (3/24/18) observations

[PonyPride]

The Mustangs practiced Saturday for about two hours. Some observations:

ΓÇó Crowded practice field ΓÇö in addition to the team and the standard team support staff, there were more than 20 recruits and their families, high school coaches.
ΓÇó Also in attendance: a huge gathering of former players, a list that included (but was not limited to) WR Courtland Sutton, WR Trey Quinn, QB Matt Davis, LB Taylor Reed, RB K.C. Nlemchi, CB Kenneth Acker, WR/KR Deion Sanders, WR Keenan Holman, WR/DB Cedric Lancaster, DE Nick Horton, S Chris Banjo, DB Ryan Smith, S Jay Scott, DT Deon Green, WR Emmanuel Sanders, DL Spencer Hollie, DE Michael Scott, LB Putt Choate
ΓÇó QB D.J. Gillins watched practice with a protective boot on his left ankle/leg. It is believed that the injury is not serious.
ΓÇó Several players were out with injuries, many of whom ran on the side. The list of injured players included: CB Jordan Wyatt, OT Bryce Wilds, LB Noah Spears, DT Jordan Gipson, WR Myron Gailliard, LB Jordon Williams, G Nick Natour. Others, including WR Judah Bell and TE Hunter Thedford, wore green (limited contact) jerseys but participated in much of practice.
ΓÇó Among the players who seems to have bought into the coaches' goal of increased strength for the upcoming season is Wilds. He is listed at 6-7, 299 ΓÇö he was listed at 320 pounds when he arrived as a true freshman in 2016 ΓÇö but looks completely different. Without having talked to him, I can't say whether it's a changed diet or the team's new workout routine or simply him growing into his frame ΓÇö more than likely, it's a combination of all three ΓÇö but the visible difference is striking ... and again, while he was not in pads or hitting anyone, he looked fast as he ran on the side with other rehabbing teammates.
ΓÇó QB Ben Hicks looks like he has continue to evolve physically. A year ago, there was talk about the weight he lost, and now he looks a little thicker, but he said after practice that's by design ΓÇö he's putting on muscle to better absorb hits, etc. He looks stronger throwing the ball, too. With another full season under his belt and a new offseason workout regimen, his arm looks stronger. That's not to suggest he's throwing 80-yard bombs, but the intermediate and longer passes, between 20 and 40 yards, have less arc, and he threaded several through DBs to reach their targets.
ΓÇó It's hard not to notice QB William Brown. Especially with Gillins out, the 6-5 freshman towers over the other passers. He has a strong arm ΓÇö not every deep throw was on caught, but he was on-target with numerous throws over 30 yards, including at least a couple in the 45- or 50-yard range ΓÇö and has good looks like he runs pretty well. To be fair, the quarterbacks weren't getting hit, so he never really had to run for his life, but he covers a lot of ground. There were times when rolled and through off the wrong foot, leading to some underthrown passes, but that's something that can be improved through coaching (and in the course of a game, there are times when a quarterback HAS to throw on the run). There's no arguing the fact that when he planted his back foot and steps into a pass, he roped some strikes downfield, and he also showed the touch to drop passes over DBs and still find their targets.
ΓÇó Of note on the offensive line: sophomore Kadarius Smith, who has worked mostly as a backup tackle since arriving at SMU, worked with the first-team offensive line at left guard. Keeping in mind that two of last year's starters, LG Nick Natour and RT Bryce Wilds, are out while rehabbing injuries, as well as the fact that it's way too early to be projecting anything in practice into an actual depth chart, the first-team line had LT Chad Pursley, LG Smith, C Hayden Howerton, RG Jacob Todora and RT Matthew Huhn. The second-string line had LT Levon Livingston, LG Harrison Barton, C Nick Dennis, RG Alan Ali and RT Braxton Webb.
ΓÇó Across the line of scrimmage, working with the first-team defensive line were DE Tyeson Neals, DT Ken McLauren, DT Demerick Gary and DE Toby Ndukwe.
ΓÇó When the defense went to a 4-2-5 alignment, the first-team LBs were Richard Moore and Trevor Denbow.
ΓÇó Kayce Medlock, who was recruited to SMU as a RB, was moved to CB during the 2017 season when injuries required the coaches to find more depth at the position. He worked Saturday at safety.
ΓÇó Kevin Johnson, who played mostly safety (and special teams), was working Saturday at CB.
ΓÇó Speaking of DBs, several had impressive pass breakups, including S Rodney Clemons and CB Christian Davis ... and former high school QB-turned-SMU-S Collin Rock, who broke up at least two passes by diving in front of the WR he was chasing to get a hand on the ball. (Apparently he thought he should have intercepted one of them, as he assigned himself 10 push-ups before hopping to his feet.)
ΓÇó The Mustangs completed 283 passes in 2017, 182 of which were caught by Sutton and Quinn. So to suggest that other young receivers have an opportunity to claim a larger role in 2018 is an understatement. Bell was limited, but two who stood out (and got singled out by Hicks) were WRs Brandon Benson and Tyler Page. Benson repeatedly got open in or behind the secondary during team drills, while Page again looks visibly faster and smoother than he did last season ... and after catching a screen pass, he also was able to hit the brakes and spin away from a charging safety, who ended up diving at air as Page headed upfield. WR Joshua Shelmire also twice sold a DB on a stop-go move that allowed him to get free for intermediate passes on the sideline.
ΓÇó With Josh Williams leaving after graduating, K Kevin Robledo took the first reps during field goal drills, followed by Will Moore, a sophomore from Highland Park.

[SMUFan]

I kind of thought Smith might move to guard. When you look at Wilds and the JC tackles (Livingston & Morris), they fall in line with Dykes' for bigger guys up front

[Sonny Disposition]

I wasn't able to get to Dallas to see practice this weekend, but I'm looking forward to doing so and getting more familiar with the team.

[Monty_The_Mustang]

I am optimistic about next year. If we get 2-3 grad transfers at positions of need I think the team will be pretty loaded. Seems to be one of the oldest teams we have had in a while, especially throwing in the transfers, JUCOs and grad transfers. The fact we are running a similar offense is huge too. Defense will definitely be improved.

I think Kazidis influence gets us another win too.

[MadJack]

Excellent observations. Additional thoughts: Nick Dennis should start at center, very impressive presence as well as thick body. Defense overall looked good, especially defensive backs. Man, Livingston looked skinny for a near 300 pounder. Hicks confidence is very evident. Freeman is a load carrying the ball, West look good as well.

On a separate note, was standing near Courtland Sutton when he was holding "court" with several recruits. First of all, those recruits just gravitated toward him. He spoke about the importance of an SMU degree, he talked about his academic experience more than his football experience at SMU. They hung on every word. What a great ambassador he will be.

After Saturday, I am truly excited about what this season holds.

[ojaipony]

Thanks for sharing all. I think if we can get the Dline to step up (including DEs) and young WRs, we can be very good. Richard Moore is the closest to Tank Reed we've had (he could possibly be better - he'll be the Trey Quinn of our defense next year and in such a HUGE position of need - just hope the D line can step up).

Our O line should be solid, we know we are solid at RB and QB so it's just a matter if someone other than Proche can step up at WR (and maybe it's as Lashlee said - the system might be just as good with a WR as committee approach and if you have 4-5 guys with 40-50 catches each then so be it). REALLY hope Bell and Page can step in (and it also looks good for Benson so far).

A lot to be excited about. Get a WR and DL GT that are both really solid, and I think we could be bowl bound again (even with that schedule). Will be interesting to watch. Pony up.

[JasonB]

Exciting to hear that Denbow and Moore are both running first team at a position of need. The impact we want from transfers!

Will be interested to see KJ at corner. Never tackled like a safety. Fast kid, need to find him a spot.

If we can get some GTs at DL, WR, and secondary, this thing could set up really nicely next year.

It sounds more and more like the focus on fitness and tempo last year may have cost us some physicality on defense and the OL.

[Lefty]

I don't know how accurately the linebackers can be assessed until the defensive line gets shored up.

[WildHorse]

Is Demerick Gary practicing at both DE and DT again?

[SoCal_Pony]

The Mustangs practiced Saturday for about two hours. Some observations:

ΓÇó Also in attendance: a huge gathering of former players, a list that included (but was not limited to) WR Courtland Sutton, WR Trey Quinn, QB Matt Davis, LB Taylor Reed, RB K.C. Nlemchi, CB Kenneth Acker, WR/KR Deion Sanders, WR Keenan Holman, WR/DB Cedric Lancaster, DE Nick Horton, S Chris Banjo, DB Ryan Smith, S Jay Scott, DT Deon Green, WR Emmanuel Sanders, DL Spencer Hollie, DE Michael Scott, LB Putt Choate

always nice to hear former players returning to the Hilltop.

wonder if Clayton Korver and Putt Choate ever hung out together. Could you imagine those 2 in a bar fight? Them vs 10 others 'might' be a fair fight. On second thought, probably not.

[PonyPride]

Is Demerick Gary practicing at both DE and DT again?

Gary has been working inside