Practice Observations
I had a chance to catch a few periods of practice yesterday and I wanted to pass along a few things I noticed.
First, it is important to know that it is not fair to judge a player, a position unit or a team in less than one hour. These guys can improve rapidly. However, I know people are starved for information and I wanted to pass along a few tidbits. First, this team looks better physically than any I have seen in some time.
Quarterbacks
I did not watch very much of the quarterbacks because I thought my time would have been better served watching other positions. Tajh Boyd looks like he has every time I have watched him the last three years. He is a polished product.
My one regret with this position is that I did not get a chance to see how Chad Kelly was moving around. I still have my doubts on how effective he would be if forced into duty. One medical assistant told me yesterday that nine months is a miracle and Kelly has had less than five months so far.
Running Backs
The Clemson message boards have Tyshon Dye winning the Heisman. It is too early to tell how much of an exaggeration that is, but he did look good. He is solid in his 217-pound frame and he ran hard. I can see a big future but am not sure how far away that will be. A few runs in a PAW drill were impressive but I am still waiting to see more. He is a much better back than I was expecting.
Wayne Gallman also ran hard and looks like he could grow into a nice back. In the limited carries he ran high but could be taught to lower his pads.
I am still high on Roderick McDowell but Dye came into his freshman year with a higher ceiling than all of the backs on scholarship.
Wide Receivers
Adam Humphries, Martavis Bryant and TJ Green were limited. Green got good news today when his MRI showed no ACL tear. Charone Peake is poised for a big season. Sammy Watkins looked in much better shape than he was last season. I would be surprised if he did not return to his form as a true freshman. Germone Hopper looks a little thicker this season. Mike Williams reminds me of Kevin Youngblood at this stage.
Tight Ends
The tight end that caught my attention was Jordan Leggett. The true freshman looks a little bigger than he did in the spring and still moves well. I think he could see early action in the opener.
Offensive Line
The offensive line got the best of the defensive line in the PAW drills. I was impressed with Tyrone Crowder. He has a great flexibility. I had an observer at practice tell me he is the most flexible of any of the offensive linemen despite his weight. I think he has a huge future.
Jay Guillermo really impressed me. He plays at a good pad level and brought great effort.
This was my first peek at Maverick Morris and I like his upside. After a likely redshirt season, Morris could compete next season.
Overall I saw a better looking group than this time next year. Isaiah Battle always impresses me. Brandon Thomas, David Beasley, Kalon Davis, Ryan Norton, Patrick Destefano, Oliver Jones, Shaq Anthony, Joe Gore and Eric MacLain look much better physically this season.
Defensive Line
The defensive line got beat up pretty good in this drill but observers say this unit is improved. D.J. Reader was the one defensive tackle that stood out to me. He played with emotion and is extremely athletic.
This was my first look at Scott Pagano and I came away very impressed. He is a good looking defensive tackle. You could tell why Florida, LSU and Alabama recruited him.
Carlos Watkins looked better physically. He has changed his body. Shaq Lawson has really added bulk and looks 275 pounds. Ebo Ogundeko looks like a body builder.
Linebackers
The biggest standout in my limited time was Stephone Anthony. He looked more mature. Tony Steward looks slimmer and quicker. Ben Boulware looks bigger than when I saw him last. He has worked hard in the offseason.
Defensive Backs
There are so many new faces in the secondary, it was hard to watch them all. Mackensie Alexander was limited with a groin injury but I hear great things with. Jayron Kearse is a great looking prospect. He is a long, lean looking athlete. Korrin Wiggins looks like a good prospect and I hear great things about his maturity. I did not get a chance to watch Adrian Baker but he looks slim and has very long arms. I also did not get a chance to see much of Jadar Johnson and the rest of the newcomers.
Early Playing Time
It is way too early to tell but if I had to guess I would put my money on the number of true freshman that will play at seven or eight. Dye, Mike Williams, Jordan Leggett, Shaq Lawson, Ben Boulware, Mackensie Alexander, Jayron Kearse and one more defensive back look like my best bets at this point.
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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.
Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Daniel Rosborough, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas. V Family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers,Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr, Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, The Sturkey Family, the Lance family, Marcus Lattimore, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Patrick Heher, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Johnnie Walker, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day plus their families.
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