
I won’t follow any set format for the camp reports this month, just figure it’s best to empty the notebook for as much or little information as I have that day, and to list any relevant links from gazette.com and around the conference. And there was plenty to report on from the first day of camp.
- Links: Short story from the morning practice. … AJ Wallerstein had an interesting summer. … Three things to watch at camp. … “Touchdowns and Tiaras” was a hit.
- The position everyone will look at is fullback, and it seems that Wes Cobb (Wes, not Wesley, as he was known in the spring) and Mike DeWitt are about as even as possible as camp starts. DeWitt took a lot of the first reps but the reps as a whole seemed to be split evenly. This position has a long way to go before it is settled, especially once the freshmen are a factor (they can practice for the first time Thursday).
- Cornerback Steffon Batts might be a player to keep an eye on. He lined up with the second-team defense, with Chris Miller at the other cornerback spot. Josh Hall was with the starters, and will get first crack at replacing Reggie Rembert. But that job is wide open, so don’t discount anyone.
- The most serious injury coming into camp? Secondary coach Charlton Warren. He blew out his Achilles’ tendon playing basketball, so he’s on crutches and using a bullhorn to shout out directions during some of the practice drills.
- Nothing has been set in stone, but Brian Lindsay was the starting strong safety for the first practice. Lindsay, who was a starter last season before suffering a broken clavicle, was listed as second team on the post-spring and pre-camp depth charts behind Anthony Wooding. Lindsay is a unique talent, a huge safety who has fantastic speed. Wooding also played very well as a freshman last year, and the coaches will keep the competition open through this month.
- The Falcons’ freshmen are able to join the rest of the team on Thursday, and coach Troy Calhoun again talked about how excited he is about that group.
“We’re going to play freshmen,” Calhoun said. “We may not necessarily start freshmen, yet we have to have them to operate at a high level. We have some really capable players in that group.”
I don’t have the longest history covering Calhoun, but he was not this outwardly excited about last year’s freshmen as a whole (he was excited about a few players, like Miller and Wooding, who ended up contributing). He really likes this class, and it’ll be interesting to see them once they practice.
- One of the annual stories of the first day of camp is asking guys if they gained weight over the summer. With tailback Asher Clark and safety Jon Davis, it was pretty easy to tell. Both players look like they’re in great shape, and each confirmed they’ve each gained about five pounds of muscle. Quarterback Tim Jefferson said he dropped about five pounds, to be a little faster and more explosive this season.
I’m glad Calhoun is excited about the Freshman, but where could they contribute? I don’t think were shallow at any position, except maybe D-line and possibly FB. Who ever gets meaningful snaps this year will have to be good… at least future All-MWC good.
Few things – Calhoun said to me he thinks there’s a future starter at every position group in this class. It’s a deep and well rounded class. And I do think he has some All-MWC type kids, as well.
I do think there are positions that need a little more depth, where the second team has little experience. Not to say there aren’t good players there, but I don’t think they can be set in stone at their spots either. OL, TE, TB, DL, FB, S, WR … not a ton of experience on the second team. And Calhoun definitely wants special teams to improve this season – easy way to get on the field if you make an impression.
Now, all that said, is Calhoun saying all this to keep the urgency high among the returning players? Can’t say it’s impossible.