I burned a day of PTO and went down to Brookings to watch the Jacks practice on Friday morning. When I worked at SDSU I made it to many practices and it was fun getting to know the coaches and players and learning their personalities. Now that I’m 90 minutes from campus I just don’t make it back as much. So here is what I have. However, this was a great practice to be at. We should feel really good about this team Jackrabbit fans!
- When I got to practice shortly after 9am, most of the players and coaches were already on the field and were doing some position specific drills. Practice officially started at 9:15 and it was windy, misty, and sort of cold.
- There were officials in attendance today working through some of their mechanics and calling penalties as needed in the team and 1 on 1 portions of practice.
- The team started with some tempo work that went into goal line, special teams, individual work, 1 on 1’s, and then back to some 11 on 11 called “thud” where the players can hit and wrap up but not take to the ground.
- In the wide receiver vs. corner redzone matchups, I found myself on the side of the field with the young guys battling it out. Freshman David Joiner really looks the part. Remember, he only played his senior year. He’s raw but he has massive potential. I was able to see across the field to the more veteran group and the highlight was an interception in the endzone by Myles Green when he was guarding Grahm Goering. Otherwise, Sammy Dresie had some nice reps. Zach Van Meeteran made some plays. Freshman Tank Farr also had a few nice plays. Transfer Amaje Parker looked really good in this drill too.
- In the offensive line vs. defensive line drills the offensive line seemed to have a good day. Carter Sitzman is going to be a problem. I’ve seen the videos and the talk but WOW! I think the defensive line has some real depth this year. Transfer Ashton Sayre caught my eye on the interior. The Jacks have plenty of guys that can probably play in that 10-15 snaps per game category.
- The starting offensive line today was (left to right): Christensen, Paepke, Willenbring, Kerstin and Rauk. The next group was Thomas, ??? (I wrote down a number but it can’t have been that person), Hotz, Starks, and Pica. Kenyon BigBow is still a few weeks away from returning to full contact BUT he had pads on today and seemed to be moving really well. However, throughout the practice, Hotz took plenty of first team snaps and Willenbring was at right guard. Pica also spent lots of time with the 1’s too. I get the sense that the team feels really good about their depth at offensive line this season with both Hotz and Kerstin taking massive jumps. Christensen has become such a leader and a TEACHER in this group and appears to really be acting as a mentor for the younger guys.
- No decision has been made on QB2 yet. I asked Coach Jackson about this directly and he said that they are rotating days for who gets the #2 reps behind Chase. Today was a Josh Holst day and I thought he looked good.
- Starting defensive line was Sitzman, Green, Sifore, and Kirschenman. Linebackers were McShane, Krcil, and Van Tol. Secondary was Current, St-Juste, Parker, and Dontay Johnson.
- Please don’t freak out over the linebackers. Bryce Johnson, Ollman, and Fyfe spent plenty of time on the field along with new faces Casey Larson and Boden Schiller. It’s a deep group that they want to keep fresh.
- The secondary is going to be much improved over last season. The coaching staff has stressed versatility and they have it. St-Juste, Myles Green, and Amaje Parker can play anywhere in the back end. Paul Kim certainly looks the part of an FCS cornerback as does Current. Freshmen Emeir White and Tank Farr look really damn good and they will push for playing time this year.
Highlights from “THUD”:
- Corey Blair Jr. looks really good folks. He brook off multiple TD runs. Josiah Johnson also had a few really nice runs. Their styles are completely opposite so they compliment each other well.
- Jack Henry showed off his ability to make plays with his feet by escaping pressure and floating a beautiful touchdown pass to Sammy Dresie in the back corner of the endzone.
- Chase Van Tol showed his instincts with an interception of a wide receiver screen that would have likely been a pick-6 in a game. There is just something different about him!
- Tank Farr and Amaje Parker had PBUs on back to back plays in the middle of the endzone.
Other Notes:
- Knock on wood but the team is doing good health wise. A few guys were out today with some minor things but would have played if there was a game.
- The new turf is great. The color is much better but more importantly there is some give to it again. Last year I thought the playing surface felt hard. There is a lot more give to the field now. Again, the color really looks nice and the blue along the sidelines really pops.
- In general, this freshmen class really looks the part. These kids are big and fast. They’re still figuring it all out but watch out!
- The Colts and Falcons had scouts at practice. I’m assuming they were there to watch Chase and Q but I did not talk to them.
Get your tickets! This is going to be a fun season.
Go Jacks!
Matt
One Response
Matt,
Really appreciate what you do. Often difficult to stay abreast of Jacks from 941 miles to the East.
Bigbow is worrisome, very talented but cannot stay healthy. I want to the Murray St game last year, talked to his Mom.
I really like all the depth, everywhere!
Since 2015 have taken Family to a Jack game (either NDSU of USD). This year we’re going to 5 Sep game at Evanston. Thanks again…..