Saturday's sixth practice of the Spring football featured the first true scrimmage for the team. Perfect football weather featured a session where no one side of the ball dominated the other.
Offensive Two Deep:
First Group:
LT Colby Garvin
LG Sean Na’a
C Keona Peat
RG Kyle Scott
RT Emmit Bohle
QB Trenton Bourguet
RB Kyson Brown/Raleek Brown
SLOT: Melquan Stovall
WR Jake Smith
WR Derek Eusebio
TE Marketson Douglas/Bryce Pierre
Second group:
LT: Jalen Klemm
LG: Ben Coleman
C: Leif Fautanu
RG: Makua Pule
RT: Max Iheanachor
QB Sam Leavitt
RB Cam Skattebo/George Hart III
WR Troy Omeire
SLOT: Kaleb Black
WR Jordyn Tyson
TE Bryce Pierre/Coleson Arends
Quarterbacks:
As it stands at the end of the second week of spring practice, there has not been a defining moment or tremendous leap for either Sam Leavitt or Trenton Bourguet in who will be the one to effectively take on Jaden Rashada come fall camp. Either way, both quarterbacks continue to show flashes in their own way, especially in a long session scrimmage like today.
For Bourguet, the day did not get off to the greatest start. As the team bypassed the usual special team and ball security segments, the team segment welcomed Bourguet with an interception made by defensive back Javan Robinson.
It was Bourguet’s later drive in practice that set the standard though, as he found Melquan found Stovall twice, once a nice dart over the middle for a first down, and another on the right sideline on a fourth down conversion.
Bourguet continued in managing the offense effectively finding Jake Smith over the middle similar to finding Max Ware on the same route on another drive. Bourguet’s day was highlighted by on two drives with fade balls in the end zone completed to Derek Eusebio. The only other fault for Bourguet was a fumbled snap that ended up in the hands of the defense.
In Leavitt's case, his arm strength is the main differential as the connection to Jordyn Tyson as on full display today as balls were rifled over the middle for multiple completions. It was similarly the case when Leavitt looked to Troy Omeire on shorter routes.
Much like Bourguet, after not doing much of anything on the opening team-segment drive, Leavitt came back on the second drive and commanded the offense with the help of Cam Skattebo to find Tyson in the endzone. Things slowed down for Leavitt after that, showing his great footwork in a scramble on the last drive of practice.
The fault for Leavitt as well came when a ball was hit at the line after release, eventually getting intercepted by defensive lineman Justin Wodtly and returned for a score. Leavitt nonetheless still had a very productive day on the completion end, but a few drives just stalled, simply put.
Offensive Line:
It seems as if the offensive line is coming to a somewhat solidified group in some spots. As the groups are still very mismatched from seeing a true two-deep, names like Leif Fautanu, Ben Coleman, Sean Na’a, Jalen Klemm, and Makua Pule seem to be holding their own in their respective groups. Since Josh Atkins didn’t take part in the scrimmage, that opened the door for Garvin to get more reps.
Na’a said in an interview with DevilsDigest last week that offensive line coach Saga Tuitele has pushed the players to play and fit in different positions to further the development and jive between the positions. That took place today as on some drives, Na’a himself was spotted playing some center.
As a collective group, Saturday marked another good day for the run game as Cam Skattebo, Kyson Brown, and Raleek Brown all found success on the ground, especially Raleek Brown, who had the longest run out of the three for a 40-yard score. The offensive line had their best week of practices, especially in run blocking, as the elevated depth of the group seems to be already paying dividends. Nonetheless, there were some shaky snaps in pass protection as Leavitt and Bourguet were both sacked today multiple times.
Running Backs:
As mentioned earlier, this week's run game was formidable in its performance. Cam Skattebo was about as consistent as it gets today getting about five yards per carry every time he touched the football if the play was not blown up.
Complementary to Skattebo, though, Raleek Brown continued to show his muscle running consistently today between the tackles and showing some shiftiness out of the backfield on a fourth-down conversion. The highlight of the day came from Raleek Brown busting a 40-yard run for a touchdown that capped off a Leavitt drive at the end of practice stamping today with an offensive step in the right direction.
Kyson Brown, on the other hand, has also been very consistent, like Skattebo, gaining yardage when he can. For Kyson, it is the increase in playtime that shows the testament of his abilities brought to the running back group. Kyson has had his fair share of explosive plays this week, but today, he is just proving his position amongst the group.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
The running game has been the talk of practice this week, but let that not take away from the consistency the receivers have brought this week. The pinnacle of consistency this week and throughout the camp is Melquan Stovall.
Stovall again today had crucial catches on fourth downs. He has been targeted a lot as he consistently gets open in the short passing game. Stovall has in essence become the reliable slot player crucial to a receiving core.
Jordyn Tyson also continues to prove his worth coming back from injury last season into the spring, having a touchdown today, essentially snatching the ball from a defender. The Tyson-Leavitt connection mentioned earlier seems to be one blossoming as Tyson is proving more and more to be the quality addition many thought he would be coming over from Colorado.
As mentioned Thursday, the ones benefiting the most from the temporary absence of Xavier Guillory and Elijhah Badger are the younger receivers. Eusebio’s touchdowns today, even at his 5’ 9” frame, can change things up the depth chart-wise while, again, just sharpening the latter end of the position groups.
As for the tight ends, the group was relatively quiet today with minimal completions, one observed by Cameron Harpole. It will be interesting to see how the group and usage develop, but as of now, the run blocking looks to possibly be the emphasis early, and much like the front five, the unit has been generally formidable in that department.
Offensive Two Deep:
First Group:
LT Colby Garvin
LG Sean Na’a
C Keona Peat
RG Kyle Scott
RT Emmit Bohle
QB Trenton Bourguet
RB Kyson Brown/Raleek Brown
SLOT: Melquan Stovall
WR Jake Smith
WR Derek Eusebio
TE Marketson Douglas/Bryce Pierre
Second group:
LT: Jalen Klemm
LG: Ben Coleman
C: Leif Fautanu
RG: Makua Pule
RT: Max Iheanachor
QB Sam Leavitt
RB Cam Skattebo/George Hart III
WR Troy Omeire
SLOT: Kaleb Black
WR Jordyn Tyson
TE Bryce Pierre/Coleson Arends
Quarterbacks:
As it stands at the end of the second week of spring practice, there has not been a defining moment or tremendous leap for either Sam Leavitt or Trenton Bourguet in who will be the one to effectively take on Jaden Rashada come fall camp. Either way, both quarterbacks continue to show flashes in their own way, especially in a long session scrimmage like today.
For Bourguet, the day did not get off to the greatest start. As the team bypassed the usual special team and ball security segments, the team segment welcomed Bourguet with an interception made by defensive back Javan Robinson.
It was Bourguet’s later drive in practice that set the standard though, as he found Melquan found Stovall twice, once a nice dart over the middle for a first down, and another on the right sideline on a fourth down conversion.
Bourguet continued in managing the offense effectively finding Jake Smith over the middle similar to finding Max Ware on the same route on another drive. Bourguet’s day was highlighted by on two drives with fade balls in the end zone completed to Derek Eusebio. The only other fault for Bourguet was a fumbled snap that ended up in the hands of the defense.
In Leavitt's case, his arm strength is the main differential as the connection to Jordyn Tyson as on full display today as balls were rifled over the middle for multiple completions. It was similarly the case when Leavitt looked to Troy Omeire on shorter routes.
Much like Bourguet, after not doing much of anything on the opening team-segment drive, Leavitt came back on the second drive and commanded the offense with the help of Cam Skattebo to find Tyson in the endzone. Things slowed down for Leavitt after that, showing his great footwork in a scramble on the last drive of practice.
The fault for Leavitt as well came when a ball was hit at the line after release, eventually getting intercepted by defensive lineman Justin Wodtly and returned for a score. Leavitt nonetheless still had a very productive day on the completion end, but a few drives just stalled, simply put.
Offensive Line:
It seems as if the offensive line is coming to a somewhat solidified group in some spots. As the groups are still very mismatched from seeing a true two-deep, names like Leif Fautanu, Ben Coleman, Sean Na’a, Jalen Klemm, and Makua Pule seem to be holding their own in their respective groups. Since Josh Atkins didn’t take part in the scrimmage, that opened the door for Garvin to get more reps.
Na’a said in an interview with DevilsDigest last week that offensive line coach Saga Tuitele has pushed the players to play and fit in different positions to further the development and jive between the positions. That took place today as on some drives, Na’a himself was spotted playing some center.
As a collective group, Saturday marked another good day for the run game as Cam Skattebo, Kyson Brown, and Raleek Brown all found success on the ground, especially Raleek Brown, who had the longest run out of the three for a 40-yard score. The offensive line had their best week of practices, especially in run blocking, as the elevated depth of the group seems to be already paying dividends. Nonetheless, there were some shaky snaps in pass protection as Leavitt and Bourguet were both sacked today multiple times.
Running Backs:
As mentioned earlier, this week's run game was formidable in its performance. Cam Skattebo was about as consistent as it gets today getting about five yards per carry every time he touched the football if the play was not blown up.
Complementary to Skattebo, though, Raleek Brown continued to show his muscle running consistently today between the tackles and showing some shiftiness out of the backfield on a fourth-down conversion. The highlight of the day came from Raleek Brown busting a 40-yard run for a touchdown that capped off a Leavitt drive at the end of practice stamping today with an offensive step in the right direction.
Kyson Brown, on the other hand, has also been very consistent, like Skattebo, gaining yardage when he can. For Kyson, it is the increase in playtime that shows the testament of his abilities brought to the running back group. Kyson has had his fair share of explosive plays this week, but today, he is just proving his position amongst the group.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
The running game has been the talk of practice this week, but let that not take away from the consistency the receivers have brought this week. The pinnacle of consistency this week and throughout the camp is Melquan Stovall.
Stovall again today had crucial catches on fourth downs. He has been targeted a lot as he consistently gets open in the short passing game. Stovall has in essence become the reliable slot player crucial to a receiving core.
Jordyn Tyson also continues to prove his worth coming back from injury last season into the spring, having a touchdown today, essentially snatching the ball from a defender. The Tyson-Leavitt connection mentioned earlier seems to be one blossoming as Tyson is proving more and more to be the quality addition many thought he would be coming over from Colorado.
As mentioned Thursday, the ones benefiting the most from the temporary absence of Xavier Guillory and Elijhah Badger are the younger receivers. Eusebio’s touchdowns today, even at his 5’ 9” frame, can change things up the depth chart-wise while, again, just sharpening the latter end of the position groups.
As for the tight ends, the group was relatively quiet today with minimal completions, one observed by Cameron Harpole. It will be interesting to see how the group and usage develop, but as of now, the run blocking looks to possibly be the emphasis early, and much like the front five, the unit has been generally formidable in that department.
