Im going to write a general feature and a story about the linebackers based on what I got today, but here are an assortments of notes from today's two-hour session:
- Paddy Fisher had a great spring. He was very active today and made several plays. He comes downhill quickly and really delivers heavy hits -- the kind that knock the runner backward. Randy Bates and Pat Fitzgerald wouldn't divulge anything, but one sideline source told me that he thinks that Fisher probably has the edge over Nathan Fox for the starting job. Bates said that Fisher is "far ahead" of where he though he would be, and Fox also said that Fisher is "way ahead" of where he was as a freshman. We might have another star LB to fill Anthony Walker's very large shoes. Both Fox and Fisher will play, but Fisher may be the No. 1 at MLB -- if not for the opener, then eventually.
- Fox looks good, too. He is now at 235, 15 pounds less than he was in the fall. He looked quicker to me. All the linebackers out there played all three positions. They switched off a lot, but the first unit was often Brett Walsh, Fisher or Fox and Warren Long or Jango Glackin. Nate Hall was out but Fitz called it precautionary and said he would've played if it were a game. Long has exceeded Bates' expectations, too, and has picked up the position quickly. Bates is impressed with his speed. I doubt he'll start, but he'll be a contributor.
- Gunnar Vogel looks to have the edge on that fifth OL spot. He was taking reps with the 1s today at right tackle and he looks good: long, lean and athletic. From right to left, the starters were Vogel, Tommy Doles, Brad North, JB Butler and Blake Hance. Trey Klock will arrive in the fall, too. Fitz admitted that he doesn't have the competitive depth he'd like in the OL yet but they've made strides and are ahead of where they were last fall. "Well go as far as they take us," he said.
- Riley Lees had a good day. I saw him blow right past Kyle Queiro during 1-on-1 drills, and he also turned a 15-yard crossing route into a 70-yard touchdown when he turned the corner and outran Jared McGee to the end zone on a pass from TJ Green.
- Fisher's teammate from Katy (Texas), safety Travis Whillock, has also opened eyes this spring. Expect him to make an impact this fall. He's another guy that looks the part: he's big and can run.
- Jordan Thompson is going to be a beast this year. I think that he and Tyler Lancaster are going to be a lot to handle in the middle for opposing OLs. Thompson really gets off the ball well and is a disruptive force. He had a pick off of a deflected pass in the scrimmage, and he stiff armed a tackler to the ground. He wanted to get to that end zone BAD but fell about 10 yards short.
- Charlie Fessler made a really nice catch of a knuckleball from Aidan Smith. The ball was way off target and Fessler made a great adjustment off his break and came up with a diving catch. He's been hampered by a minor injury all spring, so this was one of his first days at full-go. He was wearing a knee brace in his left leg.
- Smith looks to be a capable No. 3. He showed good command out there and did a good job leading the offense in two-minute drills. He was late on a couple throws (which is expected for a young QB) but showed pretty good arm strength. He had a couple nice completions over the middle when he threw the ball into tight windows.
- Jeremy Larkin impressed me today. He's a really smooth glider. He caught a swing pass and juked a LB out of his cleats with the slightest hesitation and cut. I don't know how many reps he'll get in a crowded backfield, but the future looks to be in good hands. Both Larkin and Jesse Brown got quite a few reps as both John Moten and Auston Anderson were sidelined.
- There were a lot of guys watching from the sideline today, including Godwin Igwebuike and Rod Campbell, but I was told that Trae Williams is the only injury that will carry over into the fall. He's out until at least October, and with a torn Achilles, I doubt he'll contribute this year. Alonzo Mayo will have to step up; Fitz has been impressed with Zo, who just needs to stay healthy.
- I had a long conversation with Andrew Marty on the sideline. The 2017 signees had physicals yesterday and he came in at 6-3, 220! He's put on 20 pounds since the fall and says he's faster. I also talked to Kyric McGowan, Jace James and Greg Newsome. There were also tons of former players there. Unfortunately, I didn't see 2018 targets Jeremiah McDonald or Ethan Bonner, but I know they were there.
- My thumbs are getting tired -- I'm typing this into my phone -- so that's it. Let me know if you have any questions.
- Paddy Fisher had a great spring. He was very active today and made several plays. He comes downhill quickly and really delivers heavy hits -- the kind that knock the runner backward. Randy Bates and Pat Fitzgerald wouldn't divulge anything, but one sideline source told me that he thinks that Fisher probably has the edge over Nathan Fox for the starting job. Bates said that Fisher is "far ahead" of where he though he would be, and Fox also said that Fisher is "way ahead" of where he was as a freshman. We might have another star LB to fill Anthony Walker's very large shoes. Both Fox and Fisher will play, but Fisher may be the No. 1 at MLB -- if not for the opener, then eventually.
- Fox looks good, too. He is now at 235, 15 pounds less than he was in the fall. He looked quicker to me. All the linebackers out there played all three positions. They switched off a lot, but the first unit was often Brett Walsh, Fisher or Fox and Warren Long or Jango Glackin. Nate Hall was out but Fitz called it precautionary and said he would've played if it were a game. Long has exceeded Bates' expectations, too, and has picked up the position quickly. Bates is impressed with his speed. I doubt he'll start, but he'll be a contributor.
- Gunnar Vogel looks to have the edge on that fifth OL spot. He was taking reps with the 1s today at right tackle and he looks good: long, lean and athletic. From right to left, the starters were Vogel, Tommy Doles, Brad North, JB Butler and Blake Hance. Trey Klock will arrive in the fall, too. Fitz admitted that he doesn't have the competitive depth he'd like in the OL yet but they've made strides and are ahead of where they were last fall. "Well go as far as they take us," he said.
- Riley Lees had a good day. I saw him blow right past Kyle Queiro during 1-on-1 drills, and he also turned a 15-yard crossing route into a 70-yard touchdown when he turned the corner and outran Jared McGee to the end zone on a pass from TJ Green.
- Fisher's teammate from Katy (Texas), safety Travis Whillock, has also opened eyes this spring. Expect him to make an impact this fall. He's another guy that looks the part: he's big and can run.
- Jordan Thompson is going to be a beast this year. I think that he and Tyler Lancaster are going to be a lot to handle in the middle for opposing OLs. Thompson really gets off the ball well and is a disruptive force. He had a pick off of a deflected pass in the scrimmage, and he stiff armed a tackler to the ground. He wanted to get to that end zone BAD but fell about 10 yards short.
- Charlie Fessler made a really nice catch of a knuckleball from Aidan Smith. The ball was way off target and Fessler made a great adjustment off his break and came up with a diving catch. He's been hampered by a minor injury all spring, so this was one of his first days at full-go. He was wearing a knee brace in his left leg.
- Smith looks to be a capable No. 3. He showed good command out there and did a good job leading the offense in two-minute drills. He was late on a couple throws (which is expected for a young QB) but showed pretty good arm strength. He had a couple nice completions over the middle when he threw the ball into tight windows.
- Jeremy Larkin impressed me today. He's a really smooth glider. He caught a swing pass and juked a LB out of his cleats with the slightest hesitation and cut. I don't know how many reps he'll get in a crowded backfield, but the future looks to be in good hands. Both Larkin and Jesse Brown got quite a few reps as both John Moten and Auston Anderson were sidelined.
- There were a lot of guys watching from the sideline today, including Godwin Igwebuike and Rod Campbell, but I was told that Trae Williams is the only injury that will carry over into the fall. He's out until at least October, and with a torn Achilles, I doubt he'll contribute this year. Alonzo Mayo will have to step up; Fitz has been impressed with Zo, who just needs to stay healthy.
- I had a long conversation with Andrew Marty on the sideline. The 2017 signees had physicals yesterday and he came in at 6-3, 220! He's put on 20 pounds since the fall and says he's faster. I also talked to Kyric McGowan, Jace James and Greg Newsome. There were also tons of former players there. Unfortunately, I didn't see 2018 targets Jeremiah McDonald or Ethan Bonner, but I know they were there.
- My thumbs are getting tired -- I'm typing this into my phone -- so that's it. Let me know if you have any questions.
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