Well, I was there for the media availability, anyway. I only saw the tail end of practice.
I watched the offense run through several plays. A few observations about the QBs:
- Clayton Thorson was wearing headphones and signaling plays in from the sideline. He wasn’t wearing any brace that I could see.
- Andrew Marty is the QB that “looks the part.” He’s big, well built and just looks like a college QB. I only saw him hand it off, though.
- Aidan Smith can spin it. He threw a couple darts, but on crosses. I didn’t see anyone make long throws.
- Trent Green really has to wind up and let it rip to make throws. I saw him on a rollout, and you could see he really had to set himself and generate a big follow through to get the ball where it had to go. The throw was a good one, though. From what I hear, he has good command of the offense. I just don’t know if he has the arm talent.
- It was good to see Solomon Vault out there. He wasn’t targeted or anything, but he’ll be a big addition as a returner this season.
- I got some great stuff from Coach Mac about making the transition from RB to DB coach. It sounds like his veterans, McGee and Hartage, are teaching him as much as he is teaching them. It’s a lot of give and take in the meeting room and Mac is open about getting their input. His goal for the secondary is to cut down on the explosion plays that cost them so dearly last season. Mac is sporting a beard but says that it will be gone soon.
- I also talked to Hartage, who feels he has to step up and be a leader this season and just make more plays, period. He wants to be the best CB on the field and prove it every play. He was very open about it and doesn’t lack for confidence. He’s one of those soft-spoken kids that seems humble and confident at the same time. Good temperament for a corner.
- NU lost its two starting safeties and both McGee and Pace, the presumptive starters, are out this spring. So Whillock and Bryce Jackson have been getting reps with the 1s and Mac is happy with their progress. He’s also been impressed by early enrollee Jeremiah McDonald, who has been able to keep up, even though, “he would normally be getting ready for prom right now.”
- Hartage had good things to say about freshman Greg Newsome too. He called him “a cool customer” and so far hasn’t been overwhelmed.
I’m going back to Nicolet at 1 pm to talk to Fitz and I may stay for a little while to watch the NU guys go through pro day.
I watched the offense run through several plays. A few observations about the QBs:
- Clayton Thorson was wearing headphones and signaling plays in from the sideline. He wasn’t wearing any brace that I could see.
- Andrew Marty is the QB that “looks the part.” He’s big, well built and just looks like a college QB. I only saw him hand it off, though.
- Aidan Smith can spin it. He threw a couple darts, but on crosses. I didn’t see anyone make long throws.
- Trent Green really has to wind up and let it rip to make throws. I saw him on a rollout, and you could see he really had to set himself and generate a big follow through to get the ball where it had to go. The throw was a good one, though. From what I hear, he has good command of the offense. I just don’t know if he has the arm talent.
- It was good to see Solomon Vault out there. He wasn’t targeted or anything, but he’ll be a big addition as a returner this season.
- I got some great stuff from Coach Mac about making the transition from RB to DB coach. It sounds like his veterans, McGee and Hartage, are teaching him as much as he is teaching them. It’s a lot of give and take in the meeting room and Mac is open about getting their input. His goal for the secondary is to cut down on the explosion plays that cost them so dearly last season. Mac is sporting a beard but says that it will be gone soon.
- I also talked to Hartage, who feels he has to step up and be a leader this season and just make more plays, period. He wants to be the best CB on the field and prove it every play. He was very open about it and doesn’t lack for confidence. He’s one of those soft-spoken kids that seems humble and confident at the same time. Good temperament for a corner.
- NU lost its two starting safeties and both McGee and Pace, the presumptive starters, are out this spring. So Whillock and Bryce Jackson have been getting reps with the 1s and Mac is happy with their progress. He’s also been impressed by early enrollee Jeremiah McDonald, who has been able to keep up, even though, “he would normally be getting ready for prom right now.”
- Hartage had good things to say about freshman Greg Newsome too. He called him “a cool customer” and so far hasn’t been overwhelmed.
I’m going back to Nicolet at 1 pm to talk to Fitz and I may stay for a little while to watch the NU guys go through pro day.
