ADVERTISEMENT

spring practice report: Thursday, April 11

Guerry Smith

Moderator
Moderator
Jun 20, 2001
14,240
1,211
113
I was too busy yesterday to post this, but here is the report from the last practice before the spring game.

When I got there, they were working on kickoff returns. The drill was not live, but they were lining up and getting into their blocking formation to make sure everyone knew what his blocking role was and where he was supposed to funnel the kickoff coverage guys to create a seam. The primary kick returners were Jalen McCleskey and Amare Jones, with Stephon Huderson the third guy.

In the forrmation, Willie Langham, P.J. Hall, Larry Brooks, Will Harper, Tirise Barge and Larry Bryant were on the front line, Tyrick James and DeAndre Williams behind them, Patrick Johnson next and Huderson serving as an upback if the kick were a little short, with either McCleskey or Jones standing at the goal line. They did not actually field the kicks because this was a drill for the blocking formation. Randy Harvey kicked one deep into the en d zone, and Merek Glover reached the end zone, too. Sterling Stockwell's attempt landed at the 2. Willie Fritz ran the drill, paying meticulous intention to detail as he instructed various guys who they were supposed to block and what yard line they were supposed to engage them.

I was not at every spring practice and rarely saw the first hour, but I did not see a single fight. The closest moment came Thursday when freshman Dorian Williams shoved Corey Dublin after getting knocked to the ground. They had words for a second, and that was the end of it.

When they went to a receiving drill, they had a few too many drops. Darius Bradwell dropped a swing pass from Justin McMillan that was slightly behind him, and Tyrick James dropped a pass from McMillan that was slightly high. McMillan threw a nice pass to Darnell Mooney on a quick out before misfiring deep to Mooney in double coverage on a pass that never had a chance. Tulane's passing game still is not crisp, although the backs clearly are going to be heavily involved for the first time in ages and can do damage when they get the ball in space.

Redshirt senior Keyshawn McLeod, the only fifth-year senior on the roster who came in as a freshman, did not practice with an injury and was replaced by walk-on Timothy Shafter on the second-team line. The 11-on-11 work featured a heavy does of runs, which are hard to judge in no-tackling drills, and particularly a heavy does of Cam Carroll, who figures to be the feature back tomorrow in the spring game as the coaches watch what he can do in a live drill.

Here is the depth chart I have gleaned from watching all of spring practice. Some of the battles are closer than others, but they generally have lined up this way when healthy:

QB

1) McMillan
2) Keon Howard
3) Christian Daniels

RB

1) Bradwell
2) Corey Dauphine
3) Jones
4) Huderson
5) Cameron Carroll

WR

1) Mooney, Jaetavian Toles and McCleskey

2) Jorien Vallien, Dane Ledford and Ygenio Booker (also Ryan Thompson)

TE

1) Will Wallace
2) James

LT

1) Tyler Johnson
2) Michael Remondet

LG

1) Dublin
2) Ben Bratcher

C

1) Christian Montano
2) Stephen Lewerenz

RG

1) Cameron Jackel
2) Nik Hogan

RT

1) Joey Claybrook
2) Keyshawn McLeod

DE

1) Cam Sample
2) Davon Wright

DT

1) DeAndre Williams
2) Alfred Thomas

NT

1) Jeffery Johnson
2) Jamiran James

OLB

1) Patrick Johnson
2) Carlos Hatcher
3) Juan Monjarres

ILB

1) Lawrence Graham and Marvin Moody
2) Nick Anderson and Dorian Williams/ Quentin Brown

NB

1) Tirise Barge
2) Will Harper
3) Larry Bryant
4) KJ Vault

CB

1) Willie Langham and Thakarius Keyes
2) Chris Joyce and Jaylon Monroe

SS

1) Macon Clark
2) Chase Kuerschen (Fritz says he would be first team if healthy)
3) Sean Harper

FS

1) P.J. Hall
2) Larry Brooks
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT

Go Big.
Get Premium.

Join Rivals to access this premium section.

  • Say your piece in exclusive fan communities.
  • Unlock Premium news from the largest network of experts.
  • Dominate with stats, athlete data, Rivals250 rankings, and more.
Log in or subscribe today Go Back