Sights and Sounds of Baylor's Spring Game
Here are some quick observations of the 2022 Baylor Spring Game
Practice Observations: 3/29
I'm not going to wax poetic on what I observed in the 15-20 minutes of pre-practice yesterday, but several things did stand out to me during that period. I spent much of my time with OL/DL/JACK and then used the rest of the time with STAR and FS. You can tell the amount of time Vic and staff are pouring into the playersThe team is bigger in bodies and size. Just a better roster for this Spring run and into the Fall compared to the last two years with 3 deep across all positionsMose Jeffery seems to be taking the 1st string guard opening as he led warmups and took reps with 1st teamMicah Mazzccua looks like he's back up Mose and this will be a battle to watchThe other OL piece I noticed, outside of new technique was Grant Miller runing smoe 1st team at CThe new techniques looked to be an added jab step for power blocking and a leverage technique Mateos was executing himself to teach the players what he wantedI asked David Kaye how accurate the weights were for the players and he said the staff doesn't care what they weigh in the Spring on paper. I joked that we'll take the brunt of that info not being right for him on the message boards. He's still handling Football and Basketball SID gigs, which used to be two people, so if you see him, tell him thanks for te hard work he does.Galvin looks like you'd expect.Tate Williams wasn't out there, but have heard not to worryHave heard Williams is still off on pass protection, but he's got a year more to learnOk, let's talk Jackie Marshall. There is no way, no way he's 235. His legs are bigger than Gabe Hall and he's pushing 270+ and fluid. During a pass tip drill he just plucked the ball out of the air for an INT instead of batting it away. I'm not sure he gets on the field in front of Randolph, Obi, or Anyanwu to start, but he's going to be trouble late in games if an opponent thinks there will be a dropoff.Anthony Anyanwu looks great as well and recovered from the broken leg last year right before the season. He was the starter before the injury, so that tells you his potential. He's a solid 250ish and the explosion is thereJordan Jenkins just looks different than the other backs and that takes nothing away from Taye McWilliams or Josh Fleeks, but the thud from the blocking pad hitting him is like hearing Bo Jackson hit a baseball and Dickie ThonMcWilliams looks good and is running 1st reps and has more home run hitting ability than Jenkins from a speed standpoint, but late in a game is where Jenkins is going to demoralize defenses just dragging them for yards. Fleeks and Squirrel are great changes of pace and the speed jumps a little when each gets the ballGetting both in space will be something the new offensive sets utilizes or from what I could observe as each ran some quick curl routes for the QBsDevin Neal looks good as did Devin Lemear STAR is loaded with Christian Morgan, Romario Noel Lorando Johnson, Jr. out there with physicalityCoach Aranda has a notebook/notepad he carries around with him taking notes of position groups. Not sure if he's curing cancer on that notepad or just jotting down quick notes to review later, but it was something new compared to last year.
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Practice Notes: The Strength Of The Defense?
I know Ashley and Colt have their notes coming as well, but I had a surprising note come to me. It was about the secondary being the strength of practice so far. There could be some negative stances on this, but there are also sources saying the WRs have stepped it up during practice and Tyquan Thornton is standing out with his new size and strength on display. RJ Sneed remains reliable and makes every catch, but all are being blanketed by the secondary and the instruction of Kevin Curtis. Brian Stewart raised the bar and Curtis has run with it. The attention to watching film in the DB room is among the best on the team and it is paying off. The CBs are able to keep their heads inside during an outside press with their speed.Raleigh Texada continues to be leader at CB and best on the field. Kalon Barnes has a little more height, but is still in his progression as a CB. He has the physical tools, but he can get his feet flipped at times on breaks, which leads to open receivers where he has to rely on athleticism to make the play. Chateau Reed is the surprise as he continues to do things he shouldn't be able to do at his size and youth. Extreme athlete is what one person told me. AJ McCarty is still growing into the position, but will see time on the field early in the season to get ready for conference play. He as the speed and strength, but needs to trust technique. Alfahiym Walcott is another big CB moved from safety that is pushing Barnes and will see the field matched up on outside big WRs. Byron Hanspard and Brandon White are the two running 3rd now. White continues to move from CB and S and back after his injury. Mark Milton continues to improve as well and could slide to safety in an emergency. Zeke Brown, now on scholarship, isn't going to hurt you.Christian Morgan is up to 215 and ready for a breakout. Physicality has never been an issue and his athleticism is still there at this weight. JT Woods is also close to 200 and his length is allowing him to get to balls and make it more difficult for QBs to go over him. Mike Harris continues to improve and gain strength. Jairon McVea is solid and better in his new role and understands the entire secondary. Devin Neal is backing up Morgan and able to step in as a starter in 2022. Neal is not afraid of contact and improving in coverage and understanding of the defese. Walk-on Colby Delashaw returns from an ACL injury this season and has added good weight. He likely would have played last year before the injury on the final play in 2020 fall camp. Don't be surprised if he gets on the field against Texas State and Texas Southern besides special teams. Jalen Pitre, Lorando Johnson, Jr., and Devin Lemear are all going to make an impact, but I see them as more LB than S, but each has coverage skills and the ability to stop a TE or slot and as Mims from OU found out, don't think it'll be easy for you on a slip screen.Tevin Williams, Cisco Caston, Romario Noel, are built like Reed, Walcott, and Woods, and as athletic.