Second Summer Scrimmage Update

[mat1992]

There was a scrimmage on Friday afternoon so I was able to catch most of it. I also caught a rare Carlos Davis pick. I think that was the first time I've seen him turn the ball over in five or six practices going back to the spring. While he did force the ball into coverage, it took a spectacular leaping catch from freshman safety Jasin Shiggs to make the pick.

Shiggs was playing with the ones and juco transfer safety Kaden White was with the 2s. That doesn't mean that Shiggs will get the start because they do a lot of experimenting early in the scrimmages. But a play like that doesn't hurt his chances.

Despite the pick, Davis should still be a lock for the starting job. I missed the early part of the scrimmage (probably first 15 minutes, was told it was 4:30 and likely started close to 4pm). Davis drove the team down the field which ended in a pass to Zay Perkins for the TD.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1824577347854438443

The quarterback I was most impressed with was Sean Brown. Though he really directed the second-team offense well. Threw some darts and tough passes against pretty good coverage. 

As for injuries, Carter Runyon was held out. No boot or crutches. Look very close and probably could have played. No reason to have him play in a meaningless scrimmage and risk re-injury. Dion Crews-Harris was also out with what appears to be a minor injury that requires treatment and rest. Though the defense struggled early in coverage when the offensive went 4 and even 5-wide. That may happen with so many new guys in the secondary. The defense came on later in the scrimmage because they were sending pressure from anywhere. A couple of guys, other than Shiggs, I was impressed with. Rodney Roane (6-2, 225), who wore 33 last season and is now 11, had four sacks and  7 tackles for loss. With Wagner transfer John Gioia in the middle, they have a strong group there with senior Daniel Raymond in the mix or rotation. Thought Rutkowski looked better as an outside linebacker.

The D-line, without Crews-Harris is still pretty strong. One true freshman moving up the ladder appeared to be No. 99 Aaron Clark (6-0, 300). Another nose guard but he looks athletic enough to play some defensive tackle. He was all over the place. R-freshman Shamir Boyd (6-2, 295) is also coming on as well as No. 50 r-freshman Rion Roseborough (6-2, 315) and true freshman JR Stegal (6-3, 295).

The secondary still concerns me. Getting pass rush pressure is crucial for any success. I do like Myles Brodie and his 6-2 frame. I think they desperately need an experienced safety. I see that Xavier Terry (5-10, 190) was out there and started every game last season with 75 tackles. Even though they have more speed with freshmen and transfers, I think having an experienced safety at least to start the season is huge. I do like Kam Snell (5-11, 195), who I can see playing more that third safety/bandit role if Shiggs or Kaden White are at free safety. But at corner, it still appears to be Shafeek Smith and Myles Brodie with a handful of freshmen and transfers behind them.

Offensively, I got to see more of freshman Kahseim Phillips and it's going to be fun next season watching him, Ike Daniels and Trey Engram. Right now, Devin Matthews, Chris Watkins, and Tyrell Greene are the top three backs though it's not by a large margin. Phillips (5-8, 170) has the quickness and suddenness you would expect out of smaller back. He was also hit pretty hard but got back up. 

Good to see redshirt junior Sam Reynolds out there after missing last season due to health issues. He was back out there catching a pass from the slot. At 5-8, 185, he has that compact build and speed as a slot/inside receiver. Also saw the potential of Jaceon Doss, the transfer from Fresno State. If they run a ton of 4 and 5 wide, they'll need to play 6-7 receivers.

Saw 

[mat1992]

Q&A from Coach Pete

https://towsontigers.com/news/2024/8/17/football-camp-update-2-two-weeks-to-go.aspx