Spring Game

[318tailgater]

Let’s hear it. Thoughts?

[Reality Check]

I didn't go, however from what has been reported, the defense looks dominate. It seems we have a few playmakers on offense. Newman seems to be an interesting player for the upcoming season, but he won't start at QB, which seems to be very unsettled. The upper class man WR's and TE's on the roster didn't participate much. Not every RB participated, either. The kicking game seems solid, and our offensive line is our weak spot. I only say this because we rushed 39 times in the past two scrimmages for about 5 positive yards total. That's terrible. It also seems that we have moved a few players around. On defense, Rhone was a Safety and he was listed as a LB in one report, and Walters is a WR on the roster and he was listed as a CB in another article or on a video. Some of the upperclassmen on defense didn't practice a lot either, it seems. So, it looks like we took a long, hard look at the middle-to-bottom of the roster to see who can add depth. The starters were limited in some spots for whatever reason and we still have no idea who will be the starting QB. Sounds like they are somewhat pleased with the spring, but have a lot of work left to do, especially on the OL. I think we have a good starting 5, and a couple backups there, but depth and/or youth and/or inexperience will be a huge issue if they don't find some transfers. No effective OL equals no wins. This is just from glancing at media. I could be way off here.

[318tailgater]

Pretty spot on. I thought the defense looked great and not just because the offense has struggled. OL seems to be improving. I felt they gave time in pass protection and opened some holes in run block. QB……portal maybe? The freshman from Parkview maybe if the next level jump isn’t too big? I hate the QB by committee idea.

[Reality Check]

Hawkins needs to be a QB/WR. The guy who can run trick plays. Newman is already a TE/FB/WR. Both of these guys could wreak havoc. Cotton needs to be a WR only. He's a solid athlete. Graham needs game experience. He can go, but this isn't Cali-JUCO, so if we go with him, it will be rough for a bit. Once he figures it out, it could be fun. Fayard has it, but isn't ready. Parkview QB definitely is not ready. If we went portal for QB, it would need to be a grad transfer only.

[Reality Check]

I meant to say Newman is a FB/TE/QB.

[demon4life]

Newman was also elected as a team captain. I was at the game and he is a stud. I also like Fayard at QB. Big accurate arm. There was a different feeling out there. I can't describe it but I really like it. Coach McCorkle told me that when a player tells him that he is going in the portal, he tells the team that he quit on them. I love it.

Very good attendance at the crawfish boil and silent auction. We had a great time!

[Czech Mate]

Coach is right. The portal is where honor and commitment go to die in exchange for money. That said, let all players who don't want to be a part of this rebuild leave quickly and without any fanfare. Most everyone can be replaced.

[318tailgater]

Have we had anyone enter the spring portal since the Spring Game?

[Reality Check]

No idea on the portal, but a quick glance at the roster shows roughly 70 players with another 15 showing up this fall. That's 85 players. Seems we usually have around 100 on the roster, so if everything stays the same as the past, we can expect some additions be they walk-ons or transfers.

[seat16demon]

We usually have nearly 120 players including the scout team and redshirts. So, we are in a major deficit on the roster. The word I'm getting is that he will lean on high school recruits this summer. Lot's of PWO's and walk-ups. It's the way he'll fill a roster until he can get a year of recruiting under his belt. This year will be all about examining the young guys for leaders, identifying team culture, and building consensus among the players and coaches. Don't look for a huge turnaround in wins or stats on the field. The wins will come in the locker room and practice field in the aforementioned areas of internal growth. Go Demons!

[Czech Mate]

Not much else can be done if you want a new house. A house can't be built without a foundation. Foundations aren't pretty, either. This type of change must happen or the program won't survive.

[Texas Demon]

The next couple seasons probably won't be much fun. But they will be worth it if they lead to the sustained success that this program is capable of. I will believe to my grave that this can be at least a perennial FCS top 25 program. Maybe more than that.