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Spring Practice at A-State

Started by Seminole Indian, March 24, 2016, 12:25:55 pm

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Seminole Indian

March 24, 2016, 12:25:55 pm Last Edit: March 24, 2016, 03:40:49 pm by Seminole Indian
A-State got in five practices and one scrimmage prior to breaking for spring.

Several players that will be counted on to contribute next year are setting out for various reasons, but all are expected to be ready to go by fall.

The most closely watched position battle is the QB position, where last years #2, and heir apparent  James Tabary  (6-2, 209), is being challenged by Cameron Birse (6-2, 218), and former Oklahoma QB Justice Hansen (6-3, 215). Also in the mix is athletic redshirt D.J. Pearson (6-2, 190). who is trying to shake off the effects hip surgery.

As far as this year's influx of  high profile newcomers, it looks like all will contribute next year.

As noted former Oklahoma QB Justice Hansen is in the mix at QB, and former Alabama DL Dee Liner (6-2, 330), finds himself in the same position on the DL. Liner is benefiting from the absence of a couple of their returning players this spring.

TCU transfer Cameron Echols-Luper (5-11, 207) looks like the world class athlete he is, but they are still  trying to find a position for him. Probably will end up playing multiple positions.

Texas transfer Kendall Sanders (6-1, 186) is in school but not participating in spring practice Has looked good in workouts.

It was expected that the OL and DL would be the strength of their team next year, but the play this spring  of returning players Dijon Paschal (6-1, 211), Chris Murray (6-0, 180),and Blake Mack (6-3, 231), and touted newbie's Omar Bayless (6-2, 187), Darveon Brown(5-10, 175), and Justin McInnis (6-6, 200) might point to the receivers being the strongest unit.When Sanders joins them in the fall, they should be one of the fastest units in college football. Might be the fastest when Christian Booker arrives in the fall, especially when Echols-Luper (who was listed as the 3rd fastest player in college football while at TCU), lines up at A-Back or receiver.

That bodes well because their new OC  likes to pass the ball, and all their QB's appear to be above average when it comes to the passing game.

Other than  former Texas Tech signee Armond Weh Weh (5-11, 220) who is expected to compete for pt at RB , DaJon Emory (6-3, 255), who is expected to do the same at DE, Christian Booker (5-9, 168), a very fast WR, and maybe a punter, they appear to have the players they expect to contribute in 2016 in place, and focusing on getting better.


"In truth, knowledge is a great and very useful quality; those who despise it give evidence enough of their stupidity. Yet I do not set its value at that extreme measure that some attribute to it." - Michel de Montaigne

Seminole Indian

March 25, 2016, 08:32:16 am #1 Last Edit: March 25, 2016, 09:22:16 am by Seminole Indian
Some other young players, are showing they might contribute this year.

Lb,Tajhea Chambers (6-2, 215), and NB, Justin Clifton (6-0, 207) started games, and were outstanding as true freshmen last year before being injured, so they were expected to be contributors. The coaches have singled out Clifton's play this spring, and last fall predicted that Chambers ( who was absolutely outstanding against USC) could end-up being as good as any LB that has played there, and they have had some very good LB's at A-State.

Like transfer DL, Dee Liner, RS-FR DL, Javier Carbonell(6-2, 305) is taking advantage of the absence of a couple of front line DL's to try and impress the coaches. Like Liner he is adjusting from playing DE in HS to inside but the coaches ( like recruiting guru Richard Davenport noted on the recruiting site here after he observed him) have noticed that he has a high motor, so even though they have a lot of quality, and depth on the DL, he could see pt.

With a couple of starters setting out because of injuries, and another absent for personal reasons, RS-SO, Jamal Fontenot (6-4, 320), and former Razorback Isaac Davis's son, RS-FR, Cam Davis(6-4, 280) have been getting reps with the first team OL, so both should have a shot at making the 2-deep.

RS-FR, Kirk Louis (6-2, 230) has also looked good and should see pt at LB next year.

To cut to the chase, what is obvious to everyone that has watched this team this spring is that this is without a doubt the most talented of the recent run of decent A-State teams. More size, speed, depth, and talent, so another successful season is definitely a possibility, and probably should be expected.

Unlike the first two years, where they were cautiously optimistic, their coaches do not hesitate to let it be known that they think they have the makings of something special, so 2016 should be another fun one for Redwolf fans.
"In truth, knowledge is a great and very useful quality; those who despise it give evidence enough of their stupidity. Yet I do not set its value at that extreme measure that some attribute to it." - Michel de Montaigne

 

Seminole Indian

April 09, 2016, 07:34:34 am #2 Last Edit: April 09, 2016, 08:14:50 am by Seminole Indian
The QB race is now a three man race between Tabary, Brice and Hansen.

Not sure who is ahead, and apparently it is close, but when asked after every scrimmage who looked the best, former Oklahoma QB Justice Hansen has been the player mentioned first by their coaches.

Fans who have watched them practice, and scrimmage have also singled him out as impressing them the most. All say it is his overall athleticism, and ability to create plays running the ball that separates him from the others, but all the QB's look good, and all are above average in the passing game. That bodes well because A-State may have the best group of receivers in G5, and among the best in FBS this fall.
"In truth, knowledge is a great and very useful quality; those who despise it give evidence enough of their stupidity. Yet I do not set its value at that extreme measure that some attribute to it." - Michel de Montaigne

Seminole Indian

April 12, 2016, 07:59:07 am #3 Last Edit: April 12, 2016, 08:48:13 am by Seminole Indian
A-State holds it's spring game this Friday at 6:00pm in Centennial Bank Stadium.

Listening  to their coaches on the radio, it appears that not getting anyone hurt, and trying to settle on who the top two QB's are the primary goal's for the rest of the spring.

Some takeaways:

Having only eight OL has hurt this spring.

Again singled out Justice Hansen as impressing at QB, but no great separation at the position. All are good, and have the talent to take advantage of the talent they have at WR.

Said that this will be the fastest team they have had, and probably the fastest A-State has had in recent history (most observers say ever, and it is not even close).

Receivers ( WR's, TE's, AB's) are 'dynamic', and will add a couple more just as dynamic this fall.

Defense has talent, speed, and depth (although they still seem to be tinkering with adding more depth at the corners), allowing them to work some starting players from last year at different positions.

Kicking game appears to be solid.

While they all say there is a lot of work to do, and the summer workouts are critical,  the A-State coaches are making it very clear they think they have the makings of a very good team in 2016.





"In truth, knowledge is a great and very useful quality; those who despise it give evidence enough of their stupidity. Yet I do not set its value at that extreme measure that some attribute to it." - Michel de Montaigne

DeltaBoy

I expect A State to keep plugging along.
If the South should lose, it means that the history of the heroic struggle will be written by the enemy, that our youth will be trained by Northern school teachers, will be impressed by all of the influences of history and education to regard our gallant dead as traitors and our maimed veterans as fit subjects for derision.
-- Major General Patrick Cleburne
The Confederacy had no better soldiers
than the Arkansans--fearless, brave, and oftentimes courageous beyond
prudence. Dickart History of Kershaws Brigade.

Seminole Indian

April 16, 2016, 08:02:12 am #5 Last Edit: April 16, 2016, 08:43:25 am by Seminole Indian
I had a chance to watch most of their spring game yesterday, and IMO they will be plugging along but at a higher level. Very athletic team.

With only 8 OL, and only 5 of them healthy it was hard to get a feel for their offense, because their defense simply dominated the game.

Some general observations:

The defense, which was outstanding last year when healthy, and returns almost everyone, is simply outstanding. Very fast, very aggressive, very talented, and should be among the best in G5.  They are three deep on the DL , and that allows their LB's and secondary to create havoc. 

Transfer DL Dee Liner (6-2, 330), JC LB  Kyle Wilson (5-11, 226), freshman DL Javier Carbonell (6-2, 305), and freshman DE TJ Harris (6-2, 225), are some newbies who look like they will contribute this year.

On offense it looks like the 4 man QB race is down to 2, with Justice Hansen, and James Tabary the leading candidates to replace Knighten. Tabary was the heir apparent to Knighten, but the former Sooner Hansen took the 1st snaps, and was involved in the post game interviews, so he appears to at least be 1A.

While there is not a lot of separation at this point, Hansen is without a doubt  the best athlete, and has the skills you expect from  a 4 star player. Very smooth, running or passing, and the game looks  easy for him. Tabary is a heady, tenacious  competitor, with above average skills, but beating out the more talented Hansen will be a tough task for him.

Former receiver Blake Mack (6-3, 241) is a play-maker at TE.
https://twitter.com/hossamus/status/721149554633125888

Transfer AB Cameron Echols-Luper (5-11, 207) is a game changer, running, catching, passing, whatever.

Chauncey Mason (5-9, 190), Tre's little brother, looks like he could help at WR.

Former Razorback Isaac Davis's son, Cam Davis (6-4, 295), and fellow RS Freshman Dalton Ford( 6-4, 295) both appear to have the talent to be key  backups on the OL this year.

They look like they have excellent kickers across the board.


"In truth, knowledge is a great and very useful quality; those who despise it give evidence enough of their stupidity. Yet I do not set its value at that extreme measure that some attribute to it." - Michel de Montaigne