Even in much of summer (preseason) the D is head and shoulders above the O. Both have been complicated since the Arp/Foster/Sochor/Biggs teams. It takes longer to get the O reads and timing down.

No more late portals.

Those teams didn’t have the benefit of OTAs. Practice basically starts two weeks after the season concludes these days.

hasson is at right tackle with the ones, thurston and denning played some as well

Actually informal 7v7 and passing drills occurred in the Spring during the Coach Sochor years. Linemen were expected to be in the weight room and watch film starting in January. Informal meant shorts and t-shirts and the coaches were not allowed to attend. Funny thing is that the coaches knew who was working out and who wasn't.

Thanks for the info.

I thought I saw a 100+ football players going through spring calisthenics on Howard Way around 1978 or 1979.

they would usually bring in 20 or more freshmen for the first couple weeks of camp as extra bodies (and to get done familiarity with the system prior to frosh football). The total number of players dropped each week until we got to preparation for the first game

Occasionally several freshmen would stay with the varsity.

But this was in the spring?

Spot-on with the Corners, what a luxury that is. We're not going to know on the QB deal until the end of training camp I'm guessing. Another good problem to have.

No Summer pre-season camp is where they would bring in freshman to work out with the varsity, Most would be sent home and their practices did not start until the start of Fall quarter which was late September. I helped out with the freshmen team for a year when my eligibility was up in '87.

Davis has always fielded healthy roster numbers and had a great system for developing guys, redshirting freshmen, etc. Looking at the relative youth of the current roster, I would say that as much as is possible with current NCAA rules, that Coach Plough has held to that same philosophy and approach. Only problem today is that you are having to fight off the vultures from the bigger programs. Even with that, I much prefer supporting a program that does it this way than the transient, mercenary programs you see at the top levels of college football.

Agreed. What do you really stand for as a program if every season is a whole new host of coaches and players.. Might work now, but identity is important for the long term

we never had spring practice back then. I’m pretty sure Davis didn’t stRt spring ball until we’ll after Sochor stepped down.

Both guys had big opportunities to transfer up and chose to stay. Says a lot about the coaching staff especially in the case of Richardson with this being his last year. Would be interested in hearing from plough on the podcast one of these days on how they even found him from d3. Obviously missed him coming out of high school but getting him has been a big hit for them.

I agree. Our DB's look like the strength of the defense. Very strong. I think our defense is going to be better than last year. I also think our special teams will better as well.

The Connor brothers also had a year of rest.

I'm with you guys, this Defensive group is going to be good. And they will need to carry the team in early games while the new QB finds his groove, regardless of who it is. Play great D, run the football, throw play action, and be sharp on Special Teams. Championship formula at every level of football. Go Ags!

How'd it look on Saturday?

Saw a bit

Lots of situational stuff (Redzone, backed up, end of game). Couple take aways:

Offense is running more smoothly but defense right now is still better by tons.

During redzone offense scored 5/5 drives but defense made them earn every yard. Counted a few TFL’s on 1 yard line. Most of the touchdowns came on broken plays 4th down. DE’s dominated that period.

Offense ended practice on a high note with a game winning drive in 2 minute drill. Cleeland to Açaí with 10 seconds left.

Best throw of the day was Cleeland darting a 10 yard out from opposite hash. Ball just leaves his hand with so much steam. Kollock also completed some nice passes including a 65 yard bomb on a double move. QB race looks really close.

Linebackers stood out to me. Sideline to sideline. Very athletic. Madruga stood out.

A few players I haven’t seen all spring due to injuries:
Stacey Dobbins
Chauncey Silverster
Winston Williams

Great info. Thank you. Wonder what happened to Dobbins? I know Sylvester and Winston are coming off longer term injuries.

Dr. mike, one of his team mates and i went to practice today. I got there early and sat in on the team meeting, QB room, and then Tim’s installation of the offense. Totally agree with the spread on the qb competition. Its tight and i don’t think you can go wrong with either guy. And both Kollock and Cleeland can scramble. The D looks rock solid. Saw what looked like some new recruits with their parents at the team meeting and on the sidelines during practice.

I always wonder in these tight battles if the tie goes to the guy who was recruited and came in as a freshman. Like a loyalty tie breaker

Great breakdown, much appreciated. I don't think loyalty or tenure earn anything but maybe a tiebreaker at best if it's dead even in modern college football. This is the era of the mercenaries. Plough & Shelton will have everything statted, and I would figure that it may come down to the numbers after training camp. Great problem to have with two of them though, can't keep everyone happy but it will make for a good season. Bummer Eason isn't able to compete, any word on his situation?

Great to hear the Defense is looking solid.

Any word on the RB Boogey? Plough mentions him in the pressers but I haven't heard anything on the boards about how he looks.

Going to have recruits around this time of year, especially anyone within a two hour drive.

I believe Weber RB has a hamstring pull.

Dobbins’s had surgery something with his hip

Pretty nice day today. Little cold but the sun broke out. Here are some notes from practice today. Monday 13 April:

Lots of special teams today. Great coaching on technique.

Folks we have a kicker! I think it was the FR #30 Hughes with multiple good kicks from the 30/40 yard line. Pretty strong leg.

Kollock took most 1st team reps today. He looks good for the most part. Lots of drops today by multiple receivers. Had a couple runs. Not superfast but has some running ability.

86 Pohlman was used a lot. 85 Khutsishvili with some drops.

Cleeland had some ups and downs. Some good throws and some misses. Either QB could start at this point, however to me it looks like Kollock has taken a bit of the lead.

16 Black-Glass the kid out of Fresno City College with a nice pick off Kollock.

27 Parnell with a nice catch.

13 McCormick with a nice break up. Good read.

Offensive line was 65 Porotesano LT, 60 Hassen, 52 Collier, 75 Fanua, 66 Thurston.

*Offensive line looks a bit overmatched. Defensive consistently beating OL off the line. Still early, but if there was one place I'd worry it would be the OL. I haven't seen the push off the line much. LT still seems iffy. Unit looks young.

The FR 78 Beverly kid is huge. His pads too high and he consistently gets beat off the line. Def needs some time in the weight room but the frame is there.

Porotesano will be key. Not sure who his back up is, but will be something to watch.

Defensive line looks promising. 99 Parker looks good. Like a giant meatball that is disruptive. 96 Few on the outside with some containment. 92 Mayo looks like the anchor of that unit. 42 McKenzie lined up as as DE. Lots of talent on the DL. Young but talented.

Overall the team looks good. It looks more talented than any Davis team I can remember, but they also look pretty young. It will be interesting to see how the team looks with the Conner brothers back.

-SG

Given new realities and with Caden Pinnick as an example, and our tight QB battle, I hope whoever ends up at #2 gets more snaps than in the past.

Lots of names not expected to be near the top of the depth chart.
Fanua and Thurston didn’t play much last season. Are Jace Rodriguez and David Main practicing?
Mckenzie is a freshman walk-on, good for him to be in the mix.