Day 4 Practice Notebook

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.– Thursday was the first day since camp opened Monday that all players worked out together. For the freshman and newcomers, this was the first time seeing things moving at game speed. Practice certainly had a much faster pace throughout the afternoon.

Coach Holliday said the only difference he saw today was guys didn’t get as many reps as they had been getting and doesn’t expect a change tomorrow.

“We won’t practice any different tomorrow than we have the past couple days,” Holliday said. “We will continue to rep even some of the young guys the rest of this week and by next week settle in on a two-deep with a couple extra guys and get ready to go play.”

Holliday complimented Hylek Foster, Donquell Green, Angelo Jean-Louis, Deon-tay McManus, Brandon Byrd and Tony Pittman on their performance today in practice and insisted there will be young guys that will play for this team.

Practice operated much like yesterday but with more emphasis on offense and defense skeleton drill and 11-on-11.

Davonte Allen continued his stellar performance this week with another solid performance on the field today. His best catch of the afternoon was on a comeback route from Cato that Allen secured in tight coverage and stayed in bounds. Allen has been working with the first team at the outside receiver position and at this point in camp, the starting position looks to be his to lose.

“Its a great advantage having Cato,” said Allen. “Knowing that every time you run the proper route you will get rewarded for it is a great feeling. I just have to stay focused and work on the little things everyday.”

Angelo Jean-Louis worked behind Allen and began cementing his name higher on the depth charts after making a spectacular catch on a ball thrown by Gunnar Holcombe that was well behind him. Jean-Louis should see the field plenty this season. Emanuel Beal was the third man to work outside.

Tommy Shuler had a field day with the rookies secondary including taking freshman Antavis Rowe to school during the skeleton drill. Rowe looked like he was trying to defend three people and Shuler took full advantage. Shuler spent most of his practice watching the younger guys run the routes and provided assistance and guidance as needed.

Hyleck Foster and Gator Green worked out of the slot Thursday and looked to live up to the hype that surrounds the two of them. Green made a read on a blown defensive coverage in the secondary where he simply jetted straight down the seam and caught the ball in stride on the way to a touchdown. Green and Foster have amazing speed as their teammates often call them the second coming of Shuler.

Deandre Reaves settled in today as he worked several underneath routes that allowed him to catch and run rather than having to work and get open. Reaves speed is certainly his strong point.

Cato made a terrific read on a play during the 11-on-11 drills that caused his quarterback coach Bill Legg to sprint to him in joy and deliver a chest bump. Legg was soon followed by running backs coach Chris Barclay. Cato is seeing the field amazingly well and teams will struggle to slow him down if the line can provide Cato the time he needs to carve up the defense.

Eric Frohnapfel led the TE’s today followed by Joe Woodrum, Deon-Tay McManus and Ryan Yuracheck. Fronhapfel ran a quick slant for nice gain, caught a ball split out from the line on a crossing route and even worked out of the backfield as an H-back with Johnson. That combination of Frohnapfel and Johnson is scary.

Running backs today were Johnson as the first team back, Remi Watson as the two and Stew Butler as the three. Still not sure how Butler fell to the 3’s but Butler seemingly knows how to always stay in Doc’s doghouse. Watson broke off a nice run during the 11-on-11.

Good vision by Watson to let the play develop and then attack at the right moment. Brandon Byrd got some solid contact on a sweep as this kid has serious potential. He has already used his red-shirt but I would not be surprised to see this kid get some time out of the backfield early this season.

“Football is a tough game and when somebody goes down, somebody must step up,” said Holliday. “It’s a long season and everyone is important.”

For more visit collierszlive.blogspot.com

— James Collier





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