IT
Quarterback
We’re hearing what we need to hear out of Arch Manning. He’s been precise on play-action strikes and done a good job of taking care of the ball. In addition, he’s sounded a bit more measured and taking the check downs when that’s the best option presented.
Freshman KJ Lacey has looked good in his first few practices. Coaches like his all-around game. He’s an easy guy to craft a scheme around.
We haven’t heard much about Trey Owens yet. Arch is Arch and he’s the starter and Lacey is brand new. It’s not surprising we’d hear about them. We’ll make a concerted effort to ask about Owens this week.
Running Back
Good, solid week from the running backs. It was encouraging hearing about the physicality of the freshmen running backs but it was only thud tempo—albeit, physical thud tempo.
Christian Clark is moving well.
Wide Receiver
Can Parker Livingstone keep up his torrid pace? The defense will likely adjust to his and Manning’s play-action exploits, though he’s showing a more well-rounded game than simply running by defenders.
Ryan Wingo had a quiet week in the way Michael Jordan would have a quiet 28 points. He’s just going about his business but looks good doing it.
Aaron Butler gained a mention or two last week but the noise hasn’t been as loud as it has been with Livingstone.
Daylan McCutcheon and Michael Terry are in the slot. Let’s see if the second week brings more mentions, especially for McCutcheon.
Jaime Ffrench is likely to play a lot this year. He’s too good after the catch.
I like what we heard about Kaliq Lockett matching physicality from the corners. That will be another feather in his cap when it comes to getting open.
Tight End
We haven’t heard much beyond Jordan Washington taking on more leadership and Jeff Banks spending a ton of time helping to expedite Washington’s readiness for this year. That’s similar to what we heard about Banks working with Ja’Tavion Sanders, btw.
They’ll hit the portal hard at TE.
Offensive Line & Defensive Line
We need some padded practices and scrimmage work before we hear anything ‘real’.
DJ Campbell’s improved body composition and leadership is very encouraging. He hasn’t lived up to his lofty rating but perhaps that’s about to change. Whispers of competition between Cole Hutson and Connor Robertson at center have gone quiet.
The staff doesn’t think there’s going to be much drop-off at all from Kelvin Banks to Trevor Goosby.
The main questions are left guard and right tackle.
We didn’t hear a ton about D-line—again, need practice in pads. Colin Simmons has been limited but whatever that reason is, it’s minor. The D-tackle additions are said to be “pretty good” so far. Travis Shaw has shown good motor. That could actually be a pretty important note. Hero Kanu has been described as a great culture fit. That’s a good thing since he has two years in the program.
Linebacker
The Jordan proviso applies to Hill as well—he had a quiet 28 the first week.
All eyes have been on Liona Lefau and Trey Moore. They’re both going to play, but it could be scheme and game plan dependent on how much. Lefau is great in coverage and good at ‘linebacker things’. Moore is a chess piece who can move around to cause confusion.
Tyanthony Smith and Brad Spence are doing good things. Smith moves like a DB and is up to 220 pounds while Spence moves well at his filled out size.
Star
We’ve really only been hearing about Wardell Mack and Ryan Niblett so far. Other players are there, including true freshmen Graceson Littleton and Jonathan Cunningham.
Mack fits the nickel type when not specifically hunting matchups. He’s an all-around Star, though they would likely still move Jelani McDonald there when teams are in two tight end sets.
Cornerback
We heard more about the receivers than the cornerbacks, though Santana Wilson’s name was mentioned after each practice.
Jaylon Guilbeau has received hard coaching from Duane Akina and Mark Orphey. Akina likes to use the veteran as someone he can coach the whole secondary through. Guilbeau is getting up to speed at the position after playing Star his entire career.
We’ll ask more about Manny Muhammad, Kobe Black, et al.
Safety
Michael Taaffe is the obvious and unquestioned quarterback of the secondary and probably the whole defense. McDonald has been good.
We’ve heard positives about Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Xavier Filsaime. Those two are sort of opposites but complement each other well. Filsaime is way ahead of where he was this time last year.
Zelus Hicks is going to be a player but has a lot of players in front of him.
Special Teams
Haven’t heard much. We’re lucky to get who we can get on the phone for info. Spending time on special teams after the first week isn’t smart.
Bert Auburn could be perfect during spring ball and it wouldn’t matter until he’s in front of 100,000 in The Shoe with the game on the line.
We know Jeff Banks is very, very intense when it comes to getting special teams right.